A Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. | Representative Image Boeing Co said on Friday it will begin delivering commercial airplanes capable of flying on 100 percent biofuel by the end of the decade, calling reducing environmental damage from fossil fuels the "challenge of our lifetime." Boeing's goal which requires advances to jet systems, raising fuel-blending requirements, and safety certification by global regulators is central to a broader industry target of slashing carbon emissions in half by 2050, the US planemaker said. "It's a tremendous challenge, it's the challenge of our lifetime," Boeing Director of Sustainability Strategy Sean Newsum told Reuters. "Aviation is committed to doing its part to reduce its carbon footprint." Commercial flying currently accounts for about 2 percent of global carbon emissions and about 12 percent of transport emissions, according to data cited by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). Boeing essentially has just a decade to reach its target because jetliners that enter service in 2030 will typically stay in service through 2050. The worlds largest aerospace company must also confront the task hobbled by the coronavirus pandemic and the 20-month grounding of its best-selling jetliner after fatal crashes, which has strained its finances and engineering resources. Boeing isn't starting from scratch. In 2018, it staged the world's first commercial airplane flight using 100 percent biofuel on a FedEx Corp 777 freighter. Boeing and European rival Airbus SE also work on reducing carbon emissions through weight and drag reduction on new aircraft. As it is now, biofuels are mixed directly with conventional jet fuel up to a 50/50 blend, which is the maximum allowed under current fuel specifications, Boeing said. Boeing first must determine what changes to make to enable safe flight on alternative fuels derived from used vegetable oil, animal fats, sugar cane, waste and other sources. Boeing needs to work with groups that set fuel specifications such ASTM International to raise the blending limit to allow expanded use, and then convince aviation regulators globally to certify the planes as safe, Boeing said. Actor-politician and Janasena party founder Pawan Kalyan on Friday donated Rs 30 lakh for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Kalyan handed over the cheque to Andhra Pradesh RSS chief Bharatiji, along with another Rs 11,000 donation arranged by the actor's personal staff. "I am donating Rs 30 lakh as my part for the construction of Ram temple. After knowing that I am donating the sum, my personal staff members, including Hindus, Muslims and Christians, have also raised Rs 11,000 for the purpose," said Kalyan. Former minister and BJP leader Kamineni Srinivas and other RSS representatives were present on the occasion. Sri Lanka will receive Covid-19 vaccines free from India next week, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said on Saturday, a day after the country approved emergency use of Oxford AstraZeneca's Covishield vaccine. "We do not have to wait longer than the 27th of this month to receive a quantity of free vaccines from India," the president said, addressing the presidential mobile service at Walallawita south of here this morning. Front-line health workers, the Army and the police and the most vulnerable elderly will be given the vaccine as a priority, the president said, amid warnings from doctors that front-line health workers should be quickly inoculated to prevent the medical system from collapsing. "We will also buy Covid-19 vaccines from Russia and China," the president said. The president's comments came as the health authorities conducted three dry runs of the vaccination process. India this week announced that it will send Covid-19 vaccines under grant assistance to Sri Lanka and seven other countries -- Bhutan, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles, Afghanistan and Mauritius. Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives have already received Indias Covid-19 vaccines under grant assistance in sync with its Neighbourhood First" policy. While the Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield is being manufactured by the Serum Institute, the Covaxin doses are being produced by Bharat Biotech. India on Friday welcomed Sri Lankas emergency use approval of Covishield vaccine which is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. Welcome emergency use approval of Covishield vaccines by Government of Sri Lanka. This clears the way for scheduling delivery of the vaccine from #India to #lka," Indias High Commission here said in a tweet. Sri Lanka has witnessed a fresh outbreak of the disease in October when two clusters - one centered on a garment factory and the other on the main fish market - emerged in Colombo and its suburbs. Sri Lanka has reported 52,964 cases with 278 fatalities. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, who faced criticism for endorsing a local concoction supposedly a cure for the virus promoted by an indigenous medicine practitioner, has tested positive for Covid-19. The health minister became the fifth member of Parliament to have been found Covid-19 positive. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. In the run-up to Republic Day, at least six hoax bomb threats have been reported in Uttar Pradeshs Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur and Allahabad this week. The miscreants behind these hoax threats, which even prompted evacuations in hospitals and shopping malls, are yet to be identified. FIRs have been lodged in connection with some of the incidents, according to officials. AFP Panic gripped Panic gripped a busy neighbourhood in Noidas Sector 63 on Friday morning as heavy security was deployed and the area cordoned off following an alert that a bomb-like device was found on a road. The device was checked by a bomb disposal squad which found that it had no detonator or explosive attached to it. It turned out to be a suspicious-looking item with a watch strapped to its front portion and placed there by some miscreant, a police spokesperson said. On Thursday, an unidentified caller informed a prominent private hospital in Noidas Sector 27 that a bomb was placed in its basement, triggering panic and evacuation of people from the premises. TOI Police personnel, bomb disposal squads, dog squads and fire tenders reached the hospital immediately and the building was checked for any suspicious item. It turned out to be a hoax. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Noida, Ranvijay Singh had said. In Ghaziabad, an LPG cylinder with a watch-like device attached to it triggered an alarm on Wednesday. The suspicious item was found in an empty plot in Madhuban Bapudham area by two police officials on patrol duty. Image For Representation/PTI A bomb disposal squad soon reached the spot and found that it was not a bomb. However, an FIR has been lodged against an unidentified person, according to Ghaziabad police officials. Two hoax bomb threats were also received in Allahabad and one in Kanpur on Friday. The police were informed that a bomb had been placed in PVR mall (Vinayak City Centre). Security was deployed immediately and the area cordoned off for a search by bomb disposal squads and anti-sabotage teams, SP (City) Dinesh Kumar Singh. The officer said similar information was received regarding the Star World multiplex on Katghar road in Mutthiganj area of the city. Both turned out to be hoaxes. Singh said police are tracking the persons who gave the false information and action would be taken against them. AFP In Kanpur, a Twitter user flagged a bomb threat for South X shopping mall in Kidwai Nagar area and a couple of other crowded spaces in the city on Friday, triggering panic among the public and quick deployment of security personnel. Later, in a statement, the Kanpur police said it was a hoax as no explosives were found in the vicinity of the mentioned spots. An FIR was lodged against the Twitter user at the Juhi police station and legal proceedings initiated. The Twitter handle, @suryavanshiBad1, which had posted the bomb hoax, could not be found when last checked by PTI on Saturday morning. New Delhi: On Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary (January 23) the government has decided to celebrate it as 'Parakram Divas'. On the occasion, Rajya Sabha Member Subhash Chandra addressed a program 'Patriotic Happening' which was organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (US). He congratulated VHP America for this event and said, 'I am happy that Indian Americans led by VHP America today organized programs in memory of two of India's heroic sons Swami Vivekananda (January 12) and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (January 23). My regards to all of you. Patriotism and spiritualism make India a united country. It is the unity and solidarity of Indians that makes other countries our favorites," he said. Remembering Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Chandra said that Netaji played a crucial role in unifying India. Subhash Chandra recalled that when Netaji went to Germany from India, he made a broadcast debut for India in Berlin. He called upon Indians to join the 'Azad Hind Fauj'. It was Swami Vivekananda's influence on Netaji that he understood the power of the people. In this way he united the people of the country. Subhash Chandra said that Netaji shook the roots of the British rule in India, although the credit for the country's independence was taken by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. But it is true that Netaji and other freedom fighters of the country gave us freedom from the clutches of the British. "After independence, Sardar Patel united the country and showed India the dream that we are living today," he said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kolkata on Saturday (January 23, 2021) for 'Parakram Diwas' celebrations to commemorate Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary. PM Modi during his scheduled visit will be at Netaji Bhawan at Elgin Road on Saturday. He will preside over the inaugural function of the `Parakram Diwas` celebrations at Victoria Memorial. The Prime Minister`s Office (PMO) in a release stated that a permanent exhibition and a projection mapping show on Netaji will be inaugurated on the occasion. "A commemorative coin and postage stamp will also be released by the Prime Minister. A cultural programme "Amra Nuton Jouboneri Doot", based on the theme of Netaji, will also be held," PMO said. In the ceremony, a book based on Netaji's letters called "Book: Letters of Netaji (1926-1936)" will be unveiled. A felicitation ceremony will be held to honour INA veterans and other freedom fighters. "Before this event, Prime Minister will visit the National Library where an International Conference "Re-visiting the legacy of Netaji Subhas in the 21st century" and an 'Artists' Camp' are being organized. Prime Minister will interact with the artists and conference participants," it said. The government recently announced that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birthday on January 23 every year will be celebrated as `Parakram Diwas'. Live TV Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-22 13:23:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Mongolian People's Party is holding a conference here on Friday to select a nominee for a new prime minister after the resignation of the government. On Thursday, Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh proposed the resignation of his government after two ministers announced their withdrawal amid social pressure and public protests, and the parliament accepted his proposal. Protests were triggered in the capital city of Ulan Bator by TV footage showing a COVID-19 patient who had just given birth was transferred from a maternity hospital to a quarantine facility, wearing only hospital pajamas and plastic slippers in freezing weather, with her newborn baby on Tuesday night. Khurelsukh's government resigned less than seven months after its formation as a result of general elections. This is the first time in the country's history that a government has resigned voluntarily. Enditem Saturday, January 23, 2021 Earlier this week, the Biden administration suspended the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). The American Immigration Council has a helpful fact sheet on: "The Migrant Protection Protocols, which provides information about the program, who it has impacted, and analyzes the concerns and problems with the program. The fact sheet notes as follows that "President Biden has promised to end MPP. However, prior to inauguration, Biden and his advisors had suggested that damage done to the asylum system by the Trump administration has prevented them from immediately admitting people still waiting in Mexico under MPP, and it may take months to reverse Trumps border policies. Hours after he was inaugurated, Biden officially ordered CBP to stop placing people into MPP but left the fate of those already sent back to Mexico still unclear. As proposed below, now that CBP has stopped placing people into MPP, the administration should rapidly surge resources to ports of entry to process the likely fewer than 20,000 people with pending MPP cases who remain in Mexico. Under new guidance, CBP should be directed to issue parole quickly and safely to individuals subject to MPP who appear at the ports of entry at scheduled times, allowing them to reenter the United States. Once inside the country, nonprofit organizations can help these individuals arrange transit to their final destination while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) transfers the individuals court cases to their final destination." KJ https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2021/01/american-immigration-council-fact-sheet-on-the-migrant-protection-protocols.html LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. The Oregon Association of Hospitals & Health Systems issued a statement Friday sharing doubts about Gov. Kate Browns latest COVID-19 vaccine plan. CEO Becky Hultberg said they are concerned the supply of doses will not be able to meet the demand for the vaccine in all areas when eligibility opens to educators and older Oregonians. Since the state does not control the vaccine supply, Oregonians are being asked to take it on faith that the state can keep to the governors timeline, Hultberg said. The group urged Oregonians to keep in mind that not all hospitals will have enough doses of the vaccine to meet the demand. Some areas have not yet completed vaccinating the Phase 1A group, but starting next week, the majority of the supply will go to school staff, Hultberg said. On Feb. 8, those 80 and older will be able to start getting vaccinated, with other age groups being phased in over time. Hultberg said this will compound the issue. The official timeline released by the state sets unreasonable expectations and will create confusion for those who are trying to get vaccinated, the group said. It could be weeks or months until certain people on the priority list are able to be vaccinated, even if they are technically eligible, the statement adds. Lastly, the group urged the community to not call hospitals, as they are doing the best they can with the supply they have and are under significant stress. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. A former Bernalillo County Sheriffs deputy who kicked a suspect in the head, breaking a bone and requiring hospitalization, had his Law Enforcement Officer Certification revoked by the disciplinary board meeting last week. David Priemazon, 50, was convicted of aggravated assault causing great bodily harm a third-degree felony in October 2019. And a former Albuquerque Police Department officer who shoved a handcuffed suspect headfirst into a wall had his certification suspended for one year. John Hill, 42, pleaded no contest to a petty misdemeanor battery charge in November 2019. These are two of the four determinations the Law Enforcement Academy board made regarding Albuquerque area officers at a special meeting last week. All law enforcement officers in the state must have a certificate in order to work and there were several from other agencies whose cases were also heard. Gilbert Gallegos, an APD spokesman, said the three former APD officers will not be eligible for re-hire in the future based on the internal affairs investigation findings. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Another high profile case that of former APD officer Keith Sandy who shot and killed James Boyd in 2014 was tabled for further investigation. In March 2018, Priemazon, a 15-year veteran with BCSO, was accused of using excessive force against Christopher Lucero, who he was arresting following a vehicle pursuit. Priemazon kicked Lucero in the face, breaking a bone. The case was reported up the chain of command, investigated by internal affairs and then referred to the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office, which filed charges. Following a weeklong trial in the fall of 2019, a jury found Priemazon guilty of aggravated battery. A state district court judge sentenced him to three years on supervised probation and required him to pay restitution, complete 100 hours of community service, and take anger management classes. Priemazon, reached by phone, said he believes the board was unfair. I dont agree with it at all, he said. It was wrong. The board was one-sided. Hill, who had been with APD for seven years, was fired in August 2019 after an internal affairs investigation found he shoved a handcuffed suspect, Jackson Howe, from behind causing her to strike her head on the wall of a holding cell. Hill was charged with a petty misdemeanor battery and pleaded no contest. He was sentenced to unsupervised probation for six months, ordered to pay $50 in restitution to Howe, and perform 40 hours of community service. The case was dismissed as a conditional discharge in June 2020. Hill declined comment to the Journal. The board also imposed a three-year suspension on an officer who was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated in August 2020. Juan Olivas-Martinez, 26, was spotted driving erratically southbound on Interstate 25, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. That case is pending. He resigned after his arrest. Olivas-Martinez could not be reached for comment. The board dismissed a complaint against an officer who had been reported by internal affairs after he failed a random drug test in 2019. The report filed against Dakota Moore, 33, said his urine analysis results were positive for Oxazepam, a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and insomnia, and other issues. The board determined Moore could keep his certification. He declined to comment. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... SANTA FE After repeatedly emailing her concerns about the sale of Edgewoods old town hall, Town Councilor Sherry Abraham brought up those apprehensions at a Jan. 13 council meeting. But instead of being recognized by Mayor Pro Tem John Abrams, Abrams had Abraham removed from the meeting by Edgewood Police Chief Darrell Sanchez. As mayor pro tem, Abrams ran the meeting because former mayor John Bassett was ordered removed from office by a district court judge for violating the towns nepotism ordinance. Councilor Abraham was trying to alert members of the council to an offer on the old town hall that wasnt being considered. She heard from a concerned constituent there was a better offer for the building, so she did a public records request for all the offers made on the building. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The mayor pro tem excluded Abraham from the meeting for having ex parte communications regarding the sale of the building. Ex parte is a legal term that usually refers to one-sided communications in a court case that the other party isnt aware of. I do believe I was illegally removed because I had every right to have this information, Abraham told the Journal. The other part of that is the mayor pro tem also had this information, as did the town clerk. Abraham said she emailed Abrams and Edgewood Town Clerk Juan Torres about the offer several times. She also said town attorney Marcus Rael wasnt present at the meeting. She said she and Councilor Audrey Jaramillo were told by Rael that he wasnt going to respond to inquiries from them any more. This is a violation of the peoples rights, Jaramillo said in an interview. They duly elected Councilor Abraham to represent them, to speak for them, to be in meetings (and) to debate. And that right of the people and of Councilor Abraham herself to be in the meeting was taken away by the Mayor Pro Tem John Abrams and the Chief of Police. Abrams, Torres, Rael and Councilor Linda Holle did not respond to requests for interviews. Melanie Major, executive director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, said the purchase offers are public documents and there are no restrictions on who can access them. New Mexico Municipal League Attorney Randy Van Vleck told the Edgewood Independent that ex parte communication is applied narrowly, in legal and quasi-judicial proceedings, which didnt apply to the sale of the old town hall. It would be highly unusual to block a councilor from participating in the sale, he told The Independent. A New Ross woman is competing to represent Ireland in an international Ms USA bikini competition. Maria Prochukhan (22) was encouraged to enter the Miss Bikini Ireland competition and has qualified for the finals. Maria completed a Masters in UX Design & Games in DIT in December and has been modelling for a few years. A Miss Bikini Ireland spokesperson said: 'Miss Bikini Ireland has reached new heights with more and more people applying from all over the country with the dream of following the success of former winners and the chance to represent Ireland on the big stage at The World Finals of Swimsuit USA International. As part of Miss Bikini Ireland each year we put together workshops with contestants are giving tasks which include, portfolio shoot with professional photographers, brand awareness photoshoot, and more. Tasks include working with brands and companies chosen by Miss Bikini Ireland.' Maria participated in a fitness workshop and photo shoot this month and had professional photos taken. 'It was really exciting and interesting. Obviously the experience this year is not the same as it would have been any other year. Even at the workshop we had to be in small groups of four.' All finalists in the competition will be selected by June. To help her meet the costs Maria is looking for sponsors and can be contacted by email at maria.pro98@hotmail.com. The former St Mary's Secondary School student said: 'I've always been interested in modelling ever since I was a kid. When I moved to Dublin I got a chance to get into it properly and have been in photo shoots and music videos.' Maria emigrated from Russia to New Ross in the 2000s. Describing modelling as fun, she hopes to make a full-time career out of it, but if not she will have a first class education in computer and games design to fall back on. 'I want to keep going and to start getting really good jobs. I hope to get my name out there through this competition and to get into more beauty pageants.' Having entered the competition, she is now busy practising modelling different bikinis. 'I think it's crazy and amazing that I've gotten into the final. It's so random. I didn't think this would work out so easily for me. It's the first competition I've entered. I always try to keep healthy with what I eat and exercising as well. It's second nature to me.' Finding the Ms Bikini Ireland judges easy to work with, Maria said she will do a catwalk practising workshop. The competition was supposed to takes place in Dublin this month but has been postponed until later this year. '(If I win) then I can go into the international competition in Mexico,' she said. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack that Egyptian security forces said killed one security officer and wounded three other people in the Sinai Peninsula early Thursday. IS local franchise claimed to have detonated roadside bombs in two separate attacks on the Egyptian army Thursday, one targeting a tank near the coastal town of Sheikh Zuweid and the other a bulldozer at a village near Egypts border with Gaza. Egypts government under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has struggled to tamp down the insurgency. Last month, a pair of roadside bombs killed three soldiers near Sheikh Zuweid. In February 2018 the Egyptian military announced a major nationwide sweep against Islamist terrorists mainly focused on the peninsula just a few months after IS gunmen mowed down more than 230 civilians attending Friday prayers at a Sufi-affiliated mosque near el-Arish. North Sinai emerged as the insurgencys epicenter following the popular ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011 and the subsequent military coup against President Mohammed Morsi led by then-Defense Minister Sisi two years later. Local Sunni jihadi group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis publicly pledged loyalty to the Islamic State in 2014, declaring itself IS Sinai Province. Sisis regime has led an unprecedented crackdown on Islamists, political opponents, liberal activists, human rights groups and Egyptian civil society in general since taking power in 2013. Journalists and most aid workers have been barred from much of North Sinai, which has been designated a restricted military zone. Cairos counterinsurgency effort in the desert peninsula has received quiet air support from Israel and Pentagon advice. The United States last week designated Harakat Sawa'd Masr a global terrorist organization last week. The jihadi network is believed to have been founded by a former Egyptian special forces officer and linked to militants in Sinai. Egyptian soldiers who have fought in Sinai have told Al-Monitor the army has made progress against the insurgency in recent years, but also complained about their own units' poor tactics and leadership. We lost a lot of people, one junior conscript told Al-Monitor last year on condition of anonymity prior to his discharge. Daesh [the Islamic State] always hits us from behind. The party also approved resolutions staking out hard-right positions such as calls for revoking birthright citizenship, ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program, ceasing to provide translations for official government services to non-English speakers and one that stands firm on the principles of only two genders. The vote to censure comes two and a half months after Mr. Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry Arizona in more than two decades, and only the second Democrat in 50 years. For decades, Republicans controlled both U.S. Senate seats, but they lost the first in 2018 and the second last year. Mr. Ducey, who was easily re-elected in 2018, is the most prominent Republican still in office who has won statewide. Ms. McCain, Mr. Flake and Mr. Ducey each attended Mr. Bidens inauguration on Wednesday and Ms. McCain served on the presidents transition advisory board. She has responded to the threat of censure with a sense of both annoyance and amusement, joking that she was in good company with her husband. The censure resolution against Ms. McCain cited her support for leftist causes such as gay marriage and growth of the administrative state, and her endorsement of Mr. Biden, which was described as in direct opposition to Republican values, the interests of the American people and the Constitution of the United States. On Twitter, Ms. McCain replied: It is a high honor to be included in a group of Arizonans who have served our state and our nation so welland who, like my late husband John, have been censured by the AZGOP. Ill wear this as a badge of honor. And in an earlier interview with The Arizona Republic, Ms. McCain blasted the state party chair, Ms. Ward, for pushing for the rebukes. Over two lakh will be part of the January 26 'kisan parade' in the capital and around 2,500 volunteers will be deployed to facilitate the movement of the vehicles, farmer unions opposing the Centre's new agri laws said on Saturday. The number of volunteers can be increased, depending on the crowd, and a control room has been set up to look into the arrangements, they said. Kirti Kisan Union president Nirbhai Singh Dhudike, who presided over a meeting of Punjab farmers' unions, said that more than one lakh are expected to arrive from the state on Sunday. The main focus of the meeting was to discuss about the tractor parade to be taken on Republic Day, Singh said after the over three-hour-long meeting at Singhu. Since November 28 last year, farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting against the laws at several Delhi border points, including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, and demanding the legislations be repealed. The tractor parades will be taken out only after 12 pm, after the parade on Delhi's Rajpath concludes, according to the protesting farmer unions. Talking about the preparations for the proposed tractor rally, Singh said a central committee has been formed and it will look into the preparations of the parade. Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar, after attending a meeting between the unions and senior police officers on Saturday, claimed that the Delhi Police has given permission to the farmers' tractor parade on January 26. The tractor parade will start from the Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri border points of Delhi, but the final details of routes are yet to be finalised, said Kohar, who is a senior member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of the agitating unions. However, Delhi Police Additional Public Relation Officer Anil Mittal said, "We are in the final stages of talks with " Dhudike said, "This is going to be a historic rally." "We will have around 2,500 volunteers who will part of the tractor rally on In case, any one needs assistance or help during the rally, these volunteers will assist them. They will be responsible to ensure smooth movement of in an organised and disciplined manner," he said. The volunteers will also attend to emergencies if any, the farmer leader said. "Each volunteer will be given badges, jackets and identity cards. They will follow the tractors on jeeps. Some of them might even join on tractors if required. They will also help in distribution of essential items like water and edibles if needed. Each tractor will have a group of four-five on it," he said. Another farmer leader said the central committee formed to handle the arrangements of the tractor rally, will operate from a newly created control room and around 20 members will be part of the central committee. Under the central committee, there will be various sub-committees, including a traffic control team and a volunteers team, he said. He also added that so far, it has been decided that 40 ambulances will be stationed along the route of the proposed tractor parade. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 01:02:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SINGAPORE, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Over 60,000 individuals in Singapore have received their first dose of vaccine of COVID-19, Singapore's Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong said here Friday. "These numbers are expected to rise substantially in the coming weeks, as we continue to ramp up our vaccination capacity and operations, while maintaining the highest standards of safety," he said at a press conference. So far, Singapore has set up four vaccinations centers, and more are in the pipeline. Moreover, the city-state is also preparing to turn polyclinics and selected Public Health Preparedness Clinics into vaccination centers. According to Gan, Singapore will begin its first phase of community vaccination next week for the seniors. He also noted that there was an increase in the number of locally transmitted cases. "In the past week alone, there were an average of three cases in the community a day," he said, adding that four clusters have been discovered recently involving mainly workplace and household transmissions. Amongst the community cases in the past two weeks, about three-quarters of them were symptomatic, but half of them had not sought medical treatment after they experienced symptoms. The minister urged Singaporeans to adhere strictly to the safe management measures and be socially responsible, especially over the upcoming festive Chinese New Year period. On Friday, Singapore reported one community case and 14 imported cases, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 59,250. Enditem How To Spend A Trillion Dollars Rowan Hooper Profile 14.99 Rating: A trillion dollars is a lot of money. Imagine you have a billion dollars. Now, imagine youve got that billion a thousand times over. Rowan Hooper calls the figure truly incredible at the beginning of his thought-provoking guide to the most constructive ways we might spend such a sum. But trillions are, at the same time, increasingly part of the calculations we live by. At a rough estimate the USA has spent over $3 trillion on Covid-19 relief measures since the start of the pandemic. Economists might argue over how much of that is fiscal conjuring and how much hard cash, but someone, in the end, will have to pay the bill. At a rough estimate the USA has spent over $3 trillion on Covid-19 relief measures since the start of the pandemic Thats the point of Hoopers thought experiment. There are some costs that are too expensive to dodge. But we still need to think hard about priorities. His own rules for what he calls Project Trillion are simple: spending must be directed to saving humanity and the planet, and the money cant be spent on political or media projects. What hes interested in hes a senior editor at New Scientist is getting the most bang for his buck, with projects that have a practical chance of repairing or improving our world. There are a lot of numbers here dizzyingly large numbers that are frequently multiplied or divided by other colossal numbers but Hoopers prose style is clear and direct and he breaks down the choices into ten discrete projects. Some of his proposals are altruistic; his chapter on world poverty divides the trillion between simply giving the poorest people in the world a lump sum (surprisingly effective, the evidence shows) and a global education drive. Others are a little more nerdily self-indulgent (Lets make the Moon the eighth continent) or self-focused; Hooper is a vegetarian and makes an ecological case for turning the world vegan, though it seems unlikely that anyone will be persuaded to give up their Sunday roast by his argument that eating high up the food chain is simply a poor decision from a systems engineering point of view. That question of human difference, of cherished human habit, is the rub. At a time of pandemic pessimism about the intractability of the worlds problems virtually every page of this book carries a heartening reminder that there are solutions available and that some of them are relatively cheap. You could, for instance, fund a two-year trial on using seawater vapour as a form of global sunshade for the cost of Neymars transfer from Barcelona to Paris St-Germain. If you prime the pump of human ingenuity, extraordinary things are possible. But getting people to agree where to start, when they cant even agree if the problems are real, is a harder question. Like Hooper, I think Id spend a big chunk of my trillion on education, in the hope we might recognise a shared reality before its too late. And this book would be on the curriculum. Sea State Tabitha Lasley Fourth Estate 14.99 Rating: Tabitha Lasley was in her mid-30s and had finally ended a relationship with a dreadful boyfriend when she quit her job on a womans magazine in London and moved to Aberdeen to embark on a long-held plan of writing a book about men who worked on oil rigs. The idea was to see what men were like when no women were around (women make up just three per cent of offshore workers). Hanging around the airport accosting offshore workers to see if theyd be interviewed, she meets Caden, a married man passing through the city before returning to his wife and young twins in Stockton-on-Tees. The Teesside Mafia, we learn, has a long history of allocating rig jobs to cronies with no qualifications and fabricated CVs. IT'S A FACT On an oil rig, youre more likely to be killed by a falling spanner than by a fire or an explosion: fiery disasters account for only 20 per cent of fatalities. Advertisement Industry insights like this, dotted around this memoir, are fascinating. Oil, Lasley tells us, is one of the final remaining opportunities, outside sport, where British, working-class men can earn decent money. But as with so many industries, margins are tightening, wages are falling and standards increasingly compromised. There are eye-opening revelations about the cost-cutting and inefficiency that have resulted in so many oil-rig disasters such as the 1988 Piper Alpha catastrophe, in which 167 men died. Equally intriguing are Lasleys mentions of the risks these men more like mercenaries accept with their well-paid postings: hostage-taking in Libya, piracy in West Africa, insurgents in Iraq, ice-floes in Arctic Russia. But such nuggets are far outweighed by the details of the tawdry affair Lasley embarks on with Caden, complete with sub-Fifty Shades Of Grey scenes (My fingers made contact with the silky panels of his ribcage). Like all the riggers Lasley encounters, Caden is unedifyingly misogynistic and materialistic, with no interests except splashing his wages on expensive tat. He rapidly dumps his family for Lasley (her description of his understandably furious wife is coldly condescending). Equally abruptly, he returns to them, leaving Lasley mystifyingly devastated. The memoir is well written, but its impossible to work out if its a Bridget Jones riff with added drills or a hard-hitting expose of a sub-culture employing about 150,000 people. By seemingly trying to be both, it fails. Julia Llewellyn Smith (@ChaudhryMAli88) LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2021) UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says his country hopes for deeper cooperation with Washington under the administration of US President Joe Biden. "Great to speak to President @JoeBiden this evening. I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from COVID-19," Johnson wrote on Twitter on Saturday. Biden's inauguration ceremony took place on Wednesday. On Thursday, Johnson welcomed Biden's decision to get the United States back to the Paris Climate Agreement. President Biden signed several executive orders on Inauguration Day, including one on the US rejoining the Paris climate accord. The decision reverses former US President Donald Trump's move to abandon the treaty. The government may announce creation of a database of informal workers and migrants in the Union Budget 2021 to roll out benefits through welfare schemes. The registry will contain information on up to 250 million informal workers and migrants who are in the 16-59 age group, Mint reported. It will help the Centre and states implement welfare schemes such as pension benefits and other social security provisions, the report said. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely hit workers in the unorganised sector, with several leaving cities in 2020 after the lockdown was announced in late March 2020. Under the proposed scheme, which is likely to cost Rs 760 crore, informal workers will be able to register under the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to avail healthcare facilities, Mint reported. "The COVID-19 backdrop will be evident in some of the announcements of Budget 2021-22. Both economic recovery measures and welfare measures will see a direct correlation in policy announcements. A national database or repository will be crucial for informal sector workers' welfare," a source told the newspaper. "Once in place, at least half-a-dozen existing schemes can be linked with this database and repository for effectively rolling out contributory social security benefits, as seeding of Aadhaar and bank account will be compulsory for the unorganized sector," another source told the paper. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget on February 1. In a presser, state home minister Anil Deshmukh referred to the purported chats between Goswami and ex-BARC head Partho Dasgupta, which mentioned that Goswami was privy to the planning of the 2019 surgical strike Nagpur: The Maharashtra government is taking legal opinion on whether action can be taken against Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami under the Official Secrets Act over his purported WhatsApp chats concerning the Balakot air strike, a state minister said on Saturday. Addressing a press conference, Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh also sought to know from the Centre how Goswami got access to sensitive information regarding the strike. He was referring to the purported chats between Goswami and former Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) head Partho Dasgupta, which mentioned that Goswami was privy to the 2019 air strike, when the Indian Air Force (IAF) hit the biggest JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on 26 February that year. "The WhatsApp chat shockingly revealed that Arnab had information about the Balakot air strike three days in advance of the actual incident," he said. "We want to ask the central government how Goswami got such sensitive information about the attack, which is otherwise known only to prime minister, defence minister, Army chief and few select people," the minister said. This issue is related to national security and the central government must reply on it, he said. "The Maharashtra government is taking legal opinion on whether the state home department can take action in this connection under the Official Secrets Act, 1923," Deshmukh said. The air strike was carried out in Pakistan's Balakot in the wake of killing of 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on 14 February, 2019 by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed. A Tribute to a Combat Medic When you are a combat soldier, you are forced to depend on many things beyond your control. You accept that the artillery folks are well trained and accurate, you believe the Hueys will arrive for extraction, you have some confidence that the jets will drop their bombs where they aim and not on you or your unit, you build a bond with your fellow soldiers that they will protect you flank and rear. However, the one thing you trust above all others is your unit MEDIC. He carries his hospital on his back or in a pack. Sometimes he carries a weapon and sometimes he doesnt. He slugs it out with you and the unit enduring the same danger and challenges of an infantry soldier. He is there with an aspirin for a headache. He is there to treat minor burns, scratches and rashes. He is there when you Medcap a village to treat the children and adults in the local Vietnamese population. But the one thing that he is there for is his main job. He is there to respond when the dreaded call MEDIC! is yelled. He will risk life and limb to be at the side of a wounded soldier. Often he will stop the bleeding and administer shots for the pain. He will assure the wounded that all is well even when it is not. He often may have the privilege (burden?) of being the last person a soldier will see before he expires. He will hear the cries to Mom or God from a soldier in mortal pain. Many times he will never know the soldiers name; he will often never know if the soldier survived or died after Medevacked to the hospital. Other times he will know the soldier as a brother in the same unit and have memories of the good times they had (yes you can have good times in a war). He will carry that burden with him for the rest of his life. Did I do enough? Could I have done something different? Yesterday (1/21/2021) we lost just such a man: Kenneth Blakely Medic D Company 2nd 12th Infantry 25th Division. Ken served in Vietnam Dec 1967 Dec 1968. He made it his goal in life to contact and continue to minister to the families and comrades he served with in civilian life. Ken was also a Conscientious Objector who served not by protesting or refusing induction, but by choosing to serve his fellow soldiers in the best way he could as a Medic. His role model was Desmond Doss, who many of us never heard of before the book and movie. As a member of the same Religion, Ken drew inspiration from Desmonds life story long before he entered the Army. He died during an operation to replace a pacemaker that had become infected. Kenneth Blakely was a hero then and now. May he rest in Peace HAND SALUTE ---- WELCOME HOME DOC 1946 January 21,2021 Doc Blakely Bio from Unit Web Site In May of 1967 Ken Doc Blakely was recently married and attending college part time while working to support his new family when he received his induction notice. Although he had been accepted as a fulltime student in Radiological Technology classes and could reinstate his student deferment, Doc decided to temporarily forgo his education and accept the induction. Doc is a Seventh Day Adventist so the decision to accept induction was a deeply personal one. The Seventh Day Adventist church believes killing is against Gods law, but they also believe service to ones country is a moral imperative. With the Churchs support Doc could have asked for, and received, a complete deferment from the military based on his lifelong commitment to the church. An alternative to a complete deferment would have been a military occupation which permitted him to worship and rest on Saturdays, the Sabbath for the Seventh Day Adventists. Inspired by Desmond Doss, a Seventh Day Adventist who won the Congressional Medal of Honor in WWII, while serving as a medic, Doc chose to accept induction as a Conscientious Objector, but to serve on the battlefield as a Combat Medic. Doc joined D Company, 2/12 Infantry in Vietnam in December of 1967. He was wounded twice, received the Purple Heart, and was decorated three times for what Doc insists was no more than doing his job. He left Vietnam in Dec of 1968. Doc supported the war and does not believe his status as a CO makes him any less responsible for the deaths inflicted on the enemy his platoon engaged in the field. He often wished the enemy dead, particularly when they tried to hurt the casualties he was working to save. After returning to the States Doc resumed his education and became a Radiology Technician by profession and a competitive water skier in his free time. In 1984 Doc was divorced and soon after married his present wife, Rose Mary. Rose Mary is a critical part of Docs process of coming home. She was his support and inspiration. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) Children as young as five and 10 years old are among the COVID-19 patients found with the new variant in Bontoc, Mountain Province, according to the Department of Health. We have cases as young as 5 and 10 years (old), Dr. Thea de Guzman from the DOHs Epidemiology Bureau disclosed in a media briefing on Saturday. One other patient is below 18 years old. The three minors are among the country's 16 additional cases of the coronavirus variant first discovered in the United Kingdom and believed to be more contagious. The first detected case in the Philippines, a Quezon City resident who returned from a trip to Dubai, has since recovered. Twelve of the new cases are from two barangays in Bontoc, one from La Trinidad, Benguet, and one from Calamba, Laguna. The remaining two are returning overseas Filipinos from Lebanon whose residences are still being validated. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, where it can discuss whether it should take back its earlier resolution allowing kids aged 10 to 14 to leave their homes starting Feb. 1. It is supposed to be implemented in areas under modified general community quarantine, like Mt. Province and the other provinces where the new COVID-19 variant was detected. Current IATF rules permit those aged 15 to 65 years old to leave their homes. Meanwhile, those covered by the age restrictions could only head out to access essential items and services. In a separate media briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said she might recommend that the IATF reconsider its earlier decision. Amin pong iniisip na baka maka-recommend tayo na 'wag muna ipatupad ang paglabas sa mga bata so we could prevent more infections. But nevertheless, makikinig tayo sa IATF, Vergeire said. [Translation: We are thinking of recommending the deferment of the resolution allowing children to go out so we could prevent more infections. But nevertheless, we will listen to the IATF.] Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, former president of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines and current member of the technical working group studying the mutated coronavirus, said the organization is drafting a statement to be presented before the IATF. Ong-Lim believes it would be best to limit the number of people going out. Pag pinayagan po natin ang ages 10-65, mas dadami po ang lalabas and 'yung daming ito, might be a factor in the containment of the spread, she said. [Translation: If we allow those aged 10-65, more will be going out, and this might be a factor in the containment of the spread.] The DOH has recorded more than 509,000 COVID-19 cases, with experts warning of a spike in infections should the more transmissible variant spread in the country. Two districts in Beijing's core area launched universal nucleic acid testing for all residents on Friday, after a string of local COVID-19 cases were reported in the capital. The mass testing, scheduled to be completed in two days, is available for nearly 2 million people in Xicheng and Dongcheng districts, located in the very center of Beijing, also home to key central government offices and many State-owned enterprises. Beijing has recorded more than a dozen cases since the first in the current outbreak emerged in suburban Daxing district on Sunday, including three new locally transmitted cases and one asymptomatic infection on Thursday, Liu Xiaofeng, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Friday. Most of the patients have been found in Daxing, though some had made trips downtown before they tested positive. In a swift response, Daxing collected around 1.56 million samples from coronavirus testing between Sunday and 2 pm Thursday, which has basically covered all residents there. Amid special efforts to strengthen epidemic intervention, particularly in rural areas, the capital had completed testing all people in the urban-rural fringe area by Sunday, covering 1.92 million residents in 396 villages, said Yu Leiqing, deputy head of the rural prevention office under the city's COVID-19 control and prevention work group. "All results have come back negative," Yu said at a Friday news conference. To better understand the outbreak's source, the city has started human serum testing for all travelers who have arrived in Beijing from overseas since Dec 10. Two of the recent COVID-19 patients in Daxing have been found to carry the highly contagious coronavirus variant first detected in the United Kingdom. Elsewhere, Shanghai on Friday designated the Salvo Hotel Shanghai in downtown Huangpu district as a medium-risk area for the virus' spreadthe second in the city. That came after six locally transmitted, confirmed cases were reported on Thursday, city officials said. One person in northern Shanghai's Baoshan district also tested positive, but more checks are needed before an official diagnosis can be made, a senior health official in Shanghai said on Friday. "This positive nucleic acid test was obtained when the district took the initiative to screen possibly relevant individuals after locally transmitted cases were reported in Shanghai on Thursday," said Wu Jinglei, director of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission. Wu spoke in response to a public notice from Baoshan district government earlier in the day calling the person's nucleic acid test result suspicious. "But any diagnosis must be made together with a clinical checkup, other lab tests and epidemiological investigation, according to the country's regulations. It is not considered a suspected COVID-19 case so far," Wu said. Of the six local cases reported in Shanghai on Thursday, the first case is a logistics worker at a major hospital. Contact tracing for the man led to the discovery of another two casesa female friend and a neighbor who is a worker at another medical institution downtown. Heilongjiang province reported 47 new confirmed cases and 88 asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 on Thursday, the provincial Health Commission said on Friday. Among the patients, 10 confirmed cases and 31 asymptomatic carriers were detected in the capital city, Harbin, and all were in some way connected to a local food company. Starting at noon on Friday, eight areas in Harbin were designated as medium-risk, according to the city's epidemic prevention and control headquarters. Neighboring Jilin province on Thursday reported 19 confirmed cases, driving its caseload to 181. Recent local transmissions in Jilin came after the first asymptomatic carriers returned from Heilongjiang, according to provincial health officials. Seven asymptomatic carriers were identified, bringing the total to 45. Hebei province identified 18 new local cases and three asymptomatic carriers on Thursday, the fourth day in which the number was less than 50, according to the Hebei Health Commission. Among the new cases, 15 are in the provincial capital, Shijiazhuang, and nine of them were previously diagnosed as asymptomatic. The rest are in Xingtai, with two in Nangong and one in Longyao county. At a news conference on Friday night, Shijiazhuang Vice-Mayor Meng Xianghong said the city detected 30 positive results for coronavirus from its third round of nucleic acid testing of its over 10.25 million residents, 25 of whom were already in centralized quarantine centers before testing positive. "The results show that the epidemic in the city has been effectively curbed," she said, adding that no positive results were identified in low-risk areas during the citywide testing. In the run-up to Republic Day, at least six hoax bomb threats have been reported in Uttar Pradesh's Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur and Allahabad this week. The miscreants behind these hoax threats, which even prompted evacuations in hospitals and shopping malls, are yet to be identified. FIRs have been lodged in connection with some of the incidents, according to officials. Panic gripped a busy neighbourhood in Noida's Sector 63 on Friday morning as heavy security was deployed and the area cordoned off following an alert that a bomb-like device was found on a road. "The device was checked by a bomb disposal squad which found that it had no detonator or explosive attached to it. It turned out to be a suspicious-looking item with a watch strapped to its front portion and placed there by some miscreant," a police spokesperson said. ALSO READ | 1971 India-Pak War, Ayodhya's Ram Temple: Things to Watch Out on Jan 26 as Covid Changes R-Day Event Rules On Thursday, an unidentified caller informed a prominent private hospital in Noida's Sector 27 that a bomb was placed in its basement, triggering panic and evacuation of people from the premises. "Police personnel, bomb disposal squads, dog squads and fire tenders reached the hospital immediately and the building was checked for any suspicious item. It turned out to be a hoax," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Noida, Ranvijay Singh had said. In Ghaziabad, an LPG cylinder with a watch-like device attached to it triggered an alarm on Wednesday. The "suspicious" item was found in an empty plot in Madhuban Bapudham area by two police officials on patrol duty. A bomb disposal squad soon reached the spot and found that it was not a bomb. However, an FIR has been lodged against an unidentified person, according to Ghaziabad police officials. Two hoax bomb threats were also received in Allahabad and one in Kanpur on Friday. "The police were informed that a bomb had been placed in PVR mall (Vinayak City Centre). Security was deployed immediately and the area cordoned off for a search by bomb disposal squads and anti-sabotage teams," SP (City) Dinesh Kumar Singh. The officer said similar information was received regarding the Star World multiplex on Katghar road in Mutthiganj area of the city. Both turned out to be hoaxes. Singh said police are tracking the persons who gave the false information and action would be taken against them. In Kanpur, a Twitter user flagged a bomb threat for South X shopping mall in Kidwai Nagar area and a couple of other crowded spaces in the city on Friday, triggering panic among the public and quick deployment of security personnel. Later, in a statement, the Kanpur police said it was a hoax as no explosives were found in the vicinity of the mentioned spots. An FIR was lodged against the Twitter user at the Juhi police station and legal proceedings initiated. The Twitter handle, @suryavanshiBad1, which had posted the bomb hoax, could not be found when last checked by . Rating Action: Moody's changes Iceland VLNCo Limited's outlook to stable from negative, affirms B2 ratings Global Credit Research - 22 Jan 2021 London, 22 January 2021 -- Moody's Investors Service, (Moody's) has today changed the outlook of Iceland VLNCo Limited (Iceland or the company) and its subsidiary Iceland Bondco plc (Bondco) to stable from negative. Concurrently, the rating agency affirmed the B2 Corporate Family Rating (CFR) and B2-PD Probability of Default rating (PDR) of Iceland and the B2 ratings of Bondco's outstanding senior secured notes. "We changed the outlook to stable to reflect the strength of Iceland's performance during 2020, which included market share gains as well as improving profitability despite the additional costs linked to the coronavirus crisis" says David Beadle, a Moody's VP Senior Credit Officer and lead analyst for Iceland. "The company has delevered, maintained adequate liquidity, and also resolved question marks over its long term ownership", he added. RATINGS RATIONALE Iceland's strong performance in the first half of its fiscal 2021, due to end in March, has contrasted markedly with the trend of declining reported EBITDA and margins in the three years to fiscal 2020. Part of this turnaround is market driven, as the coronavirus pandemic has provided a boost to revenues for grocery retailers, driven by wide ranging restrictions on the usual work and social activities of many consumers, which has led to increased demand for at home food and drink consumption. However, Iceland's sales growth has been stronger than nearly all of its peers, leading to an increase in its market share. In Moody's view this reflects the fact that Iceland's focus on frozen food and its ability to cope well with increased online demand both resonate strongly with consumers' desire to minimise the number of physical shopping trips during the pandemic. Story continues The company's reported EBITDA of GBP74 million for the six months to September 2020 represents a GBP30 million, or 69%, increase over the same period of the prior fiscal year. This was driven by a 22% increase in revenue to over GBP1.7 billion, which reflects both strong like-for-like sales and the contribution from new stores opened since 2019, mostly in the Food Warehouse format. The rating agency notes that the company's reported EBITDA is before both exceptional Covid related costs and the benefit of the business rates holiday, which were of a broadly similar, offsetting, amounts in the period. Moody's expects Iceland's revenues and profitability will continue to benefit from the impact of the crisis on demand in the rest of its fiscal 2021 before beginning to normalise as the vaccine roll-out leads to a gradual re-opening of the broader economy through the rest of the calendar year. As such, the rating agency expects the company's Moody's-adjusted leverage, measured as Moody's-adjusted EBITDA to debt, to trend higher over the course of fiscal 2022 to around 5.2x, from Moody's forecast low point of 4.7x at the end of fiscal 2021. This would nevertheless still leave the company solidly positioned in the rating category in terms of this metric, and represent a notable improvement from the 6.2x peak seen in fiscal 2020. Beyond fiscal 2022 Iceland's credit profile will continue to be constrained by its relatively small scale in the highly competitive UK grocery market, which limits its scope for sustainable improvements to its margins. Previous headwinds around its limited ability to pass on rising input costs and continuing increases in National Living Wage may become relevant again. More positively, as performance over 2020 has shown, the company's focus on the frozen segment and its relative nimbleness can be advantages that support its overall profit levels. Iceland's maintenance capital spending requirements are fairly modest, estimated by Moody's to be less than GBP30 million a year. This can help the company generate positive free cash flow, although the rating agency notes that this has not always been the case in recent years as the company chose to roll out new stores, mostly in its larger Food Warehouse format. ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS Environmental, Social and Governance considerations have historically had only a modest influence on Moody's rating assessment of the company. However, the rating agency regards the coronavirus pandemic as a social risk under its ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety. As already mentioned, this has had positive implications for demand for grocers and has boosted Iceland's credit quality during 2020. A further credit positive during 2020 was the resolution of uncertainty over the long term ownership of Iceland, which had arisen in 2019 when it emerged that Brait SE, the South African investment group that at that stage owned over 60% of the company, was looking to sell all of its international investments. In June 2020 Iceland's Executive Chairman, Sir Malcom Walker, and Chief Executive, Tarsem Dhaliwal, acquired the shares held by Brait SE in a transaction which means Iceland is now 100% owned by Walker, Dhaliwal and their related parties. The agreed consideration was GBP115 million, to be paid in three instalments: GBP60 million initially, followed by GBP27 million and GBP28 million in July 2021 and 2022 respectively. LIQUIDITY Moody's considers Iceland's liquidity to be adequate. The company closed the second quarter of its fiscal 2021 with cash of GBP113 million. This was GBP26 million more than a year earlier despite funding Walker and Dwaliwal's first payment instalment to Brait SE and a net GBP20 million reduction in term debt, comprising redemption of the outstanding GBP40 million senior secured notes due June 2020 offset by a new GBP20 million one year loan. Subsequently, early in its Q3, the company funded the balance of management's payment to Brait, in a negotiated lower amount of GBP48 million to reflect early settlement. Moody's thinks that the timing reflects confidence on the part of Iceland's management in the company's liquidity and in this regard also notes that management have stated publicly that they expect to repay the new term loan from cash resources when it matures this summer. Moody's expects that Iceland will typically maintain a cash balance in excess of GBP100 million. The company currently has access to a GBP30 million revolving credit facility which has remained undrawn over the last several years but is due to expire in November this year. RATIONALE FOR THE STABLE OUTLOOK The stable outlook reflects Moody's expectation that despite a gradual normalisation of demand in the grocery sector, Iceland's credit metrics will remain stronger than before the coronavirus pandemic throughout the next 12-18 months. FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS Positive rating pressure is unlikely in the next 12-18 months in light of Moody's expectation that the company's profitability will during that time fall from the highs of fiscal 2021 and that its credit metrics will in turn deteriorate somewhat. In the longer term, sustaining revenue growth and at least stable margins along with Moody's-adjusted gross leverage remaining sustainably below 5.5x and the company generating positive free cash flow could lead to an upgrade. Downward pressure could however build if a negative trajectory in results and credit metrics is sustained beyond the period of normalisation or in the event that the company's adequate liquidity deteriorates. Quantitatively, Moody's-adjusted gross leverage continuing to trend higher, and sustainably towards 6.5x could lead to a downgrade. PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGY The principal methodology used in these ratings was Retail Industry published in May 2018 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1120379. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. PROFILE Iceland is privately owned by members of its management team and related parties. It is headquartered in Deeside, Flintshire, UK, and is the parent holding company of Iceland Foods group a UK retail grocer, which specialises in frozen and chilled foods, alongside groceries. In the twelve months to September 2020 the company reported revenues of nearly GBP3.6 billion and EBITDA of GBP163 million. REGULATORY DISCLOSURES For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004. For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com. For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity. The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure. These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com. Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review. Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1243406. At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating action(s) announced and described above. The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moody's Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com. Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating. Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating. David Beadle VP - Senior Credit Officer Corporate Finance Group Moody's Investors Service Ltd. One Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5FA United Kingdom JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Richard Etheridge Associate Managing Director Corporate Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service Ltd. One Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5FA United Kingdom JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 2021 Moodys Corporation, Moodys Investors Service, Inc., Moodys Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, MOODYS). All rights reserved. CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS AFFILIATES ARE THEIR CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES, AND MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY MOODYS (COLLECTIVELY, PUBLICATIONS) MAY INCLUDE SUCH CURRENT OPINIONS. MOODYS DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THE RISK THAT AN ENTITY MAY NOT MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE AND ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT OR IMPAIRMENT. SEE APPLICABLE MOODYS RATING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS PUBLICATION FOR INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ADDRESSED BY MOODYS CREDIT RATINGS. CREDIT RATINGS DO NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LIQUIDITY RISK, MARKET VALUE RISK, OR PRICE VOLATILITY. CREDIT RATINGS, NON-CREDIT ASSESSMENTS (ASSESSMENTS), AND OTHER OPINIONS INCLUDED IN MOODYS PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF CURRENT OR HISTORICAL FACT. MOODYS PUBLICATIONS MAY ALSO INCLUDE QUANTITATIVE MODEL-BASED ESTIMATES OF CREDIT RISK AND RELATED OPINIONS OR COMMENTARY PUBLISHED BY MOODYS ANALYTICS, INC. AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES. MOODYS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE OR PROVIDE INVESTMENT OR FINANCIAL ADVICE, AND MOODYS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AND DO NOT PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PURCHASE, SELL, OR HOLD PARTICULAR SECURITIES. MOODYS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DO NOT COMMENT ON THE SUITABILITY OF AN INVESTMENT FOR ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. MOODYS ISSUES ITS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLISHES ITS PUBLICATIONS WITH THE EXPECTATION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT EACH INVESTOR WILL, WITH DUE CARE, MAKE ITS OWN STUDY AND EVALUATION OF EACH SECURITY THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR PURCHASE, HOLDING, OR SALE. MOODYS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY RETAIL INVESTORS AND IT WOULD BE RECKLESS AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR RETAIL INVESTORS TO USE MOODYS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS OR PUBLICATIONS WHEN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION. IF IN DOUBT YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISER. ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROTECTED BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COPYRIGHT LAW, AND NONE OF SUCH INFORMATION MAY BE COPIED OR OTHERWISE REPRODUCED, REPACKAGED, FURTHER TRANSMITTED, TRANSFERRED, DISSEMINATED, REDISTRIBUTED OR RESOLD, OR STORED FOR SUBSEQUENT USE FOR ANY SUCH PURPOSE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ANY FORM OR MANNER OR BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER, BY ANY PERSON WITHOUT MOODYS PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT. MOODYS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY ANY PERSON AS A BENCHMARK AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES AND MUST NOT BE USED IN ANY WAY THAT COULD RESULT IN THEM BEING CONSIDERED A BENCHMARK. All information contained herein is obtained by MOODYS from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error as well as other factors, however, all information contained herein is provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. MOODY'S adopts all necessary measures so that the information it uses in assigning a credit rating is of sufficient quality and from sources MOODY'S considers to be reliable including, when appropriate, independent third-party sources. However, MOODYS is not an auditor and cannot in every instance independently verify or validate information received in the rating process or in preparing its Publications. To the extent permitted by law, MOODYS and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability to any person or entity for any indirect, special, consequential, or incidental losses or damages whatsoever arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information, even if MOODYS or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers is advised in advance of the possibility of such losses or damages, including but not limited to: (a) any loss of present or prospective profits or (b) any loss or damage arising where the relevant financial instrument is not the subject of a particular credit rating assigned by MOODYS. To the extent permitted by law, MOODYS and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability for any direct or compensatory losses or damages caused to any person or entity, including but not limited to by any negligence (but excluding fraud, willful misconduct or any other type of liability that, for the avoidance of doubt, by law cannot be excluded) on the part of, or any contingency within or beyond the control of, MOODYS or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers, arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information. NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY CREDIT RATING, ASSESSMENT, OTHER OPINION OR INFORMATION IS GIVEN OR MADE BY MOODYS IN ANY FORM OR MANNER WHATSOEVER. Moodys Investors Service, Inc., a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moodys Corporation (MCO), hereby discloses that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to Moodys Investors Service, Inc. for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from $1,000 to approximately $5,000,000. MCO and Moodys Investors Service also maintain policies and procedures to address the independence of Moodys Investors Service credit ratings and credit rating processes. Information regarding certain affiliations that may exist between directors of MCO and rated entities, and between entities who hold credit ratings from Moodys Investors Service and have also publicly reported to the SEC an ownership interest in MCO of more than 5%, is posted annually at www.moodys.com under the heading Investor Relations Corporate Governance Director and Shareholder Affiliation Policy. Additional terms for Australia only: Any publication into Australia of this document is pursuant to the Australian Financial Services License of MOODYS affiliate, Moodys Investors Service Pty Limited ABN 61 003 399 657AFSL 336969 and/or Moodys Analytics Australia Pty Ltd ABN 94 105 136 972 AFSL 383569 (as applicable). This document is intended to be provided only to wholesale clients within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. By continuing to access this document from within Australia, you represent to MOODYS that you are, or are accessing the document as a representative of, a wholesale client and that neither you nor the entity you represent will directly or indirectly disseminate this document or its contents to retail clients within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. MOODYS credit rating is an opinion as to the creditworthiness of a debt obligation of the issuer, not on the equity securities of the issuer or any form of security that is available to retail investors. Additional terms for Japan only: Moody's Japan K.K. (MJKK) is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Group Japan G.K., which is wholly-owned by Moodys Overseas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCO. Moodys SF Japan K.K. (MSFJ) is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of MJKK. MSFJ is not a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO). Therefore, credit ratings assigned by MSFJ are Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings. Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings are assigned by an entity that is not a NRSRO and, consequently, the rated obligation will not qualify for certain types of treatment under U.S. laws. MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registered with the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration numbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively. MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY125,000 to approximately JPY550,000,000. MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements. To see any sign that the storefront at 679 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport was a pharmacy as recently as a few days ago, a passerby would have to squint through the security gate. Red signs on the door and window redirect former Unity Pharmacy Bridgeport customers to another drug store. The Bridgeport pharmacy and its sister store in Fairfield, Unity Pharmacy, closed this week. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A former Gender Minister, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, has said that President Akufo-Addos nominee for the same ministry in his second term, Sara Adwoa Safo will be thoroughly examined at the Appointments Committee of Parliament to ensure that she is fit to occupy that position. She explained that the functions of the Gender Minister requires someone who has what it takes to carry out the duties hence, the decision to thoroughly examine her. Adwoa Safo who is also Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya was among the list of ministerial nominees President Akufo-Addo submitted to Parliament on Thursday January 21. If approved by the Appointments Committee, the Former Minister of State in Charge of Public Procurement, will be heading the Gender Ministry. Speaking on her appointment in an interview with 3FM Friday January 22, Nana Oye congratulated her for the new role. She said I will want to congratulate her. I wish her all the very best. She should know that she will be screened thoroughly to make sure that she is able to fully exercise the mandate. Source: 3news.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Sacha Baron Cohen has revealed he made Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm to warn US voters of the 'dangers' of voting in President Donald Trump for a second term. The actor, 49, spoke about the mocumentary with The Sun on Saturday, saying he felt democracy was 'at a very dangerous point' under Trump's administration and he wanted to do something about it before the November election. He explained: 'The aim of the movie is to deliver a message. That's the reason why Borat came out when it did. 'I felt democracy was at a very dangerous point': Sacha Baron Cohen revealed on Saturday that he made Borat 2 to show the 'dangers' of voting Donald Trump in for a second term 'I thought the thing I can do to warn people is to use my funniest character, my most popular character, to show what I thought the dangers of voting for Trump were. I felt democracy was at a very dangerous point.' 'I suppose with this movie I felt I had to be able to look myself in the mirror on [the day after election day] and say to myself, "I did everything I could to protect a political system that I value democracy".' Late last year Sacha revived the beloved character for this year's Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, the sequel to 2006's Borat. He plays a bumbling Kazakh journalist who travels to America to learn more about their culture in the hilarious and at times unbelievable mockumentaries. Doing his part: Sacha said of bringing Borat back, 'I thought the thing I can do to warn people is to use my funniest character... to show what I thought the dangers of voting for Trump were' Out of office: Sacha 'I felt I had to be able to look myself in the mirror on [the day after election day] and say to myself, "I did everything I could"' (Trump pictured on New Year's Eve) And after filming the movie, the outspoken actor admitted there were a few moments where he feared for his safety. In a post on Instagram in October, Sacha shared a behind-the-scenes video of himself performing at a Trump rally as Borat. The crowd quickly realised he was mocking them before angrily turning on him, forcing Sacha to flee the stage, before barricading himself in his trailer and speeding away. 'This was not the easiest movie to make,' he captioned the terrifying video. Another clip from the film quickly went viral as it showed an embarrassing moment involving Trump surrogate Rudy Giuliani. 'Borat's' 'daughter Tutar' played by Maria Bakalova was interviewing Giuliani for a segment - one that he assumed was a real interview - in a hotel. During that sequence he can be seen lying back on a bed and putting his hand down his pants as 'Tutar' adjusted his mic - he says, because he was just fixing his shirt. 'The Borat video is a complete fabrication. I was tucking in my shirt after taking off the recording equipment,' Giuliani snapped on Twitter. Dangers: After filming the movie, the outspoken actor (pictured in a Trump mask) admitted there were a few moments where he feared for his safety Scary: One scene sees him perform at a Trump rally as Borat, but the crowd quickly realised he was mocking them before angrily turning on him, forcing Sacha to flee the stage In a recent Variety interview Cohen shared that he was hoping his movie would persuade people to vote against Trump in the 2020 election. 'I don't want to egotistically imply that people would watch Borat and not vote for Trump, but that was the aim,' he dished. Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday, with Kamala Harris serving as his Vice President - the first woman to hold the office, and the first African American and first Asian American vice president. New administration: Joe Biden (pictured on Friday) was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday, with Kamala Harris serving as his Vice President PASSENGERS arriving into Ireland may be held in quarantine hotels for at least five days if they do not arrive with a negative Covid-19 test, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has revealed. Mr Martin said he is considering a number of quarantining options for international travellers as part of an attempt to stop the spread of the virus in Ireland. The Taoiseach said he expects hotels, including the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, to be used as quarantine centres for people arriving in Ireland. "You could be in quarantine until you get a test after five days that proves to be negative," Mr Martin said. Read More It comes as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned there was "some evidence" the UK strain of Covid, which accounts for 60pc of cases here, may also be up to 30pc more deadly. Although the data is "uncertain", the UK's chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance suggested that for a man in his 60s, the risk of death with the new variant is 13 in 1,000 rather than 10 in 1,000. Mr Martin said new quarantining regulations would "be close to sealing off the country", a major policy shift but he insisted essential travel will be permitted. He said consideration has to be given to who would police the quarantine hotels and what concessions could be made for people who live in Ireland and are returning home from overseas. He also said the Government will support a ban on all travel into the EU if it is introduced by Brussels. Mr Martin said you "could feel the anxiety" among EU leaders about the dangers of new Covid-19 variants during a video conference on Thursday. "It's a race between the vaccination on the one hand and the new variant on the other which could wreak havoc with all of our best laid plans and maybe new variants of the UK variant on top of the South Africa," the Taoiseach said. However, he said he expected more than a million people in Ireland to be vaccinated by June along with a significant easing of restriction. "It will be a different society, a bit more freer," he said. Mr Martin said the Cabinet will take a decision on extending restrictions on Monday which will be re-evaluated at the end of February. Last night, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly's spokesperson said he is examining "stronger measures" on incoming international travel. "This includes the potential for new measures and also more robust enforcement of existing measures. This has become particularly relevant in the context of the emergence of the Covid-19 variants in the UK, South Africa and Brazil. An inter-departmental group is currently developing a range of options," the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the UK variant warning was part of a double blow in the fight against the virus as Oxford/AstraZeneca said the volume of its vaccine delivery will be lower than expected due to reduced yields at its manufacturing site. The vaccine is seen as a game changer here as it is easy to administer by GPs and pharmacies and it will be central in rolling out the jab to over-70s. Ireland was hoping to get a delivery of 600,000 jabs in the first quarter. The development on the deadlier impact of the variant comes as the death toll here from the virus this month rose to 582 yesterday as another 52 fatalities were announced. There were 1,931 Covid-19 patients hospitalised yesterday while the numbers in intensive care rose again to 219. The number of new cases of the virus fell to 2,371 yesterday, indicating the incidence is slowly dropping but the growing dominance of the UK variant will cause the spread to reduce at a slower pace and could mean much of the current Level 5 lockdown will have to be in place until mid-March. If theres a manifesto for the current move toward crispy, coaster-sized burger patties, it probably came in 2012. Thats when J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, then writing for Serious Eats old Burger Lab blog, broke down the benefits of smashing your burger meat down directly on the griddle. Lopez-Alt didnt invent the technique, long employed by line cooks at burger bars and drive-thrus, particularly in the Midwest, not to mention the preferred method at Shake Shack, the global burger chain expected to open its first two Oregon locations this year. But he did use the scientific method to debunk the received wisdom that cooks should never press down on ground meat, proving that the weight lost through escaping burger juices is minimal, especially if you smash early, even if you smash hard. Less than a decade later, the towering bistro burgers praised throughout the oughts have been washed away by a wave of these self-explanatory smash burgers, many inspired by that first blog post. Off the top of my head, I can rattle off more than a dozen Portland smash burgers, none older than Burger Stevens, which opened in 2016, and today encompassing everything from the avocado-topped hamburguesa at Southeast Portland torta shop Guero to the cornichon-spiked, sauce gribiche-blanketed bacon double cheeseburger at upscale Northwest Portland French restaurant St. Jack. Last year, a new food cart with some serious smash burgers rode into the fray. Rough Draft Burger Shop, which started life as a Seattle burger pop-up, pulled a cart with brick-red slats and a letterboard menu up to Uptown Beer, a craft beer bar and bottle shop deep enough in Southwest Portland that businesses across the street boast a Beaverton address. Here, chefs Nick Jarvis and Aaron Wilcenski continue the nostalgic burger trend, using a petite plastic bull horn to call out cheeseburger and waffle fry orders to customers drinking tall glasses of Upright pilsner at outdoor picnic tables separated by six feet of turf or more. I was actually one of the first people in line at Rough Draft when it opened in August, biking out nearly 15 miles to meet my friend, the local food obsessive Gary Okazaki, who took a wildly expensive Uber ride of his own to get there. At the time, I was working my way through every new food cart I could find for our annual guide, and Rough Draft had been introduced with a sterling recommendation from a longtime Seattle food writer. But the burger ($6 single, $8 double) didnt blow me away, and the broccoli supreme, a hefty side with fried broccoli, nacho cheese and pickled peppers, left me thankful for the calories I was about to burn on the long ride home. Thats not to say the burgers arent well executed. Jarvis and Wilcenski make what I would call Portlands classic modern smash burger, with petite patties pressed down to increase the surface area of meat browning on the flat-top griddle, ramping up the beefy flavor. On a good day, the burger meat hangs out over a soft Franz bun, with edges as lacey-crisp as a Detroit-style pizza. Toppings, chosen for their ability to cut through grease and melted American cheese, are limited to crinkle-cut pickles, paper-thin white onions and a tangy house sauce. Lettuce and tomato were nowhere to be seen. I was reminded of former Thrillist burger critic Kevin Alexanders maxim, delivered while on a burger crawl through Beaverton, that if you want your burger to come with a salad, get it on the side. I agree about the out-of-season tomato, but if my visits to Rough Draft have taught me anything, its that I actually do like lettuce on a burger. I like way shredded iceberg can soak up juices while adding a little guilt-free crunch. Or how arugula or other greens can add interesting bitter notes to a bistro burger and let you pretend youre eating healthy. After a recent follow-up visit to Rough Draft, again by bike, I messaged Okazaki that Portland had at least three food cart smash burgers I preferred to Rough Drafts -- Burger Stevens, Hit The Spot and Farmer & The Beast. Rough Draft is a burger stripped down with the hardcore burger nerd in mind. But to paraphrase Jurassic Park, it made me wonder whether our burger scientists have been so preoccupied with whether they could, that they didnt stop to think if they should. A single cheeseburger from Rough Draft, a new smash burger cart in Southwest PortlandMichael Russell | The Oregonian Burger fanatics will want to try Rough Draft, if only to tell me why Im wrong. And its hard to think of a better cheeseburger in Southwest Portland. Elsewhere, the smash burger competition is heating up. Sources say Shake Shack could open its Beaverton location as soon as April, with a downtown Portland location across from Powells City of Books on the way. Burger Stevens just placed carts at two high profile locations -- North Portlands Prost! Marketplace and Beavertons sprawling BG Food Cartel pod. And in Portland, The Oregonian has learned that two new smash burger carts -- Mid City Smash Burger and Monster Smash, at 1015 and 4500 S.E. Stark St., respectively -- will open in the next two weeks alone. Drinks: Rough Draft has a fun selection of retro-adjacent sodas, including Squirt, Dr. Pepper and Rambler sparkling water. Uptown Beer has a good list with 36 taps, including 10 from their in-house Binary Brewing. Seating: If you choose to dine in, Uptown offers a dozen-odd tables out front, some canopy-covered, all separated by six feet or more. Ordering: Rough Draft has an easy-to-navigate online ordering platform, complete with a link to order beer from Uptown, and an option to take home a bag-o-burgers ($25), with five single burgers individually wrapped in gold foil. Walk-up orders are also encouraged, if you dont mind a short wait. Details: Rough Draft Burger Shop is open from noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, at 6620 S.W. Scholls Ferry Rd., rdburgershop.com. (As always with carts, its best to check hours and other details before heading out.) Michael Russell, mrussell@oregonian.com, @tdmrussell * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2021 - 21:26 | World, All, Japan South Korea on Saturday reacted to a court order for Japan to compensate former "comfort women" over their treatment in Japanese military brothels by vowing to seek an "amicable solution" and "make every effort to continue constructive and future-oriented cooperation" with its neighbor. The Foreign Ministry, in a statement, acknowledged that a 2015 bilateral agreement on settling the comfort women issue was an official one, and thus South Korea "has a policy not to make any additional claims against Japan at the government level." But it said Seoul has neither the right nor the authority to prevent the victims themselves from raising concerns, adding that "the real problem cannot be solved only by agreements between the governments that do not reflect the intentions of the victims." The government will therefore consult with the comfort women victims "and endeavor to achieve an amicable solution" Japan, meanwhile, should make "a genuine effort to restore the victims' honor and dignity, and heal wounds," it said. Earlier, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi urged South Korea to "immediately" take action against the Seoul District Court's Jan. 8 ruling, which became final Saturday with Tokyo not appealing, saying it "clearly goes against international law and an agreement between the Japanese and South Korean governments." "It is extremely regrettable and utterly unacceptable," Motegi said in a statement. "Japan again strongly urges South Korea to immediately take appropriate measures to correct this state in violation of international law under its responsibility as a state," he said. Related coverage: Japan urges South Korea to "immediately" act over comfort women ruling South Korea ruling against Japan over "comfort women" finalized Sale of Japan corporate assets over wartime row "undesirable": Moon On Jan. 8, the court awarded 12 plaintiffs 100 million won ($90,400) each as demanded, saying the Japanese government committed "intentional, systematic and wide-ranging criminal acts against humanity." It also granted a provisional execution of the compensation order, making it possible to immediately seize Japanese government assets. Japan has said the lawsuit should be rejected on the grounds of sovereign immunity -- a principle under international law that allows a state to be shielded against the jurisdiction of foreign courts. It also asserts the ruling goes against a bilateral agreement that settled all claims related to Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula and a 2015 agreement the two governments struck to "finally and irreversibly" resolve the comfort women issue. Under the 2015 deal, the Japanese government paid 1 billion yen ($9.63 million), and the money was distributed through a foundation to former comfort women and the families of those who died. However, the foundation was dissolved in 2019 after the administration of South Korean President Moon Jae In concluded that the deal, reached under a previous government, failed to properly reflect the women's wishes. Some 5.7 billion won remains unused. In a bid to improve bilateral ties, already at a historic low over another dispute on wartime labor, Moon told a press conference Monday he wants to discuss a resolution to the row with Japan. But Japanese officials have been against the idea of holding talks to find mutual ground, saying it is not Japan's responsibility but up to the South Korean side which broke the international and bilateral agreements to come up with a resolution. The ruling could worsen bilateral ties, which have sunk to the lowest point in decades following South Korean Supreme Court rulings in 2018 that ordered Japanese companies to compensate groups of South Koreans for forced labor during Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) The Department of Health said Saturday it had observed an increase of over 200% in coronavirus infections in Bontoc, Mountain Province, where most of the new cases of the faster spreading coronavirus variant were seen in the past two weeks. Meron pong 203% increase sa mga reported na kaso nitong nakaraang dalawang linggo kumpara noong mga naunang dalawang linggo at yung sabi nating three times na increase doon sa average daily attack rate, Dr. Thea De Guzman, epidemiologist from DOH Epidemiology Bureau, said in a briefing. [Translation: There was a 203% increase in reported cases over the last two weeks compared to two weeks prior. There was also a three-fold increase in the towns average daily attack rate] The attack rate refers to the proportion of people who have gotten ill after their exposure to the virus. Officials said they were verifying whether the spike was due to the gatherings held during the Christmas season. The DOH reported 16 new cases of the B.1.1.7 variant which is believed to be more contagious than previous ones. Of the total number, 12 were from two villages in Bontoc, DOH-Cordillera Director Dr. Ruby Constantino told the same briefing. Eleven cases with the variant virus were recorded in one Bontoc village alone. Extended lockdowns in affected villages eyed Constantino said two affected villages are currently on lockdown. She added they also recommended a two-week extension of the movement restrictions to prevent the further spread of the virus. We talked to the mayor of Bontoc to extend the lockdown in affected barangays in order to contain the transmission, she said. Rising trend in cases in Cordillera provinces Meanwhile, independent research group OCTA team also noted on Saturday that Mountain Province, Kalinga and Benguet, where one case of B.1.1.7 variant has been reported, continue to have an increase in daily new COVID-19 cases, noting the variant may be culprit. The positivity rate in Mountain Province and Benguet is at 20% while in Kalinga, it was at 13%, the researchers pointed out. The positivity rate of above 5% indicates that more testing is needed, the experts said. This is the percentage of people who test positive for the virus out of those overall who have been tested. Constantino said the governments technical working group on COVID-19 variants might recommend placing the entire Cordillera region under a stricter general community quarantine if their capacity to cater to COVID-19 patients dwindles further, noting that their health facilities were almost fully occupied as of Friday. The DOH said of the new B.1.1.7 variant cases, three have already recovered, while 13 are currently ill. Three of the active cases are asymptomatic, and 10 are exhibiting mild symptoms. The Philippines' first known case of the variant a 29-year-old Filipino has subsequently tested negative for coronavirus infection, officials said Friday. He arrived home from Dubai on Jan. 7. Authorities said at least 14 people who came in contact with him have contracted COVID-19. Posted Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:43 am In a letter to President Joe Biden on Friday, U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray asked the newly sworn-in president to approve Gov. Jay Inslee's request for wildfire disaster aid; a request that went ignored by the Trump administration for months. "This inaction from the former president and his administration is unconscionable," the senators wrote, "and we look to you to right this wrong for our constituents." Inslee twice requested a Major Disaster Declaration from former President Donald Trump after wildfires tore through parts of the state in September. Months later, his plea is still unanswered. In 2020, the senators led the entire Washington congressional delegation in writing three letters to Trump in support of Inslee's request. The senators are now urging for immediate action from Biden to approve the aid request for communities affected by the "historically destructive wildfire season." The fires devastated the town of Malden, a rural community in Whitman County, destroying 80% of its homes and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people who are still without federal aid, according to the senators. An estimated 626,982 acres burned throughout a five-day period, also ravaging Pine City. Though Trump never responded to Inslee's request and gave no explanation, he approved similar requests from Oregon and California. "Despite responding to several other disasters across the country that occurred after Washington's wildfires, the Trump administration refused to make a determination and as a result, has held our constituents hostage for 128 days," the senators wrote. FEMA authorized federal funds to fight the fires in September, but Inslee is asking for Individual and Public Assistance to help communities rebuild after the destruction. A Major Disaster Declaration by the president would trigger post-disaster relief funding. But for now, the request will stay under review by FEMA until the president makes a determination. "These residents cannot wait any longer," the senators wrote. ___ (c)2021 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. President Joe Biden at Oval Office. At the high noon of the jihad in Afghanistan, as the Soviet Union prepared to pull its battered armies back home, the author of that long war sat down to script its coda. The Soviets were unable to resist pressure to quit Afghanistan, but they will now seek other means to control some or all of that country, said Pakistans military chief, General Akhtar Abdul Rehman Khan, his thinking recorded in a secret diplomatic cable from 1988. The Soviets would now, he went on, try to divide the Afghan jihad, thus allowing President Mohammad Najibullah Ahmadzai to hang on. Failing that, the Soviets would partition the country on ethnic lines. The General had an alternative script ready: An Islamic republic, embedded in an Islamic league. An Islamic republic in Kabul, Khan argued, would join with Pakistan, Turkey and Iran, once the latter comes to its senses, in an Islamic economic and political bloc which could serve as a barrier to regional Soviet ambitions. It could also act as a rival to Indian plans for regional supremacy. In the margin, the United States ambassador to Islamabad, Arnold Raphel, scrawled a one-word analysis of the Generals argument: Nonsense. Looking out at a nation more divided, arguably, than at any time since its Civil War of 1861-1865, President Joseph Biden likely has little inclination to turn his gaze east. Inside weeks, though, he will have to determine whether the United States should remain committed to military withdrawal from Afghanistan, scheduled to be completed by May. As second-in-command to President Barack Obama, Biden had called for an end to United States military involvement in the war in Afghanistan, pushing back against commanders who believed, wrongly, that enhanced force levels would defeat the Taliban. The Taliban, though, has used peace negotiations with President Donald Trump to unleash unprecedented violence against the Afghan state, without delivering on promises to evict global jihadist groups like al-Qaeda. Theres been no progress towards a ceasefire and power-sharing arrangement, the key goals of the negotiations. For months now, India has been engaged in dogged attempts to craft a way back from the abyss that now confronts Afghanistan. To Islamabads ire, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met earlier this month with a spectrum of key leaders in Kabul, seeking to develop a consensus on keeping the Taliban from seizing power. New Delhi just doesnt have the resources, though, to sustain the government in Kabul alone. In essence, Biden has a stark choice: To commit the resources, and lives, it will take to defend the Afghan government the United States helped birth after 9/11, or to subcontract the regional order to Pakistan. The secret diplomatic cables of 1988 give good reason to worry his call will be tactically expedientbut strategically catastrophic. Little has been said in public on what Biden intends to do: In his only comments on the issue, the Presidents nominee for Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, said he needed to look carefully at what has actually been negotiated. I havent been privy to it yet, Blinken added. It is likely some key figures in Bidens administration believe a renewed and expanded relationship with Pakistans military could hold the keys to the problem.I had a good relationship with General [Parvez] Kayani, Bidens nominee for Defence Secretary, former Central Command chief General Lloyd Austin, said in 2019. I had a great relationship with General Raheel [Sharif]. We bonded right away and we could have frank and tough conversations one on one. Wed get these two big guys together in General Raheels office in Pindi [Rawalpindi], former United States ambassador Richard Olsen recalled, and I would just be kind of sitting there and watching the dynamic. But I thought it was very effective, very effective. Theres reason to doubt the effectiveness of male bonding as a tool of geopolitical strategy. In one extraordinary passage, Olsen claims the 2014 massacre of schoolchildren in Peshawar hardened the resolve of Pakistanis across the board to really go after the TTP [Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan] and many other groups. In his very next sentence, Olsen conceded the results were, in fact, less than stellar: I wish it had resulted in a complete break with the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani [Network]. It did not, you know, unfortunately. Austin added: We wish they would have gone further with the Afghan Taliban. They did not. Exactly what reason there is to believe the Generals will change course now is unclear. The years since have, indeed, seen Pakistans military and intelligence services resume dealmaking with the TTPeven blaming India, not the jihadists, for the 2014 massacre, in the face of findings by the countrys own judicial authorities. Even though there has been some show action against the top leadership of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad, the infrastructure and operational reach of anti-India jihadist groups remain intact. The case for renewing the once-intimate United States-Pakistan relationship, frayed by aid cuts under Trump, is theoretically compelling. Binding Pakistan the United States embrace, the argument goes, gives Washington influence over Islamabads actionsmeeting counterterrorism concerns, tempering the risk of crisis with India and, most importantly, limiting Chinas influence. I don't think its really in our long term strategic interests to have a hardening of lines of alliance in South Asia, Olsen has argued. Elegant as the reasoning might be, though, theres some distance between theory and practice. For Indian diplomats of a certain vintage, the arguments in Washington will be tediously familiar. From June 1988, in the midst of a historic rapprochement with Washington, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi privately began to voice concerns about the direction General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haqs Pakistan was headed in. He worried, diplomatic cables show, about Islamabads accelerated pursuit of nuclear weapons, its suppression of democratic institutions, and its Islamisation programme. New Delhi, the Prime Minister said, could live with any kind of Government in Kabul which is not run by extreme Islamic fundamentalists. In the months that followed, the United States ambassador to New Delhi, John Dean, reported that the prime minister was becoming increasingly concerned that Washington was seeking to undermine his efforts. Both Dean and Raphel, moreover, warned that Washingtons unconditional support to Islamabad was empowering the most extremist groups of Afghan jihadists, destabilising the region. For his efforts, Dean earned a stern put-down from Secretary of State George Schultz. Washington, he wrote, did not with for India to engage itself in an operational way in seeking to shape the internal political arrangements in Afghanistan. In September 1996, Najibullahforced to take refuge at the United Nations premises in Kabul after Soviet Unions financial assistance was terminatedwas beaten to death, but not before someone pulled out a knife and severed his genitals. His bloodied body was dragged behind a truck, and then hung from a traffic light for the edification of the passing public. Glyn Davies, the United States spokesman, regretted the violation of the United Nations' sovereign protections in Kabul, and Najibullahs murder, were merely regrettable. There was nothing objectionable about the new regime; its Sharia-based regime was, he promised, only anti-modern, not anti-Western. In time, Davies went on, the US hoped the Taliban would form a representative interim government that can begin the process of reconciliation nationwide. The reason for this tepid response is well known. In 1994, the administration of Bill Clinton had sought accommodation with the Taliban, hoping to facilitate energy giant Unocal's efforts to build an ambitious pipeline linking Central Asia's vast energy fields with the Indian Ocean. In April 1996, Robin Raphel then Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, and later Barack Obamas ambassador for non-military aid to Pakistan, visited Kabul to lobby for the project. Later that year, she was again in Kabul, this time calling on the international community to engage the Taliban. Raphael later had these words for sceptics: The Taliban does not seek to export Islam, only to liberate Afghanistan. Muhammad Ghaus, the Talibans foreign minister, led an expenses-paid delegation to Unocal's headquarters in Sugarland, Texas, at the end of 1997. The clerics, housed at a five-star hotel, were taken to see the NASA museum, several supermarkets and the local zoo. Even as a State Department report described the Talibans guest, Osama bin Laden, as one of the most significant sponsors of terrorism today, the regime was never declared a State sponsor of terrorism. The truth, former secretary of state Madeleine Albright later wrote, was that those [attacks before 9/11] were happening overseas and, while there were Americans who died, they were not thousands and it did not happen on US soil. General Khans successors got their Islamic Republicnot because the United States was impressed by their strategic reasoning, but because it lacked the will and interest to impose an alternative outcome. That dystopian Islamic Republic, in turn, paved the road to 9/11, lighting fires which still burn along a great arc of States from East Asia to the Middle-East. Foreign policy, the story of how this came about teaches us, is shaped not only by imagination or will, but also constraints of resources and interests that evolve at glacial speed. Elected on the promise of replacing his predecessors toxic policies with new ones based on principles and ethical values, President Biden is likely to find himself singing sad old tunes with which the world is depressingly familiar. Herreid Legion to remember 400 Campbell County area veterans Monday The Herreid American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion work together to recognize veterans on Memorial Day. Simple meals made well By Joshua Surendraraj View(s): View(s): This week the Mirror Magazine speaks to the minds behind the Hourglass Kitchen, a unique concept that allows anyone to experiment in the culinary arts while at home with the best ingredients Simple meals always taste exceptional when its made with the right quality and combination of ingredients. Longtime friends and neighbours Roshni Gunaratne and Meenal Mahtani were always fascinated with combining different flavours to create something unique and special, and needed no excuse to meet up and cook. During the first lockdown in March, theyd often call or message each other to figure out their meal plan for the day. The two found it exciting to finally have the time to experiment with new dishes and flavors. After a few months of experimenting and finalizing their own gourmet recipes, they knew they had to share this experience. This led to the Hourglass Kitchen. The idea behind Hourglass Kitchen revolves around time: saving it while also spending it well. Being two like minded individuals who are always busy with multiple things, the pair wanted to shorten the time they spent in the kitchen. But as foodies, they werent going to compromise on anything less than perfection. Both Roshni and Meenal understand the pressure that comes with the daily work life , which in turn could affect ones eating habits and health. Since most people dont have the time to prepare a meal from scratch, they wanted to provide an easy solution to prepare good food, yet with minimal time spent in the kitchen. Currently, the products offered by Hourglass Kitchen falls into two categories. The first of this include fresh frozen meat items that consist of gourmet chicken meatballs and gourmet chicken burger patties, made with a special spice blend in two variants: Classic &NaiMiris. The second category includes fresh sauces and cooking blends such as their renowned PeriPeri Sauce, Thai Red Curry Paste and Thai Green Curry Paste. They also hope to launch two new products soon, which will include a vegan cheese. Perhaps the best aspect of Hourglass Kitchen is their products are ideal for both non-cooks and foodies alike. Theyd typically take less than 15-20 minutes to prepare, which gives one plenty of free time. These products also come with detailed but simple cooking instructions, which makes things much easier for the customer. Though they commenced operations in October, starting with orders from close friends and families, word spread quickly from that point on. Today, both Roshni and Meenal are blown away and so grateful for all the support, positive reviews and even a few repeat customers. Hourglass Kitchen tells us they are very stringent when it comes to quality and freshness, and their products are prepared with fresh ingredients that have been carefully sourced, with no artificial preservatives or coloring. The duo also take care of every aspect, from sourcing ingredients, to the marketing aspects, the prep work and cooking or assembling the products. This level of care ensures that quality checks and consistency in their products are maintained and adhered to every step of the way. Keeping in line with hygiene protocols, they make sure to carefully clean their ingredients, surfaces, packaging and so on before use, while maintaining thorough sanitisation throughout the entire production process. They also use food grade gloves and face masks during the production process, and the final products are then immediately kept refrigerated or frozen once prepared. Hourglass Kitchen delivers fresh batches on a weekly basis, and is now open for pre-orders via their Facebook page Hourglass Kitchen or their Instagram page @hourglass_kitchen Their products are also currently available on dropoff.lk for home delivery, with more online vendors and retail outlets coming soon. KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2021 - 22:05 | All, Japan, Coronavirus Eighty percent, or 38, of Japan's 47 prefectural capitals have raised concerns about whether they have enough doctors and nurses to vaccinate residents against the novel coronavirus as the nation prepares to start vaccinating the population in late February, according to a Kyodo News survey released Saturday. In multiple answers, 30 capital cities cited securing vaccination sites such as gymnasiums as a major challenge for the planned vaccinations, the survey showed. As other challenges, 18 referred to fiscal resources for vaccinations and 16 cited the difficulty in managing anti-COVID-19 vaccines with freezers. Five cities -- Morioka, Toyama, Kofu, Kochi and Miyazaki -- said they may have to delay the start of vaccinations. Vaccinations are slated to begin in Japan by late February, starting with medical workers, followed by people aged 65 or older from late March, and then people with preexisting conditions and those caring for the elderly. Government sources have said the general population is expected to become eligible for vaccinations from around May. According to the survey conducted on Thursday and Friday, Tokyo and 43 prefectural capitals said they have launched or plan to set up task forces or teams to oversee vaccinations. Saitama, Kyoto and Osaka said they expect more than 90 percent of residents of their respective cities to take vaccinations, while 11 other cities such as Yamagata, Kanazawa, Kobe and Oita referred to rates of 60 to 80 percent. The remaining 33 cities said they have yet to have such estimates. Asked what prefectural capitals want from Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government, Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, said, "We don't know at all when, how many and what kind of vaccines will be shipped, so we cannot make plans (for vaccinations)." Citing worries about vaccinating elderly people, Fukui urged the government "to communicate accurately (about vaccines) after fully confirming their safety and effectiveness." Kyoto cited concerns about costs related to vaccinations, saying the city will have to shoulder considerable expenditure on personnel, venues and transportation even with subsidies from the government. Related coverage: Japan Cabinet OKs bills for penalizing rejection of antivirus steps Minister Taro Kono to lead Japan's coronavirus vaccination efforts Japan to study cases of people infected after coronavirus vaccination Talk show host Larry King, 87, known for his suspenders and his matter-of-fact style during interviews with everyone from surprise caller O.J. Simpson to every sitting president from Gerald Ford to Barack Obama and Donald Trump many times before he took office plus scores of celebrities, died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ora Media, the production company King founded, announced his death on Twitter, praising the television legend for viewing his subjects as the true stars of his programs and himself as merely an unbiased conduit between the guests and audience. Kings death occurs weeks after he was hospitalized with COVID-19. Larry King interviewed thousands of politicians, celebrities and other newsmakers in more than 50 years. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) King, born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in Brooklyn, New York, began his career in radio with his showbiz name at WAHR-AM in Miami. By 1958, he began doing an interview show in front of a live audience, the kind of work for which he would become a household name. He landed another gig, replacing famous columnist Walter Winchell at the Miami Herald newspaper, in 1965. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. On Dec. 20, 1971, King, who had by that time moved on to other media jobs in Miami, was arrested on charges of grand larceny for allegedly spending $5,000 his employer had given him to give to Jim Garrison, the former New Orleans District Attorney investigating the Kennedy assassination, to pay his back taxes. Charges against King were dismissed in March 1972, because the statute of limitations had expired, but he still lost his job at radio station WIOD, according to Kings longtime employer, CNN. After that, King made an unexpected turn and went to work in media and public relations in Louisiana. However, he returned to Miami airwaves, newsstands and TVs later that decade and then expanded to the rest of the country. The Larry King Show, a nationally syndicated late-night radio talk show, debuted on Jan. 30, 1978. Larry King Live debuted on CNN in 1985 and by the end of the decade, King had been inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, one of the many honors he racked up during his tenure behind the mic. Story continues Larry King speaks with then-U.S. attorney Rudy Giuliani in 1986. (Photo: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) King once explained that hed wanted to be in radio since he was 5. I just wanted to be an announcer. I wanted to be anything. I wanted to talk into a microphone, he told Columbia Journalism Review in July 2017. I dont know why, I must have had a good voice pre-puberty. Because people kept telling me, You gotta be on the radio. So I would imitate radio shows. I would listen to [radio show] The Shadow, and then I would go into my bathroom we were very poor in Brooklyn and I would go, Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows. A tale well calculated to keep you insuspense! I was driven by the sounds. Still am. Larry King interviews Oprah Winfrey in April 2007. (Photo: Michael Caulfield/WireImage for Turner) King explained in that same interview that he hadnt gone to college, and that he worked a number of odd jobs before landing that first radio job at a small station in Miami. He left his high-profile job at CNN after 25 years in 2010, but he continued to ask questions and entertain audiences. King performed a one-man comedy show and hosted online series Larry King Now for the network RT America, on which he made headlines in 2016 for a controversial interview with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. He also asked the questions on PoliticKING with Larry King from 2012 to 2019. The veteran broadcaster even announced plans for a podcast featuring celebrity interviews in May 2020. Still, King managed to fit more than work into his life. He was married eight times to seven women (he married and divorced the same woman twice). In 1997, he married his last wife, Shawn Southwick, in his hospital room at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, as he was preparing to undergo heart surgery. They filed for divorce for the second and final time in 2019. King had five children, including two sons with Southwick that he famously welcomed in his 60s. Sadly, two of his older children died over the course of three weeks in July and August 2019. He had his first heart attack in 1987, which prompted him to found the non-profit Larry King Cardiac Foundation the following year, in order to help people without insurance or the money to pay for the medical care they need. King himself struggled with additional heart problems, cancer and other health issues over the years. In November 2019, he said he had suffered a stroke eight months earlier. Then, on Jan. 2, CNN and others reported that King had been hospitalized for more than a week, after testing positive for COVID-19. For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along at https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference the CDCs and WHOs resource guides. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: CHICAGO After just a few days of helping to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine at a Cook County health center, 2nd Lt. Alex Villafuerte has grown accustomed to the startled look on patients faces when they walk in and see uniformed soldiers administering shots. He acknowledges their surprise with a masked smile, explaining that the Guard recently has been activated to speed up the states vaccination program. If hes unable to allay their concerns, he reaches into the right breast pocket of his uniform and pulls out his own vaccination card showing he received the shot Tuesday at the same location. Villafuertes effort shows the delicate dance the Illinois National Guard must perform. No one questions the troops ability to bolster the massive operations efficiency or pace, but there have been debates nationwide concerning whether uniformed soldiers would fuel baseless conspiracy theories about the governments motive for mass immunizations and exacerbate vaccine hesitancy. Were trying to squash the conspiracies, said Villafuerte, who lives in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. I use my (immunization) card to show them its not a conspiracy. Its a real thing, and were very lucky to have the vaccine. As members of the Illinois National Guard, were just here to help. The assistance comes as nearly 1.1 million people across Illinois have been infected with the virus. On Friday, the reported death toll reached 18,615 statewide since the start of the pandemic. Gov. J.B. Pritzker activated the Guard this month to help distribute vaccines as they become more widely available to the public, though hes warning that demand will continue to exceed supply. The state will move into phase 1b Monday, as an estimated 3.2 million residents will become eligible for their first round of shots. The allowed group includes people older than 65 , teachers, first responders and other front-line workers. More than 200 Guard members have been activated so far, and the governor plans to activate about 400 total to all regions of the state. The first soldiers arrived in Cook County on Tuesday and are now helping to administer vaccines at six suburban locations. The Guard members were not vaccinated before arriving, but can receive the shot at the end of the day if there are any leftover doses that would otherwise spoil. Story continues At Cook County Healths North Riverside Health Center, Guard members and the sites regular staff moved patients quickly through the vaccination process Friday. It took most people less than 30 minutes from the time they walked in the door for their scheduled appointment until the time they finished, including the required 15-minute waiting period to be monitored for immediate side effects. Its just a good feeling to be helping out the community, said Sgt. Johnny Newsome, who lives in the Rogers Park neighborhood. You can tell how much the people appreciate it. Unlike states that have been plagued by long lines, overflowing parking lots and angry patients, the North Riverside site had the calm, quiet vibe of an optometrists office. A few people, however, did double takes upon walking inside and seeing uniformed troops. None complained or expressed reservations. I think its a phenomenal use of the National Guard, said Sophie Foucault, a speech language pathologist from Hawthorn Woods who received her first shot Friday. Im all for it. The more the merrier. As he waited in the recovery area, Jay Trivedi, a pharmaceutical scientist from Skokie, said the Guards involvement with the vaccination program was in keeping with the militarys overall mission. They swear an oath to protect the country, he said. They protect us against enemies on the open battlefield and now theyre protecting us against an invisible enemy. They are keeping their promise to protect us, and Im grateful for it. The 18 Guard members have helped Cook County health staff double the number of vaccinations it can administer each day, said Dr. Daniel Vittum, the sites lead physician. The soldiers include military medics to give the shots, as well as logistical support teams to take patients temperatures, escort them to the examination rooms and stay with vaccine recipients for 15 minutes after their shots to watch for immediate side effects. On Friday, the North Riverside site planned to give 180 shots of the Pfizer vaccine. There were another 276 scheduled for Saturday, Vittum said. With their military background and organization, they (the Guard members) are bringing efficiencies and teamwork, Vittum said. They move people through quickly, and it has just been great to have them. The Illinois National Guard has played in key role in implementing the states COVID-19 response since the earliest days of the pandemic. Last March, troops established the first state-run testing sites and ran them with military precision as they performed more than 233,000 tests over a four-month period. After spending the spring and summer testing people for COVID-19, some soldiers have returned to vaccinate the public. Others have embraced their first chance to fight against a virus that has killed more than 410,000 people in the U.S. Im grateful to be here, said Mia Mapa of Aurora, an EMT in the National Guard and a student at Northern Illinois University. I know how lucky we are to have the vaccine in the United States, and I didnt want to miss an opportunity to play a part. Canada and Saudi Arabia have not accepted Sri Lankas envoys; India says no to Cabinet rank envoy UNHRC report before 45th sessions (obtained by the Sunday Times) calls for tough action including travel ban and assets freeze A new Commission of Inquiry to probe war-related matters New Delhi lodges strong protest over Palk Strait boat incident There are many ways in which the word diplomacy has been defined. At least a few are more noteworthy. Britains wartime Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, said, Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions. American playwright, actor, and journalist Will Rogers declared, Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie until you can find a stone. Added Adolf Hitler, when diplomacy ends, war begins. At least in the conduct of Sri Lankas diplomacy, those definitions have become increasingly irrelevant. There have been envoys posted from Colombo to important capitals but they had served more the interests of the host and their own. There were political appointees who have been a colossal embarrassment. One of them, in a war-torn country, was cooking food in his hotel suite to save money. He ran short of green chillies and went to the hotel kitchen to beg for a few green pods. And now, questions have been raised about the selection process for Sri Lankan envoys. Two governments, Canada, and Saudi Arabia have not extended the agrement for Sri Lankas nominees to those countries. India, the third, has rejected a Sri Lankan request to offer cabinet rank to our envoy. The agrement or an agreement by a state is to receive members of a diplomatic mission from a foreign country. The designated person enjoys immunity. A delay in such acceptance, in diplomatic practice demonstrates the reluctance of the host country to accept such a nominee. They are not expected to provide reasons for such action. Among the three, the most important is neighbouring India. The envoy is Milinda Moragoda, a onetime Cabinet minister and prime mover of the Pathfinder Foundation, which receives funding from different sources including the United States and China. It also has shareholding in a hotel chain in the north. His nomination was approved by the High Posts Committee of Parliament on September 25, last year. In seeking his agrement, the Sunday Times learnt that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also sought a cabinet rank position, this being the first of this kind. The agrement has been accepted by New Delhi just last month. However, this is not to be. Now, Moragoda has told government leaders that he is not interested in the posting thus leaving the position in New Delhi vacant. Government leaders are looking for new candidates now. This may be the reason for Moragoda not being a member of the Sri Lankan side when Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Subramaniam Jaishankar visited Sri Lanka this month. In particular, he was not present when the visiting dignitary met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa or Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. In terms of protocol, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry did not consider him High Commissioner-designate, a highly placed source familiar with the developments said. Yet, a top official in the Foreign Ministry directed the Protocol Division to somehow arrange a meeting for Moragoda with Jaishankar. According to the same source, due to his hectic schedule, aides of the External Affairs Minister said he could afford a few minutes. Moragoda handed over to Jaishankar a copy of Pathfinder Foundations report on Indian Ocean Security after a two-day event conducted by it. Photographs were taken. Immediately thereafter, EAM Jaishanker left the Presidential Suite at Taj Samudra for his next appointment. In preparing for the High Commissioner position in New Delhi, Moragoda had also made a key requirement that he picks the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commissioners in Chennai and in Mumbai. He had in fact identified Vethody Kumaran Valsan for DHC in Chennai. Valsan served in that post earlier when Ranasinghe Premadasa was President. He also served a stint as Sri Lankas Ambassador in Sweden. They were still on the lookout then for a DHC in Mumbai. The position had earlier remained under the Commerce Department and is now brought under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Canada is delaying the agrement of former Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias. His appointment was cleared by Parliaments High Posts Committee on November 9, last year. Quite clearly, in proposing his name as High Commissioner to Canada, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had lost sight of another reality. Canada is a member of the core group of the Geneva resolution on Sri Lanka and has called for security reforms among other matters. Additionally, the militancy of the Tamil diaspora in several Canadian capitals is all too well known. It should have thus been clear that it was not in the best interests of the motherland and the nominee himself. ACM Dias was the 17th Commander of the SLAF and retired on November 2, last year. As is clear, his appointment had been decided upon earlier and he faced the High Posts Committee in just a week. It may be recalled that onetime Elections Commissioner Chandrananda de Silva served as Defence Secretary from December 7, 1993 to December 5, 2001. A highly respected state official, he was nominated as Sri Lankas High Commissioner to Canada. However, his agrement was left pending in silence. Though for no fault of his, the non-acceptance was an embarrassment. ACM Dias dilemma now is the prospect of being nominated to another country as envoy. The stigma of originally being rejected by one country before would be haunting personally and does not augur well for the country. However, Ottawa accepted General Tissa Indika Weeratunga, onetime General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Joint Operations Headquarters (JOH) and Army Commander from 1981 to 1985. At that time Canada was not censuring such appointments from the military. The early part of his tenure saw protests from pro-Eelam groups but he completed his term. A highlight of that tenure was a visit by President Premadasa to Canada. Saudi Arabia has still not accepted the nomination of Ahmed A. Jawad, a career foreign service officer who is due to retire in weeks, as Sri Lankas Ambassador. His appointment was cleared by the High Posts Committee of Parliament on November 9, last year. Jawad has served previously in Saudi Arabia as Sri Lankas Ambassador. He then figured in a spat between Colombo and Riyadh over Rizana Nafeek, a housemaid who was beheaded on January 9, 2013 for killing a four-month-old child, Naif al Quthubai. Jawad was recalled to Colombo. In a retaliatory move, Saudi Arabia also recalled its Ambassador Abdulaziz bin Abdul-Rahman Al-Jammaz. Quite clearly, these facts have not been taken into consideration when the Foreign Ministry nominated Jawad for a second posting in Saudi Arabia. UNHRC sessions That these developments come at a time when Sri Lanka needs to maintain a close dialogue at the highest levels with New Delhi, Ottawa and Riyadh is imperative. Most important among them is New Delhi, particularly in the light of Sri Lanka featuring at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. In this context, it is relevant to note that more than twenty top positions in President Joe Bidens administration have gone to Indian-Americans. This is in respect of matters relating to democracy and human rights. The Government must not lose sight that the US spearheaded the resolutions in Geneva in the first instance. A review on Sri Lanka is scheduled for February 24, earlier than anticipated. The deadline for tabling new resolutions would be noon Thursday, March 18. Relations between Colombo and New Delhi have reached a rough patch. India has called for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the conduct of Provincial Council elections. Added to that, an incident in the Palk Strait, the waters that divide Sri Lanka and India, has led to a strong protest that the Navy allegedly attacked Indian fishermen. The Navy in turn defended its action saying a speeding Indian fishing craft had caused damage to one of its patrol craft. In fact, the Navy released photographs and a news release to back up its claims. The bodies of three fishermen and a sailor who died in the incident have been recovered. It has turned out to be a sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu where election is due to the State Legislative Assembly. It will be held in May for 234 seats. For India, the seriousness of the issue is underscored by the course of action it took. The External Affairs Ministry in the south bloc in New Delhi summoned Sri Lankas acting High Commissioner, Niluka Kadurugamauwa to deliver a demarche. High Commissioner Gopal Baglay also lodged a strong protest with Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. The Indian External Affairs Ministry said issues pertaining to fishermen should be handled in a humanitarian manner. It added that the understandings between the two Governments in that regard must be strictly observed. Utmost efforts should be made to ensure that there is no recurrence. On Friday, the Government announced one of its countermeasures in the wake of the UNHRC sessions in Geneva. A gazette notification issued by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said a three-member Commission of Inquiry has been appointed to investigate and inquire into the following matters: (a) Find out whether preceding Commissions of Inquiry and Committees which have been appointed to investigate into human rights violations, have revealed any human rights violations, serious violations of the international humanitarian law and other such serious offences. (b) Identify what are the findings of the said Commissions and Committees related to the serious violations of human rights, serious violations of international humanitarian laws and other such offences and whether recommendations have been made on how to deal with the said facts. (c) Manner in which those recommendations have been implemented so far in terms of the existing law and what steps need to be taken to implement those recommendations further in line with the present Government policy. (d) Overseeing of whether action is being taken according to (b) and (c) above. The Commission is headed by Supreme Court Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz. He has served previously in Sri Lanka delegations to the UNHRC sessions in Geneva. Chandra Fernando, a retired Inspector-General of Police, and Nimal Abeysiri, a retired District Secretary, are the other members. They have been asked to submit their final report in six months. This is the second Commission of Inquiry. The first was the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) after the Tiger guerrillas were militarily defeated. The origins of issues before the UNHRC resolutions against Sri Lanka came during the yahapalana (good governance) Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government. At that time, the then opposition defended its role when it was in governance. It took up the position that there was no violation of human rights or international humanitarian laws. The then President Mahinda Rajapaksa forcefully defended the troops. He declared, at the end of the separatist war, that they fought with a gun in one hand and the UN Human Rights Charter on the other. The Commission of Inquiry announced by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa signals a marked shift. Though somewhat belated, the first task is to ascertain whether there have been any findings of serious violations of human rights or international humanitarian laws. The idea of the government is to adopt what steps need to be taken to implement those recommendations further in line with the present Government policy in terms of existing laws. Though late, this is a step forward after Foreign Minister Gunawardena told the UNHRC last year about this probe. This was after a declaration that Sri Lanka would move away from the co-sponsorship of the US-backed resolution. He said the government would pursue an inclusive, domestically designed and executed reconciliation and accountability process. The critical question is whether the latest move by the Government would be acceptable to stakeholders of the issue, the 47 member states of the UNHRC or the western nations. One western diplomat, who did not wish to be identified, said, It is too little too late. They are now trying to start from ground zero and seems a transparent ploy after so much of water has passed under the bridge. However, Foreign Minister Gunawardena told the Sunday Times that several other steps were also being taken but declined to elaborate. He also refused comment when asked about diplomatic postings saying, those are internal matters. The Sunday Times learnt that one such step is an immediate review of outlawed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects who have remained in custody for longer periods, some up to ten years. Whilst some of them are facing legal action, most are not. The Attorney Generals Department has been called upon to study these cases and make recommendations. Here again, one is not wrong in saying that this thawing is belated though it signals a shift. Quite apart from other issues, some 10,000 or more in jail being released, if there were no charges, would have freed up space in the prisons in the light of the fast-spreading and uncontrollable COVID-19 pandemic. UN Human Rights High Commissioners report The naming of a three-member Commission of Inquiry coincided with the release of the Report on Sri Lanka by United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet, next week. The report is for the forty-sixth session of the UNHRC from February 22 to March 19, 2021. The draft of the report was sent to the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Colombo on November 22 last year and received written inputs to the contents on December 28, last year. On virtual format Foreign Ministry officials also discussed it with UNHRC officials in Geneva on January 7. The 17-page report says the Government did not issue a visa for deployment of an additional international human rights officer as endorsed by the UN General Assembly pursuant to resolution 40/1. It adds that no Special Procedure mandate holders have visited Sri Lanka since August 2019. It traces the history of the conflict and calls for an end to military involvement in civilian activities, accountability for military personnel, and security sector reforms. Yet, the past year has seen a deepening and accelerating militarisation of civilian government functions which the High Commissioner first reported to the Human Rights Council in February 2020 particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Commenting on the COVID-19 pandemic, the report observes that it has also impacted on religious freedom and exacerbated the prevailing marginalisation and discrimination suffered by the Muslim community. It adds, The High Commissioner is concerned that the Governments decision to mandate cremations for all those affected by COVID-19 has prevented Muslims from practising their own burial religious rights and has disproportionately affected religious minorities and exacerbated distress and tensions. Although the Government asserted to OHCHR that this policy is driven by public health concerns and scientific advice, the High Commissioner notes that WHO guidance stresses that cremation is a cultural choice. Sri Lankan Muslims have also been stigmatised in popular discourse as carriers of COVID-19 a concern raised by the High Commissioner in her global update to the Council in June 2020. In this backdrop, the US Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Allaina B. Teplitz, tweeted on Friday that Ratified by Sri Lanka in 1955, UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) article 18 states that everyone has the right to manifest their religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Covid created global challenges, but it should not cost us our compassion and respect for one anothers belief. We stand with all families; whove lost loved ones to this pandemic. Their right and dignity should be respected by permitting the observance of the faith in accordance with international public health guidelines. That the message came just ahead of the release of the UN High Commissioners report on Sri Lanka is noteworthy. The reports recommendations and conclusions are significant and far reaching. A Foreign Ministry official said Sri Lankas own response to the report would be made known at the UNHRC sessions. Here is what the report, a copy of which was obtained by the Sunday Times, says: Nearly 12 years on from the end of the war, domestic initiatives for accountability and reconciliation have repeatedly failed to produce results, more deeply entrenching impunity, and exacerbating victims distrust in the system. Sri Lanka remains in a state of denial about the past, with truth-seeking efforts aborted and the highest State officials refusing to make any acknowledgement of past crimes. This has direct impact on the present and the future. The failure to implement any vetting or comprehensive reforms in the security sector means that the State apparatus and some of its members credibly implicated in the alleged grave crimes and human rights violations remain in place. The 2015 reforms that offered more checks and balances on executive power have been rolled back, eroding the independence of the judiciary and other key institutions further. The beginnings of a more inclusive national discourse that promised greater recognition and respect of and reconciliation with minority communities have been reversed. Far from achieving the guarantees of non-recurrence promised by resolution 30/1, Sri Lankas current trajectory sets the scene for the recurrence of the policies and practices that gave rise to grave human rights violations. While fully appreciating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the High Commissioner is deeply concerned by the trends emerging over the past year, which represent clear early warning signs of a deteriorating human rights situation and a significantly heightened risk of future violations, and therefore calls for strong preventive action. Despite the Governments stated commitment to the 2030 Agenda, Tamil and Muslim minorities are being increasingly marginalised and excluded from the national vision and Government policy, while divisive and discriminatory rhetoric from the highest State officials risks generating further polariaation and violence. The High Commissioner is concerned that the emergency security deployments that followed the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in 2019 have evolved into an increased militarisation of the State. The Government has appointed active and former military personnel, including those credibly implicated in war crimes to key positions in the civilian administration, and created parallel task forces and commissions that encroach on civilian functions. Combined with the reversal of important institutional checks and balances on the executive by the 20th Constitutional Amendment, this trend threatens democratic gains. The High Commissioner is alarmed that the space for civil society, including independent media, which had widened in recent years, is rapidly shrinking. The High Commissioner urges the authorities to immediately end all forms of surveillance, including intimidating visits by State agents and harassment against human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, social actors and victims of human rights violations and their families, and to refrain from imposing further restrictive legal measures on legitimate civil society activity. The Human Rights Council therefore is once again at a critical turning point in its engagement with Sri Lanka. Twice before, the Council has leant its support to domestic accountability and reconciliation initiatives, culminating in resolution 30/1. The Government has now demonstrated its inability and unwillingness to pursue a meaningful path towards accountability for international crimes and serious human rights violations, and signalled instead a fundamentally different approach which focusses on reparation and development but threatens to deny victims their rights to truth and justice and further entrench impunity. It is vital that the Human Rights Council takes further action on Sri Lanka for three important reasons. Firstly, the failure to deal with the past continues to have devastating effects on tens of thousands of survivors spouses, parents, children, and other relatives from all communities who continue to search for the truth about the fate of their loved ones, to seek justice and are in urgent need of reparations. Secondly, the failure to advance accountability and reconciliation undermines the prospects for sustainable peace, human and economic development in line with the 2030 Agenda and carries the seeds of repeated patterns of human rights violations and potential conflict in the future. Finally, the trends highlighted in this report represent yet again an important challenge for the United Nations, including the Human Rights Council, in terms of its prevention function. Independent review of the United Nations actions in 2009 in Sri Lanka concluded there had been a systemic failure of the prevention agenda as the conflict concluded. The international community must not repeat those mistakes, nor allow a precedent that would undermine its efforts to prevent and achieve accountability for grave violations in other contexts. The High Commissioner welcomes the Governments stated commitment to the 2030 Agenda and to continue some measures of peacebuilding, reparation and restitution, but Sri Lanka will only achieve sustainable development and peace if it ensures civic space and effectively addresses the institutionalised and systemic issue of impunity. However, by withdrawing its support for resolution 30/1 and related measures, and by repeatedly failing to undertake meaningful action across the full scope of that resolution, the Government has largely closed the possibility of genuine progress being made to end impunity through a domestic transitional justice process. In view of recent trends, the High Commissioner calls on the Human Rights Council to enhance its monitoring of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, including progress in the Governments new initiatives, and to set out a coherent and effective plan to advance accountability options at the international level. Member states have a number of options to advance criminal accountability and provide measures of redress for victims. In addition to taking steps towards the referral of the situation in Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court, Member States can actively pursue investigation and prosecution of international crimes committed by all parties in Sri Lanka before their own national courts, including under the principles of extraterritorial or universal jurisdiction. The High Commissioner encourages Member States to work with OHCHR, victims and their representatives to promote such avenues for accountability, including through opening investigations into possible international crimes, and to support a dedicated capacity to advance these efforts. Member States can also apply targeted sanctions, such as asset freezes and travel ban against State officials and other actors credibly alleged to have committed or be responsible for grave human rights violations or abuses, as well as support initiatives that provide practical benefits to victims and their families. Recommendations The High Commissioner recommends that the Government of Sri Lanka: Actively promote an inclusive, pluralistic vision for Sri Lanka, based on non-discrimination and protection of human rights for all, and in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; Ensure constitutional and legislative reforms address recommendations made by United Nations human rights mechanisms and the resolutions of the Human Rights Council; Publicly issue unequivocal instructions to all branches of the military, intelligence and police forces that torture, sexual violence and other human rights violations are prohibited and will be systematically investigated and punished; Order all security agencies to immediately end all forms of surveillance and harassment of and reprisals against human rights defenders, social actors, and victims of human rights violations; Promptly, thoroughly, and impartially investigate and prosecute all allegations of gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law, including torture and ill-treatment, and give the highest priority to ensuring accountability in long-standing emblematic cases; Remove from office security personnel and other public officials credibly implicated in human rights violations, in compliance with human rights standards; implement other reforms of the security sector to strengthen and ensure accountability and civilian oversight; Ensure structural safeguards for the Human Rights Commission to function independently and receive adequate resources; Ensure an environment in which the Office on Missing Persons and Office for Reparations can operate effectively and independently; provide both Offices with sufficient resources and technical means to effectively fulfil their mandate; and proceed with interim relief measures for affected vulnerable families with a gender focus, notwithstanding their right to effective and comprehensive reparations and rights to truth and justice; Establish a moratorium on the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act for new arrests until it is replaced by legislation that adheres to international best practices; Establish standard procedures for the granting of pardons or other forms of clemency by the President, including subjecting it to judicial review, and excluding grave human rights and international humanitarian law violations; Honour its standing invitation to Special Procedures by scheduling renewed country visits by relevant thematic mandate holders; continue engagement with treaty bodies; and seek continued technical assistance from OHCHR in implementing the recommendations of UN human rights mechanisms. The High Commissioner recommends that the Human Rights Council and Member States to: Request OHCHR to enhance its monitoring of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, including progress towards accountability and reconciliation, and report regularly to the Human Rights Council; Support a dedicated capacity to collect and preserve evidence for future accountability processes, to advocate for victims and survivors, and to support relevant judicial proceedings in Member States with competent jurisdiction. Cooperate with victims and their representatives to investigate and prosecute international crimes committed by all parties in Sri Lanka through judicial proceedings in domestic jurisdictions, including under the principles of extraterritorial or universal jurisdiction. Explore possible targeted sanctions such as asset freezes and travel bans against credibly alleged perpetrators of grave human rights violations and abuses; Apply stringent vetting procedures to Sri Lankan police and military personnel identified for military exchanges and training programmes; Prioritise support to civil society initiatives and efforts for reparation and victims assistance and prioritise victims and their families for assistance in their bilateral humanitarian, development, and scholarship programmes; Review asylum measures with respect to Sri Lankan nationals to protect those facing reprisals and avoid any refoulement in cases that present real risk of torture or other serious human rights violations. The High Commissioner recommends that United Nations entities: Ensure that the Secretary-Generals Call to Action on human rights guides all United Nations policy and programmatic engagement in Sri Lanka; Ensure that all development programmes are founded on principles of inclusion, non-discrimination, and support for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; Incorporate strict human rights due diligence in engagement with the security forces and all bodies under the purview of the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry Public Security; Whilst fully understanding force generation challenges in the context of UN peacekeeping, keep under review Sri Lankas contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and screening systems for Sri Lanka personnel. The recommendations contained in the Report are far reaching, and the trajectory of the envisaged action internationally has been outlined, which is invariant with that of the Government of Sri Lanka. There is a shrill call for the UNHRC to take further action on Sri Lanka by setting out an effective plan at the international level to pursue a meaningful path towards accountability for international crimes and serious human rights violations, which the country has failed to do so at present. In this context, initiatives outlined include the referral of human rights situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC). This broadly hints on the susceptibility of the issue being pushed towards the UN Security Council in New York, an aspect recently requested by the Tamil political parties and civil society groups. It further prescribes the member states to pursue investigation and prosecution in their national courts based on the principle of Universal Jurisdiction, on crimes committed by all parties. Travel bans, asset freezing, targeted sanctions as other suggested punitive measures need to be taken very seriously. It is interesting to note that the outlined penal measures are against state officials and other actors which seems to be a recognition of the need to act on the LTTE. It is also pertinent to note that while the LTTE remains banned in 32 countries, its rumps activities continue unabated in those soils. The continued chorus in the Report that credible allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law amounting to war crimes having been committed during the separatist war, however, remains unsubstantiated with the absence of substantive related evidence. However, the GoSL will need to work with interested parties in bringing about closure on this issue, which would need careful and extensive negotiations, considering it being politically charged internationally. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Its happy news for all Varun Dhawan fans as the man is tying the knot with his long term girlfriend Natasha Dalal this weekend. The two have been high school sweethearts and theres been a lot of speculation around their wedding dates but its finally here. The two headed to Alibaug yesterday to start the wedding festivities from today. With the sangeet kicking off today, the two will take the vows tomorrow, followed by another set of functions after that. Now the latest is that the couple will be heading off for their honeymoon soon after the wedding. Initially, there was news that they will not be taking a vacation until Varun has finished shooting for his upcoming films, but the update is that they will be jetting off to Turkey soon. The couple will stay in The Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. It is one of the most beautiful and luxurious spots in the world and is know to have had several celebrities stay over in the past. Well, deserved as it is, this will be a sun getaway for the actor who has been working ever since Coolie No. 1 released. Ukraine is interested in visa liberalization with Canada and the expansion of free trade area between the countries, as well as Canada's participation in the Crimean Platform initiative. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed these issues during a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Finance of Canada Chrystia Freeland, the Government portal informs. Prime Minister pointed out Ukraines readiness to welcome a group of Canadian experts to Ukraine to monitor Ukraines compliance with Canadas criteria. "The Ukrainian people maintain friendly relations with Canada and the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada. Therefore, visa liberalization would be a historic and strategically important step for us," the Head of Government stressed. The parties also discussed expanding Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. As Shmyhal noted, both sides face the ambitious task of expanding its effect to cover investment and services. Ukraines PM also stressed the importance of supporting free trade in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that Ukraine had lifted the ban on trade in personal protective equipment and other goods regarding which there were restrictions on excessive exports. "We believe that Canada's policy of open international trade and export support, which is also pursued by Canada, is one of the measures to effectively counter the spread of the pandemic. I am convinced that these are the first steps on the path of work on the updated Free Trade Agreement," the Prime Minister said, noting that trade and economic cooperation remains a priority for the two countries According to Shmyhal, Ukraine is completing the formation of its delegation for the relevant talks. It will be headed by Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Ihor Petrashko. The parties agreed that it is necessary to organize the work of an intergovernmental working group in the near future, which will draft a document. For her part, Chrystia Freeland noted that Canada is interested in expanding the Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine and expresses readiness to work in this direction. The Prime Minister of Ukraine told the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada about the Crimean Platform initiative and invited Canada to join its activities. Denys Shmyhal also invited Chrystia Freeland to Ukraine to attend the celebration on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of independence. As reported, in June 2020, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky informed following a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau that Canada agreed to consider visa liberalization with Ukraine. ol Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Weekend, January 23, 2021 A Better Plan The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10 NKJV). A number of years ago in Albuquerque, New Mexico, there was a man named Earl who decided to take his own life one night. Earl was born in Turkey and raised in a Muslim home, but he rebelled against his father and moved to the United States. He married a woman and later divorced her as his life was going downhill. He was using a lot of drugs. One night, he went to his bank and withdrew all his money so he could go and buy drugs to end his life with an overdose. But as he was driving to the drug dealers house, he turned on the radio and came across a Christian radio station. He liked the song that was playing, so he listened for a while. Then the announcer said the band was playing that night at the Harvest Crusade, which was at The Pit. The Pit is an arena in Albuquerque, and when Earl looked out the window, he realized he was driving past it. So Earl pulled over, got out of his car, and walked inside. He heard a song or two and then I got up to speak. And that night, Earl went forward and gave his life to Jesus Christ. He made a very good decision. Not long ago, I was preaching in Chicago, and I saw Earl. Hes still walking with the Lord, and hes sharing the gospel with others. Earl could have died that night in Albuquerque, but he gave his life to Jesus instead. Jesus came to give life. In contrast, the Devil wants you to die. But dont listen to him. Hes a liar, and hes the father of lies (see John 8:44). Just as He showed Earl, God has a better plan for you, and you can come into a relationship with Him today. Copyright 2021 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org and Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com. Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com. SPECIAL OFFER In thanks for your gift, you can receive The Women of the Bible Speak from Harvest Ministries. What does Esther have in common with Rahab? Or Ruth with Tamar? They seem like diametrically opposed personalities. Shannon Bream gives insightful answers to those questions in her new book. We will mail you a copy when you make a donation of any amount to Harvest Ministries today! Click here to find out more! Ballard Co. Board of Education Moves to New Office By West Kentucky Star Staff BARLOW - The district office of the Ballard County Board of Education has moved from its long-time location to renovated offices in the Ballard County Career and Technical Center.The move was completed on Friday. All district-level services have moved to the new location, including human resources, insurance and accounts payable (Tina Jones), and payroll (Jennifer Head). The offices of the superintendent Dr. Casey Allen, assistant superintendent Dr. David Meinschein, and directors of pupil personnel (Bob Wilson) and transportation (Darrell Sullivan) are also in this location.Visitors are asked to park in front of the CTC at 11 Vocational School Road, Barlow, and be buzzed in through the front door.Because the building still serves students, we are taking all of the safety precautions required by Senate Bill 1 concerning access, Dr. Allen explained. Were asking for the understanding of our staff and community, since we really cant offer the open door access we could at the old office."Allen said they hope to have an open house soon, even if it's virtual.Until then, please dont hesitate to call us at 270-665-8400, or stop by if you need us," Allen added. When local superintendents had a problem, they knew they could call Miguel Cardona. Or he would call them. Danbury-area school chiefs praised Cardona President Joe Bidens pick for U.S. secretary of education for his job as Connecticuts education commissioner and said his background as a public school teacher and former English language learner will benefit students. Its a loss for our state, New Fairfield Superintendent Pat Cosentino said. But Im very hopeful that he is going to have really positive impact on our country and our education systems. And I think that gives us a lot of hope. Their relationships with him may be a plus for their districts, too. It will be really helpful to us that the secretary of education knows us here in Newtown, understands what weve been through and can speak directly to that, Superintendent Lorrie Rodrigue said. Its more comforting to us knowing that someone at that level understands who we are, and the issues that weve faced, and what would be important to us moving forward as a district and a community. Cardona is a former Meriden elementary school teacher and principal who learned English at school and is of Puerto Rican descent. That perspective will be crucial as schools grapple with remote learning and how to ensure an equitable education for students from minority backgrounds, superintendents said. Its important to have someone who is a secretary of education who is an educator, so that they understand all of the challenges, Cosentino said. One of Bidens goals is to open most kindergarten through eighth-grade schools within his first 100 days in office while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Thats something Cardona has experienced in Connecticut, where the governor said Thursday that about half of students have the option of in-person learning Hes probably learned a lot about what is it going to take to keep kids in school, Bethel Superintendent Christine Carver said. Especially during this pandemic ... hes been very open-minded in terms of really listening to what the problems are. Its not just like, This is what youre going to do. Its, How can we support you in doing that? Teachers in the highest offices Cardona is a contrast from Betsy DeVos, who was education secretary for the last four years under former president Donald Trump. DeVos had been widely criticized because she had never worked in public education nor attended public schools. There will be a real benefit to having the K-12 public education lens at the table, said Rydell Harrison, superintendent for Easton, Redding and Region 9. That was a piece that was missing. Cardona wont have to learn about what its like to work in a public school because hes done it, Rodrigue said If youre going to take on a role like the secretary of education, then it just is so beneficial to have been in the trenches with teachers and leaders and really understand the nuances of education and the challenges our classroom teachers and principals and central office employees face every day, she said. But at least two people in the White House will get it, Harrison said. Jill Biden plans to continue to teach at a community college while serving as first lady. Thats wonderful, Cosentino said. It shows her desire to continue to be a service to kids. My gosh, what a great role model for everybody. Were all really thrilled about that. This will further support Cardonas work, Carver said. Its only going to enhance the understanding of what the needs are, in terms of educating and public education, she said. Promoting inclusion When nominating Cardona, Biden said the former teacher would fight for a better, fairer, more successful education system and eliminate longstanding inequities and close racial and socio-economic opportunity gaps. Thats what he has worked to do in Connecticut, local educators said. He sees the importance of equity and making sure that the achievement and opportunity gaps are addressed so that every child has a fair share of being successful, Cosentino said. Especially during the pandemic, Cardona has backed providing resources to schools to support low-income, minority families, she said. Those kids are falling behind, Cosentino said. We see that as superintendents, and he is very aware of that. Connecticut is the first state in the country to require all high schools to offer courses on African American, Black, Puerto Rican and Latino studies. Cardona could push for this nationwide, Harrison said. Its not so much just about the courses, but its about the representation of students, being able to see themselves in the curriculum, he said. Thats not just a local or statewide focus, but I think that it could be and should be a national focus on education. Leadership style Superintendents said Cardona communicated with them well, either through virtual calls with school chiefs across the state or reaching out individually when districts had concerns. Through his leadership, its very transparent that his intent is to support districts in our work, said Carver, who worked closely with Cardona as a board member on the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. Rodrigue described him as a good listener, but also intuitive. Hes really an outstanding educator and someone who has a high level of integrity and compassion and a depth of understanding about so many of the critical issues we all face as teachers and leaders, she said. He is very down to earth. Cosentino said he has led with a kids first mantra. He understands the importance of really supporting families and children from a very early age and the dividends that pays as you move forward, she said. Her one piece of advice is that he focuses on vaccinating school staff quickly. They are front-line workers and they have done an enormous job to keep our kids in school, Cosentino said. Despite the relationship they have formed with him, local superintendents said they dont expect to call Cardona directly about policy or issues. They said they recognized hell be busy. But they may email him. Rodrigue said she sent Cardona a note of congratulations about a week ago. He responded back right away, she said. Thats the kind of gentleman he is. How he has supported us here is going to benefit, not just us here in Connecticut, but everyone across the nation, Rodrigue added. His heart is in the right place. Has the pandemic reached its peak? Its possible, though researchers have differing views on the subject. On Friday, Connecticut reported a decrease in coronavirus-related hospitalizations and that 4.93 percent of all COVID-19 tests in the state had come back positive, continuing a downward trend Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday was the case in many states. Some public health officials and researchers are hopeful that the United States may have seen the worst of COVID-19. Yes, we have peaked in terms of cases, Ali Mokdad, of the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, told NPR. We are coming down, slowly. This is very good news very good news. Caitlin Rivers, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, expressed a similar sentiment. Based on current trends, the worst appears to be over, she said. We are headed to a better place. Other researchers warn not to count any chickens before they are hatched. Yes, I agree that we are currently in a downward trend; here in Connecticut the peak appears to have happened at the end of December, said Pedro Mendes, who models disease trends for the UConn Health Center. And though there have only been four confirmed cases in Connecticut so far of the COVID-19 variant originally found in the United Kingdom known as B.1.1.7 it is a subject of concern for Mendes. We know that the new strain B.1.1.7 is already spreading in the U.S. and at some point in the future it will cause another peak because of its higher infectivity, he said. Researchers estimate that the B.1.1.7 variant is 50 percent more contagious than the original form of coronavirus, and Mendes said places like California and Portugal may already be seeing the effect of that increased transmissibility. This is happening in other countries that quickly became overwhelmed, he said. To me, the question is when it will happen, rather than if it will happen. There are a total of 195 confirmed cases caused by the B.1.1.7 variant in the United States, according to the CDC, including 72 in California. Simultaneously, President Joe Biden has said he hopes to distribute 100 million vaccine doses in the next 100 days. Demand for vaccines in Connecticut, as in other states, is far outstripping supply. Though Lamont said he was told that Pfizer could double vaccine production by the end of February and double it again by the end of March, there are, at present, not enough vaccine doses to go around. We are in a position of scarcity in Connecticut at the moment, Josh Geballe, Lamonts chief operating officer, said Thursday. Better access to vaccines, Mendes said, is essential to head off the B.1.1.7 variant before it causes another spike in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. That is why speeding up vaccination is so important, as that would at least partially compensate for the high infectivity of this strain, he said. A blood-soaked naked man spotted by neighbours 'wrapped in intestines carrying his father's severed head' while walking the streets has been arrested in Ukraine. The witnesses claim they saw Dmitry Ponomarenko, 30, leave his flat covered in blood and carrying the head of his 53-year-old father Igor Ponomarenko. As he watched in horror, one neighbour said the naked man calmly sat down on a bench in the town of Odessa, southern Ukraine, and lit a cigarette. 'Covered with blood and wrapped in guts man, holding a severed head, came out of the entrance, sat down on a bench and lit a cigarette', a resident of the apartment block said on Wednesday. Horrified witnesses called the emergency services, with Police racing to the scene. The witnesses claim they saw Dmitry Ponomarenko, 30 (pictured), leave his flat covered in blood and carrying the head of his 53-year-old father Igor Ponomarenko. Pictured: Ponomarenko in police custody after being arrested on Wednesday Pictured left: Dmitry Ponomarenko, kneeling down with intestines around his neck after being detained. Pictured right: Ponomarenko is put into a police van and arrested Horrified witnesses called the emergency services, with Police racing to the scene, where they are said to have found Ponomarenko hitting cars with the severed head of his father. Officers found two dead male bodies in the man's apartment Once there, officers detained Ponomarenko junior who was found wandering around and hitting parked cars with the head, according to onlookers. A picture shows him with intestines wrapped around his neck during his arrest. Officers found two dead male bodies in the man's apartment. The beheaded corpse of Igor Ponomarenko was lying on a bed, while another body that belonged to the family's friend Aleksandr Demchenko, 32, was sliced open and gutted. The beheaded corpse of Igor Ponomarenko was found lying on a bed, while another body that belonged to the family's friend Aleksandr Demchenko, 32, was sliced open and gutted. Pictured: Ponomarenko is taken away by police During police interrogations, Ponomarenko said that 'he is a god' and that he 'sacrificed the victims to himself' The witnesses claim they saw Dmitry Ponomarenko, 30, leave his flat covered in blood and carrying the head of his 53-year-old father Igor Ponomarenko. Pictured: People gather outside the apartment block in Odessa, Ukraine When asked by cops why he killed the victims, Ponomarenko said it was because 'he had to' and that 'he is a god who is not worshipped', witnesses said. A police spokesman said to local media: 'We received calls from shocked people reporting a man walking in the neighbourhood with a severed head in his hand.' Law enforcement opened a criminal case for double murder against Ponomarenko, who was placed into custody. He faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. Law enforcement opened a criminal case for double murder against Ponomarenko, who was placed into custody. He faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty As he watched in horror, one neighbour said the naked man calmly sat down on a bench in the town of Odessa, southern Ukraine, and lit a cigarette. Pictured: A nearby bench During police interrogations, Ponomarenko said that 'he is a god' and that he 'sacrificed the victims to himself'. The suspect worked in the Duke Hotel from where he had been fired a day before the incident for being under the influence of drugs and inappropriate behavior, a source said. The motives of the crime are being investigated. Killeen, TX (76540) Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 83F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 66F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. The Holy See Press Office announces that Pope Francis will be unable to preside over a series of appointments on Sunday and Monday, due to a recurrence of sciatica. By Vatican News staff reporter Pope Francis will not preside at several celebrations on Sunday and Monday, according to a statement released by Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office. These include the Mass for the Sunday of the Word of God in St. Peters Basilica, which will be presided over instead by Archbishop Rino Fisichella. He will however lead the Angelus prayer in the Library of the Apostolic Palace on Sunday at noon, as scheduled. On Monday, the Pope was due to meet with the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, but the meeting has been postponed. He also will not preside over Vespers for the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Basilica of St. Paul. The event will go ahead as planned, and will be presided over by Cardinal Kurt Koch, the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. In his statement released on Saturday evening, Mr. Bruni said the changes are due to the Pope suffering from a bout of sciatica. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Canada's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland discussed the expansion of the free trade agreement (FTA) and the liberalization of the visa regime. "An important basis for the development of economic cooperation between Ukraine and Canada is the Free Trade Agreement, and currently, both parties face the ambitious task of expanding their impact on investment and services," the government's press service said. It is noted that Shmyhal stressed the importance of supporting free trade area in the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. "We believe that Canada's policy of open international trade and export support, which is also pursued by Canada, is one of the measures to effectively counter the spread of the pandemic. I am convinced that these are the first steps on the path of work on the updated Free Trade Agreement," the head of government said. He expressed confidence that despite the difficult situation amid the fight against the pandemic, Ukraine and Canada will continue to actively develop bilateral cooperation. "Trade and economic cooperation remain a priority of our cooperation. Each new challenge opens up new prospects for development, so we must consolidate our efforts to overcome the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic as soon as possible and continue to increase bilateral trade," the prime minister said. In turn, Freeland said that Canada is interested in expanding the Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine and is ready to work in this direction. According to Shmyhal, Ukraine is completing the formation of its delegation for the relevant talks. The parties agreed that it is necessary to organize the work of an intergovernmental working group in the near future, which will draft a document. In addition, the prime minister noted Ukraine's high interest in visa liberalization and the readiness to host a group of Canadian experts in Ukraine to monitor the state of Ukraine's compliance with Canada's criteria. Shmyhal told the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada about the "Crimean Platform" and invited Canada to join its activities. In addition, the prime minister invited Freeland to Ukraine to celebrate the 30th anniversary of independence. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra retains its strong grasp on the top spot in our trending chart for the second week in a row with the compact Galaxy S21 and Xiaomi Mi 11 joining it on the podium. However the phones in second and third combined didn't get as much interest as the Ultra. After three premium phones we see a quick change of pace with the entry level Samsung Galaxy A12 taking fourth, while the Poco M3's resurgence saw it shot to fifth. The newly announced Honor View40 (or V40 as its known in its debut market of China) takes sixth, ahead of another brand new phone - the monstrous cameraphone that is the vivo X60 Pro+. The Redmi Note 9 Pro slides down to eight, as the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max maintains its ninth position for yet another week. The veteran that is the Samsung Galaxy A51 takes the last available spot, leaving the Galaxy S21+, the Poco X3 and the Xiaomi Mi 10i out this time around. It speaks volumes about the relative popularity of the S21+ that it can't even make the top 10, when its siblings take the top two spots. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. A few days ago, newsman turned blogger Bill was completely SPANKED BY TKC READERS when he suggested that millions of voters should repent for their ballot selections. To comfort him from the rhetorical shellacking, there's recent news HIS NEW BOOK IS SKYROCKETING UP THE CHARTS AT AMAZON!!! And so, his latest missive offers a peak at the reasoning, logic and beliefs which power this renowned local author. Read more . . . The country with the largest proven oil reserves in the world, clocking in at a whopping 299,953,000,000 barrels of proven oil, is currently suffering a fuel shortage so great that it is being viewed by many around the world as a humanitarian crisis. Despite being so incredibly resource rich, Venezuela continues to suffer from an extreme economic crisis with no clear end in sight. In large part thanks to severe international economic sanctions, the South American nation has been left with few options and few friends. The Trump administration has been especially tough on trade with Venezuela in an attempt to push the nations despotic leader Nicolas Maduro out of power. After years of cutting off nearly every conceivable stream of revenue for the country--which was once the wealthiest on the entire continent--Maduro remains in power, and the most embattled victims of the sanctions are not those in his cabinet but the Venezuelan citizens themselves. Venezuela currently relies heavily on Iran for fuel imports to keep their transportation systems, agricultural infrastructure, and generators running, and while some international oil shipments have managed to skirt U.S. sanctions, the flow of fuel in and out of Venezuela has slowed to the slightest trickle. With no market for their crude, the nations very last oil rig left back in August, and in September Bloomberg reported that the country was tearing apart its now useless pipelines to sell as scrap metal in a desperate strategy to scrape together some cash. Now, as the tough-on-Venezuela Trump era is drawing to a close, many see the administration transition as an opportunity for a fresh start for Venezuela. Representatives of fuel suppliers to Venezuela, importers of Venezuelan oil and advocacy groups said this month they plan to press the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to reverse a ban on crude-for-diesel swaps, Reuters reported this week. Related: Can Shale Resist The Lure Of Another Output Surge? These advocates are not calling for a complete lifting of sanctions or renewed diplomacy with Maduros government--far from it. The crude-for-diesel swaps under consideration here were legal under the Trump administration until the last quarter of 2020. When the U.S. stopped making this exception, the impact on Venezuelan citizens was almost immediate. Farmers are already warning that shortages are impeding sugar harvesting and rice planting, Reuters reports. The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is a grave one, and many advocates for the Venezuelan populace see the new administration in the United States as a beacon of hope for those currently suffering from fuel shortages. The concern is that the current sanctions are not helping the U.S. get any closer to its goal of punishing Maduro and his government, but are simply punishing the already beleaguered people of Venezuela instead. We hope that the incoming Biden administration can take a more strategic look at the purpose of the sanctions, and can lift those that dont change the position of the group in power and instead create problems for the population, Feliciano Reyna, president of Caracas-based aid group Accion Solidaria, was quoted. Internal PDVSA (Venezuelas state-owned oil company) documents show clearly that the nation hasnt received diesel imports since November of last year, leading data analysts to extrapolate that the country will run out of the fuel as soon as March or April. Amazingly, despite this grim prognosis, Maduros government continues to export diesel to Cuba, its close ally and sister in sanctions. One the one hand, this could be used as an argument to show that Venezuela doesnt need a loosening in sanctions to receive more diesel if Maduro already feels that he has enough to give away. However, the real lesson here is that this part of U.S. sanctions is of no concern to Maduro, nor is the suffering of his people. A reinstatement of crude-for-diesel trade therefore cant hurt the U.S. agenda, only stands to help the Venezuelan people. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Part of the assault on China by the U.S. government has been to paint its loans to Ecuador as predatory. by Vijay Prashad On January 14, a U.S. government agency decided to pay off part of Ecuadors debt to China so that the Latin American country could break ties with Chinese telecommunications firms. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which is funded by the U.S. government, provided Ecuador with a loan of $2.8 billion. The DFCs head, Adam Boehler, said that the large loan goes to Ecuador to refinance predatory Chinese debt and to strengthen Ecuadors alliance with the United States. This move by the DFC is not economic as much as it is political. Ecuadors development is secondary. What is primary is the U.S. desire to remove Chinese businesses and political influence from Latin America. Boehler, a close friend of the Trump family, took over the DFC and has since driven a hard agenda in Latin America against China. The DFC was created by the U.S. Congress Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018. Subsequent to this act and the formation of DFC, the U.S. State Department developed a project called America Crece, or Growth in the Americas; this projects main goal is to use U.S. government fundswith private assistanceto edge out Chinese business interests from the American hemisphere. Ecuador is the most recent success of the U.S. policy. Ecuadors Debt and the 2021 Presidential Election During the pandemic, the debt crisis in developing countries has become a serious problem. The total external debt held by developing countries is estimated to be $11 trillion. Ecuadors share of this total debt is now roughly $52 billion. In mid-2020, Ecuadors outgoing president Lenin Moreno tried to raise money through multilateral agencies and China to manage $17 billion of this debt, most of which would have to be paid to service the overall debt. Financial markets, unwilling to buy Ecuadorian bonds, balked; but Moreno offered to buy back some bonds in order to raise some capital. Collapsed oil prices that led to cuts in oil subsidies, a hefty loan from the International Monetary Fund at the cost of austerity measures, and mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic battered Morenos legitimacy. Ecuadorians will go to the polls on February 7 to elect a new president. Moreno is not running; his approval rating fell through the floor as a result of cascading crises, including evidence of grotesque personal corruption, that predate the pandemic. A September 2020 poll showed that the left-leaning candidateAndres Arauzwas ahead of a crowded field with close to 46 percent of the vote, which would allow him to win in the first round. Arauz is an economist who held two ministerial posts in the government of Rafael Correa from 2015 to 2017. He promises to reverse Morenos fealty to the United States and his subordination to the International Monetary Funds deflationary policies. The U.S. bid to buy out part of Ecuadors debt to China and to foreclose Ecuadors ability to buy Chinese tech products comes during an election season. It appears almost certain that Morenos political orientation will be reversed by the next president. For that reason, the hasty deal cut between Quito and Washington will try to lock whoever wins the February 2021 election into a pro-U.S. and anti-China policy. This is a direct interference in the elections in Ecuador. U.S. Policy Toward China in Latin America The DFCs Boehler is unlikely to survive into the administration of Joe Biden. Boehler is a personal friend of the Trump family and brought few actual skills to his job. Biden will likely replace Boehler with a Democratic Party insider. After the deal with Ecuador was announced, Boehler said that this deal and the DFCs America Crece will not be undone by Bidens team. This is not a Democratic priority or a Republican priority, Boehler said. This is an American priority. Bidens team, Boehler said, sees the America Crece instruments as innovative. Part of the assault on China by the U.S. government has been to paint its loans to Ecuador as predatory. These loans, the U.S. officials say, create a debt trap and, as Boehler said, they leave Ecuador at the mercy of a single authoritarian country. Evidence for either the debt trap or of Chinese influence on Ecuador is non-existent. In fact, over the last six months of 2020, Chinese banks have been willing to put loan payments on hold until 2022 (this includes a delay on repayment on the $474 million loan to Chinas ExIM Bank and on the $417 million loan to the China Development Bank). Ecuadors Finance Ministry says thatas for nowthe plan is for repayment to start in March 2022 and to end by 2029. Lenin Moreno took to Twitter to announce these two delays. There were no aggressive measures taken by these two banks nor from any other Chinese financial entity. Ecuador took on debt worth around $5 billion from Chinese banks to finance several major infrastructural projects, including the construction of hydroelectric dams. These projects began when oil prices were high. President Correa leveraged oil income to help the transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy. The collapse of oil prices, the pressure on the country from the oil giants (particularly Chevron), and the political chaos in the country damaged Ecuadors ability to advance these projects. Chinese banks, over this period, have accommodated the difficulties faced by Ecuadors government to finance these debts. Yet, it is based on the very existence of these loans that the U.S. government has made sinister claims about Chinese influence on Ecuador. It is well worth pointing out that China only holds 10 percent of Ecuadors total external debt, but it is this debt that has been the focus of attention. It allows the U.S. to prosecute its rivalry with China and at the same time camouflage the real source of indebtedness, namely the IMF loans and loans to Western banks; neither the IMF nor the Western banks have been willing to be as generous about their credits as the Chinese banks. Conditions Chinese banks lent money for the construction projects. These funds came with no conditions. The U.S. government money, on the other hand, came with substantial claims on the government of Ecuadors policy orientation. Quito has had to sign up for Washingtons Clean Network, a U.S. State Department project to force countries to build telecommunications networks without a Chinese telecom provider involved in them; this particularly applies to the high-speed 5G networks. Ecuador preemptively joined the Clean Network in November 2020. This opened the door for the DFC loan to Ecuador. The deal with Ecuador is not seen as a one-time arrangement. Boehler said that this novel model can be used by other countries to eject China from the hemisphere. If Arauz becomes the next president of Ecuador, he will face the challenge of this U.S.-imposed conflict against China as one of the first obstacles to a fresh start for his country. President Moreno and former president Trump have already begun to sabotage the possibility for Arauz to solve the immediate problems of his people. This article was produced by Globetrotter. Vijay Prashad is an Indian historian, editor and journalist. He is a writing fellow and chief correspondent at Globetrotter. He is the chief editor of LeftWord Books and the director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. He is a senior non-resident fellow at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China. He has written more than 20 books, including The Darker Nations and The Poorer Nations. His latest book is Washington Bullets, with an introduction by Evo Morales Ayma. Breonna Taylor Grand Jurors Among Petitioners Seeking to Impeach Kentucky AG A group of Kentuckians that includes three grand jurors from the Breonna Taylor case on Jan. 22 filed a petition to impeach the states attorney general. According to a statement announcing the petition, Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican, is accused of having incited an insurrection by financing, directing, and permitting robocalls that called for marching to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. A group linked to the Republican Attorneys General Association sent the robocall that said, in part, We will march to the Capitol building and call on Congress to stop the steal. Cameron told reporters recently that he wasnt aware of the robocall, which didnt call for violence. Former President Donald Trump was impeached this month for incitement of insurrection over a speech he gave on Jan. 6. Trump hadnt finished speaking before violence began at the U.S. Capitol building, eventually culminating in forced entry into the building, the destruction of various rooms, and theft of items including several computers. The new petition against Cameron also claims he breached the public trust and failed to comply with his duties for misrepresenting to the nation the findings of the Grand Jury. Cameron presented the findings of the Taylor grand jury to the public in September 2020. The grand jury indicted one of the three police officers involved in the raid on Taylors apartment but couldnt charge the other two because their use of force was justified, according to Cameron. Officers raided the house in March 2020. They fired their weapons after Taylors boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, shot and wounded Sgt. Jon Mattingly. Taylor was fatally shot during the incident. Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky., in an undated photograph. (Courtesy of Taylor family attorney Sam Aguiar via AP) Activists and Taylors family took issue with the way the findings were presented, arguing that the grand jury wasnt given the opportunity to properly review the case, which sparked rioting. Cameron later agreed to comply with an order to release grand jury transcripts under pressure from the family and others. The Louisville Metro Police Department released more than 4,000 pages from its investigation into the shooting, showing in depth what had happened. The files showed that the narrative of a no-knock warrant being served was incorrect, as officers had announced themselves and banged on the door before barging inside when no one answered. They also highlighted how Walker thought he was unfairly treated by the police. While Walker was charged with attempted murder of a police officer, the charge was dropped several months later. Camerons office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment about the new petition. The Grand Jurors did not choose this battle, Kevin Glogower, representing the group seeking the impeachment, said in a statement. This battle chose them. These are randomly selected citizens who were compelled to sit on a grand jury and were terribly misused by the most powerful law enforcement official in Kentucky. It is truly a testament to the Kentucky Constitution that they are able to be here today and to expose injustice and demand public accountability. Taylor family attorney Benjamin Crump said in a statement that the House committee should seriously review this petition and hold AG Cameron accountable for his role in misleading the public and the grand jurors, and denying justice for Breonna Taylor and her family. Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne, a Republican, said in a statement that notice of the petition was received, adding that he would reserve further comment until our attorneys review it and the committee on committees has an opportunity to act. Two other impeachment petitions have been filed in Kentucky this month. Separate groups filed petitions against Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, and state Rep. Robert Goforth, a Republican. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday refused to speak during the 125th birth anniversary celebration of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose after a section of audience raised Jai Shri Ram slogans at Victoria Memorial Hall, saying she felt "insulted". Banerjee refused to speak at the event after slogans raised were against her in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Kolkata on Saturday evening to take part in the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Netaji. I am honoured to be invited here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre. But this is not the way to welcome your guest and that too in a government event. This is not a political event and you must maintain the sanctity of Netajis birth anniversary event, said a visibly angry Mamata. I am not going to deliver my speech except Jai Hind and Jai Bangla. The audience once again raised the Jai Sri Ram slogan when Modi unveiled coins dedicated to Bose. Banerjee earlier in the day demanded the country should have four national capitals instead of just one in Delhi. Modi's aircraft landed at the NSC Bose International Airport around 3 pm, from where he took a helicopter for the city. State minister Purnendu Basu received him at the airport. He was later greeted by Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and state minister Firhad Hakim at the RCTC Ground in the heart of the city. Modi earlier also visited Netaji Bhavan, Bose's residence. Washington: Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries that have cut ties to Qatar issued a steep list of demands to end the crisis, insisting that their Persian Gulf neighbour shutter Al-Jazeera, cut back diplomatic ties to Iran and close down a Turkish military base in Qatar. In a 13-point list presented to the Qataris by Kuwait,which is helping mediate the crisis the countries also demand that Qatar sever all ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and with other groups including Hezbollah, al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the list in Arabic from one of the countries involved in the dispute. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain cut ties to Qatar this month over allegations the Persian Gulf country funds terrorism an accusation that President Donald Trump has echoed. Those countries have now given Qatar 10 days to comply with all of the demands, which include paying an unspecified sum in compensation. Qatari officials in Doha did not immediately respond to are quest for comment from the AP. But the list included conditions that the gas-rich nation had already insisted would never be met, including shutting down Al-Jazeera. Qatar's government has said it won't negotiate until Arabnations lift their blockade. The demands were also likely to elicit Qatari objections that its neighbors are trying to dictate its sovereign affairs by imposing such far-reaching requirements. Only a day earlier, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had warned the demands must be "reasonable and actionable." The US issued that litmus test amid frustration at how long it was taking Saudi Arabia and others to formalize a list of demands,complicating U.S. efforts to bring about a resolution to the worst Gulf diplomatic crisis in years. According to the list, Qatar must refuse to naturalize citizens from the four countries and expel those currently in Qatar, in what the countries describe as an effort to keep Qatar from meddling in their internal affairs. They are also demanding that Qatar hand over all individuals who are wanted by those four countries for terrorism; stop funding any extremist entities that are designated as terrorist groups by the US; and provide detailed information about opposition figures that Qatar has funded,ostensibly in Saudi Arabia and the other nations. Qatar vehemently denies funding or supporting extremism. But the country acknowledges that it allows members of some extremist groups such as Hamas to reside in Qatar, arguing that fostering dialogue with those groups is key to resolving global conflicts. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) The country is taking a hit from the terminated contracts of 50,000 contact tracers, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Saturday, as he urged the local government units to stop refusing help from the Philippine National Police. The contact tracers were hired by the Department of the Interior and Local Government last year to augment the countrys COVID-19 response. Their contracts expired on Dec. 31, and the DILG said only 15,000 of them will be rehired due to budget constraints. They will be employed again once the funds are released. The loss of 50,000 plus contact tracers because their services were terminated has a huge impact to our contact tracing efforts, Magalong said in a media briefing about the new COVID-19 variant. The mutated coronavirus, believed to be more contagious, was first discovered in the United Kingdom and has been detected in 17 people in the Philippines. When asked if the PNP should be tapped to help in contact tracing efforts, Magalong lamented that it is the LGUs that are shunning the offer. READ: New COVID-19 variant in PH since Dec. 10, but 'no evidence' of community transmission Maraming LGU na nire-reject sila e, the country's contact tracing czar said. Even if they take the initiative to coordinate with the LGU, specifically with the CESU (City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit) sabi ng mga doctors doon, Kaya na namin. [Translation: Many LGUs are rejecting them. Even if they take the initiative to coordinate with the LGU, specifically with the CESU...the doctors will say, "we can manage."] Magalong appealed to the LGUs to finally accept help from the police force, which the national government has tapped for contact tracing since August. Use your Philippine National Police because they have that cognitive interviewing skill. They have that investigate skill which many of our CESUs do not have. Combining the strength of both units, it will strengthen the contact tracing efforts, Magalong said. The current total number of contact tracers in the country is unclear, but Magalong earlier mentioned that the government needs at least 135,000 for contact tracing to be effective. The Budget Department approved a 1.9 billion budget for the hiring of contact tracers in 2021, 500 million of which will come from the 2021 national budget while the bulk will be from the unreleased balance under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. The law, which allots a 165.5 billion budget for pandemic response and recovery, expired last year but another measure extended the availability of funds. According to DILG guidelines, contact tracers are considered as contractual workers, earning a minimum of 18,784 per month. Bus Eireann's decision to proceed with the cutting of its service between Dublin and Limerick through Laois, Kildare and Tipperary has been labelled an absolute disgrace by Laois and Minister of State Sean Fleming. The Fianna Fail TD TD was furious with Ireland's 'national bus company' for pulling X12 Expressway from the end of January. Bus Eireann gave just one week's notice that the service would end on Friday, January 29. The said the confirmation follows the announcement last September that the route was to be terminated, in response to the "significant medium-term challenges" posed by Covid-19 and in order to safeguard Expressways remaining national routes, as well as to meet the demand required on other city and commuter services. Expressways X12 service between Dublin and Limerick has incurred unsustainable losses due to the impact of Covid-19, said Eleanor Farrell, Chief Commercial Officer, Bus Eireann, Consolidating our Expressway network and withdrawing from this service will allow us to make important investments into our remaining routes. This decision will allow us to continue improving our customer experience on our overall network, providing a platform for future growth, despite current Covid19 challenges, she said. But the Minister of State in the Department of Finance branded the decision "an absolute disgrace". In a statement, Minister Fleming said he has requested a commitment from the company that they will re-instate this route to its normal capacity after the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. "Currently this route from Dublin to Limerick goes through Portlaoise six times a day and the route from Limerick to Dublin goes through Portlaoise 5 times a day. Major towns with populations of approximately 30,000 like Portlaoise and other major towns like Roscrea and Nenagh must have a national bus service. "It is inconceivable that a national bus company would not have an inter-city bus service between Dublin and Limerick. If it cannot provide this service it is not fit for purpose and should not be considered a national bus company any further. "I have contacted the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D., saying it is Government policy to promote public transport and the idea that everybody should get off the busses and drive to Dublin every day for work or do their business is not the way forward. "The Minister must contact Bus Eireann and get a commitment that this service will be fully restored when it is safe to do so from a public health point of view," said Deputy Fleming. Met Eireann says updated service details and timetables will be available at www.buseireann.ie and www.expressway.ie. Brie Larson will be playing double duty for her next project. The Academy Award-winning actress is set to star in and executive produce the upcoming drama series Lessons In Chemistry, according to Variety. The series, which received a straight-to-series order at Apple, is based on the upcoming debut novel from author, science editor, and copywriter Bonnie Garmus. New gig: Brie Larson, 31, is set to star in and executive produce the upcoming drama series Lessons In Chemistry; she is pictured in October 2019 Erin Brockovich screenwriter and Unbelievable co-creator Susannah Grant is writing the series and will also serve as an executive producer. Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan will also executive produce under their Aggregate Films production company, which currently produces such shows as Netflix's Ozark, HBO's The Outsider and A Teacher at FX on Hulu. Apple Studios will produce the series, which will air on its subscription video on demand streaming service, Apple TV+. Plot: The Oscar-winning actress plays Elizabeth Zott, a woman in the 1960s whose dream of being a scientist is put on hold in a society deeming that women belong in the domestic sphere Set in the early 1960s, Lessons In Chemistry follows Elizabeth Zott (Larson), whose dream of being a scientist is put on hold in a society deeming that women belong in the domestic sphere, not the professional one, according to the plot summary. When Elizabeth finds herself pregnant, alone and fired from her lab, she musters the ingenuity only a single mother has. She accepts a job as a host on a TV cooking show, and sets out to teach a nation of overlooked housewives and the men who are suddenly listening a lot more than recipes all the while craving a return to her true love: science. So far there's no word on when the series will premiere. The Lessons in Chemistry novel is slated to be published in spring 2022 by Doubleday in the U.S. and Transworld in the U.K. Breakout: Larson won the Academy Award For Best Actress for her riveting and heartbreaking performance in Room (2015) After breaking into television with a number of guest starring roles, Larson made her debut on the silver screen in 2004's 13 Going on 30 and Sleepover. From there she scored roles in such films as Greenberg (2010), 21 Jump Street (2012), Don Jon (2013), The Spectacular Now (2013) and Trainwreck (2015). Her breakout came when she won the Academy Award For Best Actress for her riveting and heartbreaking performance in Room (2015). In more recent years, the Northern California native is best known as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame. Larson will slip back into the role for the sequel to Captain Marvel, which is scheduled for release on November 11, 2022. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. 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. The storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6 by a rabid mob of Donald Trump supporters resulted in a failed insurrection. But for far-right extremists, including anti-government militias, white supremacists and violent conspiracy theorists, nothing about the insurrection was a failure. Throughout the 1990s, several incidents amplified the rallying cry of the far right: Ruby Ridge, Idaho, in 1992; Waco, Texas, in 1993; and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. In the first two incidents, federal agents raided compounds to arrest armed domestic extremists. In Oklahoma City, Timothy McVeigh committed the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history when he bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people. The events themselves barely need explanation beyond the images that their names alone evoke. Within anti-government circles, these were watershed moments that evolved into enduring propaganda. Similarly, the siege of the Capitol will be framed as a successful demonstration proof of concept. Almost immediately, images from that day proliferated across social media platforms. On Telegram, white supremacists brazenly trade tips about how to recruit MAGA adherents who abandoned mainstream sites like Twitter in search of more extreme content. Large segments of the mob that stormed the Capitol were unaffiliated individuals and small groups, family members, neighbors. These could well be the new foot soldiers of the far right. Some, and perhaps many, of these new recruits will have military experience or law enforcement training. Whats more, the infusion of younger members into the ranks of the far right is likely to breathe new life into the movement, ensuring its longevity. A 29-year-old man spat in the back of a police vehicle after officers helped him get unstuck from a bog on his way to McDonald's for a burger, a court heard on Saturday. Lisburn Magistrates Court heard that officers went to assist a male shouting for help when he was stuck in a bog trying to get to McDonalds just before 6pm yesterday. That male identified himself as Jamie Gibbon and police suspected he had been drinking which was a breach of bail conditions and so he was arrested and placed into the police car. He spat in the car. Gibbon, from Avonmore Park, Lisburn appeared at court by video-link from police custody and was charged with causing criminal damage to police property. He was also charged with causing criminal damage on January 8 and the court heard that arose from Gibbon head butting the plastic partition in a police cell van. The Lisburn alcoholic was also accused of assaulting a female and breaching a non-molestation order on November 2 last year. Arrested and interviewed, he told cops he had been in his way to McDonalds to get food when he got stuck in the bog. Applying for bail, defence solicitor Joe Magee conceded that spitting is absolutely disgusting and not something the police should have to deal with but submitted that as an alcoholic, having a complete prohibition on liquor would be setting him up for a fall. Freeing Gibbon on his own bail of 200, District Judge Amanda Brady barred him from being drunk in public but added a bail condition that he must seek help from his GP within 72 hours of his release, adjourning the case to Febraury12. The brother of a slain notorious gang member has been charged with supplying cocaine following a raid in Sydney's western suburbs. Feras Kettule, the brother of executed underworld figure Amar Kettule, was arrested during a vehicle stop in the Sydney outer-west suburb of Edensor Park in December. The 35-year-old, who also uses the name 'Calvin Mansour' was charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of cocaine and will face Fairfield Local Court on Friday. On January 10, a month after Feras Kettule's arrest for alleged drug supply, his 38-year-old brother Amar was killed in a spray of bullets in a Sydney street. Feras Kettule, the brother of dead gangster Amar Kettule, has been charged with supplying cocaine. Picture: Instagram Amar Kettule, 38, a True Kings street gang member, was shot dead in January The underworld gang figure died at the scene after being hit shot on a side lane near William Street in Fairfield about 2.40am. Amar reportedly extorted money and was high up in the True Kings street gang, with police probing whether a feud with rival DLASTHR gang led to his slaying. Amar met the same fate as his brother Dylann Kettule, who was gunned down at the age of 19 in a suspected drive-by shooting outside his girlfriend's unit block at Canley Vale, near Fairfield, in January 2014. Amar had links to the Nomads bikie gang and memorably had to be restrained by police in the aftermath of his brother's death when he demanded to see Dylann's body. Sam Kako, 38, who was a passenger in the car when Feras Kettule was stopped and arrested in December, has also now been charged with commercial drug supply, The Daily Telegraph reported. Police are investigating whether Amar Kettule's shooting is linked to increasing conflict between the True Kings and DLASTHR rival criminal gangs Police raided his home at Middleton Grange in Sydney's southwest, allegedly seizing cannabis, cash and multiple mobile phones. Kako was also charged with commercial drug supply. Police allege he has been distributing cocaine on a large scale across the city and he will face court on Friday. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size When my father was young, a dog saved his life by leaping on a striking snake. Decades later, I watched our overfed ginger cat mourn Dads death, lying every day in the garage where he once worked, rubbing whiskers against his tools. No one who has lived with a pet could deny they have feelings: affection, irritation, fear, perhaps even shame and jealousy, perhaps love. But is their behaviour always what it seems? Did my fathers dog, who was rather unfairly named Bimbo, pounce on the snake to protect him or was some wolfish hunting instinct surfacing at last? Did Max the cat really wonder where Dad had gone or had he just decided to annex the newly available garage? Dogs and cats have been our companions for thousands of years and remain fiercely popular (almost half of Australians now have a dog, for example). Yet serious scientific questions about their inner lives have only been asked in recent decades. Why is it that a dog always seems to know when youre sad? Are cats secretly plotting world domination? How did these two species evolve from the wild into our homes? How do you read their body language? And could they one day learn to talk to us? Researcher and dog trainer Melissa Starling with Kivi the Finnish lapphund (left), Kestral the Portuguese podengo and Erik the Tall, a Swedish vallhund. Credit:Wolter Peeters How did cats and dogs become cats and dogs? A prehistoric puppy thawed from Siberias icy permafrost could solve the mystery of how wolves first became mans best friend. "Dogor" is remarkably well-preserved, just two months old when he died 18,000 years ago, but still with teeth, fur, even whiskers intact. And yet, whenever scientists test his DNA to find out his species, they are stumped. We dont [know] yet whether Dogor is a dog or a wolf or a bit of both, says David Stanton, one of the researchers still testing the pup more than two years after his discovery. Could Dogor be the missing link between wolf and dog? Today the debate is far from settled but most researchers agree pooches evolved from wolves sometime between 15,000 and 32,000 years ago. Advertisement Dogs are the wolves that came in to sit by the campfire, who learnt to work with our ancestors for food, helping them hunt and manage other animals, offering protection and now, increasingly in the modern world, companionship. They evolved at our side, they can read our facial expressions. Even their patented puppy dog eyes offer an evolutionary advantage for dogs, life has become not so much the survival of the fittest but of the cutest. Were wired to respond to them, too, says Melissa Starling, who both trains and researches dogs at the University of Sydney and has her own lively brood at home. We have no defence against puppy dog eyes. Still, dogs today remain 99 per cent wolf (even pugs). The tiny changes in their DNA affect the digestive system, the brain and their rate of physical development (which helps explain the big differences between breeds). Essentially, dogs are well-mannered wolves who can eat grains. Dogor, a perfectly preserved 18,000-year-old pup unearthed from the ice of the Siberian permafrost, could hold the secrets of the first dogs. Credit:Centre for Palaeogenetics/Twitter But dogs are not prized as mans best friend everywhere. In some cultures, they are eaten or considered impure. Cats, too, face their fair share of prejudice. (Just ask my black rescue cat Nox.) And, while both cats and dogs have been carried out of shelters in huge numbers as we weather COVID-19 lockdowns at home, pets are still routinely abandoned to live as strays in the shadows of our cities and towns. Unlike dogs, cats are not social by nature, coming from a long, proud line of solitary felines including tigers and leopards. How then have we tamed these wildcats into wearing collars and posing for Instagram photos? Advertisement It seems it was largely their idea. When agriculture began some 10,000 years ago, the grain attracted rats and mice, which eventually attracted smaller wildcats. Our ancestors quite liked this pest control service and so left out treats to encourage the cats to stay. DNA evidence now shows that domestication has helped cats take over the world shipped out from their original home in the Middle East to just about every continent on earth. Yet cats have not been selectively bred to the same degree as dogs. Even today, they are still considered only semi-domesticated the lion in your living room. Within a few generations in the wild, house cats can revert back to larger, fiercer animals, the feral cats that now wreak such a toll on our wildlife. (This might account for all those mysterious sightings of panthers and leopards in remote corners of Australia.) Nox the cat doesnt like being rushed when hes out walking with his owner, reporter Sherryn Groch. Credit:Luis Ascui Do cats and dogs love us? Any wild animal might become tamer if handled by humans from a young age. And, as our urban sprawl keeps on sprawling, there are even early signs that other animals such as coyotes might be growing more familiar with us. But cats and dogs are different. While they still need to be around humans early to grow up normal (that is, well-behaved), its not just nurture at play. Thousands of years by our side has created some serious chemistry too. Both species have been recorded getting a boost in oxytocin the hormone released when were in love or bonding while being patted by their owners. Dogs seem to get a bigger hit of this molecule damour than cats. Indeed, both dogs and their owners can produce it just by staring into each others eyes (this does not happen between wolves and humans). When US neuroscientist Gregory Berns began training dogs to lie still in noisy MRI machines, he found another promising sign of affection: the reward centre in a dogs brain lights up more powerfully in the presence of its owners scent compared to when its sniffing other humans or dogs. Advertisement Twenty-five years ago, Jeffrey Masson, a former psychoanalyst from California, wrote his first bestselling book on animals When Elephants Weep and found himself accused of that great intellectual sin: anthropomorphising (attributing human traits to animals or objects). But, today, most scientists agree that animals can have complex, even profound emotions. Masson himself believes dogs are now better at loving than people are. Just as you cant be as content as a cat, no one will ever love you like your dog, he says. They love purely. He recalls a tiny puppy he rescued from a car crash when he was studying in India. The pair became inseparable until it was time for Masson to return home to the States. He found the dog, which hed named Puppy, a loving new family and had the tearful goodbye. But, the next day as he was farewelling a professor at his university, there came a sudden banging and scratching at the door. It was Puppy. I still cant understand it. Someone even swore later they had seen Puppy hop on and off a bus to the university. A cat named Tardar Sauce, but known to the internet as Grumpy Cat, became famous for her signature frown, though her owners swore she was actually a sweet girl. With cats, love is a little more complicated. They are famously independent, even aloof at times. They require wooing, chin scratches, multiple openings of tin cans. And even then its hard to ignore that cold look of disdain from the top of the bookshelf while doing your morning yoga routine. Loading Cats are so graceful, everything they do is aesthetically pleasing, says Masson. Of course, not everything we do is pleasing to them But they choose us, theyre capable of deep affection. If youve ever shared a bed with a cat, youll know. They really settle in, they purr. Advertisement Still, cats are not necessarily faithful. One of Massons own once migrated next door. And my neighbour didnt even like cats [at first]. The fickleness of cats is why many scientists are still loathe to study them in the lab. To test one cat, you need three, they will say, as the other two will probably withdraw consent halfway through. They are notoriously difficult, says Federico Rossano, who works with animals of all shapes and sizes as director of the Comparative Cognition Lab at the University of California. We saw a huge boost in research into dogs starting from the '90s but we havent seen the same with cats. But when they do participate, they can give us great results, even match the dogs sometimes. At the University of Oregon, Kristyn Vitale and Monique Udell have run groundbreaking experiments showing that cats display the same signs of attachment to their owners as dogs. Even more astounding, theyve shown that cats prefer interacting with people over toys and, yes, food, and will seek out humans who pay attention to them. Because domestication has made cats and dogs reliant on us, both species live in a kind of permanent juvenile mindset, Vitale says, where we become almost a surrogate mother. Its why you see cats purring and kneading with their paws the same behaviours kittens usually grow out of. Sherryns other rescue cat Ziggy heads off on an evening stroll. Credit:CREDIT: SHERRYN GROCH How do cats and dogs perceive the world? Humans tend to see the world first dogs smell it. For dogs (and to a lesser extent cats), smell is the primary sense and the world is one aromatic buffet of informative scents. The nose of a dog is at least 10,000 times more powerful than your own it can sniff out storms before a whisper of rain is on the air, find cancer cells in our blood, or catch a familiar scent up to 20 kilometres away. We have bred dogs to help us hunt and now we train them for more modern jobs such as sniffing out bombs, drugs, even COVID. Squads of coronavirus-sniffing canines, for example, are already being trialled in some airports around the world (but dont expect a pooch to replace the eye-watering Q-tip test any time soon). Advertisement Kayla Cartledge runs a web-based business on the Mornington Peninsula. Wesley Enoch, playwright, artistic director Sydney Festival, Queensland A national day is important, but January 26 is a symptom of a much grander disease. Its a restatement of colonial importance. Symbolism is important, but it has to be not just tokenism but representative of a bigger body of thought. Noel Pearson talks about three narratives that live alongside each other, and I think we should think about a three-day celebration: We should have one day for Indigenous remembrance, then one for British arrival, then a celebration of the diverse country we are now. Why should we be caught by a 24-hour time period to have a sense of who we are? Rethinking our national day could help mend bridges, says Wesley Enoch. Credit:James Brickwood Daniel James, writer and broadcaster, Yorta Yorta man, Melbourne Australia Day perpetuates the colonial myth that this continent is just over 200 years old, when that is patently not the case. Australia and the collection of colonies that preceded it actively tried to destroy or let die the original inhabitants of this place, and Australia Day diminishes the scope of any conversation we can have about the deep dark recesses at the heart of this nation. As an optimist I like to think that one day we can have something we can all celebrate, but we cant have a unified day until we have a treaty or treaties. The most obvious way to get to that point would be having a voice enshrined within the constitution. Indigenous writer and broadcaster Daniel James. Dorothy Lovett, health worker, Gunditjmara woman, Melbourne I get sad on the day. There were a lot of massacres, we lost a lot of our family members. Sometimes I go to the Invasion Day march but most of the time I stay home. Im not in the mood to socialise. Im patriotic. I love my land, I love my people. My priority is not changing the date but making sure people take their medication; I support our people when they come in to see a doctor or dentist. I recall marching 30 years ago and wed be lucky to have 100 people. Now weve got 100,000 and more. The support is overwhelming. It gives me hope. Indigenous health worker Dorothy Lovett. Credit:Joe Armao Natarsha Bamblett, a Yorta Yorta, Kurnai, Warlpiri and Wiradjuri woman and founder of Miss Soul Inspires, which runs healing workshops and camps Its become a celebration that has been promoted to separate a nation. Would it be better to have it on another day? Of course. But will changing the date fix it? No. We have to change the storyline and the days purpose and intention. We have to change the voices and the stories so that it has Indigenous history, lens and perspective. Australia Day marks the colonisation that left communities, families and our culture fractured. It is a day of mourning and also a day that represents the reclaiming of our story. Theres sadness and sorrow but I also get to celebrate myself as an Aboriginal woman and my ancestors. We get to pay respect to the people before us. The strength and the culture and the innovation and the Dreamtime stories and also the fight and survival we have endured. Natarsha Bamblett, dancer, coach, footballer and mother, in Bundoora Park. Credit:Scott McNaughton Ken Wyatt, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Yamatji, Wongi, Noongar man, Western Australia This Australia Day we should reflect, respect and celebrate the Australian journey, more than 65,000 years in the making, with achievements that make us proud and moments of success that should be celebrated. It is also a journey that for some is difficult, it is raw, and it does hurt in parts but rather than shy away from this, or dismiss our success, we should come together as one. We have so much to celebrate but we can take some time on Australia Day to reflect upon the sacrifices many have made, the challenges we have faced, losses felt and the adversity we have overcome to stand as Australians. We can also think about how we approach each other through a lens of respect and considered understanding. Acknowledging and reflecting on our past while forging new respect for the many chapters of our story will only strengthen us as a people and a nation into the future. Ken Wyatt, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, wearing a booka made from kangaroo skin given to him by Noongar elders from Western Australia. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Kaylene Langford, founder Start-Up Creative, Gurin-gai woman, Sydney January 26 can be quite triggering. Its a marker that on this day everything changed, and not for the better. It feels like youre stomping on peoples graves and throwing a party. When white settlers came, our people were moved away from their homes and their languages. There was so much displacement where does the acknowledgment of that come? Instead, its celebrated every single year. I am proud of Australia, but I feel more has to be done to reconcile, to acknowledge how people are feeling, to ask what they need, for some level of conversation rather than the ignorance of nah, you can never change the date. Young entrepreneur Kaylene Langford. Malarndirri McCarthy, senator, Garrwa and Yanyuwa woman, Northern Territory For me, January 26 is about survival. Survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture and language. Its something I think all Australians can probably relate to this year in the face of a global pandemic. I call on all Australians to reflect and respect. Reflect on what has happened in our nations history, the effects of which continue to be felt, and reflect on survival; what that means not just for First Nations people but all Australians. Its not about changing the date, its about changing attitudes. Malarndirri McCarthy, Labor Senator for the Northern Territory. Dr Anne Poelina, Nyikina Warrwa traditional custodian, Fitzroy River, Western Australia My world view is framed from inter-generational lived experience of colonialism; theft of our lands and waters, physical violence, slavery, and ongoing abject poverty. We are not post-colonial; successive governments continue to legitimise invasive, unjust development as the greater good, for the predatory elite. Australia Day should be a celebration of our nation united, but we need to get the story right. It is time to seek justice and equity for all. It is time for truth-telling, reconciliation and healing. It is time to rewrite the Australian constitution, and transition to a just republic. I will spend the day dreaming of this brand new Australia Day. Dr Anne Poelina, Nyikina Warrwa traditional custodian, from Fitzroy River. Paul Briggs, president of the Rumbalara Football Netball Club, Yorta Yorta man, Shepparton, Victoria Australia Day is a very unsafe space for Aboriginal people to be involved in, literally. Mainstream Australia wants us to get with the program, but weve never had the opportunity to negotiate that program. Aboriginal people are really wanting to be a part of the display of nationhood and national pride, but I believe we have the right to sit and negotiate an inclusive model of symbolism. We consistently talk about closing the gap, and people want to be included, but not at the expense of their own culture and identity. We have an inherent right to our ancestors and to future generations. Aboriginal people want to be part of a day of national pride, says Paul Briggs, but the terms need to be redefined. Credit:Verity Stubbs Witiyana Marika, Rirratjingu elder and actor, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory We hope the nation can have a day when we all celebrate as one but I believe its for First Nations to decide what date that should be. There should be a process to change the date, like a Makarrata of sorts, part of a bigger process in this country, to work out how to recognise all Australians. We cant change the past, but we can shape the future. We need to support the call in the Uluru Statement from the Heart for Voice, Treaty, Truth, for all these things, and we need a First Nations voice to Parliament enshrined in the constitution. I want unity and for future generations to walk together as one. Witiyana Marika in High Ground, a film that does not flinch from Australias dark history. Credit:Madman Nyoka Hrabinsky, Yidinji woman and co-owner of The Lillipad Cafe in Glebe, Sydney When I was younger my school celebrated Australia Day and I thought it was all about the Union Jack on the flag and oy oy oy. But as I got older I realised I didnt like the day. Its a day of mourning for our ancestors. We protest peacefully through our menu. On Invasion Day, we encourage people to buy our Indigenous-inspired special or the meals with native ingredients that are always on our menu. Last year we brought out a kangaroo burger and there was a lot of controversy around that. This year it will be a wattleseed waffle with wattleseed and lemon myrtle ice-cream. The date should be changed. Its not fair that Indigenous people still have to struggle with this trauma. Its a really difficult day, especially for our old people. Nyoka Hrabinskys Lillipad cafe makes its point through food. Credit:Louise Kennerley Bevan Mailman, Bidjara and managing principal of Jaramer Legal, Melbourne When I look to Australia Day, I see a bridge half built. As an Indigenous lawyer with knowledge of Australias rich ancient Indigenous history in trade and enterprise, and also of English legal frameworks related to constitutional law, land title and nation, it is difficult for me not to recognise there are matters that remain unaddressed. The second half of the bridge will be completed when we truly recognise and make space for the settled and long ancient history of our nation on Recognition Day, and also recognise what has been built since, and cross over that completed bridge together. Bevan Mailman, Bidjara lawyer and managing principal of Jaramer Legal Posted Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:30 am Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich has filed a complaint against a state commission for rejecting his proposal to run a new law enforcement training academy. The proposal would have broken with the state's centralized training policy for all peace officers. After about two years of research, writing curriculum and meeting with staff of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, the sheriff's office in September presented its plan to the commission, which unanimously rejected the proposal amid concerns that allowing agencies to train their own officers would fundamentally change the training model in Washington State. The sheriff's office then filed a request to the commission for an adjudicative proceeding to review the decision. That was rejected in mid-December. Now Knezovich, represented by the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office, is asking a Spokane County Superior Court judge to review the commission's decision to not complete and adjudicative process. In the court documents, Knezovich says he and his staff worked with the commission for two years to develop the proposed program in a way that met required training standards and responded to concerns from commission staff. He said the sheriff's office lost about $250,000 mostly in overtime pay for would-be instructors when the commission rejected his proposal. To put the program together, Knezovich directed the instructors to model the new academy for a commission audit. The commission never audited the course. "We took these steps with an agreement with (commission) that they would help us and they would help us get our program audited and in a position where we could do a trial period," Knezovich said this week. With the amount of help that the office received from commission staff, Knezovich said he was under the impression that the program would be approved. Commission Director Sue Rahr said no matter how much help the sheriff's office received from commission staff, it was made clear to Knezovich that the final decision was up to the commissioners. "I believe they were fully aware and they were told many times it would be the commission's decision whether or not to allow this," Rahr said. Knezovich planned to use the commission's shortened training regimen for officers hired from out of state to certify his recruits. "The fact is the purpose of considering reciprocity is to facilitate getting a fully trained, experienced officer from out of state," Rahr said. "It was never intended to be used to circumvent the legislative intent for consistent training across the state for new officers. That concept has been made clear repeatedly over the years." Jeff Myers, chair of the commission and the police chief of Hoquiam, said he has expressed concerns about the proposed program to Knezovich multiple times over the last few years. "I've been aware of Spokane County's efforts to create their own county model for many years," Myers said. "In fact, I met with them personally and shared my concerns on what that would mean for police training in Washington state as a whole." Myers said he was less concerned with the content of Knezovich's proposed training program and more worried about how it could change the face of law enforcement training in Washington, especially "at a time when we should be continuing with a strong centralized form of training." "Speaking as an appointed commissioner, the role and responsibility for police training in Washington State has been given to the Criminal Justice Training Commission," he said. "I am representing 7 million residents in the state of Washington. That's why the commissioners look at the overarching policy implications." Knezovich called fears that his proposal would decentralize training a "red herring" because the program uses modified commission curriculum and instructors certified through the commission. If Knezovich's complaint seeking further commission review is declined by the judge, he is prepared to file a lawsuit. ___ (c)2021 The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) Visit The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) at www.spokesman.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Workforce Biden elevates DuBester to chair the FLRA President Joe Biden has nominated Ernest DuBester to be the chairman of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, the agency that governs labor-management relations. "It is a great privilege and an honor to be chosen by President Biden to serve as chairman of the FLRA," DuBester said in a statement. The chairmanship is effective immediately without Senate confirmation, said Aloysius Hogan, the director of the Office of Legislative Affairs and Program Planning at the FLRA. Under the Trump administration, DuBester has been the only member of the three-member panel appointed by a Democrat, as unions have jockeyed with the panel over its decisions and the legality of the makeup of FLRA's Federal Services Impasses Panel. DuBester was originally appointed and later renominated by President Barack Obama, and then again by President Donald Trump. He previously served as chairman for some months during the Obama and Trump administrations. In recent years, DuBester has dissented in cases dealing with issues like the disqualification of immigration judges from union representation, a rule change making it easier for feds to opt out of union dues and a ruling allowing feds to stop paying union dues at any time. The American Federation of Government Employees has praised Biden's choice. "President Biden could not have chosen a more qualified person to lead the agency charged with establishing and enforcing labor management law throughout the federal government," said AFGE national president Everett Kelley. "It is clear that he is right person to restore integrity to the FLRA." AFGE and other unions are battling the FLRA in court over the constitutionality of the Federal Services Impasses Panel, a group of presidential appointees which has the power to resolve impasses in agency-union negotiations. Several employee organizations, including the National Veterans Affairs Council (NVAC) and the Association of Administrative Law Judges (AALJ), have challenged the legality of the panel's makeup by arguing that appointments of current FSIP members are unconstitutional because they weren't subject to Senate approval. The VA union and the agency have been locked in negotiations over the contract. According to the latest joint status report for the NVAC lawsuit, filed earlier this month, the union asked the FLRA for a stay in November regarding the last FSIP decision, which addressed contract articles the groups had reached an impasse on. That FSIP decision isn't yet being implemented. In the FSIP case specifically, the union is arguing that the case challenging the constitutionality of the board is not moot, although the VA is arguing that the union doesn't have the standing for the claim. Last November, a federal judge declared a similar case filed by the American Federation of Government Employees Council 222, which represents workers at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, became moot after the union complied with an agency order that it was challenging. In the AALJ case, last May, the FLRA stayed FSIP's underlying decision that resulted in the case until the court makes a decision. During the first session of the new Congress, Biden will need to re-nominate DuBester to a new term and nominate someone to replace fellow FLRA member James Abbott, whose term expired in July of 2020. The third member of the panel is filled by Colleen Kiko, a Trump-nominee who previously served as the chair and whose term expires in 2022. About the Author Natalie Alms is a staff writer at FCW covering the federal workforce. She is a recent graduate of Wake Forest University and has written for the Salisbury (N.C.) Post. Connect with Natalie on Twitter at @AlmsNatalie. Biden will also need to nominate a general counsel for the panel, Hogan said. The position is currently empty. The pose that launched a thousand memes is now available online as a T-shirt or mug from Phillys own National Museum of American Jewish History, which is cashing in on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders bundled-up Inauguration Day look just as half the internet is begging the other half to stop posting it. Sanders, a Brooklyn native who since 1968 has lived in Vermont, where people know how to dress for January, might recommend adding a parka over that museum T-shirt. And mittens, of course. Its not the first time the museum, which has been closed since March because of the pandemic, has capitalized on a pop-culture moment. Though it might be the first time its used a democratic socialist to do it. Last summer, after then-President Donald Trumps mispronunciation of Yosemite National Park as Yo Semites, Kristen Kreider, the museums retail director, saw an opportunity to move some of the Yo Semite T-shirts the gift shop had been selling since 2011, and to order even more from a local printing company. About 6,000 were sold within the first few days, and theyre still selling. I havent checked recently, but were over 11,000, Kreider said Friday. READ MORE: Could gift-shop sales be Philly museums' last best hope for a revenue bump this year? The museums online gift shop also carries a Mamala Harris T-shirt, a reference to the Yiddish-adjacent nickname Vice President Kamala Harris was reportedly given by her stepchildren with husband Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish. It went on sale the day after the election, and is selling well, Kreider said. As for Sanders, If he werent Jewish, we wouldnt be featuring this, she said. We have a vendor already who sells Jewish T-shirts. He was smart enough to email us yesterday morning with images. ... He already got his first batch of orders emailed from us this morning and hes working on those. He is also sending us an order for the store, because a lot of local people want to do pickup. Its better for the environment, and its nice to have a little safe contact with people. Store pickup is an option at checkout online, or you can call the shop at 215-923-0262 to arrange that. Had she thought about carrying mittens? Yes! Our CEO wanted to get right on that, Kreider said, but the kind of mittens Sanders was wearing and has reportedly been wearing for years arent easy to come by. As their maker, a second-grade teacher named Jen Ellis, of Essex Junction, Vt., told Slate this week, Theyre not knitted, theyre sewn from repurposed and upcycled sweaters, and shes no longer making them for sale. The museums gift shop business has been a saving grace this past year. We had our best year in 2019, and we blew that away the last six months of 2020 because of things like the sales of the Yo Semite shirts, Kreider said. Right when that was starting to get manageable ... we lost our beloved RBG [Ruth Bader Ginsburg] and demand for items related to the late Supreme Court justice skyrocketed. The online stores RBG Collection, which has been part of the store for the past four years, includes necklaces modeled after Ginsburgs trademark lace collars, jigsaw puzzles, holiday cards, and, of course, a face mask. Even Passover last year was really great. We had a captive audience, Kreider said, of people who wouldnt be going to relatives houses for Seder and would instead need their own Seder plates and Haggadahs for the Seder. Eightyfive persons have been arrested in Koforidua for failing to wear the mandatory nose mask. They were arrested within the central business district in Koforidua and its environs on Friday, in a special operation led by the Acting Regional Police Operational Commander and his team. Briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Police Chief Superintendent Mr Raymond Kofi Erzuah, Acting Regional Operations Commander, said those arrested were sent to the Regional Police headquarters, where they took their caution statements. He explained that the operation was targeted at enforcing the directive on the mandatory wearing of the face masks, as part of measures to check the spread of the coronavirus in the region. The operations commander indicated that in line with enforcing the law, policemen were deployed at various points in the region to ensure that all persons moving about had masked up or be sanctioned. Meanwhile, traders in the central business district in the municipality cashed in as people rushed to buy the nose masks and wear, to avoid the police arrest. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mumbai: Taapsee Pannu on Saturday advised young and aspiring actors to not focus on the length of their roles in a project as she celebrated six years of espionage thriller Baby". Before entering Hindi cinema, the 33-year-old actor starred in Telugu and Tamil films. She made foray into Bollywood with David Dhawans Chashme Baddoor", but her seven-minute-long role as Shabana Khan in Neeraj Pandeys Baby" acted as a turning point in her career. Pannu said it is important for an artiste to make the most of the screen time they get. Dear actors, Number of minutes dont matter, the impact u leave with what u do in those minutes matters :) 7 minutes that changed the direction of tide for me FOR GOOD. Yours truly , Naam Shabana," she posted on Twitter. Baby" centred on a secret mission carried by Indian intelligence team headed by Akshay Kumars Ajay. In the film, also starring Rana Daggubati, Anupam Kher, Kay Kay Menon, Danny Denzongpa, Pannu played the role of an undercover agent. Pannu later reprised the part in solo project Naam Shabana", which also featured Manoj Bajpayee. Kumar had made a special appearance as Ajay in the 2017 movie. Post the success of the two films, Pannu went on to cement her position in the film industry courtesy her powerful performance in Pink", Badla", Saand Ki Aankh", and Thappad". Commenting on her post, Kumar said he was proud of her. The duo has also co-starred in Mission Mangal". Absolutely! Always make the most of what you haveproud of you and your onwards and upwards journey," he said. Pannu is currently in Bhuj, Gujurat, shooting for her film Rashmi Rocket". She is also set to star in Haseen Dillruba", Looop Lapeta", Shabaash Mithu" and Tamil movie Jana Gana Mana". Six years ago, I wrote my own State of the Union, Wine Shipping Edition, breaking down the 50 states and one district into tiers based on how expensive and difficult it was for us to send wine into each. Casual wine lovers might be surprised to know that not only are there some states to which we are prohibited from shipping wine, but that each state to which we can ship has its own laws, permits, fees, and reporting requirements. Managing this morass takes specialized software and still a big chunk time for one of the members of our accounting team, so it's far from the uniform, frictionless open market that Section 8 of the US Constitution promises: "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;" I mentioned in my post from 2015 that diving into the arcane details of these state laws only highlights the wisdom of the founding fathers and generations of Supreme Court justices in prioritizing the Commerce Clause, which protects the federal government's exclusive role in regulating interstate commerce. The 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition in 1933, as a side-effect sheltered states from the Commerce Clause's requirement to maintain an open, fair market for all players. This means that the wine market provides a glimpse into what a world absent the Commerce Clause might look like. We should all be thankful that most products we might want to buy don't have to face a similar regulatory nightmare. Our current map: Below you can find an updated summary of what the world of DTC (direct-to-consumer) wine shipping looks like, from a winery's perspective, as we enter 2021, with states broken down into tiers based on the cost and ease of doing business there. One thing that has changed since 2015 is that the playing field has been made harder to summarize by the rise of "economic nexus" statutes, driven by the 2018 Supreme Court ruling South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. This ruling said that states could require out-of-state companies to collect and remit sales taxes, whereas previous rulings had held that states could only comply tax collection and remittance from companies with a physical location (a "nexus") in that state. In practice, this has meant that states have begun to implement transaction thresholds, above which wineries have had to remit state (and sometimes local) taxes, but below which they don't. That annual threshold has tended to be somewhere around 200 shipments or $100,000. For us, we're over that threshold in places like Colorado, Illinois, and of course California, but not in Iowa, DC, or Minnesota (though we're getting close). So, the numbers below reflect the conditions for a winery of our basic size and profile. I've noted the states with current or upcoming economic nexus laws with asterisks (*) below, with some explanatory notes. Tier I: The no-brainers (AK, DC*, MN*, MO*) Right now, there are three states and the District of Columbia that have neither permit fees nor significant reporting requirements. Thank goodness for them! But, 4 of 51 isn't a great percentage. All of the others make it more difficult or expensive to ship wine to customers who want it. It's also worth noting that the permit-free status of these states is a holdover from pre-Granholm conditions and it's unclear that continuing without required permits is constitutional. DC and Minnesota are "economic nexus" destinations. If you're large enough to trigger those thresholds, bump them up to Tier II. Missouri will join them as a nexus state next year. Total percentage of US population: 4.02% Total number of reports required annually: 2 Total permit fees: $0 Tier II: Inexpensive and/or fairly easy (CA*, FL, ID, IA*, KS, MA, ME, MD, MI, MT, NC, ND, NY, OH, OR, WA, WI) There are an additional seventeen states with permit fees of $200/year or less and modest reporting requirements (0-24 times per year). These states include some big ones like our home state of California, Florida, New York, Oregon, and Washington, but even for the smaller ones, the number of orders that a winery would need to fill in order to pay for the annual investment is very reasonable. You'll notice that most of the major wine-producing states fall into this tier. The two states with potential nexus-triggered reporting include Iowa (a small enough market that most wineries won't hit the nexus threshold) and California (where wineries who are based here likely already have the infrastructure in place). If you're an out-of-California winery selling here, or a winery big enough to trigger Iowa's nexus status, they'd both probably move to Tier III. Total percentage of US population: 46.93% Total number of reports required annually: 178 (10.5/state avg.) Total permit fees: $1,225 ($72/state avg.) Tier III: Moderate expense or requirements (AZ, CO*, GA, IL*, IN, NV, NH, NM, PA, TX, VT, VA) Once you get to the next tier of twelve, a small winery would be excused for starting to run cost-benefit analyses before springing for the permits. Some permits start to get expensive in this tier, like Illinois' $350/year or Vermont's $330/year. Others are less expensive, but have difficult reporting requirements, like Georgia and Nevada (36 reports/year each). Colorado would be in Tier II except for the nexus requirements, which are pretty arcane. If you're small enough not to trigger the statute, move it down a tier. Illinois is probably Tier III even if you don't trigger the nexus, with separate excise tax reporting required for the city of Chicago. But even with their added challenges and expense, there are some pretty large-population states in this tier, and most wineries choose to ship to all or nearly all of them. Total percentage of US population: 30.72% Total number of reports required annually: 289 (24/state avg.) Total permit fees: $2,063 ($172/state avg.) Tier IV: Difficult or expensive enough to be a real question (HI, NE, SC, WV) At this point, we get to four small states with difficult requirements, to the point that it's not worth it for many wineries to bother. Permits cost as much as $500/year (Nebraska) and $600/two years (South Carolina). West Virginia charges $250/year and requires the submission of 36 reports. And Hawaii requires you to get separate annual permits from each county, at a total cost of $324, and to submit 25 reports. With limited rewards, these costs tend to feel disproportionate. Total percentage of the US population: 3.14% Total number of reports required annually: 78 (19.5/state avg.) Total permit fees: $1374 ($344/state avg.) Tier V: Compliance Headaches (KY, OK, SD, TN, WY) This next tier of five states aren't hugely expensive, but each has at least one unusual requirement. These include South Dakota's requirement that you register every label you're planning to ship into the state at a cost of $25/label/year, Oklahoma's prohibition from using fulfillment houses (so everything must be shipped from the winery location), and very low per-person or per-household import limits: 1 case/month and 3 cases/year maximum per person in Tennessee, and 4 cases/year per household in Wyoming. I could have added Minnesota in here as well, with its 2 cases/customer/year limit, but it's otherwise so easy (no permit, no reporting) that I left it in Tier I. Kentucky is the newest state to pass a direct-shipping law, and is still working out the kinks. It will probably end up in Tier II, but for now, it's like Oklahoma and not allowing wineries to use fulfillment houses, instead requiring that they ship only from their winery. A headache. Total percentage of the US population: 5.10% Total number of reports required annually: 68 (13.6/state avg.) Total permit fees: $550 ($110/state avg.) Tier VI: Extremely Difficult/Expensive (CT, LA, NJ) Connecticut is a shipping state for many wineries, but its expenses and challenges are significant. First, it's a costly permit, at $315/year, and requires 36 reports to be filed annually. Second, you must register each label you propose to sell in the state at a cost of $200/label, renewable every 3 years. At Tablas Creek, we sold 28 different wines direct last year (different wines, not different vintages). That would require a $5600 investment, adding $1866 to the already-considerable annual $1295 cost of permit and reporting. And finally, you can't have different label registrants for wholesale and direct sales. So, if you're like us and sell our wines to our Connecticut distributor through an agent (ours is Vineyard Brands) we couldn't register the same wines ourselves for direct sale. Louisiana, at $400 and 36 reports/year, would be the most expensive state in Tier IV even if it didn't add the extra hurdle of requiring you to choose between selling a wine direct and selling it through wholesale. But it does, and that pushes it over the edge for us. There used to be more states with "distributor exclusivity" requirements like this, but Louisiana is the last one left. How does New Jersey make direct shipping difficult? Let me count the ways. The permit is the country's most expensive at $938 and there are 29 reports to submit annually. There is a significant bond wineries have to post. There are registration fees of $150 per partner per year, an issue for a winery like ours owned by two families, each with several owners. Receiving a permit means that we have established a nexus with the state of NJ and are liable for paying an annual corporate income tax of at least $500. Plus there's a capacity cap of 250,000 gallons (around 100,000 cases) to ship that we fall under, but many wineries don't. Total percentage of the US population: 5.18% Total number of reports required annually: 101 (33.7/state avg.) Total permit fees: $1653 ($551/state avg.) Tier VII: Almost entirely prohibited (AL, AR, DE, MS, RI, UT) Three states (Arkansas, Delaware, and Rhode Island) allow a winery to ship with few hurdles and minimal reporting requirements if a customer purchases wine at a winery, but won't allow the same customer to order wine by phone or email from home. The logic written into the laws is typically couched in the guise of ensuring that only of-age buyers can purchase, but given that common carriers routinely check ID's in the 40+ states that allow direct shipping, it doesn't pass critical muster and is better understood as local protectionism. Three other states (Alabama, Mississippi, and Utah) allow customers to order wine from a winery, have it shipped to a state-licensed store, where taxes are collected, and then the wine released to the customer. It's slow and expensive, because it requires the customer to request and complete a state "special order" permit before shipping, and while the taxes aren't massive in Alabama, they're a whopping 88% in Utah. Mississippi's permit program is brand new, and may not be workable as initially published. In all three cases, the process is cumbersome enough that the Wine Institute still lists the three states as "prohibited". Total percentage of the US population: 4.92% Every winery has a different breaking point. For us, it comes in the middle of Tier V. We've decided that 41 states (everything in Tiers I-IV, plus Tennessee and Wyoming) warrant the expense of the annual permits and the reporting. Kentucky will come on line soon to be our 42nd, and I'm going to take another look at South Dakota now that we have a full team in our accounting department. That leaves 8 states that we either can't ship to, or have found that the requirements to do so are unreasonable. At what cost? Shipping to the 43 "shipping" states in Tiers I-V costs a total of $5,212 in permit fees plus the time and expense of preparing and filing 615 reports each year. Figure an hour for each report, at $25/hour ($15,375) for a total expense of $20,587. But for that cost, we can ship to 89.9% of the US population. Available tools (like SOVOS ShipCompliant and Avalara) provide a savings over the labor of preparing the many individual reports and are indispensable for wineries looking to ship to a broad swath of states, but still come with a cost. Why are there some states that have made it so difficult or expensive that they're choosing to give up the state income that direct shipping would provide? The reasons vary, but mostly fall into one of two camps. Either they're making it difficult for religious or cultural reasons (think the deep south, or Utah) or they've crafted their laws in a way that protects distributors from as much competition as possible. This occurs because alcohol distributors (which are all state-licensed) see direct shipping as a threat to their businesses and are also some of the largest donors to state legislative campaigns. So, while wine in America is not sold in a free and open market, most of that market is at least accessible to most wineries with some effort and expense. And if we're a long way from the Supreme Court's 1949 ode to the Commerce Clause of the US Constitution in H.P. Hood & Sons vs. Du Mond, the relevant text of which is below, we're at least making incremental progress: "Our system, fostered by the Commerce Clause, is that every farmer and every craftsman shall be encouraged to produce by the certainty that he will have free access to every market in the Nation Neither the power to tax nor the police power may be used by the state of destination with the aim and effect of establishing an economic barrier against competition with the products of another state or the labor of its residents." Notes Barry McGylnn, who lives in Ballycanew, now has a very close relationship with his daughter, Bredeen Barry McGlynn of Ballycanew and formerly Walkinstown in Dublin is one of the fathers to have had a child born in a mother and baby home in Ireland. Bredeen Keane was born in St Patrick's on the Navan Road in the late 60s and adopted. This was not what Barry wanted, nor what her birth mother wanted. His girlfriend at the time was not allowed leave the home until she signed the papers, Barry said. He fought to keep the baby but had no rights. Today, he and Bredeen have a close relationship. They met at Dublin airport over 20 years after her birth. 'My girlfriend's mother was dead, it was just her father and sisters and brothers,' said Barry. 'She ended up at St Patrick's on Navan Road. She had no choice, she was going in and that was it.' Barry wasn't allowed in to see her. 'She was there then and she had the baby. She wouldn't sign the adoption papers and they kept her there for nine months until she signed them.' He managed to slip in one day to see and hold his daughter. 'Her sister came along and got me in. The nuns were gone for prayer or something. I only had a few minutes. We have a photo somewhere.' He was discovered and told to leave or they would call the guards. 'I had no rights as far as they were concerned,' said Barry. His girlfriend spent nights minding the babies in the nursery and would be up all night with them. Meanwhile, Barry's mother wanted to take the baby and raise her within their family, but that didn't materialise. 'My girlfriend didn't think she had any rights and I definitely didn't have any,' said Barry. 'There were no discussions, it was taken out of our hands. She was incarcerated basically.' The unfolding of the birth of his child, and her adoption, affected Barry deeply. 'I did have a hard time after that. I lost my way again. I got back again but it took years.' He never stopped looking for the child taken from him. He left letters at adoption agencies in Dublin, at South Anne Street, South Circular Road and in Drimnagh. Eventually, Bredeen was contacted and told about the letter, and was ready to meet him. A social worker met and counselled both of them separately before a meeting was arranged. 'I said I wanted to meet her at Dublin Airport,' said Barry. 'Because there are so many exits, if she wanted to run there were plenty of ways to get away!' She didn't want to run though, and that was the start of a new relationship for them both. 'It wasn't happily ever after, it wasn't straightforward,' said Barry. 'It took a long time, years, and now we are very close.' She was annoyed, he said, that the recent report on mother and baby homes was so critical of the fathers. 'I was the first male on record looking for one of the children,' said Barry. He appeared years ago on the Late Late Show to tell his story and as a result received letters from women who had been in the homes. 'There was one I met from Kerry who was so innocent, that when I brought her into the lift in the Ilac Centre she had a heart seizure nearly.' The existence of his own daughter was no secret, to his wife, his two younger daughters, or anyone else. 'I told anybody I ever met, any girlfriend,' he said. 'Sarah and Kim were told when they were old enough and they consider Bredeen to be their sister,' he said. On meeting at the airport over 20 years ago, Barry said: 'I was a stranger'. 'She wasn't a stranger to me, but I was a stranger to her,' he said. Today, her children call him 'grandad'. 'Please remember,' he said, 'the people who adopted these children are their real parents. They were there when they wet the bed, were sick, growing up going to college. They are the unsung heroes in all of this.' Not all dads ran from responsibility ... their babies were also taken Sarah McGlynn of Kilcoole said that the idea that fathers of the babies born in mother and baby homes are all to blame is wrong. Her dad Barry McGlynn was one of those fathers, and was not permitted to keep his older daughter after her birth. 'He wanted his daughter so badly,' said Sarah. 'He went around leaving letters everywhere.' She said that Bredeen is now very much a sister to her and their younger sister, and they are glad to have her finally in their family. 'He always wanted her to know that she was loved and she was wanted,' said Sarah. 'Dad's heart was broken. He turned up outside that home for days only to be told he had no rights. 'A wonderful end to all of this is that after never giving up, his eldest daughter is now very much part of his life. 'It also shines a light on this infuriating blame that people automatically assume and put on the fathers. It boils our blood as a family. Not all fathers ran from responsibility, they too have been wronged, their babies were also taken,' Sarah said. Starting 6 January, food has been handed out to the poor three times a week, thanks to the Archdiocese of Seoul and a division of the SK Group, a large Korean company. Card Yeom hopes the soup kitchen will lead to a hostel and a job placement service helping people reintegrate society. Seoul (AsiaNews) A group of Catholics who attend Myeongdong Cathedral set up a soup kitchen called Myeongdong Babjib on 6 January this year. Since then, the group has served about 1,400 packed lunches a week, at 3 pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The soup kitchen is the brainchild of the Archdiocese of Seoul, led by Card Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, Metropolitan Archbishop of Seoul, working with a sponsor, the Energy and Chemicals Division of the SK Group1, one of South Koreas largest companies. The volunteers involved in the project belong to the One Body One Spirit movement (OBOS), a group linked to the diocesan Caritas. Sometimes Card Yeom packs lunches himself and serves the poor and the homeless (picture 2). When Pope Francis visited Myeongdong cathedral in 2014, he blessed us to be the yeast of the gospel, said OBOS executive director Fr Francis Jeong-hwan Kim. I hope that the Myeongdong Babjib soup kitchen will be a small yeast that changes the Church and the world into a world of warm love. For Card Yeom, the soup kitchen is a response to Pope Francis' message for the 4th Day of the Poor, Stretch forth your hand to the poor. It is a call for all of us to commit ourselves to the care of the poor as one human family. The Myeongdong Babjib soup kitchen is the right place to reach out to those who live in the lowest places in the world and share our food so that no one is left hungry. The service is expected to be the first step towards showing greater concern for the poor and their situation. Card Yeom hopes in fact to help the homeless with a hostel where they can wash, do their laundry, get help find a job, and reintegrate society. The defendant, who lives at Yeats Heights, was described as a pest by the Judge A 44-year-old man who has been engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour towards neighbours has been told to desist or he will go to prison. A neighbour of Fran Clancy, of Yeats Heights, Ballytivnan told Sligo District Court that Clancy has been hanging out windows with an iron bar, threatening neighbours, and people have moved out of the area because of his behaviour. Mr John Reid, a former psychiatric nurse and neighbour, told the court Clancy told him he would cut Mr Reid's throat, threatened him with an iron bar from an upstairs window and acted in an aggressive way to Mr Reid and his partner. He told the court the threatening behaviour was taking place for the past 18 months in the residential area, including Clancy entertaining others at 3am in the house that the HSE rents for him at a cost of 600 per month. Mr Reid said he had contacted the HSE, local TDs and local representatives but had received no reply. Mr Reid said he and other neighbours wanted the threats to stop. A photo of Clancy holding an implement in the top floor of his rental accommodation was shown to the judge. He told the court since this, rooms in the upstairs of the house had been locked to prevent this happening again, but since then Clancy's abuse has come out onto the street. Defending solicitor, Mr Eddie Henry said his client had lived at the property for over 14 years. He said the landlord of Clancy's house was of the opinion Clancy's aggressive behaviour was being caused by provocations by Mr Reid. "That is incorrect, as a former psychiatric nurse, you do not aggress," said Mr Reid. It was put to Mr Reid he had made a complaint to the rental tenancy board, and was seeking compensation, due to invasion of privacy, threatening behaviour and noise disturbance. Mr Reid said it was "not about the money". Giving an example of one event, Mr Reid recalled November 6th last when he was getting into his car. He said Clancy shouted at him, threw his cigarettes at his car and spat at the car and said, "I'll smash your head off the f***ing wall." Clancy said he would slit his throat and also referenced Mr Reid's partner. Sergeant Derek Butler informed the court numerous other neighbours have made complaints to gardai in relation to Clancy. Asked by Judge Kilrane why he was behaving like this, Clancy failed to provide a reason. Mr Henry told the court his client had a difficulty in expressing himself. Judge Kilrane commented that Clancy seemed to have no difficulty in expressing himself to his neighbours. Judge Kilrane told Clancy Mr Reid was entitled to live in peace and quiet. "If this continues you will go to prison...Leave the man alone," the judge warned. The judge added that he did not blame Mr Reid for wanting to get rid of Clancy from the area. "You're a pest, you're causing all sorts of problems to Mr Reid and others," said the judge, adding that Clancy could go to prison for a 'lengthy' period if his behaviour continued Mr Henry assured the court he would reiterate the warning to his client, and said a relocation for Clancy was in 'active consideration'. "He's a bad neighbour the worst kind, a neighbour from hell. Any sensible person would want rid of him from there," said Judge Kilrane. The matter was adjourned to February 25th next with liberty to re enter matters. Hanoi received 8.65 million travelers in 2020, just 30 percent of the figure in 2019. Losses were estimated at $3.6 billion. The city aims to attract 15.34 million domestic travelers in 2021 A report from the Hanoi Tourism Department released on January 20 showed a sharp fall in the number of travelers to the capital city in 2020 because of Covid-19. The total of 8.65 million travelers included 1.11 million foreign travelers, a 84 percent decrease from 2019, and 7.54 million domestic travelers, a 65 percent decrease. Hotels in Hanoi suffered heavily from the two Covid-19 outbreaks, especially 3-5-star hotels as there were no foreign guests. According to the Hanoi Tourism Department, 950 out of 3,587 hotels in Hanoi had to suspend operation. The room occupancy rate of 1-5 star hotels was about 30 percent, a decrease of 38 percent compared with 2019. Around 1,307 travel firms in Hanoi provide both international and domestic travel services. The sharp fall in number of travelers led to 90 percent of travel firms closing or suspending operations. Since January 2020, 159 firms providing inbound tours and eight firms providing domestic tours have had their licenses revoked. Thanks to two domestic demand stimulus campaigns, Hanois tourism prospered in May, June and July. However, because of the second outbreak, there was nearly no activity in late July, August and early September. Travel activities had to be reactivated later, while travel firms faced financial, market and workforce problems. Hanoi decided that the tourism sector should focus on developing the domestic market in 2021 and prepare to receive foreign travelers when conditions permit. Hanoi has considered three scenarios for tourism development in 2021. The city aims to attract 15.34 million domestic travelers, equal to 70 percent of 2019 and double the figure on 2020. It hopes that tourism service facilities and hotels will reopen with an occupancy rate of over 45 percent. At present, 18 hotels in Hanoi serve as quarantine sites for specialists and investors returning to Vietnam, and flight crews. Hanois Vice Mayor Nguyen Manh Quyen has asked the tourism department to deploy new solutions to exploit the great potential of Hanoi. Hanoi plans to organize many big events and tourism festivals in 2021, including the Tourism Demand Stimulus Festival, Ao Dai Festival, Food Festival and events on the occasion of SEA Games 31. The festivals are expected to be organized annually. Hanoi also needs to pay attention to building groups of tourism products to stimulate demand, strengthen links between tourism firms and related businesses, and run tourism promotion programs in key cities and provinces. Ngoc Ha Inbound, outbound travelers may need compulsory Covid-19 insurance Travel firms have suggested making Covid-19 insurance compulsory for all inbound and outbound travelers as one of the solutions Vietnam needs to apply after it receives foreign travelers again. Warren E. Logan, Jr., longtime leader of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, has died at 73. Mr. Logan had been honored on Equal Opportunity Day on Dec. 17 with a virtual tribute for his "years of service in civil rights and social and economic empowerment." He also served as chair, Tennessee Urban League Affiliates (TULA), a state-wide collaborative focusing on leveraging TULAs impact for social and economic changes throughout the state of Tennessee and in particular the major urban centers (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville). Mr. Logan served for two years as president, Association of Executives (AOE), National Urban, League (NUL), and as a member of the NUL Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. He led a national African-American Leadership Delegation to Beijing, China in 2012, a relationship-building and collaboration visit established by the NUL-led Trade and Cultural Mission to China. He was a graduate of Tennessee State University. Mr. Logan served on boards for numerous organizations during his career including the Electric Power Board, CHI Memorial and Chattanooga Advisory Board. Prior to his Urban League career, he served in leadership roles in Tennessee Valley Authoritys Division of Power and the Office of Minority Business Enterprise. When he was recently honored, Mr. Logan said, Im deeply humbled by the outpouring of love as I close this cherished chapter of my life. When I stepped into this role more than two decades ago, I never imagined how profoundly our organization would shape the journey to racial equality in our community. It has been a tremendous honor to serve my brothers and sisters in pursuit of equal opportunity for all. Candy C. Johnson was named to succeed Mr. Logan as president & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga. She assumed all duties on Jan. 5, 2021. BioSpectrum brings to you the industry expectations of the Union Budget 2021-22 The Union Budget for 2021-22 is all set to be presented on February 1, 2021. What is likely to be announced and what not will be answered soon. Nevertheless, the industry is ready with its bag of expectations. BioSpectrum brings to you the industry expectations of the Union Budget 2021-22- "Expecting new horizons for medical sector" At Fujifilm India, we expect the budget 2021 to create new horizons for the medical sector. We believe that the Government of India will bring in new policies that will cater to providing a comprehensive and integrated healthcare ecosystem in the country and support the patients to get access to high-quality and cost-effective care. Given the unprecedented challenges we faced due to the public health crisis, there is a need to create a shared digital infrastructure to make innovative solutions in the healthcare sector. Investments in new medical care technologies are and will be at the forefront of combating COVID-19 and will also help us pave the way for any future uncertainty. Haruto Iwata, Managing Director, Fujifilm India, Gurugram ---------- "Pharma sector expects incentives in R&D and innovation" The overall policy ecosystem should help increase thrust on healthcare and build healthcare infrastructure to cater to the societal needs as healthcare is fundamental. In this upcoming budget, the pharma industry would expect for support and incentives in R&D and innovation specifically: Incentivising investment by pharmaceutical companies in R&D and innovation by reintroduction of 200% tax deductions on R&D related expenses Providing direct funding support to academia and industry Easing access to external sources of funding Moreover, the Union budget should focus on increasing exports competitiveness of pharma products through various schemes such as RoDTEP, PLIs, Incentivising R&D and innovation in pharma sector. Pharma industry is a knowledge driven industry and India needs to move forward to Make and Discover in India from Make in India. This sector is not only an asset to our country but to the world and has to be given importance in the upcoming budget. Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, Mumbai --------- "Tax cuts on life-saving drugs" The Union budget should address long-standing special incentives and subsidies to encourage indigenous drugs and API production in line with Atmanirbharta. There should be tax cuts on life-saving drugs to make them affordable. We must also provide full medical cover to proactively help indisposed and senior citizens. Grants to Indian companies that make novel drugs should be made available to speed up patents and inventions. Flexible pricing policies that can encourage upto 7% MRP increase year on year and giving 300 per cent deduction for R&D expenses will be beneficial for the industry. Sanjiv Navangul, MD & CEO, Bharat Serums & Vaccines Ltd, Mumbai ---------- "Increase proportion of Health Research allocation" Hospitals should be included under the definition of industrial undertaking u/s 72A of IT Act. This has been a long standing demand, critical to expedite private investment in healthcare capacity building and to ensure that healthcare is treated at par with other sectors. Given that there is an urgent need for expansion of healthcare facilities in smaller cities and rural areas, the benefits u/s 35AD of IT Act should be extended to hospitals having: (i) min of 50 beds in tier II, III and IV cities and (ii) min of 25 beds in rural areas It is recommended that tax exemption on Preventive Health check-up be raised from the current Rs 5,000 per person (Rs 7,000 for senior citizens) to Rs 20,000 u/s 80-D of IT Act. This is an opportunity incentivising health-oriented consumer behaviour for insulating individuals from effects of unanticipated healthcare spending and for institutionalising a Healthcare Savings Fund. FICCI has recommended that some relief through weighted deduction on CAPEX u/s 35AD be provided to all hospitals who have made any capital expenditure for prevention and/ or treatment of COVID patients. On the GST front, government need to consider zero rating of GST for healthcare services. There is also a need to increase proportion of Health Research allocation in overall Health Expenditure to at least 6% of the funds allocated to MoHFW. Dr Alok Roy, Chair FICCI Health Services Committee & Chairman Medica Group of Hospitals, Kolkata ----------- "GST on medical devices should be taxed at lower rate of 5%" The customs duties on IVDs, which increased from 10% to 30% last year, that are imported from USA are also impacting the accessibility and affordability of diagnostics services in India. India imports 60% of its diagnostics, most of which include tech-intensive testing methodologies such as molecular testing etc. which serve the priority diseases like HIV, Hepatitis, Cancer markers, among others and are not domestically produced. Increasing customs duty of such preventive tests for critical diseases like cancer and HIV will severely affect the accessibility to affordable healthcare. GST should not be charged on free goods and samples of healthcare products as it is needed to promote expansion of healthcare sector through reduced costs improving patient accessibility. GST on medical devices is taxed @12%; it should be brought at par with preferential products and taxed at lower rate of 5%. Spare parts to be used for medical equipment should be charged at the same rate of customs duty and GST. Pavan Choudary, Chairman and Director General, MTaI, New Delhi --------- "GST on all supplies/services to Hospitals and Laboratories should be removed" Domestic players can continue to fuel Indias growth in healthcare sector and in order to make the ecosystem more vibrant and responsive. Things that need immediate attention are: CGHS / EHS dues are not still being paid regularly, in spite of assurances by the Central Government. GST on all supplies/services to Hospitals and Laboratories should be removed. In case the GST is abolished on supplies to Hospitals and Labs, the price to consumers will come down significantly. To make health insurance more affordable to larger sections of society, the GST on health insurance premiums should be withdrawn. As per section 80-D of the Income Tax Act, premiums paid by the individual taxpayers are allowed as deduction subject certain maximum amount, depending upon the age of the taxpayers. The maximum amount of deduction should be increased substantially to all categories of taxpayers. As per section 80-D, Preventive Health check expenditure up to a sum of Rs 5000 can be claimed as deduction, but this deduction is allowed subject to overall ceiling fixed. There has to be a separate deduction and the expenditure incurred has to be increased to Rs 15,000 and should be extended to the spouse of the taxpayer. A Ganesan, Group Vice Chairman, Neuberg Diagnostics, Chennai --------- "The Budget should also be able to create capacities for COVID-19 vaccination" It is important to at least double the healthcare budget from last years meagre allocation. This would help to improve access to affordable care for the masses. The Budget should also be able to create capacities for vaccinating Indias large population against COVID-19 which is key to end the pandemic and revive the economy. Allocation of sufficient funds to cover about 40% of the low-income population who fall under the Ayushman Bharat scheme through free vaccination shall help in addressing this. Also, India should have an open sky policy allowing Indian and foreign airlines to freely operate, which will bring down the airfare between the countries and help NRIs. A large number of NRIs have been made jobless and returned to India due to the pandemic. There is a requirement for a scheme for rehabilitation of the returning NRIs by providing them with jobs and seed capital for starting businesses. Initiatives to provide skill development for them may be started. Dr Azad Moopen Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare, Bengaluru --------- "Provide higher tax deductions for R&D expenses" Being research intensive, the pharma sector spends a significant amount on R&D efforts. Providing higher tax deductions for R&D expenses will support higher investments in developing new drugs. Investments in novel and specialty drugs are subject to higher risk of failure, leading to risk averseness. Higher tax incentives for R&D spends will incentivise Indian players to spend more, thereby providing the impetus for further R&D activities. Currently R&D investments are 100% tax deductible, which can be increased to 150%-200%, especially for novel drug discovery. Lowering the GST rates for all life-saving drugs and moving them under the Nil slab, while moving other drugs to the 5.0% slab is likely to increase affordability and thereby lead to higher demand and consumption. Gaurav Jain - Vice President, ICRA Limited, Pune ---------- "Zero-rating of GST for health care services" Increasing public spending through subsidised loans, providing land for new hospitals, and encouraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spend by allowing it as a tax-deductible expense. Tax holidays for new hospitals in rural areas, weighted deductions, and tax holiday regimes for promoting India as a compelling R&D destination. Categorising life-saving drugs at the lowest rate of GST and zero-rating of GST for health care services. Deloitte India ---------- "Carry forward a present 150% deduction on In-house R&D" Reforms in the taxation structure including GST, restoring export incentives, simple and consistent policies and compliances are some of the key issues to be addressed in the budget. Tax deduction should be allowed not only on R&D but also on product development as product development is a key in exports, and should be encouraged. To encourage R&D, the Government must carry forward a present 150% deduction on In-house R&D. Mahendra Patel, Managing Director, Lincoln Pharmaceuticals, Ahmedabad ----------- "Incentives for higher investment in innovative R&D" The Government has already announced Productivity Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for basic and innovative pharma manufacturing which is an encouragement for the Pharma industry to become more Atmanirbhar. The COVID pandemic and the development of the Vaccines have resulted in an increased awareness of the need for pharmaceutical Research & Development spending to develop innovative pharmaceutical products. Currently as a country we have strong pharma manufacturing capabilities, however, we invest very little in innovative Pharmaceutical R&D to discover new pharma products in comparison to other countries including China and I hope the Government recognises this and provides incentives or initiatives in the new budget specifically targeting higher investment in innovative R&D. Suresh Pattathil, MD, Allergan India, Bengaluru ----------- "A separate allocation for health communication for behavioural change" It is time we de-silo healthcare as a service provided and look at the various other aspects that impact the need of health services or can impact its efficiency. Apart from increasing the overall share of public spending in healthcare, the health budget this year must focus on its integrated nature and adequate budgetary allocations must be made for: 1) primary healthcare, especially in rural and remote areas, ensuring trained manpower and diagnostic services, in addition to affordable and accessible secondary and tertiary care 2) preventive healthcare to control rapid spread of non-communicable diseases and lack of adequate nutrition for the young and vulnerable population, and 3) associated areas such as pollution control measures for air, water, and soil, and strengthening of supply chain, especially for perishable food items. At the same time, a separate allocation must be made for health communication for behavioural change that will nudge people to adopt healthy and sustainable consumption and behaviour in the medium-to-long run, says Kamal Narayan Omer, CEO, Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council, New Delhi ---------- "Increase spending on diagnostics" Diagnostic testing has proved itself indispensable during the pandemic and we hope that the government increases its spending on diagnostics in the upcoming Union Budget 2021. Diagnostics should be viewed strategically to detect early and treat. This can help reduce the financial burden of disease management while tremendously improving the quality of life of people. There is a pertinent need for an increase in healthcare allocation and a boost in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to make quality diagnostics more accessible to everyone. The rollback of 5% health cess in Union Budget 2021-22 may help the medical device sector overcome the severe financial crisis created in the recent times. The industry is wishing for basic exemptions, such as reduction in customs and IGST Rates for imports to support the healthcare sector. Narendra Varde, Managing Director, Roche Diagnostics India and Neighbouring market, Mumbai ------------ "Focus on the expansion of high-quality healthcare" The budget must be designed keeping in mind the requirements of the Atma-Nirbhar Bharat. Significant allocation must be reserved to boost indigenous manufacturing & research in healthcare. Also, provisions in the union budget must focus on incentivizing local manufacturing of medical devices to give an impetus to the Make in India initiative. Further to this, budget 2021 can prepare feasibility gap funding (VGF) options to further attract private sector investors in Tier 2 and 3 cities by focusing on Public-Private Partnership (PPP), and strengthening indigenous manufacturing of medical devices. India needs an efficient solution to meet the challenges of its healthcare sector, especially high public expenditure, and therapeutic technology provides the most efficient solution for this. Therapeutic technology solutions will certainly help in creating a comprehensive and integrated healthcare ecosystem in the country and will help in providing patients, access to high-quality and cost-effective care. The budget needs to focus on the expansion of high-quality healthcare with the potential to make healthcare more affordable and accessible by using technology to reach the grassroots level. Dr. GSK Velu, Chairman and Managing Director, Trivitron Healthcare, Chennai ---------- "Incentivize biopharmaceutical investments by creating a research ecosystem" The Pharmaceuticals industry anticipates the government outlay on public health to increase from 1.0% to 2.5% of the GDP, in line with the National Health Policy. This could include increased public investment in hospitals and incentivize private investment in research-quality hospitals. Government investments in bioPharmaceutical research should be at least 0.2 per cent of GDP. It should also incentivize biopharmaceutical investments by creating a research ecosystem with participation from Government, Academia and Industry . The budget 2021 must work towards unlocking Indias potential as a leader in pharmaceutical innovation, bringing in benefits in the form of more job opportunities, increased local and foreign investment, and higher tax revenues and export revenues, apart from vastly improving health outcomes for patients through access to newer medicines. Automatic 100 FDI approval should also be considered for brownfield investments. The industry also expects the GST on pharmaceuticals be brought down to 5% from 12% and the refund of accumulated credit due to inverted duty structure be done seamlessly and expeditiously. . In order to encourage corporates to spend more on corporate social responsibility programs and being complaint to the 2 per cent compulsory spending, section 37 of the Companies Act, 2017 be ammended so that companies can claim deduction of its CSR expenses incurred on business-supporting socially responsible activities. The budget should also come out with initiatives that can offer a better Ease of Doing Business for existing businesses by setting in motion with schemes and programs that can encourage manufacturing, distribution and retailing. Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) ----------- Weikfield Foods Private Limited, famous for its Custard Powder & Pasta; unveiled its first-ever brand campaign today, in a bid to revitalize & strengthen its brand equity. After a successful operation for over six decades, the company announced a refreshed brand identity a few months ago. In keeping with its ambitious plans of aggressive growth, the company is now unveiling this new brand campaign that encourages its consumers to celebrate the little moments of life and tries to establish Weikfield as a partner to enliven these moments. The campaign which has been conceived & executed by Grey Worldwide includes 2 copies; one for Custard and another for Pasta. The new commercials focus on spontaneous little moments of joy that people experience in their life. These moments are then made more cheerful and memorable with Weikfield products that have delighted millions of consumers for years. Heart-warming, real and relatable, the TVCs try to strike an emotional chord with the consumers. We have been adding joy to our consumers lives in India and abroad since 1956, said Mr. D S Sachdeva, Chief Executive Officer at Weikfield. However, many of our products are typically used in special occasions or during seasons like summer months e.g. Custard. And we want to increase the frequency of consumption. So, what better way than associating the brand with everyday celebration. It is also a message of positivity in these times of stress in line with what we have been doing for years in our consumers life. This campaign is a message to consumers that when they chance upon celebratory little moments of life, they should celebrate the same and live them to the fullest. Talking about the thought behind the campaign; Ayan Banik, Vice President, Planning, GREY & Autumn GREY; said While we normally focus on celebrating the bigger milestones in our lives, the everyday, impromptu celebrations tend to get missed out. Here is an endeavour from Weikfield to bring to the fore the joys of celebrating those everyday micro-moments of togetherness that make our lives so enriching and fulfilling. Vivek Bhambhani, Group Creative Director, GREY & Autumn GREY said, With our daily routines, we are stressed out, worked up, and pretty exhausted. One way out is to cherish the little moments of life that we experience with our friends and family. In doing so, we not only bring alive those moments but learn to relish similar moments that come our way. A thought that weve tried capturing with the sweet moments in these films. While the TVCs showcase two of its most popular products Weikfield Custard and Weikfield Pasta, the iconic brand has built a large portfolio consisting of Custard, cornflour, baking powder & cocoa including recent entries like falooda, sauces & cake mixes that are immensely popular with very strong customer equity. January 23 : Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has returned with his favourite gangster genre film D Company. Taking to social media, the filmmaker dropped the first teaser of film today. Earlier, the director had unveiled two motion posters of the film. Heres A PEEK into D COMPANY First Look TEASER: The MAHABHARAT OF UNDERWORLD ..Produced by SPARK @SparkSagar1 it is going to tell the story of how DAWOOD IBRAHIM with his BILL GATES like vision, turned a street gang into an INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION, RGV wrote on his Twitter account. Heres A PEEK into D COMPANY First Look TEASER : The MAHABHARAT OF UNDERWORLD ..Produced by SPARK @SparkSagar1 it is going to tell the story of how DAWOOD IBRAHIM with his BILL GATES like vision,turned a street gang into an INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION https://t.co/Nff1jm0TGs Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) January 23, 2021 Produced by Spark Sagar of Sagar Prasad Machanuru, D Company narrates the life story of the notorious gangster Dawood Ibrahim, who took to guns at a very early age to shut peoples mouth. The film also showcases how Dawoods small street gang became the world's most powerful crime syndicate. Ram Gopal wrote that the film, which is his dream project, is like the mother of all gangster movies. Comparing D Company with Mahabharata, he captioned it as Mahabharata of underworld. The crime drama looks deadly as it narrated how Shabir Ibrahim Kaskar and Dawood Ibrahim established a criminal syndicate in India in the 1970s. In 2020, Ram Gopal Varma had released a series of mid-budget films like Beautiful, Climax, Naked, Power Star, Thriller, Corona Virus, Murder, 12 'O' Clock and Disha Encounter. Unfortunately, none of the films received good response. His latest film, 120 clock, marked his return to the horror genre. However, the film failed to impress the viewers and did not get a good reception. Besides D Company, the filmmaker is currently busy with two other projectsDangerous and LadkiEnter The Girl Dragon. Meanwhile, Ram Gopal Varma has been banned for life by the Federation of West Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) as the filmmaker failed to pay dues of 1.25 crore to artistes and technicians. FWICE has also notified Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) and Producers Guild of India (GUILD), among other unions about this issue. Residents at Sonas Ard na Greine Nursing Home, Ennsicrone are set to receive vaccines later this month Clinical Nurse Manager of Sonas Ard Na Greine Nursing Home in Enniscrone, Christine Cronin, has said there is "hope in the air" for residents and staff thanks to the Covid-19 vaccination. The 42 residents of the nursing home will be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus later this month, and Ms Cronin says there is a mixture of relief, and hope that there might be some return to normality soon. Thanks to the incredible efforts of staff, both while at work and in their private lives, the nursing home has remained Covid-19 free throughout the pandemic. "Staff have taken measures in their own private lives minding their own families and people in here. Protocols have kept the nursing home Covid free, hopefully that will keep happening over the next few weeks," said Ms Cronin. She went on to explain the lengths staff go to ensure the safety of residents and the anxiety they feel bi monthly awaiting Covid test results. "Keeping Covid out is probably just as hard as if it's in. With serial testing there's always that fear and anxiety, you hope the test comes back negative, no one wants to be the one who tested positive. It's the staff that do the work to keep it out." She adds, "You send your husband or partner to do shopping, you're afraid to go to the shop. We have to be very mindful in our own homes. "You're changing clothes before coming in here, changing shoes and changing clothes before you go home." There are currently 42 residents at the nursing home and 56 staff altogether. Residents range in age from 65 to 103. Asked if the home has had any staffing issues because of the pandemic, Ms Cronin says there has been times a few staff have been off because of close contacts, however, they haven't had huge issues so far with staffing, thankfully. The Clinical Nurse Manager admits it has been tough, with social distancing, isolating and the daily lives of the residents of the home being changed because of Covid-19. "The comforting smile of a carer is hidden behind a mask, meals are alone or at a distance, no sitting near someone for a quiet chat, no handshakes." Although these protocols have to be maintained, nursing home staff are trying their best to still keep a sense of normality for the benefit of the wellbeing of residents. "For residents we have an activities coordinator, that happens all week, residents in their rooms have one to one time. "They're updated with leaflets and reassurance from us about news. We have small bingo sessions, four in a pod. We have music and great activities. It's all small pods of four and five." When restrictions permitted it, residents at the nursing home could see loved ones via a visitors' 'pod'. An extension put in place outside the nursing home itself. Visitors could speak to residents through an intercom system. "It's all enclosed, there's a heater, sanitiser, sprays for cleaning. Each person cleans down the area before they leave it." These days visits in the pod have decreased because of Covid in the community," the Clinical Nurse Manager explains. As another precaution at the home, the nursing home is split into two sides, and nobody mixes between those. Staff on each side do not change side and it is the same for residents. Asked what the vaccine will mean for residents and staff, Ms Cronin simply says, "relief". "There's hope in the air for residents and staff that there might be some return to normality. Staff feel they can have a life again outside work and they won't endanger the lives of residents in here." Ms Cronin says the introduction of the vaccine will also be a huge boost of morale for staff, and peace of mind for residents. "For residents they won't be afraid if they have a cough or cold or sore throat, that it's not Covid related. You feel you'll be protected a little bit more. Residents depend on us to be safe so they can be safe. They depend on us to not do anything outside work that would impact on their lives, that's what it is about." The nursing home has been given a date later this month for the introduction of vaccines, however, this date could be brought forward. "Right now we're preparing documentation for vaccines." She says the prevention of Covid entering the home, and the continued ability to take care of residents could not have been achieved without the hard work of staff and the support of others. "We couldn't do this without the staff, they're so good, the support of families in the community and the support of the local GP practice, they've been amazing." She also says the Sonas governance team made a huge effort in supporting staff through training, staffing and provision of PPE, along with continued encouragement, and the home's wellbeing program. Meanwhile, the total number of Covid cases within the county stand at 1,780 as of Sunday's NPHET figures. A further 24 new cases were confirmed up to midnight on Saturday, with 553 new cases recorded in the last 14 days, a much welcomed decrease. Some early signs that tighter lockdown measures are working could be seen in the county's 14 day incidence rate, which is now at 843.8 per 100,000 population. This is down from over 1,000 in the past number of weeks. While there are glimmers of hope, Sligo University Hospital staff are currently treating 39 patients with Covid-19 as of 8pm on Sunday evening, with two people being treated in its critical care unit. There were seven general beds available at the hospital according to Sunday's figures, with one critical care bed available. I miss seeing my grandchildren, giving them a hug A nursing home resident has said she is looking forward to hugging her grandchildren once she gets the Covid-19 vaccine. The 66-year-old resident of Sonas Ard na Greine Nursing Home in Enniscrone has said that is one of the most difficult parts of the pandemic. "I have three little girls, I miss seeing them, I miss my son and daughter in-law," the doting grandmother told The Sligo Champion, as she awaits her Covid-19 vaccine later this month. The vaccination of nursing home residents across Sligo is due to start this week and it is envisaged all residents of public and private homes will have received their vaccination by the end of February. The nursing home resident admits the last ten months have been difficult. "I miss so much seeing my grandchildren, giving them a hug. Sometimes I see them at a pod, they're up in Meath, it's hard not seeing them." When restrictions permitted it, residents at the nursing home could see loved ones via a visitors' 'pod'. An extension put in place outside the nursing home itself. Visitors could speak to residents through an intercom system. Though she says the pandemic has been "very tough", the resident, who has been at Ard Na Greine for the last three and a half years, says staff and carers are "so kind". "Of course I'm worried, but staff and carers are so good, the carers are so good and so kind. They are very diligent. They do everything they can to put you at ease." Asked if she is looking forward to receiving the vaccine, the grandmother said she is looking forward to having it "sooner rather than later". "I can't wait for it to come. It will be a relief. You might be able to go outside the door then, hopefully. "I look forward to seeing my grandchildren and get a hug. They send cards and ring every day, that makes me sad [not seeing them]. Please God it [the pandemic] will be over shortly." Bethlehem City Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith is seeking her first four-year term on the governing body. The Easton Area High School counselor was already running unopposed to fill a two-year council term when Councilman Shawn Martell resigned in September 2019. Council appointed her to fill the short-term vacancy until the November election. Crampsie Smith then won the two-year term created when Eric Evans resigned to become city business manager and was sworn in January 2020. With that term expiring next year, Crampsie Smith is running in 2021 for a chance to continue her agenda of assuring public health and safety, balancing economic development with housing that is inclusive and affordable, and encouraging sound fiscal management. While my first year in office has been challenging given the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent challenges, it has been an honor and privilege to represent and serve the members of our diverse Bethlehem community, she said in her campaign announcement. I look forward to continue to work towards the delicate balance of progress while concurrently preserving our citys unique history. There are four council terms up in 2022: Crampsie Smith, council President Adam Waldron, Councilman Bryan Callahan and Councilwoman Olga Negron. Crampsie Smith is the first member of council to announce they are seeking another term. West Bethlehem resident Hillary Kwiatek spoke to the Bethlehem and Lehigh County Democratic Committees about her plans to run for a council seat. Reached Friday, Kwiatek said she plans to formally announce her candidacy shortly. Councilman J. William Reynolds is seeking the Democratic nomination in the mayors race. If he wins, that would create an additional council opening since his term expires in 2024. Former city employee Dana Grubb is expected to announce at a news conference on Wednesday that he is challenging Reynolds in the mayors race. Callahan is also weighing a mayoral run and said at a city Democratic committee meeting he plans to run for council again. Crampsie Smith currently chairs the public works committee and sits on the public safety and community development committees. She touted her sponsorship of a resolution to assure insurance coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder care for first responders and recently introduced a responsible contractor ordinance. Crampsie Smith and Reynolds earlier this year pushed for city police to review their use of force policies and offer more mental health services to officers. They formed a community engagement initiative involving residents, the department, education officials, nonprofits and social justice groups. The daughter of a police chief, Crampsie Smith has spent her career working in mental health fields as a school counselor, addictions counselor and administrator of services for those with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses, and their families. She has also taught community college courses that focused on the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Shes has three children: Shannon, a student at Widener Law School; Bridget, a student at Jefferson Medical School; and Brendan, a student at Albright College. Crampsie Smith is a member of the NAACP Community Advisory Board, Lehigh Valley Regional Housing Advisory Board, Northside 2017, Lehigh Valley ROAR, Lehigh Valley 4 All, Bethlehem City Democratic Committee, Northampton County Council of Democratic Women, Northampton County Democratic Committee, Bethlehem Food Co-op and American Legion Auxiliary. She regularly organizes clothes drives for the homeless and those in need with Pros Fore Clothes Foundation and helped form the Moravian College Block Watch. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. A loss-making ferry service used by private school students has been saved after a backflip from the NSW government. Students from Saint Ignatius College Riverview faced the prospect of commuting to school on buses, which would add up to 20 minutes to journey times, after Captain Cook Cruises announced last month that the Lane Cove ferry service would cease on December 18. Matt Egerton-Warburton, pictured with son Bede, is a regular commuter on the Lane Cove ferry service. Credit:Peter Rae However, an outcry from commuters and lobbying by Anthony Roberts, Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections, appears to have saved the ferry service. Mr Roberts, Liberal member for Lane Cove, said the retention of the ferry service was an enormous success for our local community. Richwood, TX (77531) Today Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High near 85F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 72F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Read what is in the news today: Society An Indian expert and a Vietnamese repatriated from Japan became the latest cases of COVID-19 in Vietnam on Friday, taking the patient tally to 1,548, with 1,411 recoveries and 35 deaths. Top medical experts across Vietnam attended a second virtual consultation section to discuss treatment for a severe case of COVID-19, patient No. 1,536, on Friday afternoon. The Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has requested people limit large gatherings and organizing festivals, while complying with the health authorities requirements and guidelines on COVID-19 prevention and control during the upcoming 2021 Lunar New Year celebrations. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport announced a detailed plan of rerouting traffic on several streets in District 1 ahead and during the upcoming 2021 Lunar New Year celebrations. Business Remittances to Vietnam in 2020 is estimated at about US$15.7 billion, making it in the top 10 countries receiving most remittances in the world, according to the World Bank. A 1,000-square-meter fruit and vegetable purchasing and distribution center was opened at the My Tho Industrial Park in My Tho City in the Mekong Deltas Tien Giang Province on Friday, according to Vietnam News Agency. The India-Vietnam Investment Forum was held jointly by the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, the Private Economic Development Research Board, the Investment & Trade Promotion Center of Ho Chi Minh City, and VinaCapital Group in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Lifestyle The culture-tourism week 2021 of the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap was kicked-started in Sa Dec City on Friday night and will last until January 27, offering visitors a wide range of exciting activities. World news Four men were given long jail sentences for 78 years in total on Friday for the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese men, women and children who suffocated to death in a stifling, airtight shipping container in October 2019 as they were being smuggled into Britain, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! [January 22, 2021] Delaware Enhanced Global Dividend and Income Fund Appoints Benjamin Leung and Scot Thompson as Co-Managers Today, Delaware Enhanced Global Dividend and Income Fund (NYSE: DEX) (the "Fund"), a New York Stock Exchange-listed closed-end fund trading under the symbol "DEX," announced that, effective January 22, 2021, Benjamin Leung and Scot Thompson will be appointed as co-managers for the Fund. Mr. Leung and Mr. Thompson will join Asa Annerstedt, Adam H. Brown, Liu-Er Chen, Chris Gowlland, Jens Hansen, Allan Saustrup Jensen, Claus Juul, Nikhil G. Lalvani, Stefan Lowenthal, John P. McCarthy, Klaus Petersen, Michael G. Wildstein, and Jurgen Wurzer in making day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. Benjamin Leung is the co-head of the Macquarie Systematic Investments ( MSI (News - Alert) ) team, a role he assumed in August 2014. In addition to the day-to-day management of the global portfolios, he is also the head of research, responsible for driving the continual evolution of the systematic investment process. Leung joined the MSI team in May 2005 as a quantitative analyst, where his responsibilities included the development and maintenance of various quantitative models. Following his successful efforts to expand the quantitative capability to international markets, he formed the foundation of the current systematic investment approach. Prior to joining the MSI team, he worked as a software engineer for Macquarie's Investment Banking Group Information Services Division in Sydney. Leung received a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and a Masters in Commerce from the University of New South Wales. Scot Thompson is the co-head of the Macquarie Systematic Investments (MSI) team, a role he assumed in August 2014. His responsibilities include the day-to-day management of the global portfolios, oversight of the trading function, development of new strategies, and client engagement. From June 2003 to August 2014, Thompson was the equities head of product, responsible for product design, development, and client relationships for the firm's Australian and global equities product range. Before that, he was a member of the firm's private equity fund-f-fund and performance analytics teams. Prior to joining Macquarie in November 2001 as a quantitative performance analyst, he worked on the performance analytics team for Cogent Investment Administration, where he was responsible for investment performance and attribution reporting for a variety of clients over all asset classes. Thompson also work in civil engineering before moving to finance, working for several Australian companies as a project manager focusing on underground installations, quarrying, and mining. He received a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Sydney and a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University. The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund invests globally in dividend-paying or income-generating securities across multiple asset classes, including but not limited to: equity securities of large, well-established companies; securities issued by real estate companies (including real estate investment trusts and real estate industry operating companies); debt securities (such as government bonds; investment grade and high risk, high yield corporate bonds; and convertible bonds); and emerging market securities. The Fund also uses enhanced income strategies by engaging in dividend capture trading; option overwriting; and realization of gains on the sale of securities, dividend growth, and currency forwards. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest: (1) at most 60% of its net assets in securities of U.S. issuers; and (2) at least 40% of its net assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers, unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by the Manager, in which case, the Fund would invest at least 30% of its net assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers; and (3) the Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in securities issued by real estate companies (including real estate investment trusts and real estate industry operating companies). In addition, the Fund utilizes leveraging techniques in an attempt to obtain higher return for the Fund. About Macquarie Investment Management Macquarie Investment Management, a member of Macquarie Group, is a global asset manager with offices in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. As active managers, we prioritize autonomy and accountability at the team level in pursuit of opportunities that matter for clients. Macquarie Investment Management is supported by the resources of Macquarie Group (ASX: MQG; ADR: MQBKY), a global provider of asset management, investment, banking, financial and advisory services. Advisory services are provided by Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust, a registered investment advisor. Macquarie Group refers to Macquarie Group Limited and its subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For more information about Delaware Funds by Macquarie, visit delawarefunds.com or call 800 523-1918. Other than Macquarie Bank Limited (MBL), none of the entities referred to in this document are authorized deposit-taking institutions for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of MBL, a subsidiary of Macquarie Group Limited and an affiliate of Macquarie Investment Management. MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these entities, unless noted otherwise. 2021 Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210122005470/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] AMSTERDAM: Dutch police said on Saturday they had arrested the alleged leader of an Asian drug syndicate who is listed as one of the worlds most-wanted fugitives and has been compared to Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo" Guzman. Tse Chi Lop, a Chinese-born Canadian national, was detained on Friday at the request of Australian police, who led an investigation that found his organisation dominates the $70 billion-a-year Asia-Pacific drug trade, Dutch police spokesman Thomas Aling said. Tse is expected to be extradited after appearing before a judge, Aling said, adding that his arrest by national police took place without incident at Amsterdams Schiphol Airport. He was already on the most-wanted list and he was detained based on intelligence we received," Aling said. Dutch police were unable to provide details about the legal proceedings and it was not clear if Tse had a lawyer. Tse, an ex-convict who formerly lived in Toronto, has moved between Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan in recent years, according to counter-narcotics officers from four countries and documents previously reviewed by Reuters. Tse Chi Lop is in the league of El Chapo or maybe Pablo Escobar," Jeremy Douglas, Southeast Asia and Pacific representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), told Reuters in 2019, referring to Latin Americas most notorious drug lords. The syndicate he is suspected of running is known to its members as The Company". Law enforcers also refer to it as Sam Gor" - or Brother Number Three in Cantonese - after one of Tses nicknames, Reuters reported at the time. It was unable to contact Tse for comment on the report. The Australian Federal Police (AFP), which has taken the lead in a sprawling investigation into the criminal organisation, identified Tse as the senior leader of the Sam Gor syndicate". The group has been connected with or directly involved in at least 13 cases" of drug trafficking since January 2015, the documents showed. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The leader of the Welsh Conservatives has stepped down after admitting he downed alcohol on Welsh parliament grounds days after a pub alcohol ban was enforced. Paul Davies was accused of drinking alcohol with former Welsh Government minister Alun Davies, Tory chief whip Darren Millar and the party's chief of staff Paul Smith in a licensed Senedd tearoom in December. Just four days earlier, Wales banned the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol on licensed premises - although off-licences were allowed to sell alcohol until 10pm. All four men denied breaking Covid-19 rules and say they observed social distancing while meeting in the Ty Hywel building to discuss working together on a proposed bill. But Mr Davies today said the controversy had become a 'distraction' and that he is standing down with 'immediate effect' despite appeals from colleagues to continue. Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Paul Davies (pictured) has stepped down after admitting he downed alcohol on Welsh parliament grounds days after a pub alcohol ban was enforced All four men denied breaking Covid-19 rules and say they observed social distancing while meeting in the Ty Hywel building (pictured) to discuss working together on a proposed bill Tory chief whip Darren Millar (pictured) said he is also stepping down from his frontbench role in the Senedd. He said in a statement: 'Yesterday I indicated to the Conservative group in the Welsh Parliament that I wished to resign, but they urged me to reflect further, and we agreed to meet again on Monday. 'However, for the sake of my party, my health and my own conscience, I simply cannot continue in post. Labour member Mr Davies (right) said: 'I am very sorry if my actions have given the impression that I am in any way not committed to upholding the regulations which I have consistently supported throughout the last year' 'Therefore, I am stepping down as leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Welsh Parliament with immediate effect.' Tory chief whip Darren Millar said he is also stepping down from his frontbench role in the Senedd - Wales' parliament. He said he joined working dinners on December 8 and 9, adding: 'On both evenings I served myself a pre-ordered, pre-prepared meal that was reheated in the microwave and ate it while drinking an alcoholic beverage and discussing work matters with colleagues. 'Social distancing was maintained throughout these working dinners and it simply did not occur to either me, my colleagues or the catering team that the arrangements may have been inappropriate.' His statement added: 'While I am advised that I did not breach coronavirus regulations I am very sorry for my actions, especially given the impact of the tough restrictions that people and businesses are enduring. 'For this reason, and given that Paul Davies has resigned as Welsh Conservative Group leader in the Senedd, I have decided to step down from my front-bench role in the Welsh Parliament. 'I am co-operating fully with ongoing investigations and will continue to do so.' Earlier this week, Conservative Nick Ramsay denied being part of the gathering. His solicitor declared his client 'sat on his own' and 'had a chicken curry'. He said: 'Mr Ramsay did attend the Tea Room on his own at the Senedd, without invitation after work. 'He sat on his own and was socially distanced. He attended the Tea Room at approximately 6pm. He had a chicken curry. 'He left at about 8pm. Others came in whilst he was there but it was not a 'gathering' Mr. Ramsay was part of.' Labour member Mr Davies has been suspended by his party. The group were served drinks by caterers in the Ty Hywel building which adjoins the Senedd where strict lockdown laws were made. Labour member Mr Davies said: 'I am very sorry if my actions have given the impression that I am in any way not committed to upholding the regulations which I have consistently supported throughout the last year. Earlier this week, Conservative Nick Ramsay (pictured) denied being part of the gathering 'The Senedd Commission has already confirmed to me that I did not breach the coronavirus regulations on the consumption of either food or alcohol that were in force at that time.' Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething refused to be drawn on whether the Tory members should stand down or be suspended. But he said the Labour group's decision to suspend Alun Davies 'was the right thing' to do. He said: 'Any sense of people not all being in this together, isn't helpful in terms of message that we all need to follow.' Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A five-year veteran of the Winnipeg Police Service has been charged with impaired driving. A five-year veteran of the Winnipeg Police Service has been charged with impaired driving. Christopher Logan, 29, was found intoxicated behind the wheel of a running vehicle on the 500 block of McMeans Avenue East in Transcona late Tuesday morning, police said. General patrol officers were called to the scene for a well-being check after a caller told a 911 operator they had seen a man "possibly in medical distress" inside a running vehicle. When they arrived at about 11:15 a.m., officers placed the driver later determined to be Logan under arrest after they observed signs of impairment. Logan was off duty at the time. The WPS notified the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba of the arrest. The police watchdog has taken a monitor role in the case. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck A five-year veteran of the Winnipeg Police Service has been charged with impaired driving. Logan was released from custody on a promise to appear in court and the WPS professional standards unit continued the investigation. On Friday, he was formally charged with impaired driving. The Free Press sent a request for comment to the WPS Friday, asking where Logan was driving to or from at the time of his arrest, given that bars are closed and private gatherings were under household members-only public-health restrictions at the time. In response, a police spokesman said in a written statement there was no information the force could provide regarding the circumstances prior to his arrest. This is not the first time a Winnipeg police officer has been charged with impaired driving. The two highest-profile cases in the force's history involved the deaths of Crystal Taman and Cody Severight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods The WPS notified the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba of the arrest. The police watchdog has taken a monitor role in the case. On Feb. 25, 2005, Derek Harvey-Zenk an off-duty police constable who spent the previous night partying with fellow officers drove a pickup truck into the back of Tamans car while she was stopped at a red light during her commute to work. The 40-year-old mother of three was killed instantly. Due to a botched investigation in which members of the now-disbanded East St. Paul Police Department were accused of lying to protect a brother in blue Harvey-Zenk got off with what many called a slap on the wrist. While he initially faced four charges, including refusing a breathalyzer and impaired driving causing death, a controversial plea bargain saw all charges dropped, except for dangerous driving causing death. As a result, he received a conditional sentence of two years house arrest. On Oct. 10, 2017, off-duty police Const. Justin Holz left a downtown bar, where he and several other officers were having an end-of-shift party. Holz struck and killed Cody Severight, 23, on Main Street while speeding in his vehicle. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS On Oct. 10, 2017, off-duty WPS constable Justin Holz left a downtown bar, where he and several other officers were having an end-of-shift party. He fled the scene but called police a short time later to turn himself in. In October 2019, he was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death. That was a bad year for members of the force being charged for impaired driving. In November 2017, police Chief Danny Smyth held a press conference to announce that two of his officers had been charged with impaired driving. The press conference was called after media began pressing for details about one of the cases. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES This is not the first time a WPS officer has been charged with impaired driving. The following week, after again being confronted by reporters, Smyth confirmed two more officers had been charged with impaired driving earlier that year. Alongside Holz, that brought the total number of Winnipeg police charged with impaired driving to five in 2017. A Twitter post from Smyth Friday afternoon said Logan will be removed from regular duties, offered help if needed and held accountable in a criminal proceeding. ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe OVD Info, an independent NGO that monitors rallies, said more than 2,100 people had been detained during protests, more than 700 of them in Moscow alone. Russian police have detained more than 2,000 people during nationwide protests in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, monitors say. Tens of thousands of people defied a heavy police presence to join the rallies, a huge show of defiance against President Vladimir Putin, according to the BBC. In Moscow, riot police were seen beating and dragging away protesters. Mr. Navalny, President Putin's most high-profile critic, called for protests after his arrest last weekend. He was detained on January 17 after he flew back to Moscow from Berlin, where he had been recovering from a near-fatal nerve agent attack in Russia last August. On his return, he was immediately taken into custody and found guilty of violating parole conditions. He says it is a trumped-up case designed to silence him, and has called on his supporters to protest. Prior to the rallies, Russian authorities had promised a tough crackdown, with police saying any unauthorised demonstrations and provocations would be "immediately suppressed." Several of Mr. Navalny's close aides, including his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh, were arrested earlier in the week. Read alsoNavalny supporters being beaten, arrested as protests begin to demand his release mediaOVD Info, an independent NGO that monitors rallies, said more than 2,100 people had been detained during protests, more than 700 of them in Moscow alone. Mr. Navalny's wife, Yulia, said she had been detained at a protest and later released. Teenagers were among the many Navalny supporters who joined the demonstration in Moscow's central Pushkin Square. They were later forced by police to disperse to neighbouring streets. Russia's interior ministry said 4,000 had turned up in Moscow, but opposition sources and reporters on the ground say it was in the tens of thousands. Among them was Lyubov Sobol, a prominent aide of Mr. Navalny who had already been fined for urging Russians to join the protests. She tweeted a video of police roughly pulling her away from an interview with reporters. Mr. Navalny's wife, Yulia, also said she was being held by police at the same protest, posting an image on her Instagram account with the caption: "Apologies for the poor quality. Very bad light in the police van." Prominent Navalny activists are also being held in the cities of Vladivostok, Novosibirsk and Krasnodar. Reporting by UNIAN New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) has demanded to make public the number of seats left vacant under the OBC quota in Delhi University (DU). The students union has sought information from various colleges affiliated to the DU in this regard. Along with this DUSU has also requested the colleges to give information about the total admission numbers in the varsity through the OBC quota. The DUSU has written a letter to the Principals of various colleges of DU for the seats left vacant under the OBC quota. DUSU Vice-President Pradeep Tanwar said, "This year's admission process for the reserved class students has been difficult. In case of non-renewal of certificates, there have been cases of cancellation of admission of some students coming to light whereas they should have got an opportunity keeping in view the present circumstances due to Covid-19 pandemic." DUSU has demanded that the administration give admission to OBC students by making public the vacant seats under the OBC quota and not converting these seats to any other reserved caste. Earlier in December, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) members held discussions with teachers, staff and students in Delhi University. The Forum of Academics for Social Justice (Delhi University) and the Delhi University SC/ ST/OBC Teachers Forum have complained about OBC reservation not being implemented properly in the university. Sudha Yadav, a DU teacher, said, "The Chairman and members of the NCBC met the members of the Delhi University SC/ ST/ OBC Teachers Forum before meeting the Vice Chancellor to discuss the problems of students, teachers and staff at Delhi University. Representatives of students, teachers and staff spoke at this meeting. The Delhi University SC/ ST/ OBC Teachers Forum has put forth before him the difficulties faced by the candidates from the OBC quota." The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that 10 requests for military assistance were made by Northern Ireland agencies in the last eight months prior to the news that Army medics are to assist local hospitals battling Covid-19. Seven of the requests were linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, the MoD said. Four of the military aid to the civil authorities (MACA) requests related to patients being transferred to a hospital in England, while three were linked to the use of military bases to store personal protection equipment (PPE). Patients were evacuated from Northern Ireland to Leicester in April, May and twice in June, the MoD told the Sunday Life. The defence ministry was unable to immediately provide details on whether the four were Covid-19 patients, or if they were suffering from some other condition and space was not available due to the pandemic. The requests to store PPE were made by the PSNI and the Department of Health. All the requests were made between April 27 last year and January 12. Details of the many requests for military assistance follow the announcements medics attached to armed forces will be deployed in Northern Ireland to help amid increasing numbers of Covid-19 patients. The Ministry of Defence will be supporting a request from Northern Irelands Department of Health for military support to be provided to frontline healthcare staff, a MoD spokesperson said. 110 Defence medics will be embedded into Health and Social Care Trusts, working under the supervision of doctors and nurses to help relieve the pressure on the health services. The request made by the Department of Health has received broad support, including from the Sinn Fein leadership. Deputy First Minister and Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle ONeill said her partys priority has always been to save lives and would never rule out anything that actually supports the health service. However, party colleague, West Belfast MLA Pat Sheehan, told Stormonts health committee on Thursday this his only concern was that the military would get in the way of the real professionals. These British soldiers are coming in to help out. Its no real concern of mine, Mr Sheehan said. My only concern is that they dont get in the way of the real professionals who are doing the work to save lives. He added: This is the slamming the dead cat down on the table to deflect attention away from the inadequacies in the health department at the minute. Health Minister Robin Swann said he was disappointed and also disgusted by Mr Sheehans comments. These are professionals. These are actually military-grade technicians that were bringing in. Its a skillset that wasnt previously offered to us as a skillset. He added: It wouldnt be the language that would be reflective of his party leadership in regards to the assistance that were actually receiving from the Army. He said the majority of health workers would welcome the assistance of the military medics because this is a tough period of time that were entering into in the health service. It would have been an abdication of responsibility not to call on the military for help, he said. According to the MoD, the support of the military demonstrates the UK Governments commitment to meet the needs of the whole of the United Kingdom as we continue to tackle the pandemic. The medics will be joining the Health and Social Care Trusts, they will be filling health care assistant roles, including tasks such as the recording of patient observations and general ward duties, within ICUs and other low dependency ICU clearing wards. The roles undertaken by military personnel will be decided by the hospitals according to where resources are needed the most. MGF boss Shravan Gupta Emaar India Limited, a subsidiary of world renowned global real estate company Emaar Properties, Dubai, recently cautioned public against dealing with MGF Group, its promoter Mr. Shravan Gupta, and associates, in respect of a land parcel in Okhla, Delhi. This land was valued at nearly INR 5 billion in 2008 and may be currently valued much higher. Emaar has also issued a public notice to this effect. The public notice elaborates that Emaar has approached National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) alleging illegal conduct by Mr. Shravan Gupta and MGF Group, causing losses of properties and funds to Emaar India Limited (previously, Emaar MGF Land Limited). We were informed by credible sources that MGF was likely to deal with the Okhla land parcel. We wanted to caution the public against dealing with MGF Group, SSP Buildcon Private Limited, Mr. Shravan Gupta, Ms. Shilpa Gupta or any of their associates / related entities or persons. The notice pertains specifically to a land parcel of approximately 4.88 acres in Okhla, Mathura Road, New Delhi. This land was valued at nearly INR 5 billion in 2008 and may be much higher today, the company said in a statement here today. Emaar India was a joint venture between Dubai-based Emaar and Mr. Shravan Guptas MGF Developments Limited. Emaar Properties, one of the worlds leading real estate developers, entered the Indian real estate with one of the largest FDI in the real estate sector in 2005. Once Emaar took management control of Emaar India, it found several unauthorised related party transactions prior to 2016. After investigating, Emaar proceeded with recourse to the necessary remedies available under Indian law. Emaar has sought to recover over INR 24 billion and interest from the relevant date of siphoning of funds or properties. The proceedings were filed in November 2019 before the NCLT Delhi. Emaar said that they have been informed that Mr. Shravan Gupta and his family are since outside India and recently learned from a court order in an unrelated matter that he and his family are likely to take up citizenship of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Emaar will continue to pursue its remedies under Indian law. Emaar has faith in the Indian legal system and the judiciary and confident that the legal processes will catch up with MGF and Mr. Shravan Gupta. . The constant efforts made by those who do not see any merit in the farmers protests against the three farm laws have put a ring of ambiguity around the category of the farmer. In this regard, it is interesting to note that those who seek to deny genuineness to the category do not define who a genuine farmer is. Perhaps, such supporters seem to be using the farm laws as the single most important criterion to unilaterally establish the authenticity of being a farmer. Thus, according to this official line of thinking, whosoever supports these laws are the real farmers and the rest are either fake or terrorists. But in this regard, it is interesting to note that the government seems to be using not only moral means to render the category of farmer ambiguous but also to hold on to the laws with stubbornness by resorting to subtle mechanisms of nominating favourable members to the committee as suggested by the Supreme Court. As the Editorial this week on the farmers response to such a committee suggests, the farmers are sceptical about the objective and fairness of the deliberation that would be underway through this committee. However, farmers, using Gandhian methods of protest, have also offered a steady response to deflate such a ploy. As a part of this counter-characterisation, the farmers have termed these self-proclaimed agricultural experts paper farmers. Taking cue from the protesting farmers expressions, one could decode the meaning of paper farmer, which need not be confused with the other fake category called farmers on paper. Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Police in Northern Ireland are probing a sinister graffiti threat made to Brexit port workers. The investigation was launched after the words 'all border post staff are targets' appeared spray painted on a wall in Larne, County Antrim, on Thursday. It is not known who was behind the threat, but MPs have warned that dissident republican groups would see security checkpoints and customs bases in Northern Ireland as targets after Brexit. And, as checks at the newly-installed Border Control Post (BCP) facilities spark fresh produce shortages at supermarkets, anti-Brexit sentiment is mounting in the region. Brexit Operational Readiness bosses sent out an internal memo reassuring port staff that both the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Stormont's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) were investigating. They urged port workers to report suspicious activity - but said it does appear to be an isolated incident. A police investigation was launched after the words 'all border post staff are targets' (pictured) appeared spray painted on a wall in Larne, County Antrim, on Thursday Border Control Post (BCP) facilities came into operation from January 1, effectively creating a de facto Irish Sea border for goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland. New checks on goods have hindered the flow of food products into the country from Britain sparking outrage (Dublin Port, pictured) The memo - which was shared with a picture of the graffiti - read: 'To be aware, the below appeared overnight near Larne Port. 'There is nothing to suggest at this time that this is anything other than an isolated incident. 'However, this may understandably cause you or your teams concern but be assured that DAERA have engaged with the PSNI, who are dealing with the matter appropriately. 'DAERA will continue to liaise with the PSNI to ensure that your health, safety and welfare, and that of our delivery partners, remains our utmost priority. 'I would be grateful if you could ask your relevant staff to report anything suspicious in the area of the Port to either ourselves, PSNI or Port Security.' Border Control Post (BCP) facilities came into operation from January 1, effectively creating a de facto Irish Sea border for goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland. It's primary purpose was to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland - but new checks on goods have hindered the flow of food products into the country from Britain sparking outrage. MI5 carried out an investigation into the terrorism threat linked to 'installations or infrastructure at the border' with the Irish Republic Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer and Tesco have all faced supply issues - with fresh fruit, vegetables and chilled meat among the products most affected - after the new customs paperwork came in following the transition period ending on January 1. The Prime Minister said 'teething problems' were to blame for a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables in Ulster in the past weeks - branding the situation as 'absurd'. DUP MP for East Antrim Sammy Wilson said the only people who threatened violence over border checks were those in the Remain camp. He said: 'And that includes people who time and time again talked about threats of violence from the IRA and republicans if there were border posts put along the border between Northern Ireland the Irish Republic and yet they have been strangely silent, the same crowd, when a border has been placed between Northern Ireland and Britain. 'So unionists are the only people who never at any stage threatened there would be violence as a result of whatever arrangements came and arose from Brexit.' The Prime Minister said 'teething problems' were to blame for a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables in Ulster in the past weeks - branding the situation as 'absurd'. 'But I believe, and indeed there has been evidence already this week, that through political pressure and through using what leverage we have we can first of all get some of the immediate problems of the protocol dealt with and in the longer run I believe the protocol itself will be shown to be unworkable.' He said political pressure should be used to solve issues over the border, adding 'I don't think anything will be achieved by writing messages on the walls and it has not been the approach which unionists have.' A Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: 'Police are aware of a graffiti incident the vicinity of Larne Harbour on 21 January. This matter is currently under investigation.' Sainsbury's (Bangor, Co Down branch pictured), Marks & Spencer and Tesco have all faced supply issues after the new customs paperwork came in following the transition period ending on January 1. A PSNI spokesman added: 'Police are aware of a graffiti incident the vicinity of Larne Harbour on 21 January. This matter is currently under investigation.' Meanwhile, a source has said there are fears in Warrenpoint, County Down, that the Border Control Post there could be targeted by dissident republicans. They said: 'Where it's located is at the Narrow Water Castle, and anyone who know the history about Narrow Water will know about the bomb that went off there. 'So there is a credible threat as nobody wants to see a border infrastructure of any shape or description in this area, and similarly I don't think the loyalists want to see border inspection in Larne.' Last year, MI5 carried out an investigation into the terrorism threat linked to 'installations or infrastructure at the border' with the Irish Republic. The intelligence agency said it feared the New IRA could become a more dangerous threat in the future. Retailers have warned that shops in Northern Ireland could face further problems unless the EU is prepared to extend the 'grace period' in the Brexit agreement MPs on the Commons intelligence and security committee released a report into Northern Ireland terrorism concluding that security and customs bases would 'increase the risk of political violence in border areas'. They also warned that dissident republican groups, including the New IRA, were recruiting 'significant numbers of young people'. The report stated: 'Any infrastructure erected at the Irish border to handle customs or security checks would immediately become a target for DR [dissident republican] attacks.' It said infrastructure 'will be both a target and a recruiting badge for dissident republican groups'. It also warned the changes may 'reignite the threat from loyalist groups that have previously held a ceasefire'. San Francisco opened its first mass vaccination site at City College Friday, where over 500 people received a shot. The site has capacity to give about 3,000 vaccines a day, but the city currently only has enough supply to make a few hundred appointments a day. There are 22 tents in the sprawling parking lot for people to get their shot one at a time but on Friday, only six were being used. UCSFs Dr. Josh Adler said the first day ran smoothly, without any major kinks. The only thing holding them back was a limited supply of vaccines. We really are so dependent on vaccine supply, he said. We need an ongoing, reliable and predictable supply. UCSF as well as Dignity Health, Kaiser and Sutter Health are partnering with San Franciscos public heatlh department on the site. On Friday, appointments were mostly limited to UCSF patients. The health care provider will reach out to patients if they are eligible for a vaccine and invite them to the site. People who live outside of San Francisco may be invited to the site because the health care providers operate regionally. Adler said appointments have already been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Its unclear if any have been made for next week. Some people, like John Cruger-Hansen, 77, said they received a text from UCSF Thursday evening telling him he could make an appointment. A few minutes later, he had one for Friday morning. He thought it was too good to be true. But everything went smoothly when he arrived, and he got the shot. Cruger-Hansen lives in El Cerrito, but is a UCSF patient. While it wont change anything in his day to day, he said he will at least have a little more peace of mind when he does little things like going to the grocery store. Cruger-Hansens 63-year-old wife, who was not eligible for a vaccine at the site Friday, said this is one time I wish I was older! The way the site works is simple: Those with appointments drive up and are directed to a tent. A healthcare worker approaches their car window, gathers the persons information and then gives them the shot. People remain in their cars the entire time. After the shot, people are directed to a parking spot to sit for about 15 minutes to make sure no symptoms arise. The site is currently drive-in only, but the city has plans to expand it so people can also walk through it, too. Nancy Hughes, 70, was beaming while she got her shot. She was so excited that she danced her way over to a group of reporters waiting to talk to her after she was done. I am euphoric, she said, with a big smile hiding behind two masks. Hughes and her 73-year-old husband are San Francisco residents, but they have been spending time in their other home in Carmel where its safer. They read about the vaccination site opening and decided to take a chance and drive to San Francisco Friday morning to see if they could get a shot. UCSF said that by 2 p.m., fewer than 70 people were able to get vaccinated without appointments. That was an anomaly for the first day, UCSF said, and moving forward people will need an appointment. Patients who receive an invitation can make appointments via UCSFs online portal. We are vaccinating caregivers/companions/spouses who arrive in the car with the patient and who are 65 or older, UCSF said. Some of these people are UCSF patients, some are not, we still need to tally those numbers. Hughes was relieved to finally have her first vaccine. I want to live to see next year and the year after that, she said, her eyes tearing. We believe in vaccinations... its the right thing to do. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @trishathadani Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday invoked CrPC section 144 in Gautam Buddh Nagar till January 31 in view of safety concerns related to "No use of private drones, No protests without approval from authorities, No traffic jams, No possession of harmful objects, No audio-video with sensitive content, No alcohol drinking at public places are allowed," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Ashutosh Dwivedi, said in the notice. The order has been imposed in Gautam Budhh Nagar from January 22 to January 31. Any person found violating the above order will be booked under IPC Section 188. Police said that the restrictions have been imposed as many people are likely to participate in celebrations from Gautam Buddh Nagar. Also, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to visit the district on the occasion of Uttar Pradesh foundation day, January 24. There are apprehensions of unwanted activities due to which the section has been invoked 'one-sidedly' for the safety of the public, police said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Covid didnt have too much impact on values in Dublin 6. In the main prices held firm. In the year ahead we can expect some apartment values to take a small hit and bungalows to see values rise slightly above the average trend. But the average price for D6 holds firm at 850,000. The two/three-storey over basement is also static at 1.738m, with our local expert agent Eunan Doherty not envisaging any further rises this year. Average Price 850,000 Areas Rathgar, Ranelagh, Rathmines, Palmerston, Milltown, Sandford, Dartry,Terenure Up 0% One Year Forecast + 1% Assessing Agent DNG Dublin 6 is the target area for those looking to trade up from surrounding areas like D6W and Portobello. The large period properties which date from the Victorian era onwards are seen as the forever home target for many wealthy southside based families. House Type 2020 2021 2022 3-bed Semi 850,000 850,000 860,000 4-bed Semi 925,000 925,000 935,000 5-bed Semi 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 5-bed Detached 1,503,000 1,503,000 1,503,000 3-bed Bungalow 650,000 650,000 665,000 4-bed Bungalow 711,000 711,000 725,000 One-bed Apartment 305,000 305,000 300,000 Two-bed Apartment 480,000 480,000 465,000 2up/2Down 545,000 545,000 550,000 3-bed Terrace 688,000 688,000 700,000 2-bed Cottage 534,000 534,000 550,000 Ex-Corporation 2-bed 516,000 516,000 525,000 Ex-Corporation 3-bed 643,000 643,000 650,000 2-bed Townhouse 571,000 571,000 575,000 3-bed Townhouse 643,000 643,000 650,000 2-bed Mews 571,000 571,000 575,000 3-bed Mews 740,000 740,000 755,000 3-bed Duplex 643,000 643,000 640,000 Period 2/3 Storey-over Basement 1,738,000 1,738,000 1,738,000 Detached House On Own Grounds 4,462,000 4,462,000 4,462,000 Actress Amy Huberman and her husband Brian ODriscoll have filled their Instagram accounts with pictures of their newly refurbished Rathmines red-brick. Doherty can see plenty more affluent young couples following in their footsteps. Weve experienced a lot of activity from the trade-up market, with people selling in surrounding areas like Harolds Cross. Like the Huberman-ODriscoll experience, many of these homes are in need of major renovation, with some still in flats. Property Hotspot: Rathgar The village had a particularly strong year with a lot of people trading up from places like Terenure and Harold's Cross That work is extraordinary expensive right now but its the price you have to pay if you want to live in this neck of the woods. Doherty says that renovations absolutely arent putting buyers off and they all have their building calculations done and factored into the price. Supply did not meet demand last year, but I would expect that to improve in 2021 and to start matching up with the interest thats out there, says Doherty. Dr. Jayatissa de Costa, PC completes 50 years at the Bar View(s): Dr. Jayatissa de Costa, PC, LLB (Cey), LLM (Lond) and PhD (Colombo) had an impressive 50-year career as a practising lawyer. He did not confine himself to legal practice. He taught law at Sri Lanka Law College and had the distinction of supervising PhD programmes in a British University of Solent. Later, he served as principal of Sri Lanka Law College. He also served in the Board of Governors of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International and Strategic Studies. He was Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka from 2002 to 2013. I met Dr. de Costa at the Museum Library almost 50 years ago. At that time, I was a student of at the Colombo Law Faculty. I was impressed that he was intending to sit the Final Year at Sri Lanka Law College and the Colombo Law Faculty Final examination at the same time. He had to answer 17 three-hour papers within 30 days. He was successful in both examinations in one shot and he demonstrated his capacity to meet the challenges with success. He started practising in Colombo and also in Horana. He decided to establish the Sinhala Law Institute to teach law in Sinhala in the early seventies. He called me to assist him in this endeavour at the Alexandra College, Colombo 7 which was run by late Douglas Weeramantry at that time. Other Lecturers at the Institute were Dr. Palitha Kohona, Nimal Siripala de Silva and the late Athula Anthony. It was a roaring success and I earned many times more the salary I received from the Legal Draftsmans Department. He is the lawyer who has contributed the largest number of articles to press on legal, political, social and scientific matters in this country. In 1975, he entered the University of London to do the LLM degree under the supervision of Prof. James Reed and Prof. Eugene M. Cotral in comparative constitutional laws of the Commonwealth. In addition, he has followed courses on Principles of Civil Litigation under Prof. I.H. Jacob QC and courses in criminology at Kings College. He was awarded a grant under Edvina Mountbatton Trust. Later on, he obtained a PhD from the University of Colombo. Dr. de Costa not only taught law, but also published many books in Sinhala. His publications include: Cases on Constitutional Law (1971), Cases on Criminal Law (1972), Roman Law (1978), Criminal Law (1978), The Legal History and legal System of Sri Lanka (1980), The Science of Law (1980), Constitutional Law (1984), Laws of Parliamentary Elections (1985) and Election Law (1986). He was a multidisciplinary and renaissance personality. He published in Sinhala the following science books for the benefit of the people of this country: Activities of the Earth (1989), Agricultural Sciences (2001), Plants and Environment (2002), Animal World (1993) and Water (1997). Dr. de Costa trained many lawyers as apprentices. He holds the record of the largest number of apprenticing lawyers working under him in Sri Lanka (79 apprentices at the same time). More than 500 apprenticing lawyers have gone through his chambers. On many occasions, he appeared pro deo for litigants who were unable to pay high legal fees. He was kind and compassionate as a practising lawyer and caring as a law teacher. He was indeed a magister magistorum (teacher of teachers). He has served his motherland with distinction. I am very happy that he has requested me to write this tribute at the time he has completed 50 years at the Bar. In concluding, I wish to say that as Cato said of Cicero in the Roman Senate, From one, we can all learn (Ab uno omnes discent), I can say today the same of Dr. Jayatissa de Costa in paying this tribute on his 50-year successful career at the Bar. Dayantha Laksiri Mendis (Former Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna and Former UN and Commonwealth Legal Expert.) [January 22, 2021] Nagamasa Global Announced Support of Over 400 Technology Devices Throughout Its Multiple Data Centers KANTO, Japan, Jan. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nagamasa Global, a commodity broker that aims to offer the highest level of customer service and transaction capability required by today's sophisticated financial market participants, today announced support of over 400 technology devices throughout its multiple data centers. This significant buildout includes client equipment colocated proximate to exchange matching engines as well as Nagamasa Global network and operational infrastructure. Client hosted technology devices increased 19% since its inception. "We see accelerated demand for server colocation," explained Nagamasa Global's President and Chief Executive Officer, Fuyuki R. Setsuna, "client focus on cost reduction coupled with trust and confidence in our talented technology team seem to propel this increase." "The growth in colocated equipment highlights our technology team's quality service, network monitoring, on-site maintenance and support," explained Kazuo Yoshika, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Nagamasa Global. Nagamasa Global offers flexible monthly pricing with no long-term contracts required. The firm leases over 1,000 square meters of data center space strategically located in proximity to major exchange trade matching engines. Server colocation brings client trading strategies close to exchange matcing enginesreducing latency, execution times and points of potential failure. "Nagamasa Global colocation provides clients reliable, high-performance connectivity at a fraction of the cost of a private data center," added Hatsuo Setsuna, Chief Technology Officer, Nagamasa Global. "Our economies of scale enable Nagamasa Global to price competitively, maintain performance and efficiency and provide exceptional service. When the markets are open, we are open, staffed 24/6 to provide support. We want to be the premiere choice for our clients." About Nagamasa Global Nagamasa Global provides insights in the commodities markets to all market participants to allow them to make better business decisions with confidence. The firm includes a team of experienced financial and market advisors offering a vast list of services for small-scale businesses, individuals, corporate and governmental entities. The company is emerging as a trusted commodity broker with customers from different sectors looking for expertise in pricing, news, and analytics. The company focuses on feasibility more than anything else, and this is the reason it provides a wide array of products and services to its clients that allow them to better sustain their investments. Disclaimer: The news site hosting this press release is not associated with Nagamasa Global or Fuyuki R. Setsuna. It is merely publishing a paid press release announcement submitted by a company, without any stated or implied endorsement of the person, product, service or information above. Please consult a registered investment advisor before making any investment. This press release is not a solicitation. Press Contact: Haruto Subaru 0556-959395 http://nagamasa-global.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nagamasa-global-announced-support-of-over-400-technology-devices-throughout-its-multiple-data-centers-301213466.html SOURCE Nagamasa Global [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Dhaka, Jan 24 : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Saturday that nobody will remain homeless in the country, which is celebrating the golden jubilee of its independence this year. "No one will remain shelter-less in the 'Mujib Barsho' and the golden jubilee year of Bangladesh's independence. Our resources may be limited, but I'll provide at least one address to every person in the country. Millions of martyrs who had made supreme sacrifice for the country will get peace. The only aim of the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was to change the fate of the people of the country," Hasina said. The Prime Minister said she believes that when people will live in their own houses, the departed souls of her father and mother, who sacrificed their entire lives for the people of the country, will be in peace. "My father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had fought throughout his life for the people of the country. I'm very happy that we've been able to give addresses to the people, especially in the winter season," Hasina said. The Prime Minister said that distributing homes to around 70,000 homeless families is a proud moment for the country as it gives people a secured and better hope for the future. "This is the biggest festival ever for the country, as we're giving homes to the homeless people. I want your blessings so that we can build the country as Golden Bengal as dreamt by the Father of the Nation," Hasina said. The Hasina regime is distributing homes to more than 66,000 landless and homeless families across the country under the Ashrayan-2 project as part of the government's pledge to provide houses to all on the occasion of 'Mujib Borsho' and the golden jubilee of the country's independence. Hasina also said that her government will provide another 100,000 houses to the homeless people across the country. "The process will start very soon. We do hope that there'll be no homeless people in the country," she said. The Prime Minister joined the inauguration programme for the ditribution of homes virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban and got connected to 492 upazillas across the country. She also spoke to a cross-section of people, including the beneficiaries, through video conferencing. Each home under the Ashrayan-2 project has two rooms, one kitchen, one toilet and a veranda, costing 1.75 lakh Bangladeshi taka. Hasina said that her government is working for all sections of people so that they could lead a safe and secured life. To set-up Digital Clinics for over 3 lakhs doctors in India Within a month of setting its footprint in the Indian market, Estonia based global e-health innovator company Viveo Health, has announced two major partnerships with the Indian companies Doceree and Credihealth. Trusted by thousands of health professionals in over 40 countries around the world, Viveo Health is committed to provide world-class telemedicine solutions to the Doctors and Healthcare professionals in India. As the global e-health market is all set to thrive at a high pace through the pandemic, India is also witnessing a reforming trend in the adoption of digital healthcare services. With a prime objective of connecting the doctors to patients at a click of a button, Viveo Health has partnered with Doceree to set-up Digital Clinics for over 3 lakh doctors. Digital Clinics will be a virtual office platform for doctors that would be offered free of charge by Viveo Health to doctors and other medical professionals. Doceree, a physician-only platform for programmatic marketing, is working towards building more effective ways for pharma brands to keep the doctors community engaged. The partnership will benefit both the companies in onboarding doctors onto the technology platform in a simple, quick and easiest way possible. To make healthcare more accessible and affordable in India, Viveo Health has partnered with Credihealth. The partnership will enable 35000 doctors to connect with over 10 million patients annually and further boost the confidence of patients and their family members, as they get personalised guidance from a team of medical experts. Credihealth is building a healthcare ecosystem where people from around the world can quickly find credible and reliable answers to their medical problems along with easy access to the best healthcare experts to guide them towards a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life. During his current visit to India, Raul Kallo, CEO and Founder of Viveo Health said, As India is establishing itself as a major presence in the digital economy, we are indeed happy to bring the best of technology from one of the worlds most advanced digital economies Estonia. At Viveo, we aim to help every doctor and patient to have a seamless consultation, thereby making quality healthcare accessible to every Indian. Renowned cable news interviewer and American broadcaster, Larry King who had interviewed several public figures and stalwarts of the Hollywood industry in his glorious career have passed on Saturday morning away at the age of 87. His team announced the same on his social media account. Larry had been hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai medical centre, in Los Angeles where he was also showcasing symptoms of COVID-19. The broadcaster hosted his popular flagship show on CNN titled, Larry King Live for 25 years. Owing to Larry King's unique and uncomplicated style of interviewing, the show garnered 1.5 million viewers every night. Larry interviewed celebrities like Lady Gaga, Frank Sinatra to politicians like Donald Trump, Richard Nixon and Nelson Mandela. Larry hosted specials for CNN until the year 2012. After that, he went on to launch his production venture, Ora TV along with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim. His shows constantly became references to several media outlets across the world. Larry King is now survived by his children, Larry Jr, Chance and Cannon. His team announced on his social media page that the funeral arrangements and a memorial service will soon be underway in accordance with the late interviewer's family who has requested for some privacy during this phase of mourning. Years ago I asked an indigenous guide in Peru whether his people still felt the echo of the Spanish conquest. Yes, he said, and added that sometimes he felt that he had two identities, one indigenous and the other New Spanish. Your letters section (The Age, 23/1) illustrates the false dichotomy that has arisen in the debate over Australia Day: to question the wisdom of holding Australia Day on January 26 does not mean we cant be proud Australians, as some have suggested. It is wilfully obtuse to suggest it. It is very obvious that Indigenous people or First People all over the world still feel the painful echo of the colonial shock. Emotional time does not track clock time. By most measures Australia is one of the most benign places on Earth in which to live. That shouldnt rule out self-critique and adjustment when it is for the greater good. A reflection on Australia Day, supported rather than routinely opposed by government, would be a sign of our maturity as a nation. Michael Read, Carnegie Accept the challenge It is sad that it seems so hard to celebrate our nation on January 26. It would seem whatever date was picked there would be a problem for some. Like all nations, we have a chequered history, things of which we are proud and things we regret but we are Australians and we have the challenge of building a strong and inclusive future. Tolerance, reconciliation and a desire for the common good are needed from us all. Let us accept that challenge. Graham Reynolds, Soldiers Hill A spirit of inclusion Archie Roach, sharing his thoughts on the concept of creating a new national anthem (Spectrum, 23/1), offered the following: We belong to an ancient land, we belong to an ancient story ... Thats not just talking about First Peoples. I believe that everybody who lives in this country, whether they understand it or not, they belong to that story. TUPELO, Miss (WTVA)- Residents and employees of Rosewood an assisted living center got the chance to get the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine Friday. WTVAs Chelsea Brown spoke with residents and workers about how they feel. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2021) US President Joe Biden spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his first call with a foreign leader, the White House said. "President Biden spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his first call to a foreign leader as President of the United States, highlighting the strategic importance of the U.S.-Canada relationship and reinvigorating our bilateral cooperation on an ambitious and wide-ranging agenda," a statement published late on Friday read. The two discussed cooperation on the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening economic and defense ties as well as global leadership on combating climate change, according to the White House. Biden acknowledged the Canadian prime minister's "disappointment regarding the decision to rescind the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline." One of Biden's first acts as president was to suspend the construction of the controversial oil pipeline. The project was projected to carry some 800,000 barrels of oil per day from the tar sands of Alberta to several US states through Native American lands. Biden promised to make a U-turn on the climate policy of former US President Donald Trump. Alongside canceling the pipeline, Biden reinstated the country to the Paris Agreement in his first flurry of executive orders. PORTLAND, Ore. --- During a press conference Friday, Gov. Kate Brown defended her decision to vaccinate educators before older Oregonians who don't live in long-term care facilities. Brown said Oregon has done a better job of protecting seniors than almost every other state. I have prioritized protecting seniors since day one of this response, the governor said. She added Oregon has the second-lowest COVID-19 infection rate among seniors in the country. Brown said vaccinating educators before Oregon's seniors is the only way schools could safely reopen during this school year. She said students must return to schools for their own mental health. I am asking these seniors to hold tight and stay safe for just a few more weeks, Brown said. I wish we had more vaccines to give. Over the next three weeks, the Oregon Health Authority expects the vast majority of the nearly 87,000 doses they plan on delivering to educators to be administered. Health officials said the state receives 50,000 doses every week. Oregon has about 105,000 teachers and other K-12 staff along with 47,000 early learning and child care staff who are eligible starting Monday. Oregon Health Authority will provide enough doses to administer 30,000 the week of Jan. 24 and more than 31,000 doses the week of Jan. 31. The OHA said the size of the educator workforce is manageable enough that the supply of the vaccines the state gets from the federal government will allow them to vaccinate most educators before Feb. 8, which is when some seniors qualify to start getting vaccinated. OHA said by Monday, the state will have vaccinated 67% of the phase 1A workforce and long-term care facilities. It's important to note that anyone who is in Phase 1A that hasn't received their shot yet will stay eligible to get one. The state is reserving about 40,000 first doses for them. To date, over 12,000 doses have been given out to those in phase 1A per day. The Oregon Health Authority said we are a week ahead of schedule in terms of getting through that first phase in the vaccine rollout. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation Funds New Playground for USMs Childrens Center Wed, 01/20/2021 - 13:48pm | By: Courtney Tesh The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation has awarded a grant of $323,540 to The Childrens Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Miss through the USM Foundation. The funds will be used to build a new playground on USMs Gulf Park campus. Once finished, the playground will serve as a much-needed outdoor therapy space for the children with complex disabilities who receive cost-free services from The Childrens Center, and as an inclusive play space for children in the Gulf Coast region both with and without developmental disabilities. Currently, the Centers Gulf Park location provides a wide range of therapies, including Listening and Spoken Language Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Audiology, and Behavioral Therapy, for 40 children in the southern six counties of the state, all at no cost to their families. Through this grant, the Center will be able to expand the scope of these therapies through fully accessible outdoor play, using carefully chosen equipment and therapy tools that encourage motor and speech development, as well as social interaction with peers. The impact this new therapy playground will have on our families, as well as on families in the region, is hard to quantify, said Sarah Myers, Director of The Childrens Center. For our little ones, this is much more than a playground. We know, and research has shown, that play is therapy. This wheelchair and walker-accessible space has been designed with that in mind. Added Myers: One of our biggest goals at the Center is to tailor our therapy plan for each child, addressing all areas of their development, and preparing them for that day they transition to their local school district. Without a doubt, the existence of this new playground will better allow us to do just that. It wouldnt be possible without the generosity of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. We are so grateful for their partnership. Center students and families are understandably excited about the new space. My son, Justus, would love the opportunity to play on the new playground, as learning through play is his favorite, said Childrens Center parent, Amy DeFazio. He has recently been exposed to monkey bars at a local playground and looks forward to figuring out how to adapt and overcome using his lucky fin. I know, as a mom, a playground is a safe place for him to wrestle through challenges while still having fun. The Childrens Center also plans to host play opportunities for children and families within the community, helping promote inclusion, and expanding the impact of this new space to include other families in the Gulf Coast region. The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is proud to partner with The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation to improve the overall health of students at The Childrens Center through fun and interactive therapeutic play, said Sheila B. Grogan, Foundation President. Achieving healthy milestones throughout life is the Foundations goal for every child. Anti-mask protesters tried to enter a Sydney Westfield on Saturday but had their efforts blocked by a wall of police officers. The defiant protest came as authorities fear the hot Australia Day long weekend weather may spark another Covid-19 outbreak. Police blocked about two dozen anti-maskers from entering the Parramatta Westfield shopping centre. Officers turned them away as they marched through Centenary Square on Saturday, waving home-made placards and shouting thatthe coronavirus was a 'scam'. It was the second week in a row that the group, which co-ordinates its protests on social media, has tried to storm the mall. As anti-mask protesters marched to Westfield Parramatta, Sydneysiders flocked to Bondi Beach to cool off on the hot Australia Day long weekend 'Covid is a scam' yelled the protesters as they waved placards and marched to Westfield A model is snapped by several photographers during a beach photoshoot in Bondi on Saturday Footage showed police turning them back, telling them 'No, you're not allowed in Westfield.' NSW Police issued a move-on direction and arrested a 48-year-old man who did not comply. New South Wales has made mask-wearing mandatory in enclosed public spaces such as shopping malls and public transport to reduce the spread of coronavirus while avoiding a lockdown. The state has recorded its sixth straight day without a local transmission but authorities are concerned the hot weather over the Australia Day long weekend may spark a super-spreader event. One Sydneysider is captured bombing into the water while swimming down at Coogee One swimmer prepares to set up for a day at the beach in Bondi on Saturday There were thousands of beachgoers lounging around in Bondi on Saturday while temperatures soared Waverley Council, which takes in a swathe of popular eastern beaches including Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte, is particularly worried. Large crowds were seen packing out Bondi Beach on Saturday. Drones are being used to monitor crowds and distancing, while Waverley mayor Paula Masselos urged people to leave the beach if it gets too busy. Some beach goers tried to avoid the heat by lying under umbrellas while at Coogee on Saturday 'Australia Day is a time for celebration but I would be really disappointed if a new Covid-19 cluster were to emerge in Sydney because people ignored the Public Health Order limiting outdoor public gatherings to 30 people or the health advice about social distancing by 1.5 metres or keeping one towel-length apart,' Ms Masselos said. Sunbathers have been urged to stay one towel length apart and not to congregate in groups of more than 30 people. Lifeguards will also be reminding beachgoers to keep their distance from each other. Residents living in Australia's south east have been warned about a heat wave that's expected to last over the next four days (pictured Bondi Beach on Saturday) A heat map of southeast Australia at 4pm on Saturday. Maximums will climb into the 40s inland and up to 39C in Adelaide on this day Beachgoers head into the water to cool off from sweltering conditions in Sydney on Saturday Beachgoers at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach. Residents of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT have been warned of heat exhaustion and fire dangers from Saturday to Wednesday, including the Australia Day public holiday Some friends enjoyed the start to the long weekend with a day at Bondi beach with eskies in tow Thousands of Sydneysiders raced down to Bondi to cool off at the beach on Saturday as Australia's south-east battles through an 'extreme heatwave' over the Australia Day long weekend. Sydney was set to reach 30C on Saturday and by midday most of the city's beaches were completely packed. Bondi Beach looked to be as busy as it was before the Covid-19 pandemic with families, friends and scantily clad swimmers filling up the sand. Surfers take advantage of the warm weather as they hit the waves in Bondi The scorching temperatures are expected to last well into the night across NSW The heatwave in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania is expected to last until Wednesday with residents being warned of heat exhaustion and fire dangers. 'We have a large high pressure system sitting out in the Tasman and inland trough and together they're acting to funnel in a hot northerly air mass,' the Bureau of Meteorology's Alexander Majchrowski said. One beachgoer heads back to the sand after taking a dip in the water at Bondi Beach Sydney siders flocked to Bondi to welcome the Australia Day long weekend Sydney will reach a maximum of 29C on Saturday, 33C on Sunday, 31C on Monday and back to 33C for Tuesday's public holiday - with sunny weather persisting through all four days Friends dive into the water at Coogee Beach to celebrate the start of the long weekend People are seen diving into the water at Bondi Beach on Saturday as temperatures soar BoM meteorologist Jonathan How said conditions in southeast Australia over the weekend would be the warmest since January 2020. 'Temperatures will rise from Friday, especially across southern NSW and towards South Australia,' he said. 'Western Sydney will begin a run of five days above 35 degrees. 'On Saturday, maximums will climb into the 40s inland and up to 39C in Adelaide. 'Sunday will be the peak day of heat in South Australia, climbing as high as 45C along the Murray. 'On Monday, Victoria and Tasmania will see the most intense heat, reaching 41C in Melbourne and 33C in Hobart.' The air mass will bring severe to extreme heatwave conditions, with temperatures expected to reach 16 degrees above average in some areas. As a result, fire danger will be elevated on Sunday and Monday, with the NSW RFS warning people should use the next few days to prepare. 'People need to take this seriously,' director Peter McKechnie told reporters on Thursday. The heatwave also has lifesavers on high alert, with Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce saying this is 'probably the weekend we've been looking out for'. The air mass will bring severe to extreme heatwave conditions, with temperatures expected to reach 16 degrees above average in some areas. As a result, fire danger will be elevated on Sunday and Monday, with the NSW RFS warning people should use the next few days to prepare. A mother is seen swimming with her baby at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Saturday 'People need to take this seriously,' director Peter McKechnie told reporters on Thursday. The heatwave also has lifesavers on high alert, with Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce saying this is 'probably the weekend we've been looking out for'. Bega, on the state's south coast, is expected to reach at least 39 degrees on Monday, and western Sydney will be in the same range on Sunday and Monday. Sydney was set to reach 30C on Saturday and by midday most of the city's beaches were completely packed (pictured Bondi Beach) A Sydney couple head down to Coogee Beach on Saturday to take advantage of the perfect weather NSW-Victoria border towns could endure temperatures up to 44 degrees. Victoria will also see temperatures building to a peak on Monday, with most major centres in the state's north surpassing 40 degrees. Melbourne will reach a high of 27C on Saturday, which will increase to 34C on Sunday and 41C on Monday. In typical Melbourne fashion, the maximum temperature will plunge by 17C to just 24C on Tuesday with showers set to replace sunny skies. Further south in Hobart, the maximum will be 25C on Saturday, 26C on Sunday and peak at 34C on Monday. Like Melbourne, Hobart's maximum temperature will significantly drop to 21C on Tuesday with a possible shower. Sydneysiders race across the hot sand while visiting Coogee Beach on Saturday Canberra will face temperatures of 30C and above from Saturday to Wednesday. The maximum will be 37C on Saturday, 38C on Sunday and Monday, 35C on Tuesday and 30C on Wednesday - with sunny skies persisting the whole time, although there is the chance of a possible shower on Wednesday. Mr How said the high temperatures will create 'uncomfortably warm nights, making it difficult to recover from hot days'. 'Heatwaves are normal for summer but they effect everyone differently, it's important to look out for the more vulnerable, including pets and local wildlife,' he said. Beachgoers pictured at Bondi Beach on a hot summers day 'This weekend, remember to factor in the heat and any fire weather warnings, stay up to day with the forecast, stay up to date, stay hydrated and stay safe.' Temperatures in Brisbane will be much more mild with a maximum 30C on Saturday, which will drop to 29C on Sunday and continue until Tuesday. Meanwhile on the west coast, Perth will reach a maximum of 28C on Saturday, 26C on Sunday and Monday, and back up to 28C for Tuesday. In the Top End, Darwin will reach a maximum of 31C on Saturday, which is expected to stay the same until Wednesday, when it will increase to 32C. Showers and storms are expected from Saturday until Friday as the Northern Territory is currently going through its Wet Season. The Teamsters union is moving to shut down the strike of 1,400 Hunts Point produce market workers in the Bronx. Teamsters Local 202 has called a mass meeting for Sunday morning, likely to carry out a snap vote to end the strike. Local 202 President Danny Kane announced a tentative agreement late Friday night. Workers picket at the Hunts Point Market on January 19, 2021 [Credit: WSWS Photo] The Teamsters has not released any information to the membership on the terms of any deal. However, by all indications it will propose that workers accept less than the meager dollar-an-hour wage increase at the center of the strike and seek to force workers to return to work. The Socialist Equality Party calls on Hunts Point workers to vote no. We urge workers to reject any attempt to halt the strike prematurely just as it is winning mass support from the working class in New York City. On Thursday, Kane effectively dropped the call for a dollar more an hour when he told workers, Please believe me, its more important than a little nickel here or a nickel there, its what you did." Yesterday, the local distributed a leaflet to strikers telling them. If these current negotiations bear fruit, and the results are reasonable, we intend to hold a Ratification Vote. The fact that the Teamsters are forcing a snap vote, before workers have had the time to study the full proposal, can only mean that the deal being worked out with management is a sellout. Workers must stop this betrayal by forming a rank-and-file strike committee, elected democratically by workers themselves, to take the conduct of the strike and negotiations out of the hands of the Teamsters and fight for the expansion of the struggle throughout the city and beyond. Workers should demand a 40 percent wage increase to make up for more than a decade of falling real wages, along with fully funded health care benefits and immediate vaccinations. Workers are fighting for more than just the wage increase. The strike reflects mass anger over the homicidal response of the ruling class to the pandemic, which has resulted in the death of more than 400,000 people in the US. As a direct consequence of the effort to reopen workplaces and schools, the virus is once again raging out of control. As many as 400 Hunts Point workers have been infected by COVID-19 to date, and six have died. Workers continue to struggle with poverty-level wages, while no expense has been spared to inflate the stock market and rescue the fortunes of the corporate and financial elite. Conditions are extremely favorable to develop the strike into a broader struggle, involving teachers, transit workers and other sections of the working class in New York and beyond to fight back against inequality, poverty and the spread of the pandemic. Workers are eagerly supporting the strike. Hundreds of ordinary workers have visited the picket lines, and thousands of others have expressed their support on social media. They rightly see it as the beginning of an offensive against the ruling class which has gained so much from the misery imposed on millions of people. As one social worker told the Word Socialist Web Site: "Myself and other social workers definitely support the Hunts Point Market Strike! Its important especially during these times that people stick together and not accept less than what they deserve! Im sure the workers at Hunts Point are overworked and have families that depend on them. Without the employees at Hunts Point Market a lot wouldnt be possible! Its also unfair that businesses get these loans and grants and do not provide an increase in wages for employees." The importance of the strike's location, in New York City, is not lost on workers. Only miles away from the picket line, Wall Street has spent the last ten months feasting on mass death, in the form of the biggest rise in share values in history. US billionaires alone accrued more than $1 trillion in new wealth last year. Meanwhile, over one million New Yorkers have lost their jobs and over 26,000 people have died, including six at Hunts Point. The potential for a broader united struggle is precisely why the Teamsters is seeking to end the strike. Indeed, the Teamsters has sought to isolate the struggle as much as possible. It has not even called out the entire workforce at Hunts Point. It has made no effort to mobilize hundreds of thousands of UPS workers and other Teamsters members, whom they have done nothing to defend throughout the entire pandemic. Moreover, it sought to starve out the striking workers by not providing any strike pay. The Teamsters, controlled by wealthy bureaucrats, does not represent the interests of the workers but of the employers. The trade union executives are trying to strangle the strike because they fear it can become a catalyst for a broader movement of the working class, which would quickly develop into a direct conflict not only with New York Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo but the incoming Biden administration. That is why they have brought a parade of Democrats, including Congresswoman and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to the picket lines. These photo-ops were designed to cover up the fact that the Democrats, no less than Republicans, defend American capitalism and are opposed to any measures to halt the pandemic which impinge upon profits. Indeed, it is the Democratic Party which is the chief author of the social catastrophe in New York during the pandemic. Their real attitude towards the strike was exposed earlier in the week when Mayor Bill De Blasio sent riot cops against striking workers. The first task of a rank-and-file strike committee will be to spread the strike to workers at other Hunts Points markets, including the meat market and the fish market. They must also send out delegates to every section of the working class in the city, including educators and other city workers, transit workers, UPS workers and Amazon workers for coordinated strike action and a set of demands that answer the needs of all workers. We propose that workers adopt the following demands: Living wages and genuine protection for all essential workers. Not $1 an hour, but a 40 percent wage increase for all workers. Conditions in every essential workplace must be overseen by a rank-and-file committee, that, working with health care professionals, has the ability to shut down operations if they are not safe. The immediate shutdown of all non-essential production, along with schools and universities. Emergency action must be taken now to stop the spread of the deadly virus until a vaccine is available and the virus is brought completely under control. Full income for workers until production reopens, to be paid for through the expropriation of the wealth of the capitalist oligarchs who have profited amidst mass death and social misery. The Socialist Equality Party and the World Socialist Web Site will render every assistance possible to help workers communicate with each other and set up an independent rank-and-file strike committee. There already exits an Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee in the city, which is mobilizing teachers, school bus workers, and custodians against the unsafe reopening of schools. The most basic principle of this fight is that the measures needed to address the immense public health, economic and social crisis must be based, not on what the billionaires and corporate-controlled politicians claim they can afford, but on what is necessary for workers and society as a whole, not the profits of the rich. To contact the World Socialist Web Site, click here. "Every American has been impacted by the pandemic. Honoring the lost family, friends, team members and neighbors is part of who we are as a company. By working together to support this campaign, our hotels became part of something bigger," said Joseph Bojanowski, President of PM Hotel Group. "It's important to remember the impact we can have when we band together to promote issues that affect each of us and our communities." In addition to glowing amber, each hotel shared the moment with guests. At the Hilton Baltimore|BWI hotel guests were invited to participate by lighting a candle or ringing a hotel bell during the evening vigil. PM Hotel Group develops and delivers memorable guest experiences and is committed to travelers' health and wellness. We are committed to ensuring Peace of Mind and have created our signature program Peace of Mind by PM Hotel Group to enhance guest confidence during this time when circumstances require greater vigilance to cleanliness and safety. At PM Hotel Group, our team is passionate about the art of hospitality, now more than ever. About PM Hotel Group A Top-15 hotel management company, PM Hotel Group has over two decades of experience building relationships with brands, partners, and third-party hotel owners. We have participated in the development and acquisition of more than $3 billion in premium-branded and independent hotel properties across the United States. As an operator, PM Hotel Group is committed to its core values of respect- for one another, our guests and the planet. We manage with a dedication to sustainability, a tradition of teamwork and a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. At PM Hotel Group we know that our people are our greatest resource. By focusing on our associates and the communities in which we work, we deliver strong performance for our owners. Learn more at pmhotelgroup.com MEDIA CONTACT Jennifer Diamond Haber [email protected] 301.957.0012 SOURCE PM Hotel Group Related Links pmhotelgroup.com "We don't just need schools for education, you need it for support." A mother of a teenage son from Sligo with intellectual disabilities and multiple diagnoses feels the Government has washed their hands of children with special needs following their U turn on reopening schools as planned on January 11th last. Plans to reopen special schools or schools or classes for pupils with special needs were scrapped days before the intended date for reopening, leaving many parents of children with special needs in a state of distress. Uncertainty still remains if the new plans to reopen special schools will happen this Thursday. "To do a U turn like that they should have sat down and thought about it before they announced anything. I don't blame teachers," says the mother, whose son attends a local school for pupils with special needs. Believing the Government's early announcements to open special schools along with creches as being a certain fact, she told her son he would be going back to school, a place he had so looked forward to getting back to following the Christmas break. "I don't usualyt tell my son until I'm 100 percent sure, but I told my son, they said it was special schools and creches, I thought it was concrete, I would never have told him. I've turned his world upside down." Covid-19 has been tough enough for the Sligo mother and her children, with another of her sons attending college remotely from his bedroom. "I have a boy in college with intellectual disability and he is entitled to a reader, but he doesn't have that now. He's in his bedroom studying and the home and family unit has been destroyed." She tells The Sligo Champion the lines of home and school have been blurred, an especially for her teenage son, this has impacted him greatly. "School is an extension of family, it's not just a place of education, teachers SNAs and friends, they are all very important people to life ad then he doesn't see them." She adds, "I don't for one minute blame the teachers, but government shouldn't have said special needs were going back and then not. Schools are very supportive, they send out work, but our kids can't learn online like other children, our children learn by socialising. The mother said families of children and teenagers with special needs can only do so much. "We are a family. Home time is for home and school is for learning. For kids with learning difficulties they need structure, the lines are blurred." 'Devastation' is how she describes the government U turn on re openings. "I said 'You're going back in Monday', he was so delighted and then the U turn, the devastation was unreal. He said, 'You told me I was going back' and straight away the anxiety and meltdown started. We increased his medication but that didn't help." Many children with additional needs require structure and routine, even more so than many of their peers, and, with little routine and huge uncertainty going forward, this is having a detrimental affect on children with special needs and their wellbeing. "Usually my child is very good, he's on medication for anxiety, but since Covid started it's gone through the roof. Because he cant say what his fears are he acts out. We tried to not mention Covid in our house, we can't prevent people talking about it, [he sees] people wearing masks, he has the fear of getting it. It impacts all the family members in the house." The routine and structure the teen has had having attended the Special School for eight years, meant all aspects of his development were progressing, but, with the closure of the school, his mother already feels irreparable regression is taking place. "He went back to school and there was a bit of structure, routine. He was going in and out to school, in September. He always slept but his sleep has been disturbed since Covid came. Now he has regressed to being tucked in [to bed]. He's tried to control family because of his anxiety, to see what he can control," she explains. Without in class engagement, she tells The Sligo Champion she is already seeing evident signs of regression in her son. "I've seen it already, he was coming on great with reading, you can see regression. Our children learn by repetitiveness, because he's not getting it, he's regressed big time. Not only in education, but socially. "My son is 14, now he wants to hold my hand. All over he's regressed, he's regressed by years. We may never get that [his independence] back. He was doing good, but he's gone back. I was working towards his independence, after 14 years he wasn't holding my hand. Lack of structure and uncertainties about when her son will return to a classroom setting has lead to the teen acting out. "He can't vocalise what he feels so it has to come out some way." She goes on to explain just how invaluable her son's attendance at St Joseph's is, and the impacts on family life without the lifeline of school. "Medication is not the answer. I know my son works best in structure. "When he comes home from school, he can let go, but everything is so upside down for him now. It impacts everyone who comes into contact with him, his siblings. That impacts the relationship with siblings. "Even if its socialisation in St Joseph's it's invaluable, any work he gets benefits him. Or doing a message, being given that responsibility to bring a message to the office. "They [teachers] are trained to cater for children with needs, they know what level he's functioning at." A mother to children across various levels of education, from pre school, special needs school, and college, she tells The Sligo Champion she simply cannot provide all that is needed, especially when it comes to the needs of her teenage son. "He can prompt them [teachers] to know what he needs, they're trained to pick up on these things. It's all well and good to send out work, readers, but he worked for other people better than his mum. "I'm his mum, I'm not his teacher, I'm there to nurture and to cuddle him, but he identifies I'm his safe place. "The home is his safe place." It is the uncertainty for many parents of children with special needs that is the worst. "We cannot sustain this, my son has been on high alert for a year." Getting her son back to school is paramount, for his wellbeing and development, and she says it was like the carpet had been pulled from underneath us when the Government postponed the reopening. When numbers were going up at Christmas I said I can cope with anything as long as he is in school, he had routine and structure. I can cope with no cinema, shops, anything as long as he was in school. Concerned for her son with special needs, she is also concerned for all children who are currently learning from home. Its not just children with disabilities. Seesaw [online learning platform] is a good platform but still, children are having to learn a new way of learning to go on a computer now, but theres no interaction. Theres nothing as good as a human voice teaching a child. I think this is going to regress all children, it will impact them for years to come. Asked if she had a message for Government, and in particular Minister for Education, Norma Foley, she spoke candidly. They really need to think of getting children with special needs back to school. Most [special] schools dont have more than ten in a class, so tell me they cant do social distancing. If they dont put schools back by February there has to be some way theyre going to put additional supports in. I mean SNAs or something for so many hours, its not teachers fault. And dont give a date [for reopening] and pull carpet from under peoples feet again." * Further coverage in the January 19th edition of The Sligo Champion Workers must reject a sell-out agreement struck between the United Workers Union (UWU) and Coles, covering 350 employees at the supermarket giants Smeaton Grange warehouse in southwestern Sydney. December 2020 photo of Coles workers picketing the shuttered Smeaton Grange facility [Credit: WSWS] The deal, if it is not defeated, will allow the planned closure of the facility by 2024, the destruction of most, if not all, permanent jobs, and an offensive against pay and conditions. This would set a precedent for a stepped-up assault against workers throughout the supermarket and logistics sector, including further closures and mass sackings. In a Facebook post yesterday afternoon, the UWU announced that it had rammed the agreement through an indicative vote of union members that concluded on Friday, 2p.m. By the unions own account, nearly 40 percent of valid votes opposed the betrayal. The UWU insisted that workers would return to the warehouse immediatelyafter a ten-week company lockoutas Coles begins its job destruction, initially through voluntary redundancies and then forced sackings. This dictate should be dismissed with the contempt that it deserves. The UWU is declaring that the agreement is a done deal, before a legally-mandated ballot of all Smeaton Grange workers has been held. It is trying to bully workers to return, on company terms, without any opportunity to discuss the agreement or scrutinise its content. The indicative union ballot was an anti-democratic farce, resembling elections held under dictatorships, where voters are effectively given only one choice. Workers were told, with virtually no notice, that the vote was to be held. In a Facebook group for Smeaton Grange workers, a post, made less than an hour-and-a-half before the poll was set to close, advised workers to contact a union representative if they did not yet have the link to vote. Some workers said they feared their vote would not be counted, because of technical issues. According to the figures provided by the union, 255 valid votes were counted from 359 ballots. More than 100 votes were discounted as duplicates, and two were thrown out due to invalid IDs. The union claimed that 156 of the ballots deemed legitimate were yes votes, accounting for 61 percent, with 96 no votes, or 38 percent. Because it was an in-house ballot organised by the UWU, there is no way of confirming the bona fides of these figures. In any case, the union presented workers with an agreement that was virtually identical to ones that they had voted down on six previous occasions, including in a company-organised ballot only a week earlier. In the January 15 company ballot, the UWU declared that it had a neutral position, in order to place maximum pressure on workers to ratify the deal. When that was rejected, despite the efforts of the union, UWU officials reportedly requested closed-door talks with Coles management. They then told workers that they would have to vote again, this time in a union-organised poll. In other words, yesterdays ballot was an attempt to nullify the results of a vote of all Smeaton Grange workers, held just a week before. The message from the union was: you will keep voting until we get the result that we and management want. This anti-democratic operation was the culmination of a two-month campaign by the UWU to wear down workers until they acceded to company demands. Throughout the lockout, the union has isolated the workers, refusing to take any action at other warehouses operated by Coles and its chief competitor Woolworths, thus ensuring that there has been no disruption to the activities of the multi-billion dollar corporations. At the same time, the union has sought to starve workers out by refusing to provide any strike pay. The UWU, which claims 150,000 dues-paying members across the country, instead organised an online fundraiser that would amount to a one-off payment of roughly $200 to workers, who have not received a wage for ten weeks. The UWUs chief concern throughout has been to cover-up its role in the planned job destruction, and to ensure its own seat at the bargaining table, where it trades workers jobs, wages and conditions in exchange for the privileges of union officialdom. The contents of the deal, as reported by the UWU, confirm that it is a police force of management seeking to enforce an orderly closure of Smeaton Grange. In its Facebook post announcing the result of the ballot, the UWU reported that it had secured a minimum number of 50 Voluntary Redundancies, which can go up to 80, with a process that starts from todays date. This will assist Coles aim of getting rid of the existing workforce as quickly as possible. The union has claimed to be fighting for fair redundancy provisions, but the deal provides for payments equivalent to 4 weeks per year of service capped at 80 weeks. Coles offered this months ago, but the workers rejected it. Wages are not even mentioned in the post, but the UWU dropped its initial claim of 5.5 percent rises per annum in December, accepting Coles proposal of a paltry 3.5 percent. There would be no back pay of the wages lost during the lockout. Other highlights provided by the union are equally contemptible. It stated that it had ensured an 80 percent20 percent ratio of permanents to casuals. But that is similar to what already exists, and it would only cover Smeaton Grange, which is to be shut down. The union said it had made sure that outplacement services would be mandated by the enterprise agreement. Workers would be referred to private job providers after they are sacked, where they might be shunted into low-paid, casual work, or left on the scrapheap. Workers face a turning point. There is substantial opposition to the sell-out deal. But it can be defeated only through a rebellion against the UWU and the establishment of new organisations of genuine struggle. This requires the formation of a rank-and-file committee at Smeaton Grange that is completely independent of the union, as well as at Coles, Woolworths and other warehousing facilities across the country. The first step is to organise the widest campaign for a no vote in the official ballot on the Smeaton Grange agreement. But that is just the beginning. The defence of jobs requires an industrial and political counter-offensive, involving workers throughout the sector. Strikes and other actions should be planned at all Coles facilities. The warning must go out: what is taking place at Smeaton Grange will occur at your warehouse, if we do not take up a struggle now. This is a political fight. Any action by Coles workers will come up against not only company management and the unions, but the corporate media, the big business Labor Party and the industrial courts. All of them rely upon the Fair Work Australia legislation, imposed by the last Labor government and the unions, to intimidate workers with the threats of massive fines and imprisonment for unauthorised strikes and protests. This can be defeated only by building a political movement of the working class as a whole. A powerful appeal can be made to other sections of workers, who face the same assault on jobs, wages and conditions as at Smeaton Grange, amid a crisis of world capitalism and an austerity offensive by governments and employers everywhere. This struggle must be linked to the fight for a workers government and socialism. None of the social rights of the working class can be defended without a frontal assault on the wealth of the corporate oligarchy, which is expanding like never before, even as workers face an unprecedented social crisis. The major corporations, including Coles and Woolworths, and the banks, must be placed under public ownership and democratic workers control. That is the perspective fought for by the Socialist Equality Party. We urge workers at Smeaton Grange, other Coles facilities and throughout the sector to contact us today. McCracken Educators Get COVID Vaccine By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - As part of the effort to immunize local educators against the novel coronavirus, employees of McCracken County Schools received vaccines on Friday.The school district said 650 employees got their first dose of the vaccine, which was not mandatory. This means over 60 percent of district staff have been vaccinated. They include teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, volunteers, administrators, and school board members.Employees from Baptist Health Paducah assisted school nurses at clinics set up inside McCracken County High School and Reidland Middle School.Everyone who gets the first dose will have to return in 28 days for the second round of shots.Many teachers and employees took to social media to show their #StickItToCOVID t-shirts or their vaccination record.One nurse at the clinic, APRN Felicia Cooper, was able to vaccinate her husband, Heath Elementary School Principal Laine Cooper.Earlier this month, Purchase District Health Department Director Kent Koster said staff at McCracken, Ballard, Carlisle, Hickman and Fulton County schools would be vaccinated by Friday. Employees at Paducah Independent Schools, Community Christian Academy and St. Mary will be vaccinated in the coming week. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Cloudy with showers. High 54F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Rain. Low around 40F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Palmdale, CA (93550) Today A mix of clouds and sunshine with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High 89F. WSW winds at 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 61F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. But in exceptional situations in which the first-dose vaccine product cannot be determined or is no longer available, the guidelines added, any available mRNA vaccine can be used for the second dose. With respect to dosing, the guidance says that the second dose should be administered as close as possible to the recommended interval three weeks for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and four weeks for Moderna. But if that is not feasible, the agency wrote, the interval between doses may be extended to six weeks. The pace of vaccination is critical not just to curbing disease and death, but also to heading off the effect of more infectious forms of the virus. The C.D.C. has warned that one variant, which is believed to be 50 percent more contagious, might become the dominant source of infection in the United States by March. Although public health experts are optimistic that the existing vaccines will be effective against that variant, known as B.1.1.7, it may drive up the rate of new cases if enough people remain unvaccinated. At a White House briefing on Thursday his first since November Dr. Fauci said that experts were particularly concerned about new variants of the virus in South Africa and Brazil, which have not yet reached the United States. He said vaccines still appeared effective against those variants, but the variants might sidestep the immune system to some degree, making it all the more urgent for people to be vaccinated. Replicating viruses dont mutate unless they replicate, Dr. Fauci said then, and if you can suppress that by a very good vaccine campaign, then you can actually avoid this deleterious effect that you might get from the mutations. Federal health officials and corporate executives agree that it will be impossible to increase the immediate supply of vaccines before April because of lack of manufacturing capacity. And the current vaccination effort, which had little central direction under the Trump administration, has so far sown confusion and frustration. Some localities are complaining they are running out of doses, while others have unused vials sitting on shelves. Chennai, Jan 23 : Videos and speeches of Sri Lankan Islamic State leader Zahran Hashim were used by 'jihadi' gang 'Shahadat is our Goal' to radicalise youths in Tamil Nadu during 2017-2018 calling for violent jihad to liberate their associates lodged in prisons. Various social media groups, especially on WhatsApp, were created by the gang which later started disseminating materials advocating violent jihad in the region. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed these facts in its charge sheet filed against 10 arrested members of the gang in a special court in Chennai on Saturday. Sri Lankan cleric Moulvi Hashim was the alleged mastermind behind the bomb attacks that hit the country's capital Colombo as well as the towns of Negombo and Batticaloa on Easter Sunday in 2019. Over 250 people, including 45 children and 40 foreign nationals, were killed in the deadly explosions. Sheik Dawood, 33, Mohamed Rifas,37, Muparish Ahamed, 23, Abubakar Siddiq, 24, Ahamed Imithiyas, 31, Mohamed Rashid, 25, Hameed Asfar, 23, Liyakath Ali, 30, Sajith Ahamed, 23, and Rizwan Mohammed, 26 - all from different districts in Tamil Nadu - are the 10 arrested accused against whom the NIA framed charges under the Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act and Arms Act. The case was originally registered on April 2, 2018 at Keelakarai Police Station in Ramnathapuram district of Tamil Nadu after the arrest of Mohamed Rifas, Muparish Ahamed and Abupakkar Sithik from Keelakarai. Lethal weapons including swords along with pamphlets pertaining to the terrorist gang 'Shahadat is our Goal' were seized from their possession and the NIA re-registered the case on January 10, 2019. Investigation in the case has established that the charge-sheeted accused persons were radicalised by violent jihadi ideology, said the NIA. "Prime accused Sheik Dawood and Mohamed Rifas had conspired with co-accused and organised meetings at various places in Tamil Nadu, since Ramadan, 2017, with the intention of radicalising and recruiting the co-accused and others for 'shahadat' (martyrdom) to establish Islamic rule in India," NIA said. "The accused had created various social media groups, especially on WhatsApp and were disseminating materials advocating violent jihad, including the videos and speeches of the Sri Lankan ISIS leader Zahran Hashim." The accused had also prepared pamphlets titled "Shahadat is our Goal" calling for violent jihad to liberate their associates lodged in prisons, said the anti-terror agency, adding Sheik Dawood and Mohammed Rifas had also attempted to carry out terrorist acts by procuring illegal firearms in order to liberate their jailed associates. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size When my father was young, a dog saved his life by leaping on a striking snake. Decades later, I watched our overfed ginger cat mourn Dads death, lying every day in the garage where he once worked, rubbing whiskers against his tools. No one who has lived with a pet could deny they have feelings: affection, irritation, fear, perhaps even shame and jealousy, perhaps love. But is their behaviour always what it seems? Did my fathers dog, who was rather unfairly named Bimbo, pounce on the snake to protect him or was some wolfish hunting instinct surfacing at last? Did Max the cat really wonder where Dad had gone or had he just decided to annex the newly available garage? Dogs and cats have been our companions for thousands of years and remain fiercely popular (almost half of Australians now have a dog, for example). Yet serious scientific questions about their inner lives have only been asked in recent decades. Why is it that a dog always seems to know when youre sad? Are cats secretly plotting world domination? How did these two species evolve from the wild into our homes? How do you read their body language? And could they one day learn to talk to us? Researcher and dog trainer Melissa Starling with Kivi the Finnish lapphund (left), Kestral the Portuguese podengo and Erik the Tall, a Swedish vallhund. Credit:Wolter Peeters How did cats and dogs become cats and dogs? A prehistoric puppy thawed from Siberias icy permafrost could solve the mystery of how wolves first became mans best friend. "Dogor" is remarkably well-preserved, just two months old when he died 18,000 years ago, but still with teeth, fur, even whiskers intact. And yet, whenever scientists test his DNA to find out his species, they are stumped. We dont [know] yet whether Dogor is a dog or a wolf or a bit of both, says David Stanton, one of the researchers still testing the pup more than two years after his discovery. Could Dogor be the missing link between wolf and dog? Today the debate is far from settled but most researchers agree pooches evolved from wolves sometime between 15,000 and 32,000 years ago. Advertisement Dogs are the wolves that came in to sit by the campfire, who learnt to work with our ancestors for food, helping them hunt and manage other animals, offering protection and now, increasingly in the modern world, companionship. They evolved at our side, they can read our facial expressions. Even their patented puppy dog eyes offer an evolutionary advantage for dogs, life has become not so much the survival of the fittest but of the cutest. Were wired to respond to them, too, says Melissa Starling, who both trains and researches dogs at the University of Sydney and has her own lively brood at home. We have no defence against puppy dog eyes. Still, dogs today remain 99 per cent wolf (even pugs). The tiny changes in their DNA affect the digestive system, the brain and their rate of physical development (which helps explain the big differences between breeds). Essentially, dogs are well-mannered wolves who can eat grains. Dogor, a perfectly preserved 18,000-year-old pup unearthed from the ice of the Siberian permafrost, could hold the secrets of the first dogs. Credit:Centre for Palaeogenetics/Twitter But dogs are not prized as mans best friend everywhere. In some cultures, they are eaten or considered impure. Cats, too, face their fair share of prejudice. (Just ask my black rescue cat Nox.) And, while both cats and dogs have been carried out of shelters in huge numbers as we weather COVID-19 lockdowns at home, pets are still routinely abandoned to live as strays in the shadows of our cities and towns. Unlike dogs, cats are not social by nature, coming from a long, proud line of solitary felines including tigers and leopards. How then have we tamed these wildcats into wearing collars and posing for Instagram photos? Advertisement It seems it was largely their idea. When agriculture began some 10,000 years ago, the grain attracted rats and mice, which eventually attracted smaller wildcats. Our ancestors quite liked this pest control service and so left out treats to encourage the cats to stay. DNA evidence now shows that domestication has helped cats take over the world shipped out from their original home in the Middle East to just about every continent on earth. Yet cats have not been selectively bred to the same degree as dogs. Even today, they are still considered only semi-domesticated the lion in your living room. Within a few generations in the wild, house cats can revert back to larger, fiercer animals, the feral cats that now wreak such a toll on our wildlife. (This might account for all those mysterious sightings of panthers and leopards in remote corners of Australia.) Nox the cat doesnt like being rushed when hes out walking with his owner, reporter Sherryn Groch. Credit:Luis Ascui Do cats and dogs love us? Any wild animal might become tamer if handled by humans from a young age. And, as our urban sprawl keeps on sprawling, there are even early signs that other animals such as coyotes might be growing more familiar with us. But cats and dogs are different. While they still need to be around humans early to grow up normal (that is, well-behaved), its not just nurture at play. Thousands of years by our side has created some serious chemistry too. Both species have been recorded getting a boost in oxytocin the hormone released when were in love or bonding while being patted by their owners. Dogs seem to get a bigger hit of this molecule damour than cats. Indeed, both dogs and their owners can produce it just by staring into each others eyes (this does not happen between wolves and humans). When US neuroscientist Gregory Berns began training dogs to lie still in noisy MRI machines, he found another promising sign of affection: the reward centre in a dogs brain lights up more powerfully in the presence of its owners scent compared to when its sniffing other humans or dogs. Advertisement Twenty-five years ago, Jeffrey Masson, a former psychoanalyst from California, wrote his first bestselling book on animals When Elephants Weep and found himself accused of that great intellectual sin: anthropomorphising (attributing human traits to animals or objects). But, today, most scientists agree that animals can have complex, even profound emotions. Masson himself believes dogs are now better at loving than people are. Just as you cant be as content as a cat, no one will ever love you like your dog, he says. They love purely. He recalls a tiny puppy he rescued from a car crash when he was studying in India. The pair became inseparable until it was time for Masson to return home to the States. He found the dog, which hed named Puppy, a loving new family and had the tearful goodbye. But, the next day as he was farewelling a professor at his university, there came a sudden banging and scratching at the door. It was Puppy. I still cant understand it. Someone even swore later they had seen Puppy hop on and off a bus to the university. A cat named Tardar Sauce, but known to the internet as Grumpy Cat, became famous for her signature frown, though her owners swore she was actually a sweet girl. With cats, love is a little more complicated. They are famously independent, even aloof at times. They require wooing, chin scratches, multiple openings of tin cans. And even then its hard to ignore that cold look of disdain from the top of the bookshelf while doing your morning yoga routine. Loading Cats are so graceful, everything they do is aesthetically pleasing, says Masson. Of course, not everything we do is pleasing to them But they choose us, theyre capable of deep affection. If youve ever shared a bed with a cat, youll know. They really settle in, they purr. Advertisement Still, cats are not necessarily faithful. One of Massons own once migrated next door. And my neighbour didnt even like cats [at first]. The fickleness of cats is why many scientists are still loathe to study them in the lab. To test one cat, you need three, they will say, as the other two will probably withdraw consent halfway through. They are notoriously difficult, says Federico Rossano, who works with animals of all shapes and sizes as director of the Comparative Cognition Lab at the University of California. We saw a huge boost in research into dogs starting from the '90s but we havent seen the same with cats. But when they do participate, they can give us great results, even match the dogs sometimes. At the University of Oregon, Kristyn Vitale and Monique Udell have run groundbreaking experiments showing that cats display the same signs of attachment to their owners as dogs. Even more astounding, theyve shown that cats prefer interacting with people over toys and, yes, food, and will seek out humans who pay attention to them. Because domestication has made cats and dogs reliant on us, both species live in a kind of permanent juvenile mindset, Vitale says, where we become almost a surrogate mother. Its why you see cats purring and kneading with their paws the same behaviours kittens usually grow out of. Sherryns other rescue cat Ziggy heads off on an evening stroll. Credit:CREDIT: SHERRYN GROCH How do cats and dogs perceive the world? Humans tend to see the world first dogs smell it. For dogs (and to a lesser extent cats), smell is the primary sense and the world is one aromatic buffet of informative scents. The nose of a dog is at least 10,000 times more powerful than your own it can sniff out storms before a whisper of rain is on the air, find cancer cells in our blood, or catch a familiar scent up to 20 kilometres away. We have bred dogs to help us hunt and now we train them for more modern jobs such as sniffing out bombs, drugs, even COVID. Squads of coronavirus-sniffing canines, for example, are already being trialled in some airports around the world (but dont expect a pooch to replace the eye-watering Q-tip test any time soon). Advertisement A Good Weekend analysis of winners over the 45-year life of the awards shows that a quarter of the top 200 on The Australian Financial Reviews 2019 Rich List have an Order of Australia, and they overwhelmingly have the higher-level honours. Australians like to think of themselves as great egalitarians. But the Order of Australia created in 1975 by then-prime minister Gough Whitlam to replace the politicised British Imperial honours system is arguably just as class-based as ever. Doled out on Australia Day and the Queens Birthday, the honours are arranged according to a strict hierarchy: the highest is the Companion of the Order (AC), then comes Officer of the Order (AO), Member of the Order (AM) and Medal of the Order (OAM). It did. A Good Weekend analysis of the Order of Australia honours system highlights just how unusual a candidate Bates was for the revered ranks of the AO the second-highest honour, granted to Australians who have been of distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large. Her 2018 award bucks the general trend towards granting the highest honours overwhelmingly to the rich, the powerful, the well-connected and the male. After the Government House ceremony, you go to a lunch at Parliament House in Sydney, says Bates, who lives in Sydneys inner suburbs. At my table were Mr and Mrs Whoever and theyd won their award for scouting sitting next to an old hooker. I think my award broke the mould somewhat, and I hope it did. Bates, a straight-talking bottle-blonde who worked for decades as a sex worker before sex work was decriminalised, was used to being on the other, non-establishment side of the law. Suddenly, here was the Queen through her Australian representative, then-governor-general Peter Cosgrove appointing her an Officer in the Order of Australia for her services to sex workers and drug users. The AO was a great surprise and a big deal. The crown came up and I thought, What is that? What have I done now? she recounts. And it was, Miss Bates, we are in the process of giving you an AO. Julie Bates well remembers the morning in 2018 when she saw something that made her worry the law was onto her. Drinking coffee in bed in her pyjamas, and scrolling through her emails, she caught sight of a crown insignia. Her chest clenched. Former Australian of the Year and domestic and family violence campaigner Rosie Batty said at the time that she was sickened by Arndts honour. It makes me question the legitimacy of the awards system in the entirety across the spectrum, Batty told News Corp. While Arndt has made a significant contribution to sex education and was a strong Australian voice in the 1970s sexual revolution, more recently she stirred controversy with her sympathetic 2017 interview with convicted paedophile Nicolaas Bester for her YouTube channel, and prior to that, her description of a scout master who sexually abused boys as a good bloke. Controversial 2020 honours recipients included former Speaker of the House and lifelong Liberal politician Bronwyn Bishop, who left politics following an expenses scandal. Also honoured was Graham Richardson, the former Labor politician and notorious factional headkicker once known as the Senator for Kneecaps. Eyebrows were also raised at the honouring of retired broadcaster Mike Carlton, who often turns the air blue with abuse of his ideological foes on Twitter. But by far the most controversial honour went to Bettina Arndt , the sex therapist and media commentator associated with the mens rights movement. Arndt was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her work on gender equity through advocacy for men. The statistics paint their own picture, but the last Australia Day honours list, released just before the pandemic distracted everyones attention, rendered the idiosyncrasies of the system in technicolour. That list lost people, says one former Council for the Order of Australia insider. It cracked open peoples uncertainty about the honours. It had a few too many rich people and a few too many pollies. More than 320 state and federal politicians have been honoured with the higher-level awards (AM, AO, AC), with a record 20 bestowed with gongs in 2020, more than half of them from the conservative side of politics. Women account for only 31 per cent of Order of Australia appointments. No statistics exist on the percentage of Indigenous nominees or recipients, but the Council for the Order of Australia, which selects the recipients, has not had an Indigenous community member since 2012. About 130 directors of boards of ASX 300 companies have an Order of Australia, and the suburbs AC and AO recipients are most likely to live in are Toorak in Melbourne (which boasts 67 of them) and Mosman in Sydney (57), followed by Melbournes South Yarra (45) and Kew (34). Sydneys exclusive Vaucluse has 39 ACs and AOs. The highest-level award, the AC, has never been given to anyone in the Multicultural or Disabled fields of endeavour, but of the 30 fields awards are given to, the Parliament and Politics category boasts 42 ACs, while Business and Commerce leaders have collected 48 of them. These are awards from the bottom up individuals are neither qualified nor disqualified on the basis of their political leanings, social views or religious convictions. Many months later, in September , Council for the Order of Australia chair Shane Stone himself an AC issued a statement saying the council had considered requests for the cancellation of appointments to the Order of Australia of Ms Bettina Arndt AM and Mr Mike Carlton AM and will make no further recommendations to the Governor-General. Further, the statement said, unanimous community approval is not a criteria for Council to make a recommendation. The symbolic motion was supported by all senators except One Nations Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts. Then Victorian attorney-general Jill Hennessy wrote to Governor-General David Hurley asking the council to consider cancelling Arndts honour on the basis it brought the Order of Australia into disrepute. The outrage was swift. Victorian Liberal senator Sarah Henderson wrote to the Council of the Order of Australia urging it to revoke the AM, saying Arndt had seriously crossed the line and that it was no longer appropriate she be honoured. Labor senators Kristina Keneally and Penny Wong moved a Senate motion calling Arndts comments reckless and abhorrent and not consistent with her retaining her Order of Australia. Weeks after her award was announced, Arndt tweeted in support of Queensland man Rowan Baxter, who burned to death his estranged wife Hannah Clarke and their three young children, then killed himself. Appointed for renewable two-year terms, its members are a mix of the community representatives (currently including top-end-of-towners Melbourne philanthropist Rupert Myer AO and Sydney corporate board member Jillian Segal AO) and appointees from the states and territories usually the secretary to the governor or the chief public servant in the premiers department. It also includes three ex-officio public officer holders the Deputy Secretary of Governance from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Chief of the Australian Defence Force, and the Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council (the governmental body empowered to advise the Crown, via the governor-general). The chair and seven community representatives are chosen by the prime minister and officially appointed by the governor-general. One of the big problems we suffer from is awareness of the system itself. I am aware of the criticisms that have been raised. There are considered criticisms of the system that are valid and need to be addressed. The Order of Australia is the highest form of recognition for Australians, says Hurley over the phone. It is a recognition of significant contribution to the life of Australia at the community, national and global levels. Hurley rarely gives media interviews and his willingness to discuss the honours is indicative of a soft push for change from within. Twice a year, the 19-member Council for the Order of Australia gathers in a nondescript building on the sprawling grounds of the Governor-Generals official residence in Yarralumla, home to the grandly titled Honours and Awards Secretariat of the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General. While its run under the auspices of the governor-general, the governor-general has no role in its decisions. That said, incumbent David Hurley is vitally interested in the process and public perceptions of it. Much of the current systems imbalance comes down to who has the resources to nominate deserving others, notes one observer: If youre trying to stand up your fences and tend your crops, you dont have time. Credit:Getty Images The decision of the council was final. But the whole saga led many to ask: how do these people get an Order of Australia in the first place? And, for that matter, how does anyone? The officials might put the applications into loose groupings of the level of order AC, AO, and so on. But the council will make the decision, sometimes thrashing it out and even taking a vote. For example, it is understood Julie Bates nomination was upgraded from a lower honour to an AO on the urging of some council members who pointed out the number of lives she must have saved through her HIV-prevention work. It was always interesting that the professionals generally got the higher awards, says Brady. But the OAM recipients usually were the ones who would say, I dont deserve this, when they had in fact done remarkable work for the community. Julie Bates was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia for her services to sex workers and drug users: I think my award broke the mould somewhat. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Stephen Brady, a former secretary of the council and official secretary to the governor-general, explains: The secretariat does 12 to 18 months of research on each application, validating the information. One of their roles is to approach people who are not on the nomination form as referees. They seek more detail or corroboration those contacted will often be very honest. Every so often youll get a recipient who is criticised. People will wring their hands and say, How did that happen? But we see the whole picture of someone, he says. The 19 people on the council come from across the political spectrum. You have a full suite of opinions of the nominee and their merit, and Ill keep coming back to that word, merit, because its about merit, not quotas. Stone says he does get calls from people who have nominated others, asking after the status of the application, but he refers them back to the secretariat. The current chair, Shane Stone, is a former Liberal Party president and one-time Northern Territory chief minister. Described by one former council member as a traditional bloke from the Northern Territory and a really decent human being, Stone is in Queensland when I speak to him he travels widely through regional and remote Australia in his other role as Coordinator-General of the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency. He moves out of the wind to make himself heard on his mobile. The councils deliberations are confidential, no reasons are given for the rejection of applications, and there is no avenue for appeal. The sessions run all day, sometimes spilling over two days, and for some sessions you might be looking at 800 or 900 people, according to one person familiar with the meetings. Former Victorian College of the Arts CEO Andrea Hull AO served on the council as a community representative from 2008 to 2014. The secretariat is independent in its research and they have a register of people they will go to, she says. Occasionally its obvious that a person has self-nominated, which is not comme il faut. Then there are the highly networked individuals who nominate each other, not realising their swollen vanity may be exposed. You could see the email chain it begins with, You nominate me, Ill nominate you, and here is who you should approach as referees, Hull says. The debates were robust. There was never any sense at the table that people were being pressured to accept certain nominations. Professional and industry associations will frequently organise and draft nominations for leaders in their field surgeons and lawyers are well-resourced in this respect. Some former politicians might be officially nominated by an eminent person, but the application bears all the hallmarks of being filled out by party HQ. I can remember a couple of politicians who were not given awards, Hull says. There was one in particular I had knowledge of who absolutely did not warrant an award. She wont say who it is, only that she is keeping an eye out for that person, to see if they end up getting one. Loading Human rights lawyer Moira Rayner is a long-time feminist and activist who clashed with Victorian premier Jeff Kennetts government in the 1990s over the issue of womens prisons. In the 1990s she was nominated for an Order of Australia by Father Julian Punch, a Catholic priest who she got to know while working on an inquiry into homeless children in the 1980s. Rayners nomination was not successful. I thought Gough Whitlam was a wild optimist in trying to clean up the Imperial honours system, because inevitably it gets down to who does the picking, Rayner says. The political nature of many recent appointments has been embarrassing. Its not reflective of merit at all, its reflective of who you know. Rayner believes the system should be taken apart and looked at carefully, and re-established with new guidelines so the networks of those privileged ones fall apart. As for the likelihood of her getting an award now that shes criticised the system: Ill never be nominated again. In 1974, before relations between Gough Whitlam and the Crown soured, the Australian prime minister visited the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Whitlam used the meeting to outline his proposal for a new, native Australian honours system. She was happy with the concept, he recounted in a 1983 speech. Previously, eminent Australians had been recognised under the British Imperial system, which Whitlam considered inappropriate. He was impressed by the Canadian honours system, established in 1967, and sought to model ours on it. On Australia Day 1975, the Order of Australia came into being. Knighthoods and damehoods did not figure in Whitlams reimagining of Australian honours he wanted the Companion of the Order of Australia to be the highest honour the country could bestow. Not only that, but the Companion, or AC, would rank above all Australian knights and dames previously anointed under the British Imperial honours system. But Whitlams republican-spirited changes were short-lived, and we have seen an unedifying back-and-forth on Australian knighthoods ever since. When Malcolm Fraser succeeded Whitlam as prime minister, he added a knighthood and a damehood to the Order of Australia. In 1986, then-Prime Minister Bob Hawke abolished them again. Then Tony Abbott was elected in 2013, and he re-introduced knighthoods and damehoods unilaterally as prime minister, with no oversight from the council. Already trailing in the polls, when Abbott announced on Australia Day 2015 that Prince Philip would be made a Knight of the Order of Australia, he lost both the public and his party room, commencing a chain of events that led to Malcolm Turnbull toppling him in September that year. There were other noses out of joint, too. When Prime Minister Abbott reintroduced knighthoods and dames, he didnt foresee the level of anger from the ACs, says former governor-general secretary Brady. Many of them contacted Government House, commenting sharply that they had accepted what they thought was the highest honour! Turnbull duly abolished the knights and dames category, although the changes were not backdated Prince Philip may well have been baffled to receive an Australian knighthood, but he got to keep it. The unused medals left over from Abbotts ill-advised reintroduction of knights and dames cost taxpayers about $135,000, it emerged at a Senate estimates hearing in October 2020. This sort of political tinkering was out of keeping with Whitlams original vision, which was for an honours system that would be out of the hands of politicians and in those of a widely representative council that would reflect community values. The Order of Australia is different from Imperial Orders in an important aspect: the method of selecting recipients, he said in his 1983 speech. It is not unkind but factual to say that the Imperial Awards are made on the recommendation of politicians there have been constant cases of political favours in appointments in Imperial Orders. There cannot be such cases in the Order of Australia. Credit:Edwina Pickles; Natalie Boog; Joshua Morris; Brook Mitchell; AAP So how well has the Order of Australia lived up to Whitlams dream of a non- political process? Good Weekends analysis shows politics and politicians still have plenty of involvement in the modern honours system. Former senior politicians are highly likely to be honoured with awards, compared to disability advocates or environmental crusaders or just about anyone else. While many awards go to community workers, when politicians get gonged, it tends to be at the highest level 40 per cent of politicians with an Order of Australia are at the AC and AO level. There is a skew to conservative politicians 165 Coalition members have received gongs, compared to 130 Labor politicians. (Some high-profile Labor people, notably former Labor prime minister Paul Keating and former Labor minister Jim McClelland, have refused honours.) And you dont have to have served in parliament to get a gong for services to politics former Liberal party federal directors Tony Nutt and Brian Loughnane have AOs, and former Labor party national secretary George Wright was made an AO in the Australia Day list in 2020. Former Nationals federal director Paul Davey was given an AM in 2019, and former Nationals federal president Christine Ferguson got the same gong in 2018. Some years the party-political bias has been stark in 2005, when John Howard was prime minister, the Liberals got 14 awards, and just one Labor politician was honoured. Then there are the former pollies on the council itself alongside Country Liberal Shane Stone as chair, another of its community representatives Cheryl Edwardes AM is a former West Australian Liberal attorney-general who has worked as a mining company executive, including for Gina Rineharts Hancock Prospecting. Stone says neither he nor Edwardes is actively involved in politics. We are two people out of 19, he says. I can assure you that the state representatives, particularly the Labor states, wouldnt tolerate that for a minute and theres more of them than there are conservatives. I say to people, We leave politics at the door. We dont talk politics in here, we talk contribution. We assess people on their merits. "I say to people, 'We leave politics at the door. We dont talk politics in here, we talk contribution. We assess people on their merits. According to Brady, the wall between the council and the prime ministers office was guarded ruthlessly during his time. A prime minister could ask how a particular application was going, but that was about it. Stone agrees: The Governor-General and the Prime Minister would not ring me and say, We think so-and-so should get one. That might be so, but there are other ways to influence an outcome, and taken historically, its clear the community representatives have not been overly representative. Since 1975, three in every four members of the council have been men, and 96 per cent of ex-officio members since inception have been male. Women have been selected more often more recently, reflecting a general social shift towards more women in leadership roles. Yet since the election of Tony Abbott in 2013, there have been no Indigenous Australians appointed to the council. Stones great frustration with criticism of the honours system is that many critics never nominate anyone themselves. Prior to his appointment as council chair, he nominated 74 people, he says, and as chief minister he appointed a public servant to lead nominations for the Northern Territory. He particularly wanted more Indigenous and migrant citizens honoured. I nominated the first Muslim in the Territory, Stone says. He was a meat-worker turned imam and a bloody good bloke. Stone regularly takes people aside in his stead as flood response coordinator, and tells them to nominate the ordinary people doing extraordinary things in flood and drought recovery on the land. I am passionate about the whole thing. I have lived and breathed it. I believe there is huge merit in the way we recognise people, he says. No one is standing there saying, Hey, its perfect. Nothings perfect, we strive to do better. We are conscious we dont get as many nominations for women as we would like. Its not as if we dont try. Stone defends the honouring of former politicians something that grinds many peoples gears, particularly given the generous parliamentary pensions many ex-MPs benefit from. There are plenty of former politicians who are passed over, I can assure you. Its not an entitlement to an award, he says. We try to recognise those who have served their time then re-entered the community to work, when what theyve done post-politics is hugely commendable. Thats what you want, particularly among those who have the benefit of a parliamentary pension. He argues that relative to the overall number, theres not that many honours to former pollies, but concedes some classes of people have more time and resources to nominate people than others. Its almost an urban luxury to sit around on a Sunday afternoon and say, Ill do a nomination. But if youre trying to stand up your fences and tend your crops, you dont have time. Certainly time, resources and expertise with government processes is a plus. An inherent weakness of the system is that the professions are able to draw on high-level referees in a way ordinary folk cant, says one former council insider. Most people might struggle to bring together five really good referees. Whereas if your nominator is John Howard and its co-sponsored by Kim Beazley, your application jumps off the page. This one-time insider says the OAM the lowest-order community honour runs the risk of putting ordinary people at the bottom of the honours system, where sometimes their nobility and real sacrifice is equal to or greater than that of your well-paid surgeon. It is almost like the British class system. Credit: ASX data: opendirector.com.au Carol Kiernan is an intelligence and communications consultant who has worked with the Australian Federal Police. She was living with her husband in Washington, D.C., working for the World Bank, when a 2017 visit home coincided with the announcement of the Queens Birthday honours list. What the 63-year-old read enraged her. There were 14 men and one woman [who] got a Companion. That woman was Cate Blanchett, Kiernan recalls. I felt like I was stepping back into the 50s with women being so grateful for everything. I had been overseas for a number of years, and I thought, Whats going on here? We dont recognise that 50 per cent of the population are women. On a flight from Melbourne to Sydney a few days later, still fuming, Kiernan picked up a copy of The Age and read a letter to the editor from education academic Dr Elizabeth Hartnell-Young, in which she too complained of the gender disparity in the honours list. Kiernan contacted her, and soon after they met in a Melbourne cafe to discuss what they could do. Hartnell-Young roped in Ruth McGowan, a former country mayor and champion of rural Australia, and after a brainstorming session involving lots of butchers paper, the trio founded the Honour a Woman group. Short and sharp, says Kiernan of its 2017 launch. We just went all day and said, What are we angry about? What steps do we want to take? How can we get there? As a movement rather than an organisation, it has 70 ambassadors from public life and the media. Its goal is to raise awareness and lobby governments for structural change to the honours system. The gender disparity in the awards system is stark a breakdown of all recipients between 1975 and 2016 shows 70 per cent were male and 30 per cent female. Kiernan says it is accepted that women have generally been given the lower awards. Only since 2017 has the secretariat published a gender breakdown of which level awards women are mostly honoured with, but they show she is right. Between 1975 and 2019, women received only 19 per cent of ACs, 21 per cent of AOs and 24 per cent of AMs. They were better represented among the lowest community level honour, the OAM, where they made up 35 per cent of recipients. Lobbying governments and the Governor-General, Honour a Woman wants nothing less than 50-50 gender parity. Things improved in the Australia Day 2020 list 41 per cent of recipients were female, and women received 62 per cent of ACs. But, Kiernan points out, only eight of the maximum of 35 ACs were awarded in 2020, so the sample was small. An investiture ceremony at Government House. They really are a joyous occasion, says Governor-General David Hurley (at far right). Governor-General David Hurley does not dispute that the Order of Australia has a woman problem. The data supports it, he says. You cant walk away from that. I dont think its appropriate, I dont think its right, and I want to change it. We need to ensure we have a system thats sustainable, that attracts the nominations of women. Hurley has met with the Honour a Woman group, and while he doesnt agree with their proposal of a quota for female recipients, he is working to boost nominations of women from the grassroots. In recent years we have worked hard to redress that balance and the numbers have changed. To this end, Hurley has written to 59 peak bodies in Australia over the past few months, armed with data on their 20-year history of male versus female nominations, encouraging them to examine their nominations process for gender balance. To some of them, I have said quite candidly, I dont think youre doing well enough. Now shes been radicalised, Kiernan sees Order of Australia injustice everywhere she goes. She rattles off a list of eminent women whove never been honoured as their male peers have, including former Western Australian premier Carmen Lawrence, anti-nuclear campaigner and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Helen Caldicott, who has 21 honorary degrees (her nomination for an Order of Australia in 2020 was rejected), and the recently deceased Helen Reddy. I did a quick check of other musicians of her era and found that her male colleagues were not forgotten, Kiernan says. Normie Rowe AM, Ronnie Burns AM, Glenn Shorrock AM, John Farnham AO, Angry Anderson AM, Slim Dusty AO MBE, Brian Cadd AM, Smoky Dawson AM, Athol Guy AO, Keith Potger AO and John Williamson AM. The Gibb brothers got CBEs [Commanders of the Orders of the British Empire]. None of them are feminist icons! Elizabeth Broderick has spent a lifetime fighting for gender equality, as Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls. She is an Officer of the Order of Australia and a former Australian of the Year. She recently stepped down from the Council of the Order of Australia after four years service and says the council does need people arguing the toss for women. In many of the award categories, she notes, professional associations predominantly put men forward. Some progress has been made by state governments like Victoria, which in 2017 appointed a public servant within the Department of Premier and Cabinet to actively search for female nominees, but theres clearly more work to be done. The question is, how do we get more nominations for women? You can only make decisions based on the nominations you have in front of you. The question is, how do we get more nominations for women? You can only make decisions based on the nominations you have in front of you. There may be a new sense of activism around the awards, but criticism of the system dates back decades. In 1994, the Keating government commissioned an inquiry into the Order of Australia system. Frank Walker, then Minister for Administrative Services, spoke of complaints that the system is one for the elite groups in society that to be recognised you need to be a doctor, a lawyer, a business leader or senior government official. He noted the view that not enough women are receiving recognition through the system. Led by Clare Petre, who has held various leadership positions in the not-for-profit community sector, the inquiry found that Australians value their honours system as a signpost to our national identity, our values, our aspirations and our heroes but that access to awards is currently seen mainly as the preserve of organisations and powerful or well-connected individuals. I track Petre down and she invites me to her Coogee home in Sydneys east to pick up a copy of her report, A Matter of Honour. She seems glad someone is taking an interest. Petre says many members of the inquiry committee went in wondering whether we needed an honours system at all. They heard from thousands of Australians in every state and territory, through submissions, public forums, and face-to-face meetings with community and interest groups. The response from the community was, Yes, we do. The main thing was people thought it should reflect community values and be above and beyond what was your job. Petres report found many Indigenous people objected in particular to the Queens Birthday honours announcements. People in the Indigenous community did not relate to the system. There was a failure of the honours to reflect Indigenous values. University of Canberra chancellor Tom Calma received an AO in 2012 for his service to the Aboriginal community. As a recipient, I am also a supporter of it, he tells me. But there is not a great representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly in the higher-order awards. Professor Marcia Langton was made an AM in 1993, and upgraded to an AO in 2020. The main reason she accepted the honours, she says, was to be gracious towards those very kind people who noticed my unpaid, voluntary work, and took the time to nominate me an onerous task that involves a lot of work on their part. When asked if Indigenous Australians have been well represented in the honours, Governor-General Hurley is frank. No, they havent been, he says. Its not easy. Ive had conversations with Indigenous leaders. Some are of the view that this is not a system for them. Some are of the view that, We dont recognise people as individuals. So should an Indigenous person be appointed to the Council for the Order of Australia? I think it would be useful, Hurley responds. You need the perspective. Says Petre: If you took this 25-year-old report, I fear it would be no different today. The top awards would be dominated by professionals. I look and still see all the people who have been awarded for community services are at the OAM level. She notes that lots of ex-politicians still receive the awards, so there is a system there that operates at a political level. It is an important system, the community does value it, but the accessibility of it still needs to be addressed. What is an honours system for? Most countries have some form of it. In India they give out the delightful-sounding Jewel of India (Bharat Ratna). South Africa created the Star of South Africa in 1975 knights are called ritters in Afrikaans. The US has its Medal of Honor, Presidential Medal of Freedom and Legion of Merit (recently awarded to Scott Morrison by Donald Trump). Indonesia has the Star of the Republic of Indonesia and France has the highly coveted Legion dHonneur. Some scoff at honours altogether. Says former foreign minister and NSW premier Bob Carr: Ive always been struck by how distressed people get that their award is inferior to that of a colleague or acquaintance. So often theyre deeply unhappy. Still, as Napoleon said, Men are led by baubles. He notes that aside from the above-mentioned medals, the US republic doesnt do them. That just strikes me as interesting ... [they] probably view them historically as a residue of monarchy. Certainly, the brandishing of Order of Australia pins is a subject of mockery or pride, depending on your audience. There are official guidelines on how to wear the medals and pins, and while recipients are not mandated to wear them, they are encouraged to be proud of their honour. The ACs and the AOs get round-the-neck medals, says the former council insider. You can only really wear them once, at your investiture, so the pin is the thing. In the Qantas Chairmans Lounge, the eyes are looking. Such cynicism aside, former governor-general secretary Stephen Brady says the investiture ceremonies bolster faith in the system. The longer I was there, the less ambivalent I became as I saw the great pleasure at the investitures the joy was always greater, the lower the award, he says. And it is always the OAMs who get the loudest clap. He recalls seeing the recipients spill out across the lawn of Government House, following their ceremony. It was the epitome of Australian egalitarianism, recipients feeling acknowledged by their country, surrounded by their family, wanting a photo with the governor-general. Governor-General Hurley says those ceremonies are the highlights of the year for him and his staff. They really are a joyous occasion where youre celebrating so much thats good about Australian life. There are signs of change. The emergence of awareness-raising by groups like Honour a Woman has meant there was a significant increase in the number of nominations made in the Order of Australia during 201819: a total of 2909 nominations were submitted. When it works well, its as good a system as anybody could conceive, says Brady. Confidentiality is key, but ultimately whether or not the community accepts the awards system depends on the calibre and impartiality of the council. Loading Governor-General Hurley concedes there are valid criticisms of the system. You would be foolish to say there werent, there are, he says. We can correct them, theyre solvable. Former Liberal Victorian premier Ted Baillieu believes the system generally does work well. He concedes there may be some gender disparity, but puts that down to the lack of women nominated in the first place. There are women all around leading things. I would not walk into a room and think, Oh my god, theres a whole lot of women, he says. The presence of women in senior roles is all around us. I would hope the number of nominations grows. Baillieu received his own AO in the Australia Day honours in 2020, even though, he says, Ive never been much of a gong person myself. As we speak on the phone, more than six months later, he rummages in his desk and unwraps his Order of Australia pin for the first time. Its plastic sleeve makes a satisfying crunching sound. I dont wear jewellery at all, he says, not even a watch. Baillieu believes the hundreds of worthy honours recipients announced every year are overlooked because of a few controversial awardees. Way too much criticism is earmarked at the awards system based on some names which might be controversial for some people who have high media profiles. As for any perceived biases in the system, the former premier has a simple message. Its easy to do something about it. Just nominate someone. Jacqueline Maley is an Honour a Woman media ambassador. Statistical analysis by Nigel Gladstone. To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times. 11th round of India-China military commander level talks likely to be held on Friday India stood up Chinas disruptive use of technology and my way or no way attitude: CDS India-China to hold 9th round of military commander level talks today India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 23: India and China will hold the 9th round of military commander level talks on Sunday. The talks will be held in Moldo opposite to the Chushul sector in India. The development comes a day after Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh pushed for a complete withdrawal of troops along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. There have been 8 rounds of talks, but both sides have not been able to work out a solution as yet. Singh had said that India won't reduce its soldiers unless China initiates the process, noting that New Delhi is developing infrastructure in border areas at a "very fast rate". March-April will be crucial for the Indo-China standoff India and China are locked in a border dispute since May last year. Tensions were further escalated after the Galwan Valley clash in which 20 Indian soldiers were martyred and an equal number of Chinese soldiers were either killed or went missing. "Both sides have agreed to hold the next round of the senior commander level meeting soon and we are in close communication over diplomatic and military channels in this regard," Spokesperson in the ministry Anurag Srivastava said. He was replying to a question on the next round of military talks at a media briefing. The eighth and last round of military talks between the two sides had taken place on November 6 during which both sides broadly discussed disengagement of troops from specific friction points. India has all along been maintaining that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the mountainous region. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News In a clear message to China, Chief of Army Staff Gen M M Naravane last week said India is committed to resolve the eastern Ladakh standoff through talks but no one should make any mistake of testing its patience. The Hale County Appraisal District has compiled property tax information covering a wide range of topics for taxpayers. Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, disabled veteran or taxpayer, its important you know your rights concerning the property tax laws, said Nikki Branscum, Chief Appraiser of the Hale County Appraisal District, in a news release from HCAD. Information is available about the following programs: Property Tax Exemptions for Disabled Veterans - The law provides partial exemptions for any property owned by disabled veterans or surviving spouses and surviving children of deceased disabled veterans. Another partial exemption is for homesteads donated to disabled veterans by charitable organizations at no cost or not more than 50 percent of the good faith estimate of the homesteads market value to the disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The exemption amount is determined according to percentage of service-connected disability. The law also provides a 100 percent homestead exemption for 100 percent disabled veterans and their surviving spouses and surviving spouses of U.S. armed service members killed in action. Property Tax Exemptions Non-profit organizations that meet statutory requirements may seek property tax exemptions and must apply to their county appraisal district by a specific date. Businesses that receive tax abatements granted by taxing units; ship inventory out of Texas that may be eligible for the freeport exemption; store certain goods in transit in warehouses that are moved within 175 days; construct, install or acquire pollution control property; own and operate energy storage systems; convert landfill-generated gas; or store offshore drilling equipment while not in use may also be eligible for statutory exemptions. Rendering Taxable Property - If a business owns tangible personal property that is used to produce income, the business must file a rendition with its local county appraisal district by a specified date. Personal property includes inventory and equipment used by a business. Owners do not have to render exempt property such as church property or an agriculture producers equipment used for farming. Appraisal Notices Normally, taxpayers receive a notice of appraised value from the appropriate local county appraisal district. The city, county, school districts and other local taxing units will use the appraisal districts value to set property taxes for the coming year. Property Taxpayer Remedies This Comptroller publication explains in detail how to protest a property appraisal, what issues the county appraisal review board (ARB) can consider and what to expect during a protest hearing. The publication also discusses the options of taking a taxpayers case to district court, the State Office of Administrative Hearings or binding arbitration if the taxpayer is dissatisfied with the outcome of the ARB hearing. Homestead Exemptions A homestead is generally defined as the home and land used as the owners principal residence on Jan. 1 of the tax year. A homestead exemption reduces the appraised value of the home and, as a result, lowers property taxes. Applications are submitted to the appropriate local county appraisal district. Productivity Appraisal Property owners who use land for timberland production, agricultural purposes or wildlife management can be granted property tax relief on their land. They may apply to their local county appraisal district for an agricultural appraisal which may result in a lower appraisal of the land based on production, versus market value. Property Tax Deferral for Persons Age 65 or Older or Disabled or Disabled Veteran Homeowners Texans who are age 65 or older or disabled, as defined by law, or who qualify for a disabled veteran exemption may postpone paying current and delinquent property taxes on their homes by signing a tax deferral affidavit. Once the affidavit is on file, taxes are deferred, but not cancelled, as long as the owner continues to own and live in the home. Interest continues to accrue at 5 percent per year on the unpaid taxes. You may obtain a deferral affidavit at the appraisal district. Protesting Property Appraisal Values Property owners who disagree with the appraisal districts appraisal of their property for local taxes or for any other action that adversely affects them may protest their property value to the appraisal districts ARB. For more information about these programs, contact the Hale County Appraisal District at 302 W. 8th Street, Plainview, Texas 79072 or by calling (806)293-4226. Information is also available on the Comptrollers Property Tax Assistance Divisions website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/. Due to COVID-19 safety norms gravity-defying stunts by motorcycle-borne men, a major attraction for the crowd at Republic Day celebrations on the Rajpath, will be missing this year, while the spectator size too has been reduced to 25,000, officials said on Friday. Besides this, the parade of gallantry awardees and children who have earned bravery awards will also not be there at the 72nd Republic Day event, on account of social distancing, they said. Also, there will be no chief guest at the event this year. "This year's Republic Day is very different as it is happening amid the coronavirus pandemic. Like in Independence Day, all chairs in enclosures will be placed following social distancing norms. So the crowd size has come down to 25,000 this time from around 1.25 lakh last year or some of the previous years. "The number of enclosures has also been halved to just 19," said a senior official who is privy to the arrangements. Due to the same reason, the popular motorcycle stunts performed by army or paramilitary personnel, which draw loud cheers from the crowd every year, will not be happening this year, he said. "These decisions have been taken because it is not possible to maintain social distancing while performing group stunts or awardees riding a jeep together during the parade," the official said. The number of mediapersons invited to the ceremonial event has also been reduced, he added. A total of 32 tableaux - 17 of various states and UTs, nine of ministries and six from defence arm -- will roll down Rajpath. The contingents will stop at National Stadium this year instead of following the regular route all the way to the Red Fort, officials said. "Also, the size of marching contingents has been reduced from regular 144 to 96 so that they can maintain social distancing," the senior official said. Members of the tableaux contingents from various states, ministries and government departments underwent COVID-19 test at a cultural camp in Delhi Cantonment on Friday, officials said. COVID-19 safety norms will be strictly in place throughout the event. A military band from the Bangladesh Army will also take part in the parade. This year, Bangladesh marks the 50th anniversary of its Independence. Tableau from a total of 17 states and UTs, including, Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh and Delhi will be part of the parade. The Gujarat contingent is lead by Pankaj Modi, who is the Deputy Director in the Gujarat government's Information Department and also the younger brother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The young union territory of Ladakh is all set to make its debut in the extravaganza on Rajpath with a beautiful tableau depicting the iconic Thikse Monastery and its rich cultural heritage. "There will be nine tableau from ministries, including Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Electronics and IT, Ministry of Ayush, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; and six from the defence arm, including of IAF, Navy, Indian Naval Coast Guard, two from the DRDO and one from BRO (Border Roads Organisation)," the official said. The tableau of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will showcase the efforts made by scientists to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine indigenously. The tableau would depict various stages of pre-trial and trial phases of vaccine, a scientist from the DBT said during a media preview held at a camp at Delhi Cantonment. The Ministry of Information and Biotechnology will depict the 'Vocal for Local' initiative of the government. The tableau of Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), under the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities of the ministry of social justice and empowerment, will showcase the unifying nature of the sign language. The heritage of the Ayodhya, a replica of the Ram temple being built, a glimpse of 'Deepotsav' and various stories from Ramayana epic will be showcased in the tableau of Uttar Pradesh. Punjab tableau will depict the 400th anniversary of Sikh Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur while and Gujarat tableau will showcase the ancient Sun temple of Modhera in Mehsans district near Gandhinagar. Delhi tableau will depict the pedestrianisation work carried out under a project of the Shahjehnabad Redevelopment Corporation. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) 7 day print subscribers enjoy unlimited access to yakimaherald.com Enter the LAST NAME and the 7 DIGIT phone number on your print subscription account to connect your print subscription to your yakimaherald.com account. Public consultation on a DART service for Balbriggan is to begin in the summer, according to a local TD and Minister. Minister Darragh O'Brien has received an update on the DART+ Programme, a transformative project which aims to modernise and improve existing rail services in North County Dublin. Minister O'Brien wrote to Irish Rail seeking an update on plans to provide a sustainable, electrified, reliable and more frequent rail service. The current DART network is 50km long extending from Malahide/Howth to Greystones. The DART+ Programme will increase the length of the DART network to 150km of railway corridor through the upgrade of existing lines. Minister O'Brien said: 'I am glad to learn that specifically on DART+ Coastal North, which includes Balbriggan and the Northern Commuter line, this project is progressing, and it is anticipated that public consultation will commence in summer of this year, building to an application for a Railway Order, which is the equivalent of planning permission, in 2022. 'At the heart of this project is the need to increase passenger capacity and train frequency to cope with our increasing population here in Fingal. 'The DART+ Programme will provide a viable, sustainable alternative to private car use, therefore helping users reduce their carbon footprint, spend less time in road traffic, and help our environment.' Minister O'Brien concluded: 'In addition to the DART+ Coastal North project I was very glad to hear that the northern route will also benefit from a major fleet order planned for this year.' WASHINGTON The Justice Departments top leaders listened in stunned silence this month: One of their peers, they were told, had devised a plan with President Donald Trump to oust Jeffrey Rosen as acting attorney general and wield the departments power to force Georgia state lawmakers to overturn its presidential election results. The unassuming lawyer who worked on the plan, Jeffrey Clark, had been devising ways to cast doubt on the election results and to bolster Trumps continuing legal battles and the pressure on Georgia politicians. Because Rosen had refused the presidents entreaties to carry out those plans, Trump was about to decide whether to fire Rosen and replace him with Clark. The department officials, convened on a conference call, then asked one another: What will you do if Rosen is dismissed? The answer was unanimous. They would resign. Their informal pact ultimately helped persuade Trump to keep Rosen in place, calculating that a furor over mass resignations at the top of the Justice Department would eclipse any attention on his baseless accusations of voter fraud. Trumps decision came only after Rosen and Clark made their competing cases to him in a bizarre White House meeting that two officials compared with an episode of Trumps reality show The Apprentice, albeit one that could prompt a constitutional crisis. The previously unknown chapter was the culmination of the presidents long-running effort to batter the Justice Department into advancing his personal agenda. He also pressed Rosen to appoint special counsels, including one who would look into Dominion Voting Systems, a maker of election equipment that Trumps allies had falsely said was working with Venezuela to flip votes from Trump to Joe Biden. This account of the departments final days under Trumps leadership is based on interviews with four former Trump administration officials who asked not to be named because of fear of retaliation. Clark said that this account contained inaccuracies but did not specify, adding that he could not discuss any conversations with Trump or Justice Department lawyers. Senior Justice Department lawyers, not uncommonly, provide legal advice to the White House as part of our duties, he said. All my official communications were consistent with law. Clark also noted that he was the lead signatory on a Justice Department request last month asking a federal judge to reject a lawsuit that sought to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the results of the election. Trump declined to comment. An adviser said that Trump has consistently argued that the justice system should investigate rampant election fraud that has plagued our system for years. The adviser added that any assertion to the contrary is false and being driven by those who wish to keep the system broken. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment, as did Rosen. When Trump said on Dec. 14 that Attorney General William Barr was leaving the department, some officials thought that he might allow Rosen a short reprieve before pressing him about voter fraud. After all, Barr would be around for another week. Instead, Trump summoned Rosen to the Oval Office the next day. He wanted the Justice Department to file legal briefs supporting his allies lawsuits seeking to overturn his election loss. And he urged Rosen to appoint special counsels to investigate not only unfounded accusations of widespread voter fraud but also Dominion, the voting machines firm. Even as Clarks pronouncement was sinking in, stunning news broke out of Georgia: State officials had recorded an hourlong call, published by The Washington Post, during which Trump pressured them to manufacture enough votes to declare him the victor. As the fallout from the recording ricocheted through Washington, the presidents desperate bid to change the outcome in Georgia came into sharp focus. Rosen and Donoghue pressed ahead, informing Steven Engel, the head of the Justice Departments office of legal counsel, about Clarks latest maneuver. Donoghue convened a late-afternoon call with the departments remaining senior leaders, laying out Clarks efforts to replace Rosen. Rosen planned to soon head to the White House to discuss his fate, Donoghue told the group. Should Rosen be fired, they all agreed to resign en masse. For some, the plan brought to mind the so-called Saturday Night Massacre of the Nixon era, where Attorney General Elliot Richardson and his deputy resigned rather than carry out the presidents order to fire the special prosecutor investigating him. The Clark plan, the officials concluded, would seriously harm the department, the government and the rule of law. For hours, they anxiously messaged and called one another as they awaited Rosens fate. Around 6 p.m., Rosen, Donoghue and Clark met at the White House with Trump, Cipollone, his deputy Patrick Philbin and other lawyers. Trump had Rosen and Clark present their arguments to him. Cipollone advised the president not to fire Rosen and he reiterated, as he had for days, that he did not recommend sending the letter to Georgia lawmakers. Engel advised Trump that he and the departments remaining top officials would resign if he fired Rosen, leaving Clark alone at the department. Trump seemed somewhat swayed by the idea that firing Rosen would trigger not only chaos at the Justice Department but also congressional investigations and possibly recriminations from other Republicans and distract attention from his efforts to overturn the election results. After nearly three hours, Trump ultimately decided that Clarks plan would fail, and he allowed Rosen to stay. Rosen and his deputies concluded they had weathered the turmoil. Once Congress certified Bidens victory, there would be little for them to do until they left along with Trump in two weeks. They began to exhale days later as the Electoral College certification at the Capitol got underway. And then they received word: The building had been breached. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. MILAN (Reuters) - Italy's Lombardy region and the central government exchanged blame on Saturday over the release of COVID-19 data that wrongly condemned the region to stricter restrictions. Lombardy, the country's wealthiest and most productive area which includes the fashion capital Milan, was forced to close most shops a week ago after being classed "red" under Italy's system of tiered restrictions. Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Saturday Lombardy had initially submitted wrong data, messing up calculations by Italy's higher health council. He then designated Lombardy as "orange", allowing shops to reopen and older students to attend classes after they were forced to switch to distance learning. Lombardy's administration, led by the right-wing League party which has come under fire for its handling of the pandemic, hit back at Rome. "They wanted us to say it was our mistake, but it wasn't. I'll never agree to saying there has been a mistake in the data we sent," Governor Attilio Fontana told a press conference. He said the region would press ahead with a lawsuit filed with an administrative court and seek money from the government to compensate shopkeepers who have been forced to close down just as the sales season was starting. Retail association Confcommercio Milano estimated shops in Milan had lost around 100 million euros in revenue. Lombardy, the country's industrial heartland, accounts for more than a fifth of Italy's 2.46 million COVID-19 cases to date. With 26,622 deaths out of the national total of 85,162, it is by far the worst-hit region and was the epicentre of the pandemic during the first wave in the Spring. Italy calculates its tiers using a rage of data including the number of cases and intensive care occupancy rates. (Reporting by Valentina Za' Editing by Andrew Heavens) New Jersey officials have rejected a redevelopment designation that may have many neighbors of the property rejoicing. In December, the Franklin Township Committee unanimously approved a property to be designated as an area in need of redevelopment under the provisions of the New Jersey Local Redevelopment and Housing Law. The designation comes with a long-term tax abatement known as a payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, program. Long Island-based home-furnishings company Safavieh had requested the township investigate if the 112-acre property on Bloomsbury-Asbury Road, across from Lime Kiln Road, could qualify for the special designation. Many neighbors stated they were concerned that the redevelopment designation would pave the way for the agricultural property to be turned into warehouses or other industrial facilities. In May 2019, the Franklin Township Committee adopted a resolution designating the property as an area in need of development. This designation was challenged in court by Tracey Heisler, William Heisler, and the Viking Development Company. A January 2020 consent order from the New Jersey Superior Court remanded the matter to the townships land use board and directed it to conduct a new hearing. Skylands Preservation Alliance planning consultant Peter Steck, who was hired by the challengers, said the land is currently being farmed and thus does not meet the criteria for designation as being vacant and unimproved, as per the redesignation requirements. A property can never qualify as vacant land if it is being farmed, Steck said. The township committee still voted in December to affirm that the new designation was appropriate but the state in a January letter disagreed. The delineated site is not situated in an area in which development or redevelopment is to be encouraged pursuant to any State law or regulation. according to the New Jersey State Community of Affairs. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. John Best is a freelance contributor to lehighvalleylive.com. A 34-year-old Texas man has been arrested for allegedly taking part in the storming of the US Capitol this month and posting violent threats, including a call to assassinate Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Garret Miller, who is from the Dallas suburb of Richardson, was arrested on Friday after being named in a five-count federal complaint. Authorities allege that Miller posted photos and videos on his social media accounts that show him inside the Capitol during the January 6 storming of the building by supporters of then-president Donald Trump. It is also alleged that he called for violence in online posts, including a tweet that simply read: Assassinate AOC, a reference to Ms Ocasio-Cortez. In another tweet, Miller posted: They are right next time we bring the guns, an FBI agent wrote in an affidavit. On one hand you have to laugh, and on the other know that the reason they were this brazen is because they thought they were going to succeed. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 23, 2021 Miller also threatened a US Capitol police officer during an exchange on Instagram, writing that he planned to hug his neck with a nice rope, the affidavit states. After posting a photo on Facebook showing him inside the Capitol, Miller responded to a comment on the picture with: just want to incriminate myself a little lol, according to an FBI affidavit. Ms Ocasio-Cortez posted Millers charging documents on Twitter on Friday and then tweeted: On one hand you have to laugh, and on the other know that the reason they were this brazen is because they thought they were going to succeed. Millers lawyer, Clint Broden, said his client regrets the actions he took in a misguided effort to show his support for former President Trump. His social media comments reflect very ill-considered political hyperbole in very divided times and will certainly not be repeated in the future, Mr Broden said. He looks forward to putting all of this behind him. We are hopeful that, given his family support and regret for his actions, he will be released so that he can resolve the charges against him in a timely fashion. Miller is scheduled to appear at a detention hearing on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT The holder of the biggest stake in Union Bank of Nigeria is contemplating its future with the Lagos-based lender, as its 49.97 per cent ownership has received acquisition offers from domestic bidders, Bloomberg has reported, citing insiders familiar with the subject. Early interests in the shareholding of Atlas Mara, a financial services holding company, quoted on the London Stock Exchange, are coming from local banks intent on widening their reach in the Nigerian market, according to sources pleading anonymity because negotiations are still under wraps. Atlas Mara is currently engaging financial advisor Rothschild & Co. but the deal could be consummated as an outright sale or take another direction as the landscape of a definite takeover is not yet clear. Nigerias biggest lender, Access Bank, is forging a deal with the firm to buy its assets in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia, with that deal close to being delivered. The bank said at an analyst call this week it was looking to gain traction in the financial markets of eight other African countries in a bid to leverage the potential of the continents new free trade agreement. Atlas Mara, based in British Virgin Islands, is paring down its size, following a growth plan that went bad in that it wrongly estimated competition in Africa when it overpaid for acquisitions. The companys share of Union Bank, which has a market value of N161.620 billion, is its largest asset and is viewed as a strategic positioning in Africas biggest economy. Bob Diamond, who jointly founded the financial services group, vacated his post as chair of Atlas Mara about two years ago for Michael Wilkerson, chairman of Fairfax Africa, which wields 49% stake in the company. Union Bank closed trade on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Friday at N5.55 per share, up by 1.83%. A spokesperson for Union Bank, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem, told PREMIUM TIMES inquiries should be directed to Atlas Mara. Atlas Mara did not respond to a PREMIUM TIMES request, via email, for comment. (@FahadShabbir) Moldova's former president, Igor Dodon, said on Friday that his Party of Socialists was preparing for the early parliamentary elections in June CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd January, 2021) Moldova's former president, Igor Dodon, said on Friday that his Party of Socialists was preparing for the early parliamentary elections in June. Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu resigned in December so that the country could hold early parliamentary elections. In accordance with the Moldovan legislation, the president must nominate a candidate for the post of prime minister, but instead, President Maia Sandu went to the Constitutional Court to ask whether the parliament could announce its dissolution. The court declined such an option. Dodon, in turn, convened on Monday a meeting of the executive committee of the Party of Socialists to discuss the constitutional and government crisis. "The Party of Socialists is preparing for the early parliamentary elections in June of this year, we believe that this is the most suitable option. If the president nominates a candidate for prime minister next week, and then he receives a vote of no confidence, then the early parliamentary elections may be held at the end of May," Dodon said in a statement. According to the ex-president, there are currently three options for the development of events in the political arena. The first option assumes that Sandu will continue refusing to nominate a candidate for prime minister and then she could face impeachment. The second option is the nomination of a candidate, his approval and the formation of a government. The third option is that the president nominates a candidate, parliament passes a vote of no confidence, the situation repeats again and early parliamentary elections can be held. The Socialist Party considers the last to be the most likely option. According to the Moldovan legislation, the dissolution of parliament is possible in two cases if the parliament blocks its work for three months, or if lawmakers reject the presidential candidate for the post of prime minister twice within 45 days. Tammin Sursok has confirmed her husband Sean McEwen has received a negative Coronavirus result, 21 days after he tested positive. On Saturday, the elated 37-year-old actress shared a string of videos relaying how 'overwhelming' the virus had been on the family, before confirming the happy result alongside a video of their daughter Lennon, two, cheering for joy. She also posted a heart-wrenching video of Sean - who was fully masked and wearing gloves - reuniting with their daughter for the first time, as they took a walk down the street together. Happy news! On Saturday, Tammin Sursok revealed her husband Sean McEwen had finally received a negative Covid result, 21 days after he tested positive According to health.gov.au, while a negative coronavirus test may come as a relief, Sean's symptoms will still need to be carefully monitored and he could be required to be tested again. Hours before receiving the result, Tammin confirmed that her husband was still 'really weak' and had lost '15 pounds in two weeks,' or 6.8kg. 'Once you're past the scary phase and your loved one is OK, it's still such a disruption to your life, and your kid's lives and the person who is sick's life,' she said. She added that everyone needs to realise the virus is 'still around', saying: 'This is almost a year, and I never thought after a year that this would still be affecting us.' So cute: She also posted a heart-wrenching video of Sean - who was fully masked and wearing gloves - reuniting with their daughter for the first time, as they took a walk down the street together Joy! Tammin shared an adorable video of her little girl jumping for joy at the negative result Taken its toll: Just hours before receiving the result, Tammin confirmed that her husband was still 'really weak' and had lost '15 pounds in two weeks' 'Please be safe, and I know that the fatigue of all this gets overwhelming - I get it, because it's happening to me too. 'But there will be some light at the end of the tunnel and we will get back to our normal lives.' On Wednesday, Tammin had revealed that Sean had been 24 hours 'fever free' for the first time in over 14 days. 'First 24 hours fever free. Praise the lord!!! Thank you thank you thank you,' she wrote. 'My husband had a fever of 102-103 for 14/15 days. We haven't seen him in 18 days. He's been in one room for 18 days,' she continued. 'I'm hoping we can be reunited in the next day or two. Stay tuned...' She also shared a touching image of her husband peeking out of the second story window to see Lennon, which she captioned: 'Play date'. Touching: She then shared a heartbreaking image of her husband peeking out of the second story window to see their daughter, which she captioned: 'Play date' 'I'm scared': Earlier in the month, Tammin tearfully announced that her husband, film producer Sean, had contracted coronavirus Tammin had also confirmed she and her daughters, Phoenix, six, and Lennon were able to leave their house after quarantining for 15 days and testing negative three times. Earlier in the month, Tammin tearfully announced that her husband, film producer Sean, had contracted coronavirus. 'My husband has Covid and I'm scared. Today I'm not as scared as yesterday, but yesterday I felt very out of control,' she said. 'It was rough and touch and go. All the hospitals are full and his fever of 103 wouldn't break for days and it got to a very scary place. 'Covid is real. It's scary and I now see it first hand. I've been really scared and in a dark place... I'm struggling and I love you all and this community.' The former Home and Away star finished by urging people to 'please wear a mask', before saying: 'This is not something you want to get.' Tammin met her husband in 2007, when she was auditioning for his film Albino Farm. The couple married in 2011 in Florence, Italy. No one has a good word to say in public about Prince Andrew these days, but behind the scenes hes quietly demonstrating his business prowess. I can disclose that the Dragons Den-style project he created that brokers deals between tech start-ups and wealthy investors has now exceeded 1 million in profits. Pitch@Palace Global increased its ongoing profits to 1.2 million in the 12 months to March last year, according to figures published this week. Pitch@Palace Global increased its ongoing profits to 1.2 million in the 12 months to March last year, according to figures published this week. Pictured: Prince Andrew as he hosts a Pitch@Palace event at Buckingham Palace in June 2019 The Duke of York had announced four months previously that he would step back from royal duties. The figure represents a 260,000 increase from 2019. The scheme was set up in 2017 with Andrew listed as a person of significant control. No turnover or staff costs are reported, though accounts filed at Companies House report an average monthly number of employees was 15, up from 14 in 2019. This week, the business moved to a new registered address in High Holborn, London. Andrews ex-wife, Sarah, with whom he still shares Royal Lodge, Windsor, has been demonstrating her own enterprise by embarking on a string of new projects including writing racy novels for Mills & Boon. A big relaunch for Pitch@Palace had been planned for this spring, but a spokesman tells me its on hold until the pandemic is over. He adds: However, as the company report and accounts demonstrate, it continues to be a commercially successful enterprise that has supported more than 1,040-plus alumni at 156 events from 64 countries globally and it will be relaunched in due course once its future direction and strategy has been determined. Prince Andrew as he hosts a Pitch@Palace event at Buckingham PalaceDuke of York Pitch at Buckingham Palace in June 2019 Its unclear how closely involved the Queens second son will be. A source at the project tells me: The Duke will remain as the founder of the business but the company is taking this time to conduct a review of its structure and governance, including to what extent, if any, he continues his involvement in its day-to-day running. The FBI still wants to question Andrew over his close friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself while awaiting trial on further charges. Pressure on Andrew, 60, intensified following the arrest in the U.S. of his close friend, Epsteins ex-girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. The smart sets talking about... Why all bets are off for going to Ascot this year The Duchess of Cambridge at Royal Ascot in 2019 And its orf! I hear the Queens favourite sporting and social event, Royal Ascot, is to be closed to spectators for a second successive year. An announcement is imminent, says my man with the top hat and tails. Ascot Racecourse chief executive Guy Henderson had written to Royal Enclosure members last month saying he hoped the race meeting would still go ahead but with social-distancing and reduced capacity. Last summer, the Queen, who usually arrives each day of the race meeting in a carriage procession from Windsor Castle alongside other members of the Royal Family, wrote the introduction to the racecards, even though she watched on television from home. The news will disappoint horse-mad royals including the Duchess of Cambridge (right), who wore an elegant light blue Elie Saab lace blouse and matching tulle skirt for her last appearance in 2019. With Glastonbury already called off, Royal Ascot was one of the few social highlights left to look forward to this year. Duchess offers a shot in the arm Wouldn't this be a glorious incentive to receive a jab? The Duchess of Rutland has offered to transform her familys magnificent home, Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, into a Covid vaccination centre. The Duchess of Rutland has offered to transform her familys magnificent home, Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, into a Covid vaccination centre One of the things that has blown me away is how weve suddenly seen the cathedrals opening up their doors to allow people to go and have jabs, says the Duchess, Emma Manners. If anyone wanted to come and do that here, the doors are here to be opened. 'We havent been approached but would support anything. Family tributes for Lady de Rothschild Hailed a style icon and champion of art and design by her family, Victoria, Lady de Rothschild, died this week aged 71. Hailed a style icon and champion of art and design by her family, Victoria, Lady de Rothschild, died this week aged 71. The elegant American ex-wife of banker Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, Victoria was a vice-treasurer of the Conservative Party. She died at home with her family by her side, a spokesman says. The mother of adventurer David, philanthropist Anthony and film producer Jessica, she lost some of her huge divorce settlement when she was conned into investing in Bernie Madoffs 40 billion fraud. The Queen gives working from home the royal seal of approval Working from home has won the royal seal of approval. I hear the Queen has given staff permission to continue flexible working even after the crisis is over. The news is confirmed in a job advertisement on the royal website for a senior employee communications assistant which stresses that as we look ahead, more flexible ways of working are likely to continue post pandemic. Lets hope the royals will, however, soon be out and about again. Her Majesty is said to have once remarked: I have to be seen to be believed. Transfers, inquiries amidst port agitation By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s): Port workers continued their agitation on Friday amidst punishment transfers and inquiries initiated against the trade union leaders that have been campaigning to ensure that the East Container Terminal (ECT) will be run solely by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). Fridays demonstration was to be carried out at the Gate 3 entrance to the Colombo Port with the participation of all trade union members during the lunch hour, All Ceylon General Workers Union General Secretary Niroshan Gorakanage told the Business Times on Tuesday. He noted that they would also submit their proposals on the running of the ECT to the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee (CANC) on Friday. The trade union leader also said that they are scheduled to meet religious leaders next week in a bid to intensify their campaign and have gained the support of all other trade unions as well outside of the port to agitate against the involvement of India in the running of the operations of the ECT. He also noted that he has been subjected to an immediate transfer within the port to another section and an inquiry as well which he believes is as part of his involvement in this movement. In addition, the Deputy Head of the Pohottuwa trade union has also been subject to an inquiry by the SLPA. Meanwhile, SLPA Chairman Gen. Daya Ratnayaka told the Business Times on Friday that the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) has submitted their document and now the CANC will commence their work and is scheduled to complete their draft recommendation by the end of this month. He noted that Japan is very much in the agreement as part of the 49 per cent but they are yet to agree to change their stance. The Sri Lankan government has requested them to come in as an investor and Gen. Ratnayaka noted that Japan is yet to agree and that in this respect discussions are being carried out. (Photo : How we brought together 5,000 people for an Affiliate Summit in 90 days) In 2020, we at Travelpayouts decided to run our Affiliate Summit completely online for the first time ever. We even did it in two languages - English for our international audience and in Russian for those interested in affiliate travel marketing. All of this while also dealing with Covid-19, which brought obvious challenges for the travel industry, including the fact that many big advertisers completely shut down their programs, leaving affiliate marketers with broken links and zero revenue streams. The whole industry was feeling the effect of this, and our main goal with the Affiliate Summit was to show people that we are still here and ready to support our affiliates when they needed the support the most. It was also to show that we are looking towards the future, to a time when everyone is traveling again. Our five-day event from October 5-9 included educational segments on performance marketing, ads, SEO, content marketing, and other topics that encouraged our affiliates to find the best ways to adapt their platforms for the crisis. We wanted to encourage people to look at segments such as car rentals, local travels, and other methods that could work for them. While it is difficult to say that anything good has come from Covid, it allowed us accessibility to audiences worldwide. It also meant that we didn't need a physical space and it eliminated any speaker fees that would normally have to be paid (travel, lodging, etc.). Since we have affiliate markers in India, Thailand, Russia, the USA, Canada, Kuwait, and more, we had the amazing opportunity to connect them all in one place via the online platform. Challenges One of the biggest challenges we faced during this was in regards to competition. Many other groups were hosting conferences at similar times. We decided to focus on our target audience - affiliate marketers and bloggers interested in affiliate marketing tools. We built awareness through our speakers, so it was important for us to work with esteemed travel bloggers and affiliates. We had ambitions of bringing thousands of affiliates to the conference but only really started to work on the event three months ahead of time. We quickly realized we were short on time. The main lesson here sounds obvious, but it is worth stating - Take however much time you think you need to organize an event and double it. The only time this might not apply is when you are familiar with the process and have all of the basics in place. In fact, we didn't really realize that we were doing two different events at the same time - one summit in Russian and another one in English with a gap of only two weeks. All the speakers and topics were different. We had a team of just five people dealing with registrations for 8,000 people for both summits. We don't recommend doing it this way. In August, we still had zero registrations and less than two months before the start of the event. The forms we created were posted through ads and required people to fill out six lines of information plus a link that required people to sign up for Travelpayouts first. We quickly realized that social media users who weren't familiar with our brand were not ready for all of that. On top of that, our website was still messy, with no specific topics and five pages of information for each day. Users would have to sift through lots of information to get familiar with the event. However, our creatives showed great conversions. Facebook users clicked on them and then got lost on the website. By the end of August, we realized we were short on time and needed to change our strategy ASAP. First, we simplified our website and made everything clear regarding the timing and session schedule. We changed the forms so users only had to leave their emails. We also stopped forcing them to register for Travelpayouts. This made our sessions raise four times but most importantly - we saw a conversion rate of an average of 24,6% and in best times reaching even 40%. Because the event was virtual, we believed it would be hard to pack everything into one or two full days, especially considering the different time zones. So, we pivoted and broke the event down into five days for three hours each, allowing for a more parallel flow. We also created a fun quiz to generate more attention. We asked users to answer questions to see if they were smarter than our speakers. If they succeeded, they could earn $50. This worked well to generate interest. We also created promo codes for speakers and asked them to announce the Summit on their social media accounts. In addition, we asked them to record a short video invitation with the date and the topic they were discussing. With the industry's mood being so low, travel marketers were eager to participate in a free event to support the Summit, and almost all of them agreed to promote the Summit for free. This was a huge boon in bringing awareness to those in the US. Some of our speakers included Oneika Raymond, a well-known travel blogger featured in Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, and other magazines; Alexa Williams Meisler, who runs her program for thousands of traveler bloggers and hosts the Break into Travel Writing podcast; Alisha Kapur from SimilarWeb, and many others. The lesson here is to do as much personalized, creative advertising with your speakers as possible. We used these pictures featuring our speakers to gain more attention. Eighteen percent of all participants came from Facebook. After we personalized everything and targeted our audience well, the conversion was $2.5 per lead, which was great. One week before the event, we got the largest number of leads and the highest conversion rate on Facebook. To target our audience, we used lookalike audience builder tools on Facebook. Landing page improvements drastically increased conversion rates across all channels with paid promo. Another challenge we faced was due to different time zones. Our team was based in Phuket and Moscow, so we would often have to schedule calls with American speakers at night when they were just starting their day. Expertise was another challenge. We are a team of marketing professionals, not event managers, so that experience was new. For a month and a half, we almost completely focused on the Summit and put our regular work to the side. Organizing speakers, getting on calls, you name it, and we had to do it. However, I felt lucky to be a part of such a dedicated team, and it made the process of non-stop hard work where we sometimes forgot to eat or sleep easier. Those days, we had to wear hats typically meant for designers, developers, assistants, program directors, catering managers, and more. To convert leads into real participants, we created a calendar where people could add masterclasses that they wanted to attend. After the Summit, we also sent everyone recordings and invited them to subscribe to our YouTube channel. To increase view time, we had incentives like prize money and special offers available to those that stayed until the end. In a record time, we gathered 8,000 leads, and eventually, around 5,000 of them attended the Summit. After the Summit We invested about $20K of our own money hosting this free Summit, which felt like a lot during a time where you are not getting revenue from the travel industry. However, we are seeing returns through signups to our system and overall positive feedback from participants who were excited and more encouraged to start or continue working in the travel industry. How did you like the summit overall? 4.40 Assess the summit program 4.25 How did you like the online format? 4.40 Was it comfortable to have two flows of sessions? 3.90 Assess networking 2.60 Will you join us next year? 4.60 How did you like the summit program? 4.60 With this Summit, we wanted to encourage affiliates to keep going and show that we are there for them and that we are still investing in the industry. We believe this is a long-term investment and it will yield results after the pandemic is gone. Because of the Summit, we've gained about 200 new registrations on Travelpayouts. We also gained over 500 subscribers on our YouTube channel, which we just started in August. Our Twitter activity jumped up almost five times, and we got 300 new members on our Travel Affiliate Club on Facebook. Written by Liza Rudykh, Head of Marketing at Travelpayouts 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. London [UK], January 23 (ANI): Fugitive liquor baron has appealed to the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel for "another route" to remain in the United Kingdom. Mallya's legal representative made the claim during a hearing into the tycoon's bankruptcy proceedings at the UK High Court in London on Friday. Mallya, 65, has gone through and exhausted the full legal procedures available to him to fight the Indian government's effort to extradite him to India to face charges of defrauding a consortium of banks of more than a billion dollars in relation to the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines in 2013. He remains out on bail awaiting the UK Home Secretary Patel formally signing off on the The Home Office has previously said that the delay in signing off was due to a technicality. There has been speculation that Mallya has sought asylum in the UK, which can be requested on a number of grounds, from a human rights perspective to political asylum. At the High Court on Friday, Mallya's lawyer Philip Marshall said: "The was upheld but he (Vijay Mallya) is still here because as you know there is another route for him to apply to the Secretary of State for the status," said Vijay Mallya's barrister Philip Marshall. The submission was made during Mallya's case at the Companies and Solvency Division of the High Court where he is appealing for substantial funds to be released to him to cover his living expenses as well as the vast legal fees that he has accrued and continues to do so. Mallya has specifically asked for funds from the sale of a luxury property he owned, located on an island off the French Riviera and amounting to nearly 3 million to be released to him. The money is held in the UK's Court Funds Office (CFO) as part of bankruptcy proceedings brought by a consortium of Indian banks led by the State Bank of India (SBI) in lieu of loans that went unpaid by Mallya and Kingfisher Airlines. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. A sign for the National Security Agency (NSA), U.S. Cyber Command and Central Security Service, near the visitor's entrance to the NSA headquarters in Fort Meade, Md., on Feb. 14, 2018. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Defense Intelligence Agency Buys Phone Location Data Without Warrants, Memo Says A U.S. intelligence agency is buying phone location data without using warrants, according to a newly released document. In a memo dated Jan. 15 (pdf) to Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said analysts had searched U.S. device location data five times in the past 2 1/2 years. The Supreme Court ruled in 2018 in Carpenter v. United States that the government improperly obtained cell phone location records from wireless carriers serving Timothy Carpenter, a criminal suspect, because it violated his Fourth Amendment rights by not securing a warrant before obtaining the records. The DIA said it does not construe the Carpenter decision to require a judicial warrant to purchase or use commercially available data for intelligence purposes. Wyden is planning to introduce legislation that would help protect Americans against warrantless searches of cell phone records and other data. On the Senate floor last week, he said it was important that the American people are told if the government is using legal loopholes in the law and the warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment. There are circumstances, he said, in which the government, instead of getting an order, just goes out and purchases the private records of Americans from these sleazy and unregulated commercial data brokers who are simply above the law. Avril Haines, the new director of national intelligence, told Wyden during her recent confirmation hearing that she wasnt up to date on data collection. She said that, if confirmed, she would seek to try to publicize essentially a framework that helps people understand the circumstances under which we do that and the legal basis that we do that under. Other agencies may have also used location data in investigations. The Department of Homeland Securitys inspector general last year said it was investigating whether the department used commercial databases to get location data on Americans without a warrant. The National Security Agency warned Pentagon employees last year that location data can be extremely valuable and must be protected. It can reveal details about the number of users in a location, user and supply movements, daily routines (user and organizational), and can expose otherwise unknown associations between users and locations, the agency said in a memo (pdf) it published in August 2020. Ways to limit tracking risks include disabling location services settings on devices, giving applications as few permissions as possible, and disabling advertising permissions to the greatest extent possible. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Mt. Davidson Dream by Jacquie Proctor, Copyright 2002 "As chairman of arrangements, I have dared to dream that our President would press the button in Washington, D.C., which in turn would light for the first time this giant cross in San Francisco. It seems most appropriate that the President, who has brought light to many a darkened American home and who through his New Deal has instilled the principles of the Golden Rule into American business, should take part in this cross-lighting ceremony." Mrs. Edmund N. "Madie" Brown wrote this letter to a personal friend of President Franklin Roosevelt just after the International Longshoremen's Union, led by labor leader Harry R. Bridges, announced plans to shut down the shipping industry along the entire Pacific Seaboard. The strike was set for March 23rd, 1934 - the day before the cross-lighting ceremony. History books now describe this union walkout as one of the most divisive and significant events of the Great Depression. Did the strike announcement cause Madie to make this request of the President? Is it just a coincidence that he convinced the Longshoremen to postpone their walkout and try arbitration just two days before the cross dedication? What we do know is that President Roosevelt lit the world's largest cross because this forgotten woman asked him to - as 50,000 San Franciscans peacefully watched on the slopes of Mt. Davidson. Madie did much more, however, than get this monument dedicated by the President. An ardent nature lover, she was the one who organized a citywide preservation effort to make Mt. Davidson a public park. Because of Madie, we are able to experience today what the founder of the sunrise services, James Decatur, enthusiastically described 80 years ago. "As the group found themselves deeper in the wood...peace and quiet were so profound that it seemed almost unbelievable that the noise and roar of a great city was only a few minutes behind them. The solitude of the forest ...conveyed a sense of vastness quite as real as one would experience among the age-old monarchs of the High Sierras...The undergrowth and flowers looked as if they might have been there for centuries...The path wound around the slopes so perfectly that the ascent was hardly noticeable... (At the summit was) a clear vision of the great panorama that spread before the eye... on the far eastern horizon stood the bold figure of Mt. Diablo... to the west ...could be seen the boundless Pacific, with the headlands of Point Reyes and Point San Pedro forming widespread arms of welcome to those who enter the Golden Gate. (Below were) tall monuments of steel and concrete wherein were housed thousands of busy minds...Myriads of moving objects were, without doubt, hurrying hither and thither, all within vision of Mt. Davidson, yet the noise and tumult of it all was absent." Originally called Blue Mountain, the Sierra Club initiated renaming this popular hiking area for their charter member and original surveyor of the site, George Davidson. A.S. Baldwin purchased the property from Mayor Sutro's estate in 1909 and built trails to the summit for the "pleasure of the public." Inspired by the hike and view, James Decatur got permission from Baldwin to build a temporary cross for an Easter sunrise ceremony in 1923. More than 5,000 attended and its popularity resulted in plans to make it an annual event. But as Baldwin began building homes further up the slopes of Mt. Davidson three years later, Madie Brown, became "alarmed by the destruction," and made a plea for preservation to the Commodore Sloat Elementary School Parent-Teachers Association. "The subdividers' axe and steam shovel are destroying in ruthless fashion the beauties of nature on our beloved Mt. Davidson," she cried. We must "preserve for San Francisco this wooded hill to provide our school children with the environment for nature study; the Boy Scouts with an outdoor playground for hikes and overnight camping; the Easter pilgrim for a place of worship on its summit at dawn; and the visitor with unsurpassed views from the highest point in the city!" Madie was appointed chair of the Mt. Davidson Conservation Committee. Gathering historical data, maps, and an appraisal for the property, this activist housewife may have been the first to say no to San Francisco's powerful building industry. Mrs. Brown proceeded to intuitively write the rulebook many now use for grassroots organizing. The P.T.A. mothers and their children sent wild flowers from the mountain to individuals as pleas for support. Exhibits were set up at flower shows and schools. The 15,000 members of the City and County Federations of Womens Clubs voted to support the cause. Dressed in earnest with her stylish hat and suit, Madie set up interviews with the prominent and powerful to persuade them to join her cause. Publicity was secured in the press and shown on newsreels at the theaters. Soon Mayor "Sunny Jim" Rolph and Margaret Mary Morgan, the first woman elected to the Board of Supervisors, prominent citizens, improvement clubs, and civic organizations were joining the citywide demand for the protection of Mt. Davidson. After a three-year campaign, the S.F. Chronicle reported that, "due to the effort of a nature loving woman... the tree clad slope and crest of Mount Davidson, rich in sentiment and historic association for San Francisco was now permanently preserved for the pleasure of the people." The 25 acres purchased by the City plus the 6-acre summit donated by the developer's widow, Mrs. A.S. Baldwin, was dedicated on December 20, 1929, the 84th birthday of the City's Superintendent of Parks, John McLaren. As part of her efforts to preserve Mt. Davidson, Madie uncovered a gold mine of San Francisco history. She found the first title to the land granted by Mexican Governor Pio Pico to the last Mexican mayor "alcalde" of Yerba Buena, Don Jose de Jesus Noe in 1846 and had a copy put in the monument's time capsule. Those who made their fortune in the Gold Rush would seek ownership of Noe's 4000 acre Rancho San Miguel after California joined the Union. The first was John Horner. Founder of Union City and "California's First Farmer, " he bought the land for $200,000 in 1852. Horner laid out the first streets and lots of Noe and Eureka Valleys, but lost all of his money five years later. Shipping millionaire and Mayor of San Francisco, C.K. Garrison held the mortgage and sold the property to Francois Pioche, another gold rush financier, bon vivante, and founder of the French Hospital. Pioche's partner, L.L. Robinson, was an engineer. Together they built the first railroad in California and another in San Francisco to bring people to the unique curvelinear lots they developed above Market Street. Pioche is also credited with giving San Franciscans an appreciation for fine food after bringing 40 chefs and a cargo of vintage wine from France to give his friends the benefit of the "Grand Tour" and improve local restaurant cuisine. Three mayors ultimately owned Mt. Davidson with the last being Adolph Sutro who made a fortune in Nevada's Comstock Lode. Ironically the extraordinary tunnel he devised to get the silver was in another mountain surveyed and named by George Davidson after himself. With his new found riches he bought a fourth of the rancho in the late 1880's. It was Madie that uncovered the fact that poet, Joaquin Miller, gave the idea to Sutro to plant the trees still there today. He willed his forested mountains to San Francisco for educational purposes, but Sutro's heirs got the California Supreme Court to invalidate the legacy and sold the land to their appraiser, A.S. Baldwin. Like Sutro, Baldwin found riches in a tunnel, which opened in West Portal after World War I. In the tradition of the Spanish explorers that preceded him, he marked the mountaintop with a cross to bring buyers out to see the new homes he was building. Women who attended the sunrise services used their recent 19th Amendment political strength to preserve the peak for open space. Now a 40-acre city park, its 103-foot high monument was built by the creators of the City's first skyscrapers: George Kelham and Henry Brunnier. While Mayors can no longer own the City's highest peak, they have lead the annual pilgrimage of "Jew and Gentile... Catholic and Protestant" to see the sun rise on Easter Sunday every year since 1923. One of many similar civic events being initiated throughout the U.S. at the time, the faithful and faithless were seeking inspiration in natural settings to counter the growing commercialism and materialism of the Roaring '20s. Measuring the pulse of the city during times of crisis, it has become a place where San Franciscans gather for spiritual renewal. During the Great Depression, amidst the hunger and fear, strikes and union busting: union members and business leaders, homemakers and politicians, children and the unemployed, overcame their differences to build this monument. Eager to revive the economy, San Franciscans were already working on monumental bridge projects to span the Bay and Golden Gate. It seemed appropriate at the time to crown their tallest mountain with a colossal cross as a symbol of faith and confidence in the American dream. Up to 50,000 San Franciscans attended this annual event during the Depression, World War II, Korean War, and after the Jim Jones massacre and assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. Reflective of the litigious and me-first mentality of a materialistic decade, a divisive legal action was initiated to destroy the Depression-era monument in 1990. Would FDR turn over in his grave knowing that when he lit the cross he was violating the separation of church and state? Controversy is integral to public art and to San Francisco. Three years after the cross was built, master artist, Beniamino Bufano, offered to place a taller St. Francis sculpture atop Twin Peaks. The Art Commission, in a narrow vote, "disapproved without prejudice" his WPA proposal to erect a 180-foot high stainless steel statue that would have dwarfed the cross. Now a giant red and white, but politically correct, pitchfork adorns the mountain named after Adolph Sutro. Taller than the city's skyscrapers and the Golden Gate Bridge, it tells the world that non-sectarian "Big Business" is the guiding light of San Francisco. Despite being overshadowed by this television tower nine times its size and shrouded in trees planted by kindergartners a hundred years ago; a judge ruled that the location of the cross on public property and the City's highest point showed a preference for Christianity. Ironically Madie's fight to stop private development of the peak and preserve it, as public open space would be used as a reason to argue for removal of a monument dedicated to bringing the golden rule to business. Sixty-five years after its donation to the City, the summit of Mt. Davidson was put on the auction block and the fate of the cross left to the highest bidder. To balance the technological skyline of the City, a telecommunication company offered to save the cross by rebuilding it as an antenna. But San Franciscans ratified the sale to the Council of Armenian Organizations of Northern California in order to preserve the historic monument. On January 20, 1998, the City officially divested itself from the property. Surviving a second trip to the CA Supreme Court and back, the summit remains open to the public and the cross continues to be lit on Easter eve, as it was by President Roosevelt in 1934. The plaque honoring Madie has since been stolen from the top of the trail to Inspiration Point. In its place is a court-ordered sign about the removal of the religious monument from public ownership. Men surveyed, named, bought, sold, developed, litigated and used Mt. Davidson for political gain, but a woman preserved it for the millennium. Madie did not use her victory as a stepping-stone for political office, leaving instead an unselfish legacy of neighborhood activism, women's political action, and environmental protection. She never owned the mountain, nor is it named for her, but Madie Brown is the one that dared to dream that this lovely spot on the city's highest hill could be saved for the public to enjoy today in the midst of what is now the 4th densest city in America. Marking the outermost boundary of western civilization, for some the monument at its top is a politically incorrect relic of manifest destiny. But others embrace it for surviving with them through the worst times they ever faced. Visible from my living room window, whether it is reflecting a beautiful sunrise or dancing with the fog, the view of Mt. Davidson nurtures my senses and my soul. For me the monument at its summit is a peaceful and contemplative icon to focus upon before facing the "myriads of moving objects" outside my urban door. I feel lucky that in my own front yard is one of the many public artworks created to nurture San Franciscans through the Great Depression. Because of Madie, it also remains to remind us that the future of the American dream is not just about faith in God or capitalism, but our practice of universal ethics such as the Golden Rule. Jacquie Proctor has lived in Miraloma Park for over 20 years and is one of the founders of the Friends of Mt. Davidson Conservancy. She would be interested in learning more about Madie from any of her descendants. Read Jacquie Proctor's history of Mt. Davidson on the San Francisco Historical Society Web site! Images: 1) Rededication ceremony honoring Mrs. Madie D. Brown on Mount Davidson. Newscopy: "REDEDICATION--Under the sponsorship of the Landmarks Council, a new bronze plaque, honoring Mrs. Madie D. Brown, was installed in a rock on Mt. Davidson: Mrs. Brown, Max Funke, superintendent of parks, and Mrs. Deane Stewart, president, West Portal PTA."; 2) Easter Sunrise service at Mt. Davidson, April 19, 1930 (Both images courtesy of the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library). Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places! The tractor parades will start from the Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri border points and details will be finalised on Saturday, farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said after attending a meeting with the police Thousands of farmers are set to participate in a tractor rally on Republic Day (26 January) in Delhi, as farmers' leaders claimed on Saturday that the Delhi Police has granted permission for the mega event. However, Delhi Police Additional Public Relation Officer Anil Mittal was quoted by PTI as saying, "We are in the final stages of talks with the farmers." Over two lakh tractors are expected to take part in the parade and there will be around five routes. The tractor parades will be taken out only after 12 pm, after the Republic Day parade on Delhi's Rajpath concludes, according to protesting farmer unions. On Saturday, several batches of farmers from Punjab and Haryana on Saturday set out for Delhi in tractor-trolleys and other vehicles, in preparation for the rally. Meanwhile, late on Friday night, farmer leaders alleged that a conspiracy had been hatched to kill four of them and create a disturbance during the Republic Day tractor rally. At a late-night press conference at the Singhu border, the farmer leaders presented a person who claimed that his accomplices were allegedly asked to pose as policemen and baton charge the crowd during the proposed tractor rally. The man was interrogated by the Haryana Police on Saturday. Additionally, 32 Punjab farmer unions were scheduled to hold a meeting at the Singhu border on Saturday to reconsider the government's proposal to put the contentious laws on hold, PTI reported. The report also said that a meeting of the Samkyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of 40 farmer organisations leading the protests at several Delhi border points, was also to be held. Police granted permission for tractor rally, say farmers Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar stated that the Delhi Police has given permission to the farmers' tractor parade on 26 January, after attending a meeting between the unions and senior police officers. The tractor parade will start from the Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri border points of Delhi, but the final details of routes are yet to be finalised, said Kohar, who is a senior member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha. Farmer leaders said that five routes have been decided in-principle and farmers will cover 100 kilometres with tractors on every route, and added that 70 to 78 percent of the routes will culminate inside Delhi while the remaining will be outside the National Capital. PTI quoted sources as saying that one possible route for the tractor parade from Singhu border will be to Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar and it will pass through the Kanjhawala and Bawana areas and then return to the protest site. Farmers camping at the Tikri border point will start their tractor parade from the protest site and cover areas like Nangloi, Najafgarh, Badli, and Kundli-Manesar Palwal (KMP) Expressway, they said. For farmers camping at the Ghazipur border point, their tractor parade will cover areas like Apsra border-Ghaziabad-Duhai and return to Ghazipur, the sources said. However, tractor parade routes for farmers camping at Shahjahanpur and Palwal have not been decided yet, they said. Farmer leader Darshan Pal said that "barricades set up at Delhi borders will be removed on 26 January and farmers will take out tractor parade after entering the National Capital". "We have almost finalised fives routes," Pal, who is also a member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, said. Another farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said that as thousands of farmers will participate in the parade, there will be no single route as it is not possible to manage huge crowds on a particular route. Earlier, there have been three rounds of meetings between the unions and police officers from Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, but it was the fourth round of talks over the tractor parade on Friday where both sides reached an agreement. While police tried to convince farmer leaders to hold their tractor parade outside the National Capital, they were adamant on holding the proposed rally on Delhi's busy Outer Ring Road. Meanwhile, a control room has been set up by the unions to make arrangements for the 26 January tractor parade. A farmer leader said that 2,500 volunteers will be deployed to facilitate the movement of tractors but their number could be increased depending upon the crowd. Kirti Kisan Union president Nirbhai Singh Dhudike, who presided over a meeting of the Punjab farmers' unions, said that more than one lakh tractors are expected to arrive from the state. "This is going to be a historic rally. We will have around 2,500 volunteers who will part of the tractor rally on Republic Day. In case, anyone needs assistance or help during the rally, these volunteers will assist them. They will be responsible to ensure smooth movement of tractors in an organised and disciplined manner," he said. Haryana Police questions masked man A man was questioned by the Haryana police on Saturday after farmers alleged a conspiracy against them. The man was presented before reporters by the protesting farmer leaders on Friday night. A police official said the man, stated to be around 21 years of age, was being quizzed in Sonipat by the Crime Branch of the state police. He said the man was residing in Sonipat and had no previous criminal record. "He was not carrying any arms or ammunition. We are questioning him, but nothing has so far been found that points to any kind of conspiracy, as is being alleged," the official said, adding that further investigations are underway. Farmer leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu alleged that attempts are being made to disrupt the ongoing agitation against three farm laws. The man, who had his face covered with a scarf, claimed at the press conference that a plan was hatched to shoot four farmer leaders, who are known faces in the media, at the stage on Saturday. "On 26 January, there was a plan to create disturbance during the tractor parade by opening fire on Delhi Police personnel, which would prompt them to retaliate against the protesting farmers in a strong manner," he said. Shun your ego and accept farmers' demands: Sukhbir Badal to Centre Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal asked the BJP-led Centre to shun the "ego" and accept the demand of farmers of repealing the three farm laws. "It is shameful to see that the Central Government is adamant on its stand and not ready to repeal farm laws as per the demand of farmers," he said. Badal said farmers of the country are united in their demand to repeal these laws which will completely "destroy" future generations of the farmers. In a statement, Badal strongly condemned the registration of a case against Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Manjinder Singh Sirsa. He alleged that the Centre was pursuing "vendetta" politics against those who were supporting farmers in their cause. Sirsa is serving 'langar' to farmers and standing by them in this hour of crisis and that is the sole reason he is being dragged into "false" cases, Badal alleged. The Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing registered a cheating case against Sirsa, officials had said. Badal also slammed Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, accusing him of having "failed" to fulfil even one promise made to the people of the state. He said making announcements is a different thing and implementing them is different. Unlike the last 10 rounds of talks, the 11th round saw both the sides hardening their positions and could not even reach a decision on the next date for the meeting. Enacted in September last year, the three farm laws Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country. However, the protesting farmers have expressed their apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of MSP and do away with the "mandi" (wholesale market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates. WASHINGTON President Biden on Friday telephoned the chief of the National Guard Bureau to express dismay after troops deployed to protect his inauguration were ordered a day earlier to rest in an unheated garage after being booted from the Capitol, administration officials said. Photographs of dozens of guard members resting in parking spaces created a public relations debacle in the first days of Mr. Bidens term, with some governors demanding that troops from their states be sent home. In a telephone call with General Daniel R. Hokanson, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Mr. Biden asked what he could do about the situation, the officials said. The two men also talked about Mr. Bidens personal connection to the Guard; Mr. Bidens son, Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015, served as a Major in the Delaware Army National Guard. Officials said that the White House might also arrange a call with state officials to thank them for their states contributions to the deployment of more than 25,000 National Guard personnel to the nations capital to provide security ahead of and during the inauguration on Wednesday. The BTech, BArch and BPlanning candidates can also apply for the second and third session now in accordance to the JEE Main 2021 examination being conducted in four cycles this year The National Testing Agency (NTA) is going to close the registration window for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2021 on 23 January (Saturday). Candidates who are yet to register themselves for the nation-wide exams are advised to visit the official site of JEE Main at jeemain.nta.nic.in and enrol their names. The last date to pay the registration fee is 24 January, reported NDTV. The first session of the Joint Entrance Examination is going to be held from 23 to 26 February. The BTech, BArch and BPlanning candidates can also apply for the second and third session now in accordance to the JEE Main 2021 examination being conducted in four cycles this year. Follow these steps to apply for JEE Main 2021: Step 1: Visit the official site of NTA JEE Main at Step 2: Register yourselves from the link on the homepage. Enter personal information like your name, dates of birth, contact number and email address in the given spaces Step 3: Once the registration has been completed, log in to the candidate portal using the system generated JEE Main login credentials Step 4: Fill the application form with correct information and scanned documents. Candidates also need to upload scanned photographs and signatures Step 5: After filling up the form, pay the application fees. It can be paid using debit card, credit card, net banking, or through UPI Step 6: Submit the JEE Main 2021 application form once all the details are submitted and payment made Here is the direct link for New Registration (https://testservices.nic.in/examSys21/root/Home.aspx?enc=Ei4cajBkK1gZSfgr53ImFVj34FesvYg1WX45sPjGXBoodsCAPgItCPvwv6bGBGio). In order to prepare for the entrance exam, candidates are advised to refer to the recently uploaded syllabus by NTA. as a Hindustan Times report suggested, candidates can download the PDF of the JEE Main 2021 syllabus from the official website in order to better grasp the changes and details of the entire syllabus. The second cycle of JEE Main is going to begin on 15 March. 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. As a lifelong Pittsfield resident, Jake gravitates to the nearest field or park. He joined The Eagle as a paperboy in 2005 and worked his way up, becoming a full-time reporter in 2018. He's on The Eagle's express desk and is found on Twitter @JMendel94. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Can a Marsh beat a Swamp? Yes, if the Supreme Court precedent in Marsh v. Alabama is applied by Congress, the court or state legislatures to save free speech on the Internet. Marsh was the 1946 Supreme Court case which found that First Amendment protections for free speech can be applied to private sector actors in some circumstances. In the case, a company town owned by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corp. sought to bar free speech on its sidewalks, claiming that the First Amendment only proscribed government censorship, not private sector actions. In a 5-3 decision authored by First Amendment champion Hugo Black, the high court disagreed, finding that when the private sector actor owns and controls the de facto "public square," then Americans constitutional protections still apply. Black wrote, "To act as good citizens they must be informed. In order to enable them to be properly informed their information must be uncensored. ... When we balance the constitutional rights of owners of property against those of the people to enjoy freedom of press and religion, as we must here, we remain mindful of the fact that the latter occupy a preferential position." Marsh has not been widely applied since then, because its circumstances are so rare. At first, the Supreme Court applied the decision to guarantee the rights of protesters in shopping malls in a 1968 case called Amalgamated Food Employees Union Local 590 et al. v. Logan Valley Plaza. However, the more conservative Berger Court soon scaled this protection back in a 1972 case (Lloyd Corp., Ltd. v. Tanner et al.), essentially because such speech can interfere with the fundamental purpose of the mall -- for stores to sell goods -- and because there are alternative sites for such speech. Courts have also refused to apply Marsh to allow commercial companies to spam the Internet with their ads. The Supreme Court in the 2019 Halleck case found there is no Marsh-style protections at a public access cable TV channel, and in February 2020 a federal judge ruled that YouTube was free to restrict or demonetize videos from Prager University. Ultimately, it is all a matter of balance and degree. Providing freedom for political debate is the first and necessary condition for democracy, and the first and necessary role of the state. It is a traditional and exclusive public function for the state to maintain fair and reasoned elections, and therefore to maintain and ensure adequate locations and opportunity for public debate ahead of the election; there can be no fair elections if political debate is stopped. If a private individual truly could silence all other speakers and all debate so that only the private sector tyrant's own voice could be heard, the government could not and would not let it stand. The closer the underlying facts approach this dystopian reality, the more the Marsh decision must apply. If there is ever a set of circumstances that warrants another application of the ruling, it is today as Twitter bans all speech from the now-former president of the United States, and as Apple and Amazon shut down Parler, thereby closing the public square used by a wide swath of Americans. The speech being blocked is clearly political speech rather than commercial speech, and so warrants the highest level of constitutional protection. The speech is not in conflict with the central action of the site, as in the shopping mall cases; speech is the purpose for which these sites were built, and preserving freedoms for censored speakers in no way prevents other speakers from having their freedoms as well. The censorship did not block one specific message or release, such as the Pentagon Papers, but rather the right to speak in the future, on any topic. (Even future apologies or calls for reconciliation have been silenced.) The speech precluded is also not blocked in a consistent manner: There was no blocking of speakers who pulled together the crowds that led to violence in many U.S. cities all summer long. Nor has there been blocking of Vladimir Putin, or Irans ayatollahs, for example. The sites are not just affecting political debate in a small way, such as demonetizing a YouTube video; they are audaciously showing their power to silence an elected U.S. president forever into the future, and should they choose, to silence an unlimited number of his supporters. In the context of free speech, the Internet social media sites are uniquely important, with an impact far beyond access to shopping malls. In a 2017 case, Packingham v. North Carolina, the court made clear that the Big Tech social media sites have become THE public square of our time, ruling unanimously that even convicted sex offenders cannot be blocked or censored from Facebook and Twitter. "A fundamental principle of the First Amendment is that all persons have access to places where they can speak and listen, and then, after reflection, speak and listen once more, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote. While in the past there may have been difficulty in identifying the most important places (in a spatial sense) for the exchange of views, today the answer is clear. It is cyberspace -- the vast democratic forums of the Internet' in general, and the social media in particular." Kennedy went on to say, "These websites can provide perhaps the most powerful mechanisms available to a private citizen to make his or her voice heard. They allow a person with an Internet connection to 'become a town crier with a voice that resonates farther than it could from any soapbox. [T]o foreclose access to social media altogether is to prevent the user from engaging in legitimate exercise of First Amendment rights." If private companies own or manage the public square of our political debate, they must honor the protections for such political debate. The Constitution never desired Jack Dorsey's sandal or Jeff Bezos' boat shoe to become the boot on the face of freedom forever. Does the First Amendment really say that child molesters have a free speech right to social media, but the president of the United States does not? Attacks on conservative speech today can easily become attacks on progressive speech tomorrow, and legislators of both parties should join together in bipartisan unity. Congress should mandate "free speech zones" on Big Tech sites -- areas where any political speaker can say what the laws would allow them to say in an actual, physical public park or square, and subject to the same penalties for infractions. If Congress won't legislate these free speech zones, then the Supreme Court should find the protection already exists pursuant to the Marsh and Packingham precedents. And if the federal government won't act, individual states might. In the 1980 case Pruneyard Shopping Center v. Robins, the court found that the free speech protections in the California state constitution were broader than the federal protections and could allow high schoolers to set up a petition table in a California shopping mall against the mall owner's wishes. If, for example, the state governor and Democrats of California ever sought to regulate Big Tech -- and Big Tech retaliated by censoring them from all future social media speech, the state of California would be well within its rights to apply its constitution to prevent such censorship. This free speech solution is different from seeking to end Section 230 and to give Big Tech sites liability for the messages they carry. Such extra liability would merely incentivize the sites to block more messages than ever. The establishment of "free speech zones, treating Big Tech media sites like telephone networks for political debate that carry messages for all, is the better and simpler approach. Friday was Spains day of clergy-abuse reckoning. A blistering internal inquiry on Jesuit sexual-abuse allegations in the European nation identified 118 victims since the late 1920s 81 of them children at the time of the molestations. While victims groups praised the admission, they were aghast that neither the names of the perpetrators nor of those who had covered up the assaults were disclosed, The Associated Press reported on Friday. Protesters demonstrate while blocking the street outside the Justice Ministry in Madrid in 2018. Protesters demonstrate while blocking the street outside the Justice Ministry in Madrid in 2018. (Paul White/) They groups are demanding that the Jesuits inquiry lead to criminal cases against the abusers who remain alive as well as a compensation plan. Its a timid measure that goes in the right direction, but it falls too short, Stolen Childhood Association spokesman Miguel Hurtado explained to The AP. The Jesuits, a Roman Catholic religious order formed in 1540 by Ignatius Loyola, operate 68 schools in Spain that teach approximately 75,000 students. They also run half a dozen universities and education centers. In a report published Thursday by The Society of Jesus in Spain, an internal probe confirmed that 96 members had been accused of sex abuses since 1927. For 65 of the Jesuits, the accusations involved underage victims. The report notes that the accused Jesuits comprise just over 1% of the 8,782 members admitted in the order during the past 93 years. Stolen copy of Leonardo da Vinci painting recovered in Naples Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, has attempted to sensitize the church to the global problem of clergy abuse and passed laws to hold officials accountable for coverups. The Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that its probe of clergy sex-abuse cases since 1986 showed only eight of 123 alleged perpetrators had been Jesuits until the orders disclosure, according to The AP. Our goal is to create a safe environment in our work and a key part of that is to be accountable for what we do, said the Rev. Antonio Espana. As a result, deaths in the country have also inexorably risen, with more than 414,000 linked to the virus. Thats one death out of roughly every 800 people in the country. Starting with the first reported case in the country last January, it took the United States more than nine months to reach 10 million cases. That milestone was passed on Nov. 8, just before a holiday surge that accelerated the rate of new infections and brought weeks of record-shattering hospitalizations and deaths. By the last day of 2020, the country had added another 10 million cases in just seven weeks. Getting to 25 million took about three more weeks, after a surge that peaked at more than 300,000 recorded daily cases before retreating a bit in early January. Hospitalizations peaked around then and have since fallen: The latest figure of 116,264 Covid-19 patients is the lowest since Dec. 21, according to the Covid Tracking Project. Experts now fear that any signs of progress could be undone by the emergence of new variants that appear to be more contagious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently warned that a virus variant first detected in Britain could become the dominant source of infection in the United States by March, and would very likely lead to further surges in cases and deaths. The warning only added to the urgency of speeding up the countrys lagging vaccination rollout. In addition, the more viruses spread, the more opportunities they have to mutate. And as it becomes more difficult for the pathogen to survive whether because of vaccinations or growing natural immunity mutations that enable the virus to spread more easily or to escape detection by the immune system could multiply. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... SANTA FE The city of Santa Fes massive Midtown campus development project was dealt a stunning blow Thursday when Dallas-based KDC/Cienda Partners, the master developer selected by the city, declared its desire to terminate the agreement due to myriad of unforeseen issues. Local officials have long heralded the Midtown campus, used for various college campuses over the decades, as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a new urban center at the heart of Santa Fe. Among the proposals were new housing, job opportunities and higher education centers. But now the future of the campus and what shape itll take once completed has come to a standstill, as city officials regroup. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ A Thursday letter from KDC/Cienda to the city cited the pandemic among reasons why it would not seek an extension to the negotiating agreement set to end in May. The complications and uncertainty caused by COVID and government-ordered shutdowns have created greater risk and cost to this development that neither party could have anticipated, the letter states. Representatives from the developer have not responded to requests for comment. Mayor Alan Webber said certain aspects of the developers proposal, such as commercial office space, were no longer viable since the pandemic has altered the working lives of so many. But the letter also points to long-standing issues with the 73-year-old campus infrastructure that complicated the development process, namely the condition of Midtowns many buildings. The campus infrastructure is incomplete and obsolete, KDC/Cienda wrote, and many of its buildings had no commercial value. KDC/Cienda also warned of environmental contamination on the site, which Economic Development Director Rich Brown said was asbestos. The amount and location of the asbestos will be determined following an environmental impact study, Brown said. Currently, dozens of homeless people are being housed in the campus dorms to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Brown said hes unaware if there is asbestos in the dorms, but said he believes it is unlikely and that residents wont be moved out. Many of the buildings require expensive demolition, the letter stated, and the firm claimed it had assumed all the financial risk of due diligence in the project, while the city had taken none. All this came after a three-day meeting last week between the city and the developer to discuss the viability of the project. James Feild , vice president of Cienda Partners, said the meeting showed theres a lot of things that are going to take more time than anyone expected going in. KDC/Ciendas announcement was the citys first public update on the Midtown campus in months, a process many have criticized for lacking transparency. Even the selection of KDC/Cienda as the developer in April was announced only hours before city councilors approved the deal. Now, the city must decide the process for Midtown going forward, which Webber said is still being decided. He also said he doesnt view KDC/Ciendas termination as a setback for the city. Its not a win-lose situation, Webber said. It does mean that were going to have really hard decisions to make. Other reactions to the announcement were more subdued. Its really disappointing and its very unfortunate for the city, Councilor JoAnne Vigil Coppler said. Webber said the process will be more open to the public going forward. Meanwhile, the city still must pay the $1.7 million a year of debt service on its loan for Midtown with limited revenues. City figures show remaining payments on Midtown total almost $32 million and that the campus runs a deficit almost every year. On the other hand, Mary Lou Ciolfi got an earful from her mother about her childrens last names. Ciolfi kept her name when she married in 1984, and she and her husband reflexively gave their son his fathers last name. Four years later, pregnant with a daughter, Ciolfi thought, Why should he get all the names? Her whole family is Italian and very ethnic in our traditions. Omar Sy plays a thief inspired by a character from French fiction in the Netflix series "Lupin." (Emmanuel Guimier) If you are a person who watches Netflix, you have no doubt been greeted on arrival by a recommendation to watch "Lupin." If you have not already begun to watch it and with the streamer having announced an expected 70 million households had at least taken a peek within a month of its Jan. 8 debut, even more than "The Queen's Gambit," the chances are good you have and are spoiler averse, you may want to stop reading now. The first episode is arranged to make you think one thing, which raises all kinds of questions, and leaves you thinking quite another, which raises questions of its own. (Oh, there will be questions.) It's a long bandwagon you may want to join if you'd like to be somewhere else for a while, a trip to Paris filled with pretty people and views, with action and emotions and just enough meaning matters of race and class and such to make you feel that that there is something substantial to the melodrama. "Lupin" refers to the character Arsene Lupin, not particularly well known in the United States these days despite having been played on the American screen by John Barrymore and Melvyn Douglas among others. (In France, the character has appeared in film adaptations, several television series, at least two daily comic strips, an operetta and more.) And yet for whatever reason, without any firsthand knowledge, his was a name rattling around in the big box of pop-cultural bric-a-brac that is my brain; I knew, anyway that he was a "gentleman thief," like Leslie Charteris' The Saint, or David Niven in "The Pink Panther." Inspired by but not based on the short stories and novels written by Maurice Leblanc between 1905 and his death in 1941, which themselves play a part in the narrative, "Lupin" (subtitle: "In the Shadow of Arsene") stars Omar Sy as Assane Diop, a first-generation French-Senegalese man in contemporary Paris. A collection of Lupin stories, a gift from his father whose undeserved fate Assane set himself to avenge in long-delayed, Count of Monte Cristo style has made the books a foundation of his life and profitably illicit career. This fanship goes as far as borrowing practical ideas from the stories and constructing aliases out of anagrams of "Arsene Lupin," a habit that will attract the interest of a low-level police detective (Soufiane Guerrab as Youssef Guedira) who shares Assane's love of the books. (That the detective also shares an initial with Lupin's own adversary, Inspector Ganimard, is possibly not a coincidence.) Story continues Ludivine Sagnier is a woman in love with a thief in the Netflix action drama "Lupin." (Emmanuel Guimier) If not exactly a Robin Hood, Assane, like Lupin, is the sort of criminal who only steals from people who can afford it and likely don't deserve what they have in the first place, their own gains being morally if not necessarily legally ill-gotten. A master of disguise, whose slightest variation in appearance is enough to make him impossible to identify, he doesn't carry a gun and uses his fists only in self-defense. Assane is essentially a superhero sans cape, whose powers include a degree of self-confidence that ensures that the thugs dangling him off a balcony will pull him back in or that once he breaks into prison to retrieve a scrap of information, he will be able to break back out. If Assane seems practically perfect in every way, he is not perfectly perfect. His most obvious failing is that his criminal shenanigans and revenging make him less than reliable in his daily life, affecting his relationships with ex-partner Claire (Ludivine Sagnier, whom domestic audiences might recognize from "The Young Pope" and "The New Pope"), who despairs of his inability to show up on time to see his son Raoul (Etan Simon). Like Sy, Sagnier brings a lot of soul to her part though onscreen far less, she's as important as Sy to the series' success and the two actors have great chemistry. Also impressive and key to creating sympathy are the actors who play their flashback teenage selves, Mamadou Haidara and Ludmilla Makowski. Really, you could do away with action elements and build a series around them. As Lupin is a major fictional figure, Sy is a big star in France he won the best actor Cesar for "The Intouchables," an international hit and has played secondary characters in big-budget American special effects movies (he was Chris Pratt's assistant in "Jurassic World" and a minor mutant in "X-Men: Days of Future Past"). It was reportedly his desire to play Lupin, whom he's compared to James Bond ("fun, funny, elegant"), that led to the series, created by British writer George Kay. And it is on his charm that the series largely, though not entirely, rests. The performances and the production it has that particularly European quality of feeling natural even when it gets stylish keep the series warm even as the plot is made up of Rube Goldberg contraptions that require everything to go right at just the right time and for human psychology to be 100% predictable. Its physics are classical rather than quantum, one might say, and like the world itself, which becomes more curious the deeper you peer into things, it is best handled along the surface. You do not want to take too much time working out the likelihood of any of this happening. (This is true of nearly every action film released in the last 40 years, of course.) But with just five episodes in the season now streaming, leading to a surprising flashback and a cliffhanger, you may want to take your time watching it. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Statement Delivered by Minister Thomas Byrne, T.D., at Arria Meeting on Media Freedom in Belarus Statement Thank you Minister Reinsalu for convening todays very important meeting on media freedom in Belarus. Almost six months on from the fraudulent elections in Belarus, the human rights situation is appalling. Today, we have had graphic and terrible first-hand accounts from our brave briefers, particularly journalists Gareth Browne and Stanislau Ivashkevich. They highlight the stark reality on the ground. Despite repeated calls from the international community for an end to repression, we have seen the use of State violence against peaceful protesters, indiscriminate detentions, and curtailments on the freedom of assembly and media freedoms. Ireland unreservedly condemns these violations and calls for their immediate cessation. Ongoing and grave violations of media freedoms are a particular cause for concern. Freedom of expression and association are fundamental human rights guaranteed to all and are an essential foundation of an open, democratic and inclusive society. The international community must continue to press the Belarusian authorities to respect these fundamental freedoms and to insist, unequivocally, on the protection of the Belarusian peoples human rights. I am deeply troubled that according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists there have been 477 detentions of journalists last year. They were detained for doing their jobs. Reports of torture and ill-treatment of detainees, which includes journalists and media workers are also very concerning, and must be appropriately investigated. Ireland again calls for the Belarusian authorities to allow journalists and media organisations to conduct their important work free from harassment, intimidation and fear. We also call for an end to indiscriminate detentions and for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been unjustly detained, including journalists and political prisoners. We are also deeply concerned by the revocation of the accreditations of foreign media personnel, which we have heard about today. It is vital that the people of Belarus have access to impartial, independent information about events in their country. Stripping international journalists of their accreditation undermines the ability of domestic and international observers to have an objective view of the events on the ground. The Belarusian authorities need to revoke this decision and allow open access to international journalists. State media also have a role to play. Public service broadcasting provides an invaluable service to democracy and is critical to ensuring an informed citizenry. State media have a responsibility to report truthfully and honestly, including on human rights violations where they happen. Partial and total internet shutdowns, as well as targeted content blocking, continue to occur in Belarus and are totally unacceptable. Ireland urges Belarus to refrain from imposing such restrictions, and to ensure access to a free internet. As a founding member of the Freedom Online Coalition, Ireland believes that the human rights we enjoy must also be protected online. The Internet and social media have revolutionised the free flow of information and knowledge, and have played an important role in documenting human rights violations and abuses. The future of Belarus is for its people to decide, without external influence. To do that, they must access the information provided by journalists and media organisations who can carry out their work free from fear or without intimidation. Finally, I want to reaffirm Irelands unwavering support for a sustainable, democratic and peaceful resolution of the current crisis. The OSCE Chair-in-Office has maintained the offer to facilitate a meaningful national dialogue. This offer is made in good faith and we again urge the Belarusian authorities to grasp this opportunity. Previous Item | Next Item The Reds have acquired left-hander Cionel Perez in a trade with the Astros, as officially announced on the Reds Twitter feed. Houston will pick up minor league catcher Luke Berryhill in their end of the swap. The move opens up a 40-man roster spot for the Astros, so the Michael Brantley signing could be officially announced at any moment. For the second time in two days, the Reds picked up a reliever from a team looking to clear a 40-man spot, after Cincinnati acquired Hector Perez from the Blue Jays so Toronto could accommodate George Springer (whose deal is now official) on the roster. Perez, 24, has pitched in each of the last three seasons, amassing a 5.74 ERA, 23.1K% and 10.3K-BB% over 26 2/3 career innings as a big leaguer. Armed with a mid-90s fastball, Perez misses his fair share of bats but control has been an issue particularly in 2020, when he issued six walks in just 6 1/3 innings of work. He was a fairly high-profile international signing out of Cuba back in December 2016, but didnt get much of a consistent look in Houston, as the Astros frequently shuttled Perez back and forth between their active roster and Triple-A (or to the alternate training site, in 2020). While a small sample size, Perez has been significantly better against left-handed batters (.630 OPS in 39 PA) over his MLB career than against righty swingers (.825 OPS in 78 PA). The three-batter rule will prevent the Reds from utilizing him as a true lefty specialist, but he does provide some southpaw depth for a Cincinnati team that is heavy in right-handed pitching. Amir Garrett is the only other left-handed reliever on the Reds 40-man roster, so opportunity exists for Perez to win a job in Spring Training. The Reds selected Berryhill in the 13th round of the 2019 draft. A product of the University of South Carolina, Berryhills professional career thus far consists of only 32 Rookie League plate appearances in 2019, as the minor league shutdown last season kept Berryhill off the field. Welsh Conservatives Leader steps down less than 24 hours after getting unanimous support from his Group This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jan 23rd, 2021 The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives has stepped down with immediate effect in the wake of an investigation into drinking in the Senedd, and Darren Millar MS has stepped down from a front bench role. Yesterday afternoon the Welsh Conservatives extended its unanimous support for Paul Davies MS to continue as Leader, however he has now stepped down. The investigation into drinking on the Senedd estate has made referrals to Cardiff Council after it found a possible breach of regulations occurred. The allegation is that consumption of alcohol took place on the premises of the Welsh Parliament on the 8th of December a significant action and date with the pandemic restrictions on the serving of alcohol coming into effect on the 4th of December. The unofficial meeting took place in the Senedd tea room in the Ty Hywel building, which is behind and linked to the Senedd building pictured above and contains a range of office space as well as canteen areas, at a time where restaurants and pubs could not. In a statement just before lunchtime today the Paul Davies MS, the now former leader of the Welsh Conservatives said: I am truly sorry for my actions on the 8th and 9th December. They have damaged the trust and respect that I have built up over 14 years in the Welsh Parliament with my colleagues and the wider Conservative Party but more importantly with the people of Wales. Whilst using the Senedd facilities at all times my colleagues and I maintained social distancing. There was no drunk or disorderly behaviour. We did not have to be escorted out of the building as some reports have suggested. What we did was to have some alcohol with a meal we heated up in a microwave, which was a couple of glasses of wine on the Tuesday and a beer on the Wednesday. I broke no actual Covid-19 regulations. For the last 10 months of the pandemic, I have followed the Covid-19 regulations to the letter. As with everyone across Wales, I have not seen family members or friends, Ive not eaten at my favourite restaurants and, like you, we enjoyed a subdued Christmas compared to other years. I will continue to follow the Welsh Governments Covid-19 Regulations and I would urge everyone to play their part in defeating this virus so that we can all return to normality. My priority as Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Welsh Parliament has always been to bring the Conservatives into government in Wales. Our main focus as the Welsh Conservatives must always be on challenging and removing a failing Labour government. I am grateful for the support of colleagues in the Welsh Conservative Party for their support in this difficult time, and especially to my wife Julie and my Senedd colleagues who have offered empathy, trust and advice. They have treated me with the same courtesy and decency I hope I have always extended to others. Over the last couple of days, I have been speaking with colleagues in the Senedd and the wider Conservative Party. Whilst they have confirmed they do not wish to see me step down, I believe that my actions are becoming a distraction from holding this failing Welsh Labour-led Government to account, not just on their roll out of the Covid-19 vaccines but from more than 20 years of their dither, delay and failure. Yesterday I indicated to the Conservative group in the Welsh Parliament that I wished to resign, but they urged me to reflect further, and we agreed to meet again on Monday. However, for the sake of my party, my health and my own conscience, I simply cannot continue in post. Therefore, I am stepping down as Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Welsh Parliament with immediate effect. It is for the group to decide how best to choose a new leader, but I hope that process will be seamless and speedy, and I pledge my support to whoever becomes leader. Darren Millar MS has also issued a statement This has been a difficult week. I want to apologise to my family, colleagues and constituents for any embarrassment that some of the media stories may have caused in recent days. There have been some wildly inaccurate and unfair reports so I want to set out the truth. As has been the case in most weeks since September when the Hybrid Senedd was sitting in Cardiff Bay, on both the 8th and 9th December last year I used the self-serve catering arrangements that were made available for Senedd Members. On both evenings I served myself a pre-ordered, pre-prepared meal that was reheated in the microwave and ate it while drinking an alcoholic beverage and discussing work matters with colleagues. Social distancing was maintained throughout these working dinners and it simply did not occur to either me, my colleagues or the catering team that the arrangements may have been inappropriate. There was a member of catering staff present in the tea room for a short time after my arrival on the 8th December but she did not serve me a drink, nor did I request one. In fact, I encouraged the member of staff to go home and close up the counter as it had been a long day for her. No members of catering staff were present on the 9th December and the counter was closed for the whole evening. While I am advised that I did not breach coronavirus regulations I am very sorry for my actions, especially given the impact of the tough restrictions that people and businesses are enduring. For this reason, and given that Paul Davies has resigned as Welsh Conservative Group Leader in the Senedd, I have decided to step down from my front bench role in the Welsh Parliament. I am cooperating fully with ongoing investigations and will continue to do so. A substitute teacher has said that the Education Minister's 3.5m injection of financial support will help prop up the backbone of the sector - but more will be needed if school closures continue. The financial support fund will cover the current period of lockdown. But with uncertainty remaining over the viability of schools reopening in the middle of February, the prospect of a further spell on the sidelines is on the horizon. "It's been a long, hard, difficult year," said Annelies Taylor, who has provided sub teaching services in both primary and post primary schools around Belfast. "This package from the Minister is most welcome, but honestly we're going to need something more." There remains a sense of hopelessness amongst sub-teachers, she warned. Ms Taylor added: "For a lot of younger teachers it's the only way to get experience and for most subs it is their only source of income. "It will still take another month before we see any financial benefit. "I know sub teaching colleagues who are just living day to day, doing what they can to survive. It's an extremely precarious position to be in." Announcing the extra 3.5m scheme, Education Minister Peter Weir said he was fully aware of the significant impact the closures due to the Covid-19 emergency are continuing to have. "Substitute teachers in Northern Ireland are a unique group of staff, and the education sector depends on these individuals to be available to cover for absences of permanent teachers," Mr Weir added. "Their income stopped abruptly when schools were instructed to close to pupils except for vulnerable children and those of key workers, and it is only right that they are not disadvantaged when so many other workers have been able to access the UK-wide furlough scheme." The scheme has been welcomed by teaching union NASUWT, who said it was important to acknowledge when the Minister gets things right. "Putting this scheme in place sends an important signal that substitute teacher's concerns are being listened to," said NASUWT official Justin McCamphill. "It is important that eligible substitute teachers act quickly to apply for the scheme which will be open for applications from January 22 to 29, with payments expected in March." The Education Minister has also outlined a 1m boost to support outdoor residential and educational centres. Protesting farmers at the Singhu border have reportedly busted a conspiracy to assassinate four farmer leaders by nabbing a masked man who claimed to be a part of the plot. On Friday, while addressing a press conference, farmers at the Singhu border presented a masked man who claimed his team members were allegedly asked to pose as policemen and baton-charge on the crowd if things go out of control during the January 26 tractor rally. He also named police officials allegedly involved in the plan. The farmers believe this was done to cause disruption in the agitation on January 26. The man, who was asked to speak at the press conference said that his team was to be present wearing police uniforms to scatter the farmers. They were also shown a photograph of four people, who were to be shot. He alleged the person who gave the directions to carry out the plan was a cop. He claimed to have been there at the protest site since January 19. He also said they were tasked to find out whether protesters were carrying arms."For January 26, the plan was that our other team members would mingle with the protesters. And if the protesters approach with their parade, then we were asked to fire shots at them," the man further claimed. He also said "During the agitation on January 26, the farmers will first be given a warning by the police and if they do not stop after that then the plan is to shoot them in their knee first. Then our team of 10 will shoot from behind to make it look like the farmers have resorted to using firearms in Delhi," Delhi Police, meanwhile, said they are not aware of any masked man, adding that no formal complaint has been filed with till now. The man has been handed over to the Haryana Police and has been taken to Kundli Police Station for questioning. The man claimed that they were working for money and were to be given Rs 10,000 each to carry out the disruption. The man identified Rai Police Station's SHO in Haryana's Sonepat as Pradeep, who was also claimed to be the conspirator of the plan. But India Today cross checked and found out that the post has been held by Vivek Malik for the past seven months. Rubbishing the masked man's claims, SHO Vivek Malik said that the so-called "plan" makes no sense as there is no role of police in the farmers' agitation. Also read: 80% back govt's handling of farmers' protest, finds MOTN poll Also read: Congress made India dependent, PM Modi made it self-reliant: BJP Chief Nadda An investigation to fully understand the roles of Republicans Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley in the riot at the Capitol has been requested by seven Democratic senators. Thousands had gathered in Washington DC as Congress voted to formally certify President Joe Bidens victory over Donald Trump at Novembers election. Mr Hawley and Mr Cruz led objections in the Senate to Mr Bidens victory, despite the widespread recognition that the effort would fail. In the end, Congress certified Mr Bidens Electoral College victory, but not before thousands marched to the Capitol at Mr Trumps urging, overwhelmed security and interrupted the proceedings. The violence led to five deaths, injured dozens of police officers and caused extensive damage to the Capitol. The Democratic senators said the question for the Senate to determine is not whether Mr Cruz and Mr Hawley had the right to object, but whether the senators failed to put loyalty to the highest moral principles and to country above loyalty to persons, party, or Government department. They also said the investigation should determine whether Mr Cruz, of Texas, and Mr Hawley, of Missouri, engaged in improper conduct reflecting on the Senate. Until then, a cloud of uncertainty will hang over them and over this body, the Democratic senators wrote in a letter to the leaders of the Senate Ethics Committee. Ted Cruz attended the inauguration of Joe Biden (Andrew Harnik/AP) The Democratic senators said Mr Cruz and Mr Hawley announced their intentions to object even though they knew that claims of election fraud were baseless and had led to threats of violence. Their actions lend credence to the insurrectionists cause and set the stage for future violence. And both senators used their objections for political fundraising, the Democratic senators said in their letter. Both Mr Cruz and Mr Hawley have condemned the violence on January 6, with the former calling it a despicable act of terrorism. Mr Hawley said: Joe Biden and the Democrats talk about unity but are brazenly trying to silence dissent. This latest effort is a flagrant abuse of the Senate ethics process and a flagrant attempt to exact partisan revenge. A spokeswoman for Mr Cruz, Maria Jeffrey Reynolds, added: It is unfortunate that some congressional Democrats are disregarding President Bidens call for unity and are instead playing political games by filing frivolous ethics complaints against their colleagues. By Toma Mochizuki, KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2021 - 19:21 | All, Japan, World Activists urged Japan on Saturday to join a U.N. treaty banning nuclear weapons, as they celebrated the coming into force of the 52-member pact as a boost for the global disarmament movement. "The next step will be to bring the Japanese government on board with the treaty," Beatrice Fihn, executive director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, said during an online event hosted by Japanese nongovernmental organization Peace Boat. "I really encourage you to use this new treaty to put more pressure on your government," Fihn said a day after the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons came into force. The launch of the treaty, however, was marred by the absence of nuclear weapons states as well as Japan, the only country to have suffered the devastation of atomic bombings. Speaking at the event, Setsuko Thurlow, campaigner and atomic bomb survivor, made a similar request to Japan, saying Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga must "display responsible leadership" on nuclear disarmament. Participants also congratulated the numerous atomic bomb survivors, or hibakusha, who had campaigned over the years for nuclear disarmament. "The treaty is first and foremost a gift to the hibakusha," said Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. undersecretary general and high representative for disarmament affairs, in a video message. "It is proof of their determination." Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said, "We must not forget that this is the beginning, not the end, of our efforts." In a separate online conference, former Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba advocated the creation of a Northeast Asian nuclear free zone involving China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Russia and the United States as a way of achieving global nuclear disarmament. "Japan should stop giving so much consideration to the United States and encourage dialogue among countries involved," Akiba said, in reference to Tokyo's security ally and a major nuclear power. Koichi Kawano, chairman of the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs, underscored the goal of abolishing all nuclear weapons. "We should not stop our feet and be satisfied with the treaty's enforcement," Kawano said. Related coverage: Nuclear ban treaty takes effect, sidestepped by weapons states, Japan A-bomb survivors rejoice as U.N. nuke ban treaty takes effect Japan will not join nuke ban treaty, Suga questions effectiveness Schools will not fully re-open before St Patricks Day as the country is facing a tightening of restrictions in the coming week, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has indicated. Concern is growing over new variants of the Covid-19 virus with Mr Martin telling the Irish Independent that the time has come to introduce a mandatory quarantine for people arriving into Ireland from abroad. He also signaled today that innovative ways of reopening education needs to be looked at as the new UK strain of the virus is now rampant across the country. Speaking on RTE Radio One with Brendan OConnor, Mr Martin said the Government want numbers to be in the low hundreds before reopening schools. "The (case numbers) will have to be somewhere similar to where we were in October or November, he said. However, he added that in these months schools did get through with relatively high cases so hes conscious of giving specific figures. The full million wont be back (before St Patricks day). We can phase things and look at things differently, the Taoiseach said. "We need to think about this. We need to be innovative and obviously parallel with the way the virus is changing we need to adapt our approaches in terms of the mass movement of young people and students. "I am passionate about education but with a million people involved we are going to have to look at it differently. He added that for the Government special education is a priority and they will be looking at this first. Hundreds of parents with children with special needs were let down this week as in-person special education did not recommence on Thursday as planned. Speaking about this, the Taoiseach said it was a failure all round. He said in the coming weeks that a decision will be made on how to reopen special education safely, adding that it cant be one against the other as a division has been somewhat apparent between parents and school staff and the Government and teaching unions. Mr Martin added: I think there was a mismatch between people in a leadership position and people saying just not yet around the concerns of public health. Meanwhile, passengers arriving into Ireland may be held in quarantine hotels for at least five days if they do not arrive with a negative Covid-19 test. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Mr Martin said he is considering a number of quarantining options for international travellers as part of an attempt to stop the spread of the virus in Ireland. The Taoiseach said he expected hotels, including the Citywest in Dublin, to be used as quarantine centres for people arriving in Ireland. You could be in quarantine until you get a test after five days that proves to be negative, Mr Martin said. It comes as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned there was some evidence the UK strain of Covid, which accounts for 60pc of cases here, may also be up to 30pc more deadly. Although the data is uncertain, the UKs chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance suggested that for a man in his 60s, the risk of death with the new variant is 13 in 1,000 rather than 10 in 1,000. Mr Martin said new quarantining regulations would be close to sealing off the country, a major policy shift but he insisted essential travel would be permitted. He said consideration had to be given to who would police the quarantine hotels and what concessions could be made for people who live in Ireland and were returning home from overseas. He also said the Government would support a ban on all travel into the EU if it was introduced by Brussels. Mr Martin said you could feel the anxiety among EU leaders about the dangers of new Covid-19 variants during a video conference on Thursday. Its a race between the vaccination on the one hand and the new variant on the other which could wreak havoc with all of our best laid plans and maybe new variants of the UK variant on top of the South Africa, the Taoiseach said. However, he said he expected more than a million people in Ireland to be vaccinated by June, along with a significant easing of restriction. It will be a different society, a bit more freer, he said. We will have greater choices to make in terms of what we open. Read More Mr Martin said the Cabinet would decide on extending restrictions on Monday and it would be re-evaluated at the end of February. Last night, Health Minister Stephen Donnellys spokesperson said he was examining stronger measures on incoming international travel. This includes the potential for new measures and also more robust enforcement of existing measures. This has become particularly relevant in the context of the emergence of the Covid-19 variants in the UK, South Africa and Brazil. An inter-departmental group is currently developing a range of options, the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the warning about the UK variant was part of a double blow in the fight against the virus as Oxford/AstraZeneca announced the volume of its vaccine delivery would be lower than expected due to reduced yields at its manufacturing site. The vaccine due to get approval next week is seen as a game-changer here because it is easy to administer by GPs and pharmacies and it will be central in rolling out the jab to over-70s. Ireland was hoping to get a delivery of 600,000 in the first quarter. The worrying development on the deadlier impact of the variant comes as the death toll here from the disease this month rose to 582 yesterday as another 52 fatalities were announced. The setback comes as hospitals around the country were reaching the limit of 350 intensive care beds as more patients become seriously ill with the virus. There were 1,931 Covid-19 patients hospitalised yesterday while the numbers in intensive care rose again to 219. Asked to comment on reports that the UK strain is more deadly, Prof Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology in Trinity College Dublin, said he had yet to see the preliminary data but if it transpired to be correct he would not be entirely surprised. I am not too surprised because what we do know is that the reason the UK variant is more transmissable is because the viral load is higher "If it is higher it would not be incompatible with it being more virulent. Most people have said up until now that it was not more virulent. It fits with what is happening. The number of new cases of the virus fell to 2,371 yesterday indicating the incidence is slowly dropping but the growing dominance of the UK variant will cause the spread to reduce at a slower pace and could mean much of the current Level 5 lockdown will have to be in place until mid-March. Infectious disease consultant Prof Sam McConkey said he would agree with this approach if needed and said he would not put a calendar date on lifting lockdown. Dear Holy Father, I've been an admirer of your pontificate from the very beginning, and I have remained excited over the last eight years. Your vision has been transformational for developing my own pro-life vision, especially when it comes to resisting throwaway culture with a culture of encounter and hospitality. And yours has of course been a transformational pontificate for the Church at large upholding the orthodox teaching of the faith while offering a pastoral and Gospel-centered plan for both reaching new people and keeping our focus squarely on the poor. From the beginning of your pontificate, you have self-consciously decided to incorporate a "new balance," one that rightly insists on seeing more traditional pro-life and pro-family issues in a moral and social context that gives a new priority to the poor and the stranger in the Catholic Church's preaching and advocacy. This vision has power and the potential to bring unity across the leftright polarization afflicting our Church in a way that remains deeply faithful to Christ's teachings. Some have criticized your attempt to find this new balance, particularly when it comes to a perception that you are downplaying the seriousness of abortion. Given how the major media have covered your pontificate, Holy Father, this is understandable, though I have pointed out in Resisting Throwaway Culture how forceful you've been on prenatal justice. Indeed, the very next day after your interview about the new balance was released, you addressed OB-GYN physicians in Rome by saying, "Every unborn child, though unjustly condemned to be aborted, has the face of the Lord." In the face of a throwaway culture urging us to look the other way, you have been willing to refer to abortion as the "white-gloved Nazi crime" that it is. You've even gone so far as to analogize abortion to hiring a hitman in order to make a problem go away. Those are incredibly powerful statements. But, Holy Father, I must respectfully point out a significant difference between you and your predecessors, who also spoke powerfully on these matters, at least at this point in your pontificate. Your direct and forceful language in favor of prenatal justice has almost always come in off-the-cuff remarks or in less-than-high-profile situations. When it comes to your most authoritative teachings and statements, you often do mention abortion, yes, but it is almost always as a secondary consideration or something thrown in as part of a longer list of problems to address. Most recently, in a discussion of your otherwise fantastic encyclical Fratelli Tutti, I made my disappointment known that you didn't even address prenatal children at all when giving an extended set of reflections lamenting insufficiently universal human rights. This was a major disappointment, especially since you have had no problem invoking this, the most vulnerable bearer of the Face of Christ, in other encyclicals. I believe in submitting to your teaching, Holy Father, but I also note that you have welcomed disagreement from those who are faithful to you and the Church you lead. And here I urge you to bring your forceful defense of prenatal children into a more central place of your pontificate. It is time to stand up firmly and forcefully for their dignity in a culture that increasingly sees them as disposable thing that can be violently discarded. Your own home country of Argentina has become the latest polity to legalize violence against prenatal children. As you noted in the letters you sent to pro-life women and others in the white-hot debate, the scientifically correct position here is that there are two human lives to consider, not one. Significantly, the (male) health minister in defending his (male) president's bill to legalize this terrible violence spoke truths he did not understand: Here there are not two lives as some say. There's clearly a single person and the other is a phenomenon. If it were not like that, we would be facing the greatest universal genocide, [because] more than half the civilized world allows it. The greatest universal genocide. That, Holy Father, is the truth. Abortion is, in fact, the greatest universal genocide. And it targets the disabled, the poor, females, racial minorities, and many others on the margins of the cultures around the world. Abortion is, in fact, the greatest universal genocide. And it targets the disabled, the poor, females, racial minorities, and many others on the margins of the cultures around the world. You've pointed out how women are often the second victims of abortion and how gross an injustice it is that we ask them to kill their offspring in order to have some false sense of equality. This was well-understood by the women of Argentina who overwhelmingly rejected the legalization of abortion in their country. And yet, major media around the world covered the story by falsely claiming that the loss of prenatal justice was driven by women instead of the powerful men who were actually responsible. And in many places beyond your beloved Argentina, the light in defense of the value of these children grows dim. My Irish ancestors no doubt turned over in their graves several times when Ireland rejected its beautiful inheritance of prenatal justice. My own state of New Jersey led by a political party that claims to want to protect the most vulnerable is trying to totally expunge any legal recognition for prenatal life at all. There is also a similar attempt to totally discard these children by New Zealand. Holy Father, I believe you were right to call for a new balance in the Church's teaching. I believe you were right to spend the first several years of your pontificate building up the Church's focus on the poor and the stranger. But with the legal recognition of this population under threat like never before including from a newly-inaugurated Catholic US president who has pledged to undermine recent prenatal justice gains now is the time to hold up the other side of the balance. The dignity of these poor children is being systematically erased in a massive genocide around the world. If abortion is what you say it is akin to a white-gloved Nazi crime then it is time to put prenatal justice at the center of your pontificate. Significantly, the voice you've built up over the last several years has made you uniquely positioned to push back against the onslaught these children face. You can authentically show how a commitment to nonviolence, prioritizing the voiceless and vulnerable, and providing welcome to the marginalized leads directly to prenatal justice. You've also demonstrated how we need not choose between the good of women and the good of their prenatal children. Indeed, it is a consumerist throwaway culture that pits children against the flourishing of their mothers rather than, as the pro-life resistance in Argentina so beautifully insisted, loving them both. Holy Father, you now have an important opportunity before you to lead a beautiful worldwide campaign that would call us to do precisely this. You are now perfectly positioned to insist that prenatal children must be treated the same as other children under law as a matter of justice, but also to show how this is consistent with (not opposed to) treating women as the equals of men. You could, for instance, lead worldwide campaigns that call for increased health care, childcare, familial support, protection from violence, and education for women while at the same time calling for equal protection of the law for their children, regardless of age. This, incidentally, would be a dramatic strike for the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which prioritizes both women and children over and against the destructive left-right political polarization that asks us to choose between them. This may seem rather dramatic, Holy Father, but the stakes are higher than we can imagine, and the hour is late. Abortion is already the "greatest universal genocide," but if nothing is done, prenatal children are destined to continue to be legally and violently discarded as mere objects or things in many places across the globe. Again, your willingness to forge a new balance over the last eight years has now put you in the best position possible to speak up as an authentic advocate for thrown-away populations. I pray you see fit to turn now to make prenatal justice a central focus of your pontificate. Mayor Ron Nirenberg Mayor Ron Nirenberg officially threw his hat into the ring on Friday in hopes of winning a third term. A rematch between Nirenberg and challenger Greg Brockhouse is expected for the 2021 election, though Brockhouse has yet to file according to the city's elections site. Creative people have always been an inspiration to everyone in their midst and their endeavours have never been more welcome than during the past year when Covid confined us to home and cocooning, and currently we continue to reach out for the wonderful comfort of books, plays, films and music. Kanturk native Mary Angland is to the fore in the creative realm, sporting the hats of writer, actor and teacher. Mary's critically acclaimed first novel, 'Love in the Shadows', was published in 2020 by Amazon both as a paperback and an e-book under the pseudonym Maggie Doolin. "My publishers are asking for another, which is great except the muse went on holidays over Christmas and there's not been sight nor sound of it since. Fingers crossed for it's return," Mary told The Corkman. Mary is very well known locally for the plays she has written and her work has been staged at Kanturk Arts Festival, various Culture Nights and by drama groups including Milford and Kilavullen. "A lot of the comedies I've written like 'The Wedding Invitation' and 'In Praise of Teachers' were inspired by real life," Mary explained, "The Wedding Invitation by our custom of being highly affronted when we are not invited to a wedding and being even more affronted and aggrieved when we are! Expand Close Teresa ODonoghue and Sean Bowman acted in Funeral Blues which was written by Mary Angland and directed by Sheila OConnor. The play was staged at the Daily Grind, Kanturk, as part of Culture Night 2017 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Teresa ODonoghue and Sean Bowman acted in Funeral Blues which was written by Mary Angland and directed by Sheila OConnor. The play was staged at the Daily Grind, Kanturk, as part of Culture Night 2017 'In Praise of Teachers' is written about my own time in school when corporal punishment was rife and how some teachers, thankfully not all, abused their positions in the way they treated the children they taught," she added. Mary's play 'Sarah' is very pertinent currently in light of the mother and baby homes report. "I wrote 'Sarah' in memory of all those signed into homes, mostly religious, for all sorts of 'misdemeanours' and none, and left there because they didn't fit into the narrow unchristian and unforgiving society of Ireland from its independence until well into the 1990s. How awful those times were is evident from the report released last week," Mary remarked. 'By the Light of the Moon' has its origins in an event that took place in another part of the country in the period between the signing of the treaty in December 1921 and the outbreak of the Civil War six months later. Two years ago, Mary teamed up with well known Newmarket writer, actor and drama teacher Mike Guerin to form 'Staged'. "Our aim was to perform plays, written by us or anyone who approached us, for local audiences. It was a highly successful venture, we staged plays performed by local actors twice yearly running for three nights. We ran for two years but this, like everything else, was curtailed by year by Covid." A love of reading from a very young age was the catalyst for her budding literary talents. "I loved reading so much. I was taught to read by my mother before I went to school as she loved books as well". Mary loved Enid Blyton's adventure books. "My uncle Stephen used bring me one every time he went to a bookshop and I am still full of admiration for the fact that he never bought the same one twice - an amazing feat as there were dozens of them!" she said with a smile. In secondary school Mary loved English and history, and really enjoyed writing essays. "I hated maths and science, far too rational for me; in maths one and one was always two, whichever way you looked at it, but in English something could mean a dozen different things. I lived in my head most of the time, really," she said. Mary went on to study English and History at UCC, and taught until summer of 2020 when she took early retirement from Colaiste Treasa in Kanturk. "I really enjoyed teaching there and met many wonderful people and students along the way," she said. While she has been penning plays for many years, Mary made her debut as a novelist in 2010. "I did Creative Writing with the Open University and haven't really stopped since, even now in lockdown three I'm very lucky in that I have a couple of writing friends, and we Zoom four mornings weekly and write from about 10am until lunchtime. Writing together provides each of us with the motivation to actually write something. We set ourselves goals and, by and large, achieve them. I wouldn't do that on my own, really. The support and advice is invaluable too," she explained. "One has to sit down, create a routine and write even when it's pure rubbish and you delete it all at the end of the session. Normally, though, after maybe half an hour of drivel, something begins to flow. "Whatever about other muses and how hard they work, I drew the short straw when mine was allocated as it is just a little better than useless. It gives me a hint of inspiration but leaves me to work out the details myself. It does little more, I'm convinced my muse) does little more than drink wine, count butterflies and have long rambling conversations with itself leaving me to do all the hard work! So I would be in the camp that says 'writing is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration' (maybe even desperation at times)" she says with a smile. Much of Mary's inspiration comes from stories she heard while growing up in Broadford. "Tales of what happened years ago in the area, stories of emigration, of tragedies, of funny events. I must have stored them all away. Our house was blessed with having two wonderful storytellers, my grandfather and my mother. Throw in another born storyteller in my aunt, who returned to Broadford each summer with her family from Nottingham, and I realise how lucky I was," she said. Mary remarked that she has always loved drama. "When I was a child my mother took me to the annual plays put on in the local hall by Broadford Drama Group and I was so awed by actors like Mikey Murphy, Joan (Stack) Edmonds, Tommy Reid, Gerard Clarkson and others. They were ordinary people, I knew them from seeing them every day around the village and Joan was local primary teacher but up on that stage they were different people in different worlds and were mesmerising. I was fascinated by the transition. "Much later on when I lived in Newmarket I was part of the very successful Newmarket Drama Group for a number of years and it was great fun," Mary said. In addition to her writing Mary is a member of Kanturk Arts Festival Committee. "We are a very small but very hard working group. We try to encourage local writers, artists, actors, poets and give them an opportunity to display their work to an audience. "We are working at the moment on putting on something via Zoom for St. Patrick's Day and for holding a festival sometime towards the end of the year when, hopefully, this awful virus will be just a memory. "I suppose, being a writer myself, what I'm most proud of is the introduction of the flash fiction writing competition [Kanturk Arts Festival] which has, since its inception five years ago, now gone international with entries coming in from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, UK and America as well as from here in Ireland. It has grown hugely in the last three years and it will be held again this year, I'm delighted to say. "Because of the generosity of our sponsors Kanturk Credit Union and Cork County Council we are in a position to offer very attractive prize money, which is great because most writers wouldn't be the richest people in the world by a long shot," she said. Mary is currently working on her second novel and she has also collaborated with local photographer Viv Buckley in compiling a book of short stories and photographs. In addition, her debut collection of short stories, 'Cry of the Curlew and Other Stories', has sold out its final print run, but is still available on Amazon as both an e-book and paperback. "To sum up, the highlights of 2020 were the birth of my granddaughter Molly and the publication of 'Love in the Shadows'. I also made the decision to take early retirement pretty quickly in May and, of course, the fact that family and friends have remained healthy and safe from Covid. "My wish is that we all continue to keep safe in these even more challenging of times," she said. Chinese New Year will be celebrated at the Adelaide Festival Center in South Australia with concert, exhibition and workshops in February. The Chinese New Year Concert showcasing the eastern and western cultures during a special evening performance will be held on Feb. 13 by the School of Chinese Music and Arts in Adelaide Festival Center's Dunstan Playhouse. "For me, Chinese New Year is about reflecting on our cultural heritage and passing it on to the next generation," said Zhao Liang, founder of the school, in a statement. "So this concert is a great way to celebrate." A free event will also be held earlier on that day, with workshops on water calligraphy, paper cutting and knotting techniques. A day before the concert and the workshops is the official Chinese New Year, when the Shaanxi Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition will be launched in the Festival Theater foyer's QBE Galleries, running until March 13. The exhibition celebrating the Year of the Ox will display more than 100 items including wood carvings, ceramics and embroidery. Xiao Xiayong, director of China Cultural Center in Sydney, said: "On the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Ox in 2021, China Cultural Center in Sydney, Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and Adelaide Festival Center will jointly hold the exhibition of Shaanxi Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is a dazzling showcase of traditional Chinese skills and the immense creativity and skill of their makers." "We would like to extend our Chinese New Year greetings to the people of South Australia through this exhibition," he said. "It's great to have more Australian friends experiencing the profound Shaanxi culture. We hope this exhibition will enhance their understanding of traditional Chinese skills, and also promote the friendship between the people of China and Australia." "Adelaide Festival Center is proud to present such a diverse program to mark Chinese New Year and promote cultural engagement between Australia and Asia," said Douglas Gautier, CEO and artistic director of the Adelaide Festival Center. "We're thrilled to be working with local, interstate and international organizations to make these events possible." Some angels fear to tread View(s): At a ceremonial sitting of the Supreme Court last week hardly a rare occasion Attorney-General Dappula de Livera made an address to welcome three new members to the bench of the highest court. While in normal circumstances such a ceremony would have attracted little attention except from other members of the judiciary, the official and unofficial bars, academics, family and invitees, last weeks sitting seems to have caught the interest of some others because of another judicial occurrence around the time. Not that the two occurrences had anything to do with one another. One was a formal sitting to welcome judges elevated to the Supreme Court bench. The other was the verdict against a member of parliament and a representative of the people charged with contempt of court. If increased attention was focused on the recent event it was a post facto reaction for two reasons. One was the conviction of MP and popular screen actor Ranjan Ramanayake to four years rigorous imprisonment on a charge of contempt of court. The other was the subject of the address by the Attorney General that dwelt with the importance of the judiciary in our societal/ political structure and the integrity of those who adjudicate such as judges to ensure that justice is done. If justice is to mean what it is said to mean and function in that manner, then justice must be fair, equitable and impartial as the AG pointed out. Moreover, it must so function at every level of the judicial structure. Otherwise fairness, equality and impartiality become mere sounds articulated by hollow men as TS Eliot would have called them making noises as Trumpian as they come. In his Address the AG said: The credibility of a judicial system in a country is dependent on the Judges who man it. Judges must be persons of impeccable integrity and unimpeachable independence. A Judge must discharge his judicial functions with high integrity, impartially and intellectual honesty. Speaking of intellectual honesty; the law would be like a ball of clay in the hands of an erudite Judge. Therefore, Judges should be ruthlessly honest, independent, and impartial and possess a judicial conscience to ensure that the ball of clay is molded according to law. The AG went on to make some other salient points: For over 2000 years of the islands long history, the Courts of Law have occupied a unique place in the system of government. Public acceptance of the judiciary and public confidence in the judiciary is necessary for the rule of law to prevail in the country. Public confidence in the judiciary is dependent on the independence and integrity of the judiciary. The sovereignty is in the people and is inalienable and that sovereignty of the people is exercised by the judiciary in the public trust. The independence and the integrity of the judiciary ought to be preserved for justice and the rule of law to prevail in a society. A judiciary should not only be independent but appear to be independent in order to gain the confidence of the people. An independent judiciary is the corner stone the prevalence of the Rule of Law in a democratic society. These are words we have heard from our school days through university, diplomatic life at seminars and conferences and long years of journalism. It is not that they are not true. They have turned into cliches by overuse and little meaning, often by persons who have become used to repeat it parrot-like so often that it has lost all meaning and purpose. That is why it has become necessary nay vital- to pump moral and intellectual oxygen into the collapsing lungs of many judiciaries round the world. If there are those who still think that judiciaries do not need cleansing and are circling the wagons in the hope that their citadels of power and privilege must be saved, they should ask themselves what gave rise to the movement that eventually emerged as the Bangalore Principles on Judicial Integrity. It was at Transparency International (TI) that Dr Nihal Jayawickrama and Jeremy Pope a New Zealander and British lawyer launched an initiative to tackle corruption in services in some countries around the world after complaints reached TI. A geographically extensive survey conducted then revealed that the Police were considered the most corrupt and the judiciary the second most corrupt. This was the beginning of the Bangalore Principles on Judicial Integrity where a group of Chief Justices, senior judges sat down to discuss the issue. Among those attending was Australias Michael Kirby, a well-known academic and senior judge. Initially Justice Kirby thought that judges were much maligned and did not need to be guided on integrity. But having been convinced by the number of instances cited and the stories related by judges themselves, Judge Kirby appeared to believe that corruption was widespread and the judiciary was not the holy of holies some believed it to be. So with that first meeting in Vienna began the arduous trek towards what was to be called the Bangalore Principles on Judicial Integrity which is now a resolution of the United Nations urging member state in a separate document to draft their own code of conduct or update their existing ones to strengthen judicial integrity in their countries. I wonder how many Sri Lankans including those vociferous politicians releasing rising levels of bombast are aware that Sri Lanka has no code of conduct for its judges and judicial officials, as admitted by a former Chief Justice of Sri Lanka at a meeting of the Bangalore Principles group in Vienna three or four years ago, much to the embarrassment of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans. Time and space do not allow me to expatiate on the Bangalore Principles and the six values that go to make up the six principles. But I understand that the commentary on the six values that set out then in greater detail are now being updated by Dr Nihal Jayawickrama to bring them in line with several technological developments that currently do not fall within it such as Facebook and Internet. My own interest in the Bangalore Principles on Judicial Conduct began for several reasons-as a journalist here in London, my interest in the law and my long time connection with Nihal Jayawickrama at university, Hong Kong where he was a university academic and drafted a Bill of Rights for Hong Kong at the request of the newspaper I worked for and later again in London. Moreover, I came to know Judge Christie Weeramantry who was Vice President of the International Criminal Court and was an internationally renowned jurist and writer and it was an honour to interact with him. While Dr Weeramantry was a prominent personality in the Judicial Integrity Group Dr Jayawickrama was Coordinator of the Judicial Integrity Group. So we had two internationally known jurists playing prominent roles in the BoPJI. Unlike many initiatives by governments in the past to impose standards on judiciaries as a cover to tamper with judicial independence, these principles are an honest attempt at self-regulation. The integrity of the judiciary was the corner stone of the democratic way of life, Dr Weeramantry once said, underlying the importance of the work they have been engaged in. How many have yet to recognise their value, let alone read about it. I wonder why! (Neville de Silva is a veteran Sri Lankan journalist who was Assistant Editor, Diplomatic Editor and Political Columnist of the Hong Kong Standard before moving to London where he worked for Gemini News Service. Later he was Deputy Chief-of-Mission in Bangkok and Deputy High Commissioner in London.) As soon as I stepped off the tour bus the tears appeared. The other Aussies and Brits started to cry. The Turkish tour guide looked teary while the Americans looked solemn but puzzled. Was there a war here? one asked in hushed tones. Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, Turkey. Credit:AP I have never felt more patriotic than during that visit to Anzac Cove. The little beach fringed by the low sandstone wall, the schoolbook history of the failed Anzac campaign suddenly alive and overwhelming, the pride in Australia and Turkey as two enemies that became friends. I have never felt the same rush on Australia Day, except as a kid during the Bicentenary in 1988, when the final white chrysanthemum firework exploded across the entire sky, foreshadowing a future full of potential. Three decades later, have we fulfilled that potential? To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! While the Karnataka government has already included airport employees in the state in the list of frontline workers for Covid-19 vaccination, the civil aviation ministry has also initiated steps in this regard. "The civil aviation ministry has written to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to add in the guidelines and issue directions to the concerned," a senior official said. Airline and airport staff who are having interface with ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor SARATOGA SPRINGS A property manager's threat to call city police on any resident whose garbage doesnt land in a luxury apartment complex's dumpsters might just backfire. City Commissioner of Public Safety Robin Dalton said that the police would never go after tenants of The Springs for garbage left on the ground. Rather, she said, city officials could cite its property manager, Patrick Poirier, or his affiliated firm, Burns Management, for any such litter. She was responding after tenants of the Weibel Avenue complex received a Jan. 6 letter from Poirier telling them of the plan to root through any garbage found on the ground to determine the source. After its owner was discovered, he said he would call city police who could impose a $1,000 fine or require 60 hours of community service, as per county law. Thats not a city law, " Dalton said on Wednesday. "Maybe they should call the Sheriffs office. Some tenants said Poiriers tone was threatening and a gross abuse of power over an issue that could easily be remedied by supplying tenants with a fourth dumpster for the 308-unit complex. Meanwhile, others said it was necessary because of incredible laziness and failure to be respectful of others living in the complex. Poirier said he had to send out the letter because residents were not using all three dumpsters provided for them to dispose of their trash. He said he initially sent out a more politely worded request about properly disposing of trash, but it didn't seem to impact residents' behavior. "If the first container filled up, people were setting their bags on the ground," Poirier said, adding that since he sent the letter the problem has disappeared. "It was unsanitary. We had a sanitary concern and a public safety issue." Sorry! This content is not available in your region "Can We Wait 60 Years to Cut the Prison Population in Half?" | Main | "What a Libertarian Attorney General Could Do" January 22, 2021 37 Democratic member of Congress call on Prez Biden to "commute the sentences of all those" on federal death row Via this letter, more than three dozen congressional Democrats has urge to communte the federal death sentences of all 49 condemned men on federal death row. Here are excerpts from the letter: We write to you today with grave concerns regarding the federal death penalty. As members of Congress, we stand ready to work with you on your commitment to rebuilding the dignity of America. We believe that rebuilding the dignity of America requires that we recommit ourselves to the tradition of due process, mercy, and judicial clemency when it comes to matters related to the criminal legal system. For this reason, we urge you to immediately commute the sentences of all those on death row.... We appreciate your vocal opposition to the death penalty and urge you to take swift, decisive action. After referring to the death penalty as deeply troubling, President Obama halted federal executions and commuted the sentences of two federal prisoners on death row. However, the Obama administrations reticence to commute more death sentences has allowed the Trump administration to reverse course and pursue a horrifying killing spree over the final seven months of his presidency. Commuting the death sentences of those on death row and ensuring that each person is provided with an adequate and unique re-sentencing process is a crucial first step in remedying this grave injustice.... As President, you can exercise your executive clemency power by commuting the sentences of all those on death row and ensuring a fair re-sentencing process. This moment demands a series of meaningful actions to ensure that no President can authorize the killing of Americans through the death penalty. This includes dismantling death row at FCC Terre Haute, and establishing clear executive guidelines prohibiting federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty. In addition to those steps, you can call on the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 262, the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act, sponsored by Representative Ayanna Pressley and Senator Dick Durbin, which would end the death penalty once and for all. Until that legislation is law, it is incumbent upon the executive branch to end the barbaric practice of federal executions as quickly as possible. Beyond the substantive basics of seeking capital commutations for all on federal death row, I find it quite interesting that this letter calls upon Prez Biden to "ensur[e] that each person is provided with an adequate and unique re-sentencing process." Typically, death row commutations by governors change death sentences to life without parole, and the two federal death sentences commuted by Prez Obama were both turned into LWOP sentences. But many progressives now view an LWOP sentence as just a functional death sentence by another name, and so it seems these membrs of Congress are eager to have these now condemned men to have a chance to receive sentences less than life. Relatedly, I am not aware of any commutation that has come with an instruction for a judge to conduct a full resentencing. But because the clemency power is broad, I presume it would be permissible for a Prez to commute a sentence with these terms. As regular readers know, I am eager for any and every president to make regular and robust use of the historic clemency power. But it might be wiser for the very first clemencies from Prez Biden to involve cases less likely to garner widespread controversy and involving persons who have not committed the most aggravated of crimes. January 22, 2021 at 10:11 PM | Permalink Comments No Doug. If there is ever a time to make a bold statement to kill the Federal death penalty it is at the start of a presidential term. No backtracking now please Mr President. Just do it. Posted by: peter | Jan 23, 2021 4:44:21 PM I'm very sympathetic to the proposal in this letter, but I think it would be malpractice if Prez B didn't consider the political ramifications of doing this. For example, Dylann Roof is among those 49, and one can imagine how problematic it might be to commute just his sentence, to say nothing of the other 48. Likewise Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and his case still has pending appeals, so the issue might get mooted anyway. Would the proposal also extend to military death row? It wasn't totally clear. If so, I note that Nidal Hasan belongs to that category, so that's a whole other can of worms. Even if no action happens in the near term, I think the letter is still helpful symbolically and sets down a good marker for later on. Posted by: hardreaders | Jan 23, 2021 6:16:02 PM Post a comment Late national hero, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Lieutenant General Dr Sibusiso Busi Moyo (Retired), will be buried on Wednesday next week. Dr Moyo succumbed to Covid-19-related complications this Wednesday at a Harare medical facility. Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe confirmed the burial arrangements to The Herald last night. The burial of the late national hero (Dr Moyo) will be on Wednesday next week. We came up with the dates after consulting with the family members, said Minister Kazembe. He said the funeral will be held in observance of Covid-19 protocols. Mourners are expected to follow World Health Organisation guidelines to avoid the risk of spreading the pandemic. We have to follow the Government and WHO protocols. Only a prescribed number of people are expected at the funeral, he said. Condolences continue to pour in for Dr Moyo, with Commander Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda said: It is a major loss to the country. SB (Moyo as he was commonly known) was a very dedicated patriot. As a soldier, we never doubted him. If there was something we wanted done, SB was there to do it. We feel very empty without him. General Sibanda said his generation had succeeded in bringing political liberties after a protracted liberation struggle, but said such liberties should be buttressed by economic freedoms, which Government is championing the attainment of Vision 2030 of an upper middle income society. The coming generations are the leaders of tomorrow and if they are unable to learn from those who fought for the liberation of this country, then they will not run with the agenda the way we think they should. The agenda is to make sure that Zimbabwe is fully liberated, politically we are liberated but economically we are not. So we need somebody to run with that agenda which is what this current generation should, said General Sibanda. Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry, said the late Dr Moyo was committed to cementing relations between the two countries. With great sadness and sorrow, I have received the news of the passing away of my brother, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the sisterly Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Sibusiso Moyo and I present to you on my own behalf, and on behalf of the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Government and brotherly people of Zimbabwe, and to the family of the late minister, my sincere condolences and sympathy, I do pray to God Almighty to bless him with His mercy and inspire his family with patience and solace, said Minister Shoukry. He added that more work was needed towards strengthening the solid historical relations that bond Egypt and Zimbabwe. Please accept our most sincere respect and the best wishes for continued success, he said. Prosecutor-General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi said he had lost a brother, a friend and a strategist par excellence, whom he interacted with for a very long time ever since he was a young commissioned officer in the army at Zimbabwe Military Academy in Gweru. He was a very rare breed of an officer, not only patriotic and heroic but believed in a transformative agenda for the country. He loved Zimbabwe such that he would forgo any circumstances to national duty. No matter how challenging the circumstances were, he sincerely believed in a sense of duty, he said. PG Hodzi said Dr Moyo always had a sense of mission and was one of the leading figures during the transformation of the Zimbabwes National Defence College into a full-fledged university. I was fortunate enough to work with him during the establishment of the university where he was chairing the defence transformational body. He introduced us to a very different way of doing duty. There was always a sense of urgency in all the tasks, he said. Dr Donald Chimanikire, former senior lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, who supervised Dr Moyos PhD thesis, described the late national hero as a brilliant scholar in the Department of Political and Administrative Studies during his time at the UZ. The late Dr Moyos PhD thesis was on an analysis of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) security community in collective security and defence: 2000-2014. The study analysed the Southern African Development Community security communitys nature, status and effectiveness in the collective security and defence of the region during the period 2000-2014. In addition, the study also analysed the factors which impact on the security community which are inclusive of current and potential threats, the organisations institutions and their roles, the organisations capacity, power relations, political leadership and the international communitys influence, said Dr Chimanikire, who is now with the Midlands State University. Dr Moyo was born on November 20, 1961, at Mnene Hospital in Mberengwa and joined the liberation struggle in 1976. He survived by his wife Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo and two sons. Herald Mr McGowan had made similar claims during a press conference on Friday but when asked about the number of people lured out of accommodation to stay at the camp he could not provide an answer. During the same press conference, he also accused the Fremantle council of supporting the camp and elected members of being uncooperative and trying to score political points. Fremantle council has made it clear it does not support the camp, which is expected by authorities to be gone by Saturday evening. A motion passed by councillors at a committee meeting on Wednesday night reiterated the camp was not approved by the City of Fremantle and the council resolved to seek a closure that prioritises the welfare needs of the occupants within two weeks. A billboard ad featuring Mark McGowan goes by tent city in Fremantle as the camp is closed and homeless people are bussed to temporary hotel accommodation. Credit:Peter de Kruijff Mayor Brad Pettitt welcomed an intervention by the state government but said the revocation was unnecessary since both levels of government were going in the same direction anyway. We are really pleased that things are progressing the way they are today, we think its a good outcome, he told WAtoday. The situation could only ever have been resolved with the state governments involvement; they are the ones who are responsible for housing and homelessness. Dr Pettitt said the conversation needed to move towards long-term solutions. I think what tent city has done, as challenging as it has been for everybody, is [bring] a realisation that we do have a homeless crisis in WA that is going to need extra resources, he said. Toilets have been removed from tent city in Fremantle. Credit:Peter de Kruijff About a dozen Department of Communities workers visited Pioneer Park on Friday morning to offer rough sleepers a short stay in hotels as the government worked out a longer-term housing solution. The workers set up a station and took the details of those sleeping at the site ahead of moving them to short-term accommodation. By 7pm, 16 people had been picked up by vans. Police officers were sent to Pioneer Park on Saturday morning as the remaining rough sleepers packed their belongings and waited for a bus to take them to their accommodation. By 11am, the camps portaloos had been trucked away and most homeless people had been ushered into two Transperth buses on their way to temporary accommodation. Organisers said people sleeping at the site had been taken to accommodation as far as Mandurah, Midland, Belmont, and Kings Park. About 30 police officers moved to pull down the tents and collect any belongings left at the site, which will be picked up by council staff and taken to the Citys depot. Volunteers have been given 45 minutes to pack up the kitchen, which will also be seized by council workers. People will be given a week to pick up their belongings from the depot. Shantelle Saville and Luke Fleming were among the sleepers at tent city taken to Kings Park Motel on Friday evening but the pair was back in Fremantle on Saturday morning looking for a feed. We are back here to get something to eat because we starved all night after they moved us along from tent city before dinner, Mr Fleming said. Rough sleepers wait to board a Transperth bus that will take them to temporary accommodation. Credit:Peter de Kruijff The couple said they had been promised food vouchers by the Department of Communities but upon arriving at the motel they were told they didnt have any. Geraldine Kelly said she was dropped off outside an emergency hostel in Northbridge on Saturday afternoon but upon arrival she realised the crisis accommodation was closed until 6.30pm. "I feel really annoyed. The taxi just dropped me here and we rang the bell five times and there's no answer," she said. "They never told me anything, they just told me they had accommodation." A York City man has again been accused of a gun crime, less than two years after being sentenced to prison for shooting at a fleeing driver during a road-rage encounter. Tayvaughn Chandler-Hope, 21, of the 600 block of West Philadelphia Street, is now charged with being a felon in illegal possession of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and drug possession with intent to deliver. All three offenses are felonies. Court records state he was committed to York County Prison because he was unable to post his $50,000 bail, but the prison was unable to confirm that on Friday. York City officers were called to the 800 block of Arlington Road about 8:40 p.m. Jan. 18 for a report of a suspicious gold Honda CRV that had circled the area a number of times, according to charging documents. The CRV had picked up a man from a black sedan with a shot-out window that police suspect was involved in recent shootings, documents state. When officers tried to pull over the CRV in the 200 block of South Beaver Street, passenger Chandler-Hope got out and took off on foot, according to documents. He was caught after a brief foot chase, police said. In the right pocket of Chandler-Hopes hoodie, officers found and seized a 9mm handgun that was fully loaded with a bullet in the chamber, charging documents allege. He also was carrying a backpack, inside which officers found and seized marijuana that had been packaged in several bags of various sizes, $490 in cash and four generic Ritalin pills, police allege. Ritalin is a controlled substance and a stimulant thats often used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. When snorted, its effects are similar to those of cocaine, according to the National Institutes of Health. Fired at driver: In May 2019, Chandler-Hope was sentenced to two to four years in prison for firing at a fleeing driver during a road-rage encounter. West Manchester Township Police have said he was in the back seat of a car in the early-morning hours of June 25, 2017, when that car and a vehicle behind it started passing and brake-checking each other after the car Chandler-Hope was riding in started tailgating the other vehicle as it drove from West Market Street in the direction of East Berlin Road. The other driver later told officers that the car Chandler-Hope was in stopped across the road to block him from going any farther, at which point two men with handguns got out of the car, according to court documents. The other driver ducked and took off, with Chandler-Hope firing five times at the victims car, police said. The other driver also said when he made it to the traffic light at Route 616, the car Chandler-Hope was in was behind him again, and someone was still shooting a gun from it, police said. Was a fugitive: Township police filed charges in June 2017 and Chandler-Hope remained on the lam for nearly a year before turning himself in, police said. That happened in May 2018. Originally charged with attempted first-degree murder and other offenses, Chandler-Hope pleaded guilty in 2019 to the felonies of aggravated assault and carrying a firearm without a license in exchange for his other charges being dismissed, court records state. He was sentenced to two to four years in prison and given credit for the 377 days he spent in York County Prison awaiting the resolution of his case. Later in 2019, Chandler-Hope pleaded guilty to the felony of carrying a firearm without a license in a separate case, was sentenced to 1 1/2 to three years in prison and given 453 days credit for time served, according to court records. A charge of drug possession with intent to deliver was dropped. Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched China, Pakistan, Cuba elected to UN Human Rights Council; critics speak out Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Countries that have engaged in religious freedom violations, such as China, Russia, Pakistan and Cuba, have been elected by the United Nations General Assembly to the 47-member U.N. Human Rights Council, drawing criticism from human rights groups. On Tuesday, the 193-member General Assembly elected 15 countries to serve on its premier body for protecting human rights worldwide for there-year terms. The council not only proposes resolution on human rights issues but also oversees investigations into violations of religious freedom. Among the countries elected to the panel are those included by the U.S. State Department either on its list of countries of particular concern for religious freedom violations or on its special watch list of countries that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom. Seats on the Human Rights Council are allocated by region. According to the Associated Press, most of the 15 members elected to the council Tuesday were elected in uncontested races. Russia and Ukraine were victorious for the East Europe seats, while Mexico, Cuba and Bolivia won three open seats for the Latin American/Caribbean region. Cuba and Russia were among countries that ran opposed. In a race contested five ways, China, which is said to have detained over 1 million Uighur and other ethnic Muslims in Western China, beat out Saudi Arabia Before Tuesdays election, human rights groups called on U.N. member states to oppose the election of China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, saying those countries human rights records make them unqualified. According to UN Watch, the percentage of non-democracies on the U.N. Human Rights Council has now risen to 60% of the seats. In 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the U.N. Human Rights Council as the Trump administration accused the body of being a hypocritical and self-serving organization that makes a mockery of human rights." The election of China, Russia, and Cuba to the UN Human Rights Council validates the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Council in 2018 and use other venues to protect and promote universal human rights, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo argued in a tweet. At #UNGA this year, we did just that. While pointing out that the Chinese government is responsible for industrial-scale human rights violations and the deaths in custody of peaceful critics, Human Rights Watch China Director Sophie Richardson noted in a statement that China lost 41 votes from its previous tally in 2016 as it has come under global scrutiny for the Chinese Communist Partys treatment of religious minorities. Vocal opposition to the Chinese governments appalling human rights violations is also growing in other UN forums, Richardson wrote. In October 2019, 23 governments blasted China over its abuses in Xinjiang at the General Assemblys Third Committee; a year later that figure has risen to 40 and the substance broadened to address concerns about Hong Kong and Tibet. As many as 85 Cuban human rights groups and independent media organizations in an open letter condemned the election of Cuba to its fifth term on the council, according to Diario de Cuba. Cuba, which received 170 votes, was placed on the State Department special watch list of countries that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom last December and has regularly been accused of imprisoning religious leaders and democracy advocates. The groups argued that Cubas continued election to the council undermines the integrity of the council to hold abusive governments accountable. "Nations that have the honor of serving on the Council must commit to international human rights law, they urged. Council members must ensure that Cuba does not shirk responsibility for its own conduct or use its seat to weaken these international norms. As for Pakistan, which secured 169 votes to be elected to the council, it is ranked as the fifth worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2020 World Watch List. In Pakistan, Christians and other religious minorities have on several occasions been falsely accused of blasphemy by those from within the majority Muslim population. Dozens have been tried and convicted under Pakistans blasphemy law, which is a crime that is punishable by death or life in prison. Pakistan is also listed by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern for tolerating or engaging in egregious violations of religious freedom. Russia, which is ranked as the 46th worst country when it comes to Christian persecution, was elected to the council with 158 votes. In Russia, the government has imposed an anti-terror law that has led to an increase of persecution against non-Orthodox Christian churches, according to Open Doors. This has caused Christian activity to come under state surveillance. Currently, 51% of UN Human Rights Council members fail to meet the minimal standards of a free democracy, Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, said in a statement. Health Minister, Enrique Paris, described the high numbers of Covid-19 cases registered in the country as alarming, especially in some regions such as Antofagasta, where only in the last 24 hours more than 504 people were reported as new cases. In regards to this issue, the head of Minsal (Ministry of Health) stated that, We are especially concerned for the regions. One of the regions with the highest numbers is Antofagasta, which are more than 500 cases. I called the Seremi and they told me that unfortunately they were cases behind schedule, because laboratories didnt notify these cases in time. But these certainly are worrying figures. Paris also reminded people about the importance of self-care and to respect sanitary restrictions due to the increase of coronavirus cases nationwide, which were 4,000 in the last few hours, while the number of deaths were 84 people. I would like to tell citizens to keep on following health measures to prevent hospitals from collapsing, because we dont want more people being hospitalized, said the Minister, without mentioning directly the situation of some healthcare facilities that had already collapsed in some regions. Encouraging numbers The minister also took a moment to explain his statements from a few days ago, when he described coronavirus numbers as encouraging, and pointed out that he was talking about the Metropolitan Region and not the country. I was referring to the Metropolitan Region, not the country I clarify it then, he answered briefly from La Moneda. *Traduccion de Karina Sepulveda [January 23, 2021] Okschain Reveals Ambitious Strategy To Transform Finance, AI & Alternative Energy Tallinn, Estonia, Jan. 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Uzbek technology company to release wallet, lending, investing and learning hubs built on the Stellar blockchain Uzbekistan-based blockchain project Okschain has announced an ambitious plan for 2021, focusing on a series of fintech services that solve many of the biggest challenges facing current blockchain technology. The Okschain platform aims to provide a full suite of products and services which make finance easier and more affordable, while leading the industry in transaction speed, security, reliability and convenience. Developed as a fork of the Stellar blockchain used by the likes of Wirex and IBM, Okschain will remove barriers to entry for traditional financial products such as payments, saving, lending and investing. Platform users will transfer funds and make payments through a universal wallet, exchange digital assets with a low-fee decentralized exchange. In phase 2, Okschain will enable crypto and fiat investing, peer-to-peer lending, traditional lending and AI-powered microloans. The platform will also feature a tokenized version of the teams existing tech investment fund, allowing anyone to invest in a diverse portfolio of investments, from data and mining centres to AI labs and ecotech projects. The unique model will enable users to invest small sums in transformative startups that would otherwise be inacessible to retail investors. The Okschain roadmap Okschain is set to launch the first features of its fintech platform in the first half of 2021, beginning with a multi-currency, fiat-and-crypto digital wallet, a decentralised exchange and a peer-to-peer lending service. The roadmap includes a traditional business-to-consumer lending portal, an API payment gateway which connects merchants with consumers, the creation of a data centre for storage and transmission with Russian, Ukrainian and Asian partners and the launch of its tokenized venture capital fund. Okschain is also launching Okslab, a learning platform to support the training of developers . Course participants will be offered expert tuition in a wide range of technical skills, receive certified qualifications and the opportunity to work with leading companies in Uzbekistan. The project will initially pilot in the teams home nation, followed by roll-outs to European, Asian, Middle Eastern and African markets. Although fintech lies at the heart of the Okschain vision, the companys ambitions will see progress in the fields of hard-tech, eco-technology, AI and medicine through 2022 and beyond. The team Okschain was founded by promising young tech entrepreneurs Bekzod Gapparov and Akhrorkhuja Makhmudov. Gapparov, a nanotech graduate with experience in data centres, mining farms and financial services, has served as an advisor to a number of Uzbek blockchain projects. Okschain has assembled a team of developers, analysts, legal advisers and marketers, supported by a dedicated, crypto-savvy community. Founder Bekzod Gapparov said: Decentralised technology and fintech are growing year on year, but there are still many problems related to storage, payments and lending. Our goal is to solve all of them within one ecosystem, with transparency and fairness at its heart. These values must be the foundations of our new financial system, to guarantee justice and freedom for all of our participants. To make our ambitious plans a reality, the next, exciting phase will involve building on our already significant code base, utilising assets such as our own data centers and leveraging the expertise and professionalism of our talented team. We owe much to the dozens of developers, marketers, investors, partners and supporters who believe in our product, including many of the leading crypto exchanges and decentralized projects. We will not let them down. For more information on Okschain including its MVP, whitepaper and community platforms, please visit https://okschain.com/. Media Contacts: Company: Okschain Email: okschain@gmail.com Website: https://okschain.com/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Day 55. Walk around asking the Secret Service if they need to use the can Day 56. Start a puzzle Day 57. REALLY let it rip Day 58. Ask Kamala if she wants to take over for a few weeks Day 59. Zoom lunch with the Paris climate signatories Day 60. Show Jill the sourdough starter Day 61. Call Lady Gaga about duet album Day 62. Legalize it Day 63. Do 1-min. plank Day 64. Reverse Trumps immigration policies Day 65. Plot The Kings Gambit Day 66. Call Barack again to see if he liked the muffins Day 67. Give the people what they want Day 68. Do 100 push-ups. Make Ted watch. Day 69. Pledge to make direct eye contact with every American Day 70. Install beer fridge in garage Day 71. Get to Inbox Zero Day 72. Allow openly transgender troops to serve in the military again Day 73. Kiss some babies Day 74. Ask around if four-year term is mandatory Day 75. Start a dream journal Day 76. Bake a galette Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Mystery still surrounds the death of an Australian man on a Bali beach after his family refused to allow an autopsy. Police said the investigation is ongoing and there are signs of abrasions, bruises and a base skull fracture caused by blunt trauma. The lifeless body of former Perth man Taras Mulik was found on a Bali beach on January 11. Perth surfer Taras Mulik, 50, (pictured) had been living in Bali when he was found. Mystery surrounds why his head showed signs of a base skull fracture caused by blunt trauma The body of Mr Mulik, a father-of-two, was discovered by a surfer lying face down under some stairs leading to Suluban Beach, South Kuta Mr Mulik rented a house not far from where his battered body was found in South Kuta Authorities at the scene where Mr Mulik's lifeless body was found face-down on Suluban beach While police have not ruled out foul play they say the cause of death has not been identified. The 50-year-old had been living in Bali, had a young family and was well known in the community where his body was found. Police had requested an autopsy but it cannot be carried out without the family's permission. His body meanwhile remains at the Sanglah hospital morgue. Denpasar police spokesman Ketut Sukadi said the family had rejected the police request for an autopsy. A medical report says the victim had suffered a series of abrasions to his face, head, chest and arms. It says there are abrasions, bruises and signs of a base skull fracture caused by blunt violence. There were also signs of submersion in water. 'The cause of the death cannot be found as the autopsy was not conducted,' a report from the Sanglah morgue forensic team states. Mr Mulik's body pictured being carried from the beach by lifeguards and police Family and friends farewell the popular surfer from Perth whose body was found in Bali Mr Mulik's body was found about 8.30am, facedown on Suluban beach. One witness has told police that he last saw Mr Mulik about 9pm the previous evening in front of the villa he shared with his girlfriend. It is understood that Mr Mulik's girlfriend has told police she last saw him about 8pm the night before. Later, at 11pm, she woke and found he was not at the villa. Then, when she woke about 9am the next day, Mr Mulik was also not home. She went searching for him at the beach with no luck and later learned his body had been found. 21 years after the Kargil War, the sacrifices of Indias brave still remain etched in the nations collective memory. The war began with the infiltration of Pakistani troops into Indian territory in May 1999. After 60 days of fierce fighting, the war ended with the Indian Army recapturing occupied territory. Over the two months of the war, the Indian Army proved beyond doubt that they would stop at nothing short of complete victory. Now, with special access to military personnel and historical records, HistoryTV18s new film retells the story of Operation Vijay, with dramatic recreations of hard-won battles on the arduous road to victory. The action-packed, Kargil: Valour & Victory, premieres on the 26th of January at 9 PM. The military documentary outlines the events of the Kargil War, showcasing true stories of unflinching bravery and the actions of five exceptional young men on the frontline, whose actions have come to define courage and sacrifice for generations of Indians. These men represent the many heroes who fought for India. As many as 30,000 Indian soldiers played their part in the war; over 500 were killed and more than 1,300 wounded. The documentary is a tribute to them all. The film also features top military personnel, who were in the thick of the action at the time. Viewers will hear from former Chief of Army Staff, General Ved Prakash Malik PVSM, AVSM (Retd), former GOC 8 Mountain Division, Lt. General Mohinder Puri PVSM, UYSM (Retd), former Brigade Commander 8 Mountain Artillery Brigade, Maj. General Lakhwinder Singh, YSM (Retd), and strategic defence analyst Nitin A. Gokhale The Kargil War was the first armed conflict in the Indian sub-continent in the nuclear age. Responding to the offensive actions from a belligerent neighbour, Indian forces undertook military operations in the most inhospitable Himalayan terrain, at altitudes of over 15,000 feet. Young Indian officers and jawans endured oxygen deprivation, vertical ascents, and extreme conditions on Ladakhs barren slopes and summits, to oust the enemy and win back strategic peaks. By the time the war was won, India had lost some of her finest. The highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra, was awarded to Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, and Capt. Vikram Batra. The Mahavir Chakra was awarded to Capt. Anuj Nayyar, while Capt. Haneef Uddin was awarded the Vir Chakra. The documentary tells the story of these bravehearts during the war. Marking Indias Republic Day, HistoryTV18s new documentary is the latest in a set of world-class shows honouring the Indian armed forces. Kargil: Valour & Victory recounts acts of grit and sacrifice against a well-entrenched enemy, occupying high ground. The films explosive battle scenes come to life with world-class production values and specialist filming, on location in Ladakh. The battles of Tololing, Khalubar, Point. 4875 (later named Batra Top), Tiger Hill and Turtuk in Sub Sector West (later renamed Sub-sector Haneef) are recreated with HistoryTV18s trademark rigour. As the ambush of 23-year-old Lt. Saurabh Kalia, at a forward Indian post in May 1999 and his subsequent torture showed, Pakistan had put a ruthless plan into action. Dubbed Operation Badr, the intent was to wrest strategic peaks from India in order to dominate the entire region. Following the large-scale infiltration into Indian territory, the Indian parliament ratified military action to restore the sanctity of the Line of Control and take back lost ground. Indian artillery unleashed unprecedented firepower, with Bofors guns deployed in a direct firing role for the first time, while infantry units defied enemy fire in uphill assaults. Every arm of the Indian Army came together to fight as a unified force. Despite setbacks in the early days of Operation Vijay, young Indian officers led from the front with feats of bravery and warcraft. Soon the tide of war changed and with each triumph, emboldened units took back one besieged peak after another. The suicide mission of 24-year-old Capt. Manoj Pandey, the extraordinary will of 19-year-old Grenadier Yogendra Yadav, the ultimate sacrifice of Capt. Haneef Uddin, Capt. Anuj Nayyar, and Capt. Vikram Batra codename Shershah, as well as the actions of others like them, ensured that the Indian tricolour once again flew high and proud on Ladakhs peaks. Avinash Kaul, Managing Director A+E Networks | TV18 and CEO-Broadcast for Network18, said, Kargil: Valour & Victory is a definitive account of the historic events of the Kargil War and salutes the indomitable spirit of the Indian soldier. A special offering on Indias 72nd Republic Day. Its a taut, genre-defining must-watch, with class-leading production values and storytelling. Im absolutely certain that our viewers will find it gripping and inspiring. Watch Kargil: Valour & Victory on the 26th of January, Tuesday at 9 PM, only on HistoryTV18. To all appearances, Martha Katz was probably like any number of the dozens of grocery proprietors operating in Winnipegs North End in the 1950s and 60s. She was hard-working and proud of the store that bore her own name on the southeast corner of Burrows Avenue and Powers Street. Presumably, she was tough too, as youd have to be operating a store in the North End. To all appearances, Martha Katz was probably like any number of the dozens of grocery proprietors operating in Winnipegs North End in the 1950s and 60s. She was hard-working and proud of the store that bore her own name on the southeast corner of Burrows Avenue and Powers Street. Presumably, she was tough too, as youd have to be operating a store in the North End. MOVIE PREVIEW Click to Expand Martha Directed by Daniel Schubert 21 minutes Available for viewing online on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at nfb.ca What the casual shopper might not know, unless they chanced to get a glance at the numbered tattoo on her left arm, was that her toughness was tempered in the concentration camp at Auschwitz, Poland, where, at the age of 14, Martha and her family found themselves after being ripped from their home in Berehove, Czechoslovakia. Martha survived and eventually moved to Winnipeg with her husband Bill, also a camp survivor, with a nest egg of $200. But she tended to keep her history to herself. At the age of 90, Martha Katz finally tells her story in the National Film Board documentary Martha, directed by her own grandson Daniel Schubert. The film is to be released online on Jan. 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Winnipeg-born Schubert, 36, in a phone interview from his home in Vancouver, says he was inspired to make the film owing to a couple of factors, starting in the summer of 2017, when the Unite the Right rally was held in Charlottesville, Va. "It was when (ex-U.S. president Donald) Trump was saying, Theres good people on both sides, while theyre marching, saying Jews will not replace us! "That was the moment when I said: OK, this is really insane. And then at the same time, I was reading in the newspapers that 50 per cent of millennials, of whom I am a part, dont know what the Holocaust is," he says. "Now theres more people than ever denying that the Holocaust ever happened. "So that was when I decided this is the time to do it," he says. "I kind of felt like I had a responsibility to do it." National Film Board Martha Katz (top) ran a grocery store in Winnipegs North End after surviving Auschwitz and tells her story in Daniel Schuberts NFB documentary Martha. The other factor was that his maternal grandmother Martha had never gone on the record about her experiences in Auschwitz, though at least one of her siblings had submitted to interviews as part of director Steven Spielbergs efforts to record thousands of oral histories under the auspices of the Shoah Foundation. "I think it was hard for her to relive it, whereas my grandpa, who was a concentration camp survivor as well, he could talk about it whenever he wanted," Schubert says. "I had always wanted to get my grandpas stories on tape and he died like 20 years ago and I never got them," he says. "And my grandma was always tight-lipped about it." The film sees Martha being visited by her grandson in her home in Los Angeles, where she moved decades earlier. "She suffered from chronic bronchitis since the war and in Winnipeg; the doctors told her that her health could be in danger unless she moved to a warmer climate," Schubert explains. "So she moved to L.A." The film starts with a disarming light tone, with Martha kvetching about her grandsons slovenly T-shirt when he visits her Los Angeles apartment. She fixes him up with one of her late husbands good shirts, a square-patterned number that might charitably be qualified as "retro." The lightness is intentional, Schubert says. Martha Katz keeps photos of a dramatic life that took her from Auschwitz to Winnipeg and eventually Los Angeles in Daniel Schuberts NFB documentary Martha. Photo courtesy of National Film Board. "If you have a film thats kind of funny and emotional, maybe that will make it easier to deliver Holocaust information to kids who dont know about it," Schubert says. "And shes so funny. "When Im driving, she backseat-drives. Shes almost blind, but she can still tell me exactly where to drive." It was important to capture her sense of humour, he says. "Shes hilarious, intentionally and unintentionally," he says. "She is the quintessential Jewish grandmother. "Im a huge comedy fan, so it was important to have that sort of Larry David-esque comedy in it when there are so many Holocaust documentaries that are so very serious. Why not have some thing that is real and have some comedy?," he says. "Just because youre dealing with the Holocaust doesnt mean you cant have a real human moments." "I dream about it. I think about it. Why would they take my mother and the two little children? And my father, he didn't come home either. I don't know how I'm alive." Martha Katz Things do get serious when Schubert accompanies his grandmother to L.A.s Museum of Tolerance, where the recreation of Auschwitzs gas chambers provoke a horrifying realization for Martha regarding her mothers sad fate in the real gas chambers. "Shes usually pretty tough, but that was the one that really hit her hard," Schubert says. The visit sparks other horrors, as well. "She came face-to-face with Mengele," Schubert says, referring to the sadistic Dr. Josef Mengele, the so-called "Angel of Death" who presided over horrifying human experiments at the concentration camp. "And she had all these other incredible stories." Schubert says the moment remains unfortunately pertinent for the message of the film, especially considering recent events such as the riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, which saw Trump supporters wearing Holocaust-denying "Camp Auschwitz" sweatshirts, among other anti-Semitic themes. Filmmkaer Daniel Schubert is outfitted with his late grandfathers shirt by his grandmother Martha Katz in Schuberts NFB documentary Martha. Photo courtesyt of National Film Board. "Its always appropriate to talk about, it but especially right now," Schubert says. "I am an elder millennial and if millennials dont even know, imagine the next generations. Theyre not gonna even know what the Holocaust is at all. So how are you going to counter all this misinformation if you dont have any knowledge of history?" He is grateful, too, that his grandmother will see the release of the film, "She hasnt been well for a long time, but mentally shes 100 per cent there," he says. As for his grandfathers retro attire... "I did keep the shirt," Schubert says. "Its packed away. Maybe Ill wear it at my wedding or something like that." randall.king@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @FreepKing (CNN Philippines, January 24) After securing the green light from the government, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will begin conducting saliva testing for COVID-19 on Monday, January 25. PRC biomolecular laboratories chief Paulyn Ubial told CNN Philippines Newsroom Weekend the organization can start accommodating individuals who want to be tested for the virus using their saliva. For its initial rollout, the PRC has designated its Logistics and Multi-Purpose Center in Mandaluyong and its laboratory in Port Area in Manila as saliva testing facilities. Ubial said the booking for the saliva testing as well as the payment would be done online. While the cost for a saliva test is 2,000, PRC Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon said the price may decrease if more people would avail the test. "We can lower the cost in the future," he said in a statement on Sunday. The PRC said it already received the letter from Secretary of Health Francisco T. Duque III regarding the Department of Health's approval of saliva testing for COVID-19. The approval came after the PRC completed the pilot study, involving 1,000 samples for a full review, where 17 positive cases were detected while nine were detected through the swab tests, Gordon said. "While waiting for the vaccine, the saliva test could pave the way to test more students, healthcare workers, factory workers, company employees, and other essential workers to help stop the spread of the virus," he added. According to the PRC, the saliva RT-PCR test is a "non-invasive and less stringent" alternative to the swab test. It said a saliva test does not require for a specimen collector to wear full personal protective equipment, adding that it is cheaper as it uses less equipment and reagents. Processing time will only take three to four hours, the PRC said. Vergeire said the laboratory experts panel said that conducting of saliva test should solely be done by PRC laboratories for now. Before they would allow other laboratories across the country to use saliva tests, Vergeire said they need to see first the results of validation tests of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. A woman who was repeatedly raped as a child has told this newspaper she feels like she was a victim 'twice-over' because she cannot reveal her identity as the law currently stands. In the run up to Christmas, the woman's attacker, John Giltrap (60), from Termonbarry, Hospital Hill, Bunclody, was jailed for eleven years when he appeared before the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Kilkenny. He has since lodged an appeal against conviction and sentence. Sharon [not her real name] wanted Giltrap's identity to be revealed and waived her right to anonymity, however, while the presiding judge said her attacker's identity could be disclosed, Sharon could not have her identity revealed due to the way the law currently stands. Speaking to this newspaper, Sharon said that while she was relieved to see her attacker jailed she was shocked at the fact the choice about her identity was taken from her. 'I don't think there should be an issue with having your name revealed if you are of age and you don't mind being identified,' said Sharon, who was subjected to horrific attacks between the ages of ten and 15. Now an adult, she said the decision to have her identity known should have been hers to make. 'It shocked me that I couldn't make that decision and I think the system let me down because it made me feel like a victim again,' she said. Having her attacker named was very important to her in terms of her coping with what happened. Since the court case, and its coverage in a subsequent newspaper report in which she was referred to by the name 'Sharon', she said friends of hers who knew what happened had asked her why she used a made-up name. 'I told them I didn't make up any name and I had to tell them I wasn't hiding my identity,' she said. When asked how she felt, as a victim, to have that decision taken out of her hands, Sharon said: 'I was very annoyed at the time because I didn't see that coming at all. I was half afraid that I wouldn't be able to name him but I never thought I wouldn't be able to name myself.' 'Now people think I kept my name out of it to hide my own identity and I didn't,' she said. Sharon is conscious that there are likely other people in the same position she finds herself in and she is anxious that no one else is made feel the way she does by a law that is meant to be there to protect victims. 'People asked me why did I change my name and I had to tell them I didn't and it made me feel like I'm being questioned or that people doubted you, but you are the victim,' she said. 'Even people shared it online and a friend of mine in the UK tagged me and I had to tell her "you may take the tag off that" because I can't have my identity revealed,' she added. When asked how that aspect of the law makes her feel, Sharon said it's something that has to be changed because a victim of such horrific crimes should not be made feel like a victim of the law as well. 'It should be the victim's right to be named if they want to be named, especially if they are adults,' she said. Sharon only found out about the restrictions on her own identity on the day of the sentencing hearing when she asked if she could name her attacker. 'I asked if I could name him or not and I was glad that he would be named but it was very last minute that we realised that I couldn't be named,' she said. Sharon said her barrister had informed the presiding judge that she had waived her right to anonymity and the judge directed her barrister to consult with the DPP about it and when she returned she came back and informed Sharon that she couldn't reveal her name. 'It would have been worse if he couldn't have been named but I was still shocked that I couldn't make the decision about my own name,' she said. 'I was shocked to learn I couldn't be named myself,' she added. Sharon feels like she was made a victim twice because in the first instance she was a victim of her attacker and suffered horrendous abuse but then, because of the law, she says she felt like a victim all over again following the court case. 'It should be a victim's choice and right to have the power as to whether or not they can be named,' she said. She said that the legislation at the moment makes the person a victim twice. She feels that once a person reaches the age of 18 and is mentally capable, the choice as to whether or not they can be named, when they are the victim of rape or sexual offences, should 'absolutely be their choice only'. 'I never thought for two seconds that I couldn't be named,' she said. 'I had no idea,' she added. 'I got phone calls to ask me why did I changed my name and obviously that was only from people who knew it was me.' Away from the court setting, Sharon said people knew about what happened and that it was friends who knew what had occurred who asked her why she changed her name. 'I had to explain that it wasn't my choice, that I didn't mind being named and that it was the law that prevented me from letting my name be known,' she said. 'It's really crazy that's the case and it's very unfair on victims,' she added. 'I thought they were accusing me of hiding my own identity even though I wasn't.' Sharon feels strongly that the law needs to be changed to give the power of identity back to the victim. 'It should be the case that the victim can be named if they wish to be named,' she said. 'That should be the victim's right to choose and decide, and no one else's,' she added. 'Obviously, some victims don't want to be named but the choice shouldn't be taken from them.' Sharon then commented: 'It was the very last thing I expected because I thought all I had to do was fight to get him named it never crossed my mind about my own name because I didn't think it would be an issue. I didn't mind my identity being revealed.' With the trial over, Sharon is focussing on getting on with her life but she feels that process wasn't helped by how the law made her feel in the wake of the court case. Giltrap was found guilty on 20 counts of rape and it was the third time the matter had been before the courts after one trial ended with a hung jury and the second was deemed a mistrial. The abuse started from when she was 10 years old and Sharon said the first memory she has is of being raped on the side of a bed. 'I just remember being pinned down and him raping me,' she said. 'After that, it was just constant,' she added. She said it affected her childhood. 'I just went into myself and became very quiet,' she said. Sharon was 15 when her ordeal finally ended but by that stage she thought it was normal. 'I had nearly stopped fighting him off at that stage because I almost thought "there's no point", it would be quicker getting it over and done with,' she said. 'I think I began to think it was just the norm,' she added. When Sharon was 15 she noticed her friends were getting boyfriends and she began to realise that they weren't going through the same thing she was. 'I began to think this can't be going on with them, they're getting boyfriends and I wasn't even interested and then that May, at the start of the summer holidays I told him to f**k off or I was going to the gardai,' she said. 'I never went near him again after that because I never allowed myself to be on my own with him,' she added. 'I think he got the shock of his life when I stood up to him like that.' Sharon said she was very naive but agreed that naivety is not something that a person should be punished or victimised for, let alone be attacked for in the manner she was. Sharon said she eventually confided in a relative about what happened to her and when confronted about it by that relative, Giltrap said 'sure she wanted it'. 'I thought he would deny it but he didn't, he just said I wanted it,' said Sharon. However, it wasn't until 2017, that she decided to inform the gardai about what happened. 'I said it to no one after [telling her relative] and I put it behind me again and focussed on rearing my own children and then when they were reared I thought it's probably time now to do something about it,' she said. 'I suppose it was in my head for a good few years before I went to the gardai to do it,' she added. 'I suppose it was eating away at me but I think the trigger was when I found out he had moved to a new housing estate and I thought well these people mightn't have known about what he had done.' She said none of her own family knew she was going to the gardai. 'I didn't even tell my own husband the night I went to the gardai,' she said. Sharon was full of praise for Garda Olive McNamara and Garda Sharon Hannon, who she said provided great support to her. 'They were absolutely fantastic and I will forever be grateful to them,' she said. She said it was a weight off her shoulders to have people believe her and offer assistance. 'It was an absolute weight off my shoulders,' she said. 'I suppose I didn't realise just what it was I was holding inside me for so long,' she added. 'The gardai were very good, they were brilliant from start to finish,' she said. She also praised the support she received from the Victims Support at Court group. Sharon said it was overwhelming when she found out that charges were going to be brought against Giltrap: 'I thought there wouldn't be enough evidence because I didn't have any witnesses, however, it goes to show you, you don't always need witnesses because all you need is the truth.' 'The truth will outweigh lies no matter what,' she added. Sharon said she was overwhelmed when she found out the case was going to trial and burst out crying when the gardai informed her, but as the trial approached she was 'sick to the stomach'. 'That ended with a hung jury and then, the second time, it was a mistrial,' she said. 'It started this time on November 23 [2020] and didn't finally end until December 21,' she said. The sentencing took place the following Wednesday. Giltrap has never expressed remorse for what he did and when he was found guilty, Sharon said she didn't realise what was happening at first. 'I didn't really realise what was being said until the third count, because there were 20 counts, and it was on the third one that my husband nudged me and said "they're saying he's guilty" and then I took to roaring crying,' she said. At this point, Sharon became emotional again during our interview, highlighting the enormous impact the entire ordeal has had on her. 'I didn't realise because I expected the head of the jury to say "guilty" but he didn't, it was the clerk was putting it to him and he was just saying "yes" so I didn't realise at first what was happening,' she said. 'I was just overwhelmed, I couldn't believe it and the fact it was unanimous made it even better because they all believed me,' she added. Sharon praised the presiding judge who she said was very thorough throughout. She said she was very apprehensive in the run-up to the sentencing hearing and even asked her barrister if she had to attend. 'I was just so nervous about it but it worked out OK in the end,' she said. Sharon would advise anyone who is going through the same or similar ordeal to what she endured to have courage and report what is happening to the gardai. 'I would tell anyone to report it because it will be worth it in the end,' she said. 'It will be tough and there were times when I thought of nearly pulling out of it myself but it is worth it to get the truth out,' she added. 'The judge threw the book at him because he showed no remorse at all. 'At the start, if he had said "OK, I'll plead guilty" I wouldn't have cared if he went to jail or not at all so long as he wasn't going around saying I was telling lies but he didn't,' she said. 'He dragged us through three trials so I said to hell with you,' she added. With regard to how the entire ordeal made her feel and the affect of what Giltrap did to her, Sharon said it took away her childhood and her teenage life. It was something she also outlined in her victim impact statement: 'You made me feel like this was a normal thing that happened to every little girl. You never expressed any remorse or guilt. I couldn't even bond with my first daughter when she was born as I thought I wouldn't be able to protect her.' The final line of her impact statement summed up how she feels now: 'I'm no longer that scared little girl and today I get the justice I deserve.' EV Earlier this week, a Tesla Model 3 burned down to a crisp in an underground parking structure in Shanghai, China. Initial reports, according to CNBC , did not say what may have caused the fire, noting only that the car had spontaneously combusted after the owner parked it there.In a statement to Chinese media, covered by local publication YiCai Global , Tesla is fighting back against the narrative that its vehicles are, somehow, more prone to catching fire without cause than any other vehicle on the market, whether electric or not. In fact, the statement says, it was a misuse of the vehicle that may have damaged the car, making it catch fire.Apparently, the driver had hit a manhole cover as he was pulling in into the garage, which caused damage to the underside and, implicitly, the battery pack. Based on the drivers statement and an examination of the auto, preliminary findings point to the undercarriage hitting something and damaging the battery, the media outlet reports, citing Tesla China.A thorough investigation is underway, with themaker cooperating with authorities. It is also assisting the owner to claim insurance, which he will need because the car was completely destroyed. On the upside, despite the fact that this fire occurred in a closed space, there were no injuries. The Model 3 caught fire after the owner left and there was no one else around either.This is the third time that a Tesla burning down while parked in China is making international headlines. The most recent one was in April 2019, also in Shanghai, when a single defective cell in a Model S sparked the fire that completely destroyed the vehicle. MOSCOW, Jan. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia's sovereign wealth fund) announces the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has authorized the use of Russian Sputnik V vaccine in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The vaccine was registered under the emergency use authorization procedure based on the results of the Russian Phase III clinical trials which included over 33,000 subjects. Moreover, local Phase III clinical trials of Sputnik V in the UAE are ongoing under the supervision of the MOHAP and Department of Health (DOH) of Abu Dhabi with 1,000 volunteers already enrolled into the study. Medical protocols are handled by the public health provider, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, SEHA. As a precursor to the emergency authorization procedure, Sputnik V trials were conducted in the UAE and were facilitated through a partnership between RDIF and Abu Dhabi-based Aurugulf Health Investment and Pure Health the marketing and distribution partner. Since the launch of the trials in December 2020, a total of 1000 volunteers received their first dose of the vaccine, a celebrated milestone which paved the way for registering the vaccine under the emergency use authorization. Sputnik V had been registered under the same procedure earlier in Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, Serbia, Palestine, Venezuela, Paraguay and Turkmenistan. The vaccine is also registered in Russia and Belarus. Supplies of the vaccine to the UAE will be facilitated by RDIF's international partners in India, China, South Korea and other countries. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said: "The UAE is one of Russia's key partners in the Middle East. RDIF appreciates the cooperation with health authorities of UAE and welcomes the regulatory approval of Sputnik V. We strive to help people of UAE to get access to a safe and effective Russian vaccine against coronavirus based on a proven and well-researched platform of human adenoviral vectors. The decision to include Sputnik V in UAE's national vaccine portfolio is an important step towards protecting the population with one of the best vaccines against coronavirus in the world." Sputnik V has a number of key advantages: Efficacy of Sputnik V is over 90%, with full protection against severe cases of COVID-19. The Sputnik V vaccine is based on a proven and well-studied platform of human adenoviral vectors, which cause the common cold and have been around for thousands of years. Sputnik V uses two different vectors for the two shots in a course of vaccination, providing immunity with a longer duration than vaccines using the same delivery mechanism for both shots. The safety, efficacy and lack of negative long-term effects of adenoviral vaccines have been proven by more than 250 clinical studies over two decades. Over 1.5mn people have already been vaccinated with Sputnik V. The developers of the Sputnik V vaccine are working collaboratively with AstraZeneca on a joint clinical trial to improve the efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine. The Sputnik V vaccine has been approved in Russia , Belarus , Serbia, Argentina , Bolivia , Algeria , Palestine, Venezuela , Paraguay and Turkmenistan ; the process to approve the vaccine in the EU has been initiated. There are no strong allergies caused by Sputnik V. The storage temperature of Sputnik V at +2+8 C means it can be stored in a conventional refrigerator without any need to invest in additional cold-chain infrastructure. The price of Sputnik V is less than $10 per shot, making it affordable around the world. Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is Russia's sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to make equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside reputable international financial and strategic investors. RDIF acts as a catalyst for direct investment in the Russian economy. RDIF's management company is based in Moscow. Currently, RDIF has experience of the successful joint implementation of more than 80 projects with foreign partners totaling more than RUB2 tn and covering 95% of the regions of the Russian Federation. RDIF portfolio companies employ more than 800,000 people and generate revenues which equate to more than 6% of Russia's GDP. RDIF has established joint strategic partnerships with leading international co-investors from more than 18 countries that total more than $40 bn. Further information can be found at www.rdif.ru Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1140939/Russian_Direct_Investment_Fund_Logo.jpg SOURCE The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Related Links http://www.rdif.ru Through this fortnightly column, Tales From TJ Road, Bachi Karkaria tells the story of Mumbai's metromorphosis Read more columns in this series here. *** Our Very Quiet Neighbours They dont chuck stale chapatis out of the window, hammer nails at naptime or crib, complain and otherwise quarrel; they are content not contentious. As for the urban bane of space crunch, in death as in life, one party is evicted to make room for the other; or, in an even graver concern, laid atop an older resting place. Amidst the surrounding jostling, honking chaos lies the Sewri Christian Cemetery, final home to 22,000 and counting. The central pathway running down its 44 acres seems to extend almost to eternity, a metaphor perhaps of the passage to heaven. I pass the cemeterys delicate iron gates every day endorsing that inescapable truth: In the midst of life we are in death. Vice versa is equally true since augmented realty is a increasing necessity. On one boundary has towered L&Ts 50-storied Crescent Bay; on the opposite, TJ Road side, the other construction giant, Shapoorji Pallonji, is about to raise its Epic. Both flaunt their sea views to the east and west; for marketing reasons, they are mum on the last harbour into which Mumbais Christians have sailed. Every hearse that enters becomes part of the citys larger history, linking past and present with those who have forfeited their future. The Sewri cemetery is equally a testament to all that Mumbai is. Athawale, Antony, Mariamma, Mukherjee, even the three generations of Parsi Vicaji under a pristine white headstone tell of this citys heady ethnic cocktail. Intriguing inscriptions such as Max Denso, Boren 27 October 1838 in Erfurt (Deutschland), Gestorben 6 April 1900 in Bombay show how the city by the sea has always drawn those from far-off shores. The poet Dom Moraes, painter Francis Newton Souza and Fearless Nadia Mary Wadia, who rescripted the feminine role in Hindi cinema, are among the several who represent Mumbais vibrant artistic persona. The striking burnt umber edifice of Sacrario Militare Italiano, holding the remains of the Italian POWs, writes a war-time chapter. Adjacent to it is the longer tribute to the Deceased Salesians Who Laboured In the Province of Bombay, Father John Don Boscos community-serving Brothers and Sisters. Roman Catholics, Anglicans and those belonging to the Church of Scotland which encompasses Other Denominations OD, all lie here in demarcated blocks. The oldest graves proclaim those who shaped seven nondescript islands into urbs primus in Indis. In his very first year as the citys first municipal commissioner (1865-1871), Arthur Crawford acquired this wooded sprawl from the Agri-Horticultural Society to serve as a European burial ground. Sewri-Parel was then the fashionable White Town, home to the Governor himself. Crawford remains an everyday presence thanks to the eponymous heritage building (and shopping stretch ); no one refers to it by its now-name, Jyotiba Phule Market. Under a large cross chiselled into a minimalist pale marble slab lies the architect of the citys most ornamented landmark, Victoria Terminus, now re-named Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. FW Stevens (1847-1900) created not just the massive station but also the Municipal Corporations HQ across the road in what has came to be called Bombay Gothic. Fiona Fernandes, who conducted an engaging Midday Heritage Walk, told her hushed audience that his descendants regularly visit from the UK. Alas, clearly not those of George Wittet (1876-1926), whose grave is not merely neglected, but non-existent. Just a patch of overgrown weeds keeps the last sleep of the architect of much of Bombay. He designed both the Gateway of India and the Prince of Wales Museum (now also renamed after Chhatrapati Shivaji), an architectural jewel which showcases the Indo-Saracenic style he and his mentor evolved and popularized. Also, the KEM and Wadia Maternity hospitals, Cowasjee Jehangir Hall which was later redesigned into the National Gallery of Modern Art, even the Tata corporate HQ, Bombay House. Another imprimatur of the citys multifaceted colonial importance is the 1874 grave of James Taylor, Secretary to the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and to the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. The intrepid Fiona even dug out a letter from Charlotte Bronte to a friend confiding how she could not find even a glimmer of a natural gentleman in him, and if Mr Taylor is the only suitor I have, then single I must remain. As a diversion, consider the intriguing (and inglorious) end of Edward Mansfield, 26. His tombstone raised by his brother officers, engineers and friends and engineers says he died in 1891 from the bursting of his Balloon. Crescent Bays newly moved in residents gush most about our sunny balconies. Theyd be unpleasantly surprised to know that the neighbours theyd rather not talk about are one-up on them. Specifically Marimma Thomas of Orlem Malad. Promoted to Glory on 12.12.2016 (who is) now watching from the balconies of Heaven with their father. As they plod or whiz past, Sewris socially disparate residents are unlikely to spare a thought to the human milestones of Bombays journey that dot these incongruously quiet acres. Perhaps the epitaph to the citys restless, ever-changing identity is etched on Dom Moraes grave: Is there ever an end to this? As he was sworn into office in 2018, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain maintained that he did not see his job as political. And yet, throughout his three-year term as the top federal prosecutor in the region, politics has shadowed his every step. From his frequent attacks on Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasners agenda to the impulse of critics to dismiss him as an acolyte of the man who appointed him, President Donald Trump, McSwain has had a tenure that coincided with a moment in which the Justice Department, the role of prosecutors, and the criminal justice system became a central focus of political debate. He stepped down from his post Friday, making way for a successor whom President Joe Biden will appoint in the coming months. But despite the fractious times in which he served, McSwain, a 51-year-old West Chester Republican, insisted in an interview with The Inquirer that he still viewed his job and his tenure in it as entirely apolitical. Maybe I underestimated at the beginning of my tenure the desire of certain people to try to politicize law enforcement, he said. Asked about his next chapter, though, he wouldnt rule out politics. I hope that there will be opportunities for me in the future to continue in public service, he said. I dont think youve heard the last of me. Others in his party are eager to draft him. His name has consistently been floated as a possible GOP candidate for Congress or the governors office, or as a successor to retiring U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey. As McSwain announced his impending resignation earlier this month, Toomey, a fellow Republican, issued a statement describing him as an indispensable and dedicated public servant. A former Marine platoon commander, Harvard grad, and a resident of a county that only recently flipped blue, McSwain has a background that could set him up well on a campaign trail. And as launching pads for political ambitions go, a stint as the U.S. attorney isnt a bad place to start. As the Justice Departments chief representative in a nine-county region stretching north from Philadelphia to Allentown and west past Reading, the U.S. attorney sets priorities on high-profile cases and in eastern Pennsylvania oversees an office of 130 government lawyers prosecuting political corruption, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and terrorism, as well as handling civil matters on behalf of the federal government. Chris Christie used the reputation he cultivated as New Jerseys outspoken, hard-charging U.S. attorney to propel him into the governors mansion as a Republican in a traditionally blue state. Pat Meehan the last Republican to hold the job of U.S. attorney for eastern Pennsylvania before McSwain went on to a multiterm congressional career, after leading the office for seven years under President George W. Bush. McSwain had spent a few years as an assistant U.S. attorney and then a longer stretch in private practice at the former Drinker Biddle firm when Trump tapped him for the top prosecutors job. At the time he was a political neophyte. Still, once in the post, he capitalized on the platform it provides to establish a public persona more than any recent predecessor. We have a big platform. We have a big bully pulpit, he said. We have the ability to accomplish a lot of good and its just a wasted opportunity if we just sort of hold back. As McSwain hosted frequent news conferences, sat for national TV interviews, and let his face appear on highway billboards to advertise office initiatives, his tenure was marked by nothing if not his outspokenness and the divisive reaction his words often provoked in a city led by Democrats whose criminal justice views often ran counter to his own. He eagerly threw himself into the fray, delivering broadsides against what he describes as a culture of lawlessness fostered by Democratic leaders and challenging them in court on big political swings from their support of supervised injection sites to their endorsement of Philadelphia as a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants. Reflecting back on his tenure, McSwain draws broad thematic links among many of the high-profile cases he shepherded, from his efforts against supervised injection sites, which he personally argued in court, to the corruption indictments his office secured against labor leader John Johnny Doc Dougherty and City Councilmembers Bobby Henon and Kenyatta Johnson. He cast his offices work under his watch as building a bulwark against chaotic forces threatening to undermine the rule of law and devastate Philadelphia. And the 53% rise in violent-crime prosecutions he oversaw some of them taken over from Krasner, whose office McSwain said he did not trust to achieve a just outcome is of a piece. Theres just this culture of lawlessness that I see in the city, that we wanted to be a bulwark against, he said. If somebody isnt going to stand there and say theyre going to enforce the law and theyre not going to push back on some of these things, it really can lead to absurd results. Krasner whose progressive approach to criminal justice McSwain blames for stoking near-record shooting and homicide rates shrugged off such criticism and McSwains departure in recent statements, calling him not only wrong but a Trumpian demagogue. He said he looked forward to a reconfigured Justice Department under the Biden administration. But McSwains harshest critics and his most ardent supporters can agree on one thing: Hes been nothing if not unwavering. I think Ive been consistent, he said. Hopefully Ive been principled. If youre going to lead a law enforcement organization in this kind of divided, politically charged environment you have to not care about the criticism. McSwain may still bristle at the suggestion that politics, whether of the moment or of his own making, played a role in defining his tenure. But he acknowledges as he leaves that he has developed a taste for what he calls the scrum staking out a position, debating with those who disagree with him, and trying to move public opinion to his side. I didnt realize how much I liked that before I was in this job, he said. Thats one of the reasons Im encouraged by seeing what happens in the future. Whether its a return to life as a private citizen or a run for an elected post, he doesnt sound like a man who is ready to leave those debates behind. The soul of the city is being battled over right now, he said. And I can think of no more important battle. Posted Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:38 am The 21st century has been kind to the companies that collect and profit off people's personal digital data. From information on the use of web browsers, to people's location, to personal details entered into websites, corporations have remained largely unregulated in the United States to collect and use that data how they see fit. "This is an issue that the public good requires us to engage in," said Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle. "This is not an existential, down-the-hall, academic issue." For a third year in a row, Carlyle is attempting to counter that by crafting some of the strongest data-privacy laws in America. But as in previous years, some legislators along with groups like the ACLU of Washington have called it "corporate-centric" and don't think his proposals go far enough to secure privacy. It's a rare debate in Olympia that splits less by political party, and more by House and Senate lawmakers. Last year, Carlyle's proposal passed out of the Senate 46-to-1, before stalling in the House during negotiations there. Carlyle's new proposal, Senate Bill 5062, would provide state residents with rights to determine what type of data is being collected by companies and to be able to review that data. People would be allowed the ability to correct or delete that data. Among other things, it would require companies to let people opt out of the processing of their information for a specific purpose. Lawmakers on the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee voted Thursday to advance SB 5062. The legislation would apply to entities conducting business in Washington that control or process the data of at least 100,000 people, according to a legislative analysis of the bill. The regulations would also apply to businesses getting 25% or more of their gross revenue from the sale of personal data, and that process or control information on 25,000 or more customers. Violations of the law would be enforced solely by the state Attorney General's Office under Washington's Consumer Protection Act. The proposal has the support of some technology companies including Microsoft and Amazon as well as the Washington Technology Industry Association. In a public committee hearing last week on the bill, Jennifer Lee of the ACLU of Washington called the proposal "corporate-centric." "This bill only provides an illusion of privacy protections, but not real privacy," Lee told lawmakers in the hearing. Lee pointed to the lack of a right for attorneys to bring legal action against potential violators. That has also been a sticking point with some House lawmakers and with Attorney General Bob Ferguson, whose office would enforce Carlyle's regulations. Ferguson's office had expressed concerns that the language in previous proposals made it difficult to enforce, but Carlyle said changes in his new version have eased some of those concerns. A representative for the Attorney General's Office in Thursday's hearing said Ferguson still preferred rights for attorneys to pursue actions, but the new changes were "encouraging." The ACLU of Washington has joined several other community groups and civil liberties organizations in the Tech Equity Coalition, which touts its efforts to stop Carlyle's legislation. They will look instead to a House proposal being sponsored by Rep. Shelley Kloba, D-Kirkland. In an interview, Kloba said her bill, which hasn't yet been introduced, will allow attorneys to pursue legal actions against potential violators. And instead of asking consumers to opt out if they don't want their data used, Kloba said her legislation will have an opt-in provision. "It's privacy by design," said Kloba, who also sponsored last year's House version. "So a company cannot use your data unless they have a specific, freely given authorization ... to use that data." But Carlyle has called his bill "a dramatic step forward" given that there are basically no regulations right now. "I want it to have operational integrity for organizations that actually have to implement it," said Carlyle. "And I want to create rights that simply don't exist today." ___ (c)2021 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Women prisoners will be allowed to have their children sleep over in purpose-built cells as they prepare for release, it was revealed today. In a bid to ease female inmates into normal life, the Ministry of Justice has announced an extra 500 cells in existing prisons. They will include en-suite showers and provide greater opportunities for employment and education, the ministry said. The move will enable some mothers to be reunited with their children behind bars as part of a bid to prepare for life back home. Female prisoners will be allowed to have their children sleep over as they prepare for release And the announcement comes alongside a 2million funding package to help steer vulnerable women from a life of crime. The cash will be used to help 38 womens charities, refuges and therapy centres stay afloat during the pandemic by helping them with their wages, rent and bills. Prisons minister Lucy Frazer said: This funding boost will allow frontline services to continue the incredible work they do with some of the most vulnerable women in our society to prevent them being drawn into crime. Many female offenders suffer complex issues and have experienced very traumatic lives. Its only by addressing this that we will break the costly cycle of reoffending. But the amount of money given to charities is dwarfed by the cost of the new cells, which critics said is a waste of money. Andrew Neilson, of the charity Howard League for Penal Reform, said: If the goal is to reduce the number of women entering the criminal justice system, then todays announcement shows ministers are looking at the issue down the wrong end of a telescope. The touted 2million of investment for community services is dwarfed by the money being sunk into 500 new prison places for women, which in a single year alone will cost more than ten times what is being offered to those helping vulnerable women before they ever reach custody. The Howard Leagues own work with the police on reducing the arrests of women shows that energy, focus and resources need to be placed in the community if women are to be effectively steered away from crime. He added: Instead of hedging in favour of failure by throwing more money at womens prisons, the Government should be bold and put investment into the community where it really matters. The female prison population has fallen by 10 per cent in the last decade, however the Governments pledge to recruit 20,000 extra police officers means the figure is soon expected to rise. The new prison places will be funded by the Governments 4billion package to provide 18,000 new places in jails, as pledged in its manifesto. Emily Evison, of the Prison Reform Trust, said the Governments assumptions of a rise in women prisoners following the recruitment of 20,000 new police officers is a mark of failure. She added that instead of planning for a rise, the Government should redouble its efforts to ensure that women are not being sent to prison to serve pointless short sentences. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Mayoral candidates will answer questions regarding their plans to address climate and energy concerns on Feb. 4 from 7-8:30 p.m. The virtual free meeting is sponsored by Climate Chattanooga, a coalition consisting of members from TN Interfaith Power & Light, Sierra Club-Cherokee Chapter and Climate Youth Forum. Tennessee Environmental Council will host the Zoom meeting. Those wishing to register may go to Climate Chattanooga Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ClimateChattanooga/ or go to http://www.tectn.org/ and click on get involved. On Saturday, Florence Police responded to a shots fired call on South Cedar St. Authorities said upon arrival they located an injured man and rendered aid until he could be transported to the North Alabama Medical Center. The victim was later pronounced dead after he arrived at the hospital. Police say they arrested James David Hall and charged him with murder. He is currently in the Lauderdale County Detention Center being held on a $150,000 bond. Police have not released the name of the victim. Authorities say the investigation is still ongoing. KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2021 - 00:20 | World, All A South Korean court ruling that ordered the Japanese government to pay damages to a group of former "comfort women" over their treatment in Japanese military brothels became final Saturday as a deadline for Tokyo to appeal expired. The Japanese government had until Friday to appeal the first such ruling in South Korea, but it refused to participate in the case from the outset, citing sovereign immunity -- a principle under international law that allows a state to be shielded against the jurisdiction of foreign courts. On Jan. 8, the Seoul Central District Court awarded 12 plaintiffs 100 million won ($90,400) each as demanded, saying the Japanese government committed "intentional, systematic and wide-ranging criminal acts against humanity." The court also granted a provisional execution of the compensation order, making it possible to immediately seize Japanese government assets. The ruling could worsen bilateral ties, which have sunk to the lowest point in decades following South Korean Supreme Court rulings in 2018 that ordered Japanese companies to compensate groups of South Koreans for forced labor during Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has criticized the comfort women ruling as "totally unacceptable." Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi is said to have told ruling party lawmakers this week that Japan will deal with the ruling by taking into account "every option." Some Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers have requested Tokyo consider countermeasures against the ruling, including taking Seoul to the International Court of Justice. Japan takes the position that all claims related to its colonial rule, including the issue of comfort women, were settled by a 1965 bilateral agreement under which it provided financial aid to Seoul with an understanding that the issue of compensation was resolved "completely and finally." Kim Gang Won, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, has indicated that he sees no prospect of the damages ever being paid. "It is not easy to find assets owned by the Japanese government in South Korea that can be forcibly executed upon," he told Kyodo News. Assets such as the Japanese Embassy in Seoul are difficult to seize because they are protected under a provision in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations that stipulates the premises of a diplomatic mission are inviolable. On Friday, the new South Korean Ambassador to Japan Kang Chang Il said the two countries should discuss creating a new foundation using leftover funds from a previous foundation set up with money provided by Japan to help former comfort women. Kang's proposal, told to reporters upon his arrival in Japan, came just days after President Moon Jae In said in a news conference that he felt "a bit perplexed" by the ruling. The president himself has not indicated how South Korea as a government will deal with the ruling, but he acknowledged at the time that a deal struck by Seoul and Tokyo in 2015 to solve the issue of comfort women is an "official one between the governments" and that he will explore solutions based on the deal. The two countries struck the deal to "finally and irreversibly" resolve the issue. As part of the agreement, the Japanese government paid 1 billion yen ($9.63 million), and the money was distributed through a foundation to former comfort women and the families of those who died. However, the foundation was dissolved in 2019 after the Moon administration concluded that the deal, reached under a previous government, failed to properly reflect the women's wishes. Some 5.7 billion won remains unused. (Image: Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas) Is Delhi better governed than Mumbai, or the other way around? Are Tier 2 cities more efficiently governed than metros? Which cities ably managed COVID-19 or the migrants crisis? Urban governance is at the heart of how we live in cities, and everyone agrees there should be better urban governance; but discussions pause at that because the concept carries different connotations for people, or data is insufficient. Thats why Indias comprehensive Urban Governance Index launched last month is significant. Three years in the making, it maps 40 cities and the National Capital Region-Delhi on four themes spread across 42 indicators to index how democratically and financially empowered city governments are. This directly impacts delivery of basic civic services, especially to the poor and the state of urban infrastructure, according to the Mumbai-based think-tank Praja which authored the UGI. The four themes are: empowered elected representatives and legislative structure, empowered city administration, empowered citizens, and fiscal empowerment. This UGI ranked states not individual cities because some states had multiple cities in the reckoning and the purpose was partly to examine how many of the 18 urban functions mentioned in the 74th Amendment have been devolved to city governments. An empowered city government is, of course, best placed to effectively and efficiently govern, but states have been historically reluctant to devolve power. Odisha (Bhubaneshwar) topped the index, Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pimpri-Chinchwad) was placed second, and Kerala (Kochi) was fourth. Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland were at the bottom of the index. Urban governance is a young concept, it evolved in the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and UN-HABITAT in the last two decades, and the first international UGI for 24 world cities was published in 2005. Since then the concept has been widely embraced. The UNDP defines urban governance as the exercise of political, economic and administrative authority to manage a city at all levels and comprises formal and informal mechanisms, processes and institutions. The international UGI maps cities on five parameters: effectiveness (of services), equity, participation, accountability, and security. The UGI developed by Praja does not mimic this, but goes beyond to use the lens of democratic empowerment. For example, it points out that none of the state municipal Acts have the right to recall of elected city representatives, civic ward-level committees which allow peoples participation exist in only 12 cities, city governments in 16 states do not have a procedure for conduct and business rules, and 17 states do not have an independent or appropriate authority to introduce and/or revise local taxes and charges. The UGI correctly focusses on empowerment both of city governments and citizens and pivots the discussion on governance rather than on government. Governance is not government; it includes formal government structures but also informal mechanisms that citizens and the private sector use to leverage influence. Its quality determines the quality of life for citizens across classes and geographies in a city. For example, eight cities in the list did not have city governments during the pandemic making COVID-19 management difficult; only four cities had control over public health while the rest had to follow their state governments. The challenge now is for citizens groups to use the UGI to work towards increasing empowerment at the city level, which includes making citizens voices heard on critical issues. This is easier said than done, but the UGI offers a starting point for committed groups to push for greater participation. Local responsibility and responsiveness work best. Keralas cities showed that the migrants workers crisis last year was best managed at local level with each city reorganising its resources to respond to it. The test for state governments is to devolve greater power to the city's administration and elected representatives. The UGI is unlikely to instantly make them do so, but the metric enables citizens to hold states accountable. Why, for example, should the redevelopment of Mumbais eastern waterfront spanning nearly 28 kilometres or seven Marine Drives be decided at the Centre or by the state government? Why should this not be an issue that Mumbai debates and its municipal corporation become an active stakeholder in decisions? The UGI flags off a crucial aspect of urban governance: financial empowerment. City governments tend to be financially dependent on state governments which restricts their functioning, reduces accountability to citizens and makes them susceptible as political extensions of state governments. Studies recommend that cities evolve their sources of finance for more efficiency in administration and greater accountability to citizens. However, Indias taxation structure leaves little with city administrations; the GST regime has increased dependency on state governments. The Urban Governance Index can be a road map to better managed, more inclusive and sustainable cities if citizens and governments engage with it. Phil Spector was just 24 when Tom Wolfe, that great chronicler of Sixties America, described him as the first tycoon of teen in a celebrated 1964 essay. His impact on pop music in just a couple of years was already so profound that he would help shape the course of song not just for the rest of the decade, but forever more. In just a few years, he had shown that the recording studio could be an instrument in its own right, a place not just for capturing the work of musicians, but for the manipulation of sound. Spector, more than any other producer up to that point with the possible exception of Joe Meek showed how technology could be employed to transform songs and enhance every aspect of the music listening experience. It is, frankly, impossible to overstate Spectors importance in the history of pop music not just as a producer, but as a songwriter too but his extraordinary gifts will be forever overshadowed. For many, it is evil, rather than greatness, with which Spector, who died last weekend at 81, will be remembered. This is a man who spent his last years in jail for murdering the actress Lana Clarkson in 2003 and whose life prior to that was characterised by horrendously abusive behaviour, most of it directed at women. He was a bully and a liar who tormented his victims. He reserved much of his monstrous behaviour for his first wife, and the lady who helped make him a superstar Ronnie Bennett, frontwoman of the Ronettes. Expand Close Magical melodies: The Ronettes star soared after being produced by Phil Spector / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Magical melodies: The Ronettes star soared after being produced by Phil Spector In her 1990 memoir, Be My Baby, she detailed the horrific psychological abuse to which Spector persistently subjected her. The more kids I got, the further I was in that mansion and I never got out until I ran out and escaped, she wrote. Having married him in 1968 and taken his name, she was forced to escape barefoot one night with the help of her mother. I knew that if I didnt leave I was going to die there. Besides the physical and verbal abuse she sustained at his hands, Spector also installed a glass-lidded coffin in their basement and told her that after he had killed her, he would place her there. On learning of his death on Sunday, Ronnie tweeted: Working with Phil Spector was working with the best. So much to love about those days. Falling in love was like a fairytale. The magical music we made was inspired by our love. He was a brilliant producer, but a lousy husband. Good luck finding any student of 1960s pop to dispute her assessment of his brilliance in the studio. He truly was a brilliant producer and, with the Ronettes, his genius was brought to the fore. Several years ago, I interviewed Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. It was a difficult interview, to put it mildly: he was monosyllabic for much of it, but he brightened up when I asked him to name some of his all-time favourite songs. The Ronettes Be My Baby was right up there, he told me, and he wasnt just enthralled by the effervescent melodies and Ronnies timeless singing, but by Spectors sublime production too. It was, he said, one of the songs that motivated him to push the boat out creatively and he did, spending three arduous months trying to realise his vision for Good Vibrations. Be My Baby which was written by Spector, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich was recorded in Los Angeles Gold Star Studios and released in July 1963. It is a quintessential example of Spectors self-described Wall of Sound production technique. Ronnie is the only Ronette singing, but Spector layered her vocals in such a way that it seems as though her older sister Estelle and cousin Nedra Talley were recorded too. They werent. Now, almost 58 years after its release, the track still sounds wondrous. It clocks in at just two minutes, 41 seconds a veritable pocket symphony, to borrow Brian Wilsons description of both that song and some of his own greatest compositions. Spector recorded a panoply of instruments, including guitars, saxophones, pianos and horns. He fused them with an orchestra conducted by Jack Nitzsche. And he used the most cutting edge studio equipment available to him at the time, mastering the tricky art of overdubbing. It was the first Ronettes song that Spector had produced after they signed to his Philles record label and it immediately moved the trio into the stratosphere. The single was a US number two (kept off the top spot by the Fireballs Sugar Shack) and helped make the girl group one of the biggest of the decade up to that point, the young New Yorkers had only enjoyed modest success. Spector sprinkled gold-dust on the Crystals too. In the same month he helped fashion Be My Baby, he worked the oracle on Then He Kissed Me another defining song of the era. The singing was courtesy of Dolores LaLa Brooks, one of the three members of the Crystals who shared lead vocals, and the playing was from the Wrecking Crew, the crack group of sessions musicians who performed on so many Spector productions from the time. Spectors hold on US pop in 1963 was complete when he released what was originally titled A Christmas Gift to You from Philles Records, but has been known since 1972 as A Christmas Gift to You From Phil Spector. Released on the same day as the assassination of President John F Kennedy, the album reached number 13 in the Billboard chart, and its place in the hearts and minds of Yuletide music lovers has been cemented ever since. For some, the Ronettes take on Frosty the Snowman, the Crystals Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Darlene Loves Winter Wonderland constitute the idealised sound of Christmas. They are festive standards for even those who despise Christmas songs and will probably be part of the December soundtrack for as long as the holiday exists. Spectors greatest impact on music was between 1962 and 1966 a period that gave the world the Righteous Brothers Youve Lost That Lovin Feelin and Ike and Tina Turners River Deep, Mountain High and while he was in-demand in the decades after, he would never reach those highs again. Expand Close Phil Spector co-wrote Righteous Brothers Youve Lost That Lovin Feelin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Phil Spector co-wrote Righteous Brothers Youve Lost That Lovin Feelin In fact, theres an argument to suggest that Spectors best days, creatively, were behind him before he turned 30. Its his melodramatic arrangements that tarnish the Beatles Let It Be and helped drive a wedge between Paul McCartney (who hated his involvement) and John Lennon (who called him in) for years. His production on some of George Harrisons post-Beatles work was simply over the top. And its a rare Ramones fan who would argue that Spector improved their work, although End of A Century (1980) is surely due a reassessment. His final act in the studio bizarrely was producing Silence is Easy from the earnest and largely forgettable English band Starsailor. And yet, listening to the title track now, one can hear the remnants of that Wall of Sound. Even in lesser hands, the results could captivate. But its his work from six decades ago that will ensure his greatness in music is not forgotten, even if his monstrous deeds rightly precede his name each time he is mentioned. Read More A nurse holds a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy's Hospital in London, on Dec. 8, 2020. (Frank Augstein/AP Photo) Pfizer to Supply 40 Million Vaccine Doses to Low-Income Countries Pfizer on Friday committed to supply up to 40 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine this year to a World Health Organization-backed effort to get affordable shots to poor and middle-income countries. The deal is a boost to the global program known as COVAX, as wealthy nations have snapped up most of the millions of coming shots. The commitment, announced at a virtual press conference held by the Geneva-based WHO, is seen as important because Pfizer and its partner BioNTech last month won the first vaccine emergency authorizations from WHO and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Earlier this week, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus criticized drugmakers for seeking profits from the pandemic and mostly supplying wealthy countries. Pfizers 40 million dosesfor a vaccine requiring two dosesare a tiny sliver of whats needed for COVAX, which aims to vaccinate billions of people in 92 low- and middle-income countries. During Fridays news conference, Tedros said Pfizers commitment and about 150 million doses of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University could enable COVAX to begin delivering doses in February, pending the finalization of a supply agreement with Pfizer and emergency use approval for AstraZenecas vaccine. He said the global program is on track to deliver by years end 2 billion doses of vaccines previously pledged by AstraZeneca and other vaccine producers. New York-based Pfizer Inc. had not previously committed to providing its COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries without making a profit during the pandemic, as a couple rivals have. However, Pfizer and Germanys BioNTech said they would provide their vaccine to COVAX at an undisclosed not-for-profit price. The companies still must execute a supply agreement covering distribution, but the doses are to be delivered throughout 2021, starting in February. Today, we are proud to have this opportunity to provide doses that will support COVAX efforts toward vaccinating healthcare workers at high risk of exposure in developing countries and other vulnerable populations, Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said. Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, which is leading procurement and delivery of vaccines for COVAX, called the deal a major step forward for equitable access to vaccines. Pfizer and BioNTech said they would also help health systems handle the vaccine, which requires ultracold storage. Many public health officials have expressed skepticism that the Pfizer vaccine could be successfully kept so cold across the globe. Pfizer has been shipping the shots in special containers with dry ice, but even in the United States some doses have been thrown out because they werent kept at the proper temperature. Pfizer has said its been ramping up production and expects to be able to make 2 billion doses in 2021, up from its earlier forecast of 1.3 billion doses. That long-term goal comes with a short-term cost: The company is slowing production at its Belgium factory while it makes changes needed to boost production. By Linda A. Johnson Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again stirred up a controversy by attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged treatment of the Tamilians in his 'New India'. Talking to the media, Rahul Gandhi took a dig at PM Modi by accusing him of treating Tamilians as second class citizens. Also read: Congress Pushes Election of New President to June After Heated Debate, Status Quo Remains Till 5 Assembly Polls 'His perception of New India is that people of Tamil Nadu should be second-class citizens in this country. There are multiple languages & cultures in this country, we feel all languages, Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, English have a state in this country' Rahul Gandhi was quoted telling the ANI. Launching his party's campaign for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi partnered with big businessmen and was 'selling' everything that belonged to the people. Addressing people from an open van, Gandhi targeted the Prime Minister in his first of the three-day campaign of western Tamil Nadu. Attacking BJP, he said his party was involved in a fight against a 'particular' ideology that believed that "only one culture, one language, and one idea should rule India." Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "no respect" for the culture, language and people of Tamil Nadu, he alleged. Modi "thinks that the Tamil people, Tamil language and Tamil culture should be subservient to his ideas, his culture," Gandhi claimed. The Congress leader, who is visiting Tamil Nadu for the second time within 10 days, was accorded a rousing reception by Congress workers at the airport on his arrival from Delhi. He is set to cover districts including Coimbatore, and Erode, in western parts of the state, popularly known as the 'Kongu' (Tamil name) region. He visited Madurai on January 14 to witness the bull-taming sport 'Jallikattu.'. Fornication is an unpleasant word with heavy overtones of religious disapproval. Last weekend, the second reading at mass was from St Paul railing against fornication. As people were processing yet another grim report on the consequences of a society warped by sexual oppression, a mass-going friend fretted about the bad timing and wondered if they should drop that reading. In it, Paul warned the Corinthians, to whom he was writing, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and to fornicate is to sin against your own body. This was the kind of language deployed in our lifetimes to shame people for their sexual activity and prevent them using contraception. Anything other than sexual relations within a marriage for the sole purpose of creating children was a sin. But I defended St Paul to my concerned friend. Context is everything. In Dominion, an amazing book documenting how Christianity has shaped western thinking, author Tom Holland describes how Paul was writing when Nero was Roman emperor and had declared himself divine. Slavery was commonplace and it was accepted masters were entitled to use their slaves bodies however they desired. In Latin, the same word, meio, meant both to ejaculate and urinate. Holland says: In Rome, men no more hesitated to use slaves and prostitutes to relieve themselves of their sexual needs than they did use the side of the road as a toilet. In 64AD, Nero threw a great street party in which brothels were populated not just by prostitutes but also aristocratic women. Normally inviolate, Nero declared that even blue-blooded women were forbidden from refusing anyone slave or free. It was open season. Sex was an exercise of power. What Paul was preaching was that everyone, slave and free, had the right to bodily integrity. Paul was persuading Christians not to use other people as Romans did their slaves and women. While his words were used to repress in later times, back then he represented moral progress and enlightenment. It was genuinely revolutionary. Lest we think wed moved on from Nero, last weekend Eoghan Harris in the Sunday Independent reminded readers that many of the unfortunate women who ended up in mother and baby homes were the servant girls of farmers who took a Roman approach to life. Had they listened to Paul, and not used their women servants as the Romans did their slaves, the quantum of misery in the country would have been significantly reduced. But how times change. The previous Wednesday (January 13), TG4 aired a wonderful programme produced by Aisling Ni Fhlaitheartha and presented by RTEs Orla ODonnell. It was about Dr Andrew Rynne and to use that dislikeable word fornication. On this subject Rynne, like St Paul, represented revolution and enlightenment but from quite another angle. Rynne qualified as a doctor in Ireland and emigrated to Canada. There, as a GP, he was required to perform many kinds of procedures, including vasectomies. On his return to Ireland he began working with the Irish Family Planning Association, performing vasectomies. Bizarrely, while contraception was banned, vasectomies were not as they were so novel they didnt feature in legislation. Rynne wanted to offer sterilisation to women but no hospital would give him permission; thus revealing the bishops couldnt have managed without doctors rigidly enforcing Catholic teaching. So Rynne founded his own hospital in Clane which still thrives today. The joy of this programme was Rynnes personality: a lively, non-judgmental, witty man. He said that for him it was simple; if someone didnt want to have children, they shouldnt have to. Rynne was offering a new form of bodily integrity one we now consider just as sacred as the right not to be penetrated against our will. He combined his passion for this principle with a great sense of mischief. Rightly identifying the Haughey solution of prescribing condoms for married couples only as ridiculous, Rynne reported himself to the gardai for selling condoms. The subsequent court case exposed the ludicrousness of the law and shortly thereafter Barry Desmond, Labour minister for health, legalised the sale of condoms. An astonishing part of Rynnes story was when he was shot by a former patient. The mans life had fallen apart after his vasectomy. He projected all his troubles on to Rynne and showed up in Clane with a shotgun, and used it. Rynne fled, injured, while a five-hour stand-off took place in the field beside his surgery. The gardai persuaded the man to give himself up peacefully. They were so good they even gave him a pint of Guinness to help keep him calm. Rynne was such a wise soul he later went to visit the man in the Central Mental Hospital and helped him talk it out. Thus he demonstrated another great Christian gift forgiveness. Rather than nursing his own victimhood and turning himself into a martyr, he showed the most extraordinary resilience by applying a sense of humour to the drama. He laughed telling the story. In fact, he laughed all the time. Ive always despised piety, from priests or campaigners. Rynnes wonderful humour showed justice can be achieved with a smile. Its deeply ironic that Rynne successfully fought the Churchs rigid approach to sex a legacy of St Paul yet they had such common cause: ones right to bodily integrity. They each represented moral progress though that looked very different in such different times. We were sitting on the stoop, back in 2019, watching the world go by in Moron, Cuba. Across the street from our rented room was a gentleman patiently sanding the bumper of a blue 1959 Chevy. In the shop next to us, a woman had just butchered a pig and hung the head on a post, letting her neighbours know that fresh pork was ready. We were sitting on the stoop, back in 2019, watching the world go by in Moron, Cuba. Across the street from our rented room was a gentleman patiently sanding the bumper of a blue 1959 Chevy. In the shop next to us, a woman had just butchered a pig and hung the head on a post, letting her neighbours know that fresh pork was ready. "Torticas, torticas", the man called from his bicycle down the road. While I didnt fully know what the word meant, I was confident it had something to do with sweets, so we flagged him down. From a well-worn wooden box strapped behind his seat, he began doling out small, sugar dusted cookies. My son Clark and husband Ivan started sampling while I fished in my pocket for some cash. Their eyes lit up. "Mas! Mas!" they said in unison. They wanted more. When a travelling vendor stops to say hola, say yes to Torticas de Moron theyre delicious. "How much," I asked in my limited Spanish. His response sounded either ridiculously low or astronomically high. You see, in Cuba at the time we visited there was still two currencies in play. One was dedicated to tourists and the other used by locals. Since I didnt feel like doing a whole lot of math, I handed the baker the equivalent of roughly $3 Canadian dollars. He proceeded to empty his entire inventory into my hands and offer copious blessings and thanks. Neither party was disappointed. I later learned that this city of 60,000, about an hours drive from the popular tourist destination of Cayo Coco, is famous for its Torticas de Moron. I also did some math and figured my Canadian cash could have purchased dozens and dozens and dozens of cookies on the open market. Maybe hundreds. The community dates back centuries but the town really started to grow about 100 years ago when it become headquarters for a rail line used in the sugar industry. In fact, the Terminal de Ferrocarriles, with its elegant 1923 architecture, remains a busy place. When youre ready to travel again and if youre interested in a break from the all-inclusive vibe of seaside resorts and want to see what life is like inland, a visit to Moron will fit the bill. Stay at one of the privately-run casa particular just like a bed and breakfast where youll get Cuban hospitality to spare and an abundant breakfast. Tour the town and pick up a handmade basket that everyone uses to carry groceries and everything else. Pop into the Museo Caonabo for a little history lesson and take a selfie with the town statue a strutting rooster. Youll change your mind about Cuban food after a meal at Don Papa, where fish, seafood, chicken and meat is cooked over charcoal. The lobster spaghetti with a starter of kidney bean soup will not disappoint. Although we arent headed back to Cuba in the near future, thankfully I have the recipe for those delicious cookies they really do bring us back there, if only for a moment. shel@shelzolkewich.com Regarded as perhaps one of the most formative and vital periods in Irish History, we are currently in the midst of marking the centenary of the events of the War of Independence (1919 - 1921). Local archaeologist Barry Lacey from Ferns has been looking at some of the key events in Co Wexford, looking at ambushes, raids, the burning of police barracks and other activities. On this occasion he looks at the attack on Foulksmills Barracks, which took place in December of 1920, and saw a huge firefight between RIC officers and IRA volunteers. At about 2.45 a.m. on Saturday the December 18, 1920, members of the South Wexford brigade IRA launched an attack on the RIC Barracks in Foulksmills, a quiet rural village located some 22km west of Wexford town. The Barracks Before describing the attack, it's good to get an understanding of the building which was the target. Thomas Howlett of Campile, a member of the South Wexford Brigade IRA, in his witness statement to the Bureau of Military History gave the following description of the barracks. 'Foulksmills R.I.C. barrack was a solidly constructed detached building, with a slated roof. It was about eight or ten feet from the side of the road. Dividing it from the road was a low wall, surmounted by a railing. In the centre and projecting from the front of the building was an entrance porch. There were two windows in front, on the ground floor. These, of course, had steel shutters with loopholes. The barrack was of rather unusual design, as there were no front windows on the first floor; there was one window in each gable end, on the first floor. In the ground floor gable ends were loopholes but no windows. At the rear was a lean-to, extending ten to twelve feet from the main building. As part of the defensive arrangements, barbed wire had been placed on all sides of the barrack, from the eaves to the ground, and extending about eight feet from the base of the building.' Expand Close A 1905 Ordnance Survey Map of Foulksmills with IRA positions from the night in question depicted / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A 1905 Ordnance Survey Map of Foulksmills with IRA positions from the night in question depicted By December 1920 many rural barracks in Wexford had been vacated by the police and were subsequently either damaged or burned by the IRA so they could not be reoccupied. Additionally, there had been an attack in April on Clonroche Barracks. This increase in hostilities towards the police led to any remaining barracks becoming fortified, as was the case in Foulksmills with the addition of barbed wire and steel shutters. The New Ross Standard reported that on the night of the attack, the barracks was occupied by 2 sergeants and 7 constables. It would normally have been occupied by 15 men but on the night in question some were on leave or elsewhere. The garrison may have included several black and tans. The attack The attack itself was carefully planned; to isolate the barracks and delay the arrival of any unwanted reinforcements, approach roads into the village were blocked with trees and the telegraph wires cut. Motor cars had been taken for the operation to transport items and act as getaway vehicles. The New Ross Standard reported around 100 men were involved while the official military report estimated about 70. The IRA were armed with shotguns and revolvers but had no rifles at the time. The objective of the attack was to blow a hole in the roof using a mine. Once this was done grenades and bottles of petrol could be thrown through it into the building, while at the same time constant gunfire would be placed on the barracks. To get the mine onto the roof a rope was to be thrown over the building, one end of which would then be tied onto the explosive device. The other free end would then be pulled, levering the mine onto the roof, where it would then be detonated. One man was to be given the task of throwing the rope over the barracks. This had to be done on the first go. They could not afford multiple attempts as it could alert the garrison inside. To ensure success the first time around, the man given the task trained throwing a rope over a building in preparation. However, when it came to the night he failed to turn up and could not be located, despite a visit even to his home-place. Instead, in a change of plan, the barbed wire surrounding the barracks was cut and the mine placed against the rear of the building. Once it exploded the firing began; men armed with shotguns that had taken up position behind a wall across from the barracks opened fire on the building and the police responded with their own. They threw grenades and sent up verey lights to illuminate the night darkness as well, in some attempt to help locate the attackers. Additional bombs were thrown onto the roof together with bottles of petrol. Fortunately for the garrison inside many of these failed to go off. With the failure of the bombs and supplies of ammunition beginning to run short the attack was called off just before 4 a.m. House commandeered The New Ross Standard reported that prior to the attack, three men knocked on the door of 'Richard Doyle', who lived 50 yards from the barracks on the opposite side of the road. The House was commandeered by the men and Mr Doyle and his wife and family went to the house of an 'Annie Jones' where they stayed until the following morning. It was suggested they may have used the upstairs window of the house as a vantage point to fire on the barracks. The home of a 'Mr. Twomey', directly beside the barracks, had an adjoining yard were the IRA also took up position during the attack. Mr. Twomey was in his house together with his wife and six kids on the night of the attack and they had to seek shelter together in a single room. The aftermath Despite fierce fighting, no casualties were reported on either side and the following morning the police captured a quantity of bombs, arms and a motor car. Thomas Howlett in his witness statement told how, after the attack, himself and others returned to their motorcar only to find it hemmed in between two barricades and with the road blocking parties gone home. It then had to be abandoned. Interestingly the New Ross Standard reported that a Mr. Matthew Hart from Campile was arrested and brought by the military to Waterford after his car was found 'on the side of the road near Foulksmills on Saturday morning following the attack'. This was the same car that had to be abandoned as Thomas mentioned how prior to the attack they commandeered Hart's car to transport bombs and bottles of petrol. The failure to capture the barracks was caused by several factors. Firstly the failure of the person trained to throw the rope over the building to turn up meant an abrupt change of plan was required. Secondly, many of the bombs used failed to go off and breach the roof. Finally, a lack of experience was pointed out by Thomas as he said: 'I believe that if we had even one man with experience in barrack attacks we could have captured the barracks that night.' The site today Many of the physical elements associated with that night's attack no longer exist. The Doyle and Twomey houses no longer remain, neither does the concrete wall which the men hid behind. However the barracks, which is now a private residence, still survives. It remains much the same as it would have looked in 1920. The building retains its gable end loopholes from the period. Bullet holes are also visible on the front wall, likely associated with that night's attack in December 1920. In an effort to create awareness among its employees, customers, dealers and suppliers on safer driving habits and responsible road behavior, Yamaha Motor India group of companies today announced about its road safety awareness activations that are in line with the theme of the National Road Safety Month 2021. With the commitment towards road safety for all, the company will be participating in Road Safety Promotional campaign between 20th January to 10th February 2021 at all Yamaha plant locations and selected dealerships & supplier locations. The initiative planned under the brand campaign The Call of The Blue was kicked off from January 20th at Shri Ram Piston, companys supplier located in Greater Noida. During the activity, training on the Safe Test Ride Habits were imparted to the participants and they were further briefed on the importance of Safety Gears (Helmet, Gloves, Elbow & Knee Guard) while riding scooters or motorcycles. The company has planned a series of similar activation programs across India starting with Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The engaging publicity of road safety is targeted towards citizens from all age groups. Under this initiative, the company is also putting special emphasis on Female Safety Riding Training, Kids Road Safety Awareness through YCSP (Yamaha Children Safety Program), Test Ride & Briefing on importance of Safety Gears and Safety communication. Such efforts carry the potential to help both new riders and children to identify with the importance of road safety, ultimately leading to a better tomorrow. Mr. Ravinder Singh, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Yamaha Motor India Sales has said, Road Safety is a high priority concern, and the Government of India has significantly focused on this for several years. At Yamaha, as we set our commitments to ensure safety for all, we are engaging citizens of all age groups with the help of several offline activities this year. The initiative is aimed at creating a positive change in the society and educate people to follow traffic rules, thus enabling them to be more cautious for sake of their own safety and of others. The Ministry of Transport & Highways, Government of India is observing Nationwide Road Safety Month this year from 18th Jan 2021 to 17th Feb. An abortion completely destroys a woman, a woman who had four abortions told a rally in Hazleton Friday. Starr Rogers, who has become a pro-life activist, traveled from Alabama to be the main speaker as Pennsylvanians for Human Life, Northeast Region, conducted an anti-abortion rally at City View Park on Friday. Dr. Frank Schell, Northeast Regional chairperson of Pennsylvanians for Human Life, said the rally was to replace the annual anti-abortion rally held in Washington, D.C., being held virtually this year on Jan. 29 because of COVID-19. This is supposed to be a commemoration of the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, but it is more of a mourning, Schell said, referring to the 1973 Supreme Court legalizing abortion. About 75 people turned out on a sunny but crisp and windy day to hear Rogers, author of the book Gods Grace Alone, tell her story about being born into a dysfunctional family, and the abuse she suffered as a child who married at age 16 to get away from it, only to have a husband who did the same. When a woman has an abortion, it messes up her mind, her soul, Rogers said. You cant be normal. They tell you you can, but you cant. It completely destroys your life, unless you go before God and ask forgiveness for it. When she divorced her husband and remarried, she became pregnant by her second husband but he did not want her to have the baby. She went to have the abortion, but stopped. That was the greatest day of my life, Rogers said. She brought her son the baby she would have aborted Matthew Finney, with her to the event. Rogers said she went into a library, where she saw a Christian magazine article about healing from abortion. She then found a counselor. She gave me this workbook, she said. Every page of this book had all this homework and all the answers. I just got so disgusted I would throw it across the room because it was saying so much truth about my life, but I didnt want to see it. But I kept on. It was the greatest thing Id done in my life. Rogers went on to have another son and daughter. Another speaker was Maryann Lawhon, JMJ Catholic radio show host on WAZL-AM 1490 and executive producer of The Voice of John documentary. John, Lawhon said, was a baby she unwittingly witnessed the abortion of when she was a young nurse in another state. She told the story to the crowd of what she called infanticide, or the killing of a child. I am the Voice of John, Lawhon said. The Voice of John is the voice of 63 million children who have been killed in abortion clinics across our nation. He is the voice to women facing a crisis pregnancy, to have courage. He is the voice of children who are fatherless, to say, Stay by my mom, give her the support, the alternatives, dont let her give into abortion. He is the voice to our legislators, and says enforce laws to support his Constitutional rights to life. Lawhon said Fridays rally was about raising awareness to offer alternatives to abortion to prospective mothers. We are not here to offer judgment, she said. That is the height of this rally today. We are here to offer women in crisis pregnancies support, love and help. We will stand by you. We join with fostering and adoption programs. We offer the alternatives. The Rev. Allen Hoffa, head of school at Marian Catholic High School, brought a group of students from the school and offered a prayer. As we gather together today, we pray that for every person in these United States, that inalienable right of human dignity and freedom might not be violated through law, but rather upheld and the goodness of every single person in law, speech, action and thought, Hoffa said. A special Mass for life was held at Holy Annunciation Parish, Church of St. Gabriel, before the rally. Michael Ciccocioppo from the Pennsylvania Prolife Federation out of Harrisburg presented a special award to SSPTVs Sam Lesante. Sam was acknowledged for his commitment to The Voice of John as throughout his career he has unceasingly defended the sanctity of life from the womb to the tomb. KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2021 - 10:05 | All, World, Japan ByteDance Ltd., the operator of smash-hit Chinese video-sharing app TikTok, has said it plans to invest in Japanese tech firms as part of efforts to expand into the country. The Chinese tech giant, which faces headwinds in the United States over concerns that it could pass data it collects to the Chinese government, said it plans to soon send members of its corporate venture capital team to work in its Tokyo office. TikTok, which lets users upload short videos set to music, is a hit among young people and has seen spectacular growth during the coronavirus pandemic. It has some 800 million users worldwide. ByteDance opened its Tokyo office in 2017 and last year joined the Japan Business Federation known as Keidanren, the country's most powerful business lobby. It also became a member of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association, the industrial body for tech firms, paving the way for it to strengthen ties with Japanese companies. "We would like to actively commit to the Japanese market," a company official said. The Beijing-based firm has yet to invest in a Japanese company. In 2020, the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to ban TikTok from U.S. app stores citing national security concerns, but a federal district court ordered an injunction over the plan. Some ruling party lawmakers in Japan have called for restricting the use of apps developed by Chinese companies due to security concerns, alluding to TikTok among others. Among other Chinese tech companies, a wholly owned unit of IT giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. last year acquired a 20 percent stake in Japanese online game producer Marvelous Inc., listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Some Sydney residents are living in homes with room temperatures nudging 40 degrees, as climate change raises temperatures and fear of big energy bills stops people from cooling down. A study of indoor air temperatures in Sydney homes found 51 per cent of residents surveyed in the summer of 2018-19 felt uncomfortably hot. Corrie Diamond, inside her Darlington home, said she was dreading the summer after a couple of days of hot weather last month left her in discomfort and unable to sleep. Credit:Louise Kennerley Older residents were more likely to feel dissatisfied with the air temperatures inside their homes. Summertime indoor environmental conditions in low-income households lead to thermal discomfort and heat stress, especially during heat waves, the study said. Japan has joined a growing list of countries that are challenging Chinas maritime claims in the South China Sea. On Tuesday, Japan presented a one-page diplomatic note to the United Nations rejecting Chinas baseline claims and denouncing its efforts to limit the freedom of navigation and overflight. Japans note is the latest in series of recent criticisms of Chinas position, joining submissions to the U.N. from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and the United States. This backlash suggests that Chinas excessive claims and its assertive behavior are setting off alarm bells in in a growing number of capitalsboth in Southeast Asia and beyond. By joining the United States and several European and Asian nations in formally protesting China's claims, Japan is joining a diplomatic (and maybe operational) effort to reject specific elements of China's South China Sea claims, said Isaac Kardon, an assistant professor at the U.S. Naval War College. In its submission, Japan explicitly rejects Chinas claim that the drawing of territorial sea baselines by China on relevant islands and reefs in the South China Sea conforms to UNCLOS and general international law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is an international treaty that covers maritime jurisdictions, the use of sea resources, and the freedom of navigation and overflight. Baselines are imaginary lines on a map connecting the outermost points of the features of an archipelago and are meant to circumscribe the territory that belongs to it. Although Japan is not among the claimants in the South China Sea, this is not its first foray into those turbulent waters. Japan has deepened security ties with several of the Southeast Asian claimant nations in recent years, and in October 2020 carried out anti-submarine exercises in the South China Sea. Japanese companies have signed onto joint offshore energy projects with Vietnam, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga recently set a defense export agreement with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Similarly, the Philippines has acquired coast guard vessels and radar systems from Japan. And Japanese vessels have participated in exercises in the South China Sea with forces from the United States and the Philippines. Japans decision to challenge Chinas position in the South China Sea is also likely related to its dispute with China over the Japanese-occupied Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The timing of the note is crucial, Pooja Bhatt, a PhD candidate at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said, as it was released a few hours prior to a reportedly high-level consultation on maritime issues between China and Japan where the latter lodged a diplomatic protest over increasing Chinese belligerence near the Senkaku Islands. More broadly, Bhatt said Japans action reflected a trend of non-claimant states that seek safety and freedom of trade and navigation and hope to uphold the rule of law and internationally accepted norms in the high seas of the South China Sea just like any other global commons. Because the waters of the South China Sea beyond the territorial sea are high seas that impact global peace and security, Bhatt explained, claimant and non-claimant states are increasingly vocal to register their concern through diplomatic notes to the United Nations at the multilateral level. For example, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom submitted joint notes to the United Nations in September 2020. They contended that Chinas baseline claims and historic rights claims were inconsistent with UNCLOS. China claims straight baselines around the Paracel Islands, an area in the northern South China Sea disputed by Vietnam, China, and Taiwan. Assessments of these claims have long concluded that Chinas baselines in the Paracels are at odds with UNCLOS requirements. China has not yet claimed baselines around the Spratly Islands, the site of overlapping claims between China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Taiwan, and Malaysia. In July 2016, an UNCLOS tribunal ruled that China is constituted principally by territory on the mainland of Asia and cannot meet the definition of an archipelagic State, which means that any future straight baseline claims around the Spratly Islands will not find any support under international law. The arbitral award also invalidated Chinas historic rights claims within its so-called nine-dash line. The UNCLOS tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued this arbitral award in response to a legal challenge brought against China in 2013 by the Philippines. China refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected the PCAs ruling, and has continued to defend its baseline claims. In the years since the UNCLOS tribunal ruling, the legal battle over Chinas South China Sea claims has continued. According to Kardon, Japans recent note to the U.N. is part of a series of such diplomatic notes that began with Malaysia's December 2019 submission of extended continental shelf claims to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. China responded by asking the Commission to not consider Malaysias submission. This provided another target for claimants and other interested parties to voice formal objections to specific aspects of China's claims, Kardon said. Japans note to the United Nations is a response to Chinas retort to the joint notes that France, Germany, and the United Kingdom submitted in September 2020. Japans note also expresses concern about Chinas position on freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea specifically over what are called low-tide elevations, features exposed at low tide but submerged at high tide that do not generate a territorial sea. Japan specifically accuses China of protesting the overflight of Japanese aircraft in the airspace surrounding Mischief Reef a low-tide elevation in the Spratly Islands that China transformed into a major outpost through land reclamation. Workers stuck at the construction site of Dak Mi 2 hydropower project in Quang Nam Province's Phuoc Son District due to flash floods are rescued on October 30, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan. Hurting from floods and landslides that ravaged it last year, Quang Nam says it will suspend hydropower projects deemed to pose environmental threats. Quang Nam, home to the famous tourist hotspot Hoi An, has so far approved 46 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 1,816 MW, it was said at a meeting held in the central province Wednesday. Of these, 22 with a total capacity of 1,273 MW have begun operations, eight are under construction, and the rest are still in the process of investment preparation. According to the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, dam projects have made it easier for the province to access funding for related infrastructure projects like roads, schools and the supply of water and electricity. This in turn has created jobs for locals and improved their living standards. However, the department admitted that several hydropower plants located in mountainous areas have damaged forest land to greater or lesser extents. The role of hydropower plants in the deadly landslides triggered by floods and heavy rains in the province last year should be taken into serious consideration, a department representative said at the meeting. Truong Xuan Ty, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that apart from contributing to the national power grid, hydropower projects in Quang Nam have played a role in controlling floods during the rainy season and providing water for downstream areas in the dry season. However, environmental impact assessments have not been done of construction of infrastructure projects following the hydropower plants, he said. Provincial vice chairman Nguyen Hong Quang, who chaired the meeting, said investors of projects that have begun operations have to ensure absolute safety and strictly follow regulations. The environmental impacts of projects that are still under construction have to be looked at carefully, he said. He said the provincial department of industry and trade will collaborate with other concerned agencies to review all the projects and make an assessment of their environmental impacts. "Our agenda is not to trade environment for economic development at any cost," Quang said. He insisted that any hydropower project that shows signs of harming the environment should be dealt with firmly or even suspended. Viet Son, vice chairman of the provinces Nam Giang District, concurred with Quang. He said the district was currently home to 11 dams six of them operational and the rest still on paper. Generally speaking, such projects have allowed the district to attract investment for infrastructure development and increase budget collection. Yet this has created the problem of such projects taking away the agricultural land of local people and as a result, farmers have turned to cultivating illegally on land that belongs to protected forests, he said. "Nam Giang District agrees that any projects that are not truly essential but cause significant threats for the environment should be eliminated," Son said. Nguyen Quang, vice chairman of Phuoc Son District, said there were five dams being built in the district. For now, the Dak Mi 4 plant has changed the flow of the Dak Mi River, causing more serious erosion in Phuoc Hiep Commune. Nguyen Hoang Linh, vice chairman of Tay Giang District, set to have five dams, said its A Vuong 4 project with a capacity of 100 MW was now at the investment preparation stage. However, once it goes up, the project will take away 8.2 hectares (20.26 acres) of protected forests and 3.8 hectares of production forest (plantations), he said. "I suggest that the province stops this project before it takes shape," he said. The entire central region and parts of the Central Highlands were hit by a series of storms last October that triggered torrential downpours, resulting in severe flooding and landslides. Quang Nam was one of five hardest hit provinces, the others being Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue. The province lost 43 residents, 13 are still listed as missing and 350 people suffered serious injuries. Apart from the human cost, 650 houses were completely destroyed and almost 4,400 others were seriously damaged. The province has estimated total damage at nearly VND11 trillion ($480 million). Both the public and experts have blamed the destruction on deforestation, uncontrolled construction and other man-made changes to the natural terrain, including construction of dams. Last month, the Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh asked local authorities to put on hold all small scale hydropower projects that have been planned but are yet to be invested in. Such projects should only be carried out once their environmental assessments confirm they will not have negative impacts on the environment, he said. As of 2018, the country had 385 hydropower projects in operation and another 143 under construction, according to state-owned power utility Vietnam Electricity. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Reading Terminal Market has hired a new general manager after its last appointment, Conor Murphy, left in December after six months on the job. Annie Allman, who previously served as senior director of marketing at Comcast, in addition to marketing roles at casino chains that include Harrahs locations in Atlantic City and Philadelphia, is set to start on Monday. Allman said she had seen news about Murphys departure shortly before Christmas. Intrigued by the job, she contacted a Reading Terminal Market board member to express interest. It was a little out of my comfort zone to be so bold, she said. After she met and talked with the board and walked through the indoor market for a number of hours, she accepted the job, and on Monday, intends to get back to basics. READ MORE: Reading Terminal Market and its general manager part ways after 6 months One of the first priorities, she said: Getting the word out that the 128-year-old market is open and has been open and that its waiting for people to stop by. Absolutely drill down and make sure we have a clean space a welcoming, accessible experience for everyone, she said. How does it look visually, I think thats the first order, and second, but along parallel lines, is all the foot traffic. Obviously, between convention tourism and folks working in the offices in Center City, foot traffic has disappeared. Anecdotally, the number of customers in the market last year was down 50% from 2019, said London Faust, a spokesperson for the market, which reported 7.6 million visitors in 2019. The market records around $60 million in sales every year, she said. There were 80 merchants at the market before COVID-19, Faust said. Three Tootsies Hot and Cold Buffet, Condiment, and The Tubby Olive have closed permanently during the pandemic. The months-long ban on indoor dining dealt a blow to businesses across the city. Reading Terminal, which said around 30% of its foot traffic comes from tourists, was no exception. In October, it launched an online fund-raiser to collect $250,000 to keep the sprawling marketplace running. It was about $24,000 away from its goal as of Friday. A few months after the fund-raiser went live, Allmans predecessor, Murphy, left his post. He did not share a reason for his departure, simply saying through the market in a statement: COVID has been tough mentally, and my focus right now is getting some rest and hopefully being able to travel to see family in Europe. There are great businesses at the market, and I look forward to returning as a shopper soon. The market is an icon and the show goes on. Reading Terminal Market said that the needs of the market have changed but lauded Murphy as a visionary and a creative talent. In a text message, Murphy said that he had signed a confidentiality agreement in January, leaving him unable to say much about the terms of his departure. Since restrictions on indoor dining eased slightly last week, with businesses allowed to reopen dining rooms at 25% capacity, the hope is that the trickle of customers to Reading Terminal Market will pick up. Until that happens, Allman said, customers put off by the typical shoulder-to-shoulder jostling there can enjoy the uncharacteristically relaxed flow of traffic. I just think the Reading Terminal Market is such a great outlet right now for folks, even within this five-county region, or maybe into South Jersey, she said. You feel connected to a community when you go into Reading Terminal Market. It is everyone from every walk of life, and nowadays, people are feeling so isolated and so part of technology. Its this authentic real world, and it sounds trite, but its a beautiful thing to have that. A York County man, accused of attacking a woman during a domestic violence incident earlier this month, was stopped by a Walt Disney World employee, according to media reports. The woman called the theme park pretending to book tickets, FOX43 reported. She conveyed to the employee that she was in danger. Wayne Terry Shifflet, 38, of Dover, was arrested after the Disney employee called York County 911 at 11:18 p.m. on Jan. 9. The employee overheard shouts of get off me and get away from me during the phone call, according to Northern York County Regional Police. The woman answered only yes and no to questions, the caller told police. The Disney employee then asked if the woman needed police assistance, and she replied, yes. Police were dispatched to the 300 block of Glen Hollow Drive in Dover. Shifflet was charged with strangulation, terroristic threats, simple assault, and harassment in addition to aggravated assault, police said. The woman told police that she and Shiflett had been arguing about him getting a real job instead of selling fire extinguishers, WGAL reported. The woman told police that Shiflett had choked her and that she was afraid she was going to die. Read more from PennLive Missing Lancaster County woman found safe: police The Civic Club of Harrisburg cleaning up after vandalism RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio State troopers pulled over a Colorado woman driving a rental truck on the Ohio Turnpike in Summit County and reported discovering 750 pounds of marijuana stowed in cardboard boxes. Tiffany Ross, 42, of Swink, Colorado, has been charged with second-degree felonies of possession and trafficking in drugs, according to Akron Municipal Court records. Troopers stopped Ross around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday for a marked lane violation while driving east on the turnpike in Richfield Township, the State Highway Patrol said in a news release. Ross was driving a 2019 Penske rental truck with Virginia registration. While troopers talked with her, they smelled marijuana coming from the truck, according to the release. Troopers searched the back of the truck and found large wooden containers filled with Lowes cardboard boxes containing marijuana. Ross appeared in court Thursday for an arraignment and a judge set her bond at $50,000, court records show. Search for axions from nearby star Betelgeuse comes up empty The elusive axion particle is many times lighter than an electron, with properties that barely make an impression on ordinary matter. As such, the ghost-like particle is a leading contender as a component of dark matter -- a hypothetical, invisible type of matter that is thought to make up 85 percent of the mass in the universe. Axions have so far evaded detection. Physicists predict that if they do exist, they must be produced within extreme environments, such as the cores of stars at the precipice of a supernova. When these stars spew axions out into the universe, the particles, on encountering any surrounding magnetic fields, should briefly morph into photons and potentially reveal themselves. Now, MIT physicists have searched for axions in Betelgeuse, a nearby star that is expected to burn out as a supernova soon, at least on astrophysical timescales. Given its imminent demise, Betelgeuse should be a natural factory of axions, constantly churning out the particles as the star burns away. However, when the team looked for expected signatures of axions, in the form of photons in the X-ray band, their search came up empty. Their results rule out the existence of ultralight axions that can interact with photons over a wide range of energies. The findings set new constraints on the particle's properties that are three times stronger than any previous laboratory-based axion-detecting experiments. "What our results say is, if you want to look for these really light particles, which we looked for, they're not going to talk very much to photons," says Kerstin Perez, assistant professor of physics at MIT. "We're basically making everyone's lives harder because we're saying, 'you're going to have to think of something else that would give you an axion signal.'" Perez and her colleagues have published their results today in Physical Review Letters. Her MIT co-authors include lead author Mengjiao Xiao, Brandon Roach, and Melaina Nynka, along with Maurizio Giannotti of Barry University, Oscar Straniero of the Abruzzo Astronomical Observatory, Alessandro Mirizzi of the National Institute for Nuclear Physics in Italy, and Brian Grefenstette of Caltech. A hunt for coupling Many of the current experiments that search for axions are designed to look for them as a product of the Primakoff effect, a process that describes a theoretical "coupling" between axions and photons. Axions are not normally thought to interact with photons -- hence their likelihood of being dark matter. However, the Primakoff effect predicts that, when photons are subjected to intense magnetic fields, such as in stellar cores, they could morph into axions. The center of many stars should therefore be natural axion factories. When a star explodes in a supernova, it should churn the axions out into the universe. If the invisible particles run into a magnetic field, for instance between the star and Earth, they should turn back into photons, presumably with some detectable energy. Scientists are hunting for axions through this process, for instance from our own sun. "But the sun also has flares and gives off X-rays all the time, and it's hard to understand," says Perez. She and her colleagues instead looked for axions from Betelgeuse, a star that normally does not emit X-rays. The star is among those nearest to Earth that are expected to explode soon. "Betelgeuse is at a temperature and lifestage where you don't expect to see X-rays coming out of it, through standard stellar astrophysics," Perez explains. "But if axions do exist, and are coming out, we might see an X-ray signature. So that's why this star is a nice object: If you see X-rays, it's a smoking gun signal that it's got to be axions." "Data is data" The researchers looked for X-ray signatures of axions from Betelgeuse, using data taken by NuSTAR, NASA's space-based telescope that focuses high-energy X-rays from astrophysical sources. The team obtained 50 kiloseconds of data from NuSTAR during the time the telescope was trained on Betelgeuse. The researchers then modeled a range of X-ray emissions that they might see from Betelgeuse if the star was spewing out axions. They considered a range of masses that an axion might be, as well as a range of likelihoods that the axions would "couple" to and reconvert into a photon, depending on the magnetic field strength between the star and Earth. "Out of all that modeling, you get a range of what your X-ray signal of axions could possibly look like," Perez says. When they searched for these signals in NuSTAR's data, however, they found nothing above their expected background or outside of any ordinary astrophysical sources of X-rays. "Betelgeuse is probably in the late stages of evolution and in that case should have a big probability of converting into axions," Xiao says. "But data are data." Given the range of conditions they considered, the team's null result rules out a large space of possibilities and sets an upper limit that is three times stronger than previous limits, from laboratory-based searches, for what an axion must be. In essence, this means that if axions are ultralight in mass, the team's results show that the particles must be at least three times less likely to couple to photons and emit any detectable X-rays. "If axions have ultralight masses, we can definitely tell you their coupling has to be very small, otherwise we would have seen it," Perez says. Ultimately, this means that scientists may have to look to other, less detectable energy bands for axion signals. However, Perez says the search for axions from Betelgeuse is not over. "What would be exciting would be if we see a supernova, which would ignite a huge amount of axions that wouldn't be in X-rays, but in gamma rays," Perez says. "If a star explodes and we don't see axions, then we'll get really stringent constraints on an axion's coupling to photons. So everyone's crossing their fingers for Betelgeuse to go off." ### This research was supported, in part, by NASA. Written by Jennifer Chu, MIT News Office This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. For the third time since hearing began over the Lekki Shooting incident, the Nigerian Army has failed to honour the summons issued to its officers by the panel investigating the event. The army failed to present the officers involved in the shooting. The Nigerian Army, first on the cause list of the panel for Saturdays proceedings, did not present any witness. On January 8, the last adjournment of the proceeding, S. O Bello, the Officer that led the 65 Batallion that went to Lekki Toll Gate, Godwin Umelo, the General Officer (GOC), 81 Division and Francis Omata, a Brigadier General, all failed to appear before the panel. That marked the second time the Army would not be appearing. Their officers were not also present on December 12, the previously adjourned date, PREMIUM TIMES reported. Saturday Proceedings Neither the summoned officers of the Nigerian Army nor their legal representative, Akinlolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), appeared before the panel on Saturday. Speaking on the status of the summons sent to the Army officers, Jonathan Ogunsanya, counsel to the panel, said the army officers including Colonel Bello were issued summoned. We sent to Godwin Umelo, at the General Office, 81 Division, Lagos and Ogun state of the Nigerian Army, Victoria Island, it was sent by way of DHL. The third summon was issued and served on Brigadier General Francis Ogbaje Omata. We also spoke to the lead counsel on record for the Nigerian Army, A.T Kehinde SAN, informing the learned silk of the proceedings and he said we should serve the Army directly, which we did, he said. Mr Ogunsanya said he served the Nigerian Army and officers involved but none of them appeared before the panel for the Saturdays proceeding. The judge, Dorris Okuwobi, also asked whether he attached the petition of victims of Lekki shooting to the Summons sent to the Nigerian Army and the counsel confirmed. Adeshina Ogunlana, counsel to some victims of Lekki shooting, urged the panel to summon the counsel for the Nigerian Army to give explanations on why his clients have refused to appear before the panel despite several summons. It behoves on counsel (Mr Kehinde) to come and explain before this honourable court or give an explanation of the situation of the failure of his clients to responding to the Summons of the panel. If the Military is dodging, the gentleman lawyer must not be allowed to dodge. He should come back before this panel and give (an) explanation. Another counsel, Olumide Fusika, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who was also present at the sitting said that every petition that mentioned the Nigerian Army should be compiled and served on them and when the petitions come up, they are expected to appear. Mr Kehinde already filed (a) witness statement before the panel, maybe three or four. When colonel Taiwo gave his evidence, he then decided that he was not going to call the other persons he filed for. Apparently because he feels this is a court. He is entitled to say he doesnt want to call them, but the tribunal is entitled too, we need this person to come, even though you are not interested, we need them to come to the tribunal. Mr Fusika said he alligned himself with the position of Mr Ogunlana and a summon should be served on him to give explanations on his clients absence. ADVERTISEMENT He didnt represent individuals, he represents the Nigerian Army and all those three persons the witness statements were filed to say what the Nigerian Army feels. He cannot impose on the tribunal. We still need them. Olukayode Enitan, the lawyer holding brief for the Lagos state government, also alligned himself with the positions of Messrs Fusika and Adeshina. A clear legal issue Mr Ogunsanya said he informed the counsel for the Army of the proceedings and several petitions against the Nigerian Army. There is a clear legal issue, A.T Kehinde had clearly said that he is no longer representing the Nigerian Army. Assuming that is correct, every further effort made at securing his presence before this Tribunal will have any legal backing. We have served and served his chambers, spoken with him on the phone. I am not saying we are not to further serve the Nigerian Army. Perhaps, my Lord will give alternative orders to serve the Nigerian Army. Mr Enitan said there is a misunderstanding as there are two strains of proceedings relating to the Nigerian Army, one in which Mr Kehinde appeared in to represent the Nigerian Army. That one he appeared in is yet to be concluded. He, as counsel, owes a duty to come before this panel, if for any reason, he is no longer proceeding in that proceeding. In respect of that one, Mr Kehinde owes a duty to come before the panel to state his reasons for either not coming or for his clients that he is representing not coming. After hearing the arguments of the counsels, Mrs Okuwobi, the chairperson of the panel, said the non-appearance of the Nigerian Army is causing a delay for the panels proceeding. She said even though the panels the lawyer contacted Mr Kehinde, notifying him of the proceedings, he still failed to appear for the Army. The difficulties the panel now experiences is having Mr Kehinde explain to the panel why those summoned by the panel are not attending proceeding, this is creating undue delay in the investigation of the Lekki event of October 20, 2020. In that respect, it is hereby ordered that the counsel for the panel shall issue a letter to learned silk, Mr A.T Kehinde, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to appear before the panel at the next adjourned date to explain why he would not conclude the case of the Nigerian Army. I must reiterate and state that this is a fact-finding panel and not a regular court where counsels can decide the choice of witnesses they want to present in their case. Mrs Okuwobi said it behoves on Mr Kehinde to assist the panel in achieving the task of investigating the Lekki Shooting incident to avoid issues of denial of fair hearing that might arise when the panels report is submitted to the government. The Nigerian Army has been magnanimous in appearing before the panel, they should be encouraged to fulfill all righteousness by presenting their version of the incident of October 20 to refute the claims now made against them, she said. The judge said if the Army does not present its defence, the cases of the petitioners will be uncontested. The judge adjourned till January 30 for the appearance of the Army and their lawyer. A man talking on his phone walks past the logo of LG Electronics during Korea Electronics Show 2016 in Seoul, Oct. 27, 2016. Reuters LG Electronics can improve its corporate value by restructuring its money-losing mobile business and focusing on future growth engines for a post-pandemic world, analysts here said Saturday. The company announced Wednesday that the future of its mobile communications unit was open to "every possibility" amid rumors that the company could sell the struggling mobile business. "We think LG's announcement means they are going to either shut down or sell, or at least scale back on its mobile business," Cho Chul-hee, an analyst at Korea Investment Securities, said. Analysts said LG's decision to restructure its mobile business is a positive development for shareholders, as this will boost the company's profitability and eventually its value. LG's mobile business has been in the red since the second quarter of 2015, with an accumulated operating loss of nearly 5 trillion won (US$4.5 billion) as of last year. "We have to wait for the final decision from LG, but it has become clear that the company is moving towards reducing losses from the mobile business," Park Hyung-wou, an analyst at Shinhan Financial Investment, said. "The mobile business has been a factor that has been dragging down LG's corporate value." Shares in LG have spiked after the company hinted at a possible restructuring of its mobile business, surging 12.84 percent Wednesday, and 10.78 percent Thursday, before cooling down with a 4.05 percent decline Friday to close at 177,500 won. In recent days, local brokerage houses have been raising their target prices for LG, with many setting it between 190,000 won and 230,000 won. "If LG decides to pull out of the mobile business, its impact on the company's value will be larger than the numbers on paper," Ko Eui-young, an analyst at Hi Investment Securities, said. "Its mobile communications division has been a discount factor for LG because it lowered the credibility of the company's cash flow estimates with frequent one-off costs and prompted an inefficient allocation of the company's resources." LG has been striving to turn its mobile business around in recent years, shifting its smartphone production base to Vietnam, while expanding outsourcing deals. Analysts estimate 60 percent of LG's phones are currently produced through original development manufacturing (ODM). To boost its premium smartphone sales, LG last year launched the Explorer Project, a new mobile category highlighted by a different form factor. Under the project, the company released the Wing, a dual-screen smartphone with a second rotating screen. For this year, LG is scheduled to launch a smartphone with a rollable OLED display. But analysts say such efforts are not enough for LG, as it is overshadowed by Samsung Electronics and Apple in the premium segment, while Chinese brands dominate the budget phone sector. LG's share in the global smartphone market is estimated to be between 1 and 2 percent. "The smartphone market is no longer in a situation where everyone can grow," said Ko Jung-woo, an analyst at NH Investment Securities. "A company that can be considered a niche player in the market, has less possibilities for potential growth than in the past." Analysts predicted that LG's first move will be to shrink its mobile division "Considering its outsourcing deals and contracts with mobile carriers, it will be difficult for the company to withdraw from the mobile business in such a short period of time," said Lee Jong-wook, an analyst at Samsung Securities. "Shrinking the unit also helps the company if it wants to sell the business." LG may also further shift its mobile business focus to ODM and budget phones, but industry observers note that such a strategy could be risky as it may damage its premium brand image in the TV and home appliance markets. "In regard to its corporate value, the best scenario will be selling off the business," said Kim Ji-san, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities. "Even if it shuts down or sells the business, the company will keep its core mobile technologies and support its future engines, such as internet of things systems for home appliances, robots and autonomous vehicles." LG's announcement regarding its mobile business came after it decided to establish a joint venture with global auto parts maker Magna International Inc. to explore electric powertrain systems for the fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) market. Analysts said LG's recent moves show the company's future business goals. "LG is expected to accelerate its business focus on home appliances, in which it boasts global competitiveness, as well as automotive and B2B solutions," said Roh Kyoung-tak, an analyst at Eugene Investment Securities. "This signals that the direction and pace of LG's business strategy has changed from the past in various areas." (Yonhap) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Rahul Gandhi demands withdrawal of new regulations in Lakshadweep; Writes to PM Modi Mamata arrives 30 minutes late for Cyclone Yaas review meet with PM Modi, leaves after handing over documents Fast-paced development of Assam in very important: PM Modi at Assam India oi-Briti Roy Barman Guwahati, Jan 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Assam on Saturday which is his first in the run-up to the state assembly elections likely in April. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at Sivasagar. The venue for Modi's programme, where he will launch an Assam government initiative to distribute 1.06 lakh land allotment certificates at an event here today. Formerly known as Rangpur, Sivasagar is in the part of Upper Assam, which saw strong opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) last year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 18th convocation of Tezpur University in Assam on Friday online. The PM said, the fast-paced development of Assam in very important to us. The way to 'Atmanirbhar Assam' is through 'Atmavishwaas' (self-confidence) among the people here. 40 per cent of the state's population is taking benefit of 'Ayushmaan Bharat' scheme of the Central government." "NDA govt has always kept the preservation of the Assamese culture at its foremost intention behind implementing policies including the protection of the Assamese language and promotion of its literature." Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News The Centre-State double engine government is working to supply running water to all the households of the state. While speaking on the pandemic PM Modi said, "The way the Assam government handled COVID-19 is praiseworthy. I am confident that Assam will take forward the vaccination drive now. I appeal to all to get vaccinated." Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The brochures paint an idyllic picture of the reef but St Crispin is on the outer edge, where locals say the winds and the currents can be fluky. A local dive boat operator says they go in all directions; because it was two days before aircraft went out to look for the Lonergans, the police had to quadruple the search grid. There are two threads to the investigation that has tripled police numbers in normally sleepy Port Douglas. Most of the effort is going into examining the conduct of the crew on the Outer Edge, which worked from Port Douglas for years before it changed ownership early last year. The operations manager of Outer Edge Dive, Tom Colrain, has refused to comment. The other thread is more troubling. Pro forma questions by reporters expecting to hear the police dismiss any suggestion that the Lonergans might have committed suicide elicited this response from the head of the search, Chief Superintendent Col McCallum: "I can confirm that a note has been found in their possessions indicating the possibility of some personal trauma . . ." And he described the loss of the couple as an "apparent" tragedy. On Thursday, Superintendent McCallum refused to elaborate, but yesterday he said the police did not consider the note in a personal diary found in a safe at the couple's Cairns hostel to be a suicide note. His words have baffled the couple's grieving families in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Asked about the note, Eileen Lonergan's mother, Kathy Hains, said: "We don't know anything. We are praying for our children and for the people who ran that boat and for the people who are searching for them." Thomas Lonergan was described by one of his brothers as "a regular Joe". He was a balding chemical engineer; his dark-haired wife was a teacher. They loved the outdoors and were big on camping and bushwalking. They married nine years ago, "straight out of college", said Thomas's mother, Elizabeth Lonergan. The big adventure in their life began three years ago when they joined the US Peace Corps, volunteering for posts in Fiji and elsewhere in the South Pacific. The two were inseparable, his mother said. "They were never alone. We used to laugh at them how they would do everything together. I still hope they will call and tell me they have been found." APPARENTLY there was a head count before the Outer Edge left St Crispin. Clearly it was wrong. The regulations call for detailed manifests of all passengers, including an address so that they can be tracked, if need be, after the trip to the reef. Scuba divers must also be separated into groups based on experience; there are separate groups again for snorkellers. Scuba divers are supposed to be logged into and out of the water; a notice is supposed to be taken of the depth to which they dive and the air level in their tanks. As the boat sails from reef to reef, there is supposed to be a head count before it moves on. It appears the Lonergans were not logged back on to the boat after their last dive or counted before it headed back to Port Douglas. One of the vessel's owners has insisted to Graeme Connett, another dive boat operator, that there was a count. But a crewman, Karl Jesinenoswski, is not so sure. He said he could not be certain there was a head count or log entries last Sunday. Passengers recall heads being counted but the numbers can't have been right. Yet the number must have appeared to be right to support Connett's account of the crew's lack of interest when the Lonergans' bags were found. He told 'The Sunday Age' that the crew had the right number of bags and assumed that whoever owned them had disembarked at Port Douglas, leaving the bags behind. This was why the bags were thrown in a corner: surely their owners would be back? Were the passenger manifest, the diving log and the head count figures examined at this stage? Apparently not, because that was Sunday evening and it was not until Tuesday evening that someone bothered to open the bags, ascertain their ownership, realise the mistake and call the police. DESPITE the industry's safety claims, other divers have been left behind. In 1993, 16-year-old Victoria Bryan drowned when she was left on a reef near Green Island. This week, Tony Hudson, a 34-year-old Cairns businessman, told how he and a friend would have been left early last year had he not been accompanied by quick-thinking friends. One of these, Rem Davis, 33, said: "The whistle blew for people to return to the boat; the crew walked around with counters, counting the people. I think they did it twice, they thought the first count was inaccurate but they said that the second showed that all were on board. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 12:20:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Ministry of Health said on Friday the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the East African country rose to 132,881 after 555 new cases were reported. The death toll from COVID-19 in the country has reached 2,060 as of Friday evening, after three new deaths were reported, the ministry said. According to the ministry, some 12,306 cases remain active, with 227 patients said to be under severe conditions. Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation, is one of the countries hardest hit by COVID-19 in Africa, after South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. The Ethiopian government has been urging the public to implement COVID-19 precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus. Enditem Such a move would most likely reduce the tax revenue that Mr. Biden could otherwise claim to raise from his proposed changes to the Trump tax by at least half and as much as two-thirds, according to calculations by The New York Times. The calculations used analyses from the congressional Joint Committee on Taxation, the Tax Policy Center, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and the University of Pennsylvanias Penn Wharton Budget Model. All told, over a decade, Mr. Bidens proposed changes to the law could net just $500 billion in additional revenue. In contrast, he has proposed roughly $2 trillion in tax increases unrelated to the law, by the Budget Models calculations. Not all of Mr. Bidens intentions for the laws provisions are clear. In the campaign, he said he would remove a limitation that Mr. Trump placed on the deduction of state and local taxes from federal income taxes, known as S.A.L.T., a move that primarily hurt higher-income residents of high-tax states like New York and California. Ms. Yellen did not commit to such a repeal this week, telling lawmakers she would study and evaluate what the impact of the S.A.L.T. cap has had on state on local governments, and those who rely upon their services. Repealing the cap would further reduce federal tax revenues. The 2017 law cut taxes for individuals and lowered the corporate rate to 21 percent from 35 percent. It created a new deduction for owners of certain businesses, like limited liability companies, whose owners pay taxes on their profits through the individual tax code. It also overhauled how the United States taxes the income that companies earn overseas, which Republicans said would encourage them to invest and create jobs in America. Most American workers received at least a small tax cut under the law. Its benefits flowed heavily to high earners: The Joint Committee on Taxations initial estimates suggested that more than one-fifth of the tax savings from the law in 2021 would go to people earning $500,000 a year or more. That share is set to rise sharply by 2026 if the individual tax cuts expire as scheduled. Democrats denounced the law as a giveaway to the rich, and it has struggled to attain widespread popularity. An online poll for The Times by the research firm SurveyMonkey found last month that Americans remained evenly split on whether they support or oppose the law. Only one in five respondents was certain of having received a tax cut from it. Agra, Jan 23 : A minor dispute with a neighbour over a goat resulted in the death of a father and son in a village in Agra district. Basauni police station officials said after the twin murders on Friday, the accused has been absconding. Villagers of Pura Shiv Lal of Bah tehsil told the police that a goat belonging to Bheekam Singh entered the house of Gyani. Someone hit the goat with a stick, breaking its leg, which infuriated the family members of the goat owner. Gyani fired his pistol at 20-year-old Jitendra and his father Bheekam. Both died on way to the hospital. Senior police officials reached the village in the evening and police forces from neighbouring thanas were deployed in the area. The atmosphere is tense in the village. The villagers still cannot understand how such a minor scuffle could escalate into a tragedy ruining a family. Russian police arrested more than 2,600 people Saturday as protests erupted across the country calling for the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in more than 100 Russian cities, demonstrating the strength of the movement led by the man who has become the fiercest and most public critic of President Vladimir Putin. Even bitterly cold temperatures did not keep protesters away after the government had pushed on people to stay home, warning of the risks of contracting COVID-19 and arrest for taking part in an unauthorized protest. In the end, the turnout surpassed expectations Advertisement Protests are taking place across Russia today, calling for Navalnys release. This is Vladivostok, in the countrys Far East pic.twitter.com/luO4oudeH9 Matthew Luxmoore (@mjluxmoore) January 23, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement Two hours and hundreds of arrests later, there are still thousands of people stretching a mile in each direction in Moscow. This must be the biggest anti-Putin rally in years. People I spoke to werent necessarily political before, but what Russia did to Navalny infuriated them pic.twitter.com/CcdwHIhGM4 max seddon (@maxseddon) January 23, 2021 Advertisement At least 40,000 people gathered in the protest that took place in central Moscow, according to estimates by Reuters. The government claims the real number of Moscow protesters was closer to 4,000. Police were not shy about using force to break up the demonstrations that some characterized as the largest in years. Police beat up protesters with batons and roughly dragged them out into police buses. Demonstrators werent always passive either. One video, for example, shows protesters throwing snowballs at police. Navalnys wife, Yulia, was among those detained although she was quickly released. With this protest, we can show that not everyone bows to the government, not everyone respects it, Adel Dikhtyar, an 82-year-old writer, who attended the Moscow rally, told the Wall Street Journal. And that young people, our future, they are against that which exists. Advertisement Lots and lots of people on sidewalks of Tverskaya, leading to Pushkinskaya square and the Kremlin. This must be the biggest anti-Putin rally in years. People are enraged. pic.twitter.com/dN4bXE5fZh Ivan Nechepurenko (@INechepurenko) January 23, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement pic.twitter.com/8Qr0xjhoDG (@SobolLubov) January 23, 2021 Navalny was detained at a Moscow airport Sunday as he returned to the country from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from a nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. Navalnys supporters are hoping that a show of force on the streets will pressure Putins government to release him amid reports that he could be jailed for years. For the Kremlin the key concern is whether the protests will grow and attract more people as the parliamentary elections approach later this year. Advertisement , : / pic.twitter.com/QRkpJygSfN (@mediazzzona) January 23, 2021 Advertisement Protesters received the support of the United States, which condemned the harsh tactics against protesters. We call on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights, State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. And...@navalnys wife, Yulia, is detained. Like Alexei, she too uses humor and wit to show her strength: Forgive the poor photo quality, the lighting is bad in the paddy wagon. pic.twitter.com/QdzzX5I2c7 Bianna Golodryga (@biannagolodryga) January 23, 2021 Flash Greater Bay Airlines Company Ltd. has formally applied to the Air Transport Licensing Authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to operate new routes between Hong Kong and 104 destinations, the regional government said in a Gazette notice published on Friday. The Hong Kong start-up has applied for the right to operate more than 100 routes with Hong Kong International Airport as the "point of departure," according to the notice. Among 104 destinations, 48 are cities across the Chinese mainland such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, four in China's Taiwan, while the rest include Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok and other cities across Asia. The application features passenger transport, freight transport and mail services. Greater Bay Airlines was founded by Bill Wong Cho-bau, owner of Shenzhen Donghai Airlines. Huang said earlier that he is optimistic about the prospects of the shipping industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. In October 2020, Cathay Pacific Airways announced to suspend operation of its subsidiary Cathay Dragon due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there are three passenger airlines in Hong Kong: Cathay Pacific, Cathay Pacific's Hong Kong Express, and Hong Kong Airlines. The Telegram app logo is seen on a smartphone in this picture illustration taken on Sept. 15, 2017. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo) Telegram Experiences Massive Growth in January: 90 Million New Users Messaging app Telegram has announced that it gained 90 million new users in January alone. In January 2021, more than 90 million new users from around the world joined Telegram, reads the encrypted messaging apps message. Thank you! These milestones were made possible by users like you who invite their friends to Telegram. The Washington, D.C.-based Coalition for a Safer Web recently started a lawsuit against Apple for not taking action to remove the messaging app Telegram, alleging that the platform allowed violent and radical discussions related to the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S Capitol. The suit came after Apple and Google removed the social media platform Parler from its app stores, saying that the app would be suspended until they could moderate egregious content. Soon after, Amazon Web Services took the site down due to alleged violations. In 2019, European police worked with Telegram to disable accounts associated with ISIS terrorists and other violent groups after they had been communicating with each other and posting propaganda on the app. The recent banning of many conservatives from Twitter and the curtailment of alternative social media platform Parler by Google, Amazon, and Apple shows just how far the social media giants wish to control the narrative. (Reuters) Due to concerns over Big Techs recent ban on President Donald Trump and other prominent conservative figures, a large number of users are flocking to other alternatives. Twitter permanently banned the president from its platform on Jan. 8, two days after a mob broke into the U.S. Capitol during a joint session of Congress convened to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. The company claimed that Trump had incited the violence. The ban was met with criticism from world leaders, including the president of Mexico and the chancellor of Germany. Trump accused Twitter of colluding with the Democrats. Facebook and YouTube have also removed Trumps accounts. President Donald Trump delivers his farewell speech on Jan. 19, 2021. (White House/YouTube) Investigative journalism nonprofit Project Veritas on Thursday released a leaked video that appears to show Twitter CEO Jack Dorseys internal discussions before Trumps account was banned on the social media platform following the breach of the U.S. Capitol building. You should always feel free to express yourself in whatever format, manifestation, feels right, Dorsey said in the clip, which was secretly filmed by a Twitter insider, according to Project Veritas. We are focused on one account [@realDonaldTrump] right now, but this is going to be much bigger than just one account, and its going to go on for much longer than just this day, this week, and the next few weeks, and its going to go on beyond the inauguration, Dorsey added. And we have to expect that and we have to be ready for that. So, the focus is certainly on this account and how it ties to real-world violence. But also, we need to think much longer-term around how these dynamics play out over time. I dont believe this is going away anytime soon, Dorsey says in the clip. Signal Experiences Massive Growth The Signal app is also experiencing remarkable growth due to concerns over Big Techs recent ban on Trump and other prominent conservative figures. Growth spiked even more after messaging app WhatsApp put into place a controversial privacy terms change, which requires the app to share user data with Instagram and Facebook. Brian Acton, co-founder of the Signal Foundation, who also co-founded WhatsApp before it was sold to Facebook, told Reuters via email that their growth in recent days has been vertical, and that theyre also looking to expand their staff. Acton said that, at the moment, they are looking at improving the apps group chat and video services so that it becomes more competitive on a front that has been crucial during the pandemic lockdowns. Isabel Van Brugen contributed to this report. As he desperately clung to the notion that he won reelection, former President Donald J. Trump, according to a published report, found another dog that would hunt in a Justice Department attorney born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia. According to a story published Friday in the New York Times, Trump tapped attorney Jeffrey Bossert Clark, a Tacony native and Father Judge High School graduate, to allegedly help him to oust Jeffrey A. Rosen as acting attorney general. Trump, according to the Times, was disgruntled with Rosen because he refused to dig into election results in Georgia. Clark, 53, head of the Justice Departments environment division under Trump, was introduced to his boss by an unnamed Pennsylvania politician, the Times wrote and had told the president that he agreed that fraud had affected the election results. On Saturday, the paper identified the lawmaker as Republican Rep. Scott Perry, whose district includes Harrisburg and York. The Times described Clark as unassuming and a loyalist and said hed been devising a plan to bolster Trumps false claims about general election results in the state. Trump, the Times wrote, had hoped to replace Rosen with Clark and both attorneys presented their cases to him in a scene sources described as akin to The Apprentice, the reality television show where Trump appeared to be a boss. Trump ultimately decided against canning Rosen after several Justice Department officials said they would resign if that happened. Clark, according to his Justice Department bio, began his avocation as a high school and college debater and oral advocate at Father Judge High School. Prior to that, he attended St. Leo elementary school in Tacony, where he grew up. Clark earned a masters degree from the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware before attending Georgetown Law. He began his career, according to his bio, working as economics analyst for Delawares Department of Finance. In December, according to the Times, Clark allegedly told Rosen and Deputy Attorney General Richard P. Donoghue that he spent a lot of time reading on the internet and both men were concerned he believed the conspiracy theory that Mr. Trump had won the election. Clark, the Times wrote, allegedly told both men he wanted the department to announce that it was investigating serious accusations of election fraud, but they rejected the idea. Clark told the Times that its account, based on interviews with four former Trump administration officials who asked not to be named because of fear of retaliation, contained inaccuracies. There was a candid discussion of options and pros and cons with the president, Clark told the newspaper. It is unfortunate that those who were part of a privileged legal conversation would comment in public about such internal deliberations, while also distorting any discussions. In a profile of Clark published last week in Bloomberg Law, he said he hoped President Joe Biden would hold on to some of the changes he made to National Environmental Policy Act regulations as head of the Justice Departments environment division. Its a challenging job, Clark told Bloomberg. Its a very controversial area, and so I certainly knew that I was going to face that. Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched The coronavirus variant first identified in Britain may be more deadly than the older virus strain, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Friday. "There is some evidence that the new variant may be associated with a higher degree of mortality," Johnson said at a Downing Street news conference. The new strain of coronavirus, first identified in Kent in England, is thought to be up to 70 per cent more transmissible, the Xinhua news agency reported. According to the British government's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance, early evidence suggests the difference is between 10 deaths in 1,000 infected with the older variant to 13 or 14 in 1,000 infected with the new variant. However, Johnson said that the current vaccines are still effective against the new variant. "All current evidence continues to show" that the current vaccines remain effective against the old coronavirus variant and this new one, he said. Johnson said the National Health Service (NHS) is under significant pressure, urging the public to continue to follow the restriction rules. The prime minister noted that there are more than 38,000 people in hospital, 78 per cent higher than there were at peak of the first wave, and more than 4,600 people have been hospitalized in the last 24 hours. Also joining Johnson for the press briefing, Chris Whitty, England's Chief Medical Officer, said the most recent data showed that there has been a "turning of a corner" on the positivity rates amid lockdown. However, he said the number of deaths is steadily increasing, which may go on for some days to come due to the delay of hospitalisation. Pakistan: Police drop charges against Muslim man who kidnapped, shackled Christian girl in cattle pen Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Police in Pakistans eastern Punjab province have withdrawn criminal charges against three Muslim men accused of abducting a 12-year-old Christian girl who was forced to marry one of the accused, tortured and chained up in a cattle pen for up to five months. Police dropped the charges against 45-year-old Muslim man Khizar Hayat and his two associates after the girl, identified as Farah Shaheen and who was 12 when she was abducted from Faisalabad city last June, testified she willingly married Hayat, The Times reported, adding that the police ignored her parents complaint that she had been abducted and tortured. Ms Shaheen confessed before a magistrate that she married of her own will and wants to live with him, investigating officer Musaddiq Riaz was quoted as saying. A police report suggested the girl was aged 16 or 17, Riaz claimed, while the birth certificate confirms her age was 12 at the time of her abduction. On Dec. 5, police recovered the girl, who had marks of abuse on her body, and a local court later sent her to a shelter home, according to the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern. Officials first brought [Shaheen] to the police station after negotiations with the criminals, Lala Robin Daniel, a local activist, told UCAN, according to ICC. Her ankles and feet were wounded. They were bandaged at the police station. She was in trauma and couldnt talk about the torture. The girls parents claim she was forcefully married to Hayat and converted to Islam. (She) has told me she was treated like a slave, the girls father has said, according to The Daily Mail. She was forced to work all day, cleaning filth in a cattle yard. 24X7, she was attached to a chain. Her marriage, forceful conversion, and injured feet speak of the horror, Daniel wrote on social media, according to ICC. Underage girls from religious minorities are unsafe due to faulty and incomplete lawmaking. Police, judiciary, and weak laws make fun of poor parents. Shaheen is in hiding, with the help of the British charity Aid to the Church in Need, which has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to allow her to seek asylum in Britain, according to The Telegraph. A 2014 study by The Movement for Solidarity and Peace Pakistan estimated that about 1,000 women and girls from Pakistans Hindu and Christian community were abducted, forcibly married to their captor, and forcibly converted to Islam every year. The issue of religion is also often injected into cases of sexual assault to place religious minority victims at a disadvantage, ICC has said earlier. Playing upon religious biases, perpetrators know they can cover up and justify their crimes by introducing an element of religion. Last year, the U.S. State Department designated Pakistan as a country of particular concern for engaging in or tolerating egregious and systemic abuses of religious freedom. Pakistan was also ranked as the fifth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution on Open Doors USAs 2020 World Watch List. A man alleged to have been in possession of three vintage revolvers and ammunition has been released on bail provided he adheres to certain conditions. Jan Walowy, aged 60, appeared before a special sitting of Bandon District Court where gardai said he had been charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition. Gardai found the weapons three Webley revolvers and 12 rounds of .445 calibre ammunition during a search of 43 Molaga Street in Clonakilty in West Cork, where Mr Walowy lives, on Thursday last. Det Garda James Keane told Judge Colm Roberts that he had arrested Mr Walowy, who is originally from the Czech Republic, at Clonakilty Garda Station at 5.33pm on Friday and later at 9.13pm that day charged him with the offences. Det Garda Keane said that to the charge he had a Webley Revolver VI in his possession, Mr Walowy replied "no". As to the charge that he had unlawful possession of the ammunition, the court heard Mr Walowy had replied: "No, it's all clear." On the charge of unlawful possession of another Webley revolver, Mr Walowy had replied: "There is nothing to say." On the charge of unlawful possession of another Webley revolver, a different model, he had replied "no". All charges are contrary to the Firearms Act 1964, as amended. Insp Emmet Daly said gardai had no objection to Mr Walowy's release on bail but that he would need to adhere to conditions for his release. Judge Roberts was told that these involved the surrender of his passport and identity card, which had been seized in the Garda search, and that he not apply for new versions of same. He is also to sign on three times a week at Clonakilty Garda Station, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, between 6am and 9pm, and is to observe a curfew between 9pm and 6am. He is also to abstain from all intoxicants, and he must stay away from named parties. He must also be contactable by gardai at all times. Judge Roberts said any potential change of address would also need to be with the advance consent of gardai. Mr Walowy's solicitor, Conrad Murphy, told the judge that there had been a change in the people living at the address in the last couple of days as a result of the situation his client has found himself in. Mr Walowy was released on his own bond of 250 to appear before Clonakilty District Court on February 2 next. He was also granted legal aid after Mr Murphy said his client, who works in a factory and who sends money home to the Czech Republic to one of his two children, was of extremely limited financial means. There was plenty of news across Connecticut on Friday. If you missed any of it on your local Patch, here's a roundup of some of the top stories. Colleagues took to Facebook to share that the longtime veterinarian, "the best mentor, doctor, and friend" had died.>>>Read More. The son of billionaire and Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio died in a fiery crash in Greenwich last month.>>>Read More. The police are asking for the public's assistance in their investigation of a crash that caused "extensive damage" to a Main Street bank.>>>Read More. Restaurants continue to close across Connecticut due to coronavirus restrictions, but a new hibachi restaurant opened its doors this week.>>>Read More. A University of Connecticut staffer is accused of stalking other employees, a prosecutor said.>>>Read More. Prescriptions for the independent pharmacy's customers will be transferred to a nearby CVS.>>>Read More. A woman has been charged with cruelty to animals and the state is attempting to attain permanent custody of nine horses.>>>Read More. Other top stories: The Patch community platform serves more than 100 communities all across Connecticut in Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, New London, Hartford, Tolland, and Litchfield counties. Thank you for reading. Find Your Patch and more news of the day, including our most-read stories This article originally appeared on the Across Connecticut Patch Former US President Donald Trump's Senate trial will begin during the week of February 8, Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer announced. The process will start on Monday when the US House of Representatives formally delivers the charge to the chamber. The chamber charged Trump with inciting an insurrection against the government on January 6. "We all want to put this awful chapter in our nation's history behind us. But healing and unity will only come if there is truth and accountability and that is what this trial will provide," CNN quoted Schumer as saying. Senate leaders struck a deal on Friday to delay former President Donald J. Trump's trial for two weeks, giving President Biden time to install his cabinet and begin moving a legislative agenda before they begin a historic proceeding to try his predecessor for "incitement of insurrection." On January 13, one week before Biden took office, the lower chamber in the US Congress voted 232-197 to impeach Trump on charges of inciting violence against the US government. Although Trump is no longer president, the Senate could still convict him and vote to ban him from ever running for office again. It was the second time Trump was impeached by the Democratic-controlled House. The first time he was acquitted by the Senate in February of last year (with only 1 Republican voting in favor of one article of impeachment). However, unlike the impeachment over the Ukraine aid scandal, GOP House lawmakers broke rank--with ten voting to impeach Trump. It will take 67 votes in the 100-seat Senate to convict Trump on the impeachment charges. This would require 17 GOP senators to break rank. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All eyes have been on Israel. The country has swept all before it when it comes to rolling out Covid vaccinations. Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Israeli Tourism Minister, tells Escape that the entire adult population will have received the jab by 'the end of March', making the country a 'healthy' as well as an attractive destination for Britons keen to be on the first plane out. If all goes well, tourism will be open for business in April which happens to be one of the best months to visit, before it gets too hot. Flights may take a little longer than Spain or Greece (4-5 hours), but there is so much to see and do: the beaches and nightclubs of Tel Aviv, the historical and spiritual sights of Jerusalem, the salty waters of the Dead Sea (perfect for floating in), plus fantastic food just about everywhere you go. Here's our guide. BLISS ON THE BEACH A family affair Tel Aviv's six-mile stretch of sandy beach, which is divided into 10 sections - each with its own character Tel Aviv's six-mile sandy beach is divided into ten sections, each with its own character. Those in search of peace and quiet should head north to Tzur. You can book paddle-board yoga classes at Bograshov. Meanwhile, Frishman is family-friendly, with play areas and cordoned-off paddling sections for toddlers. DON'T MISS: A game of matkot (ping pong without a table) at Banana Beach, while the sun sets. HOW TO DO IT: Seven nights B&B at Leonardo City Tower from 1,042pp including flights. (virginholidays.co.uk). Swim with dolphins The Red Sea resort of Eilat, pictured, where you can snorkel over the coral reef and swim with dolphins The Red Sea beaches at the resort of Eilat have a lot to recommend them. Snorkel over the coral reef at Coral Reef Beach, while at Dolphin Beach you can (you guessed it) swim with dolphins. That's assuming they're in the mood to let you come close. Failing that, it's a thrill just to spot them frolicking. DON'T MISS: The chilled-out Mosh Beach, which is studded with restaurants and has some very fine views of the Jordan mountains. HOW TO DO IT: B&B Doubles at the Leonardo Royal Resort Hotel Eilat from 128. Easyjet (easyjet.com) London to Tel Aviv from 131 return. PILGRIM'S PROGRESS Wish at the Western Wall Israeli wonders: The Western Wall, which is all that remains of Herod's mighty Second Temple AWAY IN A MANGER... The 1,700-year-old Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem Although it is just 10km from Jerusalem, the little town of Bethlehem isn't in Israel. You have to enter Palestine through a checkpoint. Incorporated into the 1,700-year-old Church of the Nativity, the site of the stable is in a cave: a detail not mentioned in the Gospels. There you can join the throngs of the faithful and touch a star marking the spot where Jesus was born. Intrepid Travel offers eight-day tours of the Holy Land covering Tel Aviv and Jerusalem via Bethlehem from 1,975pp (intrepidtravel.com). Advertisement Jerusalem has a strong claim to being the most extraordinary place on the planet. Sacred to Islam, Judaism and Christianity, it sits at the meeting point between Asia, Europe and Africa. Visitors can trace the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa, visit King David's tomb, or simply stand on Mount Olive and marvel at Jerusalem's shining limestone walls, topped by the golden Dome of the Rock. Older readers may be pleased to learn that over a mile of handrails have been installed throughout the city. DON'T MISS: Making a wish at the Western Wall, which is all that remains of Herod's mighty Second Temple. HOW TO DO IT: Eight-day package tours taking in Tel Aviv, Acre, Galilee, the Dead Sea and Jerusalem from 1,274pp (gadventures.com). Marvel at a natural wonder On the shores of the Dead Sea, the majestic Mt Sodom shares its name with the city God destroyed for its wickedness. As Lot escaped, his wife Edith glanced back and was punished by being turned into a pillar of salt. Almost all of Mt Sodom consists of rock salt, making it a desolate natural wonder. Just south of Jerusalem, you can stroll through the Valley of Elah, where David felled Goliath. DON'T MISS: The pillar of salt said to have been Lot's wife. HOW TO DO IT: Four-wheel drive trips from the Dead Sea to Mt Sodom from 135pp (israelwithstyle.com). FOOD AND DRINK Sample divine delicacies From fresh fish to hummus, the quality of the food in Israel is superb. If you're in Tel Aviv, seek out the trendy North Abraxas restaurant, run by celebrity chef Eyal Shani. Or head for the waterside Manta Ray and try the aubergine dip and grilled croker. DON'T MISS: Shawarma with amba, a street food speciality consisting of strips of meat laced with delicious mango sauce. HOW TO DO IT: Contact Inbal at Deliciousisrael.com for food tours; walking tours of Tel Aviv's Carmel market from 65pp. Water to wine Drop in on BeerBazaar in Jaffa, a part of Tel Aviv, pictured, in order to sample their range of Israeli beers These days it doesn't take a miracle to enjoy top-quality wine in Israel. Head north from Tel Aviv to the Carmel Winery for a tour, wine-tasting and history lesson. Alternatively, drop in on BeerBazaar in Jaffa to sample their range of Israeli beers. Mazel tov! DON'T MISS: Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding in the town of Cana. To this day, Cana hucksters sell 'wedding wine' to commemorate the story. HOW TO DO IT: Carmel Winery Tours can be booked at carmelwines.co.il. THE GREAT OUTDOORS Float in the Dead Sea The mud from the Dead Sea, pictured, is rich in minerals including sodium, potassium and magnesium Queen Cleopatra believed the black mud surrounding the Dead Sea possessed powerful healing properties. It turned out she was right. The mud is rich in minerals including sodium, potassium and magnesium. Little wonder its shores are lined with spas. DON'T MISS: A float. The Dead Sea is eight times saltier than usual sea. You can't quite walk on the water, but you'll come close. HOW TO DO IT: Tours of the Holy Land including a visit to the Dead Sea from 1,595pp (trailfinders.com). Explore the Red Canyon Near Eilat, there's a family-friendly stroll through the spectacular Red Canyon. For more serious hikers, the country has 6,000 miles of well-marked hiking trails. DON'T MISS: The springs and waterfalls of Ein Gedi, by the Dead Sea. HOW TO DO IT: 6-day guided trips over the Judaean Hills to Jerusalem from 755pp (thenaturaladventure.com). CULTURE ON TAP History aplenty The 1st century BC fortress of Masada, pictured, which is one of Israel's archaeological gems Perched on a rock pinnacle beside the Dead Sea, the 1st century BC fortress of Masada is one of Israel's archaeological gems. In the north, the old part of Acre is largely Ottoman. But underground are remains of a 12th-century crusader city. DON'T MISS: Sunrise seen from the walls of Masada. HOW TO DO IT: 8-day tour of religious and historic sites including Acre and Masada is from 1,399pp excluding flights (responsibletravel.com). Heart for art The Tel Aviv Museum of Art boasts works by well-known names such as Van Gogh and Jackson Pollock as well as a host of vibrant home-grown talents. For something more personal, check out the Ilana Goor Museum in Jaffa: a historic building crammed with Goor's eclectic art. DON'T MISS: Visit Jaffa's flea market and haggle for arty bargains. HOW TO DO IT: Tel Aviv art tours are from about 20pp at viatour.com. DEADLINE for submissions on the M20 Limerick to Cork Motorway and rail routes ended last Friday, however, a Limerick TD is calling for further public consultation. Deputy Kieran ODonnell was highly critical of seriously incomplete and deficient public process with routes being published prior to any proper modelling on travel times, safety and costs on options. The TD called for further public consultation after proper modelling has been carried out. I have campaigned strongly over the years for the M20 because I believe connecting Irelands second and third largest cities by motorway will bring vital synergies for both Limerick and Cork and, indeed, Ireland. However, a deficient and incomplete process should not be rushed we must get this right, said Deputy ODonnell. He is calling on the TII and M20 project design office to go back to the drawing board and engage in a meaningful further public consultation after proper modelling has been carried out on route options. Having studied the proposed routes in depth, Deputy ODonnell said he was shocked to find that the route options were put out to public consultation prior to any proper modelling on travel times, safety and costs being completed, causing serious confusion. Many of the eight road and three rail route options published make no sense whatsoever when measured on cost, travel and safety modelling criteria grounds. This makes the current phase of public consultation seriously incomplete and deficient and must be revisited by TII and the M20 project design office. Take for example where Irish Rail already propose improved travel times from Cork to Limerick, by installing a second rail track from Limerick Junction to Limerick city on existing land they own which will therefore not involve any private landowners. Furthermore, this rail upgrade would be complementary to road provision. The M20 project design office have confirmed to me the road and rail options are not mutually exclusive, said Deputy ODonnell. He continued: Yet, two other much more costly rail routes (Bruree to Killonan Junction and Charleville to Patrickswell) are also included which instead are going through private property and homes. Apart from the major concerns caused here for residents on these routes, neither of these routes I believe would stand up to modelling against the upgrade of the existing Limerick Junction to Limerick rail route, said Deputy ODonnell. He said initially, the M20 Project Office had planned a one-month consultation period to December 18, but, following his direct engagement with officials the decision was reached to extend the public consultation to January 15 to ensure the public could engage properly. On Thursday, December 10, I held an online public Zoom meeting on the M20 routes with over 200 people in attendance, highlighting interest in this project, but, also the serious concerns of landowners, farmers, households and towns located along the proposed routes. Whilst the M20 is important with great benefits to the region, equally I am fully aware that many farmers, landowners, households and towns are greatly impacted by the proposed draft road and rail routes. Their genuine concerns must be addressed in any consultation process to arrive at the correct choices. A deficient and incomplete process should not be rushed we must get this right, concluded Deputy ODonnell. Gov. Kate Brown went on the defense Friday over her controversial decision to vaccinate daycare, preschool and K-12 employees against COVID-19 before Oregonians ages 65 and older -- despite federal recommendations urging all states to immediately start inoculating the elderly. Cutting to the chase, Brown opened her live-streamed news conference by saying children are being deeply impacted by the pandemic and reiterating that she is using every single tool we have to get our kids back in the classroom this school year As Brown doubled down on her decision, she scrapped previously announced plans to talk about her legislative agenda outlined in her state-of-the-state address a day earlier. Instead, she spent almost the entire hour-long news conference explaining her decision or inviting others who supported her decision to speak on her behalf. She took questions from just three of 13 reporters whod virtually raised their hands before putting an end to questions after 15 minutes. Brown has weathered a groundswell of criticism for not prioritizing seniors, previously shifting blame to the federal government for not providing enough vaccine doses. But a review by The Oregonian/OregonLive published hours before Browns news conference found that 45 other states facing the same supply shortages have begun or soon will start vaccinating at least some of their oldest residents because their age puts them at far greater risk of dying from COVID-19. The newsrooms review also found that Oregon is just one of two states in the nation to vaccinate educators while making their general populations of seniors wait. Brown on Friday said vaccinating some 150,000 educators will go far faster and cause only a modest delay to the much larger population of seniors, which exceeds 760,000. Educators can be vaccinated quickly, district by district, Brown said. This choice represents a rapid action that will have an (outsized) impact on Oregon kids. If we were to vaccinate every Oregon senior first, the unfortunate and harsh reality is that many of our educators would not get vaccinated this school year and Oregon kids would continue to suffer. Some teachers are already being vaccinated, with plans to open eligibility to all educators Jan. 25 Residents age 80 and older will be eligible for vaccinations starting Feb. 8. The state said Friday itll start vaccinating people 75 and older the week of Feb. 14, 70 and older the week of Feb. 21 and 65 and older the week of Feb. 28. It could take months to vaccinate all seniors who want to be inoculated. Following Browns announcement, the Oregon Association of Hospitals & Health Systems expressed doubts about the governors rollout schedule, fearing it will take far longer than the governor is estimating to vaccinate eligible groups in some of the states communities. Since the state does not control the vaccine supply, Oregonians are being asked to take it on faith that the state can keep to the governors timeline, association president Becky Hultberg said in a statement. Brown always planned to ensure teachers received vaccinations before seniors, but that got upended last week following confusing if not misleading comments by the Trump administration suggesting more doses might be sent to states. Brown reversed course, saying seniors and educators would be eligible Jan. 23, before pushing back the timeline for the elderly by weeks when it became clear no boon of doses from the feds would arrive. About 84% of the 1,843 people with COVID-19 whove died in Oregon since the pandemic started have been 65 years or older, even though they make up just 18% of the population. An average of 15 Oregonians across all age ranges have died each day since Dec. 1 during what has been the states darkest two months. I want to be very, very clear, Brown said Friday. I have prioritized protecting seniors since day one of this response. And as a result Oregon is faring better than nearly every other state in the nation. The governor said Oregon has the second lowest COVID-19 infection rate among seniors in the country and the third lowest death rate. Thats slightly better than Oregon has done with its overall population. Rachael Banks, public health director at the Oregon Health Authority, noted that Oregon has the fourth lowest number of coronavirus infections per capita among states since the beginning of the pandemic. Thats one place ahead of Washington. The New York Times coronavirus tracker also shows that Oregon has the fifth lowest death rate among states. During the news conference, the governor invited two elementary school teachers and one 12th grader to speak about the need, and their excitement, for schools to open after educators are vaccinated. But its questionable whether two of the speakers -- a teacher from Malheur County and the student from Jackson County -- will return to any in-person instruction in the near future because their communities COVID-19 infection rates are nowhere close to meeting the governors advisory metrics. According to the latest guidance for reopening classrooms, middle schools and high schools in 35 of Oregons 36 counties shouldnt restart -- and that includes all the districts in the Portland area. While the Portland areas elementary schools do currently qualify for reopening under the governors guidance, the infection counts in the area over the past two weeks are precariously close to exceeding that threshold as the highly contagious U.K. variant of the virus spreads in Oregon and across the U.S. Coronavirus case rates are too high for even elementary schools to safely reopen in Bend, Medford, Salem, Klamath Falls and all of eastern Oregon, according to the governors advisory metrics. The governors office had said earlier in the week that it hopes Oregonians will work even harder at physical distancing and wearing masks, so coronavirus rates will drop to the point children will return to classrooms. But its not clear how quickly Oregon will be able to vaccinate educators as part of Browns efforts to reopen classrooms, although officials say it could be only a few weeks. The largest clinic in the Portland metro area, at the Oregon Convention Center, doesnt plan to begin vaccinating teachers until Wednesday, two days after educators are eligible, because theyve already booked appointments for people with disabilities, among others. Hultberg, the president for the hospitals association, tried to set expectations that eligibility will not necessarily equal inoculations. Some hospitals wont be able meet demand for vaccines because of limited supply. Hultberg said people in Phase 1a -- which includes healthcare workers, long-term care facility residents and others -- still havent completed their vaccinations yet and the logjam will only be exacerbated on Monday by adding school employees who will take up the majority of supply. When people 80 and older start trying to book appointments, there will be confusion as hospitals try to explain to those who believe they have a place in line that they will have to wait even longer, she said. People who have been told theyre eligible in February, she said, likely will not get a vaccination for weeks, or maybe even months, after the date you are prioritized. Coronavirus in Oregon: Latest news | Live map tracker |Text alerts | Newsletter -- Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee LA QUINTA, Calif. Phil Mickelson teed it up Friday at The American Express for his 2,201st career PGA TOUR round. For the first time in his TOUR career, he carded 18 consecutive pars. Mickelson, 50, posted a second-round, even-par 72 at PGA West (Pete Dye Stadium Course) to follow an opening-round, 2-over 74 at the Nicklaus Tournament Course. The tournament host finished seven strokes outside the cut line. For that to be the first time, its really shocking, said Mickelson of stringing 18 pars for the first time on TOUR. Surprising, because I really try to hit fairways and centers of the greens and just make easy pars. Looking at the scores, youre going to say, Gosh, you played 2-over par, pretty easy courses, pretty poor start. But I feel like there were a lot of good things to take from the week, even though the scorecards not going to show it. Making his first TOUR start since the Masters in November, Mickelson hit 13 of 18 greens Friday but failed to convert on numerous birdie looks. The artist known as Phil the Thrill, though, also saved par in heroic fashion on multiple occasions, en route to becoming the first player to card 18 pars in a round at PGA West (Pete Dye Stadium) since 2016. His second shot on the par-5 fifth found the water. He dropped 76 yards away, wedged to 16 feet and drained the putt. After finding a greenside bunker with his approach on the par-4 12th, his third shot held up in the fringe, 15 feet short. He saved par once again. One of Mickelsons best birdie looks came at the par-4 18th, his final hole of the day. After a 197-yard approach to 9 feet, though, his birdie putt slid by. He nailed the 4-foot comebacker to polish off a scorecard unlike any he has authored in a nearly three-decade professional career. Mickelson will regroup and head to his hometown of San Diego for next weeks Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Im driving the ball well; Im hitting a lot of good shots, Mickelson said. My putting needs some work, but I have been putting well for a long period of time, so I dont feel as though its going to require a lot of effort. If you look at the scorecard, its pathetic. Im not denying that. But I think that its a little bit closer than it looks. James Packer celebrated Christmas with ex-wife Erica Packer and their three children, Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle, on board his $200million superyacht IJE. According to The Daily Telegraph this weekend, representatives for the Australian billionaire, 53, have revealed he's en route to Aspen and should arrive in two weeks. The publication also claimed that James had originally planned to celebrate Christmas in the exclusive ski village with his girlfriend Kylie Lim. Headed to Aspen: According to The Daily Telegraph this weekend, James Packer, 53, is en route to Aspen and should arrive within two weeks. James had reportedly planned to celebrate Christmas in the exclusive ski village with his girlfriend Kylie Lim (pictured together in 2018) Just last week, the businessman's superyacht was spotted in the French Caribbean island of St. Barthelemy. James divorced Erica in 2013 after six years of marriage. He began dating Kylie in early 2018 following his high-profile romance with Mariah Carey. The casino magnate has a stake in Crown - and the company only just recently opened its new $2.4billion venue in Sydney in a soft launch. Ex-wife: The Australian billionaire celebrated Christmas with ex-wife Erica Packer (pictured in 2013) and their three children, Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle The high life: James, Erica and their children, made use of his $200million superyacht IJE (pictured) The luxury six-star hotel Crown Towers and a series of fine dining restaurants are open to the public at the Crown Sydney complex in Barangaroo. Among the lavish eateries include a Japanese restaurant owned by renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, a Chinese-style tea house, and a high-end cocktail bar. A 2,000sqm spa connected to the hotel is also available for bookings - complete with relaxation rooms, vitality pools and infrared saunas. New offering: The casino magnate has a stake in Crown - and the company only just recently opened its new $2.4billion venue in Sydney (pictured) in a soft launch Notably absent from its offerings though is the ritzy casino for VIPs and high-rollers Crown had planned since the state government gave it the green light in 2013. The 275m-tall complex towering over the Sydney CBD has been under construction for four years. An apartment in the Sydney resort starts at $9.5m for two bedrooms and two-bathrooms. Warning: Boris Johnson said efforts to control the virus must not be put at risk The mutant coronavirus variant which emerged in the south of England may be more deadly than the original strain, scientists have warned. The Government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said that while there was still a "lot of uncertainty" around the data, it was a matter "of concern" that as well as spreading more quickly, the mutant strain could also lead to more deaths. He also told a No 10 news conference that there was some evidence that coronavirus variants which had appeared in South Africa and Brazil may be less susceptible to approved Covid-19 vaccines than the original strains. Boris Johnson warned that further measures could be required to stop the new variants entering the UK following the decision to suspend all the Government's travel corridors. It came as another 12 deaths of people who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 were announced in Northern Ireland. A further 865 positive cases of the virus were also confirmed yesterday. There were 828 Covid-positive inpatients in hospitals - 72 are being treated in intensive care. Some 52 virus-linked deaths were announced in the Republic. In other key developments: Northern Ireland recorded its highest weekly coronavirus death toll since the pandemic began, with 156 fatalities occurring in the week to January 15, statistics showed. Urgent cancer operations which were cancelled here earlier this week were rescheduled. First Minister Arlene Foster accused opponents of the armed forces' involvement in coronavirus care here of intolerance. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said talks are ongoing between the UK and Ireland around a "two-island" solution to mandatory quarantining. Analysis from the Office for National Statistics suggested one in 60 people in Northern Ireland had Covid-19 between last week. In a gloomy update yesterday afternoon, the PM spoke of the potential impact of the new variants of the virus. Mr Johnson said: "We may need to go further to protect our borders. We don't want to put that (efforts to control the virus) at risk by having a new variant come back in." Sir Patrick suggested the new variant could increase the mortality rate by nearly a third for men in their 60s who have Covid-19. Northern Ireland's hospitals, meanwhile, braced for what could be the worst weekend of the Covid surge. Unprecedented pressures had led to urgent cancer operations being cancelled this week. Some 275 people had procedures scrapped in one week as medics focused on tackling the pandemic. But yesterday the Department of Health said these had been rescheduled. A regional approach is being adopted to services and an extra 100 military personnel drafted in to support nurses tackling Covid-19. Mrs Foster thanked Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for the aid yesterday - while criticising those who opposed the move. She said: "I was greatly saddened by those who have criticised this deployment for intolerant political reasons. "They have placed their ideology before the needs of patients. "That is an appalling indictment on their motivations in public life." Meanwhile, the Taoiseach said Ireland's health minister Stephen Donnelly had been talking to UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock about a "two-island" solution to mandatory quarantining. However, Mr Martin added that Ireland was "not in a position to seal the border". The landmark conviction of coercive control is vital in tackling domestic abuse, write Liz Dunphy and Brion Hoban The first person to be convicted of coercive control by a jury in Ireland was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison this week. The landmark case, tried under domestic abuse laws introduced in January 2019 which created the crime of coercive control, marks a turning point in how Ireland treats domestic abusers and their victims. Daniel Kane, 52, was convicted of coercively controlling and repeatedly assaulting his former partner during a 20-month reign of domestic terror. He sliced the womans skin with a pizza cutter, stamped on her arm until multiple bones fractured, headbutted her in the face while she was recovering from nasal surgery, burned her foot, stamped on her head and strangled her so hard that he left the imprint of his fingers on her neck. The successive attacks and demeaning verbal and psychological abuse sucked the life and soul of confidence out of her and shattered her sense of self-worth. She became meek and submissive and said in her victim impact statement that she might be dead or in a vegetative state if doctors and gardai had not intervened to get her away from Kane. A subtle form of abuse Coercive control, a sometimes subtle but potentially deadly form of psychological abuse, is a building block for all domestic abuse. It can leave deeper scars than the physical attacks and can result in murder. Sarah Benson, chief executive of Womens Aid, said: The backbone of, the architecture of, an abusive relationship is the emotional abuse, the coercive, psychological abuse. Ive had countless women say to me directly that if he hit me it would almost be better because then people would believe whats going on. "'But this constant wearing me down, degrading me, monitoring me. "'It feels like hes in my head constantly.'" Ms Benson said that although coercive control can include physical and sexual violence, it doesnt have to. And tragically, coercive control can jump straight from psychological abuse to murder. The UKs Domestic Homicide Reviews reports which examine the circumstances surrounding a killing in the home or by a partner have found instances where an adult or a child have been killed in the first physical attack following years of coercive control. So coercive control should and increasingly is, being regarded as being as serious and as high risk as it ought to be, Ms Benson said. There are in excess of 50 cases [of coercive control] that are proceeding through the system at the moment so hopefully there will be more convictions. Mary McDermott, CEO of Safe Ireland, said that this week's sentencing reveals that Ireland has gained a deeper understanding of domestic abuse. "Were really trying to get away from the caricature of the monster and get to understand how violence and control pervade our personal lives," she said. "And how intimidation can very quickly replace intimacy in dysfunctional relationships. "Theres a pattern to that, and that pattern is highly gendered. "Gender creates this imbalance around expectations and entitlements. So men and women have different expectations and entitlements - about how they function in relationships, what they are entitled to and what they can expect in everything from sex to money to household labour." 'A shot across the bows' After years campaigning for coercive control to be made a crime, she was "delighted" to see that the judiciary and gardai now understand "the subtle nature" of domestic abuse. "The private domain is the last frontier. When you talk about what it means to live in an open and free society, that freedom must extend to the home as well." She said that Thursdays sentencing was a shot across the bows to all abusers. What was once secret and privatised, is now public. In Ireland, the coercion and assault of any human being is a crime. Living in a lockdown time we are gaining ever greater understandings of these household traumas and imprisonment." Daniel Kane, was jailed for ten and a half years for coercively controlling and repeatedly assaulting his former partner during a 20-month reign of domestic terror. Picture: RTE Kane, from Scariff House, Waterville Terrace in Blanchardstown, pleaded not guilty to coercive control. He showed no remorse for his behaviour, treating his victim with callous disregard, Judge Elma Sheahan noted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The relationship began around April 2018 when the victim was looking for a place to live and was introduced to Kane. She moved into his apartment and they became romantically involved. As well as physical assaults, she described emotional abuse in which he said demeaning things, used aggressive language and humiliated her - like making her sit naked in a room while he berated her. She gave evidence of him interfering with her relationship with her family and friends. She said the conduct had a serious effect on her and that waiting for the next act of violence was almost worse than the violence itself. After he was charged with the repeated attacks, Kane threatened to send explicit images of the victim to her family if she did not withdraw the charges. When she tried to withdraw all charges, an investigation was launched and recordings were obtained of 146 phone calls made by Kane to the victim while he was remanded in custody, threatening that he would self-harm or be harmed by other prisoners if she did not withdraw her accusations. He received an additional charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice - the only charge he pleaded guilty to. Following the sentencing on Thursday, Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy commended the victim for her bravery and said she has been an inspiration to a number of women not only in Ireland but beyond Ireland as well. They have found inspiration by your actions to come forward and a lot of them in the last couple of days have come forward and told their stories, he said. Cultural shift Labour Senator, Trinity law professor and womens rights campaigner Ivana Bacik said that the conviction and sentencing mark a cultural shift in Ireland. It is a very important milestone in the campaign against domestic violence that we have, for the first time, a conviction following a trial for this new offence of coercive control. I hope that well see more cases, more women coming forward, more of those who are going through coercive control recognising it for what it is. Coercive control has been successfully prosecuted without additional evidence of physical assault in the UK, she said, and she hopes that Ireland will mirror that experience. "Increasingly, it's become more usual to prosecute successfully without other evidence of physical assault. Clearly, theres always going to be evidential difficulty when you dont have other evidence but I think youll increasingly see coercive control being prosecuted as a stand-alone offence." Kane is the second man found guilty of coercive control in Ireland but the first to be convicted by a jury. Last February, Kevin Dunleavy, 33, was jailed for 21 months after he pleaded guilty to coercive control and other charges including harassment. Letterkenny Circuit Court heard how Dunleavy made more than 5,700 phone calls to a woman he was in a "toxic relationship" with between March and June in 2019. He made threats to kill her and physically beat his then-partner. He burned her clothes and broke her hair straightener so she couldn't go out. Anyone affected by the contents of this article can contact Womens Aid on 1800 341 900 or womensaid.ie. A list of regional domestic violence services can be found at safeireland.ie [January 22, 2021] CABOT INVESTIGATION INITIATED by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Investigates the Officers and Directors of Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation - COG Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG). On February 22, 2016 the Company disclosed in its 10-K report that it had received a "proposed Consent Order and Agreement from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) relating to gas migration allegations in an area surrounding several wells owned and operated by us in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania." Then, on February 27, 2017, the Company disclosed that it had "entered into a Consent Order and Agreement with the PaDEP on December 30, 2016" and agreed to pay a "civil monetary penalty in the amount of approximately $0.3 million and . . . additional monitoring will be required to ensure the source of methane has been remediated." Finally, on June 15, 2020, the Pennsylvania Attorney General announced fifteen criminal counts against the Company, including nine felonies, following recommendations from a grand jury investigation that noted the Company's "long-term indifference" to pollution damage to water supplies caused by its faulty gas wells. Thereafter, the Compay and certain of its executives were sued in a securities class action lawsuit, charging them with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws, which remains ongoing. KSF's investigation is focusing on whether Cabot's officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to Cabot's shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws. If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of Cabot shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-cog/ to learn more. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking to recover investment losses due to corporate fraud and malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210122005507/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. 16 An RFE/RL correspondent in Moscow reported that authorities were arresting individuals as they started to gather in the Russian capital's Pushkin Square ahead of the planned demonstration there. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Types of obituaries The Missourian publishes two types of obituaries family obituaries and life stories. A family obituary is the version submitted by a funeral home or family. Please see the submission form for details on cost and deadlines. Family obituaries A life story is a closer look at a person's life and involves a reporter contacting family and friends. Life stories are based on newsworthiness and consent of the family. Life stories. WESTFIELD, Mass. A veteran returned a sword he stole from a statue of a Revolutionary War general 40 years ago, telling the head of the Massachusetts towns historical commission that he regretted taking it. Cindy P. Gaylord, the chair of Westfields Historical Commission, said a man contacted the city hall saying he had the sword taken from the towns statue of Gen. William Shepard in 1980, the Springfield Republican reported. Gaylord agreed to give the man anonymity if he returned the bronze sword and arranged for him and his wife to drop it off at her home, she said. He had a great deal of shame and remorse, Gaylord told the newspaper. He is a veteran and told me the fact that he did this to another soldier troubled him. He wants the story printed to remind people that something you do in your youth could haunt you for the rest of your life. The man, whom Gaylord described as a great big bear of a guy, told her he had worked at a bar in the town while he was enrolled as a student at Westfield State University. After a night of drinking, he and a group of friends went to steal the sword, which he said he wrenched loose with just his own strength. When they realized what they had done the next morning, they were not sure how to return the sword without facing consequences. The stolen sword was replaced with the help of a local sculptor and paid for by an anonymous donor, the newspaper reported. The returned sword is likely to be preserved by a local museum, the newspaper reported. Shepard was born in the area in the 1730s and fought as a militia man and soldier in multiple wars, including the Revolutionary War. The town erected the bronze statue of him in 1919, the newspaper reported. Hatch to venture into Pakistan View(s): Hatch, will be opening its first ever overseas branch in Lahore, Pakistan by April. Jeevan Gnanam, speaking to the Business Times on the sidelines of the official launch for Council for Start-ups at Hatch Works in Colombo on Tuesday, said that with their partner in Lahore, Hatch will take its products to Pakistan and vice versa. We aim to add value to Pakistans start-up ecosystem. Eventually, Hatch will expand into the region, Mr. Gnanam added. Meanwhile in Colombo, at least two start-ups will be going public on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Empower Board (the secondary board). Zigzag, an online fashion marketplace is one. Industry officials told the Business Times that a bunch of start-ups are having earnest discussions with the CSE to go public on the secondary board. Prajeeth Balasubramaniam Founder, Lankan Angel Network and Managing Partner of start-up fund, Bo Capital who is also the chairman of the Council, noted that channelling some of the stock market money through the banking sector or other sources into start-ups will fuel them in these stressful times. The CSE is regulated and the private sector is not going to put money into start-ups. If the government regulates start-up projects and their funding structures then banks and private investors will feel that the risks are minimised and then they will join in to reap the rewards by investing in them. Mr. Balasubramaniam said that Sri Lankas ICT exports have risen to US$1.2 billion in 2020 from $847 million in 2015. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce last September established the CCC Council for Start-ups under its National Agenda Committee on Entrepreneurship Ecosystem to address current impediments and challenges and foster a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurship, which facilitates economic growth and empowerment of start-ups and SMEs in Sri Lanka. Mr. Balasubramaniam added that here, the start-up eco system has evolved in the past 10 years with funding, enablers, industry, investors and events. We have seen lot of activity at the beginning phase of a start-up starting from idea to seed capital to early stage but there is unmet need for support in start-ups stages from later, growth and mature. Mr. Balasubramaniam said that about 50 start-up ventures shut down for good out of the 400 new start-ups in the country owing to COVID-19. Many were pushed to shut down and a lot of them are struggling right now. The beauty of local start-ups is that they become profitable within a short period, but with Sri Lanka being a small country there is the scalability issue, unlike in India. If this year too will be as bad as seen last year, the local start-up community will see more ventures shutting down, he said. (DEC) Seguin, Texas (78155) Today Scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 88F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 69F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. 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. UpCountry Magazine Editor/Features Digital Editor Jennifer Huberdeau is the editor of UpCountry Magazine and The Eagle's features digital editor. Prior to The Eagle, she worked at The North Adams Transcript. She is a 2020 New England First Amendment Institute Fellow and a 2010 BCBS Health Care Fellow. To the Editor: How critical or dangerous is the political divide in our country? It is time for us to openly discuss the problems and possibilities of continuing along the same line. We need above-board leadership that must be provided by all branches or our governing bodies without dominance by any single body. Transparency is a must. Therefore, there must be total involvement by all media with an emphasis on presentation of all facts, allowing the public the opportunity to better evaluate ourselves and determine what is best for America. Demonstrations are a part of a free society. However, if they arent peaceful, they can put us on the edge of a disaster. There have been too many in the past couple of years that have had the potential to make us the divided states of America. There is little or no doubt that it is impossible to bring the extremes, the far left and the far right, to the table for constructive healing or agreement. Therefore, it is very important that the moderates in our society take the helm and gain control of the direction that we must travel. We need legislative leadership from the moderates of both major parties. It is very important that our leaders, especially the senators, represent all of the constituents of their states. We must keep in mind that there is a lopsided factor, number wise, when dealing with the Senate because there are just two senators from each state regardless of population. The House of Representatives supposedly rectifies that problem; at least that was the intention of our forefathers in designing our government. In the present situation, we might question that design in terms of being the best way to preserve our republic. It is apparent that the majority of our citizens are being held captive, or at least controlled, by minority groups. We have to break that hold and not allow these destructive parties to create such chaos in our society. Demonstrations, in many ways, have always been a part of America and in most cases, have been peaceful in nature. However, it seems that lately volume is more advantageous than reason. The trend has become much more boisterous, with deliberate intimidations becoming one of the major tools in gaining maximum media attention. We are living in a high-tech world that tends to play on the minds of many that often accept what they read as gospel without much further investigation. They are devious individuals that continuously exploit various avenues such as twitter and Facebook to stir unrest for political gain without any regard for the preservation of our republic. Many U.S. citizens do not recognize the autocratic nature of these individuals, and that is cause for great concern. It appears that the United States is no longer the worlds best example of a democracy; we really are at risk. The law-breaking acts on Jan. 6 should be warning enough that our society is not as safe as we like to believe. We may not want to believe that Donald Trump is so irresponsible that he will stoop to any act for self-gain. The mental state of this individual must be questioned. Total investigation with professional analysis and complete transparency is a must. The following that Trump has amassed is astonishing, however, their behavior is arrogant, degrading and in many cases, as the world has witnessed, unlawful. The major question is where does the main responsibility for these acts lie? We are a nation of laws and no one, absolutely no one, is above the law. Joe Matz Port Carbon Commenting on the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Inquiry report, your columnist Fergus Finlay said: The Catholic Church ruled us formed our attitudes, told us what we were allowed to think. Not Derek Leinster in the Bethany Home, sent to a dysfunctional family that abandoned him, it didnt; not the children farmed out as labour from the age of five by the Nursery Rescue Society, it didnt; not the children emotionally, sexually, and physically abused in Smylys Homes, it didnt; not the Westbank Orphanage children transformed into professional orphans and paraded around church and Orange halls in Northern Ireland, it didnt. The misogyny and abuse Finlay writes about were not the preserve of the Roman Catholic Church. Protestants got their fair share, too, in equivalent institutions, like the ones mentioned above. It was a level sectarian playing field, with both Protestant and Catholic infants dying alone, separate and unwanted. Dr Winslow Sterling Berry, the then governments deputy chief medical advisor, visited Bethany Home three times in 1939. State inspectors and the Rathdown Board of Guardians had blamed Bethany Home for death and neglect. Sterling Berry, who was the son of the bishop of Killaloe, merely said: It is well recognised that a large number of illegitimate children are delicate and marasmic from their birth. Sterling Berry said that the issue would resolve itself if Bethany Home stopped admitting, and trying to convert, Catholic mothers. Bethany stopped and the death rate shot up again, but no one paid any attention. Underneath the level playing field were the bodies of children, martyrs to misogyny and Christian (not merely Catholic) hypocrisy. Finlay can bash the Catholic Church all he likes, but he should be ecumenical and aim some blows at Protestant churches as well. Niall Meehan Faculty head, journalism and media Griffith College Co Dublin How sons search enlightened us all I have never before written to any newspaper, but I have to congratulate a letter writer on his journey to find his birth mother (I only met my mother in 2017, yet I was lucky, Irish Examiner letters, January 16.) It was put together so well and gives us an idea of what people had to go through to get any information. Lets hope we have moved on from that era. Pauline Wall Kinsale Co Cork School closures a vital health policy I would like to address Dr Niall Muldoons article (Emergency framework needed to prevent children being let down like this again, Irish Examiner, January 21). One fact underpins the situation we find ourselves in: As we are in the midst of the most serious public-health emergency for generations, closing schools has been a necessity. How can anyone advocate that this is anything other than a public-health matter? To express disappointment with schools not reopening at the beginning of January is to be dismissive of childrens and staffs health. In my county, Monaghan, our virus incidence rate per 100,000 has been between 2,000 and 2,725 this month. That is statistically the worst region in statistically the worst-affected country (one person in 37 infected). The fastest way to return all children to their schools and keep them there is to get a handle on this out-of-control virus. It is with despair that I read the childrens ombudsman sharing the inflexible, myopic view of government that schools should reopen before community transmission is at a rate that doesnt threaten to overwhelm our health service. The prioritisation of mental health over public health, as regards schools opening, is lamentable and evidence of a failure to see the bigger picture: This is a pandemic. It is unfair to insinuate that teachers have not planned for contingencies: At our school, we have climbed mountains to alter both our course content and its delivery. Failure to provide solutions to broadband connectivity issues, to provide clarity on exams, and to set realistic dates for them, rests squarely on the Governments shoulders. Rory ONeill Castleshane Co Monaghan A generation will be deprived The nations children have missed most of a years schooling, since last March, because of the lockdowns instituted by the Government on the advice of Nphet. The nations teachers are doing amazing work, uploading and checking students lessons, and adapting to new ways of teaching and to new technologies, all of which increases their workload. However, the results of this massive experiment in home-schooling a nation will be varied. On the one hand, many families will take an active interest in their childrens education; will have the freedom, educational background, competence, and resources to help their children to the fullest extent. Some children will benefit enormously from all this personal attention and family time. On the other hand, you will have the opposite situation: Families where both parents are still obliged to work; parents who do not have the educational level to understand the lesson requirements or how to help their children, beyond, perhaps, telling them to do their lessons; families who do not have the internet or technological resources. Now, the nations inadequate broadband is more exposed than ever. Networks that were already slow by international standards have ground to a halt in some places, at certain times of the day, thanks to everyone being told to work from home. And then there are the families where the home environment is simply not conducive to any kind of study, no matter what laptops or technological resources the Government offers, where the problems are of a different, dysfunctional order. For such children, school represented a break from that environment, a respite. One consequence will be a generation for whom the gap between the haves and have-nots those equipped to get into university, get a job, and avoid further marginalisation will be widened all the more. The credit that the nation is living on is more than just economic. Nick Folley Carrigaline Co Cork We shouldnt wait on EU for vaccine In the midst of this pandemic, why are we waiting for EU approval for a vaccine? (AstraZeneca vaccine will not arrive in Ireland until mid-February Taoiseach, Irish Examiner, January 20). Ireland needs to protect its own citizens and Article 168 of the Lisbon Treaty clearly states that healthcare governance within the European Union is predominantly a competence of the individual member states. Why are we asking the EU to increase its power over an area where it has no remit? We should waste no time, exercise what remains of our sovereignty, and do what is right for Irish people. Dr Elizabeth Cullen Co Kildare UK still ignoring Barron inquiry The substance of Taoiseach Micheal Martins assertion that Irelands relationship with Britain will always be close and special (Martin: Extremely important to repair relationship between Ireland and UK, Irish Examiner, January 16) has been exposed as flawed, not as a result of Brexit, but because of Britains persistent refusal to co-operate with the Barron inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974, which left 34 people dead. The British government has ignored two all-party resolutions passed unanimously by Dail Eireann, in 2008 and 2011, which urged the British authorities to make relevant, undisclosed documents available to an independent, international judicial figure. It is regrettable that this policy remains unchanged. It is further regrettable that successive Irish governments have displayed little political appetite to pursue this matter with much conviction. Although the issue of Dublin and Monaghan has cast a long, dark shadow over our relationship with our nearest neighbour, the Government must continue to demand the release of the files that have been withheld by the British. The possibility that this demand may cause diplomatic tensions between Dublin and London must not deter us from our pursuit of justice for the innocent victims. A friendship cannot be based on compromised justice. Tom Cooper Templeogue Dublin 6 Homeless deaths are unacceptable Homeless people are being forced to sleep rough in freezing conditions as emergency beds lie empty. There were more than 50 homeless deaths on our streets in 2020, because of weather conditions and people being turned away from emergency hostels. This is unacceptable of the Government. Noel Harrington Kinsale Co Cork New benchmark for public pay? Robert Watt is a highly effective civil servant. But it seems to me that the Government is paying extra for talent in the absence of competition. No business would behave in this way: Throwing money around and possibly creating an enormously expensive new benchmark. That makes no sense. Michael Deasy Carrigart Co Donegal Lockdown limit on TV rugby Today, Munster play Leinster at Thomond Park in rugby. This game, apart from the international series, probably attracts more interest than any other rugby fixture. Pity its available live only on one television channel which you must pay for. Visiting a neighbours house is not an option. Donal Foley Malahide, Co Dublin "Imposing lengthy prison sentences on those involved is equally difficult for they are virtually impossible to bring to justice, mainly because they get others to do their dirty work." Stock image The ugly sight of bulk containers containing the sludge residue from diesel laundering operations along the Border is disgusting. The callous disposal of the sludge in this manner by the criminal gangs has been a re-occurring problem in this area for many years. Those responsible have no regard for the environment they are damaging or the burden they impose on local authorities in disposing of the sludge. It is therefore of little use pointing out to the gangs involved that they are damaging the environment in which they and their families live, or that the money that must be found to dispose of the residue must come from their neighbours and friends through their taxes. Therefore there are only two means by which this illicit trade can be stopped, the first is by scientific solutions to prevent the dye being extracted, and the second is by lengthy prison sentences to act as a deterrent to those involved if they are apprehended. Finding the technical solution seems to be difficult otherwise it would have been introduced by now, and for that reason perhaps it is time to consider abandoning the dual taxation system for such products. That would eliminate the problem overnight, but would not be favoured by farmers and others who avail of the system. Imposing lengthy prison sentences on those involved is equally difficult for they are virtually impossible to bring to justice, mainly because they get others to do their dirty work. It is safe to assume that if the individual responsible for dumping the latest consignment off the Ardee Road was caught in the act he, or she, would not know where the sludge came from or who paid them to drive the trailer. It would be a case of 'I know nothing, I saw nothing'. Such a plea would be made if the person responsible was prosecuted, and inevitably they would get away with a fine. In the past there were concerted efforts by the authorities on both sides of the border to eliminate this lucrative racket, but evidently it is still flourishing causing great damage to the environment, and leaving a big hole in the finances of Louth County Council every year that ratepayers, property owners and taxpayers are left to fill. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. According to information published by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) on January 21, 2021, the USCGC (United States Coast Guard Cutter) Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141), Patrol Forces Southwest Asia's first Sentinel-class cutter, was commissioned into service at Coast Guard Base Portsmouth, Thursday, January 21, 2021. According to information published by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) on January 21, 2021, the USCGC (United States Coast Guard Cutter) Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141), Patrol Forces Southwest Asia's first Sentinel-class cutter, was commissioned into service at Coast Guard Base Portsmouth, Thursday, January 21, 2021. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link The commissioning crew of USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) at Coast Guard Base Portsmouth, Va., Jan. 21, 2021. (Picture source U.S. Coast Guard) The USCGC (United States Coast Guard Cutter) Charles Moulthrope is the first of six FRCs (Fast Response Cutters) planned for service in Manama, Bahrain. Stationing FRCs in Bahrain supports PATFORSWA (USCG Patrol Forces Southwest Asia), the Coast Guard's largest unit outside of the U.S., and its mission to train, organize, equip, support and deploy combat-ready Coast Guard forces in support of Central Command and national security objectives. PATFORSWA works with Naval Forces Central Command to conduct maritime operations to forward U.S. interests, deter, and counter disruptive countries, defeat violent extremism, and strengthen partner nations' maritime capabilities to secure the maritime environment in the Central Command area of responsibility. The Coast Guard has ordered 64 FRCs to date. Forty are in service: 12 in Florida, seven in Puerto Rico; four in California; three each in Hawaii, Texas, and New Jersey, and two each in Alaska, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Two FRCs arrived in their homeport of Apra Harbor, Guam, in 2020, with one more to come. The Coast Guard took delivery of Charles Moulthrope on Oct. 22, 2020, in Key West. They will transit to Bahrain later this year with their sister ship, the Robert Goldman (WPC 1142), delivered Dec. 22, 2020, and due to be commissioned in February in Key West. The fast response cutters were designed to patrol coastal regions and are operating in an increasingly expeditionary manner. They feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance equipment, and launch and recover standardized small boats from the stern. The Fast Response Cutter is a Sentinel-class cutter built by the Louisiana-based firm Bollinger Shipyards, using a design from the Netherlands-based Damen Group, with the Sentinel design based on the company's Damen Stan 4708 patrol vessel. The FRC is powered by two 4,300 kW (5,800 shp) MTU diesel engines and one 75 kW (101 shp) bow thruster. She can reach a top speed of 28 knots with a maximum cruising range of 2,500 nautical miles (4,600 km). The ship is fitted with one remote-controlled weapon station armed with one 25 mm Bushmaster automatic cannon and four crew-served M2HB .50-caliber machine guns. ADVERTISEMENT Authorities of the Nigerian correctional facility in Kaduna State say they are not aware that the wife of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) tested positive for COVID-19. The statement followed calls from the IMN for the release of Zeenat El-Zakzaky after her son announced she has tested positive for the disease. Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, are in custody at the facility. The comptroller of the facility, Ibrahim Maradun, said he was yet to receive the test result after a sample was taken from the woman on Wednesday by officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). As far as I am concerned, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) officials took her sample on Wednesday around 5 p.m. and I am yet to receive the result, Mr Maradun said. She has been in isolation since that day. Her personal physician has been seeing her from time to time in the company of the doctors representing the state and the correctional service. The facility had earlier debunked reports of the infection, saying there was no such incident in any of our facilities, as all our inmates are safe and highly protected from the virus, Mr Maradun. Because we have been doing our own due diligence and taking all possible measures at all times, we imagined that they were safe from the clear and present danger of COVID-19. To the best of my knowledge, the prison authorities have also been doing the same. Once I heard of the result, my first act was to ensure that it was tested and confirmed, he said. A son of Zeenat, Muhammad El-Zakzaky, had on Friday, expressed concerns about his mothers condition. Six days ago after a routine visit to the Kaduna State prison by my parents doctors, my mother complained of fatigue, fever and a complete loss of the ability to smell. The doctors decided to carry out a number of standard tests in order to understand what the problem was. Among the tests that were carried out was a test for the novel coronavirus also known as COVID-19. This was a routine procedure and it is important to understand that she has been denied treatment for acute medical conditions including severe arthritis of the knee for years now. The COVID-19 test came back positive. I imagined that due to the diligent way in which the prison management had been conducting and managing the facility, a COVID-19 outbreak would be extremely unlikely. Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife have been in detention since 2015 after some of his followers were involved in a bloody face-off with Nigerian soldiers over right of way in Zaria, Kaduna State. The spokesperson of the movement, Ibrahim Musa on Friday, had also raised concerns on the continued detention of the IMN leader and his wife, Zeenat. The group said it was disturbed that even six days after contracting the COVID-19 at Kaduna prison, the Sheikhs wife has not been taken to any specialised hospital for such patients to receive proper medical care. She has been denied treatment for acute medical conditions, including severe arthritis of the knee for five years now, Mr Musa, president of IMN media forum, said in a statement. Given her underlying medical conditions and age, her infection places her at heightened risk of severe illness and death. Sheikh Zakzaky himself suffers from many underlying conditions, which put him at high risk of developing life-threatening symptoms should he contract the virus, he said. The Committee will be made up of 21 members comprised of 11 appointees by the CPS Energy Board of Trustees, including Mayoral appointees and 10 City Council appointees. "The rate advisory committee will enable community members to examine how CPS Energy rates are designed, making the utility more accountable and transparent," said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. "Serving on the committee is a great opportunity for residents to get involved and represent their neighbors." "CPS Energy is an important partner in the community providing energy services, and we need you to participate in how utility rates are determined for customers," said Janie Gonzalez, CPS Energy Trustee for the Southwest Quadrant 4. "Apply for the Rate Advisory Committee and be part of the solution. Your voice will make a difference." To qualify, members must be 18 years and older, a current customer, reside in the CPS Energy service area, and have effective communication skills. Membership of the Rate Advisory Committee shall be open to individuals in good financial standing with CPS Energy (for energy bills) through an application and appointment process. Members of the RAC will devote the necessary time and energy to learn about the utility business and the rate design function that allows utilities to recover their costs to provide service. This effort will help them understand and provide thoughtful input and perspectives regarding CPS Energy's rate structure and rate design options. "CPS Energy is committed to having a Rate Advisory Committee reflective of San Antonio and the community's needs," said Paula Gold-Williams, President & CEO of CPS Energy. "This committee can enhance our robust public input process and we enthusiastically invite our engaged community to apply to participate." Members of the community who qualify and are interested in serving on the Rate Advisory Committee can apply at cpsenergy.com/rac. Interested persons can visit the website for more information, an online application package which includes a description of the role and qualifications. Hard copies of the application package can be obtained by visiting any of our walk-in centers, the City of San Antonio's City Clerk's office or by calling (210) 353-6788. The application deadline is February 26. For more information, call (210) 353-6788 or email [email protected]. About CPS Energy Established in 1860, CPS Energy is the nation's largest public power, natural gas, and electric company, providing safe, reliable, and competitively-priced service to 860,934 electric and 358,495 natural gas customers in San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties. Our customers' combined energy bills rank among the lowest of the nation's 20 largest cities while generating $8 billion in revenue for the City of San Antonio for more than seven decades. As a trusted and strong community partner, we continuously focus on job creation, economic development, and educational investment. True to our People First philosophy, we are powered by our skilled workforce, whose commitment to the community is demonstrated through our employees' volunteerism in giving back to our city and programs aimed at bringing value to our customers. CPS Energy is among the top public power wind energy buyers in the nation and number one in Texas for solar generation. SOURCE CPS Energy Related Links www.cpsenergy.com The Delhi Police has allowed protesting farmers to hold their Republic Day tractor rally on January 26. The farmers have, in return, agreed to hold the tractor rally on the inner roads of Delhi instead of the Outer Ring Road, reported The Tribune. The Delhi Police has assigned the farmers a 60-km stretch to hold their tractor parade and agreed to remove their barricades from Singhu and Tikri borders too. The Delhi Police and the farmers reached a consensus after holding a meeting on January 23. The Supreme Court had on January 18 said that the proposed tractor rally is a law and order issue and the Delhi Police has the authority to decide if it will be allowed or not. Commenting on the development, Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav told news agency ANI: Farmers will take out 'Kisan Gantantra Parade' on January 26. Barricades will be opened and we will enter Delhi. We (farmers and Delhi Police) have reached an agreement on the route, final details are to be worked out tonight. He added: We will take out a historical and peaceful parade and it will have no effect on the Republic Day parade or the security arrangements. Soaring temperatures across Sydney have sent crowds flocking to the coast, with the unofficial long weekends heatwave conditions expected to continue to intensify before reaching a peak on Australia Day. Western Sydney bore the brunt of the heat on Saturday afternoon, while a sea breeze kept conditions milder along the coastline. Crowds flocked to the coast on Saturday, including Ramsgate Beach, to make the most of burst of summer heat. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The highest temperature recorded was 38.1 degrees at Penrith at 3.30pm, while the Badgerys Creek weather station clocked 37.3 degrees and it reached 37.1 degrees at Richmond. The highest temperature at Sydneys Observatory Hill was a more pleasant 31.9 degrees at midday. Shillong, Jan 23 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leaving no stone unturned in promoting the northeast on the world map and bringing progress and prosperity to the region. Addressing the 69th plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shilling, Shah said whether it is natural beauty or rich cultural heritage, the region has immense potential to become a big tourism hub of the country. "When Modiji became the Prime Minister, he said the development of India lies in the development of northeast. The region, which was neglected for decades, has witnessed unprecedented peace and development under Prime Minister Modi," he said. The Home Minister said that from increasing livelihoods to bringing several development projectsto the region, the NEC has played a crucial role in fuelling the economic growth of the area. He said: "Looking closely at the development of the northeast, it would be clear that the work done by (late Prime Minister) Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the development of the region was very crucial. After the formation of the BJP-led government, the northeast was developed not just by making promises, but by taking administrative steps. After Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, rapid development has taken place in many areas for which the campaign of connectivity was first completed... wherever possible air connectivity was done." Shah said that after Modi took over as the Prime Minister, the crucial role of NEC was restored and through the council 11,000 km of roads have been laid and 7,700 MW of power generation was made possible. "Modi has himself visited the northeast more than 40 times and more than 300 visits have been undertaken by various ministers of the Central government. This shows how much priority Modi gives to the northeast region," Shah said. The Home Minister said that development of any state is not possible by government investment alone, as private sector participation is also very important. So the pace of development can be increased by speeding up 'ease of doing business'. The ratio of the state's share in GDP growth would also rise with 'ease of doing business'. He said the government of India is ready for the development of the northeast in every way and the region would play an important role in creating a $5 trillion economy. The 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' mission envisioned by Modi is not possible without the northeast, so all the states should prepare themselves for this. The Home Minister said that northeast was previously known for insurgency, but today good news flows out of the northeastern states along with peace. "Northeast represents the heart of India, we have to take care of it. While undertaking developmental activities, there is a need to preserve the heritage here. Under the leadership of Modi, we would resolve the inter-state border disputes in the northeast, and it would be a great achievement. "There are still many areas which are not developed, so the cabinet has decided that 30 per cent of the budget would be used for the underdeveloped areas. Let the NEC discuss with every state and set targets for 2022 under the 'ease of doing business' mantra, which would be a major achievement," Shah said. Earlier, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh, who is also the Vice-Chairman of NEC, received Shah at the helipad in Upper Shillong. Except Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Governors and Chief Ministers of six other northeastern states took part in the important plenary session of the NEC, a regional planning body. Ministers and officials of Assam and Mizoram, however, attended the meeting, where a large number of Central government officials were present. According to an official, in the NEC meeting, progress of various developmental projects would be reviewed, and future plans and projects for the eight northeastern states are likely to be finalised. A senior NEC official said that the Home Minister has asked Chief Ministers of the concerned northeastern states to resolve inter-state boundary disputes amicably through bilateral talks. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, while talking to the media, said that the border fencing work along the India-Myanmar frontiers adjoining Manipur is now being undertaken. "Most of the militant outfits in Manipur are now under cessation of operation mode," he said. The NEC, which was set up in 1971, is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the northeastern region comprising Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. According to the officials, over the last 50 years, the NEC, under the Ministry of DoNER, has been instrumental in setting in motion a new economic endeavour aimed at removing the basic handicaps that stood in the way of normal development of the region and has ushered in an era of new hope in this backward area full of great potentialities. Earlier, Shah arrived in Guwahati on Saturday and then flew to Shillong on a two-day visit to Meghalaya and Assam. His schedule includes attending the plenary committee meeting of North Eastern Space Application Centre in Shillong and the launch of Ayushman Bharat Yojana for the Central Armed Police Force personnel and their families in Guwahati. Vietnam to grow 6.8 pct a year in the next five years Containers seen at Cat Lai Port in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by Photo by Shutterstock/Hien Phung Thu. Vietnam can see an annual growth of up to 6.8 percent in the 2021-2025 period if the global economy recovers from Covid-19 impacts. In a best case scenario where the global economy recovers fast and the pandemic is contained, Vietnams should grow 6.72 percent this year, according to a report by the National Center for Socio-Economic Information and Forecast (NCIF). Domestic manufacturing can return to pre-pandemic levels, public investment grows at 8 percent a year, and Vietnam will be able to take advantage of its free trade agreements, especially the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the report says. The center also expects a surge in foreign direct investment as multinationals diverse their supply chains to countries with lower manufacturing costs like Vietnam. However, NCIF deputy director Dang Duc Anh also warned of possible risks in upcoming years. The global economy has become more unpredictable because of the pandemic, and rising protectionism and the transition to a digital economy requires due reforms and adjustments, he said. One of the criteria needed to boost growth is a full transition to a market economy with a focus on developing the private sector, other experts have said. Phan Duc Hieu, deputy head of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), said that the government should throw out a second support package that prioritizes strong businesses that have survived the pandemic, while those that are weak should withdraw as that is the nature of a market economy. Economist Pham Chi Lan said development by region shold be prioritized. For instance, the Mekong Delta deserves special attention because agriculture development has been stagnant in this region for years, Lan said. Vietnams growth fell to a decade-low of 2.9 percent last year, but the country was among very few in the world to record positive growth as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged economies and pushed them into contraction. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) The Bureau of Immigration said on Saturday that a Chinese national was arrested for faking herself as a Filipino. In a statement, the agency said Li Xinlei, 51, was arrested on Thursday in the Pasay City Hall compound by the agencys operatives. She had a scheduled preliminary investigation for another case when this occurred, it added. Li was unable to show proper documentation. Records also show that she has been using a fake Philippine passport and has been overstaying. Authorities revealed that she is also subject to a warrant of arrest in her own country due to economic crimes. The suspect underwent swab testing prior to being transferred to the BI Warden Facility in Taguig City for detention and deportation. She will also be perpetually banned from entering the country. A survey from the National Disability Institute showed more than half of respondents worried about social isolation and access to community support during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock) A controversy is trailing the invitation of Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambawul, by his Jigawa counterpart, Muhammad Badaru, to commission roads and housing projects in Jigawa on Friday. Mr Tambuwal defected in 2018 from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while Mr Badaru was reelected governor on APC ticket in 2019. Mr Badarus new media aide, Auwal Sankara, in a statement on Thursday, said Mr Tambuwal had been invited to commission a 744-unit housing estate and township roads in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital. The development caused disquiet among members of the APC on social media amid a speculation that the Jigawa governor would defect to the PDP. On Friday, the Jigawa governor had said he had no regret in inviting Mr Tambuwal while responding to the speculations. But a former APC chairperson in Jigawa, Habibu Sara, who is in a faction of the party at odds with Mr Badaru, accused the governor of planning to sabotage the partys success in the 2023 general elections. He described Mr Badaru inviting his counterpart from the PDP as shocking. He said party leaders were carefully watching things unfold and would speak out in due time. Also, Faisal Jazuli, an APC chieftain from Kazaure, said Mr Tambuwals invitation had sent a wrong signal to party faithful in the state. Mr Jazuli said the development would strengthen the suspicion that the governor was keen on sabotaging the APC in Jigawa. The governor should have invited an APC governor from a neighboring state or any of its leader to commission the project. Many party members are demoralised with the development because the invited guest comes from the opposition, Mr Jazuli said. We urge the governor to come out and address party members and reaffirm his loyalty to the party and also to disassociate himself from accusations linking him to PDP. With this, he will bury the rumour that he is planing to dump the party, Mr Jazuli added. No regret inviting PDP governor Badaru Responding to the allegations, Mr Badaru said he had no regret inviting Mr Tambuwal despite their party differences. Mr Badaru said he had defended his action before the party leaders who expressed worry about the invitation. The governor said he also received many phone calls from people outside the state asking, Badaru why inviting Mr Tambuwal? I replied them that he is a good man and he deserves our respect in Jigawa, because we are doing politics without bitterness. I did no wrong inviting him being a PDP colleague, we are friends, it is about friendship and respect. Thats how I defended myself from those questioning my action, the governor said at the commissioning ceremony. I cant change my friends or family because of political differences. Also, I cannot be arrogant and ignorant of somebodys development just because of political difference. I have no regret inviting him because honour is given to whom is due, Mr Badaru said. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how the governor warned the party may lose the 2023 general elections in Jigawa, if the crisis in its state chapter was not checked. The governor said if the party loses power in the state, he would have nothing to lose as an established businessman. ADVERTISEMENT After Mr Tambuwal commissioned the projects, he left for the country home of former Jigawa governor, Sule Lamido, in Bamaina in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state. The U.S. Army is upgrading its tactical radios used by combat units to include new software that makes these radios more difficult to jam or locate. The army was responding to new jamming capabilities demonstrated by Russia and China, two countries that have been particularly eager to develop EW (Electronic Warfare) tools that could shut down or otherwise disrupt enemy (mainly Western) radio equipment. These latest upgrades were made possible by the earlier decision to adopt commercial radio technology to obtain new capabilities, rather than trying to develop the same tech just for the military. As a result, military radios have become cheaper, easier to upgrade and more competitive when it comes to dealing with problems like new jamming technologies and techniques. The new upgrades are based on testing existing radios against numerous new or anticipated enemy jamming techniques while noting and ranking the vulnerabilities. Because of the adoption of software based digital radios over the last decade these upgrades rarely require new hardware and are very inexpensive to implement. These latest upgrade capabilities came after a painful and expensive period of failures while developing new military radios. The major shift occurred in 2012 when the army cancelled some of its own expensive and unsuccessful internal development projects. One example of this shift was the 2013 army decision to obtain new vehicle mounted radio for its combat units, and selection of ones based on existing commercial radio designs. The new MNVR (Mid-Tier Networking Vehicular Radio) systems provided networking (including Internet-like capabilities) to army units. Each army combat brigade has 50-100 of the MNVR radios, which are used to establish a combat brigade network that hundreds of other military radios (of all sizes) can link to. MNVR was a replacement for the JTRS (Joint Tactical Radio System) Ground Mobile Radio (GMR), which was cancelled in 2011. The GMR development program cost over $6 billion and was a major embarrassment for the Department of Defense. Actually, JTRS still exists, on paper, but its goal, to provide better combat radios, has been accomplished by adopting civilian radios that do what the troops needed done and calling it JTRS. Thats what the new MNVR does, as it is a modified commercial radio. In the time the army spent working on JTRS some $11 billion was spent on buying more radios using existing designs and a lot of off-the-shelf equipment incorporating stuff JTRS was supposed to do. Sometimes the best solution is the one you were trying to avoid. JTRS was yet another example of a military development project that got distracted, and bloated, trying to please everyone. There was, in a word, no focus. JTRS was the poster child of what usually goes wrong and how it impacts the combat troops. After all, radios are something everyone in the military depends on and uses a lot. The main problem with original JTRS spec was that the troops needed digital (for computer stuff) and analog (traditional radio) communications in one box, and it had to be programmable in order to handle new applications and the need to communicate with other radio types. That's what JTRS was supposed to do but it never happened. The procurement bureaucracy and government contractors consumed billions of dollars but never quite got anything useful out the door. This new approach to military communications has since proven itself essential to keeping up. An example of this occurred unexpectedly in 2018 when the U.S. Army was forced to quickly develop and deploy a new EW system that could deal with new Russian EW weapons encountered in Ukraine and Syria over the previous few years. The army, continuing to use the rapid development and deployment methods implemented after 2001 (and now called the Rapid Capabilities Office), developed new hardware and software to detect, analyze and cope (to a certain extent) with a lot of the new EW capabilities Russia had put to work in Ukraine and Syria. None of the recent Russian EW gear was radically new stuff, but further developments of systems they had built during the Cold War. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 it was finally revealed that the EW pessimists in NATO, who warned that the Russians had EW gear NATO was unable to deal with because NATO leaders refused to believe what they were up against, were right. When improved versions of Russian Cold War EW gear began showing up in Ukraine and Syria, that served as a sobering wakeup call that was acted on this time. NATO was fortunate that East European NATO members that used to be part of the Soviet empire were familiar with how Russian EW doctrine and equipment worked. Particularly useful was the Ukraine as a large number of Ukrainians who had worked on developing and building that Cold War EW tech and were now seeing it used against them by a resurgent Russia seeking to annex parts of Ukraine. The U.S. Army saw the opportunity and made the most of it. Russia also used a lot of their new EW gear in Syria, in part to impress potential customers and partly to get an idea of what Israel had. Unlike NATO, Israel did not underestimate Russian EW capabilities during the Cold War because Russian sold some of that EW equipment to Arab states who had a few opportunities to use it on Israel. The new 2018 EW gear was issued to U.S. troops in Europe within a few months and then to units worldwide. The new EW equipment is made to be easily and quickly updated because modern EW systems depend a lot on surprise, as in coming up with some new technique and gaining a battlefield advantage until the enemy counters it. This is nothing new but the last time it was seen operating on a large scale in combat was during World War II, when the aerial bombing campaign (and to a lesser extent anti-submarine and surface warfare operations at sea) saw constant introduction of new EW tools that provided an edge until the other side quickly, often in weeks, came up with a counter. The U.S. Air Force never really forgot that but the army, despite lots of warnings, seemed to believe that tech would never be a major factor in ground combat. That attitude took time to change. The new American EW gear consists of several separate systems. First there is VROD, a sensor system that constantly monitors the electromagnetic spectrum for known or potential threats. This depends on a regularly updated threat library built into the system as well algorithms for noticing potential new threats not yet in the library. Then there is VMAX, which is a tool to probe possible threats and provide some countermeasure capability. To control all this information there is EWPMT (EW Planning and Management Tool) and the first of many EWPMT add-ons. The first of these is called Raven Claw and it enables EWPMT users to operate on the move and even without a network connection. There is more, either delivered without being mentioned in a press release or still in development. This EW crisis, and the fact that solutions were in the works, first became news during late 2017 when the U.S. Army asked Congress to allow it to revise its budget to deal with some serious network vulnerabilities. Specifically, the army needed to halt work on its battlefield Internet, known as WIN-T (Warfighter Information Network-Tactical) so that some changes can be made to ensure the system is not only more resistant to hacking and jamming but also capable of being patched (software fixes applied) much more quickly. Many in Congress were upset about this but those few with access to the classified briefings were not. Nor were many military personnel working on communications and EW. The army specified a potential Russian threat and it was known China catching up in this area. Civilian users of the Internet are constantly warned about new security threat to wireless access to the Internet and the military is not immune to these new threats. But as the most recent army move indicates the advantages of battlefield electronics and Internet capabilities comes with new dangers, many of them not encountered during all the combat American troops have been involved in after 2001. Now the prospect of combat with a well-equipped (near peer) force is closer to reality than at any time since the 1980s. That means more skilled Internet hackers and at least the U.S. Army detected and responded to the threat. WIN-T, the initial army Internet system, eventually got replaced instead of just modified because the commercial tech development, moved faster than the military could. As it does more and more. Saudi Arabia said Saturday it intercepted an apparent missile or drone attack over its capital, Riyadh, amid the kingdom's years-long war against neighbouring Yemen's Houthi rebels. Social media users posted video of what appeared to be an explosion in the air over Riyadh. Saudi state TV quoted authorities in the kingdom acknowledging the interception. Yahia Sarei, a military spokesman for the Houthis, said in a brief statement that the rebels had not carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia in the past 24 hours. The US Embassy in Riyadh issued a warning to Americans calling on them to stay alert in case of additional future attacks." The Houthis have held Yemen's capital and the north, where the majority of the population lives, since September 2014. Saudi Arabia and its allies launched a war against them in March 2015 in support of Yemen's internationally recognized government. The war has been mired in a stalemate for years. Riyadh has been targeted in sporadic missile attacks in that time, while the Houthis also have launched missile and drone strikes. The Saudi-led coalition has faced widespread international criticism for airstrikes that have killed hundreds of civilians and hit non-military targets, including schools, hospitals and wedding parties. Western experts, Saudi Arabia and the US say Iran has supplied arms, including ballistic missiles, to the Houthis. Iran denies that, although devices in the weapons link back to Tehran. (AP) PMS PMS PMS This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Mr. Steele, who said he was honored by the homage in the Warnock spot, said his campaign was not consciously thinking of racial bias when it produced his ad but he saw clear efforts from Mr. Warnocks campaign to disarm racial preconceptions. Hes making a statement in response to the president saying Black people are coming to your neighborhood, Mr. Steele said. We already live there. A leave-it-to-beagle follow up The Warnock team knew the path to the Senate would require a complex and fragile multiracial coalition. The party needed to simultaneously mobilize Black voters at turnout levels close to those of a presidential election, while also appealing to suburban white voters who broke ranks with the G.O.P. in November to make Mr. Biden the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state since 1992. There is a rough rule of thumb for Georgia Democrats to win: They need 30 percent of the electorate to be Black and to carry about 30 percent of the white vote. If youre trying to make history in the South, and youre trying to elect an African-American pastor in an election which you know youre going to need white voters, then you need to do everything you can with your ad strategy to make white voters comfortable, said Chip Lake, a Republican strategist in Georgia who is white and worked for Mr. Collins. Or, as Jessica Byrd, a Black Democratic strategist in Georgia, put it, I dont think Ive spent one day in the last five years not thinking about how white people will view Black candidates. Dr. Gillespie and other political scientists call efforts to make Black candidates more acceptable to white voters deracialization, and Alvin the beagle is a case study in its success. The whole point of deracialization isnt to rouse Black voters, Dr. Gillespie explained. Its to put white voters at ease. In Mr. Warnocks case, she noted, he did not avoid direct engagement on racial justice, as some past candidates have. He simply and cleverly added a puppy in suburbia to the mix. National Park officer accused of spying on woman loses job PHUKET: A national park officer accused of spying on a woman in the public toilet at Phukets Sirinath National Park has been dismissed from his role, it was confirmed today (Jan 23). crimepolicetourism By The Phuket News Saturday 23 January 2021, 04:32PM Photo: The Phuket News The officer, 28-year-old Abdulrama Mahaderi, was accused by Miss Sopita and her boyfriend Panupong Rungrueng of climbing the wall separating the mens and womens sections of the restroom at Nai Yang beach on Jan 17 and peering down on Miss Sopita, mobile phone in hand. Sirinath National Park Chief Pramote Kaewnam confirmed that an investigative committee had assessed the evidence and taken accounts from witnesses and that it was determined Mr Abdulrama was guilty of misbehaviour and improper actions. Chief Pramote confirmed that Mr Abdulramas employment contract was subsequently terminated, effective last Wednesday (Jan 20). It has caused disgrace to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and affected the image of the overall department, a post on the Sirinath National Park Facebook page read. Mr Abdulrama will also be facing police charges. Capt Sura Lertthaisong of Sakhu Police confirmed to The Phuket News last Wednesday that Mr Abdulrama would be facing charges and that he was currently investigating whether a charge of bullying in public under Section 397 of the Criminal Code would be appropriate. Section 397 states, Any person who, in a public place or in public and through whatever act, treats another with insolence or in an offensive way or causes another to undergo disgrace, trouble or annoyance shall be liable to imprisonment for not more than one month, or a fine not exceeding one thousand baht or both. The Phuket News sought an update on the situation today from Sakhu Police although the inquiry was not answered. Mr Abdulrama had previously posted on the official Sirinath National Park Facebook page that his understanding was no charges would be pursued by Miss Sopita and Mr Panupong: The tourists told me that they did not want to press charges. They just told me that they did not want me to do anything like this again, the post read. After Mr Panupong posted a photo of Mr Abdulrama and detailed his alleged indiscretion on social media, several others came forward with similar accusations. One group of women said that they were also spied on by this man on the toilet wall two months ago, but they did not report it and did not press charges and the truth faded away as if nothing ever happened, said Miss Sopita. Ahora | La presidenta del Consejo de Ministros, @VBermudezV, se presenta ante la Comision de Salud del @congresoperu para informar sobre las medidas tomadas por el Ejecutivo frente a la pandemia. pic.twitter.com/Anzy1XtPOm Belle Delphine is perhaps best known for her "gamer girl bathwater" stunt where she sold $30 jars of her used bathwater. Twitter/@bunnydelphine Belle Delphine is one of the biggest contemporary phenomena in online sex work. She opened up to Insider about her hardcore-porn debut, subversive style, and controversies. Delphine also addressed why she's accused of selling another sex worker's nude photos. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. This article contains links to and describes explicit content, including mentions of rape. Rope-bound with duct tape over her mouth, Belle Delphine entered the new year with a new controversy. The pink-haired porn star had donned a brunette beehive, baby-blue vintage dress, and Mary Jane shoes for an X-rated staged-kidnapping fantasy shoot in the back of a gray van. She was accused of "promoting rape." Delphine is a wildly successful OnlyFans performer, trollish provocateur, and YouTuber with nearly 2 million subscribers. At 21, she's become emblematic of a host of modern tropes about "gamer girls" and influencers - a budding cultural icon in the world of online sex work. Delphine has been permanently barred from Instagram, where she had more than 4.5 million followers, and was temporarily suspended from YouTube. She unapologetically responded to critics who said she should have prefaced her explicit photo set with a trigger warning. "There is nothing wrong with enjoying power-play and BDSM where both people are consensual," Delphine wrote, comparing the backlash to the myth that video games cause violence. Attempts to have her "canceled" trended on Twitter. Read more: YouTube suddenly banned, and then quickly reinstated, e-girl influencer Belle Delphine's channel Just the month before, Delphine capitalized on her controversies and desirability, moving into the realm of hardcore porn after posting mostly seminude imagery and partially censored clips on OnlyFans. She's already making $1.2 million a month, Delphine told Insider, which viewed screenshots of her November earnings taken from inside her account. Story continues Delphine's porn teaser, which she tweeted to her 1.5 million followers, shows her in cat ears lifting a baby-blue crop top to reveal her bare nipples for the first time. It has 10.5 million views on Twitter alone. On YouTube, it's part of the opening sequence for a music video aptly titled "I'M DOING PORN." In it, Delphine gyrates for faux TikTok videos, wields a fake Uzi submachine gun, and splashes around half naked in a kiddie pool. Delphine's Twitter promo for her porn debut, left, a provocative picture Delphine posted to Twitter, right. Twitter/@bunnydelphine Her orchestrated antics to promote her porn are part of what Delphine described to Insider as her online career "finally taking a climactic position." Her fame as a kawaii (Japanese for "cute") model, living meme, and purveyor of $30 "gamer girl bathwater" lasted for two years before Delphine went fully uncensored. Delphine dropped out of school at 14 after being bullied for her 'edgy' online humor Before developing the character of Delphine, she was born Mary-Belle Kirschner in South Africa and spent her very early years being raised in Cape Town. After Delphine's parents divorced, she moved with her mother to England, where she attended secondary school until dropping out in 2014 at 14. She described herself as having been a "weird" kid, adding, "It's so strange seeing how many people from my old school have made tweets like, 'I can't believe the weird girl at school has turned out to be Belle Delphine.'" Delphine said her "bad mental state" at a young age, combined with poor school attendance and readily available internet access, led her to YouTubers like Filthy Frank, an anti-political-correctness sketch-comedy character created by the J-pop artist Joji, and iDubbbz, an offensive personality known for his "Content Cop" series that exposes and mocks other YouTubers. The edgy, offensive comedy molded Delphine's humor and ultimately led to her social exclusion, she said. She had just transferred schools to get a fresh start, but after her first day, a classmate took screenshots of an offensive joke Delphine made online and passed it around to students at both her old and new schools. "Basically this joke was a string of ironic comments. The initial thread started with someone saying, 'I love cancer.' So people were saying, like, 'I love cancer because you can get a free wig,'" Delphine said. "I said, 'I love cancer because you can go to Disneyland.'" This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. She lived in a small town, so the screenshots spread quickly, Delphine said. When she woke up the next morning, she said she checked her phone and read messages containing "hate after hate after hate." She couldn't face it in person, she added, and she never went back to school again. "I was more sensitive on the internet then. I was still growing a thick skin at the time," she said. "Once you see so many negative comments in a row, it kind of makes you not care anymore. After you've seen the same hate comment 100 times, you think, 'I've heard that one.' You don't care." After she dropped out of school, Delphine worked odd jobs like waitressing and nannying for four years while posting content like cosplay and room tours online to a mostly female audience. She still enjoys dark humor, and not much offends her unless it's something malicious, she said. "In some ways, it really propelled me more into the internet. When that happened, and everyone in my hometown kind of turned against me, it really kind of made me turn against them and go, 'F--- you.' It really isolated me even more because I thought the internet was the only place people accepted me." She represents a new generation of online sex work, but her entry point became one of her biggest controversies Delphine's unusual brand of sexiness builds on what she loved and posted as a teenager. A longtime lover of anime and kawaii aesthetics, she posted a cat-eye makeup tutorial on YouTube at 16. Her early Instagram account included pictures of her in pink wigs, thigh-high stockings, and Harley Quinn and "Overwatch" cosplay outfits. "I was confident, but at the same time I didn't like speaking much," Delphine said about her teenage years. "I'd always show my humor through being self-deprecating or doing something stupid." When she was 17, Delphine was approached by an older man offering a deal in which she would hand over her Facebook account to him so he could pass off another adult sex worker's nude photos as Delphine, she said. In return, a still underage Delphine would make a percentage of the profits. She agreed. Delphine in 2016 still wore cat ears in her early makeup-tutorial videos. YouTube/James Marriott "I stopped working with him very soon after because I didn't like him," Delphine said. "He's actually an older guy, and he was very suspicious. He asked for my mom's credit card, and eventually I just felt uncomfortable with the whole situation." Several years later, in January 2019, the adult sex worker Minty Darling alleged Delphine had sold Darling's nudes while Delphine was underage. Delphine said she offered the meager earnings she made from Darling's photos to her- an offer that was declined. She and Darling reached an agreement privately, and Delphine hasn't commented on the controversy until now. Delphine said she was the only underage girl involved. "This whole situation is very difficult because I've been told by everyone around me not to speak out about it, and I can't name this guy. But I wasn't the first girl he did this to," Delphine said. In direct messages with Insider, Darling confirmed Delphine's account. Darling said she's been in the adult industry "a very long time" and was "mostly just disappointed" to see her content being profited off by someone else. Once she turned 18, though, Delphine decided to start incorporating bizarre, sexual elements into her online profiles. The rise of OnlyFans has helped normalize softcore sex work, but Delphine began selling partially nude images on Patreon before online sex work became a side hustle for millions of people, influencers, and celebrities. Read more: Michael B. Jordan and 15 other celebrities who have made OnlyFans pages More than just a standard camgirl or provocative Instagrammer, Delphine was eliciting a reaction from her viewers that was intended to travel. Her social-media stunts started small, like smiling at the camera while eating a raw egg, shell and all, but Delphine's talent lies beyond her physical appearance and shows she possesses a sharp strategy, wealth of online knowledge, and dark sense of humor. "I like creating a dialogue of: 'Oh, this girl's really weird, but I'm interested so I'm going to share it," Delphine said. "I've used the internet for a very long time, and I'm practically on my computer all day and have been for several years. I kind of analyze what I click on, what I'm interested in, and what makes me want to ask questions." Provocative stunts leave her audience confused, amused, and sometimes enraged Delphine's memorable appearance and strange behavior catapulted her to online notoriety. First, on Instagram, where she rose from 850,000 followers in November 2018 to 4.2 million in July 2019. That summer, Delphine said she would make a Pornhub account if one of her Instagram posts received over 1 million likes. When it did, she uploaded 12 videos as promised - and every single one of them was a fake-out. In one video, titled "PEWDIEPIE goes all the way INSIDE Belle Delphine," she winked while eating a photo of the most subscribed-to individual YouTuber, Felix Kjellberg. Each video she posted received between 66 and 76% dislikes, but Delphine was the most searched celebrity figure on Pornhub in 2019. "You want people to respond, whether that's, 'Oh, I like that,' or, 'Oh, I don't like that,'" Delphine said. "Negative attention can sometimes be positive attention." Delphine's early stunts included eating a raw egg and playing with a dead octopus on Instagram, and later she sold her used bathwater. Belle Delphine The Pornhub stunt directly preceded her used-bathwater sale, in which Delphine said she sold out of hundreds of $30 jars of dirty bathwater intended for "sentimental use" in just three days. In July 2019, Delphine's Instagram account was banned. The platform told Insider at the time that Delphine violated community guidelines but wouldn't go into detail because of privacy concerns. Pushing the limits on Instagram is Delphine's biggest regret, she said. "Sometimes it feels like these platforms have it out for me in particular," she said. "My Instagram got taken down when there are other girls and porn stars posting the same type of content that I was." After losing her platform overnight, she went offline before reappearing for a short-lived stunt in October 2019. Delphine, inspired by the trending hoax that she'd been arrested for selling bathwater, tweeted a fake Metropolitan Police mugshot of her. Delphine concocted a story that a woman had stolen her hamster at a party, so she posted pictures of a defaced vehicle that she claimed was the thief's car. It was actually a cheap sedan Delphine purchased that day, but the whole hoax was loosely based on true events, she said. Delphine bought a used vehicle for a stunt in which she pretended to have been arrested. She spray-painted a "Pepe" meme frog, which is commonly associated with the far-right, on the car. Twitter/@bunnydelphine "I have my hamsters in large vivariums, and when I came downstairs during the party, this woman went upstairs and took out my hamster and just let my hamster roam free," Delphine said. "She was obviously drunk or something. And then the next day I found my hamster walking around the upstairs of my house, loose." How did the idea to plant her own arrest hoax stem from there? "I just thought it would be funny," she said. "To say, 'Oh, I've been arrested.'" Delphine returned to social media after that in June with a YouTube parody video based on 6ix9ine's "Gooba" called "I'M BACK." The video served as a way to generate attention and announce Delphine's OnlyFans page. It has been viewed 36 million times. But in November, Delphine's YouTube channel was suddenly banned but later reinstated after backlash. The day she lost her channel, Delphine said she made the decision to do porn. "I just thought 'this is my last opportunity to do it' because I didn't have a platform anymore," she said. "I'd rather say I was doing porn and release that when I feel like I'm at the top of internet relevancy, rather than when I'm on the downhill and I'm trying to claw myself back up." There's a dark side to Delphine's lucrative online life Delphine is typically bombarded by hate from both men and women, but she encounters far more than just crude and cruel comments. She says she's been doxxed, which means her address has been leaked online, and that she's had unwelcome visitors show up to her house. People have sent her emails containing gruesome pictures of dead bodies, Delphine said. "I've had a lot of scary incidences that have really unnerved me," Delphine said. "Like I know that there are a lot of weird 4chan threads about me that make me feel uncomfortable. I don't mind vague death threats because that's just a troll thing, but I think when people go into detail about it, that freaks me out a bit." After the death of 17-year-old Bianca Devins - another e-girl with a small Instagram following who was stabbed to death - Delphine said she got comments suggesting she should be killed the same way. "It had 1,000 likes on it, and I was just like, 'How could this be a comment that people are liking?' The fact that they want me to be murdered next, that really scared me," she said. Read more: An influencer's OnlyFans account was deleted after she sold a naked childhood video of herself Delphine has also been dealt consequences in her personal life over her decision to pursue sex work. While her long-term boyfriend, who chooses to remain anonymous, is supportive of her career, Delphine isn't on speaking terms with her mother, who disapproves of her choices. "I mean, obviously no parent wants to hear that their daughter is doing porn," Delphine said. "I think it's quite difficult for her to deal with, and I completely understand. We're giving each other space." Delphine says she doesn't want to be an inspiration to anyone For the foreseeable future, Delphine says she plans to "milk" her porn career. There's a lot of money to be made off OnlyFans while she maintains her youth and hype. Later, Delphine said she may consider starting a Twitch account, where she'd stream herself playing video games - but she added that she thought it would be hard for people to see her as "anything other than a porn star." "I don't really have a negative connotation with porn," Delphine said. "It's become a lot more normalized in society." She added that "it seems like every girl has an OnlyFans" now that use of the platform has skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic. But Delphine said her desire to do sex work stemmed from enjoyment and that she hoped other women wouldn't be driven to the field out of monetary concerns alone. Delphine in her YouTube comeback video. belle delphine/YouTube "I hate, in a way, that I'm contributing to that because people can see me and see my numbers and think, 'Oh, she's doing really well so that means I can do really well,'" Delphine said. "For every one successful girl you see, there are thousands of other girls working really hard and not earning anything." She added: "I think being a sex worker and doing these things can be healthy, but I think it has to come from you. I did it because I've always been a sexual person and I've been sexually open throughout my whole life. This is something I wanted to do and I like doing it." Read the original article on Insider "We see accelerated demand for server colocation," explained Nagamasa Global's President and Chief Executive Officer, Fuyuki R. Setsuna, "client focus on cost reduction coupled with trust and confidence in our talented technology team seem to propel this increase." "The growth in colocated equipment highlights our technology team's quality service, network monitoring, on-site maintenance and support," explained Kazuo Yoshika, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Nagamasa Global. Nagamasa Global offers flexible monthly pricing with no long-term contracts required. The firm leases over 1,000 square meters of data center space strategically located in proximity to major exchange trade matching engines. Server colocation brings client trading strategies close to exchange matching enginesreducing latency, execution times and points of potential failure. "Nagamasa Global colocation provides clients reliable, high-performance connectivity at a fraction of the cost of a private data center," added Hatsuo Setsuna, Chief Technology Officer, Nagamasa Global. "Our economies of scale enable Nagamasa Global to price competitively, maintain performance and efficiency and provide exceptional service. When the markets are open, we are open, staffed 24/6 to provide support. We want to be the premiere choice for our clients." About Nagamasa Global Nagamasa Global provides insights in the commodities markets to all market participants to allow them to make better business decisions with confidence. The firm includes a team of experienced financial and market advisors offering a vast list of services for small-scale businesses, individuals, corporate and governmental entities. The company is emerging as a trusted commodity broker with customers from different sectors looking for expertise in pricing, news, and analytics. The company focuses on feasibility more than anything else, and this is the reason it provides a wide array of products and services to its clients that allow them to better sustain their investments. Disclaimer: The news site hosting this press release is not associated with Nagamasa Global or Fuyuki R. Setsuna. It is merely publishing a paid press release announcement submitted by a company, without any stated or implied endorsement of the person, product, service or information above. Please consult a registered investment advisor before making any investment. This press release is not a solicitation. Press Contact: Haruto Subaru 0556-959395 http://nagamasa-global.com SOURCE Nagamasa Global The patient was fighting so hard to breathe that a relative had to take the phone. Mayo GP David McNeill was on the other end, noting the symptoms, all textbook Covid, as they were listed out. Low energy. Difficulty breathing. Unable to maintain a full sentence. The patient was really struggling to breathe, said Dr McNeill during an interview with the Irish Independent. A relative was speaking on their behalf because they couldnt maintain a full sentence. That is a sign that we need hospitalisation and that they (the patient) either need oxygen or intubation, depending on the severity. The patient, who was over 65, was one of three patients Dr McNeill sent straight to hospital last weekend due to how sick they had become with Covid-19. Thats probably an indication of how bad things are at the minute, he said. It was the first weekend I have been on call for Westdoc when I have had to send people directly to hospital for Covid because they were so sick. One of them has died since and the other two are very sick. Dr McNeill, who jointly runs three GP practices in Mayo, said the best thing a GP can do wa s keep patients out of hospital. However, the rapid deterioration with some patients over the past week or so has brought a frightening urgency to the Covid-19 crisis playing out in the west of the country. Expand Close Fear: Dr Fergal Ruane, GP from Belmullet, Co Mayo, said the local area was shell-shocked by the high volume of Covid-19 cases. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fear: Dr Fergal Ruane, GP from Belmullet, Co Mayo, said the local area was shell-shocked by the high volume of Covid-19 cases. We are seeing patients presenting a lot sicker, he said. In the first two waves, we didnt see as many sick patients presenting . Whats also different is that its not just isolated to one area. In the past, it might have been focused in one area or maybe a factory in an area, but now it seems to be widespread across the community, not just one town or village, everywhere. " We are now seeing whole households getting it and thats what is driving up the numbers in the area. On Thursday, we had seven people in one household who are all confirmed cases grandchildren, children and grandparents. In Belmullet, the local electoral area in Co Mayo that continues to have the highest rate of Covid-19 in the country, rural GP Fergal Ruane was helpless as his own Covid-infected patients followed the same frightening trajectory as Dr McNeills. Yesterday morning, two- thirds of Dr Ruanes calls were Covid-related. By mid-afternoon, he had already sent one man to hospital and was about to call back another man to send him there too. We have people in their 50s deteriorating very rapidly," he told the Irish Independent. "In the wider community there is a lot of fear. Older people are terrified to go out. People who are getting sick are terrified to go to hospital. The reason they are afraid is that they know its going to be overcrowded and they know they are going to be on their own. In the fortnight to last Monday, one in every 18 people, or just over 5.5pc of the population, in the Belmullet electoral area had contracted the virus. A total of 700 cases were confirmed among the 12,600 people living in the area, which takes in Belmullet, Achill and a chunk of rural west Mayo. Read More A number of large gatherings in the days before and after Christmas, including several party functions, combined with a large seasonal influx of people returning from overseas, are believed to have significantly increased the spread of the virus. For those who live in the area a ffected, hurt over what happened and fear about who the virus will strike down next has created a hostile atmosphere. Galway GP Martin Daly, who confirmed that a number of deaths had resulted from outbreaks in the Belmullet electoral area, warned that lessons needed to be learned. It is horrific and it is extremely tragic, said Dr Daly. What was remarkable about that situation was that it was such a rural area. What we had seen in the first two surges is that rural areas tended to be spared, except for nursing homes and meat factories. Im not out to blame anyone, but I think lessons need to be learned here to demonstrate to people in other parts of the country that this is what can happen in a small rural community because people got carried away. Closer to home, Dr Daly has been dealing with an increase in Covid-19 cases himself. By Wednesday this week, the rapid increase in Covid-19 infection rates in Galway had prompted a joint appeal by the HSE, An Garda Siochana and local g overnment to the public to stay vigilant and halt community transmission. Over the last two weeks, nearly 2,800 new cases were confirmed in the region. For us it started in the immediate aftermath of Christmas, said Dr Daly. When we returned to work on January 4, we were almost overwhelmed with phone calls of people complaining of upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract and flu-like symptoms, and we were referring a lot of people for testing. Most were younger people thankfully and suffered mild symptoms. Towards the end of that cycle we saw the emergence of that in older people, who are much more vulnerable. Sadly, it is the vulnerable in Galway who have been most affected. After managing to keep Covid-19 out for most of the year, this week Greenpark nursing home in Tuam is battling an outbreak of the virus. A number of residents have died. According to Dr Breda Smyth, director of public health in the west, the focus now for public health teams in the area is on dealing with complex cases mainly outbreaks in nursing homes and hospitals. There are so many focuses of infection in the community that it is difficult to pinpoint a source, she added. We are no longer in containment phase, we are actually in mitigation phase where we direct our priorities to the most vulnerable, she said. There are extremely high levels of community transmission. We have to assume in many instances that there has been a focus within the community. Inevitably, the effects of what happened two to four weeks ago have manifested themselves inside the wards of University Hospital Galway. On Thursday, as overstretched staff continued to deal with the streams of Covid-ill patients coming through the doors, patients were being transferred in from other hospitals that had no capacity for intensive care. Thursday was particularly bad, said ICU consultant Dr John Bates. There were a number of transfers necessary nationally and around the west of Ireland. Patients had to be moved from one hospital to another because the hospital they arrived at didnt have capacity for them and they had to be transferred. Inside the ICU department of UHG, theatre nurses are caring for critically ill patients and ICU staff are doing extra shifts to keep up the roster. Its been a really intense week, said Dr Bates. We were hoping that things would plateau at the start of last week but in terms of occupancy, its been rising. We are in what we would call phase four of our surge plan. We have increased our ICU capacity by about 50pc and we have a large number of patients who would normally be in high dependency who are being managed out on the wards. Unlike previous waves, where the brunt of hospitalisations were focused in the Dublin area, hospitals in the West have this time rapidly filled up with Covid-19 patients. Galway was relatively well protected during the first wave, said Dr Bates. We had a low community prevalence rate and we got a lot of patients in from other hospitals but it was in quite a controlled fashion. "This is way worse. We have probably doubled the number of Covid patients we had during the first wave. Its twice as bad as the first wave here at the moment and we have way more patients. In the midst of the crisis, between University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital, there are close to 400 staff on Covid-related leave, which includes staff who have Covid-19, symptomatic staff, staff who are close contacts of a positive case, and staff who are cocooning because they are considered in an at-risk category. Despite the challenges, said Dr Bates, morale was high among his exhausted and depleted staff. Nothing can undo infections that happened a month ago and they know what they are facing . Its like turning a tanker, he said. Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland The national figures are coming down and we are hopeful that will happen here but what we are seeing in the ICU now was put in train about a month ago so we cant really affect that. We just have to deal with it now as it comes in. Dear Reader, Investors seem to have had a bout of dizziness after scaling Mount 50k. The Indian equity market took a step back after the Sensex reached 50000 on Thursday, nervous that it might have gone up too high too fast. We thought the fear of heights was healthy and provided investors with a perspective on the journey to the peak, while telling them why we expected markets to cool down and consolidate. Seth Klarman, billionaire investor and hedge fund manager, told the FT: As with frogs in water that is slowly being heated to a boil, investors are being conditioned not to recognise the danger. Nevertheless, investors could take heart from the Reserve Bank of Indias latest state of the economy report, which says a glorious summer lies ahead of us. Our recovery tracker wasnt so sure, with some indicators turning choppy. With the markets so high, its no wonder that valuations are uppermost on the minds of equity analysts. The stocks that our independent research analysts found to be reasonably valued included Bajaj Auto, Federal Bank, HCL Tech, HDFC Bank -- which has raced ahead of Citigroup and HSBC in market capitalization -- a couple of hotel stocks and CSB Bank. On the other hand, stocks such as Havells India, Bajaj Finance, L&T Infotech, Philips Carbon, Hindustan Zinc and IndiaMART InterMESH, all of them good businesses, were too pricey for our comfort. Of course, there are many things apart from valuations to be considered, such as for Bandhan Bank, where political risk has increased. For the Mindtree stock, we believe its valuation discount to its mid-cap peers should narrow. We also discussed the implications of DHFLs committee of creditors approving the resolution plan submitted by Piramal Enterprises Ltd, pointing out it isnt over till the fat lady sings. Much has been talked about the huge opportunities for Indian tech as a result of the digital boom. We said the pandemic has helped Indian IT in more ways than one. This FT story discussed tech stock booms, then and now. We looked at the limitations of Indias edtech startups, which have sprouted like frogs in the monsoon. And we talked about what the coming Union Budget could do for Indias digital infrastructure. That brings me to our coverage of the eagerly awaited "never seen before" Union Budget for 2021-22. Gaurav Kapur, chief economist at IndusInd Bank, explained what numbers we should look out for in the Budget. M Govinda Rao, former director of the National Institute of Public Finance & Policy and chief economic adviser at Brickwork Ratings, told us this is not the time to worry about the fiscal deficit. We took a rather contrarian stance, saying instead that its time to look beyond the fiscal deficit. Rahul Bajoria, chief India economist at Barclays, told us that the government will need to support income levels to boost consumption. We too added our bit on what the Budget could do to support consumption, which led to the question whether the recent dream run for FMCG stocks has ended. Like everybody else, we too underlined the need for more spending on infrastructure here and here, while weighing in on the debate whether we needed a new development finance institution. We said the idea of a bad bank, like a bad penny, keeps cropping up. We interviewed Mark Matthews, head of Asia Research at Bank Julius Baer, who said the finance minister has to pull off a tough balancing act. He brought down the euphoria a bit by telling us he is betting on the cyclical recovery theme by adding exposure to US small cap stocks rather than India. The big event of the week was Joe Bidens inauguration as US president, hailed by many as a new dawn. Ruchir Sharma warned Biden, via the FT, that deficits still matter in this brave new world, while this FT piece said Biden needed big early victories. The flash Purchasing Managers indices for major developed economies for the current month show that the resurgence of the pandemic has led to a double dip in the economies of the Eurozone and the UK. Their composite PMIs are at 47.5 and 40.6, respectively, both below the 50 mark, which means they contracted from the previous month. Japans composite PMI has been consistently below 50. But the US economy is proving to be resilient, with its January flash composite PMI at a very high 58. Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at IHS Markit, said: US businesses reported a strong start to 2021, buoyed by hopes that vaccine developments will mean the worst of the pandemic is behind us, and that the new administration will provide a stable and supportive environment for stronger economic growth. Output growth accelerated in January to the second-fastest in almost six years, and business optimism about the year ahead surged higher. That suggests the vaccine will soon lead to a recovery in other economies, too. Its not just the RBI that is bullishBank of England governor Andrew Bailey said he expects a pronounced recovery for the UK economy. Far more important for investors, though, is what Mohamed A El-Erian wrote in the FT: The financial system challenge for Mr Biden is not a short-term need to address immediate dislocations but the longer-term problem of relinking bubbly markets to economic realities. Cheers, Manas Chakravarty Advertisement Britain's daily Covid case total has plunged by 18 per cent in a week after experts played down the Government's 'scaremongering' claims that a UK variant of coronavirus is more deadly than the original strain. A further 33,552 people tested positive for coronavirus today - a nearly 10,000 drop on the 41,346 recorded last Saturday. It brings the total number of cases in the UK since the start of the pandemic to 3,617,459. Official figures also revealed 1,348 more people have died within 24 hours of testing positive for the virus - a rise of 4.1 per cent on last Saturday's 1,295. But, in a positive sign Britain's third wave of Covid fatalities could be slowing, last Saturday brought a 25 per cent week-on-week rise in daily cases, significantly higher than the increase seen today. Boris Johnson yesterday revealed that the Kent coronavirus strain - responsible for the soaring Covid cases recorded in the last month - could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus. However the PM has been accused of 'scaremongering' after failing to present any evidence to back up the terrifying development. And the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) - the body of scientists which has advised the Government throughout the pandemic - are only 50 per cent sure the new variant could be more fatal. Professor Robert Dingwall, who sits on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) - the subcommittee of Sage which discussed the deadliness of the new strain on Thursday - said the claim that the variant is 30 per cent more lethal is on a 'very fragile' base of evidence and accused the Government of 'exploiting public fear' over the virus. He told website Reaction: ' The 30 per cent more lethal claim about the virus rests on a very fragile and uncertain base of evidence. NERVTAG has expressed limited confidence in this figure, which should not be the basis for public alarm.' 'It is right not to hide possibly bad news but it is also quite wrong to exploit it to increase public fear and to try to shut down debates about the exit strategy from the current restrictions.' Chief Scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance said during the press conference that evidence the strain is indeed more deadly is still 'weak'. Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle today revealed it is not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous. Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it is an 'open question' but not a 'game changer' in terms of dealing with the pandemic. He said: ''The question about whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality I think is still open. There is evidence it is more dangerous but this is a very dangerous virus," he said. 'In terms of making the situation worse it is not a game changer. It is a very bad thing that is slightly worse.' And Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of Sage subgroup the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about the suggested increased mortality rate. He said he was quite surprised by the announcement and recommended waiting a week or two more... before we draw really strong conclusions. In other coronavirus news today: Robert Jenrick has defended the Government's strategy to leave a 12-week gap between the first and second doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine amid fears a long wait between doses is less effective; Experts today played down fears a UK variant of the coronavirus is more deadly than the original strain after a 'scaremongering' Downing Street press conference last night; Britain faces becoming a global pariah as countries around the world consider tougher travel restrictions in a bid to keep out Britain's 'more deadly' Covid strain; Britons ignored the government's 'stay at home' message as they formed huge queues for coffees and flocked to parks as the sun came out; Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of coronavirus. Boris Johnson (pictured) yesterday revealed that the Kent coronavirus strain - called B.1.1.7 - could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus The Sage paper cited three studies of the Kent strain: A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study (left) based on 2,583 deaths that said the hazard of death within 28 days of test for the mutant strain compared with non-mutant strains was 35% times higher An Imperial College London study (centre) of the Case Fatality Rate of the new mutant strain that found the risk of death was 36% times higher A University of Exeter study (right) that suggested the risk of death could be 91% higher. Both the Exeter and the Imperial studies were based on just 8% of deaths during the study period Nervtag concluded there was a 'realistic possibility' - detailed on the yardstick above as a probability between 40 and 50 per cent - that the variant resulted in an increased risk of death when compared with the original strain PHE's Dr Doyle said it is still not 'absolutely clear' the new variant coronavirus which emerged in the UK is more deadly than the original strain. She said more work was needed to determine whether it was true. She told the Today programme: 'There are several investigations going on at the moment. It is not absolutely clear that that will be the case. It is too early to say. 'There is some evidence, but it is very early evidence. It is small numbers of cases and it is far too early to say this will actually happen.' Figures released today showed there were a further 1,079 cases of coronavirus in Wales and another 27 deaths. Meanwhile, a further 76 people have died from coronavirus in Scotland, while 1,307 more positive cases have been confirmed. There have been 12 more deaths due to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, while a further 670 positive cases of the virus were also confirmed there on Saturday. Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 113,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK. The Government also said that, as of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 33,552 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK. Government data up to January 22 shows of the 6,329,968 jabs given in the UK so far, 5,861,351 were first doses - a rise of 478,248 on the previous day's figures. Some 468,617 were second doses, an increase of 1,821 on figures released the previous day. The seven-day rolling average of first doses given in the UK is now 328,882. Based on the latest figures, an average of 397,333 first doses of vaccine would be needed each day in order to meet the Government's target of 15 million first doses by February 15. It comes after Sage's warning revealing scientists are only 50 per cent sure the variant could be more fatal was handed to ministers just hours before the official address to the public from Downing Street last night. Ministers were only informed about the development yesterday morning after members of Nervtag discussed the issue on Thursday. The group found there was a 'realistic possibility' the variant resulted in an increased risk of death when compared with the original strain. Boris Johnson and Sir Patrick Vallance said at a Downing Street press conference last night that the variant of the coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly than the previous version of the virus that it is competing with Passengers wait at Heathrow Airport yesterday as ministers mull even tighter rules The number of people developing Covid-19 every day appears to have halved in a fortnight from 70,000 on January 8 to 34,000 yesterday, according to the Covid Symptom Study, which uses self-reported symptoms through a mobile app used by around a million people But evidence for increased mortality remains thin Nervtag papers reveal the term 'realistic possibility' is used when scientists are only 40 to 50 per cent confident something is true. The paper states 'it should be noted that the absolute risk of death per infection remains low'. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said if the evidence is correct it would mean three to four more deaths per 1,000 cases. The decision to reveal the new information just hours after learning of the development is a yardstick of how alarmed ministers are. Critics accused them of 'scaremongering' by announcing their fears the Kent strain is more deadly at short notice and without strong supporting evidence. Professor Dingwall told Reaction: 'The 30 per cent more lethal claim about the virus rests on a very fragile and uncertain base of evidence. Nervtag has expressed limited confidence in this figure, which should not be the basis for public alarm.' He continued: 'It is right not to hide possibly bad news but it is also quite wrong to exploit it to increase public fear and to try to shut down debates about the exit strategy from the current restrictions.' 'If, as seems likely, the vaccines are as effective against the Kent variant as the previous one, then any increase in risk, which is not proven, is only a temporary problem that will disappear as the vaccine programme rolls onward.' The gloomy Nervtag report followed positive news from Sage that the R rate was between 0.8 and 1 - down from last week when it was between 1.2 and 1.3. Covid Recovery Group of Tory backbenchers and business chiefs are growing increasingly alarmed at suggestions lockdown could stretch well into summer despite Britain's vaccination programme. The Sage paper released last night cited three studies of the risk of death associated with the new strain. They were all based on a study of 2,583 deaths among 1.2million tested individuals: A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study said the hazard of death within 28 days of a test for the mutant strain compared with non-mutant strains was 1.35 times higher; An Imperial College London study of the Case Fatality Rate of the new mutant strain found the risk of death was 1.36 times higher. It used mathematical analysis to look at all cases of the new variant but the total number was not revealed in the papers. The Sage paper said its data is based on just 8 per cent of the total deaths occurring during the study period. Imperial used the same datasets as London School of Hygience and Tropical Medicine; A University of Exeter study suggested the risk of death could be 1.91 times higher. This study matched those with the new variant to those of a similar demographic. The Sage paper did not reveals its sample size, but its analysis was again based on 8 per cent of the total coronavirus deaths during the study period; Sae admits 'the results of all studies may not be representative of the total population'; Some of the analysis might be comparing frail elderly people in nursing home outbreaks of the Kent variant, which is more transmissible, with healthier elderly people infected with other strains in the community; An increase in the severity of infection with the variant would likely lead to an increased risk of hospitalisation, which there is currently no evidence of in individuals suffering from the strain; Analysis has not identified an increased risk of death in hospitalised cases of the variant. Worrying strains around the world: Since the Covid pandemic began there have been at least six new stains which appear more infectious and have mutations that open the door to vaccine resistance In a dramatic sign that the outbreak could be flattening out, Sage said the R rate was between 0.8 and 1. That is down sharply from last week, when it was between 1.2 and 1.3 How deadly is the Kent Covid variant? Confusion mounts as scientists offer wildly different estimates There was confusion last night about how deadly the Kent coronavirus variant really is after 10 Sage studies came to wildly different conclusions about its lethality and the World Health Organization said it still hadn't seen any convincing data. Boris Johnson and his science chiefs made the shocking claim that the strain called B.1.1.7 could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus without presenting any evidence to back up the terrifying development. The announcement came after 10 studies submitted to Sage overwhelmingly suggested that the strain was more lethal than past variants. But there are question marks over the findings because the estimates varied vastly and one study even found the strain was less deadly than the older version. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimated the risk of death from the new variant could be 1.35 times greater, Imperial College London said it was between 1.29 and 1.36 times, Exeter University found it may be 1.91 and Public Health England said it could be as high as 1.6. But there are further questions over the reliablity of the data because the research was only based on a few hundreds deaths. Public Health England chief Dr Susan Hopkins cautioned people from reading too much into the findings and suggested the evidence was still murky. She added: 'There is evidence from some but not all data sources which suggests that the variant of concern which was first detected in the UK may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. Evidence on this variant is still emerging and more work is underway to fully understand how it behaves.' Sir Patrick Vallance told the briefing last night that hospital data had suggested the variant could increase the risk of death for a man his 60s from 1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, but he admitted 'the evidence is not yet strong'. Adding to the confusion, Professor Chris Whitty, said he was not entirely convinced the strain was deadlier in the first place. And the variant has already been spotted in 60 countries, including most of continental Europe, the US, Australia, India, China and Saudi Arabia - yet none of those countries have reported a higher mortality rate from the new variant. Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, slammed the Government for causing confusion and panic about the variant. He tweeted: 'I really dislike the way the news about the increased lethality of B1.1.7 was leaked out and then discussed in a press briefing. Where is the data? We want to be able to scrutinise it and to understand the detail, not just the summary.' The WHO also undermined No10, saying it had not yet seen any evidence to convince it that the Kent strain was actually more deadly than other strains. In a thinly-veiled jab at the UK Government, the body said it was more likely that the increased death rate was a result of ministers losing a grip on infections. Dr Mike Ryan, chief of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, told a separate press conference today: 'There is a big difference between the lethality of a virus, how many people on average a virus kills, versus the mortality. If I have one million people infected and my lethality is 1 per cent, or two million people infected with a lethality of 1 per cent, twice as many people will die [in the second case].' Advertisement Meanwhile professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Dr Medley said it is still an 'open question'. Prof Medley was co-author of a report by the Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group. But he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme it was not a 'game changer' for dealing with the pandemic. He said: 'The question about whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality I think is still open. There is evidence it is more dangerous but this is a very dangerous virus. In terms of making the situation worse it is not a game changer. It is a very bad thing that is slightly worse.' Dr Tildesley, a member of Spi-M, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about both the suggested increased mortality rates from the new Covid variant. He said: 'I was actually quite surprised the news had been announced at a new conference. It seems to have gone up a little bit from about 10 people per thousand to about 13 which is quite a small rise but it's based on a relatively small amount of data. 'I would be wanting to wait for a week or two more, monitoring a little bit more before we draw really strong conclusions about this.' Speaking on BBC Breakfast he added: 'I just worry that where we report things pre-emptively where the data are not really particularly strong.' Professor Peter Horby, who chairs Nervtag, said people needed to put data showing increased mortality rates from the new UK coronavirus variant 'in perspective'. He told BBC Breakfast: 'Initial data didn't suggest that this was any more serious than the old virus but now the data has started to come in there are a number of streams of data that are coming in that suggest there might be a small increase in risk of death. 'There are some limitations in the data so we need to be cautious with the interpretations but it is important that people understand that we are looking at this and this may be true. 'If you look at it as a relative change like 30 or 40% then it sounds really bad but a big change in a very small risk takes it from a very small number to a slightly bigger, but still very small number, so for most people the risk is very, very small. 'People need to put it into perspective. This is a risk for certain age groups and that risk may have increased but for most people it is still not a serious disease.' But Prof Horby acknowledged the new data should be taken 'very seriously'. He added: 'This is an unpleasant virus. It's throwing things at us that are unpleasant and we're going to have to manage them.' His comments follow PHE doctor Susan Hopkins, who cautioned people from reading too much into the findings and suggested the evidence was still murky. She added: 'There is evidence from some but not all data sources which suggests that the variant of concern which was first detected in the UK may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. Evidence on this variant is still emerging and more work is underway to fully understand how it behaves.' Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, slammed the Government for causing confusion and panic about the variant. He tweeted: 'I really dislike the way the news about the increased lethality of B1.1.7 was leaked out and then discussed in a press briefing. Where is the data? We want to be able to scrutinise it and to understand the detail, not just the summary.' Senior doctors call for gap between first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine to be HALVED to six weeks Senior doctors have called for the gap between the first and second doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine to be halved to six weeks. It emerged on Thursday that NHS hospitals could be banned from giving out the jabs if they don't stick to the strategy of delaying second doses by 12 weeks or longer, despite initial proposals to leave a three-week gap. But the British Medical Association (BMA) has recommended to cut the waiting time, warning in a letter that the strategy is 'difficult to justify' and the UK is 'internationally isolated'. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously said governments should be giving people their second dose within 21 to 28 days of having the first, to make sure the vaccine works long-term. In a private letter to Professor Chris Witty, the BMA indicated that second doses may not be guaranteed following a 12-week gap due to the 'unpredictability of supplies', reports the BBC. Although agreeing that the jab should be 'rolled as quickly as possible', the association called for an urgent review of the policy that is 'proving evermore difficult to justify'. Advertisement But the long time lag from infection to hospitalisation means there is not a huge amount of data available on the variant, with Nervtag saying analyses will become more definitive over the coming weeks. One theory as to why it may be more lethal is the stickiness of the mutation and the way it gets into cells and replicates - a behaviour that also makes the variant more transmissible the Telegraph reports. Boris Johnson told the Downing Street briefing last night: 'We've been informed that in addition to spreading more quickly it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant first identified in London and the Kent may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.' Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said during the address that even now the science is still at an early stage. He said: 'These data are currently uncertain and we don't have a very good estimate of the precise nature or indeed whether it is an overall increase, but it looks like it is.' He said for men in their 60s, the average risk was that for every 1,000 who got infected, ten would be expected to die. But with the new variant it might be 13 or 14. That equates to an increased relative risk of 30 to 40 per cent. Sir Patrick noted estimates vary and stressed some concluded there was no additional risk. But he said his best guess was that deaths increase by about 30 to 40 per cent. He added: 'The death rate is awful and it's going to stay, I'm afraid, high for a little while before it starts coming down that was always what was predicted from the shape of this.' Nervtag concluded death rates have not increased among those in hospital. But evidence suggests it raises the risk of being hospitalised in the first place. In a bid to drive the message home, the public will be faced with a set of hard-hitting new adverts warning people to stay in their houses to try to pressure people into obeying lockdown rules. With close-ups of frontline medical practitioners and Covid-19 patients' faces, the advert will ask: 'Can you look them in the eyes and tell them you're helping by staying at home?' The public will be faced with a set of hard-hitting new adverts warning people to stay home as part of a change of tack in the bid to ensure people obey lockdown rules Boris Johnson and Sir Patrick Vallance said at a Downing Street press conference last night that the variant of the coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly than the previous version of the virus that it is competing with Nurses claim they are being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' as they call for higher-grade face masks Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the British Medical Association (BMA) warned that members had raised fears they were being given inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) in a letter to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). One nurse described feeling as though staff were being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' due to the inadequacy of surgical masks. The College is now calling for a review of infection control guidance and calling for all NHS staff to be given the higher grade of PPE as a precaution pending the outcome. It wants staff to be given the high-grade face masks used in intensive care units, called FFP2 or FFP3 masks. Advertisement Despite acknowledging cases are falling, the Prime Minister also accompanied by Professor Chris Whitty decided to hone in on early analysis by the sub-group of Sage that suggested the Kent mutation was more lethal. The trio resorted to explaining the risk out loud during the Downing Street press conference, failing to offer any actual proof to back their terrifying claim. World Health Organization bosses claimed they had seen no evidence on the variant's lethality during a simultaneous briefing. Dr Mike Ryan - head of the WHO emergency programme - urged people to 'remain calm around the issues of these variants'. He added: 'There is a big difference between the lethality of a virus, how many people on average a virus kills, versus the morality of the virus. If I have one million people infected and my lethality is 1 per cent, or two million people infected with a lethality of 1 per cent, twice as many people will die. 'We are not seeing so far, but we will wait to see, that the disease is more lethal. We are seeing that... increasing incidence leads to increasing mortality. If your cases get out of control, your deaths will get out of control as your health system is overwhelmed.' Professor Whitty, England's chief medical officer, claimed the findings showed a 60-year-old man faced a 1.3 per cent risk of dying of the Kent Covid variant, compared to the usual 1 per cent. But a 30 per cent increase in the risk of death means 13 out of 1,000 men in their 60s will succumb to the illness, instead of 10. Professor Whitty himself admitted the evidence was 'not yet strong'. Data on the lethality of the Kent variant, which has been spotted in 60 countries around the world, was first leaked to the press ahead of Mr Johnson's TV appearance. ITV's political editor Robert Peston was told by Professor Neil Ferguson there was a 'realistic possibility' the variant was deadlier. No10 insiders dismissed claims 'Professor Lockdown' the Imperial College London epidemiologist whose grim modelling that hundreds of thousands of Britons could die without action spooked ministers into lockdown last March had 'bounced' the government into revealing Nervtag's new evidence. Has the UK passed the worst of second peak? The UK's R rate has dropped below one in a dramatic sign that the peak could have been passed. Scientists said the level was down to between 0.8 and 1, compared to 1.2 and 1.3. The number represents how many people an infected individual passes the disease on to, and anything below one means the outbreak is shrinking. Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics said the total number of people with coronavirus dropped last week - but there were still more than a million people infected. And the symptom-tracking Covid Symptom Study estimates that the number of people developing symptoms each day has halved in a fortnight, down to 34,000 a day from 70,000 on January 8, while official death counts show fatalities appear to be declining in London. Numbers of people testing positive through NHS Test and Trace have also tumbled for twelve days in a row, with the daily average tumbling from 60,000 on January 10 to 40,000 yesterday. And an array of other data also suggests the epidemic is coming under control, with Public Health England figures showing positive test rates are down in all regions and age groups. London's average daily death count fell from 169 to 163 in the most recent four days of data and could be set to fall further as official statistics remain lower than they were at the start of this month. Professor Tim Spector, a King's College London epidemiologist, said yesterday that the 'signs are hopeful we're on our way out of this situation'. But he cautioned the virus is still widespread all over the country, with huge numbers of people infected. NHS hospitals are under immense strain and intensive care wards twice as busy as last year, despite thousands of extra beds. Advertisement The doom-mongering came despite an array of statistics showing the second wave has peaked already and may finally be coming under control. Sage yesterday claimed Britain's R rate has fallen below the crucial level of one and separate surveillance studies estimated daily cases have halved in a fortnight. Department of Health figures mirrored the trend, with infections falling by 30 per cent week-on-week as health chiefs announced another 40,261 cases. Officials also posted 1,401 deaths, up just 9.5 per cent on last Friday. But experts warned the fatality toll will continue to rise for at least another week because of how long it takes for infected patients to become severely ill. Defying mounting pressure to commit to easing the current measures, Mr Johnson warned yesterday the NHS is still under huge pressure and the curbs will only be lifted when it is 'safe'. The PM even set the scene for tougher restrictions last night, warning: 'We may need to go further to protect our borders.' Nicola Sturgeon warned Scotland life may not be 'back to normal' by the summer, in another sign the UK will not be freed from the draconian restrictions from mid-February. The 70-strong Covid Recovery Group of Conservative MPs is urging the government to start lifting the lockdown no later than March 8 - when vaccines given to the most vulnerable groups should have taken effect. But No10's refusal to give an exact day for when lockdown will end may have been fuelled by the new variant findings. The variant has already been spotted in 60 countries, including the US, Australia, India, China and Saudi Arabia. But the Government's top scientific advisers believe the current crop of vaccines will work against the variant - but may be less effective against other South African and Brazilian mutations. MailOnline also revealed Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed vaccines may be 50 per cent less effective on the South African variant. He warned allowing the variant to become the dominant strain in the UK could ruin Britain's vaccination drive - which yesterday saw a record 400,00 doses administered in one day. And grim figures laying bare the economically-crippling side of lockdown revealed business activity has fallen even more than expected this month, leaving the UK looking down the barrel of a double dip recession. Number 10 borrowed more than 34billion in December - the third highest monthly total ever - as it scrambles to keep millions of jobs and stricken firms afloat while tax revenues dwindle. In a dramatic sign that the outbreak could be flattening out, Sage said the R rate was between 0.8 and 1. That is down sharply from last week, when it was between 1.2 and 1.3 Worrying strains around the world: Since the Covid pandemic began there have been at least six new stains which appear more infectious and have mutations that open the door to vaccine resistance The ONS report said the number of people likely to test positive for coronavirus came down from 1.122million on January 2 to 1.023million on January 16 Passengers wait at Heathrow Airport yesterday as ministers mull even tighter rules The number of people developing Covid-19 every day appears to have halved in a fortnight from 70,000 on January 8 to 34,000 yesterday, according to the Covid Symptom Study, which uses self-reported symptoms through a mobile app used by around a million people Grim figures published yesterday showed government borrowing soared to 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record - amid growing fears about the UK's debt mountain Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything blow 50 pointing to a contraction No10 insiders flatly dismissed the idea Prof Ferguson had been told to brief Peston and said the suggestion he 'bounced' them into the announcement was 'rubbish'. Sources suggested Prof Ferguson is on Nervtag and knew the announcement was going to be made. The Nervtag report with the evidence on lethality is understood to have landed on the PM's desk yesterday morning, and he was given a 'detailed briefing' on the content by Sir Patrick Vallance. A source said: 'The PM has always been very clear that we have to be transparent with people about the information we had on the variants. The idea that we could have done the press conference without giving the public the information would have been the wrong thing to do.' Tory backbencher Craig Mackinlay told MailOnline some of the scientific warnings were reminiscent of Project Fear and every time there was hope of easing lockdown there was 'a new twist'. Matt Hancock claims South African variant may make vaccines 50% less effective The mutant South African coronavirus variant may make the current crop of vaccines 50 per cent less effective, Matt Hancock has sensationally claimed. In footage obtained by MailOnline, the Health Secretary warned allowing the variant to become the dominant strain in the UK could ruin Britain's vaccination drive and send the country 'back to square one'. Mr Hancock is understood to have made the astonishing comments during an online webinar with travel agents this week, to the shock of everyone on the call. He said there was 'evidence in the public domain' that the South African variant reduces vaccine efficacy by 'about 50 per cent'. Although he followed up by saying: 'We are not sure of this data so I wouldn't say this in public.' The South African strain called B.1.351 has key mutations on its spike protein which scientists fear might make it difficult for the immune system to recognise. These alterations open the door to it being resistant to vaccines, which train the body to spot the spike protein, or natural immunity from previous infection. It comes after South African scientists found that 48 per cent of blood samples from people who had been infected in the past did not show an immune response to the new variant - raising red flags about possible vaccine resistance. The South African version is also though to be at least 60 per cent more infectious than regular Covid and even more transmissible than the Kent variant that ripped through the UK and plunged England into its third national lockdown. The South African strain has already been spotted in the UK 73 times, according to the Covid-19 Genomics Consortium UK (COG-UK). Although it is likely to be far more widespread because COG-UK only analyses 10 per cent of random positive samples. Advertisement He said: 'It seems to me we are now being held hostage to a zero Covid policy which is completely unattainable or if you do attain it we are going to be in lockdown for an incredibly long period. That just cannot be. 'The next thing will be 'oh dear, this new variant from Timbuktu is not responsive to the vaccine', or 'the vaccine doesn't work against it'.' The South Thanet MP, a member of the CRG, went on: 'Because Covid has been with us now for a year it is not at all surprising if the evolution or mutation is going to be towards a different type of which these vaccines can't work against. 'That doesn't matter as such because you then need to formulate a new vaccine. But we are just adding more delay.' Mr Mackinlay said: 'There has got to be a time when you have done the elderly, you've done the vulnerable but the words I seem to be hearing is that this lockdown has got no end to it, because there always seems to be a new twist and turn a reason why it should continue.' He said: 'It does seem to me that scientists are in control of this. I know you wouldn't put an economist in charge of vaccine control, but you wouldn't put these scientists in charge of the economy.' Speaking at last night's Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said: 'We've been informed that in addition to spreading more quickly it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant, the variant that was first identified in London and the South East, may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.' The PM handed over to his chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick, who added: 'If you took a man in their 60s, the average risk is that for a thousand people who got infected, roughly 10 would be expected to, unfortunately, die with the new variant, for a thousand people infected, roughly 13 or 14 people might be expected to die. 'That's the sort of change for that sort of age group.' He added: 'I want to stress that there's a lot of uncertainty around these numbers and we need more work to get a precise handle on it, but it obviously is of concern that this has an increase in mortality as well as an increase in transmissibility, as it appears of [yesterday].' The estimates for R and the growth rate are provided by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M), a sub-group of Sage. The growth rate, which estimates how quickly the number of infections is changing day by day, is between minus 4 per cent and minus 1 per cent for the UK as a whole. It means the number of new infections is shrinking by between 1 per cent and 4 per cent every day. Scientists advising the Government said all regions of England have seen decreases in the R number and growth rate estimates compared with last week, and R is below or around 1 in every region. However, they warned that despite the reductions, case levels 'remain dangerously high and we must remain vigilant to keep this virus under control, to protect the NHS and save lives'. Sage scientists said: 'Cases remain dangerously high and we must remain vigilant to keep this virus under control, to protect the NHS and save lives. 'It is essential that everyone continues to stay at home, whether they have had the vaccine or not. 'We all need to play our part, and if everyone continues to follow the rules, we can expect to drive down the R number across the country.' What do we know about the Kent variant? Name: B.1.1.7, formerly VUI-202012/01 Where did it come from? The variant was first found in Kent and can be traced back to September 2020. Scientists noticed that it was spreading in November and it was revealed to the public in December. What makes it new? The variant, which is a version of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes Covid-19, has a series of mutations that change the shape of the spike protein on its outside. The main one is known as N501Y. This appears to make it better able to stick to the cells inside the body and makes it more likely to cause infection and faster to spread. How did that happen? Viruses, particularly ones spreading so fast and in such huge numbers, mutate all the time. To reproduce they basically force living cells to copy and paste the viral genetic code, and this can contain errors that lead to slightly different versions of the virus. Often these mutations make no difference but, if they make the virus stronger, they can stick around for further generations and become the norm. What can we do about it? Nothing much. People who catch the virus won't know which type they have, and it will still cause the same symptoms and illness. Officials can try to contain it by locking down the areas where it is most prevalent, but if it is stronger than other versions of the virus it will eventually spread everywhere and become dominant as long as people continue to travel. Will it make Covid-19 worse? Scientists aren't sure whether it affects the severity of the disease. Because it is so new, no official data yet exists to track if it is more deadly. If it is, it may be the first of thousands of mutations since the start of the pandemic to increase the risk of death. Will our vaccines still work? Yes, it's very likely they will. Scientists on Sage are fairly sure the mutations the Kent variant carries do not significantly affect how well the immune system can handle it. People who have a vaccine modelled on an older version of the virus, or who have been infected with Covid-19 before, are likely to be immune to it. This is because the main mutations are only on one part of the spike protein, whereas the immune system is able to target various other parts of the virus. Advertisement Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, from the maths faculty at the University of Cambridge, said the drop in R was 'very encouraging news'. He said the decline in positive cases has been slow but cases are 'nearly half what they were three weeks ago, which is enormously hopeful'. Sir David told the BBC that, by next month, the UK will start seeing the benefits of the vaccine rollout. But he also gave a stark vision of the competing concerns that the government is wrestling with. 'The one thing I can be absolutely confident about is that, by this time next month, there is going to be the mother of all argument,' he said. 'Because it's quite feasible that deaths will have come down considerably, infections should have come down considerably, hospitalisations and ICU will still be under a lot of pressure. 'There will be enormous pressure to loosen things up. 'Loosening it up will inevitably lead to an increase in cases, a resurgence of the pandemic among younger groups, and we can see then that does seep through into hospitalisations. 'So there's going to be a real battle going on.' Hopes have been fuelled the UK might have passed the worst of the second wave, with the Office for National Statistics saying the total number of people with coronavirus dropped last week - but there were still more than a million people infected. And the symptom-tracking Covid Symptom Study estimates that the number of people developing symptoms each day has halved in a fortnight, down to 34,000 a day from 70,000 on January 8, and that the R rate of the virus in the UK is just 0.8, while official death counts show fatalities appear to be declining in London. Numbers of people testing positive through NHS Test and Trace have also tumbled for twelve days in a row, with the daily average tumbling from 60,000 on January 10 to 40,000 yesterday, and Public Health England figures show positive test rates were down in all regions and age groups last week. Professor Tim Spector, a King's College London epidemiologist, said yesterday the 'signs are hopeful we're on our way out of this situation'. Sir Desmond Swayne, Conservative MP for New Forest West, said that the Government's focus should be on lowering hospital admissions so lockdown can be lifted. He told Talk Radio: 'As hospital admissions decline, with the progress of vaccination, the notion that ordinary people are going to be prepared to tolerate going on living like troglodytes, in this ridiculous way, is absurd,' Sir Desmond told Talk Radio's Julia Hartley-Brewer. 'We were told - it's always been the case - that we were protecting the NHS and reducing hospital admissions. As they reduce, the burden of lockdown becomes intolerable. 'We are going to have to live with this as an endemic disease. 'There will have to be new strains put into the vaccine every year, and vulnerable groups will have to go and get their vaccine in the autumn - in the same way as you expect them to go and get their vaccine for flu at the moment. 'That's going to be the new normal.' London's average daily death count fell from 169 to 163 in the most recent four days of data and could be set to fall further as official statistics remain lower than they were at the start of this month. But he cautioned the virus is still widespread all over the country, with huge numbers of people infected. NHS hospitals are under immense strain and intensive care wards twice as busy as last year, despite thousands of extra beds. Kent variant timeline September 20 - Variant emerges in a chronically ill Covid-19 patient in Kent November 6 - Infected person takes the new strain to California November 2020 - Spike in cases occurs in Kent and Medway despite national lockdown squashing case numbers in the rest of the country November 23 - Air passenger brings new variant to Florida December 11 - Sage tells the Government about the new variant December 14 - Authorities of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reported to WHO that new SARS-CoV-2 variant was identified through viral genomic sequencing Matt Hancock tells MPs about the new variant December 18 - Sage tells the Government they are concerned about the new variant and its transmissibility December 20 - London, South East and East of England go into new Tier 4 restrictions due to spike in cases due to new variant December 21 - More than 40 countries halt flights from UK due to new variant December 29 - First case is spotted in the US All dates are for the year 2020 Advertisement More than 20,000 people have died since January 1 and thousands more will die in the coming weeks even with cases continuing to fall because it can take weeks for infected patients to become severely ill. Almost 40,000 Britons are currently in hospital with Covid. Despite the flattening, the direction of travel in government seems to be towards tightening lockdown even further. And No10 delivered a rebuke yesterday afternoon to Tory MPs urging the government to release a blueprint for how lockdown will be eased when the first phase of vaccine rollout is complete. The PM's spokesman said: 'It's important that we continue to monitor the latest situation. 'You see the latest figures that we publish on a daily basis which clearly show that transmission rates of the virus remain high. 'The NHS continues to be under pressure and the number of patients admitted to hospital remains at a high level. 'It's obviously the case that we want to see the transmission rate of the virus come down and therefore the pressure on the NHS eased. 'The Prime Minister has been clear that we will lift restrictions as soon as we can but only when it is deemed safe to do so.' Signs are promising that the vaccine programme is progressing well. More than 400,000 Britons were vaccinated against coronavirus on yesterday, official figures show, as the NHS drive to inoculate the most vulnerable continues to gather steam. Department of Health figures published yesterday reveal 412,615 jabs were carried out on Thursday, marking the third day in a row the scheme has picked up the pace. The Government is aiming to vaccinate all 15million in the top priority groups - over-70s, NHS staff, vulnerable and care home residents - by mid-February, meaning they will need to get jabs into the arms of 350,000 people a day. 400,000 Britons are vaccinated in record day More than 400,000 Britons were vaccinated against coronavirus on yesterday, official figures show, as the NHS drive to inoculate the most vulnerable continues to gather steam. Department of Health figures published yesterday reveal 412,615 jabs were carried out on Thursday, marking the third day in a row the scheme has picked up the pace. The Government is aiming to vaccinate all 15million in the top priority groups - over-70s, NHS staff, vulnerable and care home residents - by mid-February, meaning they will need to get jabs into the arms of 350,000 people a day. But the figures show the daily target was exceeded, sparking hopes the Government will make good on its promise which will pile pressure on ministers to end the brutal lockdown sooner. Overall, more than 5.3million Britons have been vaccinated against the virus since the scheme began. In Wales 21,901 jabs were administered yesterday, official figures reveal. The nation has vaccinated 212,700 people in total, including giving 212,317 first doses and 415 second doses. In Scotland 23,800 jabs were completed bringing its total to 363,143 including 358,000 first doses and 4,600 second doses. And in Northern Ireland almost 7,000 jabs were done on January 21. In total it has completed 173,500 jabs including 150,000 first doses and 22,510 second doses. Advertisement But the figures show the daily target was exceeded, sparking hopes the Government will make good on its promise which will pile pressure on ministers to end the brutal lockdown sooner. Overall, more than 5.3million Britons have been vaccinated against the virus since the scheme began. In Wales 21,901 jabs were administered yesterday, official figures reveal. The nation has vaccinated 212,700 people in total, including giving 212,317 first doses and 415 second doses. In Scotland 23,800 jabs were completed bringing its total to 363,143 including 358,000 first doses and 4,600 second doses. And in Northern Ireland almost 7,000 jabs were done on January 21. In total it has completed 173,500 jabs including 150,000 first doses and 22,510 second doses. There were reports ministers are already in talks with hotel chains over plans to force UK arrivals to quarantine at airports. Travellers could be prevented from using their own accommodation under the proposals being put together by the government. Using GPS tags to ensure compliance is also believed to have been considered. The draconian 'quarantine hotel' system, similar to that used in Australia and New Zealand, is a prospect amid rising fears about the spread of Covid variants around the globe. Arrivals would potentially have to pay for their stays while they self-isolate for 10 days, or even a fortnight. The powerful Covid O Cabinet sub-committee is due to discuss the ideas over the coming days - although a final decision is not likely until next week. Environment Secretary George has refused to rule out even more drastic action, with foreigners barred from coming to the UK altogether. Asked about the possibility in a round of interviews, Mr Eustice told Sky News: 'We always keep these things under review. And it has been considered. Boris refuses to rule out tough new border curbs Boris Johnson set the scene for tougher restrictions on travel into the UK last night as he warned: 'We may need to go further to protect our borders'. The Prime Minister refused to rule out tough new measures including enforced quarantine in specially designated hotels as he led a press conference this evening. Amid fears that a strain of coronavirus that originated in South Africa may be more resistant to vaccines he told the nation making it too easy for it and other variants to enter would under all the hard work put in by locked down Britons. Desperate wrangling is going on within Cabinet over the shape of the restrictions, set to be finalised at a meeting of the core Covid O sub-committee on Monday. A range of escalations are being considered to combat the global spread of variants, with a full border closure to foreign nationals still on the table. However, the most likely outcome is a version of the enforced isolation system used by countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Asked whether new border measures were coming, at the press conference, Mr Johnson said: 'I really don't rule it out, we may need to take further measures still. 'We may need to go further to protect our borders. 'We don't want to put that [all the effort to control the virus] at risk by having a new variant come back in.' Advertisement 'There is concern at the moment about the number of mutant strains.' Any new restrictions would be a further blow to the beleaguered travel industry and put the holiday plans of millions at risk. It comes as Britain's airports are already struggling to cope with demand, with passengers queuing for hours yesterday to get through passport control at Heathrow as the border situation worsened. The lines were so long staff were said to have handed out free water to exhausted travellers just hours after the Home Office insisted there were no staffing issues and people were moving through in 'good time'. The proposal to hand out 500 to everyone who tests positive for coronavirus has surfaced amid efforts to increase compliance - with many believed to dodge the rules because they cannot afford to stop working. Detailed in an official policy paper, it is said to be the 'preferred position' of Mr Hancock's Department of Health. Officials fear that too many with Covid symptoms fail to take a test in case knowing a positive result stops them working. However, it appears to have blindsided Downing Street, with sources making clear No10 was had not seen the blueprint before it was leaked and warning it would create 'perverse incentives'. Treasury officials said it was 'not going to happen' and swiped that they had 'zero idea' how Mr Hancock allowed it to get traction. 'Just bonkers. The whole country will suddenly develop a dry cough,' one said. Sage warns lockdown must not be lifted too soon The Government will have a fierce battle with Sage on its hands if it wants to lift lockdown rules in February or mid-way through the vaccine rollout, meeting records show. Files from the scientific advisers show they have repeatedly warned that ministers face another epidemic and 'very many hospital admissions and deaths' if they jump the gun. A batch of papers from Sage, published yesterday, revealed: There were staggering 117,000 to 287,000 new coronavirus infections per day before the third lockdown, Sage estimated; It was 'not clear' on January 6 whether this lockdown would work at keeping the virus under control. The new variant will undoubtedly make it slower to take effect and the NHS should expect the same level of pressure, or more, into the middle of February; The impact of the vaccines on the R rate in the UK will be 'modest' by mid-February, and lockdown should only be relaxed when virus prevalence and hospital pressure are both low; It is critical to get 'extremely high' vaccine coverage in vulnerable people before lockdown rules are loosened; If lockdown rules are loosened mid-vaccine rollout there will be another full-blown epidemic with 'very many hospital admissions and deaths'; The Kent variant, also known as B.1.1.7, may be more transmissible because it 'grows well in the airways'; Nervtag said in December that it expected data on whether Kent variant was more deadly 'in the next few days'; Variants of the virus will very likely emerge, Sage warns, and this becomes more likely as more people develop immunity and the virus faces pressure to evolve to survive. Advertisement Mr Eustice refused to rule out the plan entirely, saying ministers were looking at reasons why people avoid self-isolating with Covid symptoms. But he stressed that 'no decisions' had been taken and the government was 'always keeping multiple policies under review'. The wrangling came as as grim figures showed business activity plunging into the red again this month. Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything below 50 pointing to a contraction. It was significantly worse than the expectations of analysts, who had predicted 46.1, underlining the devastating impact of the pandemic. Economists warned that a double-dip downturn is now firmly 'on the cards' after the fledgling recovery from the worst recession in 300 years was strangled by action to control a surge in cases. Figures last week showed GDP dropping 2.6 per cent in November during the second England-wide Covid lockdown. Any December rally will have been smothered by the harsh 'tier' controls in England, and the renewed blanket curbs in January. In more signs of the huge problems facing the country, figures have revealed public borrowing hit 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record. And retail sales saw the largest fall since records began last year, even though there was a slight uptick in December. However, separate PMI released for the Eurozone show the UK is far from alone, with France and other major players also facing GDP going into reverse again. Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at IHS Markit, said its 'flash' PMI for this month showed the crucial services sector had been hit 'especially hard'. However, in a crumb of comfort, he said the scale of the downturn was far less dramatic than last spring. 'A steep slump in business activity in January puts the locked-down UK economy on course to contract sharply in the first quarter of 2021, meaning a double-dip recession is on the cards,' he said. 'Services have once again been especially hard hit, but manufacturing has seen growth almost stall, blamed on a cocktail of COVID-19 and Brexit, which has led to increasingly widespread supply delays, rising costs and falling exports. 'Worryingly, January also saw companies reduce headcounts at an increased rate again albeit less so than seen between March and November. The steepest loss of jobs was recorded in the hotels, restaurants, travel and leisure sectors, reflecting the new lockdown measures. 'Encouragingly, the current downturn looks far less severe than that seen during the first national lockdown, and businesses have become increasingly optimistic about the outlook, thanks mainly to progress in rolling out COVID-19 vaccines. 'Business hopes for the year ahead have risen the highest for over six-and-a-half years, boding well for the economy to return to solid growth once virus restrictions ease.' Government borrowing soared to 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record - amid growing fears about the UK's debt mountain. UK faces double-dip recession as business activity slumps in January Britain is facing a double-dip recession as grim figures showed business activity plunging into the red again this month. Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything below 50 pointing to a contraction. It was significantly worse than the expectations of analysts, who had predicted 46.1, underlining the devastating impact of the pandemic. Economists warned that a double-dip downturn is now firmly 'on the cards' after the fledgling recovery from the worst recession in 300 years was strangled by action to control a surge in cases. Figures last week showed GDP dropping 2.6 per cent in November during the second England-wide Covid lockdown. Any December rally will have been smothered by the harsh 'tier' controls in England, and the renewed blanket curbs in January. In more signs of the huge problems facing the country, figures have revealed public borrowing hit 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record. And retail sales saw the largest fall since records began last year, even though there was a slight uptick in December. However, separate PMI released for the Eurozone show the UK is far from alone, with France and other major players also facing GDP going into reverse again. Advertisement The number for the last month of 2020 was 28.2billion higher than the equivalent period in 2019 as the pandemic wreaked havoc on the economy and ministers lashed out on massive bailouts such as furlough. It pushed total borrowing for the first nine months of the financial year to 270.8billion, the peak for any April to December period since records began in 1993. There are fears the full-year figure will top 400billion. Even in the aftermath of the credit crunch, borrowing only hit 158billion in 2009-10. The UK's debt pile reached 2.13trillion by the end of 2020, around 99.4 per cent of GDP - the highest debt to GDP ratio since 1962. Other PMI produced by IHS Markit yesterday showed a double-dip recession in the Eurozone is 'increasingly inevitable', with France among the countries most seriously hit. The slowdown among business activities in the currency area intensified in January as the pandemic continued to batter the continent. Government scientists yesterday urged ministers to delay the reopening of pubs and restaurants until at least May to prevent another wave of the virus. Whitehall sources suggested schools could remain shut to most pupils until after Easter. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the UK Hospitality trade body, said many pubs and restaurants would 'struggle to survive' if they were forced to keep their doors closed until May. She added: 'If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be very little left of the hospitality sector and the 3.2million people who work in it to reopen at that point in May.' In recent weeks, the Prime Minister has repeatedly spoken of a return to normality this spring. Last month he said: 'We're no longer resting on the mere hope that we can return to normal next year in the spring but rather the sure and certain knowledge that we will succeed.' But asked directly whether the country was 'looking at summer rather than spring' for an easing of lockdown yesterday, he replied: 'I think it's too early to say when we'll be able to lift some of some of the restrictions.' The PM said the new variant of the disease 'does spread very fast indeed', adding: 'It unquestionably will be a very tough few weeks ahead.' No10 also refused to rule out an extended lockdown when asked to clarify Mr Johnson's remarks. There are early signs in Government data that number of people dying each day in London has turned a corner and started to decline in mid-January, with the daily average declining from 169 to 163 and falling for four days in a row between January 10 and 14 Hancock faces backlash over 'bonkers' plan to give people 500 when they test positive for Covid Matt Hancock faced a furious backlash yesterday after 'bonkers' plans surfaced to give everyone testing positive for Covid 500. The proposal, which would cost up to 450million a week, is aimed at encouraging more people to undergo swabs and self-isolate to stop the virus spreading. Detailed in an official policy paper, it is said to be the 'preferred position' of Mr Hancock's Department of Health. Officials fear that too many with Covid symptoms fail to take a test in case knowing a positive result stops them working. However, it appears to have blindsided Downing Street, with sources making clear No10 was had not seen the blueprint before it was leaked and warning it would create 'perverse incentives'. Treasury officials said it was 'not going to happen' and swiped that they had 'zero idea' how Mr Hancock allowed it to get traction. 'Just bonkers. The whole country will suddenly develop a dry cough,' one said. In a round of interviews this morning, Environment Secretary George Eustice refused to rule out the plan entirely, saying ministers were looking at reasons why people avoid self-isolating with Covid symptoms. But he stressed that 'no decisions' had been taken and the government was 'always keeping multiple policies under review'. Advertisement Asked directly whether he could rule out the lockdown lasting into the summer, the PM's official spokesman said: 'We will continue to keep all of the scientific evidence and data under review. 'It remains our position that we want to ease restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so, but in order for us to do that we need to see the transmission rates of the virus come down and we need to see the pressure on the NHS reduce.' A Government source insisted that the PM's comments did not amount to a change in the timetable for easing the lockdown. 'People should not read too much into this,' the source said. 'The PM wants to reopen as quickly as we safely can, but cases are very high and only coming down slowly there has to be a degree of caution.' Former Tory chief whip Mr Harper said the public now needed a timetable for easing the lockdown. Mr Harper, chairman of the Covid Recovery Group, said achieving the Government's target to vaccinate the 15million most vulnerable by February 15 should clear the way for restrictions to be lifted three weeks later when the vaccines had taken effect. 'Covid causes serious harm and it's vital we control it effectively,' he said. 'But this cycle of lockdowns and restrictions cause immense damage too to people's health, livelihoods and businesses. 'Once the top four risk groups have been vaccinated and fully protected... the Government must start easing the restrictions.' But Government scientists and health chiefs warned it was much too soon to even contemplate easing restrictions. Dr Vin Diwakar, medical director for the NHS in London said the pandemic was 'the biggest health emergency to face this country since the Second World War'. Rounding on those still flouting the lockdown rules, he told a Downing Street press briefing: 'For me and my colleagues in the NHS breaking the rules.... is like switching on a light in the middle of the blackout in the Blitz.' And Dr Marc Baguelin, of Imperial College London, who sits on a sub-group of the Government's Sage committee, said the early opening of the hospitality sector would lead to a rise in Covid cases. He told BBC Radio Four's World at One programme: 'Something of this scale, if it was to happen earlier than May, would generate a bump in transmission, which is already really bad.' No Glasto in June for the second year Glastonbury Festival has been cancelled for the second year running thanks to the pandemic. The organisers say they 'moved heaven and earth' trying to make it happen but continuing uncertainty means Britain's biggest musical jamboree attended by 200,000 fans in 2019 cannot go ahead. It was due to celebrate its 50th anniversary last year but had to be called off days before the first lockdown in March. Now organisers Michael and Emily Eavis say the 2021 event cannot go ahead. Sir Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and rapper Kendrick Lamar were scheduled to headline the Pyramid stage and Diana Ross was the Sunday afternoon 'legend'. People in the festival crowd enjoy watching Dizzee Rascal on the Pyramid stage during day two of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 25, 2010 in Glastonbury, England Primal Scream, Dua Lipa, Manic Street Preachers and Lana Del Ray were also on the bill. The father and daughter Eavis team said yesterday: 'With great regret, we must announce that this year's Glastonbury Festival will not take place and that this will be another enforced fallow year for us. 'In spite of our efforts to move heaven and earth, it has become clear that we simply will not be able to make the festival happen.' They said those who secured tickets with 50 deposits in 2019 will be able to roll this over to the next event in June 2022. Disappointed fans due to descend on Worthy Farm, Somerset, from June 23-28 said the move was understandable, but Tory MP Julian Knight, chairman of the Commons culture committee, called it a 'devastating' blow and criticised the government's failure to set up an insurance scheme to save major events. Tom Watson, head of UK Music, said such a backup scheme 'wouldn't have cost too much' and if Britain's vaccine rollout proved a success Glastonbury would have provided an ideal celebration. Eurostar passengers down 94% of passengers Eurostar passenger numbers plummeted 94 per cent at the end of 2020, it emerged yesterday, sparking fresh calls for a joint UK-French support package. Officials from both sides continued talks yesterday in a bid to strike a deal amid fears the Channel Tunnel firm is facing bankruptcy. Yesterday's figures reveal that, over the course of 2020, passenger numbers were down 77 per cent, dropping from just over 11 million in 2019 to 2.5 million. Workers clean the platform area as a Eurostar train bound for Paris prepares to leave St Pancras International train station in London on January 18, 2021 The fall reached 94 per cent in the final quarter when passenger numbers were 170,010, compared with 2,624,943 in 2019. One rescue option being discussed would involve the Bank of England providing funds from its Covid loan facility. Industry projections suggest Eurostar, which is majority-owned by the French government, could go bust by April, although company insiders say reserves could stretch until summer. The UK Government sold its 40 per cent stake in Eurostar in 2015. Cafes and bars could see 3.2m jobs axed By Claire Ellicott and Sami Quadri for The Daily Mail Hospitality chiefs issued a dire warning about the future of many businesses last night after doctors advised that the reopening of pubs and restaurants should be pushed back to May. Industry leaders said that just one in five restaurants, pubs and bars had enough cash to get through beyond March. It came after Sage scientists who advise the Government warned that the sector would have to stay closed until at least May to limit the spread of coronavirus. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, told Radio 4's The World At One that if the reopening of the sector was delayed until May, 3.2million could lose their jobs. Diners in Old Compton Street, Soho, London, in August 2020 'Just one in five hospitality businesses are confident that they will have enough cash to get through beyond March,' she said. 'There is no way that businesses will be able to survive until May with no revenues coming in for seven months. 'It's a cash burn of half a billion pounds to keep the sector closed each and every month. If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be little left of the hospitality sector and the 3.2million people who work in it to reopen at that point in May.' She said she hoped that with the vaccination programme under way, there would be a 'pathway' to the lifting of restrictions. 'Otherwise I think you've got a danger that you have an impact on peoples' mental health and well-being and also their economic health and well-being,' she said. A man wearing a face mask as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, walks past a closed pub in the City of London, on January 15, 2021 If the sector is closed until May, she warned, there would need to be a 'significant additional injection of cash support from the Government because the support at the moment is just not sufficient to sustain and maintain businesses and jobs'. Doctors warned restaurants would not be able to open until May because it would push up the R rate. Dr Marc Baguelin of Imperial College London, who sits on the Sage committee, said: 'We looked at partial reopening and the increase of the R number and found that it will generate an increase, the extent of which we don't really know. 'And if this was to happen earlier than May, it will generate a bump which is really bad ... at best you will carry on having a very unsustainable level of pressure on the NHS.' School's out until Easter? By Jason Groves for The Daily Mail Schools could remain shut until after the Easter holidays unless virus cases fall dramatically in the coming weeks, it was feared last night. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term. But with Covid cases still at high levels, Downing Street refused to be drawn on the likely restart for millions of children stuck trying to learn from home. And a government source acknowledged it was becoming 'increasingly difficult' to see how schools could be reopened next month, given the state of the pandemic. During a round of media interviews yesterday, Mr Williamson insisted there would be no repeat of the shambolic episode at the start of this month when schools were ordered to close just one day after returning from the Christmas break. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term (stock photo) He said schools would get at least two weeks' notice of any order to reopen suggesting that ministers will have to decide by February 8 whether classrooms will reopen for the start of the second half of the spring term on February 22. Although Boris Johnson has prioritised the early reopening of schools, government scientists have warned that a return to the classroom could trigger another sharp spike. 'We have to be realistic about the situation we are in and the impact reopening schools might have,' a source told the Mail. Dr Mary Bousted, of the National Education Union, said: 'After the chaos and confusion that government incompetence over school opening and closure has created, it is good we now have an assurance from Gavin Williamson that school staff will be given two weeks' notice before reopening. 'The last thing that parents and children need now is a stop-start approach. We all want schools to be open, but they must be opened when it is safe to do so, and when the conditions are right to keep schools open sustainably.' Any delays will pile pressure on Mr Williamson to ensure high quality education is available to all those children forced to stay at home. He said a further 1.3 million laptops, tablets and routers would be distributed to those in need in the coming weeks to widen access to online learning, providing the 'ultimate safety net' for disadvantaged pupils. He added that he had 'made it clear to schools' what was the 'absolute minimum' they were expected to provide. Mr Williamson said he wanted to get pupils back in the classroom at the 'earliest possible opportunity', adding: 'I would certainly hope that that would be before Easter.' Downing Street confirmed that Mr Johnson wanted schools to reopen as quickly as possible but refused to be drawn on when that would be. 'If we can open them up before Easter we obviously will do but that is determined by the latest scientific evidence and data,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said. Liverpool have produced 104 crosses from open play in their last four games, with 30 of those coming against Burnley. Trent Alexander-Arnold was whipping the ball in over and over, and his 5ft-something team-mates were failing to meet them. I scored my fair share of goals with my head but, at 6ft 3in, I had a fighting chance! Burnleys big defenders were gobbling up Alexander-Arnolds crosses. Trent Alexander-Arnold was whipping the ball in and his team-mates were failing to meet it Burnleys big defenders were gobbling up Alexander-Arnolds crosses, but Liverpool kept at it But still Liverpool relied on this tactic, as they have in their previous goal-shy games. Their 1-0 loss to Southampton at the start of this month saw them produce 35 crosses from open play their most in a Premier League match under Jurgen Klopp. What was Albert Einsteins definition of insanity again? Liverpool are repeatedly crossing the ball and results arent changing. Looking at their struggles in front of goal, Id like to see more from Roberto Firmino. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are struggling to score, and it is clear confidence is low Roberto Firmino is capable of leading them out of this funk, but he needs to step up Hes been their false nine who is better known for being selfless than grabbing goals. But Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are struggling to score. Confidence is low and they arent anticipating where the ball is going to go as they normally would. This is when Firmino could do with chipping in. Liverpool won the title with him contributing nine goals. A total of 25 players bettered that in 2019-20. Firmino got away with it because of Salah and Mane. Now it would be nice to see him get his numbers up. A Las Vegas-based tour bus heading to the Grand Canyon rolled in northwestern Arizona on Friday, killing one person and critically injuring two others, authorities said. A spokeswoman for the Mohave County Sheriff's Office said the cause of the Friday afternoon wreck was not yet known, but a fire official who responded said speed appeared to be a factor. No other vehicles were involved. 'It was a heavily damaged bus. He slid down the road quite a ways, so there was a lot of wreckage,' said Lake Mohave Ranchos Fire District Chief Tim Bonney. 'Just to put it in perspective, on a scale of zero to 10, an eight.' None of the passengers was ejected from the vehicle but they were all in shock, Bonney said. A bus rolled over in northwestern Arizona on Friday, killing one and critically injuring two A spokeswoman for the Mohave County Sheriff's Office said the cause of the Friday afternoon wreck was not yet known, but a fire official who responded said speed appeared to be a factor 'A lot of them were saying the bus driver was driving at a high rate of speed,' he said. A photo from the sheriff's office showed the bus on its side on a road that curves through Joshua trees with no snow or rain in the remote area. There were 48 people on the bus, including the driver, authorities said. After the crash, 44 people were sent to Kingman Regional Medical Center, including two flown by medical helicopter, spokeswoman Teri Williams said. All the others were treated for minor injuries, she said. Two people were critically injured, said Mohave County sheriff's spokeswoman Anita Mortensen. The Mohave County Communication Center received multiple calls about the bus rolling over around 12:21pm local time, according to 8NewsNow. The bus came to rest on its side by milepost 5 on Diamond Bar Road. It's not clear how much the bus rolled before stopping. The name of the tour bus company involved has yet to be released publicly. The bus crash happened as the tour bus was en route to Grand Canyon West The bus was heading to Grand Canyon West, about two and a half hours from Las Vegas and outside the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park. The tourist destination sits on the Hualapai reservation and is best known for the Skywalk, a glass bridge that juts out 70 feet from the canyon walls and gives visitors a view of the Colorado River 4,000 feet below. Before the pandemic, about 1 million people a year visited Grand Canyon West, mostly through tours booked out of Las Vegas. The Hualapai reservation includes 108 miles of the Grand Canyon's western rim. In addition to the Skywalk, the tribe has helicopter tours on its land, horseback rides, a historic guano mine and a one-day whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River. Rafters who are on trips through the Grand Canyon also can get on and off the river on the reservation. One person who was on the bus when it rolled over was Sandra McDougal. 'Thank you everyone for your prayers. Truly means alot,' McDougal said on Facebook. 'Badly bruised and sore. The memories will last and need prayers since I was sitting next to the lady who passed and trying to help her.. I can't stop crying.' Sandra McDougal was on the bus when it crashed and tried to help the person who passed In a statement issued late Friday, the Hualapai Tribe and its businesses said they were saddened by the rollover and that safety is the highest priority for guests, employees and vendors. 'As a people, our hearts go out to those so deeply affected,' the statement read. 'We wish speedy recoveries to those requiring medical attention.' National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway said he didn't immediately have more details about the crash. The agency doesn't send investigators to all bus crashes. The Arizona Red Cross tweeted that it was monitoring the situation. 'The @redcross Central & Northern AZ Chapter is aware of the transportation accident involving a bus near the Grand Canyon and is monitoring the situation.' The Red Cross' chapter in Arizona is keeping an eye on the situation following the crash Other, deadly crashes have happened before in the area. Four Chinese nationals died in 2016 when their van collided with a Dallas Cowboys staff bus headed to a preseason promotional stop in Las Vegas. In 2009, a tour bus carrying Chinese nationals overturned on U.S. 93 near the Hoover Dam, killing several people and injuring others. The group was returning from a Grand Canyon trip. Federal investigators cited driver inattention as the probable cause of that crash. The bus driver was attempting to fix a problem with airflow through his door before the crash and became distracted, then veered off the road and overcorrected before crossing a median and overturning. Most of the passengers were ejected. Texas Sues Biden Administration Over Deportation Freeze Order The state of Texas on Friday sued the Biden administration over a memorandum suspending the deportations of illegal aliens. On its first day in office, the Biden Administration cast aside congressionally enacted immigration laws and suspended the removal of illegal aliens whose removal is compelled by those very laws. In doing so, it ignored basic constitutional principles and violated its written pledge to work cooperatively with the State of Texas to address shared immigration enforcement concerns, the lawsuit (pdf), filed in a federal district court in Texas, states. This unlawful reversal will cause Texas immediate and irreparable harm if it is not enjoined. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not respond to a request for comment. President Joe Bidens Acting DHS Secretary David Pekoske issued a memo (pdf) on Jan. 20 directing an immediate pause on removals of any noncitizen with a final order of removal (except as noted below) for 100 days. The exceptions to the order include illegal aliens who have either engaged in or are suspected of terrorism or espionage. According to the lawsuit, Pekoskes memo affects nearly all illegal aliens with pending deportations including those whose removal was ordered following a full and fair hearing and those who are not entitledand do not claim to be entitledto further immigration benefits. The lawsuit claims that the order violates and agreement between DHS and Texas because the agency failed to notify the state of the changes and did not consider the harms Texas may suffer as a result. The lawsuit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, asks the federal court to declare Pekoskes memo unlawful and to block the defendants from executing the order. In one of its first of dozens of steps that harm Texas and the nation as a whole, the Biden administration directed DHS to violate federal immigration law and breach an agreement to consult and cooperate with Texas on that law. Our state defends the largest section of the southern border in the nation. Failure to properly enforce the law will directly and immediately endanger our citizens and law enforcement personnel, Paxton said in a statement. DHS itself has previously acknowledged that such a freeze on deportations will cause concrete injuries to Texas. I am confident that these unlawful and perilous actions cannot stand. Can Americans still have a sensible and friendly political discussion across the partisan divide? The answer is yes, and we intend to prove it. Julie Roginsky, a Democrat, and Mike DuHaime, a Republican, are consultants who have worked on opposite teams for their entire careers yet have remained friends throughout. Here, they discuss the weeks events with Dave DAlessandro of the Star-Ledger Editorial Board. Q. Lets start with President Bidens inaugural speech, which was plain-spoken and empathetic, with multiple calls for unity and rejections of lies told for power and profit. How did his message play in red regions? Mike: I think people of good will, even those who disagree with the new president, will give him his day, hear his message, pray for our countrys success, and give him a chance. Biden has an opportunity to play well in red states because he is more centrist than many elements of his party. Julie: I wish there were more people in your party like you, Mike, but we are a deeply divided country and I fear that there are not enough people of good will left. Conspiracy theories that were once the province of the far reaches of the internet have gone mainstream, with lies being parroted by television hucksters posing as journalists. There are thousands of people who believe that Donald Trump switched faces with Joe Biden and was secretly inaugurated for a second time this week. All of this is stoked by members of Congress who desperately need these delusional people to vote for them. So I dont hold out much hope that lofty rhetoric will break this fever anytime soon. Mike: Republicans should work with Biden when hes right and against him when hes wrong. The party mustnt knee-jerk oppose everything to appease those who profit from perpetual hate. How are we going to live together? Don't try to unite, or win the argument with seditionists. Instead change the subject. "Who won the 2020 election? is, for these purposes, a bad topic. How do we fix the potholes in our roads? is, in contrast, superb. https://t.co/cyElSwLIXE Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) January 20, 2021 Q. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said that the Capitol Hill rioters were fed lies and that it was provoked by Donald Trump and other powerful people. Is this an inflection point in the impeachment scenario, and does that rebuke damage those other powerful people? Mike: Yes, it is. McConnell is giving other Republican senators a green light to vote for impeachment. McConnell is now the most powerful Republican in the country. His leadership outside of legislative matters is now more important than ever. The GOP now has two factions those that buy into the post-election lie of Trump and those who will speak truth so we can move forward. Julie: Good for Mitch McConnell. It only took Trump lifting off to Palm Beach for him to find his backbone and state the obvious. Those other powerful people couldnt care less what McConnell says about them. They know and we know that he wont do anything to sanction them or, likely, even to hold them or Trump accountable by voting to convict him in a senate trial. As for those to whom McConnell was alluding, likes Senators Cruz and Hawley, I believe they still have their committee assignments and will receive the support of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee should they run for re-election. Mike: If McConnell votes to impeach, some unexpected votes will follow. Julie: If is the operative word. I doubt McConnell will vote to convict. A seditionist still stained by a failed assault on the republic pauses to wrap his cynical carcass in the flag: https://t.co/no8W42nWW0 David Simon (@AoDespair) January 21, 2021 Q. The Senate is still crafting an epilogue, but what single moment, action, statement, tweet, or policy will define the Trump presidency for you, when your grandkids inquire in 30 years? Mike: The capitol riot is the moment where all the lies came to a head. Thats the moment well remember in 30 years. The pandemic unfolded in slow motion, without one catalyzing moment, though we will all remember the week in March when America shut down. Those memories will likely wipe out any positives Trump could have pointed to like a strong economy, tax cuts, some foreign policy successes and the incredibly successful rapid vaccine development. Julie: Kids in cages. I have still not gotten over that and I hope I never do. Trump started his presidency raving about American carnage and boy, did he deliver. Trump's legacy: 400,000 dead from the virus. Members of Congress and his own vice president targeted for harm and even death by his supporters. In other words: American carnage. Julie Roginsky (@julieroginsky) January 20, 2021 Q. A Republican committeeman in Hudson County, Joshua Einstein, was exposed for his abuse of women through a two-year-old social media post, but he still plans to run for county chair. What should the partys response be? Mike: The partys response should be to beat him in his current race. The texts reek of the worst caricature of testosterone-fueled male high school bravado, bragging about emotional abuse and making fun of fooling a young woman. He has admitted this was wrong and hopefully an apology will come. The thing to do here is support his opponent, Jose Arango, who has worked very hard to expand the party, making it more diverse, in one of the most difficult places for Republicans, Hudson County. Gov. Christie won half the Hudson County municipalities towns in his re-election, an incredible feat, and Jose was a key part of that success. Julie: Anyone is entitled to run. I hope the Republican Party soundly repudiates him. Treating women with respect should not be a partisan issue. Q. The leading contender for US Attorney from New Jersey is Hudson County prosecutor Esther Suarez, who lately is best known for mangling the Katie Brennan rape investigation. Should Sens. Menendez and Booker take that into consideration as they champion this appointment? Mike: Absolutely it should be taken into consideration, but I will leave this controversial issue to the US Senators who will have much more information at their disposal than I do reading the newspaper. Julie: Senators Menendez and Booker are both very thoughtful legislators and I am certain that they will take the totality of any candidates record before putting him or her forward for what is arguably the most powerful job in the state. Q. Pro-Trump candidate Doug Steinhardt ended his short run for NJ governor an apparent victim of the insurrection backlash so does this clear the runway for Jack Ciattarelli? Why not stick it out to see whether Trump fades from the spotlight? Mike: This is great news for Ciattarelli. This was set to be a bruising primary. Now Jack can focus all his energy on consolidating the party early, raising money and making a contrast with Murphy. Frankly, I was surprised Doug Steinhardt dropped from the race. For all Trumps negatives in New Jersey, being aligned with him probably would have still helped Doug in a primary. Julie: I cant speak to Doug Steinhardts motivation but Mike is right that this clears the path for Ciattarelli, who wont have to litigate loyalty to Trump for the next four months. Q. Rep. Chris Smith, the entrenched Republican from NJ-4, voted against impeachment, calling it a highly partisan rush that lacks an objective investigation of the facts from the Jan. 6th insurrection. He also circulated a myth about antifa involvement. Thoughts? Mike: I dont agree with this vote, but Chris Smith is a good person, one of the best human beings in Congress, who has been consistent in his beliefs regardless of who is president. Smith is one of the minority of Republicans who voted to certify the election, which puts him on the right side of sanity after the Capitol riot and the lies that led up to it. I was proud to see him make that difficult vote against party leadership and against Trumps wishes. Julie: I used to agree with Mikes views on Rep. Smith, but after he promulgated right-wing lies and tried to shift blame I have changed my mind. Being pro-life is not just about abortion. Its also about ensuring that human beings can live life without fear of physical harm or death for performing their constitutional duty. There comes a moment in every persons life when he or she needs to put aside the nonsense and hold accountable those who are responsible for inexcusable behavior. That would be Donald Trump and his band of unhinged white supremacists and QAnon followers. Smith refused to do that and instead shifted the blame to the chimera invented by the right-wing media echo chamber. "If something comes out of the last four years, four years of somebody lying to us, it can be that we are finally, completely honest about how broken things have gotten." - @jonlovett #LateShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/MhehQhwLqw A Late Show (@colbertlateshow) January 21, 2021 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether its a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. New Delhi: Days after the Trumps exited the White House, the former FLOTUS Melania Trump seems to have had enough of the media attention around her and her husband former US President and reality TV star Donald Trump. In a display of pure nonchalance, Melania Trump was seen abandoning her husband's side infront of press reporters. In Florida, after the Trumps stepped out of the aircraft, they were greeted with a usual flurry of reporters but in a shocking move, Melania decided to keep walking even as Donald stopped to acknowledge the media. The incident left the social media laughing and also raising eyebrows at the divorce rumours between former President and his wife, once again. Here are some reactions hilarious reactions on Twitter: One user put out this video with this caption. If Im over it were a person. pic.twitter.com/CLA8WucyXX The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) January 21, 2021 While another could not help but notice a major difference in Melania Trump. After 4 long years, @MELANIATRUMP can finally smile again! Nature is healing. pic.twitter.com/bRNoR5PBrh Sleepy Moogle (@BaileysComet_xo) January 22, 2021 Some even pointed out at her dress. #MelaniaTrump looks ecstatic to leave the White House (left). But then arrives in Florida with this #COVID19 inspired dress!! She realized on the flight that she has to live at #MarALago with #Trump 24/7!! But I Really Dont Care. Do You?? pic.twitter.com/n6bm8GQRqA Dan Pereira (@ddanpereira) January 22, 2021 The video has once again sparked rumours of the two nearing a divorce a rumour that has been doing the rounds for the past few months. Many believe it was only till the end of Trump's presidential term that the couple had decided to stay together, and now that the White House is not their residence anymore, Melania will soon be filing for a divorce. Earlier it was claimed that by some former Trump administration aides, that Melania Trump is 'counting the minutes until he is out of office and she can divorce him'. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. High 49F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 35F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. ORANGE, Ohio Reckless operation (off-street), no operators license: Orange Place A patrol officer was exiting the Hampton Inn parking lot shortly before 7:30 a.m. Jan. 12 when he saw a Toyota Prius with no headlights on coming from the Extended Stay South lot and driving head-on toward his cruiser. The driver, later found to be a 15-year-old boy, stopped in time, but then backed over the curb several times. As another officer came up from behind and activated his cruisers overhead lights, the boy backed into that cruiser, damaging its front end. The officer in front wedged his cruiser against the Prius to block it in completely and directed the then-unknown driver out at gunpoint. The car, which had Texas temporary tags, was impounded until someone could show proof of ownership. The boy was taken to the police station, then given a courtesy ride to Euclid, where he was turned over to a guardian, 20. Special attention: Park Avenue Management at the Silverspot Cinema requested increased officer presence shortly before 7 p.m. Jan. 16 due to large numbers of teenagers hanging out in the theater. While there were no problems reported at that point, staff wanted police to keep an eye out. Disorderly conduct: Park Avenue Four male suspects were asked to leave the AC Marriott at Pinecrest at 7:40 p.m. Jan. 16, right around the time a disturbance was reported in theater nine at the Silverspot, where officers were also requested in the lobby. At 7:52 p.m., juveniles found hiding in a theater restroom also had to leave. Disturbance: Park Avenue Pinecrest security requested additional police assistance at 8:40 p.m. Jan. 16 for a disturbance involving about 50 people. The AC Marriott reported juveniles scattering and running behind the building toward the Silverspot. Woodmere police assisted and officers stayed in the area until about 9:15 p.m., when the group was dispersed. Departmental information: Miles Road, West Orange Hill Circle Responding to a report of an assault in progress around 9:40 p.m. Jan. 16, dispatchers and officers from various departments located the cell phone signal of a frantic Bainbridge Township woman, 19. They found her near the Solon cemetery, where she had been dropped off by her boyfriend, 22, also from Bainbridge, whose car was located at a nearby house. Solon EMS was called to the scene because the teen appeared to be hyperventilating, although she later refused medical transport. Police noted minor suspected injuries and redness to her face and chest, although that included older bruising, as well. Her story was convoluted, and officers detected a strong odor of alcohol on her breath. Both the woman and her boyfriend were brought to the Orange police station for questioning. They agreed that they had been drinking at a Mayfield Heights bar, where they quarreled in the parking lot. The argument became physical in the SUV. He claimed that she had punched him in the face, and she said that in addition to striking her, he had twisted her arm behind her back. Orange police determined that the incident had occurred in Mayfield Heights, where officers were contacted and the information was forwarded if anyone wanted to file a report there. Suspicion: Orange Village Park Police told the occupants of a vehicle parked around 10:30 p.m. Jan. 15 that the sledding hill was closed after dark. The parties left without incident. Disturbance: Orange Place Management at the Hampton Inn called police about a disgruntled customer who had earlier refused to wear a face mask while checking in, although he later put it on after arguing at the front desk on Jan. 16. However, after leaving and returning with his family around 9:15 p.m., the protests started all over again with the man, who reportedly was with a ninja warrior group. Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has formally invited South Korean President Moon Jae-in to an in-person G-7 summit, scheduled to be held in June, via a personal letter, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday. Moon plans to reply it, expressing his commitment to making contributions so that this year's summit of the G-7 nations can produce a significant accomplishment, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok. A presidential official later told reporters that they may construe the message as acceptance of the invitation. In the letter, Johnson was quoted as pointing out that it is important for "the voice" of South Korea to be reflected in global efforts to terminate the COVID-19 situation and prevent another pandemic as well as to protect free trade and respond to climate change. The prime minister earlier stated that Britain would play host to a physical summit session of the G-7 in June, with South Korea, Australia and India invited as guest nations. 0 Meanwhile, Johnson promised to attend the second P4G summit on green growth and sustainable development, which is supposed to take place in Seoul in May, Kang said at a press briefing. (Yonhap) PTHS Seniors Named Presidential Scholar Candidates By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - Jenna Price and Mason Romanak, seniors at Paducah Tilghman High School, have been named candidates in the 2021 United States Presidential Scholars Program by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and the United States Department of Education. Of the nearly 3.5 million high school seniors graduating this year, fewer than 4,000 students from across the country have been selected to participate in the prestigious recognition program.Approximately 100 Kentucky high school seniors have been designated 2021 Presidential Scholar Candidates.Price is a National Merit Commended Student, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and a Paducah Bank Teen of the Week. She is an alumna of the Kentucky Governors School for the Arts in visual arts and is a two-time first place winner of the Yeiser Art Centers Teen Spirit regional show. A four-year member of Tilghmans marching, concert and pep bands, Price has chaired in trumpet in KMEAs All-State Symphonic Band and Concert Band and was awarded first chair trumpet in All District Symphonic Band.She was part of the Kentucky History Day video documentary team that won state runner up and an invitation to participate nationally in Washington, D.C. Price is also a member of the National Honor Society and Tilghman Environmental Sustainability Club. She is the daughter of Kent and Julie Price.Romanak is a National Merit Commended Student, an AP Scholar with Honor, a Paducah Bank Teen of the Week, and a College Board Rural and Small Town Scholar. He is an alumnus of the Kentucky Governor s School for the Arts in instrumental music. He earned first chair, double bass, in the 2020 Kentucky All State Symphony Orchestra and has participated in the Murray State Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute and University of Louisville Invitational Honor Band.He is a member of Prime Rib, Tilghmans male a cappella choir, and has participated in the schools theater department productions. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Tilghman Environmental Sustainability Club. He is the son of Eric and Denise Romanak.The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by executive order of the president to recognize and honor some of the nation's most distinguished high school seniors. Students are selected based on academic success, leadership, and service to school and community.The Commission on Presidential Scholars will select 500 semifinalists from the national pool of honored students. In April, 121 students, including one male and one female from each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad, will be named U.S. Presidential Scholars. These students will be recognized at the White House later this summer."Jenna and Masonare both extremely talented and committed to the highest level of academic excellence. Most importantly, I think, they are good, kind people who have used their talents and passions to enrich Tilghman and Paducah, said College and Scholarship Advisor Sid Hancock.The PTHS family is thrilled to see their names included among the nations brightest and most engaged high school seniors. Syracuse, N.Y. State health officials are setting up Covid-19 vaccine clinics inside public housing facilities in New York City, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today that tactic will spread across the state. We bring the vaccine to the people, Cuomo said of the effort to get more older people living in subsidized housing. Were going to do it all across the city, all across the state. A similar clinic is coming to Syracuse on Monday. The effort to bring vaccines into these neighborhoods, which often include more Blacks and Latino people, is outside of the states online registration system. The goal is to get the vaccine to these more vulnerable populations more quickly. So far, Blacks have died from coronavirus at twice the rate as others, Cuomo said. Plus, he said, more people of color are skeptical of the vaccine. The state began bringing the vaccines into New York City Housing Authority sites a little over a week ago. During the first weekend, about 1,200 seniors received the vaccine, according to the governors office. In coming days, the state will bring the vaccine to seniors in 33 of NYCHAs facilities, Cuomo said. So far, the state hasnt contacted Syracuse Housing Authority about a vaccine clinic. No, were waiting on pins and needles, SHAs director, Bill Simmons, said today. Wed love to have that. Simmons did say that Onondaga County is vaccinating about two dozen eligible housing residents at a Syracuse church on Monday. It turns out that the Monday clinic at Peoples AME Zion Church is one of the states community vaccine sights. Overall, the state is sending vaccine to eight churches statewide early next week, with a goal of expanding the program to 300 churches. It wasnt immediately clear how much vaccine will be available in Syracuse on Monday. The county is administering the clinic, County Executive Ryan McMahon said today. A little before 2 p.m. today he said the number of available appointments was unknown. He described it as a small clinic. The Syracuse clinic will run from 1 to 4 p.m., according to the governors office. Appointments at the church-based sites are scheduled independently by each individual church, according to Cuomos office. As part of this plan, the state is deploying Community Vaccination Kits that include instructions for setting up sites at places like public housing buildings, churches and community centers. The kits include medical equipment, room dividers, cleaning supplies, lighting and other materials. Cuomo also said new vaccines supplies are arriving in New York as the state begins its sixth week of vaccinations. We are now starting to receive week six vaccines, Cuomo said, adding that some are coming by FedEx. The amount coming will be set week by week, he said. This weeks expected delivery is 240,000. New York is vaccinating about 80,000 people a day on average, Cuomo said. Got a story idea or news tip youd like to share? Please contact me through email, Twitter, Facebook or at 315-470-2274. A FURTHER 102 cases of Covid-19 in Limerick have been reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. The HPSC has also today sadly been notified of 77 additional deaths related to Covid-19 in Ireland. 76 of these deaths occurred in January, 1 in December. The median age of those who died is 84 years and the age range is 43-98 years. As of midnight, Friday, the HPSC has been notified of 1,910 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the state. Of the cases notified today: 887 are men / 1,016 are women 57% are under 45 years of age The median age is 40 years old 710 in Dublin, 150 in Cork, 103 in Meath, 102 in Limerick, 86 in Louth, and the remaining 759 cases are spread across all other counties** As of 2pm today, 1,892 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 217 are in ICU. 59 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer said: Through the solidarity shown by families and communities across the country in recent weeks, we are beginning to flatten the curve of Covid-19 infection. Each individual effort to follow the public health advice is making an impact, but we can only continue this positive trend and drive down incidence in the community by continuing to stay at home and avoid meeting or mixing with others in our social circle, including for any close family gatherings, such as birthdays or funerals, as these can be super-spreader events. We know it is possible to have Covid-19 without displaying symptoms, so we all need to behave as though we are infectious and minimise our close contacts with others. If you suspect that you might be ill, isolate away from others in your household, let your close contacts know and come forward for testing as soon as possible. **County data should be considered provisional as the national Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting System (CIDR) is a dynamic system and case details are continually being validated and updated. Numbers of Covid cases in Limerick this week: Today: 102 Friday: 96 Thursday: 99 Wednesday: 133 Tuesday: 89 Monday: 109 Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. El presidente @FSagasti lidero la sesion de reinstalacion del Consejo para la Reforma del Sistema de Justicia, instancia donde se evaluo la propuesta de Politica de Reforma del Sistema de Justicia y proyectos normativos para impulsar cambios en la justicia.#AgendaSagasti pic.twitter.com/3K7bt5mOVd It sounds like the name of a Hollywood thriller The Hunt for Patient Zero. It sounds like the name of a Hollywood thriller The Hunt for Patient Zero. The phrase "patient zero" has been on the minds and lips of much of the world as the search continues for the first documented human case of the COVID-19 virus that has so far claimed more than two million lives around the globe, including more than 18,000 in Canada. According to the World Health Organization, its a search that may never yield an answer. "We need to be careful about the use of the phrase patient zero, which many people indicate as the first initial case," Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHOs technical lead on COVID-19, said last week. "We may never find who patient zero was. What we need to do is follow the science and follow the studies." Chinese authorities originally reported the first coronavirus case was on Dec. 31, 2019, and many of the first cases of the pneumonia-like infection were immediately connected to a seafood and animal market in Wuhan, in the Hubei province. But those reports have been disputed and rumours abound. And while the media adores the phrase "patient zero," researchers tend to avoid it (Warning: bad pun ahead) like the plague because it is often incorrect, and can lead to disinformation and scapegoating of the innocent. But this is far from the first outbreak where the term has become part of the daily lexicon, as see from todays historic list of Five Health Crises Blamed (Rightly or Wrongly) on Patients Zero: 5) The outbreak: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) The (possible) patient zero: Dr. Liu Jianlun The viral story: In 2003, a coronavirus that killed one in every 10 people it infected emerged from China and spread through several countries. Eight months later, it petered out. Scientists have traced a super-spreading event during the global outbreak of SARS to one doctor and one night that he spent in a Hong Kong hotel, according to a WHO bulletin. A report from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty states that on Feb. 21, 2003, mainland Chinese doctor Liu Jianlun, 64, who had secretly been treating patients of the disease that would become known as SARS in Guangdong, travelled to Hong Kong to attend a wedding. "After he checked into a room on the (Hotel) Metropoles ninth floor, a fever Liu had been struggling with worsened. By the time he admitted himself into a nearby hospital with advanced symptoms of the new virus, several tourists staying at the Metropole had been infected, possibly as a result of Liu vomiting in a corridor. He died on March 4 after admitting to doctors that he had been dealing with the strange viral outbreak in mainland China," the story states. "Hong Kong authorities moved swiftly to attempt containment of the outbreak, but by the time the alarm had been raised, several infected Metropole guests had checked out and unwittingly carried the coronavirus to their respective home countries." An elderly woman flew home to Canada on Feb. 23, greeting her son with a hug. In less than three weeks, both were dead and Canada had become one of the worlds SARS hot spots. It is believed to have originated in bat species and then spread to other animals before infecting humans in China. "You wouldnt call him (Dr. Liu) patient zero, but if you consider his impact in terms of the outbreak, he was critical in the spread of the disease," Dr. Ian Lipkin, a professor of epidemiology and director of the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University in New York, told CNN. 4) The outbreak: Ebola The (possible) patient zero: Two-year-old Emile Ouamouno The viral story: The 2014 to 2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa was the largest since the deadly virus responsible was first discovered in 1976. It killed in excess of 11,000 people and infected more than 28,000, according to the WHO. The outbreak was found in 10 countries, mostly in Africa but there were also cases reported in the U.S., Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy. Scientists have traced this outbreak to a two-year-old child who lived in a small rainforest village in southern Guinea. His name was Emile Ouamouno, but to the world he became known as Ebolas "Patient Zero." Jane Hahn / The Washington Post files A file photo shows Etienne Ouamouno, 31, with his first wife and his son Emile, the child known as 'Patient Zero' in the Ebola outbreak in Meliandou, Guinea. The researchers made the connection on an expedition to the boys village, Meliandou, taking samples and chatting to locals to learn more about the outbreaks source before publishing their findings. Its not known with absolute certainty how little Emile became infected, but its likely he became sick after playing in a hollow tree housing a colony of bats. Ebola can be spread from animals to humans through infected fluids or tissue. "The child may have contracted the disease through contact with a fruit bat, as the animals are reservoirs of the virus. Most likely, the outbreak started from only this toddler and no one else, the researchers said, because their genetic analysis of the viruses found in multiple patients blood samples showed great similarities within the samples," livestream.com reported, citing the New England Journal of Medicine. In December 2014, Emile had a fever, black stool and started vomiting. He was dead four days later. Within a month, so were his young sister, his mother and his grandmother. CNN reported the illness spread like wildfire outside their village after several people attended the grandmothers funeral. For Emiles father, however, it all came back to his son. "Emile liked to listen to the radio, and his sister liked to carry babies on her back," Emiles grieving father, Etienne Ouamouno, told a communication officer for the United Nations childrens agency, UNICEF. 3) The outbreak: The so-called "Spanish flu" The (possible) patient zero: Private Albert M. Gitchell The viral story: Just before breakfast on the morning of March 4, 1918, Pte. Albert Gitchell of the U.S. Army reported to the hospital at Camp Funston at Fort Riley, Kansas. Gitchell, a camp cook, complained of the cold-like symptoms of sore throat, fever and headache. He was hospitalized with a 104-degree fever. "Gitchell was quickly banished to a contagious ward. Hardly had a corpsman put a thermometer in the soldiers mouth when Cpl. Lee W. Drake from the First Battalion, Headquarters Transportation Detachment, reported to the same admitting desk in Building 91. His symptoms, even to a 103 fever, were identical with Gitchells," according to 1961s The Great Epidemic: When the Spanish Influenza Struck. Notes history.com: "By noon, over 100 of his fellow soldiers had reported similar symptoms, marking what are believed to be the first cases in the historic influenza pandemic of 1918, later known as Spanish flu." NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HEALTH AND MEDICINE / TNS FILES Influenza epidemic patients lie on cots at the Emergency Hospital in Camp Funston, Kansas during the 1918 Spanish influenza outbreak. The last great pandemic which did not originate in Spain has been described as the greatest tidal wave of death since the Black Death, perhaps in the whole of human history." The pandemic, caused by the H1N1 influenza A virus, killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million victims worldwide from 1918-20, including about 55,000 across Canada and at least 1,200 in Winnipeg, which had a population of roughly 180,000 at the time. It infected 500 million people about a third of the worlds population at the time in four successive waves. The disease travelled to Europe with American soldiers, wreaking international havoc. It flared again in North America with the return of troops after the Great War ended. As for Gitchell, its considered highly unlikely he was patient zero, although he got more than his 15 minutes of fame. He reportedly survived the flu and the war and died in the South Dakota State Soldiers Home in 1968. 2) The outbreak: HIV/AIDS The (possible) patient zero: French-Canadian flight attendant Gaetan Dugas The viral story: We may rarely know the true first case of a new deadly disease, but we do know the origins of the toxic term "patient zero." When a researchers scrawling of the letter O was misinterpreted as a zero in reference to an HIV patient in the early 1980s, it led to the horrific vilification of Gaetan Dugas, a French-Canadian flight attendant who was wrongly blamed for bringing the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, to the United States. In 1981, researchers at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention first documented a mysterious disease. In their research, they linked HIV to sexual activity. HANDOUT / FADOO PRODUCTIONS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Gaetan Dugas, in an undated photo from the documentary 'Killing Patient Zero' by director Laurie Lynd. "The researchers began to study one cluster of homosexual men with HIV, and beginning in California, they eventually connected more than 40 men in 10 American cities to this network," CNN reported in 2016. "Dugas was placed near the centre of this cluster, and the researchers identified him as patient O, an abbreviation to indicate that he resided outside California." Tragically, the letter O was misinterpreted as a zero in the scientific literature and, once the media and the public noticed the name, Dugas was demonized, mistakenly identified as "patient zero" of the AIDS epidemic. In the seminal book on the AIDS crisis, "And The Band Played On," Dugas is referenced extensively and referred to as a "sociopath" with multiple sexual partners. In 1987, The New York Post called him "the man who gave us AIDS" on its front page. Dugas died in 1984 of AIDS-related complications and now, more than 30 years later, scientists have used samples of his blood to clear his name. Research, published in the journal Nature in 2016, provided strong evidence that the virus emerged in the U.S. from a pre-existing Caribbean epidemic in or around 1970. "We were quite annoyed by that (patient zero), because it was just simply wrong, but this doesnt stop people from saying it, because its so appealing," Dr. James Curran, dean of Emory Universitys Rollins School of Public Health and co-director of the universitys Centre for AIDS Research, told CNN. 1) The outbreak: Typhoid fever The (possible) patient zero: Typhoid Mary (a.k.a. Mary Mallon) The viral story: When the conversation turns to patients zero, one name stands above all others Mary Mallon, better known as "Typhoid Mary." Her story has had such a long-lasting impact on popular culture that her nickname has become a colloquial term for anyone who, knowingly or not, spreads disease or some other undesirable thing. Mallon earned her demonizing epithet because she was famously the index case the first documented for an outbreak of typhoid fever in New York in 1906. Some believe she was a so-called "super-spreader" before the term existed. Originally from Ireland, Mallon emigrated to the U.S., where she began working for rich families as a cook. After clusters of typhoid cases among wealthy families in New York, doctors traced the outbreak to Mallon. Soon after her meals were served, members of the households where she worked developed typhoid fever, a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. As more households where she worked developed typhoid fever, Mallon was soon identified as something of a patient zero, even though she never developed the symptoms. "There are these individuals, like so-called Typhoid Mary, who for one reason or another may be infected with a pathogen and not have that many symptoms but can shed that pathogen in a way that makes it infectious to other people," Thomas Friedrich, an associate professor of pathobiological sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, told CNN. She was believed to have infected 53 people with the virus, three of whom died. Mallon was forced into quarantine on two occasions for a total of 26 years, during which she unsuccessfully sued New Yorks health department, saying she didnt feel sick and therefore could not infect other people. She died in 1938, vilified in folk memory as "the most dangerous woman in America," a woman forever known as a patient zero, whether that was true or not. doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has called for concerted actions by member countries to effectively tackle insecurity in the region. Mr Akufo-Addo made the appeal on Saturday during the 58th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which was held virtually. He said that the sub-region continued to face critical security challenges with deadly terrorist attacks in Mali, northeastern Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger, as he condemned the attacks in the region and community. We sympathise and extend our deep condolences to affected countries and the families of the victims. These developments must reinforce our conviction that we must pursue, even more vigorously, the actions we have begun, with the rapid implementation of the decisions of our Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism, held on 14th September 2019. This concerted effort, which must be a major priority objective of the community, is the best way for us to address collectively, the security challenge. And give ourselves the means to ensure the security of the populations of our community. Our dignity and our sovereignty are at stake, Mr Akufo-Addo was quoted as saying. ERSF Mr Akufo-Addo commended member countries who have kept to their commitments of paying their financial contribution to the US$1 billion ECOWAS Regional Security Fund (ERSF), created in support of the 2020-2024 Anti-Terrorism Action Plan. The chairman said that raising the money had to be a high priority for ECOWAS because it enabled member states to act independently in the crisis. Your Excellencies will recall that the 2019 Summit created the Fund to cover a five (5) year period, 2020-2024. The UEMOA countries committed to contribute five hundred million United States dollars (US$500 million), whilst the Federal Republic of Nigeria also pledged three hundred and fifty million dollars (US$350 million) leaving a balance of one hundred and fifty million dollars (US$150 million) for the six (6) remaining countries and other sources. Out of the five hundred million United States dollars ($500 million) pledged by the UEMOA countries, one hundred million ($100 million) has been disbursed directly to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to assist them in their anti-terrorism activities. Out of the Nigerian pledge of three hundred and fifty million ($350 million), one hundred million United States dollars ($100 million) was pledged for 2020. Out of which eighty million dollars ($80 million) was to be used directly by them in their fight against terrorism on their northern border, and twenty million dollars ($20 million) was to go to the Fund. The Commission is awaiting confirmation transfer instructions for this amount, which will then leave a balance of two hundred and fifty million dollars to be contributed to the Fund by Nigeria. Ghana, on its part, has decided to pledge $50 million over the five year period of which $10 million is destined for the fund, and $40 million for the domestic empowerment of its border security against potential terrorist incursions. Half of the ten million dollars ($10 million), i.e., five million dollars ($5 million), has been paid by Ghana into the ESRF account, of which confirmation transfer instructions for this payment has been received by the commission. The remaining one hundred million dollars ($100 million), which is to be paid by the other five (5) countries, will complete the establishment of the entire fund. We need to do this as quickly as possible, Mr Akufo-Addo said. ADVERTISEMENT He appreciated foreign friends of ECOWAS for their support in ensuring that the ECOWAS Commission and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) were able to broaden their scope of support to member states as a complement to their efforts. Mr Akufo-Addo said this was time for ECOWAS to work earnestly towards the vaccination of its populations and a time to send a strong signal to ECOWAS citizens after the summit of the determination and commitments to protect them. In his remarks, Jean-Claude Brou, President, ECOWAS Commission, reiterated that the sub-region continued to face the challenges posed by the terrorist threat in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Northern Nigeria. Mr Brou said the recurrent attacks of insurgents in some parts of the sub-region has led to grave loss of lives, displacement, destruction of property and a huge humanitarian crises. In this regard, it has become increasingly urgent to implement the Action Plan to combat terrorism approved in December 2019 by the Authority, Mr Brou said. (NAN) I can only say probably, because it was an American strain so it wasnt community spread, it had to come from somewhere, Professor McLaws said. Since March 29, as a measure to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, all international arrivals in Australia have been required to quarantine in a hotel for 14 days unless they have an automatic exemption or they successfully apply for a personal exemption to isolate at home instead. In NSW and other states, this also applied to Victorians during the height of that states COVID-19 crisis. NSW Health guidelines offer exemptions for a number of reasons, including compassionate, medical, mental health and disability grounds. Ms Pearce said there were quite a lot of cases where the exemption was only granted for a few hours, such as to visit a dying relative in palliative care before returning to hotel quarantine. Professor McLaws said if the government is going to give exemptions, they should use an electronic locator such as an anklet or bracelet to ensure compliance, and that needs to apply to all members of the household, not just the incoming passenger. In an outbreak that has a deadly potential, you cant rely on the goodwill and the compliance, Professor McLaws said. Every single person that is given an exemption must carry a locator on them to ensure that they are not leaving their home or embassy, or wherever theyve been agreed to be housed. And everybody in that household has to also be under that electronic supervision. She said home isolation could also be made safer by using rapid point of care testing before the passengers board the flight and upon arrival at Sydney Airport, as well as the regular PCR testing a few days in. With these measures, Professor McLaws said it might be possible to issue more exemptions. Loading Anyone given permission to isolate at home saves the cost of hotel quarantine, which is $3000 for the first adult with lower rates for additional adults and children. Hotel quarantine was originally paid by the government and it remains free for anyone who booked an international flight back to Australia before July 13, even if the date of travel has changed. The bulk of exemptions revealed by the FOI request were 5166 international transit cases. This includes passengers flying between two overseas destinations via Sydney, interstate residents with permission to take a connecting flight and quarantine in their home state, and air crew arriving as passengers to be in position to work the next flight. Transit exemptions fell dramatically from a peak of 1589 in July to less than half that in August and just 194 in October. Ms Pearce said the Victorian outbreak prompted other states to tighten their borders and require in-bound passengers to complete quarantine at their first port of arrival into Australia. The second biggest category was the compassionate category with 911 approvals, which Ms Pearce said was deliberately broad but was mainly cases where people were visiting dying relatives. There were also 179 family member palliative and 50 end of life approvals listed separately. In May one person was approved for home isolation on the basis of immunity to infection and this was never repeated; a NSW Health spokesperson said this was a recovered COVID-19 patient and the category was quickly revoked because of evidence of the possibility of reinfection. During the time period, there were 449 exemptions given for medical reasons, 10 life-threatening cases, 30 mental health exemptions, five cases of urgent specialist surgery and four disability cases. NSW Health has faced accusations it is ignoring its own criteria for quarantine exemptions because it is granting so few on mental health and disability grounds. Ms Pearce said these cases could mostly be handled in special health accommodation, a category of quarantine hotel staffed by professional medical and nursing staff. We absolutely understand hotel quarantine is a difficult process for people to go through but obviously, weve had to balance keeping the community safe, she said. We cant have this both ways; we cant have a situation where were criticised for allowing people to have exemptions and then criticised for not allowing people to have exemptions. The special health accommodation is also where the COVID-19 patients are segregated, which has caused concern among heart patients, cancer survivors and other people with underlying conditions that make them vulnerable. Ms Pearce said special health accommodation had been running since day one and was demonstrably safe; COVID-19 patients were on a different floor and there were strict infection prevention protocols. NSW Health has an appeal process for rejected exemption applications and considered 547 appeals between August 24 and November 9. People can also appeal to Mr Hazzard separately. Real-life exemptions The flight attendant Sydneysider Michelle Parker says she has been left functionally homeless by the hotel quarantine rules. Ms Parker, a flight attendant for United Airlines, lives in Manly and works on the Sydney-San Francisco route. When she lands in Sydney on a layover for 24-48 hours she is permitted to self-isolate at home, without requiring an exemption. But because her routes begin and end in San Francisco, when she returns home once a month for a longer break, she arrives as a passenger rather than working crew. This means she either has to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days and pay $3000 or secure an exemption from NSW Health or NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard. Flight attendant Michelle Parker at home with her husband Lincoln and children Jackson, 12, Henry, 12, and Ava, 15. Credit:Renee Nowytarger Most people are just trying to get home once and Im trying to get back home every month, Ms Parker said. Her counterparts at Qantas working the same or similar routes are permitted to self-isolate at home whether they are on layover or an extended break because their routes begin and end in Australia. Ms Parker has secured an exemption from Mr Hazzard once and was told she would need to reapply each time but it wouldnt be a problem. However, 30 days later, her request was denied. She then spent several months in the Bay Area, couchsurfing with friends with only limited health insurance. Then in November she returned to Australia for an extended break to spend time with her family. Loading She is married with a 15-year-old daughter and 12-year-old twin sons on the autism spectrum and one with ADHD, who need their mother in their life but also the income she brings in. My husband, weve been divorced by the government, pretty effectively and we dont want to be divorced, she said. We all want to be with each other. Until December, air and marine crew were automatically exempt from hotel quarantine and permitted to isolate at home instead if they were working. However, they required an exemption if they were entering as passengers to be in position to work or returning home for respite as in Ms Parkers case. After the Avalon and Berala clusters, the rules were tightened. Now foreign air crew must go into hotel quarantine for a layover, while those who live in Australia can choose to either go into hotel quarantine or have a swab at the airport and then isolate at home. However, those returning as passengers like Ms Parker must still apply for an exemption. NSW Health deputy secretary Susan Pearce said the change in rules was about balancing and managing risk. These people are flying and working for a living and if they were in permanent quarantine, obviously, that would be a very challenging scenario, Ms Pearce said. Marine crew are similarly exempt when working but require an exemption when arriving as a passenger to commence work. NSW Health also granted 449 exemptions to marine crew from March 29 to November 9. Disability exemption NSW Health has only granted four exemptions from hotel quarantine on the basis of disability, preferring to accommodate people with additional needs in special health accommodation. But Colleen and Paul Sommerin were successfully able to secure an exemption from Mr Hazzard on the basis that they had an empty flat in Sutherland to isolate in and they were travelling with their son Mitchell, who is severely autistic. Colleen and Mitchell Sommerin who recently visited from Dubai. However, their case seemed to slip through the bureaucratic cracks because they received no follow-up and she had to ring and organise their own swabs before ending isolation, which they did. Ms Sommerin said hearing about the experiences of other families suffering through hotel quarantine with autistic children made her realise it was not an option, especially since Mitchell is 19 and cannot be physically restrained. Loading Being in a confined space for 14 days with no fresh air or no outdoor break would have been absolutely impossible, Ms Sommerin said. He suffers from insomnia, claustrophobia and routine changes, anything like that has a very detrimental effect to his behaviour. It would have been borderline dangerous, because if he gets in a situation where hes very uncomfortable, he might try and run away. Mitchell will also only eat specific foods and being in their own flat and self-catering made that easier to accommodate. The Sommerin family live in Dubai and have now returned but are grateful they could spend six weeks in Sydney, which allowed them to visit their adult daughter and other relatives. After the explosion at a stone quarry near Shivamogga which led to loss of lives, Chief Minister on Saturday said illegal quarrying or mining will not be permitted in the state and necessary action will be taken against such activities. "I'm going for spot inspection. Our Deputy Commissioner (of the district), Member of Parliament and Mines Minister have already visited the spot. I will get to know things from them and take necessary action to stop illegal quarrying or mining," Yediyurappa said. Speaking to reporters here he said the reason for the blast, who permitted the transportation of explosive substance in a lorry and what led to the incident will be investigated comprehensively, and necessary action will be taken against those responsible. "I will not allow illegal quarrying or mining for any reason. Those who want to do quarrying or mining should get a licence for it. Doing it illegally will lead to such incidents. I will direct Deputy Commissioners to take strict measures in this direction," he added. At least five people were killed in an explosion at a stone quarry on the outskirts of Shivamogga city on Thursday night. The government had announced Rs 5 lakh to the families of those deceased and ordered a high-level probe into the incident. Three people have been detained in connection with the case so far. Greek FM Nikos Dendias said he hoped Turkey would take a positive approach to a meeting scheduled for next week, which aims to reopen long-standing open talks over the territorial dispute, Reuters reported. The two neighboring countries held 60 rounds of talks between 2002 and 2016, but last year it was planned to reopen discussions about the exploration vessel sent by Ankara to the disputed waters and about disagreements on the topics to be discussed. The only sure thing is the positive approach of Athens. I hope the Turkish side will come to these talks in the same spirit, Nikos Dendias told the Efimerida Ton Syntakton newspaper in an interview. The FM said the exploratory talks, which were halted in March 2016, were not negotiations but aimed to discover whether there was enough convergence for possible future negotiations on just one specific issue. I want to be clear, that (subject) is the demarcation of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean on the basis of international law, Dendias was quoted as saying. He added that if negotiations did begin after the exploratory talks but the two sides were still unable to reach a deal, they would have to agree on a text to refer the issue to the International Court in The Hague. While Athens only wants to consider the demarcation of maritime zones in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, Ankara says all issues must be resolved, including airspace and the status of some Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. In the exploratory talks there will be no discussion on demilitarising islands. No discussion on an issue that has to do with national sovereignty, Dendias told the newspaper. (Newser) Larry King, the suspenders-sporting everyman whose broadcast interviews with world leaders, movie stars, and ordinary Joes helped define American conversation for a half-century, died Saturday. He was 87. King died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Ora Media, the studio and network he co-founded, tweeted. His son Chance King confirmed the death to CNN. No cause of death was given, but CNN had earlier reported he was hospitalized with COVID-19, per the AP. A longtime nationally syndicated radio host, from 1985 through 2010 he was a nightly fixture on CNN, where he won many honors, including two Peabody awards. With his celebrity interviews, political debates, and topical discussions, King wasnt just an enduring on-air personality. He also set himself apart with the curiosity he brought to every interview. story continues below Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in 1933, King conducted an estimated 50,000 on-air interviews, welcoming everyone from the Dalai Lama to Elizabeth Taylor, from Mikhail Gorbachev to Barack Obama, Bill Gates to Lady Gaga. Especially after he relocated from DC to Los Angeles, his shows were frequently in the thick of breaking celebrity news. King was also known for his many marriages: He was married eight times, to seven different women. King boasted of never over-preparing for an interview, and his nonconfrontational style relaxed his guests and made him readily relatable to his audience. "I don't pretend to know it all," he said in a 1995 AP interview. "Not, 'What about Geneva or Cuba?' I ask, 'Mr. President, what don't you like about this job?' Or 'What's the biggest mistake you made?' That's fascinating." King had five children, two of whom died last year. Much more on King's life here. (Read more Larry King stories.) Scientists around the world are scrambling to learn more about previously unknown variants of the coronavirus that seem to spread from person to person more readily than other versions of the Covid-19-causing pathogenincluding one variant that may also be more deadly. A fast-spreading variant, known as B.1.1.7, was identified in December in the U.K., leading to travel restrictions and a widespread lockdown there. Since then, the U.K. variant has been detected in China and other countries, as well as in Colorado, California and Florida. Now theres preliminary evidence suggesting that the variant could lead to more deaths. We have been informed that, in addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variantthe variant that was first identified in London and the South Eastmay be associated with a higher degree of mortality," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday. In South Africa, meanwhile, doctors and researchers battling a second surge of Covid-19 cases are studying another new variant and what role it plays in the rising tide of cases there. The variant, known as B.1.351, has been identified in samples dating back to October. It hasnt been detected in the U.S. Emerging data suggests that this variant could be better at evading antibodies, the protective immune-system proteins that keep viruses from entering cells, and that existing vaccines may need to be updated in order to be effective. Here is what we know so far about the new variants and the genetic mutations that characterize them, as well as their potential impact on public health. What is a viral variant? Viral variants are new versions of a virus that arise as a result of small changes in its genetic code. Over the course of the pandemic, there have been several variants. Those that proved able to spread more efficiently have become more prevalent, while others fizzle out. Its just like natural selection, like evolution," said Bettie Steinberg, a virologist and provost at Northwell Healths Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. Why the concern about these particular variants? Preliminary data from U.K researchers suggests that infection with the U.K. variant could cause more severe disease and potentially lead to more deaths. The data showed that patients infected with the variant had a higher risk of death than those infected with previous versions of the virus. Britains top scientific adviser said preliminary studies show that the U.K. variant might be 30% to 40% deadlier than previous variants. U.K scientists cautioned that a fuller understanding of the variants effects on health would emerge in coming weeks as more data on hospitalizations and mortality becomes available. Some doctors were already worried that the new variants of the coronavirus could supercharge the spread of Covid-19, putting additional stress on hospitals and nursing homes when cases are near their historic highs. Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine combined behavioral and epidemiological data on patterns of disease transmission with mathematical models to determine whether the U.K. variant is more transmissible than previously identified variants. They found the new variant to be more transmissible than previous variants. U.K. contact-tracing data show that patients infected with the new variant went on to infect more people than those infected with previous variants. Data also suggested that the viral load, or the amount of virus in the body, was higher among people infected with the new variant. The higher the viral load for individuals, the more infectious they tend to be. Is it possible that the rapid spread of the new variants isnt a result of increased infectiousness but instead of poor adherence to social distancing and other measures aimed at curbing contagion? Scientists dont think so, at least for the jump in cases in the U.K. As evidence, Prof. Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist at Imperial College London and a member of a scientific panel that advises the British government on respiratory-virus threats, pointed to epidemiological data from November showing that cases of the new U.K. variant were exploding in the area southeast of London as coronavirus cases were falling in other parts of the country. The entire country was in lockdown during this period. The situation may be different in South Africa, where researchers said human behavior might be playing a key role in the surge of cases. Millions of South Africans traveled widely in recent weeks, and tens of thousands had gathered in restaurants and bars and on beaches during the holiday season. What gave rise to the new variants? Like other viral pathogens, the coronavirus spreads by infecting cells and then reproducing within them, creating copies of itself that spread throughout the body and then are shed, potentially infecting other people. The reproduction process involves copying the viruss genetic code, which holds the instructions for building successive generations of virus particles, or virions. But the code isnt always reproduced faithfully; sometimes the copying process yields mistakes that researchers have likened to typographical errors. This is what gives rise to new viral variants such as the ones that have emerged recently. Some viruses have genetic codes of DNA, the same molecule that carries the genetic information in human cells. Other viruses, including the coronavirus, are based on a related molecule known as RNA. Most RNA viruses lack a molecular proofreader, a protein that checks for mistakes and corrects them, so they accumulate more typos more quickly," said Bettie Steinberg, a virologist and provost at Northwell Healths Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. Coronaviruses, including the one that causes Covid-19, do have one and so tend to mutate more slowly. Having a proofreader also makes coronaviruses three times the size of most RNA viruses, said Vineet Menachery, a coronavirus expert at the University of Texas Medical Branch. That gives them an advantage, he added: It means they can encode more proteins to antagonize the immune response." Some scientists believe the new variants, which have a large number of mutations, arose in Covid-19 patients whose weakened immune systems allowed the virus to reproduce over long periods of timegiving it plenty of opportunities to accumulate multiple mutations. High rates of infection in the population also add to the risk that new, potentially more harmful variants will emerge, infectious-disease experts say. And with the virus spreading quickly around the world, experts say they expect to see more variants crop up. What about the mutations seen in the new variants? The new variant that cropped up in the U.K. has about two dozen separate mutations, including some related to the prominent outcroppings that stud the coronaviruss outer surface. It is this so-called spike protein that helps the virus infiltrate cells by binding to and then breaching their outer membranes. In theory, a mutated form of the spike protein could boost the ability of a virus to attach to cells and thus enable it to infect with increased efficiency. Previous research has shown one mutation of note in the U.K. variant can make the virus more infectious, said Dr. Ravindra Gupta, a University of Cambridge virologist who ran the studies. The South African variant has more than 20 mutations, including several affecting the spike protein. Some are in key spots where antibodies that prevent the virus from entering cells bind, scientists said, meaning they could potentially help the virus evade a persons natural immune response. The U.K. and South Africa variants share a spike-protein mutation that enables the spike to bind more tightly to the cell membranes, research suggests. Do existing vaccines work against new variants? While there is no final word yet on whether the existing vaccine made by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE and the one from Moderna Inc. confer immunity to the new variants, scientists have expressed confidence that they do. For the U.K. variant, that confidence has been bolstered by recent preliminary studies, including one by BioNTech and Pfizer researchers showing that antibodies in the blood of vaccine-trial participants were effective at binding to the new variants mutated spike protein. Pfizer and BioNTech are encouraged by these early in vitro study findings," Pfizer said in a Jan. 20 statement. For the variants found in South Africa, which have a different constellation of mutations, scientists are more concerned. The mutations raise some questions about vaccine efficacy, but its important to note that the vaccines elicit a broad immune responsethat targets several areas of the spike protein," said Dr. Richard Lessells, an infectious-disease specialist at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, and a member of the team that discovered the South African variant. Pfizer and Moderna have conducted lab tests of their vaccines against several versions of the coronavirus and found that the vaccines were effective against all, according to the drugmakers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to urge people who are eligible for vaccination to get the shots. Based on studies with other viruses containing similar mutations, CDC believes there will be little or no impact on immunity from natural infection or vaccination," the agency said in December. The agency said on Jan. 22 it had reached out to public-health agencies in the U.K. to learn more about the risks the variant poses and that it continues to closely monitor the situation. How will scientists know for sure if these new variants spread more easily? Scientists said that they had studied some of the new variants individual mutations but that it would be important to look at what happens when they appear togetheras they do in the new variants. That research involves experiments in cells and in animals to test whether the new variants attach to and enter cells more efficiently; whether they replicate more readily; and, most important, whether they spread more easily. Scientists have begun to do some of that work already, with more experiments planned for the coming weeks. Animal studies involving an earlier coronavirus variant convinced some scientists that its particular mutations made it more infectious, said William Hanage, a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health biologist who specializes in infectious disease. That version of the virus also had a mutated spike protein. What can be done to stay safe from the new variants? Infectious-disease experts and public-health officials say it is important to continue to adhere to the familiar strategies for avoiding contagion, including social distancing, masking and hand-washing, as well as avoiding exposure to others indoors, especially where ventilation is poor. Extra care might be required in indoor gatherings if experiments confirm that the new variants are more infectious. Joanna Sugden and Betsy McKay contributed to this article. Correction Some RNA viruses have a molecular proofreader. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said RNA viruses lack them. (Corrected on Jan. 7, 2021) Write to Daniela Hernandez at daniela.hernandez@wsj.com and Sarah Toy at sarah.toy@wsj.com Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary on Saturday and said the youngsters of the country were united under his charismatic leadership, which gave new strength to India's freedom struggle. "The courage and valour of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave new strength to the Indian freedom struggle. He organised the youngsters of the country with his charismatic leadership under adverse circumstances. On the 125th birth anniversary of such a great hero of the freedom movement, I pay my heartfelt tributes," Shah said in a tweet in Hindi. The home minister, who is on a two-day visit to Assam and Meghalaya, also paid tributes to Bose in front of his portrait in Guwahati. "There was an infinite flow of immense courage and unique resolve within Subhas Babu. His amazing personality and vibrant voice created the tide of freedom in the heart of people. His life is a role model for the youngsters of the country," he said in another tweet. The government has decided to observe January 23 as "Parakram Diwas" to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bose. Also Read: World surprised at India's V-shaped recovery: Amit Shah Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 22:33:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's central bank will issue a commemorative coin next Friday to celebrate the coming Chinese zodiac Year of the Ox. The round, copper-alloy coin is 27 mm in diameter and has a face value of 10 yuan (about 1.55 U.S. dollars), said the People's Bank of China. The front side of the coin shows its face value and the year of issuance, while the reverse side features an ox raising its head. The central bank will issue a total of 150 million such coins. The Year of the Ox is the second zodiac sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle. It will start on Feb. 12, 2021 and last until Jan. 31, 2022. The Chinese Zodiac is represented by 12 animals to record the years and reflect people's attributes, including the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Enditem More than 100,000 total vaccinations have been administered in health agency's region Extreme drought largely attributs to climate change and could threaten as many as 700 million people by 2100, three times more than the existing number presently. It could more than double the area of land affected by 2100. A researcher, Yadu Pokhrel of Michigan State University alongside his colleagues has developed a model on how the amount of water stored on land will change under varying degrees of climate change. Pokhrel and his colleagues studied a measure known as terrestrial water storage. This is the volume of water stored in different places including land, lakes, rivers etcetera. This model will help determine the level of potential drought and its threats to human existence. Drought Threat In The US Climate change is hitting hard in all fronts and threatening human existence. The extreme drought brought about by climate change is already taking a toll on some parts of the world. Climate change has transformed moderate drought to the driest periods in the US and Mexico in more than a millennium. The emerging megadrought over the past two decades ignited devastating wildfires, affected farmers in the region, and cut the flow of vital waterways. A team of researchers led by A. Park Williams at Columbia University, New York, has revealed that almost half of the current episode of drought's severity is attributed to man's induced global warming. The recent episode of the drought was the second-worst megadrought after the one that occurred at the end of the 16th century. The team worked out the region's soil moisture. They calculated figures of the past century using temperature, rainfall, and other weather records to construct soil moisture. They also used data from more than 1500 tree-ring records dating back in time. This gave them a sign of how rapidly trees grew in a given year, which is based partly on how much water there was in the soil at the time. ALSO READ - Common Every Day Activities That Help Mitigate Climate Change Climate Models The researchers used 31 different climate models. Each estimated how human-induced climate change affected rainfall over recent decades. The researchers found out that there had been issues of drought in North America for the last 20 years but the effect was not felt since it was minimal. Nonetheless, because of the drop in rainfall as a result of climate change, the drought may have been as much as 47 percent more severe. "Even without climate change, we still would have had drought, but this drought would have been no big deal without climate change," says Williams. Uncertainties still exist. This is because the research assumed trees respond to drought now in the same way as they did 1200 years ago. The same applies to plants which play a big role in determining how much water is in the soil. This study has been widely accepted by other researchers. Joel Guiot at Aix-Marseille University, France, said it relies on excellent tree-ring data. Friederike Otto at the University of Oxford, linked climate change to the drought-driven Australia bushfires, but also validated the research highlighting how difficult it is to assess climate change's role in drought. RELATED ARTICLE - Scorching Earth: 5 Hottest Places On The Planet For more news, updates about drought and similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News! Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal are all set to enter marital bliss tomorrow in the plush, The Mansion House resort amidst their close family and friends. The couple was earlier spotted leaving for their wedding venue along with their family members. Now, the latest buzz surrounding the couple states that they will be heading off to Turkey for their honeymoon. According to a news report in WeddingSutra, Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal will be flying off to Turkey after tying the knot for their dreamy honeymoon. The report also stated that the couple's prime honeymoon destination will be the picturesque Ciragan Palace Kempinski, in Istanbul. The Ciragan Palace boasts to be amongst the most lavish and extravagant hotels around the world. Meanwhile talking about their wedding, Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal will be tying the knot in a small and private ceremony keeping the global COVID-19 pandemic in mind, and only the family members of the bride and the groom will be present. A source close to the Badlapur actor told IANS, "It will be around 40 people from both the family gather for the occasion. They will stay in a resort in Alibaug from January 22 to January 26 and then the family and the couple return to Mumbai. So far, that is the information I can share. As far as I know, no Bollywood celebrity will be attending the ceremony now because then the guest list would have to cross 500, which is not practically possible, keeping COVID-19 in mind." Also Read: Varun Dhawan And Natasha Dalal's Wedding Venue Is Nothing Less Than A Visual Delight; See Pics Also Read: Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal's Wedding Guest List To Be A Star Studded One; To Include These Celebrities? The four-day state funeral of former President Jerry John Rawlings, who passed away on Thursday November 12, 2020, begins on Sunday, January 24. According to the programme of activities outlined by the Government in collaboration with the family of the late former President, the state funeral begins with a Catholic Requiem Mass on Sunday, January 24 at 14 hours at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Accra. This will be followed by a night vigil at the Air Force Officers Mess, Giffard Road, near El-Wak Stadium, Accra. Laying-in-state would be from day two, Monday, January 25, at the Accra International Conference Centre from 0800 hours to 1700 hours. On day two, between the hours of 0800 and 1700, the heads of security agencies, leaders of political parties, staff of the Office of former President Rawlings, traditional/religious leaders and the public would file pass the mortal remains of the late former President. On Tuesday January 26, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia together with their wives would pay their last respect to the late former President. This, would be followed by that of former Presidents and their spouses, former President and former Vice Presidents spouses, the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, and heads and former heads of constitutional bodies. The Speaker of Parliament, former Speakers, the Chief Justice, former Chief Justices, Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of Parliament (MPs), former ministers of state and members of the diplomatic corps would also have their turn on the same day. The main funeral event would take place at the Black Star Square in Accra on Wednesday January 27. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. / A convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for entering the country illegally, according to court documents. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo sentenced Jose Angel Gandara-Rodriguez to 33 months in prison. Gandara-Rodriguez had pleaded guilty on Oct. 23 to illegal entry after deportation. Israel began administering Covid-19 vaccines to teenagers Saturday as it pushed ahead with its inoculation drive, with 30 percent of the population now having received the first dose, health officials said. Since the rollout of vaccinations one month ago, more than 2.5 million of Israel's nine-million-strong population have been vaccinated already, the health ministry said on Friday. Expanding the campaign to include teens came days after Israel extended on Tuesday till the end of the month its third national coronavirus lockdown due to a surge in coronavirus infections. The health ministry had on Thursday announced it was allowing the inoculation of high school students aged 16-18, subject to parental approval. Or, an 18-year-old teenager, receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine at Clalit Health Services, in Israel's Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv, January 23 The country's largest health fund, Clalit, was already giving teens shots as of Saturday morning, its website said, while the three smaller funds were due to kick off their campaign later. Israel began administering vaccines on December 20, beginning with health professionals and quickly proceeding to the elderly, sick and at-risk groups, continuously lowering the minimum age of those entitled to the shot. From Saturday, people aged 40 and up are also allowed to get the vaccine. According to the health ministry, as of Friday nearly 2.5 million people had received the first of two doses, with 900,000 of them getting the second as well. Israel has given 38.8 per 100 people in the country at least one dose of the vaccine, well ahead of other countries, with some people already receiving the second. In comparison, the UK has administered 8.9 first doses per 100 people, the US has given 5.8, with France giving just 1.4. Israel is currently leading the global vaccination drive, with nearly 39 per cent of its citizens having had at least a single dose of a jab so far. In comparison, the UK has administered 8.9 first doses per 100 people, the US has given 5.8, with France giving just 1.4 The country secured a huge stock of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and has pledged to share the impact data quickly with the US-German manufacturer. On Thursday, the estimated COVID-19 reproduction number in Israel dipped below 1 for the first time since the country launched its vaccination campaign, the government announced. An 'R' number above 1 indicates infections will grow at an exponential rate, while below 1 points to their eventual halt. Israel's 'R' number hit 1.3 on Dec. 11. It began vaccinating citizens the following week. With contagion surging, on Dec. 27 it imposed a third national lockdown - which is still in effect. 'Are we seeing the light? We see a chink in the blinds,' Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch told Channel 13 TV after Israel logged an 'R' number of 0.99. 'We have achieved a halt, but we have achieved a halt at high levels of morbidity.' A health worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine at Clalit Health Services, in Israel's Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv on January 23 He credited the lockdown and the vaccines - now administered to more than a quarter of Israel's 9 million population - but added that vaccines had 'mainly reduced serious morbidity, not necessarily the number of carriers'. The reduction would have been more significant were it not for the presence of the especially contagious British variant of the coronavirus, Kisch said. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the swift vaccination campaign 'will afford us the possibility of overcoming the coronavirus, of emerging from it, of opening the economy and getting life back to routine'. But while Israel is currently leading the global vaccination drive infection and death rates, as well as the numbers of people in hospital, have shown little sign of falling. Wednesday saw the country recorded its highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in a single day, with 10,213 cases and 101 deaths - the first time Israel has seen over both 10,000 cases and 100 deaths since the start of the pandemic. On Thursday, out of 82,930 active cases, 1,918 were hospitalized. Last week, the hospitalisation figure was just over 1,000. On Friday, the UK's Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said it was too early too draw conclusions from Israel's vaccination drive after alarm that hospitalisations have not yet dropped. Addressing the apparent failure of the jab regime in cutting infection rates, Israel's top coronavirus medic said on Wednesday that the Pfizer vaccine was less effective than expected. Real-world data from Israel's world-beating rollout showed the first dose led to a 33 per cent reduction in cases of coronavirus between 14 and 21 days afterwards in people who got the jab. The figure is lower than the British regulator's estimate, which said it may prevent 89 per cent of recipients from getting Covid-19 symptoms. Dr Nachman Ash, Israel's top coronavirus medic, said on Wednesday that the Pfizer vaccine was less effective than expected Sir Patrick Vallance Friday said it was too early too draw conclusions from Israel's vaccination drive after alarm that hospitalisations have not yet dropped But Sir Patrick, the UK's chief scientific adviser, told the Downing Street press conference on Friday that the Israeli data was 'very preliminary'. He said: 'In terms of the Israeli data, I think that was information from one of the organisations that organises health in Israel, I think there are four, and it was preliminary data that came out on the numbers. 'I think the Israeli health ministry has said they're not entirely sure those are the final data and they're expecting the effects to increase so I think it's very preliminary. 'These are preliminary information from a subset of people, they haven't followed people for long enough. 'We had a discussion with the Israeli advisers yesterday and they are expecting to get more information over the next few weeks. 'And I think we are going to have to monitor this very carefully, we're going to have to keep looking at data and understanding the performance of vaccines in the real world.' Dr Nachman Ash, one of the medics leading the Covid-19 response in Israel, had told local media Army Radio earlier this week: 'Many people have been infected between the first and second injections of the vaccine.' It can take 10 days or more for the immunity to kick in. If other companies start requiring the vaccine, Chicago-based United likely would be among the first to do so, Kirby said. But he doesnt think the airline will get away with being the only company to require employees get the vaccine. We need some others to show leadership, he said. New Delhi, Jan 23 : This tripping over each other to pay homage to Subhas Bose is mere hypocrisy, says Ashish Ray, the London based author who wrote the book, Laid to Rest, which comprehensively and with documentary evidence establishes the circumstances of Subhas Boses death (on 18 August 1945 in Taipei following a plane crash), cremation and transportation and preservation of his mortal remains in Tokyo. In an interview with IANS, Ray says it's a hypocrisy and pretence to pay homage to Netaji, if you do not have the decency to pay homage to his mortal remains -- lying in Tokyo for over 75 years -- by bringing these to India. Ray adds, "I don't think Subhas Bose has been an emotive factor in West Bengal elections in the past. Congress, the Left and Trinamool Congress, who have been in government in the state since Independence have never won in the name of Netaji". Q: There is intense competition among political parties to pay homage to Netaji this year? A: It appears political parties are tripping over each other to pay homage to Subhas Bose. It's a hypocrisy and pretence to pay homage to Netaji, if you do not have the decency to pay homage to his mortal remains -- lying in Tokyo for over 75 years -- by bringing these to India. It is his daughter and sole heir Professor Anita Bose Pfaff's fervent desire that the remains touch Indian soil -- for it was her father's ambition to see India free -- and that there be a final disposal in the Bengal Hindu tradition of an immersion in the River Ganga. Q: How emotive is Netaji for the Bengal election? A: I don't think Subhas Bose has been an emotive factor in West Bengal elections in the past. Congress, the Left and Trinamool Congress, who have been in government in the state since Independence have never won in the name of Netaji. BJP, with its sectarian politics, is the very anti-thesis of Bose. He always clashed with Hindu Mahasabha, which fathered Jan Sangh, now BJP. Q: What is the best way to pay homage to him? A: The best way to pay homage to Subhas Bose is by bringing his mortal remains to India. Q: Why are his mortal remains not being brought back? A: You will have to ask Government of India why. Central government declassified files pertaining to Subhas Bose. The files incontrovertibly ratified the facts. These were reiterated in an RTI reply by the Modi government. The Japanese government is waiting for a request. So, what is stopping the Government of India from bringing the remains to India? It seems continuing to fool the Indian public pays political dividends. Q: Is Netaji being remembered by political parties due to the Bengal elections? A: Your guess is as good as mine. Q: The committee formed for his anniversary. What should be it's recommendations? A: There is from what I can make out competing committees. One created by Narendra Modi and another created by Mamata Banerjee. Subhas Bose belonged to the Indian National Congress. He was twice elected its president. Yet, Congress is lagging behind. Perhaps, this is no bad thing. It is at least not indulging in naked opportunism. Advertisement Britain has delivered a record 480,000 Covid jabs in a day, meaning it is on track to his the Government's target of 15 million first doses by February 15 if supplies hold up and the current rate is maintained. Data up to Friday reveals a total of 6,329,968 vaccines have now been given in the UK so far since the roll-out began in earnest. The vast majority of these - some 5,861,351 - have been first doses, with 478,248 given out on Friday alone, as well as 1,821 second doses. It means the seven-day rolling average of first doses given in the UK is now 328,882 - but an average of 397,333 is needed each day to meet the Government target next month. With record numbers now being administered day-on-day, that seven-day average will soon soar and providing there are no problems with supply to impact the current rate, that aim should be met comfortably. It comes as doctors' calls to cut the gap between the first and second doses of the vaccine are being resisted by officials at Public Health England. The British Medical Association (BMA) has warned that delaying the second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab to 12 weeks after the first is not justified by the science. However, PHE medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle said it is essential to protect as many people as possible to prevent the virus getting 'the upper hand'. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick also hit back at the claims, saying that the current policy means millions more can get their first Covid jab and the 'high level of protection' it provides as 'quickly as possible'. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick (pictured right, speaking to Barbara Baker, 92, during a visit to a Covid vaccination centre in Birmingham) has defended the Government's strategy to leave a 12-week gap between the first and second doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine amid fears a long wait between doses is less effective In a letter to the chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, the BMA said the gap between the first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine should be no more than six weeks, in line with the advice of the manufacturers and the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, Dr Doyle insisted the decision to extend the gap had been taken on 'public health and scientific advice' based on the need to get at least some protection to as many people as possible. 'The more people that are protected against this virus, the less opportunity it has to get the upper hand. Protecting more people is the right thing to do,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. BMA council chairman Dr Chaand Nagpaul said that while he understands the 'rationale' behind the decision, no other country is taking the UK's approach. He said the WHO recommends that the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine - which the manufacturers advise should be given three to four weeks after the first - should only be delayed 'in exceptional circumstances', to a maximum of six weeks. 'What we're saying is that the UK should adopt this best practice based on international professional opinion,' he told BBC Breakfast. 'Most nations in the world are facing challenges similar to the UK in having limited vaccine supply and also wanting to protect their population maximally. 'No other nation has adopted the UK's approach. We think the flexibility that the WHO offers of extending to 42 days is being stretched far too much to go from six weeks right through to 12 weeks. 'Obviously the protection will not vanish after six weeks but what we do not know is what level of protection will be offered. We should not be extrapolating data where we don't have it.' The latest Government figures show a further 1,348 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Saturday, bringing the UK total to 97,329. The vaccination programme continues to ramp up with 6,329,968 jabs delivered across the UK as of Friday, of which 5,861,351 were first doses - a rise of 478,248 on the previous day's figures. Dr Doyle meanwhile said that more work is needed to determine whether the new variant of the virus which emerged in south-east England late last year is more deadly than the original strain. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Friday that scientists on the Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) had found that the variant may be associated with 'a higher degree of mortality'. However, Dr Doyle said: 'There are several investigations going on at the moment. It is not absolutely clear that that will be the case. It is too early to say. 'There is some evidence, but it is very early evidence. It is small numbers of cases and it is far too early to say this will actually happen.' The co-author of the Nervtag report, Professor Graham Medley, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it is clear the new variant is more transmissible than the original. However he acknowledged that it remains an 'open question' whether it is more likely to lead to death. 'The question about whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality, I think, is still open. There is evidence it is more dangerous but this is a very dangerous virus,' he told the Today programme. 'In terms of making the situation worse, it is not a game-changer. It is a very bad thing that is slightly worse.' Senior doctors have called for the gap between the first and second doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine to be halved to six weeks (pictured: Stephen Hartley is given his Pfizer/BioNTech jab by Primary Care Practitioner Nikki Brown at Haxby and Wiggington Surgery in York) Nervtag chairman Professor Peter Horby defended the decision to warn of the possible increase in mortality rates while the data was still incomplete. 'I think a very important principle is transparency,' he told BBC Breakfast. 'If we were not telling people about this we would be accused of covering it up.' Meanwhile, the Government is considering whether travel restrictions may need to be further tightened amid warnings that new variants of the virus discovered in Brazil and South Africa might be resistant to the vaccines. Ministers are expected to meet on Monday to discuss a proposal to require people arriving in the UK to quarantine in a designated hotel to ensure they are following the rules on self-isolating. Prof Horby said such measures would have an impact although he warned there is a limit to what they could achieve. 'I think complete control of variants moving around the world is going to be almost impossible but we know that certain measures can slow the movement of these viruses around the world,' he said. Dr Richard Vautrey, Chair of the BMA's GP Committee, told Sky News this morning that they are 'in dialogue' with Prof Whitty over the 12-week gap, saying 'we need to understand the data'. Both the vaccines approved so far one made by Pfizer and the other by Oxford University rely on two doses to be most effective, with them ideally spaced three weeks apart. But in a scramble to stop the devastating second wave of Covid-19, Britain has abandoned this rule and decided it will extend the gap to 12 weeks so it can give more people a single dose as soon as possible. It comes as the health watchdog in France called for a delay in administering a second dose, though only to six weeks. It emerged on Thursday that NHS hospitals could even be banned from giving out the jabs if they don't stick to the strategy of delaying second doses by 12 weeks or longer. The benefit will be that millions more people end up being vaccinated in the coming weeks. But it's possible the vaccines won't work as well in the long run. The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously said governments should be giving people their second dose within 21 to 28 days of having the first, to make sure the vaccine works long-term. BioNTech and partner Pfizer have also warned that they have no evidence their jointly developed vaccine will continue to protect against Covid-19 if the booster shot is given later than the 21-day gap tested in trials. Meanwhile, in the UK's Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine trial, 59 per cent of those who received two doses had a nine to 12 week gap between the first and second jab, compared to 18.6 per cent in Brazil's study. The combined results found that the vaccine was more effective in the group that had over six weeks between the two doses than those that had less than six weeks between doses, according to The Lancet. It comes amid calls from nursing leaders for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19. Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle has also said today it is not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous, despite fears that a UK Covid variant is more deadly than the original strain. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday that scientists on the Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) had found the variant may be associated with 'a higher degree of mortality'. The Government is now considering whether travel restrictions may need to be further tightened amid warnings that new variants of the virus discovered in Brazil and South Africa might be resistant to the vaccines. In another day of coronavirus news: Heathrow says it is 'impossible' for passengers to be socially-distanced as travellers returning to the UK blast hour-long queues on another day of chaos after negative Covid test rule was enforced; The leader of the Welsh Conservatives has resigned following the disclosure he was among a group of politicians who drank alcohol on the Senedd estate days after a pub alcohol ban came into force; Fears of a health crisis at a military barracks housing asylum seekers in Kent have escalated after 120 people are believed to have tested positive for coronavirus; Professor Susan Michie, a scientist advising the Government on coronavirus, has called for tighter lockdown restrictions, describing the current rules as 'the problem' amid rising infections and deaths; Countries around the world are considering tougher travel restrictions in a bid to keep out Britain's 'more deadly' Covid strain; Boris Johnson yesterday claimed there is evidence that the Kent Covid variant may be more deadly ; B ut experts are playing down the concerns, saying its not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous; Nursing leaders are calling for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19; The health watchdog in France has called for a delay in administering a second dose, though only to six weeks; Nearly 39 per cent of Israel's citizens have had at least a single dose of a Covid jab so far. Professor Whitty pictured speaking during a coronavirus news conference at 10 Downing Street in London yesterday, during which Boris Johnson announced that the new variant of Covid, which was first discovered in the south of England, appears to be linked with an increase in the mortality rate NHS staff and key workers queue in the Louisa Jordan Hospital before receiving the coronavirus vaccine today in Glasgow, Scotland. Five thousand health and key worker staff are set to be vaccinated at NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital today as part of a mass vaccination drive by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Mr Jenrick said: 'The Government is following the very clear advice by the MRSA, our own experts, and from the four chief medical officers of all parts of the UK. They said that ensuring someone is vaccinated for the second jab within 12 weeks is fine, and that's what we're following. 'As a result of that, we're ensuring that millions more people can get the first jab and the high level of protection that provides as quickly as possible. 5.3million people in this country have been vaccinated already, that's providing support and protection to them. 'We want to ensure more people can get vaccinated in the weeks ahead. But we'll continue to follow the expert advice that we receive.' In a private letter to Professor Chris Whitty, the BMA indicated that second doses may not be guaranteed following a 12-week gap due to the 'unpredictability of supplies', reports the BBC. Although agreeing that the jab should be 'rolled as quickly as possible', the association called for an urgent review of the policy that is 'proving evermore difficult to justify'. A BMA spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The BMA remains fully committed to supporting the Chief Medical Officer and the government in rolling out the vaccine as quickly as possible to protect the public and health care workers most at risk. 'This letter to the Chief Medical Officer represents part of an ongoing dialogue about the best approach to the rollout of the vaccine and shares with him the growing concern from the medical profession regarding the delay of the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as the UK's strategy has become increasingly isolated from many other countries. 'BMA members are also concerned that, given the unpredictability of supplies, there may not be any guarantees that second doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be available in 12 weeks' time. Practice nurse Laura Holmes administers the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine to a member of the public who was unable to leave their car outside a temporary vaccination centre at St Columba's Church in Sheffield, south Yorkshire today Doctor Jane Charles prepares to administer the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine at a temporary vaccination centre in Sheffield today Practice nurse Ms Holmes prepares to administer the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine in Sheffield today. Mr Johnson has revealed that 5.4million people have now received their first dose of two vaccines currently being administered An NHS member of staff speaks to a patient as she prepares to deliver the coronavirus vaccine at the Louisa Jordan Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland this morning Immunisation Nurse Debbie Briody administers the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to Staff Nurse Amanda Thompson at the NHS Louise Jordan temporary hospital at the SEC Campus in Glasgow, Scotland What do manufacturers Pfizer and AstraZeneca say about the vaccine's dosage gap? BioNTech and partner Pfizer have warned that they have no evidence their jointly developed vaccine will continue to protect against Covid-19 if the booster shot is given later than the 21-day gap tested in trials. In a joint statement, they said: 'The safety and efficacy of the vaccine has not been evaluated on different dosing schedules as the majority of trial participants received the second dose within the window specified in the study design. 'There is no data to demonstrate that protection after the first dose is sustained after 21 days.' Meanwhile, in the UK's Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine trial, 59 per cent of those who received two doses had a nine to 12 week gap between the first and second jab, compared to 18.6 per cent in Brazil's study. The combined results found that the vaccine was more effective in the group that had over six weeks between the two doses than in the group that had less than six weeks between doses, according to The Lancet. Advertisement 'The World Health Organization has published its analysis of delaying the second dose and recommended that both doses of Pfizer-BioNTech should be given within 21-28 days, or as soon as possible thereafter. 'WHO has said that in exceptional circumstances this might be extended to within 42 days and there appears to be evidence for this in the Pfizer-BioNTech trial. However, the UK's delay to 12 weeks goes well beyond even this timeline. 'The BMA supports giving a second dose up to 42 days after the first dose, in line with international best practice as this would still allow for a doubling of the numbers of people protected by vaccination within a given time period compared to the original 3-week dose interval. 'The Association is urging the CMO to urgently review the UK's current position of second doses after 12 weeks.' The BMA's Dr Vautrey also said: 'It's important that we have a proper scientific enquiry, we review the evidence and we are open to implementing that evidence as best as we can.' A total of 5,526,071 Covid-19 vaccinations had taken place in England between December 8 and January 22, according to provisional NHS England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 425,596 on Friday's figures. Of this number, 5,085,771 were the first dose of the vaccine, a rise of 424,478 on Friday's figures, while 440,300 were the second dose, an increase of 1,118 Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chairman, said that he understood the 'rationale' behind the decision to delay the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine to 12 weeks, but said the UK should follow 'best practice'. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Dr Nagpaul highlighted WHO analysis that recommended second doses of the Pfizer vaccine only be delayed 'in exceptional circumstances'. He said: 'What we're saying is that the UK should adopt this best practice based on international professional opinion. 'Most nations in the world are facing challenges similar to the UK in having limited vaccine supply and also wanting to protect their population maximally. People pictured queueing at a vaccination centre in Hemel Hempstead on January 7, after a third coronavirus vaccine from US biotech firm Moderna was approved for use in the UK Doctors administer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a vaccination centre in Salisbury Cathedral on January 20. Matt Hancock said over 5million doses have been given out to 4.6million people Although agreeing that the Covid jab should be 'rolled as quickly as possible', the BMA called for an urgent review of the policy that is 'proving evermore difficult to justify' How deadly is the Kent Covid variant? Confusion mounts as scientists offer wildly different estimates There was confusion last night about how deadly the Kent coronavirus variant really is after 10 SAGE studies came to wildly different conclusions about its lethality and the World Health Organization said it still hadn't seen any convincing data. Boris Johnson and his science chiefs made the shocking claim that the strain called B.1.1.7 could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus without presenting any evidence to back up the terrifying development. The announcement came after 10 studies submitted to SAGE overwhelmingly suggested that the strain was more lethal than past variants. But there are question marks over the findings because the estimates varied vastly and one study even found the strain was less deadly than the older version. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimated the risk of death from the new variant could be 1.35 times greater, Imperial College London said it was between 1.29 and 1.36 times, Exeter University found it may be 1.91 and Public Health England said it could be as high as 1.6. But there are further questions over the reliablity of the data because the research was only based on a few hundreds deaths. Public Health England chief Dr Susan Hopkins cautioned people from reading too much into the findings and suggested the evidence was still murky. She added: 'There is evidence from some but not all data sources which suggests that the variant of concern which was first detected in the UK may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. Evidence on this variant is still emerging and more work is underway to fully understand how it behaves.' Sir Patrick Vallance told the briefing last night that hospital data had suggested the variant could increase the risk of death for a man his 60s from 1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, but he admitted 'the evidence is not yet strong'. Adding to the confusion, Professor Chris Whitty, said he was not entirely convinced the strain was deadlier in the first place. And the variant has already been spotted in 60 countries, including most of continental Europe, the US, Australia, India, China and Saudi Arabia - yet none of those countries have reported a higher mortality rate from the new variant. Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, slammed the Government for causing confusion and panic about the variant. He tweeted: 'I really dislike the way the news about the increased lethality of B1.1.7 was leaked out and then discussed in a press briefing. Where is the data? We want to be able to scrutinise it and to understand the detail, not just the summary.' The WHO also undermined No10, saying it had not yet seen any evidence to convince it that the Kent strain was actually more deadly than other strains. In a thinly-veiled jab at the UK Government, the body said it was more likely that the increased death rate was a result of ministers losing a grip on infections. Dr Mike Ryan, chief of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, told a separate press conference today: 'There is a big difference between the lethality of a virus, how many people on average a virus kills, versus the mortality. If I have one million people infected and my lethality is 1 per cent, or two million people infected with a lethality of 1 per cent, twice as many people will die [in the second case].' Advertisement 'No other nation has adopted the UK's approach. We think the flexibility that the WHO offers of extending to 42 days is being stretched far too much to go from six weeks right through to 12 weeks.' He continued: 'Obviously the protection will not vanish after six weeks but what we do not know is what level of protection will be offered... we should not be extrapolating data where we don't have it. 'I do understand the trade-off and the rationale but if that was the right thing to do then we would see other nations following suit.' Dr Nagpaul pointed out that giving people second doses of the Pfizer vaccine sooner would 'free up' appointments for more patients in future. He added: 'The concern we have... if the vaccine's efficacy is reduced... then of course the risk is that we will see those who are exposed maximally to the virus may get infected. 'The other worry is that members of the population, those who are at highest risk, may not be protected.' However, PHE's Dr Doyle defended the decision to delay the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine to 12 weeks, saying the move had been taken on 'public health and scientific advice'. Dr Doyle told Radio 4's Today Programme: 'The more people that are protected against this virus, the less opportunity it has to get the upper hand. Protecting more people is the right thing to do. 'People will get their second dose. As supplies become available more people will be vaccinated. It is a reasonable scientific balance on the basis of both supply and also protecting the most people.' Regarding the Kent Covid variant, she commented: 'There are several investigations going on at the moment. It is not absolutely clear that that will be the case. It is too early to say. 'There is some evidence, but it is very early evidence. It is small numbers of cases and it is far too early to say this will actually happen.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Our number one priority is to give protection against coronavirus to as many vulnerable people as possible, as quickly as possible. 'Through the UK vaccines delivery plan we are getting vaccines rapidly rolled out to older and clinically vulnerable people, as well as our frontline health and social care staff, and 5.3 million people have already received their first dose. 'The decision by the MHRA to change vaccine dosage intervals followed a thorough review of the data and was in line with the recommendations of the UK's four Chief Medical Officers. 'Both vaccines provide a high degree of protection after the first dose, and the Government has closely followed the guidance of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which was clear that we should give as many people as possible some level of immunity initially.' Professor Peter Horby, chairman of Government advice group Nervtag, said it was 'encouraging' that the UK coronavirus variant did not appear to be more resistant to current treatments, but people should continue to follow the rules after receiving the jab. He told BBC Breakfast: 'A vaccine is not a passport to do what you like, especially after one dose... it takes a while for protection to set in. 'So don't think you've got a free pass, we've still all got to adhere to the restrictions whether we're vaccinated or not. 'The encouraging news is that the UK variant is not affecting how the treatments work and it's not affecting how the vaccines work so we believe the vaccines and the treatment are just as good against this virus as they've always been.' The co-author of the Nervtag report, Professor Graham Medley, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it is clear the new variant is more transmissible than the original. Israel study suggests Pfizer vaccine only 33% effective as one dose Israel's top coronavirus medic has claimed the first dose of Pfizer's Covid vaccine is less effective than he expected. Dr Nachman Ash, one of the medics leading the Covid-19 response in Israel, said the first instalment of the jab did not cut infection rates as much as he had hoped. He told local media Army Radio: 'Many people have been infected between the first and second injections of the vaccine.' It can take 10 days or more for the immunity to kick in. Real-world data from Israel's world-beating rollout showed the first dose led to a 33 per cent reduction in cases of coronavirus between 14 and 21 days afterwards in people who got the jab. Another of the country's top doctors said it was 'really good news'. But the figure is lower than the British regulator's estimate, which said it may prevent 89 per cent of recipients from getting Covid-19 symptoms. However, Israel's data does not prove anything about possible impacts of the UK's controversial 12-week gap between doses. The country does not give any more than three weeks between the first and second doses, during which time protection is expected to be minimal at best and the vaccine is not intended to prevent infection, but severe disease and death. Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK's chief scientific adviser, said he would expect all vaccines to be less effective in the real world than in trials. He added that Britain should look 'very carefully' at data during the vaccine rollout to see what effect its having. Dr Ash's comment comes after Britain's decision to prolong the gap between the first and second doses from three weeks to 12 weeks triggered anger among scientists. Pfizer's own data shows that protection from Covid starts from about 12 days after the first dose but one jab can only prevent around 52 per cent of cases of disease, compared to the 95 per cent reduction offered by two. It does not offer any proof that a single dose works for longer than three weeks. For this reason, the US pharmaceutical firm refused to endorse Britain's decision to change the dosing schedule, saying there was no proof it would work. Advertisement However he acknowledged that it remains an 'open question' whether it is more likely to lead to death. He told the Today programme: 'The question about whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality, I think, is still open. There is evidence it is more dangerous but this is a very dangerous virus. 'In terms of making the situation worse, it is not a game-changer. It is a very bad thing that is slightly worse.' Ministers are expected to meet on Monday to discuss a proposal to require people arriving in the UK to quarantine in a designated hotel to ensure they are following the rules on self-isolating. Prof Horby said such measures would have an impact although he warned there is a limit to what they could achieve. He added: 'I think complete control of variants moving around the world is going to be almost impossible but we know that certain measures can slow the movement of these viruses around the world.' Earlier this week, a leaked internal memo sent to staff at an NHS trust in Southampton warned second doses must not be given out too soon. The decision to extend the delay was made to try and stretch the limited supply of jabs to cover more vulnerable Britons and get the UK out of lockdown as soon as possible, rather than offering stronger protection for fewer people. But it has drawn sharp criticism from both scientists and doctors, with medics writing to Health Secretary Matt Hancock and vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi to urge them to rethink the policy. The Doctors' Association UK said no studies had been done to prove a single dose of a vaccine, or two spaced very far apart, would reliably prevent cases of Covid. Pfizer and BioNTech earlier said in a joint statement: 'The safety and efficacy of the vaccine has not been evaluated on different dosing schedules as the majority of trial participants received the second dose within the window specified in the study design. 'There is no data to demonstrate that protection after the first dose is sustained after 21 days.' It follows Mr Hancock boasting on Thursday that more than 5million doses have been given out to 4.6million people across the UK around one in every 14 people. Around 2million vaccines were dished out last week and one in ten inoculated Brits have received their second dose. Staff at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, The Independent reports, received an email that said: 'This has become of the highest political import. 'David French, our CEO, has been sent a letter which is absolutely crystal clear and leaves nothing to the imagination we are not to offer any second vaccines before 12 weeks under any circumstances, at risk of losing our licence. 'This is not at the present time negotiable in any way. A region near us has given 34 second doses and are being investigated centrally.' Boris Johnson and Sir Patrick Vallance said at a Downing Street press conference last night that the variant of the coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly than the previous version of the virus that it is competing with Elizabeth Van-Tam, the mother of deputy chief medical officer for England Jonathan Van-Tam, prepares to receive her vaccine for Covid-19 in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, on January 21 A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust said at the time: 'No vaccine has been wasted as we have progressed through our first dose programme, offering a second dose 12 weeks after the first, which is in line with national guidance.' NHS England denied the claim hospitals would lose their vaccination licences for not following the rules, but declined to comment. The European Medicines Agency has said that the maximum interval of 42 days between the first and the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine should be respected to obtain full protection. Evidence of the vaccine efficacy is based on a study where administration of doses was done 19 to 42 days apart, the agency said, noting that full protection comes only seven days after the booster. It added: 'Any change to this would require a variation to the marketing authorisation as well as more clinical data to support such a change, otherwise it would be considered as 'off label use'.' Grim figures showed government borrowing soared to 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record - amid growing fears about the UK's debt mountain In a dramatic sign that the outbreak could be flattening out, SAGE said the R rate was between 0.8 and 1. That is down sharply from last week, when it was between 1.2 and 1.3 The number of people developing Covid-19 every day appears to have halved in a fortnight from 70,000 on January 8 to 34,000 yesterday, according to the Covid Symptom Study, which uses self-reported symptoms through a mobile app used by around a million people Worrying strains around the world: Since the Covid pandemic began there have been at least six new stains which appear more infectious and have mutations that open the door to vaccine resistance However the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which sets the ground-rules for the vaccine programme, has said the country should get first doses of the jabs to as many people as possible. Although a single dose of the two-dose vaccine regimes will not offer as much protection, it may still prevent many people from getting Covid-19. The JCVI claims that one dose of Pfizer's vaccine could prevent as many as 89 per cent of illnesses. But new data emerging in Israel suggest this initial dose's protection could be as low as 33 per cent, meaning two thirds of people given the single vaccine dose could still catch Covid if they were exposed to the virus. This has not yet been verified in a publicly available scientific study, but raises concerns about Britain's strategy. When the UK made the decision to split the doses with a wider gap than Pfizer had intended, both the company and the World Health Organization refused to endorse the policy because they said there was no proof the jab would still work. Nurses claim they are being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' as they call for higher-grade face masks to protect against new coronavirus strains Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the British Medical Association (BMA) warned that members had raised fears they were being given inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) in a letter to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). One nurse described feeling as though staff were being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' due to the inadequacy of surgical masks. The College is now calling for a review of infection control guidance and calling for all NHS staff to be given the higher grade of PPE as a precaution pending the outcome. Nurse leaders are calling for an urgent review into the face masks that are given to staff. Pictured: Staff nurses working at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south-west London The RCN said it was aware that some NHS trusts are using higher grade face masks in all parts of their hospitals, while others use standard face masks, thereby creating a 'postcode lottery' for nursing staff. RCN chief executive and general secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said nurses were concerned that the standard face mask may not be effective in protecting against new strains of the virus and possible airborne spread in healthcare settings. Dame Donna said: 'The Government's silence on this issue is creating a postcode lottery for nursing staff whereby some working on wards have access to the higher-grade face masks and others do not. 'It must stop dragging its feet on this issue. Nursing staff need to have full confidence that they are protected. 'Staff picking up this virus at work are angered at any suggestion they have stopped following the rules - this is down to the new variant and the dangerous shortage of adequate protection.' Jane, which is not her real name, is a nurse from Yorkshire and member of grassroots campaign group Nurses United. She said she contracted Covid in April 2020 after helping a coronavirus patient inside an ambulance, while both she and the patient were wearing a surgical mask. She has suffered from debilitating Long Covid symptoms since, even taking the last four weeks off work due to chronic fatigue - nine months after her initial infection. 'I feel kind of like half the human that I was,' Jane added. Jane said failing to protect all staff with suitable PPE made staff feel like 'commodities'. 'In critical care areas they're in full PPE but in the actual wards we're still in surgical masks... the issue is that the surgical face masks aren't effective enough,' she said. RCN chief executive and general secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said nurses were concerned about the standard face mask On top of the trauma, the PTSD and everything else that staff are feeling... people feel let down, scared and vulnerable - like we're just commodities or lambs to the slaughter. 'People start doubting who they're working for and what they're doing.' In a letter to Jo Churchill, minister for prevention, public health and primary care, Dame Donna said staff were 'aware that fluid repellent surgical face masks and face coverings, as currently advised in most general healthcare settings and patients' homes, are not protective against smaller infective aerosols'. In a further letter to Sarah Albon, chief executive of the HSE, and signed by Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the BMA council, Dame Donna called on the HSE to take a 'precautionary approach'. She said: 'In the absence of clarity on the reasons behind the new variants' increased infectivity, we are calling for the HSE to take a precautionary approach and to use your role as a regulator to ensure employers and those developing national guidance meet and understand their responsibilities.' She added: 'Adequate supplies of PPE that meet the required specifications are vital to support nursing staff to do their jobs safely. 'Without support to use suitable PPE, nursing staff are putting their own lives, and the lives of their colleagues, families and patients, at risk.' In the letter, the RCN cites NHS data showing a 22 per cent rise in the average number of health care staff off due to Covid-19 in the first week of this month compared with the last week in December. From December 31 to January 6 an average of 41,641 employees were off each day, up from 34,210 for the period December 24 to 30. Advertisement No Glasto in June for the second year Glastonbury Festival has been cancelled for the second year running thanks to the pandemic. The organisers say they 'moved heaven and earth' trying to make it happen but continuing uncertainty means Britain's biggest musical jamboree attended by 200,000 fans in 2019 cannot go ahead. It was due to celebrate its 50th anniversary last year but had to be called off days before the first lockdown in March. Now organisers Michael and Emily Eavis say the 2021 event cannot go ahead. Sir Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and rapper Kendrick Lamar were scheduled to headline the Pyramid stage and Diana Ross was the Sunday afternoon 'legend'. People in the festival crowd enjoy watching Dizzee Rascal on the Pyramid stage during day two of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 25, 2010 in Glastonbury, England Primal Scream, Dua Lipa, Manic Street Preachers and Lana Del Ray were also on the bill. The father and daughter Eavis team said yesterday: 'With great regret, we must announce that this year's Glastonbury Festival will not take place and that this will be another enforced fallow year for us. 'In spite of our efforts to move heaven and earth, it has become clear that we simply will not be able to make the festival happen.' They said those who secured tickets with 50 deposits in 2019 will be able to roll this over to the next event in June 2022. Disappointed fans due to descend on Worthy Farm, Somerset, from June 23-28 said the move was understandable, but Tory MP Julian Knight, chairman of the Commons culture committee, called it a 'devastating' blow and criticised the government's failure to set up an insurance scheme to save major events. Tom Watson, head of UK Music, said such a backup scheme 'wouldn't have cost too much' and if Britain's vaccine rollout proved a success Glastonbury would have provided an ideal celebration. Eurostar passengers down 94% Eurostar passenger numbers plummeted 94 per cent at the end of 2020, it emerged yesterday, sparking fresh calls for a joint UK-French support package. Officials from both sides continued talks yesterday in a bid to strike a deal amid fears the Channel Tunnel firm is facing bankruptcy. Yesterday's figures reveal that, over the course of 2020, passenger numbers were down 77 per cent, dropping from just over 11 million in 2019 to 2.5 million. Workers clean the platform area as a Eurostar train bound for Paris prepares to leave St Pancras International train station in London on January 18, 2021 The fall reached 94 per cent in the final quarter when passenger numbers were 170,010, compared with 2,624,943 in 2019. One rescue option being discussed would involve the Bank of England providing funds from its Covid loan facility. Industry projections suggest Eurostar, which is majority-owned by the French government, could go bust by April, although company insiders say reserves could stretch until summer. The UK Government sold its 40 per cent stake in Eurostar in 2015. Cafes and bars could see 3.2m jobs axed By Claire Ellicott and Sami Quadri for The Daily Mail Hospitality chiefs issued a dire warning about the future of many businesses last night after doctors advised that the reopening of pubs and restaurants should be pushed back to May. Industry leaders said that just one in five restaurants, pubs and bars had enough cash to get through beyond March. It came after Sage scientists who advise the Government warned that the sector would have to stay closed until at least May to limit the spread of coronavirus. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, told Radio 4's The World At One that if the reopening of the sector was delayed until May, 3.2million could lose their jobs. Diners in Old Compton Street, Soho, London, in August 2020 'Just one in five hospitality businesses are confident that they will have enough cash to get through beyond March,' she said. 'There is no way that businesses will be able to survive until May with no revenues coming in for seven months. 'It's a cash burn of half a billion pounds to keep the sector closed each and every month. If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be little left of the hospitality sector and the 3.2million people who work in it to reopen at that point in May.' She said she hoped that with the vaccination programme under way, there would be a 'pathway' to the lifting of restrictions. 'Otherwise I think you've got a danger that you have an impact on peoples' mental health and well-being and also their economic health and well-being,' she said. A man wearing a face mask as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, walks past a closed pub in the City of London, on January 15, 2021 If the sector is closed until May, she warned, there would need to be a 'significant additional injection of cash support from the Government because the support at the moment is just not sufficient to sustain and maintain businesses and jobs'. Doctors warned restaurants would not be able to open until May because it would push up the R rate. Dr Marc Baguelin of Imperial College London, who sits on the Sage committee, said: 'We looked at partial reopening and the increase of the R number and found that it will generate an increase, the extent of which we don't really know. 'And if this was to happen earlier than May, it will generate a bump which is really bad ... at best you will carry on having a very unsustainable level of pressure on the NHS.' School's out until Easter? By Jason Groves for The Daily Mail Schools could remain shut until after the Easter holidays unless virus cases fall dramatically in the coming weeks, it was feared last night. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term. But with Covid cases still at high levels, Downing Street refused to be drawn on the likely restart for millions of children stuck trying to learn from home. And a government source acknowledged it was becoming 'increasingly difficult' to see how schools could be reopened next month, given the state of the pandemic. During a round of media interviews yesterday, Mr Williamson insisted there would be no repeat of the shambolic episode at the start of this month when schools were ordered to close just one day after returning from the Christmas break. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term (stock photo) He said schools would get at least two weeks' notice of any order to reopen suggesting that ministers will have to decide by February 8 whether classrooms will reopen for the start of the second half of the spring term on February 22. Although Boris Johnson has prioritised the early reopening of schools, government scientists have warned that a return to the classroom could trigger another sharp spike. 'We have to be realistic about the situation we are in and the impact reopening schools might have,' a source told the Mail. Dr Mary Bousted, of the National Education Union, said: 'After the chaos and confusion that government incompetence over school opening and closure has created, it is good we now have an assurance from Gavin Williamson that school staff will be given two weeks' notice before reopening. 'The last thing that parents and children need now is a stop-start approach. We all want schools to be open, but they must be opened when it is safe to do so, and when the conditions are right to keep schools open sustainably.' Any delays will pile pressure on Mr Williamson to ensure high quality education is available to all those children forced to stay at home. He said a further 1.3 million laptops, tablets and routers would be distributed to those in need in the coming weeks to widen access to online learning, providing the 'ultimate safety net' for disadvantaged pupils. He added that he had 'made it clear to schools' what was the 'absolute minimum' they were expected to provide. Mr Williamson said he wanted to get pupils back in the classroom at the 'earliest possible opportunity', adding: 'I would certainly hope that that would be before Easter.' Downing Street confirmed that Mr Johnson wanted schools to reopen as quickly as possible but refused to be drawn on when that would be. 'If we can open them up before Easter we obviously will do but that is determined by the latest scientific evidence and data,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said. WEBSTER CITY, Iowa Embezzling from the Webster City Chamber of Commerce results in probation for a Hamilton County woman. Leah Rae Mulholland, 40 of Webster City, pleaded guilty to 1st degree theft and has now been sentenced for five years of supervised probation. Authorities say that while she worked as a financial and administrative assistant for the Chamber, Mulholland wrote 247 unauthorized checks worth $149,141.80 and also made over $1,500 in unauthorized purchases with the Chambers debit card. Those thefts took place between October 2013 and June 2018. Zara McDermott was dreaming of sunnier climes on Saturday as she shared two stunning throwback bikini-clad snaps from a holiday in Spain. The Love Island star, 24, who is currently in London with her boyfriend Sam Thompson, flaunted her incredibly-toned figure in a tiny blue bikini while larking about on a beach. Zara appeared confident in the beach photos from last summer in which she showed off the results of her recent three stone weight loss. Life's a beach: Zara McDermott harked back to a holiday in which she didn't break the rules as she shared stunning throwback snaps of her previous trip to Spain on Saturday The Stunner paired her blue two-piece with a pink bandanna worn over her flowing caramel locks. Captioning her trip down memory lane, Zara penned: 'summer 20 archives.' Zara has been working hard on her fitness regime, since returning from the Maldives with her boyfriend Sam Thompson, 28, amid London's Tier 4 restrictions. Fun in the sun: The Love Island star, 24, flaunted her figure in a tiny blue bikini while larking about on a beach in the sizzling Instagram snaps The TV personality has shared several snaps of herself in tight gym wear while promoting her new exercise line. Zara's representatives insisted she was working during the trip to the Maldives. The nature of her work is unknown. Meanwhile, Zara recently took part in a candid question and answer session with fans about her life, love and pre-reality TV career. Promo queen: Zara has been working hard on her fitness regime, since returning from the Maldives with her boyfriend Sam Thompson, 28, amid London's Tier 4 restrictions The reality star gushed about her love for Sam and also discussed her career pre-Love Island working as a government advisor. One follower asked Zara what her 'favourite thing' was about Sam. The Made In Chelsea star said 'That's a hard one', before talking about her beau's positive traits. 'I really admire his love of live, his work ethic, the pride he takes in bettering himself as a person and being the best version off himself (which inspires me a lot), his ability to make every situation (no matter how bad) into something positive. 'He can also make people smile.' Zara added Sam is 'extremely clever' and loves history. Another fan questioned the brunette beauty about her career in government before she found fame on Love Island. In love: The reality star gushed about her love for Sam and also discussed her career pre-Love Island working as a government advisor Zara said she got the job back in 2015 and was put on a placement in the Department of Energy and Climate Change. 'I worked in policy for a bit but I loved working in briefings and correspondence because it meant that if the Prime Minister or any Minister were to be asked a question on our specific team area, my job would be to work with the experts and draft a brief with their expertise, get it signed off by my bosses and then send up to the Minister's office.'] Zara described how she would be 'running around the office' because sometimes the deadlines were an hour. Smitten: One follower asked Zara what her 'favourite thing' was about Sam. The Made In Chelsea star said 'That's a hard one', before talking about her beau's good traits Government advisor: Another fan questioned the brunette beauty about her career in government before she found fame on Love Island The couple's reconciliation was played out on Made In Chelsea, with Sam's ex Tiffany Watson even intervening to try to get the heartbroken star to forgive Zara for cheating on him. At the time Louise was the first to hint about the betrayal, tweeting 'Cheaters always want you to be loyal', just weeks before their split was confirmed. The couple got back together last month MailOnline revealed. Sam had previously stated on Made In Chelsea that their 16-month relationship was well and truly over, following revelations she had cheated. Following their split in August, the reality star unfollowed Zara on Instagram and publicly ignored her several declarations of love. He refollowed her a few weeks ago. Sam told us that his emotional breakup with Zara - which was documented on the E4 series - has 'humanised' him. By Song Young-gil Rep. Song Young-gil of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is the chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 14:22:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- While the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging across the world and the new coronavirus variant causing even more challenges, vaccination campaigns against the virus in the European Union (EU) and the United States have been lagging behind as a result of delivery and distribution delays, according to media reports. PEOPLE IN NEED OF SECOND SHOT Italian authorities said on Thursday that delays in the delivery of one of the two authorized vaccines would continue affecting Italy's vaccination campaign in the short term, with a 20-percent shortfall expected next week. Up to Thursday, the vaccines had been administered to over 1.28 million people in Italy, and the shots accounted for 82.3 percent of the 1,558,635 doses delivered so far. However, the U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer, the major provider of those doses, recently announced it would slow down its deliveries to EU countries. "We have been told (by Pfizer) that we will receive 20 percent fewer doses next week," Italy's Extraordinary Commissioner for the Coronavirus Emergency Domenico Arcuri told a press conference, adding that such delays, including the 29-percent cut last week, would make a visible impact on the vaccination plan when some people were in need of the second mandatory shot. The Pfizer vaccine has to be administered in two shots 21 days apart. SUPPLY ISSUES FRUSTRATE DISTRIBUTERS Following Pfizer, British drugmaker AstraZeneca is to cut deliveries of its COVID-19 vaccine to the EU by 60 percent in the first quarter of 2021 due to "production problems," an unnamed senior EU official told media Friday. AstraZeneca, which developed its vaccine with the University of Oxford, disclosed the situation in a statement giving few details. "Initial volumes will be lower than originally anticipated due to reduced yields at a manufacturing site within our European supply chain," the statement was quoted by BBC as saying. The company signed a deal with the EU to provide "at least 300 million doses of its vaccine," according to BBC, but was unlikely to meet that promise in the first quarter, nor able to indicate delivery targets for the second quarter due to production issues. To date, EU countries have administered over 5 million doses to their citizens. The aim was to inoculate 70 percent of adults by the end of August, the newspaper The Guardian reported. Under the current situation, Austrian Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said that a delay would be "completely unacceptable." VACCINE PUZZLE FOR NEW U.S. ADMINISTRATION As the United States endures records of COVID-19 infections and deaths, U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday unveiled his national strategy for addressing the pandemic, which starts with a national vaccination campaign aiming to administer 100 million doses of two-stage coronavirus vaccines within 100 days. The Biden administration is trying to "figure out exactly what's holding up the national COVID-19 vaccine rollout, searching for any hiccups in the manufacturing processes, suppliers and distribution networks," CNBC on Thursday quoted Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as saying. As of Saturday, nearly 40 million doses of vaccine have been distributed to states in the country, but only around 19 million have actually been administered, according to data provided by the CDC. The New York Times reported that it was health officials and hospitals "struggling with a lack of resources" that explained why vaccine distribution was taking longer than expected. Holiday staffing also contributed to delays, the newspaper noted. "The holiday season has meant that people are off work and clinics have reduced hours, slowing the pace of vaccine administration," it said. The delivery delays, production issues and those sorts of logistical problems not only put the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 behind schedule, but also raised fears about how soon the affected countries will be able to tame the pandemic. Italy has planned to take legal action against Pfizer because of the delays, Arcuri said in a statement on Tuesday. Enditem Naomi and Alex Jessup celebrated their small wedding last Friday (15th) with a stroll to the foot of Bray Head to take some photos against the backdrop of snow. Naomi (formerly Keddy) is from Rockfield Close in Newtownmountkennedy and the couple now live in Alex's native Mullingar. They got married in a civil ceremony at the Royal Hotel, before having a private dinner for four, including their two witnesses, at the Parkview Hotel in Newtown. While they had imagined quite a different wedding day, the happy couple had a wonderful time. Naomi said that they had originally had a bigger reception planned for Friday, January 8, and ultimately had to cancel all of their arrangements, such as the DJ and dinner with all their guests. 'We still wanted to go ahead and have the wedding and get married on our date,' said Naomi. She said that they do intend to hold a small party for friends and family at a later date, when regulations allow. They got beautiful winter weather for their special day, and couldn't have been happier. 'It was very, very nice and the hotel was so accommodating,' said Naomi. They stayed in the Parkview the night before and the night of the special occasion. 'They made it very special for us,' said the bride. 'We are so grateful as it wouldn't have been possible without them.' Naomi has lived in County Westmeath for the past two years, and came home to get married to Alex. While they couldn't make any plans for a honeymoon, and their dream honeymoon would be abroad, they do hope to at least get away in Ireland for a break during the year. Looking forward to seeing their photograph in the newspaper, Naomi said that she was in the Bray People for quite different reasons in 2003. 'I was the five-year-old girl hit by a motorbike on the Main Street in Bray,' she said. While she doesn't remember the accident, she knows she was in hospital for several weeks at that time and her family got a dreadful fright. Thankfully, she recovered and years later has had a most happy wedding day with her husband Alex. Carbondale police filed robbery charges against a city man Thursday after officers said he and a juvenile stole a man's expensive headphones. Phillip DeBarry, 18, 64 Wyoming St., is charged with robbery, receiving stolen property and related counts. Officers responded to 87 N. Main St. about 2:12 p.m. Jan. 2 for a report of a man who was robbed of his Beats by Dre Studio headphones, according to a criminal complaint. Shawn Mills told police DeBarry and another person stole his new headphones and ran, Officer Robert Williams wrote in the complaint. Williams saw DeBarry walking nearby, but he denied taking the headphones and did not have them with him, according to the complaint. Police also spoke to Justin Rosario, who had been with DeBarry before the robbery, police said. Rosario told police a juvenile, whom officers did not name, took them, Williams wrote. Officers located the juvenile at a family member's home and saw the broken headphones outside a window. The juvenile is also being charged, Police Chief Brian Bognatz said. Bail and preliminary hearing information were unavailable Friday. We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here State Sen. Stephen Huffman (R-Ohio). AP Photo/Al Behrman, File An Ohio lawmaker who called Black Americans "colored" will lead a legislative health committee, according to the Associated Press. State Sen. Stephen Huffman, a medical doctor, questioned the hygiene practices of Black Americans. Huffman apologized and has sought to make amends for his statements. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Video: How COVID-19 is ravaging two cities on the U.S.-Mexico border An Ohio GOP lawmaker and doctor who last year described Black Americans as "colored" in questioning their hygiene as it relates to contracting COVID-19 will now lead the state Senate Health Committee, according to the Associated Press. This past June, state Sen. Stephen Huffman, an emergency room doctor, openly questioned the coronavirus prevention methods of Black Americans while speaking with Angela Dawson, a Black woman and the executive director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health. "I understand African Americans have higher instances of chronic conditions that makes them more susceptible to death from COVID," Huffman said. "But why does that make them more susceptible just to get COVID?" He added: "Could it just be that African Americans - or the colored population - do not wash their hands as well as other groups? Or wear masks? Or do not socially distance themselves? Could that just be the explanation of why there's a higher incidence?" The comments fueled an uproar, with Huffman being fired from his emergency room position, along with the Ohio American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) calling for him to resign and Black lawmakers criticizing his statements. Democratic Rep. Stephanie Howse of Cleveland, who is Black, said at the time that Huffman's comments stunt any hope for changing the racial climate. "When we talk about the internalized racism that is deeply ingrained in our institutions and the obstacles black Americans face in ever achieving meaningful change, this is exactly what we are talking about," she said shortly after the incident. "The fact that a well-educated legislator, a vice chair of the Health Committee and a practicing medical doctor, would, in a public setting, nonchalantly use such antiquated terminology, paired with a hurtful, racist stereotype, all in one breath reflects how unconscious this problem of racism is for too many." Story continues Read more: Trump tested the Constitution and shredded traditions. Biden and the Democrats have big plans of their own about what to do next. Huffman took to Facebook shortly after the incident to apologize for his comments. "I had absolutely no malicious intent, but I recognize that my choice of words was unacceptable and hurtful," he wrote. "I apologize, and I make no excuses. Those who know me will tell you that I have nothing but love and respect for all people, and I would never intentionally disrespect or denigrate anyone for any reason." Huffman was tapped to lead the health committee by his cousin, GOP Senate President Matt Huffman. John Fortney, a spokesman for the Senate president, released a statement defending Huffman's chairmanship. "Senator Huffman ... has a long record of providing health care to minority neighborhoods and has joined multiple mission trips at his own expense to treat those from disadvantaged countries," he said. "He apologized months ago for asking a clumsy and awkwardly worded question. Sincere apologies deserve sincere forgiveness, and not the perpetual politically weaponized judgment of the cancel culture." After the announcement, Huffman said that he is "proud" to chair the committee and tried once again to make amends for his comments. "In our state's effort to help understand why COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting African Americans, more than seven months ago I asked an awkwardly worded question that unfortunately hurt many people," he said. "I immediately apologized and have been working to heal any harm caused." Read the original article on Business Insider EMBARGOED TO 0001 WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18 File photo dated 22/10/14 of a police officer. More than three in five coronavirus fines have gone unpaid in some parts of England, figures suggest. Two men have been fined 10,000 each for organising and directing a funeral attended by almost 150 people. Bedfordshire Police fined a man in his 30s on Friday for the event, which took place the day before in Arlesey, near Stevenage, and breached current regulations allowing a maximum of 30 mourners at funerals. The 41-year-old director of the funeral, from Mansfield, was also fined 10,000 for not managing this event correctly or advising their clients of the rules. Chief Superintendent John Murphy, who is leading Bedfordshire Polices response to coronavirus, said it is disappointing the event went ahead despite officers attempting to engage with the family beforehand. An event of this size shows a lack of respect for those who have been unable to attend the funerals of loved ones or say goodbye in a way that they would have wished to Chief Superintendent John Murphy He said: We understand the past 10 months have been extremely difficult for everyone and that people need to mourn the loss of their loved ones with dignity and respect. However, public health remains our number one priority. The NHS is under significant pressure and coronavirus infection rates remain extremely high. During these unprecedented times, people have had to make huge sacrifices, and an event of this size shows a lack of respect for those who have been unable to attend the funerals of loved ones or say goodbye in a way that they would have wished to. He added that fines and enforcement are a last resort for police, but that they will take firm action against those who brazenly decide to go against the guidelines outlined by the government and put a large number of people at risk. According to the Health Ministry's directives, pregnant and lactating women are not going to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the moment. The same directive also exempts newborns from vaccination. Therefore, it is an incredibly stressful time for any household welcoming a new child, with no extra help from extended families, and no vaccine in sight for the nursing mother and the new baby. However, medical health experts suggest that cocooning of newborns and their mothers, managing new mothers' mental health, especially postpartum depression which has been aggravated by the pandemic and continuing to breastfeed, can help both new mothers and newborns in coping with the pandemic, even if they do not get vaccination right away. Cocooning Dr Tushar Parikh, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician, Motherhood Hospital in Pune, pointed out that since clinical trials have not been done on nursing mothers, they have been exempted from the vaccination process for the time being, for their safety and to avoid any side effects. "As far as COVID-19 is concerned, I feel that we are taking a cautious stance because we do not know what kind of effect it would have on pregnant as well as lactating mothers. We do not understand what side-effect profile will be there in the mothers themselves, and how it might impact their babies. Lactating mothers also undergo hormonal changes during the postpartum period. So, it is better to wait for clinical trials, "he said. "However, to protect the newborn baby and the mother, what every household need to adopt is the cocoon strategy. In cocoon strategy, those who come in regular contact of the mother and the baby needs to be immunized. If everyone in the house is vaccinated, then it is as good as getting the young child vaccinated," pointed out Parikh. Medical experts believe while hand hygiene and masks are a necessity for any new mother, during this crisis, it is also of utmost importance to understand that the child should not go without breastmilk. "Breastmilk has tremendous nutritional value; it has been known to have a protective effect against all pathogens and immunity wise it is the most important thing for the baby, so even if a mother is COVID-19 positive she should continue to breastfeed. WHO and governmental recommendations also say that" pointed out Dr Shacchee Baweja, Paediatrician, Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) BLKSSH and President ALPI (Association of Lactation Professionals India), currently associated with BLK hospital, Delhi. "Breastmilk doesn't contain the coronavirus. In fact, if a baby is premature and he or she needs to be shifted to the NICU, mothers should express their milk and send," explained Baweja. The Boon of Breastfeeding Apart from its general nutritional value, several studies have claimed that it has COVID-19 antibodies. According to the preliminary findings from recent research led by a University of Massachusetts Amherst breast cancer researcher and a University of Massachusetts Medical School obstetrician-gynaecologist, antibodies for COVID-19 were found in colostrum (early breastmilk) of 14 of 15 women, who were COVID-19 positive before giving birth. However, whether those antibodies can be transferred to the baby is unclear. Reshma Dhillon Pai, President of The Mumbai Obstetric & Gynecological society and a consultant at Jaslok and Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai told News18.com that it had been observed previously that expecting mothers who take vaccines against certain diseases can transfer the antibodies against those diseases to their newborns. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that same can also happen in COVID-19 antibodies. "Since newborns cannot be given the three-in-one vaccine (for tetanus-diphtheria, and whooping cough) till they are six weeks old, to ensure that they don't get any of the diseases, expecting mothers are given the three-in-one vaccine, at the time of their pregnancy so that their antibodies protect their babies. Therefore, in the first one and a half months (6 weeks), when the baby has no protection against these diseases, they are covered by the mother's antibodies," said Pai. "So, there is a possibility that we may have the same situation in COVID-19, where the mother's antibodies are transferred to the child, but we do not know for sure. It is too early to say because we are still at a phase, in which we are not a hundred per cent sure of efficacy, safety and side effects of the vaccines. It is only after we know that can we do large scale clinical trials on lactating women to figure out how it works," she added. Milk Bank Precautions If for some reason mother's milk is unavailable, and the child is vulnerable and has low weight, then the child should be given donor mother's milk which is available free of cost in milk banks, pointed out Ruchika Chugh Sachdeva, Vice President, Nutrition, Vitamin Angels. Sachdeva added that although so far there is little to no evidence to believe that covid 19 can be transferred from breastmilk if a child is being given donor mother's milk it is better to ensure that it is pasteurized. In a paper published in Journal of Medico-Legal and Ethics Association, titled Guidance for use of Human Milk in India in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, authors Dr Jayashree Mondkar, Dr Ketan Bhardava, Ruchika Chugh Sachdeva et al., it is suggested that greater vigilance must be exercised in donor screening procedures. Sachdeva, who is one of the authors of the paper told News18.com, "In addition to routine donor screening criteria for milk banking, the donor screening history and examination findings should be modified to include a detailed history regarding the risk of being a suspected or probable case of COVID-19 and the details should be documented. Mothers are not eligible to donate milk if nasopharyngeal swab tests positive for SARS CoV-2." The paper recommends that all other asymptomatic potential donor mothers be checked for no ILI history (Influenza-like illness with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat) in the last two weeks before donation. It also suggests that donor mothers should not have any close contact history with a laboratory-confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 in the previous 14 days. They should not have worked in or visited any healthcare facility without appropriate personal protective equipment where a case of COVID- 19 infection has been confirmed. Mothers' Mental Health Guardrails Natasha Mehta, Sr Counselling psychologist, said that it is crucial to increase awareness of the impact of social (physical) isolation on postpartum women's mental health. "Experiencing depression and anxiety during the postpartum period can have detrimental effects on the mental and physical health of both mother and baby which can persist for years. It can affect mother-infant bonding, and cause developmental delays in infants," pointed out Mehta. "The most important thing that a mother can do during this period is not to neglect herself. Keeping a routine is of paramount importance. Taking a shower every day, eating healthy foods and regular meals, drinking plenty of water, and getting a good night's sleep is very necessary," said Mehta. Priyanka Verma, Clinical Psychologist, pointed out that things have been worse for mothers who gave birth for the second time or are part of a nuclear family. "Especially for those mothers, who were not giving birth for the first time, an obvious comparison has crept in. Previously, when they gave birth, there was a lot of jubilation and celebration. This time around, due to the pandemic, the experience has been that of loneliness, and isolation. Such feelings have aggravated postpartum depression in many cases," pointed out, Verma. Verma explained that there is a common misconception that becoming a mother is a joyous process, but in reality, it isn't at all for many women. For them, motherhood comes as a bit of a shock, even though they were preparing for the new baby for a while. Therefore, having family around the post delivery phase is essential for getting accustomed to the new child. And, what helps most is to have a helpful partner. "I think they also need to take time away from the baby, even though many think it isn't proper to do so. They need to find a semblance of routine they had before the child was born. One or two hours away from the child is very important and therefore, you need a very supportive partner at this point," she said. "Also, we need to address male postpartum depression because just like a woman is adjusting to the significant change in her life, a man too, who becomes a new father has to adjust to it. As a consequence, during the pandemic, we have seen nuclear families suffer the most," concluded Verma. Mr Emmanuel Donkor, President of Ghana Federation of Disabilities in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region, has expressed gratitude to President Akufo- Addo for nominating Mr Joshua Makubu as Oti Regional Minister-designate. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Donkor said Mr Makubu's skills in grassroot mobilisation, mentorship ideals and track record in secretarial activities might have captured the President's resolve to nominate him. He said the nominee had distinguished himself in all tasks and was always ready to solve problems. Mr Donkor urged Parliament's vetting committee to approve the Regional Minister-designate without tension. Mr John Nanka, President of People With Disability in the Nkwanta North District, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that Mr Makubu would facilitate the needed development for the people of the Oti Region. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Netflix's new series "Fate: The Winx Saga" is adapted from the Nickelodeon animated show, "Winx Club." It's a visually stunning fantasy quest centered around young women who have magical powers that are not yet developed but have yet to learn to focus on their full potential. The "Fate: The Winx Saga" cast includes fairy warrior Bloom, played by Abigail Cowen from "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," alongside Hannah Van Der Westhuyseas as Stella and Precious Mustapha as Aisha. Unlike her classmates, Bloom is the only person who recently found out about her powers after losing control and setting her home on fire. However, her teachers at the fairy school believes she has incredible potential once she chooses to embrace her powers and strengths instead of running away from them. "Fate: The Winx Saga" received mixed reviews from critics after it's release on Thursday, withc critics assessing its characters up and storyline itself. Distinct Personalities But One Stands Out "Fate: The Winx Saga" series has a large ensemble cast, but each member has a distinct character. TV Insider said that the dynamic between them feels authentic, and each one of them receives an equal amount of screen time. However, one cast that stands out is Beatrix, played by Sadie Coverall, who is a wicked fairy with lightning powers and has mysterious motives for enroling at the school. Though the series only has six episodes compared to other Netflix originals, the plot is compressed into each episode, which puts viewers at the edge of their seats each time. Shouldn't Be On Netflix However, Decider said that the series shouldn't be on Netflix and should be on The CW instead, along with other similar shows such as the former hit "The Vampire Diaries." The outlet believes that "Fate: The Winx Saga" has a "Scooby gang" approach to the entire story because it seems too familiar. Variety also mentioned how Bloom's character, as well as the other ladies' characters, are a "mashup of cliches." The outlet also pointed out how the show has a vibe of "Harry Potter" mixed with "Pretty Little Liars" and "multiplied it all by 'The Hunger Games.'" It also didn't fail to mention how it took a page out of the "Riverdale" book by giving everything "an ominous sheen of sexy intrigue." Limiting the Imagination The Spool, meanwhile, said that the visuals of the cast and the show itself has "matured," which doesn't suit Netflix's "Fate: The Winx Saga" at all. "The narrative elements also never quite reach an engaging complexity." It added: "It's a shame they couldn't imagine a more radically connected world. This is especially dangerous when you have your hero realize they are a part of this lineage ." Controversy A month before "Fate: The Winx Saga" was released, the show has already managed to anger Netflix fans because of allegedly whitewashing two characters and the show's dark tone. Fans are saying how the Saturday morning childhood staple "Winx Club" had gotten a "Riverdale" type of dark makeover instead of the colorful world many are accustomed to. Critics believe that the Netflix show was a complete downgrade instead of what they hoped for a "fresh take" on the animated series. Whitewashing, which is common in Hollywood, made two characters too white, making the casting choices "especially disappointing," according to Screenrant. Elisha Applebaum, who plays Musa, is playing a full Asian character despite being 3/4 white and 1/4 Singaporean. At the same time, Flora, who has a brown skin tone on the original show, is now replaced by Terra's white character, played by Eliot Salt. READ MORE: Christopher Nolan Quits Warner Bros: Real Reason Revealed See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles Chinese state media has reported that Australian and Chilean cherry packaging had traces of Covid-19 on it and were sold in the Jiangsu province, near Shanghai. While the state media said it wasn't clear what the 'source country' was, it was likely either Australia or Chile and anything contaminated has been destroyed. This follows China blaming a drop in export figures for cherries on the 'inferior quality' of Australian cherries. Chinese state media has reported that Australian and Chilean cherry packaging had traces of COVID-19 and were sold in the Jiangsu province, near Shanghai. Pictured: Tasmanian cherries being harvested While the state media said it wasn't clear what the 'source country' was, it was likely either Australia or Chile and anything contaminated had been destroyed. Pictured: Chinese President Xi Jinping The lessened sales of cherries in China in 2020 was caused by the pandemic, Australia's cherry growing authority claimed. Pictured: Farmer Brad Taylor and son Luke inspect cherry trees on a farm near Griffith, NSW in September, 2020 '[All] unsold cherries from the same batch have been collected and are ready for destruction,' the Global Times wrote about the cherries reportedly produced in December 18, 2020. This follows Australian cherry growers fighting back at Chinese claims that Aussie cherries are tasteless as concerns grow the berries will be subject to Chinese tariffs. The lessened sales of cherries in China in 2020 was caused by the pandemic, Australia's cherry growing authority claimed. Australian growers claimed a drop in Australian cherry exports to China was caused by flight restrictions, but Chinese state media said Chilean cherries are better quality. Most of the cherries sold in China come from Chile and Australia. Australian growers claimed drop in Australian cherry exports to China was caused by flight restrictions, but Chinese state media said Chilean cherries are better quality (stock) President of Cherry Growers Australia Tom Eastlake said fruit that wasn't up to scratch was not sold internationally. '[Australia is] positioned as the premium cherry product in the world,' he told The Australian. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack also defended Australian cherries, calling them 'red, juicy and plump.' President of Cherry Growers Australia Tom Eastlake (pictured) said fruit that wasn't up to scratch was not sold internationally, and that Australian cherries are best in the world This latest squabble between Australia and China is a symptom of growing tensions between the two nations, which has impacted businesses from both nations. Since Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an independent investigation into the origins of Covid-19 in Wuhan, China has slapped tariffs on some Australian exports. Australian beef, barley, coal, wine, lobster, cotton, and timber has been affected. Attempts from Chinese developers and companies to bid on Australian companies have also been rejected by the government. Australian treasurer Josh Frydenberg rejected a $300million Chinese takeover bid to acquiesce building contractor Prodbuild last year for 'national security' reasons. Mr Frydenberg also rejected a $600million bid from a Chinese company for Lion Dairy & Drinks last year and a $13billion bid for gas company APA Group in 2018. Jose Zepeda, 45, of Fresno, Calif., self-surrendered this week on multiple felony counts of insurance fraud and attempted perjury after filing a workers compensation insurance claim and allegedly misleading the insurance carrier regarding his employment status in order to collect disability benefits he was not entitled to receive. According to an investigation by the California Department of Insurance, Zepeda was injured in August 2017 while employed by a local construction company. Zepeda began collecting disability benefits because his employer could not accommodate his work restrictions. The insurance company handling Zepedas workers comp claim reportedly instructed him to notify them if he found new employment because that would affect the benefits he was receiving. In July 2018, surveillance footage reportedly showed Zepeda regularly commuting to and from another construction company as an apparent employee. He was later asked by a claims adjuster, and in a deposition, if he found new employment. He told the claims adjuster he had not found new employment and responded in the deposition that he only worked for the new employer for one week in May 2018. Subpoenaed employment records revealed Zepeda began working for his new employer in April 2018 and was still employed there at the time of the subpoena in March 2019. His actions allowed him to collect over $17,278 in disability benefits he was not entitled to receive. Zepeda self-surrendered to the Fresno County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned on March 15. The Fresno County District Attorneys Office is prosecuting this case. Topics California Workers' Compensation Fraud Abuse Molestation Construction It is a film classic that garnered 11 Oscar nominations, but David Leans adaptation of A Passage To India faced strong opposition from the executors of author E. M. Forsters literary estate. Newly unearthed letters reveal that after reading the script, senior academics at Cambridge Universitys Kings College, which controls the rights to Forsters works, had a major worry about Leans finale, believing he was trying to over-simplify the complex tale of sexual and racial tensions set against the backdrop of the British Raj. The original novel, published in 1924, explores the fallout from a false allegation of sexual assault by Adela Quested, a newly arrived British woman in India, against the mild-mannered Dr Aziz. David Leans adaptation of A Passage To India faced strong opposition from the executors of author E. M. Forster She later withdraws the charge and declares him to be innocent, just in time to stop growing racial tensions from descending into violence. The book is ambiguous and does not spell out what happened to Miss Quested during the alleged incident, but Lean added his own scenes to hint at her sexual frustrations and switched the ending of the film from India to England. He also changed the dynamic of the relationship between Aziz and his friend Cyril Fielding, who is believed to have been based on Forster himself. Due to the ripples caused by the assault accusations, the two men part company in the novels closing scenes on the understanding they will never meet again. In his 1984 film, however, Lean ended with Fielding, played by James Fox, and Aziz, portrayed by Victor Banerjee, rekindling their friendship. In November 1982, while the film was in pre-production, Michael Cowdy, the bursar of Kings College, wrote to Lord Brabourne, one of the producers, to raise concerns about the script. We do have one major worry about it and that concerns the ending, he wrote. It seems to us that, if it is to be faithful to the novel, the film must end in India. Lean, whose earlier films included Lawrence Of Arabia, stuck to his proposed ending after launching a charm offensive against the fellows of Kings College over dinner. Lean reportedly told them: We are talking about one of the greatest novels in English literature, which will live for ever. As for my film, in five or ten years, it will have been forgotten and you can make another film if you want to. In fact, A Passage To India was a box-office hit and won two Oscars and three Golden Globe awards. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams has a new trial date in his federal tax fraud case -- and it gives him much more time to settle into his new gig. U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman set a Nov. 1 trial date for Williams and his co-defendant and law partner, Nicole Burdett. Theyre accused in an 11-count indictment of cheating the Internal Revenue Service by inflating their firms business expenses. Williams was initially set to go on trial the same date he was sworn in, Jan. 11, but that date was pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic. All jury trials at the federal courthouse in New Orleans are suspended until at least May 1. +2 Suspect in 2019 murder of Danish tourist in New Orleans East is released without charges The Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office on Wednesday declined to charge a woman who police had accused of fatally shooting a Danish tour Feldman also ordered defense attorneys to file a motion on the possibility of consolidating the Williams and Burdett tax case with a separate indictment that centers on Burdetts personal tax returns. Williams has claimed that hes the victim of selective and vindictive prosecution and a rogue IRS agent, but Feldman earlier this month declined to toss the case before it goes to trial. That sets up the impending spectacle of one of the city's most powerful elected officials facing a jury while he manages a stable of state prosecutors on S. White Street. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up +2 A look at Jason Williams' plan as New Orleans DA: Cuts on case backlog, culture change, more The boxes of old case files heaped in the grand jury room at the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office represent a small slice of Jason Wi Williams won by a wide margin against former Criminal District Court Judge Keva Landrum on Dec. 5, despite her accusations that he would be too distracted by his federal case to run the office. In addition to sharing the defense table in a federal courtroom with Williams, Burdett could also follow him into government service. The new DA said at a news conference last week that its possible she will take a job at the District Attorneys Office. The coronavirus pandemic has brought many state and federal court dockets to a halt, with some observers predicting that regular jury trials wont resume until vaccines are broadly available. The Louisiana Supreme Court has suspended all state jury trials until at least March 1. +2 Jason Williams ends first week as New Orleans DA with shake-up, sends 10 packing Former employees of the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office rolled plastic carts filled with their possessions out of headquarters Frida Editor's Note: This article was updated to correct the first potential date of state jury trials. Berger said when he read the findings of the first probe, "it was pretty clear to me we needed to do a follow-on... 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. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his 'disappointment' with Joe Biden's decision to cancel the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline in the US President's first call to a foreign leader on Friday. Biden and Trudeau spoke on a number of topics and made plans to continue the conversation next month, Ottawa and Washington said in separate statements. Biden also spoke with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday and they discussed ex-president Donald Trump administration's 'draconian immigration policies.' US President Joe Biden spoke with Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau and covered everything from the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to the closure of the US-Canada border since March, to environmental protections According to the US and Canada, Biden and Trudeau discussed Biden's decision to cancel the permit for the pipeline, a project fiercely opposed by environmentalists but backed by Ottawa. Upon taking office on Wednesday, Biden rescinded a permit for the pipeline via executive order, blocking completion of the project started almost a decade ago. Trudeau had previously said it was 'an important project for us,' citing continental energy security and jobs, and reacted with disappointment Friday over its cancellation. 'The prime minister raised Canada's disappointment with the United States' decision on the Keystone XL pipeline,' Trudeau's office said in its statement, but added that the prime minister emphasized the 'important economic and energy security benefits of our bilateral energy relationship.' In their private conversation, Biden told Trudeau that by issuing the order he was following through on a campaign pledge to stop construction of the pipeline, a senior Canadian government official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversation between the nations' leaders. The White House said in a statement that Biden, during the conversation, acknowledged Trudeau's disappointment with his Keystone decision. The 1,210-mile pipeline, starting in 2023, was to transport up to 830,000 barrels of oil a day from the Alberta oil sands to Nebraska and then through an existing system to refineries in coastal Texas. During the conversation, which Canada said lasted approximately 30 minutes, the two leaders also covered everything from the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to the closure of the US-Canada border since March, to environmental protections. Trudeau and Biden made plans to talk again soon, with Canada leaving open the possibility of a virtual or even in-person discussion, while the White House said only that 'the two leaders agreed to speak again in a month.' The discussions, the Canadian statement said, would 'advance the important work of renewing the deep and enduring friendship between Canada and the United States.' Also on Friday, Biden asserted in a phone call with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador that he would be reversing the Trump administration's 'draconian immigration policies.' Adding to the growing list of policies rejected by his administration, Biden used the call as a opportunity to 'review bilateral cooperation on a range of bilateral and regional issues,' according to a readout of the call shared by the White House. 'The President outlined his plan to reduce migration by addressing its root causes, increasing resettlement capacity and lawful alternative immigration pathways, improving processing at the border to adjudicate requests for asylum, and reversing the previous administration's draconian immigration policies,' the readout states, not mentioning Trump by name. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, pictured in December 2020, confirmed on Twitter that he spoke with new US President Joe Biden on Friday The readout added that the two leaders agreed to work closely together to 'stem the flow of irregular migration to Mexico and the United States,' as well as work to help promote development in the Northern Triangle of Central America. Mexico's Lopez Obrador wrote on Twitter that his discussion with Biden had been 'friendly and respectful.' 'We talked on issues related to migration, #COVID19 and cooperation on development and well-being. Everything indicates that relations will be good for the well-being of our peoples and nations,' Lopez Obrador said. The three countries form the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and binds nearly half a billion consumers in a single market that comprises about 27 percent of global GDP, in a region where trade hit $1.2 trillion in 2019 - though that was before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Trudeau said prior to the call that the new administration represents an opportunity to turn the page on a challenging relationship with the US under Trump, who once labelled Trudeau as 'dishonest' and 'meek.' 'We are truly beginning a new era of friendship,' he said. The White House said the pair's Friday phone call highlighted 'the strategic importance of the US-Canada relationship' while 'reinvigorating our bilateral cooperation on an ambitious and wide-ranging agenda.' YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. The situation over COVID-19 is stable in Armenia, ARMENPRESS reports the healthcare ministry of Armenia said. For decreasing the risk of the spread of the virus the quarantine regime has been prolonged by another 6 months, but some limitations have been lifted or eased. The ministry urges the citizens to observe anti-epidemic rules. The number of active cases is 7593. Political, civil salvoes target youth discipline via military training idea By Nadia Fazlulhaq View(s): View(s): Two former military men were at loggerheads this week, after ones statement on introducing military training for youth above 18 years old caused a stir in the political arena and confusion among people. Public Security Minister retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara earlier this week announced that he would be presenting a proposal to Parliament on compulsory military training for all above 18 years to create a more disciplined society. Opposition lawmaker and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament that such a plan to train those between 18 and 26 years old, could cost Rs 75 billion. He asked if the government has the funds. To train a soldier for six months it costs 750,000 rupees. Can the government bear such a cost at a time like this? the former army commander asked. Another opposition lawmaker Imthiaz Bakir Markar charged that the government is aiming to groom the youth to bow and follow orders. To create law abiding children, there are already existing programmes such as the Scout and Guide Movements, the National Cadet Corps. These can be strengthened and supported, he said. Mr Weerasekara told the Sunday Times that he was still consulting experts in all areas ranging from youth affairs, education, psychology, criminal studies, to understand the best training the youth would need. As the Minister of Public Security I am appalled at the level of child abuse, and brutal homicides. Apart from that, reckless and irresponsible driving and disobeying road rules is reported on a daily basis. People need to be taught how to be law abiding citizens, with knowledge about the countrys laws, he said citing examples from Singapore. He said what he meant was training provided in military bases because they are ideal venues. It is only at military bases that such large numbers of people can be accommodated. There are no plans for weapons training with focus on self-confidence and leadership skills similar to the compulsory leadership training for undergraduates. Self defence can be taught for female trainees, he said adding that all these are being discussed. A senior lecturer in peace and conflict, democracy and governance at the Peradeniya Universitys Sociology Department, Dr. Dhammika Herath, said military training lacks critical thinking and questioning skills which are essential in a civil society. As we are not at war, there is no need for full-fledged military training as there is no immediate threat. If the Government plans to create law abiding citizens, training should start young by including in study material about laws of the country or making cadeting compulsory to make the youth physically fit and disciplined. Students, who are unable to undergo compulsory cadeting, should be given a choice like first aid training, Dr. Herath suggested. The crime rates are high because people are burdened by external factors such as unemployment, poverty. Compulsory military training in advanced democracies are a success because the people do not have an impact by these pressures, he said. A health worker in Haryanas Gurugram died on Friday, six days after she was given the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine. Rajwanti, a 55-year-old health worker posted at the PHC Center in Bhangraula, was among the first to get the COVID-19 vaccine shot on Saturday, January 16. She was given Covishield coronavirus vaccine and died in the early hours today, taking the number of such fatalities to five. The cause of the death is not yet known, and her body has been sent for an autopsy, doctors said. Representation/ PTI Family seeks ban on vaccine According to her family, Rajwanti did not wake up in the morning and was brought dead at the Medanta hospital. She did not have any reaction to the vaccine on the day it was administered, they said. However, now the family is seeking a ban on the vaccine. Rajwantis son has filed an FIR at New Colony police station in Gurugram against the vaccine. But Gurgaon's Chief Medical Officer Dr Virendra Yadav has said that it would be incorrect to relate Rajwantis death with vaccine until her post-mortem report is out. covid-19 vaccine Post mortem report awaited "Only after the post-mortem report comes, the cause of Rajwanti's death will be known. Till then it will not be right to say that Rajwanti died due to the vaccine," Gurgaon's Chief Medical Officer Dr Virendra Yadav said. India began one of the world's biggest vaccination programmes on Saturday, using the two locally-made shots Covaxin and Covishield, licensed from Oxford University and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca. The vaccination drive will inoculate 3 crore healthcare and other front-line workers first in the queue, followed by about 27 crore people older than 50 or deemed at high-risk because of pre-existing medical conditions. Reuters 3 out of 4 deaths 'unrelated' to vaccine jab, says Centre Authorities have not linked any death so far to the vaccine though they have recorded atleast 4 deaths and over 600 "adverse reactions". Four deaths reported include two from Karnataka and one each from Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. A 42-year-old healthcare worker in Nirmal district of Telangana died on Wednesday after taking the coronavirus vaccine jab. The post-mortem report is still awaited. Reuters Regarding the previous deaths, the Centre dismissed reports suggesting AEFI (adverse events after immunisation). About the death reported from Bellary in Karnataka, post mortem suggested myocardial infarction and it is not related to vaccination. The other death reported in Shivamogga is also a suspected case of myocardial infarction not related to immunization, the government said. Over 10 lakh vaccinated so far More than 10 lakh people have been vaccinated so far since the vaccination programme began. The government on Friday issued a statement, once again trying hard to counter hesitancy towards the two vaccines, saying both shots are completely safe. Only a handful of states have been able to meet their daily vaccination targets. AFP Many frontline and healthcare workers have requested they be allowed to choose which vaccine they receive since the Phase 3 trials of Covaxin are still underway and its efficacy is yet to be declared. This week, artisan ice cream company Jenis Splendid Ice Creams unveiled a limited-edition flavor in honor of President Joe Biden and, according to the company, its flying off the shelves. Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday. In his honor, Jenis Splendid Ice Creams released a flavor inspired by his favorite order-- White House Chocolate Chip. Released Jan. 21, the flavor features chocolate in two ways: crunch chocolate flakes from Theo Chocolate and buttery, chocolate-covered waffle cone pieces, wrapped in a sweet vanilla ice cream. Joe Biden fell in love with Jenis ice creams in 2012, the company said in a press release. Bonding over ice cream, he and founder Jeni Britton Bauer became fast friends. In September during debate season, Biden posted a photo of Jenis Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks, deeming it a performance enhancer. We are launching this flavor with a vision for building a brighter future in mind. We must support the work of bringing America together and of building a future for us all, said Jenis Spendid Ice Creams founder Jeni Bauer said in the same release. White House Chocolate Chip is a flavor perfectly positioned for meeting on common ground. Its a play on Joes favorite flavor, and, like Joe, easy to love. It is meant to be a token of appreciation for the moment. And, I hope, a beacon of light and love. This limited-run flavor will be available as supplies last, and patrons can pick them up at Jenis scoop shops or order through local delivery. Jenis opened its first Alabama scoop shop last year in Birminghams Pepper Place. Birmingham customers interested in White House Chocolate Chip should act fast. A store associate at the Pepper Place location told Al.com that as of Friday afternoon, there was only one pint left for purchase. Donald Trump was impeached by the House for a second time on 13 January on the charge of "incitement to insurrection" after his supporters breached the US Capitol during a joint session of Congress confirming the presidential election results. The riot came on 6 January after a "Save America Rally" in the Ellipse, a park near the White House, in which Mr Trump spoke for more than an hour in an airing of grievances against the election, the media, the Democrats and more. President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government, reads the four-page impeachment article. He will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office. This is what happens next. The Senate The Senate impeachment trial began on 9 February and it is currently unclear how long it will last. However, it is expected to take less than the nearly three weeks that were used for Mr Trump's first impeachment trial in 2020. Senate rules dictate that the chamber must be transformed into a court of impeachment almost immediately and remain that way until a verdict is reached. Mr Trump will not be attending any of the sessions, and will be represented by lawyers David Schoen and Bruce Castor, who lead his legal team. Read more: Follow all the latest Trump impeachment news live The Trial House members act as prosecutors during the trial, while senators sit as jurors, with Patrick Leahy, the president pro tempore of the US Senate, presiding over the proceedings. Chief Justice John Roberts, who presided over Mr Trump's first impeachment, was originally supposed to serve in the same role for the second trial, but declined as he is not constitutionally obliged now that the former president has left office. If senators vote that the trial is constitutional, then both the prosecutors and Mr Trump's defence will have 16 hours each to make their case. Senators will then have four hours to question both sides, before each will have the same amount of time to argue whether motions to subpoena witnesses should be heard. If they are issued, then both sides will depose witnesses, before they each have four hours to make their closing arguments. Following that, the Senate will vote on the article of impeachment. Read more: Can Trump run again in 2024? The Vote In his first impeachment, the Senate largely voted along party lines to clear the president. The Senate needs a two-thirds majority to achieve a conviction. With the chamber split at 50-50, even the vice president's tie-breaking vote will not be enough for Mr Trump to be impeached. That means about 17 Republicans will need to join Democrats in turning on the GOP's former leader. In the House, 10 Republicans voted to impeach. And at least four Senators have indicated they are either undecided or leaning toward impeachment, including Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, Ben Sasse, and Pat Toomey. Read more: What does impeachment mean for Trump? The Result Impeachment is a process encoded in the US Constitution for the specific purpose of removing a sitting president from office for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours". What, then, is the motivation for impeaching a civilian no longer sitting in the office of president? There are a few reasons, first among them preventing Mr Trump running for a second term in 2024. While impeachment may not automatically bar him from running for office a second time, a second vote in the Senate to do so would only need a simple majority and not the two-thirds majority required for conviction, with the vice president currently holding the tie-breaking vote. The impeachment could also precede a criminal investigation, with the Constitution saying a president convicted in the Senate is nevertheless "liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law". If it could be proven in a civilian court that Mr Trump broke the law, however, he wouldn't need to first be impeached before facing criminal charges. Other outcomes include losing the former president's $1m travel allowance, lifelong pension, Secret Service detail, and the right to be buried with honours. Read more: Which US presidents have been impeached? As Joe Biden's administration said it will review the US-Taliban deal, top Afghan official on January 23 welcomed the newly minted Presidents decision and said that the outcome of the review should be a truce to end attacks in the war-ravaged country. Bidens National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the President will assess whether the Taliban is reducing violence in keeping with its side of the agreement in the Afghan peace accord. Sullivan also said that the US will support the peace process with a robust and regional diplomatic effort which will aim to help the two sides achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire. Following Sullivans statement, Afghanistan's acting minister of state for peace, Abdullah Khenjani said, It is expected the review will lead to the demand of the Afghan people, which is an immediate stop to violence and achieving permanent peace. Khanjani said, The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan welcomes the decision of the new US Administration to evaluate the Doha Agreement between the United States and the Taliban. : . pic.twitter.com/iE2YCjPY6t State Ministry for Peace - Afghanistan (@SMP_AF) January 23, 2021 READ: Group: Billions In Aid Needed To Help Afghan Kids In 2021 US to review 2020 US-Taliban agreement Last year, the United States had struck a deal with the Taliban in Qatar and began withdrawing its troops in return for security guarantees from the militants and a commitment to kickstarting peace talks with the Afghan government. But now the Biden administration officials are to reevaluate the pact as violence across Afghanistan has increased despite the Taliban and Afghan government engaging in those talks since September in Doha. Sullivan made it clear the US intention to review the 2020 agreement, including reduction of violence and to engage in meaningful negotiations with all the stakeholders. READ: Biden Administration To Review US-Taliban Deal As part of the deal, the US committed to withdrawing its 12,000 troops within 14 months. There are currently only 2,500 American troops left in the country. The Taliban committed to preventing other groups, including Al Qaeda, from using Afghan soil to recruit, train or fundraise toward activities that threaten the US or its allies. The Taliban has stopped attacks on international forces as part of the historic deal, however, it continued to fight the Afghan government. During a telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib, discussed US support for protecting the "extraordinary gains" made by Afghan women, girls and minority groups as part of the peace process. It is worth noting that under the Talibans rule n the 1990s, women were not allowed to study or work. The US officials committed to consulting closely with the Afghan government, NATO allies and regional partners regarding a collective strategy to support a stable, sovereign and secure future for the war-torn country. (With inputs from PTI) READ: Taliban Terrorists Kill 13 Local Police Personnel In Herat Province: Report READ: New Round Of Afghan-Taliban Peace Talks Off To A Slow Start The largest number of complaints were sent from the capital city of Kyiv and Kyiv region. Ukrainian Language Ombudsman Taras Kremin says 195 complaints and appeals have been registered since the law on the obligatory use of the Ukrainian language in the service sector came into force. "Exactly a week ago, on January 16, Article 30 of the Law of Ukraine on ensuring the functioning of Ukrainian as the official language came into force. During these days, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language received 195 complaints and appeals from citizens, the largest number of which were from the capital city of Kyiv and Kyiv region (74), the smallest from the south and east of Ukraine. Lviv residents sent 17 applications, residents of Odesa and Kharkiv 12 each," he wrote on Facebook. Read alsoRussian delegation to PACE wants debate on language issue in Ukraine MPAccording to Kremin, most, or 117, complaints related to the absence of the Ukrainian version of the websites of online publications and online stores. "Some 34 Ukrainians declared about the violation of their rights in the service sector, 25 about outdoor advertising in a non-state language, four violations of the language legislation in the field of education, and three violations over the use of a non-state language by officials," Kremin said. The ombudsman added over the past week about 50 people had called the Secretariat's hot line to provide additional information. Language law: Background On January 16, 2021, the provisions of the law on the obligatory use of the Ukrainian language in the consumer services industry came into force. Article 30 of the Law of Ukraine on ensuring the functioning of Ukrainian as the official language stipulates that all service providers, regardless of their form of ownership, shall serve consumers and provide information about goods and services in Ukrainian. On April 25, 2019, the language bill, which suggests the gradual implementation of its provisions, was passed by the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament. Reporting by UNIAN Rafa Benitez abruptly left as coach of Chinese Super League side Dalian Pro on Saturday, saying it was for family reasons because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 60-year-old Spaniard, who took Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005, had been in charge of Dalian since July 2019. "Unfortunately, like so many things in the last year, Covid-19 has changed our lives and our projects," the former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Napoli and Chelsea boss wrote on his website. "From today, both my coaching staff and I will sadly no longer be coaching the Dalian Professional F. C. "It has been an incredible experience and for this I would like to thank all my staff, coaches, medical and club staff, as well as our players. "Their commitment to us in the first place, their support during the time we were there, and their effort has been magnificent. "The pandemic is still here, for all of us, and supporting our families has been a priority when making this decision." Benitez had one more season left on his estimated 12-million-pound-a-year ($16 million) contract at Dalian, in China's northeast. British media immediately linked the Spaniard, who is based in Britain, with a return to the Premier League and Newcastle United, where he was widely liked by fans but left as manager in June 2019 at the end of his contract. His replacement Steve Bruce has failed to win over Newcastle fans and the team are 15th and on a poor run of form. Benitez took Dalian, a fallen giant of Chinese football, to ninth of 16 CSL teams in his first season. Last season, in a campaign which was badly disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, they struggled badly at the start and looked in danger at one point of relegation. In the end, Benitez comfortably kept them up but he made no attempt to hide his displeasure at the way the CSL was reorganised because of the pandemic. All CSL players and staff were kept in a virus-secure "bubble" which meant they did not see their families for more than two months in the first stage. Story continues League placings were then decided by two-legged matches with Dalian ending below mid-table. In November, after ensuring Dalian's place in next season's CSL -- which begins in the spring -- Benitez said the virus-revamped league made "no sense". "This season, with the format of the competition, it doesn't matter where you finish, so it's just so strange that I don't care," he said. Benitez often explained Dalian's lowly position by saying his was the youngest squad in the CSL. But he also had seasoned internationals Marek Hamsik, the former Napoli skipper, and former Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon. Penning his farewell, Benitez wrote: "Behind us, in China, and especially in Dalian, we are leaving many friends and good memories in a great city with very knowledgable fans. "We have tried to learn and understand a new culture and also to transmit a more professional, more European vision of football with a new methodology." pst/je Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Left-wing supporters seem to have followed the lead of Big Tech companies in silencing conservatives after liberal media's recent remarks of a "deprogram" for Trump supporters, a report says. One America News Network reported that the "deprogram" comment and idea came from CBS journalist Katie Couric following her appearance on "Real Time with Bill Maher" on a Friday. The former NBC journalist discussed how Republicans continue to stand behind Trump and even voted against his impeachment. Rhetorically, the journalist asked how Trump supporters can be deprogrammed seeing that they have signed up for a "cult." "The question is, how are we going to really almost deprogram these people who have signed up for the cult of Trump?" Couric asked. Couric was not the only journalist to comment on deprogramming Trump supporters. Other left-wing liberal media personalities like Eugene Robinson, MSNBC contributor and Washington Post editor, said something of the same nature about Trump and his loyal supporters. "There are millions of Americans, almost all white, almost all Republicans, who somehow need to be deprogrammed. They are a member of the cult, the Trumpist cult, and have to be deprogrammed." On the other hand, Media Buzz host Howard Kurtz commented on Couric's choice of words and language towards Trump supporters, which only seem to deepen the division that can now be seen in the nation. "I mean, it's that kind of language that I think kind of deepens the divisions in this country," Kurtz explained. The Fox Media news analyst added that while it is alright to disagree and criticize "the criminals and thugs who broke into the Capitol and damaged our democracy," it must not include all the people who support the outgoing President. "It kind of reflects a worldview that the other people who disagree with you politically, they're not just wrong, they're not just misguided. You know, they're really sad cases or, you know, they're members of a cult which has become a common thing for media detractors of this outgoing president to say," Kurtz added. The news analyst added further that deprogramming people who support Trump only means that they are either "brainwashed," "morons" or "can't really think for themselves" asking if the liberal media is referring to all the people who voted for Trump as a member of his cult. A seasoned media personality himself, Kurtz expressed his disappointment over Couric's language towards loyal supporters of Trump. "And I've known Katie Couric for a long time. She's very talented, not only [hosting] the 'Today' show, she was the anchor of the 'CBS Evening News'. She's a podcaster now, she's entitled to her opinion, but this is pretty disappointing language." Before liberal media stepped up with their own calls to "deprogram" President Trump's supporters, Big Tech companies have taken the lead to censor conservatives even before the US 2020 election began. Things just went even more downhill in the aftermath of the Capitol Hill riot on Jan. 6, which killed a total of five people. English French MONTREAL, Jan. 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An early warning report has been filed by Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd on behalf of its affiliate, Osisko Development Corp. ("Osisko Development"), and Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. (the "Investor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Osisko Development holding the Subject Securities (as defined below), in respect of the Investor's holdings in Cornish Metals Inc. (CUSN: TSX-V) ("Cornish"). Cornish's head office is located at Suite 960 789 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C1H2. On January 22, 2021, the Investor exercised 9,577,143 warrants of Cornish (each, a "Warrant") to acquire 9,577,143 common shares of Cornish (each, a "Common Share") at a price of C$0.07 per Common Share, for aggregate proceeds to Cornish of C$670,400 (the "Warrant Exercise"). Immediately prior to the Warrant Exercise, the Investor had ownership of, or control and direction over, (i) 44,256,190 Common Shares, representing approximately 31.6% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, and (ii) 9,577,143 Warrants. Immediately following the Warrant Exercise, the Investor had ownership of, or control and direction over, 53,833,333 Common Shares (the "Subject Securities"), representing approximately 36.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. The Subject Securities are being held for investment purposes and, as of the date of this news release, none of the parties referred to in the early warning report are aware of any plans nor has any future intentions which would relate to or result in any of items (a) to (k) described in Item 5 of Form 62-103F1. The Investor, in conjunction with Osisko Development, reviews its holdings of the Subject Securities from time to time and may increase or decrease its position as future circumstances may dictate. The early warning report is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under the issuer profile of Cornish. To obtain a copy of the early warning report, please contact Ms. Heather Taylor as indicated below. The head office of Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd and Osisko Development is located at 1100 Avenue des Canadiens-de Montreal, Suite 300, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3B 2S2. The head office of the Investor is located at 666 Burrard Street, Suite 2500, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 2X8. To obtain a copy of the early warning report, please contact: Heather Taylor Vice President, Investor Relations Tel. (514) 940-0670 #105 htaylor@osiskogr.com They slept on mattresses placed on bricks and pallets. They could not leave the warehouse where they lived, crowded together, and they were not allowed to contact anyone beyond the walls of their prison. The National Police have freed eleven people of Romanian nationality who were being exploited by an alleged human trafficking network. Seven individuals, of the same nationality, have been arrested in the operation in which the Romanian authorities also participated. The National Police said in a statement that the released people lived "in very poor living conditions". The dismantled criminal group was dedicated to attracting people from the Romanian town of Movileni. They offered them work on the olive harvest in Antequera for a monthly salary of five hundred euros. According to the investigation, the victims returned to their country when the work period ended without getting the salary previously agreed upon. Investigators said that they worked for days that lasted for more than eight hours and in many cases without registration with the social security system. They were forces to live in storage warehouses in "very precarious" conditions, sleeping in cubicles according to the police. In addition, the alleged exploiters didnt allow them to leave at any time nor did they allow them to have contact with people outside the organisation. "Given this isolation, they were at the mercy of the traffickers," said the National Police. The investigation also involved the Romanian police authorities through the offices of the Spanish Embassy in Romania. Eventually the investigations culminated in raids being made in Antequera, where the organisation was based. The National Police have reminded the public of their free 900 10 50 90 telephone hotline and the email addess treat@policia.es to anonymously and confidentially report this type of crime. U.S. Army (retired) general Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing to be the next Secretary of Defense on Jan. 19, 2021 in Washington, D.C. Austin is the first African American to have headed U.S. Central Command. (Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images) On the occasion of the 176th anniversary of the first arrival of Indian immigrant labourers to these shores, I intend to comment briefly, through a couple of letters to the press, on the current status of Indo-Trinidadians after their presence here for over a century and a half. They may be regarded as ethnic-focused, divisive and contentious, or may be deemed irrelevant and inconsequential in these times. Slip, slop, slap and scan - that is the message given to New Zealanders as they entered their first summer without international tourists in decades. But with many New Zealanders hitting the trails and exploring the great outdoors, trampers are questioning why COVID-19 QR codes aren't available at popular Department of Conservation huts and toilets. Nelson resident Jan is one of them. She's visited the Heaphy Track, Elaine Bay campsite, and Tauranga Bay as she explores day walks both in her region and on the West Coast this summer. But she's been baffled that the familiar bright yellow striped QR code signs are nowhere to be seen at popular DOC toilet stops or facilities. "How do you do it if they're not there? I mean it's a very visual reminder as you pop into your potty spot, to go 'on my gosh, the QR, shivers, we'll scan in' or my phone's back in the car, I'll just do a manual entry. But it is that visual reminder as well," says Jan. "So government has stressed its point and I think that it's a very valid one. To not carry through with their own department..." Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health urged people not to become complacent after daily QR code scanning rates almost halved compared to November. Jan says it made no sense to push for people to scan and then not have codes available at well-used huts and toilets. "They have been pretty hard nosed with businesses about getting these codes. Actually there was one spot that we went to that was a private campground toilet and QR codes everywhere. They were great. But the DOC ones are the ones that have smacked us in the face and said actually there's nothing here to scan in." The Department of Conservation confirmed there are QR codes in all DOC campsites with a ranger present and at all visitor centres, but they're not required at all other visitor facilities including huts and on tracks. Waikato Tramping Club president Selwyn June says his members would certainly scan if there were a QR code available. "We certainly have a QR code on our hut which is on Mount Ruapehu. We would expect them to be on DOC huts really because people are crammed in together in the huts and you don't always know who the other people you meet with are if they're outside your own group," says Selwyn. With 250 members and trips planned across both islands, Selwyn says scanning is one way to help keep members and the public safe. "Well it just makes us more vulnerable doesn't it if there is a community outbreak and, of course, we had to curtail our activities during the lockdown and certainly follow DOC requirements. We weren't allowed to go into DOC areas during the main lockdown and afterwards so we're pretty much aware of why we're doing these things and following requirements." Marlborough Tramping Club president Mary Jobberns says she'd scan in if there were QR codes available. "Once again it's everybody takes responsibility for themselves - number one - and you just carry on making sure someone knows where you are and by doing that you can be traced anyway." DOC heritage and visitors director Steve Taylor says the department had good systems in place to keep people safe, but visitors needed to play their part. "It is up to individuals to play their part in keeping themselves safe, choose what activities they are comfortable with, to stay home if unwell and to keep a record of where they have been. "Ministry of Health advice is that the risk of spreading Covid-19 is low in places in the outdoors like huts, campsites and tracks. At huts, visitors are encouraged to use the intentions system, hut books or to book (where the hut is bookable) and those methods are used to contact trace. "It's an unprecedented time and so DOC is keeping a watching brief over facilities and experiences, particularly during the busy holiday period. We are grateful for public feedback on experiences and that people are being proactive on the use of QR codes to stop the virus. We encourage people to report back to us where they see issues arise, so that we can take action where needed." The Ministry of Health referred questions regarding what DOC is required to display, its expectations for QR codes in the conservation estate, and whether it should be extended to more DOC facilities to the department. In a statement, the ministry encouraged people to scan QR codes where ever they could. "The more we scan, the safer we'll be. More scans facilitate a faster response. The faster we respond, the faster we stop Covid-19," says a spokesperson. "Continuing to use the Covid-19 app when out and about is especially important when on holiday because you may not remember all the locations you have visited. Keep your phone handy to make signing in quick and easy." DOC's advice for those heading to the trails this summer: Stay healthy - Keep a record of where you've been in case contact tracing is needed, and use QR codes where they are available. Remember to practice good hygiene to reduce the spread of illness and stay home if you are unwell. Know your limits and choose the right activity for you and your group. Check DOC's website, pop into the local visitor centre, and know the weather and track conditions before you set out. On the day, tell someone your plans and make sure you take all you need including appropriate clothes and shoes, plenty of food and water, extra clothing and a distress beacon, whether you are heading out on land or water. Tess Brunton/RNZ. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Los Angeles: Sound of Metal" star Riz Ahmed and Game of Thrones" alum Nikolaj Coster-Waldau will be providing their voices for the English version of Danish animated documentary Flee". The documentary from director Jonas Poher Rasmussen is set to be screened at the upcoming edition of Sundance Film Festival, reported Variety. Flee" chronicles the story of Amin Nawabi (a pseudonym), a child refugee fleeing his home in Afghanistan to safety in Denmark. Recounted mostly through animation to Rasmussen, his close friend and high-school classmate, Amin tells for the first time the story of his extraordinary journey. Ahmed will take on the role of Amin, while Coster-Waldau voices Rasmussen in the documentary. I was floored by the emotional impact of Flee. This is a unique project that pushes forward our ideas of what documentary, animation, and refugee-centred narratives can be. Im proud to help bring this project to life for English-speaking audiences," said Ahmed. Coster-Waldau said he was blown away by the powerful story of the documentary. Flee is a story of extreme perseverance and hope where all hope seems lost. director Jonas Poher Rasmussen captures the intensity of one refugees unbelievable journey from the streets of Kabul to the Danish suburbia. Because Amin is able to tell his story hidden behind his animated avatar it feels so much more revealing and honest than had it been a standard filmed interview," he added. They were devastated by the death of their dog Lupo two months ago, but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children are now besotted by a new cocker spaniel. The eight-month-old black puppy was a gift from the Duchesss brother James Middleton and arrived at Anmer Hall, the familys home in Norfolk, before Lupo died. The new puppy is adorable and the whole family are besotted, a friend told The Mail on Sunday. The eight-month-old black puppy (pictured in the arms of Alizee Thevenet) was a gift from the Duchesss brother James Middleton (pictured) and arrived at Anmer Hall, the familys home in Norfolk, before Lupo died The Cambridges were devastated by the death of their dog Lupo two months ago, pictured with Prince George in 2016 They were devastated when Lupo passed away, as any dog owner will understand, but got the new puppy before he died. It was hoped that a younger dog would give Lupo some company and give him a little more life and energy. The family will no doubt be hoping the new arrival has the same sweet nature as Lupo, who was its uncle. Mr Middleton, 33, originally bred a litter of puppies from his dog Ella in 2011. He kept one called Luna but gave brother Lupo to Kate in early 2012 when Prince William, then an RAF search-and-rescue pilot, was deployed to the Falklands. Last summer, Mr Middleton, who was staying with his parents at their Berkshire home, bred another litter of six puppies with Luna as their mother. It is understood Kate and William had the pick of the litter, helped by Prince George, seven, and Charlotte, five. Two-year-old Louis was probably too young to help. Royal aides have not yet confirmed the name the family have given to their new pet. When the litter was born, James and his fiancee Alizee Thevenet, 31, posted pictures on Instagram of themselves with the six puppies, his other spaniels Ella, Inca, Luna and Zulu plus golden retriever Mabel. Mr Middleton, 33, originally bred a litter of puppies from his dog Ella in 2011. He kept one called Luna but gave brother Lupo to Kate in early 2012. Pictured: The Cambridge announce Lupo's death in November last year When the litter was born, James (pictured) and his fiancee Alizee Thevenet, 31, posted pictures on Instagram of themselves with the six puppies, his other spaniels Ella, Inca, Luna and Zulu plus golden retriever Mabel I am sad to see you go, and yes I might cry, but it will be with happiness as each of your new homes are bursting with love, he wrote. You might be scared at first, thats ok. Just be yourself and you will never understand how much happiness you will bring to your new families and the people you meet. Make me proud and remember to write. He donated the money from the sale of the puppies to the charity Pets As Therapy, which provides therapeutic visits to care homes, hospitals and schools. The death of nine-year-old Lupo was announced in a rare personal post on social media by the Cambridges in mid-November. Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. The death of nine-year-old Lupo was announced in a rare personal post on social media by the Cambridges in mid-November. Pictured: Kate and Autumn Phillips at Beaufort Polo Clubw ith Lupo in 2012 'He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much, they wrote. Within an hour, they had received 300,000 messages from wellwishers. Lupo often appeared in official pictures of the Cambridges, including a 2013 image of Kate cradling a young Prince George. William declared at the time: Catherine and now little George are my priorities, before adding, and Lupo. Mr Middleton has spoken of how dogs have helped him with his mental health. To think a dog will cure your mental health is misguided, [but] they can be a fantastic companion, he once said. How did Luxembourg's airport develop from a little grass strip to a significant hub for European passengers and cargo? And what are the responsibilities of the airport's firefighters today? Find out in our brand-new PISA video. PISA is a science magazine series that, until recently, has only existed in Luxembourgish. We have teamed up with its host Olivier Catani to reproduce some of the fantastic material in English. Our first episode about the history of Luxembourg's tram was released in December - you can rewatch it here. Did you know that the airport was a strategic base for the US Army in World War II against Nazi Germany? Or that its runway, which is one of the longest in Europe, allowed the legendary Concorde to make an appearance in the Grand Duchy? These are only some of the astounding chapters of the airport's older days. Here is a short timeline of the airport's history. Luxembourgs first real airport was founded in 1936 in Esch on the site that today houses the technical control. There was a permanent runway, a club house, hangars and the Luxembourg Listener. This unique airplane flew music tapes and records in for RTL Radio from London. The end of the Second World War marked the beginning of Findel Airport, and that of Luxembourg Airlines, founded in 1948. The airline only had three aircraft at the start, flying to Zurich, Frankfurt and London. Cargo made up the lions share of these flights. In 1961 the airline was renamed to Luxair. The first regular flight, with destination Paris, was conducted in March of 1962 with a Fokker F-27. The idea behind a national airline was also that of political motivation. It was around this time the decision was made for EU institutions to establish themselves in Luxembourg, Brussels and Strasbourg. The main argument against Luxembourg had always been: how are we supposed to even get there? Thus, the transport minister came up with the idea of a national airline. Even today the state is a stakeholder in Luxair. The Fokker F27 Friendship was Luxair's first aircraft. / Later the airline developed its holiday offer. In 1965 the first flight with tourists onboard took off to Palma. Thanks to new and efficient aircraft Luxair was able to expand its Luxair Tours and holiday offers, and in 1975 Findel saw a modern terminal under construction, which was only replaced about 10 years ago. In 1985 the supersonic Concorde stopped by in Luxembourg for a PR stunt. The plane could fly so fast that if youd take off in Paris at noon, due to time difference, youd arrive in New York in the morning that same day. For its take-off the Concorde required much of the airports runway. NATO is in part responsible for its length: Findel is one of few European NATO airports. Training flights by the radar surveillance AWACS is a frequent reminder of that matter. In case of a crisis Luxembourg must make its airport available to the international allied community. Luxembourg further benefits from the Nato Kerosin Pipeline, which stretches underground around Europe to numerous major airports, including Findel. Fuel trucks only have to pump it out of the ground and drive up to the aircraft. Cargolux, too, benefits from the long runway. The long take-off distance allows their aircraft to fully fuel and load up, improving cost efficiency. In terms of weight, LuxCargo is amongst the top 10 freight centres in Europe. Knowledge Bite: Cargolux: How Luxembourg's freight airline became one of the largest in the world Read also: Dark Luxembourg: Deadly plane crashes in Luxembourg Want more PISA content? Check out our episode on the tram, and find the full Luxembourgish archive on Pisa.rtl.lu New Delhi: The Halwa ceremony, marking the final stage of the Budget making process for Union Budget 2021-22, was held in Delhi's North Block on Saturday in the presence of Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. A customary Halwa ceremony is performed every year before the 'lock-in' process of Budget preparation begins. At the Halwa Ceremony, the Union Finance Minister was accompanied by Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur; Dr AB Pandey, Finance Secretary & Secretary (Revenue); TV Somanathan, Secretary, Expenditure; Tarun Bajaj, Secretary, Economic Affairs; Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Secretary, DIPAM; Debashish Panda, Secretary, Financial Services; Dr KV Subramanian, Chief Economic Advisor; Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary (Budget) and other officials of the Ministry. At Halwa Ceremony, FM was accompanied by MoS Shri @ianuragthakur; Finance Secretary & Secretary Revenue; Secretary Expenditure; Secretary Economic Affairs, Secretary DIPAM; Secretary Financial Services; CEA, Additional Secretary (Budget) & other officials of the Ministry.(2/9) pic.twitter.com/zp64zXvwxc Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) January 23, 2021 PC Mody, Chairman, CBDT, M Ajit Kumar, Chairman, CBIC, besides others officers and staff of the Ministry of Finance, involved in the Budget preparation and compilation process, were also present on the occasion. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also reviewed the status of the compilation of the Union Budget 2021-22 and extended her best wishes to the officials concerned. On the occasion, Sitharaman also launched the 'Union Budget Mobile App' for hassle-free access of Budget documents by Members of Parliament (MPs) and the general public using the simplest form of digital convenience. The mobile app facilitates complete access to 14 Union Budget documents, including the Annual Financial Statement (commonly known as Budget), Demand for Grants (DG), Finance Bill etc as prescribed by the Constitution. The app has a user-friendly interface with embedded features of downloading, printing, search, zoom in and out, bidirectional scrolling, table of contents and external links, etc. It is bilingual (English & Hindi) and will be available on both android and iOS platforms. It can also be downloaded from the Union Budget Web Portal (www.indiabudget.gov.in). It has been developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) under the guidance of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA). The Budget documents will be available on the mobile app after the completion of the Budget Speech by the Finance Minister in Parliament on February 1. In an unprecedented initiative, the Union Budget 2021-22 will be delivered in paperless form for the first time. A Tallahassee man in his nineties begs for his 70-year-old caretaker to be bumped up in the vaccination queue. A woman over 75 in Raleigh asks what number to call to make an appointment. The daughter of a nursing home resident in San Jose wants to know why her mom has not received the Covid-19 vaccine. Those are not questions directed at health care workers or government officials, but at journalists. The Covid-19 vaccine roll out in the US has been slow and chaotic. Seniors with priority have had to deal with jammed up phone lines, crashing websites and long queues, forcing some to turn to their local news reporters for answers on how to get access for themselves and others. "I don't even know when I'm going to get vaccinated yet let alone answer those questions for readers," said Katie Bernard, Kansas government reporter for the Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle. Local news reporters like Bernard are trying their best to educate their communities on the vaccine refreshing local public health websites, attending press conferences, speaking with government officials and then synthesizing all this information into easy-to-understand stories online, in print and on air. That is typical work of a local reporter, but several told CNN Business the engagement has been shocking. A focus on service journalism has been good for business, though it has contributed to a drop in attention on investigations. 'Constantly directing people' Tallahassee Democrat reporter CD Davidson-Hiers received 167 calls and 75 text messages on January 4 regarding vaccine registrations, according to a tweet from the paper's news director. Davidson-Hiers told Poynter shortly thereafter that she stopped counting. In an interview with CNN Business, Davidson-Hiers likened her recent experience to working at the entrance to a theme park. "It's just like, okay, this is where the restrooms are. This is where this attraction is. I know you're going to want to know where this is," Davidson-Hiers said. "It's just constantly directing people." Anita Lee, a senior staff writer at the Biloxi-based Sun Herald where she has worked since 1987, said she has not gotten up much from her computer lately. She is constantly checking the websites where people in Mississippi can make appointments to receive the vaccine. Not only does she keep news articles updated, but she has also been helping individuals make appointments. "I stay on the phone with people and try to help them figure out which website is going to be the best one," Lee told CNN Business. "In the case of a lot of the elderly folks, they're going to need phone numbers. A lot of our print readers and they're loyal print readers are not able to get online." Not every call, text or email has a specific ask. Journalists have listened to community members air their grievances. Soumya Karlamangla, health reporter at the Los Angeles Times, said she "feels like people just tweet their anxieties at me." "I think a key part of this has been validating how frustrated people are and worried and anxious," Davidson-Hiers told CNN Business. "The information, of course, is helpful, it's factual, but just being a sounding board. People are like, 'Okay, this reporter also is really overwhelmed by how quickly all of this is changing. I'm not doing anything wrong.'" 'Very easy to understand' Beyond the personal conversations with community members, newsrooms are investing in other resources that help them communicate more effectively with readers. Karlamangla's Twitter account has become a must follow for Angelenos seeking the latest news on Covid-19 in California, where cases continue to surge. For the last year, she has tracked grim milestones, including when California become the first state to record more than 3 million Covid-19 cases. She has also provided information on where to get the vaccine. In lighter news, she recently shared her story on the rise of pet adoptions, inspiring others to posts photos of their pets. The Arizona Republic launched a pop-up newsletter and free texting service on March 17 that sends updates and story coverage to anyone who signs up. Users can also text the newsrooms with "questions or worries" that will be directed to reporters and editors. A January 19 message provided information on how to register for a vaccine. Kim Bui, the paper's director of audience innovation, told CNN Business about 3,000 users have registered for the service. Bui cited business owners and caretakers who work with the elderly as two groups of people that "have a lot of questions." Others text questions about school openings and large gatherings. "When I text somebody back, they're always like, 'Oh my gosh. Thank you so much. You're doing an invaluable service,'" Bui said. "I'm just texting. I'm glad this little thing I can do is helpful." ABC7 News, a station covering San Francisco and the Bay Area, created a Covid-19 vaccine tracker for California. Reporter Alix Martichoux told CNN Business that the project was inspired by the success of a tracker for the Bay Area's reopening plans. "Earlier this week, it had 16 million pageviews," Martichoux said in an interview last week. "I'm not saying that to toot our own horn, but it was just so clear that our people in California needed something very easy to understand and to tell them information that directly affected them." Some local coverage on the vaccine has focused on correcting misinformation. When a large sign appeared over a Durham highway that read "COVID-19 vaccine makers are exempt from liability," The News & Observer's Adam Wagner wrote a story about the damage to public trust that a message like that can cause. He spoke to an expert to provide context around what the sign claimed. "I've gone about reporting the facts as straight as possible," Wagner said. "What we're getting back from readers a lot is that people are not getting enough information. People want the vaccine, but they don't know what phone number to call or they don't know what website to go to." Lee of the Sun Herald said she sees "naysayers about masks and social distancing" on Facebook. That misinformation has prompted her team to produce more coverage on what the "repercussions are for failing to do this and point out when our mask mandates ended, what happened, which is more cases," Lee said. 'Value of local news' An unintended consequence of newsrooms' increased focus in service journalism is there are fewer resources devoted to investigative reporting. "Watchdog reporting matters, but in times like this people are panicking for the most basic information: Do I have to pay rent this month? When am I getting my stimulus check? Can I go to the grocery store today?" said Bui of The Arizona Republic. Amalie Nash, senior vice president of local news at Gannett's USA Today Network which publishes The Arizona Republic, Tallahassee Democrat and other local papers, said that she expects more "watchdog" stories down the line over what went right and wrong on the local and national level. But Nash credited newsrooms' focus on answering questions including direct engagement by reporters for improvements in the business of local news. Even before the vaccine roll out, readers were tuning into and reading the news at record rates a sign of the public's need for reliable information about Covid-19. Gannett reported it surpassed 1 million digital subscribers in the third quarter of 2020, a 31% increase from the year prior. "There aren't a lot of positives, obviously, in a pandemic, but I have been heartened to see that so many readers are connecting with local news sources in ways that they didn't necessarily do before," Nash said. "You've seen a lot more people understanding the value of local news... and I hope that that feeling continues past the pandemic." Headlines - President Biden signs executive order on the coronavirus pandemic and economy - Biden uses executive authority to fund 'food stamp' increase and retroactive stimulus check payments - Treasury to create new online portal to help make it easier to receive stimulus checks - Stimulus check of up to $1,400 in new president's $1.9tn American Rescue Plan - Senate impeachment trial for former President Trump to begin week of 8 February - An estimated 8 million eligible Americans are still yet to receive at least one of their stimulus checks - Democrats drafting bill to provide $300-per-child monthly checks to parents - Republican Senators Collins and Romney question the need for additional stimulus spending - US covid cases/deaths: >24.8 million / >414,000 (live updates) Related articles: Fashion Designer Natasha Dalal is one of the top trending names on various social media platforms and search engines, thanks to her much talked about wedding to Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan. Varun has always been Internet savvy, however, his wife-to-be Natasha has preferred to maintain a low key profile. It was only recently that the actor accepted to have been in a relationship with her. It is post his confession on Koffee With Karan that Varun-Natasha were seen making public appearances together and talking about each other on social media. The two were batchmates in school and have largely kept their relationship private and mostly away from the public eye. Thus it is understandable that fans are curious to know more about Natasha. By profession, Natasha is a fashion designer. She holds a degree in fashion designing from Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York. She returned to Indian in 2013 and launched her label, Natasha Dalal Label (NDL), with a line of semi-formal and formal dresses. Her brand specialises in bridal and wedding couture. Read: Varun Dhawan And Natasha Dalal's Wedding: From Guest List to Venue, All You Need To Know View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natasha Dalal Label (@natashadalallabel) Varun and Natasha are all set to tie the knot this weekend and wedding festivities have already begun in Alibaug. had reportedly planned to het married last year but were forced to postpone their wedding because of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. On Saturday, as per latest development, the actor arrived at the venue for his Sangeet ceremony. Apart from Varun and Natasha and their family members, filmmaker Shashank Khaitan, filmmaker Kunal Kohli with family, Varun's niece Anjini Dhawan, and fashion designer Manish Malhotra have also arrived at the venue. Many other celebrities are expected to be part of the wedding festivities during the weekend. Read: Sneak Peek Into Varun Dhawan-Natasha Dalals Wedding Wardrobe The Dhawans have blocked an entire resort facing the beach in Alibaug and are planning a grand yet restricted wedding ceremony. The wedding functions will extend over three days, on January 22, 23 and 24, with guests following the bio bubble protocol. The guests list includes immediate family members of the couple along with close friends and colleagues. The wedding will take place at The Mansion House on January 24 followed by a reception on January 26. Its been rough, Johnson said on The Chicago Way. I was asked one day, Why havent I spoken up before this point, and the real answer is I had to take time to reflect on myself and also take a lot of time to make sure that the people closest with me were OK, mainly my wife. I had to apologize to her again for even having to deal with this. I had to get my own emotional and mental health intact. I had to do some counseling. The job of superintendent is a hectic job. Health workers are seen in protective gear inside a locked down portion of the Jordan residential area to contain a new outbreak of COVID-19 in Hong Kong on Jan. 23, 2021. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters) Updates on CCP Virus: Washington, Oregon Report Cases of New Variant The Washington Department of Health announced Saturday that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) viruss B.1.1.7 variant, which first emerged in the United Kingdom last September, has been confirmed by DNA sequencing in two cases in Snohomish County. Those are the first confirmed cases in Washington. The Oregon Health Authority confirmed a second case, in someone from Yamhill County, a week after the first case was detected in Multnomah County. Conditions for Shanghai Residents Rapidly Worsen Thousands of residents in downtown Shanghai are being relocated to hotels in emergency isolation measures after local authorities said hospital workers and patients in the city center had tested positive for the CCP virus. Surrounding areas have also been locked down, with residents facing rapidly worsening conditions as the government attempts to halt the spread of the virus. New Zealand Reports 1st Community Case in Months New Zealand has reported its first virus case outside of a quarantine facility in more than two months, although there was no immediate evidence the virus was spreading in the community. Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said Sunday the case was a 56-year-old woman who recently returned from Europe. New Mexico Reports 38 New Deaths New Mexico on Saturday reported 859 additional virus cases and 38 more deaths. That increases the states pandemic totals to 168,579 cases and 3,115 deaths. Most of the additional deaths involved older New Mexicans, but they also included several people in their 20s and 30s. University of Michigan Pauses Athletics The entire University of Michigan athletic department is pausing after several positive tests for the new COVID-19 variant that transmits at a higher rate. The entire department could be in quarantine for two weeks. NIH Director Warns South African Variant More Concerning Than UK The United States is closely watching the more infectious UK variant of COVID-19 after British officials warned that it may also be more deadly, U.S. National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins said on Saturday. But U.S. health officials are somewhat more worried about a separate variant from South Africa, although that one has not yet been identified among U.S. cases of the CCP virus. Biden: Nothing We Can Do to Change Trajectory of Pandemic in Next Months The U.S. government cant do anything to change the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming months, President Joe Biden claimed on Friday. Biden, speaking a day after he released a national COVID-19 strategy, outlined why hes pushing for a fresh relief bill. He said a briefing from his economic team showed that the public health crisis caused by COVID-19 is not getting better; its deepening, citing the latest wave of unemployment filings and the rise in the number of daily new cases. Top Lebanese Hospitals Fight Exhausting Battle Death stalks the corridors of Beiruts Rafik Hariri University Hospital, where losing multiple patients in one day to the CCP virus has become the new normal. In recent weeks, Lebanon has seen a dramatic increase in virus cases, following the holiday season when restrictions were eased and thousands of expatriates flew home for a visit. Now, hospitals across the country are almost completely out of beds. Oxygen tanks, ventilators, and most critically, medical staff, are in extremely short supply. Doctors and nurses say they are exhausted. Facing burnout, many of their colleagues left. UK Could Tighten Travel Restrictions UK lawmakers are to discuss on Monday further tightening travel restrictions, and people arriving in the country could be required to quarantine in hotels, according to the BBC. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a news conference on Friday that the UK may need to implement further measures to protect its borders from new variants of the CCP virus. The countrys current restrictions ban most international travel while new rules introduced in earlier January require a negative CCP virus test before departure for most people arriving, as well as a period of quarantine. Hong Kong Locks Down Thousands for Compulsory Testing Hong Kongs government locked down an area of Kowloon peninsula on Saturday after an outbreak of the CCP virus, saying 10,000 residents must stay home until they have been tested and the results largely determined. The first such measure the city has taken since the pandemic began occurred in the densely populated neighborhoods of Jordan that are home to many aging, subdivided flats in which the virus could spread more easily. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said 50 makeshift testing points had been set up and 3,000 civil servants were assisting. CDC Extends Time Between Vaccine Doses for Exceptional Cases Doses of the new CCP virus vaccines can be spaced apart as long as six weeks in some cases, the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) said in new guidance on Friday. Both authorized vaccines require two doses. Patients typically get the second dose three weeks or a month after the first. Concern is growing about the availability of doses because the Biden administration greenlit the release of nearly all doses the government is receiving, instead of holding back some to ensure that people who got one shot can get another in the recommended time period. The policy started late in the Trump administration. New Variant Identified in Portugal Portugals medical agency says it has identified the first case in the country of the new CCP virus variant believed to have originated in South Africa. The agency says the new variant was found in a South African resident of Lisbon. Medical authorities have already suggested a massive surge in infections is from the spread of a variant identified in southeast England. Grassley Warns Biden: Dont Exploit Pandemic to Push Big Government Takeover of Economy Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in a statement issued on Friday warned President Joe Biden not to exploit the pandemic to push a laundry list of liberal causes in his newly proposed relief package, characterizing the presidents bid as a big government takeover of the U.S. economy. Biden became president this week with Congress already having approved $4 trillion in pandemic-related aid, including $900 billion just last month. His new proposal for another $1.9 trillion economic package has resulted in mounting skepticism among Republicans, particularly conservatives who are panning the new proposal as an expensive, unworkable liberal wish-list. Pfizer Shipping Fewer Vaccine Vials to US After Finding Extra Doses Pfizer said Friday it will be shipping fewer CCP virus vaccine vials after finding an extra dose in each vial. Each vial contains a certain number of doses. When vaccine administration began late last year, health personnel were told that each vial held five doses. Theyre now being told that each vial contains six doses, according to documents from the Food and Drug Administration, though labels on the vials may state that only five doses are in a vial. Marion Gruber, director of the administrations Office of Vaccines Research and Review, said in a letter to Pfizer earlier this month that the FDA concurred with Pfizer that there are six 0.3 mL doses in a vial of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID19 Vaccine. Tom Ozimek, Zachary Stieber, Reuters, and The Associated Press contributed to this report. From Dino Bones to New and Moving Land Masses: Startling Oregon Coast Facts Published 01/20/21 at 6:26 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) Not everything is as it seems along the Oregon coast. Theres a whole lotta shakin going on when it comes to the ground and sands we walk upon, and were not talking about underwater quakes. The back story of these beaches is a weird one, and the weird stuff keeps happening. Case in point: whats really behind the discovery of dinosaur bones on the south coast and what parts of the north coast are as new as 100 years old? Its all got to do with things moving here in mysterious ways. Dino Bones on Southern Oregon Coast. Why are there apparently no dinosaur bones in Oregon? Well, there are a few (like some found in southern Oregon), but its a bit more complex than that. There have been a handful discovered on the southern Oregon coast, but its believed they didnt really come from here. Dr. William Orr and his wife Elizabeth are the preeminent paleontologists of Oregon, and sizable experts on geology as well. Dr. Orr talked to OregonTravelDaily.com a few years back (Oregon Coast Beach Connections sister publication) and revealed some interesting complexities about all this. First, Oregons coastline is way too young to have any dinosaurs. Those big lizards walked the Earth over 70 million years ago. (How Did the Oregon Coast Come to Be - and When?) The remainder of the Oregon coast and coast range simply lack rocks sufficiently ancient (older than 65 million years ago) to bear dinosaurs, Orr said. The hitch is that the south coasts formations that are older than 60 million years didnt form here. Slow movement of tectonic plates and other actions literally moved entire landmasses this way, or chunks of it were parts of various ocean floors over different periods throughout millions and millions of years. However, Orr said some dino bones have been found decades ago on the south coast around Cape Sebastian by Dave Taylor and his paleontologist team from California. It was part of a duck bill (Hadrosaur). Curiously, that creature did not live or die in Oregon. Rocks at that cape dating back over 100 million years are part of a complex geologic package that were shifted northward from a site in the California Great Valley, Orr said. Furthermore, all the Klamath area coastal rocks from Cape Blanco south have been transported here by a matrix of faults not unlike the present day San Andreas structure. Much of Fort Stevens State Park Didnt Exist Until Recently. Most of those soft sand beaches and much of the forest land of Fort Stevens State Park are a relatively new invention. A good half mile of shoreline was not there when Lewis and Clark came bounding this way in 1805, or even until the 1910s for that matter. Many of the ponds and wetlands you see along the road going to the south Jetty weren't there. According to Seaside geologist Tom Horning, all this land came about because of the building of the Columbia River jetties, starting in 1890. They changed the way sand was distributed in the currents, causing much of the stuff to naturally shift south and pile up. At that point, things began changing quickly. Within a few years a lot of sand was added to the area, and for quite a while there was 20 feet of new sand dunes being built each year. Essentially, according to Horning, whats happened is sand keeps getting shuttled down from the Columbia River. Construction of the jetties really pushed this along, but continuous dredging of the shipping channel also keeps the sediment flowing. This ebbtide delta has served as a large sediment reservoir for longshore currents to transport sand north and south to build coastal beaches, Horning said. Now, its entirely possible this process is slowing or even reversing. Horning said climate change and the resultant stronger storm action is beginning to eat away at this new land mass. -- More Photos Below Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Above: Fort Stevens area Cape Sebastian, where some dinosaur bones were found (courtesy OPRD) More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Firefighters descended upon an Islamic girls school in Bradford today after a huge fire sent thick plumes of smoke over the city. Six crews from the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched to the school in the Clayton area at 8.16am. Yorkshire Ambulance Service's Hazardous Area Response Team were also sent to the scene. There were no staff or students inside the building at the time of the fire, according to a local imam. Firefighters from the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched to the school in the Clayton area of Bradford at 8.16am Crews from Fairweather Green, Odsal, Bradford, Leeds, Stanningley, Illingworth, Shipley & Halifax currently dealing with the huge blaze The fire is believed to have started at the Jaamiatul Imaam Muhammad Zakaria school, Yorkshire Live reports. Today dramatic images showed bright orange flames erupting from the roof of the building as fire crews tried to tackle the fire. In a statement the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Crews from Fairweather Green, Odsal, Bradford, Leeds, Stanningley, Illingworth, Shipley & Halifax currently dealing with a building fire at a school on Thornton View Road, Bradford. ' Imam Abu Sulaym tweeted: 'Jaamia Girls Darul Uloom, Bradford has caught fire. Alahmdulillah, no staff or students inside besides security. 'Pray 2 rakats, make du'a and offer some sadaqah for relief from this museebat.' Meanwhile Bradford Council tweeted: '@WYFRS are dealing with a fire within one of the buildings at a school on Thornton View Road BD14. Dramatic images showed bright orange flames erupting from the roof of the building this morning 'Take care if you are in the area and allow space for the crews to access the area.' A resident told Yorkshire Live: 'The main part of the school, the newer buildings, look ok. It looks like the main old building which I believe used to be a hospital which was on fire.' West Yorkshire Police said: 'Police were called at 8.43am today (Saturday) to a report of a fire at a school building in Thornton View Road, Clayton. 'Enquiries are ongoing with the fire service into the cause of the blaze.' Source: Adobe/Jon Le-Bon The writing is on the wall: regulation is coming for crypto. While a small handful of nations have already introduced specific cryptoasset legislation over the past few years, it looks as though the worlds major powers are gearing up to introduce substantial new regulations and laws. This point was brought home forcefully by remarks made in mid-January by European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde. Speaking to Reuters, she said there has to be regulation of crypto at a global level, mostly due to the fact that bitcoin and other coins are used for totally reprehensible money laundering activity. However, according to Chainalysis, the criminal share of all cryptocurrency activity fell from 2.1% (USD 21.4bn) in 2019 to 0.34%, or USD 10bn in transaction volume in 2020. In either case, together with recent actions from the US Treasury and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), such overtures suggest that crypto is due for a legislative reckoning sooner or later, with nations using the excuse of money laundering to bring it more fully within their oversight. Aims and motives As crypto has gained mind and market share among institutional and individual investors over the past year, its natural that international regulatory bodies would increase their scrutiny and potential oversight, said Blockchain Association executive director Kristin Smith. For Smith, theres no single motive as to why regulators are now beginning to push more strongly for regulation. Rather, a confluence of factors have come together to push them to bring crypto within the purview of the wider financial system. And the reaction to that legitimacy and growth may manifest itself in defensive moves to protect sovereign financial institutions, or a reach to augment international financial power by developing national blockchain systems, as in the case of China. The basic point is that crypto has become too large a force to be ignored, she added. Other figures are less sanguine. For Bambos Tsiattalou, a lawyer and founding partner at the London-based Stokoe Partnership Solicitors, the overarching intention of regulators isnt to make crypto respectable, but to suffocate it. The ECB is now looking into the possibility of creating its own digital euro [m]any of the worlds major powers are making similar moves. Their overall intention appears to be to regulate the existing private cryptocurrencies out of existence as they make way for their own official digital currencies, he told Cryptonews.com. Tsiattalou acknowledges that the focus of the ECB in particular on money laundering is somewhat hypocritical, given that high-denomination banknotes such as the EUR 500 bill are notorious as money-laundering tools. However, he suspects regulators are determined to hamper crypto as far as possible. The proposed state-backed digital currencies will be supported and managed by major central banks and the resources of major states, he said, suggesting that businesses and consumers will much prefer these to decentralized cryptocurrencies. Further regulation will also undermine the speculative value which some have unwisely placed in cryptocurrencies. When regulation? While regulators, banks and governments will no doubt aim to reduce the illegal use of cryptocurrencies (at the very least), its not entirely clear when we can expect new regulations to arrive. In the US, as in many other countries, any major legislation is likely to be focused on controlling the pandemic and the attendant financial crisis, so we dont expect any major legislation dealing specifically with crypto in the next few months. However, if and when the pandemic begins to wane, we think there will be new bills introduced in the later months of the year, said Kristin Smith. In the case of the EU, Bambos Tsiattalou also expects movements to be slow, with the proposed regulatory regime for crypto-assets not likely to come into force until 2024. The eventual EU regime looks set to require companies offering a cryptocurrency in the EU to have a physical presence in the EU, while significant governance and capital requirements are also proposed. It seems unlikely that any aspects of the proposed regime will be rushed into force this year, unless acute risks to financial stability or consumers begin to emerge, he said. Elsewhere, Tsiattalou added that other nations may copy the FinCEN/US Treasury reporting rule for transactions to/from personal wallets: That regulation could well come into force this year. The fearful reaction from cryptocurrency advocates shows the serious impact which this regulation could have on the industry as a whole. However, as reported, American crypto advocates are breathing a collective sigh of relief after new United States President Joe Biden announced, via an official communication, that he would be freezing all active agency proposals a move that will include a much-maligned unhosted wallets regulatory proposal put forward by the former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Impact on crypto Looking at the bigger picture, opinion is split on whether the inevitable drift towards greater regulation will benefit or harm crypto. In the long term, this is probably a good thing for crypto-assets, because greater regulation means a spot in the mainstream, and gives investors greater confidence when buying the asset. However because this is a nascent market, we can expect any regulatory interventions to increase price volatility in the short term, said Laith Khalaf, a financial analyst at UK-based broker AJ Bell. On the other hand, Bambos Tsiattalou said that substantially restrictive regulations will be the death knell for crypto. The wave of regulation which is now heading for cryptocurrencies will ultimately reveal that cryptocurrencies have no real intrinsic value and are fundamentally without substance. More stringent regulation will therefore cause the speculative market for cryptocurrencies to crash, he said. However, when this cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value argument arises, BTC supporters stressed that Bitcoin's utility lies in the fact that it allows people to store value outside of any currency system in something with a provably hard-capped supply, which is more easily verifiable than gold, and then to transport that value easily across the world. "Bitcoin is the best at what it does. And in a world of negative real rates within developed markets, and a host of currency failures in emerging markets, what it does has utility," according to popular generalist investor and Swan Bitcoin, a BTC investing app, advisor, Lyn Alden. In either case, with the bitcoin price apparently dropping in response to initially unfavorable remarks from incoming US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, its clear that the market will continue reacting to regulation-related news. (P.S. Later, Yellens position on cryptocurrencies was clarified: I think it is important we consider the benefits of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets, and the potential they have to improve the efficiency of the financial system.) ___ Learn more: Crypto Regulation in 2021: The Piecemeal Approach & New Winds Regulatory Kaleidoscope Challenges Crypto Industry - Crypto.com CCO More Crypto Regulation Coming in Russia and Beyond, Warns Key Lawmaker Lack of Crypto Regulations a Turnoff for Japanese Investors Coincheck Over-Regulation May Scupper South Koreas Fledgling Crypto Sector New Regulatory Lemons Await Somewhere Between DeFi & CeFi Challenges Remain for VASPs as Regulators Ready New Round of Policing .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal The city of Santa Fe has begun the process of selling various pieces of city-owned properties one with an appraised value of $4 million according to a release issued by the city Thursday. Elizabeth Camacho of the city's Office of Economic Development told the Journal the city plans on selling the properties with the intention of developing them into new job and housing opportunities for Santa Feans. The properties include the old Boys and Girls' Club on Alto Street, part of the city-owned space at 500 Market Street in the Railyard District, the Warehouse 21 teens art center that closed in 2019 and 228 acres of undeveloped land of the Las Estrellas at Santa Fe Estates valued at $4 million. We're thinking about how to forge a future for Santa Fe, particularly our young people, and create a future for them here, Camacho told the Journal. Las Estrellas, located in the city's Northwest Quadrant near the Thornburg Investment campus, has long been held up as a prime opportunity to develop housing in Santa Fe, where there's a severe housing shortage. However, the property has been noted as a difficult place to develop because of its hilly terrain. City officials said in a news release that selling government-owned property would raise revenues for city coffers, a vital need given the city's financial woes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Camacho said the reasons behind the property sales were multi-faceted, but Economic Development Director Rich Brown had told the Santa Fe New Mexican in April the city was considering selling the same properties due to what was then a $46 million budget shortfall. A meeting between city officials and interested developers will be held Feb. 18 to discuss the Las Estrellas property. Members of the public interested in viewing the meeting can register at www.sfpublicassets.org. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ New Ross Rewards' first group winner is Blood Bikes South East. On Friday (15th), 250 was presented by the first of the local banks participating in the Rewards: New Ross Credit Union. Spokesperson for New Ross Credit Union Stella Kehoe said the credit union is all about people, local people and the community. Ms Kehoe said: 'There has never been a greater time, when as a community we need to come together and be there for each other throughout this Covid-19 crisis. New Ross Credit Union wants to be at the forefront in helping all of its members at this time. Nor has there been a time when our frontline workers have been more in need of our support and gratitude.' Blood Bikes South East was recently established in New Ross by Vincent Roche. 'It is a much-needed and welcomed voluntary group that will be of great service to our community.' Vincent thanked New Ross Rewards and New Ross Credit Union. He said that all of the costs of running Blood Bikes are covered by themselves and everyone works on a voluntary basis. The 250 will cover the costs of approximately 20 shifts and will be a great help to them. Brazil on Saturday began distributing the 2 million doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine that arrived from India Friday, Reuters reports. Why it matters: Brazil has the third highest COVID-19 case-count in the world, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The 2 million doses "only scratch the surface of the shortfall," Brazilian public health experts told the AP. The big picture: Brazil started its vaccination campaign Monday, per the New York Times, using China's Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine which was found to be 78% effective in Brazil trials. In space, it has been suggested, no one can hear you scream. In space, it has been suggested, no one can hear you scream. Perhaps thats why Julie Payette was more suited to work as an astronaut than as Canadas Governor General, a largely ceremonial role that demands restraint and tact and grace and civility but seeks very little in the way of raised voices or belligerent histrionics. Owing to her accomplishments beyond the stratosphere, as a Canadian astronaut who flew two missions in space, Ms. Payette gained legitimate celebrity and was viewed by many in this country as a hero and an inspiration. That fame was enough, it seems, to convince Prime Minister Justin Trudeau she was the right person to appoint to the position of Governor General in 2017. Had he not abandoned the previously entrenched process that saw a panel of experts recommend suitable candidates for the vice-regal position, opting instead to hand-pick the successor to David Johnston himself, Mr. Trudeau might have been apprised of numerous terrestrial failings most notably allegations of abusive behaviour at her previous jobs at the Montreal Science Centre and the Canadian Olympic Committee that made Ms. Payette a less than ideal choice to be the Queens representative in Canada. History will now show the choice to have been a disastrous one from the outset. Early on, and throughout her abbreviated tenure as Governor General, it was clear that Ms. Payette, despite having accepted the job, had very little interest in actually doing the job. She initially refused to live at Rideau Hall, the governor generals official residence. She was slow to embrace many of the ceremonial aspects of the position. She seemed uncomfortable with the public demands, attention and security requirements that are part of the vice-regal existence. Much worse than all of that, however, were the reports that surfaced describing a toxic workplace that had been created by Ms. Payette and her close friend and second in command, Assunta Di Lorenzo. Media reports last year described more than a dozen public servants and former staffers who had complained of bullying, insults and public humiliation at the hands of Ms. Payette. An outside consulting firm was hired to investigate, and its report apparently a scathing assessment was submitted to the federal government this week, prompting the chain of events that led to her resignation. Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press FILE Gov. Gen. Julie Payette delivers the throne speech in September 2020. Here on Earth, it seems, far too many people heard Ms. Payette scream. While the report in its entirety will likely never be made public, there was clearly enough damning information in its conclusions to prompt the prime minister to meet with Ms. Payette on Wednesday. Mr. Trudeau reportedly asked for the Governor Generals resignation; shortly afterward, Ms. Payette confirmed that was her immediate intention. That her statement, including a vaguely worded apology for "tensions (that) have arisen at Rideau Hall," fell far short of an admission of wrongdoing or an acceptance of the reports conclusions "We all experience things differently, but we should always strive to do better" was about as much acknowledgement as Ms. Payette could muster will be of only minor significance moving forward. She has left a job for which she was decidedly ill-suited, and an more appropriate figure will be identified and hopefully properly vetted to replace her. The fault in this imperial ignominy belongs squarely to Ms. Payette, but blame for setting it in motion falls to Mr. Trudeau. His pompous disregard for the conventions of choosing governors general created a crisis that put the institution at risk. Any further shouting should rightly be directed his way. (TNS) The city of Erie's code enforcement officers will soon receive a $200,000 boost from state government.Kathy Wyrosdick, the city's director of planning and neighborhood resources, confirmed that the city of Erie's application for a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grant aimed at streamlining operations and improving efficiency for the city employees who track blighted properties and investigate code violations, among other tasks has been approved.The state funding, as well as $20,000 in city funds that is a required 10% match for the grant, would be used to both purchase new computer equipment for code enforcement operations and to hire a consultant to handle a comprehensive technology assessment focused on the city's code enforcement office.That office enforces housing and building codes for the roughly 38,000 structures within city limits.Thereported in November that city officials were pursuing the grant.We are very much committed to using this $220,000, which includes the grant and the city match, to help code enforcement officers do their jobs better and provide a higher level of service to the community, Wyrosdick said.I dont want people thinking this is the end of the transformation of code enforcement though or that this solves everything, Wyrosdick said. We have a lot of ideas to build capacity in code enforcement and property maintenance, and this is one piece of it.The upgrade plan has the support of Mayor Joe Schember and Erie City Council.Wyrosdick previously explained that the money will aid code enforcement because the office's employees currently use several different computerized systems that are not integrated.City officials want to develop a streamlined process which allows code enforcement officers to track and access information about blighted properties, permits, violation notices, demolitions and other relevant data, especially in the field.The upgrades also align with recommendations from Public Financial Management Inc., the Philadelphia-based consulting firm that helped the city develop a long-range plan to stabilize its finances as part of the states Early Intervention Program for financially struggling cities.In a report delivered to city officials in February, PFM recommended the city prioritize technology upgrades for its five full-time code enforcement workers."The City currently does not have a robust performance tracking system, in part due to software limitations. The current software does not hold all historical information, cannot generate reports, and does not allow the City to track staff time in a way that facilitates Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) reimbursement," PFM's report states.Wyrosdick said city officials will now move forward with requesting proposals from consultants who would both assess the department's technology needs and recommend equipment.We hope to have that RFP out the first week of February, and we would be looking to vet applicants and hire someone sometime in mid-March, Wyrosdick said.In the future, city officials will look for similar state grant funding for technology assessments/equipment upgrades in other city departments, Wyrosdick said. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. The African Union has secured a provisional 270 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for African union members. The chairperson of the African Union, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has secured a provisional 270 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for Africa through its COVID-19 African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), the Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP), on behalf of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The African Union has commenced the COVID-19 vaccines pre-order programme for all African Union Member States and it is expected that Afreximbank will facilitate payments by providing advance procurement commitment guarantees of up to US$2 billion to the manufacturers on behalf of the member states. According to African Union Special Envoy, Strive Masiyiwa These are historical times. For the first time in history, Africa has secured access to millions of vaccine doses in the middle of a pandemic as most of Western countries. According to him, there is still a huge shortage of vaccine doses and that is why this continental collaboration has designed a fair allocation coupled with timely and equitable access of COVID-19 vaccines across the continent. Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank has stated that Afreximbank is proud to expand its support to African economies in their bid to contain the pandemic. Our vaccine financing facility builds on the success of our Pandemic Trade Impact Mitigation Facility (PATIMFA) to open access to COVID 19 vaccines to African states based on a whole-of-Africa approach favoured by the African Union he stressed. He mentioned that by providing advance procurement commitment guarantees of up to US$2 billion to candidate vaccine manufacturers, Afreximbank will ensure that African States are able to rapidly access COVID-19 vaccines, at competitive prices and in a timely manner thereby contributing to saving lives and livelihoods. According to Dr John Nkengasong, Director of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), African Union Member States from the day of declaration will be able to start placing online pre-orders for their vaccines allocation through the Africa Medical Supplies Platform. We are proud to participate in giving direct access to cutting edge COVID-19 vaccines through Africa; this is essential to protect our people and reopen our economies, he added. AVATT has secured a provisional 270 million COVID-19 vaccines doses from Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, AMSP the single-source platform enabling faster, more transparent and cost-effective access to COVID-19 supplies has opened pre-orders, offering equitable access of COVID-19 vaccines doses for 55 African Union member states. The Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) is supporting the vaccination. operations by launching a new category on vaccine accessories that will help the member states to procure products such as ultra-low temperature freezers, personal protection equipment, cotton wool rolls, syringes and needles. The Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) is a non-profit initiative launched by the African Union as an immediate, integrated and practical response to the Covid-19 pandemic. African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) was established by the African Union chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa as a component in support of the Africa Vaccine Strategy and was endorsed by the AU Bureau of Heads of State and Government on 20th of August, 2020. Source: Reuters.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Tarkwa Nsuaem Member of Parliament (MP), George Mireku Duker was mocked on social media last year when he quoted psalm 500. If you have a Bible read Psalm 500, he said while addressing a congregation at a church in his constituency. Members of the NPP in his constituency came to his defence insisting that the video which was widely circulated on social media was doctored. However, during a panel discussion on Peace FM morning show Kokrokoo, Mireku Duker finally spoke to this, explaining what led to the popular 'Psalm 500' He ended with a line from gospel musician Diana Hamilton's song 'Adom': "its now a testimony" Listen to him in the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Janet Olaleye, a 60-year-old mother of three, who is a food processor in Osun State, in this 11th episode of Women in Agriculture shares her experience with PREMIUM TIMES. PT: What do you cultivate? Ms Olaleye: Im into oil processing and I have the machines for processing it. I do both the machine processed and the manual (local) processed. PT: Do you have an oil palm plantation? Ms Olaleye: Yes, I do. PT: How long have you been cultivating? Ms Olaleye: I have been cultivating for over 10 years now. PT: Whose land do you use? Ms Olaleye: My land of which I bought some and I inherited some. PT: Whats the size of the land? Ms Olaleye: I am not sure exactly but should be more than 10 hectares. PT: Where do you get your seeds from? Ms Olaleye: Sometimes I buy from the NIHORT and sometimes from the state ministry of agric. PT: Why did you select palm oil? Ms Olaleye: My mother-in-law is into local palm oil processing. I do follow her to the farm and I saw the way palm oil was processed locally I then decided to modernise it so the product will be more hygienic. Besides, on the farm locally we use our knees to work and it affects our knees and I wanted a way to relief people from that pain. The modernised one produces more and save time and labour. PT: What do you know about improved seeds? MS Olaleye: I have heard of improved seeds and that is what I use on my farm. ADVERTISEMENT PT: You mentioned earlier that you use machines, how do you get your machines? Ms Olaleye: With the help of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, through our cooperative Small-scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), we were able to get free loans and grants which we decided to use to acquire machines. When they visited our farms and saw what we were doing they said they were impressed and gave grants with loans at low interest which is what we used to get the machines. It was about N2 million. PT: Do you use your children as labour on your farm? Ms Olaleye: One of them does come to the farm as the rest are not in the state. But whenever they are home they do come and assist in the farm, but I use external labour on my farm. PT: What is your average output daily, weekly and monthly? Ms Olaleye: Everyday I get an average of 15 drums, weekly is 105 while monthly is 105 by 4. PT: How do you preserve you products? Ms Olaleye: We have a big boiling drum so whatever we collect we put it there. So we cover it before it is sold. PT: Where do you sell them? Ms Olaleye: Before, we go to the markets but now we have people from Lagos and Ibadan to come and buy directly from us on the farm. PT: Does your husband support you? Ms Olaleye: Yes, he does. There are people who work with us especially those who operate the machines, they tend to want to over cost me and he comes in and intervenes. Also, in my plantation he visits and gives advice on improvement. PT: Do you often get support from the government? Ms Olaleye: Ones in a while, yes. I have benefited from the state government but from the federal government I have not. PT: Do you experience discrimination from male farmers? Ms Olaleye: No, we dont. PT: Are there benefits that the male farmers get that you dont get? Ms Olaleye: No, as I am the woman leader in my state ( farmers) and I take note of all the benefits that come in. PT: What will you describe as your biggest challenge? Ms Olaleye: My biggest challenge is finance. The machine we use is very expensive. The more the engine the more the produce. During the pandemic we had less sales and we are yet to recover, people coming from other states did not come to buy so our products were there without being sold. There were inadequate access to sell our products. PT: Have you been harassed as a woman farmer? Ms Olaleye: No, I have not experienced any of such. PT: What do you want? Ms Olaleye: What I want is that the government should assist us as any money assisting women farmers is not a waste since we are the source of the economy of the state and of the nation as a whole. Photo: The Canadian Press Health Minister Adrian Dix looks on as provincal health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry pauses for a moment as she gives her daily media briefing regarding COVID-19 for British Columbia in Victoria, Monday, December 7, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward British Columbia's health minister says the province will release a report assessing its COVID-19 response in the province's long-term care homes. Adrian Dix says the Health Ministry commissioned the report by Ernst & Young to learn lessons from the first wave of the pandemic. Dix says the report will be released on Monday and it is "overwhelmingly favourable" of the government's actions. He says the goal was to determine how the province could do a better job of delivering services and all the recommendations in the report have been implemented. Dix says more than 40 groups representing care homes were consulted last summer and fall. Canada's first COVID-19 infection occurred a year ago at a long-term care home in North Vancouver, and Dix says more than 650 residents at facilities around the province have died since then. Larry King in 2004 | Vince Bucci/Getty Images Talk show icon Larry King has died today at age 87. He set a precedent and standard as a talk show pioneer. Welcoming guests from the famous to the infamous, King never shied away from any topics. Here is the inimitable Larry Kings net worth. How King began his incredible career King was truly the king of the flawless interview. Having retired in 2010, the host was asked a year later by his old network CNN if he missed anything about his career. His answer was, as any good journalist might reply, the get, being the one to snag the story first. Doing it when a major event occurs, King said. When Osama bin Laden gets shot, you want to get in and do the show. Or Japan, or Gadhafi. What he didnt miss, he said, was the tabloid elements. I dont miss Paris Hilton. Some people have an interest in that stuff, and I did a professional job when I did it. For example, I had no interest in the royals. I do miss major stuff. Larry King | Kevin Winter/Getty Images King got his start in the 1950s and 60s working as a journalist in Florida. He began honing his interviewing skills at that time and eventually went national in 1978 with The Larry King Show. Beginning in 1985, he hosted the show that put him on the map: Larry King Live. It became CNNs longest-running and highest-rated program, featuring Kings one-on-one talks with guests ranging from politicians such as Bill Clinton and Mario Cuomo to fellow talk show host Oprah Winfrey. King adroitly navigated landmine topics with guests, asking simple questions that viewers knew would produce revealing answers. Kings CNN program became known as the platform the famous would seek out to make announcements or apologies. Two years after leaving CNN, King launched another, lower-profile and low-key talk show, Larry King Now. King married eight times Visiting the altar on eight separate occasions, King married seven women throughout his life. Ag age 19, he married his high school sweetheart Freda Miller in 1952. Larry King with wife Shawn Southwick | Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images He then married Annette Kaye, mother to his son Larry King Jr. Their marriage was annulled. He then married Playboy Bunny Alene Akins in 1961. They divorced in 1963 and remarried in 1969. King wed Mary Francis Mickey Stuphin in 1963. The couple divorced. Math teacher and production assistant Sharon Lepore became Kings fifth wife in 1976. They divorced in 1983. He then married Julie Alexander in 1989, divorcing in 1992. He married Shawn Southwick in 1997. Though they filed for divorce in 2010 and 2019, it seems not to have been finalized. King had five children: Chaia King, Larry King Jr., Cannon Edward King, Chance Armstrong King, and Andy King. His children with Alene Akins, Chaia and Andy, died in August 2020 within weeks of one another, Chaia of lung cancer and her brother of a heart attack. Kings net worth Talk show host legend Larry King lived a long and exciting life. https://t.co/0dMpLy8Hs3 pic.twitter.com/QPgmTTRUZW USA TODAY (@USATODAY) January 23, 2021 At the time of his death today, Larry King was worth $50 million. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 this month. The celebrity interviewer had experienced heart problems including a major heart attack and stroke. He had quintuple bypass surgery in the 1980s. His legacy as a probing, curious, and respectful interviewer who wanted answers as well as to give his guests the platform to speak remains. King was one of the few people in broadcast history who basically created his own phenomenon, Tom Rosenstiel, executive director of the American Press Institute told USA Today. He didnt need a network. The network needed him. PM Modi addresses rally in Assam, says many denied land ownership for years: Highlights India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P Sivasagar, Jan 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed a rally in Assam where he also distributed land allotment certificates to indigenous people under a state government programme to one lakh beneficiaries. "It is a matter of sadness that even after so many years of Independence, there are those in Assam who have not got recognition for their land," PM Modi said after he distributed land "patta" or allotment certificates to the beneficiaries. At the event held in Sivasagar district, PM Modi also praised Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his government for ensuring that indigenous people get their recognition. Here are the highlights of PM Modi's address in Assam: a. The love given to me by the people of Assam has been a blessing to me. It brings me back to Assam again and again. b. Today I am here to be a part of your happiness and celebration as our government in Assam has completed a huge task. Today, those who love Assam and are from the state are getting recognition of their land. c. Today the nation celebrates our beloved our loved Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary. Today we celebrate Parakram Diwas. His life gives us inspiration even today. d. It is a matter of sadness that even after so many years of Independence, there are those in Assam who have not got recognition for their land. e. There are lakhs who did not have any documentation of their land. But now, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his government here has worked to ensure that people get their recognition. f. Our aim is to ensure that everyone who is due this right get their land document at the earliest. These people will not only get their documentation and recognition, but will now get all the benefits of the government, including the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi programme, wherein they will get monetary benefit under that scheme. g. In the last 4.5 years, our government in the state worked to ensure development and progress for all in Assam while preserving its culture and heritage. h. In the last few years, 1.75 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts have been opened, where benefits are reaching beneficiaries, a large number of whom are women. i. Today, Assam is progressing and developing at a rapid pace. With the Bodo territorial issues being addressed, Assam has now on the path to fast and peaceful development. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News j. Assam, along with other northeastern states are fast building on infrastructure. Not just that, it is connecting with neighbouring southeast Asian nations via road and rail infra projects. Assam is also a key pillar of India 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' resolve. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 12:31 [IST] 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. Crash: Mac ONeill from Portrush who died in a road accident yesterday A Co Antrim community is in shock after a man died in an early-morning crash. The accident happened on Ballymoney's Ballybogey Road yesterday. The victim was named locally last night as Portrush man Mac O'Neill. Mr O'Neill died at the scene as a result of his injuries. A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 6.10am following reports of the incident involving a blue Peugeot 207. One emergency crew was dispatched to the scene, a NIAS spokesperson said. Hundreds of messages of sympathy and condolence for Mr O'Neill's family were posted on social media last night. One wrote: "RIP big Mac ... the boys are going to miss you lad - my heart goes out to your family." Political representatives also spoke of their sadness and sorrow. Local UUP councillor Darryl Wilson said: "I was deeply saddened to learn that a road traffic collision which occurred on the Ballybogey line this morning has resulted in a fatality. "I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to all impacted by this awful tragedy." North Antrim DUP MLA Mervyn Storey said: "Sadly this morning a young person lost their life as a result of an accident on the Ballybogey Road . "I want to express my sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased. "As with all such accidents on our roads, we have another family plunged into sorrow." Police have appealed to anyone who witnessed the collision to contact officers at the Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting reference number 212 22/01/21. Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Civil society organizations Friday held peaceful demonstrations in the southeastern city of Sfax to express their disapproval of the socioeconomic situation prevailing in the country Haiti - News : Zapping... Messages to CORPUHA scholarship holders All successful scholarship candidates https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32727-haiti-flash-list-of-candidates-admitted-to-the-fne-and-corpuha-scholarship-program.html must wait for the signal from FNE and CORPUHA to know when and where they can collect their admission certificates. Because our phone line is not yet available, leave us a message on info@fne.gouv.ht if you have a complaint. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32833-haiti-corpuha-fne-award-ceremony-for-study-grants-to-1-000-young-people.html Gang war, 1 death Monday Odson thus known aka "Black", a member of the gang "Gran Grif", of Savien was killed, in the locality Moger, located at the 1st communal section of Petite-Riviere de l'Artibonite, by members of the rival gang by Jean Denis. Covid-19 : Marie Margareth Fortune left hospital The Director of the Haitian State Lottery, Mrs. Marie Margareth Fortune, after 8 days of hospitalization in a Covid 19 treatment center, has returned home. She is recovering and has to stay in home quarantine on medication for a while. The PM inaugurates the construction works of the Nan Mat water catchment Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe inaugurated the construction works of the Nan Mat water catchment, at La Colline, Lascahobas, which will serve several users including farmers, he declared "Access to drinking water and to the service of sanitation is one of the President's priorities [...]" NO to the "Alantran" "Haitian adolescent girls are forced into a cohabitation relationship with adults in exchange for money for families. This nefarious practice is called Alantran. It is an obstacle to the development of girls," recalls the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Read on this subject : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-28216-haiti-flash-artibonite-young-girls-sold-as-concubine-or-wife-as-part-of-a-custom.html OEA : Handover of the Presidency of CIDI On Friday January 22, Ambassador Bocchit Edmond, Permanent Representative ai of Haiti to the Organization of American States (OAS), attended the virtual handover ceremony of the Presidency of the Inter-American Council for Integrated Development (CIDI), between Haiti and Honduras, represented by Ambassador Luis Cordero. Haiti will assume the Vice-Presidency of CIDI for the period January-June 2021. HL/ HaitiLibre The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has commenced investigations into allegations of the involvement of some personnel of the service in providing security for illegal mining operations. The probe follows reports in a section of the media accusing some personnel of the Armed Forces of providing protection for illegal mining operations in parts of the country. GAF in a statement issued and signed by Colonel Eric Aggrey-Quarshie, Director of Public Relations, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the service took such allegations seriously as it did not condone such wrongdoing. It said appropriate sanctions would be handed out to any person(s) found culpable. The statement assured the public of the Ghana Armed Forces unflinching commitment to the national cause. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Members of St. Matthews Anglican Cathedral are asking local bakers to donate their homemade cookies, and other tasty treats, in the hopes of lifting peoples spirits during the pandemic. Advertisement Advertise With Us Members of St. Matthews Anglican Cathedral are asking local bakers to donate their homemade cookies, and other tasty treats, in the hopes of lifting peoples spirits during the pandemic. According to Dean Don Bernhardt, this initiative is the brainchild of parishioner Allison Done, who approached him earlier this week with the idea of collecting baked goods at the church and distributing them to anyone who is experiencing bouts of COVID-19 isolation. "We have a group of people in our community who need a reminder that they have not been forgotten and nothing says were thinking of you like a homemade cookie!" Bernhard wrote on the churchs Facebook page. Bernhardt and Done received their latest batch of chocolate chip, raisin and pumpkin spice cookies on Friday, telling the Sun that theyve acquired three or four such shipments since announcing this new baked goods drive on Wednesday. While this represents a modest start to the campaign, Bernhardt is confident that the communitys charitable nature will shine through, judging by how many donations the church received in the wake of the 2018 Massey Manor fire that left residents without any extra clothing. "The response that we got from that event was absolutely astounding," he said on Friday. "My thought was, why dont we see if we could tap into that same spirit again, because theres lots of folks out there who, if they knew of a need like this, would be thrilled to respond to it." The Brandon Bear Clan also decided to hop on board this initiative and use it as an opportunity to collect and distribute items that could compliment a nice plate of cookies. Kyle Darbyson/The Brandon Sun A closer look at some of the chocolate chip cookies that were donated to St. Matthews Anglican Cathedral on Friday. The Brandon church is redistributing these baked goods to members of the community who are struggling under COVID-19 restrictions. According to member Kim Longstreet, this means accumulating enough comfy clothes (sweat pants, pyjama bottoms, t-shirts, hoodies) and hygiene products (shampoos, body wash, deodorant) to make a comprehensive winter care package. "When people have those basic essentials, something to feel good about, thats our lane," she said. "So this seems like a good fit to be able to hand out the cookies at the same time." Overall, Bernhardt is just happy that he and his parishioners can undertake some kind of community outreach right now, since St. Matthews hasnt been able to hold in-person services since the province slipped into code red on Nov. 12, 2020. Even though the dean is still conducting morning prayers through the churchs YouTube page, he admits that these homemade baked goods can provide a kind of personal touch that some people are desperately missing in the age of COVID. "Its all about hope," Bernhardt said. "Its all about letting people know that there are others who care and that they are not alone." Anyone who would like to pick up or drop off a care package of baked goods for St. Matthews new initiative can do so by calling Done at 204-727-2955. Brandon Bear Clan donations can be dropped off at the Little Teaching Lodge, located at 205 College Avenue. kdarbyson@brandonsun.com Twitter: @KyleDarbyson An inmate is seen inside the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, June 6, 2018. Malaysia on Friday welcomed a U.S. decision to refer charges against Hambali and two other Guantanamo Bay inmates to a military tribunal, saying justice would be served by trial proceedings that must begin in one month, according to an American official. A lawyer representing Hambali, an Indonesian national, meanwhile maintained that he should be tried in his home country over terror-related charges against him. Hambali and two Malaysian suspects incarcerated at the U.S. military base in Cuba face a raft of charges that stems from deadly bombings in Bali and Jakarta in 2002 and 2003. Its a good move by the U.S. they [the defendants] will now have the opportunity to argue their case in court, Malaysian counterterror police chief Normah Ishak told BenarNews. Justice will be served and seen [to] be served through a court trial, she said. Hambali, whose real name is Encep Nurjaman, was arrested in Thailand in August 2003 with Malaysians Mohammad Nazir Lep and Mohd Farik Bin Amin. They were sent to a secret CIA prison network before being moved to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in September 2006. A statement issued by the Pentagon late Thursday said terrorism charges against the three had been referred to a military commission, a step which begins a countdown to a military trial. But it was not immediately clear how the coronavirus pandemic would affect this schedule. The Department of Defense announced today that the Convening Authority, Office of Military Commissions, referred charges to a military commission in the case of United States v. Encep Nurjaman, Mohammed Nazir Bin Lep, and Mohammed Farik Bin Amin, the statement said. The regulation states that the arraignment will occur within 30 days of the referral, Ron Flesvig, spokesman for the Convening Authority of the Office of the Military Commissions, told BenarNews. The next step is for the chief judge to detail a military judge. The regulation states that within ten working days of service of charges, trial counsel, defense counsel, and the military judge shall conduct a teleconference or communicate via e-mail to set the arraignment date, he said. A U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) profile of Hambali describes him as an operational mastermind for Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a Southeast Asian militant group affiliated with al-Qaeda the group that carried out the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Authorities in Indonesia blame JI for carrying the countrys deadliest terrorist attack to date, twin bombings that killed 202 people in Bali in October 2002. According to the Pentagon, Hambali helped plan that attack and the 2003 bombing of the J.W. Marriott hotel in Jakarta that left 12 dead. All three defendants face eight charges conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, terrorism, attacking civilians, attacking civilian objects, destruction of property, according to copies of the charge sheets released by the DoD. The two Malaysians were charged with accessory after the fact all in violation of the law of war. The news release said arraignment on the charges, which do not carry the death penalty, are pending. Indonesian police check the site of a bomb blast at a tourist area in Kuta on Bali Island, Oct. 14, 2002. (AFP) Timing questioned In Malaysia, a counterterrorism expert questioned the timing of the American announcement. Hambali, Nazir Lep and Mohd Farik have been under U.S. detention for more than 10 years now. Why then did the convening authorities suddenly decide to bring this case to the tribunal, analyst Ahmad El Muhammady told BenarNews. The failure to answer this question would put the integrity of U.S. legal system into question. I believe the duo should be returned to Malaysia, because they are Malaysians and we have a good legal system to deal with the problem like that, said El Muhammady of the International Islamic University Malaysia. In Indonesia, Achmad Michdan, a lawyer who represents Hambali, said he wanted the trial moved from the U.S. prison in Cuba. It seems that the U.S. military did not know what to do with him, even though we had discussed that a trial should not take place there, he told BenarNews. Michdan said he had communicated with Maj. James Valentine, a U.S. military lawyer representing Hambali. Encep Nurjamen (alias Hambali) is shown in this undated photo at the U.S. base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. [Federal Public Defenders Office via AP] Before the pandemic we had planned to visit [Hambali]. We had sent files to the Pentagon, Michdan said. We wanted to bring a doctor, but it was cancelled because of the pandemic. In April 2019, Valentine, mocked the addition of the conspiracy charge as the prosecutions desperate attempt to salvage the military commissions credibility. American authorities did not want Hambalis case to go to court because the trial would reveal the torture that his client had suffered from his military captors, the lawyer alleged. I dont think the U.S. possesses the moral authority or the practical ability to try this case because in order to try this case, in accordance with human rights standards and rule of law standards, they have to reveal the crimes of torture, Valentine told BenarNews at the time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday distributed land allotment papers to people in Assam, ahead of the elections this year. Modi said Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was committed to protecting the land, language and culture of indigenous people. "The BJP-led government in the state is committed to ensuring that the indigenous people have legal rights over their land," Modi said, after launching a drive to give ownership certificates to over one lakh families. Marking its launch, the prime minister distributed 'pattas' to 10 people at the historic 'Jerenga Pathar' here. "When the Sarbananda Sonowal government took over the reins in Assam, more than six lakh indigenous families had no legal rights over their land. In the last few years more than two lakh such families have been allotted ownership certificates. "With more than one lakh families added today, the government has shown its commitment to protecting the rights of the indigenous people," Modi said. "The previous governments in Assam never cared for the rights of those who loved this sacred land," he said. "The land ownership certificates (pattas) will guarantee their 'Swabhiman' (pride), Swadheenta (freedom) and Suraksha (protection)," he added. He asserted that the BJP-led government is committed protecting the land, language and culture of the indigenous people. Referring to the celebration of 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as 'Parakram Divas', the prime minister said the day "inspires hope and national pride". He also lauded the state government for having freed the world famous Kaziranga National Park from encroachers. Distribution of land pattas/allotment certificates at the large public meeting in Sivasagar was a historic occasion. This will ensure a life of dignity for many and protect Assams unique culture. pic.twitter.com/Y3vyvRfFfB Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2021 The PM is now set to visit Kolkata ahead of the 2021 West Bengal elections, to inaugurate a museum dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the freedom fighter's 125th birth anniversary. NDA govt has always kept the preservation of the Assamese culture at its foremost intention behind implementing policies including the protection of the Assamese language & promotion of its literature: PM Narendra Modi in Assam pic.twitter.com/27eoTwbd36 News18 (@CNNnews18) January 23, 2021 On the way to Kolkata to mark #ParakarmDivas and pay tributes to Netaji Bose. pic.twitter.com/DMV37FryT9 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2021 ALSO READ | Ahead of PM Modi's Visit to Poll-bound Assam, Congress Poses 24 Questions for Him Meanwhile, the Congress in Assam on Thursday had attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi with 24 questions on issues such as enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the governments "failure" to deport Bangladeshis illegally living in the state and "creating hurdles" in development of industry. State Congress president Ripun Bora posed these questions in a press conference ahead of the prime ministers visit to the poll-bound state on Saturday. LIVE NOW | Mamata Slams BJP Ahead of Polls, Says 'They Claim to Idolise Netaji But Scrap His Idea of Planning Commission' "The prime minister has endangered the existence of the indigenous Assamese people by imposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on them," Bora had alleged. The CAA says that members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 facing religious persecution in those countries will not be treated as illegal immigrants but will be given Indian citizenship. SHENANDOAH Borough council approved at Thursdays meeting advertising of an ordinance that will dissolve the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah when the sale of authority water system assets is closed. In response to the planned ordinance, however, the authority on Tuesday filed a civil complaint in county court requesting a preliminary injunction to halt the dissolution of the authority. The council vote to advertise was 5-1. Voting in favor were John J.P Dombrosky, William Selbi, Katie Catizone, Leo Pietkiewicz, and John J.T. Thomas. Voting against was Eileen Burke. President Gordon Slater was absent. At a special meeting on Nov. 25, the council adopted the ordinance to sell authority assets to Aqua Pennsylvania Inc., a private company. Even though the sale was approved, it may take much later into this year for legal work that would finalize the process. The ordinance says the borough will assume any remaining liabilities of the authority and repay all debt incurred by the authority out of the sale proceeds. It says Aqua will offer employment to all MABS personnel. Borough solicitor James J. Amato explained Friday that if council formally adopts the ordinance even by Februarys meeting, MABS will continue to exist for some time. Basically everything in there with respect to termination and dissolution of the water authority is all going to occur contemporaneously with the closing, Amato said. Were not seeking to dissolve or terminate the water authority tomorrow, next month or three months from now. The authority operates a water treatment plant near the West Mahanoy Township village of Raven Run, two reservoirs in the township near the plant, and two larger reservoirs in Union Township. The borough has been working with the Pennsylvania Economy League to improve its financial stability and included MABS as part of a study of its financial and operational status. In May 2019, council members agreed to advertise for requests for proposals on authority assets. The move was to determine if there would be any interested buyers, but there was no vote to sell or not sell the authority at that time. The borough received several proposals and decided to negotiate with Aqua, which offered $12 million. After paying MABS outstanding debt of $5.5 million, the borough would receive the net balance of $6.5 million for its own uses. The council held two required public hearings to receive input on the potential sale and also on how the proceeds should be used. MABS owns a significant portion of the water system, which includes approximately 56 miles of 16-inch cast iron transmission and distribution pipes and water mains, the reservoirs, two pump houses, one underground pump station, four storage tanks and the filtration plant. In March, MABS retained Elliott Greenleaf & Dean as special counsel to gather information about a potential sale and to pursue legal action if warranted. Partner John G. Dean filed Tuesdays complaint. What it does is asks the court to tell the borough it does not have the authority to dissolve us, he said. As to the next step, Dean said, Im going to take some depositions of the council members. I will probably take Mr. Amatos deposition, and then well have a hearing. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 20:31:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran's health ministry reported 6,207 daily COVID-19 cases on Saturday, raising the total nationwide infections to 1,367,032. The pandemic has so far claimed 57,294 lives in Iran, up by 69 in the past 24 hours, said Sima Sadat Lari, the spokeswoman for Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, during her daily briefing. Of the newly infected, 495 were hospitalized, said Lari. A total of 1,158,475 people have recovered from the disease and been discharged from hospitals, while 4,106 remain in intensive care units, she added. According to the spokeswoman, 8,850,281 tests for the virus have been carried out in Iran as of Saturday. Iran announced its first cases of COVID-19 on Feb. 19, 2020. Iran and China have been offering mutual help in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. In mid-February 2020, at the early stage of the coronavirus outbreak in China, Iran lit up the Tehran Azadi (Liberty) Tower to show its solidarity with China, and donated 3 million masks to China. In return, China has delivered several shipments of medical supplies to Iran. On Feb. 29, 2020, a Chinese medical team visited Iran for a month-long mission to help Iran fight the pandemic. Enditem It wont rain for 40 days and nights next week but it might seem like it. Wet weather is expected in the Bay Area every day through next weekend. But even the coming deluge wont bring rainfall totals to anywhere near normal, forecasters said. Saturday is expected to be the last dry day for a while, the National Weather Service said. On Sunday, forecasters put the chance of rain at 100%, which is as close to a sure thing as there is in the meteorology trade. Light to moderate rain will fall on Sunday and Monday, then heavier rain after that. A much stronger and wetter system will then impact the region with potentially heavy rain and strong winds from Tuesday through Thursday, according to the weather service forecast. The wet weather on Sunday is coming from the Gulf of Alaska and the wet weather on Tuesday looks to be an atmospheric river from the west, according to weather service meteorologist Brayden Murdock. Its going to be quite a reversal from the weather weve been having, Murdock said. So far this season, San Francisco has received 3.22 inches of rain, compared to 8.51 inches at the same time last year and the average amount of 12.02 inches. This is one of the driest years ever, Murdock said. Were in such a deficit. Will we catch up this week? No, it wont happen. So far, the 2020-21 season is among the five driest years since the Weather Service began keeping track in 1850, Murdock said. The Sunday showers could drop a half inch of rain in most areas and perhaps an inch in the South Bay mountains. Isolated showers will continue Monday. On Tuesday, temperatures will drop and a much stronger and wetter system will arrive from the northwest, bringing potentially heavy rain and strong winds through Thursday, forecasters said. The midweek deluge could drop 2 to 4 inches of rain on low-lying areas and up to 7 inches in the hills, creating the risk of mudslides and flash flooding. A gale watch was issued for the Northern California coast for Sunday afternoon through Monday, with wind gusts forecast for up to 45 miles an hour and swells up to 19 feet. The Weather Service advised mariners to stay in port. Heavy winds will continue through the week. High temperatures for most areas will be in the 50s all week, with lows in the 40s. Inland areas could approach freezing. Air quality for most areas was expected to be good this weekend and into next week, the AirNow air monitoring service said. Heavy snow was heading to the Sierra. Squaw Valley ski resort at the north side of Lake Tahoe said it was expecting up to 3 feet of snow by Wednesday, perhaps another 2 feet on Thursday, with wind gusts up to 70 miles an hour. On Saturday, chains were required on Highway 50 over Echo Summit and that requirement is expected to be in effect for much of the week. Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SteveRubeSF This is the moment a brave post office worker fights off an armed robber as he attempts to raids her store. The woman had been working behind the counter at Lemington Post Office in Newcastle when Michael Gibson, 39, from Cowgate, brandished a hammer at her and demanded money. Newcastle Crown Court heard the assistant, who initially thought the demand was a 'joke', pushed and kicked out the 39-year-old until he retreated empty handed on October 20 last year. The post office worker fights off Michael Gibson, 39, as he demands money at Lemington Post Office in Newcastle The armed raider attempts to get behind the counter but the post officer worker and her colleague stop him Gibson, from Cowgate, Newcastle, admitted attempted robbery and was sentenced to 32 months behind bars During the clip, Gibson is seen trying to approach the assistant behind the counter as she and her colleague try to hold him back. They eventually push him away from the counter and he flees the store. The court heard a group of teenagers who were in the shop at the time 'scattered' when they realised what was going on. Gibson, from Cowgate, Newcastle, admitted attempted robbery. Miss Recorder Taryn Turner sentenced him to 32 months behind bars and said it was a 'very wicked and very frightening incident'. The judge said: 'One of the two people behind the counter initially thought it was a joke and tried to laugh it off, laughing at you, whereupon you said ''I'm serious'' before making your way around to the staff side of the counter, wielding that hammer. 'Very bravely she resisted your attempts, pushing you away, effectively kicking you out of the shop to prevent you from stealing any money. 'She is indeed a very brave and courageous lady.' The worker, who was described as a 'courageous lady' by the judge, resists Gibson's attempts and pushes him away Gibson, who had made multiple threats to attack those at the scene, then flees the shop The court heard the worker describe the incident as 'very frightening indeed'. Mark Harrison, defending, said the raid was 'over quickly' and the only violence was 'against him rather than by him'. Mr Harrison said Gibson put up 'little resistance' and added: 'He was very quickly overpowered, he offered almost no resistance. He was chased, essentially, out of the shop. 'He achieved absolutely nothing by his misbehaviour that day.' Mr Harrison said Gibson and '50 per cent of his wing' at the prison has succumbed to the coronavirus and are locked down in their cells. Detective Constable Gareth Welsh, of Northumbria Police, said: 'This is a brazen attempt to rob a Post Office and it must have been terrifying for both staff and customers. 'Gibson has brandished a hammer and was making multiple threats to attack those in attendance so he could get his hands on the till. 'But instead of backing down, these two women stood up to him, pushed him away and refused to let him get away with any money. 'I have nothing but praise and admiration for the bravery they showed that day and ultimately they have helped us put an armed robber behind bars.' A man alleged to have been in possession of three vintage revolvers and ammunition has been released on bail provided he adheres to certain conditions. Jan Walowy, aged 60, appeared before a special sitting of Bandon District Court where gardai said he had been charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition. Gardai found the weapons three Webley revolvers and 12 rounds of .445 calibre ammunition during a search of 43 Molaga Street in Clonakilty in West Cork, where Mr Walowy lives, on Thursday last. Det Garda James Keane told Judge Colm Roberts that he had arrested Mr Walowy, who is originally from the Czech Republic, at Clonakilty Garda Station at 5.33pm on Friday and later at 9.13pm that day charged him with the offences. Det Garda Keane said that to the charge he had a Webley Revolver VI in his possession, Mr Walowy replied "no". As to the charge that he had unlawful possession of the ammunition, the court heard Mr Walowy had replied: "No, it's all clear." On the charge of unlawful possession of another Webley revolver, Mr Walowy had replied: "There is nothing to say." On the charge of unlawful possession of another Webley revolver, a different model, he had replied "no". All charges are contrary to the Firearms Act 1964, as amended. Insp Emmet Daly said gardai had no objection to Mr Walowy's release on bail but that he would need to adhere to conditions for his release. Judge Roberts was told that these involved the surrender of his passport and identity card, which had been seized in the Garda search, and that he not apply for new versions of same. He is also to sign on three times a week at Clonakilty Garda Station, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, between 6am and 9pm, and is to observe a curfew between 9pm and 6am. He is also to abstain from all intoxicants, and he must stay away from named parties. He must also be contactable by gardai at all times. Judge Roberts said any potential change of address would also need to be with the advance consent of gardai. Mr Walowy's solicitor, Conrad Murphy, told the judge that there had been a change in the people living at the address in the last couple of days as a result of the situation his client has found himself in. Mr Walowy was released on his own bond of 250 to appear before Clonakilty District Court on February 2 next. He was also granted legal aid after Mr Murphy said his client, who works in a factory and who sends money home to the Czech Republic to one of his two children, was of extremely limited financial means. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin is famous for two things - being the second man to walk on the moon and the first astronaut candidate with a doctorate degree. The astronaut recently turned 91 and celebrated his birthday with as many candles on the cake. Born as Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. on January 20, 1930, in New Jersey, he would go on to become one the most famous and recognisable men on the planet. Here is how he welcomed his 91st year on this beautiful planet. When Alan Shepard said, Lets light this candle Im sure he never envisioned 91 of them! Thank you everyone for all the birthday wishes yesterday and to my Anca for making the day so special. pic.twitter.com/spoGB9HHw3 Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) January 21, 2021 People poured in their wishes to the stylish yet quiet birthday celebration. To celebrate his decades-long journey, lets take a look back to where it all began. You could tell his future was among the stars right from the beginning. His mothers maiden name was even Moon! Even though his first application to NASA was rejected, his second time turned lucky and he was accepted. On account of various fields expertise (military, engineering, orbital mechanics) and a doctoral degree, he received the nickname Dr. Rendezvous. He was ultimately picked for the historic team of men who would land on the moon with the ambitious Apollo 11 mission. Buzz had done spacewalk on the Gemini 12 program. But being a part of Apollo 11 was something of an utmost privilege. Families across America gathered in front of their television sets to watch three men sent out into the wild, uncharted space. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins ascended into space on July 16, 1969. Buzz was the religious person from the lot. When he reached the Lunar surface, his first response was to thank the Lord. According to archives, Buzzs first words on the moon were Beautiful view. Neil asked Isn't that something? Magnificent sight out here and Buzz replied Magnificent desolation. Before taking their spacewalk, Buzz performed Holy Communion on the lunar surface, making him the first and only man in the history of human existence to do so. The deeply religious man poured some wine on the lunar ground, a wine which he had sneaked in. NASA is not affiliated to any religion, so they kept this fact hidden for decades. It wasnt until the 50th anniversary of the moon that this fact came to light. He wanted to thank his God and he felt it was right at that moment. Years later, he admitted regret. On being asked if he could go back and re-live the experience, he said he would probably not do the communion. He reasoned that Communion was a Christian sacrament, but he was on the moon on behalf of Jews, Muslims, atheists, animists and everyone in between. But at that time, he could think of no other to acknowledge his thanks for Apollo 11. Buzz also featured in most of the photographs taken on the moon. As Neil Armstrong handled the camera, all the astronaut pictures setting equipment were of Buzz. A lesser-known factoid about him is that he is also the first person to urinate on the moon. Soon after the Confederacy was founded in 1861, the initial proposed design for the Confederate flag featured an upright cross, a fixture in Christianity, according to historian John Coski. But that design changed when Charles Moise, a "southerner of Jewish persuasion," wrote the South Carolina delegation asking "the symbol of a particular religion" not be made the symbol of the nation, Coski writes in his 2005 book, "The Confederate Battle Flag: America's Most Embattled Emblem." The flag was modified to instead feature a diagonal cross that avoided religious objection because it didn't stand out "so conspicuously as if the cross had been placed upright." This is a little-known fact about Jews' role in the Civil War, said Professor Jonathan D. Sarna, director of the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. Sarna, who will be one of the experts participating in the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina's upcoming event on Jews and the Civil War, hopes to shed further light on the Jewish community's role in the conflict. Its interesting that a community who didnt think two minutes about the sensitivity of African Americans did concern itself with the sensitivity of Jews," Sarna said. The historical society's event will touch on various aspects of Judaism and America's bloodiest war, including Jews who lived in the North and South during that time, fought on both sides of the war and owned enslaved people. The event, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Sunday, will be moderated by Robert Rosen, past president of the society and author of "The Jewish Confederates," and U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel. Much of the time will be dedicated to Sarna answering questions about the Jewish ties to the historic war. Rosen said there's high interest in the topic because it speaks to today's issues involving race and social justice. People from all over the country have signed up to attend the virtual program. Many people have already submitted questions for the online event, which is part of the society's online Sunday Conversations series. Sign up for the Charleston Hot Sheet Get a weekly list of tips on pop-ups, last minute tickets and little-known experiences hand-selected by our newsroom in your inbox each Thursday. Email Sign Up! People can register online at jhssc.org/events/upcoming. "We've been getting a good reaction," Rosen said. "This looks like it's going to be the biggest event were going to host." While the war divided the nation, it also divided Jewish communities. There were Jewish family members who fought on opposing sides of the war, Sarna said. Of the roughly 150,000 Jews in the U.S. at the time, most lived in North. Still, there were prominent Jews that played important roles in the Confederacy. Judah Benjamin, for example, served as Secretary of State of the Confederacy. Many Jews also owned enslaved people, Sarna said. "Jews followed their neighbors," he said. "Sometimes following your neighbors can get you into moral trouble." There was a real sense that the war would be brought to Charleston, Sarna said. A Charleston synagogue moved its records to Columbia, which ended up being a mistake as the Union army ransacked the city, the professor said. Reflecting on the relevance of the war on today's Jewish communities, Sarna said he is glad to see renewed interest in the Civil War against a background of newer attitudes and questions about the Jewish community's role in the conflict. The Foreign Affairs Minister has said he believes the traditional St Patricks Day visit to the White House by the Taoiseach will go ahead this year. Simon Coveney said the Government would have to figure out a way of visiting the US safely, because of the global pandemic. Last years visit by then taoiseach Leo Varadkar to former president Donald Trump was cut short amid the first coronavirus outbreak in Ireland. Expand Close Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said the 2021 St Patricks Day visit to the White House could go ahead (Julien Behal Photography/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said the 2021 St Patricks Day visit to the White House could go ahead (Julien Behal Photography/PA) Asked if this years visit would go ahead, Mr Coveney replied: I think it will. But we have to figure out how we do St Patricks Day this year safely. As we know, parades have already been cancelled. But we will reach out in the most appropriate way we can, in the most impactful way we can, obviously while being sensitive to public health perspectives. He told RTEs News At One: St Patricks Day is an extraordinary and unique opportunity that Ireland has. We make the most of it every year, and I have no doubt that the interaction between the Taoiseach and the new Irish-American presence in the White House, well have a very close and detailed interaction over that period. The tradition of the Irish premier of the day presenting the US president with a bowl of shamrocks on St Patricks Day dates back to 1956, when Fine Gael taoiseach John A Costello visited Dwight D Eisenhower at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The tradition is seen as vital in maintaining a strong relationship with Irelands most powerful ally. The new US President Joe Biden has strong Irish roots and has already spoken of his desire to visit Ireland with Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Minister Coveney has praised the new administration for its change of direction from the Trump presidency. He said: I think we are likely to see a very different foreign policy direction, one thats much closer to Irish thinking. Of course it was my job and the governments job to make sure that we had a good and functioning relationship with the Trump administration, because its always important for Ireland and the US to have a closer relationship. Expand Close Leo Varadkar and Donald Trump during a St Patricks Day reception at the White House in 2020 (Brian Lawless/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar and Donald Trump during a St Patricks Day reception at the White House in 2020 (Brian Lawless/PA) I think itll be much easier now with the Biden administration that I think share our values and our approach, to go over politics and multilateralism, to be able to get things done. I hope to be able to travel, despite all of the restrictions of the pandemic. I hope to be able to travel to Washington soon to build relationships with many of the Irish Americans that are part of this administration. Theres a lot of work to do here but I think it makes that work a lot easier, when we share a very similar approach to the administration. Meanwhile Taoiseach Micheal Martin said US and Irish officials will engage on the issue of the traditional St Patricks Day visit to the White House by the Taoiseach, and they will do what is best and most safe..obviously, Covid may very well have an impact on that. There will be no decisions made in relation to that [yet]. I did invite President Biden to Ireland and, rather jokingly, he said to me: try and keep me out. In relation to St Patricks Day, that is an honoured tradition in the relationship between Ireland and the United States, Mr Martin said. He added both leaders are keen to cement the very historic relationship between the US and Ireland. It is an important relationship in the modern era. It has cultural and artistic manifestations, it has economic manifestations, Mr Martin added. The Taoiseach told CNN of the genuine warmth felt by the Irish people towards Joe Biden. "It's a source of great pride that the great-grandson of Irish emigrants has become President of the United States. There was genuine elation at his elevation this week. He spoke to me in the aftermath of his election almost emotionally about his heritage and the lessons and values of an Irish family in Scranton, Mr Martin told Christiane Amanpour. President Biden also told the Taoiseach of his great fondness for the counties of Mayo and Louth - the counties his ancestors emigrated from to the US in the 19th century. BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang on Friday lauded the contribution of private businesses to the country's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at the sixth congress of the China Society for Promotion of the Guangcai Program (CSPGP). The meeting also commended 100 role models in the fight against the epidemic. Wang said private enterprises overcame difficulties to produce materials urgently needed to fight against the epidemic, provide daily necessities for the people, and actively donate money and materials, which demonstrated their patriotism and corporate social responsibility. He said the CSPGP organized a targeted poverty alleviation campaign that mobilized enterprises to help villages, playing an important role in China's victory in poverty eradication. Wang called for efforts to guide more private enterprises to serve rural revitalization and help narrow the development gap and resident income gap between urban and rural areas. West Virginia Governor Wants to Boost Vaccine Administration to at Least 5 Million Per Day West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice called for a ramp-up of vaccination administration efforts to between 5 and 10 million shots per day, and suggested Congress adopt a targeted vaccine bill quickly to help states fund immunizations rather than wait for a large relief package that could be delayed for months by partisan squabbling in Washington. Justice told Fox News in an interview Friday that West Virginia has already administered 99.8 percent of the vaccine doses that the state has received so far and said getting more vaccines is needed to save more lives. Were trending at almost 100 percent, and weve just got to get the vaccines, he said and, in light of past gridlock in Washington on prior pandemic aid, acknowledged the challenge of getting Congress to quickly pass another big relief bill that would include funding for vaccine efforts. [W]e can save lives right now if we move right now, Justice said, responding to a question about a quick, standalone vaccination bill. But to wait until the end of February or March What are we doing? Absolutely, we can save lives if well just get us vaccines, Justice said. The Biden administration has proposed a $1.9 trillion relief package that would include more money for vaccines, but some Republicans have already voiced their reluctance, panning the new proposal as an expensive, unworkable liberal wish-list. For any bill to pass the Senate, it would require the support of at least 10 Republicans to meet the 60 vote threshold under the legislative filibuster rule in a 5050 split upper chamber. As of mid-January, the United States was averaging around 900,000 vaccinations per day, according to data analyzed by The Wall Street Journal. To achieve herd immunity, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthory Fauci said that between 70 percent and 85 percent of the American public would need to get vaccinated, which is between 230 million and 279 million people. Since both Pfizers and Modernas vaccines require two doses for full protection, thats between 460 million and 559 million individual shots, respectively. Currently, around 19 million people have received the jab, with 2.8 million having received two doses, according to the CDC. The Biden administration has set a goal of 100 million immunizations in 100 days, a rate of one million per day. Really and truly, when you start doing the math, it will take way too long, and well have another 400,000 dead if we dont watch out, Justice said. Really and truly, what we need to be on is a glide path of doing 5 million or 10 million a day, he said. Fauci, at a press briefing on Thursday, said that the best-case scenario, if it were for me, is that wed get 85 percent of the people vaccinated by the end of the summer. If we do, then by the time we get to the fall, I think we can approach a degree of normality. Two doses in the arms of Americans by August, given Faucis objective of 85 percent of the public immunized, would require another 556 million shots to be administered in around 210 days, a rate of just over 2.6 million per day. NEW YORK (AP) President Joe Biden has put his team to work reviewing dozens of actions taken by former President Donald Trump, aiming to reverse orders that he says harm the environment or endanger public health. For the energy and auto industries, the impact could be far-reaching. Biden aims to reduce harmful emissions from cars, trucks and SUVs. Oil and gas operations are being scrutinized as well from how companies extract resources from the ground to the safety of pipelines that distribute the fuels. The new president aims to transition the country to 100% renewable energy for electricity generation by 2035 and net-zero emissions in the overall economy by 2050. Five things we learned at The Advocates Outlook 2021 summit for the state Local experts provided a forecast of what the new year has in store for the Louisiana economy Friday during The Advocate's Outlook 2021 econom Many experts agree that Bidens actions could help the nation achieve ambitious climate goals and further enhance the renewable energy sector, driving job growth. But others worry stricter regulations could hurt companies struggling to recover from the pandemic, which decimated demand for fuel. "Now more than ever people cannot afford heightened energy costs, Mike Moncla, interim president of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association said in a statement Friday. A better approach would be to support the recovery with sustainable policies that benefit struggling Americans with affordable, reliable, American energy." Hours after his inauguration Wednesday, Biden directed federal agencies to immediately review regulations and executive actions taken in the past four years that threatened public health or the environment. Ultimately, his success will require surmounting opposition in the energy industry as well as in Congress. Yes, we have a blue wave, but its a pretty thin wave with a 50/50 split in the Senate, said Stewart Glickman, senior equity analyst at CFRA Research. Still, this is the first presidency that is actively trying to discourage fossil fuel development while promoting renewables. Here is look at some energy issues Biden plans to tackle: Federal drilling bans Biden directed the Interior Department to halt all leasing for oil and natural gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. But his ambitions were broader. He also ordered a 60-day moratorium on new oil and gas leasing and drilling permits on federal land, as part of a review of Trump-era rules that were designed to accelerate such activity. 2 contractors of oil company indicted for leaks from platforms off Louisiana coast Two supervisors with a Houston-based oil company are facing multiple federal charges after prosecutors in U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser's offic Some energy analysts suggested that the moratorium could be just the first step in a much larger agenda to end drilling on federal land. Today's initial suspension could give way to emergency suspension that lasts much longer, essentially ending lease sales, said Kevin Book, managing director of Clearview Energy Partners. Biden could, for example, declare a climate emergency, rewrite land management rules, slow permitting or make leases less financially attractive. Speculation alone had already sparked a flurry of activity. In the waning months of the Trump administration, companies began stockpiling permits to drill on federal land, and the federal government sped up approvals to help the industry. Oil industry leaders said that restricting development on federal land might just lead the U.S. to import more oil. All a leasing ban will do is shift production to Saudia Arabia and Russia, which have far less-stringent environmental controls than American producers," Naatz said. Moncla also argued the bans wouldn't help limit oil consumption. Ironically, this kind of political move to satisfy a few special interest groups will end up producing more global emissions while killing thousands of high-paying American jobs, he said. Preventing blowouts The president directed the Interior Department to review rules that are designed to prevent blowouts on offshore oil rigs. The Obama administration had adopted safety measures after the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster that killed 11 and spilled 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf in 2010. After that tragedy, Obama required companies to test blowout preventers, which are designed to seal a well in case of a blowout, every 14 days. Trump relaxed that standard to every 21 days. But deep-water exploration has expanded in recent years, even as safety inspections declined. Environmentalists have been pushing for more frequent inspections, said Nancy Kinner of the University of New Hampshires Coastal Response Research Center and Center for Spills and Environmental Hazards. The new administrations whole thought on this is really to go back and look at that and make sure its rigorous enough," Kinner said. Pipelines Among his first executive orders, Biden revoked the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, the 1,700-mile pipeline that was to carry oil from Alberta, Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast. Keystone XL began shutting down construction, and the company said it would eliminate more than 1,000 jobs in coming weeks. The pipeline had been a symbol of struggle between the goals of preserving jobs and curtailing global warming. Trump had presided over an expansion of the nation's oil and gas pipeline network. But legal setbacks chipped away at his progress. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Biden's plans to apply a swift hammer to Keystone XL and reverse Trump administration roll-backs indicate that any hope of Biden moderating his posture towards the industry once in office are now dashed, said Parker Fawcett, an analyst for S&P Global Platts. Environmentalists and Native American tribes had opposed the pipeline, arguing that new infrastructure for fossil fuels would worsen climate change. "We should invest in infrastructure that helps us build a cleaner and healthier America, not infrastructure that ties us to the dirty energy sources of the past, said Matt Casale of U.S. PIRG, a federation of nonprofits. The American Petroleum Institute assailed Biden's actions on Keystone as a step backwards that would hurt union workers. Pipelines are the safest, most environmentally friendly way to transport energy, and the economy cannot recover at full speed unless we deliver reliable energy from where it is to where it is needed, said Mike Sommers, the institute's CEO. Methane leaks Methane, the main component of natural gas, frequently leaks from oil and gas wells and pipelines. As it does, it exerts a powerful warming effect on the atmosphere. Methane accounted for 10% of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the oil and gas industry produced nearly 30% of the country's methane emissions. Under President Barack Obama, oil and gas operations were required to inspect equipment built or modified after 2015 twice a year for methane leaks and fix leaks that they found. Trump weakened those rules. Now, Biden is expected to restore Obama-era methane regulations. He may also extend those requirements to those older wells, which could put some operators out of business. Texas Permian Basin is one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the world," noted Emma Pabst, an advocate with Environment Texas. "Reinstituting these rules will have a significant impact on our states climate and environment. Requiring oil and gas companies to address methane leaks along the production line sends a clear message that our Environmental Protection Agency is no longer giving out free passes to pollute. Trumps decision to loosen methane regulations was opposed even by BP, Chevron Shell and ExxonMobil and other major oil and gas companies because they had invested heavily to reduce methane emissions. If Biden were to just reverse Trumps rule and restore Obamas methane regulations, it would have little impact. That's because many big companies already tightened their methane leak prevention techniques. But Biden may extend the methane regulations to older wells. That worries independent producers, especially those that operate stripper wells that produce just a barrel or two of oil a day, that the expense of controlling methane leaks could put them out of business. We are very concerned about, especially for our members, our independent producers, that if theres a heavy Washington-bound approach that handcuffs the industry from finding solutions to this methane question, that would be a mistake, said Dan Naatz of the Independent Petroleum Association of America. Construction on long disputed Keystone XL halted as Biden decides to revoke permit TORONTO (AP) Construction on the long disputed Keystone XL oil pipeline halted Wednesday as incoming U.S. President Joe Biden decided to rev Low-producing stripper wells could become uneconomical through high compliance costs if these rules were expanded, and the move would certainly face legal challenges, Fawcett said. Fuel economy The new administration intends to undo one of Trump's biggest changes: His gutting of Obama-era fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards for automobiles through 2025. But the regulatory slog could take a couple of years unless Trumps rollbacks are thrown out by the courts. Biden will also likely reverse Trumps decision to revoke Californias ability to set its own pollution standards. David Friedman, a former acting administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one of the agencies that sets such auto standards, said he thinks it will take until the 2023 model year for stricter standards from Biden to take effect. The Trump administration cut Obama-era standards for model years 2021 to 2025 from 4.7% annual fuel efficiency gains to 1.5%, weakening one of the nations biggest efforts to fight climate change. Trump contended that the changes would make cars more affordable and safer. Both points were disputed by environmental groups. The rollback was largely supported by the auto industry, though Ford, BMW, Volkswagen, Honda and Volvo backed California for what amounted to 3.7% annual fuel efficiency increases. Many in the industry think the agreement with California is where bargaining will begin with the Biden administration. Automakers have long maintained that they would have trouble meeting Obama-era standards if they arent rolled back. The industry has said it supports increased standards but that because people are buying less-efficient SUVs and trucks, it would have trouble reaching the Obama numbers. Last year, 76% of the new vehicles sold in the U.S. were trucks and SUVs. 'Controlled burn' of spilled oil planned near Pilottown in lower Plaquemines Parish A contractor will conduct a "controlled burn" of about 50 barrels of crude oil that leaked from a Texas Petroleum Investment Co. platform abou During the 2019 model year, 11 of 14 major automakers had to rely on regulatory credits because they didnt meet standards, according to EPA figures. Gas mileage declined and pollution went up in 2019 for the first time in five years. The industry knows change is coming and is hoping for a settlement. It is committed to working with President Biden and his team on our shared goals of reducing emissions and realizing the benefits of an electric future, said John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group. Friedman, now with Consumer Reports, says the industry already has the technology already to meet the Obama-era standards, even without a plethora of battery-powered electric vehicles that are coming to market. A Consumer Reports analysis of Trumps rollback found that it would increase fuel costs during the life of an average new vehicle by $3,200. Theres a lot of room to for this administration to lead this country forward, save consumers money and clean the air, Friedman said. Tom Krisher reported from Detroit. AP Writers Janet McConnaughey in New Orleans and Matt Brown in Billings, Montana contributed to this report. Advocate reporter Ken Stickney contributed from Lafayette. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. After concerns were raised about the potential for false negative results, NOLA Public schools has suspended the use of coronavirus tests that were part of the school district's mobile testing program. The district said Friday that the test kit, provided through the Louisiana Department of Health's partnership with Curative, Inc., "is under review following a recent safety communication" from the Federal Drug Administration. The Health Department is now completing a review of the test, which was part of a three-van, roving system the school district started in mid-January as part of a new, large-scale testing strategy. All mobile sites are being suspended, officials confirmed. The school district did not say how many of the tests had been administered. "Out of an abundance of caution, NOLA-PS immediately suspended the use of this test until the LDH can complete its review," officials said in a news release. The Curative SARS-Cov-2 Assay is a real-time PCR test used to detect the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the FDA warning, which was issued Jan. 4. Curative, a Southern California company established in 2020, specifically markets large-scale coronavirus testing across the U.S. The FDA warning says tests should only be given to symptomatic people, and only under the supervision of health care workers, but several health departments had been offering the Curative tests to the general public, according to multiple news reports from around the country. School district officials said they notified schools that had access to this test as part of the new mobile testing program that began last week. The district's strategy is ultimately aimed at stopping the virus' spread by getting regular tests for as many of the district's nearly 45,000 students as possible, along with the teachers and staff employed by 76 public schools across the city. Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up As part of the strategy, the district earlier this month said it planned to send three mobile units to dozens of schools to conduct on-site, asymptomatic PCR testing to any children or families on a recurring basis. One of the units was being deployed in partnership with the Health Department, officials said. The other two were part of separate grant-funded initiatives, including from the Rockefeller Foundation. It wasn't immediately clear which company those two units planned on using for their PCR tests. The plan was for each of the vans to park in front of two campuses every school day, and visit participating campuses about once every two weeks. Families and community members would have access to the Health Department van, in particular, even if they aren't part of the school's community. By mid-January, about 45 campuses had signed up, according to Dina Hasiotis, the chief school support and improvement officer for NOLA Public Schools. In the wake of sharply rising case numbers, the school district earlier this month closed classrooms and required nearly all students to continue their schooling remotely. It isn't clear at this point when in-person schooling will resume. When all students are able to return to at least some form of in-person learning, many will also have access to rapid antigen tests that more than 30 campuses have signed up for. Those will be available to symptomatic students and staff, and those who had come into close contact with someone who tested positive, Hasiotis said. The new testing had bolstered a system already in place for public students and staff via appointments at Children's Hospital and other health partners, including the city's various community testing sites. "As we have since the beginning of the pandemic, we encourage anyone who is concerned about their health to seek out testing with our established hospital partners or at the Citys community sites, which can be found at Testing NOLA Ready," officials said. A geophysicist accused of dragging a police officer down steps to be beaten by an American flag outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was ordered held without bail Friday after a prosecutor said the man afterward tried to flee to Switzerland and commit suicide. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Krause, based in White Plains, said during an electronic hearing that he found the alleged actions by Jeffrey Sabol, a 51-year-old born in Utica, New York, beyond the pale and it is troubling to a degree that is really ... shocking. Krause said the allegations were very disturbing, deeply troubling and that Sabol needed to remain behind bars as a danger to the community and a risk to flee. Sabol was arrested Friday morning at the Westchester Medical Center. What we see is Mr. Sabol, part of a group of people dragging a law enforcement officer down the steps of a building at the Capitol, where that officer has been repeatedly assaulted by a number of people, apparently including Mr. Sabol, Krause said. The judge said he also saw video footage that showed Sabol going back up the stairs after the first officer was dragged down to possibly look for someone else to bring down those stairs into the teeth of that mob that was at the Capitol that day. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Gianforti said Sabol identified himself to law enforcement authorities as the black-gloved man in the video wearing a brown or tan jacket, a black or gray helmet and a green backpack. We see the defendant dragging a police officer down a set of stairs just outside the Capitol, Gianforti said. This allows another man, whos standing nearby, to beat that police officer with an American flag ironically, as the officer is being dragged down the stairs. The prosecutor said other images show the defendant holding a police baton across a police officers neck, and we have reason to believe he may have assaulted another police officer to procure that baton. Gianforti said Sabol had offered investigators self-serving statements saying he was trying to protect the officer but had also admitted to being in a fit of rage that day and that the details of the day were quote, cloudy. Gianforti noted the video evidence and said: I would just submit that a picture is worth a thousand words. After the attack, the prosecutor said, Sabol booked a flight from Boston Logan International Airport to Zurich, Switzerland, where he would not be able to be extradited to the U.S. Sabols lawyer, Jason Ser, argued for his clients release on $200,000 bail, saying the man had steady employment for decades Ser said Sabols job, in which he supervises other employees and contractors, involves removing unexploded ordnance from testing grounds for the military and the support of family that includes a longtime girlfriend, an ex-wife, three children and parents. He said video of the actions by his client were not as clear cut as they had been described by a prosecutor and noted that Sabol was currently charged only with civil disobedience charges that carry a potential maximum penalty of five years in prison. He said his client was coherent, stable and cooperative with federal law enforcement authorities after he underwent treatment at a psychiatric facility for a week and spent several days at the Westchester Medical Center. Both the judge and the prosecutor referenced Sabols suicide attempts in the wake of the attack, though Ser told pretrial services his client was no longer suicidal. Im sorry for what Mr. Sabol has been through since he left the Capitol but I think, your honor, that his suicide attempts can be taken as consciousness of guilt and in some respect really the ultimate flight attempt, Gianforti said. This is a man who just cant face the fact that he is facing a felony charge because of his actions on Jan. 6. Dams and pollution long ago stripped the Pearl River of its namesake fish, the Pearl darter. An environmental group says the endangered fish could be reintroduced one day, but the federal government must first protect its remaining hideaways a few creeks and stretches of smaller rivers in Mississippi before there are no more darters to put back in the Pearl. The fact that the Pearl Rivers namesake fish no longer lives in the river really tells the story of the extinction crisis in North America, said Tierra Curry, a scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity. This week, the center announced its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for what it calls the agencys failure to designate critical habitat for the tiny, bottom-dwelling fish more than three years after the agency added it to the list of protected wildlife under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Fish and Wildlife also hasnt developed a recovery plan for the fish, a step that, along with protecting habitat, is the usual course of action after a species is declared endangered. During President Donald Trumps recently concluded administration, the agency was unusually inactive, Curry noted. Theyve listed just 25 species under the ESA during the past four years, she said. Thats a record low for any administration since endangered species protections began. The Pearl darter is a 2.5-inch-long, snub-nosed fish that typically hides among riverbottom rocks to pounce on insects and tiny crustaceans. Found only in the fresh waters of east Louisiana and Mississippi, its already-limited range has shrunk by about half in recent decades. Scientists say it's been nearly 50 years since the darter has been spotted in the 444-mile-long Pearl River, which starts in central Mississippi and runs past St. Tammany and Washington parishes, forming Louisiana's eastern border. The darter's disappearance from the Pearl is largely the result of the Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson and small dams that regulate water flows into the West Pearl Navigation Waterway, according to Tulane University biologist and darter researcher Hank Bart. The reservoir and dams block fish migration to upstream spawning areas. Theres the impact from pollution from pulp and paper mills and the oil and gas (industry), but ultimately it was the dams that caused the Pearl darters demise, Bart said. Theres just no way they could get past them. The darter is now confined to a few scattered locations in Mississippis Pascagoula River Basin, where it faces increasing threats from pollution, in-stream gravel mining and dams, according to the center. Once its gone from the Pascagoula, thatll be the demise of the species, Bart said. The Pearl darter was listed as endangered in late 2017, during Trumps first year in office and after a lengthy review process that started in 1999. The ESA has protected hundreds of species since it was passed by Congress in 1973. The act is credited with the recovery of several iconic species, including the brown pelican, American alligator, Louisiana black bear and bald eagle. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The number of listings peaked under President Bill Clinton, with 521 species added during two terms, an average of 65 per year. Second lowest after Trump was President George W. Bush, whose administration listed 60 species over eight years. While Fish and Wildlife recently declared the conservation of imperiled species a hallmark of the Trump Administration, the Center for Biological Diversity says simply listing species under the ESA isnt enough. That action has to be followed by plans and policies, steps the Trump administration spent years avoiding, effectively nullifying the darters endangered status. With protection, the ultimate goal is recovery, Curry said. And (the Trump administration) wasnt supporting that. Curry is incredibly hopeful the new administration of President Joe Biden will be a strong backer of the ESA and help tackle a whole backlog of species awaiting consideration for listing. The center could withdraw its lawsuit if Fish and Wildlife takes concrete steps in the coming weeks. Saving the darter in Mississippi is one thing, but reviving its population in the Pearl River presents bigger challenges. You cant do it without removing dams, Bart said. Many of the smaller dams no longer serve their intended purpose of regulating flows for industrial navigation, but they are favored by recreational boaters and anglers. Efforts to remove dams in the Pearl basin have gotten little traction. The darter isnt the only species struggling in the Pearl. The basin is also home to the endangered Gulf sturgeon and the Pearl River map turtle, which is teetering on the brink of extinction and is the focus of another legal fight. Other fish, including the river redhorse sucker, havent been seen in the Pearl in years and likely wont return. The Pearl darter is a bellwether for what happens to rivers when we alter them and dont restore them, Bart said. That species fate is a direct result of what weve done to the Pearl River, and it could be the fate of many other species. Suzanne Pullen / Staff Police arrested a suspect Friday in a stabbing that sent one man to the hospital following an argument at the El Cerrito Plaza BART station Thursday afternoon, authorities said. The suspect was interviewed in custody, but had not been charged as of Friday evening, officials said. Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh today announced that Yerawada Jail located in Pune will be thrown open to the general public as part of its new "Jail Tourism" policy. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray along with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is expected to launch the scheme on 26 January, 2021 celebrated as Republic Day. While this is the first phase of the policy, the second one will involve the opening up of the Nagpur Central Jail. Subsequently, it could extend to other prisons in the state. Also read: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray Visits Serum Institute After Fire, Loss Pegged at Rs 1,000 Crore Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said "We aim to provide school, college, educational institutions and registered NGO's access to these historical places at extremely nominal rates. This will help them look and feel elements of Indian freedom struggle and other historical events that have taken place at Yerawada jail." So far, the jails in Maharashtra have been out of bounds to the general public. It's pertinent to note that on any given day the number of people visiting Yerawada will not exceed more than 50. Many great Indian freedom movement leaders were imprisoned at the Yerawada jail. Mahatma Gandhi, Lokmanya Tilak, Motilal Nehru, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Sarojini Naidu, Subash Chandra Bose, were sent to prison here by the British regime. The places of their confinement though have been preserved as monuments that serve as a reminder of their supreme sacrifices. A China Coast Guard ship attempts to block a Philippine government ship near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, March 29, 2014. China passed a new law Friday granting its coast guard more leeway in asserting Chinese claims in the contested South China Sea and authorizing the use of force against foreign vessels. The National Peoples Congress passed the Coast Guard Law of the Peoples Republic of China to help the China Coast Guard defend national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests. Since it was founded in 2013, the CCG has operated across the South China Sea, which is the site of overlapping maritime and territorial claims between China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. In 2018, the CCG was transferred from the State Oceanic Administration to the Peoples Armed Police, making it part of Chinas military. The CCG already has a reputation for confronting and sometimes clashing with fishing boats and other vessels of neighboring countries in contested waters in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually all for itself. Analysts see the new law as an attempt to provide grounds for escalating CCGs assertive behavior in the South China Sea. Carl Thayer, an emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales, told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that China is just trying to dress up whatever it does and say Our laws cover it. BenarNews is affiliated with RFA. Article 22 of the new law authorizes the CCG to take all necessary measures including the use of weapons to stop infringements and eliminate dangers when foreign organizations and individuals infringe upon Chinas national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. Article 47 permits coast-guard personnel to use hand-held weapons when foreign vessels resist orders from the CCG and other stopping measures fall short. Article 20 allows the coast guard to stop foreign countries from constructing buildings, structures, and setting up all kinds of fixed or floating installations in Chinas jurisdictional waters or on islands and reefs claimed by China. It also authorizes the CCG to demolish these structures. Other articles in the law give the CCG the right to track and monitor foreign vessels in Chinas jurisdictional waters, detain or forcibly remove foreign vessels operating in Chinas territorial seas, and forcibly evict foreign military or government vessels from jurisdictional waters. Another section allows CCG personnel to use shipborne weapons, airborne weapons, and hand-held weapons in anti-terrorism operations, during serious violent incidents, and when CCG ships and aircraft are attacked with weapons or other violent means. Data from the China Power Project, a program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank in Washington shows that CCG ships and other Chinese maritime law enforcement vessels are involved in the majority of major incidents in the South China Sea. A previous Radio Free Asia investigation found that CCG vessels work with Chinas maritime militia to maintain a continuous presence in contested areas. The Coast Guard Law will come into effect on Feb. 1, 2021. There was no immediate reaction from neighboring governments to the passage of the law on Friday. But it is likely to intensify concerns that China could use force in disputed waters. Coastal nations fish the South China Sea intensively and conduct exploration for oil and gas there. Jan 22, 2021 2:00 PM Author: Kylene Metzger The risk of getting infected with COVID-19 and experiencing severe illness increases with age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults are at the highest risk. Now, older adults (age 70+) in Utah can get vaccinated. University of Utah Health hosted a panel with two of our health care experts to answer common questions about the vaccine and what older adults can expect. Emily Spivak, MD, associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases Mark Supiano, MD, professor and chief of the Division of Geriatrics Why should older adults get vaccinated? Should they be worried if they have any underlying health conditions or are frail? Supiano: Its been known since the beginning of the pandemic that older people are at very high risk of severe COVID-19 outcomesand even death. In Utah, data over the last year shows 70 percent of deaths from COVID-19 have been in people age 65 and olderover 1,500 deaths total. Age is a strong risk factor in bad outcomes in COVID-19. This is why its extremely important for older adults to get the vaccine as soon as possible. People who are in this age groupwho have multiple chronic conditions, who may be frail, or living in a nursing homeall the more need the vaccine. The data we have at this point suggests the two vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech) that are available are extremely safe and well tolerated in this age group. Can the vaccine make people sick? Spivak: You cannot get COVID-19 from this vaccine. Its more likely people may experience side effects after receiving the second dose of the vaccine. Side effects are more commonly reported among younger people and typically occur 12-24 hours after vaccine administration. Side effects include fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches. This reaction is your bodys immune system mounting to the virus and your immunity building. Tylenol or ibuprofen can help alleviate these symptoms. Theres no other infections or illness you can get directly from the vaccine itself. We hear people say, I got the flu from the flu shot, but really this reaction is more likely the exact same phenomenon: its your immune system mounting a response to the virus and the vaccine. Supiano: Data suggests these mild symptoms are less common in older adults but still more common after the second dose. These side effects are minimal and short-lived. Its well worth receiving the vaccine instead of getting infected with COVID-19. Should people be concerned about experiencing adverse reactions to the vaccine? Spivak: Eleven in a million people have experienced severe allergic reactions to the vaccine, which is extremely rare. These are allergic reactions like swelling, itching, and difficulty breathing. Allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines are very uncommon and tend to occur in people who had previous allergic reactions to other medications or vaccines. Overall, severe side effects are rare, and the likelihood of experiencing an adverse reaction to the vaccine is far less common than the rate of getting COVID-19. How can people help family members or friends who post anti-vaccination information online? Spivak: I encourage people to not be judgmental and provide family and friends with the facts. The CDCs website on COVID-19 vaccines is the best resource for health care providers and the general public to share with others. Supiano: In addition to the CDC website, the American Geriatrics Society has a tip sheet tailored specifically to older adults. Its important to provide education. Theres a lot of myths about COVID-19 and vaccines and we need to do our best to share the facts, science, and data that have been published. Can people with underlying health conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) receive the vaccine right now? Spivak: Yes, they can receive the vaccine. The CDC has a list of certain medical conditions and what specific recommendations are for vaccination. Many underlying conditions are risk factors for severe COVID-19 and worse outcomes. Therefore, people with underlying health conditions are encouraged to get the vaccine when it becomes available to them. How much immunity will an older adult have after the first dose of the vaccine? Supiano: The 95% protection against the virus happens after the second dose. The antibody levels that are achieved with that 95% effectiveness will take place within 7-10 days after the second dose. While the patient will be protected, its still not known whether they can spread COVID-19 to those who arent vaccinated. Spivak: According to current data, the vaccine is about 50-55% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 after the first dose. The role of the second dose is boosting a patients immunity to the virus. I would caution people and encourage them to presume they have no protection between the first and second dose. It takes 10-14 days after the second dose for the vaccine to be 95% effective at preventing symptomatic infection. Since we dont know if COVID-19 vaccines prevent asymptomatic infection, people should still be careful after the second dose. This includes wearing a face mask and physically distancing until we can get the whole population vaccinated. Some states have reported the vaccine rollout for long-term care facilities have been having trouble getting a shot. Is that a problem in Utah? Supiano: The reason this is being reported is because skilled nursing facilities have an organized nursing staff, medical director, and a standard practice of delivering the vaccine to skilled nursing home residents. These facilities are getting the vaccines from pharmacies that are delivering them on a scheduled basis. Those in assisted living facilities or living in independent apartments dont have the benefits of standardized scheduling or an organization helping them facilitate getting the vaccine. These groups of people may be responsible for making their own appointments to get the vaccine. Will the current COVID-19 vaccinations work against variants? Spivak: This is still being studied, but preliminary data suggests the current vaccines do protect against the B-117 or UK variant specifically. For now, we think the vaccine protects against variant strains, but there is concern that if we dont get vaccines out fast enough, there may be other variant strains that develop. Some people might be worried about getting the vaccine due to the unknown long-term side effects. What would you say to people who are hesitant? Supiano: Wed like to have more long-term data, but the data we do have about COVID-19 is so chilling that the benefit of getting the vaccine outweighs the risk of getting COVID-19. If you are an older adult and are unfortunate enough to get COVID-19, your risk of death is extraordinarily high. Whats even more compelling is that people who have recovered from the virus are experiencing devastating long-term side effects. Can a person stop wearing a face mask after theyve been vaccinated? Spivak: We do not know yet if a person is 100% immune to COVID-19 after getting two doses of the vaccine. What we know is that two doses reduces your chance of getting symptomatic COVID-19 by 95%. Patients who participated in the vaccine trials were not all systematically tested for COVID-19, regardless of symptoms, to determine if the vaccine decreases the chances of asymptomatic infection. For now, until we can get the vaccine more widely distributed to the public, it should not change your behavior. Masking, physically distancing, frequently washing your hands, and staying home when sick are still important rules to follow. Can educators and older adults get the vaccine through U of U Health? Spivak: Aside from employees, U of U Health is not currently providing the vaccine to the public. The Utah Department of Health is vaccinating groups in the public through local county health departments. You should contact your local county health department for vaccination distribution information. Prosecutors at the time said Anderson acted as part of a plot with fellow gang members, and they cast a wide net, charging him and several other members of the Almighty Popes, among them Morfin and Wayne Antusas. Also charged was William Bigeck, who flipped on the others in exchange for a plea deal. He was a crucial witness and when he and others recanted, the case got significantly messier. HERKIMER, N.Y. A 59-year-old school bus driver from Ilion is accused of hugging and touching a 14-year-old girl after making inappropriate comments to her for several weeks. Herkimer police say the alleged misconduct was reported on Thursday, after starting in mid-December. After an investigation, they arrested Birnie Bus driver, Colby Sweet. According to police, Sweet is accused of regularly dropping all other students off, and pulling the bus on the side of the road with just he and the teen girl inside. During these unauthorized stops, Sweet allegedly hugged and rubbed the teen while asking for kisses. Police say he also gave the girl gifts and made comments about how much he admired her. Sweet was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, but police say additional charges are pending. He was released on his own recognizance, and is due back in court at a later date. Metro Cash & Carry India has championed the cause of kirana modernisation and digitalisation in India. Their efforts have led to a spike in kirana sales by up to 50 per cent. In this episode of Mrigashira, Charu Raizada was in conversation with Reshma Nandy, General Manager, Corporate Communications, Metro Cash & Carry India, to know more about how Metro Cash & Carry India has been an enabler in making the Kiranas self-reliant and what it takes to communicate for a B2B retail brand. Listen to the podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/028R1pSBOD7AOqDCBqDJQk PR professionals often find it challenging to come up with ideas when it comes to building a B2B brand. What is your secret of crafting compelling stories? Historically, we have been a very conventional German brand, with a conservative communication approach. But over the last couple of years, we have been experimenting with different storytelling and messaging platforms. One tool that we have been using quite often is news jacking. Being a Global B2B brand, we have lot of limitations with giving out country specific information with respect to numbers. So, we have been using topical trends, the economic and political developments to garner interest; to give insights on market trends, customer preference, customer behaviour, and their buying patterns, from an industry standpoint. Weve been using different platforms and different tools to communicate our brand story effectively to stakeholders. A case in point I would like to highlight our internal communication started much earlier in February, when there was very little information about COVID, as the European markets and our German headquarters were already grappling with the crisis. When the lockdown actually started, there was a lot of disruption that we faced. There was disruption of supply chain, transportation, all the essential items were hit, employees could not come to work. And while everyone was sitting at home safely, hundreds of employees on the shop floor were manning operations. They were the frontline warriors who were diligently ensuring that the customers especially, you know, the traders and kiranas, did not run out of their stock supplies. Our store employees have been very courageous to rise up to the challenge. In few of the cases, there have been female employees who have been managing operations of the entire floor. As the largest wholesale, on one hand, we had the task of ensuring adequate supply potential, as well as ensuring stringent safety standards and norms for our customers and employees at our stores. So, we had to roll out a complete integrated communication campaign which focused on health, wellness and safety of all our stakeholders. Metro Cash & Carry India has championed the cause of kirana modernisation and digitisation. What has been your approach? In India, there are total 12 million kiranas and 90% of Indias $700 billion food in the grocery market is dominated by these kiranas. After agriculture, kiranas are the second largest employment generators and the lockdown actually got the limelight back on these traditional corner shops. Neither the e-retailers nor the modern trade could match up to the competency of kiranas to do the last mile delivery to the customers, especially during the lockdown. They understand and know the pulse and pain of the customers. We at Metro have been vocal about empowering the kiranas with technological solutions and for the past couple of years, we have been running our Smart Kirana program, which is typically aimed at modernising and digitalising their operations to help them become more competitive, and profitable. We realised that if we arm them with technology and basic data analytics, they can function more efficiently. We have helped them to remodel their conventional traditional closed format to a more modern open format approach. The end purpose is actually to help them grow their top line, their bottom lines and improve cash flows. Kiranas who have partnered with us have actually witnessed 40-50 per cent jump in their sales. We are bringing about a transformational change in their lives, we communicate their stories how they have seen value in our program, increasing footfall, income. We launched an e-commerce app and during the pandemic these conventional kiranas were actually shopping using the app. In fact, the app has delivered a 34 per cent increase of sales and been downloaded by over one-and-a-half lakh kirana owners. We have focused on peoples story and our strategy has been to find those stories that connect, and communicate those stories to our external audiences as well as internal audiences, because people need to know those transformation stories. What are your tips for PR professionals? Everyone today is a crisis communicator, the pandemic has actually pricked our normal life and 2020 has actually changed how we look at crisis communication and you know, response mechanism. Communicators today need to have much more compelling narratives; they need to do much sharper storytelling to connect with their stakeholders. And the pandemic has really reiterated the importance of people and relationships in our lives. *Edited for length and clarity (Mirgashira is a podcast for Indian PR and Communication professionals anchored by RadhaRadhakrishnan and Charu Raizada. To listen to all episodes visit https://www.digitales.co.in/industry-insights/mrigashira-podcast/) In the fallout from the 2011 general election, the late political commentator Noel Whelan noted in his book Fianna Fail: a biography of the party that the party was at its lowest ebb since it was founded. "It may not have marked the end of the party, but it clearly marked the end of an era that began in 1932, he wrote. The Micheal Martin era reaches its 10-year milestone on Tuesday the anniversary of the Taoiseach becoming leader. Starting from that low base, he has returned the party to power, if not to its former glories. Martins impact in shaping his party goes beyond mere general election results. Bonfire of the dynasties: Families The previous Fianna Fail regime was headed by three members of strong party dynasties: Brian Cowen, Mary Coughlan and the late Brian Lenihan. Martin has shown far less deference to family brands. He shunned Brian Crowleys presidential election ambitions, unsuccessfully tried to shaft Mary Hanafins council run, fell out with Eamon O Cuiv over the Fiscal Treaty and sacked Barry Cowen as a Cabinet minister. Of the current Fianna Fail Cabinet members, only Norma Foley hails from a family dynasty. Changes to candidate selection has also watered down family ties. A work in progress: Women Martin certainly cant be accused of not trying to elect more women TDs, albeit with mixed results and forced into action by gender quotas. Yet the party only has five female TDs and one woman at the Cabinet table, Norma Foley. A number of younger women he has promoted have suffered setbacks: Lisa Chambers lost her seat, Lorraine Clifford, Catherine Ardagh and Mary Fitzpatrick havent won Dail seats yet and Averil Power left the party in an acrimonious row. However, reaching the 30pc gender quota has been a big problem and the party is still seen as predominantly male, pale and beyond the pale. Back in black: Finances Despite the fabled Galway Tent, Westbury Hotel fundraisers and brown envelopes, Martin inherited a staggering Fianna Fail debt of 4.5m when he took over in 2011. The debt had built up over the previous 25 years and took seven years to clear. Copying Fine Gael, Martin moved the party to a small contributions model, pushing the Superdraw raffle with 50 tickets and membership fees of 20 a head to balance the books. No more uno duce, uno voce: Rebels Charles Haugheys late spin doctor PJ Mara famously dismissed the questioning of the leadership by declaring uno duce, una voce or one leader, one voice. Whatever else they may say, the dissidents in the ranks can hardly say their views havent been given an airing. Martin has faced a constant barrage of criticism over the decade, be it from John McGuinness, O Cuiv, Marc MacSharry or latterly Cowen. He has faced accusations of not keeping his TDs in the loop and the barbs do get to him and he is frustrated about the continual internal leaking against him. Expand Close One leader, one voice: Charles Haugheys spin doctor PJ Mara. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp One leader, one voice: Charles Haugheys spin doctor PJ Mara. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins Reluctant liberals: Social issues The leader of Fianna Fail has supported same-sex marriage and abortion even if his entire party hasnt come with him. To his credit, unlike Fine Gael and Sinn Fein, Martin hasnt actually lost TDs who left to set up their own parties as a result of the stance on liberal issues. Martins formula of not applying a party whip allowed his TDs to vote and stay in the camp. As Senator Ronan Mullen put it, Fianna Fail had an open vote to allow Martin to vote with his conscience. Fianna Fail didnt lead the charge on those issues, but they didnt block them either and Martins personal stance on abortion allowed a lot of middle Ireland to go that way. Waiting for unity: the North The rabid republicanism of Fianna Fail of old is certainly gone. Martin has adopted a form of Constitutional republicanism or nationalism by consensus through a shared united Ireland with everyone in agreement. Its pragmatic but a bit watery, lacks the urgency caused by Brexit and isnt terribly appealing to a post-Troubles generation. Its a classic example of Martin being slow to adapt to a social media age. Nor has his 32-county social partnership model been embraced north of the border. Read More Dublin Castle bound: Ethics In the previous two decades, senior figures in Fianna Fail tended to be the subject of inquiries. When the Mahon Tribunal rejected some of Bertie Aherns evidence around his personal finances, Martin turned his back on his former mentor. Ahern resigned before he was expelled but his brother, Noel, branded young Martin loyalists attacking the former leader as child soldiers with Uzis. Martins engagement with tribunals have been more as witness than defendant. He backed Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe at the Disclosures Tribunal and has also given evidence to the Siteserv Tribunal into certain transactions at the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. Permanent little arrangement: Coalition Coalition with the PDs was decried by the late Albert Reynolds in 1989 as a temporary little arrangement. Now Fianna Fail not even being the clearly largest component of the Government is a manifestation of its new status as a medium-sized party. Martins confidence and supply arrangement with Fine Gael in 2016, propping up the government from the opposition benches, was a precursor to going into power with the auld enemy last year and thereby ending Civil War politics. The rotating Taoiseach is a reflection of the new reality. Having a say: Members When he took over as leader, Martin went on a tour of the country meeting members in every constituency. Anything up to 500 activists turned up in the likes of Galway, Donegal and Kerry. On foot of that, he made the party more democratic, bringing in a one-member, one vote OMOV system, diluting the cumann system of branches which could be dominated by individuals for decades to hoard votes for conventions. OMOV has influenced the selection of candidates but also saw the party members vote on the Programme for Government last year and entering coalition with Fine Gael and the Green Party. Fianna Fail voted 74pc in favour of the deal, proving Martin did have a mandate. The members will have 30pc of the votes in electing Martins successor as leader probably in two years time when his term as Taoiseach runs out. Back to basics: Policy Fianna Fail over-performed in the 2016 general election, winning 44 seats in a campaign where the party argued for spending on services over tax cuts. The same policy platform was employed in 2020, but to far less impact as Sinn Fein swept the boards and Martin lost a half dozen seats. Martin has gone back to pre-Celtic Tiger, old school Fianna Fail values of investing in the public health system and building social houses. The partys time in Government will be judged on success there. John Wayne and Ann-Margret only worked together on one film. The two actors appeared together in the 1973 Western The Train Robbers, about a widow (Ann-Margret) who hires a man (Wayne) to find a cache of stolen gold hidden by her late husband. Though the time she spent with the Duke was relatively brief, it was still a memorable experience for the Swedish-born actor, who shared her recollections of working with the iconic screen star in a 2014 interview. John Wayne did Ann-Margret a big favor John Wayne and Ann-Margret on the set of The Train Robbers | Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images RELATED: Why John Wayne Didnt Think Hed Win an Oscar for True Grit Filming for The Train Robbers took place in Durango, Mexico, and production coincided with the 1972 Oscar ceremony. The distance from Hollywood proved to be a problem for Ann-Margret and her co-star Ben Johnson, who were both nominated. There was no easy way for the pair to get from Mexico to Los Angeles and back again for the event. Thats when Wayne stepped in. The actor whod finally won his own Oscar in 1970 for True Grit after two nominations wanted to help his colleagues attend the event. So he loaned them the use of his private plane so they could travel back to California. John Wayne supported Ann-Margret after she didnt win the Academy Award That year, Johnson was nominated for best actor for The Last Picture Show, while Ann-Margret had been recognized in the supporting actress category for her work in Carnal Knowledge. Johnson won, but Ann-Margret lost to Cloris Leachman, who was also nominated for The Last Picture Show. The next day, we were back on the set, and Ben had won and I hadnt, Ann-Margret told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. I dont know what Mr. Wayne said to Ben, but he got me in a corner, and he just said some wonderful things to me. Ann-Margret said John Wayne was bigger than life The Train Robbers | Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images Ann-Margret recalled that when she first came to Hollywood, Wayne was one of two people she wanted to meet. (The other was Walt Disney.) [H]e was bigger than life. When I went to work with him, I would sit in the back [of a car] and he would sit in the passenger seat, she said. He was such a huge man, and hed have a window open, and in the fields people would be working and of course everyone knew who he was. There were always people coming up to him, and he had that great voice, she added. Between his voice and his walk, he certainly was special, and his fans were in love with him. The Train Robbers was the only feature film where Wayne and Ann-Margret shared screen time. However, they did both participate in a 1970 TV special titled Swing Out, Sweet Land. Wayne hosted the special about the history of the U.S., which featured performances from Ann-Margret, Glen Campbell, Dean Martin, Johnny Cash, and Bing Crosby, among others. Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 A view of the North Korean township of Samjiyon County in this undated picture released by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on December 2, 2019. Trading companies in North Korea are attempting to restart trade with China to secure construction materials as Pyongyang prepares to invest heavily in its tourism industry, sources in China told RFA. National tourism projects were prioritized as a key part of the new five-year economic plan laid out during the Jan. 5-12 Korean Workers Partys eighth party congresstriggering expectations that a building boom in areas close to the Chinese border could start soon if North Korea can find a way to import materials. Pyongyang and Beijing in Jan. 2020 shut down their border and suspended all trade due to the coronavirus. RFA has reported that authorities instructed factories and enterprises to wean themselves off of imports to heed North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns call for the country to be more self-reliant. But this apparently does not apply to the construction industryChinese citizens with business contacts across the Yalu River border told RFAs Korean Service that North Korean officials are desperate to get their hands on building materials. As soon as the Korean Workers Party Congress was over, North Korean trade officials kept contacting me, a Chinese citizen exporter of Korean descent from the city of Hunchun, across the border from North Koreas northeastern panhandle, told RFA. They need to import raw materials, so they want to slowly restore the Sino-Korean trade system, which was suspended due to the coronavirus, said the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons. According to my North Korean counterpart, North Koreas large-scale national construction projects and special tourism zone development are attracting attention again after the congress. So it seems like the officials of the powerful state-run trading companies are trying to secure large quantities of raw materials in advance, doesnt it? the source said. The North Korean trade officials told the source that the countrys national projects all lack building materials and cannot be completed without imports. They said the framing of several apartment buildings has already been completed, but they cannot finish the interiors because they need things like doors, window frames, bathtubs and toilets. They said they urgently need these finishing materials for construction, the source said. I was a finishing materials exporter for several apartment construction projects in Pyongyang and the Samjiyon tourist zone in Ryanggang province, but over the past year I havent been able to export anything into North Korea because of the coronavirus, said the source. The Samjiyon tourist zone is a highly touted national project that opened in Dec. 2019, just prior to the border closure. The site is meant to attract visitors from China to earn foreign currency. It opened to much fanfare, with Pyongyang showcasing the resort complex ski slopes, hotels and spas, and dubbing the project an ideal socialist village. The project took several years to complete, but North Korea has yet to reap the benefits because the border closed a month after it opened. Seoul-based NK News conservatively estimated in October 2019 that country would welcome its highest number of Chinese tourists in any year ever at about 350,000, and they would collectively spend about U.S. $175 million. The online media outlets noted that tourism from China had exploded in the 18 months prior, indicating that tourism would be a major source of revenue moving forward. North Korea is now under more pressure to complete national construction projects to prepare to earn back money lost in the year without tourism. National construction projects are the most important part of the five-year economic plan decided by the congress, so the trade officials are scrambling for raw materials for construction. Its difficult to know whether this means the border will totally reopen soon, or whether they will temporarily allow imports of urgent quantities of raw materials, said the source. Another Chinese citizen of Korean descent from Dandong, across the border from North Koreas northwestern city of Sinuiju, confirmed to RFA that Chinese construction materials are in high demand. A North Korean trade official called several times asking to import construction materials from Dandong. They say that Sinuiju is now a tourism development zone and they are urgently building tourist facilities there now, the second source said. Traders have been out of touch with their North Korean counterparts for months. The sudden inquiry about construction materials, often in large quantities in advance, show there is an urgent need there, the second source said. Finishing materials for building interiors are in the highest demand, and North Korea will allow imports by sea of such as doors, window frames, bathtubs, toilets, and tiles starting next month, according to the second source. Even at the worst of the coronavirus crisis last year, North Korean authorities sometimes imported essential goods by sea. Given that the trade officials are trying to import construction materials this way, it seems that they are speaking with more than just empty words. Reported by Jieun Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Korean Brand Research Institute released their brand reputation rankings for the month of January. Keep on reading to see the top 10 most popular K-pop groups for the month! 10. MAMAMOO MAMAMOO is a four-member girl group composing of members Solar, Moonbyul, Wheein, and Hwasa. On Jan. 22, RBW announced that members Solar and Moonbyul renewed their contracts with the company, while Wheein and Hwasa were positively discussing contract renewals. 9. GFRIEND GFRIEND is a six-member girl group composing of members Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, and SinB, and Umji. The group's latest musical release is their Nov. album ":Walpurgis Night" with the title track "MAGO". 8. EXO EXO is a nine-member boy group composing of members Xiumin, Suho, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun. EXO is currently on a hiatus due to the members partaking in their mandatory military enlistment. The members who are not partaking in the military service - Lay, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Kai, and Sehun - are focusing on solo activities. Xiumin was recently discharged from the military and has participated in some promotional activity. 7. SEVENTEEN SEVENTEEN is a thirteen-member boy group composing of members S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino. The group's last musical release was in Oct. with their second special album "; Semicolo[n]" with the lead single "Home;Run". 6. NCT NCT is a 23-member boy group composing of members Taeil, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Taeyong, Ten, Mark, Yuta, Winwin, Haechan, Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung, Johnny, Jungwoo, Lucas, Kun, Xiaojun, Hendery, Yangyang, Shotaro, and Sungchan. NCT is composed of the sub-units NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV. On Jan. 13, Sungchan revealed in an interview with Star News that a new NCT unit will be debuting in 2021. 5, IZ*ONE IZ*ONE is a twelve-member girl group composing on Wonyoung, Sakura, Yuri, Yena, Yujin, Nako, Eunbi, Hyewon, Hitomi, Chaewon, Minju, and Chaeyeon. The girl group's most recent musical release was back in Dec. with their fourth mini-album "One-reeler / ACT IV" with the title track "Panorama". 4. (G)I-DLE (G)I-DLE is a six-member girl group composing of member Miyeon, Minnie, Soojin, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua. (G)I-DLE recently made a comeback on Jan. 11, releasing their fourth mini-album "I Burn", with the title track "HWAA". 3. TWICE TWICE is a nine-member girl group composing of members Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu. On Jan. 14, it was announced that TWICE is preparing for their second online concert, "TWICE in Wonderland". "TWICE in Wonderland" will be held on March 6 through AR (augmented reality) and MR (mixed reality). TWICE will also be performing on TIME's "TIME100 Talks" on Jan. 28. 2. BLACKPINK BLACKPINK is a four-member girl group composing of members Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, and Lisa. BLACKPINK is currently preparing for their first online live stream concert in collaboration with YouTube Music. The concert is dubbed "THE SHOW" and is set to take place on Jan. 31. 1. BTS BTS is a seven-member boy group composing of members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Their most recent musical release is their fifth studio album "BE" with the lead single "Life Goes On". The song topped the Billboard 100 charts, making it the first Korean song to hit number one in the United States. Check out the whole list here: Did your bias group make it to the list? For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this. Written by Alexa Lewis That's actually pretty cool Reply Thread Link Conceptually? Yes. But there's something a lil off about a white man creating an idealized black woman and profiting from it. If this was a black woman doing this/who created her I'd be all for it tho. Reply Parent Thread Link True tbh bc you know there's a black woman out there who can do this. This is in the same vein as making Sims Mods. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link along real supermodel Bella Hadid huh Reply Thread Link Thanks I hate it. Reply Thread Link There are so many actual living breathing black models they could hire but no lets get the computers Reply Thread Link Related since its fashion but Ive been boredom reading the repladies Reddit and the people there are so weird. They really think theyre shaking the table by wearing a fake Chanel bag they paid $800 for Reply Parent Thread Link I worry that racists will try to absolve themselves by allowing their non-black models to pose with black digital models and claiming points for representation Reply Parent Thread Link Its already happening. Reply Parent Thread Link Mte, going from paying girls who aren't Hadids the bare minimum to not even hiring them at all. Reply Parent Thread Link https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/shudu-gram-is-a-white-mans-digital-projection-of-real-life-black-womanhood Food for thought- Reply Thread Link This article too - https://www.boredpanda.com/3d-black-model-shudu-cameron-james-wilson/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic Reply Parent Thread Link Thank you for these! Reply Parent Thread Link yes this is such a concern of mine why should we celebrate idealized forms of a woman's body created by men? Reply Parent Thread Link S1m0ne walked so these girls' programs could run!! Reply Thread Link Exactly. I won't be surprised if sometime in the future, big actors will be digitized and people can put them into a script and make their own films on their computers at home. That's where it looks like it's going to end up eventually. Make your own James Bond movie with any actor you want--Idris, Dev, Timmy--whoever. Models are just the tip of the iceberg. Reply Parent Thread Link Robin Wright made a film with that premise, where she played herself - it was called The Congress. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Lol I think of that movie a lot Reply Parent Thread Link Nah, I dont like the idea of robots or avatars replacing human jobs, even if its modeling or acting. The working class are losing out to machinery and while it might be more cost efficient people are losing they livelihoods. And the models being replaced by these CGI IG models arent big name models, theyre the ones who probably model to make ends meet. Reply Thread Link not just the models, but the stylists, photographers and makeup artists which become "disposable" Reply Parent Thread Link ah, this is a good point that i hadnt thought of. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah this ^^^ I am going to school for makeup artistry and hair so I can work on movie sets....so many people like me who aims to work within the ntertainment beauty industry will be marginilized to only being a reduced populace beauty worker (ie: bridal makeup artist, quincenara mua, prom work etc...) Reply Parent Thread Link MTE, I was just musing that modeling didnt seem like the kind of profession that could be automated (or whatever term fits this better). But Im not in the industry so maybe people saw it coming, idk. Reply Parent Thread Link idk how to feel about this... but cool. Reply Thread Link Conceptualised and created mostly by males Im assuming? Whatever pushes women that have their own mind thoughts feelings and opinions further and further out of an industry I guess. Edited at 2021-01-23 12:09 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link Lol I feel like staple is doing a lot of work here. But I hope it's a fad. Reply Thread Link except that they aren't that popular. I rarely see them anywhere Reply Thread Link yeah 2-3 years ago maybe when Miquela first got big, but that was like a little splash on wgsn, wwd reports and hypebeast like sites. there are so many now, it's not even that edgy anymore. I think it's the case similar to google glasses/snapchat glasses, looks cool and futuristic and everyone is buzzed about it for a year or so, but people are people and they need things that are realistic, they need real experience and that includes real models wearing clothes. Reply Parent Thread Link Look, Ive watched Battlestar Galactica. I know how this goes. I guess its time to find a battlestar Reply Thread Link This has all happened before. And it will happen again. Reply Parent Thread Link What bothers me is that these models are supposed to be selling clothes to living breathing women. It takes unrealistic beauty standards to the extreme. Edited at 2021-01-23 12:12 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link That's honestly my biggest thing too. The idea that they're taking what is already a completely unrealistic beauty standard and now making it even MORE unrealistic. Like ... no thank you. Also, and yes this may be a case of ONTD doesn't read, but if the models are virtual then the clothes/accessories on them are too... soo it's not even a true representation of the product. I also don't like taking work away from people of color (or anyone for that matter) nor do I like the idea of men being the one creating and portraying these virtual women on social media? This just feels wrong and icky by all accounts. No thank you. Like, cool technology is at the point for it to look this realistic (yay video games and CGI for other things), but hard pass from me. Reply Parent Thread Link Yes, this is terrifying to me. Even if they designed plus size avatars, they arent real, so they can be ideal plus size, as opposed to having any normal flaw. I hate this its extremely scary Reply Parent Thread Link Yep. These "plus size" models will be perfect hourglass figures with naturally perky boobs, shapely calves and no cellulite. Somehow their collarbone will still be visible. Reply Parent Thread Link This is my major worry too. There are limits to what the human body can look like but with these simulations, they can look like whatever they want. Then you add in the fact that the fashion industry is run by mainly men, it's an incredibly dangerous combination. Reply Parent Thread Link Thats a nice concept for a change yet this seems/feels a uh-oh moment for some reason idk why? Black mirror maybe? Plus white people handlin this tho Reply Thread Link ATHENS, Ohio (AP) Jason Preston had the second triple-double of his career with 11 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to lead Ohio to an 85-77 win over Ball State on Saturday. The game was originally scheduled to be played Friday night but was postponed due to a regional power outage in southeast Ohio. Mark Sears had 19 points for Ohio (8-6, 4-4 Mid-American Conference). Dwight Wilson III added 18 points and eight rebounds. Lunden McDay had 17 points. Ishmael El-Amin had 21 points for the Cardinals (6-7, 4-4). Luke Bumbalough added 11 points. Kani Acree had 10 points. Ohio defeated Ball State 78-68 on Jan. 2. ___ For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25 ___ Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com Confession here: I did not pay as much attention to its significance, likely because I got caught up in the other unprecedented events that surrounded the elections aftermath. It wasnt until a couple days later that it really hit me because of reactions from two young grandchildren who are old enough to understand this is a big deal and young enough to favor Girl Power T-shirts while belting out Katy Perrys empowering Fireworks at the top of their lungs. 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. The Covid-19 death toll now stands at 440, with the deaths of 15 more people yesterday. The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening. One of the new deaths occurred in Tobago. The Tobago Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development disclosed that the patient was a 38-year-old male with co-morbidities. Apple looks like it exempts Google from its latest policy. Why? Because Google failed to provide its detailed reports about the user data it tracks and stores on time. According to Express UK's latest report, Apple announced its new App Store policy on December 8, 2020. The new rule requires all developers, who are creating new applications and submitting new updates to existing apps, to share their user data collecting habits. Also Read: Google's New Tool Might be the Solution to Prevent Hackers; Here's How You Can Use Chrome 88 However, Google still didn't disclose its data collecting habits on its iOS apps. This clearly shows that the most popular iPhone and iPad apps, such as Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, and Chrome browser, are still hiding their data tracking and collecting information. Google's apps are exempted from Apple's new policy. The official Apple App Store still doesn't include the data that is being collected by popular Google apps. If you will visit the app downloader online or via an iOS device, the only thing that you'll see is this message; "No Details Provided. The developer will be required to provide privacy details when they submit their next app update." Although this is the case, there are still other Google apps that complied with the new policy. However, these applications are not that popular or they are not usually used by people. Google apps that don't comply Yes, there are some small Google apps that are providing their user data collecting and tracking habits. But, this doesn't change a thing if the most used ones are still keeping the data they track and store a secret. There are many applications of Google that are still not disclosing how they collect and track users' personal information. Here are the big apps that are currently exempted; Google Maps Google Earth Google Calendar Google Home YouTube Music Google Assistant Google Photos Chrome, Waze Google Pay Google News Google defended itself against the accusation. The tech giant company said that it will be updating all its app listing to include details on its user data collection practices. Protecting you data Consumer FTC explained that there are certain things you can do to protect your sensitive data from harmful apps. The first thing you can do is create a password that no one knows, even your closest relative or friend. Another thing you can do is always encrypt your data. But, the most important thing is to avoid downloading an app before you even read its privacy policies. If you want to know more details on how to protect your data, all you need to do is click this link. For more news updates about Google and other giant developers, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Google Might Soon Suffer From a HUGE BEC Phishing Campaign! Researchers Claim Hackers Now Targeting Forms Users This article is owned by TechTimes. Written by: Giuliano de Leon. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. How much do you know about Cape Verde? What about Colombia, Bangladesh or Montenegro? Since 2017, the Learning Network has been publishing a five-question Country of the Week quiz based on The New York Timess travel coverage, news reporting and photojournalism to help build students geography skills. Each Monday morning during the school year we release a new quiz, and this month we published our 100th one. To mark the milestone, we organized all the quizzes weve published so far by continent below. But by no means are we finished; for example, look for our Egypt quiz next week, and for Greece the week after that. Saif Ali Khan is back in Mumbai from Jaisalmer after shooting with Arjun Kapoor for Bhoot Police. The actor's web series Tandav is currently shrouded in controversy and security has reportedly been increased at his house. The actor was spotted by the paparazzi on Friday afternoon at his building with his son Taimur Ali Khan. Videos surfaced on social media show the actor is clearly not pleased with being photographed and moves into the building quickly, after making a miffed gesture at the photogs. Saif got out of the car with Taimur down and the little one walks behind his dad after pausing briefly to look at the camerapersons. A displeased Saif can be seen gesturing to the paparazzi and walking in, following which his guards also signal the photographers to leave. The photographers too can be heard saying 'sorry' in the video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bollywood Pap (@bollywoodpap) Taimur being the most papped Bollywood kid so far, attracts a swarm of photogs wherever he goes. Saif and Kareena Kapoor Khan mostly oblige the lensmen's requests, but there have been instances in the past when the actor reprimanded the paparazzi for going too far, Saif and Kareena, who are expecting their second baby soon, recently moved into a new house near their old one. The shifting of homes happened amid the Tandav controversy, which erupted after several complaints and FIRs were filed against the web series, accusing it of hurting religious sentiments. Read: Tandav Row: Fresh Trouble for Makers of Tandav, Mumbai Police Files FIR The Scots Pine grows widely throughout Europe and Asia. Its distribution range extends eastwards from western Europe to the eastern extremity of Russia, northwards to Scandinavia and southwards to the chain of mountains stretching from the Pyrenees and Alps to the Balkans in central Bulgaria. Where the tree thrives, it often forms dense forests, an outstanding example being the old Caledonian pine forest of the Scottish Highlands where the species is the dominant tree; hence its name and its special link to Scotland. Pines are a family of evergreen trees distinguished by their scaly buds, the structure of their cones and the way their needle-like leaves are borne spirally. The number of needles is always two, three or five. Scot's Pine is a two-needle species. It used to be believed that Scots Pine was not native to Ireland and that our pine trees were all imported from Scotland. From research carried out by scientists based in Trinity College Dublin we now know that that Scots Pine is native to Ireland and was living here thousands of years before the any trees were imported from Scotland. It is now believed that the Scots Pine was one of the first trees to colonise Ireland after the last ice age. As a result of climate change, some of the original pine forests were engulfed by peat. Stumps of very old trees have been discovered in Co Clare preserved in bogs. However, for some reason, many of the natives died out as the years passed, and fresh stock was imported from our Gaelic neighbours. When the trees are young they have a conical, Christmas-tree shape with branches to ground level but as they grow old the lower branches die off leaving a bare trunk with the upper branches forming a flat crown as shown in the image above. Scots Pine produces cones, so it is a conifer or cone-bearer, one of only three natives conifers found in Ireland, the other two being Juniper and Yew. Pines were the original Christmas trees, and their cones are still a popular Christmas decoration. The wood of the Scots Pine is widely used in building and is known as 'deal'. The wood of spruce trees is also known as deal so to avoid confusion the better quality wood of the Scots Pine is marketed as 'red deal' whereas spruce wood, which is widely used, is sold as 'white deal' as it is whiter in colour. One by one, family members of 94-year-old Leola Shreves stepped to the witness stand Friday and cried as they described the pain of losing Dode eight years ago, before the long and tangled effort to track down the man who viciously killed her in her Sutter County home. They called her killer, Armando Cuadras, a coward and animal and recommended that Shreves name be tattooed on his forehead so hed never forget the hurt he inflicted on the Yuba City matriarch. This animal took my great-grandmother without hesitation, one woman said, choking up. He tortured and mutilated her. Cuadras, 31, stayed quiet at Fridays sentencing for the January 2013 murder and torture. But his defense attorney, Mani Sidhu, heaped more pain on another innocent party, saying the real attacker was not his client but Shreves former next door neighbor, Michael Alexander. Alexander, now 28, spent more than three years in jail accused of capital murder before Sutter County prosecutors dropped the charges, which were based on a flimsy confession and not a shred of physical evidence. The intellectually disabled man the subject of a Chronicle investigation last year titled The Suspect Next Door cant seem to escape the case, even with another man convicted. During Cuadras trial, prosecutors told jurors Alexander had played a role in the murder, even though he was no longer accused. We still maintain Michael Alexander was the one who killed Leola Shreves, Sidhu said. Hes the one who brutally murdered her. I understand that comes across as not taking responsibility. Superior Court Judge David Ashby sentenced Cuadras to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This is without a doubt the most troubling and disturbing case this court has ever been involved in, Ashby said. My hope is that (after) today begins some closure. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Shreves was beaten and stomped to death by an intruder on Jan. 18, 2013. Her injuries were described as catastrophic. Police quickly zeroed in on Alexander after finding his actions in the days after the murder suspicious. Detectives got Alexander to confess to the murder using lies or ruses about evidence they had collected and by creating an alter ego named Angry Mike. A false confession expert called Alexanders statements coerced. Alexander soon recanted. But when DNA and other evidence collected from the scene matched another, unidentified man, investigators pivoted. Now they said Alexander had played a role in the killing. In 2019, new genetic technology matched the DNA evidence to Cuadras and he was arrested. It turned out, police had missed their chance to nab him earlier. Authorities revealed last year that Cuadras had been found by officers, drunk and bloodied, a few blocks away from Shreves home soon after she was slain. Somehow, police missed the connection. During Cuadras trial, both the prosecution and defense argued that Alexander played a role in the murder. Assistant District Attorney Jana McClung, who tried the case, and District Attorney Amanda Hopper did not return requests for comment Friday. They have not ruled out refiling charges against Alexander. Alexanders mother, Audra Alexander, said she was furious to hear that her sons name was brought up again on Friday, despite Cuadras conviction. Michael Alexander, who moved away from Yuba City and last year passed his EMT certification, has been taking care of his grandmother in recent months. To the defense attorney who continues to blame Michael and wouldnt know how to have his client accept responsibility for the benefit of all of the victims of this crime: Mani Sidhu should be ashamed of himself, Audra Alexander said. Yes, hes doing a job. But part of that job should include accepting fact and quit living in a fictional world where all killers get off and get to live their lives without punishment. At Fridays sentencing, Shreves loved ones spoke about their cute little grandma who lived in a cute little grandma home. They shared stories she had told of living in homes with dirt floors, and working at a duck-hunting club, and living on a house on stilts that required the use of a boat to get her children to school during floods. They recalled how shed wash her grandsons mouths out with a bar of soap for cussing. She was an amazing woman, one great-granddaughter told the judge, pausing as she cried. She was my best friend, my rock, and I was looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday. Audra Alexander wrote her own letter to the court, but didnt know how to send it or if it was even allowed. She expressed her sorrow for the loss of Shreves and directly addressed Cuadras. My son is the one who took the blame for you, she wrote. For almost four years, he sat in a jail cell ... while you roamed free, doing what you do, knowing what you did. Michael was another victim of your choices. She had a message for prosecutors and detectives, too. You all need to take responsibility for your choices, admit your wrongdoings, and understand that Michael was in no way involved in Mr. Cuadras plan or actions, she wrote. This crime has been held over Michael for far too long. Its time to let him live his life. Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni Leftists are now calling for "citizen detectives" to monitor Trump supporters and report them to authorities. Breitbart reported that a recent video created by Don Winslow, a left-wing activist who also happens to be a popular novelist, has now circulated calling upon citizens of the United States to become detectives to "fight back" Trump's growing "army." "We have to fight back. In this new war, the battlefield has changed. Computers can be more valuable than guns. And this is what we need now more than ever: an army of citizen detectives." The video has garnered over three million views since its release calling conservatives to be America's "greatest threat" and even dubbed them as "domestic terrorists" hiding behind regular jobs. The video is going viral by the minute with left wing supporters promoting the clip and encouraging more viewers to sign on to see the video. "They're hidden among us, disguised behind regular jobs. They are your children's teachers. They work at supermarkets, malls, doctor's offices, and many are police officers and soldiers," the clip continued. The video further added that "Trump will lead his army of domestic terrorists" in the years ahead, encouraging them to incite violence and even start a civil war. In a rather bold call, Winslow proposed that they "form a citizen army" with computers and cellphones as weapons to monitor and report "extremists" to authorities. The author even compared his call to how the arch-terrorist Osama bin Laden had been discovered by a CIA analyst even thousands of miles away with the help of a computer. The video concludes with a call to action of "It's up to you" with the addition of the hashtag "#TrumpsNewArmy." As an author of several bestsellers of crime and mystery novels, Winslow's fame gives him a lot of sway over those who are a strong critic of the Trump administration as he himself is a supporter of Trump's rival, Joe Biden. Aside from posting the video clip, the bestselling author took to Twitter several times to repeat his calls for a "citizen army" to patrol the Internet and be ready to fight the new army of Trump's "white supremacy." He made another remark saying that "No one in #TrumpsNewArmy should be given a pass" and that several lawmakers like GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert, Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Josh Hawley are just a few of the members of such an army. Since his open show of sowing discord, other left-wing supporters added their own take on having "citizen detectives." Jerry Saltz, columnist and senior art critic, said that that citizen detectives must be "prepared to root out and arrest" Trump's army in their cause of "civil war and right wing domestic terrorism." Dr. Dena Grayson, former Congressional candidate from Florida, wrote to "arrest every traitor." Ryan Bell, marketing director and Emmy awardee, said that "#TrumpsNewArmy will continue to be a danger" even if Trump is no longer in office as president. The attacks seem to be relentless from left wing supporters. But not everyone who saw the video are in favor of the scathing remarks about Trump's supporters. Bret Weinstein, DarkHorse Podcaster, called the video "diabolical." "This video is diabolical, painting millions of citizens, not only as disloyal to the nation-but as literal terrorists-as it attempts to draft the rest into fighting their neighbors in a civil war the filmmakers clearly desire," Weinstein said. DJ Brian Dawe also called the left wing's recent move as "blanket stereotyping of all Trump supporters" adding that the video "should be at least temporarily disabled by Twitter for inciting violence." However, the video's presence as it remains only proves a "double standard" on the platform. THE Courts Service of Ireland has moved to address the concerns of some solicitors in Limerick at the decision not to adjourn all contested hearings when the current Covid-19 restrictions were introduced. One solicitor told the Limerick Leader there was "disquiet" among colleagues that criminal cases listed for hearing had not been adjourned. The legal practitioner said on January 6, they received correspondence that the President of the District Court, in consultation with the Chief Justice and other Court Presidents, has decided that the following measures concerning the business of the court will be implemented between January 7 and March 1 Among the measures is: All scheduled criminal hearings listed from January 11 will be vacated and relisted for mention in March 2021 to fix new dates for hearings." The solicitor told the Leader: It is an order by the President of the District Court. When we read that we informed our clients affected by it that their case wouldnt be going ahead in January or February. Then on Monday, January 11, an email was sent out to solicitors and other concerned parties from the Limerick Courts Office in Mulgrave Street. It reads: Following the President's directions last week and discussions with Judge (Marian) O'Leary today, we will not be adjourning cases listed for hearing in advance of their scheduled court date. If there are civilian witnesses unable / unwilling to attend the cases listed for hearing, those people do not have to attend court and those cases will be adjourned to a future date. If all the parties are present, then the case can proceed. The solicitor said there was no consultation with members of the legal profession regarding the decision. They had to go back and tell their clients that the cases are in fact going ahead. There is the proviso there that if civilian witnesses are unable / unwilling to attend the cases can be adjourned but the issue is an order came down from the President of the District Court - abide by the order. Why are they not abiding by that order?" said the solicitor. They added: It is increasing the risk of spreading and contracting Covid-19. I have spoken to guards about it and they said the whole place should be closed. There is no need for anybody to be here. However, in a further email, sent on January 20, legal practitioners were told that Judge Patricia Harney, who has recently been permanently assigned to the Limerick district court area, has decided that only specified that hearings should only continue. This includes cases where a defendant is in custody, where a plea is to be given, or where there is an urgency to the case. "The availability of witnesses will also determine if a case can proceed," states the email. There will be a callover of listed cases each morning that the court is sitting and cases which do not meet the necesssary criteria will be adjourned. Judge Harney has also directed that all cases listed before the scheduled 'Parking and Enforcement court' on February 9 will be adjourned en-masse without the need for defendants or solicitors to attend. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2021) Uruguay has reached an agreement with the companies of Pfizer and Sinovac on deliveries of the vaccines against the coronavirus, country's President Luis Lacalle Pou said. "The government has just reached an agreement with Pfizer and Sinovac on delivering vaccines to our country. At the same time, we are holding negotiations to purchase more vaccines from other suppliers," the president wrote on his Twitter page on late Friday. The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11. To date, more than 98.1 million people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, with over 2.1 million fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Uruguay has confirmed more than 36,000 COVID-19 cases so far, with over 300 fatalities, JHU says. She followed in her mother's acting footsteps and wowed viewers with her role as Daphne Bridgerton in Netflix hit Bridgerton. And Phoebe Dynevor was seen stepping out with her famous matriarch Sally in Manchester as they headed to a farmers' market on Tuesday. The actress, 25, looked worlds away from her regal character in the period drama as she wrapped up in a puffy black jacket and burgundy leggings while walking with the Coronation Street star, 57. Outing: Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor looked worlds away from her regal role in a puffy black jacket as she heads to a farmer's market with her mother Sally Phoebe added an extra layer of comfort to her look by wearing a white hoodie underneath her jacket and pulling on a yellow beanie. She stepped out in a pair of black lace-up boots that were lined with white faux-fur to help her keep warm during the winter chill. Sally, meanwhile, matched her daughters style as she wore a longline jacket, and she accessorised with a red cable-knit scarf. The soap star completed her look by wearing a pair of denim jeans and teaming them with black-and-red hi-top trainers. Lead star: Phoebe wowed viewers with her role as Daphne Bridgerton in the Netflix hit Cosy: Phoebe paired her outerwear with burgundy leggings during her outing with her Coronation Street star mother Warm: Phoebe added an extra layer of comfort to her look by wearing a white hoodie underneath her jacket and pulling on a yellow beanie Boots made for walking: Phoebe stepped out in a pair of black lace-up boots that were lined with white faux-fur to help her keep warm during the winter chill When they were in the farmers market, Sally and Phoebe made sure to keep safe amid the coronavirus pandemic by covering their nose and mouth. Sally wrapped her scarf around her face, while Phoebe wore a white reusable face mask while they strolled outside. The pair looked around the market for various items before later heading home. It was revealed on Thursday that Bridgerton was officially renewed by Netflix for series two after weeks of speculation. Wrapped up: Sally, meanwhile, matched her daughters style as she wore a longline jacket, and she accessorised with a red cable-knit scarf The soap star completed her look by wearing a pair of denim jeans and teaming them with black-and-red hi-top trainers Safety first: When they were in the farmers market, Sally and Phoebe made sure to keep safe amid the coronavirus pandemic by covering their nose and mouth Protected: Sally wrapped her scarf around her face, while Phoebe wore a white reusable face mask while they strolled outside The second season will focus on Anthony Bridgerton's (Jonathan Bailey) quest to find a wife after his turbulent love life was played out in the first series. Bridgerton follows the self-titled family and how their lives are turned upside-down by the revelations of the illusive and anonymous Lady Thistledown in London. Netflix confirmed the news in a tongue-in-cheek statement penned as mysterious show lead Lady Whistledown. They also shared the news on Twitter and YouTube with a montage of best clips from series one. Browsing: Phoebe and Sally looked around at a variety of delectable treats at the market Outing: The mother and daughter duo were seen carrying cups of coffee from the market Natural beauty: Phoebe opted not to wear any make-up during the outing Downtime: Coronation Street was forced to put a halt on filming on Friday due to a crew member contracting coronavirus, so no doubt Sally has more time to spend with Phoebe The statement read: 'The ton are abuzz with the latest gossip, and so it is my honour to impart to you: Bridgerton shall officially return for a second season. I do hope you have stored a bottle of ratafia for this most delightful occasion. 'This author has been reliably informed that Lord Anthony Bridgerton intends to dominate the social season. I will have my pen to report on any and all of his romantic activities. 'However, gentle reader, before you set the comments section alight with requests for more sordid details, know that I am disinclined to report on the particulars at this time. Patience, after all, is a virtue. Yours Truly, Lady Whistledown.' Yay! It was revealed on Thursday that Bridgerton was officially renewed by Netflix for series two after weeks of speculation It is believed that the second season will begin production in spring, Netflix have yet to confirm which characters will be officially returning for series 2 or further details. The first series had a strong focus on the love story of Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, played by Rege-Jean Page, and Daphne Bridgerton, played by Phoebe. The two characters start out as friends as a ploy to fool London's elite and Lady Thistledown herself, before inadvertently falling in love with each other. Exciting: The second season will focus on Anthony Bridgerton's (Jonathan Bailey, pictured) quest to find a wife after his turbulent love life was played out in the first series Sri Lanka minister gets Covid after endorsing potion Sri Lanka has recorded around 53,000 Covid-19 cases so far. Image: Shutterstock Sri Lankas health minister, who has faced criticism for consuming and endorsing a herbal syrup made by a sorcerer, has tested positive for Covid-19. A Health Ministry official on Saturday confirmed that Pavithra Wanniarachchi became the highest-ranking official to be infected with the virus. She and her immediate contacts have been asked to self-quarantine. Doctors have said there is no scientific basis for the syrup as remedy for the coronavirus. It's said to contain honey and nutmeg. Thousands of people gathered in long queues in December in the town of Kegalle, northeast of the capital Colombo, to obtain the syrup, just days after Wanniarachchi and several other government officials publicly consumed it. The maker of the syrup said he got the formula through his divine powers. Meanwhile on Saturday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced that Sri Lanka will receive the first stock of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India on January 27. He said India is giving this stock free of charge and his government is making arrangements to purchase more vaccines from India, China and Russia. On Friday, Sri Lanka approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine amid warnings from doctors that front-line health workers should be quickly inoculated to prevent the medical system from collapsing. The vaccine was the first to be approved for emergency use in Sri Lanka. The Health Ministry says the inoculation will begin by mid-February. Sri Lanka has reported 52,964 cases with 278 fatalities. (AP) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Mali to Purchase 8.4 Million Doses of Vaccine Against Coronavirus Reports Moscow, Jan 23 (Sputnik) Mali is going to purchase 8.4 million doses of vaccine against the coronavirus, media reported. The first deliveries of the vaccine doses are scheduled for March, while the vaccination campaign is to be started in April, the Essor newspaper reported on late Friday. According to other media reports, the country like most other African nations opted for the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca as it does not need to be stored under very low temperatures. Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court has refused to entertain the plea of a man seeking the right to collect his dead son's frozen sperm, maintaining that the only other person, apart from the deceased, having any right to it is his wife. Dismissing the plea on January 19, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya of the Calcutta High Court said that the petitioner does not have any "fundamental right" to permission for collecting the preserved sperm of his son merely by dint of his father-son relationship. The petitioner's counsel submitted that the widow of his son, in that case, ought to be directed to give her 'no-objection' or, at least, respond to his request. The court, however, rejected the plea. The sperm preserved at a hospital in Delhi belonged to the deceased and, since he was in a matrimonial relationship till death, the only other person, apart from him, having any right to it is his wife, the court said. "The father-son relationship of the petitioner and the deceased does not entail any such right of the petitioner to the progeny of his son," Justice Bhattacharyya observed. The court further said that as far as the plea for a direction upon the wife to respond to the petitioner's communication is concerned, the matter is beyond the scope of the writ court, as it does not involve any violation of fundamental or statutory right. The petitioner contended that his son was a patient of thalassemia, and had preserved his sperm at the Delhi hospital for use in the future. According to the counsel, the petitioner, following the demise of his son, approached the hospital seeking access to the frozen sperm on the ground that he is the father of the deceased donor. The hospital, on its part, informed him that he would need permission from the man's wife, and proof of marriage has to be provided. Following such intimation by the hospital, the petitioner urged the widow of his deceased son to issue a 'no-objection' to him for collecting the sperm, the petitioner's lawyer stated, adding that she refused to acknowledge the receipt of the communication. Live TV A man is in police custody after a shooting at a Hunterdon County gas station Saturday sent another man to a local hospital, according to The New Jersey State Police. Troopers from the Perryville Station responded to a reported shooting at the Pilot Travel Center in Union Township at 12:37 p.m., according to New Jersey State Police Information Officer Sgt. Philip Curry. A male suspect was taken into custody and a male victim was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries, Curry said. The Pattenburg Rescue Squad, based in Asbury, arrived on the scene to transport the victim to the hospital via ambulance. The incident is still under investigation, though no additional suspects are being sought, Curry said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. Former House Speaker Robert DeLeo has officially joined Northeastern University as a fellow and will both teach and mentor students at his alma mater, according to his lawyer. DeLeo, who last month ended a 30-year career on Beacon Hill as the longest serving speaker in state history, has agreed to become a University Fellow for Public Life at Northeastern, his attorney Elissa Flynn-Poppey told the News Service. Former Speaker DeLeo is excited to be joining his alma mater, Northeastern University, as a University Fellow for Public Life. As a University Fellow he will participate in teaching and student mentoring, including the Open Classroom Series and experiential learning opportunities, said Flynn-Poppey, the chair of the government law practice at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo. DeLeos new title was first reported Friday by CommonWealth Magazine five weeks after the Winthrop Democrat first disclosed his intention to explore prospective employment opportunities with the university. The former speaker officially resigned on Dec. 29 after years leading the House as speaker. In pursuing a post-Legislature career in academia, DeLeo is breaking with his three most recent predecessors who all went into lobbying after leaving the speakers office, including Sal DiMasi who was recently cleared by the courts to lobby after serving time in federal prison. A spokeswoman for Northeastern University did not respond to an email Friday seeking clarification on DeLeos new role. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Shortly after taking office on Wednesday, President Joe Biden signed an executive order mandating the wearing of COVID-protection masks on all federal property. And that very night, all the world saw a maskless Biden give a speech on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial. Yes, the same Lincoln Memorial that is federal property. Not only that, Biden posed for pictures with his family at the memorial. There were times when the family members did not have masks on. So much for avoiding maskless family gatherings. I hope the Secret Service gathered contact-tracing information just in case this turns out to have been a super-spreader event. Or maybe all the Bidens who took part in the festivities live together in the same household. Of perhaps theyre part of Joes personal coronavirus pod. Biden hasnt only mandated wearing masks on federal property, which includes everything from courthouses to post offices, but the president has also called for the wearing of masks on all planes, trains and buses that travel interstate. Biden has also asked all Americans to voluntarily wear facial coverings at all times during the presidents first 100 days in office. This is, after all, our patriotic duty in these pandemic times. Its how we show that we care not only for ourselves but for our fellow Americans. But Biden didnt feel that he had to always observe his own newly minted stricture at the Lincoln Memorial. Neither did his family members. Cmon, man, as Biden might say. Imagine the reaction from the media if former President Donald Trump had eschewed wearing a mask during some big public rally or outdoor celebration. Actually, we dont have to imagine the reaction. We know what happened. Trump was excoriated for his lackadaisical attitude toward masking and his general disdain for pretty much every coronavirus precaution. But say what you want, at least Trump was walking his own walk. He thought that wearing a mask was coronavirus theater and did no real medical good. He didnt pretend otherwise. And he lived with the consequences, ending up in Walter Reed Hospital with coronavirus last year. But Biden? He was supposed to do things differently than Trump from day one. And at the top of that list was how the new leader of the free world would handle the pandemic. Where Trump dismissed COVID-19, saying it would magically blow over, Biden would take the bull by the horns. And that would include striking the right public posture and doing all the little things that showed his fellow Americans that the president took this pandemic seriously. Biden in his inaugural address said that he would lead by the power of his example. It was more than fair to assume that that meant wearing a mask. After all, weve been told all these long months that its really such a simple thing to do. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said all the wrong things when asked about her maskless boss. Biden was celebrating a historic American moment at the Lincoln Memorial, she said at a press briefing. She pointed out that the White House observes many pandemic precautions. When pressed by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy about whether Biden had set a good example by going maskless, Psaki said, I think we have bigger issues to worry about at this moment in time. Is there a bigger issue in America right now than the coronavirus pandemic? In other words, let them eat cake, according to Psaki. Rules for thee but not for me. Heres the deal, Mr. President: If we have to wear masks, so do you. We know its sometimes inconvenient. And it doesnt always make for the prettiest pictures. But, really, its for the good of all of us. Isnt it? Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. The 13th National Party Congress is expected to set the countrys average annual growth rate of 6.5-7 per cent from now until 2025, when Vietnam may become a higher middle-income nation. To this end, restructuring public investment and state-owned enterprises will be more critical in order to create a level playing field in the economy. Next week, one of the most important issues related to the national economic development is expected to be discussed at the 13th National Party Congress, taking place between January 25 and February 2 in Hanoi creating a level playing field for all enterprises in all economic sectors to play, especially private firms. According to a draft political report the most important document compiled and to be discussed by the Central Party Committee at the 13th National Party Congress the private economic sector is encouraged for development in all sectors not banned by the law, especially in the sectors of production, business, and services. It is supported in developing private-owned big companies and groups with high competitiveness. Private enterprises are encouraged to cooperate with state-owned enterprises (SOEs), cooperatives, and households; and to develop joint stock companies with the large participation of all entities, read the draft report. Foreign investment is an important part of the national economy, playing a big role in mobilising investment capital, technology, and modern management methods, and expanding export markets, it added. Given the countrys increasing integration in the global economy and the increasingly-growing scale of the domestic economy, the private sectors role is all the more enhanced. Restructuring investment In a bid to create a wider space for the private sector in the economy, the Party will discuss the sectors role in expanding investment as a big source of fuel for economic growth, which is expected to stay at 6.5-7 per cent annually during 2021-2025. According to another draft report by the Central Party Committee on assessing the results of the implementation of socioeconomic development tasks for 2016-2020 and socioeconomic development orientations and tasks for 2021-2025, which will also be discussed at the 13th National Party Congress, over the next five years, public investment will be effectively restructured and reduced in the total development capital structure. Public investment will be focused on key sectors of the economy, key works and projects which have spillover effects and can create socioecomomic development momentum, and create breakthroughs in attracting capital from domestic and foreign private sources under the form of public-private partnership, the report stated. All loans must be strictly controlled in order to invest into socioeconomic infrastructure. Inspection in all public investment activities will continue being launched so as to stay corruption and wastefulness. Each percentage of public investment rise will create a 0.06 per cent economic growth in Vietnam. According to the Ministry of Finance, as of the end of 2020, nearly VND390 trillion ($16.95 billion), equivalent to 82.8 per cent of the plan allocated, was disbursed, while the figure as of end-November was VND329.9 trillion ($14.3 billion) only, equalling 70.1 per cent. This is the highest ratio of disbursement in 2016-2020 with 80.3 per cent in 2016, 73.3 per cent in 2017, 66.87 per cent in 2018, and 67.46 per cent in 2019. Most of the capital has been invested in infrastructure works. Under the World Banks calculations, Vietnams main instrument for macro-monitoring has been the speedier implementation of the public investment programme, which has been plagued by slow disbursement in the last few years. As a result, total public investment disbursement increased from VND192 trillion ($8.34 billion) in the first three quarters of 2019 to VND269 trillion ($11.7 billion) during the same period in 2020 an increase of 40 per cent. Such efforts, principally from the central government, have translated into an increase of investment expenditures from 4.8 per cent of GDP to 6.5 of GDP between the first nine months of 2019 and 2020, supporting aggregate demand through the multiplier effects on suppliers and jobs over time, said an updated World Bank report on Vietnams economy. With any stimulus programme, the role of public investment is not just to directly stimulate the economy, but also to crowd in private investment. Vietnams economic growth hit 2.91 per cent last year, significantly fuelled by a boost in public investment, which has helped create massive employment and consumed a great deal of materials increasing the performance of many key products in the economy such as electricity, steel, and cement, according to the General Statistics Office. State-owned Electricity of Vietnam last week reported that its produced and imported electricity output last year was 247.08 billion kWh, and its commercial electricity output reached 216.95 billion kWh, up 2.9 and 3.42 per cent, respectively, on-year. In the first 11 months of 2020, its public investment disbursement hit VND521.2 billion ($22.66 million), hitting 73.6 per cent as compared to the initial plan assigned by the government. Of the figure, the capital disbursed for the groups industrial activities was VND191.4 billion ($8.32 million), or 96.6 per cent of the initial plan. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, in some huge projects like the North-South Expressways eastern cluster, total disbursed capital as of December 24 was VND9.96 trillion ($433 million) out of VND10.8 trillion ($470 million) for 11 sub-projects in 2020, equivalent to 92.21 per cent. Several sub-projects (Cao Bo-Mai Son, Cam Lo-La Son, My Thuan 2 Bridge, and two leading roads) in public investment form expensed VND2.64 trillion ($115 million) out of VND2.81 trillion ($122 million) in 2020s plan, equalling 94.18 per cent. Boosting SOE reshuffle The Party stated that from now until 2025, so as to further facilitate private sector development, all SOEs will continue being reshuffled, with them investing in only key fields of the economy and in geographical areas important in security and defence, and in the fields not invested by other economic sectors. Reshuffle of SOEs must be open and transparent, especially in equitisation and divestment. By 2025, SOE reshuffle must be complete, with loss-making groups to be addressed fully, the Partys second report said. The state will exclusively invest in only four fields provision of indispensable products and services for the society; service of defence and security; natural monopoly; and large-scale high-tech application with major investment creating momentum for rapid development of the economys other fields. Raymond Mallon, senior economic advisor from the Australia-Vietnam Economic Reform Programme, told VIR that SOE reforms are needed to accelerate national productivity growth and thus increase incomes and living standards. Conflicts of interest arise if the state is both the owner and the regulator, and conflicts of interest generate inefficiencies. As has been seen in Vietnam and globally, such conflicts of interests lead to pressures for a state-owning agency to regulate in a manner that is not in the national interest, Mallon said. For example, by imposing business conditions or other restrictions on new businesses, the state agency can reduce the competition faced by SOEs. Policies and institutional structures that constrain competition are not in the national interest. While constraints to competition can make individual SOEs more profitable, the resulting lack of competition stifles innovation and productivity growth. This hurts consumers because of higher costs and less innovation and variety; hurts workers because reduced productivity growth means reduced growth in wages; hurts other investors whose firms are being constrained, and hurts the government because of increased opportunity for corruption, Mallon explained. Such reforms can reduce opportunities for misuse of state resources, Mallon added. Substantial state management capacity is needed to effectively exercise state ownership rights in even a limited number of SOEs, with limited state capacity focused on effectively governing institutions that provide essential public services such as health, education, water supply and sanitation, environmental protection, energy, and roads. In Vietnam the private sector creates up to 40 per cent of GDP and over 50 per cent of economic growth, as well as 30 per cent of the state budget revenue and 85 per cent of the labour force. Vietnam currently has nearly 800,000 operational enterprises, of which about 98 per cent are of small and medium size. According to the General Statistics Office, in 2020, there were 134,900 newly-established enterprises, with total registered capital of over VND2.23 quadrillion ($96.96 billion) and employing more than one million labourers. This was down 2.3 per cent in the number of registered enterprises, but up 29.25 per cent in registered capital. VIR Nguyen Dat Party congress to highlight critical role of private sector Vietnams development outlook is set to be formulated over the next few weeks when the 13th National Party Congress takes place in Hanoi, Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Mamata Banerjee_ West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised demands for four national capitals on January 23, 2021, while addressing a rally to honour freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birthday. Mamata Banerjee said: Why should there be only one national capital? Why not four national capitals one each in the north, south, east, and west? Why cannot these four national capitals function on a rotational basis? Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre, Mamata asked why should all the action be restricted to our National Capital Delhi alone? She then urged all parliamentarians to join her in the demand for four national capitals stating the country needs to move over the one nation, one leader ideology. Homage to Deshnayak Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birthday. He was a true leader & strongly believed in unity of all people. We are celebrating this day as #DeshNayakDibas. GoWB has also set up a committee to conduct year-long celebrations till January 23, 2022. (1/3) Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 23, 2021 The Bengal CM then went on to call out the Centre for observing Netajis birthday as Parakaram Diwas and said the state will celebrate Deshnayak Dibas on January 23, as Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore had honoured Netaji with the moniker Deshbhakt.With agency inputs Prime Minister on Saturday said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose would have been proud to see that the country has become strong and is following his footsteps from the LoC to the LAC. The Line of Control (LoC) divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan, while the Line of Actual Control (LAC) separates India and China. The prime minister said that Netaji is the biggest source of inspiration for the dream of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-reliant India) and 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bengal). Netaji would have been proud that the government he dreamt of is fighting a pandemic with vaccines developed by it, and gave a befitting reply whenever its sovereignty was challenged, Modi said on the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji which was celebrated by the Centre as 'Parakram Diwas'. "I sometimes wonder how Netaji would have felt had he seen how a new and strong India is taking shape," he said at a programme at the Victoria Memorial Hall here. "From the LAC to LoC, the world is witnessing a strong India that was once envisioned by Netaji. India today is giving a befitting reply wherever attempts are made to challenge its sovereignty," he said. Referring to the question that Netaji had asked his nephew Sisir Bose before his daring escape from house arrest, Modi said, "If today Indians place their hands on their hearts and feel Netaji's presence, they will hear the same question: Will you do something for me? This task is to make India self-reliant." Noting that Netaji had identified poverty, illiteracy and diseases among the biggest problems of the country, he said the society will have to come together to solve these problems. He said Atmanirbhar Bharat has to be led by Atmanirbhar Bengal and Sonar Bangla. "Bengal needs to play an important role in the quest for Aatmnirbhar Bharat, just like the role that Netaji played in the freedom of the country. Aatmnirbhar Bharat has to be led by Aatamnirbhar Bengal and Sonar Bangla," he said. Hailing Netaji as the embodiment of India's power and inspiration, Modi said that the country has decided to celebrate the freedom fighter's birth anniversary as 'Parakram Diwas' to honour his indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation. Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said that Netaji 'Dilli Chalo' (March to Delhi) call had united the nation against the British Rule. He said the freedom fighter's life was marked by the spirit of search and quest. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) OTTAWA When Robert was 18, he was arrested by Montreals police for possession of a small amount of hashish, an event that would upend his young life. The charge brought him 30 days in jail, and the conviction ended his part-time job as a translator. Back then, you smoke a joint, you would get arrested, said Robert, who asked that only his first name be used because of the continuing stigma of his criminal record. Then the cops would put you in a car, then pull over and give you a couple of shots in the head. You get slapped around just because of smoking. His arrest in 1988 as a teenager marked the start of a long, unhappy history with Canadas legal system, with his first jail stint opening up a new trade: burglary. It was like school, said Robert, who spent a total of 14 years locked up, roughly divided between convictions on drug offenses and thefts to buy more drugs. I went there for smoking and then guys are showing me how to open doors. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 07:41:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Friday condemned Thursday's terrorist attack by the Islamic State (IS) in Baghdad of Iraq, which left at least 32 people dead and 110 others injured. In a press statement, the members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of Iraq, and wished a speedy and full recovery to those injured. The council members reiterated their support for the independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, democratic process, and prosperity of Iraq. They also reaffirmed their support for Iraq's security and the continued fight against terrorism, including against the IS. They reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and stressed the need for all states to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. They underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, and urged all states to cooperate actively with the Iraqi government and all other relevant authorities in this regard. Enditem remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 4:54 pm The Chronicle has been publishing a local newspaper since 1889. Some readers take it for granted the paper will always be around to inform and entertain. Local newspapers, however, are in jeopardy like never before. The economic impacts of the coronavirus has led to the closure of more than 60 newspapers across the United States in the past year. This adds to the trend of newspaper closures in the age of the internet. In the past 17 years, about 1,800 newspapers have closed, and more than 50 percent of journalists in America have dissipated, creating news deserts with no reporting. It almost happened to The Chronicle in March of 2018. That was when a former newspaper leader resigned after telling staff the paper was closing. After meeting with owner Jenifer Lafromboise Falcon, I accepted the job of president after her assurances she would continue to financially support the newspaper. Those were dire times. We closed our printing division, which was bleeding money. We changed from hand delivery to sending out the paper via the Postal Service to strengthen the quality of delivery. We made cuts to staff. Eventually the paper turned around its financial ledger. I was long gone; the grind of keeping a newspaper afloat had taken its toll (I am pursuing my dream of becoming an elementary teacher, and Im about halfway through earning my masters degree in education). I left behind a great staff and a supportive owner. The news this past month that the Chad and Coralee Taylor family bought the paper made me joyous and proud that The Chronicle, in great new hands, will continue to serve the community of greater Lewis County. Lafromboise Falcon did this community a service selling to local ownership. The Taylors are invested in this community, dedicated to continuing strong, independent, local journalism led by the impressive Editor-In-Chief Eric Schwartz on the news side and Brian Watson leading the money team. Led by Chad and Coralee Taylor, the paper is in good hands on the financial side, as they have successful experience in the business of advertising through their ownership of The Silver Agency based in Chehalis, as well as a deep understanding of how to harness social media. Often when a paper sells these days (instead of outright closure), it is bought by a big newspaper corporation held by a far-away board intent on squeezing out the maximum in profits. They often cut the staff to the bone, sell away the property and then, after a few years of ever dwindling profits, close down the newspaper. We have been spared this debacle. Again, thank you to Lafromboise Falcon for making the right choice in new ownership. The question remains, however, how important is a local newspaper to its community? The newspaper think tank The Poynter Institute reported on a study that detailed how much a Congressperson brings back to his or her community based on whether there was a local newspaper. The study stated those federal politicians that have a local newspaper back home brought more investments into the community than those without a local newspaper. Another study revealed state, county and cities all had sharper financial pencils when offering local bonds in a jurisdiction that had a local newspaper. If our public servants know they are under a watchful eye, they are a bit more careful when spending our money, when putting together financial offerings. In the book Democracy Detectives: The Economics of Investigative Journalism, author James Hamilton wrote that each dollar spent on stories can generate hundreds of dollars in benefits to society Several recent studies state having a local newspaper equates to higher voting rates (by 13 percent), and an increase in the number of people running for political office. It does take real dollars and profits to fund a local newspaper, and it is money well spent in advancing the health of a community. So, what can you do? I urge you to shop the advertisers that spend money in The Chronicle. Buy an ad. Subscribe to the newspaper. Dont take it for granted that your newspaper will always be there. You have to support it. I do suspect with the good fortune of new ownership that The Chronicle will continue its 132-year run to be vibrant in our community. And thats good news. Michael Wagar is the former president and publisher of The Chronicle. BEIJING: As a couple of prominent African nations prepare to go into elections in the current year, media platforms across the globe have been flooded with content on Chinese attempts to influence Zambian elections. Scholars of geopolitics and political communication have pointed out the threats emerging from Chinese influence in Zambian elections and consider them as attempts to sabotage the popular anti-China movement in the country, led by the Zambian youth. In fact, Chinese totalitarianism has been a hot political issue in Zambia for over a decade and a half and its root lies in the movement launched by former President Michael Sata. Since his first presidential run-up in 2006, Sata attacked China for disturbing and disordering the Zambian society by paying 'slave wages', defying safety norms for workers, degrading environment, and corrupting its leaders, besides creating a barrage of distress. He also argued that China is not only corrupting the Zambian leaders, but leaders across Africa. During his speeches, he also committed to decouple his country's relations with China and nullify the deals with the country, if elected to power. The popular hero of the working class was not engendered accidently, rather, the burgeoning Chinese tyranny and oppression of the Zambians gave rise to the new leader. A trade unionist himself, Michael Sata dedicated his entire life for the sufferings of the mineworkers in Zambia-of which a greater portion comprised of those working in the copper mines controlled by the Chinese companies, woefully treated by the Chinese employers. The degree of Chinese brutalities with Zambian mineworkers can be gauged by the several shooting incidents wherein the Chinese mine owners used to shoot Zambian mine workers, many a time at a point-blank range. In one of such incidents, five Zambian mineworkers were shot at by Chinese managers during a stand-off at China owned Chambishi mine in 2005. Similarly, in 2010, two Chinese supervisor of the China-owned company 'Collum Coal Mines' shots, 13 coalminers, for rasing their voices against the non-payments of their salaries. Unfortunately, the Chinese managers succeeded in burrying the case down by briberies and pay-off the authorities. Later in the same year, a miner working at a mine owned by the same company died in the police detention, possibly by the police torture. Locals belived that he was arrested on the basis of complaints by one of his mine managers and tortured due to pressure exerted by the company. The dropping off charges from the supervisors by the ruling dispensation - the government of Rupiah Banda, was seen as a cowardly act, fuelling popular discontent against the Chinese influence as well as the then ruling government. Sata was quick to rise against the Chinese despotism and launched a powerful campaign against the country and its influence in Zambia. Public in massive numbers joined him in his battle against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He attacked the CCP for funding the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) and declared to "kick out" the Chinese companies. His such thundering statements earned him the titled of the 'King Cobra'. China, which is recognised in the world for its covert influence operations, publicly made a political statement in during Zambian elections and threatened of pulling out all Chinese investments from the country in case Sata rose to power- all due to the fear of the Zambian leader! However, these blackmails were not powerful enough to bow him down and he won the elections in 2011 by gaining the popular vote of the Zambians-a testament of the citizens to chase away the Chinese from their homeland. The tuling MMD also spent massively to please voters through freebies, allegedly sponsored by China. The impact of his victory brought along an instantaneous impact in lives of Zambian workers. Horrified by victory of the new President, Chinese mining companies gave a wage raise to their staffers within a few says of Sata's win-even within less than a month. The magnitude of Sata's terror amongst the Chinese can be assessed with Chambishi Copper Mine handed as a compensation for working for the same duration. According to the local media reports, Hedges Mwaba, a worker working for the companies received two different cheques- a cheque of $600 before Sata's victory, which was replaced with the one valuing $1000 after he won. Zambian labourers working in China-owned mines had revealed that Chinese companies had prepared to give a lump sum hike of 85 percent to workers in case Sata got elected. On his very first day at office, Sata summoned the Chinese ambassador Zhou Yuxiao and cautioned him that Chinese companies must respect labour rights, abide by minimum wages, and adhere to Zambian labour laws. The Chinese diplomat, in his response, assured to comply with Zambian laws and protect labour rights of its workers and promised, "It is my job to make sure that Chinese companies follow the law". Widely famed for his visionary thoughts and nuanced position on geopolitical issues, Sata saw China's emerging influence as a more subtle form of global economic imperialism. Having expressed his concerns on Chinese colonial designs, he once commented in one of his interviews of May 2010 - "the Chinese are scattering all over the world, but there is no such thing as Chinese investment, as such. What we're seeing is Chinese parastatals and government interests, and they are corrupting our leaders." Regarding colonial aspirations of China regarding his country, he explicitly commented in one of his campaign rallies that "Zambia has become a province of China". During the same rally, he added, "The Chinese are the most unpopular people in the country because no one trusts them. The Chinaman is coming just to invade and exploit Africa." His words are like sermons for countries like Pakistan, which are over-optimistic regarding the Chinese investments and debts. Besides limiting Chinese influence at the domestic front, Sata was also campaigning to limit Chinese aggression globally. Throughout his life, he campaigned for recognition of Taiwan and advocated the need for replacement of Chinese firms operating across the world with the Taiwanese. The Zambian leader who spent a large part of his life under the colonial rule believed that the Chinese are worse than the British colonisers and stated "We want the Chinese to leave and the old colonial rulers to return... They exploited our natural resources too, but at least they took good care of us. They built schools, taught us their language and brought us the British civilisation...at least Western capitalism has a human face; the Chinese are only out to exploit us". The sudden demise of Zambian President in 2014 came as boon and it began launching several projects in Zambia that it had been aspired for several years. Companies controled by the CCP rallied their projects in the country, spanning several major infrastructure projects. Zambia has also become a part of China's Belt and Road initiative (BRI) and the project is being completed at a rapid speed. Many Zambian leaders have expressed their concern on BRI and see it as a major colonising weopen. Amongst the most vocal critiques of such projects of Information and Broadcasting Chishimba Kambwili. Exposing the sheer corruption involving Chinese Companies, he said, "Chinese loan often don't even go to Zambian accounts. They choose the contractor from China, the contractor is paid in China, but it reflects in our books as a loan from China." It is believed that he was sacked by the ruling party for his anti-China sentiments as he calls himself an individual who is "very critical about the government's borrowing, especially from China." Accountability groups have been highlighting the all-around corruption in Chinese projects in Zambia. As a striking example, a major part of the newly constructed Lusaka-Chirundu road, constructed by Chinese firm China Henan, was washed away by rainfall soon after it was operationalised. Similarly, another Chinese project the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway project, completed by a Chinese firm, is of sub-standard quality and is believed to be too expensive. Sata has also been an adherent critique of rising population if Chinese citizens in the country and is estimated to be around one lakh as per few estimates. The country is now falling deeper into the Chinese debt trap and of February 2018, the country owed 28 percent of its debt to China. However, the Chinese influence and its impact has started covering everyday lives of an average Zambian citizen. The domestic media is full of content in Mandarin. Even the state-owned Times of Zambia widely published content in the Chinese language. In fact, China is now controlling a major share of the public radio and TV broadcaster company, ZNBC. Besides, the Chinese have also taken over the control of national power supplier ZESCO. After Sata's demise, Zambia looked optimistically at a battery of young leaders to carry forward his baton. One of such leaders was James Lukuku, who took to the streets for protests against breach of the human rights and the undermining of Zambia's sovereignty by Chinese Companies. The 'Say No to China' campaign launched by his new party-Republican Progressive Party gained a huge amount of traction. However, with his early demise in November last year, the pessimism is looming deep for the Zambians. The local youth are turning up for a protest against China in massive numbers and the anti-China campaign has become the popular movement. One could easily see Zambian youth sporting an accessory with #SayNoToChina. Such goods have become a massive hit in the market of Zambia.It is believed that not one, but several popular leaders would soon emerge from the movement to counter Chinese influence and save Zambia from turning into a Chinese Colony. Live TV Finance Ministry wants its nominees as independent directors in private banks By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s): Questions are being raised on the much promoted meritocracy by the current government with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) moving to remove certain independent directors in some private banks. These commercial banks are being pressurised by the MOF to remove certain independent directors, in a bid to replace them with political cronies. Sources close to the Treasury say that the MOF had written to certain banks directing them to remove at least two directors each and appoint MOF nominees. Technically the Finance Ministry cannot direct this because they dont have a direct shareholding, a source pointed out to the Business Times. He said the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) have shareholdings in these banks. The EPF has 9.63 per cent in Commercial, 8.01 per cent in DFCC and 9.76 per cent in HNB. SLIC has 14.63 per cent in HNB, 8.71 per cent in DFCC and 5.83 per cent in Commercial as at last year. The MOF is probably acting on behalf of the government institutions, one source pointed out. In 2015 during the last government, on the back of getting HNB to appoint their nominee senior attorney Rienzie Arsekuleratne as a director that June, also made inroads to the Commercial Bank to appoint another nominee Nissanka Nanayakkara as their nominee to the board despite resistance by many stakeholders at the time. That year, on March 29, N.G. Wickramaratne was appointed as a director and he later became the chairman of NDB, while another Government nominee Ananda Athukorala was appointed a director at DFCC Bank that June. However, the state agencies own stakes in these banks for investment purposes and not to interfere in their management, an industry source noted. If the MOF doesnt like these directors, they can vote them out at the Annual General Meeting. These banks need to go to the international market to raise funds and capital. Such blatant acts will not stand in good stead during these unprecedented times, industry sources pointed out. Earlier, these two institutions had written to the banks suggesting their nominees and not directing. When a meritocracy is being promoted by the government, it is sad to note such things happening through one of their agencies, one source said. He added that the concerns in this new turn of events also come in the face of unprecedented challenges these banks are faced by the pandemic-related issues. Mumbai, Jan 23 : The fiscal support toward economic growth in the 2020 decade is expected to be lower than in the previous corresponding period, Motilal Oswal Financial Services said in a report. According to the report, the likely lower support will be caused due to Centre's efforts for fiscal consolidation. Notably, the report pointed out that government has shown 'remarkable' resistance to any major stimulus, which provides further confidence that Centre's finances could improve consistently over the next decade. "While the fiscal deficit would remain above 3 per cent of GDP for the next few years, the path to fiscal consolidation would be watched closely," the report said. "The faster the fiscal consolidation, the lower would be the fiscal support toward economic growth and vice-versa. It could take many years for the general government to bring its debt-to-GDP ratio (at 86 per cent of GDP in 2QFY21) back down to pre-COVID levels (of 68 per cent)." As per the report, the growth in the 2000s decade was led by investments, while consumption was the key driver in the 2010s decade. "The 2020s decade could be seen as the 'Healing Decade,' wherein all efforts are toward just one objective - to regain lost economic strength." "If, however, this healing does not happen, it is very likely the economy would continue to crawl sideways - with some years of decent growth and some years of weak growth - leading to subdued average growth." Besides, the report cited that Covid impacted 2020 led to extreme behaviors, pushing financial savings sharply higher, this would start reversing from 2021 as things begin to normalise. "Whether Indian households would keep their financial positions healthy is an important prerequisite for better growth performance over the long term." "As households and the government remain cautious on spending and repair their balance sheets, a sharp and sudden surge in non-government investments is unlikely. All of these factors imply that while economic revival may be limited over the next few years." Accordingly, the improved balance sheets of economic participants - along with sustained improvements in some key areas such as revival in real estate and manufacturing would set the stage to move from low to high-single-digit growth before the end of the 2020s decade. [ origins ] 01.22.20 And She Was I n a universe where time moves a bit slower than the others, a girl detective is being born. Songs are slower here, time takes longer, the smallest things lengthen and stretch by the tiniest of increments, almost unmeasurable. The girl detective is being born, and she isnt a girl detective yet, or even a girl, a mere baby detective, hasnt yet seen the world with her own eyes, hasnt yet breathed her own breaths, spoken her own voice. She is being born and knowing that there are universes and universes, and girl detectives in them all, and someday she will be a girl detective too, wear her hair like the rest, long and straight. And someday she will carry an honorary deputys badge in her purse, shine thumb-rubbed to dullness. Someday she will take the badge out of her purse, only in her door-closed bedroom, only alone, only when no one is looking, hold it in her hand, think this is real, this is mine, think I am real, this is all real. The baby detective knows she will someday solve crimes, someday eat ice cream out of glass bowls that a maid will take away for the washing. She knows she will never have to get her hands dirty on her own chores, knows that her mother will play sad songs on a turntable at night, knows her father will be gone so long, business trip, business trip, business trip, call from overseas, his merry voice, how are my girls? The baby detective knows her mother will always flinch a bit at that, my girls, knows she will never quite understand why. She knows someday she will join the school choir, will consider piercing her ears, will consider holding hands with Thomas from chemistry class as they walk home from school, leaves turning for autumn, scent of winter on the air, shell consider, when their hands brush, letting him take hold of hers the way she knows he will want to, the way he will stand at the iron gate of her house until her heavy front door closes behind her, watching, watching. She knows she will consider; never let him do it. The baby detective knows that this universe is like all the others, but slower, that she is like all the other girl detectives, but slower. She knows that there are long black cars and long black cars. She knows that she will never be fast enough, will never catch the full license plate, 3AgL, but maybe it is a 9?, she knows that she will try to run, will try to fight, that the hands the grab her will be so large they can grip her slight shoulders and lift her off the ground. She knows she will kick, kick, shout, and the trunk lid will close on her and there will be darkness, darkness, darkness. The baby detective is being born into one of the universes, is being born knowing, and yet still, when she is pulled out into the world that she has never seen, it is new, it is unknown, and the baby detective opens her mouth, and wails, and forgets. Businesses yesterday called for tougher lockdown measures, with some going as far as proposing a long curfew spanning from 6 p.m to 6 a.m. The curfew now starts at 9 p.m. and goes till 5 a.m. Businesses also called on the Government to free up the importation of Covid-19 vaccines to allow private sector participation and to allow people to travel overseas to get vaccinated. The number of people who have tested positive for the UK variant of coronavirus in India has climbed to 150, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday. "The total number of persons found infected with the UK strain of COVID-19 is 150," the ministry said. All of them have been kept in single room isolation in designated health care facilities by the respective state governments, the ministry had earlier said. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. 'New UK variant of Covid may be more deadly' On Friday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the new variant of coronavirus that was detected in Britain may be deadlier than previously thought. According to a report, Boris Johnson said that there is "early evidence" to suggest that the new mutated variant may be more deadly. However, the UK PM reportedly added that there is still huge uncertainty around numbers. "In addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant - the variant that was first identified in London and the south east - may be associated with a higher degree of mortality. It's largely the impact of this new variant that means the NHS is under such intense pressure," Boris Johnson was quoted as saying by BBC at a press briefing. The Indian Government has said that genome sequencing on other specimens is going on. The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the states for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of samples to INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium) labs. The presence of the new UK variant has already been reported by several countries, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore. With agency inputs Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Then-President Donald Trump speaks following the completion of a section of the border wall in Alamo, Texas, on Jan. 12, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Judge: Treasury Department Must Tell Trump Before Releasing Tax Returns A federal judge said Friday that the Treasury Department must give former President Donald Trump notice before releasing his tax returns to Congress. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, ruled that Trump must be given 72 hours notice, according to an order filed on the court docket. Both parties were also ordered to file a joint status report on or before Feb. 3. House Democrats are continuing to pursue the returns, even after Trump left office on Jan. 20. They and others failed to obtain them during Trumps term, despite repeated attempts. House lawyer Douglas Letter told the judge during a hearing on Friday that the House Ways and Means effort is still alive, while a lawyer for the Department of Justice said he wasnt sure whether the Biden administration is opposed to releasing the returns, Politico reported. Little progress in the case was made in recent months. The judge stayed the case on March 20, 2020, pending further orders from a court in a different case. House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) sought six years of returns in 2019, but was turned down by the Trump administration, prompting a lawsuit. The Treasury Department later found that then-Secretary Steven Mnuchin acted properly in the matter. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters last year that Democrats would release Trumps returns if Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Biden was sworn into office on Jan. 20. The COVID-19 pandemic is tearing through US prisons, with inmates 5.5 times more likely to catch the disease than the overall population. One prisoner under home confinement, 69-year-old Rufus Rochelle, is calling for the release of prisoners in daily Facebook Live streams. Correctional facilities are desperately lacking PPE and other health resources, and can hardly enforce social distancing measures. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. On the evening that Rufus Rochelle saw the future, he was watching the news in a crowded room. It was the common area inside the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County, Florida. Rochelle was there on a 40-year drug sentence. Rochelle, 69, is a trim man who dresses neatly. At Coleman, he was called "the Gentleman," not so much for the formality it conferred but for the meaning it conveyed. There was a gentleness to him, a warm smile that came easily. Rochelle had been busted in the late 1980s for selling drugs, and his decades-long sentence shaped, but didn't devour him. Instead, he wrote articles condemning mass incarceration and mentored younger prisoners. "I understood the world far better," he said. "I became more aware." Rochelle's fellow inmates were keeping the TV on almost nonstop as news about the coronavirus rolled in. It was March, and the men were watching COVID-19 decimate a Washington state nursing home, a "congregate setting," as public health experts would come to call it. Rochelle shifted away from the TV. "You're watching the expression on guys' faces," he said. "You're thinking, 'Man, if this thing hits inside of this place, a lot of us are not going to make it out of here." Rochelle was one of 2.3 million people locked up amid the looming threat of COVID-19. He feared that the country's prisons and jails, notorious for overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, would put his life in jeopardy. Story continues He had already served 32 years, and he couldn't escape the thought that paying an additional debt - paying with his life - felt unjust and terrifying. He needed to get out, but as inmates, Rochelle and the 2.3 million others were easy to ignore. They could die if they weren't heard. Both infection and fear are spreading in US prisons. Rufus Rochelle, a prisoner under home confinement, livestreams daily calls to improve pandemic safety measures in prisons. Armando Gallardo for Insider In July, Rochelle's gut feeling was confirmed. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that prisoners were infected by the coronavirus at a rate more than five times higher than the general population. The virus was spreading more than twice as fast behind bars because many inmates lived in close confinement with limited medical care and PPE. 250,000 of them were considered aging at 55 or older. Chronic illness plagued 40% of the population, with people of color overrepresented. The same communities locked up in greater numbers were also the ones suffering most from COVID-19. The JAMA research warned that prison outbreaks were "unlikely to be contained without implementation of more effective infection control." The infection control inside the Coleman Federal Correctional Institution in the early spring looked spotty to Rochelle. He found sanitizer hard to come by. Guards gave him a mask every two weeks. His daily concerns over factors he couldn't control, like Coleman's ventilation system, gave way to nightly fears that kept him up. "You don't ever know when you go to sleep at night whether you're going to be sick with the virus the following day," he said. A key strategy to end COVID behind bars has drawn controversy. In early fall, Columbia University professor Bruce Western found himself convincing legislators of a different path to infection control: pruning the vast prison population, potentially by the hundreds of thousands. The "decarceration effort" Western described to Congress was the official recommendation by him and his colleagues at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Letting out as many people as possible allowed for physical distancing inside prisons and jails. It could tamp down cases and deaths. Western had plenty of backup. The New England Journal of Medicine insisted releases had to be "scaled up and sustained." The Lancet wrote that "decarceration is urgently needed, particularly during a persisting and prejudicial pandemic." The experts also pointed out that while the virus attacked prisoners, it refused to live like them. COVID-19 was free to come and go. "We have to understand that these institutions are embedded in communities," Western said. "The idea that we can wall off and segregate our way out of social problems - the pandemic has revealed that as a fiction." Local jails were fast becoming "veritable volcanoes for the spread of the virus" into their surrounding towns and cities, according to an ACLU study. With 10 million jail admissions every year - one every three seconds - the virus was continually carried in and out by those arrested and released. Likewise, the nearly 420,000 correction workers traveling to and from their jobs every day could unwittingly become vectors. The ACLU report estimated that nearly 100,000 could die of COVID-19, both in and out of prisons and jails, unless drastic cuts were made to the inmate population. In late March, former Attorney General William Barr wrote a memo urging federal prisons to transfer medically at-risk and nonviolent inmates out of prisons and into home confinement. "Given the surge in positive cases," the Federal Bureau of Prisons said on its website, every effort would be made to prioritize Barr's directive. As of today, 7,787 inmates are finishing their sentences at home, but that number isn't high enough, many public health experts and advocates continue to argue. More federal and state prisoners must get out. "People are going to die," said Udi Ofer, director of the ACLU's Justice Division. "They are going to die inside prisons and jails, and these infections are going to spread to the rest of the United States, and they already have." For inmates and prison workers alike, it's a race against time. Inmates at San Quentin State Prison in California. AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File Cynthia Carter-Young felt like her brother was almost in the clear. Leonard Carter had been locked up for 25 years, but he'd been granted parole in January and would be getting out in May. Still, his sister couldn't shake the fear she felt over his profile and his circumstances - Leonard was a 60-year-old Black man with a history of emphysema hospitalizations, and the guards around him were getting sick. "He said, 'I really hope I don't get it because we're not out there," she remembered. "I hope [the guards] don't bring it in.'" In mid-April, the prison phoned Carter-Young during a Zoom church service. Leonard had COVID. By the time Cynthia connected with a nurse on his hospital floor, her brother couldn't talk to her. He was on full oxygen already. "I said, 'I want y'all to do everything possible,'" she told the nurse. "I want him to have every fighting chance." Cynthia was planning to cook him oxtails on his first night home and introduce him to his teenage grandson. He died in the hospital on April 14, still in custody, a month and a half before he would have gone free. But it's not just inmates who are dying - corrections workers haven't been spared from the virus, either. "We've lost members, and maybe unnecessarily," said Tammy Sawchuk, executive vice president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association. The Marshall Project, a criminal justice advocacy organization tracking COVID-19 infections in prisons and jails, reported 94,002 infections and 162 deaths of corrections staff at the time of this publication. Meanwhile, corrections workers from Arizona to Georgia, Illinois to California and Connecticut, have raised safety concerns. An OSHA complaint filed in April listed ventilation problems at a Federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida. A letter to correctional officials in March described thermometers in Chicago's Cook County jail "designed to measure the temperature of a room or wall, not the body temperature of a human." Rochelle made it home, but he wasn't free. Armando Gallardo for Insider In late April, Rochelle got fitted with an electronic ankle monitor and briefed on a new set of rules. He was going home but remaining in custody, and if he wanted to stay on home confinement and steer clear of Coleman, he'd have to keep the ankle monitor charged and submit to constant monitoring. And so Rochelle's new life began at his sister's house in Gainesville, Florida. His days were bracketed by accountability calls to a halfway house. His nights were spent sleeping while tethered to the nearest electrical outlet, his ankle monitor charging away. "Yes, I feel safer," he conceded one recent Sunday afternoon. He was sitting on a sofa in a place that was a home, but also now his cell. "I am still in prison. Let's not get that mistaken." Rochelle discovered something about himself during this home confinement: He remained preoccupied by thoughts of COVID-19 in prison. He couldn't stop thinking about the friends he left in Coleman. "Many nights I wonder, is that person still surviving?" he asked. He prayed often, ruminating on why his friends had to stay trapped inside with a virus that could kill them. "They didn't deserve a death sentence," he said. "They weren't sentenced to die." And so, free to do almost nothing but think, he decided to keep doing that - only out loud and online. Rochelle taught himself to use Facebook Live. "I'm steady growing and learning," he said. "You never have learned too much." He started broadcasting in the evening, when he knew people were home from work. He often dressed in a hat and tie and began with a chipper greeting: "Hello, hello, hello! This is Rufus Rochelle!" Quickly though, he shifted his tone, and the delivery changed. It was as if he was back in that common room in Coleman, watching the news, feeling the threat. "You got thousands of them that's languishing behind bars," he thundered into two camera phones, one in each hand, one night in September. "As long as you keep them locked up behind bars, the odds are against them. Give them clemencies. Commute their sentences. Allow them to go home." Public health experts could testify before Congress and TV news reporters could show ravaged nursing homes. Rochelle would head to Facebook every night. He would grab two cell phones and yell into their cameras. If 2.3 million people were locked up and unable to speak, he would do it for them. "There's a need for my voice," he said, "There's a need for helping others, those ones I'm leaving behind. That way they don't die behind bars. I am a voice that's an awakening." Prisoner releases encounter resistance from many corners. Reuters As Rufus and the public health experts have campaigned for large scale releases, lawyers have filed petitions and writs to get people out. People like Taiwu Jenkins, who is serving 40 years for assault in a New York State prison. Jenkins has already done half his time. He has chronic asthma so he's high risk, but in July, a judge refused to let him out, writing that his "right to be protected from the virus had to be weighed" against the rights of his victim, his "victim's family, and members of the public" to be safe from him. So Jenkins remained in prison, fearing for his safety, especially when the guards came around. "When no one's looking, they take their masks off," he said, "They cough around us and they touch all the same things we touch, and that's how you're passing it around in the jail." "Another round [of infections], and I could lose my life here. That's my biggest fear: losing my life to COVID-19, not coming back to my family." But families of victims have reservations about prisoner releases. "Releasing some people is good, it makes sense," said Richard Pompelio, a victims' rights advocate. But, Pompelio worried about honoring one group's needs at the expense of another's. Open up the prison gates, in other words, and some will feel tremendous relief; others will cower. "The person on the victim's side of that equation - it just dominates their mind, almost every second, and it's fear. It's living in fear," he said. Some in law enforcement have maintained that the post-release infrastructure can't absorb hundreds of thousands of prisoner releases, all at once. "The system is already overburdened," said Larry Cosme, the national president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. "Now, you want to reintegrate these individuals back into society - try to find them a job, try to find them housing, try to provide them appropriate medical help. You're placing a burden on the officers, and you're placing a burden on the inmate. It's a catastrophe." Lawmakers have pushed back, too. In New Jersey, Republican state Assemblyman Jon Bramnick voted against his state's recent inmate release measure. "When you're releasing thousands of inmates," he said, "clearly lots of information is needed. Have they notified people in [the] community? I haven't seen that." In New York, Democratic state Assemblyman David Weprin said lawmakers were left to balance public health and public safety. "The story is we're trying to protect the public," he said. Rufus Rochelle got a surprising call from prison. Armando Gallardo for Insider In November, Rufus Rochelle got some good news. His brother, 58-year-old Richard Williams, was getting out of prison. Williams had been serving two life sentences for selling drugs, but a judge ruled that he had served long enough for a nonviolent crime. Moreover, Williams was wheelchair bound, diabetic, morbidly obese with high blood pressure and other chronic illnesses. The judge wrote that he wouldn't ignore Williams' poor health right now, not with the pandemic raging. Like Rochelle, Williams was locked up at Coleman and so the family went back to pick him up one windy morning, arriving in time to see correction officers push Williams' wheelchair out into the parking lot. He was free, after 29 years and 11 months. William's sister, Cheryl, bent down to hug her brother. The two of them stayed there, his head tucked inside her. "Y'all just don't know," Williams said, quietly. "This day..." They would all be living together now: Cheryl, Rufus, and Richard. Rufus under electronic monitoring. Williams reporting to a parole officer for the next 10 years. Cheryl, 67, caring for her two aging brothers. Before leaving the Coleman parking lot, Rufus looked around, took in the moment. "I know when he's out of here, I'm free now," he said, looking at Richard. Back at the Gainesville house, the brothers sat together in the living room. "I ain't been on this sofa in a long time," Richard said, as he tried to remember the way the room looked decades ago, the last time he saw it. The memory of prison was much fresher. Just hours ago, he had been living in one cell, the size of a small bathroom. There was a hard bed. He was wedged in with another prisoner he barely knew. "For the past several months, since March, we basically lived in one room. As quick as you can come out," he said, you were sent back in. "If your mind ain't strong enough, you're not going to make it out of there." This was prison, under COVID conditions. Education and support programs had been paused in lock up's across the country. Guards kept prisoners in their cells almost continuously to guarantee physical distancing. "We do 35 days locked down," Richard said. "That means: you're not allowed to leave 24 hours a day. You take a shower three times a week. You don't come out. Sometimes we go months without a phone call or an email. That's your life." Evening arrived, and Rochelle took his place on the lawn for his nightly Facebook live broadcast. He wore a plaid shirt, tucked in. A cap shielded his eyes from the glare of the setting sun. He clasped a cell phone in each hand and aimed their cameras toward himself. "Hello, hello, hello," he began. "This is Rufus Rochelle." The rectangle of his phone occasionally caught the sinking sun. The trees darkened. A cat slunk by. A few yards away, just inside the house, his brother was getting ready to fall asleep in his home, for the first time in nearly 30 years. Richard told Rufus that the men in prison knew of his Facebook Live advocacy, and it gave them hope. "If guys like my brother aren't out here on the front lines - just like they're on the front lines for COVID," he paused and thought about it. "You better know he's battling a killer." Out in the yard, Rochelle stared into both cameras and made a promise: "We're the ones not going to let your sons and daughters die behind bars based on COVID-19," he said, his voice gaining volume and intensity. "We are on a mission." Days later, Richard Williams' legs swelled and fatigue settled over him. Cheryl decided he needed the hospital. "They saved his life," Rochelle said. It wasn't COVID-19, but complications stemming from a misdiagnosis and incorrect medication prescribed during his prison sentence. Williams stayed in the hospital for a week and half. "They took 30-something liters of fluids from his body," Rochelle said. And what if his brother had still been in prison? What if that judge hadn't let him out? Rochelle didn't hesitate. "He probably wouldn't have made it." Read the original article on Business Insider The aim is to put pressure on the Luxembourg government, which has not signed the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Shortly after midnight, the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons entered into force after the 51 necessary states ratified the treaty. Luxembourg, however, is not one of them. Even today, victims of nuclear explosions have to live with the consequences. A ban would prevent such consequences. The treaty stipulates that the signatory countries may not develop, test, purchase, occupy or stockpile nuclear weapons or other explosive devices under any circumstances, according to the ICRC's Helen Durham. Not only would the treaty provide pathways towards the elimination of nuclear weapons, but it is a concrete step towards the implementation of existing obligations. However, Luxembourg has not signed the treaty. In an attempt to put pressure on the government, many Luxembourgish communes are part of the international organisation 'Mayors for Peace', which advocates strongly against nuclear weapons. The commune syndicate Syvicol also called for support. Emile Eicher affirmed that the separate councils have a responsibility towards the security of the citizens and their well-being. The events of 1945 especially triggered an international network for mayors who support the ban on nuclear weapons. Eicher therefore completely supports the treaty, and thinks it is normal for his commune to help the cause. In 1989, Wiltz joined the organisation, but the number has increased to 60 ever since. Compared to our neighbouring countries, this is a high number relative to the country's size, Eicher says, with the exception of Belgium. By joining the organisation, the mayors seek to prove to the government, how important a ban on nuclear weapons is to the population. The ratification of the UN treaty is a great way to start according to Eicher. He hopes that the government will understand the syndicate's message and sign the treaty after all. However Francois Bausch, Minister of Defence, does not see much sense in the treaty. He believes Luxembourg is more active in a different framework (the Non-Proliferation Treaty) which it has been part of for 50 years. He continues by assuring that the existing treaty is not the final stop, but seeks an international agreement with the countries that still actively use nuclear weapons. Finally, he sees the Mayors for Peace organisation as a fantastic way to show support for a nuclear weapon free world. Ghana does not immediately require a lockdown but may have to consider the measure depending on how the coronavirus spread continues. This is the view of Nana Kofi Kwakye, a research fellow at the Department of Health and Management at New York University. A lockdown is a very blunt tool but it is effective at slowing down the rates of transmission and buying the health system and public health systems time if the other measures we are putting in place are not proving effective, he told Joy FM in an interview. He cited the case where young people are increasingly being admitted after contracting the virus adding that a strain on the public health system will have dire consequences. If we have a case where our ICUs Intensive Care Units are so overburdened, our physicians are so overburdened anything we can do that reduces the rate of infection and gives some buffer to the folks in the ICU and the medical profession, that is always a good thing, he added. The Ghana Medical Association is on record to have asked government to impose a lockdown to curb spread of the virus. Ghana imposed a lockdown on Accra and Kumasi shortly after the virus arrived in the country last year. The last official position on lockdown was a suggestion by President Akufo-Addo, that there was a possibility that more stringent virus control measures could be instituted if cases continued to rise. The compulsory wearing of face masks remains in place while there are also bans on certain public gatherings as per the presidents address. He ordered the police to enforce such measures. They (police) are also to ensure the closure of all night clubs, pubs, cinemas and beaches that may be operating in defiance of the law. They will be assisted by the other security agencies if need be, the president emphasized. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Perhaps the most contemptible action of the Democrats, and there have been so many, is the desire to completely erase Trump and, by extension, his MAGA movement. So now "more than 250 authors, editors, agents, professors and others in the American literary community signed an open letter this week opposing any publisher who signs book deals with President Donald Trump or members of his administration." Such actions can only be described as emulating a dog gone mad. It is rabies of the mind and soul. Clearly, their politics supersede economics, and everything is upside-down in this madness. That people involved with ideas and books would inveigh against the publishing of important thoughts is mind-boggling! Even more disturbing is the ease with which they lie. For the umpteenth time, Trump did not cage any children; Obama did, but why let the facts get in the way of left-wing censorship? In addition, Texas Democrat Rep. Joaquin Castro announced "that he would be introducing legislation that would prevent any federal buildings or property from ever being named after President Trump." In lockstep with tyrants, Castro displays the most hideous of instincts as he states, "President Trump incited an insurrection that damaged some of our nation's most significant and sacred federal property. Donald Trump should never become a future generation's confederate symbol." How ironic that his last name is Castro, mastermind of communist Cuba and purveyor of the horrors that Cubans have endured for the past 60 years. How stunning that he perverts history. How very 1984. Then there is Ocasio-Cortez, who has decided that she and her allies will be the arbiters of what Americans will be able to access. "We're going to have to figure out how we rein in our media environment so that you can't just spew disinformation and misinformation. It's one thing to have differing opinions, but it's another thing entirely to just say things that are false. And so that's something that we're looking into." This from a woman who in 2019 told Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes that she was less worried about making factual statements and more focused on prioritizing morality. Former Facebook executive Alex Stamos called for conservative news alternatives OANN and Newsmax to be deplatformed, saying, "We have to turn down the capability of these conservative influencers to reach these huge audiences." Katie Couric, a former co-anchor of NBC's Today show asks, "How are we going to ... deprogram these people who have signed up for the cult of Trump?" Free speech on campus is long since gone. Thus, "while some campus radicals are avowedly Marxists, most are not[.] The view that prevails among today's radicalized faculty members and students is not a hard-core Marxist formulation but a tissue of glib rationalizations about 'privilege' and 'power.'" Yet this is standard leftist fare. Moreover, Harvard students demand that the university revoke the degrees of Trump-supporters. What is lost on these students is the college arms a shield with the Latin motto "Veritas" or Truth. Echoes of Communist China, anyone? Recently, the "Chinese Communist Party CCP) introduced new rules on what members can say in order to 'boost internal democracy.'" A new revised rule book has been issued by the CCP that mandates that "cadres can make complaints about their superiors but are prohibited from airing them in public." In addition, "[t]hey are also banned from expressing opinions that are 'not consistent' with the decisions of the central leadership." However, the new rules also made clear that the party, which has 92 million members, will not tolerate its own ranks expressing dissenting views in public. 'A member of the party must not publicly express opinions that are inconsistent with decisions made by the central leadership,' said Article 16 of the revised regulations on safeguarding the rights of party members. Article 11 of the new rules stipulates that while party members are entitled to report misconduct by other members, including those who hold a higher rank, they must not disseminate such information at will and must not do so on the internet. In an article published in People's Daily, the party's mouthpiece, in 2014, Wang Qishan, then the party's top corruption buster and now vice-president, argued that joining the Communist Party means voluntarily giving up certain rights and freedoms. In addition to running the government, party members also fill the top jobs in universities, scientific institutes, hospitals, the military and many private companies. In 2019, "Joe Biden proclaimed that the Chinese Communists were 'not bad folks,' and the Delaware Democrat has never showed any knowledge of the mass atrocities scholars have chronicled" e.g., genocide of Uighurs, Kazakhs. In light of Biden's attitudes and appointments, "Americans might wonder if entire 'classes' of people such as deplorables, Christians, and elderly people of pallor might be targeted for violence. For leftist Democrats, these are the equivalent of those mutant social growths that need to be uprooted if society is to progress in a socialist direction." Moreover, "[t]he Biden regime is following the familiar pattern of suppressing a conservative populist movement rising against its radical agenda by criminalizing it as a dangerous threat. But no previous Democrat suppression campaign, not even after the murder of a president, ever involved the scope, ruthlessness, and brutality of the one we are witnessing right now." Communism manifests "the most intransigent and intolerant moral absolutism." Its tenets are seeping into America as people are being punished for speaking their minds and "whoever disagrees with the total inversion of good and evil is now relentlessly persecuted" (Madalozzo 179). The choice is clear. There really is no middle ground, because communism wrapped up in Democrat platitudes takes no prisoners. Communism simply destroys whatever stands in its way. Eileen can be reached at middlemarch18@gmail.com. Image: Frank Schulenburg via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped). Stand out with a Diploma from MSI, your gateway to Global Education View(s): The Management & Science Institute (MSI) offers students a multitude of diploma programmes in a wide variety of specialization and provides students an opportunity of continuing their bachelors degrees and postgraduate programmes at Colombo, MSU Malaysia or at any of their partner universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Japan. MSI is a registered institute under the Tertiary & Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) in Sri Lanka. The Management and Science Institute is fully administrated and affiliated with Management and Science University (MSU) Malaysia, which currently ranks in the Top 100 among the worlds top young universities, Top 200 among Asias best universities, Top 301+ for Graduate Employability Ranking and Top 401+ for University Impact. Ranked by both Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE), MSUs world rankings place it in the Top 47% of the worlds best universities in QS World University Ranking 2021 and Top 200 for impact on quality education, gender equality, and decent work and economic growth in THE University Impact Rankings 2020). MSU is recognised by the University Grant Commission (UGC) Sri Lanka, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), the United Kingdoms Accreditation Services for International Schools, Colleges & Universities (ASIC), the Japans Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow (ABEST21) and the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial & Engaged Universities (ACEEU) as well as member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Achini Perera Bachelor in Hospitality & Tourism Management (Hons) Student After finishing my certificate level at hotel school, I decided to continue my higher studies elsewhere. Thats how I came across MSI and choose MSI to do hospitality and tourism management. After looking at the courses they offer I knew MSI was the right place to me as the course offered, I understood MSI is the right place to start my higher education. Amitha Vihanga Bachelor in Biomedical Science (Hons) Student IReally appreciating the effort taken by MSI and MSU to conduct The final year project through blended by considering the prevailing situation of our country. My heartfelt gratitude and thank you to our programme coordinators and our supervisors. With 98.7% of its graduates successfully securing employment within six months of their graduation, MSU is ranked by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) as Malaysias #1 for graduate employability. Also rated by MoHE as SETARA Tier-5 Excellent Status University and ranked as The Most Entrepreneurial Private University in Malaysia. MSU is also the first university to be recognised by the UKs Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities (ASIC) as a Global TVET Model University with Outstanding Leadership in International TVET Education. MSU had received the ASIC double awards of Excellence in Quality International Education and Outstanding Contribution to International Education. MSU aspires to a holistic academic standard relevant to industry needs, meeting global expectations, and maintaining the highest ethical standards. Studying at MSU will prepare you holistically in your professional competency as well as the soft skills required to be a well-rounded, balanced graduate. Blending technical vocational education and training (TVET) with traditional academic curricula, MSU enhances competencies with industry internship, community and creative entrepreneurship, as well as global exposure; empowering MSU graduates with the well-roundedness desired and sought after by employers. Students keen on hospitality, business or health sciences career may consider enrolling in the following programmes. The Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management is one of the popular programmes at MSI. This programme will serve as valuable step forward for those who plans to develop a career in the tourism industry. Conducted in over a two-year, it combines the multi disciplines of Hospitality, Tourism and Management. The course covers areas subject such as the background and overview of the industry, front office management, housekeeping, food services, restaurant operations, tourism planning and marketing. The Diploma in Biomedical Science is another popular programme at MSI, its offering students an opportunity to kick start working towards a career in the medical or any of the health science fields. The programme will provide students with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to contribute to future progress in the bio medical field. Graduates will be able to pursue their education in medicine, health sciences, and dentistry in various universities worldwide. The Diploma in Business Management is structured to reflect the changing business world and crafted in conjunction with industry leaders to provide a firm foundation in business knowledge and practice. The programme is designed to develop students to master, handle and meet the demands of the future business industry, equipping them to function more effectively as leaders in a business-driven economy. It provides students with concepts, frameworks, analytical, problem solving and research skills to enable them to operate confidently and effectively in a global environment characterized by constant change and requiring flexible and innovative responses at a professional level. The Diploma in Event Management offered by MSI is yet another popular programme at MSI. It is designed for individuals who wish to follow a career in organising events in either private or government institutions. The programme is a useful step for those who is looking into careers with hotels, event organisers, and travel operator. Conducted in over a two-year, it offers students the unique opportunity to explore the multi disciplines of events and management. Graduates of the programme will be able to competently handle the common event practices and also act as supervisors and managers who provide advice on routine decision-making processes of the job scope. For further information on programmes offered by MSI or transfer options, kindly visit the Management & Science Institute (MSI) at No. 300 Galle Road, Colombo 03 or call us on Tel: 011 257 6900 / 011 257 6700 Hot line 077 0777 880 or email enquiry@msi.edu.lk or visit www.msi.edu.lk Photo taken on May 28, 2020 shows a view of the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's war on corruption goes on in 2021 as the country's top anti-graft body announced punishments for seven centrally-administrated officials accused of taking bribes in the first 11 days of the new year. The officials include Li Wei, former vice chairman of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Wang Yong, and Liu Guoqiang. The latter two were Li's counterparts in Hainan and Liaoning provinces, respectively. FIGHTING CORRUPTION WITH IRON FISTS Ensuring that officials do not dare, are not able, and do not want to be corrupt is the fundamental guideline for battling corruption. It effectively strengthens the self-governance of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the new era. Following this principle, China's anti-graft body has made steady progress in pushing forward the fight against corruption. In 2020, 18 centrally-administrated officials were investigated. Also, 1,229 fugitives were brought back and 2.45 billion yuan (378 million U.S. dollars) retrieved from overseas in the first 11 months of 2020. China has also intensified the anti-corruption battle in key sectors. For instance, by December 2020, 599 corruption cases related to coal resources were handled in the northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in a targeted campaign. Photo taken on May 27, 2020 shows flags on the Tian'anmen Square and atop the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li He) WEAVING A NET OF SUPERVISION On Jan. 4, the country's anti-graft authorities announced their punishment decision for four centrally-administrated officials, two of whom were investigated following leads from disciplinary inspections. So far, central inspection authorities have set up disciplinary inspection branches at 51 centrally-administered enterprises and dispatched inspection teams to 15 centrally-administered financial enterprises, weaving a stronger web of supervision. In 2020, the country also saw the birth of several new laws and regulations on supervision, such as the law on administrative discipline for government employees. Meanwhile, to increase the protection of the people's interests, China has taken a people-centered approach in its anti-corruption efforts, addressing people's needs and concerns while widening the channel for public supervision. NEW TASKS FOR NEW STAGE As China enters the new development stage, the requirements for enforcing full and rigorous Party self-discipline also improve. Under the new circumstances, the CPC has pledged to make political building the primary task in ensuring full and strict governance over the Party, and launched targeted political supervision regularly. Concrete efforts are needed in enforcing full and rigorous Party self-discipline so as to ensure that the CPC Central Committee decisions are faithfully implemented and that the Party marches forward as one, according to the top anti-graft authority. Among 11,612 students expected to attend virtually, about 87% did so, and close to 13% were absent on average, according to CPS. About one-half of one percent of those students ended up attending in-person. Though CPS has been saying that students cant switch to in-person learning at will, district officials said that it was allowed on a case-by-case basis last week if a principal felt staffing was sufficient. Most students in the first wave are attending five days a week, rather than upper elementary grades that will use hybrid models when they return. Nearly 300 people signed a public lettercalling for Grand Traverse County, Michigan, Commissioner Ron Clous to resign after he flashed a rifle during a public meeting on Wednesday. Traverse City-based attorney Michael Naughton wrote the letter and received signatures from community leaders and local residents. "It has become clear to me that some elected officials consider their public office a personal right rather than a privilege conferred upon them by the people," Naughton said in the letter. During the county commissioners' virtual meeting on Wednesday, East Bay Township resident Keli MacIntosh spoke about her fears of Grand Traverse County as being a Second Amendment "sanctuary." More: Grand Traverse official flashes gun after resident mentions Proud Boys in online meeting More: Feds: Whitmer kidnap suspect who cased her house set to plead guilty In March, county commissioners passed a resolution that opposes "any enforcement or funding measures that would infringe on gun owners' rights," according to the Traverse City Ticker. As MacIntosh spoke about her concerns regarding northern Michigan gun culture, Clous got up from his seat and returned in the videoframe with a black rifle across his chest. Clous' action amid the meeting gained local media attention and public backlash on social media. The letter calls for Clous to resign and for Rob Hentschel, commission chair, to resign or, at the very least, to issue a public apology. Naughton's letter states that under Michigan law, "a person shall not willfully and knowingly brandish a firearm in public." More: Top Michigan State Police officials using encryption messaging apps that can evade FOIA More: Michigan reports 2,165 new COVID-19 cases, passes 14,000 deaths total Hentschel said he disagrees with the statements in the letter because Clous had no intention to intimidate anyone, and he didn't wave or point the gun around. Story continues Hentschel said Clous wasn't brandishing the gun, and that he held the weapon up for less than 7 seconds. "The reason it was kind of an absurd thing to do is because it's so open to interpretation. So many people would look at something like that out of context," Hentschel said. "I wouldn't have done that because people can take it the wrong way. Commissioner Clous is a nice old man who hardly talks at meetings, but he's really passionate about our Second Amendment rights." Naughton told the Record-Eagle in Traverse City that holding a weapon where it can be seen is brandishing it. Hentschel disagrees and said he and Clous will not resign the board of commissioners. "I believe that all commissioners can plan to continue doing the work we're elected to do," Hentschel said. "Michael and his handful of supporters are not going to change that." During the public comment period, MacIntosh also commented about the commissioners' attitudes toward the Proud Boys, which is a far-right, hate group with ties to Islamophobia, anti-immigration attitudes, misogyny and white supremacy, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti-Defamation League. Phone calls and emails to Clous were not picked up Friday. Hentschel and Clous were recently reelected to the board. The next board meeting will happen Feb. 3 through a livestream. Follow Slone Terranella on Twitter @SloneTerranella. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan official Ron Clous asked to resign for flashing rifle on Zoom Education leaders are hopeful that the newly minted Biden's administration will help close the digital divide in public education as the COVID-19 pandemic rolls on.The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) lauded Bidens COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness and Executive Orders released Thursday. The plan calls for the Federal Communications Commission to expand Internet connectivity for remote students.Daniel A. Domenech, executive director of AASA, said the plans, which emphasize increased K-12 funding, could alleviate pressure on local leaders struggling to navigate the public health crisis.Specific to the plan and executive orders education-related elements, we are pleased to see many of the items AASA had recommended and mentioned in our communications with the transition team, including a focus on K-12 education funding, FEMA reimbursement for schools, a directive for updated U.S. Education Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Health and Human Services guidance, expanded screening and testing in schools, and pushing the FCC to support student connectivity in their homes, he said in a Thursday statement.The AASA also welcomed the confirmation of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, who served as Connecticuts education commissioner. Under Cardonas tenure in that role, Connecticut was the first state in the nation to provide a learning device to every student without one.The National School Boards Association (NSBA) voiced its support for Bidens choice of Jessica Rosenworcel as acting chair of the FCC, citing her emphasis on digital equity.In her current role at the FCC, Rosenworcel has led the charge for expanding the E-Rate program, a federal technology service bringing Internet access to schools and libraries at a discounted rate. But most importantly, she has initiated a national conversation around the homework gap, a term she coined to shine light on how the digital divide spawns further inequity in education, Executive Director and CEO Anna Maria Chavez said in a Thursday news release.Closing the homework gap is a priority we share. Like Rosenworcel, we have seen how the homework gap has grown during the pandemic as many schools moved online and demands on broadband grew exponentially. Thats why NSBA has been advocating for $12 billion to help schools and school districts through the pandemic. Additionally, we believe any infrastructure package should include a long-term and permanent investment to boost the nations broadband. The commission Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome assembled last year to study racial inequities in East Baton Rouge Parish believes it's more important to educate the public on racism and racial disparities than it is to tear down monuments or change the names on streets and buildings honoring the Confederacy. Many local Black leaders say that stance, included towards the end of the more than 60-page report Broome's administration released recently, weakens what is otherwise a comprehensive and potent document chronicling the parish's issues around race and racial disparities. Broome says she understands those criticisms. But she says her conversations with the city-parish's young Black entrepreneurs reveal that removing systemic economic barriers which have prevented them from the upward mobility many white-owned businesses have benefited from for years is higher on their list than tearing down symbolic expressions tied to racism. Still, Broome said she supports the commission's recommendation to develop a blueprint for a better legislative process for changing street names, building names, monuments, and race-related holidays. The commission said the current process is too cumbersome for example, it requires a petition from a majority of homeowners on a street to change its name. "I personally don't see it as a watering down of the issue," Broome said about the document and initial criticisms. "I see it as an introduction to next steps." The East Baton Rouge School Board last year changed the name of Lee High School, named after Confederate general Robert E. Lee, to Liberty High School. But Baton Rouge hasn't really jumped on board with other cities across the country, like New Orleans, that have torn down monuments and renamed buildings and streets honoring controversial figures and ideals. Port Allen approves plan to remove Confederate statue of its namesake, Henry Watkins Allen The Port Allen City Council on Wednesday backed a proposal to remove a statue of Henry Watkins Allen, amid mounting calls to move the monument Broome convened the Commission on Racial Equity and Inclusion shortly after the protests nationally and locally stirred by the death of George Floyd, a Black man, at the hands of Minneapolis police last year. Nearly 200 people applied for a spot on the commission. Broome's appointments were a mix of people from different racial, gender, age and socieconomic backgrounds. The commission says the remnants of the regions racist past created a legacy exposed by last years protests over Floyd's death and the 2016 police shooting of Alton Sterling outside a North Foster Drive convenience store. In Alton Sterling suit, East Baton Rouge offering $2.5M settlement -- half of original proposal Just weeks after the East Baton Rouge Metro Council rejected a $5 million settlement with the family of Alton Sterling, lawyers for the city-p A subcommittee within the 24-member commission said in the report that, while there is wide recognition for the need for new names on some streets and buildings, the belief is not universal and would be difficult to carry out. They also noted how difficult the bureaucracy is to legislatively change the names of streets in the city-parish named after Confederate generals, like Lee Drive and Gen. Forrest Avenue. "Through our research, we discovered the process is lengthy, complicated, and would most likely amass pushback," the report states. "As a group, we decided our goal is to change minds and hearts through education and empathy." "Although it is important to tear down physical expressions that create divisiveness, it is arguably more important to educate the masses about the 'how' and 'why' a physical expression is offensive," the report reads. Maxine Crump, a former journalist, created Dialogue on Race Louisiana more than 20 years ago to educate about the kind of racism in the community that the report speaks of. The six-week curriculum tasks participants with readings and facilitated discussions on the roots of racism and how to work to end it. "There's this tendency of saying there'll be pushback, but what's left off is who will be doing the pushback?" Crump said. "What are they pushing back on? What are they asking you not to do? Do the majority matter or do the few pushing back do?" Crump called the report a "powerful" document that was "weakened" by its stance regarding how to address racist symbols in the city-parish. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "That would be heavy lifting and complicated," she said about the commission's suggestion to educate the public through education and empathy. "I think we can trust this community to have the right historical facts and truth. I don't think it wants to be known as a city that puts white supremacy on a pedestal." Several of the Black members of the Metro Council agreed with Crump's sentiments about the report. Council Pro-Tem LaMont Cole called it "counterproductive" to take such a softball approach to the issue. "Those that say keeping monuments and certain street names say it's part of history to use as a reminder," he said. "But it's a part of history that shouldn't have happened and we shouldn't have to think about it again." Councilwoman Chauna Banks noted that city leaders can't legislate hearts and feelings, but they can legislatively deal with street names. A cumbersome process for renaming streets That process, however, is cumbersome and lengthy, the commission's report says. The Metro Council can easily change the name of a city-parish-owned building through resolution. But street names are a different story. According the city-parish's Unified Development Code, a person or group must first submit an application to the Planning Commission requesting the name of their street be changed. And that application must include a petition signed by a majority of the property owners along the entire length of the street saying they agree with the change. Then public notices to local agencies and advertising in the newspaper must occur detailing the request followed by public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Metro Council. Also, the applicant is responsible for paying for the cost of replacing existing street signs if the request is approved. Broome defended the commission's stance on monuments and racists symbols by saying the body isn't trying to side-step the issue. She said next steps involve developing an educational toolkit which tells the story on racial injustice in the city-parish and includes a guideline on how to address the issues around symbols and monuments on the legislative front. Also, she intends to broaden participation and the role of the commission going forward to work on the other crucial aspects of racial inequality which are included in the report. "What I've been hearing from black entrepreneurs is giving them resources to elevate themselves. They want access to contracts, business," she said. "That's a critical step. When people have access it empowers them not only economically, but it empowers their voices too." Others recommendations in the report involve addressing the legacy of health disparities that were exposed during the coronavirus pandemic; assisting disenfranchised business enterprises in qualifying for federal grant funds and programs; and creating platforms to amplify perspectives on race. "During the next month, the commission will be working to facilitate strong discussions around the recommendations and giving a platform for the citizens of Baton Rouge," Broome said. "We're going to keep this commission in existence." The ninth round of Indo-China corps commander level talks over the Ladakh stand-off is likely on Sunday. The meeting slated for 9:30 am at Maldo on the Chinese side will once again try to resolve the ongoing conflict. Officials in the know confirmed to CNN-News18 that representatives from the Indian side have reached Leh and further meetings are on to finalise the Indian standpoint for the talks. "Additional Secretary Naveen Srivastava and a few others, including DGMO officials, arrived on Saturday morning. Further meetings are underway," an official told News18. Other than Srivastava, the Indian delegation will include Lt Gen PGK Menon (GOC 14 Corps); Deepam Seth, IG North West Frontier, ITBP; Brig Rajiv Ghai (Army HQ, Delhi); Maj Gen Sanjay Mitra (GOC 39 Div); Maj Gen RS Raman, Brig HS Gill and others. The meeting comes at the peak of winter when sub-zero temperatures have forced both sides to reduce deployment. "The core issues remain but the winter has forced literal cooling down. So, talks in that sense are happening on an improved backdrop," the officer said. Sources said the talks will take forward the phase-wise withdrawal agreed upon in the last round. "Now that both sides have gone back to take instructions from Beijing and Delhi about how to proceed with this formula, the implementation will be discussed," they added. Upto 10,000 troops have been withdrawn from the rear areas by China since the onset of winters. Indian deployment has also mirrored the Chinese pattern. Senior functionaries in the government told News18 that India is committed to deployment even in the challenging circumstances if that is what it takes to keep China at bay. The last corps commander level talks happened in November where "both sides agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries (India and China), ensure their frontline troops to exercise restraint and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation, as per India's statement. India and China agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and taking forward the discussions at this meeting, push for the settlement of other outstanding issues, so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. India and China also agreed to have another round of meeting soon, India had said after last round of talks. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the joint development of hydrocarbon resources of Dostluk (Friendship) field in the Caspian Sea. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Ilham Aliyev attended the ceremony online. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat. The document was signed by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and visiting Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov. Speaking at the ceremony, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the signing of the Memorandum marked a milestone in the history of traditionally friendly, fraternal Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations. In response, Ilham Aliyev also stressed the exceptional importance of signing the Memorandum on joint development of Dostluk oil and gas field in the Caspian Sea. Following the statements by the heads of state, the foreign ministers of the two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan on the joint development of hydrocarbon resources of Dostluk field in the Caspian Sea. TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2021 Sydney R. looks out a window at a home in Laguna Niguel, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Teens Suicide Attempt Prompts Warning Over Pandemics Mental Health Dangers On Christmas night, a 14-year-old girl walked away from her familys Orange County home and headed toward a bridge. When she arrived, she leaped from the 50-foot structure, shattering two back bones in an attempted suicide brought on by some inner demons shes been fighting since the start of the pandemic. Sydney R., of Huntington Beach, is among many whove been struggling with isolation since the stay-at-home orders began amid the CCP virus pandemic. Such orders resulted in the cancellation of sports, a loss of social interactions, and increased reliance on technology. Some local psychiatrists say it has also brought about mental health challenges among children and teens. Depression and anxiety among teens is not a new phenomenon; the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says theyre among the commonly diagnosed mental health disorders. However, research shows the pandemic could be exacerbating it. Last June, the CDC conducted a study on mental health, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that adults experienced heightened levels of adverse mental heath conditions as a result of the pandemic. A local psychiatrist said shes seen the effects of the stay-at-home orders firsthand. I have had more children and teens consider whether it is worth it to continue to live, Dawn Nelson de Ramirez, president of Cornell Family Counseling and Behavioral Health and OC Kids Therapy, told The Epoch Times via email. These are kids who have had no history of suicidal ideation. Kids that are normally quite resilient, and they are giving up. Suicidal fantasy is not uncommon, but for parents this can be very frightening to see their child get to this point of actually considering whether not being here would be better. Sydney R. with her parents Jill Stabler and Christian R. in Laguna Niguel, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Sydneys Story About five months before Sydney tried to end her life, her mom said she noticed the teens mood change. She said the switch came after Sydney transferred to online learning and began spending several hours per day on the computer. She had this blank stare in her eyes and I knew something was wrong. She had told me that she was not wanting to live anymore, Jill Stabler told The Epoch Times. Stabler said she knew her daughter was having a hard time with depression, and heard her daughter say she didnt want to live anymore. She made an appointment for her to see a therapist the Monday after the incident. On Christmas Day, she was barely talking at all and had this blank look on her face, which I knew something was wrong, Stabler said. That morning, as Sydneys sisters rushed to open presents, she remained asleep in her room, where her mom joined her to open presents. I had Christmas alone in the room with her, and I gave her an outfit. She loved it, Stabler said. She asked her dad to cut her bangs to go with her new outfit. Later that night, while her parents were sleeping, Sydney told her little sister that she was going to get candy from the store. She took out her money, but didnt take it. Her little sister noticed she had not returned for a long time, and found the money was still there. Concerned, she woke up the eldest sister, who is 18, to tell her Sydney was missing. Sydneys sisters went out driving, and saw police and ambulance vehicles parked near a 50-foot bridge, not far from their home. Their sisters approached the scene to find that Sydney had fallen backward off the bridge into shallow rocky water in an attempt to take her own life. She came millimeters away from being a paraplegic, Stabler said. She broke her back horribly. Recognition and Coping Strategies Depression and anxiety can present themselves in children in a variety of ways, said Nelson de Ramirez. Some kids will go inward and shut down while others become angry and lash out. Parents should look for children experiencing a loss of interest in things that normally give them joy. Changes in eating patterns, sleeping more, low energy, isolation, behavioral changes, unsubstantiated fears, fears about the future etc., Nelson de Ramirez said. She said routine and structure are tools that can help children decompress from the stressors they face. School, hanging out with friends, sports, etc., are all natural coping activities. Shes encouraging parents to ask their kids how theyre doing, what they need, and to give them space to express themselves. Kids want to be heard and validated for how they feel. Not every moment needs to be a teaching moment, she said. Instead of telling them how they should feel or how they should think about a situation, ask them if there is a different way they can think about it or what they could do that would make them feel better. Clinical psychologist Dr. Robert Puff, founder of Happinesspodcast.org said parents can notice signs that their children are suffering from depression by poor school performance, playing a lot of video games and withdrawing, fighting with their parents, a lessened appetite, and oversleeping. Puff said children will mirror emotions their parents display. If the parents are expressing fear and anxiety about the virus, then the children could reflect that. He recommends limiting our exposure to fears about the CCP virus, and instead filling ourselves with positive engagements, such as hikes or bike rides. Sydney R. looks out a window at a home in Laguna Niguel, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Mysterious Stranger After Sydney jumped from the bridge, a nearby homeless fisherman heard her land. The man approached the teen and held her back upright in the water. He was super calm and didnt even ask her what she was doing in the water, Stabler said. The man called for an ambulance and stayed by Sydneys side until she was taken to a hospital. X-rays revealed that she broke her lower back in two different spots. She underwent two five-hour surgeries and a double fusion. Sydney is recovering at home. Doctors say she will be able to walk normally again after multiple physical therapy sessions. Now she wants to find the man who helped save her, to thank him and offer him a reward. Shes been unable to do so. I know hes homeless, and we would like to pay it forward by helping him. A Call for Change Nelson de Ramirez said the stay-at-home orders and distance learning has created a feeling of isolation and loneliness. She has seen about a 200 percent increase in the number of clients since the pandemic began. I think we need to be more mindful of the impact these sweeping policies have on children, teens and adults, she said. I understand from a public health point of view but from a mental health point of view it feels like little consideration was given to the impact this would have on people. We cannot expect people to abruptly change their lives in such a significant and impactful way and not expect to see some fallout. Puff likewise said the government is paying more attention to the physical component of the pandemic, to the neglect of the mental health considerations. The government has been really negligent when it comes to addressing the psychological impact of whats happening from all the choices being made right now, he said. As for Sidneys mother, she knows the outcome could have been much worse. Sydney has a special purpose on this Earth just like everybody does, Stabler said. I want parents to explain to their kids that this new way of living due to COVID is temporary and things will improve. They need to know that they have a long, purposeful life ahead of them. A GoFundMe page was created to help cover Sydneys medical expenses. Hundreds of seniors who are waiting to move to a Manitoba care home arent on the list to be vaccinated for COVID-19, which is unlike the practice in other provinces. Hundreds of seniors who are waiting to move to a Manitoba care home arent on the list to be vaccinated for COVID-19, which is unlike the practice in other provinces. Meanwhile, hundreds of beds that became vacant when care home residents died of the novel coronavirus, have stayed empty. In some cases, those awaiting a vaccine include people stuck in hospital beds that are located in the same building as a care home in which immunization is taking place. "They wont walk down the corridor and vaccinate my wife. Its not rocket science," said Desmond Leen, whose spouse has been waiting for a spot since July 2019. There's no plan for the 355 Winnipeggers on a care home waiting list to get their first shot. Manitoba officials say theyre working on a way to ensure new admissions to care homes get immunized, but they dont have a protocol in place. The Free Press surveyed all 10 provinces, and found others have made it a priority to vaccinate waiting care home residents. British Columbia explicitly includes "individuals in hospital or community awaiting a long-term care placement" as one of its four target groups. Quebec, which has already given the first dose to all care home residents, says local public health officers are expected to arrange shots before someone enters a care home, or shortly after, based on vaccine availability. Saskatchewan is similarly watching out for those situations on an ad hoc basis, until theyre able to vaccinate more of the general population. Alberta Health Services is strategizing follow-up visits for new residents. "Strategies will be determined by local circumstances, including the number of residents needing immunization, logistics such as remoteness of locations, and the need to not waste doses," wrote spokesman Kerry Williamson. In Manitoba, anyone who is moving to a care home is supposed to isolate for two weeks, either inside the home or their previous location, regardless of whether theyve been immunized. More than 360 Manitoba care home residents have died from COVID-19 since the outbreak started last March. Yet it appears those beds are not being filled due to the risk of sparking a new outbreak. In Winnipeg, provincial data show 316 people are waiting at home for a PCH placement, while another 39 are waiting in hospital. Thats more than double the number of people waiting in hospital a year ago, and a quarter more of those who were waiting in the community in January 2020. In the Southern Health region, 61 patients are in an acute-care hospital waiting for a PCH spot, 16 of whom are in "a hospital that is adjacent to a personal care home," a spokesman wrote Friday. Nineteen patients are waiting at home for a spot. Manitoba plans to wrap up the first round of care home immunizations soon. Vaccine teams that administer the second-round shots are supposed to give new residents their first dose, and sort out a plan to administer the second dose in a timely fashion. But theres no protocol for vaccinating anyone admitted to a care homes after that point. The province still hasnt finalized its plan to immunize the general population based on age. "Once we complete immunizations at all personal care homes, our plan is to regularly revisit PCHs and settings where individuals are awaiting placement to provide immunizations," a provincial spokeswoman wrote. Since April, Leens wife has stayed at the St. Pierre Jolys medical centre, which has a personal care home in the same building. Yet only care home patients are getting shots. "To me that makes no sense at all you could put people in wheelchairs up to the front door," Leen said. "They've been abandoned by this vaccination task force." Leen has been a physician for five decades, but stressed he was speaking as a private citizen. Hes been disheartened by days of no response after reaching out to Drs. Brent Roussin and Joss Reimer, who oversee the medical side of the pandemic response and vaccine rollout. "Theres no way of communicating with these people," he said, arguing he had no choice but to contact the Free Press. "I have no other method of advocating." The province did not have any response to that criticism. With files from Danielle Da Silva and Michael Pereira dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Boris Johnson spoke to new US President Joe Biden last night and told him that his election represented a moment of hope in a dark time. The 35-minute call was the first made by the US President to a European leader since he entered the White House after it was brought forward by two days. The news will be leapt on by No 10 as a sign that the special relationship will be rekindled following the departure of Donald Trump despite Biden removing a bust of Sir Winston Churchill after moving in to the Oval Office. Boris Johnson said he 'looks forward to deepening the longstanding alliance' with the US after his Mr Johnson said: 'Great to speak to President Joe Biden this evening' No 10 said that the call, which the Prime Minister took in his Downing Street office, was very warm, friendly and wide-ranging, and included discussion of a post-Brexit trade deal and green policy issues. President Biden told Mr Johnson that he would sign up to the Governments call for all new buildings to be zero carbon by 2050. Mr Johnson said in a message on Twitter that it was great to speak to President @JoeBiden this evening. I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from Covid-19. The first meeting in person between the two men is expected to be at the G7 summit being hosted by Mr Johnson in Cornwall in June. The Prime Minister spoke to the newly inaugurated US President this evening, a day after Mr Biden called Canada and Mexico's leaders Mr Johnson emphasised the UK and US's shared goal of emphasising sustainable policies as the countries bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic No 10 said that Mr Johnson had welcomed the fantastic initial announcements from the Biden administration. The President signalled a break with Donald Trumps administration by signing a flurry of executive orders during his first days in power last week, including halting funding for the construction of Trumps border wall; reversing Trumps travel ban targeting largely Muslim countries; imposing a mask mandate on federal property; ramping up vaccination supplies; and requiring international travellers to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test prior to travelling to the US. Bidens first call to a foreign leader as US President was with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday, and was then followed by a call to the Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The President had been expected to start calling allies across the Atlantic on Monday. Writing on his Twitter account this evening, Mr Johnson said he looks forward to continuing the US and UK's longstanding alliance after the phone call Writing on his Twitter account this evening, Mr Johnson he looks forward to continuing the US and UK's longstanding alliance after the phone call A Downing Street spokesman said of the Prime Minister: He congratulated the President on his inauguration and the two leaders looked forward to deepening the close alliance between our nations. The Prime Minister warmly welcomed the Presidents decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement on climate change, as well as the World Health Organisation and the Covax programme to ensure equitable access for vaccines. They noted the significant challenges facing the world during the pandemic, but also the unparalleled opportunities to build back better and greener together. The Prime Minister praised President Bidens early action on tackling climate change and commitment to reach net zero by 2050. Building on the UK and USs long history of co-operation in security and defence, the leaders re-committed to the Nato alliance and our shared values in promoting human rights and protecting democracy. They also discussed the benefits of a potential free trade deal between our two countries, and the Prime Minister reiterated his intention to resolve existing trade issues as soon as possible. The leaders looked forward to meeting in person as soon as the circumstances allow, and to working together through the G7, G20 and Cop26 this year. In 2016, Theresa May was embarrassed to be 11th on President Trumps call list after he won the election behind the leaders of countries such as Egypt. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Shark Tank deal winner Sarah Apgar stopped by the Tunnel to Towers Foundations New Dorp headquarters yesterday with a plan to deliver $10,000 from her profits in support of catastrophically injured veterans, fallen first responders and frontline health care workers. Once there, she was surprised to learn that shark Daniel Lubetzky who made the winning deal with Apgar on the show in November 2020 matched her $10,000 donation, for a total gift of $20,000 that will go toward the foundations mission to deliver 120 mortgage-free homes to our nations heroes in observance of its 20th anniversary. Apgar, an Iraq War veteran and a volunteer firefighter who has participated in the annual Tunnel to Towers NYC 5K races, said she holds the foundations mission close to her heart. Thats why she made the commitment to donate to the Staten Island-based foundation a portion of all proceeds from her training program, the FitFighter Steelhose System. Daniel Lubetzky announces his $10,000 donation to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation via video conference as volunteer firefighter Stephen Medici, Sarah Apgar, founder and CEO of FitFighter, and Frank Siller look on.(Staten Island Advance/ Jan Somma-Hammel) Having participated in the runs, knowing firefighters who were in the 9/11 attacks who both survived and passed, it just felt like the work of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation was a perfect alignment, not only with the company but with my life,' Apgar said. As a veteran myself of the Army and a volunteer firefighter, this felt like the perfect match. She presented the check to Frank Siller, CEO and chairman of the foundation. Lubetzky joined the event, and made his announcement, via video conference. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was created by Siller and his siblings to honor the sacrifice of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life after running to the towers to save others on Sept. 11, 2001. To date, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has spent more than $250 million to honor and support first responders, veterans, their families and frontline workers. Apgar pitched her FitFighter training concept, which features a free weight called a Steelhose made from firehose and filled with recycled steel to the famous team of sharks' on the Shark Tank' television show last November. Apgar, a Long Island resident, walked away a winner with $250,000 in her pocket for a 25% stake in the business, offered to her by guest entrepreneur Lubetzky, founder of KIND snack bars. FitFighter, originally inspired by the training needs of firefighters, now sells home gym sets made of firehose and home workouts featuring world-class trainers. Apgar pledged to donate to the foundation $10 for every 50-foot length of firehose she sells. Sarah Apgar, founder and CEO of FitFighter, encourages Frank Siller as he holds one of the weights she created out of firehose and steel. (Staten Island Advance/ Jan Somma-Hammel) In two months since our Shark Tank airing, we have gone from being a great idea and proof of concept that trained firefighters to be better for their job to a way of life and a training system,' Apgar said. The Steelhose tool, she said, is this wonderful tool that grounds that mission in something physical and reflects our roots. When announcing his matching donation, Lubetzky praised both Apgar and the Siller Foundation for their successes. I commend the Stephen Siller Foundation for their important work,' he said. Im very touched and grateful for the service and sacrifice of our nations military and from first responders who risk their lives every day to keep us safe. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. The aftermath of a recent deadly shooting reveals that the suspect was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in a 2016 shooting death. Read more . . . The Plainview ISD School Board agreed to enter contracts with Lee Lewis Construction for the construction of the Thunderbird and College Hill bond projects. This is the second proposal presented to the board in as many months. The board voted in December to enter negotiations with Teinert General Construction for the Coronado Intermediate and Estacado Middle School improvement projects. After granting Superintendent H.T. Sanchez permission to move forward with contract negotiations with Lee Lewis Construction, an amendment was presented regarding the contract with Teinert that yielded significant savings for the projects and room to spend extra on some additional amenities. Almost to the tune of $6 million, Sanchez told the board during a school board meeting Thursday night that lasted more than three hours. The savings will allow the district to enhance some add-ons for the Coronado and Estacado projects. After the meeting, Sanchez explained that district leaders had scaled back a little on the original plans for the construction of the facilities in an effort to meet the budget. These savings allow more wiggle room for the add-ons. Information in a provided board meeting packet lists these as follows: Replacement of existing south parking lot at Coronado, $47,000 Renovation of the existing band practice rooms at Coronado, $20,000 Replacement of existing fire alarm system at Coronado to match the new construction system, $36,000 Replacement of existing aluminum storefront and doors at the main entrance, $26,600 Brick veneer in lieu of modified stucco on portions of the new gym at Estacado, $88,000 Replacement of existing fire alarm system at Estacado to match the new construction system, $31,000 The total amount authorized for these projects is $248,600. In addition to the approval of contract negotiations for these projects, the board also unanimously approved ranking recommendations for each project. In the fall, the board agreed to choose contractors based on a ranking system based on various qualification factors. They agreed that bids would be awarded based on evaluation ranking and proposed project costs. On Thursday, it was noted that this was how Lee Lewis Construction. Its also how Teinert was chosen last month. Should contract negotiations with Lee Lewis Construction fall through, negotiations will cease and bids will go to the second highest ranked company, Western Builders. It was noted that the bid from Western Builders was higher than that of Lee Lewis Construction. The potential change was worked in to the motion so if it happens, Sanchez told the board it would not require another vote. The approval brings the district another step closer to the start of construction, which is expected to begin soon. Board member Tyler James, who is a member of the contractor evaluation committee said, we are very, very excited. There were scuffles between police and protesters in St. Petersburg on January 23 as rallies across Russia were held demanding the release of jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny. The rallies were described as some of the biggest anti-government protests in the country in years. As anyone whos ever raisedor beena teenager knows, happy outcomes are rare when groups of people egg each other on in a risky activity. Just look at financial markets now. An activity that people have historically pursued in isolationbuying and selling stocks and other assetshas become the hottest way to socialize. Friends get together on Zoom to live-trade" stocks just as they watch movies or TV together on Netflix or Amazon Prime. Trading websites leaderboards show the names and gains of the people making the most money. Brokerage apps display lists of the stocks their users are flocking to the most. At some online brokers, you can even autocopy" other users, mechanically duplicating their trades. All this has gotten millions of novices over the fear of managing their own money and shown that investing doesnt have to be deadly dull. It has given people something to talk about other than politics and the pandemic. Unfortunately, when investing turns into socializing, it also turns dangerous. Dont get me wrong. Even the best investors benefit from a sidekick and sounding board to listen to and learn from. Warren Buffett has Charlie Munger. Mr. Buffetts great teacher, Benjamin Graham, had Jerome Newman. But theres a critical difference between a real-life friend and people youve never met whom you follow online. Yes, online trading buddies can lift you up when youre feeling down and make you feel you belong. But real-world friends tell you when youre wrong. Mr. Buffett likes to call Mr. Munger the abominable no-man" for his tendency to shoot down suggestions. Mr. Buffett has told me he treasures their friendship not just because Mr. Munger gives him good ideas, but because he destroys bad ones. Thats the problem with social investing." Joining an unlimited group of people you know little about, who may all share an itch to get rich quick, can lead to imitation rather than education. It can become an amen corner" without walls, an almost infinite echo chamber. Markets work best when they aggregate the opinions of people who disagree about risk and return and valuation. The wisdom of the crowd can be remarkably accurate when it collects huge numbers of differing viewpoints. But when everyone thinks alike or relies on the same set of information, the result is what Michael Mauboussin, a strategist affiliated with Morgan Stanley Investment Management, calls a diversity breakdown. That can become especially dangerous in a roaring bull market, when so many assets go up in price so fast. How can you admit you dont know what youre doing when youve made so much money doing it? Why seek dissenting opinions when everything you touch turns to gold? The more the winners make in a bull market, the more they tend to brag. The more they brag, the more attention and imitators they attract. And the less newcomers know about investing, the more likely they are to follow the biggest and loudest winners. That, in turn, helps drive up the winners favorite assets, attracting still more attention and cranking prices up further in a self-fulfilling prophecy. As long as markets go up, thats a profitable strategy. Markets dont always go up, howeverand then the self-fulfilling prophecy will turn into a doom loop of loss and panic. Across centuries of financial history, whatever was obvious" that everyone" had to own has tended to fall the most when markets turned: financial stocks in 2008-09, internet stocks in 2000-02, the Nifty Fifty" growth stocks in 1973-74, Radio Corp. of America in 1929-32, and so on all the way back to the collapse of the South Sea Co. in London in 1720. In short, consensus and popularity are rocket fuel on the way up and poison on the way down. Thats why it saddened me when I learned that the American Association of Individual Investors, a Chicago-based nonprofit with 154,000 members and 34 local chapters across the U.S., notified its chapters late last month that it would close them down as of Feb. 28. At its local meetings, members from all walks of life and divergent perspectives listened to guest speakers and shared ideas. Some are fervent believers in technical analysis, others love index funds, still others favor dividend-paying stocks or municipal bonds. Such diversity of viewpoints facilitates learning and instills confidence that can survive market setbacks. Members responded with fury to the news of the shutdown, and AAII promptly put the plan on hold. We really jumped the gun on that," says AAII President John Bajkowski. It was a miscommunication." AAIIs struggles have been worsened by the pandemic, just as social investing online has been accelerated by it. But what investors need most at a time like this isnt affirmation from hordes of strangers who think alike. They need pushback and skeptical analysis from people who have moreand differentexperience than they do. Write to Jason Zweig at intelligentinvestor@wsj.com Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. . . . ... There are more new cases of Covid-19 reported for Laois this Saturday, January 23, while the number of deaths and cases in Ireland is higher today. Laois has the same number of new cases as yesterday at 17, which is the fifth lowest increase out of the 26 counties. The incidence of the disease is Laois has however risen slightly to 776.9 per 100,00 population on the back of 658 new cases in the past 14 days. The incidence had risen beyond 1,000 at one point in January. The figures are contained in the National Public Health Emergency Team Daily update. SEE WHERE LAOIS STANDS IN THE COUNTY BY COUNTY INCIDENCE TABLE AT END OF STORY. NPHET said the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has been notified of 77 additional deaths related to COVID-19. 76 of these deaths occurred in January, 1 in December. The median age of those who died is 84 years and the age range is 43-98 years. There has been a total of 2,947 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of 2pm today, 1,892 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 217 are in ICU. There were 59 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. As of midnight, Friday 22nd January, the HPSC has been notified of 1,910 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 186,184* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. The national incidence has fallen to 955.55 cases per 100,000 on the back of 45,500 as the third wave recedes. The seven day incidence is now 344.9 per 100k. The average number of new cases over five days has fallen but remains high at 2,273. NPHET highlighted 710 in Dublin, 150 in Cork, 103 in Meath, 102 in Limerick, 86 in Louth, and the remaining 759 cases are spread across all other counties. NPHET advises County data should be considered provisional as the national Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting System (CIDR) is a dynamic system and case details are continually being validated and updated. Of the cases notified today: 887 are men / 1,016 are women, 57% are under 45 years of age while the median age remains at 40 years old. HSE Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan today has called for continued solidarity across Ireland. Through the solidarity shown by families and communities across the country in recent weeks, we are beginning to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infection. Each individual effort to follow the public health advice is making an impact, but we can only continue this positive trend and drive down incidence in the community by continuing to stay at home and avoid meeting or mixing with others in our social circle, including for any close family gatherings, such as birthdays or funerals, as these can be super-spreader events. We know it is possible to have COVID-19 without displaying symptoms, so we all need to behave as though we are infectious and minimise our close contacts with others. If you suspect that you might be ill, isolate away from others in your household, let your close contacts know and come forward for testing as soon as possible," he said. *Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of 5 confirmed cases. The figure of 186,184 confirmed cases reflects this. Combined river flows could send up to 3 billion microplastics a day into the Bay of Bengal The Ganges River - with the combined flows of the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers - could be responsible for up to 3 billion microplastic particles entering the Bay of Bengal every day, according to new research. The study represents the first investigation of microplastic abundance, characteristics and seasonal variation along the river and was conducted using samples collected by an international team of scientists as part of the National Geographic Society's Sea to Source: Ganges expedition. Over two expeditions in 2019, 120 samples (60 each in pre- and post-monsoon conditions) were gathered at 10 sites by pumping river water through a mesh filter to capture any particles. The samples were then analysed in laboratories at the University of Plymouth with microplastics found in 43 (71.6%) of the samples taken pre-monsoon, and 37 (61.6%) post-monsoon. More than 90% of the microplastics found were fibres and, among them, rayon (54%) and acrylic (24%) - both of which are commonly used in clothing - were the most abundant. Combining predicted microplastic concentration at the mouth of the river (Bhola, Bangladesh) with the discharge of the river, scientists estimate that between 1 billion and 3 billion microplastics might be being released from the Ganges Brahmaputra Meghna River Basin every day. The research, published in Environmental Pollution, was led by researchers from the University of Plymouth's International Marine Litter Research Unit, working with colleagues from the Wildlife Institute of India, University of Dhaka, WildTeam, University of Exeter, National Geographic Society and the Zoological Society of London. Research Fellow and National Geographic Explorer Dr Imogen Napper, the study's lead author, was among the participants in the Sea to Source: Ganges expedition. She said: "Globally, it has been estimated that 60 billion pieces of plastic are discharged into the ocean from rivers worldwide each day. However, what has been lacking until now has been a detailed analysis of how microplastic concentrations vary along a river's course. By working with local communities and partners, this expedition always aimed to help us stem the flow of plastic entering the Gangetic basin. These results provide the first step in understanding how it, as well as other major rivers, may contribute to oceanic microplastic." The Ganges River rises in the Himalayas and runs through India and Bangladesh, where it joins the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers shortly before reaching the Indian Ocean. The combined flows of the three rivers are the largest in South Asia and form the most populous basin in the world, with over 655 million inhabitants relying on the water it provides. The samples were collected during pre-monsoon (May to June 2019) and post-monsoon (October to December 2019), at sites ranging from Harsil closest to the source of the Ganges to Bhola in southern Bangladesh where it meets the Bay of Bengal. The sample sites were selected to ensure a mixture of rural, urban, agricultural, tourism and religious locations, with the highest concentrations found closer to the river's mouth at Bhola, in Bangladesh. Pre-monsoon samples collected there had four times as many particles as those taken at Harsil, while post-monsoon samples had double the amount. Professor Richard Thompson OBE, Head of the International Marine Litter Research Unit at the University and one of the study's co-authors, said: "We know that rivers are a substantial source of microplastics in the ocean. But the information like this can help identify the key sources and pathways of microplastic and hence inform management interventions. With this type of evidence, we can progress toward using plastics more responsibly so as to get the many benefits they can bring without unnecessary contamination of the environment." This study is the latest by the University in the field, with it being awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2020 for its ground-breaking research and policy impact on microplastics pollution in the oceans. It is currently among the partners in Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP), a 14 million project which aims to prevent plastic pollution from rivers entering the English Channel, and LimnoPlast, a 4.1 million project examining the distribution of microplastics in European rivers and lakes. ### This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Thoughtful people are again saying our schools can save us from ignorance and deceit in our politics. These hopeful recommendations burst forth whenever national events take a troubling turn and our leaders seem unable to arrive at solutions. George P. Hoskin, an erudite biologist and oceanographer in Maryland, emailed me that "education must provide knowledge and understanding of the principles of democracy, the facts of history, and the skills of analytical thinking for reasoned decision making. ... We have evolved a government by election which does not work for the benefit of all." Helen Lee Bouygues, whose nonprofit Reboot Foundation focuses on education, said in Forbes that "being informed is a necessary part of discussing and debating public issues with our fellow citizens. ... To combat conspiracy theory and misinformation America will need to relearn why information is important in the first place." Many intelligent and patriotic Americans have been saying this for some time. Three years ago, in the middle of the Trump administration, two of the smartest education writers in the country, Robert Pondiscio of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and Richard Kahlenberg of the Century Foundation, said only deeper schooling in how government works would rescue us. Pondiscio, a civics teacher and a writer, said a new Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics course could be the "means of getting back into the civic education game in earnest." Kahlenberg said we needed to confront our failure "at what the nation's founders saw as education's basic purpose," preparing us for self-government. I am glad these bright people have such faith in schools' potential for good. But I don't think education is going to make much of a difference. Politics and history were always my favorite courses. Somewhere in my garage there's a piece of paper that says I have a bachelor of arts in government. I know our Constitution's proud record. But I also realize most Americans have always found the subject dull and the demands for self-improvement unconvincing. When we gather, we talk about friends, family, food, sports, movies and whatever is trending on the Internet. The effect of the filibuster on senatorial approval of judges or the intricacies of redistricting rarely come up. Turnout at the polls in 2020 was the largest since 1900, yet despite the rise in mail ballots and extra voting days, one-third of us still didn't bother to cast a ballot. Please don't try to tell me that Americans understood the principles of democracy better in golden days gone by. A U.S. history test given to 1,500 Texas students 103 years ago found that 67% of the answers from high schoolers and 51% of the answers from college undergraduates were wrong. Seventy-seven years ago, only 13% of a sample of 7,000 first-year college students knew that James Madison was president during the War of 1812. Forty-four years ago, a national sample of 2,000 first-year college students on average answered only half of 42 American history multiple-choice questions correctly. Many assume the more time we spend in school, the better we know the lessons of American history and the more likely we are to apply them. That may be true, but those who celebrate Joe Biden winning the college-graduate vote should remember that about 22 million people with equally impressive bachelor's degrees voted for the other guy. Have you ever thought carefully about why you voted the way you did in the last election? How big a factor was your education? How we were raised, where we grew up, where we live, where we work and, perhaps most influential, our closest friends' views on politics are more important, I think, in making such decisions. We prefer to share the views of those we love. My wife and I have been together for 55 years so far. Somewhere in the middle of that time, we voted differently. The arguments weren't much fun. The email I mentioned above from Hoskin had a drastic solution: "In the short run perhaps we should adopt the strategy of our communist adversaries and establish re-education camps." He meant a gentler, open-minded version of that terrible policy, but I still don't think it will work. Kahlenberg told me recently that civics lessons will have more power if they focus "not just on the mechanics of democracy but on its central premise: that all citizens have equal worth." Pondiscio agreed, saying we have to go deeper than our differences on the issues of the day. Civic education "without a shared sense of civic commitment and moral investment, a sense of respect and even reverence for civic virtues ... won't amount to very much," he said. Giving good teachers more time to explore civics with their students can't do any harm. But I suspect how we vote will be more affected by slow changes in who we voters are than by better civics lessons for us in school. New US President, Joe Biden, will certainly have a lot on his plate after he takes office tomorrow (Wednesday, 20th). But among the many tasks he will face in the coming months and years is living up to a pledge he made to his distant relatives in north Louth! During his previous visit to the county, Biden had spoken of his desire to return to his ancestral home in Cooley if he was elected president. His distant cousin, north Louth native Eamonn Thornton, had spoken to the President-elect in the days after the November election, and said Biden had pledged that if it were 'at all possible' he would be back to visit. Joe Biden has proudly spoken of his Irish roots, with one side of his family emigrating from County Mayo, and his Louth ancestry emerging from his great-great grandfather, Owen Finnegan, from the Cooley Peninsula. He married Jean Boyle in 1839, and the couple's first four children were born in Louth, including James Finnegan in 1840, Biden's great grandfather. The family then moved to America in the late 1840s and settled in Seneca, New York. They had emigrated with Owen's brother John and other cousins. Owen and Jean both died in 1874 and James moved close to Scranton with his wife Catherine Roche and they had six children, including Ambrose J. Finnegan, who married Geraldine Blewitt. The new President's strong connections to Louth, and the Finnegan family tree, famously include Ireland rugby internationals Rob and Dave Kearney. Their father David Joseph Donald Kearney is a fifth cousin of the president-elect, according to research carried out by The Irish Emigration Museum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and others before distributing 'Land Patta' to people during a public meeting, at Jerenga Pathar in Sivasagar District of Assam, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (PTI Photo) Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Cloudy with showers. High 54F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Rain. Low around 40F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. GENEVA A Swiss court on Friday convicted the French-Israeli mining magnate Beny Steinmetz on charges of corrupting foreign public officials and forging documents, in a trial over his successful bid to reap lavish iron ore resources in the West African nation of Guinea. Mr. Steinmetz, one of the richest people in Israel, was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay a $56.5 million fine. The case centered on alleged payouts of millions of dollars to a former wife of an ex-president of Guinea, Lansana Conte, who died in 2008. The trial exposed the shady and complex world of deal-making and cutthroat competition in the lucrative mining business. His defense lawyer, Marc Bonnant, said he would immediately appeal the ruling. Mr. Bonnant said his client had not given a single dollar to any official of the Guinea regime during Mr. Contes presidency. PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi bowed in solemn reverence, Mamata Banerjee clamoured his birthday be declared a national holiday, but their competing claims over Subhas Chandra Bose's legacy Saturday left an election-bound West Bengal bitterly cleaved and disquieted. The day began with colourful events where children donning the Indian National Army's (INA) uniforms lustily sang its anthem 'Kadam, Kadam Badhaye Ja' to mark the beginning of the year-long 125th birth anniversary celebrations of the legendary freedom fighter. It ended in abject bitterness when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to deliver her speech at the main 'Parakram Diwas' celebration at the forecourt of the Victoria Memorial after 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans greeted her, claiming she was insulted. Bose, who Mahatma Gandhi once referred to as the "prince among the patriots", is one of the foremost icons of Bengal whose legacy the ruling TMC and challenger BJP have been trying to claim in the run up to the assembly elections. TMC supremo Banerjee kicked off the celebrations with a grand procession in Kolkata, while Modi flew down to the city where he recalled the sacrifices of the leader, who went looking for support "embassy to embassy and country to country" to wage a war against the British rule. Both declared their faith in Bose's ideology, but the commonality vanished into thin air over a matter as trivial as the name his birth anniversary should have. The Centre and the BJP celebrated the day as "Parakram Diwas", while the TMC observed it as "Desh Nayak Diwas". "We do not celebrate Netaji's birthday only in the years when elections are scheduled. We are celebrating his 125th birth anniversary in a grand fashion. "Rabindranath Tagore described Netaji as Deshnayak. That is why we have decided to celebrate this day as Deshnayak Diwas," Banerjee said, as she led a 7-km foot march from Shyam Bazaar to Netaji's statue on the Red Road. Paying glowing tributes to Bose, who marshalled all his resources as he engaged in a military and diplomatic offensive against the British rule during World War II, Modi asserted Netaji would have been proud of how India is protected from its enemies from "LoC to LAC". The LoC divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan, while the LAC separates India and China. "I sometimes wonder how Netaji would have felt if he had seen how a new and strong India is taking shape. From LAC to LoC, the world is witnessing a strong India that Netaji envisioned. India today is giving a befitting reply wherever attempts are made to challenge its sovereignty," he asserted at the Victoria Memorial event. "Each drop of every Indian's blood owes a debt to Subhas Chandra Bose. Will we ever be able to repay that debt?" Modi said. Lauding Bose for his indomitable courage and perseverance in pursuit of India's independence, Modi said his assertion that "I will not humbly seek but snatch freedom" exemplified his determination. Modi visited 'Netaji Bhavan', the iconic leader's ancestral home, and was shown the 'Wanderer' car he had used in 1941 for his great escape from British surveillance on way to Japan and Germany through Afghanistan to mobilise diplomatic and military support for India's freedom from colonial yoke. Mamata Banerjee, however, used the occasion to excoriate the Centre for scrapping the Planning Commission, which she claimed was conceptualised by Bose. "Why the national Planning Commission, which was conceptualised by Netaji in independent India, dissolved? Why the demand for a national holiday on Netaji's birthday by our government has not yet met?" she said in her brief speech at Netaji Bhawan. The Planning Commission, a government institution which formulated India's Five-Year Plans besides performing other functions, was set up in March 1950. The Narendra Modi government disbanded it in 2014 and formed Niti Aayog. Banerjee said that she would ask the prime minister why the plan panel was replaced with NITI Aayog. She had said earlier this year that her government would come up with a Planning Commission-like body to take ahead the national hero's ideas and vision. "A monument named after Azad Hind Fauj (INA) will be erected at Rajarhat. A university named after Netaji will also be set up which shall be funded entirely by the state, and will have tie-ups with foreign universities," she tweeted. Modi, who also paid homage to Bose on his birth anniversary, said a grateful nation will always remember his sacrifice and dedication for its independence. "Tributes to Netaji Suubhas Chandra Bose, a great freedom fighter and a true son of Mother India, on his birth anniversary," the prime minister said in a tweet. Hours later, both sat on the landing on the steps of Victoria Memorial, the imposing 20th century structure built between 1906 and 1921 in the memory of the British queen Victoria. BJP's battle cry 'Jai Shri Ram' was heard from the crowd. A visibly agitated Banerjee, who was called to deliver her speech, fulminated over the "insult" and declared she will not speak. "This is a government programme and not a political programme. There has to be some dignity. I thank the prime minister and the union culture ministry for holding this event in Kolkata. "But it doesn't behove you to invite somebody and insult them. I protest against this...I won't speak. Jai Bangla, Jai Hind," she said, wrapping up her swift and stinging indictment of the prime minister and the central government. Modi kept quiet and made no reference to her angry outburst, and began his speech soon thereafter, while Banerjee remained seated on stage. Later the two were seen seated in the front row while a light and sound programme went on, beaming Bose's remarkable journey of life--in military uniform and meditating in a saffron robe--by a river on the colonial era building. PTI SUS/SCH/AMR/PNT SK SK 01232149 NNNN A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Whats new: One person was killed and seven were injured by a knife-wielding attacker at a school in Kunming, capital of Southwest Chinas Yunnan province, on Friday afternoon, the local government said in a statement released the same day. The 56-year-old attacker was shot dead by police at the scene. He had taken one student hostage at the middle school, which is affiliated to Yunnan Normal University, according to a local news outlet under the Yunnan Daily. Whats the context: A witness told Caixin the crime occurred as the students were leaving the school, which covers grades seven to nine. Another witness said the attacker negotiated with the police via loudspeaker after an ambulance had arrived to tend to the injured. Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use.To read the full Caixin article in Chinese, click here. Contact reporter Lu Yutong (yutonglu@caixin.com) and editor Joshua Dummer (joshuadummer@caixin.com) Support quality journalism in China. Subscribe to Caixin Global starting at $0.99. The parents of a man who disappeared with his wife and two young children have detailed how they searched for the family for years before it was discovered that their son's business partner brutally murdered them with a sledgehammer. Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, vanished from their home in Fallbrook, California, on February 4, 2010. For years, police speculated they went to Mexica, but the McStays bodies were later found buried in the Mojave Desert in November 2013. The father's parents, Patrick McStay and Susan Blake, have opened up about the murders on the second season of the Oxygen true-crime series Killer Motive, which premieres on January 23. Mystery: Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, vanished from their home in Fallbrook, California, on February 4, 2010 Tragedy: Joseph's parents, Patrick McStay and Susan Blake, have opened up about the murders on the second season of the Oxygen true-crime series Killer Motive In a preview clip from the episode about the McStay family, Patrick recalled speaking to his son in the morning on the day they disappeared. 'He told me he was in a hurry because he had a lunch meeting,' the dad told Killer Motive host Troy Roberts. Susan explained that her son and daughter-in-law would often go on 'little mini-trips' with their kids in California, so they weren't alarmed at first. 'And then as the days went by, you start thinking, "Okay, something's not right here." You start calling his cellphones, her cellphones,' she said. Susan had her son Mike stop by the family's San Diego County home on February 13, 2010, nine days after her son was last heard from. Upon his arrival, he noticed that Joseph's 1996 Isuzu Trooper was missing, but their dogs were in the backyard. Patrick noted that it was 'highly unusual for [the dogs] to be left out alone like that.' Getting worried: Susan had her son Mike stop by the family's San Diego County home on February 13, 2010, nine days after her son was last heard from Confusing: Upon Mike's arrival, he noticed that Joseph's 1996 Isuzu Trooper was missing, but their dogs were in the backyard Abandoned: When Mike crawled through a window of the San Diego County home, he discovered food rotting in the kitchen Mike crawled through a window and discovered food rotting in the kitchen, and Summer's prescription sunglasses were also left on the table. 'It's like they went poof,' Susan recalled. There were no signs of forced entry or any foul play, which baffled investigators and suggested the family left on their own accord. The family's computer had recent internet searches for: 'What documents do children need for traveling to Mexico?' Summer had also ordered a Spanish-language education program a few months prior to their disappearance. DNA samples were collected from the McSays' family, friends, and associates, but investigators couldn't get a search warrant to access their financial records because there was no evidence of a crime at the time. Vanished: Mike also discovered Summer's prescription sunglasses on the kitchen counter Looking back: Summer is pictured wearing her prescription sunglasses prior to the family's disappearance Case to crack: There were no signs of forced entry or any foul play, which baffled investigators and suggested the family left on their own accord First clue: Their neighbor's surveillance camera had captured what appeared to be the family's Isuzu trooper leaving the cul de sac at 7:47 p.m. on the night they went missing They got their first clue when they learned a neighbor's surveillance camera had captured what appeared to be the family's Isuzu trooper leaving the cul de sac at 7:47 p.m. on the night they went missing. A license plate search for the vehicle led to the discovery that the McStay's SUV had been towed from a parking lot near San Ysidro, California, right near the U.S.-Mexico border, on February 8, 2010, four days after they went missing. As a precaution, investigators took DNA samples from the car, but there was still no evidence of foul play. On February 23, 2010, detectives notified Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, to be on the lookout for the family heading to Mexico. The next week, deputies released a video of a group of people similar to the McStay family entering Mexico hand in hand through the pedestrian gate around 7 p.m. on February 8, 2010, the same day their vehicle was towed. Huh? A license plate search for the vehicle led to the discovery that the McStay's SUV had been towed from a parking lot near San Ysidro, California, right near the U.S.-Mexico border Gone: The family was considered missing, and detectives notified Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, to be on the lookout for headin to Mexico Can't tell: Deputies released a video of a group of people similar to the McStay family entering Mexico hand in hand through the pedestrian gate around 7 p.m. on February 8, 2010 Devastating: Joseph's parents headed to Mexico to hang flyers and search for them but never found anything 'They actually thought that was really them going over the border on the video,' said Susan, who was skeptical but still headed to Mexico to search for her family. 'As a mother, you're going to do absolutely anything and everything you can to find them,' she explained. 'We went all the way down to Cabo because at first they said there were sightings, and then we just took the car and went north. 'Some rough places, but you have had somebody stab me, it doesn't matter,' she noted. 'I'm gonna get out the information and try to find them.' Susan said they would stop in little towns that had just a gas station and a grocery store to post flyers. Patrick also searched for their son in Mexico and thought he had a lead when a family claimed to have seen the McStays at Walmart, but security footage confirmed it wasn't them. Inconclusive: After three years of searching, the San Diego Sheriff's Department investigators concluded in April 2013 that the McStay family had gone to Mexico voluntarily Frustrating: The McStays friends and family insisted they would never go to Mexico with their children, but there was no other explanation Heartbreaking: On November 11, 2013, an off-road motorcyclist came across the family's human remains in San Bernardino County's Mojave Desert After three years of searching, the San Diego Sheriff's Department investigators concluded in April 2013 that the McStay family had gone to Mexico voluntarily. Seven months later, on November 11, 2013, an off-road motorcyclist came across human remains in San Bernardino County's Mojave Desert. The bodies were identified as Joseph, Summer, Joseph Mateo, and Gianani McStay. The McStays' skeletal remains were unearthed along with a three-pound rusted sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon a bra and a child's pants and diaper. A year later, Charles 'Chase' Merritt, who was a partner in Joseph's water-fountain business, was arrested for bludgeoning the married couple and their children to death inside their home in Fallbrook because he owed them $30,000. Patrick had the chance to directly address Merritt in court, calling him a 'ruthless mass murderer' and telling him, 'I hope you burn in hell.' Gruesome: The McStays' skeletal remains were unearthed along with a three-pound rusted sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon Crime: Charles 'Chase' Merritt, who was a partner in Joseph's water-fountain business, was arrested for the murders in 2014 and found guilty in 2019 (pictured) Criminal: In January 2020, Merritt was sentenced to death for bludgeoning the couple and their children to death inside their home because he owed them $30,000 Susan made an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. 'This despicable, evil monster. How could you beat two precious little babies? How scared were they, Chase? Crying for mommy and daddy?' she said. 'You had a choice. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. Just a monster.' Merritt showed no emotion as she said she felt like she'd been hit by a boulder when she was told the bodies were found: 'It's just a nightmare.' A decade after the family went missing, their killer was sentenced to death in January 202. Merritt was transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled. California has not executed anyone on death row since 2006 as current Gov. Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions while he's in office. Ace director Ram Gopal Varma aka RGV, as he is fondly addressed, is back with his pet genre, gangster-crime movies with his upcoming film D Company. The SPARK company launched the much-awaited teaser of Ram Gopal Varma's upcoming directorial, D Company after the poster created a huge buzz and interest among the audiences. The film D Company is the true story behind how a street gang in Mumbai headed by a visionary called Dawood Ibrahim rose up to become the world's most dangerous criminal organisation. The film is not a biopic of just Dawood Ibrahim but that of the entire D Company from its initiation to its growth as the most dreaded organisation in the entire criminal history of India. Talking about the same. RGV said, "This is my dream project and my research on the subject matter of D Company came from my extensive interactions over the last 20 years with gangsters to encounter cops to middlemen of the underworld and also many film people who were involved with the underworld. I have always been intrigued to tell the uniqueness of the Indian underworld and its strange and weird mix where everyone from criminals to politicians to cops to film stars were hopping into each other's beds." "Though Mafia stories have been told multiple times, but the film D Company intends to realistically capture both the characters and incidents responsible for the creation of the most powerful criminal organisation ever in India named after its leader Dawood Ibrahim, who along with his protegee Chota Rajan, held Mumbai city in an iron grip for many decades.", he added. The trailer is fresh and promised an interesting and intriguing plot after a long time from RGV. Directed by Ram Gopal Varma and produced by Spark Company, D Company is going to be a mother of a gangster film to hit the theatres very soon in 2021. Also Read : Amitabh Bachchan Won't Be Seen As 'Sarkar Again'; Ram Gopal Varma Reveals The Reason Also Read : Ram Gopal Varma's 5 Controversial Tweets That Took Internet By Storm In 2020 In one of his final acts as US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo this week branded the Chinese regimes treatment of its Muslim Uyghur minority as genocidea false and hypocritical statement that is part of the propaganda of US imperialism as it prepares for war against China. The new Biden administration has all but officially endorsed this highly provocative language. In the course of Bidens presidential election campaign, as he sought to demonstrate that he would be tougher on China than Trump, he already branded the actions of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against the Uyghurs as genocide. Anthony Blinken (US State Department) Likewise, in the course of his Senate nomination hearing this week, Bidens choice for secretary of state, Anthony Blinken expressed support for Trumps aggressive confrontation against China. He specifically agreed, when asked, with Pompeos statement lashing out at China over the supposed genocide of the Uyghurs. These statements are a sure demonstration that the Biden administration will escalate the war drive against China, which began with the Obama administrations pivot to Asia and was accelerated under the Trump administration. The American political establishment as a whole, even as it is enmeshed in the profound economic, political and social crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, is determined to prevent, by all available means, China from challenging US global hegemony. Without providing a shred of evidence, Pompeo declared in his statement that the Chinese party-state was engaged in ongoing genocide and the systematic attempt to destroy Uyghurs. He accused Beijing of crimes against humanity, including the arbitrary detention of more than one million civilians, forced sterilisations, torture and heavy restrictions on other democratic rights. None of these claims has ever been proven. The US figures on the number of forced detentions in Xinjiang has risen and risen without the slightest explanation or evidence. The annual China report published last week by the Congressional Executive Commission run by anti-China hawks such as Senator Marco Rubio puts the figure at 1.8 milliona number plucked from thin air without any indication as to how the total jumped from one million. The statements by Pompeo and other anti-China propagandists, recycled endlessly and uncritically in the US and international media, are based on the dubious research of right-wing, anti-communist academics and unsubstantiated claims of prominent, and often wealthy, Uyghur exiles who run the American Uyghur Association and World Uyghur Congress, both of which receive funding from the CIA front body, the National Endowment for Democracy. One such expert, German academic Adrian Zenz, who is repeatedly cited, is a denizen of a network of right-wing think tanks in Europe and the United States, including the European School of Culture and Theology in Germany and the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington, which specialises in the concoction of anti-communist propaganda. Zenzs tendentious papers form much of the so-called evidence referenced in the latest Congressional report. The Beijing regime is notorious for its police-state methods, and is undoubtedly responsible for the abuse of democratic rights in Xinjiang as it seeks to suppress separatist sentiment among Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. Its extensive state apparatus is above all directed at crushing any opposition in the working class as the pandemic continues to take its toll, including in China, and raises social tensions. However, Blinken and Biden, following on from Trump and Pompeo, have not the slightest concern for the democratic rights of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang and certainly not for Chinese workers, whose exploitation is a source of huge profits for American corporations. Rather this US human rights campaign, like the many others, is aimed at furthering the economic and strategic interests of US imperialism. US administrations have repeatedly drummed up allegations of human rights abuses to justify regime-change operations, as well as neo-colonial wars, while turning a blind eye to the atrocities of allies and strategic partners such the autocratic monarchical regime in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, no one in Washington has been held accountable for monstrous crimes such as the slaughter of a million Iraqi citizens in its illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003. The accusation of genocide is particularly grotesque. Whatever the abuses being carried out by the CCP in Xinjiang, it is not engaged in mass murder or the destruction of the Uyghur population. To describe the alleged human rights violations as genocide is to trivialise the term and belittle the monstrous crimes of the 20th century, such as the Nazi holocaust, to which it can be applied. The charge of genocide is tantamount to a declaration of war. Indeed, in 1999, the US and its NATO allies used false accusations of Serbian genocide of Kosovars as the pretext for launching a months-long bombing that rained death and destruction on Serbia and its people. Its purpose was to ensure American hegemony in the key strategic Balkans region. Likewise, the US decision to focus attention on the Uyghur population of Xinjiang, rather than as in the past on Tibetans, is bound up with strategic considerations. Chinas westernmost province is adjacent to the oil and gas reserves of Central Asia as well as having energy resources of its own. Xinjiang is also the route for many of the transport and communication links associated with President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative, aimed at countering US attempts to encircle China. More broadly, the US is pushing its phony human rights campaigns not only with regard to Xinjiang but also Hong Kong, Tibet and Mongolia, in a bid to undermine and ultimately fracture China. The confrontation that began under the Obama administration was intensified across the board by the Trump administrationincluding the imposition of sweeping trade war measures against China, a rising number of US naval provocations in the South China and East China seas, closer ties and increased arms sales to Taiwan and moves toward a quadrilateral military alliance of democracies, embracing the US, Japan, Australia and India. The deployment of 60 percent of the US naval and air assets to the Indo-Pacific, first mooted under Obama, has been completed. Far from overturning any of these measures, Biden has made clear that he intends to further consolidate alliances and partnerships to confront China head-on. The reckless foreign policies that characterised the Obama and Trump administrations will continue under Biden, intensifying the danger of all-out war between nuclear-armed powers and global catastrophe. Hooch tragedy: Two die in Pratapgarh Lucknow, Jan 22(UNI) In yet another hooch tragedy in Uttar Pradesh, two labourers died and four others, including a woman, fell seriously ill after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the Pratapgarh district, police said on Friday. The labourers worked at a brick kiln in Chandrabhan Pur village in the district,they said. Rohit (35) was rushed to the hospital on Thursday morning after he complained of uneasiness. He died during treatment and was later cremated without the police being informed, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Surendra Dwivedi said. It takes a village to raise a child, or so the saying goes, but in this case, it took a family to raise a grand champion steer. Atascocita High School senior Amy Pearson was the recipient of the $22,000 prize from Facility Sources for her grand champion steer, Glenn, who was named in honor of Humbles own Glenn Redmon, a family friend of the Pearsons. The high school senior attributes her success to those who helped her along the way her father, Kevin, and their family friend Les Rushing. With their support guiding her through each stage of raising her animal, she showed the grand champion steer for the last time in FFA on Jan. 21 at the Humble Civic Center. ENERGY: Baker Hughes reports first profitable quarter since oil crash Her father Kevin, who works as an insurance consultant, said he is left with a bittersweet feeling. While he currently feels the relief after completing the project hes supported his daughter through, he also believes that when it comes time for a yearly trek to their first prospect show of the year he will feel the absence of their unofficial tradition. Both of his daughters participated in 4H or FFA at some point, so this competition is habitual for him now. Even once Amy could drive, she would ask him to come with her, he recalled. Id say its kind of bittersweet after you do it all these years, Kevin said. I know when next show season comes around Im going to miss it again. But as of right now its kind of like Oh its the end of another year, thank goodness. So its relief for now but Im sure in a couple of weeks or for sure by next show season Ill start missing it again. Pearson will attend Tarleton State University to study agricultural business and minor in education so she can go on to either work in the field or pursue a career in teaching students about the agricultural field. I was really sad that yesterday was going to be my last Humble Livestock Show, Amy said. I was really happy though that he made sale because Ive had a lot of issues with this steer, so it was a bittersweet moment. She spent nine months and about $7,000 raising Glenn, who during that time suffered from a case of chronic pneumonia, chewed and ingested a bungee cord and had a rumen transplant. As a recommendation to kids interested in starting a show program, she said they should make sure to have fun when showing. She began her interest in showing animals from the young age of four, starting in clover kids. Dont let your age discourage you, Amy said. ...I would say just work hard and dont forget to have fun because something that I forget to do is have fun whenever Im showing. Just go out there and work your hardest with your animal. EDUCATION: Houston ISD trustees break deadlock, choose longtime educator Allen as board president Facility Sources buyer David Terry said they like to support the program because of what it teaches the students. This years auction was dedicated to Facility Sources, who has now purchased the grand champion steer for four years in a row. Were proud to recognize, you know, the hard work and the pursuit of excellence, Terry said. It takes a commitment to finish these animals out and take care of them on a day to day basis. Its not something that is a one-day thing and you do it, it teaches them follow through. The Terry family owns a ranch in Madisonville, Texas, and understands the importance of learning the commitment it takes to work in the agricultural industry, Terry said. Its a long process, and then they also have to learn to deal with that disconnect at the end that this is an animal that is raised for production of food, Terry said. So you have to realize that this animal that you love and taken care of is now being consumed and thats the whole purpose of it, its not a pet project its an agricultural production project. savannah.mehrtens@chron.com Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 07:22:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A man walks into the Montserrat Monastery in Montserrat, Spain, on Jan. 20, 2021. The monastery used to be a well noted tourist attraction in Catalonia, but few tourists are seen here since the COVID-19 outbreak. The Spanish Health Ministry on Friday reported 42,885 new COVID-19 cases and 400 deaths in a 24-hour period. The increases lift the country's total number of cases to 2,499,560 and the death toll to 55,441 since the pandemic began. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua) MADRID, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish Health Ministry on Friday reported 42,885 new COVID-19 cases and 400 deaths in a 24-hour period. The increases lift the country's total number of cases to 2,499,560 and the death toll to 55,441 since the pandemic began. Spain's 17 Autonomous Regions continue to tighten restrictions in a bid to slow the rise in cases. The Madrid region announced Friday that it was bringing forward its nighttime curfew by an hour to between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Bars, restaurants and non-essential businesses will now have to close at 9:00 p.m., while the number of people allowed to sit at the same table is reduced from 6 to 4. All meetings between non-cohabitants in homes will be prohibited until at least Feb. 8. Meanwhile, the regional government in the northern Basque region announced that it was closing the perimeters between all municipalities in the region and preventing movement between towns. Enditem .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... The federal governments 60-day suspension of new oil and gas leasing and drilling permits on public lands sent shockwaves through the industry in New Mexico and divided industry experts over potential impacts. Its very much putting politics above science, said Ryan Flynn, president and CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. Acting Secretary of Interior Scott de la Vega on Wednesday ordered a 60-day moratorium on new leases, drilling permits or other contracts needed to extract fossil fuels on federal lands, both onshore and offshore. The rule doesnt affect existing permits. Flynn said he was disappointed by the order after it was announced Thursday. He said he doesnt believe the suspension would help reduce emissions, and that the order interrupts the development of infrastructure that connects new and existing wells to pipelines, forcing operators to flare methane emissions rather than recovering them. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ If the goal is to combat climate change by reducing emissions, youve just frustrated that goal with this action, Flynn said. Dawn Iglesias, the chief economist for the Legislative Finance Committee, told lawmakers during a committee hearing Thursday the states most recent revenue estimates do not account for the change in federal policy. If there are limitations on federal drilling that could significantly impact production, Iglesias said, adding about half of the states oil production currently occurs on federal land. In addition, while the new policy would not affect already approved drilling leases and permits, she said oil wells are typically the most productive shortly after being drilled. Flynn declined to give an estimate for how much he expects the 60-day suspension might impact New Mexicos budget, but said he expects it to be significant. Flynn said he spoke with producers who have looked at moving operations elsewhere either overseas or to states where the oil and gas industry is less focused on public lands. New Mexico is very important to a lot of these companies, but they also have other places they can invest, Flynn said. No lease sales on tap till April However, Jim Peach, professor emeritus of economics at New Mexico State University, disagreed that the 60-day suspension would have a significant impact on the industry. Peach said the Bureau of Land Management is not slated to have another competitive oil and gas lease sale until April, after the 60-day window expires. He said he didnt believe operators were in any danger from the shutdown order, and doesnt think theyre likely to leave the state. Theyve survived 150 years, theyre gonna be around next year and the year after, Peach said. Still, Flynn said he and others in the oil and gas industry are concerned that the federal order is a harbinger of things to come from the new administration. He said he was concerned that the Biden administration might make the rules permanent, which he said could create an environment where producers leave for countries with less stringent environmental restrictions. Its clear that whoever is advising these approaches isnt thinking about what the unintended consequences will be for driving production away from the most responsible producer, Flynn said. The Department of the Interiors order says the suspension is to give the new administration time to review fact, law and policy. And there is an exemption allowing certain high-ranking officials within the Interior Department to issue such permits during the 60-day break. A White House spokesman on Friday didnt say whether the administration has plans beyond the two-month suspension, though President Joe Biden during the campaign did pledge to end the leasing of public energy reserves as part of his effort to address climate change, according to the Associated Press. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., Bidens nominee for secretary of the Interior, didnt respond to a request for comment on the order handed down from the department she may soon be running. But during her most recent campaign for Congress, Haaland took a hard line against the fossil fuel industry. She said in a Journal questionnaire last year that the industry has made billions while putting communities in harms way, and that she supports a ban on fracking. She also has said that Americas public lands are sacred spaces that belong to all Americans and should be protected. Permanent ban could cost NM A spokesman for Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., said Friday the senator doesnt support a unilateral ban on new oil and gas leases. But Heinrich said the two-month pause the Biden administration put in place was appropriate. Its fully appropriate to take a step back. The last administration was out of control in leasing public lands with no consideration of wildlife habitat, recreational impacts, or sacred cultural landscapes, Heinrich said in a statement. Its also crystal clear that the zero carbon, zero pollution economy is coming. Even oil and gas majors are planning for that future. To weather that change New Mexico needs a transition plan with a predictable glide path for producers and robust investments in the communities where our energy veterans have produced our countrys transportation fuels. New Mexicos lone Republican member of Congress said she has cosponsored legislation that aims to block the Biden administration from placing suspensions on drilling permits on federal land in the future. If President Biden follows through on his promises to make this ban on new federal leases permanent, New Mexico stands to lose more than 62,000 jobs and billions of dollars in state revenue, Rep. Yvette Herrell, R-N.M., said in a statement. I will be taking further action in the coming weeks to protect our jobs and our state. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., said that former President Donald Trumps administration abused New Mexicos public lands for short-term corporate profits. Now, we must assess how we can best protect our nations most treasured lands and resources for generations to come, she said in a statement. I support the administrations bold actions, and look forward to working with my colleagues to transition to a vibrant, green energy future for New Mexico and our planet. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., said the pause in new leases and permits was a reasonable step. As this examination takes place, its important to me that New Mexicans voices are heard and the administration listens to their perspectives, including safeguarding our sacred sites and special places like Chaco Canyon and building economic opportunities, he said in a statement. The science is clear: failing to act on climate threatens our national security, our economy, and our way of life in New Mexico. A spokeswoman for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Friday the administration was still reviewing the federal action and its short- and long-term implications for the state. Certainly we all understand the critical importance of this industry to New Mexicos bottom line and of the imperative to diversify our state economy and energy portfolio, Lujan Grisham spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett told the Journal. Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs, said the policy shift could have a huge impact on available revenue for public schools and other state programs. They better readjust their estimates because theres just not going to be the revenue coming in, Kernan said in an interview. She also said it could drive many oil producers to move their operations from southeast New Mexico to neighboring Texas, which has far less federal land and mineral rights and more privately-owned land. It tells people dont bother to lease federal land in New Mexico, Kernan said. Sputnik V to be available at Rs 1,195 a shot in Apollo hospitals How many parents want the COVID vaccine for their kids? AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine: Is the blood clots rare? Side effects and how worried should you be? US lauds 'true friend' India for gifting COVID-19 vaccine to several countries International oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P Washington, Jan 23: Terming India a "true friend" which is using its pharmaceutical sector to help the global community, the US has applauded New Delhi for gifting COVID-19 vaccines to several countries. In the last few days, India has sent consignments of domestically produced coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Mauritius and Seychelles. It is also undertaking commercial supplies of the doses to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil and Morocco. "We applaud India's role in global health, sharing millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in South Asia. Total transparency, and preparednesstwo answers to COVID vaccine side-effects India's free shipments of vaccine began with Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal and will extend to others," the South and Central Asia Bureau of the US State Department tweeted on Friday. "India's a true friend using its pharma to help the global community," it said. Known as the 'pharmacy of the world', India produces 60 per cent of vaccines globally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India's vaccine production and delivery capacity would be used for the benefit of all humanity in fighting the coronavirus crisis. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks also commended India's support to its neighbouring countries to fight the pandemic. "I commend India's efforts to help its neighbours by providing them with free COVID-19 vaccines. Global challenges like the pandemic require both regional and global solutions," Meeks said. The US media also praised India's support to the global community in this health crisis. According to a Washington Post report, India is giving away millions of coronavirus vaccine doses as a tool of diplomacy. "The Indian government has sent free doses to Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives - more than 3.2 million in total. No COVID-19 vaccine request from Pakistan: India Donations to Mauritius, Myanmar and Seychelles are set to follow. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are next on the list," it noted. "The shipments reflect one of India's unique strengths: It is home to a robust vaccine industry, including Serum Institute of India, one of the world's largest vaccine makers," the report said. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News Meanwhile, India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, thanked the state department for recognising India's efforts to support the global community to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Quoting Prime Minister Modi, he tweeted late Friday night, "India is deeply honoured to be a long-trusted partner in meeting the healthcare needs of the global community." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 9:42 [IST] Mariposa County, most famously a gateway into Yosemite National Park, is on the verge of being declared a disaster area after a powerful windstorm left behind a path of destruction with homes split in two by fallen trees and roads covered in fallen power lines and debris. The county board of supervisors voted in favor of a proclamation Friday, 5-0, declaring a local emergency and requesting state and federal funds to assist with the recovery effort. Now it's in California Gov. Newsom's hands to ratify the declaration. Supervisor Miles Menetrey is hopeful the governor will issue a state of local emergency considering the mess in the area. "The pictures dont do it justice," Menetrey said. "Weve got many, many homes that are damaged. The infrastructure, being power, is completely destroyed up here. For miles there are wires on the ground. It is literally a disaster. Thats why I think the board will pass it and hopefully theyll ship it off tonight." Lisza McKee-Mark Lashing offshore winds kicked up across Northern California Monday night into Tuesday as a storm referred to as an "inside slider" dove down from the Pacific Northwest, pushing just east of the Sierra into the Great Basin. "You get an area of low pressure that drops down over the Great Basin, and then moves into Southern California," explained Jim Dudley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "With the high pressure in the great basin and the lower pressure at the coast, the wind blows from the high pressure to the low pressure." When the weather pattern develops, the winds that pick up in this pocket of Northern California extending from the foothills to the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada are often called mono winds. "Usually we get one or two weak mono events a year, but this one here is probably the strongest one since 2011, which was a big one that occurred November 30 to December 1, 2011," Dudley said. "I guess we could call it a 10-year event." Mono winds are most common in the Yosemite region and in the Jan. 18-19 event, the national park was blasted by winds, with some of the highest gusts hitting over 80 mph, and the park was closed and isn't expected to reopen until Tuesday due to downed trees, debris and damage to park facilities. "They got clobbered this morning," Andy Bollenbacher, another forecaster with the weather service, said of the park. "That wasn't just in Yosemite Valley, but it got down to Wawona as well. We don't have a lot of observations from that area, but we did record some high winds over 80 mph." Wawona is a small community within the park and resident Lisza McKee-Mark described what unfolded there as an "intense never-ending nightmare." "I've been living up here for 26 years and have never experienced a mono wind to this capacity that did so much damage," McKee-Mark said. "I wasn't sure if I should hide in the cast iron bath tub, or take shelter in the crawlspace under the house. Was the scariest thing I have ever experienced." While the winds often stay confined to higher elevations, with this event, they mixed down into the foothills belting communities across Mariposa County, including Lushmeadows, Jerseydale, Ponderosa Basin, Midpines, Bootjack and the county seat of Mariposa. The winds also howled through the neighboring county of Madera and PG&E said they found 600 instances of damage to equipment across the Yosemite division. The community of Mariposa has 52 downed poles and Oakhurst in Madera 247, according to the utility company. Beth Savage lives 10 miles outside the town of Mariposa, has been without power since Tuesday and described the state of her property as a war zone. "It's like a bomb went off," Savage said. Some long-term tenants from San Francisco were staying in a rental house on her property when a tree went through the roof. "The baby was crying so the father went into the bedroom to be with the baby, and 10 minutes later the tree came into the bedroom," Savage said. (See photo below. Beth Simeral Savage Savage is now preparing for the a round of potent winter weather in the weekend forecast with rain, snow and chilly temperatures all expected in the mix. "I dont have time to cry and all I can do is get ready for the next storm," she said. The county's emergency proclamation is now on the way to California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office and Kristie Mitchell, the public information officer for the county, said the focus in the meantime is assessing the damage and determining what it will cost to restore normalcy. "We still have over 3,000 customers without power, and PG&E is still assessing the situation," Mitchell said. "They wont have the number for quite some time as they assess the infrastructure that has been damaged. There are trees that have gone down on bridges, damage to roadways." Mitchell has lived in Mariposa County her entire life, 44 years, and said she has never seen winds like those that howled across the region earlier this week. "Yosemite Park has seen damage like this before, but throughout Mariposa County we have never seen damage like this. We deal with a lot of fires but never winds like this." A Conservative MP has said Britons will not tolerate another 'absurd' coronavirus lockdown. MP for New Forest West Sir Desmond Swayne said that the Government's focus should be on lowering hospital admissions so lockdown can be lifted. He described the current lockdown as 'madness' and suggested people are 'going to have to rise up and bring it down'. It comes as Britain's daily coronavirus case total plunged by 18 per cent in a week today. MP for New Forest West Sir Desmond Swayne has said Britons will not tolerate another 'absurd' coronavirus lockdown Sir Desmond told Talk Radio's Julia Hartley-Brewer: 'As hospital admissions decline, with the progress of vaccination, the notion that ordinary people are going to be prepared to tolerate going on living like troglodytes, in this ridiculous way, is absurd. 'We were told - it's always been the case - that we were protecting the NHS and reducing hospital admissions. 'As they reduce, the burden of lockdown becomes intolerable. We are going to have to live with this as an endemic disease. 'There will have to be new strains put into the vaccine every year, and vulnerable groups will have to go and get their vaccine in the autumn - in the same way as you expect them to go and get their vaccine for flu at the moment. 'That's going to be the new normal. Sir Desmond described the current lockdown as 'madness' and suggested people are 'going to have to rise up and bring it down'. Pictured: Shoppers congregate at a busy Borough Market in London today It comes as Britain's daily Covid case total plunged by 18 per cent in a week today. Pictured: Shoppers at a busy Borough Market in London today 'But it has to remain focused on a fixed goal post. The goal post has to be the NHS coping with a predictable and acceptable number of hospital admissions. 'At some point people are going to have to rise up and bring it down, as they say in the Unites States. 'I'm deeply sceptical of this belief out there that everyone is in favour of the lockdown and are quite happy for it to go on. This is madness.' A further 33,552 people tested positive for coronavirus today - a nearly 10,000 drop on the 41,346 recorded last Saturday. It brings the total number of cases in the UK since the start of the pandemic to 3,617,459. Official figures also revealed 1,348 more people have died within 24 hours of testing positive for the virus - a rise of 4.1 per cent on last Saturday's 1,295. But, in a positive sign Britain's third wave of Covid fatalities could be slowing, last Saturday brought a 25 per cent week-on-week rise in daily cases, significantly higher than the increase seen today. Boris Johnson yesterday revealed that the Kent coronavirus strain - responsible for the soaring Covid cases recorded in the last month - could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus. However the PM has been accused of 'scaremongering' after failing to present any evidence to back up the terrifying development. And the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) - the body of scientists which has advised the Government throughout the pandemic - are only 50 per cent sure the new variant could be more fatal. Professor Robert Dingwall, who sits on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) - the subcommittee of Sage which discussed the deadliness of the new strain on Thursday - said the claim that the variant is 30 per cent more lethal is on a 'very fragile' base of evidence and accused the Government of 'exploiting public fear' over the virus. Chief Scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance said during the press conference that evidence the strain is indeed more deadly is still 'weak'. Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle today revealed it is not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous. Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it is an 'open question' but not a 'game changer' in terms of dealing with the pandemic. And Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of Sage subgroup the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about the suggested increased mortality rate. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Snow for Passes to Washington / Oregon Coast; Possible Valley Flakes Published 01/22/21 at 5:56 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Portland, Oregon) UPDATE: S. Oregon Coast Sneaker Waves Sunday | Snow on Coast Passes Oregon / Washington Dont count on any snow on the beaches of Oregon and Washington, but some rain / snow mix is coming to the Oregon Coast Range and Washingtons Willapa Hills as well as some flakes for the inland valleys. However, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland said its not impossible that some flakes could be seen along the Oregon coast or southern Washington coast. Theres still changes in the forecasts that could occur. This weekend is expected to bring as much as a few inches to the higher elevations of the coast range on Saturday night through Sunday morning. The NWS website is indicating snow levels dropping to as low as 1500 feet for the passes to the Washington coast and northern Oregon coast, though the southern Oregon coast range does not look to get as cold. The passes to Bandon will likely not get snow. The northern half of the Washington coast looks similar as well, leaving the passes to and from areas such as Ocean Park, Cannon Beach, Lincoln City or Florence with a bit more excitement. It's not expected to be a heavy snow event on the upper elevations of the coast range passes, but you may consider changing your travel plans so you're not driving through those areas late on Saturday. Oregon Coast Road, Traffic Conditions, Updates The NWS website and other weather forecasters in Portland are predicting a possible snow / rain mix for the higher sections of the metro areas and Willamette Valley towns for Saturday and Sunday. Snow levels inland may get to 500 feet in some localized areas. Yet more possibilities of snow return on Monday and Tuesday for the western inland parts of Washington and Oregon and the coast range. David Bishop, meteorologist with the Portland office of the NWS said snow levels will start dropping Saturday night, and then lower even more to almost 1400 feet on Monday and Tuesday. Its likely there will be a wintry mix for the higher elevations and maybe the foothills on the coastal side, Bishop said. There will be a lot of very cold rain. The idea of beach snow is nixed for the weekend, and its unlikely for the next round on Monday and Tuesday, even though you may spot some snow just a few miles from beach towns. However, Bishop said that forecast is still rather far out. As for snow on the beaches and headlands I would say thats probably not going to happen, Bishop said. But theres a lot that could change in the forecast models in the next 24 hours. More Photos Below See Oregon Coast Weather - Washington Coast Weather See Oregon Coast Sky Cams - Web Cams, Weather Cams Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours (South Coast Hotels) MORE PHOTOS BELOW Photo courtesy Haystack Rock Awareness Program More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In . Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In. The Montclair School District will not reopen for in-person learning as scheduled Monday due to a shortage of staff, the districts superintendent announced Friday evening. It is with deep regret that I inform you that I am unable to properly staff our schools for in-person, hybrid teaching and learning on January 25, 2021, Montclair School District Superintendent Jonathan Ponds said in a letter to the school community. As a result, I cannot open our buildings to students as planned. Instead, the district will continue the use of remote learning Monday as it has done since last March when schools were shuttered statewide. The decision to delay our opening of school buildings is disheartening, Ponds said. For all our families and students who were anxiously awaiting the return to in-person instruction, I realize how unsettling this news is. Earlier this week, the Montclair Education Association called for elementary teachers to continue with remote instruction after the teachers union said it had not received proof of building updates, including fixes to ventilation systems. ...Our elementary staff is being mandated to return to their buildings without sufficient training, communication of an effective academic plan for all learners, and any evidence that the building is able to support the healthy learning environments needed to teach all of our students safely, the union said in a release at the time. Union representatives said Friday that it met with Ponds on Thursday via Zoom and requested documentation regarding classroom readiness that they said was not provided by the administration. The union said the meeting was also cut short by the superintendent with many of their questions and concerns left unanswered and unaddressed. We are just as confused as many members of this community. Obtaining documentation that the district claims to have, and upholding the meetings the district promised should not be difficult, Montclair Education Association President Petal Robertson said in a statement. However, it is our duty to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for our staff and a sound educational plan for our students. Dr. Ponds advised the association that we should always, trust but verify and that is what we are doing. Ponds said he and other administrators had planned on meeting with teachers union along with a third-party mediator and the schools legal counsel over the weekend to hammer out an agreement between the two sides. We are still hopeful and willing, as we look forward to mediation tomorrow, Robertson said. The MEA is excited to begin the collaborative work of restoring our students, staff and families. The superintendent said he would keep the school community appraised of the situation and would let them know when in-person learning will begin at the district. I want to emphasize that educating children is the districts primary focus, and we will continue to work tirelessly to expedite in-person learning, Ponds said. Despite challenging circumstances, our children have been impressively resilient. In early December, a protest was held in Montclair to reopen schools for in-person learning but others, including the union, have called for the district to continue with virtual instruction. About 1,000 people signed a petition calling on Ponds and the local school board to have students and faculty continue remote learning, Montclair Local first reported. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Brood X is here Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield. Cocaine and cash was seized by gardai in Waterford Two men have been arrested after gardai seized 90,000 worth of cocaine and 64,000 in cash in Co Waterford. Gardai attached to the Waterford Divisional Drugs unit carried out a search of two vehicles in Butlerstown shortly before 2:30pm yesterday. During the course of the search approximately 90,000 of cocaine, pending analysis, and 64,000 in cash was seized. GardaA have arrested two men and seized a90,000 of suspected cocaine & a64,000 cash in Butlerstown, Co. Waterford yesterday afternoon. The 2 men are currently being detained at Waterford Garda station. pic.twitter.com/hmqWTThERM Garda Info (@gardainfo) January 23, 2021 The two men, one in his 40s and the other in his 30s, were arrested at the scene and are currently being detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Waterford Garda station. They can be held for up to 7 days. Investigations are ongoing. US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would meet next month where they would deliberate upon measures to take down coronavirus in North America. The reports suggest that the meeting was announced following a phone call between the two leaders on January 22. The North American continent has been bearing of the brunt of the pandemic with the US and Canadas joint caseload surpassing 25 million. During the elaborate phone call, the leaders "recognised that both countries' fundamental priority is to end the global COVID-19 pandemic. In addendum, they also discussed collaboration on vaccines against coronavirus, Trudeaus office said in a statement. Meanwhile, White House said that the phone call, which marked Joe Bidens first telephonic conversation with a foreign leader, focused on strategic importance of the US-Canada relationship and also innovative ways to battle the pandemic. 'Work to do together' When it comes to ending the pandemic, growing the middle class, fighting climate change, and creating good jobs for people on both sides of the border, @POTUS @JoeBiden and I know theres a lot of work to do together - and no time to waste. pic.twitter.com/YfYEkY07aO Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 23, 2021 "The Prime Minister and President reiterated the urgent need for ambitious action on climate change, reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement, and agreed to work together on net-zero emissions, zero-emissions vehicles, cross-border clean electricity transmission, and the Arctic," a statement by Trudeau's office added. Read: Biden To Discuss Disputed Pipeline With Trudeau Read: US President Joe Biden's First Foreign Leader Call Will Be To Canadian PM Justin Trudeau This comes as Biden warned that worse pandemic in the US was yet to come. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the coronavirus cases across the globe have crossed 96 million and the US remains the worst-hit country, with around a fifth of the two million global deaths. The spread of the deadly virus has been fuelled by the emergence of new variants including the one that was first detected in Britain and has now spread to more than 60 countries. John Hopkins University on Wednesday showed that nearly 405,400 people have died from the disease in the US, which is more than the 405,399 total American combat and non-combat deaths in WWII. Read: Joe Biden's $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Package Aims At People's Specific Needs Read: Biden Orders Stopgap Help As Aid Talks Start Church leaders in the Middle East renew their appeal to the United States to lift economic sanctions imposed on Syria, anticipating an unprecedented humanitarian disaster in the war-torn nation, which is grappling with a worsening economic crisis amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. By Lisa Zengarini In June last year, the US government imposed new tough economic sanctions aimed at deterring foreign business activity with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government. As with previous sanctions, the measures seek to compel the regime to halt its attacks on civilians and accept a peaceful political transition. However, a recent UN report points out the negative impact of the sanctions on ordinary Syrian citizens, making their plight even more desperate. According to the report presented by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Unilateral Coercive Measures on December, the violence and conflict affected terribly the Syrian peoples ability to enjoy their basic rights, massively destroying homes, medical units and other facilities. The broad scope of the US Penal Code coming into force last June targets any foreigner who helps in the reconstruction process, or even employees of foreign companies and humanitarian agencies helping rebuild Syria, the Rapporteur adds, expressing concern that the sanctions would exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in Syria, exposing Syrian people to the risks of major human rights violations. Shared concerns These concerns are shared by Church leaders in the Middle East, who have written a letter to the new US President Joe Biden urging him to end the new restrictions, in the light of the UN report. The letter is signed, amongst other people, by Their Beatitudes Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius III Younan, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi, and Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Ephrem II, as well as the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Dr. Michel Abs, along with many other Middle East Church Leaders. Worsening Syrians' plight Stating that the whole region is on the verge of not just hunger, but of starvation, according to the World Food Program (WFP)", and that millions of hard-pressed Syrians go to bed hungry and cold, the letter stresses that the unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States worsen the economic plight of the Syrian people. The Church leaders therefore call on President Biden to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the country, which is threatening the whole region and the world with a new wave of instability by implementing the UN Special Rapporteurs recommendation. We believe that the legitimate national interests of the United States can be pursued without collectively punishing the Syrian people by means of economic sanctions, the letter concludes. Ongoing crisis Nearly 400,000 Syrians have died and over 11 million have been displaced since the uprising against President Assad began in 2011. A significant number have fled to neighbouring Lebanon, which is also facing a deep economic and political crisis exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and, in August 2020, by the devastating explosion in Beirut port. Syrian government forces have regained control of most of the nation, with the help of Russia and militias backed by Iran. However, rebels supported by Turkey still hold areas in the North-West and Kurdish fighters control part of the North-East. Cops videoed their bust-up of a student lockdown party in Birmingham with 50 people fined and dozens found trying to avoid capture by hiding in a closet. People travelled from as far as Newcastle, Nottingham and London to attend the event at Canalside accommodation, Birmingham on Friday. Officers said, 'Covid is real', as they opened up a closet to find people, adding 'you will receive a fine'. As the party-goers emerged from the closet, one by one, a shocked officer said: 'Wow, any more?' Around 50 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued by police for breach of coronavirus regulations. One officer was assaulted as a student bolted, although he was unhurt. Police say they are trawling through CCTV to identify him, adding: 'We take the safety of our officers very seriously.' The camera footage shows police making their way through the premises and as they found more people hiding in the kitchen. They also found others at the 'very, very top floor' and were knocking on doors to try and hide inside a flat. Inspector Steve Barnes, who was in charge of the operation, said: 'We understand that young people are frustrated at not being able to enjoy themselves and I do feel their pain, but we have to stick to the rules so that we can get back to some sort of normality sooner rather than later. 'People are dying and we have to prevent the spread of this virus. 'We hear the criticism that some are saying about our actions to police restrictions and, we more than anyone, want to concentrate on catching criminals, so my message is clear stick to the rules and let us do our job of protecting communities and solving crime.' West Midlands Police said it is working with the university to identify the organiser and to help improve security to stop any further parties. The camera footage shows police making their way through the premises and as they found more people hiding in the kitchen Police were shocked at how many people were hiding inside the closet with one officer exclaiming, 'wow, any more?' People travelled from as far as Newcastle, Nottingham and London to attend the risque event This is the moment laughing revellers fled a block of student flats to escape police West Midlands Police said it is working with the university to identify the organiser and to help improve security to stop any further parties The clip shows around a dozen people emerging from a doorway as they left Birmingham's Canalside apartments just after 3am But the student party was just one of 32 incidents attended by police. Others included a 30th birthday party in Kingstanding and a gathering at a shop in Soho Road. A total of 58 200 fines were issued along with five 1,000 fines, which are usually given to the organisers or gatherings. But police said on general patrol, the restrictions were being adhered to. Covid-19 vaccine pioneer Pfizer is ramping up its development of treatments for rare diseases that affect millions of children. The US pharmaceuticals giant is investing billions of dollars into research and development of therapies to treat illnesses such as spina bifida and haemophilia. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Pfizer is aiming to launch gene therapies for use in the UK within two years and is piloting a system that uses artificial intelligence to flag potential rare disease in patients to doctors. A rare disease is defined as a condition that affects fewer than one in 2,000 people and includes childhood cancers, cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease. Pioneer: Pfizer is investing billions of dollars into research and development of therapies to treat illnesses such as spina bifida and haemophilia They affect 3.5million people in the UK more than the population of Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham and Sheffield combined. Some 75 per cent of rare conditions affect children and more than 30 per cent of them die before their fifth birthday. Pfizer's Covid vaccine, developed with Germany's BioNTech, was the first jab to be administered in the UK. The firm is working round the clock to meet demand and plans to improve production, though this will involve a temporary reduction in UK vaccine deliveries. But Owen Marks, the boss of Pfizer UK's rare diseases arm, told The Mail on Sunday the $200billion company has not overlooked long-term research beyond Covid-19. He said: 'There's a compartmentalised approach... We have business units [each working on totally separate projects], which means we're able to maintain focus across different areas and rare disease research can continue.' The company is piloting tech across three UK hospitals which uses AI to scan doctors' notes for 'red flags' that indicate the possibility of cardiomyopathy, a rare form of heart failure. The condition can often take three years to diagnose, but 'if you use techniques like this you can reduce that dramatically, in some cases to months', Marks said. Vaccine: Pfizer is working round the clock to meet demand and plans to improve production Pfizer has invested $500million in a specialist gene therapy facility in North Carolina and has just spent $60million acquiring US specialist Homology Medicines. Marks said he expected to do more deals this year, adding: 'We've been very active about collaborating with small biotechs. We basically look to where the best science and overlap is.' Gene therapy, in which defective genes are replaced by healthy ones, has been used for three decades but progress in making the technique widely available has been slow. Marks said that Pfizer is running several trials, including one for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, conducted remotely. He said: 'We must not take our eye off the ball otherwise there will be a delay in those treatments getting to patients we've got to avoid that.' Pfizer hopes to launch a therapy within two years and Marks said this could be faster if the collaboration seen with BioNTech, regulators and governments worldwide on its Covid vaccine could be emulated. He said: 'We're already starting to see the urgency of the response to Covid create a degree of change which is remarkable and there is a lot that we can take from that for rare diseases.' Marks's perspective has been shaped by his 21-year-old son, who has a severe form of autism. The Pfizer chief has in a personal capacity signed a petition to give people with learning difficulties priority in receiving the Covid vaccine. Pfizer has seen its shares gain 35 per cent since the pandemic began. It has not received support from Washington to develop its vaccine, although the German state gave BioNTech 375million to accelerate the jab's production capacity. Tourists travel by boat on a river in Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo by Shutterstock/John Bill. Ninh Binh Province has sought a domestic airport to better exploit its tourism advantages and serve industrial development. The province, 95 kilometers to the south of Hanoi, has proposed to the Ministry of Transport that an airport be added to the national aviation development plan for the 2021-2030 period. According to a newspaper outlet of the ministry, the proposed location is Kim Son or Yen Khanh District, which are less than 35 kilometers away from the Tam Coc cave system, a tourist hotspot. Ninh Binh Chairman Pham Quang Ngoc said the province targets to have 8-9 million tourists by 2025. Last year, the figure plunged 63 percent to 2.8 million due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The northern province wants to increase its tourism revenues five times over last year's VND1.6 trillion ($69 million) to VND8 trillion by 2025. The proposal says that an airport would boost industrial development in the province. It currently hosts the Huyndai Thanh Cong auto plant and wants to develop electronics manufacturing. Currently, foreigners have to fly to Hanoi and take a car to the province, which takes a long time and puts more pressure on an already overloaded road network. Several localities in Vietnam have recently proposed their own airports to boost economic growth, including the central province of Ha Tinh and the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. The country currently has 22 civilian airports, including 10 international air hubs. Tan Son Nhat in HCMC and Noi Bai in Hanoi are the countrys two biggest airports. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday he looked forward to working with new U.S. President Joe Biden on their shared goals, including tackling climate change after their first phone call. "The prime minister warmly welcomed the president's decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement on climate change," a spokeswoman for Johnson said. "Building on the UK and U.S.' long history of cooperation in security and defence, the leaders re-committed to the NATO alliance and our shared values in promoting human rights and protecting democracy." Short link: New Delhi: A man, who was presented by protesting farmer leaders before reporters at the Singhu border on Friday night as they alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to kill four of them and create disturbance during their proposed tractor parade in Delhi on January 26, is being quizzed by the Haryana police in Sonipat, officials said on Saturday. A police official from Sonipat said the man, stated to be around 21 years of age, was being quizzed by the Crime Branch of the state police. #WATCH | Delhi: Farmers at Singhu border present a person who alleges a plot to shoot four farmer leaders and cause disruption; says there were plans to cause disruption during farmers' tractor march on Jan 26. pic.twitter.com/FJzikKw2Va ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2021 He said the man was residing in Sonipat and had no previous criminal record. "He was not carrying any arms or ammunition. We are questioning him, but nothing has so far been found that points to any kind of conspiracy, as is being alleged," the official said, adding that further investigations are underway. At the Singhu border press conference late on Friday night, the farmer leaders presented the man who claimed that his accomplices were asked to pose as policemen and baton-charge the crowd during the proposed tractor parade in the national capital on Republic Day. The farmer leaders claimed that they caught the man from the protest site at the Singhu border. He was subsequently handed over to the Haryana police. Photo Farmer leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu alleged that attempts are being made to disrupt the ongoing agitation against three farm laws. The man, who had his face covered with a scarf, claimed at the press conference that a plan was hatched to shoot four farmer leaders, who are known faces in the media, at the stage on Saturday. "On January 26, there was a plan to create disturbance during the tractor parade by opening fire on Delhi Police personnel, which would prompt them to retaliate against the protesting farmers in a strong manner," he said. The coronavirus crisis has hampered international travel for the past 10 months and countries all over the world are feeling the effects. Using data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and The World Bank, visa waiver processing firm Official ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) recently revealed the countries with the biggest tourism revenue loss due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "The past year has been extremely difficult for the travel and tourism industry, with the unpredictable circumstances resulting in countries being forced to close their borders to tourists, often with little notice. As a result, the pandemic has had a huge financial impact on tourism globally, affecting all countries around the world, as well as airlines, travel operators and other hospitality providers in the sector," Jayne Forrester, Director of International Development at Official ESTA, said in a statement. The US has been hit hard by the loss of tourism dollars among countries around the world. Credit:iStockphoto "As we move into a new phase of the pandemic, with vaccine rollouts now getting underway around the world, we can only hope that we can regain some control over the pandemic and ensure that it is safe enough for us to travel once more in order to prevent further losses to one of the largest industries in the world." Here's a look at how the top 10 countries rank in terms of the total number of tourism dollars lost over the first 10 months of 2020. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Dec. 8, 2020. (Erin Scott/Reuters) Trump Impeachment Trial Will Start Week of Feb. 8: Schumer Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Friday that the impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump will begin on the week of Feb. 8. Schumer announced the schedule after reaching an agreement with Republicans to have the trial in February. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had proposed delaying the trial until February to give Trumps legal team time to prepare. Under the timeline, the House will transmit the impeachment article against Trump late Jan. 25, with initial proceedings on Jan. 26, but opening arguments will be pushed to February. House Democrats voted to impeach Trump on Jan. 13 on a single article of impeachment that alleges Trump incited an insurrection that resulted in riots at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The vote to impeach was 232197, with every Democrat voting in favor of impeachment, and 10 House Republicans joining. We all want to put this awful chapter in our nations history behind us, Schumer said on Friday of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. But healing and unity will only come if there is truth and accountability. And that is what this trial will provide. He added that there will be a full trial, and it will be a fair trial. President Donald Trump greets the crowd at the Stop The Steal rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) A mob had breached the Capitol building on Jan. 6 before Trump had finished giving a speech to a large crowd of supporters more than a 30-minute walk away, a timeline of the day by The Epoch Times shows. Trump had urged the public to act peacefully and patriotically that day, and repeatedly condemned the violence at the U.S. Capitol after the incident. It marked the first time in U.S. history that a president has been impeached twice. It is also the first time a former president faces an impeachment trial after leaving office. Trump left office on Jan. 20, but Senate leaders are determined to press forward. If convicted, senators can then choose to disqualify him from ever holding office in the future. No president in U.S. history has ever been convicted, which would require a supermajority vote. Democrats hold 50 seats in the Senate and Republicans also hold 50. A handful of Republicans have said theyre open to convicting Trump, including McConnell. Butch Bowers, a South Carolina-based lawyer, will be the lead attorney on the Trump legal team. He has represented a number of Republican lawmakers in the past, including then-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in 2012. Butch is well respected by both Republicans and Democrats and will do an excellent job defending President Trump, adviser Jason Miller announced in a Twitter post. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Trump is still forming a legal team but that Bowers would act as the anchor. Zachary Stieber, Katabella Roberts, and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In . Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In. Following on from an increase in applications last year, Bord Bia is encouraging people from County Wexford to submit an expression of interest in its Talent Academy. However, applications to its International Graduate Programme will close on Friday, January 29. Up to 80 participants will each receive a fully funded master's, guaranteed work experience in Ireland or abroad, and a tax-free monthly bursary. Successful applicants from Wexford will be following in the shoes of Lisa Martin, from Rathnure, who is a current participant in the international graduate programme. Commenting on the programme, the CEO of Bord Bia, Tara McCarthy, said the Talent Academy initiative is particularly popular among young people seeking 'purpose-led careers'. She said there was an average increase of 20 per cent in applications across the initiative's five programmes last year. 'Our programmes are designed and delivered to address the challenges and opportunities facing Ireland's food and drink industry,' she said. 'These include sustainability, supply chain efficiency, research, and innovation - critical areas for the industry and Ireland generally to address now and into the future.' Participants study at two of Ireland's leading business schools, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School or DCU Business School, and they receive financial support, plus guaranteed work experience. Ms McCarthy said there is also the potential for international travel. 'Undoubtedly these features heightened interest last year when Covid-19 restrictions interrupted the plans of so many new graduates, as well as those who were looking to make the next move in their career,' she said. The Bord Bia Talent Academy's five individual programmes offer a specific skill focus and flavour, including: international business strategy; sustainability; marketing; sales; innovation and consumer insights, and commercial supply chain. See bordbia.ie/about/talent-academy/ for information on each programme, as well as application details. The annual H&M designer collaborations are good for the wallet but not necessarily good for your blood pressure! There is always a race to buy when things are limited edition and you are shopping against the clock. Undoubtedly, the biggest stampede I ever witnessed for a H&M collab was the Balmain collection in 2015, designed by Olivier Rousteing and modelled by Kendall Jenner. Balmainia frenzy broke out and, just as Id suspected given Rousteings French roots, fit and size presented a challenge for many body types. So there I was, the night before the much-anticipated launch, at a rammed press event racing to try on as many pieces as I could before filing within 30 minutes for the next days newspaper. Id received the advice to size up because the clothes were cut to a French block they are definitely not cut for Irish women who have tummies, bums and boobs. These designer collections always bring out the collectors, with their eye not on the silhouette but the bottom line. Traditionally, the H&M designer collections start achieving eye-watering prices online within hours. The upcoming Simone Rocha x H&M collection, launching March 11, will definitely have a huge resale value because her own luxury womenswear line commands four-figure price tags, while these collab pieces will run from 179 for a dress and coat and 249 for her statement brogues. However, I sincerely hope that the bulk of Rochas collaboration pieces fall into the hands of people who want to wear her signature style of oversized silhouettes, flattering cocoon shapes, unusual fabrics and her trademark quirky accessories, but havent been able to afford to buy them to date. While Rousteing and other H&M designer collaborators have favoured bodycon shapes, that cannot be said of Rocha, who has explored oversized silhouettes for the last decade. Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan chose a full-skirted, pouf-sleeved black organza dress from Simones own SS21 line for her appearance on The Late Late Show last week. Naturally, there was disappointment, followed by confusion, when it emerged that the collab would stop at a size L. But whats an L? In response, H&M said in a statement: We understand the frustration regarding the sizes for our upcoming collaboration with Simone Rocha. The garments offered in L for this collection are equivalent to a UK size 16-18, but we understand that it is not including all sizes as communicated in the video. For us it was important to design a collection that would work for different shapes, as this is something that has always been important for us. Expand Close Embellished trench coat and shirt from Simone Rochas forthcoming H&M collaboration / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Embellished trench coat and shirt from Simone Rochas forthcoming H&M collaboration Analysing the contents, this collection features touch points from past collections. The shapes look roomy, and designed to layer. There are glimpses of tartan, lace and sequins layered over cotton shirts. Rochas pearl barrette hair slides were copied the world over and, in this collab, a fondness for pearls pops up regularly on brogues, embellished clothing and accessories like a bow brooch. It also marks a new line in the sand as Simone expands her reach into menswear and childrenswear. Its almost like a 2021 nod to the success her dad, John, enjoyed with his high-street collab with Debenhams. At 34, and one decade into growing her luxury label, Simone Rocha has made a major footprint in international fashion. Given the reaction to her signature handwriting, it can only be a matter of time before the big international couture houses come calling for the Dubliner with a very original point of view. London via Donegal Theres news of another new Irish brand to get off the fashion blocks for our delectation in 2021 Stephen McLaughlin from Co Donegal launched SML London two days before Christmas. He has a charmed, self-assured gift with everyday glamour and his business model is very practical. The 27-year-old only works on pre-orders so once you pay your money, he will make your bespoke piece; it means he has total sell-through, eliminating the problem of excess stock. Expand Close The Niamh dress, 490, from Stephen McLaughlins new clothing range, SML London / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Niamh dress, 490, from Stephen McLaughlins new clothing range, SML London Checking out the brand online, you will immediately see some hero dresses like the Niamh dress in a linen-rayon mix. The 490 dress features a cut-out detail on the front, which draws attention to the waist. Gently gathered on the bust, it has pretty cap sleeves, a voluminous sun-ray pleated skirt and an open back. The delivery time on pre-orders is currently March-April 2021. Other stars in Stephens debut collection include the Aoife dress (330), in liquid-effect satin in shades of lilac or grey. The slightly fitted dress has in-built drama with a draped scarf, and hardcore fans of a Little Black Dress should check out the appealing qualities of his Simone dress (495) in dark navy linen with a high neck and thigh-grazing slit. A graduate of Limerick School of Art & Design, Stephen then moved to the UK, where he notched up experience in luxury, ready-to-wear and accessories, working with top Irish designer Sharon Wauchob as well as House of Holland and J&M Davidson. The dresses are designed and made in London and he sources his fabrics from Paris and Italy. There is the option to customise your purchase in different colours. Stephen says the idea to launch his brand started at a train station as he was preparing to go to Yorkshire for lockdown. I thought, Its now or never, after working on luxury and high street. I thought, Lets just give it a go: the worst you can do is fail, but at least youve tried. See smllondon.com Read More New Haven may be the cultural capital of Connecticut, but for now, that culture exists virtually. Five of the citys major museums remain closed, and are likely to remain so as long as the COVID-19 pandemic is a concern, museum officials say. Yale University Art Gallery and Yale Center for British Art Yale University Art Gallery and the Yale Center for British Art closed to the public on Oct. 16, with no immediate plans for reopening. Both offer extensive resources of their collections on their websites, and a slate of lectures through the spring. The British Art gallery will continue its at home lecture series, which includes talks with artists, designers, performers, writers and cultural leaders, and center staff, according to Ronnie Rysz, the museums senior associate of communications and marketing. Three of the museums major exhibitions slated for this year (Bill Brandt / Henry Moore, The Hilton Als Series: Njideka Akunyili Crosby and Bridget Riley) will be postponed. New Haven Museum The New Haven Museum, which closed in November following the lead of two neighboring museums at Yale University, is using the closure time to bring more exhibits online and planning for the future, said executive director Margaret Anne Tockarskewsky. Virtual events, like this months MLK Day Celebration in collaboration with the Peabody Museum of Natural History, and Februarys Lunarfest celebration, in partnership with Yale-China, will usher in the Year of the Ox with Lunarfest at home activities for the whole family, she said. We can potentially reach more people this way than we ever could in person, with more information about New Haven history now available than ever before, she said. Museum curators also are actively soliciting stories for the Documenting the COVID-19 crisis project as part of the museums goal of documenting the shared local history of New Haven. So far, museum staff have collected about 500 photos, and about two dozen community contributors have shared their thoughts, photos and artwork via newhavenmuseum.org, but organizers are looking for more stories, especially from those working the front lines of the pandemic, said Julie Winkel, museums media specialist. Wed like to hear the experiences of delivery workers, teachers creating lessons for virtual/hybrid classrooms, and those providing religious services/pastoral care, Winkel said. Were also interested in hearing from those involved in testing and vaccine distribution and those who have been among the first to receive the vaccines. And wed love to include stories and photos of Zoom family gatherings for holidays and birthdays, pandemic pets and other ways people may be keeping in touch with family across the US and overseas. Connecticut Childrens Museum, Peabody Museum Museum officials at the Connecticut Childrens museum said its reliance on hands-on activities forced closure through the pandemic. Like all childrens museums, the Connecticut Childrens Museum is a hands-on learning environment that invites the active participation of young children. That makes it impossible to guarantee a safe space for young children who touch everything, because we want them to, said Sandra Malmquist, museum director. Malmquist said the museum will remain closed until the pandemic passes. The Peabody Museum of Natural History, which began extensive renovations before the pandemic, is likewise closed for the long haul, but offers an extensive Peabody@Home collection of activities, webinars and teacher resources. awinchester@bcnnew.com WASHINGTON Don't look for that $1,400 stimulus check from President Joe Biden anytime soon. While there is still strong sentiment in Congress in favor of the payments, disagreements have emerged over the new president's overall economic package and those disputes are likely to slow approval of any new stimulus money. Biden wants a $1,400 per person payment as part of his $1.9 trillion economic aid package; however, the plan's overall cost has Republican senators reluctant to endorse it. The Democratic-run House is considering taking up the plan as early as next month, but the proposal's path in the 50-50 Senate is still uncertain. Longer eviction ban, Biden executive orders draw sighs of short-term relief in New Orleans area Struggling tenants, parents and unemployed workers in the New Orleans area welcomed a spate of pandemic relief this week, including a new exte A key to getting approval for the stimulus payment involves centrist Republicans, and they are wary of Biden's plans at the moment. A bipartisan group of 16 senators, plans to meet with top administration officials this weekend. "I want very much to hear the justification for a package that is so big, after we just had $900 billion last month, and a lot of that has yet to be disbursed," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, one of the bipartisan group's leaders. The White House said this week that it would be "challenging" to drop the price of the $1.9 trillion proposal, which includes money for unemployment insurance, vaccine distribution and schools. "But this is a discussion. It's a conversation. And he is no stranger to the process of bill-making," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. "So we're at the beginning of the process. And as we continue, there'll be conversations with members of both parties of what will be in a final package, and rarely does it look exactly like the initial package that is proposed," she said. House to send Trump impeachment article to Senate on Monday: 'There will be a trial' WASHINGTON House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to send the article of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate on Monday, launching the s The president has made calls to Democratic and Republican lawmakers about the package, Psaki said on Friday, but she did not say which ones. Biden will take executive action on Friday afternoon to make it easier for Americans to receive payments Congress has previously approved. Former President Donald Trump signed legislation in December to provide stimulus payments of $600 per adult and $600 per dependent child for people with adjusted gross incomes at or below $75,000 for an individual, $112,500 for a head of household and $150,000 for a couple filing federal taxes jointly. Above those levels, the payment drops $5 for every $100 that income goes above those amounts. The Internal Revenue Service used the same information it relied on to send out last spring's payments, and many people quickly got the money. Why business leaders say New Orleans' economic recovery hinges on vaccine rollout, government support The recovery of the New Orleans economy in 2021 will hinge on the pace of the coronavirus vaccine rollout and government support for its harde But many did not. They found their payments delayed or became confused about whether they qualified. The White House said an estimated 8 million people did not receive those payments. The biggest glitch so far involved payments that went into bank accounts that had been closed. The IRS said it will reissue those payments for those who did not receive them. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up There have been other points of confusion. The IRS is issuing new economic impact cards with the money and the old ones will not be reloaded. If an individual or family's income plunged last year or a child was added to the household, the payment can be claimed on the tax return. Biden's order seeks to make the process smoother and easier. Brian Deese, director of the president's National Economic Council, said Friday that Biden would direct the Treasury Department to consider creating an online portal that would allow people to identify if they are eligible to receive checks. The administration also plans to work with outside organizations to educate Americans who have not received their checks about the resources that are available to them, he said. "It's not enough to just say, well, if folks don't know or if they don't have a network, then they're left out in the cold," Deese told reporters. "We're gonna work both directly in what the federal government can do and with partner organizations to try to make sure that every American that is entitled to a benefit is actually receiving it." Howard Gleckman, senior fellow at the nonpartisan Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, said "the executive order doesn't seem to mean much. The IRS has done a pretty good job distributing these payments. It always can be better but improvements will be around the edges." Garrett Watson, senior policy analyst at the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, said the order "will likely mean more resources will be used by Treasury to find better ways to get future payments to eligible recipients." But, he said, "it's unlikely to make a large impact on distribution prior to the tax season," since the IRS has sent out most payments. Those still needing the payments are likely to claim them on their tax return. Where the order could help, Watson said, is a quicker process to get payments to people once the tax season is over. There is bipartisan support in Congress for more stimulus money. Trump tried last month to get people $2,000 payments, and the House approved legislation. +2 How the federal stimulus could provide 'desperately needed' relief to Louisiana renters, landlords It was one of the first financial hardships to rear its head when the coronavirus pandemic ground the economy to a halt last March. At the moment, however, the stimulus plan is part of the bigger Biden economic package, which many Republicans don't support. "It's excessive. It's over the top," Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., a Senate Budget Committee member, said of Biden's plan. Moderates on both sides of the aisle have been discussing options. "There's been a concern about the cash payment and whether or not there ought to be a different criterion for passing it out and distributing it. That has been discussed at length," said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., the second-ranking Senate Democrat. While he called the overall $1.9 trillion package a "non-starter," Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., added, "There's some things in there that aren't going to happen, there's some things that can happen." 2021 McClatchy Washington Bureau. Visit at mcclatchydc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Two teachers from the same school district in Georgia died within hours of each others from complications from the coronavirus. Both Dana Johnson and Cynthia Lindsey, educators at Cobb County Schools in the metro Atlanta area, died on Thursday. The educators deaths were confirmed by Connie Jackson, president of the Cobb County Association of Educators, CNN reports. A GoFundMe page for the two teachers also confirmed the news. Both Dana Johnson and Cynthia Lindsey, educators at Cobb County Schools in the metro Atlanta area, died on Thursday Johnson, a teacher at Kemp Elementary School, had pre-existing conditions. Lindsey was a paraprofessional at Sedalia Park Elementary. Patrick Key, a third educator from the county, died on Christmas Day from COVID-19 complications. Key was a beloved art teacher at Hendricks Elementary School in Powder Springs. 'Teachers are willing to take a bullet for our kids. We shouldn't have to be willing to, in the middle of a pandemic, die from a disease because we want to be teachers,' Jackson said. Patrick Key, a third educator from the county, died on Christmas Day from COVID-19 complications. Key was a beloved art teacher at Hendricks Elementary School in Powder Springs The two teachers who died on Thursday were remembered as valuable members of their schools in a statement from the district. 'Every member of our school community has been impacted by the ongoing battle against COVID-19,' said the Cobb County School District. 'We continue to ask our staff, students, and families to follow public health guidance - wear masks and social distance - so we can stay as healthy as possible.' Cobb County, like the rest of the state, has struggled with the pandemic. Of the 760,000 people in the county, some 58,350 have tested positive for the virus and 688 people have died, according to the Cobb County Covid dashboard. The Cobb County Schools website states that there are 388 active cases of coronavirus as of Friday. Approximately 107,000 students are served in the district. All in-person classes were recently canceled for the week of January 18. due to the increased number of students and staff having to quarantine. But in-person classes - along with virtual ones as well - are expected to resume on January 25. Its the viral picture that has captivated a nation. The sight of bundled, mitten-clad, mask-wearing Senator Bernie Sanders sitting on a folding chair at the inauguration of Joe Biden was just one of many the veteran photographer Brendan Smialowski snapped on Wednesday. Little did he know that the seemingly innocent view of the proceedings would go onto break the internet wide open, becoming an iconic peek into an event like no other, and sparking a tidal wave of creative memes the world over. Smialowski, the Washington D.C.-based photographer who was working the inauguration behalf of the global news agency AFP, isnt a stranger to having a front row seat to history or even going viral, but his shot of Sanders has served as a unique lighthearted respite during a lead-up that was anything but. The eye behind the iconic shot spoke to Esquire about the photo that inspired the masses. Its not a great photo, but it is a nice moment, he says. ESQ: Congratulations on capturing the photo of the century. You gave a gift to the world. Smialowski: (Laughs) Uh, maybe. Im not sure what kind of gift it is. Maybe its a pair of socks. Why do you think this picture, out of all the photos taken at the Inauguration, resonated with people? I dont think its hyperbole to say that its now in the annals of American political history. When it comes to memes or virality, its kind of crazy to try to make sense of it; you probably needed an education in sociology or psychology, which I dont have. But that said, its not a great photo, but it is a nice moment. I took the picture for a reason, its a good slice of life. It trades on who this man is. I think why its successful has very little to do with my actual picture, but more to do with Bernie Sanders and his followers and his well-defined image that can carry something like this. Take me through your Inauguration Day leading up to the ceremony. What was the mood like? I think this was my fourth or fifth inauguration, Ive done. They all kind of blend into one another after a while. It was a little different this year, as obviously theres heightened security around D.C. The ceremony starts around noon, but I got there when the gates and security checkpoints opened at 4 a.m. You dont need to arrive that early, but theres just a lot of new things with COVID and security, so I gave it extra time. Plus, everything has been a little chaotic on the Hill after the insurrection on January 6th. But we have a little trailer workspace for the inauguration which is very nice, and I went to my position and made sure everything was working. Our positions are hardwired with internet and power so we can send what we take straight from the camera to an editor. Its very convenient. So, I double checked everything and went to some other positions where I set up some remote, robot cameras and made sure those were working and transmitting and focused right. I like to have these quiet moments beforehand and have fun with the photography, just taking pictures that probably nobody needs. So, your perspective was from a viewing platform? Yeah, it was a fixed position which looks at the President-Elect being sworn in as theyre becoming President. Theres usually a lot of people thereits a big platform. But because of COVID, its significantly less now that each position is six feet apart, which actually makes it pretty easy to work on with nobody next to you. There are times when you cant turn because youre going to hit another photographer; were holding cameras with pretty long lenses, and as you turn you usually have to be careful not to clobber somebody. That wasnt the case this time, you have all the space in the world. But it was cold and windy and you're 30 feet high up on scaffolding, and that does get to you. At what point during the day was the photo taken? It was taken around 11:30 a.m., about a half hour before the actual swearing in began. It was during the arrivals. These folks are VIPs, they can just wander out of the Hill and be out on the platform. The actual inaugural platform is pretty much built onto the basement level of the Capitol, its a short walk for the Senators attending. When your lens found Senator Sanders, were you simply scanning the crowd trying to find a good shot? Well, youre in a fixed position and it makes it pretty difficult to be creative and thats really not what youre doing at an event like this anyway. Youre there for history and taking very matter-of-fact images. But a few of the things that make this inauguration different is obviously COVID and this riot on the Hill on January 6, and the former President really fighting these election results, so Im looking for ways to visually show [those storylines]. You can show that through security, you can show that through the fact everyones seats are spread out, you can show that by looking towards the mall and all the grass where its typically packed with people. So in the morning, Im trying to see how to tell this story and if this is going to be a one picture shot, how do you show it? When people start to arrive, you have to be careful because youre going to see people you normally dont see and politicians who maybe retired or were forced out and how theyre interacting with people. It can be very inside the Beltway stuff. One of the big things Im watching for are the people who are involved in the 2020 election. Bernie Sanders, of course, is somebody who was a heavy hitter during the primaries and has a very popular brand of politics. He certainly carries a lot of weight, so Im keeping an eye on him, as well as Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley and how theyre acting with other people. Sanders was low down on the platform close to the swearing in. Take me to the exact moment. How did the iconic picture come about? Id seen him walk in and was watching how he mingled with people, but he kept to himself. Bernie is politically independent, and hes probably personally independent as well. So I think hes fine sitting in a chair by himself. But I was keeping an eye on him because hes one of these people who is also actually very easy to photograph. Theres some technical challenges from taking pictures from my physical position, so you need people who are easily identifiable and easy to photograph to carry the photo. These arent beautiful photos and there isnt amazing composition involved in this. It can be very difficult to make one because its very busy up there. When I took the photo,I practiced a technique I learned from photographing sports: you look through the camera with one eye, but then you keep your other eye open to kind of look around (for other possibilities). So when you have a long lens, you can use your other eye to see everything at once. My lens was originally on somebody else, but out of my other eye I saw him fiddling with his hands and I just very quickly went back to him. I originally thought I had missed it. Want Unlimited Access to Esquire + the Print Mag? Join Esquire Select When you got the shot, with what he was wearing, the framing, his chair, it all really conveys Bernie resembling something like a supportive grandfather at his grandson's little league game as opposed to a Senator at a Presidential Inauguration. Did you immediately realize it was something special? When I captured the moment, I had just decided to swing back, take it, and then I transmitted that photo from my camera to my editor. So there were three moments there and if your timings are not just right, it wouldnt have come together. When did you realize that this photo was starting to make an impact? Was it after the ceremony? Oh, it was the next day. I dont really pay attention to this stuff. Theres plenty to be doing and I had my job cut out for me, not only because I was busy but it was pretty damn cold. It wasnt the coldest inauguration, Obamas first was really cold, but its cold enough that Im not fiddling with my phone. I also have a big heavy coat on, so I dont feel my phone vibrate. The photo struck something in the collective consciousness, with the world dropping Bernie into everything you could imagine. My local coffeeshop put him sitting in front of their storefront, theres one of Bernie sitting with the Sex and the City girls, another with Bernie on the cover of a Bruce Springsteen album. Then, little Bernies making up the design of Melania Trumps dress when she arrived in Palm Beach, or dozens of sitting Bernies in place of Beyonces backup dancers. How did you grasp that it became a meme? The next morning I had a bunch of emails from bosses and such. I think when theres a webpage that automatically drops Bernie into a photo, I think that makes it pretty clear that it made it. Do you have any favorites? I havent looked at too many, just because Im juggling work with a little baby at home. Sleep is a premium right now, so I havent been looking too close. In general, the ones I enjoy the most are art, where they take a nice piece of art and drop in the image in there and not just do a paste job, but make it look like it belongs by changing something like the texture. Theyre not only cool to look at, but somebodys certainly taking a lot of effort and didnt just drop my photo in. Im not crazy about having it become a meme. I wish that photojournalism is consumed as photojournalism. People are having fun with this and thats fine, and cool to see the creativity involved. Whats nice about it is that its fairly lighthearted. Literally two weeks before, I was just yards away from where Bernie was sitting, making my way through a fairly violent crowd of protestors, choking through tear gas. So It is nice to see people taking a break. I think thats a great point with these two polarizing events, insurrection and inauguration, in just two weeks. It does seem like people were craving lightheartedness and warmth, and thats something you certainly delivered. I grew up without the Internet and have seen it all evolve since and in the early days, it was fairly lighthearted, fun, goofy and jokes. Maybe it feels like the early days. Mysuru, Jan 23 : Karnataka chief minister, B. S. Yediyurappa on Saturday hinted that Athe state budget for 2021-22 will be downsized given the financial condition as a fallout of the Covid -19 pandemic. With more than Rs 30,000 crore revenue shortage, Karnataka is staring at downsizing its outlay by at least 10 per cent this fiscal 2021-22, a senior official of the Finance department told IANS. Yediyurappa arrived in Mysuru in a special flight to take part in a inauguration of a statue of Akka Mahadevi, regarded as one of the first female mystic-poets of the Kannada literature (Vachana Sahitya) of the 12th century and one of the prominent person in the Lingayat community, to which the CM belongs. Speaking to reporters at the Mandakalli airport on the outskirts of Mysuru, the CM conceded that the financial situation of the state was not at its best due to pandemic and prolonged lockdowns, the state has not mopped up resources to an extent it should have. "Serious difficulties are being faced in resource mobilisation efforts. This magnitude of economic difficulties was never faced in the previous years by our state. Therefore, downsizing of the budget is inevitable and the outlay is bound to be less than what it was last year," the CM who also holds the finance portfolio said. Yediyurappa had tabled a budget with an out of Rs 2,37,893 crore 2020-21 fiscal year, which was barely less than two per cent increase in outlay compared to 2019-20 fiscal. However, Yediyurappa quickly added that there will be no dearth of funds or resources to fight the Covid-19 pandemic while expressing hope that the requirement could be less in the new financial year. "This is because Covid-19 was almost 90 per cent under control and hence the resources required too could be less than what was allocated last year." The Chief Minister had said recently that he would present the budget in March and the joint legislature session of the state is slated to commence from January 28 till February 5. While addressing his customary press conference on the eve of New Year on December 31, 2020, Yediyurappa had admitted that the state was expected to face a revenue shortage of Rs 30,000 crore in 2020-21. "Karnataka is likely to face a financial setback in the coming fiscal (2021-22) year too, as a ripple effect from the current year's crisis owing to the pandemic," he had said. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Boris Johnson's medical chief was so infuriated by a newspaper story which claimed that a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine might only be 33 per cent effective that he threatened to report it to a press watchdog, The Mail on Sunday understands. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty normally one of the more mild-mannered figures at No 10 press conferences told colleagues The Guardian's report was 'total nonsense' which could threaten the uptake of the jab. The newspaper quoted 'Israeli experts' as saying only a third of people who have received one injection were protected. No 10's vaccine advisers say the real figure is 89 per cent, starting 14 days after the first jab. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty normally one of the more mild-mannered figures at No 10 press conferences told colleagues The Guardian's report was 'total nonsense' which could threaten the uptake of the jab It was reported yesterday that a single shot of the Pfizer vaccine had led to a 'major presence' of antibodies in 91 per cent of doctors and nurses who received it in Israel within 21 days. A source said: 'It is not every day that a member of the liberal academic establishment is angered by The Guardian.' No 10's options were limited, however, because the newspaper has not signed up to the Independent Press Standards Organisation, which regulates newspapers and sanctions them for inaccuracies. The report quoted Israeli Covid commissioner Professor Nachman Ash as saying that a single dose of Pfizer appeared 'less effective than we had thought', once cases of asymptomatic infection were included, although those who had received their second dose had a six- to 12-fold increase in antibodies. Later in the week, the paper reported that Israel's health ministry had 'moved to row back on comments' by Professor Ash's suggestion that single doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine had not given as much protection against the disease as had been hoped. It quoted the Israeli Ministry of Health as saying that the 'full protective impact of the vaccine' had not yet been seen. The Guardian said last night that it had reported both Professor Ash's 'initial comments' and subsequent comments from Israel's health ministry: 'The Guardian's independent readers' editor has not received any complaints about either article.' Freedom day beckons: How Britain has achieved Europe's best vaccine rollout as it aims to give jabs to the 15million most vulnerable people by February 15 Britain's vaccine rollout has been a huge success with a record number of first doses (478,248) administered in a day, on Friday. This means the cumulative total across the UK is 5,861,351 (8.8 per cent of the total population). The achievement, the best in Europe, is due to a combination of the NHS's well-established system for giving jabs such as against flu or MMR, and the Government's foresight in placing advance orders for 357million doses from seven different manufacturers. Phase one of the strategy inoculating the 15million most vulnerable has a target completion for February 15. Experts believe this is when it may be safe to start to ease lockdown restrictions. 15 MILLION JABS BY FEBRUARY 15 ON TRACK TO SHIELD MOST VULNERABLE Home-visit vaccinations are now being given to people unable to travel in addition to all those arranged at 1,220 GP surgeries, hospitals and special centres. A nationwide team of 80,000 is giving the jabs with 200,000 volunteers offering to help out. JABS DONE AT PEAKY BLINDERS FILM SET Among 30 new vaccine centres opening tomorrow will be the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, where the BBC drama Peaky Blinders was filmed. Other new sites include a former Ikea superstore in Stratford, East London; Winter Gardens Blackpool; Bath Racecourse and Debenhams in Folkestone, Kent. THE BIG FIGHTBACK BEGAN A MONTH AGO A ray of light in the Covid darkness appeared on December 8 when the first doses of vaccine were distributed. The swift work of scientists led in part by Britons to find a way to defeat the virus had paid off. Undaunted by the immense task of inoculating 30million people twice, NHS staff began to put us on the path out of the series of lockdowns VACCINE REFUSENIKS WHO COULD SABOTAGE WORLD PROGRAMME Britons, according to surveys, are much more likely to agree to a jab than people in other countries. In France, anti-vaccine sentiment is one of the worlds highest with a third of respondents not believing vaccines are safe. This has been compounded by the ineptness of officials, which meant that France had inoculated only 352 people by January 4 compared with more than a million in both the UK and Israel. A report by the Edelman Trust Barometer has suggested that 66 per cent of Britons are happy to be vaccinated. Other figures: Italy 65 per cent willing, Germany 62, United States 59, Spain 58, Japan 54, France 52 and Russia 40. Advertisement Proof the Pfizer Covid vaccine works in the real world? Israeli healthcare group says coronavirus infections have PLUNGED by at least 60% among vaccinated over-60s By Harry Howard for MailOnline An Israeli healthcare group on Friday said coronavirus infections had plunged among people aged over 60 who had been vaccinated with the Pfizer Biontech vaccine. Israel is currently leading the global vaccination drive, with around 30 per cent of its citizens having had at least a single dose of a jab so far. But concern had risen globally over infection, death and hospitalisation rates in the country, which remained stubbornly high. Out of 82,930 active cases on Thursday, 1,918 were hospitalized. Last week, the hospitalisation figure was just over 1,000. Officials had hoped that the vaccine drive - which began on December 19 - would start to show an effect by mid-February. But KSM Maccabi Research and Innovation Center claimed on Friday there had been a 'significant decrease' in the number of coronavirus infections among people aged over 60 who were vaccinated between December 19 and 24. After analysing data of more than 50,000 patients aged over 60, they also found that hospitalisations in the same group had plunged by more than 60 per cent. Israel secured access to large amounts of Pfizer's jab by agreeing to provide data about its citizens for the company to track how well the jab works. The new figures are a sign of hope that nationwide infections, deaths and hospitalisations could soon start to see a sustained fall. It came amid reports that England's chief medical officer was so infuriated by a newspaper story which claimed that a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine might only be 33 per cent effective that he threatened to report it to a press watchdog. Chris Whitty told colleagues The Guardian's report was 'total nonsense' which could threaten the uptake of the jab. Israeli healthcare group KSM Maccabi Research and Innovation Centeron on Friday said coronavirus infections had plunged among people aged over 60 who had been vaccinated Pictured: KSM's graph showing the fall in infections and hospitalisations. The blue line represents the rate of infection in the general population; the green the rate of infection among those who had been vaccinated in December, and the yellow line showed the hospitalisation ate among those who had been vaccinated KSM Maccabi Research and Innovation Center's report was based on data 50,777 members of Maccabi who were aged over 60 and were vaccinated 23 days ago. KSM, which is part of Israeli healthcare provider Maccabi, noted that there was a 'significant decrease within the vaccinated members aged 60+', reaching a decrease of around 60 per cent in new infections. They added that there was also a 'decrease of slightly more than 60 per cent in the number of new hospitalised patients.' However, KSM cautioned that 'on this level of efficiency, there should be no exemption from performing Corona tests, isolation, or the enablement of crowded gatherings, until additional convincing data is obtained. 'And of course continue to wear masks and keep social distancing, as recommended'. In their story about the effectiveness of a single dose of the Pfizer jab, The Guardian had quoted 'Israeli experts' as saying only a third of people who have received one injection were protected. No 10's vaccine advisers say the real figure is 89 per cent, starting 14 days after the first jab. It was reported yesterday that a single shot of the Pfizer vaccine had led to a 'major presence' of antibodies in 91 per cent of doctors and nurses who received it in Israel within 21 days. A source told the Mail On Sunday: 'It is not every day that a member of the liberal academic establishment is angered by The Guardian.' On Friday, Israel announced a further 6,159 new cases, an 18 per cent increase on the figure of 5,235 announced seven days ago, but down from Wednesdays and Thursdays totals, of 10,213 and 7,027 respectively. Since the rollout of vaccinations one month ago, more than 2.5 million of Israel's nine-million-strong population have been vaccinated already, the health ministry said on Friday. It came as the Israeli health ministry on Thursday announced it was allowing the inoculation of high school students aged 16-18, subject to parental approval. The health ministry had on Thursday announced it was allowing the inoculation of high school students aged 16-18, subject to parental approval. Expanding the campaign to include teens came days after Israel extended on Tuesday till the end of the month its third national coronavirus lockdown due to a surge in coronavirus infections despite the vaccinations. It is a sign of hope that nationwide infections, deaths and hospitalisations could soon start to see a sustained fall. Pictured: An Israeli healthworker vaccinates an older resident KSM noted that there was a 'significant decrease within the vaccinated members aged 60+', reaching a decrease of around 60 per cent in new infections. They added that there was also a 'decrease of slightly more than 60 per cent in the number of new hospitalised patients' The country's largest health fund, Clalit, was already giving teens shots as of Saturday morning, its website said, while the three smaller funds were due to kick off their campaign later. Israel began administering vaccines on December 20, beginning with health professionals and quickly proceeding to the elderly, sick and at-risk groups, continuously lowering the minimum age of those entitled to the shot. From Saturday, people aged 40 and up are also allowed to get the vaccine. Israeli prime minister Bejamin Netanyahu previously bragged that the Pfizer vaccine is being supplied in such large quantities because of 17 telephone conversations he conducted with Albert Bourla, the CEO of Pfizer. According to the health ministry, as of Friday nearly 2.5million people had received the first of two doses, with 900,000 of them getting the second as well. Israel has given 38.8 per 100 people in the country at least one dose of the vaccine, well ahead of other countries, with some people already receiving the second. In comparison, the UK has administered 8.9 first doses per 100 people, the US has given 5.8, with France giving just 1.4. It came as the Israeli health ministry on Thursday announced it was allowing the inoculation of high school students aged 16-18, subject to parental approval Israel is currently leading the global vaccination drive, with nearly 39 per cent of its citizens having had at least a single dose of a jab so far. In comparison, the UK has administered 8.9 first doses per 100 people, the US has given 5.8, with France giving just 1.4 The country secured a huge stock of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and has pledged to share the impact data quickly with the US-German manufacturer. On Thursday, the estimated COVID-19 reproduction number in Israel dipped below 1 for the first time since the country launched its vaccination campaign, the government announced. An 'R' number above 1 indicates infections will grow at an exponential rate, while below 1 points to their eventual halt. Israel's 'R' number hit 1.3 on Dec. 11. It began vaccinating citizens the following week. With contagion surging, on Dec. 27 it imposed a third national lockdown - which is still in effect. 'Are we seeing the light? We see a chink in the blinds,' Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch told Channel 13 TV after Israel logged an 'R' number of 0.99. 'We have achieved a halt, but we have achieved a halt at high levels of morbidity.' A health worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine at Clalit Health Services, in Israel's Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv on January 23 He credited the lockdown and the vaccines - now administered to more than a quarter of Israel's 9 million population - but added that vaccines had 'mainly reduced serious morbidity, not necessarily the number of carriers'. The reduction would have been more significant were it not for the presence of the especially contagious British variant of the coronavirus, Kisch said. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the swift vaccination campaign 'will afford us the possibility of overcoming the coronavirus, of emerging from it, of opening the economy and getting life back to routine'. But while Israel is currently leading the global vaccination drive infection and death rates, as well as the numbers of people in hospital, have shown little sign of falling. Wednesday saw the country recorded its highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in a single day, with 10,213 cases and 101 deaths - the first time Israel has seen over both 10,000 cases and 100 deaths since the start of the pandemic. On Thursday, out of 82,930 active cases, 1,918 were hospitalized. Last week, the hospitalisation figure was just over 1,000. On Friday, the UK's Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said it was too early too draw conclusions from Israel's vaccination drive after alarm that hospitalisations have not yet dropped. Addressing the apparent failure of the jab regime in cutting infection rates, Israel's top coronavirus medic said on Wednesday that the Pfizer vaccine was less effective than expected. Real-world data from Israel's world-beating rollout showed the first dose led to a 33 per cent reduction in cases of coronavirus between 14 and 21 days afterwards in people who got the jab. The figure is lower than the British regulator's estimate, which said it may prevent 89 per cent of recipients from getting Covid-19 symptoms. Dr Nachman Ash, Israel's top coronavirus medic, said on Wednesday that the Pfizer vaccine was less effective than expected But Sir Patrick, the UK's chief scientific adviser, told the Downing Street press conference on Friday that the Israeli data was 'very preliminary'. He said: 'In terms of the Israeli data, I think that was information from one of the organisations that organises health in Israel, I think there are four, and it was preliminary data that came out on the numbers. 'I think the Israeli health ministry has said they're not entirely sure those are the final data and they're expecting the effects to increase so I think it's very preliminary. 'These are preliminary information from a subset of people, they haven't followed people for long enough. 'We had a discussion with the Israeli advisers yesterday and they are expecting to get more information over the next few weeks. 'And I think we are going to have to monitor this very carefully, we're going to have to keep looking at data and understanding the performance of vaccines in the real world.' Dr Nachman Ash, one of the medics leading the Covid-19 response in Israel, had told local media Army Radio earlier this week: 'Many people have been infected between the first and second injections of the vaccine.' It can take 10 days or more for the immunity to kick in. Chris Whitty's fury at Guardian for 'total nonsense' claim Pfizer vaccine might only be 33% effective amid fears it could threaten jab uptake By Glen Owen and Brendan Carlin for the Mail on Sunday Boris Johnson's medical chief was so infuriated by a newspaper story which claimed that a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine might only be 33 per cent effective that he threatened to report it to a press watchdog, The Mail on Sunday understands. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty normally one of the more mild-mannered figures at No 10 press conferences told colleagues The Guardian's report was 'total nonsense' which could threaten the uptake of the jab. The newspaper quoted 'Israeli experts' as saying only a third of people who have received one injection were protected. No 10's vaccine advisers say the real figure is 89 per cent, starting 14 days after the first jab. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty normally one of the more mild-mannered figures at No 10 press conferences told colleagues The Guardian's report was 'total nonsense' which could threaten the uptake of the jab It was reported yesterday that a single shot of the Pfizer vaccine had led to a 'major presence' of antibodies in 91 per cent of doctors and nurses who received it in Israel within 21 days. A source said: 'It is not every day that a member of the liberal academic establishment is angered by The Guardian.' No 10's options were limited, however, because the newspaper has not signed up to the Independent Press Standards Organisation, which regulates newspapers and sanctions them for inaccuracies. The report quoted Israeli Covid commissioner Professor Nachman Ash as saying that a single dose of Pfizer appeared 'less effective than we had thought', once cases of asymptomatic infection were included, although those who had received their second dose had a six- to 12-fold increase in antibodies. Later in the week, the paper reported that Israel's health ministry had 'moved to row back on comments' by Professor Ash's suggestion that single doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine had not given as much protection against the disease as had been hoped. It quoted the Israeli Ministry of Health as saying that the 'full protective impact of the vaccine' had not yet been seen. The Guardian said last night that it had reported both Professor Ash's 'initial comments' and subsequent comments from Israel's health ministry: 'The Guardian's independent readers' editor has not received any complaints about either article.' STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. It should have been a typical uneventful after-school ride on a city bus. But a trip along Richmond Avenue 15 months ago proved harrowing for a teenage passenger, a lawsuit alleges. The 15-year-old girl was savagely beaten by a group of other teens, suffering fractures of the nose and both eye sockets, according to the teens lawyer and a civil complaint. The bus driver did nothing to help the girl while she was being attacked, the complaint alleges. The operator not only failed to report the incident to police, but essentially act(ed) as a getaway driver by letting some of the alleged assailants exit and then re-board the bus after the attack before continuing along his route, the complaint contends. Now, Christina Arias, the victims mother, has sued the New York City Transit Authority, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the unidentified bus driver over the Oct. 21, 2019, episode. The complaint alleges the defendants allowed a volatile, inflammatory and unsafe condition to develop on the bus and negligently, carelessly and recklessly failed to intercede or call police. Its obviously a traumatizing event when youre attacked, said Anthony L. Ameduri, the familys lawyer. There was no intervention or request for police assistance. As a transporter, you have a responsibility to protect passengers on the bus. The girl, now 16, is still undergoing medical treatment, said Ameduri, a partner in the West Brighton law firm of Ameduri, Galante & Friscia. Filed in state Supreme Court, St. George, the suit seeks unspecified monetary damages. In response to the suit, an MTA spokeswoman said, Assaults in the transit system are unacceptable, and the MTA continues to work with law enforcement and union leadership on ways to further enhance safety. She added: We do not litigate pending cases in the press. The events unfolded around 3 p.m., according to an Advance/SILive.com report. The teen boarded the S59 bus at the intersection of Genesee Avenue and Richmond Avenue in Eltingville, her family said. She had just finished class at the Nicotra Charter School, located just a few steps from the bus stop. The girl went to the back of the bus. At that time, a group of about 10 youths between the age of 14 and 15 were already on the bus harassing passengers, including some senior citizens, the victims godfather previously told the Advance/SILive.com. Those teens were from another school, he said. The unruly group was throwing food and other things at senior citizens, other adults and kids in the back of the bus, said the girls family. Initially, the girl wasnt a target, but at one point, another teen threw a Pop Tart and Rice Krispies at her, said the godfather. She was telling them to stop, so they kind of realized that she was getting irritated, he said. When she was getting ready to get off the bus, they popped a rubber band and hit her in the eye, so she told them to stop. The bus continued on its route, and the girl prepared to exit at Victory Boulevard and Richmond Avenue. The teens mom was parked nearby waiting to pick her up to go home, the godfather said. When the bus stopped for her to get off, she [got] ready to get off, they punched her in the face. She got off, they held the doors open and said, What are you gonna do about it? the godfather said. Another person ran off the bus, punched her in the face, ran back onto the bus and a bunch of them came off, kicked her, punched her, kicked her in the face, he said. A couple of kids got back onto the bus, and then the bus driver closed the doors and left and then the rest of the kids ended up running off. The injured girl was taken to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton. Pictures of the injuries previously shared with the Advance/SILive.com show the teen in a hospital bed with a neck brace and a left eye so swollen she cannot open it. There also were scratches on her left elbow, and her right eye was bruised. Afterward, a Police Department spokesman said a report was on file for the incident and a 14-year-old had been taken into custody for assault. That individuals name was not released due to his or her age. The civil complaint alleges the girl was verbally and physically attacked on the bus in plain view of the driver. After halting the vehicle at the bus stop on Richmond Avenue and Victory Boulevard, the driver idled the bus at the location watching and not reporting the incident to police or other emergency personnel to intervene, contends the complaint. In allowing some of the alleged assailants back on the bus after the attack, the driver aided and abetted their transport away, essentially acting as a getaway driver, alleges the complaint. In my opinion, it makes you wary of traveling on public transportation, said Ameduri, the lawyer. Who would expect something like this would happen? 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. Gandhinagar: Samples of 10 dead poultry birds from Dolasa village in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district have tested positive for avian influenza, officials said on Saturday (January 23). This is the first case in Gujarat where poultry birds have tested positive for the infection, an official from the state animal husbandry department said. Earlier, samples of some wild birds had tested positive for the flu in few districts of the state. "Ten samples of poultry birds (chicken) tested positive for avian influenza, following which 220 birds in three backyard farms in the village were culled," deputy director of animal husbandry at Gir Somnath, DM Parmar, said. The district collector issued a notification restricting activities in one km radius of the site from where the carcasses of infected birds were recovered. Local authorities restricted the movement of poultry products from the affected area as one of the measures to contain the spread of the infection. Other districts of Gujarat that have reported confirmed bird flu cases are Junagadh, Valsad, Surat, and Vadodara. In these districts, samples of wild birds had tested positive for avian influenza. Live TV Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 00:58:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- A seminar organized by the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies and Hong Kong Coalition was held here Friday when attendees suggested that Hong Kong and Shenzhen should deepen cooperation in mechanisms, rules and platforms to build an international innovation and technology (I&T) center. Experts from Hong Kong and the mainland attended the seminar, which was held both online and offline, to discuss the development of I&T in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Leung Chun-ying, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said at the seminar that looking back on the principles and policies issued by the country on Shenzhen's future I&T development and the Hong Kong-related contents of the 14th Five-Year Plan, it can be seen that the country strongly supports the cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen to build an international I&T center in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen can be seen as a perfect match, Leung said. Dai Beifang, a member of CPPCC's National Committee, said that Hong Kong and Shenzhen have made outstanding achievements in training scientific talent, incubating scientific research projects and transforming technological products, but there are still shortcomings in regulations, communication and information. Dai suggested that the two places should deepen cooperation in five aspects, namely cooperation mechanism, docking of rules and regulations, platform construction, project coordination and atmosphere building, to actively serve the overall development of the country and play a more important role in promoting development of the Greater Bay Area. Neil Shen Nanpeng, founding and managing partner of Sequoia Capital China, said that the construction of an international I&T center in Hong Kong needs land, capital and market from Shenzhen, while the construction of a comprehensive national science center in Shenzhen needs universities and human resources from Hong Kong. Looking forward to the future of the development of I&T in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, Shen said the two places must continue to invest in nurturing talent. Xu Yangsheng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Albert Wong, chief executive officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, agreed that applying the strength of I&T and accelerating the marketization of I&T are very important for the development of the Greater Bay Area. Enditem Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 02:01:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged U.S. new administration to "unconditionally" remove sanctions as the first step to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), stressing the necessity to limit the deal scope to nuclear issues. "U.S. Biden administration should begin by unconditionally removing, with full effect, all sanctions imposed, reimposed, or relabeled since Trump took office. Then, Iran would reverse all the remedial measures it has taken in the wake of Trump's withdrawal from the nuclear deal," Zarif wrote in an op-ed published by Foreign Affairs magazine Friday. Zarif emphasized that return to the table will be jeopardized if Washington or its EU allies demand new terms for the deal that was already carefully constructed through years of negotiations. The foreign minister said as part of the nuclear negotiations, Iran accepted five-year and eight-year limitations on defense and missile procurements respectively, underlining that "the bargains we made to secure the deal cannot be undone; not now, not ever." He suggested there is no time left to waste for U.S. new administration to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal, saying "the legislation our parliament passed in December 2020 clearly requires Iran to boost uranium enrichment and limit UN inspections if sanctions are not removed by February 2021." Iran launched 20-percent uranium enrichment process on Jan. 4 as part of Iran's Strategic Action Plan to Counter Sanctions which was approved by the parliament in December 2020. Former U.S. President Donald Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions against Iran in an attempt to push the latter for renewed talks on the JCPOA and Iran's ballistic missile program. Enditem The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) on Friday arraigned a former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Okoi Obono-Obla, and two others for fraud and certificate forgery. This Day reports that Mr Obono-Obla, a former Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution and ex-Chairman of the disbanded Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), was arraigned alongside his co-defendants at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo, Abuja. The former presidential aide was arraigned along with his former Senior Assistant, Special Duties (Protocol), Aliyu Ibrahim, and the Managing Director of ABR Global Petroleum Resources Ltd, Daniel Omughele. Obono-Oblas sacking PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported how, in August 2019, the police sealed Mr Obono-Oblas office, in Asokoro, Abuja, before he was finally sacked about a month later. This newspaper reported how in September 2019 the President dissolved the SPIP and directed the ICPC to further investigate the allegations of fraud and certificate forgery levelled against Mr Obono-Obla as highlighted in the anti-corruption agencys preliminary report. Charges The ICPC alleged in the 10 counts read to Mr Obono-Obla and his co-defendants on Friday that the defendants, in 2018, conspired with one another, to divert N19,994,185 meant for the furnishing of SPIP offices. It alleged that the fund received from the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), was diverted to the personal account of Aliyu Ibrahim, using proxy companies, without furnishing the said SPIP offices as proposed to the NDIC. The alleged offence was said to have contravened Section 26(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19 of Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. In another count, the anti-corruption agency alleged that Mr Obono-Obla dishonestly used as genuine a Mary Knoll College, Ogoja, General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level, May/June 1982 (GCE) Statement of Result for Ofem Okoi Ofem with candidate No: 09403/247 showing an OLevel credit (6) score for Literature in English. It also alleged that he used part of the five OLevel credit requirement for you to study Law for the 1985/86 academic session in UNJOS (the University of Jos). The agency alleged that Mr Obono-Obla used the result despite having reason to believe that the document (GCE) the basis upon which he was admitted to study Law in UNIJOS, was forged and he never sat for the English Literature examination for May/June 1982 GCE. He was also accused of making false document around November 1985, regarding the GCE certificate. The alleged offence was said to be contrary to sections 366 and 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code. In another count, the ICPC alleged that Mr Obono-Obla, around July 2018 in Abuja, failed to attend/honour an invitation by ICPC for an investigation, contrary to Section 28(1)(a) and (6) and punishable under section 28(10) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. Defendants plead not guilty, granted bail The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their lawyers urged the court to grant bail to their clients on liberal terms. The prosecuting counsel, Samuel Ipinlaiye, who initially opposed the defendants bail application, later withdrew his objection. ADVERTISEMENT He urged the court to grant them bail on conditions that would ensure they attend their trial. Ruling, the judge, Olukayode Adeniyi, granted them bail in the sum of N10milion with a surety each. The surety to be produced by each of them must not be below the rank of director in the service of either the Federal Government, the FCT or any of their agencies, said the judge. The judge also ordered Mr Ipinlaiye to retrieve the defendants passports already seized by the ICPC and hand them to the registrar of the court. He adjourned till March 17 for trial. Mr Obono-Oblas lawyer, Paul Erokoro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who told journalists after the proceedings that his client was being victimised by the government, added that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), was planning to arraign him again on Monday before another FCT High Court in Kwali on similar charges. The line proposed by the party leadership was clearly defined and utterly consistent. Its tactics were determined by the principle that the ends justify the means all means without exception. In the spirit of this principle the prosecutor will demand your head, Citizen Rubashov. The arguments put forth will of course be different. But in the background of this fairground performance, as you call it, you will know just as well as the prosecutor what is at stake the restoration of party unity. The above quotation is from Arthur Koestler's 1941 novel, Darkness at Noon. It relates the grim tale of one of Stalin's operatives as he is sacrificed on the altar of "unity." Rubashov is charged with numerous crimes he did not commit, though he had come to have doubts about the revolution that became hopelessly genocidal. He is forced to confess to these crimes he did not commit for the sake of party unity. Joe Biden cannot repeat this word "unity" often enough, so often it has already become meaningless. It is meaningless coming from a man and a party who have increasingly moved in the direction of Stalin's regime. That is why they want to impeach Trump again. They fear him as the Soviets feared America's freedom and economic success even in the 1930s. Biden and his handlers are assuming that most Americans know nothing of world, let alone American history. Sadly, they are correct about too many Americans. Those age fifty and under have long been indoctrinated by the leftism infused into our public-school education and universities for the last fifty years. As the tenured radicals of the 1960s took over academia, the anti-Americanism became ever more virulent. Three books document the corruption of American education: The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom (1987), Tenured Radicals by Roger Kimball (1990), and Literature Lost, Social Agendas and the Corruption of the Humanities by John M. Ellis (1999). Those who voted for Biden will soon regret their choice as they learn how much more for gasoline they will have to pay. They will have to pay much more in taxes on income and property. They will no longer enjoy the freedom of speech or assembly we have lost those rights already to COVID restrictions. It will become worse within days. Biden has weaponized COVID against the American people. Now that so many citizens complied so willingly to the lockdowns and mask mandates, they will ramp up their totalitarian inclinations. COVID, whether a bioweapon or not, has been used to imprison Americans in their homes, destroy hundreds of thousands of small businesses while big box stores have been allowed to remain open, and frighten people to the point of mindless acquiescence. The left and right are divided according to fear of COVID; the left are the mask tyrants, while conservatives tend to resist the dictatorial blue-state governors' and mayors' arbitrary decrees. There are no scientific data to support these absurd restrictions on our daily lives. Having been in office for just two days, Biden has demonstrated his utter disrespect for our military. At least twenty-five thousand troops were brought to D.C. as props for an inauguration few people were interested in attending. There were no legitimate threats by "right-wing" groups. The fences, the razor wire, the uniformed soldiers were all part of their political theater meant to convince the American people that Biden was in danger, that it is Trump-supporters who are violent. Everyone knows that is not true; it is the left Antifa and BLM who are violent and destructive. But Biden pretended to be scared. He even hired his own private security company to protect him from the troops! Biden is telegraphing in every way the knowledge that he did not win the election; he knows he is there illegitimately. Once the show was over, he evicted the troops from the Capitol to a parking structure (which is forbidden for prisoners of war by the Geneva Conventions); no beds, no heat, no bathrooms. This is how he shows his gratitude for their part in the charade. The left has always hated and resented the military; now leftists may actually fear them. But on his second day in office, Biden sent troops to Syria! It seems that getting the war machine up and running again is priority number one. As for those men and women who serve? Units of labor, a useful species. How else can sending them to sleep on cold concrete be explained? It can't. Back to Koestler's 1941 novel about the horrific excesses of Stalin's crimes against his own people unity was the word then, too. Appearances were everything, and the party had to present a united face even if it meant killing their own, even if they were innocent. That is what Stalin's show trials were all about. That is exactly what the snap impeachment of President Trump was all about and what the impeachment trial in the Senate will be about. They need to destroy the man completely just as Stalin destroyed his ideological opponents. Their mistake is thinking the millions of Trump-supporters will buy into their "unity" scam. Stalin did not have an opponent with an army of champions as Trump does. Those pro-America-as-founded enthusiasts will not be fooled by Biden's phony pleas for unity. Here is the dictionary definition of unity: the state of being united or joined as a whole: European unity | their leaders called for unity between opposing factions. There is no way on Earth conservative, America-loving patriots are ever going to align themselves with the regressive, American-hating left that has shredded the Constitution and aims to put in place a veritable police state. If they think they can coax conservatives into unity with a movement that is frighteningly similar to Stalin's and Mao's, they are crazier than we knew. Unity to the left is a code word for submission. The executive director of Phillipsburgs public housing agency faces charges of official misconduct and other counts after he allegedly installed cameras and microphones to spy on employees. The Warren County Prosecutors Office announced the charges were filed Friday against 68-year-old Paul Rummerfield, a former Phillipsburg mayor and current head of the Phillipsburg Housing Authority. Rummerfield, of the 500 block of Barrymore Street in Phillipsburg, is accused of putting recording equipment in the housing authority offices and listening to employees conversations without consent. He is charged with two counts of second-degree official misconduct; one count of second-degree pattern of official misconduct; one count of third-degree possession of intercepting devices; and one count of third-degree intercepting communications. The PHA is a nonprofit that since 1946 has managed public housing for low-income residents in Phillipsburg, a town of 14,500 people. Neither Rummerfield nor the authoritys attorney was immediately available for comment. Rummerfield was not in the county jail as of late Friday afternoon. Members of the authoritys board of commissioners were not immediately available for comment, including on Rummerfields job status. Rummerfield previously was accused of sexual harassment by an employee in a civil lawsuit that was filed a year ago and is still pending. His attorney in that case said Friday he does not represent Rummerfield in any other matters and was unfamiliar with the criminal case. The prosecutors office, New Jersey State Police corruption unit and the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory were all involved in the misconduct investigation, First Assistant Prosecutor Anthony J. Robinson said in a news release announcing charges against Rummerfield. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. (Natural News) British Member of Parliament David Davis is urging the British government to strengthen its vitamin D supplementation program for people at-risk of COVID-19 following an impressive precedent set by Andalusia in Spain. Speaking before the House of Commons on Thursday, Davis said that Britain should follow the lead of Andalusia, which distributed calcifediol, a vitamin D supplement, to care home residents last November. Since then, the Spanish regions COVID-19 deaths dropped by 82 percent. Because of this, Davis is imploring the British government to increase its dosage recommendations and implement a widespread vitamin D rollout. The state already provides free vitamin D supplies to care home residents under the Public Health Englands advice that they get 10 micrograms (mcg) daily for protection. However, Davis said this amount is too small to have a significant effect and the program should be for all at-risk populations. But health officials said that theres not enough evidence just yet for them to authorize or recommend taking vitamin D for treatment. This was despite a mountain of studies showing vitamin D deficiency can predispose people to severe COVID-19. UKs vitamin D dosage advice a drop in the ocean Davis extolled the benefits of vitamin D and urged the British government to immediately revise its vitamin D program to protect the countrys most vulnerable sectors. Davis, a former secretary of state of the now-dissolved Department for Exiting the European Union, reiterated that vitamin D is safe and inexpensive a years supply of it costs only 15 pounds ($20) per person. Moreover, it has many other proven health benefits and as the government of Andalusia has shown, it could be a dramatically effective weapon in our fight against COVID, according to Davis. Andalusias deaths per million due to COVID-19 dropped from 187 in November to just 11 at the start of this month. It is on track to close January with just 33 deaths per million. Meanwhile, Britains deaths per million went up from 175 in November to more than 300 this month. Davis gave credit to the British government for its vitamin D program but said that it was not adequate. Implemented this month, the program provides free vitamin D supplies to care home residents, who are recommended to take 10 mcg a day. But Davis said that this dosage is merely a drop in the ocean. He then recommended increasing it to 100 mcg to properly address vitamin D deficiency. Sadly, with the governments program for the clinically extremely vulnerable, the supplementation falls far short of this, Davis said. (Related: Vitamin D offers significant protection from covid-19, but states wont dare impose Vitamin D mandates.) Davis is also calling for an improved scheme that covers not just care home residents but all at-risk populations, including obese individuals, Black and Asian minorities, diabetics and people with high blood pressure. These populations have been linked to high rates of vitamin D deficiency. One study, for instance, found that more than half of Asians in the U.K. have severe vitamin D deficiency while more than a third of Blacks do not have enough of the nutrient. Weak evidence of vitamin Ds antiviral benefits? Not so Jo Churchill, the parliamentary undersecretary of state for prevention, public health and primary care at the Department of Health and Social Care, said her department is unwilling to embrace vitamin D for treating COVID-19 due to insufficient evidence. Churchill said before the Commons on Thursday: There are several nutrients involved in the normal functioning of the immune system, however, there is currently insufficient evidence that taking vitamin D will mitigate the effects of COVID-19. And yet a September study from the University of Chicago showed that vitamin D deficiency is linked to a greater likelihood of testing positive for the coronavirus. Another study, published November in the journal Nutrients, showed that regularly taking vitamin D supplements during the year before the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with less severe disease and a better chance of survival in the elderly than taking no vitamin D or taking it only after diagnosis. In an October study, published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, researchers found that treatment with high-dose calcifediol significantly reduces the risk of intensive care unit admission. The researchers concluded that calcifediol appears to be able to reduce disease severity. (Related: Vitamin D could have prevented 90% of coronavirus deaths.) An important nutrient for fighting infections, vitamin D is produced in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Get sufficient time in the sun and eat more vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish and mushrooms to fight COVID-19. Learn more about vitamin Ds disease-fighting benefits at VitaminD.news. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk TheGuardian.com JAMANetwork.com MDPI.com ScienceDirect.com Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Mumbai, Jan 23 : Not long ago, Eijaz Khan shocked everyone when he revealed a dark secret from his childhood in the Bigg Boss 14. He shared that he had been touched inappropriately. The actor, who is temporarily out of the house to shoot a web series, claims his housemates used the revelation as a trigger against him, but that has only made him stronger. For those who came in late, Eijaz's confession came in in November during an immunity task when housemates had to reveal a very personal thing no one knew about them. He broke down while sharing the fact that he was touched inappropriately as a child, and said that he had struggled for years to deal with the trauma. Eijaz added that his therapist helped him get over it. He had also shared that he did not tell his father about it and that was something he regretted. Does he feel innate details of celebrity lives should be put out for public consumption this way? "I believe in collective benefit. If whatever you do or the choices you make are for a collective benefit of society it can never be wrong. It cannot be for personal aspiration. If it is for personal benefit only, then I don't think the universe really conspires for it. You need to have the 'dua' (prayers) of a lot of people to succeed in life," Eijaz told IANS. The actor, who is currently shooting for his web-series City Of Dreams, says he shared his deep dark secret on the show because it is the truth. "I chose that moment to share my secret primarily because it was the truth. This show is a reality show. It is among shows that have the biggest outreach. I believe that there are children out here who will get inspired and come out. They will take therapy and say, 'if Eijaz Khan can do it I can do it, too'. That's what matters," he claimed. However, Eijaz added: "People used it against me. People used it as a trigger but that's okay. It didn't kill me, it just made me stronger." Latest updates on Bigg Boss Season 14 -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. A steady drip-feed of public officials admitting to having been vaccinated ahead of priority groups has sparked uproar on social media in Spain at a time when several regions are tightening restrictions in an effort to curb a spike in infections. Several local mayors admitted to getting vaccinated before their turn, while the regional health chief of the exclave of Ceuta was heavily criticised both for getting vaccinated early and for saying he had done this under pressure from his staff. "I didn't want to. I don't even get the flu vaccine. I don't like vaccinations," said Javier Guerrero of the opposition conservative People's Party. One Twitter user hoped it would at least encourage citizens to get a shot: "The reluctant citizen will see that if politicians sign up first, breaking all the rules, it must be something very good," @Juanmalucky wrote. Some called for the resignation of those who could not wait their turn. "The scoundrels who have vaccinated themselves by jumping the queue using their privileged position as public officials (more and more are appearing every day) must of course all resign," tweeted the spokesman for the far-left Unidas Podemos party, Pablo Echenique. SOARING INFECTIONS Defence Minister Margarita Robles asked General Miguel Angel Villaroya, Chief of the Defence Staff, for explanations after El Mundo newspaper and Europa Press Agency reported he and other senior military officers had already been vaccinated. Villaroya has not publicly confirmed whether he has been vaccinated. He could not be reached for comment on Friday. Nationwide infection rates have soared since late December, with 42,885 new cases added to the tally on Friday. The 14-day incidence of the virus climbed to a record 829 cases per 100,000 people, while 400 deaths were reported. But the health ministry has let regional authorities set their own rules within national guidelines, creating a confusing patchwork of different measures to halt the spread of the virus. Madrid brought forward its night curfew to 10 pm and limited group meetings to four people, while the island of Ibiza closed its borders to non-essential traffic. In sparsely populated Extremadura, which has Spain's highest incidence of nearly 1,450 cases per 100,000 people, troops began converting a conference centre into a makeshift field hospital. In Madrid, some 50 medical staff protested outside the La Paz hospital against being pulled from their regular jobs to staff a hospital built for COVID-19 patients. Unions say this is a costly drain on resources from the rest of the health service. "It's totally unnecessary... We have old hospitals that could have been refurbished," said Marco Portillo a nurse and union organiser at the protest. (Additional reporting by Silvio Castellanos Writing by Nathan Allen Editing by Ingrid Melander and Gareth Jones) Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. He was a born entertainer, who adored a crowd, making it all the more poignant that it was a small but loving congregation who said their fond farewells. His close family gathered in Our Lady of Lourdes Church last Wednesday, to remember Noel Phelan, who put smiles on the faces of so many people in Drogheda and beyond, throughout his nine decades. A special tribute to Noel from his friends in the Drogheda Male Voice Choir captured just some of the warmth and regard in which he was held. 'The sad demise of Noel Phelan brings back wonderful memories of the immense contribution he made in many facets to his beloved town and community', it read. 'He entertained young and old alike with his talent and his Christian values, which were a feature of his generous humanity. The town bids farewell to one of its best-known and loved citizens and we join in sympathy with his family, friends, neighbors and community in lamenting his departure from this life'. Noel passed away peacefully at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on Sunday January 10th aged 90 years. Predeceased by his loving wife Mary, he is missed by his children Martin, Miriam and Harry, daughters in law Ashley and Audrey, Miriam's partner Martin, grandchildren Stephen, Paul and Rhys, great-grandchildren Lee, Noah, Mason,Jayden and Kayleigh, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. During requiem mass celebrated by Fr Aidan Murphy, eldest son Martin spoke of a wonderful father, husband and grandfather, who worked hard for them all his life, but brought immense joy to all. 'Dad's life was a celebration of something we will all cherish forever, and even though Mam and Dad were opposites, that is the reason why they stayed together for so long,' he said. 'He had a great faith and often visited Knock, where he organised pilgrimages for many years, and his favourite time of the year was Christmas, where he would dress up as Santa, and assemble the manger in this church.' Although he became synonymous with his home in later years Boyle O'Reilly Terrace, when he married Mary in 1956, they began their life elsewhere. 'We lived as a family in Pearse Park, and it was there he met one of his great mentors Grandad McCarthy, and it was also when he had to work so hard to provide for us, as a gravedigger, a coalman, and eventually in the cement factory in 1960, where he stayed until his retirement.' Another tribute on social media mentioned this time in Noel's life, where he shared his lust for life with others. 'As children he entertained us on the Drogheda Pantomine and at Cement Factory Christmas parties in St. Peter's Parochial Centre. A perusal of the local papers from 1953 onwards highlights the many fine performances of Noel in the guise of Al Jolson and many other entertainers,' said a warm tribute on Drogheda Down Memory Lane. 'Entertaining the elderly at St. On Mary's Hospital with Tec Caffrey and Jimmy Fagan or supporting Oliver Murphy in his endeavours for the Irish Wheelchair Association, or simply reciting the poems of John Boyle O'Reilly for his neighbours in Boyle O'reilly Terrace, Noel was a man of many talents, and I suppose because of those performances he will always be remembered particularly at Christmas'. And Al Jolson was recalled in the church too, as his photograph was placed on Noel's coffin, along with symbols of his great faith and his deserved Civic Award. 'From a young age, Dad was always an entertainer,' continued his son, 'and with his Al Jolson act, he travelled all over the halls, hospitals and parochial centres for charity. 'He also had a great sense of humour, and he loved to make people laugh.' His dedication to the Irish Wheelchair Assocation, through his great friendship with Oliver Murphy, was also recalled, as well as his great love of GAA. 'Dad was one of the lucky few to see Louth lift the All-Ireland cup in 1957,' said Martin, 'however, his worst day as a Louth supporter was when Meath beat Louth in the Leinster final in 2010; for that he never forgave Meath.' Fr Aidan also rememebred the long life of who he described as a man of action. 'Some people talk, some people propose but Noel was a doer,' said Fr Aidan. 'He was a voice and a face that helped others find hope and joy, and we all need people who sprinkle smiles and laughter where there are often tears and frowns'. Special thanks were given to all the staff at Moorehall Lodge, where Noel had lived of late, as well as the staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, and all at Townley's Funeral Home, who not only looked after his funeral, but were caring neighbours of Noel's in his later years. Noel was laid to rest in St. Peter's Cemetery, and may his gentle soul rest in peace. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 12:59:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- With the exercise of power more strictly supervised, a rigorously self-disciplined ruling party offers a firm guarantee as China ushers in a new development stage to build a modern socialist country. The fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened in Beijing on Friday. It affirmed the Party's construction achievements during the extraordinary past year while attaching great importance to tightening up Party governance to safeguard the country's future development plans. Self-discipline and self-reform have been the gene of the CPC since the Party was founded a century ago. With courage, the CPC has been improving Party conduct, building a clean government, and combating corruption to maintain its purity and advanced nature. The CPC makes continued efforts to strengthen governance over itself and has a firm resolve to supervise power and enforce discipline. These efforts have not only made the people follow its leadership but also served as a strong backing for the people in stormy times and won their support. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Facing tough battles against the COVID-19 epidemic, the flood disasters in central and eastern parts of the country, as well as extreme poverty in rural areas, the "good blacksmith" did stand the pressure test and made "good steel." These hard-won achievements could not be gained without the Party's iron-fist resolve against corruption and discipline violations. For instance, in the first half of 2020, in Hubei alone, a total of 15,509 people were punished in 14,534 cases of dereliction of duty and violation of discipline in epidemic prevention and control. From January to November last year, 9,554 Party officials were held accountable for failing to fulfill their poverty-alleviation responsibilities. Yet, the situation remains challenging and complex. Corruption is the biggest risk to the Party's governance, and new types of fraud are becoming intertwined. Therefore, oversight of the Party must always be strict, with improved Party and state supervisory systems, and integrate supervision into China's future development. It would ensure that officials do not dare to be, are not able to be, and do not want to be corrupt. To fully build a modern socialist country by the mid-century would be no walk in the park, and it will take more than drum beating and gong clanging to get there, with the whole Party working even harder toward this goal. Thus it requires the Party to be strictly disciplined so that the CPC can ensure its strong and determined leadership in China's modernization voyage. The century-old CPC, with its ever-present ability to self-reform, is achieving its first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society within the set time frame and is sure to lead the nation toward a victory in the second. Police broke up a huge party 'with 200 people inside' on an exclusive London street, leaving officers injured by revellers trying to flee before being fined. Two policemen were wounded as they tried to stop people leaving the illegal gathering in Knightsbridge. But the crowd turned hostile and shoved their way past them on Beauchamp Place - where properties cost 2.5million - around the corner from Harrods. Around 30 fines were issued and a three-month closure order is being prepared for the owner of the venue, who was previously fined and given a prohibition notice. It comes amid a spate of large breaches of the national lockdown, with 150 people flocking to a Jewish wedding in east London on Thursday. The crowd turned hostile and shoved their way past them on Beauchamp Place (file photo) - where properties cost 2.5million - around the corner from Harrods Two policemen were wounded as they tried to stop people leaving the illegal gathering in Knightsbridge A map shows where the huge gathering took place in relation to Knightsbridge landmarks such as Harrods Police find revellers hiding in a cupboard at university party Elsewhere in the country, officers broke up a party at university accommodation in Birmingham and issued 50 fines to revellers, including some hiding in a cupboard. Party-goers had travelled from as far away as Newcastle, Nottingham and London to attend the blatant breach of lockdown rules. An officer was assaulted as one student made off. West Midlands Police said he wasn't seriously injured. The force added that it will be working with the university to identify the organiser and help them improve their security to prevent further breaches. Inspector Steve Barnes was in charge of the operation and said: 'We understand that young people are frustrated at not being able to enjoy themselves and I do feel their pain, but we have to stick to the rules so that we can get back to some sort of normality sooner rather than later. 'People are dying and we have to prevent the spread of this virus. 'We hear the criticism that some are saying about our actions to police restrictions and, we more than anyone, want to concentrate on catching criminals, so my message is clear stick to the rules and let us do our job of protecting communities and solving crime.' Advertisement Shocking police bodycam footage from the Knightsbridge raid shows masked as they revellers streamed out of the address. Some tripped on the steps down from the exclusive property and flew into officers trying to marshal them. Police yelled at them to 'stay there, stay there' as they tried to head off the fleeing partygoers. The clip shows them grapple with some but the Met said no arrests were made at the event at 3.30am on January 17. Supt Michael Walsh said: 'Attending or organising such parties during this critical period is an incredibly selfish decision to make. 'While the majority of breaches have been resolved without incident, it deeply saddens me that some individuals have chosen to assault police who are simply doing their part in the collective battle against this deadly virus.' It followed a string of huge parties in the exclusive neighbourhood and nearby Kensington over the past few weeks. Police raided an address on Harrow Road on January 16 when 30 people met up, with the owner facing a 10,000 fine. Officers also stamped out an illegal party at a commercial property on Montpelier Street on December 20, leading to it being closed. Police also raided a lockdown-breaking wedding of 150 people at a Jewish girls' school in north London on Thursday. Elsewhere in the country, officers broke up a party at university accommodation in Birmingham and issued 50 fines to revellers, including some who were hiding in a cupboard. Party-goers had travelled from as far away as Newcastle, Nottingham and London to attend the blatant breach of lockdown rules. An officer was assaulted as one student made off. West Midlands Police said he wasn't seriously injured. Yesodey Hatorah Girls was being held as a coronavirus testing centre for people in Hackney, opening on Sundays between 12pm and 3pm The school was run by Rabbi Avrohom Pinter until he was struck down and killed by the infection in April last year The guests packed inside Yesodey Hatorah Girls' Senior School in Stamford Hill, which is being used as a coronavirus testing centre. The organiser, who police are searching for, is facing a 10,000 fine and five others were stung 200 after officers busted the address at 9.14pm following a tip-off. The building's windows had been covered to stop people seeing inside and many of the guests fled as the police arrived and avoided being fined. Downing Street condemned the 'selfish' illegal gathering which took place hours after Priti Patel announced a police crackdown on rule-breakers. Meanwhile in Wales a woman hosting an illegal house party tried to stop police entering her home before claiming all three households were in a bubble. Gwent Police received a call about a house party in Rhymney, Caerphilly, on Saturday January 16. A woman is seen answering the door to police before asking the officer: 'Are you going to fine me for this?' Gwent Police received a call about a house party involving three people in Rhymney, Caerphilly, on Saturday 16 January 'If there is no breaches then no and if there is then maybe,' the officer replies. However the woman responds: 'Well I am not going to pay it.' 'Why are you asking for a fine? Surely if there is no one in there then you wouldn't be considering it,' the officer replies. The woman attempts to stop police coming inside her house before the officer tells her to 'get your hand off me'. At one point the exasperated officer tells her: 'I've tried to be tidy with you.' She then refuses to give her name and tries to explain the gathering, which involved three people, by describing the three households as a bubble. From next week people who attend house parties face 800 instant fines for breaking the rules. Gatherings of 15 or more half the number set out under coronavirus regulations will lead to penalties for everyone on the premises. The 10,000 fine for organisers of an illegal event will still apply when 30 or more are present. As part of the Home Secretary's new crackdown, adverts have been produced with an image of partygoers covered in yellow tape which warns of the 800 penalty Attending an illegal gathering had attracted a 200 individual penalty. The new 800 fine will double each time for repeat offenders up to a maximum of 6,400, Priti Patel said earlier this week. 'We will not stand by while a small number of individuals put others at risk,' said the Home Secretary. 'These egregious breaches are costing lives. 'If you don't follow these rules, then the police will enforce them. 'Police officers are now moving more quickly to hand out fines when they encounter breaches, and they have my absolute backing in doing so. 'Such irresponsible behaviour poses a significant threat to public health, not only to those in attendance but also to our wonderful police officers who attend these events to shut them down.' The new rules, which come in next week, are designed to combat the worst breaches. It remains against lockdown rules to meet even one other person indoors, unless in a support bubble. Dr Vin Diwakar of NHS England told the Downing Street press conference after the rules were unveiled: 'This is the biggest health emergency to face this country since the Second World War. 'For me and my colleagues in the NHS breaking the rules in the way that's been described today is like switching on a light in the middle of the blackout in the Blitz. 'It doesn't just put you at risk in your house, it puts your whole street and the whole of your community at risk.' Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said examples of rule-breaking included a gathering of 40 revellers in east London who were 'hostile to the police'. Three officers were injured when they tried to break up the event. In Hertfordshire, officers stopped a house party equipped with mixing desks and amplifiers with over 150 guests. Again an officer was injured, said Mr Hewitt. And in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, officers told the organiser of an event with a dance floor and speakers not to go ahead, but later found 50 revellers on site. The chief culprit was fined 10,000. 'We have repeatedly made it clear that house parties and other large gatherings shouldn't be happening,' Mr Hewitt said at a Downing Street press briefing. 'They're dangerous, irresponsible and totally unacceptable. 'I hope the likelihood of an increased fine acts as a disincentive for those people who are thinking of attending or organising such events. 'When we see people putting others and themselves in danger we will not waste time trying to reason with them. They're demonstrating no regard for the safety of others.' From August, when the 10,000 fines were first introduced, to January 17, 250 fixed penalty notices were issued by forces in England. 'I make no apology for those fines, which have been given in the most serious cases where those organising those gatherings are selfishly putting lives at risk,' said Mr Hewitt. It is understood that police complained they had no effective way of tackling parties below the 30-person limit. Bella Thorne has been keeping it risque for fans since crashing OnlyFans last summer. And the former Disney Channel star has been working on her fitness routine, while continuing to serve body. She squeezed into some red patent leather pants and nothing else Friday, as she went topless on her Instagram Story to show off her taut bod, after getting back into the gym. Lady in red: Bella Thorne squeezed into some red patent leather pants and nothing else Friday, as she went topless on her Instagram Story to show off her taut bod, after getting back into the gym The 23-year-old posed from behind, teasing her derriere in the bold look, writing: 'Started working out again.' She's recently been forming Content X, a content management company for social media influencers, which she's launching with longtime manager Thor Bradwell. Thorne will act as creative director in charge of all content, as they manage influencers and their various social network accounts. She said in a statement: 'I'm excited to create Content X for this generation's young creative forces and their social medium platforms. Content X will also specialize in identifying young writers, directors, etc. on social media to give them a platform to develop their skills, etc.' Hitting the gym: The 23-year-old posed from behind, teasing her derriere in the bold look, writing: 'Started working out again' Influencing influencers: She's recently been forming Content X, a content management company for social media influencers, which she's launching with longtime manager Thor Bradwell Bold statement: The Assassination Nation actress faced backlash last month for claiming on her Instagram Story that she was the first to join OnlyFans The Assassination Nation actress faced backlash last month for claiming on her Instagram Story that she was the first to join OnlyFans. She wrote: 'Legit everyone in my news feed following in my footsteps. But when I was getting heat y'all were scared.' It comes after she launched her OnlyFans back in August, charging $20 a month, $51 for a three-month subscription or $102 for six months. Thorne was reportedly the first content creator on the platform to earn $1million in their first 24 hours, after briefly crashing the site. She told the Los Angeles Times that she made $2million in the first week, and she's 'putting the earnings into her production company and toward charity.' Although the site is mostly for adult entertainers to monetize their work, Thorne tweeted: 'Also nooooo Im not doing nudity!!!' But she quickly stirred up controversy, when she charged $200 for nude photos, which weren't actually nude, prompting many users to complain and request refunds. Breaking the internet: It comes after she launched her OnlyFans back in August, becoming the first content creator on the platform to earn $1million in their first 24 hours, after briefly crashing the site A little controversy: But she quickly stirred up controversy, when she charged $200 for nude photos, which weren't actually nude, prompting many users to complain and request refunds (pictured in February, 2020) Unwelcome changes: The site subsequently implemented some unwelcome changes, like capping payments at $50 for pay-per-view posts, as well as a hold that would require some international users to wait 30 days for their payout The site subsequently implemented some unwelcome changes, like capping payments at $50 for pay-per-view posts, as well as a hold that would require some international users to wait 30 days for their payout. Many sex workers who rely on the platform for their livelihood blamed Thorne for making their jobs more difficult. She later apologized on Twitter, writing: 'I wanted to bring attention to the site, the more people on the site the more likely of a chance to normalize the stigmas, And in trying to do this I hurt you. 'I have risked my career a few times to remove the stigma behind sex work, porn, and the natural hatred people spew behind anything sex related.' She added: 'I am a mainstream face and when you have a voice, a platform, you try to use you in helping others and advocate for something bigger than yourself. Again in this process I hurt you and for that Im truly sorry.' A spokesperson for OnlyFans clarified to BBC: 'Spending limits are in place to protect all OnlyFans users and to allow them to use the platform safely. 'The newly introduced limits on tips and paid posts is a change that has been in the pipeline for a while, and has not been implemented in response to any one creator or fan.' Bella told Paper of her reasons for joining the site: 'OnlyFans is the first platform where I can fully control my image; without censorship, without judgement, and without being bullied online for being me.' Directorial debut: Bella previously won the Vision Award at last October's second annual Pornhub Awards, following her adult film directorial debut (pictured in October, 2019) Pornstar: She released Her & Him (featuring ex Mod Sun, 33, on the soundtrack) as part of the adult streaming site's Visionaries series She also retweeted a journalist who claimed she joined as research for an upcoming project with director Sean Baker. The Florida Project director subsequently posted a statement, revealing that the film would be in the 'far future' and nothing was concrete. He wrote: 'I advised her team to consult with sex workers and address the way she went about this so as NOT to hurt the sex work industry. This has been the extent of my involvement.' Bella previously won the Vision Award at last October's second annual Pornhub Awards, following her adult film directorial debut. She released Her & Him (featuring ex Mod Sun, 33, on the soundtrack) as part of the adult streaming site's Visionaries series. It came after the Famous In Love actress released her own nudes in June of 2019, after she was threatened by a hacker. Bella posted the screenshots and a note to Twitter: 'F*** u and the power u think you have over me. I'm gonna write about this in my next book. Here's the photos he's been threatening me with, in other words here's my boobies.' Greenville businessman John Warren came out of nowhere in 2018 and put a scare into Gov. Henry McMaster in the Republican primary. Now there's signs the retired Marine captain is prepping for a second run next year versus the governor. "I'm clearly not ruling it out," Warren told Palmetto Politics on Monday after speaking to the East Cooper Republican Club, a traditionally good spot to visit ahead of a political campaign. Warren stepped into 2018 with virtually no political experience, joining a five-way GOP primary field that included former state health department director Catherine Templeton and then-Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant. He ran on his military experience of two tours in the Middle East, his outsider status and business know-how, taking the race to overtime and a runoff against McMaster, who was defending the seat he took over when Nikki Haley became U.N. ambassador. What was notable that year is that Warren self-financed much of his campaign, putting in $3.3 million of his own cash. He fell short, losing to McMaster by a 54 percent to 46 percent margin, a difference of 25,000 ballots statewide. McMaster got a late boost from then-President Donald Trump, who returned to South Carolina the day before the vote for an endorsement rally. What's different this time is that Warren has sold his majority ownership stake in his mortgage business, Lima One Capital, to in-house partners for a sum he wouldn't discuss, though he told the East Cooper Republicans it was enough to keep his family comfortable for some time. "Lima One has raised billions of dollars from institutional investors and is on pace to originate $1.25 billion in 2019," BusinessWire wrote in its description of the sale. Warren has also launched his own state-issue political action committee, South Carolina's Conservative Future. One of his recent thrusts has been rallying around the Statehouse's so-called "fetal heartbeat" bill, the biggest legislative item on the plate this year for social conservatives. The bill advancing in the Legislature would make an abortion illegal if an ultrasound detects a heartbeat, which can be heard as early as six weeks. Abortion would be allowed only to prevent death or serious injury to the woman. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! McMaster has already announced he's prepped to sign the bill if it passes. What kind of separation is there between McMaster, 73, and Warren, 41, if such as race materializes? Retired Francis Marion University political scientist Neal Thigpen, an expert in Republican politics in the state, said if Warren were to run again he'd still be starting from far back. "He was a pretty admirable candidate, but he's going to have to go through a complete do-over getting his name ID back up," Thigpen said. Tim Pearson, McMaster's senior 2022 strategist, said the McMaster campaign will gear up in the coming months and that the governor "will run again, and win." "When it comes to Mr. Warren, he's entitled to run of course," Pearson added before throwing in the reminder that failed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jaime Harrison "proved you can't buy a statewide race in South Carolina." McMaster has about $780,000 in his election account. Warren was reluctant to discuss much about next steps. He said his PAC is a continuing project and wouldn't interfere with anything else he wants to do in the months ahead. Also, he noted that he formally didn't jump into his first McMaster challenge until just months before the primary. So where are his thoughts? "I always found, personally, that I just focus on what I should be doing and less on what the competition is doing," he said. "It makes for a better product." Russian police on Saturday beat with batons and detained protesters who gathered outside Moscow's high-security prison holding top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, an AFP journalist reported. Hundreds of demonstrators outside the Matrosskaya Tishina prison chanted "Freedom" and called on authorities to release President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critic, after an estimated 20,000 people gathered in the Russian capital for anti-government demonstrations. The OVD-Info monitoring group said that law enforcement detained 2,131 demonstrators at protests in dozens of cities held across Russia Saturday calling for Navalny's release and denounce Putin's rule. The group said that a majority of the detentions -- 795 -- were carried out in Moscow where protesters clashed violently with police. The NGO said that more than 300 people were seized by police in Russia's second city Saint Petersburg, where an AFP journalist said more than 10,000 people rallied. Short link: Newly sworn in US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill were were held up outside the White House briefly before making their first official entry into the Presidential residence. The incident, which was photographed as the first family stood waiting to be ushered in, was reportedly the outcome of one final act of resentment by the outgoing President Donald Trump. Videos showed the Bidens waving and hugging in front of the cameras for over a minute waiting for the North Portico doors to open. This shortcoming on part of the staff was described as a "big protocol breach" by a veteran White House social expert in National Journal. The doors are usually opened by the Marine guards. The report quoted sources as saying that Donald and Melania Trump sent White House butlers and ushers home so that the Bidens would be left to fend for themselves. "So petty," the sources said. Sources also dismissed reports that the Bidens fired chief usher Timothy Harleth, stating that it was the Trumps who relieved him of his duties before leaving instead. The chief usher is responsible for managing the White House and oversees residence staff including construction, maintenance, remodeling, food, as well as the administrative, fiscal, and personnel functions. Harleth was a former executive of the Trump Hotels hired by Melania. The Journal continued to quote the source as explaining that the Harleth's absence could be blamed for the incident. "You couldnt expect the Biden staff to know to do that. Doors are opened and closed by ushers. There are rules about all these things and everyone has their job," the source was quoted. Another White House official stated that it was a "staff mistake". A member of Biden's staff should have alerted ushers on the other side of the door to open it. Timothy Harleth, widely considered a Trump loyalist, had expressed to his associates that he wished to continue his employment at the White House under the new regime. Harleth had last November already fired some long-serving staffers of the residence. The misstep, although lasting only seconds, came in the midst of a chaotic handover of the Presidential residence which had to be deep cleaned due to the Covid-19 pandemic. President Joe Biden's newly confirmed secretary of defense at a hearing this week did not decisively back the National Nuclear Security Administrations proposed two-site plutonium pit production mission, which, if executed, would dramatically elevate the profile of the Savannah River Site. Lloyd Austin, a retired Army general who at one point ran U.S. Central Command, responsible for military operations in the Middle East, instead promised a review of the nations nuclear modernization programs, "including the country's capacity to produce plutonium pits" and other components. In providing that answer, he did not mention SRS or Los Alamos National Laboratory, where the NNSA and the Defense Department suggested the nuclear weapon cores be made. The response, said Kingston Reif, the director for disarmament and threat reduction policy at the Arms Control Association, suggests Austin is "unwilling to endorse it at this stage." "Austin wisely chose to deflect the leading questions put to him by Republican senators about continuing the Trump administration's excessive and unsustainable nuclear weapons modernization effort," Reif said in a longer exchange with the Aiken Standard. "That this displeased these senators was a good sign in my view. Austin rightly said he would reserve judgement about the best path forward until he has a chance to assess the need and affordability of the effort." Asked by a New Mexico senator for his thoughts on producing 30 pits per year at Los Alamos by 2026, Austin played it safe. "Maintaining a credible, reliable, safe and sustainable nuclear capability is of utmost importance, of the highest importance," he told Martin Heinrich, a Democrat. "And so this is a component of that, and certainly, if we've laid out those goals and objectives for ourselves, I'm very much interested in making sure that they are the appropriate goals and I have no reason to doubt that they are." The Jan. 19 nomination hearing, before the Senate Armed Services Committee, showed "the secretary of defense does not seem to have a lot of strongly held views on nuclear questions, or if he does, he did not share them," said Stephen Young, a Washington representative for the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. "When asked explicitly about the nuclear triad, he said he 'personally' supports it but did not elaborate," Young recounted. Staking that position tempered by "personally" leaves room to wiggle. In a bid to refresh the U.S. nuclear stockpile, the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Defense Department in 2018 recommended crafting plutonium pits, triggers at the heart of modern nuclear weapons, in two states: South Carolina and New Mexico. The U.S. currently lacks a robust means to forge pits; the last place to make them en masse, the Rocky Flats Plant in Colorado, was scuttled following a raid. Jumpstarting pit production, energy and defense officials acknowledge, is challenging. The schedule is aggressive, and there are plenty of regulatory hurdles to clear. Critics Savannah River Site Watch among them have long warned of failure. An independent analysis published in May 2019 all but foresees it. "To believe it is possible is to ignore everything we know about the history of the NNSA," Young said. "The Biden team should follow the plan that the House passed in 2019, focusing on limited pit production at Los Alamos. The U.S. can maintain a very robust nuclear force without producing new pits." Reif believes the two-state approach to plutonium pit production utilizing a repurposed Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility and a buttressed Los Alamos "will certainly face greater scrutiny" under Biden's watch. It's more than just a changing of presidents. "The 80-pits-per-year-by-2030 goal is almost certainly not achievable and will need to be adjusted," Reif said. "How that impacts the plans at SRS, in particular, remains to be seen." Not having plutonium pit production at the Savannah River Site would likely be a blow to the region; local officials have salivated over the prospective influx of jobs and long-term investments. In answering other questions this week, Austin said the nation's nuclear weapons have "been extended far beyond their original service lives, and the tipping point, where we must simultaneously overhaul these forces, is now here." Such a sense of immediacy was often relayed by officials when Donald Trump held the White House. The Defense Department's Ellen Lord, for example, in 2019 told Congress delaying and deferring modernization was "no longer an option." She also described pit production as a "lynchpin." Former NNSA chief Lisa Gordon-Hagerty thought similarly. From cheese-dusted crusts to unique toppings like mapo tofu, the Bay Area pizza scene will never leave you bored. Plenty of new pizzerias and pop-ups have appeared even during the pandemic, and we want you try them all. Because on a cold winter night, a pizza is like a warm hug and we could all use a warm hug right now. Here are six new and trending Bay Area pizza restaurants to satisfy your cheese craving: Willette I. via Yelp June's Pizza No one has been able to stop talking about June's Pizza since this tiny shop appeared in West Oakland this spring. It's hard to snag a pizza: You have to call in your order exactly at 1 p.m., and there are only 50 pies available per day, so they generally sell out in about 20 minutes. But if youre lucky, the reward is a thin-crust wood-fired pizza featuring seasonal, local produce with a glorious cheese-dusted crust a recent special featured yellow foot chanterelles, soft cooked egg, greens and shaved black truffle. Yum. June's Pizza, 2311 Magnolia St., Oakland. Open 3-9 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday (reservation phone line opens at 1 p.m.). Courtesy of Pizza Mason Pizza Mason Pizza Mason is a new pop-up at Oakland's CommonWealth Cafe & Pub started by Jordan Sobolew, an audio engineer out of work during the pandemic. "Prior to this, I've traveled the country and world as a musician, always seeking out the most famous or notorious pizza in every region I visit," wrote Sobolew in an email. "I've been obsessed with getting my pizza perfect which is a never ending quest." Pizza Mason is cult-themed, which is fun, and offers a small selection of 16-inch pies from a "vodka marg" to a "nu white pie," and even a vegan pepperoni option. Pizza Mason, 2882 Telegraph Ave., Oakland (inside CommonWealth Cafe & Pub). Open 1-6 p.m. Sunday (find the preorder link midweek on Instagram). Daniel Lee / Courtesy of Sunset Squares Sunset Squares Pizza Right now, the Bay Area is obsessed with Detroit-style pizza that rectangular pizza with the crispy, thick crust you came to know and love from spots like Square Pie Guys. But have you tried Detroit-style pizza with toppings like pork belly kimchee or mapo tofu? Sunset Squares, a new restaurant from Namu Stonepots Dennis Lee, just opened in SoMa last month, and the pie flavors are wildly fun. They also make thin-crust pizzas (including a honey butter flavor) if square isn't your style. Sunset Squares Pizza, 59 Ninth St., San Francisco. Open 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday-Sunday. Nick Katkov Pollara Pizzeria This fall, a Roman-style pizza spot arrived in Berkeley's Fourth Street shopping district. Pollara Pizzeria specializes in pizza al taglio: rectangular slices with an airy crust, traditionally sold by weight and cut with scissors (although during the pandemic, you'll have to order by the quarter, half or full pan). Check out Pollaras cacio e pepe pie, decadent with housemade ricotta, pecorino and grinds of black pepper. Pollara Pizzeria, 1788 Fourth St., Berkeley. Open 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. Markus R. via Yelp Above Ground Don't think we forgot about you, vegans. Above Ground is a new vegan brewpub brought to you by Millenniums Alison Bagby and Eric Tucker. Specializing in vegan pies, you can find everything here from maitake mushroom pizza with winter squash cream, Miyokos cashew mozzarella and tempeh bacon to chicken pesto pizza with locally made Unicorn Meat vegan chicken. Above Ground, 2170 Mission St., San Francisco. Open 4-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Courtesy of Outta Sight Outta Sight Outta Sight is a skater-themed pizza pop-up from Eric Ehler, who was formerly the executive chef at Fort Point Beer Company and also worked at Mister Jius. Try the Jerry pizza, with ricotta, mozzarella, soubise, pistachio, honey and rosemary; or the Carmen, with fennel sausage, red onion and mushrooms. Pre-order a pie on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. sharp to pick up at PizzaHacker on Monday they sell only 60 pies a day, and they sell out fast. Outta Sight, 3299 Mission St., San Francisco (inside PizzaHacker). Pies available at Pizza Hacker every other Monday (pre-order on Thursdays starting at 8:30 a.m.). Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A former NPP Parliamentary Aspirant Alhaji Tanko Yakubu, an indigene of Kadjebi District in the Akan Constituency of the Oti region has expressed his desire to present himself for the position of the District Chief Executive (DCE) position to contribute his quota to the development of the area. Alhaji Tanko Yakubu is a Marine Superintendent by profession and also doubles as a Business Development Professional and a Chartered Logistician. Alhaji Tanko Yakubu is seeking to bring his numerous leadership skills, experience and grassroot politics to the forefront of development which the Kadjebi District has lacked for so many years. Already majority of Assembly members of the Kadjebi District and Polling Station Executives and the Akan Constituency Youth Forum in the Oti region have endorsed grassroots politician and the peoples father, Alhaji Tanko Yakubu as the next DCE. In an interview with this network, Alhaji Tanko stated that the people are predominantly farmers and traders and since the communities are fast-growing now there is high rate of youth unemployment. "I will be a DCE that will focus on massive and total development of the Kadjebi district and also ensure that the NPP party hierarchy from the polling station executives, zonal coordinators, constituency executives, and the general party people are well taken care of. There is too much uneasiness within the party at the grassroots level," he stated. He reiterated that he will consult the chiefs, opinion leaders, Imams, assembly members, and the traditional authorities in pursuit of the holistic and total development of the Akan area. He further stated that he is coming for the youth and people of Akan. He believes in the youth and will harness their human resource potential for the development of the area. If the youth have jobs they will be able to progress and develop into very astute and responsible people and Akan will, in the long run, be developed and with the majority due to necessity engaging in Cocoa smuggling which is a drain to the country's revenue generation but also due to ineffective policies are resulting to smuggling so they can survive," he said. The district has a wide range of multi-ethnic and tribal bases with the Akans - landlords in minority less than 8% of the population, Tem-Kotokoli and its affiliate tribes about 40% and the Ewes about 42% of the total population, Alhaji Tanko revealed. He said he has the vision to ensure that his people have jobs that can sustain them and their families. We urgently need an Immigration Command Centre here in the Oti region since it is a major border town with one main point of entry and there are several unapproved routes into Togo. We also lack a Nursing and midwifery school; we need good roads to evacuate our Agric produce such as cocoa, ginger corn, banana, oranges, etc. I also want to ensure as the DCE that we benefit from the cocoa road fund since it is a cocoa growing area, Alhaji Tanko Yakubu stated. According to Alhaji Tanko Yakubu, he is coming as the DCE to give massive support to farmers and traders. He also pointed out that the Kadjebi District lacks befitting senior high schools, hospitals, and healthcare facilities. Currently, the Dodo Pepesu road is under construction by the Sinohydro but the project only just passes through the main towns with the other feeder roads in poor state and unmotorable. We dont have any potable water here; we have some boreholes but are not functioning and all of those need rehabilitation works. Our Ginger processing factory will be a good 1D1F project. I will ensure that my region gets an Agric Research University - to revamp the Agric research farms in Jasikan and Kadjebi Districts. The fast-growing towns or already established towns include Kadjebi, Asato, and Papase which are the 3 traditional authorities of the district. Other underdeveloped or emerging communities in the Akan constituency are Poase-Cement, Dodi Mempeasem, Dodo-Amanfro, Dodo-Pepesu, and Dzindzinso. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Business Roundup The Irrawaddy Business Roundup -- YangonThis week Myanmar received 1.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses provided by the government of India as the very first vaccines from abroad. The government is planning to vaccinate its healthcare workers on the COVID-19 frontline and government staffs and members of parliaments by next week. Also this week, Myanmar discussed the expansion of Japanese investments in the country and the promotion of military relations with the Japan-Myanmar Association. Meanwhile Myanmar approved four investments including a new Japanese investment in Yangon. Myanmar inked a power purchase deal with a Thai company and Myanmar Tourism Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to assist the restaurant and tourism development sectors impacted by COVID-19. Myanmar and Japan discussed the expansion of Japanese investments The Myanmar State Counselor Office announced that it has discussed expansion of Japanese investment in Myanmar during the upcoming second term of the civilian government led by the National League for Democracy (NLD), during a visit by Watanabe Hideo, chairman of the Japan-Myanmar Association. Watanabe Hideo, who is also a former member of the House of Councilors of Japan, met Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General Ming Aung Hlaing and other high-level officials in Napyitaw this week. Myanmars military also discussed with Watanabe Hideo for the promotion of military-to-military relations between the two countries. The Myanmar State Counselor Office said that during the frank negotiations between the State Counselor and Watanabe, there was discussion of Japans continued support for socio-economic development assistance, including in the education and health sectors. Japan was the fifth-largest investor in Myanmar, with more than US $1.3 billion in investments by 37 permitted enterprises during the period from the 2016-2017 fiscal year to the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Myanmar to buy power from Thai company On Wednesday, the Myanmar Ministry of Electricity and Energy-controlled Electric Power Generation Enterprise signed a power purchase agreement with the TTCL Power Myanmar Company Limited, a subsidiary of Thailands TTCL Public Company Limited. TTCL plans to construct a $685 million (911 billon kyats) worth of 388-megawatt liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Yangons Alone Township. The project includes construction of a natural gas pipeline, an LNG terminal and a 230-kilovolt transmission line. The construction is expected to take more than two years with a 25-year concession. The ministry expects that the project will power Yangon Region with a more stable supply. Currently, more than half of Myanmars population is connected to the national grid, the lowest proportion in ASEAN. The World Bank said in 2019 that Myanmar needs to invest up to $2 billion annually in its electricity sector to sustain economic growth. Investments approved in Yangon On Wednesday, the Yangon Regional Investment Commission has approved a total of $7.803 million in investments by three investors from China and Japan and 2929 million kyats ($2.2 million) of local investment. The Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) said that the investments are focused on the garment and foodstuff sectors. DICA expect that the investments would create 1,762 job opportunities. Myanmar Tourism Bank to assist COVID-19 hit-restaurants Myanmar Tourism Bank (MTB) has signed an MoU with the Myanmar Restaurants Association (MRA) and Myanmar Tourism Human Resources Development Association (MTHRDA) for financial and other assistance. MTB said on Thursday that the MoU is intended to assist with bank loans or other services to all restaurants that are registered as the members of MRA and have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. MTB said it will help for the expansion of restaurants of MRA. Meanwhile, it will help the development of hotel and tourism training centers which are providing human resources for the tourism sectors. Climate Action Tracker, independent analysts supported in part by the German government, rate Australias current target of cutting 2005-level emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2030 as insufficient, with a lack of climate policy across all sectors. The Australian government has initiated a gas-led recovery [from COVID-19] rather than a green recovery, and has continued to signal its support for the coal industry, it said. The government has shown no intention of updating its Paris Agreement target nor adopting a net-zero emissions target, with the Prime Minister [Scott Morrison] specifically ruling this out. Prime Minister Scott Morrison wears a hard hat and face mask during a visit to South32s Cannington coal mine in McKinlay, Queensland last week. Credit:AAP Howard Bamsey, Australias former top climate diplomat, says the Biden teams ambitions are likely to make Australia even more exceptional than it was on international climate diplomacy. Countries that account for more than 70 per cent of Australias trade, such as China, have already set carbon-neutrality goals. One result is that the Morrison governments refusal to offer one for Australia means the countrys international reputation is worse than it needs to be. Loading Its very puzzling why Australia would allow its position to be compromised so unnecessarily. Why dont we just say it and get on with it? says Bamsey, now a professor at the Australian National University. Bamsay lays blame on members within the government who have halted climate action in the past: Theres no other explanation for these missteps than some peculiar party room problem and were paying a very high price for it, which is about to increase. One area of interest will be to see if Australias decision in 2018 to halt new contributions to the United Nations Green Climate Fund after its initial foray of $200 million gets fresh scrutiny from the US or others. The Biden administration has committed to restart US funding after President Donald Trump blocked contributions after the first $US1 billion of the $US3 billion promised by his predecessor, Barack Obama. Bamsey, who served on the secretariat of the fund when it was set up, says Australias money translated into $600 million being invested into the Pacific. It was a terrific result for Australia, he says, adding that other nations will certainly encourage Australia to do more. Dont be afraid: Prime Minister Scott Morrison holding a lump of coal during question time in 2017 when he was Treasurer. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Bill Hare, a director of Climate Analytics and a climate summit veteran, says: Australia is going to be under a fair bit of pressure, internationally. The most recent formal summit, in Madrid in late 2019, already had Australia lining up with the likes of Saudi Arabia, Russia and Brazil to slow progress. Hare says the European Union and Britain both of which had lifted their 2030 climate ambitions at the end of last year are among those already scrutinising the Morrison governments stance. In particular will be how Australia negotiates on the Paris Rulebook, which will determine whether or not any so-called carry-over credits for overachievement during the previous Kyoto Protocol (2008-20) could be counted towards the Paris Agreement (2021-30). After stating such credits should be used, the Morrison government has lately said they wont be needed because Australias emissions are falling faster than forecast, although it has not yet committed to formally extinguishing them. Alan Pears, an energy expert at RMIT University, says Australia would be better off buying international carbon credits to offset any shortfall of its 2030 targets. Such offsets are cheap compared with creating a real global view that they are cheats, Pears says. Thats not worth it. Among Bidens policies is achieving net-zero emissions from US electricity industry by 2035. Credit:Bloomberg The Morrison government, of course, has had a lot of time to get its lines straight. Not only was Biden elected more than 11 weeks ago, officials were well versed in his views on the campaign trail and from his time serving as vice-president during Barack Obamas two presidential terms (2009-17). The President has made it clear, [climate change is] an existential threat that has to be addressed, Australias ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos, told ABCs Radio National on Friday. Setting climate targets is obviously something the Australian government will have to look at, he said. Targets are important, but whats also important is to have plans. Picking up where Barack Obama left off: Joe Biden (left) visits rooftop solar panels in Denver, Colorado in 2009, when he was US Vice-President. Credit:Getty A spokesman for Angus Taylor, the Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister, echoed that sentiment, adding that we welcome the Biden administrations return to the Paris Agreement and focus on investing in new and emerging technologies that will lower global emissions. Among Australias commitment is $300 million to fund the development of hydrogen technology, including both gas and renewable energy sources. The spokesman said the US stance aligns with Australias Technology Investment Roadmap, which was discussed between President Biden and PM Morrison in November last year, without elaborating. Sinodinos went further, saying were looking to actually enter into a low-emissions technology partnership with the US and theres a lot of commonality in our programs. The Trump Administration promised to boost coal but in fact many coal-fired power plants and mines closed during his term. Credit:Andrew Harrer Just how much commonality remains to be seen, especially if John Kerrys urgent wish-list is realised. Describing the potential bonanza as the economic opportunity of many lifetimes, the climate envoy said the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050 needs to happen much faster than it is. The phase-out of coal, for instance, will need to be five times faster than has happened during the 2013-18 period; tree-cover increases must also quicken five-fold; while the ramp-up of renewable energy must rise six times; and, the transition to electric vehicles 22 times faster, Kerry says. In this decade through 2030, the world will need more than $US1 trillion in annual investment in clean power systems to speed the energy transition [alone], he says. For a comparison, figures out last week from Bloomberg New Energy Finance tallied a record $US501.3 billion in decarbonisation efforts in 2020, a 9 per cent rise on the previous year, even with the COVID-19 pandemic. RMITs Pears expects the Morrison government will surprise many by setting a 2050 net-zero target and may even lift its 2030 target. For one thing, the states and territories have already set mid-century carbon neutrality goals and many companies are following suit. He points to the little-known federal government-backed Climate Active website, where organisations can have their achievements certified. For the cost of $170,000 in offsets, for instance, the Bayside Council in Melbourne (where Pears resides) achieved net-zero emissions last year. Its all going on under the radar, he says. Similarly, the government is basing Australias emissions projections on unrealistically conservative modelling, particularly for the electricity sector. It uses the central forecast for emissions used by the Australian Energy Market Operator, when the much lower step change trajectory is actually being implemented as ever cheaper renewable energy enters the industry. That leaves the Morrison government with the opportunity to confound critics and deflect diplomatic urgings from wherever they come. They will miraculously meet and beat their targets without much effort at all, Pears predicts. Phukets International Veterans Association - Prepared For Anything A brand-new association has been formed in Phuket with special focus on military and emergency-service men and women, either serving or veteran, providing a focal point for providing help to those in need, both the members and the community alike. Community By The Phuket News Saturday 23 January 2021, 11:00AM The International Veterans Association (IVA) insignia. The International Veterans Association (IVA), now formally launched in Phuket, is the brainchild of British expat Steve Pearce of Heroes bar in Patong. Steve, who serves as the IVAs inaugural president, is a veteran of almost 32 years of military service and security operations in some of the most hostile regions of the world. He is now a Phuket business owner and family man. Unlike days of yore, when veterans associations provided a venue of mostly ageing ex-servicemen, Steve points out that veterans today are much younger, and have a lot to offer. The IVA aims to provide a social and business networking opportunity, meeting regularly and hosting social get-togethers so that members can share their experiences and explore new ventures, yet among its primary purposes is to provide a signpost to professional help for members, explains Steve. The IVA members are veterans or serving members of any nations armed forces or emergency services. The IVA is self-funding, and in no way attempts to copy or take away the work done by the other veteran charities and groups. The IVA is apolitical and non-religious, though members will be encouraged to represent the association at Remembrance and Anzac services, he adds. Having a business and social networking group for veterans allows us to keep an eye on each other too. Mental health issues can arise at any time in a veterans life. We aim to watch out for each other and those around us. At the same time, we can promote each others services and businesses, says Steve. Defence Attache at British Embassy in Bangkok, Colonel Roger Lewis, who has signed on as Patron of the IVA says plainly in his official letter of support, It is my distinct honour to be Patron of the International Veterans Association Phuket, Thailand, and to lend my support to a brilliant idea. Bringing together those that have served, whether in the military or the emergency services, to assist each other and to continue to support the wider community is a noble cause. There is a natural affinity between service people that is hard to define but those who know, know. You can bump into a complete stranger in an entirely new place and instinctively know you have a shared heritage. Before long, the banter will surface, the competitive spirit will show and the sense of purpose will materialise. Equally though, you may recognise that something is just a little off kilter. Something sitting not quite right with your new acquaintance or perhaps even with a friend of far too many years. One of the key purposes of the IVA is to provide an opportunity to discuss the good and the bad with people who intuitively understand where youre coming from, Col Lewis notes. The signpost service will be able to gain legal and visa advice, as well as promote services from other veteran organisations. Veteran or not, nobody seeking help will be turned away. Steve adds, noting that members can be residents of Phuket or service personnel just passing through. Yet Colonel Lewis points out clearly that the IVA is not, however, just about talking; its very much about doing too. Officially only weeks old, the IVA already has laid the foundation for its own Disaster Relief Team (DRT) to exploit the skills that veterans generally arrive with. The IVAs official motto is In Omnia Paratus, Latin for Prepared For Anything. Highlighting the international essence of the IVA, the disaster relief and humanitarian team Lead Coordinator is Kevin Mansfield from Australia, the DRT Chief Instructor is Brit Jon Walsh, and the DRT Operations Manager and IVA Vice President is Henrik Oesten from Denmark. A Disaster Relief Team (DRT) of volunteers will receive general training and training updates. There have been several disasters and emergencies here since I arrived. The expats always step forward to help. The plan is that we should be able to step up as an organised and lead group, with our capabilities known to the local commanders, explains Steve. The DRT already has been working with veteran-owned company First Aid Training Phuket on getting first aid training into schools. "Owners Jon and Lisa have been excellent advisors and instructors on this project, says Steve. The DRT Chief Instructor [Jon], and his company First Aid Training Phuket, will arrange and run first aid courses and mental health workshop sessions for members starting early March. However, Steve notes, Some equipment is required to make the DRT work properly. Although we are self-funding, we do need some limited financial assistance. Sponsoring by funding, or donating some equipment is the best way to help us. If you or your organisation are willing to help, I can forward the equipment and pricing list to you. The IVA is gaining momentum. More than 20 companies have joined the Association Members Support Scheme, and are offering discounts on products and services to members. These include, hotels, restaurants, bars and pubs, car hire, legal advice, dive company, gym, and spa. The list will be expanded upon this year, Steve adds. On the official front, the initiative has also gained support from Paul Kaye, Consul-General at the British Embassy in Bangkok, and from Col Stephen Fomiatti, Australian Defence Attache, Thailand. Locally, the IVA has also received open support from Martin Carpenter, British Honorary Consul for Phuket, and Matthew Barclay, Australian Consul-General for Phuket, as well as Jason Beavan, General Manager of Class Act Media, as Media Sponsor and champion of IVA projects. The IVA is an excellent initiative, Mr Barclay noted. The Australian Consulate-General in Phuket is very proud to support its formation. Phuket is home to an array of veterans (and visiting veterans) from various countries and military operations and having an organisation like this is a natural and welcome step A local organisation where veterans can share experiences, seek support from those with similar experiences and give back to the community will be a valuable resource into the future. I applaud Steve Pearce for his tireless work so far and encourage those looking to connect with other veterans to reach out to the IVA, he said. Getting in touch with the IVA is a simple affair. Socially, we plan to have an association breakfast club, held at Dee-lish restaurant and bar at Hemingways Silk Hotel. This will be held on the first Saturday of every month from 10am, he adds. For more information about the International Veterans Association, visit the website PhuketVeterans.com. Alternatively, call +66 (0) 895 870 819 or email contact.us@phuketveterans.com In Full Flower Concrete Rose by The Hate U Give author Angie Thomas provides a coming-of-age story for Maverick Carter, whose daughter is the earlier novels protagonist. Its the #10 book in the country and a tender love letter to a close Black family and community, PWs starred review said, citing Thomass trademark wit, nostalgic love of the 1990s and all things R&B and hip-hop, and her penchant for heartfelt characterization. In a prepublication interview with PW, the YA author explained her connection to Maverick, a fan favorite. My father wasnt in my life, but there were other men who stepped up to the plate and filled the hole along the way, she said. Maverick is a symbol of a young Black man who exists in the world and should be treated as a human being like anyone else. Sobering Words Holly Whitakers Quit Like a Woman pubbed at the end of 2019 and details how, our review said, she got sober at 33, quit her job at a healthcare startup, and dedicated herself to starting a recovery program that she sees as an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous. After its pub month it sold a few hundred per week throughout 2020. On December 30, Chrissy Teigen said in her Instagram stories that the book had prompted her to give up alcohol; sales of the hardcover shot up for the next two weeks and with the January 12 release of the trade paperback edition, the book debuts on our trade paper list at #4. Doubleplusgood Sales Historian Timothy Snyders On Tyranny, published in 2017, is the #4 book in the country. Sales have spiked several times since its release, with the latest bounce coming in the wake of the January 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol. Numerous news outlets consulted Snyder, whose work centers on fascism and political atrocity, for context, and he wrote a widely shared essay in the New York Times titled The American Abyss. The violence at the Capitol also pushed 1984 by George Orwell, the #6 book in the country, back into the spotlight, albeit from a different angle. Sen. Josh Hawley lost his deal with Simon & Schuster because of what the publisher called his role in what became a dangerous threat to our democracy and freedom; the senator called the move Orwellian. (Regnery later picked up Hawleys book.) Donald Trump Jr.s response to his fathers post-siege permanent Twitter ban? We are living in Orwells 1984. A Vox headline summed things up: The word Orwellian has lost all meaning. NEW & NOTABLE A SWIM IN A POND IN THE RAIN George Saunders #7 Hardcover Nonfiction Saunders offers lessons from his graduate-level seminar on the Russian short story in this superb mix of instruction and literary criticism, our starred review said, adding that the authors teaching style, much like his fiction, is thoughtful with touches of whimsy. YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED TO LACEY Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar #19 Hardcover Nonfiction Late Night with Seth Meyers writer Ruffin and her sister, Lamar, recount the racism Lamar has experienced growing up and living in Omaha, Nebr., per our starred review, expertly balancing laugh-out-loud humor and descriptions of deplorable actions. Its among several books of essays discussed in our feature Brief Encounters. A little over a week ago, Dr. Charles Chiu looked through the latest batch of genomic sequencing results from his lab at UCSF. He was scanning for the familiar pattern of an especially infectious coronavirus variant from the United Kingdom, known as B117. He didnt find it. What he found instead was alarming and unexpected: A rare variant that Chiu had only seen a handful of times suddenly made up 25% of his samples. California had a mysterious new foe to contend with. It had slipped under our noses, said Chiu, whos director of the UCSF-Abbott Viral Diagnostics and Discovery Center. Chius team was the first to report the new variant, which the state is calling L452R, but days later another group of scientists at Cedars-Sinai reported the same variant was now making up more than a third of cases in Los Angeles. The findings underscore the urgent need to increase genomic sequencing across California and the nation, scientists like Chiu say. California has more laboratories capable of doing that work than many countries, but the state lacks the coordinated infrastructure needed to quickly identify new variants and determine whether theyre a threat. The same is true for the United States, which is far behind almost every other major country in the amount of sequencing it does, and lacks funding and national leadership to improve the situation, infectious disease experts say. As the nation races to vaccinate as many people as possible before the virus picks up more mutations that could make it harder to manage, its critical scientists understand what theyre up against. Without much more large-scale surveillance, Chiu said, everyone trying to control the pandemic is flying blind. We dont know what variants may be circulating or emerging. It becomes very challenging for us to fight an enemy if we dont know what the enemy is, Chiu said. Genomic sequencing is used to determine the order of the chemical building blocks that make up the virus. Those building blocks shift, or mutate, as the virus replicates. Genomic sequencing lets scientists identify those mutations, providing a sort of genetic fingerprint for the virus. Its important for several reasons. It helps scientists and public health officials understand how the virus behaves from a molecular level. It can also help infectious disease investigators track where the virus is spreading and identify outbreaks. And it can alert authorities to mutations in the virus that may cause a change in behavior making it more infectious or less susceptible to vaccines, for example. That last use is critical, but it requires a robust national surveillance program that involves frequent genomic testing of random samples collected from around the country. The United Kingdom has a program like that, and it tests about 10% of coronavirus cases. The United States tests far fewer than 1% of its cases. I know what this country can do. But there has to be a call to arms on this, and it has to come from the top, said Dr. Joe DeRisi, co-president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub in San Francisco, which does about 45% of the genomic sequencing in California and 5% of the national total. It can be done. The UK did it. The UK has wonderful genomic surveillance for the country. Why are we so far behind? No national leadership. Californias genomic sequencing network is loosely coordinated, with a handful of labs across the state providing results but few directives for what types of samples are collected and how theyre reported. Most labs that do genomic sequencing are focused not on surveillance, which involves regularly screening for mutations to the virus, but on analyzing specific cases and outbreaks. And theres little to no funding, DeRisi said. The Biohub and UCSF pay for genomic sequencing with grants theyve already obtained. Were trying to do what we can do. Were going to donate as much effort as we can to this, DeRisi said. But we are a small nonprofit research institute, and it feels like were shouldering a very heavy burden. In addition to UCSF and the Biohub, UC Berkeley and Stanford also do genomic sequencing of the coronavirus. Stanford last week said it had started a surveillance program to quickly find new variants that may be circulating in Northern California. Chius lab found two of the first cases of the B117 variant in California, which were reported in San Bernardino County. Scripps Research in La Jolla identified a cluster of B117 cases in San Diego County. Another case in Los Angeles County was found by a federal lab. That scattershot approach to finding new variants, both statewide and nationally, isnt capturing how widespread they may already be, said Dr. Joel Ernst, an infectious disease expert at UCSF. The B117 variant has been found in 22 states so far, including 72 cases across California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We know for example that the UK variant is here. We know its in multiple states, he said. But we dont have any idea what fraction of the infections in Colorado or Los Angeles or Seattle or Boston are caused by that variant. It will be more important than ever to increase genomic sequencing as more people get vaccinated, infectious disease experts said. A small percentage of people who are vaccinated will develop COVID-19 anyway, and scientists need to be able to identify those cases and understand why the vaccine failed, Ernst said. And as more people are vaccinated, pressure will mount on the virus to mutate and try to escape. Public health experts will need to know very quickly if a new variant doesnt respond as well to vaccines. The B117 variant appears to be fully covered by the current vaccines. But a variant identified in South Africa which, like the UK, has a strong genomic sequencing network may be somewhat resistant to vaccines, studies have found. There are similar concerns about a variant identified in Brazil. We are launching the largest evolutionary experiment in virology thats ever been on the planet. Were going to put immune pressure on the virus that will force it to mutate or die. Chances are there will be mutations that allow it to sidestep the vaccine, DeRisi said. Wouldnt we want to know that so we can design a generation 2 and 3 vaccine? Chius laboratory already has started studies of how the L452R variant responds to vaccines. Three days after reporting the variant to the state hed started growing it in the lab. In a week or so hell expose the variant to antibodies sampled from previously infected donors. That will tell him if the virus has a mutation that lets it evade one or more of the antibody weapons the body uses to fight off infection. But the other important question is whether the variant is more infectious than other versions of the virus. To show that its more transmissible you would need a robust community surveillance program, to see if the virus is increasing in frequency relative to other mutations, Chiu said. That can only be done with a very structured, organized, coordinated surveillance program, which we dont have. Chiu is worried that the L452R variant may indeed be more infectious. His team found that it made up fewer than 5% of the samples they tested in November to mid-December, but 25% in a second batch from mid-December to January. Thats a concerning increase in a very short period of time. The variant also was tied to several large clusters in Santa Clara County, including a Kaiser hospital outbreak in which more than 90 people were infected. The variant also carries a mutation thats located in a precarious spot on the virus that may make it more infectious. The Cedars-Sinai group has suggested the variant may have helped fuel Los Angeles Countys recent distressing surge in cases. But scientists like Chiu say they just dont know for sure. All of the evidence is circumstantial. Regardless of how big a threat L452R or any other variant poses, the arrival of multiple mutations at once should raise a red flag, said Fyodor Urnov, a virologist with the UC Berkeley Innovative Genomics Institute. Its a bit like a tremor on the San Andreas fault. Like a 3.5, Urnov said. Not a major tremor, but if we do not start preparing for the big one, Mother Nature will say, Didnt I tell you? What part didnt you understand? San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Michael Williams contributed to this story. Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The residential market in Dublin 2 is currently being buoyed by overseas tech executives. They were attracted to Ireland four or five years ago by work, but now, after meeting a partner or having children, they are ready to call Dublin home. The buyers are usually aged between 30-50 and have been paying big rents, so they are happy to take on a mortgage, which is often cheaper, according to estate agent Owen Reilly. Within this new group of buyers, there is an interest in period homes within the city limits. Average Price 415,000 Areas South City Centre, Quays, Grand Canal Dock, Pembroke, Leeson, Temple Bar Up + 1% One Year Forecast + 1% Assessing Agent Owen Reilly Property Consultants A lot of these houses are in need of complete renovation, but there are buyers there who like the idea of taking on a project like this. Number 16 Grattan Street went sale agreed last month to a couple who both work in tech and arent Irish, with young children, says Reilly. We also just sold a period house off Grand Canal Street to a techie for 800,000. Weve a renovated house in Pearse Square coming on the market for 1.2m and I think theres a good chance a tech executive will buy that too. House Type 2020 2021 2022 One-bed Apartment 308,000 305,000 311,000 Two-bed Apartment 428,000 415,000 423,000 2up/2Down 439,000 443,000 452,000 3-bed Terrace 476,000 481,000 486,000 1-bed Cottage 314,000 311,000 317,000 2-bed Cottage 428,000 432,000 441,000 Ex-Corporation 2-bed 428,000 432,000 441,000 Ex-Corporation 3-bed 457,000 461,000 466,000 2-bed Townhouse 449,000 453,000 463,000 3-bed Townhouse 487,000 492,000 497,000 2-bed Mews 648,000 648,000 654,000 3-bed Mews 729,000 729,000 736,000 3-bed Duplex 487,000 487,000 492,000 Period 2/3 Storey-over Basement 995,000 1,005,000 1,025,000 Period 4/5 Storey-over Basement 1,568,000 1,537,000 1,552,000 Three-bed Apartment 487,000 487,000 492,000 Its not all high-end properties theyre looking at either, with many younger workers buying apartments in Dublin 2 because they want to be able to walk to the office when they reopen. With investors leaving the market in their droves last year, there are more opportunities in the city for first-time buyers. That said, in a year when the city centre was never more quiet with offices closing and some workers moving back home, apartments in Grand Canal Dock are dragging the average prices down for Dublin 2. There was a downwards impact on apartments generally as buyers struggled with the smaller spaces in the wake of Covid 19. One bed units fell by 3,000 and two beds by a more substantial 13,000. Both however are expected to make up ground this year. Because of Covid, the technology cluster of companies and workers being told to work from home meant that this area has been harder hit than any other part of Dublin. But I think it will bounce back, and bounce back strongly in 2021, says Reilly. Property Hotspot: Docklands Apartments in the likes of Grand Canal Dock priced up to 350,000 were very popular with first-time buyers and young techies With the likes of Rabobank taking up 23,500 sq ft of office space on Sir John Rogersons Quay, Reilly is confident that remote working isnt here forever. There are going to be elements of home working for everyone, but one thing I can say is from chatting to young techies, they cant wait to get back to the office. Not everyone is privileged enough to have space for a home office. Reilly is predicting that residential sales in the city will be busier than commercial, with new developments and hotels now on hold or, in some cases, put off altogether. Trenton: Pfizer committed to supply up to 40 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine this year to a World Health Organisation-backed effort to get affordable shots to poor and middle-income countries. The deal is a boost to the global program known as COVAX, as wealthy nations have snapped up most of the millions of coming shots. The commitment, announced on Friday at a virtual press conference held by the Geneva-based WHO, is seen as important because Pfizer and its partner BioNTech last month won the first vaccine emergency authorisations from WHO and the US Food and Drug Administration. The Pfizer Global Supply manufacturing plant in Michigan. Credit:AP Earlier this week, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus criticised drugmakers for seeking profits from the pandemic and mostly supplying wealthy countries. The childrens tsar has said that primary school pupils must be allowed back in class after the February half-term and last night backed calls to prioritise Covid jabs for teachers. Anne Longfield, the Childrens Commissioner, spoke out as an exclusive poll for The Mail on Sunday found almost two-thirds of parents want children to return to school next month. The poll of 1,002 parents by Mumsnet also found that 75 per cent of parents believed that the school closures had been harmful to childrens education. Forty per cent of parents of private school pupils said youngsters are actively engaged in five or more hours per day in school work, compared with just 12 per cent of those at state schools. The poll of 1,002 parents by Mumsnet also found that 75 per cent of parents believed that the school closures had been harmful to childrens education Nine out of ten parents said childrens social lives had suffered, with 78 per cent saying school closures have been harmful for pupils mental health. Sixty-two per cent said that they wanted Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to reopen all primary schools and Year 11 and 13 classes after the February half-term break. Almost half said they wanted children back in school due to concerns over the impact the lockdown is having on their mental health. Ms Longfield told this newspaper: The evidence is now overwhelming that closing schools is bad for childrens wellbeing and attainment. That is why I dont want schools closed for a day longer than necessary and why, since the start of the pandemic, I have urged the Government to do all it can to make sure schools are the last to close and the first to open. Nine out of ten parents said childrens social lives had suffered, with 78 per cent saying school closures have been harmful for pupils mental health She warned many vulnerable children slip out of sight during lockdown, adding: Reopening schools must be a priority and Gavin Williamson was right to say he hoped to have all children back in the classroom before Easter. For this to happen, Government need to start planning now so that this can be done safely. If all schools are to be open before Easter, primary schools will need to start going back after the next half-term. Teachers need to be a higher priority for vaccines and we need testing regimes that schools have confidence in, alongside a rocket boost for catch-up funding, and an urgent acceleration of providing all schools with an NHS-funded counsellor. Liz Cole, co-founder of the Us For Them parent campaign group, said: Most schools are doing their absolute best to do things remotely but nothing can replace the classroom learning experience. I dont think that we can justify the harm that we are doing to our children by keeping them out of school for so long. Ella Medina, a mother of three children, aged 11, 13 and 15, said her children were struggling to keep up with online lessons. The delivery can be incredibly one-dimensional. Its hard for the children to engage. Im constantly having to hover over them to make sure theyre not switching to games or WhatsApping their friends. I think it is an absolute necessity that schools go back after the half-term, regardless of the Covid-19 situation. It is an essential service. Another mother, from Cambridge, who has a 12-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son, said: My son is having no live lessons just one assembly on Zoom each week. He is expected to log on and complete worksheets and watch videos from the Governments Oak Academy which drones on. He loses interest in minutes. My daughter is really struggling with it. We are trying to get her to submit one thing a day. She is really demotivated. She misses her friends. Im worried about her ever being able to re-engage and catch up on what she has missed. Click here to visit Mumsnet The immediate past U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has spared no efforts to undermine the bilateral ties of his country with China during his tenure. As the top diplomat of the only superpower of the world, he has unfortunately risen to prominence for pursuing lying diplomacy. The former CIA boss, who prides himself on 'lying, cheating and stealing,' has spread a barrage of groundless accusations against China, leaving no stone unturned to slander the nation as if he were down with anti-China syndrome. Hanipa Nabi (left), a villager from Altay, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region who has joined embroidery sessions offered by a local foreign trade company, makes embroidery works at home, March 26, 2020. (People's Daily Online/Aldak) Pompeo has, therefore, continued spinning cock and bull stories about Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South China Sea, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Communist Party of China (CPC), and some globally leading technology firms of China. Speaking in a US radio interview last November, Pompeo said: Taiwan has not been a part of China. With this statement, he has dishonored a UN resolution that declared Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. He has also stood up against the long-standing official stance of the successive administrations of the US on Taiwan. The three joint communiques, based on which the China-US diplomatic relationship was established, have all affirmed the One-China Principle. Pompeo has tossed out decades-old rules that helped the US navigate unofficial relations with Taiwan. Just 11 days before a new administration took office, he declared that all restrictions on official contacts with Taiwan were 'null and void. During the devastating riots in Hong Kong in 2019, Pompeo glorified the illegal violence of the rioters and criticized China for crushing the freedom of Hongkongers, terming the riots as 'peaceful' protests in Hong Kong. In an article published at the website of the US State Department, Pompeo blamed the CPC for threatening global peace and security, claiming that the CPC poses the central threat of the times, undermining the stability of the world to serve its own hegemonic ambitions. Against such blatant lies of Pompeo, many observers are of the view that the world has no reason to believe these accusations. However, it is would not be an exaggeration to say that the US has only itself, not the CPC, to blame for ransacking global peace. This is, as such, a dirty plot to justify and distract global attention from the US invasions and atrocities across the world. Just one day before the new administration takes office, Pompeo said that China has committed genocide and crimes against humanity in its repression of Uyghur Muslims in the far western region of Xinjiang. I think his accusations of genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang are totally groundless and 'ravings of a madman. Though Pompeo has come up with the accusations lately, his administration has long been working on creating a suitable pretext of making the allegations against China. Keeping this in mind, Pompeo and his like-minded politicians, along with their favorite media, have long been running a propaganda war over Xinjiang. As part of the war, they have been disseminating one after another fake news of concentration camps, human and labor rights violations, and forced birth control, to name a few. However, many delegations of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), UN Human Rights Commission, journalists, diplomats, religious leaders, and politicians have debunked the propaganda by visiting Xinjiang and witnessing the situation on the ground themselves. They have also praised China for the vast development and poverty eradication in the region. As a result, the anti-China forces have fallen through to deceive the world believing in the propaganda stories. Over the latest allegations of genocide, I would like to shed light on the population of the Uygur community in Xinjiang. If the accusations of genocide are true, the population must decrease in the region, but the fact says that in the four decades between 1978 and 2018, the Uyghur population in Xinjiang increased from 5.5 million to 12.71 million. During the 8-year span from 2010 to 2018, the population of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang had a 25% increase of 2.54 million. This increase rate is not only higher than that of the entire Xinjiang population, but is also more than 10 times the growth rate of the Han population over the same period. Article Two of the UN convention on genocide defines genocide as "any of the following acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, as such": killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group, and forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. In light of the aforesaid definition, nothing has happened in Xinjiang that can be defined as genocide. Rather, the Chinese government has ensured tremendous development of the region by improving livelihoods, lifestyles, and socioeconomic situations of the Uyghurs, resulting in the eradication of poverty eradication Xinjiang one decade before the deadline set by the UN for sustainable development. On the other hand, crimes against humanity refer to specific crimes committed in the context of a large-scale attack targeting civilians, regardless of their nationality. These crimes include murder, torture, sexual violence, enslavement, persecution, enforced disappearance, etc. Unlike genocide, they are not necessarily committed against a specific national, ethnical, racial or religious group. In line with the definition of crimes against humanity, nothing has happened in Xinjiang. Rather the Chinese government has been dealing with the above-mentioned crimes with heavy hands, and Xinjiang has been one of the safest regions. As a result, Xinjiang received more than 200 million visits from tourists in 2019, up 41.6 percent year-on-year, and the number is expected to reach 300 million in 2020. Finally, both the allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang are totally baseless political rhetoric. Pompeo has made the allegations to mitigate his pains of losing power, because he and his cohorts think Americans have rejected the Trump administration in the elections comparing between its failures and China's successes in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and economic growths of their own countries. The author is a Bangladeshi journalist and columnist now based in Beijing, China. Baghdad, Jan 23 : In the wake of the twin suicide bombings in Baghdad earlier this week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi pledged that a security breach in the capital city "would not be repeated", stressing the need to urgently address the challenges facing by the country's intelligence services. A statement by his office issued on Friday said that al-Kadhimi's comments came during the extraordinary session of the Ministerial Council for National Security a day after the deadly bombings that killed 32 people and injured 116 others, reports Xinhua news agency. "What happened yesterday is a breach that we do not allow to be repeated. We promised our people to provide security," al-Kadhimi said. The Prime Minister pointed out that the security services made great efforts during the past months and were able to carry out pre-emptive operations to thwart the almost daily attempts by the Islamic State (IS) terror group to reach Baghdad, the statement said. "There are challenges in the (performance of) intelligence services that must be addressed urgently, and I will personally supervise this issue," al-Kadhimi said. On Thursday morning, a suicide bomber detonated his explosive belt in a bustling outdoor market for second-hand clothes in Bab al-Sharji area, and a second one blew himself up a few minutes later in the same market. Later in the day, al-Kadhimi, also commander-in-chief of the Iraqi forces, chaired an emergency meeting and also sacked five security senior officials and commanders. Thursday's bombings were claimed by the IS. This was the first such attack in the Iraqi capital city in nearly two years, as the security situation has improved since the Iraqi security forces fully defeated the IS across the country late in 2017. However, sporadic deadly incidents still occur in the war-ravaged country. Over the past year, 1,134 cubic metres of dioxin-contaminated sediment were removed from a lake in a Bien Hoa City public park, according to officials speaking at an event held to celebrate initial dioxin-remediation results in the Bien Hoa Airbase area, highlighting the US and Vietnams commitment toward resolving war legacies. Deputy Minister of Defence Senior Lt General Nguyen Chi Vinh listens to a report about initial dioxin-remediation results in the Bien Hoa Airbase area. Photo courtesy of USAID The event was organised earlier this week by the US Mission to Vietnam, Dong Nai Province Peoples Committee, Vietnams Air Defense Air Force Command (ADAFC), and the Ministry of National Defense. In the coming weeks, after restoration of grass and trees in the park, USAID and ADAFC will hand back the land to Bien Hoa City. This result is the first milestone achieved through the $300 million US Government commitment to restoring the airbase and surrounding areas, which will take 10 years to complete. USAID and ADAFC also signed an additional land handover agreement which will focus on the removal of contaminated sediment over the next two years on the airbase. The US Government, through USAID and Government of Vietnam partners, including the National Action Center for Chemical and Environmental Treatment, has also launched a project to provide support for persons with disabilities in eight priority provinces. USAID has committed $65 million for the project over the next five years to ensure that persons with disabilities can fully participate in society while improving their overall quality of life. The US Government, through USAID and Government of Vietnam partners, including the National Action Center for Chemical and Environmental Treatment, on January 20 launched a project to provide support for persons with disabilities in eight priority provinces. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Van Viet In addition, the US Government, through USAID, signed a letter of intent with the Office of the Standing Board for the National Steering Committee on Overcoming the Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (called Office 701) in Vietnam to guide future cooperation and collaboration on joint war-legacy communications. US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink said: While the scale of this initial success may seem small compared to the overall remediation challenge ahead, this achievement is notable as the first time we have remediated land outside of Ministry of National Defense control. Our successful cooperation with local authorities off-base gives me confidence that we will achieve our goal of remediating dioxin contamination throughout the Bien Hoa Airbase area. One way we can work to maintain and strengthen this commitment is to share with the Vietnamese and American people the beneficial impact of our cooperation to overcome the legacies of war. Thats why I am also happy to witness today the signing of a letter of intent between USAID and Office 701 to systematically communicate our joint success in overcoming the legacies of the past, he said. Deputy Minister of Defence Senior Lt General Nguyen Chi Vinh said: The event is a first step and important milestone in co-operation between Vietnam and the US to resolve war legacies in the upcoming time. VNS STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A storm system, currently in the Great Lakes region, could impact Staten Island with one to three inches of snow on Tuesday, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Bob Smerbeck. Tuesday morning, right off the bat, there could be a little snow crossing into New York City, Smerbeck told the Advance/SILive.com. The snow may begin before daybreak, he explained, and will become a little more steady as the day continues. Smerbeck anticipates that travel may be slippery for both the morning and afternoon commutes. Throughout the day there will be periods of snow at different intensities, Smerbeck said. The storm will then taper off as we enter Tuesday evening, according to the meteorologist. While AccuWeather is predicting one to three inches of snow, the further south you are, it is possible that there is some sleet or rain mixed in, Smerbeck said. He added that Staten Island may be south enough to have some sleet or rain, which will otherwise be in mid- to southern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Some areas outside of the five boroughs may experience six or more inches, Smerbeck said. Elevated areas like the Catskills and Poconos have the potential to get more than six inches of snow. With temperatures dropping into the mid-20s Tuesday evening, It could still be slippery travel for the Wednesday morning commute, he said. Smerbeck cautioned that forecasters are still watching the system to accurately predict how bad it may be. Were watching the intensity of this closely, he said. It will weaken as it goes into the Ohio valley, but as it approaches the coast Tuesday morning, the system may strengthen. In the event that the system does strengthen, Staten Island and parts of the south may see heavier snow, he said. The meteorologist added that a second storm system may bring more snow to the New York City area later in the week. We may have to deal with another system Wednesday into Thursday, Smerbeck said. This one may come a little further south, and it may try to nose up the coast. There is a chance of snow in the forecast for Thursday. Jon Voight tells Sean Feucht: Americas freedom is under attack by an atheist force Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Academy Award-winning actor Jon Voight joined missionary and activist Sean Feucht on National Religious Freedom Day this month to discuss why he believes Americans freedoms are at risk. "I think about freedom as this amazing thing that God created this world and all of us humans and He gave us freedom, Voight said about what National Religious Freedom Day, Jan. 16, means to him. He labeled freedom a very questionable gift from God. If I was advising God, I'd say 'wait a minute.' he joked. It's the greatest gift we have and the freedom of religion is why this country became what it is. Both the actor and Feucht, who is an activist and missionary, labeled the occasion "a big day" in these current times because freedom is being questioned. Feucht has been at the center of several large health mandate-defying Christian gatherings since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. He went on to share with Voight about his many citations. Here in Beverly Hills, in the Los Angeles area is where we received our first-ever citation. [Weve had] actually three citations from Los Angeles County for actually engaging in our freedom, Feucht said. Engaging in our freedom of religion, gathering people to worship gather people to pray outside, by the way. The young minister then asked the 82-year-old star if he thought freedom was eroding throughout the years of his life. Voight responded, Well, certainly there's been an attack. This country has been under attack by an atheist force, which started with the KGB and then it went on to others, but this is an atheist force. The New York native maintained that everything has now come full circle because everything that America stands for is under attack. So we have to stand up, Voight charged and told Feucht, We have to be as bold as you are and carry on and not give in to this, but we also have to know that in this journey, this is what we're meant to do. We can have a lot of fun, and we'll make a lot of great friends along the way. We're fighting for all the Americans out there, a lot of us, were fighting for all you guys, that you have this freedom that you pass it on to your generations ahead. We have to stand, we have to make a stand here, Voight added. Feuchts sitdown with Voight ended with the missionary also calling on people to stand up and fight for their freedom. We got to hold the line, we got to take a stand and that's what we're going to do, we'll have a lot more amazing shows, they're going to be fun, full of joy, but yet all at the same time have some teeth to it, Feucht concluded. In another post earlier in January, Voight, an avid supporter of the 45th president, Donald Trump, also urged Americans to stand up and protect the country from the dark cloud of destruction, regardless of political affiliation. Cement carrier runs aground on Little Basses Reef; Navy, SLAF teams rush to the spot View(s): MV Eurosun, a deadweight tonne bulk carrier flying a Liberian flag, ran aground on Little Basses Reef off Sri Lankas southern coast yesterday. The vessel had been enroute to Trincomalee from Abu Dhabi carrying 33,000 metric tonnes of cement clinker and other cargo when it ran aground, the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) stated. Navy sources said that all 18 members of the crew however, were safe and onboard the vessel. SLN vessels were on their way to the location last evening while a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Beechcraft 200 maritime surveillance aircraft was also dispatched to monitor the stricken vessel. Authorities claimed that the ship had not declared the contents of its bill of lading. A three-alarm fire broke out in a row of homes Saturday morning in Lebanon City, authorities said. The American Red Cross said multiple families were affected by the blaze, which began around 6:10 a.m. on the 300 block of North 11th Street, county dispatch said. Dispatchers could not confirm whether anyone was injured. The Red Cross said its Dauphin County Disaster Action Team is providing resources for four adults. A photo posted on the Lebanon City Fire Departments Facebook page shows flames shooting out of a second-floor window, with a crowd of firefighters gathered below. Crews are working a fire on the 300 block of North 11th Street. (A Platoon) - 2nd Alarm. *photos by Courtney Sheffield. Posted by Lebanon City Fire Department on Saturday, January 23, 2021 READ MORE: 4 firefighters injured in crash on their way to Lancaster County barn fire: report Firefighters respond to Harrisburg scrapyard (Natural News) Former vice president Mike Pence has submitted his final comprehensive report as the head of the Trump administrations task force on the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) to newly-inaugurated President Joe Biden. According to Pence, the new Democrat-controlled administration needs to hold China to account for allowing the virus to spread around the world. Pences 146-page report, first obtained by RealClearPolitics, summarizes the Trump administrations response to the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., as well as its successes. The report lauded the administration and the task force for reinforcing the countrys supply chain to provide coronavirus tests for all who need it as well as developing innovative therapeutics that are saving the lives of people with COVID-19 every day. The report also talks about the effective vaccines and how they are being distributed and administered thanks to the help of the task force. (Related: California stops injecting Modernas coronavirus vaccines after disturbing number of severe reactions.) A nationwide vaccination effort is underway, and every American has good reason to hope that our nations long period of trial and tribulation is finally coming to a close. Pence described the speedy development of the coronavirus vaccines as nothing less than a medical miracle, noting that only the United States was able to make these kinds of advances against the virus. However, Pence and the task force couched their statements by stating that there was still much more to do, and that the coronavirus has not been defeated yet. The executive summary even states that the report is no declaration of victory. More than 400,000 of our fellow Americans have lost their lives to the coronavirus, and although hospitalizations and mortality rates are in nationwide decline, the virus continues to exact a toll on lives and livelihoods. But as we count that cost, it redoubles our determination to build on the progress we have made, and to restore this great nation and her people to health and to prosperity. Pences Coronavirus Task Force was made up of many federal officials, including former Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Bidens chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, as well as economic officials like White House adviser Larry Kudlow and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. Watch this episode of Brighteon Conversations with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and cancer researcher, health freedom advocate and vaccine skeptic Ty Bollinger as the two natural health experts discuss the global conspiracy being developed to justify the use of COVID-19 vaccines. Pence report places blame for spread of the global pandemic on China The Coronavirus Task Forces report accuses China and the World Health Organization of putting out erroneous data regarding the virus, especially during late 2019 and early 2020, when people knew very little about the coronavirus. The accusations leveled against the communist regime are perhaps the strongest condemnations of China by Pence to date. According to the report, China and the WHO repeatedly disseminated health information that was either incomplete or inaccurate in order to obstruct the rest of the worlds ability to come up with a response that was based on good scientific data. Furthermore, Pence accuses China of seeding the coronavirus by allowing infected individuals to travel out of China. Not only did China deliberately inhibit research and disclosure of essential information about the virus, read the report, but it also seeded the infection globally by facilitating international travel out of China, even as it imposed internal travel restrictions and hoarded PPE and medical supplies that would soon be urgently needed worldwide. For weeks after the initial outbreak, Chinese authorities tried to downplay the crisis and suppress any information regarding the virus from leaking to the international press. According to alternative news outlet The Epoch Times, the government in Beijing understood the severity of the coronavirus publish reports that the outbreak was containable. It was this initial coverup that allowed the virus to go out of control, spreading first outside of Wuhan and then outside of China. Pence urges Biden to exercise eternal vigilance against Chinese threat In one of his final appearances before he stepped down as vice president, Pence told incoming members of the Biden administration that the Democrats need to stay the course that the Trump administration has set with regards to China and its ruling communist party. While speaking with sailors, Pence said that Biden needs to stand up to Chinese aggression and trade abuses. As a new American administration prepares to take office, we do well to remember as Americans that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance, said Pence. And a free and open Indo-Pacific is essential to our prosperity, our security and the vitality of freedom in the world. According to the Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific, the Trump administration attempted to accelerate the rise of India into a power that can match that of China. This strategy would have allowed the South Asian nation to block the communist regime from establishing an illiberal sphere of influence, thereby allowing the U.S. to maintain strategic primacy in the region. U.S.-Chinese relations have been deteriorating sharply over the past few years as Trump has taken a hardline stance against Chinese aggression, exacerbated further by a trade war, Beijings attempts to curtail Hong Kongs already fragile state as a semi-autonomous region and the countrys role in spreading the coronavirus. It remains to be seen how Biden will react to the rise of China. Learn more about the origins of the Wuhan coronavirus, as well as the Chinese governments role in allowing it to spread and turn into a global disaster by reading the latest articles at Pandemic.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com TheHill.com RealClearPolitics.com TimesOfIndia.IndiaTimes.com A MAN who became aggressive and spat in a garda van could not remember what happened and was "shocked" to learn of his behaviour. Myles Fulton (30) was taken into custody after he "got involved" in another arrest on a city street. The accused, with an address at Esker Drive, Lucan, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. Judge Deirdre Gearty ad- journed the case for a community service suitability report, recommending 60 hours in- stead of a two-month prison sentence. Dublin District Court heard gardai were at Westmoreland Street last October 17 to transport a prisoner when Fulton "got involved in what was going on". "Words were exchanged," a garda sergeant said, and Fulton was arrested. As he was being taken to a garda station, he became aggressive and spat a num ber of times in the back of the van. Fulton, who was taking a course in computer programming, had "serious issues with alcohol," his solicitor said. He could not remember what had happened and, when his solicitor read out the facts of the case, he was "shocked". Pressure is mounting on the government to clarify what form the Leaving Cert will take this year, as students continue posting on social media about the stress they are under due to the uncertainty surrounding exams. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said today that schools will not reopen at full capacity before St Patrick's Day, casting further doubt about the leaving cert taking the traditional form of in-person exams. Despite Education Minister Norma Foley insisting she wants to see traditional exams take place, the State Exams Advisory Group confirmed after a meeting on Friday that it is exploring "alternative options." A recently-conducted survey by the Irish Secondary Students Union showed that 81% of Leaving Cert students surveyed wanted the option of sitting a written exam or receiving calculated grades. The survey received more than 20,000 responses, and 73% of those said they felt either 'very unsafe' or 'unsafe' with regard to schools reopening. A further 75% said their trust in the Department of Education was 'very poor' or 'poor'. Cork TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire, who is Sinn Fein's education spokesman, hit out at the government about the lack of clarity. "I was astonished when I heard the Taoiseach state that schools would not fully reopen until St Patricks Day. I am sure hundreds of thousands of parents, students, and staff were similarly taken aback. "Just days ago, the Governments position was that schools would reopen on February 1. While it has been apparent for some time that this was unlikely, the leap to a date more than seven weeks away is extraordinary." Mr O Laoghaire said that an agreement on the return of special education needs to be reached as soon as possible. "If return to school will be phased, [the government needs to] to lay out criteria and a plan for that. "It is also now abundantly clear that we need an urgent decision on the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert. Leaving Cert students deserve a choice, between an alternative and an exam, if it is possible to run them in the summer. But for that to happen, the Minister makes a decision now. "Given it now seems likely Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students will miss even more in-class time and completing the courses will be even more challenging, this is even more essential." George Carruthers built his first telescope from a kit in 1949, when he was 10 and living in rural Ohio. Fascinated by space, he devoured magazine articles about space travel. If the unknown was going to be explored, he wanted to be a part of it. Two decades later, as an astrophysicist and engineer one of the few at the time who were Black he would design an advanced telescopic device that was used during the Apollo 16 mission in 1972 to produce ultraviolet photographs of the geocorona, Earths outermost atmosphere, as well as stars, nebulae and galaxies. In March 1610, Galileo Galilei reported the first use of a telescope to view mountains and maria on the moon, Dr. Carruthers and Thornton Page, his collaborator on the project, wrote in a NASA report in late 1972. On April 21, 1972, the Apollo 16 commander positioned a somewhat more complex optical instrument at the Earth from the moon and obtained several remarkable photographs showing atmospheric rather than surface features. Dr. Carruthers, who went on to design even more telescopes that flew aboard NASA spacecraft, died on Dec. 26 in a hospital in Washington. He was 81. His brother Gerald said the cause was congestive heart failure. Businesses yesterday called for tougher lockdown measures, with some going as far as proposing a long curfew spanning from 6 p.m to 6 a.m. The curfew now starts at 9 p.m. and goes till 5 a.m. Businesses also called on the Government to free up the importation of Covid-19 vaccines to allow private sector participation and to allow people to travel overseas to get vaccinated. The people-smuggling kingpin behind the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants remains at large, a judge has said, as police warned traffickers: We will find you and we will stop you. Four men were jailed for between 13 and 17 years at the Old Bailey yesterday after being convicted of the manslaughter of the migrants who suffocated in the back of a lorry in October 2019. But Mr Justice Sweeney, said there was a mysterious Vietnamese mastermind by the name of Phong who was at the very top of the conspiracy. Phong, who emerged as the kingpin during the trial, took payments and organised safe houses in Europe for desperate migrants on their way to the UK. He was thought to have been operating out of a flat in south London and was still at large despite efforts to track him down. The victims were hoping for a better life in Britain, paying up to pounds 13,000 for a VIP smuggling service. On Oct 22, 2019 they were crammed into a lorry container to be shipped from Zeebrugge to Purfleet, Essex, in pitch black and sweltering conditions. Expand Close Maurice Robinson. Photo: Essex Police/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Maurice Robinson. Photo: Essex Police/PA Wire Unable to raise the alarm, they ran out of air before reaching British shores and suffered excruciating deaths from asphyxia and carbon dioxide poisoning, the judge said. The migrants, two aged 15, were found dead by Maurice Robinson, the lory driver who collected the trailer when it was delivered to this country. Robinson (26), was jailed for 13 years and four months, while his boss, Ronan Hughes (41), was given 20 years. Eamonn Harrison (24), the driver who collected the migrants on the continent, got 18 years, while ringleader Gheorghe Nica (43), was jailed for 27 years. Mr Justice Sweeney accepted that Phong was the man at the very top of the conspiracy. During the trial it emerged that the gang had regularly smuggled migrants into the UK and knew there was only enough air in the trailer for about 20 people to survive the journey. They risked the bigger shipment as a previous attempt had failed and they wanted to maximise profits. Speaking outside the Old Bailey, DCI Daniel Stoten, who led the Essex police investigation, condemned the utter greed of the gang. Expand Close Gheorghe Nica. Photo Essex Police/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gheorghe Nica. Photo Essex Police/PA Wire He said: The criminals in this case made their money from misery. They knew what they were doing was dangerous but they did it anyway. They treated them as commodities and transported them in ways we would not transport animals. He added: May this serve as a warning to those who think its OK to prey on the vulnerabilities of migrants and their families. My message to you is: we will find you and we will stop you. BJ Harrington, Essex chief constable, said: Every person in that trailer left behind a family. They had been promised safe passage and were lied to. They were left to die because of the greed of the men who have been sentenced. Expand Close Eamonn Harrison. Photo: Essex Police/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eamonn Harrison. Photo: Essex Police/PA Wire Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, said: The inhumanity of these callous people smugglers and their dangerous organised criminal networks has rightly been reflected in the sentencing. At the trial it emerged that the gang made up to pounds 1 million a month and were known to the authorities in Britain and France before the tragedy. Harrison was caught in France with 18 Vietnamese migrants in his trailer in 2018 but the French authorities simply fined him and allowed him to continue. It is not thought his details were given to UK border officials. Essex Police had also been alerted, but said they had not managed to catch those responsible at the scene. Caracas, Jan 23 : Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has kicked off the 2021 judicial year, highlighting the power and resistance of the country's Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) in the face of foreign aggressions. "Venezuela has a powerful judicial system," better than any other republican period, Xinhua news agency quoted the President as saying at the headquarters of the TSJ here on Friday. "Facing the onslaught of imperialist aggression, there has also been a national state in active resistance," Maduro said, pointing out that Venezuela is stronger at a constitutional level today. TSJ President Maikel Moreno called on the legislative branch "to propose urgent reforms for the transformation of the substantive and procedural law systems, to make them simpler and more functional". Among the regulations the TSJ proposes to reform are the Criminal Code, the Civil Code, the special laws inherent to the fight against terrorism and organised crime, the Organic Law on Drugs and the Anti-Corruption Law, Moreno said. Moreover, he promised to bring to justice "those who tried to use the legislative branch to destroy the Republic and take over the country; they must be punished in accordance with the law". Posted Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:46 am Four mass COVID-19 vaccination sites are expected to open next week in Washington state, though none are in King County, which is working toward a February debut of its own sites in the county's hard-hit south. The state Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday it was partnering with local health care systems in Clark, Benton, Chelan and Spokane counties to deliver tens of thousands of vaccines. The announcement came three days after Gov. Jay Inslee expanded eligibility for vaccination and set a goal of vaccinating 45,000 people a day. The state is currently administering an average of 15,500 doses each day. Across the county line, Snohomish County and the Snohomish Health District have spun up three high-volume vaccination sites in Everett, Edmonds and Monroe. DOH didn't answer questions about how the counties were chosen for mass vaccination sites or if more sites are planned. King County has not yet had any discussion about a state high-volume vaccination site. The state's new vaccination phase, 1B, includes anyone 65 and older. The state's previous guidance for the tier had made eligible those 70 and older and people 50 and older living in multigenerational households. Hitting the 45,000 vaccinations a day depends on supply. To meet the goal, Washington must obtain 300,000 doses a week, a volume it is not yet receiving, said Michele Roberts, a DOH assistant secretary. There is no timeline yet from the federal government about increases in shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine, state Health Officer Dr. Umair Shah said. "We have a fundamental responsibility to overcome these challenges. And to simply get all of those challenges completed, overcome and to get it right," Shah said. "That's what people want. And that's what matters." King County began planning for vaccinations in July once DOH and the federal government started sharing information about vaccine arrivals, and it started ordering supplies such as gloves and portable coolers, said Sharon Bogan, a spokesperson with Public Health Seattle & King County. The county opened vaccination clinics on Dec. 17, six days after being told doses were on the way. Work on the mass vaccination sites began Jan. 8, the day County Executive Dow Constantine directed $7 million toward their creation, Bogan said. Planning by Snohomish County's emergency coordination center for the mass vaccination sites began in July. The county's three sites can administer about 30,000 vaccinations a week and could increase the volume to 50,000 a week if there was more supply. "I know that the state is not getting adequate supplies either," said Dave Somers, the Snohomish County executive, during a Tuesday news briefing. "And they have to provide for 39 counties. So I understand the complexity of this, but I want to assure everybody we have the capacity in Snohomish County and can do more." Counties are going to vaccinate residents in varying ways, but "ultimately much comes down to the supply of vaccine we are projected to receive," Bogan said. Mass vaccination locations in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties could potentially administer vaccines to 100,000 people a week, according to DOH. The state is extending its partnerships with the private sector to reach more people. The first round of vaccines for those in the state's nursing homes was completed Thursday. The nursing home vaccination program was a state and federal partnership with CVS and Walgreens. Amazon is working with Virginia Mason to provide pop-up vaccine clinics and Microsoft is turning its Redmond campus into a mass vaccination site that can handle 5,000 people a day. Earlier this month on the Olympic Peninsula, the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe offered a drive-thru clinic for its nontribal neighbors using the excess doses it had after inoculating tribal members. The state's vaccination program has "been uneven at best," Shah said. Despite the lack of a national vaccination strategy, the shortcomings fall to the state, he said. ___ (c)2021 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 22/01/2021 - The OECD today opened a regional Centre focused on Global Relations in Istanbul, Turkey, creating a dedicated base for deepening co-operation with partner countries and helping them with policy guidance and technical support to build more inclusive and prosperous societies. The new OECD Istanbul Centre will be instrumental to help countries lay the groundwork for a sustainable post-COVID-19 recovery. Part of the OECDs commitment to broaden the impact of its standards and recommendations beyond its 37 member countries, the Centre will be a hub for its regional programmes with Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, South East Europe, and Southeast Asia, as well as with its Key Partners. Through analytical work, conferences, capacity building and high-level meetings, it will strengthen multilateral co-operation, encourage regional collaboration and offer guidance in areas like governance, transparency, adult skills, gender equality, and regional transport, energy and digital infrastructure. The Centre will also contribute substantially to advancing the implementation of the OECDs Global Relations Strategy. Our new Centre in Istanbul will capitalise on the OECDs existing initiatives to help inform partner regions work and we hope it will be an anchor for best practices to promote inclusive and sustainable growth. I am proud to inaugurate this new hub for multilateral co-operation and look forward to making use of its potential to advancing common solutions to common challenges, said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria, inaugurating the Centre in a virtual event. The Centres offices and auditorium are within the premises of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry. Running costs, and the Centres staff of 5-6 analysts, statisticians and administrative employees, will be funded by the Turkish government for the first five years of operation. The OECD already has offices in Berlin, Mexico City, Tokyo and Washington that serve as regional contacts for the OECDs core activities, from distributing data and publications to relations with governments, parliaments, business, civil society and media. Turkey was a founding member of the OECD in 1961. Membership has since expanded, with Costa Rica set to become the Organisations 38th member and six other countries having put forward requests for membership (Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Peru and Romania). Co-operation with partner countries includes regional programmes in Eurasia, South East Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the OECD Development Centre, created in 1961 as a platform to work with developing economies, and the OECD-hosted Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC), which works with West Africa. Key Partners Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa participate in OECD Bodies, adhere to OECD legal instruments and contribute to OECD statistical reporting. Further information on members and partners: www.oecd.org/about/membersandpartners/ More on OECD Global Relations: www.oecd.org/global-relations/ For further information, journalists are invited to contact Catherine Bremer in the OECD Media Office (+ 33 1 4524 9700). Working with over 100 countries, the OECD is a global policy forum that promotes policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Related Documents leader on Saturday will begin his three-day visit to Tamil Nadu, which is slated to go to polls later this year. Taking to Twitter, the former chief said that he is delighted to be back in Gandhi further said that he along with his party will defend and preserve the unique culture of the Tamils against the attacks by the BJP-led Central government. "I am delighted to be back in today to spend time with my Tamilian brothers and sisters in the Kongu belt. Together, we will defend & preserve the unique culture of the Tamils against the attacks by Modi govt," Gandhi tweeted. This is the second visit of the leader to the state in a month. Meanwhile, preparations before his arrival are underway. Hoardings and banners have been put up in the city featuring the Wayanad MP. Gandhi will reach the Coimbatore airport at around 10:30 am where he will receive a reception by the party workers. At 11 am, he will begin his interaction with representatives of MSME at Suguna Auditorium, Nehru Nagar, Kalapatti. He will also attend reception functions at three places in the city. Gandhi will also go to Tiruppur district today where he will pay a floral Tribute to Tiruppur Kumaran at Tiruppur Kumaran Memorial. He will also interact with Industrial Labourers at Ramasamy Muthammal Thirumana Mandapam, Tiruppur On January 14, Gandhi was in Madurai to attend the traditional bull-taming sport -- 'Jallikattu' -- and celebrate Pongal. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Body and Mind Inc. (CSE: BAMM) (OTCQB: BMMJ) (the "Company" or "BaM"), a multi-state operator focused on limited license markets is saddened to report the unexpected death of director David Wenger. "David has been an integral part of the cannabis industry for many years," stated Michael Mills, President and CEO of Body and Mind. "David's 2018 White Paper "The Green Regulatory Arbitrage: A case for investing in US Multi-State Vertically Integrated Cannabis Companies" was prescient and widely read as the cannabis industry evolved. David quickly became a resource for both business and government insights into the cannabis industry and was a member of the US Senate and House cannabis working groups. David's dedication to elevating the cannabis industry and connecting people was renowned and on behalf of our Company and board I pass on our deepest condolences to David's wife and two children." About Body and Mind Inc. BaM is an operations focused multi-state operator investing in high quality medical and recreational cannabis cultivation, production and retail. Our wholly owned Nevada subsidiary was awarded one of the first medical marijuana cultivation licenses and holds cultivation and production licenses. BaM products include dried flower, edibles, oils and extracts as well as GPEN Gio cartridges. BaM cannabis strains have won numerous awards including the 2019 Las Vegas Weekly Bud Bracket, Las Vegas Hempfest Cup 2016, High Times Top Ten, the NorCal Secret Cup and the Emerald Cup. BaM continues to expand operations in Nevada, California, Arkansas and Ohio and is dedicated to increasing shareholder value by focusing resources on improving operational efficiencies, facility expansions, state licensing opportunities as well as mergers and acquisitions. Please visit www.bodyandmind.com for more information. Instagram: @bodyandmindBaM Twitter: @bodyandmindBaM Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Safe Harbor Statement Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation of activities, 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. 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. 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. Certain matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may constitute forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. 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. 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 press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. SOURCE Body and Mind Inc. Related Links https://bamcannabis.com/ One of the world's leading stuntmen, Remy Julienne, who worked on six James Bond films as well as the 1969 classic 'The Italian Job', has died from Covid-19 aged 90, friends and family said on Friday. A veteran of more than 1,400 films and TV commercials as an actor or stunt coordinator, Julienne had been in intensive care in a hospital in his home town of Montargis in central France since early January. 'What was bound to happen has happened. He left us early in the evening (Thursday). It was predictable, he was on a respirator,' a relative told AFP. Veteran stunt driver Remy Julienne, pictured, has died from Covid-19 aged 90. The legend worked on six James Bond movies and was involved in more than 1,400 movies and TV commercials since the 1960s One of his most memorable stunts - which made his name in the industry - was this jump across and alleyway between two buildings in the Italian Job He also arranged this amazing stunt on the 1981 James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only Julienne was born in Cepoy near Montargis in 1930. A French motocross champion, he began his film career in 1964 when he doubled for French actor Jean Marais in the film 'Fantomas', in which he was required to ride a motorbike. 'They needed someone who was very controlled,' he said of this experience. 'It ended up being me. It was the start of a huge adventure.' His career saw him fly over Venice dangling from a rope-ladder suspended from a helicopter, being hit in the face with a pumpkin while riding a motorbike and countless car crashes. He doubled for some of the world's most famous actors, including Sean Connery and Roger Moore, as well top French names including Yves Montand, Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo. He worked on six James Bond movies in total, including 'GoldenEye' and 'For Your Eyes Only', in which he drove a heavily modified yellow Citroen 2CV during a memorable car chase. Both as an actor and a director of stunt sequences, which became the focus of his later career, Julienne won praise from some of the biggest names in cinema for his precision and creativity. Remy Julienne, pictured here with Roger Moore at Walt Disney Studios in Paris in March 2002 In 1989's Licence To Kill, he arranged this stunt involving the destruction of a petrol tanker. Julienne was renowned for his believe that the stunts had to be real and not dominated by CGI 'He has an absolutely incredible scientific understanding. He's a real scientist, the Einstein of stuntmen,' French director Claude Lelouch told a documentary for France Televisions marking Julienne's 50 years in the business. A believer in real action rather than special effects, Julienne worked constantly to minimise the risks he took during his shoots, but he badly injured himself early in his career while filming on a Colombian production in Germany. Missing his timing to exit from a car before it crashed into a ravine, he ended up with a crushed ankle that left him in bed for six weeks. Once recovered, he would go on to earn fame from his work for the car chase scenes in the 'The Italian Job' with Michael Caine. 'Fear is necessary before and after, but never during,' he once said of his time on film sets. His career low point came during filming for the French film 'Taxi 2' in 1999, which he was overseeing, when a cameraman was killed by a car that missed its landing spot after a jump. Discussing his dangerous job, Julienne once admitted that fear was okay both before and after a stunt but never during He was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2007 and handed an 18-month suspended jail sentence, which was later reduced on appeal to six months and an order to pay damages of 60,000 to the victim's family. Julienne also helped police with crime reconstructions. In 2000, he mounted a reconstruction of the death of a British student, Isabel Peake, to try to establish how the young woman was pushed from a Paris-bound train. Julienne said the work 'was very much like cinema work, only here we are fortunate enough to be using dummies, which takes a certain amount of pressure off us'. The BBC has been called heartless after pressuring hundreds of thousands of over-75s to pay for a TV licence as the Covid-19 pandemic deepened. Figures obtained by the Mail show the BBC had sent 525,223 letters by the end of November last year, as the country went into a second lockdown. The letters tell over-75s they either need to arrange payment or apply for a free licence if they are entitled. The push to recoup licence fee cash is part of a controversial scheme which has stripped millions of pensioners of their free licences. It is now restricted to those who receive Pension Credit. The BBC has been called heartless after pressuring hundreds of thousands of over-75s to pay for a TV licence as the Covid-19 pandemic deepened (stock image) The true number of reminders sent out is thought to be much higher than 525,223, as the corporation carried on sending them out in December. The letter was headed a reminder to set up your next licence and said it was important recipients respond now and said if they did not make arrangements for their licence then TV Licensing may need to cancel it. It said it would give them a bit more time to make arrangements. A total of 4.2million free licences were being claimed when the scheme came into effect last August. Tory MP Peter Bone (pictured) said: Youve got this state monopoly which is chasing elderly people at a time when they are having to deal with so many other issues. You would have to be pretty heartless to do that, wouldnt you Figures show the number of households that have still not signed up to the new scheme is about 700,000. This was higher when the letters were sent out. Many of these are said to include over-75s who refuse to pay. Dennis Reed, of senior citizens membership organisation Silver Voices, said: It just shows their complete lack of sensitivity and empathy with the plight, particularly of older people, whove been isolated in their own homes for a very long period of time. Tory MP Peter Bone said: Youve got this state monopoly which is chasing elderly people at a time when they are having to deal with so many other issues. You would have to be pretty heartless to do that, wouldnt you. The Government had been looking at plans to decriminalise TV licence fee evasion. But this week any immediate plans to replace the criminal sanction with a civil enforcement scheme were shelved. A TV Licensing spokesman said: Over 80% of older customers have made arrangements since August and we continue to process applications. In this time we have sent one reminder to those left explaining the simple steps to take. We are well aware of the ongoing challenges people are facing because of coronavirus which is why were giving people more time to get set up. Brood X is here Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Italy takes action against TikTok following death of 10-year-old girl in Sicily. Italy has temporarily blocked access to TikTok for users whose age cannot be verified, following the accidental death of a 10-year-old girl who allegedly took part in a blackout challenge on the Chinese-owned video-sharing network. The move by Italy's data protection authority comes as prosecutors in Sicily launch an investigation into the death of the girl, Antonella, whose five-year-old sister found her in the family bathroom with her cellphone and a belt around her neck. The girl was rushed to hospital in Palermo in cardiac arrest on 21 January, later dying of asphyxiation, in a case that has shocked Italy. According to TikToks terms and conditions, users must be aged at least 13. However Italy's data protection authority said that in December it had advised TikTok of a range of violations, including claims that the firm had failed to protect minors. Italy's block on unverified users, ordered by the watchdog as a "matter of urgency," is expected to remain in place until at least 15 February. TikTok stated that it had failed to identify any content that could have encouraged the girl to participate in any such challenge, but confirmed that it is collaborating with the investigation into possible "incitement to suicide." Photo credit: DANIEL CONSTANTE / Shutterstock.com. Recent events have made me reflect on a few things in my life I was already thinking about for a while. Also, responses on social media have made me realize that people have strange expectations from me, and what my role in the Bitcoin Core project is. growth Bitcoin has grown a lot since I started contributing to it in 2011. Some arrangements that were acceptable for a small scale FOSS project are no longer so for one runing a 600 billion dollar system. Market cap is famously deceptive, but my point is not about specific numbers here. One thing is clear: this is a serious project now, and we need to start taking decentralization seriously. moving on I realize I am myself somewhat of a centralized bottleneck. And although I find Bitcoin an extremely interesting project and believe its one of the most important things happening at the moment, I also have many other interests. Its also particularly stressful and I dont want it, nor the bizarre spats in the social media around it, to start defining me as a person. spreading out I will start by delegating my own tasks, and decreasing my involvement. I do not intend to stop contributing to Bitcoin, or even to the Bitcoin Core project, but I would like to remove myself from the critical path and take (even more) of a background role. Note that we had a nice growth in development activity, and that maintenance of the code itself has already been spread over multiple people for a while. Im not the most active maintainer. Looking at the number of git merges bitcoin $ git log --pretty = "format:%cn" --merges --since = 2020-01-01 | sort | uniq -c 313 fanquake 51 Jonas Schnelli 727 MarcoFalke 7 Pieter Wuille 65 Samuel Dobson 363 Wladimir J. van der Laan Only about 24% of the merges were done by me, last year. plans But theres plenty of things left to figure out, from the top of my head: Decentralize distribution. In the short run, transfer bitcoincore.org to an organization instead of private ownership. Reduce the bus factor. I think it would be good if some other organizations set up mirrors, so there is less incentive to try to take bitcoincore.org down. In the long run, move away from a website for code distribution completely. No matter who owns it, a website on the clearnet can be shut down with the press of a button, and it seems that the global internet is gearing up to make censorship increasingly easy. We need a decentralized web. For us, one option would be IPFS, which is starting to catch on. For the binaries themselves theres already the option of downloading through torrents. Decentralize the release process, and release signing. Delegate more parts of the release process. Other maintainers should be able to do a release without my involvement. Rename the GPG key used to sign SHA256SUMS.asc to Bitcoin Core release signing key, instead of having it in my personal title. Make some construct so that N of M (minimally) trusted gitian signers doing a succesful build automatically results in a signed distribution. Same for the native code signing for Windows and MacOS. Even better in the long run would be to split up the keys, e.g. though RSA threshold signing, so that the whole process is geographically distributed. Decentralize the development hub. Its not clear whether github can be trusted to act in our interest in the long run. Although issues and PRs are backed up through the API, having to move somewhere else could give significant interruption in development. And hopping from provider to provider would be awfulideally the whole thing would not rely on a central server at all. For this Ive been watching the radicle project, a P2P distributed code collaboration platform. Its not quite there yet, but seems promising. Bitcoin is quite different in some of the requirements here from other FOSS projects, so well have to develop some tools as we go. We could also, definitely, use some help here. Some smaller things to consider: Find someone else who wants to do the IRC meeting chair instead of me. Or maybe rotate it between multiple people. Release (and release candidate) mails to the bitcoin-dev and bitcoin-core-dev lists will no longer be necessarily signed and sent by me. Theres some development specific tooling hosted by me (e.g. the PR notification bots on IRC and mastodon). As they are non-critical and only little time goes into maintaining them, Im fine with this for now. As for decentralizing Bitcoins node software itself: Carl Dongs libbitcoin_kernel work. Bitcoin Core is a large monolithic project which includes the consensus code, which is much more critical than the other parts. The kernel would be an isolated part with well-defined interface, and at some point, its own review flow for changes. The difference with previous libbitcoin_consensus plans is that the kernel is stateful: it includes UTXO management and validation. It however does not include P2P, mempool policy, wallet, GUI, and RPC code. It could be re-used in different clients, to have more diversity in clients, but without the risks of a deviating consensus implementation. Over the course of 2021 this will be my focus with regard to Bitcoin Core. Federal defense lawyers are urging dismissal of the rare felony civil disorder charge filed against more than a dozen people arrested in last years social justice protests in Portland, arguing the offense was created in 1968 to quash civil rights advocacy. Attorneys representing one of the defendants outlined the legislative history of the federal crime in a lengthy brief filed this week with more than 200 pages of excerpts from the Congressional Record. They argue that the laws primary proponent was then-Louisiana Sen. Russell B. Long who intended it to neutralize civil rights leaders. Because Senator Long believed that criticism of white supremacy and demands for racial justice were bound to cause riots, he proposed the Civil Obedience Act as a tool to suppress such expression, Chief Deputy Federal Public Defender Stephen Sady and Assistant Federal Public Defender Robert Hamilton write in their motion. They submitted the history of the act, including documents that showed Long testifying before the Senate in 1960 in support of racial apartheid. The lawyers allege that Long pressed for the law to specifically target Martin Luther King Jr. following his march in Birmingham in 1963 and Stokely Carmichael and H. Rap Brown, who each chaired the influential Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Senator Long credited Dr. Kings letter from the Birmingham Jail as having directly caused the ultimate in lawlessness, wanton killing, and senseless, destructive rioting, " the brief says. King wrote the letter from solitary confinement as a response to eight local white clergymen who had denounced his nonviolent protest in the Birmingham News, demanding an end to the demonstrations for desegregation of lunch counters, restrooms and stores. At least 15 people have been charged in federal court in Portland with civil disorder for their alleged actions against local or state officers during protests last year. The law criminalizes obstructing, impeding or interfering with a local police officer or firefighter performing lawful duties incident to and during the commission of a civil disorder which in any way or degree obstructs, delays, or adversely affects commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce. The defense attorneys filed their motion in the case of Jesse Herman Bates of Seattle. He initially was arrested July 13 on state charges, accused of assaulting a public safety officer, interfering with a peace officer, carrying a concealed weapon, disorderly conduct and third-degree assault. When the state didnt pursue the charges, federal prosecutors did on Aug. 25, issuing an arrest warrant for Bates, 38. He was rearrested on Sept. 1. Bates is accused of firing a ball bearing from a slingshot and striking a fire medic in the chest about 2 a.m. on July 13 near Southwest Third Avenue and Main Street. A crew of firefighters was working to put out a fire burning in the intersection, according to an affidavit written by FBI agent Kevin Strauss. About 300 people had gathered in the area, some committing vandalism and property damage, the agent wrote. A Multnomah County sheriffs deputy saw Bates on camera and identified him as the slingshot shooter, according to the agent. He was arrested about 3:50 a.m. when spotted near a white tent on Lownsdale Square. While holding a crowbar, he ran when told he was under arrest and was shot with a less-lethal munition and taken into custody, Strauss wrote in the affidavit. Bates lawyers argue that theyve received no evidence yet that anyone witnessed Bates strike the medic or shoot in his direction. The defense attorneys also argue that the federal law is too broad and vague, shouldnt be used in prosecutions that are more fitting for state court and violates freedom of expression under the First Amendment. The alleged offense also lacks any reasonable connection to interstate commerce interference, they said. Prosecutors say they intend to show the alleged slingshot attack occurred when police had declared an unlawful assembly or riot as demonstrators blocked a street. Some of the other federal civil disorder cases pending involve a Portland woman accused of throwing a helmet that struck a police sergeant in the head and a Kelso man accused of repeatedly using a hammer to strike the glass above the front door of East Precinct and elbowing an officer in the face in early August and then throwing frozen eggs and other objects at police three days later outside the Penumbra Kelly Building on East Burnside Street. The defense lawyers say state and local laws already protect police officers and firefighters. The federal government inserted itself into these local matters, Sady and Hamilton say. A conviction on a civil disorder charge brings a sentence of up to five years, a fine up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release. By contrast, another federal law that punishes interference with federal officers, rather than local officers, applies narrowly to forceful acts and can be charged only as a misdemeanor, the defense lawyers note. Kevin Sonoff, a spokesman for the Oregon U.S. Attorneys Office, declined comment on the motion. Prosecutors will defend the charge in a reply to the motion, he said. A hearing before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon hasnt been set yet. Limited case law exists on the civil disorder charge because it hasnt been used much. Federal prosecutors in Oregon hadnt brought the charge in recent memory before they began filing cases in September. U.S. attorneys in half a dozen other cities have brought similar civil disorder charges tied to violence that erupted during protests nationwide decrying the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1970 upheld a civil disorder conviction of two men who threw cherry bombs at a line of police officers responding to a fire at a riot on a university campus. The appellate court found that the charge should apply only to violent physical acts and that the First Amendment doesnt preclude such prosecution. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212 Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Subscribe to Facebook page MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2021) The death toll from the coronavirus infection in the world topped 2.1 million, over 98.4 million cases of infection were detected, according to the US-based Johns Hopkins University (JHU), which tracks and compiles data from Federal and local authorities, media and other sources. The United States still has the highest case count in the world, with over 24.8 million COVID-19 cases, including more than 415,000 fatalities. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced that the country will launch its COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the near future and said that the use of foreign-made vaccines will be necessary, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) inked an agreement with a leading Turkish pharmaceuticals developer to produce Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in Turkey and started the transfer of manufacturing techniques, the RDIF told Sputnik. A total of one million French nationals have received a vaccine against COVID-19, French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced. France's national health agency HAS recommended administering the second shot of an anti-coronavirus vaccine six weeks after the first one, up from three weeks for Pfizer and four for Moderna. The British Medical Association asked the UK Health authorities to shorten the current 12-week gap between the first and second doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19, out of concern about the antidote's level of protection, the chair of the doctors' union, Chaand Nagpaul, confirmed. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he received assurances from Pfizer's CEO Albert Bourla that the company would deliver 4 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine by the end of March. A plane from India with 2 million vaccines against the coronavirus developed by the AstraZeneca company arrived in Brazil, media reported. Mali is going to purchase 8.4 million doses of vaccine against the coronavirus, media reported. Uruguay reached an agreement with the companies of Pfizer and Sinovac on deliveries of the vaccines against the coronavirus, President Luis Lacalle Pou said. Pfizer is seeking to capitalize on the fact that the vials of their coronavirus vaccines contain enough for a sixth dose, one more than the originally intended five, by decreasing shipments and recalculating its volumes, the New York Times reported. Russian medical facilities will receive more than 17 million coronavirus vaccine doses in the first quarter of the year, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced Saturday that he will leave no stone unturned in forcing coronavirus vaccine producers Pfizer and AstraZeneca to abide by their contractual obligations. The United States registered nearly 187,000 new coronavirus cases and over 3,600 coronavirus-related fatalities within the past 24 hours, according to the JHU. India confirmed 14,256 new cases of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours, with the total number of those infected having reached 10,639,684, the country's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. Russia registered 20,921 COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, down from 21,513 the day before, taking the tally to 3,698,273, the coronavirus response center said. Tunisia decided to reintroduce a curfew to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic until February 14, local media reported. Austria banned incoming flights from Brazil, South Africa and the United Kingdom until February 8 to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Foreign Ministry announced. Hong Kong authorities issued a two-day lockdown on some 10,000 residents of the densely populated Yau Tsim Mong district, seeking to stem a spike in COVID-19 transmissions, media reported. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokeswoman, Allegra Stratton, has self-quarantined after possibly coming in contact with a coronavirus patient, media reported. Nearly 200 members of the National Guard deployed to Washington, DC for the inauguration of President Joe Biden have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Wall Street Journal reported. Diogenes Lamp by Ray Leary As adults over 21 years old, we understand of what a contract is composed. It is a document that specifies what each party to the contract will fulfill to the other parties signatory to the contract. Typically there are some penalties for failure to execute the performance metrics identified that each party must abide by. Some examples of these penalties is that if only 75% of the contract is completed, then only 75% of the formerly agreed to payment will be made. If the product or service fails to produce a guaranteed result or fails to meet performance standards agreed to in the contract, the party failing to meet the standard must mitigate the failure or be subject to non-payment for the service, or a percentage of the agreed upon payment will be withheld. There could be civil or criminal prosecutions for failure to perform. How is this different when a candidate for elective office makes known he/she will support certain initiatives upon election and this announced support results in a voter casting their vote in a primary or general election for the candidate who indicated support for an issue he/she also supports? Have you, the voter, and perhaps thousands of other voters, not signed a contract with the candidate to do upon election what he said he/she would do upon garnering the most votes to place him/her on the general election ballot or propel him/her into office at the general election? What recourse do voters have should the candidate that courted your support, obtained the majority or plurality of votes to win a seat in whatever government institution he/she was seeking, then not support the issue upon which you supported them with your vote and/or monetary support. Campaign donations are a very personal decision that can have significant impact on a persons individual finances. If you vote for a candidate and financially support that candidate, you do not expect them to suddenly take a position contrary to what they told you during the campaign for the office. This is a fraudulent action, in that the elected official has failed to fulfill his/her contract with the voters, and in North Carolina, there is very little you can do about it except to vote for and support a different candidate during the next election cycle. However, lets take a look at the party platforms. Party platforms are a set of principles and priorities that have been agreed to at the local, state, and federal levels by political parties as guidance to those seeking offices and principles they agree to adhere to upon election. Should a voter study the party platforms and listen to the wanna-be elected official espouse that same platform which the voter supports, the voter would then have a reasonable expectation the candidate can be trusted to do what he/she says they will do once installed in office. But, in many instancesthey dont. What if the candidate you believed would honor their words failed to do so? What if the candidate, from his/her first day in office collaborates with the opposing party to undermine the party platform they whole-hearteningly embraced during the campaign? Referring back to the parties Plan of Organization of the elected individual, you notice there is a section that references party disloyalty. This section of the Plan of Organization also has a remedy for those that display disloyalty in word or deed. From the Beaufort County NC Republican Party of Organization Section 5-2.J and .k March 2019 5-2.j. Any registered Republican using a current or former title as a Party or elected official on the Republican ticket to influence the outcome of any election against a Republican Nominee may be declared ineligible to hold office under the State Plan of Organization at the State, District, and Precinct level for Party disloyalty by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the State Executive Committee. 5-2.k. Charges of Party disloyalty may be brought by petition of fifty (50) members of the State Executive Committee, or by resolution of a County or District Republican Executive Committee. The State Executive Committee may declare a Republican found to have engaged in Party disloyalty as ineligible to serve in any office under this Plan of Organization for a period of time between six (6) months and five (5) years. They may be removed from the party leadership by a vote of the party executive committee. Is this likely to actually happen? No! It will not happen in Beaufort County, NC. Why, you ask? - Because principles mean nothing to those that only seek power and the voters in Beaufort County have become numb to corruption. They have given up. This is evident when one looks at the voter turnout in off-year non presidential, state, county, and municipal elections. There was tremendous voter participation in 2020 in the presidential election, but their enthusiasm in North Carolina did not result in President Trump being re-elected. So, what will these enthusiastic first time voters in the 2020 election do in 2022? - Nothing. The election of 2020 was so corrupt in a few states that Joe Biden has now been installed in the office of the President of the United States. If this can happen on the national level, why should anyone vote in a state, county or municipal election? Rather than voters in NC hastily and irrationally withdrawing their participation, they should consider these facts. According to America Thinker, January 21, 2021, Republicans control the majority of state governments now. Republicans control 32 upper chambers (vs 18 for Democrats) and 30 lower chambers (vs 19 for Democrats) with one TBD in Alaska. This means Republicans will control reapportionment in a majority of the states. All seats in the US House of Representatives are up for election in 2022. Twenty (20) US Senate seats are up for election in 2022. One of those is an open seat in North Carolina with Senator Richard Burr stepping down. All seats in the NC House and NC Senate are up for election in 2022. The NC house and senate members serve two-year terms. Given the angst that many feel over the 2020 presidential election 2022 could turn out to be a very good year, but only if patriots in every state demand their legislatures to invalidate illegal voting changes made to their election processes by unelected election boards, secretaries of state, governors, and members of the judiciary, all of which are contrary to the US Constitution. The US Constitution is very clear. The state legislatures have sole responsibility to establish the times, places, and manner of holding elections in each state. (Article I, Section 4, Clause 1) All of the state legislatures have the Constitutional authority to correct the illegalities perpetrated in several states prior to and during the 2020 Presidential election. If Joe Biden (Usurper-in-Chief) working in concert with the extreme leftist in congress, or through the use of executive orders fails to return the economy to pre-pandemic levels or fails to reduce the reckless spending by big government, all the while trampling on the Bill of Rights, then every vote will be needed to place conservatives back in the majority in the US Senate and US House in 2022. At this time, it does not look good for US citizens, taxpayers, and users of fossil fuels. Joe has shut down the Keystone XL Pipeline, throwing thousands out of good paying jobs. Will the US continue to be energy independent? Gasoline and diesel fuel prices are ticking upward. Please do not allow those that invalidated your contract (vote) in 2020 to do so again in 2022. Contact every elected representative in the NC House and Senate and demand they return integrity to the elections in North Carolina. Their office addresses and phone numbers are on the NC Legislative website. Make plans to attend events when they are in the district and personally ask them to take back control of elections. Government of, by, and for the people shall not be allowed to perish. Christopher Rufo vows to fight as Biden reverses ban on critical race theory in government Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Christopher F. Rufo, a director at the Discovery Institute, who said his research inspired former President Donald Trumps decision to abolish critical race theory training at federal agencies last year, announced a legal coalition to fight back after President Joe Biden reversed the move. Today, President Biden doubled-down on critical race theory in the federal government. In response, I am announcing a new coalition of legal foundations and private attorneys that will wage relentless legal warfare against race theory in America's institutions. The fight is on, Rufo said in a statement. "Critical race theory is a grave threat to the American way of life. It divides Americans by race and traffics in the pernicious concepts of race essentialism, racial stereotyping, and race-based segregationall under a false pursuit of 'social justice, he wrote. Trump issued an executive order last September to combat offensive and anti-American race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating weeks after he directed federal agencies to stop teaching government workers about critical race theory and related concepts like white privilege. A few weeks ago, I BANNED efforts to indoctrinate government employees with divisive and harmful sex and race-based ideologies. Today, I've expanded that ban to people and companies that do business with our Country, the United States Military, Government Contractors, and Grantees. Americans should be taught to take PRIDE in our Great Country, and if you dont, theres nothing in it for you! Trump tweeted at the time. Today, President Biden doubled-down on critical race theory in the federal government. In response, I am announcing a new coalition of legal foundations and private attorneys that will wage relentless legal warfare against race theory in America's institutions. The fight is on. pic.twitter.com/JZJYpjla1k Christopher F. Rufo ?? (@realchrisrufo) January 20, 2021 Critical race theory, as explained by Purdue University, is a theoretical and interpretive mode that examines the appearance of race and racism across dominant cultural modes of expression. Through this framework, scholars seek to understand how victims of systemic racism are affected by cultural perceptions of race and how they are able to represent themselves to counter prejudice. Scholarship on the theory traces racism in America through the legacy of slavery, the civil rights movement and recent events. On Wednesday, in one of his first executive actions as Americas 46th president, Biden rescinded Trumps diversity training order in its entirety. Executive Order 13950 of September 22, 2020 (Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping), is hereby revoked, Biden wrote in the order published by The White House. Our Nation deserves an ambitious whole-of-government equity agenda that matches the scale of the opportunities and challenges that we face. It is therefore the policy of my Administration that the Federal Government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality, Bidens order states. Earlier this month, the Labor Department had suspended enforcement of Trumps order after a federal court judge blocked it. Several Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, had also called on the government to back off the order as there is "much-needed efforts in our states to reduce race and sex-based discrimination." Media star Megyn Kelly, meanwhile, appeared to throw her support behind Rufo in a retweet of his statement Wednesday, noting: "THIS IS THE ANSWER. THE LAW. These indoctrination sessions are unlawful. Studies have shown they create *more,* not less, racism. Good for you @realchrisrufo. The board of Australia Post did not approve the purchase of Cartier watches worth almost $20,000, a report has found. The federal government on Friday released a 40-page report of an investigation into former chief executive Christine Holgate's decision to give the watches to four staff in November 2018 as a reward for clinching a banking deal. Australia Post chair Lucio Di Bartolomeo told an inquiry in November he would have blocked the purchase of the luxury watches if he was in charge when the gifts were doled out to senior executives. The investigation found the board 'did not consider or approve the purchase of the Cartier watches'. Christine Holgate, former CEO of Australia Post, has been cleared of any wrongdoing over the Cartier watch scandal 'There is no documentary evidence that the board approved the expenditure for, and none of the board members interviewed recalled any discussion about the purchase of, the Cartier watches. 'There is contradictory evidence as to whether the former group CEO and managing director informed the former chair that it was her intention to purchase the Cartier watches or whether the former chair approved the commitment of funds for this purchase. 'No definitive finding can be made in this regard.' However on the positive side for the now-resigned Ms Holgate, the investigation found 'no indication of dishonesty, fraud, corruption or intentional misuse of Australia Post funds by any individual involved in the matters relating to the purchase and gifting of the Cartier watches'. Ms Holgate had gifted four watches totalling around $20,000 to staff members in November 2018 as a reward for clinching a banking deal But the purchase was found to be inconsistent with public service obligations imposed on the board governing the 'proper use and management of public resources'. Australia Post has since launched a review of policies in relation to gifts and benefits. The investigation also found - based on a preliminary review of a limited set of credit card usage records - it appeared there were 'potentially other instances of credit card usage for charges that, although for lesser amounts than the expenditure on the Cartier watches, may also be inconsistent with public expectations and Australia Post's policies'. Law firm Maddocks was engaged by the finance department to support the investigation. Ms Holgate has previously stated she did nothing wrong other than fail the 'pub test' for some people. She argued the executives given the watches had done an 'inordinate amount of work' to negotiate a financial services deal with three banks. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said at the time it was revealed he was appalled and shocked by the behaviour. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In . Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In. (Photo : Youtube/Cloudflare) Cloudflare launches tool for COVID-19 vaccine Cloudflare, a web infrastructure company, is now releasing a new tool that will provide a way for health organizations and health agencies that are tasked with rolling out the COVID-19 vaccines to maintain an organized, fair and transparent digital queue, and this tool is free of charge. Cloudflare's new tool The company's tool called Project Fair Shot will make its new Cloudflare Waiting Room offering free to any health organization that qualifies, this will provide a way from future vaccine recipients to register and to gain access to a clear and constantly-updated view of where they are in line to receive the vaccine. Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince said that the wife of one of the executives of the company in their Austin branch was trying to register her parents for the COVID-19 vaccine program. The registration site kept crashing and she told her husband that Cloudflare should create a queuing feature to help the sites, according to WFMJ. Also Read: Why Older Adults Should be First in Line for COVID 19 Vaccinations, Study Explains Prince said that it just so happens that they had exactly the same feature under development and it was scheduled to be launched in February 2021. After realizing the need for this type of tool in order to help alleviate the numerous infrastructure challenges that come up when you are trying to vaccinate a global population against a viral threat as quickly as possible, Cloudflare adjusted their release timetable and devoted more resources to the project. Prince added that they talked to the team about moving up the scheduled launch of their Waiting Room feature and the team worked around the clock as they recognized just how important it is to help with vaccine delivery. These are the types of projects that drive their team, when they can use their technical expertise and infrastructure to solve problems with positive impact, according to Yahoo News. Cloudflare Waiting Room The Cloudflare Waiting Room is very simple to implement, according to Cloudflare, and it can be added to any registration website that is built on the existing content delivery network of the company without any engineering or any coding knowledge required. The visitors to the site can register and they will get a confirmation that they are in line, and then they will receive a notification asking them to sign-up for the organization administering their vaccine when it is their turn. Further configuration options allow Waiting Room operators to offer wait time estimates and give additional alerts when it is their turn. As Prince had stated, Waiting Room was already on the project lineup of Cloudflare, and it was intended for other high-demand supply allocation items. It was suppose to be used for online shops, product releases and concert ticket. However, the Fair Shot program will give it totally free to those agencies that need it, whereas that would have been a commercial product. All of the interested agencies can sign up at Cloudflare's registration page in order to get on the wait list for availability. Prince said that with Project Fair Shot, they stand ready to help everyone who is eligible and can get access to the vaccine. Related Article: Didi, China's Ride-Hailing Leader, to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine to 13 Other Countries with $10M Global Fund This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sieeka Khan 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 'Once again the United States can resume its role as a vital - if not always wanted - leader on the world stage.' Photo: AP/Alex Brandon This week sees a moment that millions across the world will have been greatly looking forward to, Donald Trump's long awaited departure from the Oval Office. After what has been a long and frequently dispiriting four years, the United States and the world can breathe a sigh of relief as the worst US President in history is finally evicted from the White House. After the truly shocking events of recent weeks - which saw Trump and his odious cronies try to instigate a coup to keep their hands on the reins of power - Joe Biden's inauguration comes not a moment too soon. Once again the United States can resume its role as a vital - if not always wanted - leader on the world stage. The 'most powerful nation on Earth' can once again hold its head high and the rest of the world can look forward to a degree of stability in a time of unprecedented crisis, uncertainty and fear. With a childish, selfish, egotistical maniac at the helm in Washington, the global effort to battle Covid-19 has suffered and there can be little doubt that the global situation will be much improved with a level head behind the Resolute desk. With the inevitable and widely predicated fallout from Brexit beginning to manifest itself, Ireland also finds itself with a powerful new ally in Joe Biden whose love for and keen interest in Ireland will be crucially important as we negotiate the next phase of the Brexit crisis. Mr Biden's influence has already proved crucial in stopping Boris Johnson and his callous Brexiteer cadre from ripping up the Good Friday agreement. His support will likely prove decisive in many more political dogfights as Ireland, the UK and Europe iron out the finer details of their new fractious relationship. For the tens of thousands of undocumented Irish living in the United States, President Biden's inauguration should also be welcome news. The complex and politically contentious nature of the immigration issue in the US means their status and predicament still might not be resolved but no President since Kennedy - even Bill Clinton - has displayed such a personal affinity for Ireland and the Irish and that can only be a good thing for our undocumented family, friends and loved ones. With little sign that the pandemic crisis will end any time soon - even with a vaccine we face many more months of restrictions - the inauguration in Washington provides reason for a little hope and positivity. Amid the Covid crisis and fear of more violence and unrest around the US Capitol building, this inauguration will be on a much smaller scale than those we are used to seeing. Even so, it is still a momentous occasion not just for the US but for the world, representing a return to a more normal, more hopeful and less hateful brand of politics and democracy. Four years after we watched, in horror, as Trump got his hands on the White House, it's a tremendous relief to witness the end of his despicable era. There is a masterplan in the works for Glendalough A local stakeholders meeting regarding the Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains Masterplan and Visitor Orientation Plan is due to take place soon. Wicklow County Council Chief Executive, Frank Curran, provided the elected members with an update of the plan at last Monday's monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council. Cllr Tom Fortune had inquired about both the master plan for Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains, and the tourist strategy in place for Wicklow for this year. In May of last year Failte Ireland issued a tender worth 500,000 to come up with a 'masterplan' on how to manage traffic and the visitor experience in Glendalough, and Consarc Consultants were appointed. The Chief Executive stated: 'Our main focus is on Glendalough. The masterplan is being led by Failte Ireland. 'I know Wicklow Municipal District had a presentation on the plans and I will goo about organising a presentation for a full Wicklow County Council meeting. 'A local stakeholders meeting is due to take place soon as well. The plan doesn't just involve Glendalough, it's also about access to the whole National Parks as well', said Mr Curran. 'The advantage of Failte Ireland leading it is they have the grants. Consultation has been difficult because of Covid but it is good that we have this sort of focus on Glendalough and the National Parks.' Regarding a tourism plan for 2021, Mr Curran said the number of hotels guesthouses and hostels in the county will be examined. 'We need to look at how do we attract people to Wicklow. Making town centre more attractive is helpful. 'Fred Verdier and the Tourism team are very focused on the year ahead and now is the time to start marketing what we have to offer.' The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. Bruno Fernandes has issued an extraordinary defence of Liverpool's recent calamitous form, saying the Reds are not playing badly and that they are a victim of their own huge success. Manchester United play Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday and face a Merseyside team that has failed to score in its last four matches. Liverpool also had their 68-game unbeaten Premier League home run broken by Burnley in a shock 1-0 defeat on Thursday. Despite this, Fernandes said the club are not in bad shape. Bruno Fernandes has defended Liverpool's recent dip, saying they are not 'playing poorly' The United talisman (left) said Liverpool are being scrutinised because of their recent success 'I think teams have moments. I don't think Liverpool are playing poorly. I think they don't win and this is the point,' Fernandes told the Manchester United website. He also expressed support for Liverpool's prime attacking trio Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, who are all misfiring at the moment. 'When teams don't win, everyone talks about that. When players don't score, everyone talks about that,' Fernandes explained. 'I feel that on me because I know the standard is high, because I arrived and I scored a lot of goals and make a lot of assists, and everyone is wanting goals and assists from me. He also expressed support for rival stars Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino Liverpool have not scored in four games and lost their 68-game unbeaten home league record 'It is the same - everyone expects goals from (Mohamed) Salah, from (Roberto) Firmino and from (Sadio) Mane. They are not scoring in the last games and it starts feeling like "oh, they are not playing well".' Fernandes suggested that the lack of fans in stadiums has worked against Liverpool, whose Anfield fortress has been buttressed by a fervent home supporter base that can affect visiting teams. The Portuguese also said that it would be foolish to underestimate Liverpool because of their recent woes. Fernandes also suggested an empty Anfield has played into the hands of visiting teams 'Every team goes there to play maybe without the pressure of the fans,' he said. 'Teams play a little bit more comfortably and, as I say, I think it is a moment. 'They create, they play, but the other teams are playing better and, as I said before, they have more qualities to play. 'We don't have to look at that moment because big teams and big players can show in every moment.' Ageing dams pose growing threat: UN By 2050, most people on Earth will live downstream of tens of thousands of large dams built in the 20th century, many of them already operating at or beyond their design life, according to a UN University analysis. The report, "Ageing water infrastructure: An emerging global risk," by UNU's Canadian-based Institute for Water, Environment and Health, says most of the 58,700 large dams worldwide were constructed between 1930 and 1970 with a design life of 50 to 100 years, adding that at 50 years a large concrete dam "would most probably begin to express signs of aging." Ageing signs include increasing cases of dam failures, progressively increasing costs of dam repair and maintenance, increasing reservoir sedimentation, and loss of a dam's functionality and effectiveness, "strongly interconnected" manifestations, the paper says. The report says dams that are well designed, constructed and maintained can "easily" reach 100 years of service but predicts an increase in "decommissioning" -- a phenomenon gaining pace in the USA and Europe -- as economic and practical limitations prevent ageing dams from being upgraded or if their original use is now obsolete. Worldwide, the huge volume of water stored behind large dams is estimated at 7,000 to 8,300 cubic kilometres -- enough to cover about 80% of Canada's landmass under a meter of water. The report provides an overview of dam ageing by world region and primary function -- water supply, irrigation, flood control, hydropower, and recreation. It also details the increasing risk of older dams, the rising maintenance expense, the declining functionality due to sedimentation, the benefits of restoring or redesigning natural environments, and the societal impacts -- pro and con -- that need to be weighed by policymakers deciding what to do. Notably, "the nature of these impacts varies significantly between low- and high-income countries." The analysis also includes dam decommissioning or ageing case studies from the USA, France, Canada, India, Japan, and Zambia & Zimbabwe. Climate change will accelerate the dam ageing process "This report aims to attract global attention to the creeping issue of ageing water storage infrastructure and stimulate international efforts to deal with this emerging, rising water risk," says co-author Vladimir Smakhtin, Director of UNU-INWEH. "Underlined is the fact that the rising frequency and severity of flooding and other extreme environmental events can overwhelm a dam's design limits and accelerate a dam's ageing process. Decisions about decommissioning, therefore, need to be taken in the context of a changing climate." Notes lead author and UNU-INWEH Senior Researcher Duminda Perera: "This problem of ageing large dams today confronts a relatively small number of countries -- 93% of all the world's large dams are located in just 25 nations." "Large dam construction surged in the mid-20th century and peaked in the 1960s - 70s," he says, "especially in Asia, Europe and North America, while in Africa the peak occurred in the 1980s. The number of newly-constructed large dams after that continuously and progressively declined." According to the report, the world is unlikely to witness another large dam-building revolution as in the mid-20th century, but dams constructed then will inevitably be showing their age. China has 23,841 large dams (40% of the world's total). And 32,716 large dams (55% of the world's total) are found in just four Asian countries: China, India, Japan, and the Republic of Korea -- a majority of which will reach the 50-year threshold relatively soon. The same is true of many large dams in Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe. The pace of large dam construction has dropped dramatically in the last four decades and continues to decline in part because "the best locations for such dams globally have been progressively diminishing as nearly 50% of global river volume is already fragmented or regulated by dams," the report says. As well, there are strong concerns regarding the environmental and social impacts of dams, and large dams in particular, as well as emerging ideas and practices on the alternative types of water storage, nature-based solutions, and types of energy production beyond hydropower. Drivers of dam decommissioning Public safety, escalating maintenance costs, reservoir sedimentation, and restoration of a natural river ecosystem are among the reasons driving dam decommissioning. However, most dams removed to date have been small; decommissioning large dams (defined by ICOLD as 15 or more metres from lowest foundation to crest, or 5 to 15 metres impounding more than 3 million cubic metres) is "still in its infancy, with only a few known cases in the last decade." "A few case studies of ageing and decommissioned large dams illustrate the complexity and length of the process that is often necessary to orchestrate the dam removal safely," adds co-author and UNU-INWEH Adjunct Professor R. Allen Curry, based at the University of New Brunswick. "Even removing a small dam requires years (often decades) of continuous expert and public involvement, and lengthy regulatory reviews. With the mass ageing of dams well underway, it is important to develop a framework of protocols that will guide and accelerate the dam removal process." Decommissioning will also have various positive and negative economic, social, and ecological impacts to be considered in a local and regional social, economic, and geographic context "critical to protect the broader, sustainable development objectives for a region," the report says. "Overall, dam decommissioning should be seen as equally important as dam building in the overall planning process on water storage infrastructure developments." "Ultimately, value judgments will determine the fate of many of these large water storage structures. It is not an easy process, and thus distilling lessons from and sharing dam decommissioning experiences should be a common global goal. Lack of such knowledge and lack of its reflection in relevant regional/national policies/practices may progressively and adversely affect the ability to manage water storage infrastructure properly as it is ageing." ### In addition to the three UNU-INWEH experts, the report was co-authored by Spencer Williams, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland. and Taylor North of McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada. The report is available post-embargo at http://bit. ly/ UNU-dams By the numbers General 58,700: large dams registered in the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) database, a large dam is defined as 15+ metres in height, measured from lowest foundation to crest, or 5 to 15 metres high impounding more than 3 million cubic metres (0.003 km3). Within the 58,700 large dam total, roughly one in eight has a 100 million cubic metre (0.1 km3) capacity 7,000 to 8,300 km3: volume of water stored behind large dams worldwide -- about one-sixth of all river discharge worldwide each year -- enough to cover roughly 80% of Canada's landmass under a meter of water 50 to 100 years: design life of dams constructed between 1930 and 1970 (when most existing large dams were built). Average life expectancy: 50 years ~16,000: large dams 50 to 100 years old in North America and Asia ~2,300: large dams 100+ years old in North America and Asia USA / Canada 56: average age of 90,580 US dams (all sizes) 85%+: US dams in 2020 operating at or beyond their life expectancy 75%: US dam failures that occurred after 50 years of age US$ 64 billion: estimated cost to refurbish US dams 1,275: dams removed in 21 US states in the last 30 years; 80 removed in 2017 alone 50%+: large dams in Canada over 50 years old Asia / Pacific China 56%: proportion of the world's large dams located in China and the US (the top 25 countries account for more than ~93%) 23,841: large dams in China (the most of any country, and 40% of the world's total 60%: proportion of the world's large dams in Asia 55%: proportion of the world's large dams in just four countries -- China, India, Japan, and the Republic of Korea -- the majority of which will soon reach 50 years of age India 1,115+: large dams in India that will be roughly 50 years old in 2025 4,250+: large dams in India that will be 50+ years old in 2050 64: large dams in India that will be 150+ years old in 2050 3.5 million: the approximate number of people at risk if India's Mullaperiyar dam, built 100+ years ago, were to fail. The dam, in a seismically active area, shows significant structural flaws and its management is a contentious issue between Kerala and Tamil Nadu States Japan 100+ years: average age of large dams in Japan Australia 650: large dams in Australia, half of them 50+ years old; 50+ have been in operation for 100+ years. Portion of Australia's electricity generation from hydropower: 65% UK / Europe 100+ years: average age of large dams in the UK ~10%: large dams in Europe 100+ years old Africa 2,000: large dams in Africa ( of them in South Africa), the fewest of any continent; mostly used for irrigation UNU-INWEH (inweh.unu.edu) is supported by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, and hosted by McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada UNU-INWEH's Water Learning Centre (http://bit. ly/ wlc-unu-inweh ) offers free courses to university students and practicing water professionals looking to strengthen their capacity in several focused and multidisciplinary learning areas. This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. (Natural News) A growing number of people around the world are calling for the public ownership of seeds, which they say is essential for a more democratic and ecologically sound food system, as the coronavirus-driven spike in empty supermarket shelves and the continued loss of biodiversity this year sparked a rise in the popularity of saving and swapping seeds and shed more light on the negative consequences of allowing a handful of agrochemical corporations to dominate the global seed trade. (Article by Kenny Stancil republished from CommonDreams.org) In the United Kingdom, the seed saving movement had been quietly growing for awhile, but from March onwards, when the pandemic hit the U.K., seed producers and seed banks across the country were overwhelmed with demand, with multiple organizations experiencing a sharp surge in orders, 600% in some cases, Alexandra Genova reported Monday in The Guardian. People crave connection, David Price, managing director of the Seed Cooperative, told The Guardian. They want connection with other people and connection with the planet, and growing and saving seed is a way of getting both. Genova noted that while many British consumers feel disconnected from the processes of food production seed saving allows everyone to be involved in the food system. Moreover, advocates say seed saving can contribute to reversing the dramatic decline in the availability of plant varieties that are richly diverse, well adapted to the soil and local climate, and more resilient to climate change. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has estimated that since the beginning of the 20th century, roughly 75% of the genetic diversity of agricultural crops and 93% of unique seed varieties have disappeared. This biodiversity loss has been attributed to industrialized agriculture and what Genova called the big boom in agrochemicals. As the FAO has explained, the increasingly commercialized nature of plant breeding has permitted transnational seed and agrochemical corporationswhich enjoy so-called plant breeders rights that give patent-like protection to breeders with limited monopoly rights over the production, marketing, and sale of their varietiesto privatize access to genetic resources taken from countries in the global south. Seed saving movement calls for seeds to be publicly owned. Empty shelves during the pandemic made clear, allowing huge corporations to "own" seeds is a very bad idea! Power to the People, not corporations. https://t.co/b7v4sE4elx B.E.A.T. (@TheBEATNews) December 28, 2020 Scholar-activist Pat Mooney of the ETC Group coined the term biopiracy to describe how genetic material originally nurtured by impoverished farmers is turned into patented seeds that now generate huge profits primarily for BASF, Bayer/Monsanto, ChemChina-Syngenta, and Corteva Agriscience. In a 2018 report (pdf) on industrial food chain concentration, Mooney explained that these four companies have gained oligopolistic control over more than two-thirds of commercial seed and pesticide sales, while decimating the innovative contribution of public sector researchers and threatening the 12,000-year-old right of peasants to breed, save, and exchange their seeds. The blossoming of what researchers Karine Peschard and Shalini Randeria call seed activism is largely in response to the intensification of corporate seed enclosures and to the loss of agrobiodiversity, Genova reported. Many seed savers are motivated by this idea of dismantling the increasing privatization of seeds by drawing attention to the negative impact of such high levels of concentration. She continued: Less than 50 years ago, most of the world enjoyed food that came from entirely open-pollinated seed varieties, which could be saved for future crops. Much of the seed sold now by the large companies are, in contrast, GM or F1 hybrid seeds. These cannot be saved for use in following years because they are genetically unstable and are protected by seed and patent laws, meaning most farmers are tied to chains of dependency. According to Helene Schulze, who works on the Seed Sovereignty Program of the U.K. and Ireland and co-directs the London Freedom Seedbank, Covid made people really understand how our food system is dominated by a few large corporations, and this has put a focus on seed sovereignty, which Genova defined as a growers right to breed and exchange diverse, open source seeds, which can be saved and are not patented, genetically modified, or owned by one of the four agrochemical companies that control more than 60% of the global seed trade. Campaigners at Open Source Seeds, the Campaign for Seed Sovereignty, and elsewhere are pushing for seeds to be brought back into public ownership, arguing that something as universal as food crops should belong to everyone, not a small group of agrochemical companies. "This land was made a treasury for everyone to share" Seeds should not be private property https://t.co/4l7G1yFNMK Global Justice Manchester (@GlobalJustManc) December 28, 2020 If you own the seeds you own the food system, Schulze told The Guardian. Access to open-pollinated seeds is the cornerstone of food citizenship because it creates non-market access to growing. I want all local communities or regions to have their own seed bank, she added, so everyone knows exactly where to get free seed. Read more at: CommonDreams.org The tiny clinking vials supervised by silent PPE-wearing technicians belie the excitement inside the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, the Serum Institute of India, a major player in the fight against coronavirus. The firm, founded in 1966 in the western city of Pune, is producing millions of doses of the Covishield vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, for India and much of the developing world. Unlike the rival Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Covishield can be stored and transported using standard refrigeration. It is also significantly cheaper than the vaccines developed by Pfizer or the US firm Moderna, making it better suited for countries with poorer populations and rusty infrastructure. Even before the pandemic, the Indian firm was a world leader in vaccines, producing 1.5 billion doses a year and inoculating two out of three children in 170 countries against diseases such as polio, mumps, meningitis and measles. Its journey kicked off on a stud farm, where the firm's owners, the Poonawalla family, began breeding horses in 1946, before a conversation with a vet sparked the realisation that anti-toxin serum extracted from the animals could be used to make vaccines. The Serum Institute soon became a market leader thanks to its cheap and effective drugs, which were eagerly sought after by price-conscious governments and consumers, prompting the company to expand at a dizzying rate. Adar Poonawalla, its 40-year-old CEO, has spent nearly a billion dollars in recent years enlarging and improving the sprawling Pune campus. As a result, when the coronavirus pandemic began to sweep across the world, the company, which recorded annual revenues of over $800 million in 2019-20 and is debt-free, was in pole position to reap the rewards. - 'Used to pressure' - The palm-fringed Pune campus, whose grounds boast horse-shaped topiaries in a playful nod to the firm's origins, is home to several buildings where vaccines are manufactured and scrutinised for quality before being deposited into sterilised vials and stored for delivery. From Brazil to South Africa, there is no shortage of customers, with governments clamouring to buy Covishield. With Poonawalla vowing to reserve 50 percent of Covishield stocks for the Indian market, New Delhi, which intends to immunise 300 million people by July, is engaging in a bout of vaccine diplomacy, planning to supply 20 million doses to its South Asian neighbours. The Serum Institute also plans to supply 200 million doses to Covax, a World Health Organization-backed effort to procure and distribute inoculations to poor countries. If all this sounds overwhelming, the firm's bosses are not worried. " We are used to these kinds of pressures because even in the past there were situations when we were required to step up the production to meet individual countries' requirements," Suresh Jadhav, Serum Institute's executive director, told AFP. Even a deadly fire at an under-construction building this week failed to dent confidence, with Poonawalla promptly tweeting that "there would be no loss of #COVISHIELD production due to multiple production buildings that I had kept in reserve to deal with such contingencies". The pandemic has transformed Poonawalla's public profile, from a jet-setting billionaire known for his expensive taste in cars and fine art to a pharma-tycoon applauded for his willingness to take risks and his commitment to affordable vaccines. Unsurprisingly, the father-of-two has not held back from taking so-called anti-vaxxers to task, including berating US rapper Kanye West for spreading conspiracy theories. "Though we enjoy your music very much @KanyeWest, your views on #vaccines come across as irresponsible and borderline dangerous, considering the influence you have today and may have in the future; vaccines save lives," Poonawalla tweeted in July. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! MACAO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Friday held a ceremony to honor 34 individuals and organizations in recognition of their achievements, outstanding contributions to the SAR or distinguished services. The list of awardees included former Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On and renowned Chinese respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan, who were conferred the Decoration of Honor - Grand Lotus, the highest honor in Macao. Zhong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, is a leading expert in China's respiratory disease research who proposed epidemic prevention and control measures that saved numerous lives and made great contribution to fighting both SARS and COVID-19. The grizzled detective and his rookie partner who somehow form a dynamic crime-fighting duo has become a Hollywood cliche. But sometimes it's true. Gil Carrillo was the youngest cop in the LA murder department when he had a hunch that a set of seemingly random killings and abductions were all the work of one man. His colleagues thought he was crazy, and it was only when he teamed up with Frank Salerno, a legendary detective who'd already caught two serial killers, that they were able to finally collar Richard Ramirez, known as the Night Stalker. It was 1985 and there was a record-breaking heatwave, but everyone kept their windows and doors closed. Netflix's Night Stalker: The Hunt For A Serial Killer, reveals how Gil Carrillo and Frank Salerno discovered Richard Ramirez, then 25, (pictured) was the individual killing at random in LA Gil Carrillo who was the youngest cop in the LA murder department, had dreamed of being on the homicide team since his childhood. Pictured: Mei Leung, nine, was the first victim of Night Stalker Richard Ramirez That was because a psychopath who crept into homes through windows and garages was on the loose. He would shoot, stab or strangle his victims, who included nine-year-old Mei Leung, and he never left a fingerprint. The chilling story is now told in forensic detail in Netflix's new true-crime series Night Stalker: The Hunt For A Serial Killer. 'It was important we didn't glorify the killer,' says director Tiller Russell. 'But this was a unique crime story. 'Everyone knew he was going to kill again at any moment, but this set of killings were different because they were totally random. It unleashed this wave of terror because anyone could be next.' The story focuses on the detectives at the heart of the hunt. 'The relationship between these two men captivated me from the beginning,' says Tiller. 'Just making it onto the homicide team was a childhood dream for Gil. To suddenly find himself involved in the case of a lifetime took him on an incredible hero's journey, alongside Frank, this legendary cop.' Gil was mocked despite a footprint (pictured) at one of the abductions appearing to match the footprint from the Zazzara murders The LA homicide department was already seeing 1,000 murders a year when Gil investigated several he thought might be linked, including those of Vincent Zazzara, 64, and his wife Maxine, who were shot in their home. Crucially, the killer left footprints from a pair of size 11 Avia trainers in the Zazzaras' flowerbeds. Pictured: Detective Gil Carrillo in the Netflix series At the same time there were a spate of child abductions in which youngsters were taken from their bedrooms and molested before being abandoned. There was little to link the two sets of crimes, except for very similar witness descriptions: the man was tall and thin, with a light-skinned Latino appearance, dishevelled hair, brown teeth and a pungent odour. Gil was convinced all these crimes were the work of one man. 'In my opinion we had a serial killer who was also responsible for kidnapping girls and boys,' he recalls. 'We'd never seen anyone like that in criminal history.' Gil was mocked by his colleagues, even though a footprint at one of the abductions appeared to match the footprint from the Zazzara murders. But then he was partnered with Salerno, who'd caught serial-killing cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono Jr, known as the Hillside Stranglers. James Romero made a note of the stolen Toyota (pictured) Richard Ramirez was using, after the killer was disturbed while trying to break into his home When another matching footprint was found at the scene of an attempted murder, Salerno backed his partner's hunch. The series features in-depth interviews with both policemen, as well as journalists and victims. 'When I sat down with Gil, he blew my mind with all these things I'd never heard before,' says producer Tim Walsh. 'Now I was seeing this from other perspectives the cops, the journalists, the victims and the city itself as a character.' As the net closed in, the team got lucky. On 24 August Ramirez, driving a stolen Toyota, was disturbed while trying to break into the house of James Romero, who noted the details of the car. Richard Ramirez who had a history of drug arrests, was identified after a single fingerprint (pictured) was found on the stolen car The police found a footprint that matched the others at the scene, and when they traced the stolen car a single fingerprint was found on the rear-view mirror. Ramirez, then 25 and with a history of drug arrests, could now be identified and his mugshot was published in the papers. On 30 August he was recognised at a convenience store and when he tried to flee, bystanders held him down until police arrived. He was found guilty of 13 charges of murder and sentenced to death in September 1989, with the judge remarking that his deeds exhibited 'cruelty, callousness and viciousness beyond any human understanding'. He spent the rest of his life on death row, dying on 7 June 2013, from complications related to lymphoma. Night Stalker: The Hunt For A Serial Killer is on Netflix. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 03:59:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Supporters of detained Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny clash with riot police officers during an unsanctioned rally in central Moscow on Jan. 23, 2021. (Xinhua/Evgeny Sinitsyn) Attempts by U.S. diplomats to incite radical actions are doomed to failure, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. MOSCOW, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry blamed the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for interference in opposition rallies in Russia, which are the country's domestic affairs. The U.S. Embassy has shown disregard for diplomatic rules and regulations by actively posting messages on social media in support of unsanctioned protests in Russian cities, the ministry said in a statement. "We are talking about encouraging violent actions, hypocritically declared as peaceful protests, in which the organizers cynically involved even minors," the statement read. Attempts by U.S. diplomats to incite radical actions are doomed to failure and will have negative consequences for Moscow-Washington relations, it added. Protesters hold posters in support of detained Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny during an unsanctioned rally at Pushkin Square in central Moscow on Jan. 23, 2021. (Xinhua/Evgeny Sinitsyn) The ministry made the remarks after activists staged unauthorized protests in a number of Russian cities earlier in the day to show support for detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny. About 4,000 people participated in the rally at Pushkin Square near the Kremlin, the Moscow branch of the Russian Interior Ministry said in a press release. More than 600 protesters have been detained by police in downtown Moscow, according to TASS news agency. Farmer leaders on Saturday said they have received permission to enter Delhi for their tractor rally that is slated to be staged on Republic Day. Delhi Police has given permission for the tractor parade on January 26, claimed farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar after protesting unions met the police, according to news agency PTI. The route will, however, be finalised on Sunday, sources told CNN-News. The tractor parades will start from the Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri border points of Delhi, but details will be finalised later on Saturday night, said Kohar after attending a meeting between the unions and the police. However, Delhi Police Additional Public Relation Officer Anil Mittal said, "We are in the final stages of talks with farmers." Another farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said as thousands of farmers will participate in the parade, there will be no single route. Farmer leader Darshan Pal said barricades set up at Delhi border points will be removed on January 26 and farmers will take out tractor rallies after entering the national capital. Over two lakh tractors will be part of the parade and around 2,500 volunteers will be deployed to facilitate the movement of the vehicles, said the unions. The number of volunteers can be increased, depending on the crowd, and a control room has been set up to look into the arrangements, they said. Kirti Kisan Union president Nirbhai Singh Dhudike, who presided over a meeting of Punjab farmers' unions, said that more than one lakh tractors are expected to arrive from the state on Sunday. The main focus of the meeting was to discuss about the tractor parade to be taken on Republic Day, Singh said after the over three-hour-long meeting at Singhu. Several batches of farmers from Punjab and Haryana set out in their tractor-trolleys and other vehicles to take part in the proposed tractor parade on January 26 in the national capital. Carrying some ration, mattresses and other essentials, cavalcades of tractors left for Delhi to press the Centre to accept their demands. Tractors carried the flags of the unions, some sported the tricolour, and also posters with slogans of 'Kisan Ekta Zindabad','No Farmer, No Food' and 'Kaale Kanoon Radd Karo'. Farmer unions protesting the Centre's three farm laws had said they would go ahead with their tractor parade in Delhi on Republic Day. They had announced to take out the tractor parade on the Outer Ring Road in Delhi. Farmer leaders said that the tractor parade would be peaceful. "Over 30,000 tractors and trolleys today moved from Khanauri (in Sangrur, Punjab) and Dabwali (in Sirsa district, Haryana) to join the tractor parade in Delhi," said Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan on Saturday. They are expected to reach the Tikri border on Saturday night. Some farmers even mounted tractors on trailers and a few even towed their tractors in order to save diesel, said the farmer leaders. "Some loaded their tractors in trailers and some even towed their vehicles in order to save fuel," said Kokrikalan. Similarly, a cavalcade of around 1,000 tractors left from Phagwara area and 150 tractors from Hoshiarpur in Punjab to become part of the parade, said the farmer leaders. A farmer leader in Barnala said they were getting a very good response to the call for joining the tractor parade. "Youth and elders are going in their tractors towards Delhi in a peaceful manner," he said. A batch of tractors and other vehicles from Fatehabad in Haryana also left for Delhi to join the parade, they said. Many farmers from Karnal and other districts would leave for the national capital on Sunday. Independent MLA from Dadri in Haryana, Sombir Sangwan, who recently withdrew his support to the Khattar government over farmers' issue, told reporters on Saturday that the Centre will have to agree to farmers' demands. Sangwan, who had gone to meet protesting farmers at the Haryana-Rajasthan border near Rewari, also told reporters that farmers should be freely allowed to take part in tractor parade on January 26. Kirpal Singh Moosapur, Vice-President, Bharati Kisan Union (Doaba) in Phagwara, Punjab, said, "More farmers with tractors will leave tomorrow as well. We expect over 5,000 tractors from Doaba region (in Punjab) alone to reach Delhi for the parade." Moosapur slammed the Centre for not accepting farmers' demands. "Farmers have been agitating at Delhi borders for the last several weeks but the Modi government has turned a deaf ear to their demands," he said. Before heading for Delhi, many farmers got their tractors inspected from mechanics for any fault so they can have a hassle-free journey, said the farmer leaders. At many places in Punjab and Haryana, tractor marches were taken out on Saturday to mobilise more people for the tractor parade. Meanwhile, some women in Bathinda said they have asked their male members who are at the Delhi borders not to worry about homes. "We are taking care of the farm and other works. We have told our male members to stay put until the demands are met," said an elderly woman in Bathinda. Thousands of farmers from Punjab and Haryana have been camping at Delhi's borders for several weeks, demanding the repeal of the farm laws and a legal guarantee on the minimum support price for crops. They claim that the new laws will weaken the minimum support price (MSP) system. But the Centre says the MSP system will remain and the new laws only provide more options for farmers to sell their produce. On the FactCheck page, The Associated Press tracks down some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals that were shared widely on social media. The AP takes those untrue stories, checks them out and sets the records straight in this weekly series of news articles. Journey to the West, the great classical Chinese novel, is getting yet another animated adaptation. The cg feature Journey to the West: Reincarnation of the Demon King is due to come out in China on May 1, and a new trailer has dropped in the meantime. The story centers on the Monkey King, a beloved character from the novel, who appears here in a more somber even melancholic guise than usual. The new trailer has him in the grip of a moral crisis, as he grapples with his own demonhood: I am a demon a demon who does evil things. From what weve seen, the film promises action aplenty, too. Watch the (fansubbed) trailer below. Reincarnation of the Demon King was produced by Filmko Pictures, which is behind a series of popular live-action features about the Monkey King, and Its-Cartoon. The director is Yunfei Wang. The film was initially slated for 2020, but was delayed. Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) took out motorcycle rallies in several parts of the state on Saturday to mobilise people for Kisan Tractor Parade announced by farmers in Delhi against the centres agriculture black laws, on January 26. AAPs state president and MP Bhagwant Mann said that the party workers have taken out motorcycle rallies across the state to mobilise people for the Kisan Tractor Parade in the national capital on Republic Day. All the party MLAs organised motorcycle rallies with supporters and volunteers in their respective constituencies. Bhagwant MannMann said that the AAP workers through the motorcycle rallies called on the people to join the Kisan Tractor Parade to be held on January 26 and conveyed support to the farmer brothers and sisters who were sitting in protest on the Delhi borders in severe cold. This rally has not been taken out for any political purpose, nor should it be seen as political. We all come from farmer families and farming is in our blood. Our ancestors were farmers and still more than 80 percent of the people of Punjab are involved in farming. Being the son of a farmer, we have organised this motorcycle rally to give our support in Kisan Tractor Parade to be held on January 26, said Mann. He added that the purpose of this rally was to appeal the people to participate in the Kisan Tractor Parade on the occasion of Republic Day proposed by farmers organisations in Delhi, so that more and more people could join the tractor parade and could shatter the pride of PM Narendra Modi-led government, which had done a deal of the farmers under a settlement with the corporate houses. AAP He said that for the first time after the independence of the country, there would be such a procession where on one hand the jawans would parade and on the other hand the farmers of the country would parade with their tractors on the Delhi roads. Mann said that on this historic occasion, thousands of party workers, all the MLAs and office bearers of the Aam Aadmi Party would take part in the Farmers Tractor Parade and would encourage the farmer brothers of the country. He added that the AAP would not be participating in the parade as a political party, but as a true serviceman and would try their best to help the farmer brothers sitting on dharna. Today, our country is going through a very critical period and all the rights enshrined in the Constitution are being trampled on by the ruling dictator PM Narendra Modi government, said Mann. The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has posted a poignant message of remembrance to Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe who lost his life this week eight years ago while serving his community which he loved so well." In the Facebook post, the GRA said: This week we remember him - our brother Adrian. "Eight years ago on the 25th January 2013, Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe lost his life while serving his community which he loved so well. "Remember him in your thoughts & prayers over the coming days, as we do. #NeverForgotten." Detective Garda Donohoe was shot dead during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union on January 25, 2013. In October of last year, Aaron Brady (28) of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh was jailed for life with a minimum time of 40 years behind bars after being convicted in August of capital murder. Read More Speaking at a sentence hearing for her husbands murderer, Caroline Donohoe said no words can express the impact on her life, the lives of her children and their family, colleagues and friends who all loved Adrian. Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe's parents described their son's murder was "a waste of a good man for such an evil and pointless act." Adrians sister Mary Donohoe, speaking on behalf of all five surviving siblings, Alan, Colm, Martin, Anne and Mary, described their big brother as larger than life, large in stature but more so, large in personality. "He was rarely in bad form and his enthusiasm and zest for life were infectious. She said Adrian looked after all his siblings and was idolized by them. "The void he has left in our family is immeasurable. Every family celebration is tinged with sadness and his absence is still so obvious and upsetting." They described their parents as strong and admirable but said they havent been the same since Adrians death. They said they are grateful that their parents keep going, but seeing their mother lighting a candle in front of a photo of Adrian every day is sometimes too much to bear. Expand Close Aaron Brady / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Aaron Brady Turning their attention to their brothers murderer, they said: Aaron Brady will never comprehend what he has done to our family. The GRA post generated numerous messages of thanks for Adrian, and his service to this country. "Many of us still await the day, when the rest of the gang involved in his death are brought before the courts to face justice. Rest easy brother," one person wrote. Another person remembered: "I attended his funeral I have never seen anything like... It was late getting to Chapel due to the crowds. "Rest in peace sir thank you for your service to Ireland," added another. SANTA CRUZ, CA Santa Cruz County is ramping up its efforts to vaccinate high-priority residents. This comes as the county's case rate hit an all-time high this week at 71 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents per day, said county Health Officer Gail Newel during a Friday news conference. By comparison, Santa Cruz County's daily case rate was seven cases per 100,000 when it returned to the purple tier in November. Newel's message now is the same as it was then, albeit more urgent: stay home. While case rates in many counties appear to be leveling off or even decreasing, Santa Cruz County continues to experience a surge, she said. And it hasn't even seen the potential impacts felt from mixing over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Still, it's possible that regional stay-at-home orders could be lifted in the Bay Area in as soon as two weeks, Newel said. Locally, hospitalization and intensive care unit availability statistics remain a concern. There have been 2,899 COVID-19 cases reported in Santa Cruz as of Friday. "We need to be vigilant, especially our most fragile, our elderly, until they can be vaccinated," Newel said. Santa Cruz County announced this week a partnership with Safeway in hopes to distribute 500 vaccine doses per day, beginning with health care workers. There are currently 14,700 Santa Cruz County health care workers who are in the highest-priority vaccine distribution tier, known as Phase 1A. Next week, the county hopes to begin vaccinating people in Phase 1B, including those who are ages 65 and older, with priority going to those ages 75 and older because they are at higher risk, said David Ghilarducci, the county's deputy health officer, during the news conference. Priorities also include those who are in the county's critical workforce and those who work in schools. Our goal is to distribute vaccine supplies as quickly as possible, and doing that demands that we rely on the strength of our local partnerships with health care providers, including Safeway pharmacies, said Mimi Hall, county Health Services Agency director, in a news release. Ending this pandemic will take our entire community working together, and we are grateful for the partnerships we have as well as those we will form in the coming weeks and months. Story continues The county will be working with four Safeway pharmacies, Hall said during the news conference. Safeway vaccinations will take place at a location to be announced in the future. County officials will hold a test run for a mass-vaccination drive-thru clinic Monday for a select few hundred people in Phase 1A at the fairgrounds in Watsonville, Hall said. The clinic will not be open to the general public on that day. Officials have observed many myths about the COVID-19 vaccines on social media, Ghilarducci said. Allergic reactions to the vaccines are rare and usually only observed in people with a history of allergies, he said. There's no evidence to suggest they can impact fertility and it's not biologically possible to catch COVID-19 from the vaccine. "The vaccines have been tested on tens of thousands of people and they're shown to be safe," Ghilarducci said. "The benefits of this vaccine far outweigh any small risk of allergy." There have been more than 12,600 COVID-19 cases reported in Santa Cruz County as of Friday, including some 2,700 active cases and 130 deaths that have been linked to the coronavirus. Here's the latest COVID-19 case count by community: Aptos: 620 Ben Lomond: 83 Boulder Creek: 112 Capitola: 334 Felton: 114 Freedom: 791 Santa Cruz: 2,899 Scotts Valley: 300 Soquel: 280 Watsonville: 6,733 Unincorporated: 171 Under investigation: 212 This article originally appeared on the Santa Cruz Patch Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or contributing today. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A Madison County commissioner has secured a $5.2 million federal grant to provide emergency funds for those in the Huntsville area with rental and utility payments for those struggling economically because of the coronavirus pandemic. Violet Edwards, the commissions first Black female, said the funds will be available for those in need throughout Madison County. I am proud to announce that my office has secured $5.2M in federal grant money for emergency assistance with rental and utility payments, Edwards said in the announcement. These funds will provide much needed relief across our county, helping our community fight against this pandemic. This grant will not only allow for relief for tenants but also for landlords who are struggling to make ends meet. Offering direct assistance to citizens is new territory for Madison County, but during these unprecedented times, we have to be willing to do what we can to bring relief to our community. We will continue to work with local non-profits to assist as many people as this money will allow. The grant is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which established a $25 billion Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program for state, county and municipal governments. As board president of the North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless, Edwards said she is acutely aware of the housing instability and utility assistance needed in Madison County. I also want to thank my staff who is working around the clock to roll out this program successfully, Edwards said in the announcement. This is an enormous effort and several Madison County departments are diligently working together to ensure that once we get the money, we can begin assisting families as soon as possible. I appreciate my colleagues who have worked with me in a bipartisan manner to meet the needs of Madison County. Zebras are known for their black and white stripes, but over several years scientists have noticed some of the animals bear spots, odd patterns and even gold fur. Such alterations, usually caused by genetic mutations, are rarely observed in mammals, which has sparked a new study into what is causing the zebras to change. A team from the University of California, Las Angeles conducted DNA tests on 140 plains zebras including seven with odd coat patterns from nine national parks in Africa. Researchers found isolated populations produced abnormal stripping as a result of inbreeding, which is due to habitat fragmentation from humans taking over the land. A lack of genetic diversity can lead to genetic defects, disease and infertility, which could ultimately result in plain zebras becoming extinct. Scroll down for video Zebras are known for their black and white stripes, but over several years scientists have noticed some of the animals bear spots, odd patterns and even gold fur Plain zebras are the least threatened of the species, but their population has seen a 25 percent decline since 2002. And during this time, experts and conservationists have observed abnormal stripe patterns among them, but have been unsure if it was related to location or genetics. According to National Geographic, about 500,000 plain zebras Africa have been hit by habitat fragmentation that is caused by human development, such as constructing fences, roads and buildings. This is forcing the animals into smaller areas and preventing them from migrating with different herds, which is important for genetic diversity. A team from the University of California, Las Angeles conducted DNA tests on 140 plains zebras including seven with odd coat patterns from nine national parks in Africa Researchers found isolated populations produced abnormal stripping as a result of inbreeding, which is due to habitat fragmentation from humans taking over the land Brenda Larison with the University of California told National Geographic: 'Even though plains zebras aren't highly threatened, these genetic issues often show up before really problematic things start happening.' Zebras' famous stripes are designed to act like a camouflage while they roam on the open plain , but those that are born with odd patterns stick out and are more obvious to predators. But Larison is more concerned about the animal's genetic health, which could result in a new subspecies of plains zebra. The lack of genetic diversity can also lead to genetic defects, disease and ultimately infertility, which could result in their extinction. A lack of genetic diversity can lead to genetic defects, disease and infertility, which could ultimately result in plain zebras becoming extinct Desire Dalton, who studies wildlife genetics at the South African National Biodiversity Institute in Pretoria, told National Geographic that this could wreak havoc on hundreds of other zebras. Conservationists move zebras to breed with other populations and if they relocate a new subspecies group to mate with plain zebras, abnormalities will arise in their offspring. 'You must be really sure what populations you can mix, and what you have to keep separate,' Dalton said. Inbreeding has been found in humans and animals in captivity, which also results in deformities and disease. Along with it change the genetic makeup of zebras, it has also been found to later giraffes. Earlier this month, a study was released by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute regarding dwarfism found in giraffes - both of which were born from parents in captivity. The team found that the smaller giraffes had shorter legs than their counterparts, specifically shorter radius and metacarpal bones. The pair also exhibited shortened fore-limbs to varied degrees and had different neck length. Spain's public prosecutor is investigating more than 200 cases of potential criminal mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic at nursing homes, where the virus spread almost unchecked during the devastating first wave. Nearly 43,000 care home residents died of COVID-19 or suspected infection during the March-May first wave of contagion, according to official data. At the time, staff reported shortages of basic protective equipment and army units deployed on disinfection missions discovered unattended bodies at several facilities. The prosecutor's office said nearly half of its investigations related to homicide through a neglect of duty of care, while it was looking into 21 cases of deficiencies in medical treatment. With Spain reporting record infection numbers on an almost daily basis, it warned that risks still remained across the care home network, despite improvements made in recent months. "The increase in general contagion is still a risk for residential environments, it said in a statement on Thursday, adding that it would continue to closely monitor the situation. Pre-existing weaknesses, including governance, funding, working conditions, a lack of coordination with primary health care, and a lack of isolation spaces, are still widespread, the report said. Prosecutors shelved other cases, most of the time after charges were rolled into other cases or passed to courts, rather than because investigators found no evidence of wrongdoing. Spain has about 5,500 nursing homes, housing some 400,000 people, according to the European Ageing Network, which represents both individual carers and businesses. The heads of both Spain's main care home associations said they needed more information on the investigations before commenting. In the past, the associations have blamed the government for failing to provide adequate supplies and the health service for refusing to admit residents with a positive diagnosis to hospitals. 3 1 of 3 Courtesy photo /Texas Department of Public Safety Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Show More Show Less 3 of 3 A man has been arrested for allegedly driving a vehicle that was reported stolen in San Antonio, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. At about 10:50 p.m. Jan. 17, a white Dodge Ram drove past at least four DPS units with the overhead lights activated that were on mile marker 17 of South Interstate 35. DPS said the Dodge was in the lane closest to the DPS units and did not slow down or move over. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Public asked to dispose of single-use face coverings responsibly People are being asked to dispose of single use face coverings and gloves responsibly, and wear reusable items when possible and appropriate. Around 194 billion disposable face masks and gloves, which are made from a variety of plastics that do not biodegrade, are used each month across the world, according to a recent report by the Environment Science and Technology journal. The Manx Government strongly recommends wearing a face covering in public places as it can have a real impact on reducing the spread of the virus. The guidance is in line with the Isle of Man Community Plastics Plan that aims to protect the environment by significantly reducing the amount of plastic entering the sea. Thousands rallied across Russia's regions on January 23 to demand the release of imprisoned opposition leader and Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny. Navalny was jailed upon his return to Moscow last weekend after receiving medical treatment in Germany for Novichok poisoning. There were demonstrations in Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk, Bernaul, Perm, Tomsk, and Ufa, with scuffles with truncheon-wielding police recorded in some of the cities. She boasts an illustrious career to-date, across film, television and theatre. And Sigrid Thornton got candid about ageing in a cover story for The Daily Telegraph's Stellar magazine this weekend. The 61-year-old said we should not become 'obsessed' with our changing looks, insisting that physical beauty 'is not the main game'. Refreshingly real: Sigrid Thornton (pictured), 61, said we 'shouldn't be obsessed' about ageing in her cover story for The Daily Telegraph's Stellar magazine this weekend Asked her thoughts about ageing, Sigrid candidly told Stellar: 'I think everybody worries about it, don't they? 'I think we just need to get on with being as fit and as well as we possibly can, and make the most of every day. I don't think we should be obsessed.' Elsewhere in the interview, Sigrid was asked her thoughts on having been called the most beautiful woman in the world by none other than director Steven Spielberg. Healthy body and mind: Asked her thoughts about ageing, the TV, film and theatre star said: 'I think we just need to get on with being as fit and as well as we possibly can, and make the most of every day. I don't think we should be obsessed.' Pictured in 2019 'He's lovely and I love that quote,' she responded. 'It does make me smile, but physical beauty is really not the main game. We all need to work on what's happening on the inside.' Sigrid quickly became a household name with roles in Australian television shows including Prisoner, SeaChange and Wentworth. She has also appeared in films including Snapshot and The Man from Snowy River, and captivated the audience with theatre roles such as 2002's The Blue Room for The Melbourne Theatre Company alongside Marcus Graham. In her personal life, Sigrid is celebrating a 44-year relationship with her producer husband Tom Burstall, and the couple are parents to son Ben, 35, and daughter Jaz, 29. Inner beauty: Elsewhere in the interview, Sigrid was asked her thoughts on having been called the most beautiful woman in the world by director Steven Spielberg (pictured). She responded: 'It does make me smile, but physical beauty is really not the main game' Acclaimed: Sigrid has had roles in Australian television shows including Prisoner, SeaChange and Wentworth. She has also appeared in films such as Snapshot and The Man from Snowy River, and captivated the audience with theatre roles. Pictured in 1988 However, she admitted in an interview with Jane Hutcheon on One Plus One in 2016 that she's found difficulty in balancing work with family. 'I've always been sort of mildly over obsessed and compulsive about trying to find balance between the two, which is not really that possible to do, not every day anyway, she said. 'You might find that one day it's working really well, but I like to describe it like that circus act of the plates on the sticks, the spinning plates. 'You might have 12 plates and 12 sticks, there's always one plate dropping somewhere along the line, but you've just got to try and keep as many in the air as you can.' Johannesburg : South Africa 's health regulatory body has granted approval to the world's largest drug manufacturer Serum Institute of India (SII) to supply COVID-19 vaccine to the country. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Friday that the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has granted approval to the SII, which is producing the vaccine in collaboration with the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, to supply the drug to the country. The approval comes amid growing concerns that the 1.5 million vaccine doses to be shipped to South Africa in the next few weeks had not been approved by the local regulator. We will, in the next coming days, engage with the public in order to give an update on the progress of the first batch of the vaccines that we committed would be received in the first quarter," Mkhize said. The minister had earlier told the country's parliament that the SII would supply a million doses of the vaccine to South Africa by the end of January and a further 500,000 in February, which would be used to vaccinate front line healthcare workers. At this stage we would like to assure South Africans that all is on track. We are working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth implementation of the vaccine roll-out programme," Mkhize said. South Africa is battling a second wave of the COVID-19 as well as a new variant of the deadly virus. The country reported 11,761 new COVID-19 cases and 575 deaths in the last 24 hours. With this, the total number of fatalities in the country has reached 40,076. According to the Johns Hopkins University data, the country has 1,392,568 COVID-19 cases. The minister said that his department had also been offered vaccines from private agents. As a department we have resolved and wish to advise the public that it is critical that any such agent and vaccine authenticity must be verified directly with manufacturers. This is the only way, in our view, to guarantee the quality of the vaccines that may be acquired through third parties," Mkhize said. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. On the eve of International Education Day, the "Supplier Employee Education and Development Program (SEED)" led by Apple has joined hands with Foxconn and Yecheng GIS-KY (under Hon Hai Group), to continue to assist employees in building smart manufacturing skills that cover coding, computer numerical control (CNC) technology and robotics. More than 4 million employees have benefited from the program over the years. Lu Media reported that Apples vice president and managing director of Greater China Ge Yue recently went to Shenzhen, China, to attend the SEED course. She pointed out that people are at the cored of everything we do and we must consider not only the users of the product, but also the employees who create the product. Smart manufacturing is going to be one of the hot trends of our time and employees fear it will lead to loss of jobs. Apples SEED project believes that by cooperating with suppliers to plant seeds through training, it will allow future employees to learn the required labor skills needed in the smart manufacturing era. Hon Hai Group is Apples largest manufacturing partner. A large number of employees from Foxconn and touch module factory Yecheng GIS-KY, have participated in this project. Some of the course made available to employees include learning English, IT-related courses and life skills training. In 2018, Apple began offering courses in Swift coding. The Foxconn Chengdu Campus added the course in 2019. In addition, Apple's SEED plan also offers four major professional certifications, including iPhone repair, computer numerical control (CNC) technology, robotics and electrical services. Apple's SEED program is currently available in 25 operating points in China. Every quarter, Apple will review and update SEED program courses together with suppliers. Since 2008, more than 4 million employees have benefited from this project. (Click on image to Enlarge) (Natural News) Joe Biden has rejected an effort by President Donald Trump to lift several Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions on Monday, Jan. 18. The Trump administration enacted travel bans early last year, first with China in January, and then with Europe in March. These travel bans prevented anyone who had been to certain countries including China, Iran, the United Kingdom, most of Europe and Brazil who was not a citizen or a legal permanent resident of the U.S. from entering if they had been to any one of the restricted locations in the past two weeks. Under Trumps latest proclamation, which he announced late on Monday, any travel restrictions placed on foreign nationals coming from much of Europe as well as Brazil will be annulled, while restrictions placed on China and Iran will remain in place. The rollback will take effect on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Public health officials in the jurisdictions have a proven record of working with the United States to share accurate and timely COVID-19 testing and trend data, and the United States has active collaborations with the jurisdictions regarding how to make travel safe between our respective countries, read Trumps latest executive order. As a result of that accord, the Secretary reports high confidence that these jurisdictions will cooperate with the United States in the implementation of the CDCs January 12, 2021, order and that tests administered there will yield accurate results. The executive order explained that the cooperation of these national entities stands in stark contrast with the unfriendly behavior shown to the U.S. by governments and state-owned entities and corporations from China and Iran. These have repeatedly failed to cooperate with public health authorities and have refused to share accurate and timely information regarding the spread of the coronavirus within their borders. According to Bidens spokeswoman Jen Psaki, the former vice presidents incoming administration will be placing the travel restrictions back as soon as possible. With the pandemic worsening, and more contagious variants emerging around the world, this is not the time to be lifting restrictions on international travel, wrote Psaki on Twitter. On the advice of our medical team, the Administration does not intend to lift these restrictions on 1/26. In fact, we plan to strengthen public health measures around international travel in order to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Trumps coronavirus task force has been considering lifting travel restrictions for some time now. The travel bans used to be a core element in the countrys response to the outbreak but people within the task force have acknowledged that they did very little to help the country since by the time they were implemented, the virus was already circulating widely. Many people and organizations have been lobbying the Trump administration to allow free travel to resume. This includes government officials from the U.K. and the European Union, as well as representatives from airline groups. According to Dr. Martin Cetron, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, the travel restrictions didnt help the countrys public health. Instead, all it did was make the economy suffer more than it had to. We learned that the opening strategy of banning locations and asking about exposures and doing fever checks just didnt cut it, said Cetron. We had to pivot. Lifting these restrictions would not necessarily open more destinations to American travelers, since many countries still have bans on allowing U.S. citizens entry. But it could allow for reciprocal agreements between the federal government and a foreign entity to allow each others residents to cross their borders. Biden more likely to tighten coronavirus travel restrictions than loosen them Despite the understanding from public health officials and other experts that travel restrictions may be pointless, it seems likely that Bidens incoming administration will actually tighten travel restrictions. Experts believe that, in addition to travel restrictions for people who arent citizens or legal permanent residents, the Biden administration will push forward with new requirements before people will be allowed to travel, including a recent COVID-19 test and possibly mandatory quarantine periods before or after their flight. (Related: Here it comes: If you want to board a plane or travel internationally, youre going to have to have a COVID vaccine passport.) This is expected to make travel even more difficult than it already is, especially since very few airports are currently well equipped enough to deal with the disruptions and long delays that come with making sure everybody on the flight has been tested, along with new hygiene protocols put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the flight. With uncertainty spreading about the new variants of the coronavirus, these and other restrictions are most likely going to tighten over the next few months. These worries have already forced many other countries to renew certain travel restrictions. In response to a new strain that likely originated in Brazil, the U.K. said that it would be closing its borders to travelers from South America and Portugal for a short while. Another strain, first identified in the U.K. has similarly forced many countries to close their borders to travelers from Britain. Learn more about how Biden plans to deal with the coronavirus pandemic by reading the latest articles in Pandemic.news. Sources include: WSJ.com CBSNews.com Townhall.com MarketWatch.com A Cork TD has said the Taoiseachs latest comments on the reopening of schools "must not be another instance of his Government thinking aloud without proper engagement and planning". Sinn Fein spokesperson on Education, Donnchadh O Laoghaire was speaking following Taoiseach Micheal Martins comments about schools not fully reopening before St Patrick's Day. Speaking earlier to Brendan O' Connor on RTE radio, Mr Martin said that special education could return in February and that there was a failure in delivering on their return to school but unions acted in good faith". He said there is a "shared determination to do something for families with children with special needs. He said with that the idea of mobilising one million people was the main reason not to open them and that the Government would have to look at it differently. Mr Martin said schools are safe but the movement of people around them is the big issue. Deputy O Laoghaire said: "Just days ago, the Governments position was that schools would reopen on February 1. While it has been apparent for some time that this was unlikely, the leap to a date more than seven weeks away is extraordinary. It is a dreadful way for parents to hear that they may be homeschooling for another seven or eight weeks, a dreadful way for staff to hear that they may be mostly working remotely for another seven or eight weeks, and a dreadful way for children to learn that they wont be seeing much of their friends for the next seven or eight weeks. "I sincerely hope there is a plan of some kind underpinning this, and that it has been discussed with at least some stakeholders. Otherwise it is thinking out loud and flying kites." Deputy O Laoghaire said that Minister Foley "was using her interpretation of public health as a stick against school staff, in a very divisive manner" in the last week and that now, the Taoiseach was "making statements based on what he is expecting the public health advice to be almost two months away" Thats not reasonable, its speculative, and it isnt sensible. We cannot know what the picture will be then. We all want children to get back to school. It has to happen in a manner that is safe, and that is based on agreement with stakeholders. The Taoiseach would be better focusing on ensuring we get agreement on special education returning to the classroom as soon as possible, and if return to school will be phased, to lay out criteria and a plan for that. Not speculative statements on an arbitrary date far off in the future, but an evaluation on the situation at the time. I sincerely hope that schools will be back by then, but I recognise that these decisions will be based on the best public health advice closer to the time. The Government needs to be intervening to improve safety in schools as soon as possible. It is also now abundantly clear that we need an urgent decision on the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert. "Leaving Cert students deserve a choice, between an alternative and an exam, if it is possible to run them in the summer. But for that to happen, the Minister makes a decision now. Given it now seems likely Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students will miss even more in-class time and completing the courses will be even more challenging, this is even more essential," he said. Counterfeit money transactions have become more rampant as the Lunar New Year or Tet Holiday nears. It is quite easy to see the information about the sale of counterfeit banknotes online at this time of year. Online fake cash traders often agree to meet customers who want to buy at least VND50 million (USD2,173). With a smaller amount, buyers and sellers only are prepared to work through social networks or phone to discuss the delivery time. Counterfeit money transactions have become more rampant as the Lunar New Year or Tet Holiday nears A Dantri/DTiNews reporter called an online fake money seller on Facebook. According to the man, the exchange rate depended on the type of banknotes, with more expensive face-value forged notes costing more. "Despite being fake money, it is quite difficult to notice the notes because only counterfeit bill detection equipment can recognise them, Tuan said, adding that the fake money will be transported to customers quickly after being ordered. Another trader named Dung also agreed to meet directly with customers who want to purchase VND50 million. But, before the transaction, customers have to send him their identity card or deposit 2-5 million. "For smaller transactions, new customers can pay via a VND50,000-200,000 phone card, Dung specified. The bigger the money face value is, the exchange fees are more expensive. Lawyer Nguyen Thach Thao from the HCM City Lawyers Association said that people who are involved in counterfeit storage, production and trading could face three years in prison or life imprisonment, depending on the amount. Recently, police in Thanh Tri District, Hanoi, arrested two people for fake monkey trading. Do Ngoc Long from Hanois Ha Dong District was caught selling VND168-million in counterfeit VND500,000 notes to a local man named Phan Van Minh Manh. Dtinews Flower villages still waiting for Tet buyers Farmers in flower villages in HCM City are worried as merchants have not contacted them yet for Tet sale season. David Arquette has admitted that he would like to apologise to daughter Coco, 16, as 'divorce is so difficult'. The Scream actor turned wrestler, 49, split from Coco's mother and ex-wife Courteney Cox in 2010 after 11 years of marriage, they divorced in 2013. David is now married to Christina McLarty, 39, after tying the knot in 2015 and the couple have since welcomed two sons - Charlie, six, and Augustus, three. Candid: David Arquette has admitted that he would like to apologise to daughter Coco, 16, as 'divorce is so difficult' (pictured together and with his new wife Christina McLarty in 2019) While Courteney, 56, is loved-up and engaged to her Snow Patrol star fiance Johnny McDaid, 44. Talking in a new candid interview with the Guardian, David was asked who he would most like to say sorry to and why. To which the Hollywood star told the publication: 'My daughter, Coco, because divorce is so difficult.' Following his split from Courteney, David claimed that the decision wasn't his, after Courtney grew tired of his 'kooky' ways, he told Us Weekly. Split: The Scream actor turned wrestler, 49, split from Coco's mother and ex-wife Courteney Cox in 2010 after 11 years of marriage, they divorced in 2013 (pictured in 2010) Candid: Talking in a new candid interview with the Guardian , David was asked who he would most like to say sorry to and why, he said: 'My daughter, Coco, because divorce is so difficult.' (pictured with Courteney and Coco in 2018) He also revealed at the time that they had taken their daughter Coco to the beach for a picnic to break the news. The actor has recently been working with ex-wife Courtney on the fifth film in the Scream franchise after they found love on the set of the original movie in 1996. Elsewhere during the chat, David lifted the lid on his sex life with new wife Christina, 39, as he revealed how often they get intimate. He cheekily shared: 'A couple of times a week at least!' Family: David is now married to Christina McLarty, 39, after tying the knot in 2015 and the couple have since welcomed two sons - Charlie, six, and Augustus, three Her love: While Courteney, 56, is loved-up and engaged to her Snow Patrol star fiance Johnny McDaid, 44 (pictured recently) Things took a darker turn in the interview when David was asked the 'closest' he has come to death. To which the actor revealed: 'I got stabbed in the neck with a light tube during a wrestling "death match" two years ago. It was scary. I thought I was dying: your life does flash before your eyes.' David also admitted that he is the 'happiest' he has ever been right now and the most important lesson in life he has learnt is to 'savour it'. The actor has recently been working with ex-wife Courtney on the fifth film in the Scream franchise. Life lesson: David also admitted that he is the 'happiest' he has ever been right now and the most important lesson in life he has learnt is to 'savour it' (pictured with his three children in June) The former couple found love on the set of the slasher film in 1996 before marrying three years later and welcoming daughter Coco in 2004. Speaking on The Injustice of Our Youth podcast recently, the actor admitted there is a lot of 'emotion' and 'love' attached to the films, where he first met Courteney. David opened up about filming the latest Scream film and admitted it was 'sad' filming without original director Wes Craven, who died aged 71 in 2015. He said: 'Matt and Tyler the new directors are incredible artists and they were really inspired by Wes, we felt his energy on the set and we missed him a lot. So it was kind of sad that way.' Parting ways: The actor has recently been working with ex-wife Courtney on the fifth film in the Scream franchise (pictured in Scream 4 together) 'But it was really great to work with Courteney and Nev again, there's so much history. We have a 16-year-old daughter because we met on the first one. 'There's a lot of heart and emotion attached to it, and just love. It was great to be able to revisit these characters again. It was a trip too because Jack was a little kid and now he's 25, he's on the set and a tremendous actor, really witty and funny. 'I'm looking at him and he's the age I was when I started the first Scream, it was a weird time warp wild experience, I'm really grateful for it, there's a lot of great new actors that I think people will really enjoy and already love. 'I think it's going to excite people.' The great-grandson of Italy's King Vittorio Emanuele III writes a letter of apology to Italy's Jewish community. Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, heir to the defunct Italian throne, last night issued a televised apology to Italy's Jewish community for the signing of the "shameful" 1938 racial laws by his great-grandfather King Vittorio Emanuele III. The 48-year-old prince, who was born and raised in Switzerland as an exile from Italy, strongly condemned the "painful signature" of the anti-Semitic laws, "from which we we firmly dissociate, an unacceptable document, an indelible shadow for my family, a wound still open for the whole of Italy." The "solemn and official" apology over the racial laws - promulgated by Mussolini's Fascist regime to enforce racial discrimination, mainly against Italy's Jews - comes ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January. Speaking on Italian television channel Tg5, the prince said he was writing with "an open heart" a difficult letter whose contents "may surprise you and that perhaps you did not expect." Emanuele Filiberto said he that the time had come "once and for all" to "come to terms with the history and the past" of the Savoy family. He said it was his hope that history will not be erased or forgotten, just like the "victims of the Holocaust must never be forgotten," acknowledging "the six million European Jews who perished at the hands of the Nazi-Fascist madness, of which 7,500 were our Italian brothers." Emanuele Filiberto is the grandson of Italy's last king, Umberto II, who ruled for only 34 days. Umberto's father, King Victor Emmanuel, ruled Italy from 1900 until May 1946 when he abdicated in favour of Umberto after being discredited by his support for Mussolini during world war two. The prince's categoric apology and appeal for dialogue is seen as an attempt to close - or begin to close - a shameful chapter that has followed the Savoy heirs to this day. The situation was not helped when, in a 1997 television interview, the prince's father Vittorio Emanuele refused to apologise for his grandfather's approval of Mussolini's race laws, saying he believed they "were not so bad." He later sought to backtrack from his controversial comments but it was too late for many Italians who today will also be questioning why it took 83 years for the Savoys to issue an official apology. Italy's Festa della Repubblica, which takes place every year on 2 June, commemorates the day in 1946 when Italians voted in favour of a republic and against the monarchy. Who is Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy? Born in Geneva in 1972, Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia is married to French actress Clotilde Courau, with two daughters, Vittoria and Luisa. A former hedge fund manager, over the years he has made many headlines, from his mobile street food venture in Los Angeles to his appearance on Italy's 'Strictly Come Dancing' (Ballando con le Stelle). In 2018 he announced that he was contemplating the launch of a royalist party to advocate for restoration of monarchy in Italy. The prince first set foot on Italian soil in 2002 when an amendment was made to the Italian constitution lifting the ban that had prohibited male descendents of the House of Savoy entering Italy. (Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect the accurate situation with the Lagos data of Friday as reported by the NCDC). Nigeria on Friday recorded 1,483 new cases and five additional deaths from COVID-19 as efforts to land the first batch of vaccines in the country continue. No new data from Lagos was included in the Friday total, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) wrote on Twitter Friday night in its daily update on the virus. No reason was given for the situation in Lagos on Friday. However, in the past, some states that normally record new daily cases, such as Kano, did not record a new case on particular days because no test was carried out on those days, largely due to lack of reagents or workers protest. Lagos, however, remains the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria with over a third of the total infections. The 1,483 new cases were recorded barely 24 hours after Nigeria recorded its highest ever daily figure of 1,964 infections to overturn the previous record of 1,664 cases reported on January 7. The latest figure, recorded in 23 states across the country, has raised the total number of infections to 118,138. The death tally from the COVID-19 disease in Nigeria jumped to 1,490 with the five additional deaths reported on Friday, according to an update by the NCDC Friday night. As Nigeria continues to record more new coronavirus infections, the direct adverse impact has been more fatalities, a situation health officials blamed on late referral of patients. Within the last six days, about 70 lives have been lost to COVID-19 complications in Nigeria after. In the past four weeks, there have been over 200 fatalities as a result of COVID-19 complications in Nigeria. The rise in mortality shows that the second wave of the pandemic is deadlier than the first as more patients are symptomatic and require breathing support. While the high numbers of cases and deaths may be in part due to a marginal improvement in testing, health experts believe the relaxing of guard, weak enforcement of protocols especially in the countrys two major airports in Abuja and Lagos and massive gatherings during the Yuletide were responsible for the spike. Active cases in Nigeria rose sharply from about 3,000 about two months ago to over 20, 000 due to a rise in new infections. Of the over 118,000 cases so far, 93,646 patients have been discharged from hospitals after treatment. Specifics The 1483 new cases are reported from 23 states- Kaduna (545), FCT (235), Plateau (127), Nasarawa (80), Oyo (72), Delta (65), Rivers (64), Kano (46), Ogun (46), Bayelsa (30), Gombe (30), Abia (28), Osun (27), Edo (25), Ondo (14), Sokoto (12), Zamfara (10), Bauchi (8), Imo (5), Jigawa (4), Ekiti (4), Borno (4) and Niger (2). Kaduna led with 545 new cases on Friday. The Minister of State for Health, Mr Mamora, warned Nigerians against complacency in containing the COVID-19 pandemic as the much-awaited vaccines may not arrive the country as soon as expected. ADVERTISEMENT So far, Nigeria has conducted over 1.2 million COVID-19 tests. Amidst the continuous increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Nigeria, a survey has found that nearly a fifth of Nigerians still do not believe the disease is real. The study by the research firm, SBM Intel, in all 36 states and the FCT, found that only 68.8 per cent of Nigerians believe that the virus is real. The report said 14.4 per cent of Nigerians were not sure that COVID-19 is real, while 16.7 per cent did not believe it is real. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 10:21:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has made "restriction-testing declaration" and issued compulsory testing notice in respect of a local specified "restricted area" in a bid to cut COVID-19 spread. Residents in the area, bounded by Woosung Street to its east, Nanking Street to its south, Battery Street to its west and Kansu Street to its north, are required to stay at home until all their test results are mostly ascertained, the HKSAR government said in a statement issued early Saturday morning. The testing is expected to be completed within 48 hours so that residents will be able to start getting to work around 6:00 a.m. next Monday. Public health authorities had already stepped up testing efforts but the epidemic outbreak remained severe in the district as 162 confirmed COVID-19 cases, involving 56 buildings, were reported from Jan. 1 to 20, 2021. "The infection risk in the community is quite high," the government said in the statement, stressing that it is necessary for further restrictions there to "break the transmission chain in the district and dispel the worries of residents in the district." Residents will be arranged to take nucleic acid tests in batches at specimen collection stations. Door-to-door services will be offered for people with impaired mobility and the elderly. The government has prepared simple food and basic cleaning tools for the residents and set up hotlines for people to make inquiries and seek assistance. Hong Kong is grappling with the epidemic with the total tally of infections nearing 10,000. On Friday, 61 additional confirmed cases were reported, taking the total to 9,928. Enditem President Biden signed an executive order Thursday that said certain kinds of emergency housing for the homeless such as the hotels that San Francisco has leased during the pandemic will be 100% reimbursed by the federal government until September. Thats a change from the Trump administration, which said it would pay for only 75% of the cost, leaving the city on the hook for potentially millions of dollars every month. The monthly program costs range from $15 million to $18 million. Bidens new order could offer a great deal of reassurance for San Francisco, which is currently sheltering more than 2,200 homeless people in about 25 hotels. But questions remain. The hotel rooms were mentioned within a larger executive order Thursday about reimbursing cities for pandemic-related emergency programs. According to the order, other programs like child-care facilities, domestic violence shelters and costs for personal protective equipment will also be eligible for 100% reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. City Controller Ben Rosenfield said he and his team are still parsing the details of the order, and that hes waiting for more detailed guidance from FEMA before making declarations about how the program will be affected. One of his biggest questions is whether the order is retroactive. If thats the case, San Francisco could potentially get millions of dollars back. If so, some of the money would be earmarked for specific uses, while another chunk would likely go back in to the general fund. Any additional amount in San Franciscos general fund would be a positive development for the city as it grapples with a multimillion-dollar deficit caused by the pandemic. When it comes to the hotel program, Rosenfield said, I think its safe to say it will apply from now until September, for those that are eligible. Rosenfield said about 85% of the hotel guests are likely eligible for reimbursement, though it was unclear Friday whether the Biden administration changed the definition of who qualifies. Despite the uncertainty, Bidens executive order Thursday was welcome news for San Francisco officials. The previous administration never made clear when the funding would end, leaving officials worried about a sudden loss of funding with short notice. San Franciscos homeless department originally planned to begin winding down the program last year, concerned the FEMA funding would end. If that happened, officials worried the city would be on the hook for the pricey program and have to scramble to move homeless people out of the rooms. In December, FEMA said it would continue reimbursing the program through the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. But the federal government did not clarify how it would define the end of the pandemic. Advocates say the hotel rooms have helped improve the mental and physical health of some sick and elderly people, who were previously living on the streets. Mayor London Breed previously said that all hotel residents would be offered some kind of stable housing when they had to move out, without providing exact details on where they would go. Over the past few months, the department has been gradually moving people out of the hotels when another option is available, and moving others into the empty rooms. According to city data, 313 people have moved out of the hotels as of Friday. Eighty-nine of those people received some kind of housing assistance, like a permanent supportive housing unit or a rent voucher. Thirty people were moved to temporary shelter. A spokeswoman for the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing said some people expressed a preference for a group shelter and some were moved because it was in their medical best interest to be in a group setting. Meanwhile, 14 people were placed into an institutional setting, like a hospital, jail, drug treatment program or long-term care facility. Seventeen people died. Data was not available for the remaining 163 people. Its unclear whether the new order will prompt city officials to lease more hotels. The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing declined to comment until it knew more about what impact the order would have on the program. Still, on Thursday, Supervisor Hillary Ronen who has advocated to expand the program tweeted that the executive order was fantastic. Now we can open more spots for people experiencing homelessness to stay safe during the rest of this pandemic, she said. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani Not at all. It just seems like a lot of back-and-forth talk. Yes. I'm growing very worried over what might happen. If it keeps up, I might be a little more concerned. I think there are much larger things to concern us as a country. It's hard to tell; I can't take the leader of either country seriously. Vote View Results Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched MDC Alliance vice-chairman Job Sikhala, who is facing charges of communicating falsehoods, yesterday vowed to continue fighting for justice, adding that incarceration would not silence him. In a letter he wrote while in prison that was handed to journalists yesterday, Sikhala insisted that he did not commit any offence, but he was being persecuted for calling for a just society. He said he was not fazed by being persecuted by the dictatorship because his activism for a free society was a calling. The Zengeza West legislator yesterday appeared before High Court judge Justice David Foroma for his bail application hearing. Even if I die in the concentration camp called Chikurubi Maximum Prison, Zimbabweans remember me, he said. Remember that it is because of our freedom, happiness and liberty that has been robbed from one generation to another, that I met this fate. I promise I will never be silenced until we all enjoy our nationhood. Arguments on his bail application were not heard yesterday because the State was not ready. The matter was postponed to January 25, 2021. Newsday Gandhinagar, Jan 23 : Asaduddin Owaisi's All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) which has joined hands with the Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP) in Gujarat to contest the local body polls, launched its unit in the state on Saturday. AIMIM has appointed former Congress MLA from Jamalpur, Sabir Kabliwala as its state chief. The local body elections in the state are slated for next month. Owaisi had recently sent his party leaders to Bharuch to meet BTP MLA Chhotu Vasava and in Ahmedabad to meet Kabliwala. Earlier, the AIMIM had announced it will contest the upcoming elections to municipal corporations, municipalities and taluka as well as district panchayats. "Allying with the BTP leader Vasava, we will be contesting the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections and also the Bharuch municipality elections. Over the years Gujarat has seen that Congress has neither acquired power nor it has come out as a strong opposition against the BJP. "We will be proving ourselves as the best alternative against the BJP and our fight with the saffron party will be a direct one. In the coming days we will also be reaching out to other parts of the state and establish our base in the state. The party welcomes disgruntled leaders from BJP and Congress," said Hamid Bhatti, General Secretary, AIMIM, Gujarat. "The BJP's tactics are to divert the public attention from real issues and engross them in petty communal issues. Those who don't agree with the BJP when they chose Congress they were disappointed as the same Congressmen, afterwards went and sat in the BJP's lap. There were many people who were frustrated with both the parties and expressed that AIMIM should have its presence in Gujarat and come out as a better alternative to the BJP in the state," added Bhatti. "Our party will be contesting in at least 15 wards of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, while for the Bharuch municipality elections it will be on a seat-sharing basis with the BTP. Also today, we have launched the membership drive and after the elections we will be forming the structure of the party in the state," said Kabliwala. Taking to Twitter, Owaisi said: "Happy to announce that former MLA Sabirbhai Kabuliwala has been appointed as AIMIM Gujarat State President. I wish him all the best & I am confident that AIMIM will emerge as a credible political alternative for the people of Gujarat." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) Faberco Life Sciences, Inc., the distributor of the Covovax vaccine in the country, and Unilab, Inc. signed an agreement to make the said COVID-19 vaccine available to workers of the private sector. In a statement, Unilab said this will also be subject to the approval of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, the Department of Health, and the Food and Drug Administrations decision on its application for emergency use authorization. The regulator has so far issued EUA to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while applications of AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and Gamaleya are pending. Under the agreement, Faberco appointed Unilab as its authorized partner for the private sector distribution of the Covovax vaccine, which was developed by US drugmaker Novavax. We are prepared to help the Philippine government in protecting the people by enabling more access to COVID-19 vaccines through the private sector, Faberco founder Kishore Hemlani said. Atty. Jose Maria Ochave, senior vice president for Social Partnerships of Unilab, said the vaccines will be made available especially to essential industries at no cost to their employees. Depending on the companys financial capability, families of their employees and their selected communities may also be given access to the vaccine. Further, the distribution and administration of the vaccine will be strictly subject to the guidelines set forth by the Department of Health, including those pertaining to pharmacovigilance, he added. Faberco is also the partner of Serum Institute of India in the Philippines. They recently signed a term sheet with the Philippine government for 30 million doses of Covovax. The government targets to procure 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to inoculate up to 70 million Filipinos this year. CLEVELAND, Ohio The FBI is investigating a cyber attack on the Greater Cleveland Food Bank that targeted the agencys server but is believed to pose no risk to donors or employees, Food Bank President and CEO Kristin Warzocha said Friday. Warzocha told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer that the attack early last month disrupted operations for several days during a time of high demand from families struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic, but caused no lasting harm. There was no indication that any personally identifiable information was compromised or breached, she said. The FBI did not return a call requesting comment. Warzocha said her agency notified employees and the board of directors of the attack, but did not feel it was necessary to alert donors and food pantries that work with the agency. If we learn otherwise, we will communicate as appropriate, she said. Donor and employee information is stored in separate databases in the Cloud that were not breached, she said. Even if they had been breached, donor credit card numbers are not kept on file, she said. Online giving continued uninterrupted during the attack and none of the information involved was at risk at any point, she said. Software programs on the server that were affected included phone operations and inventory management, Warzocha said, but no mischief such as diverting orders occurred. Names and addresses of partner food pantries, along with their primary contacts, were on the serve, but thats public information, she said. Asked if the attack involved ransomware and if so, was a ransom paid, Warzocha declined to say, citing security concerns. She said the only cost to the Food Bank other than the extra time mostly salaried workers spent trying to fix the problem - was a $5,000 deductible paid to the Food Banks insurance provider. The deductible is paid to help us respond to an attack like this and do whatever is necessary, she said. Whether some of the deductible was used to pay a ransom she declined to say. Im not going to say anything that would put us at further risk, she said. Warzocha said Food Bank officials did whatever their consultants and the FBI told them to do and that the Food Bank responded better than most. We were victims of a cyber attack that we were well prepared for, she said. The attack was first noticed when an employee in the IT department arrived at work on a Thursday around 5 a.m. and noticed that he could not log into the inventory management system. The Food Banks cyber insurance company was immediately notified and specialists went to work on the problem. The FBI also was alerted. Later that morning the Food Banks help line, which enables the public to request food, was up and running, but it took longer for the rest of the operations including phones and the inventory management system - to return to normal. We were able to distribute food every day but we didnt have access to all the orders our agencies had pre-placed, Warzocha said, and as result Food Bank employees had to reach out directly to their partners. I think we said we were having computer issues., Warzocha said, . . . which is what they needed to know at the time. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday kicked off a grand procession here to pay tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary. Before the commencement of the procession from Syambazar area in the northern part of the city, Banerjee blew a conch shell and a siren was sounded at 12.15 pm, the time when Bose was born on this day in 1897. "We do not celebrate Netaji's birthday only in the years when elections are scheduled. We are celebrating his 125th birth anniversary in a grand fashion. Rabindranath Tagore described Netaji as Deshnayak. That is why we have decided to celebrate this day as Deshnayak Diwas," she said. "Netaji was one of the greatest freedom fighters of the country. He was a great philosopher," she said. ALSO READ | PM Modi Launches Drive for Distribution of 'Land Pattas' to Assam Citizens Ahead of Elections A grand padyatra will be held today. This year's Republic Day parade in Kolkata will also be dedicated to Netaji. A siren will be sounded today at 12.15 PM. We urge everyone to blow shankh at home. Centre must also declare January 23 as a National Holiday. #DeshNayakDibas (3/3) Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 23, 2021 Banerjee also urged the Centre to declare Netaji's birthday as a national holiday. The 7-km procession will culminate at the Netaji's statue on Red Road where Banerjee will be addressing the gathering. ALSO READ | Freedom is Not Given, It is Taken: 10 Iconic Quotes by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Hundreds of people, several senior leaders of Trinamool Congress and MLAs joined the procession to pay their tribute to the freedom fighter. Chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay and other bureaucrats of the state government are also present in the rally. Banerjee also criticised the Centre for abolishing the Planning Commission, which, according to her, was conceptualised by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. ALSO READ | Modi and Mamata to Share Dias at Grand Netaji Event Today Amid TMC-BJP Tussle Ahead of Polls She also demanded that Netaji's birthday on January 23 be declared a national holiday. "Why the national Planning Commission, which was conceptualised by Netaji in independent India, was dissolved? Why the demand for a holiday on Netaji's birthday by our government not yet met?" Banerjee said in her brief speech. The Narendra Modi government disbanded the Planning Commission in 2014 and had formed the Niti Aayog. Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday said the Opposition parties should bring a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government, as a majority vote in the House would be the most effective method to topple the government. Addressing the public at an event in Sindh province's Larkana city, the Opposition leader said he would talk to other Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders on the no-confidence motion as it would be better than continuing their protest movement. The 11-party PDM, formed in September last year, has demanded the present government resign, alleging the 2018 elections were rigged with the help of the Army to install "puppet" Prime Minister Imran Khan. The democratic way to send this incompetent, illegal, unqualified prime minister is through a no-confidence motion. Even 10 rallies will not yield the kind of results as a strategic meeting (opposition leaders) over a cup of tea which is sure to cause the government to worry," Bhutto said. Bhutto said he would ask the Opposition parties to "strike" in the Parliament. In the last few months, the PDM has held scores of anti-government rallies in major cities. Though Bhutto had earlier proposed that PDM leaders must resign en-mass from the Parliament, the plan has not been executed. Political pundits have also suggested cracks in the PDM leadership. . With grocery store workers in the next batch of vaccine recipients set for early spring, some national chains are offering their frontline workers pay or paid time off to get a shot in the arm and a Charleston business leader believes other local firms will follow suit. "I think we will see employers step up," said Bryan Derreberry, president and CEO of Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. "They want to have their employees and businesses safe." Derreberry hasn't heard of any incentives being offered by his group's 1,530 members for their 165,000 workers, but that doesn't mean they won't, he said. "I think you will see a major push by employers to get their employees vaccinated," he said. "I think they will do everything they can to make sure employees safeguard themselves." Derreberry agrees with providing paid time off for employees to receive the vaccine. He said it's important to make them aware of the closest inoculation site to expedite the process. "The sooner the general population is healthy, the sooner they will have business success," he said. Derreberry's comments come after a growing number of national grocers with stores in Charleston and across South Carolina have joined the push to combat the coronavirus by offering workers a variety of incentives to get vaccinated. Aldi, Lidl, Trader Joe's, Dollar General and Instacart have all recently announced plans to either pay employees or provide them paid hours off to get inoculated. Discount grocery store Lidl, which operates a store in Goose Creek and is expanding into North Charleston, said earlier this week it will pay its more than 6,000 U.S. employees who choose to get the vaccine an extra $200. The retailer said the additional payment will help offset the costs associated with vaccine administration, including travel costs and childcare. The company will also accommodate employee schedules for vaccine appointments "free of any obstacles," said Johannes Fieber, CEO of Lidl US. Rival grocer Aldi is offering its hourly workers with two hours of pay for each vaccine dose they receive, giving workers up to four hours of paid time off. Discount retailer Dollar General and grocery store Trader Joe's are offering similar incentives. "We do not want our employees to have to choose between receiving a vaccine or coming to work, so we are removing barriers," Dollar General said in a statement. Instacart, the on-demand grocery delivery platform, will begin offering a $25 "vaccine support stipend" on Feb. 1 for its in-store workers and eligible independent contractors who have been vaccinated. Vaccines are going to health care workers, nursing home residents and senior citizens 70 and older first, but grocery store employees in South Carolina will be able to sign up by the spring in the second eligible group, according to a schedule listed by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! Companies want to be ready, but none of the retailers is mandating inoculations. The incentives are meant to prod workers into choosing safety for themselves and their customers once the shot is available. Grocery store workers are in the Phase 1B group, deemed "frontline essential workers" by DHEC. That group also includes firefighters, law enforcement officers, corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, postal service employees, as well as workers in manufacturing, public transit and education, including teachers, support staff and daycare workers. A University of South Carolina retail expert said companies are wise to offer workers an incentive. Employers want to make sure everyone is safe when they come into their stores, said Jeff Campbell, chairman of the schools retailing department. Because there is no national mandate to get the vaccine, the alternative is offering employees incentives. Its a small investment, and customers protection has a lot to do with it. Campbell believes incentives offered in the retail industry will be followed by those for hotel and restaurant workers in the hospitality field. "Retail and hospitality are tied together in a lot of ways, and making sure employees are vaccinated will be very beneficial to both industries," he said. Even so, most companies are reluctant to impose mandates, said Sharon Perley Masling, a partner at the law firm Morgan Lewis who has been advising clients on workplace issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency nature of the vaccines approval makes it impractical for many companies to require it, given that the shots are not yet available to most of the population, she said. At the same time, Masling said the companies she works with are taking various steps to strongly encourage workers to get the shots. Its good for employees, its good for their communities and it's good for ensuring the continuation of business operations, she said. The vaccine rollout started slower than anticipated in the U.S., and many of the delivered supplies haven't made their way into people's arms yet. Nearly 40 million doses have been distributed across the nation as of Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while about 19.1 million doses have been administered, including close to 2.8 million people who have received the initial and follow-up shots. Federal officials had projected 20 million people would have received first doses by the end of December, but that number came up far short. Vaccines became available earlier that month. In South Carolina, about 425,000 doses had been received by Thursday. About half had been administered, according to DHEC. To accelerate the process, Walmart is expanding the number of states where inoculations could become more readily available. The world's largest retailer already provides COVID-19 vaccines in New Mexico and Arkansas, but it has broadened its reach to select stores in South Carolina and other locations around the country, including stores in North Charleston near Tanger Outlets and in Summerville at the Neighborhood Market on Central Avenue. Walmart has the capacity to give up to 13 million shots a month "when supply and allocations allow," Cheryl Pegus, executive vice president of health and wellness, said in a blog post Friday. Vaccines are free, but an administration fee can be charged, according to the CDC. Providers can be reimbursed by public or private insurance, or, for the uninsured, by the Health Resources and Services Administration. People can't be denied a vaccine if they are unable to pay the fee. Five people have died in an inferno at the site of the worlds largest vaccine maker, the Serum Institute of India, in the western Maharashtra state, where it is manufacturing the AstraZenecas coronavirus vaccine. Officials said production and stocks of COVID-19 shots were not affected, as police launched an investigation amid suspicions of arson. Thick smoke bellowed after one of the several buildings under construction which went up in flames at the Serum Institute of Indias privately-owned facility in Pune city Thursday afternoon. City officials said they believed sparks from construction work seemed to trigger off the blaze and five workers trapped on the fifth floor of the building on fire were rescued but they died of their fatal burn injuries. Local residents said they saw the fire raging for several hours before fire fighters could control the blaze. We couldnt see the fire at first but suddenly black smoke darkened the skyline, another city resident told TV crews at the site. The police launched an investigation in the 100-acre complex and the Indian Express newspaper said suspicions of deliberate act of sabotage was not being ruled out. After every such major incident of fire, an investigation is conducted. It will happen in this case too, Punes deputy police commissioner Namrata Patil added. Serum Institute, the worlds largest vaccine-maker by volume, has been producing the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and British-Swedish pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca. The shots are called Covishield locally and they form the backbone of Indias drive to inoculate 300 million health and frontline workers in the first phase of the worlds largest vaccination campaign launched last week. Fire-scarred Indian firm holds out hope Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawala said the fire would not impact production of the vaccines. This was a brand new facility. It was for the future production of BCG and Rotavirus. No actual vaccine was actually being produced there, so there was no damage to any vaccine, Poonawalla told a news conference. Where Covishield is manufactured and stored, no damage was done to that, the chief executive added and expressed shock at the fire. Serum Institute put the loss from the fire at more than 112 million Euros. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind offered their condolences to the bereaved families of the five dead workers. Gift and exports on schedule AstraZeneca vaccines made at the Pune facility have already reached Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives while Myanmar was next in line to receive the free shipments from India. Many other developing nations were pinning their hopes on Covishields production by Serum Institute, which had begun stockpiling shots much before India approved their emergency use. India has also cleared commercial export of two million doses of the vaccines for Brazil. ADVERTISEMENT The consignment was set to reach its destination later on Friday to give a much-needed boost the countrys immunisation. Saudi Arabia, Morocco and South Africa and will also receive the Indian shot in line with similar arrangements despite some controversy over cost. RFI is PREMIUM TIMES syndication partner. We have permission to republish its contents. Scientists have warned there can be no early easing of lockdown restrictions (Andrew Matthews/PA) Scientists have warned there can be no early easing of lockdown rules after evidence the mutant coronavirus variant which emerged in the south east of England may be more deadly than the original strain. Boris Johnson has appealed to people to stay home and follow the rules after he revealed the new variant may be associated with a higher degree of mortality. He said the Government could have to bring in further restrictions on travel following a warning that other new variants found in South Africa and Brazil may be more resistant to the vaccines that have been developed. Meanwhile, the British Medical Association has reportedly written to chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty calling for the gap between doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be reduced to six weeks. The private letter, seen by the BBC, said the current plans of people waiting up to 12 weeks for a second dose which Health Secretary Matt Hancock said is supported by data from an Israeli study are difficult to justify. It said: The absence of any international support for the UKs approach is a cause of deep concern and risks undermining public and the professions trust in the vaccination programme. Expand Close Sir Patrick Vallance suggested the new variant could increase mortality by almost a third (Leon Neal/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir Patrick Vallance suggested the new variant could increase mortality by almost a third (Leon Neal/PA) At a sombre No 10 news briefing on Friday, the Governments chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said early evidence suggested the new UK variant could increase mortality by almost a third in men in their 60s. His warning followed a briefing by scientists on the Governments New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) which concluded there was a realistic possibility that it was associated with an increased risk of death. It was already known that the new variant was up to 70% more transmissible than the original leading to a tightening of restrictions across the UK from late December onwards. Rowland Kao, professor of veterinary epidemiology and data science at the University of Edinburgh, said the latest findings suggested it was responsible for the unexpectedly high numbers of hospital admissions, especially around London. We have now learned that, in addition to spreading more quickly, the new variant of the virus may also be associated with a higher degree of mortality. It is therefore more important than ever that we all follow the rules and stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 22, 2021 While the recent results showing declining case numbers is good news, and suggest that the variant is controllable via existing measures, these results on deaths imply that burden in hospitals will continue to be high requiring a more prolonged period of restrictions, he said. Professor Sir Mark Walport, a former government chief scientific adviser and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said even stricter measures may be needed if cases do not continue falling at pace. Decisions are going to have to be made on the basis of the evidence, he told BBC news. If the evidence shows that the decrease in cases isnt continuing, then clearly policymakers will have to consider much tougher measures. Mr Johnson said the case numbers remained forbiddingly high and that it would be a mistake to unlock in England if it were to lead to another big rebound in the disease. A very small change and it could start taking off again from an extremely high base Prof Chris Whitty On another bleak day, with a further 1,401 deaths across the UK of people who had tested for Covid-19 in the previous 28 days, there was some good news with evidence the various lockdown measures in place across the country were having an effect. A sub-group of Sage said the reproduction number, the R, for coronavirus had fallen to below one across the UK, suggesting a retreating epidemic. The Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M) put the R, which represents how many people an infected person will pass the virus on to, at 0.8 to 1.0, down from 1.2 to 1.3 the previous week. It said the number of new infections was shrinking by between 1% and 4% every day. However Prof Whitty said the situation across the UK remained extremely precarious. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) A very small change and it could start taking off again from an extremely high base, he said. If that happened again, we would be in really, really deep trouble. Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick Medical School, suggested the more serious concern was the evidence that the South African and Brazilian variants may be less susceptible to the vaccines. The other virus variants identified in South Africa and Brazil are more worrying as they carry more changes in the spike protein of the virus, he said. It is important that we now determine the neutralising ability of antibodies against virus variants generated in response to vaccination and study the immune response in individuals infected with virus variants. Sir Patrick said the evidence remained uncertain and there was no sign either the South African or Brazilian variants had any transmission advantages over those in the UK and so would not be expected to spread more quickly or take over. For Mr. McNeills clients, the real fun will come once the inoculations are done. Some of those who expect to be vaccinated in the U.A.E. have been looking to schedule specialized excursions after they are inoculated, he said, adding: Desert safari seems to be the most popular. (Members who travel to the U.A.E. will stay in the country for the required time before a second dose.) Mr. McNeill also said that, given the uncertainty around staples of the spring calendar this year the Royal Ascot, Monaco Grand Prix and Wimbledon he expects his vaccinated clients to head to the Mediterranean earlier than usual. (Top destinations for the companys clients, he said, included St.-Tropez, Mykonos, Ibiza and Bodrum.) A leisure class of the newly vaccinated will mean that hotels, catering services and other businesses will be scrambling to employ bartenders, servers and other staff who are also vaccinated, the better to ensure the safety of all. A vaccination will begin to represent not only safety from the virus but also, for some, a leg up in the job market. Just like business partners require background checks for all of our professionals today, a lot of people are going to start wanting to say, Hey, send vaccinated professionals as well, said Jamie Baxter, the chief executive of Qwick, an Arizona-based web platform that connects service workers with employers. He said that Qwick had already started thinking about how to verify which workers on its platform had been vaccinated. Haves and Have-Nots Over 40 million doses of the vaccine have been administered worldwide, mostly to health care workers, first responders and older individuals, many of whom live in nursing homes. The vaccinated class is and will remain a relatively small portion of the population during the first half of 2021. That makes it difficult for economists and businesses to anticipate when people will begin to gather in substantial numbers (in places where they havent been doing so already) and what the economic impact of such activity might be. On the occasion of the 176th anniversary of the first arrival of Indian immigrant labourers to these shores, I intend to comment briefly, through a couple of letters to the press, on the current status of Indo-Trinidadians after their presence here for over a century and a half. They may be regarded as ethnic-focused, divisive and contentious, or may be deemed irrelevant and inconsequential in these times. Glass Animals have topped this years Hottest 100 countdown with their pared-back single Heat Waves. The British psychedelic pop group were the favourites in the lead-up to the annual music countdown thanks to their hit songs simplicity and the fact it has become something of an anthem for young people during lockdown. Glass Animals frontman Dave Bayley previously promised to get a tattoo in the shape of Australia on his buttock if his band took out the top spot. Calling Triple j from the UK, he said he still intended to get the tattoo - which will be his first. Dave Bayley of Glass Animals performing in Florida last year. Credit:Tim Mosenfelder We thought about doing it on each other, he said. I just dont have any faith in the other guys. Its not going to be the whole cheek - I was thinking squirrels head size. Did you know that Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow were married? It was a short-lived marriage, and the two celebrities clashed over their age difference and Sinatras desire for a marriage with more traditional gender roles, but the two were together in the late 1960s and stayed friends after the divorce. During the time of their romantic involvement, both were pretty famous: Sinatra having built himself into a superstar in the decades prior, and Farrow having just entered the acting world with Peyton Place and a film called Guns at Batasi. One would think that Sinatra would want to have a prominent celebrity as his partner but you might be surprised to find out how Sinatra actually responded to Farrows acting career. Mia Farrow and Peyton Place Younger readers might not be familiar with Peyton Place, but when it was airing it was quite popular. It was based off of a 1956 novel, though with many changes: the novel was set in the 1930s and 40s while the show took place in the 1960s, and the setting was moved from New Hampshire to Massachusetts. Like many soap operas, it centered the intimate relationships and conflicts among a large cast of characters. However, Peyton Place had a bit more prestige than the typical daytime soap: it aired prime time, and was conceived as a drama rather than a soap. This helped it grow a sizable fanbase. On Peyton Place, Mia Farrow played the character of Allison MacKenzie, the daughter of protagonist Constance MacKenzie. Her character was quiet and bookish, and quickly became romantically involved with the character of Rodney Harrington, played by Ryan ONeal. However, the MacKenzie family had secrets, and Allisons character changed with a coma plot line and eventually left the show, supposedly to find her birth father. However, there were behind-the-scenes reasons that led to this writing decision. Mia Farrow and Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra | Art Zelin/Getty Images Right around when Mia Farrow was breaking into the acting industry, she met Frank Sinatra. The two met on the set of a war movie Sinatra was starring in, and in 1966 they married in the home of Jack Entratter, a friend of Sinatras. There was an age gap of 29 years: Farrow was 21, and Sinatra was 50. They also conflicted over Farrows career. Being a young actress coming into success, Farrow was spending a lot of time doing publicity and traveling. Sinatra didnt like this, and their conflicts grew while Farrow was working on horror classic Rosemarys Baby. In 1967, Farrow received divorce papers from Sinatras lawyer, and by the next year they were no longer married. Frank Sinatras pressure RELATED: Frank Sinatra Hated Rock and Roll But Still Performed With Elvis Presley Unfortunately for Farrow, Frank Sinatra was a bit of a traditionalist when it came to marriage. He didnt want his wife to have an acting career. Farrow was a bit more forward-thinking, but at the time, she agreed to go with Sinatras wishes. However, she had been acting on Peyton Place for two years, and the show was only growing more successful. Nonetheless, Farrow quit the show. That was why her character had to be written out so abruptly; the producers of Peyton Place decided that Allisons absence would be explained by a sudden quest to find her birth father. But Farrow couldnt be kept away from acting for long. She returned to the industry in 1968, first in British spy film A Dandy in Aspic, then in her first major role: the eponymous Rosemary in Rosemarys Baby. It did cause conflict in the marriage, but that could be for the best. If Mia Farrow had left acting for good, we wouldnt have been able to see her talent in many movies to come, or her humanitarian activism. And despite this conflict and divorce, Farrow and Sinatra reconciled and stayed friends up until Sinatras death. China in Focus (Jan. 22): Beijing Builds Military Drones to Rival US Drones made in China are in use across the United States. But China appears to be military-minded, as it ramps up their production. Shanghai imposes lockdowns on two of Chinas most famous hospitals. Thats as clusters of virus cases are on the rise across the country. Chinese authorities take up extreme tactics to enforce lockdown orders. We look at some of them that were caught on camera. China amends its laws, to encourage doctors to report contagious diseases. But the changes may not protect whistleblowers if they choose to come forward. And Twitter locks the account of Chinas embassy in the U.S. after one post defended Beijings suppression of ethnic minorities. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China. For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter. On Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary, a food joint in North Kolkata frequented by the freedom fighter, distributes free fritters each year in commemoration of the day. Khedu Shaw established Lakshmi Narayan Shaw and Sons in the year 1918 is also known as Netaji's shop as he often visited the joint to grab a bite. Bose while studying at the Scottish Church College in North Kolkata would drop by to eat the famous Telebhaja {fritters} and bharer cha {tea in clay cups}. Back in those days, when Kolkata was the hub of freedom fighters and revolutionaries tea and fritters were among the many things that brought them together. India Today spoke to the shop's owner Keshto Kumar Gupta (Shaw) who narrated to the publication the bond between Netaji and his grandfather. "My grandfather was entrusted with supplying tiffin to the freedom fighters when they used to hold meetings. He would serve them puffed rice, hot fritters, green chilly and tea in a newspaper wrapper and tea in clay cups or kulhad or Kolkata's famous bharer cha," he said. "This is how my grandfather once met Netaji and served him the same tea and fritters. When Netaji was studying in Scottish Church, he used to frequent our shop for the fritters and tea. And that's when my grandfather developed an unmatchable reverence for him," Gupta said. "On Jan 23rd of 1948 when we gained Independence, we had put up boards of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and distributed fritters made in our shops to everyone. Two fritters for children and four for adults," Gupta added. The shop has been serving fritters since 8 am today, and on the menu is - alur chop, phuluri, peyaji and phulkopir chop [Potato, lentil, onion and cauliflower fritters]. Also read: Jeweller duped of Rs 50 lakh by man selling sand that turns to gold when burned Also read: Amit Shah pays tribute to Subhas Chandra Bose on birth anniversary Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Kolkata to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, on Saturday said Netaji would have been immensely proud to see how India has become self-reliant and is helping other nations by exporting coronavirus vaccines. Addressing a gathering at Kolkata's Victoria Memorial, Modi said, "No one can stop India from being 'atmanirbhar' (self-reliant). Netaji would have been proud to see how India is helping other nations by providing them vaccines." Modi said from now on the birth anniversary of Bose, popularly known as Netaji, would be celebrated as 'Parakram Divas' every year. "Every year we will celebrate Netaji's birth anniversary as 'Parakram Diwas'. Netaji is an inspiration for India's courage," he said. Highlighting the contributions made by the Indian freedom fighter for the country, Modi said, "Netaji gave a new direction to idea of free India. I bow down to the land that made Netaji. Netaji inspires everyone in the country. It is our duty to keep remembering his sacrifice and contribution to India." Meanwhile, Modi also made a veiled attack on China and Pakistan by saying, "From LAC to LOC, the world is witnessing the powerful avatar of India that was once envisioned by Netaji. India today is giving a befitting reply wherever attempts are made to challenge its sovereignty." "Netaji reached Andaman and unfurled the Tricolour with his own soldiers. The declaration which he had made was the first government of 'Akhand Bharat'. He was the first head of the Azad Hind government," news agency ANI quoted Modi as saying. Modi also mentioned how Bose made efforts to empower women. "When the world was discussing basic rights of women, Netaji formed the Rani Jhansi regiment and connected them to the freedom struggle. He trained them and instilled in them a passion for the country and fighting for it," he said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar were also present at the event. Banerjee, however, refused to speak as she felt "insulted" after a section of audience raised Jai Shri Ram slogans at the event at Victoria Memorial Hall. ALSO READ: Mamata Refuses to Speak at Netaji's Birth Anniversary Event After Slogans Raised Against Her in PM's Presence Ahead of the event at Victoria Memorial, Modi paid floral tributes at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's statue at the National Library in Kolkata. Modi went around seeing paintings by around 100 artists on a 40-metre long canvas on the sprawling lawns of Belvedere House at the National Library compound. The prime minister also greeted participants in an international conference on "Revisiting the legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose" at Belvedere House to mark his 125th birth anniversary. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. In the past 24 hours, 69 people died from Covid-19 in Iran, 6,207 people tested positive for coronavirus, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran, Sima Sadat Lari informed today. The total number of deaths from coronavirus in Iran is 57,294, and the total number of infected - 1,367,032. 4,106 people remain in intensive care units, the Ministry of Health informed, Trend reports. A 28-year-old man was taken to a local hospital early Tuesday morning after being shot in the leg, Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said. Police spotted the victim inside his car at a Tonnelle Avenue gas station just south of Carlton Avenue shortly after midnight. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening, Wallace Scalcione said. His current condition was not provided. Details on the shooting itself also were not provided. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday, 23 January, shared the stage on the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses 125th birth anniversary, amid chants of Jai Shree Ram that led to Banerjee refusing to address the event. PM Modi first visited Netaji Bhawan, after Banerjee paid a surprise visit to the freedom fighters home on Saturday morning, ahead of her mega rally in the city. The Prime Minister was greeted by Jai Shri Ram chants outside Boses house. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Also Read: Bengal Polls 2021: Will A Mahagathbandhan Help Mamata? He then visited Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, where Banerjee and Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar were also present. Addressing the event, PM Modi said that Netaji's birth anniversary will now be celebrated every year as 'Parakram Divas'. PM Modi further said that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose used to count poverty, illiteracy and disease among the biggest problems in the country and believed that these problems can be solved if society comes together against them. Netaji's life, work and decisions are an inspiration for all of us. Nothing was impossible for a person with such steely resolve, he said. From LAC to LOC, the world is witnessing the powerful avatar of India that was once envisioned by Netaji. India today is giving a befitting reply wherever attempts are made to challenge its sovereignty, PM Modi said. PM Modi also announced that the train plying from Howrah, known as Howrah-Kalka Mail, will be renamed as Netaji Express. TMC vs BJP on Netajis Legacy The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are engaged in a tussle over the celebrations marking Netajis birth anniversary. Before the event, PM Modi visited the National Library of Kolkata, where a conference on Revisiting the legacy of Netaji Subhas in the 21st century and an artists camp were organised. Banerjee, meanwhile, led a march from Shyam Bazaar to Red Road in the city and paid a surprise visit to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's ancestral residence at Elgin Road, where she criticised the Centre's decision to announce 23 January as Parakram Diwas. Story continues I dont understand the meaning of Parakram Diwas. We celebrate the day as Desh Nayak Diwas, Banerjee said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi had tweeted, I bow before India's great son Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose - a great freedom fighter and true son of Mother India, on his birth anniversary. A grateful nation will always remember his sacrifice and dedication for the independence of the country. #ParakramDivas. Also Read: Why Mamata Contesting Nandigram May Be a Game-Changer For TMC . Read more on Politics by The Quint.PM Modi, CM Mamata Share Stage at Netajis Birth Anniversary EventIndias England Tour Preparations Start on 27 Jan in Chennai . Read more on Politics by The Quint. White House press secretary Jen Psaki participates in a press briefing at the White House in Washington on Jan. 22, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) White House Press Secretary Says She Hasnt Spoken With Biden About Riots in Portland and Seattle White House press secretary Jen Psaki said she hasnt spoken with President Joe Biden about the recent unrest in the Pacific Northwest, adding that the situation is being monitored by the national security team. Psaki made the remarks at a Friday press briefing at the White House, where she was asked by a reporter whether Biden had any comment on the ongoing violence in Oregon and Washington state that weve seen in recent days. I havent spoken with him specifically about those events, but it is something our national security teamLiz Sherwood-Randall, our Homeland Security Adviseris closely monitoring, Psaki replied. Antifa militants and other far-left activists took to the streets of Portland and Seattle on Inauguration Day, damaging property, setting fires, and clashing with police despite Bidens pleas for unity. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Friday urged Biden to condemn the actions of far-left rioters in the Pacific Northwest. Im waiting for Pres Biden to condemn violence/looting/arson last two days in Oregon & Washington state, Grassley wrote in a tweet. As of Thursday evening, Biden had not commented on the incidents, which involved Antifa and anarchist groups, and possibly others, rampaging in the streets of Portland and Seattle on Wednesday, voicing their opposition to the government, law enforcement, and the freshly sworn-in president. In Portland, black-clad activists with their faces covered broke windows and the glass door at the Democratic Party of Oregon business office, spray-painting an anarchist symbol over the party sign, tipping over garbage containers, and lighting the contents on fire. We dont want Biden. We want revenge for police murders, imperialist wars, and fascist massacres, read a banner they marched under, which featured an image of a Kalashnikov, while others carried a sign saying, We are not governable, which was dotted with anarchy symbols. Portland police said some rioters carried pepper ball guns, electronic crowd control weapons similar to Tasers, large fireworks, shields, and rocks. Sgt. Kevin Allen of the Portland Police Department said that, in connection with one of several incidents, weapons were seized including Molotov cocktails, knives, batons, chemical spray, and a crowbar, while eight individuals were arrested, with charges ranging from felony criminal mischief, possession of a destructive device, and riot. According to KATU, one of the protests in Portland was billed as a demonstration against the Biden inauguration and law enforcement. At one point, demonstrators were approached by Portland Police officers on bicycles, with some people in the group taking an officers bike and throwing objects at retreating police. In Seattle, Antifa activists marched into the iconic Pike Place Market to smash up property, with video from the scene showing broken windows in a Starbucks. A group of black-clad activists marched along the street, kicking over garbage containers, carrying a tattered American flag with the anarchy sign spray-painted on it. Some spray-painted buildings with an anarchist symbol and smashed windows, including at the William Kenzo Nakamura Courthouse, a federal building, according to KOMO. No Cops, Prisons, Borders, Presidents, said one banner that they marched under, according to reports from the scene. Police announced that two people were arrested during the unrest, one for property damage and another for assault. Police are monitoring a group in #DowntownSeattle. Multiple sites have been vandalized. One arrest made for property damage. pic.twitter.com/oLfIsGt5Af Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) January 21, 2021 Officers made a third arrest later in the evening after the glass storefront was shattered at the Starbucks in Pike Place Market, according to KOMO. Seattle and Portland have been the scene of unrest for months, with a mix of protestersincluding anarchists, Antifa, and other far-left groups, as well as civil rights activistsvoicing various grievances and sometimes engaging in violence, damaging property, and clashing with police. In an op-ed in the New York Post, journalist and Antifa expert Andy Ngo wrote: Some believe Antifa would fade away after Bidens electoral win. Theyre wrong. With the convenient excuse of resisting Donald Trumps fascist regime no longer applicable, Antifa are just getting started. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 10:14:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HAVANA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cuban health authorities said on Friday they had detected an imported case of a coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa. The authorities cannot affirm whether the variant "has been introduced or extended to community transmission of the virus in the country, but we cannot rule it out either, due to the high number of cases that are being registered daily," said Guadalupe Guzman, a researcher at the Pedro Kuori Institute of Tropical Medicine, at a health ministry press conference. The ministry reported 530 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the national count to 20,060. In addition, four more Cubans died of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing January's death toll to 42, the highest monthly figure since April 2020, when 57 deaths were registered in one month. Enditem TN Elections 2021: Stalin incompetent to lead says CM India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Chennai, Jan 23: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Saturday once again dared DMK president M K Stalin to debate with him on corruption and said the party chief was not competent to be a leader Campaigning here for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state, Palaniswami said Stalin has no courage to face the AIADMK directly and was trying to only defame the ruling party by diverting the people's attention by making false promises through grama sabha meetings. While AIADMK was facing the people with its successful welfare schemes, DMK has no achievements to put forward and was enacting a drama in the name of grama sabha meetings, the Chief Minister said. TN Polls: Stalin accuses AIADMK govt of putting on hold projects brought during DMK rule Stalin failed to respond to a query from a woman, who was thrashed in the city a month ago when she questioned him on welfare schemes during a grama sabha meet, Palaniswami said. While 13 former DMK Ministers were facing corruption charges, Stalin wanted to have a debate on corruption, the Chief Minister said. Palaniswami said he had come from the grassroots-level and become the Chief Minister but Stalin rose to the present post in the DMK because of his father who was a Chief Minister and party president. While AIADMK top leaders like M G Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa fought for the rights and cause of the common people, Stalin's father worked for his family, he alleged. If the DMK returned to power, there would be no peace in the state. Vacant land would be grabbed by the party workers as was the case during the previous regime, he said. Stalin, who was criticising Tamil Nadu government but praising Kerala and Delhi over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, was silent now after the government managed to control the spread. This was appreciated even by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Palanisami said. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News The Chief Minister visited the Koni Amman Temple, the presiding deity of the city, Perur Math and interacted with Jamaath leaders here. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 16:24 [IST] A woman wearing a mask visits the iconic Yellow Crane Tower, a popular tourist site in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. Couples go on dates, families dine out at restaurants, shoppers flock to stores. Face masks aside, people are going about their daily life pretty much as before in the Chinese city that was first hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Police examine high powered rifles recovered from alleged drug dealers following a security operation in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines, Jan. 23, 2021. A police officer and 12 alleged members of an illegal drugs syndicate were killed in a pre-dawn shootout in the southern Philippines on Saturday, security forces said about the latest eruption of violence in President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs. The clash occurred when police and members of the Philippine Marine Corps were attempting to serve a search warrant to Pendatun Adsis Talusan, in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao province, security forces said. Talusan and his companions resisted and shot at law enforcement officers, said Maj. Esmael Madin, the head of the provincial criminal investigation and detection group. We were supposed to serve the search warrant, but the suspects fired at us. Talusans group was involved in a series of shooting incidents targeting police and military personnel, Madin said. Talusan, a former village chief in the area, faced charges of robbery with homicide, double frustrated murder, and illegal possession of firearms, Madin said. This group was engaged in illegal drug trading, a police incident report said. Madin said that 12 suspects, including Talusan, and a policeman, were killed in the violence. Two police personnel were wounded. An assortment of firearms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects, he added. A BenarNews reporter saw the areas residents sobbing as they came out of their homes hours after the security operation ended. They had been trapped inside since dawn when the shootout began. I thought we would die, but we prayed to god to spare my family, said Reymond Blatas, a construction worker and a father of three. A woman cries as she and her family emerge from their home after being trapped inside during an hours-long shootout between suspected drug dealers and law enforcement officials in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines, Jan. 23, 2021. [Mark Navales/BenarNews] The incident took place days after a town mayor, Christopher Cuan, of Libungan town in North Cotabato province, was gunned down with his driver in a roadside attack. According to witnesses, the attack was carried out by four men in a sport utility vehicle who were tailing the victims. President Duterte had said that Cuan was on a list of politicians and officials allegedly tied to drug traffickers. Cuan had survived an assassination attempt in January 2019. He had been inside town hall when an unidentified gunman opened fire but missed, police had said. The police last year said that nearly 8,000 suspected drug addicts and dealers had been killed since Duterte launched his war on drugs. Rights groups and activists however say that many more could have been killed. Last month, the International Criminal Court said that there was reason to believe that crimes against humanity had occurred in the Philippines, and that a final decision on whether to prosecute Duterte would be made this year. Duterte faces two murder complaints before the ICC, filed by relatives of some of those killed, and by a former police officer and a self-styled assassin who accused Duterte of ordering the deaths of opponents and criminals when he was mayor of Davao city. Froilan Gallardo contributed to this report from Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. New Delhi, Jan 23 : A room in a private ward reserved for VVIPs has been demarcated in All India institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) by the authorities in anticipation of former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad's arrival who is expected to fly down here through a chartered plane from Ranchi. The room is equipped with a ventilator and oxygen support. "While it is yet to be confirmed whether he would get admitted here, we have prepared it in the anticipation," a top official of the hospital informed IANS. The preparations are on to shift the RJD chief after his health condition deteriorated while undergoing treatment at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital in Ranchi. He has been found to have developed a pneumonia infection. RIMS Director Dr Kameshwar Prasad was reported saying that Prasad was found to be having pneumonia and having breathing trouble for the last two days. On Friday, Prasad's wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharti, sons Tej Pratap and Tejashwi reached Ranchi on a special plane after being informed of the veteran leader's deteriorating health. The family met him in the night. Tejashwi also met Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren at his residence during the day to seek cooperation of the state government in arranging to take his father to Delhi. 72-year-old Prasad has been in jail since December 2017 after being convicted for one of the cases in the fodder scam. He has served most of his sentence in Jharkhand at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences. Access the Experts: Cecil Hicks In this installment, Hicks answers: What is the best way to address workplace discrimination?" In This Installment of Access the Experts Cecil Hicks, Jr., SPHR, MBA, who is Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion at UNO, answers the question, What is the best way to address workplace discrimination?" About Hicks In his current role, Hicks provides campus-wide leadership towards enhancing and sustaining diversity through promoting a culture of inclusiveness, accessibility, and equity through the development and coordination of strategic initiatives that contribute to the overall success of faculty, staff, and students. Hicks joined UNO in 2014 as Director of Human Resources following an extensive career in both human resource management and diversity initiatives. This includes serving as Director of Human Resources for Lincoln Financial Group, Director of Recruiting and Diversity for Woodmen of the World and Director of Human Resources for the City of Omaha. He also holds leadership roles with multiple Omaha community organizations. Access the Experts Access the Experts is an innovative partnership between the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and News Channel Nebraska (NCN), where viewers submit their questions to be answered by UNO faculty members. New segments of Access the Experts air every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:46 A.M. and 6:46 P.M. If youre not sure how to tune in, visit News Channel Nebraskas website to view their coverage areas. View all segments on our Access the Experts page. About the University of Nebraska at Omaha Located in one of Americas best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraskas premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community. Become a fan of UNO on Facebook and follow UNO's Twitter updates. American musicians Beki Hemingway and Randy Kerkman, who have made their home in Dundalk, spent the first lockdown recording a new album which they have now released. 'Earth and Asphalt' is the follow up to Whins and Weather released in 2017 and it sees the couple drawing inspiration from their American roots. 'We thought we might be influenced by the Celtic music, but it turns out that being here has only made us sound more American,' says Beki. 'I'm a child of the 'eighties and grew up listening to New Wave while my husband would be more in Goth and heavier stuff. My father was a big fan of Jim Croice and Bob Dylan and female voices like Emmylou Harris, and folk and bluegrass, and I guess those roots are starting to spring up.' And although the album has an American sound, some of the songs reflect their experiences since coming to live in Ireland. 'We're here two years next month and are four years in Ireland, This is home now.' The story of how they came to Ireland seems straight out of a movie script. Although they both had backgrounds in music, they had turned their backs on it and were working regular careers. 'I was a tour guide and my husband was a deputy sheriff. We realised we were missing music so we decided to have a year of saying yes, of saying yes to travel, yes to music, and yes to public service. We decided to see where we would end up.' 'It took us all over,' she recalls. 'We went on a mission trip to Mexico and built a house with a group of friends, we did house concerts all over the United States, starting by asking if people wanted to play in their living rooms.' The move to Ireland came when friends who played in the band The Sweet Sorrow asked them to house sit while they went on tour. 'They lived in Gorey, Co Wexford, so we came over to write an album when they were away, and that's how it started.' Still living by the say yes mantra, they did voluntary work in Romania and then Beki was diagnosed with breast cancer. She refused to let the diagnosis get in the way of their making music and would go into the studio after radiotheraphy sessions. The result was Whins and Weather, her sixth album which was produced by Conor Brady who had played guitar with The Committments. Then, after two years in the sunny south east, they decided to move north. 'We liked Dundalk, we had visited the town, we played the Spirit Store and we had made friends.' And, unlikely as it may seem to us natives, she says 'it's more like Colorado where I'm from and it also reminds me of the urban centres outside Chicago, where my husband is from. It reminds us of home. It's a good fit for us.' Now settled in Dundalk, within walking distance of the town centre, the couple put the first lockdown to good use as they put down tracks for 'Earth and Asphalt'. 'Although Randy is a very good producer as well as guitarist, we find it's best to bring in an outside producer or else get a marriage counsellor!' They put the final touches to the latest album in Dublin's Camden Studio, once again working with Conor Brady. Although there's a distinctly Americana feel to the album, some of the songs reflect their experiences since moving to Ireland. One such track is Hurricane, written in the wake of the devastation caused when Hurricane Ophelia hit Ireland. 'We lived in County Wexford then, and our power was out due to the hurricane,' says Hemingway. 'Randy and I were trying to imagine what it was like to know the local history and to have lived through the last big storm.' Others are more personal such as 'Shape of My Face'. 'I'm three years cancer-free, and there are other things falling apart now which bother me far more,' Beki jokes. 'But this is a song about growing older and accepting the changes as they come.' Beki is thrilled that the album was reviewed in this month's Illinois Entertainer. Chicago, as that is where they polished their chops as oung musicians. As the pandemic has brought all opportunities for live gigs to a halt, Beki and Randy have, like musicians everywhere, turned to the internet in order to reach audiences. 'We did Songs of the Night on Facebook for a solid month during the first lockdown,' she recalls. 'It was a bit of a chat and a few songs and we're going to put them up on YouTube.' 'We have a virtual gig coming up on January 29 presented by Arklow Roots and on February 7 we will be taking part in the Four Corners Festival in Belfast which is moving online this year.' They also recorded some acoustic versions of songs from 'Earth and Asphalt' in The Spirit Store before Christmas for the 'Songs in the Quay of Life' sessions which will be streamed in the coming weeks. To find out more and to download 'Earth and Asphalt' go to www.bekihemingway.com. Ambassador of Belarus A.Konyuk meets the Prime Minister of Armenia On January 22, 2021 on the occasion of the beginning of his diplomatic mission the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Armenia, Alexander Konyuk, was received by the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. During the meeting, the parties noted the high efficiency and keen nature of the cooperation between Belarus and Armenia on a wide range of issues. The interlocutors agreed on the importance to continue an active dialogue in order to strengthen bilateral trade and economic interaction. print version 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. ANN ARBOR, MI The Washtenaw County Health Department is offering no-cost COVID-19 testing for community members on Sunday, Jan. 24, at Pioneer High School. Pre-registration for testing is available but not required. No vaccination will be available at the event only saliva or nasal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. The event will be drive-thru from noon to 5 p.m. at the high school, located at 601 W. Stadium Blvd. People are asked not to line up before the event and to use the Main Street entrance. Pre-registration is available here but is not required. The health department received support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, HONU Management Group, and Ann Arbor Public Schools for this event. READ MORE: What Michiganders should know about new coronavirus variant B.1.1.7 Large COVID-19 vaccine clinic at DeVos Place designed to boost shots in arms Michigan State University teams up with elementary school to help teachers with virtual classrooms Brood X is here Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield. Joe Biden discussed with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador his plan to "revoke the draconian migration policies of the previous administration", to "reduce immigration by addressing the underlying causes, increasing the capacity for new settlements and legal alternatives, improving the examination of asylum applications at the border ". This was announced by the White House. In their phone call, the two leaders also "agreed to work closely to stop the flow of irregular immigration in Mexico and the US, as well as to promote development in the so-called northern triangle of central American" (Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador). (Unioneonline / F) The legendary broadcaster was among Americas most well-known interviewers of celebrities, presidents and other public figures. He hosted Larry King Live from 1985 to 2010. The 87-year-old had been hospitalised in Los Angeles with COVID-19 earlier this month, according to several media reports. He had endured health problems for many years, including a near-fatal stroke in 2019 and diabetes. Hunched over his desk in rolled-up shirt sleeves and owlish glasses, he made his show one of the networks prime attractions with a mix of interviews, political discussions, current event debates and phone calls from viewers. Even in his heyday, critics accused King of doing little pre-interview research and tossing softball questions to guests who were free to give unchallenged, self-promoting answers. He responded by conceding he did not do much research so that he could learn along with his viewers. Besides, King said, he never wanted to be perceived as a journalist. My duty, as I see it, is Im a conduit, King told the Hartford Courant in 2007. I ask the best questions I can. I listen to the answers. I try to follow up. And hopefully the audience makes a conclusion. Im not there to make a conclusion. Im not a soapbox talk-show host... So what I try to do is present someone in the best light. King was married eight times to seven women, most recently to singer Shawn Southwick, who was 26 years younger. He had five children, two of whom died in 2020. With Reuters Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 24 Hour Access Photo: (Photo : Unsplash/Kevin Gent) A couple adopts abandoned brothers because their parents could not care for them. The children were found beside trash bags wearing only diapers. The man that found them asked the couple if they would be willing to adopt the boys who had nowhere else to go for one night. Tiny heads peeking out of the trash Pasco Metropolitan Ministries executive chef, Mark Purcell, was going home after his work shift one day when he saw the abandoned brothers. He saw the two children when he was taking out the trash after a day's work. The Tampa Bay area of Florida chef thought he saw a couple of baby dolls in the trash bin after seeing tiny heads peeking out from the bags. At first, he thought that some people could have thrown the dolls, but after checking again, he realized that instead of dolls, the peeking heads were from real children. READ MORE: Aunt Adopts Nephew After Suffering Severe Trauma from Biological Parents From among the trash, there was a seven-month-old baby together with his two-year-old brother. The abandoned brothers only wore diapers while sitting in the garbage. Soon, he saw the children's mom hiding right around the corner. The abandoned boys found a new shelter Purcell learned that the mom had nowhere to go and could not take care of her babies anymore. The woman decided to leave her children at the church, and hopefully, a good samaritan would pick them up to care for them. The founder decided to give the kids to Krystal Stewart, one of the church pastors. He called her and asked if she and her husband would be willing to provide shelter to the two brothers for one night. READ NEXT: Couple Who Adopted Son with Chronic Medical Condition Wants to Do It Again Thankfully, Krystal and her husband, Ron, agreed and said that they were familiar with the kids Purcell told them about. The couple explained that they had seen the children and their mom one time at the local soup kitchen. The duo offered to provide help to the mother before after learning that they were struggling with living. Steward explained during a "FOX 13 News" interview that she saw how the little boys needed care. She saw how dirty and covered in bug bites they were, so they needed someone to love, care for them, and give them baths. LEARN MORE ABOUT: Indiana Couple Adopts 5 Kids with Special Needs, Now They Have 11 and Counting Stewart and her husband were not aware that the "temporary arrangement" would turn their life around. A social worker sought the help of the Stewarts a few days after the kids were found in the trash. The person asked them if they would like to adopt the boys; otherwise, they would bring them to the foster system. After making up their minds, the Stewarts decided to adopt the boys, and the parents signed custody over to them. Even though the couple already has children, they felt they must add two new members to their family. She has gained millions of social media fans thanks to her sizzling selfies. And Demi Rose commanded the attention of her followers on Friday as she went topless for a racy Instagram snap during her Ibiza break. The influencer, 25, protected her modesty with a maxi faux fur coat and a high-rise thong from PrettyLittleThing. Send temperatures soaring: Demi Rose commanded the attention of her Instagram followers on Friday as she went topless in a faux fur coat for a racy snap during her Ibiza break She boosted her petite frame with snakeskin boots as she brushed her raven tresses away from her visage. The social media star enhanced her stunning features with soft make-up and she captioned her photo: 'Untouchable but you feel this @prettylittlething'. Demi captured her skimpy outfit once more on her Instagram Story for a selfie video. The model is spending lockdown in Ibiza following a recent trip to Kenya, and she has been posting positive mantras amid the coronavirus pandemic. Complete the look: The influencer, 25, boosted her petite frame with snakeskin boots and she rocked a high-rise thong from PrettyLittleThing She recently shared: 'I woke up. I have clothes to wear. I have running water. I have food to eat. Life is good. I am thankful.' The brunette beauty recently opened up to MailOnline about how she shot to stardom at the age of 14 after being bullied in school. She recalled: 'I was bullied in school, I wanted to make friends outside of it so I ended up spending a lot of time online. 'I was even interested in virtual reality as a kid, I was always on the computer and then MySpace came around and I found my calling.' Demi experienced her first taste of fame when pictures of her on the beach as a young teenager went viral on the social media platform. She added: 'I only ever got Instagram because someone made a fake profile of me on there with 3,000 followers and I was really envious. 'I was like, "wow, how can someone using my pictures get that much?" And then I started an account and it went from there.' From the age of 18, the bombshell - who currently boasts more than 15.7m followers - signed with a modelling agency and her career went from strength to strength. Candid: Demi recently opened up to MailOnline about how she shot to stardom at the age of 14 after being bullied in school Despite putting the past behind her and learning to cope with disparaging comments, Demi admitted that she still has moments where she struggles with her own body confidence. She has previously admitted to trying non-surgical procedures including a cellulite reduction treatment, however the Instagram model is focused on cultivating beauty from within and credits her healthy lifestyle as the secret to staying on top form. Demi added: 'I'm comfortable in my skin, but I'm never going to be 100% happy because everyone wants to be a certain way and we all have our own hang-ups, but I work out five to six times a week for my general health and wellbeing.' Larry King, who quizzed thousands of world leaders, politicians and entertainers for CNN and other news outlets in a career spanning more than six decades, has died at age 87, CNN reported on Saturday, citing a source close to the family. King had been hospitalized in Los Angeles with a COVID-19 infection, according to several media reports. He had endured health problems for many years, including a near-fatal stroke in 2019 and diabetes. He had been hospitalized at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for more than a week, CNN reported. Millions watched King interview world leaders, entertainers and other celebrities on CNN's "Larry King Live", which ran from 1985 to 2010. Hunched over his desk in rolled-up shirt sleeves and owlish glasses, he made his show one of the network's prime attractions with a mix of interviews, political discussions, current event debates and phone calls from viewers. Even in his heyday, critics accused King of doing little pre-interview research and tossing softball questions to guests who were free to give unchallenged, self-promoting answers. He responded by conceding he did not do much research so that he could learn along with his viewers. Besides, King said, he never wanted to be perceived as a journalist. "My duty, as I see it, is I'm a conduit," King told the Hartford Courant in 2007. "I ask the best questions I can. I listen to the answers. I try to follow up. And hopefully the audience makes a conclusion. I'm not there to make a conclusion. I'm not a soapbox talk-show host... So what I try to do is present someone in the best light." After 25 years on cable, King announced in 2010 that he would retire, having slipped behind Sean Hannity at Fox News and Rachel Maddow at MSNBC in cable ratings. By the time he left, he estimated hed done about 50,000 interviews during more than a half century on radio and television. He won an Emmy award for lifetime achievement in 2011. Informal Approach His brand of informality has become common in the age of podcasting," Los Angeles Times TV critic Robert Lloyd said in 2018 after Kings new show, seen on Hulu, was nominated for two daytime Emmys. No one has done this job better, or with more gusto." In his CNN program, King got a ratings spike from Ross Perot, who announced on air in 1992 that he would run for the president as an independent. In 1993, Vice President Al Gore and Perot debated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on Kings show, the highest-rated cable program for more than a decade. King interviewed world leaders. including Russian President Vladimir Putin, performers such as Lady Gaga, and an assortment of athletes, actors, national heroes and unknown individuals suddenly tossed into the limelight. Marlon Brando famously kissed King on the lips on air as did his onetime girlfriend Angie Dickinson, the sultry TV actress. King said he left it to this producers to pick his guests and did not prepare much, preferring to ask simple questions and listen carefully to the answers. King, who pitched a variety of products on radio and TV, used his show to raise funds for disaster relief after natural disasters hit New Orleans and Haiti. Legal Scandal His rise to prominence involved an epic comeback after he was charged in 1971 with grand larceny for taking $5,000 from financier Louis Wolfson and using it to pay back taxes rather than giving it to the intended recipient. Though never prosecuted, he was fired from his various broadcast and newspaper-column jobs in Florida. By the late 1970s, the incident had blown over, and he was able to return to Miami broadcasting. In 1978, he started a nightly coast-to-coast radio talk show on the Mutual Radio Network, called The Larry King Show." It featured guest interviews and call-ins from an audience listening to more than 500 affiliate stations. After joining CNN, King published several best-selling books, including his autobiography, "My Remarkable Journey" in 2009. He also wrote a book on heart disease after suffering a heart attack. He was inducted into the Radio, Cable and Broadcasters Halls of Fame and won 10 Cable ACE awards. Larry King was born Lawrence Zeiger on Nov. 19, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to immigrant Jewish parents. He got his start in broadcasting in the Florida market, where a friend had told him there was a shortage of on-air talent. He started at WAHR (now WMBM) in Miami Beach, initially as a cleaner. When an announcer suddenly quit, King was put on air. He was married eight times including twice to the same woman -- and had five children, two of whom died in 2020. King won a Peabody award for live election coverage in 1992 for providing a unique insight into democracy for viewers everywhere CNN can be seen." The judges said that while at one extreme the campaign was analyzed ad infinitum by political pundits, and at the other trivialized by a seemingly endless array of national and local talk-show hosts, Larry King Live took an important middle ground. As an interviewer, Mr. King let the candidates speak for themselves and let his national and international viewers ask the questions that reveal the character of the people who would lead our nation." Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The hunt is on in Sri Lanka for Mrs World 2021 By Ruqyyaha Deane View(s): View(s): The hunt for Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. World 2021 began last Sunday (January 17), with a grand and glitzy event to announce the hopeful new contestants as they auditioned to take part in what could potentially be one of the most exciting experiences of their lives. In 1984, the Mrs. World pageant was created to celebrate the uniqueness of the married woman, her family and community taking inspiration from the Mrs. America competition. Sri Lanka has the honour of hosting the 2021 pageants finale later this year. Reigning Mrs. World Caroline Jurie was among the guests of honour at the launch. Also present were National Director for Mrs. World Chandimal Jayasinghe, event producer Kavinga Perera, Mrs. Sri Lanka 2018 Sumudu Prasadini, official choregrapher Rukmal Senenayake and the official dance choreographer Asanga de Silva. Each one of you are here because you have a dream. Not too long, I had a dream like you, said Caroline addressing the contestants. Speaking of her own experience of being crowned Mrs. Sri Lanka and eventually Mrs. World, Caroline told them that although it may seem difficult to conquer our goals, it isnt impossible. She too thought, at one point that being a Sri Lankan competing against powerhouse countries would make her chances slim but look at her now, she smiled. Chandimal expressed his sincere gratitude to all those who supported him in his efforts to bring glory to Sri Lanka through the Mrs. World competition. He spoke of how support from companies and sponsors is hard to come by due to language barriers and was thankful that despite everything, there were still those who contributed to make this journey a success. This would be his last year as National Director and he would be stepping down after what he hopes would be a show-stopping pageant. SACRAMENTO Californians will decide next year whether to uphold a law banning the sale of flavored tobacco, including e-cigarettes, that critics blame for a sharp rise in vaping among youths. A tobacco industry-funded group that qualified the repeal for the ballot says adults should have the right to buy the products. Legislators passed the law last year, citing concerns that tobacco companies are using sweet flavors to addict youths. Almost immediately, the tobacco industry began collecting signatures to fight the law through a referendum, and the ban was put on hold while the effort was under way. On Friday, the secretary of states office said opponents of the law had qualified the measure for the November 2022 ballot after submitting more than the required 623,212 valid signatures from registered voters. If upheld, the law will ban the sale of most flavored tobacco products, including fruit, menthol and mint cigarettes and vaping cartridges. It was scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, but has been suspended since last month and will remain so until next years election. Former state Sen. Jerry Hill, who carried the bill, said the deep-pocketed tobacco industry is fighting to preserve its profits at the expense of public health. This truly is sad for California, the San Mateo Democrat said. They will lose at the ballot in 2022, but in the meantime theyll make billions in profit off of our youth and communities of color while theyre addicting and killing them. The law would not apply to online sales of tobacco products. It would also not prohibit the personal possession of flavored tobacco. The California Coalition for Fairness, the group behind the referendum, said the law goes too far by banning products for adults. The group has received more than $21 million from tobacco manufacturers. We agree that youth should never have access to any tobacco products, but this can be achieved without imposing a total prohibition on products that millions of adults choose to use, the coalition said in a statement. The law would exempt the sale of flavored premium cigars, such as handmade cigars that cost at least $12, and loose-leaf pipe tobacco. Hookah retailers would also be exempt. Federal data shows that 5 million U.S. high school and middle school students vaped in 2019, a significant increase from 3.6 million in 2018, and that sweet and fruity flavors are popular among youths. Its the flavor that gets them, its the flavor that hooks them, and its the flavor that kills them in the end, Hill said. Dustin Gardiner is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner Cuban authorities destroy church, arrest pastor who filmed demolition Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Authorities in the city of Santiago de Cuba demolished a church that has long been a target of the communist regime and arrested a pastor who streamed the demolition live on social media, a human rights group has reported. According to the London-based nonprofit Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Cuban State Security brought heavy machinery and bulldozers to the Assemblies of God Church in the Abel Santamaria neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba last Friday and destroyed the church. CSW added that the church has been under threat since 2015 even though the denomination is one of the largest religious groups in Cuba and is legally recognized by the government. Pastor Alain Toledano who lives in the same neighborhood and pastors another church recorded the government attack on the church and broadcast it on Facebook Live through his mobile phone. However, he dropped the phone on the ground as he was approached by men wearing plainclothes. As the video feed was cut, the sound of bulldozers could be heard as members of the church sang in the background. Cuban police then took Toledano, a leader of the unregistered denomination the Apostolic Movement, to the Motorizada Police Station. According to CSW's report Friday, he is being kept incommunicado. Cuban authorities have claimed that the demolition was for the construction of train tracks on the site, but CSW sources said the church was the only building in the neighborhood that was destroyed. Officials at the Cuban Physical Planning and Housing Departments first attempted to demolish the church in 2015 but backed off after members of the church and other denominations, led by Rev. Fausto Palomo, held a peaceful sit-in in the building, CSW's report noted. They also threatened to confiscate the homes of those living on the property in 2015. Pastor Toledanos actions demonstrated cross-denominational solidarity and we commend his courage in bearing witness to government attacks on Reverend Fausto Palomo and the members of his church, CSW CEO Scot Bower said. We call on the Cuban authorities to immediately release Pastor Toledano and to cease its targeting of him and his family. In July, Cuba released Pastor Ramon Rigal, who spent over a year in prison for homeschooling his children, according to a statement by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent and bipartisan panel of experts that advises Congress and the federal government. Rigal, who was arrested with his wife, Ayda Exposito, in April 2019, was serving a two-year term and was previously scheduled to be released in 2021. Although its unclear why he was granted early release, it came as the government had released thousands of prisoners in previous months to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Last December, the U.S. State Department placed Cuba on its special watch list of countries that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom. In a March report, USCIRF detailed how Cuban authorities manipulated the legal system to wage persistent harassment against religious leaders. The panel also voiced concerns over the denial of religious freedom for human rights activists and journalists. CSW notes that Toledano has also been a target of the government since his ministry began in 2003. And over the past 15 years, his church was demolished twice. Toledano was put on a government list of Cubans who are prohibited from leaving the country. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) President Rodrigo Duterte is vouching for the integrity of vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. after some lawmakers called for transparency in the prices of anti-coronavirus doses being negotiated by the government with China's pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech. Duterte said he is willing to bet his presidential tenure to prove that Galvez is not corrupt. Pusta ko ang presidency ko. Walang graft iyan. Si Secretary Galvez kilala ko, Duterte said during a speech before military personnel in Jolo, Sulu on Friday. The address was aired Saturday. [Translation: I am betting my presidency (on Galvez). I know Secretary Galvez.] Duterte noted the key role that Galvez, a former military general, played in ending the siege launched by fighters linked to the terrorist group Islamic State Marawi City in 2017. Galvez was one of the generals on the ground during the five-month Marawi siege. The President said this was why he asked Galvez to be part of his Cabinet after he retired from military service and later assigned him the role of "vaccine czar at the height of the pandemic. Despite the clamor, Galvez has refused to reveal the exact cost of the Sinovac vaccine, citing a nondisclosure agreement with the Chinese company. In November last year, the Department of Health told the Senate that two doses of Sinovac's vaccine, CoronaVac, were priced at over 3,600. But Malacanang later said the Sinovac vaccine is only priced at around 650 per shot. The czar assured the senators he would disclose the exact rates once a deal for 25 million doses of CoronaVac is signed with the manufacturer. He also said there is no corruption in the governments deals with vaccine makers. Senators earlier questioned the government why it wants to buy the CoronaVac when other vaccine brands offer higher efficacy rates. Late-stage trials in Brazil showed that the efficacy rate of Sinovacs CoronaVac shot was 50.38%, lower than that of the other frontrunners. Vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, for example, have an efficacy rate of about 95%. Galvez said the Sinovac vaccine was recommended by the countrys vaccine expert panel, along with six other brands of anti-coronavirus shots, including those made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Kinneret Shiryon is a hometown heroine who attended Craig Elementary and Van Antwerp Middle School in Niskayuna before her pioneering path took her to Israel. There, she became Israels first female rabbi. This month, she visited the Bnai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany via a Zoom session and traced her trailblazing path. Born Sandra Levine, Shiryon is a youthful and energetic 65. She was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 1981. And she established her own congregation, Kehillat YOZMA, the first non-Orthodox congregation to receive funding from Israel in the late 1990s. Its also home to the first Reform day school to receive state funding from the Israeli government. It may surprise some Americans that Israels first female rabbi was so recent since it is a nation known for strong female leaders, like beloved political leader Golda Meir. Shiryon granted the Times Union a Q&A in which she explained some of her fascinating journey. Q: When and how did you realize that you wanted to be a rabbi? A: I was 15 years old. At that time there were no ordained women rabbis as role models. I was enchanted with the role and decided that I would be the first woman to earn the title - that was 1970. In 1972, Sally Preisand was ordained as the first woman rabbi in the United States. My desire to be a rabbi grew in a natural way. I was very active in the junior congregation as a child. I loved leading services. I was active in the youth group. As a minority in a Christian culture, I was often asked questions about Judaism and customs. For example, on Passover holiday I did not eat bread or cakes for the week of the holiday. When teachers or classmates asked why, I would explain. Sometimes, I was asked questions and I did not have the answers so I had to do some research. I was a young spokesperson for Jewish culture. I enjoyed the role. When I was ordained in 1981, I was among the first 22 female rabbis. I was the first woman rabbi to serve a congregation in the State of Israel. Q: Can you tell us a bit about how female rabbis were regarded then? Many Americans think of Israel as having longtime gender equality due to the coed military and prominent female professionals. A: Yes, you would think that a society that drafts women and men and had one of the first woman prime ministers would have been more open to female rabbis! Religion in Israel is much more conservative. Even the majority of secular Jews view religious life as Orthodox. Since there is no separation between state and religion in Israel and the Orthodox have political power in our coalition governments, they have succeeded in maintaining a monopoly on defining Jewish life in the country. It is a great challenge for the liberal religious movements here. I was a trail blazer and the women who were ordained after me are so appreciative of the paths I paved before them. Q: You went from New Yorks lifestyle to be a wife, raising your children and having your career in Israel. What was that like? A: The wonderful aspect of living in Israel is actually living in "Jewish time. Even the most secular families live their lives through the rhythm of Jewish time and culture. Adjusting to life here meant learning a new language and new cultural codes. I speak fluent Hebrew which was one of the keys to my success. Middle Eastern culture is different from American culture - but living and sharing the daily challenges of life here allows you to integrate. I moved to Israel in 1983. I was married to an unusual Israeli man who supported me in every way. We raised all four of our children here. Unfortunately, Baruch died of cancer four years ago. I presently have five grandchildren. Q: Last year was turbulent for America, your childhood home. Is there some wisdom you could share with congregations here that could help them as they move into 2021? A: I send these words of hope; May you find strength and a new balance in American society with the transition of government. May the values of freedom upon which the United States was established be respected by all. And may you find the ability to reconnect to each other after the dangers of COVID-19 have passed. Killeen, TX (76540) Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 83F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 66F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. WASHINGTON - The impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump will begin Feb. 9 under a deal reached Friday by top Senate leaders - delaying by two weeks the high-stakes proceedings over whether Trump incited the violent Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The agreement was made by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., following a standoff over the timing of the trial, which could permanently bar Trump from holding public office. The House on Jan. 13 passed a sole impeachment article, alleging "incitement of insurrection." House leaders could have forced the Senate to begin the trial immediately by transmitting the papers across the Capitol. But a delay serves the former and current presidents: Trump has struggled to assemble a legal team and muster a defense, and President Biden needs the Senate to confirm most of his Cabinet appointees. McConnell pushed Thursday for a three-week delay, but Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Friday morning announced their intention to deliver the impeachment papers Monday - setting up a trial as soon as Tuesday. Later in the day, Biden publicly called for a delay, saying, "the more time we have to get up and running to meet these crises, the better." Announcing the two-week timetable Friday, Schumer said the wait would allow the Senate to make further progress on Biden's nominations and his $2 trillion pandemic relief proposal - the centerpiece of his early legislative agenda - before shifting to Trump. "We all want to put this awful chapter in our nation's history behind us, but healing and unity will only come if there is truth and accountability, and that is what this trial will provide," he said. Doug Andres, a spokesman for McConnell, called the agreement "a win for due process and fairness." Washington Post photo by Jahi Chikwendiu "Republicans set out to ensure the Senate's next steps will respect former president Trump's rights and due process, the institution of the Senate, and the office of the presidency," he said. "That goal has been achieved." Had no accord been reached, the trial would have started Tuesday and run uninterrupted by other Senate business until the Senate rendered its verdict. The agreement does not resolve another brewing conflict between Schumer and McConnell: over how the Senate will handle a 50-50 partisan split, with Vice President Harris breaking ties in Democrats' favor. The trial agreement came as some rank-and-file Democrats expressed alarm at the prospect of putting the new president's priorities on hold to focus the nation's attention on Trump. "I want to focus as much attention right now on the Biden agenda as possible and minimize the attention on anything other than the Biden agenda," said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. Kaine is part of a small group of Democrats pushing the idea of passing a resolution stating that Trump violated the 14th Amendment - which forbids federal officials from ever holding office if they "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the government - and in that manner ban him from running again for president. The debate over the trial's timing played out through the day Friday. Announcing the plan to transmit the single article to the Senate on Monday, Pelosi said in a morning statement that Trump "will have had the same amount of time to prepare for trial as our managers." Around the same time on the Senate floor, Schumer said he and McConnell continued to discuss the "timing and duration" of the trial. "But make no mistake, a trial will be held in the United States Senate, and there will be a vote on whether to convict the president," he said, adding: "It will be a full trial; it will be a fair trial." McConnell and other Republican senators, meanwhile, publicly warned that rushing into the trial after the rapid House impeachment vote - which took place one week after the Capitol riot, with no evidentiary hearings or opportunity for Trump to mount a defense - would taint the process. "Senate Republicans strongly believe we need a full and fair process where the former president can mount a defense and the Senate can properly consider the factual, legal and constitutional questions at stake," McConnell said Friday. Democrats could not ignore the warning, since McConnell is among a small group of Senate Republicans who have signaled deep unease with Trump's conduct surrounding the Jan. 6 riot. Many Democrats doubt McConnell will ultimately vote to convict Trump, despite his remarks this week that the mob was "provoked by the president and other powerful people," but they understand that they must have his support if the Senate is ultimately going to bar Trump from future office. Another potential Republican vote for conviction, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, also expressed reservations Friday about a rushed trial. "The process has to be fair," she said. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a key Trump ally, told reporters it would be "ridiculous" for Democrats not to agree to at least some delay, noting that Trump retained the first member of his defense team - South Carolina lawyer Karl S. "Butch" Bowers Jr. - only on Thursday. "If the trial starts right away, that would be an affront to everything every American claims to hold near and dear," Graham said. "You get a chance to defend yourself." In the nine days since the House impeached Trump, Democrats - including Biden - had floated the possibility that the Senate could come to an agreement to both conduct Trump's trial and proceed with regular business simultaneously, but Republicans made clear they were not interested in a split schedule. "Once we take the trial up, we have to do the trial," Graham said. "If you want to impeach the president, we're going to do it like we've always done it. We're not going to split the day. . . . That's the business of the Senate once we go into it." Although senators of both parties have suggested this trial could be shorter than Trump's first one, which wrapped up in February 2020 after 21 days, there are no guarantees of such brevity. The House managers or Trump's lawyers, for instance, could seek to call witnesses and present evidence, extending the proceedings indefinitely. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the No. 3 GOP leader, said that once the trial begins, "the opportunity for President Biden to get a Cabinet in place is done until impeachment is done." "This basically stops President Biden in his tracks at a time when a number of Republicans believe that President Biden ought to be able to put a Cabinet in place," Barrasso also said. The Senate confirmed Avril Haines as director of national intelligence on Wednesday and confirmed retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as defense secretary on Friday. As Senate leaders sparred over the timing and structure of the trial, more Senate Republicans signaled Friday that they are uncomfortable with holding a trial for an ex-president. Under the Constitution, Trump could suffer "disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States," and the House impeachment article seeks to do that. Graham and others have urged colleagues to reject the notion that a president can be tried after leaving office, leaving moot the implications of his conduct - which includes spreading baseless claims that Biden lost the November election, urging his vice president to reject duly cast electoral college votes, summoning his supporters to rally in Washington as Congress finalized Biden's win and urging them that day to march to the Capitol. Schumer sought to rebut that argument Friday on the Senate floor. "It makes no sense whatsoever that a president or any official could commit a heinous crime against our country, and then be permitted to resign, so as to avoid accountability and a vote to disbar them from future office," he said. Other GOP senators in recent days have aired misgivings about the process, signaling that they are disinclined to support a conviction - which will require 17 Republicans to join the expected 50 Democrats and independents who caucus with Democrats. "We kind of have an inkling of what the outcome is going to be," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. "I mean, Democrats this time didn't even bother to go through the motions of getting sworn testimony and having hearings in the House. This is not a serious effort. It is a serious issue, but it's not a serious effort to comply with the requirements of due process of the Constitution when it comes to impeachment." - - - The Washington Post's Paul Kane contributed to this report. Protesting farmer leaders on Friday alleged that a conspiracy has been hatched to kill four of them and create disturbance during their proposed tractor rally on January 26. At a late night press conference at the Singhu border, the farmer leaders presented a person who claimed that his accomplices were allegedly asked to pose as policemen and baton charge the crowd during the proposed tractor rally. The farmer leaders claimed that they had caught the man from the protest site at the Singhu border. He was later handed over to the Haryana Police. Farmer leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu alleged that attempts are being made to disrupt the ongoing agitation against the three farm laws. ALSO READ | Tomar Says Proposal to Suspend Farm Laws is Not Admission that Acts Have Problems The man, who had his face covered with a scarf, claimed at the press conference that a plan has been hatched to shoot four farmer leaders, who are known faces in the media, at the stage on January 23. "On January 26, there was a plan to create disturbance during the tractor rally by opening fire on Delhi Police personnel, which would prompt them to retaliate on the protesting farmers in a strong manner," the man alleged at the press conference. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several Delhi border points since November 28, demanding a repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee on minimum support price for their crops. Enacted in September last year, the three laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country. ALSO READ | Amid Protest Threat over Farm Laws, BJP's Fadnavis Meets Anna Hazare in Maharashtra However, the protesting farmers have expressed their apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of MSP (minimum support price) and do away with the "mandi" (wholesale market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. High 49F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 35F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched to six municipal corporations in will take place on February 21 and to 81 municipalities, 31 district panchayats and 231 taluka panchayats on February 28, state election commission said on Saturday. Counting of votes for the six municipal corporations will take place on February 23, and for the 81 municipalities, 31 district panchayats and 231 taluka panchayats on March 2. The ruling BJP expressed confidence about winning these polls, while the opposition Congress said it would mount a legal challenge on poll authorities announcing two separate days for counting of votes. The six municipal corporations to go to polls are Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar. "Polls in six municipal corporations will be held on February 21 and counting of votes will take place on February 23. Polls will take place in the 81 municipalities, 31 district panchayats and 231 taluka panchayats on February 28 and results will be declared on March 2," Election Commissioner Sanjay Prasad said. The last date to file nominations for the municipal corporation will be February 6, while it will be February 13 for the other set of polls, he said at a press conference here, adding that the model code of conduct had come into force immediately. These polls were to be held in October-November last year but were pushed back due to the coronavirus outbreak, and Prasad reiterated it would be conducted with strict adherence to all health protocols in place. He said standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the polls will be declared soon, and five meetings on this issue had been held so far with the state health department. EVMs will be used for the polls, of which the SEC has adequate numbers, but the VVPAT mechanism will not be deployed, Prasad informed. A total of 47,695 booths will be set up for the polls, of which over 6,000 have been marked sensitive, and 4.2 crore voters are eligible to vote for 574 corporators in six corporations, 2,720 representatives in 81 municipalities, and 9,049 representatives in district and taluka panchayats, he said. In reply to a query on the counting of votes of the municipal corporations and other local bodies being kept on two separate days, Prasad said the SEC had followed the tradition laid down earlier, and added that the coronavirus outbreak and resultant protocols had made it difficult to hold counting of votes for different polls at the same time. Meanwhile, state Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi expressed his party's displeasure at the counting of votes of the six municipal corporations being held earlier. "We will legally challenge the early declaration of results of six municipal corporations as they will influence later elections," Doshi said. On the other hand, BJP Municipal Board chairperson Dhansukh Bhanderi said his party was confident of a win in these polls due to public support. Apart from the BJP and Congress, mainstays of the state's political theatre for several decades now, parties like the AIMIM and AAP have also said they would fight local bodies' polls this time. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Herreid Legion to remember 400 Campbell County area veterans Monday The Herreid American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion work together to recognize veterans on Memorial Day. Pressure for change is now coming from all sides. A renewed focus on diversity from the Biden administration, expressed in several executive orders, puts a spotlight on equity and inclusion that will filter down into boardrooms. The swearing-in of Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman and the first person of color to hold the nations second-highest office, was also a landmark moment. Mr. Bidens pick for chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Gary Gensler, is expected to push for company disclosure of diversity data. Last year, California passed a law mandating a minimum level gender diversity on corporate boards. Starting this year, State Street will vote against certain board nominees at companies that do not disclose diversity data, and BlackRock may do the same. Nasdaq is seeking regulatory permission to require diverse boards and related disclosures at companies that list on its exchange, or face expulsion. (When asset managers and exchanges speak up about diversity, it follows that banks would take notice.) The old guard has moved out, said Rebecca Thornton, who leads JPMorgans director advisory service. Many stood in an ivory tower with a bias that this board is only CEOs and we are not going to trade on quality to get diversity. Those who are evolved enough to ignore the title and take the meeting see the value of having that diverse voice in the room. But boards are also mindful of getting the recruiting process right, lest they give ammunition to critics of quotas and other mandates. This week, Arthur Levitt Jr., the former S.E.C. chairman during the Clinton administration, called Nasdaqs proposals political at their core, questioned the link between director diversity and financial performance, and said new rules would not break hiring habits that depend on informal social networks where friends recommend each other. Thats where groups like Ms. Burnss Board Diversity Action Alliance, the Executive Leadership Council, Latino Corporate Directors Association and Women Corporate Directors come into play, expanding networks beyond the usual suspects. Finding qualified diverse directors is not unduly difficult. In a country with over 330 million people, there are plenty of qualified candidates, wrote John Rogers and Mellody Hobson of Ariel Investments in a letter to the S.E.C. supporting Nasdaqs diversity proposal. Ms. Burns also explained the fallacy of the so-called pipeline problem at DealBooks Online Summit in November: Pippa Middleton wrapped up warm in a 99 Zara coat and skinny jeans to take her dogs for a walk in London today, following reports she's pregnant with her second child by husband James Matthews. Protecting herself from the brisk London January, the sister of Kate Middleton, 37, paired the coat - which she first sported shortly after giving birth to her first son Arthur - with tight blue jeans and black fur-lined boots to walk her dogs, an adorable Labrador and a spaniel. It is the second time Pippa has been photographed since it was reported she is pregnant with her second child, both times she wasn't sporting a face mask. Pippa Middleton wrapped up warm in a 99 Zara coat and skinny jeans to take her dogs for a walk in London today, following reports she's pregnant with her second child with husband James Matthews Pippa and James, who tied the knot in 2017, are said to be 'thrilled' that Arthur, two, will soon have a younger brother or sister. A source close to the Middleton family told Page Six: 'Pippa and James are thrilled, it's fantastic news amid a difficult year. The entire family is delighted'. The couple declined to comment on the reports. The new baby will be cousin to Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, also two. Protecting herself from the brisk London January, the sister of Kate Middleton, 37, paired the coat - which she first sported shortly after giving birth to her first son Arthur - with tight blue jeans and black fur-lined boots to walk her dogs - a Labrador and a spaniel It is the second time Pippa has been photographed since it was reported she is pregnant with her second child, both times she wasn't sporting a face mask. Pippa and James, who tied the knot in 2017, are said to be 'thrilled' that Arthur, two, will soon have a younger brother or sister Pippa first sported the coat in December 2018, where she showed off her post baby body during a stroll in London. The mother-of-one kept her look casual today, sporting a natural make-up free face with her dark hair pinned back in a sleek ponytail. Hedgefund billionaire James, brother of reality TV star Spencer Matthews, and author Pippa currently reside in a 17 million six-bedroom home in London. Pippa (pictured today) first sported the coat in December 2018, where she showed off her post baby body during a stroll in London. The mother-of-one kept her look casual today, sporting a natural make-up free face with her dark hair pinned back in a sleek ponytail As well as a trio of royal cousins from their aunt Kate, the new Middleton-Matthews baby will also have cousins on their father's side. Theodore Frederick Michael, two, and Gigi Margaux Matthews, five months, are the children of former Made in Chelsea Lothario Spencer Matthews and his Irish model wife Vogue Williams. The Matthews family owns the Eden Rock resort on St Barts, one of the region's most exclusive hotels beloved by many famous faces. Hedgefund billionaire James, brother of reality TV star Spencer Matthews, and author Pippa currently reside in a 17 million six-bedroom home in London, she is pictured near the home today Pippa and James tied the knot in 2017 at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, the estate of former Conservative MP Richard Benyon. In 2018, Pippa welcomed baby Arthur in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital, the same place where sister Kate gave birth to all three of her children. The socialite and columnist documented how she stayed active during her first pregnancy for Waitrose Weekend magazine revealing that little Arthur follows in the active family's footsteps. 'Now that Arthur is 11 months old and more mobile, I have been trying to come up with different activities to do with him,' she wrote in September 2019. 'I needed to find something more than just park walks in the pram. Our local baby gym has been a saving grace. It's a big space full of fun, soft objects, playmats, stairs, balls, swings, mini trampolines and more to stimulate and physically engage babies and toddlers,' she added. Geopolitics and history make it difficult for the countries of Central Asia to escape Chinese and Russian influence. However, a more liberal Asian economic powerhouse South Korea is becoming increasingly active in the region. As Emerging Europe writes, with little fuss, and with few headlines, South Korea has in recent years become one of the largest trading partners for the Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. According to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, while Poland remains the countrys largest partner in emerging Europe and Central Asia (with a trade volume of 4.33 billion US dollars in 2018), it is Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan which take second and third spots. And they are not a distant second and third either. Despite Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan having much smaller economies than Poland, in 2019 South Korean trade with Kazakhstan reached 4.22 billion US dollars, and with Uzbekistan 2.36 billion US dollars, ahead of major economies such as Norway, New Zealand and Turkey. While South Koreas economic relationship with most of emerging Europe and Central Asia is largely based on exports, Kazakhstan is an important energy partner from which South Korea imported 1.56 billion US dollars worth of goods and resources in 2019. When it comes to direct foreign investment from South Korea, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan beat out any country in emerging Europe: in 2020 FDI exceeded seven billion US dollars across the two Central Asian states. However, while these are notable figures, South Korea does not yet come anywhere close to the levels of Chinese investment in the two countries, which both occupy key locations along its Belt and Road initiative. Indeed, Kazakhstan is Chinas fourth largest FDI destination in Asia and Oceania, behind just Australia, Singapore and Indonesia, but ahead of Malaysia. China is not wanted While China is keen to expand its economic presence in its western periphery, the feeling is not necessarily mutual. A 2020 study by the Central Asia Barometer suggests that Central Asians are becoming increasingly uneasy with the Chinese presence in the region. In Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, where tensions towards Chinese investors have been brewing for some time, only seven and nine per cent of the population respectively, expressed strong support for Chinese energy and infrastructure projects in their countries. In Uzbekistan, which unlike Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan does not directly border China, locals have a somewhat more enthusiastic outlook towards Chinese investments, but even there, scepticism has been growing. While 65 per cent of Uzbeks expressed strong support for Chinese investment in 2019, only 48 per cent did in 2020. Similarly, in 2019, 69 per cent of Kazakhs answered that they were very concerned by Chinese land purchases in their country, which grew to 75 per cent in 2020, while in Uzbekistan the number grew from 30 to 53 per cent. With Central Asians increasingly questioning the motivations behind Chinese spending in the countries, South Korea has the opportunity to further reinforce its position and influence in Central Asia. While there is substantial potential for further growth in cooperation, South Koreas interest in Central Asia has already been growing steadily throughout the past decade, largely owing to its New Asia Initiative set to increase the countrys influence in international politics by adopting a leadership role amongst comparably smaller Asian economies, primary in South-East and Central Asia. The countrys relationship with the South-East Asian ASEAN states, which have a much larger combined population and better-developed connectivity links with Seoul, is more economically significant than with Central Asia. It also, however, reveals what cooperation between South Korea and Central Asia has the potential to look like in the near future. The Koryo-Saram Amongst the unique factors that have frequently been seen as beneficial to fostering a deeper relationship between Central Asia and South Korea is the presence of an ethnic Korean community in the region, most often referred to as Koryo-Saram. The group has inhabited Central Asia since the 1920s when the then Soviet leader Joseph Stalin deported tens of thousands of ethnic Koreans residing on the USSRs border with the Korean peninsula. Today, there are almost 180,000 Koryo-Saram Koreans believed to reside in Uzbekistan and over 100,000 in Kazakhstan. Dr Byoung Won Min, an international relations professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, specialising in East Asian foreign policy, tells Emerging Europe: South Korea could take advantage of Central Asias growing and justified fears of China. National identities can be a powerful tool in foreign relations, so it is not entirely unthinkable for the Koryo-Saram Korean community to play the role of a facilitator for such further cooperation. However, if such cooperation efforts are to become reality, Central Asian countries would also need to be active, as the initiative cannot be coming purely from South Korea. Furthermore, Kazakhstan has been a salient partner in South Koreas efforts to achieve nuclear disarmament on the Korean peninsula by sharing its own experience with denuclearisation during the 1990s. Most recently, in November 2020, the embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nur-Sultan organised a webinar looking at Kazakhstans approach to voluntary disposing of the 1,410 nuclear warheads it inherited from the Soviet Union. The webinar came in the days leading up to the 13th Central Asia South Korea Cooperation Forum in Seoul, at which South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha met with heads of the foreign ministries of all five Central Asian states, including the Kazakh foreign minister, Mukhtar Tileuberdi, and discussed the consequences and opportunities for economic cooperation in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The removal of remaining barriers to trade and improving product quality and competitiveness were other topics of discussion. Situated in a neighbourhood dominated by two powerful actors which consistently ignore democracy and human rights, the countries of Central Asia have themselves found little incentive to achieve progress in the area of political plurality and democratisation. South Koreas growing influence, both economically and politically, could offer Central Asia a genuine alternative. KABUL Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar had a telephone conversation with the German Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. The two Foreign Ministers had a wide-ranging discussion on bilateral relations and the Afghan peace process, on Friday. At the onset, Minister Atmar while thanking the German continued support and principle position on the Afghan Peace Process, emphasized that Germanys role is critical in support of the second round of peace talks in Doha. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas reiterated on Germanys support for the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and condemned the ongoing violence and targeted killing. Minister Maas added that the Taliban should meet their commitment and establish a ceasefire immediately. Both Sides touched on the responsible drawdown of troops from Afghanistan in which the German Foreign Minister assured that it will work with NATO partners for a condition-based drawdown of forces. With no end in sight to current COVID-19 classroom protocols, Manitoba families are being asked to commit to remote learning for the remainder of the school year if they would rather keep children home. With no end in sight to current COVID-19 classroom protocols, Manitoba families are being asked to commit to remote learning for the remainder of the school year if they would rather keep children home. New distance learning guidelines from Manitoba Education indicate school divisions offering K-8 remote learning will do so for the rest of 2020-21 school year, and parents may be asked to commit to at-home learning through June 30. Some schools sent notices to families last week to inform them it was decision time. Other families, including those in the Louis Riel School Division, were asked to mull options this week. "Its likely that these (public health) measures that have been working are going to need to stay in place until the end of the year," said superintendent Christian Michalik. "Given that, what we need to offer students is stability." Winnipeg schools have been operating at a restricted level (code orange) on the provinces pandemic response system since Oct. 26. Schools outside the Manitoba capital were later downgraded to code orange, which requires two metres of physical distancing "to the greatest extent possible," and bans indoor choir and field trips. "If students were allowed to go in and out of remote learning, it could compromise a schools ability to maintain that distance protocol," Radean Carter, spokeswoman for the Winnipeg School Division, said in a statement. The latest guidelines, which were published Jan. 13, state offering distance learning "on a more permanent basis" will reduce occupancy in schools and on school buses, to allow for as much distancing as possible. Classroom teachers are not to be solely responsible for providing both in-class and remote instruction, and should divisions need support, they can access the provinces remote learning hub teachers, per the document. Earlier in the school year, the province outlined expectations for remote learning, which break down the time students are to spend doing real-time instruction and independent work, including reading, reviewing pre-recorded videos, and working on projects. Grades 1-4 teachers are expected to provide five to six hours of synchronous learning per week, with remote learners required to complete 2 1/2 hours of independent work every weekday. Students in grades 5-8 can anticipate seven to eight hours of videoconferencing during the week. These students need to complete an additional three hours of independent work daily. Also in these standards, a requirement early and middle-years teachers connect with each of their students individually for 20 minutes or more during the week. English, mathematics, science and social studies are the key focus areas for remote learning. In remote kindergarten, youngsters are encouraged to engage in one to two hours of play-based learning every day, with a minimum of one weekly check-in with a teacher. Concerned for her sons safety, Corazon Price pulled her kindergartener out of school in autumn, as COVID-19 cases started to surge. "To be honest, I regret my decision," Price said in a message Friday to the Free Press. Price said she hoped there would be more online programming for her son, whose teacher does 15-minute check-ins with students three times a week. Upon request, the school offered the Price family more learning materials. The Pembina Trails School Division family has committed to remote learning throughout code orange. Price said Friday her son will return to class if and when the pandemic response is lowered. Meantime, Manitoba Education has posted a new toolkit that equips administrators with instructions on how to determine if an individual was infectious in a school, identify close contacts, and record information. The province last posted a Winnipeg school exposure publicly was one month ago. A provincial spokesperson said in a statement Friday the government is updating how it posts information about school exposures, outbreaks and closures. maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie Three west-central Illinois students have been named to the fall semester presidents list at McKendree University in Lebanon. To be named to the presidents list, a student must earn a perfect grade point average. EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2021 Bidens Notion of Unity Disunites the United States Jan. 22 , 2021 (EIRNS)What we will see in the next period, in the next weeks and months, and this year, will be a complete clash of ideology with reality, Helga Zepp-LaRouche stated on Friday. While these people think they have it all wrapped up nowwith a United States government that will go for the Green New Deal, with the EU Commission going for the Green Deal, with the whole central bank plan for regime changeI think what we will see is that their plans are as unworkable as they are evil. Why? Because you cannot on the one hand declare half of the U.S. population a domestic terrorist movement and at the same time try to implement policies worldwide, or at least in the so-called Western world plus the developing sector, which would mean the elimination of millions and millions, if not hundreds of millions of people, without this policy completely crashing against the wall. And I think we should tell people that, because this is going to be the problem in many aspects. Zepp-LaRouche detailed the situation in the United States, just a couple of days after the inauguration, where you had this really eerie display of no audience but altogether more than 40,000 troops of various kinds ... and the absolutely horrible spectacle of the lowest possible pop culture you could assemble, for which Lady Gaga was the sad incarnation; and then Bidens speech, which, if you would just listen to it, sounds very nice, calling for unity and so forth, but if you look at the policies, there is no way there will be unity in the country. For example, disgraced former FBI Director James Comey told the Australian ABC networks 7.30 TV program that the Republican Party doesnt stand for anything that is valuable, that it is just another cult of personality around a man who is a demagogue and a liar. He said the Republican Party has to be burned to the ground in some form or fashion, before it can be rebuilt. Zepp-LaRouche pointed out that this language doesnt sound very healing and neither does that of Juliette Kayyem, Obamas Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs in the Department of Homeland Security, who said one day before the inauguration in an interview, I dont feel comfortable calling Trump a terrorist just because I think that then we are going to get into that debate. But it is important to say that hes the spiritual and operational leader of a domestic terrorist movement. What is the new Biden Administration doing? He signed 17 Executive Orders, one of them being to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord, and today White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki announced that Biden would seek a five-year extension of the New START Treaty, essentially signaling that he would take up Putins offer. But this offer was made with aggressive language saying that this natural extension of the only arms control treaty existing between the U.S. and Russia was made necessary because of Moscows increasingly adversarial behavior. It was also announced that the U.S. intelligence community would be asked to provide an assessment on the SolarWinds hack (blamed on Russia), interference in the 2020 election, the accusations that Russia poisoned opposition figure Navalny, and the story of Russian bounties paid to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Although Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov was invited to the inauguration, Biden has yet to speak with President Vladimir Putin. Rejoining the JCPOA arrangement with Iran has also been discussed, but Bidens new Secretary of State insists that it may have to change due to advances Iran made following the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement. Zepp-LaRouche continued: Now, Prince Charles launched what he calls a Terra Carta, an Earth Charter for Nature, People and the Planet, which is absolutely unbelievable. It basically says humanity is the problem, it has done incredible damage to the planet already, and it is really unbelievably cynical and shows that this idea of the Green Agenda is completely Satanic. But it will not work. In the next days, three days from now the Davos Agenda virtual summit will start. It will be addressed by many heads of state, and therefore it will not be a coherent outlook ... I think it will be a mixed affair. But they will have the full agenda of the Great Reset. The attempts to achieve the Green goals it envisions must necessarily result in failure. Already Germany has blackouts due to its closure of nuclear and coal plants, and increased reliance on intermittent (and low energy-flux density) sources such as solar and wind. To introduce electric vehicles en masse would require a power infrastructure that is simply impossible with these retrograde technologies. Again, ideology will run into reality. The threat of new strains of the coronavirus, which may evade the defenses conferred by present vaccines, should make us all aware of the global nature of health. If the pandemic continues to rage in areas of the world without the financial means to pay for, or produce vaccines, is any part of the world truly safe? India and South Africa are discussing with the WTO the transfer of knowledge and patents to allow greater production of vaccines. We truly need a health care system for everyone. Zepp-LaRouche concluded: Advertisement Experts today played down fears a UK variant of the coronavirus is more deadly than the original strain after a 'scaremongering' Downing Street press conference last night. Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle said it is not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous. Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it is an 'open question' but not a 'game changer' in terms of dealing with the pandemic. And Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of SAGE subgroup the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about the suggested increased mortality rate. It comes after a SAGE warning revealing scientists are only 50 per cent sure the variant could be more fatal was handed to ministers just hours before the official address to the public from Downing Street last night. Ministers were only informed about the development yesterday morning after members of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), a subcommittee of Sage, discussed the issue on Thursday. The group found there was a 'realistic possibility' the variant resulted in an increased risk of death when compared with the original strain. But evidence for increased mortality remains thin Nervtag papers reveal the term 'realistic possibility' is used when scientists are only 40 to 50 per cent confident something is true. The paper states 'it should be noted that the absolute risk of death per infection remains low'. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said if the evidence is correct it would mean three to four more deaths per 1,000 cases. Chief Scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance even admitted during the press conference evidence the strain is more deadly is still 'weak'. The decision to reveal the new information just hours after learning of the development is a yardstick of how alarmed ministers are. Critics accused them of 'scaremongering' by announcing their fears the Kent strain is more deadly at short notice and without strong supporting evidence. The gloomy report followed positive news from SAGE that the R rate was between 0.8 and 1 - down from last week when it was between 1.2 and 1.3. Covid infections are also still falling, down 27 per cent yesterday compared to last week with 40,261 new cases and 1,401 new deaths. But the Covid Recovery Group of Tory backbenchers and business chiefs are growing increasingly alarmed at suggestions lockdown could stretch well into summer despite Britain's vaccination programme. The SAGE paper released last night cited three studies of the risk of death associated with the new strain. They were all based on a study of 2,583 deaths among 1.2million tested individuals: A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study said the hazard of death within 28 days of a test for the mutant strain compared with non-mutant strains was 1.35 times higher; An Imperial College London study of the Case Fatality Rate of the new mutant strain found the risk of death was 1.36 times higher. It used mathematical analysis to look at all cases of the new variant but the total number was not revealed in the papers. The SAGE paper said its data is based on just 8 per cent of the total deaths occurring during the study period. Imperial used the same datasets as London School of Hygience and Tropical Medicine; A University of Exeter study suggested the risk of death could be 1.91 times higher. This study matched those with the new variant to those of a similar demographic. The SAGE paper did not reveals its sample size, but its analysis was again based on 8 per cent of the total coronavirus deaths during the study period; SAGE admits 'the results of all studies may not be representative of the total population'; Some of the analysis might be comparing frail elderly people in nursing home outbreaks of the Kent variant, which is more transmissible, with healthier elderly people infected with other strains in the community; An increase in the severity of infection with the variant would likely lead to an increased risk of hospitalisation, which there is currently no evidence of in individuals suffering from the strain; Analysis has not identified an increased risk of death in hospitalised cases of the variant. The SAGE paper cited three studies of the Kent strain: A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study (left) based on 2,583 deaths that said the hazard of death within 28 days of test for the mutant strain compared with non-mutant strains was 35% times higher An Imperial College London study (centre) of the Case Fatality Rate of the new mutant strain that found the risk of death was 36% times higher A University of Exeter study (right) that suggested the risk of death could be 91% higher. Both the Exeter and the Imperial studies were based on just 8% of deaths during the study period Nervtag concluded there was a 'realistic possibility' - detailed on the yardstick above as a probability between 40 and 50 per cent - that the variant resulted in an increased risk of death when compared with the original strain How deadly is the Kent Covid variant? Confusion mounts as scientists offer wildly different estimates There was confusion last night about how deadly the Kent coronavirus variant really is after 10 SAGE studies came to wildly different conclusions about its lethality and the World Health Organization said it still hadn't seen any convincing data. Boris Johnson and his science chiefs made the shocking claim that the strain called B.1.1.7 could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus without presenting any evidence to back up the terrifying development. The announcement came after 10 studies submitted to SAGE overwhelmingly suggested that the strain was more lethal than past variants. But there are question marks over the findings because the estimates varied vastly and one study even found the strain was less deadly than the older version. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimated the risk of death from the new variant could be 1.35 times greater, Imperial College London said it was between 1.29 and 1.36 times, Exeter University found it may be 1.91 and Public Health England said it could be as high as 1.6. But there are further questions over the reliablity of the data because the research was only based on a few hundreds deaths. Public Health England chief Dr Susan Hopkins cautioned people from reading too much into the findings and suggested the evidence was still murky. She added: 'There is evidence from some but not all data sources which suggests that the variant of concern which was first detected in the UK may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. Evidence on this variant is still emerging and more work is underway to fully understand how it behaves.' Sir Patrick Vallance told the briefing last night that hospital data had suggested the variant could increase the risk of death for a man his 60s from 1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, but he admitted 'the evidence is not yet strong'. Adding to the confusion, Professor Chris Whitty, said he was not entirely convinced the strain was deadlier in the first place. And the variant has already been spotted in 60 countries, including most of continental Europe, the US, Australia, India, China and Saudi Arabia - yet none of those countries have reported a higher mortality rate from the new variant. Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, slammed the Government for causing confusion and panic about the variant. He tweeted: 'I really dislike the way the news about the increased lethality of B1.1.7 was leaked out and then discussed in a press briefing. Where is the data? We want to be able to scrutinise it and to understand the detail, not just the summary.' The WHO also undermined No10, saying it had not yet seen any evidence to convince it that the Kent strain was actually more deadly than other strains. In a thinly-veiled jab at the UK Government, the body said it was more likely that the increased death rate was a result of ministers losing a grip on infections. Dr Mike Ryan, chief of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, told a separate press conference today: 'There is a big difference between the lethality of a virus, how many people on average a virus kills, versus the mortality. If I have one million people infected and my lethality is 1 per cent, or two million people infected with a lethality of 1 per cent, twice as many people will die [in the second case].' Advertisement PHE's Dr Doyle said it is still not 'absolutely clear' the new variant coronavirus which emerged in the UK is more deadly than the original strain. She said more work was needed to determine whether it was true. She told the Today programme: 'There are several investigations going on at the moment. It is not absolutely clear that that will be the case. It is too early to say. 'There is some evidence, but it is very early evidence. It is small numbers of cases and it is far too early to say this will actually happen.' Meanwhile professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Dr Medley said it is still an 'open question'. Prof Medley was co-author of a report by the Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group. But he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme it was not a 'game changer' for dealing with the pandemic. He said: 'The question about whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality I think is still open. There is evidence it is more dangerous but this is a very dangerous virus. In terms of making the situation worse it is not a game changer. It is a very bad thing that is slightly worse.' Dr Tildesley, a member of Spi-M, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about both the suggested increased mortality rates from the new Covid variant. He said: 'I was actually quite surprised the news had been announced at a new conference. It seems to have gone up a little bit from about 10 people per thousand to about 13 which is quite a small rise but it's based on a relatively small amount of data. 'I would be wanting to wait for a week or two more, monitoring a little bit more before we draw really strong conclusions about this.' Speaking on BBC Breakfast he added: 'I just worry that where we report things pre-emptively where the data are not really particularly strong.' Professor Peter Horby, who chairs Nervtag, said people needed to put data showing increased mortality rates from the new UK coronavirus variant 'in perspective'. He told BBC Breakfast: 'Initial data didn't suggest that this was any more serious than the old virus but now the data has started to come in there are a number of streams of data that are coming in that suggest there might be a small increase in risk of death. 'There are some limitations in the data so we need to be cautious with the interpretations but it is important that people understand that we are looking at this and this may be true. 'If you look at it as a relative change like 30 or 40% then it sounds really bad but a big change in a very small risk takes it from a very small number to a slightly bigger, but still very small number, so for most people the risk is very, very small. 'People need to put it into perspective. This is a risk for certain age groups and that risk may have increased but for most people it is still not a serious disease.' But Prof Horby acknowledged the new data should be taken 'very seriously'. He added: 'This is an unpleasant virus. It's throwing things at us that are unpleasant and we're going to have to manage them.' His comments follow PHE doctor Susan Hopkins, who cautioned people from reading too much into the findings and suggested the evidence was still murky. She added: 'There is evidence from some but not all data sources which suggests that the variant of concern which was first detected in the UK may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. Evidence on this variant is still emerging and more work is underway to fully understand how it behaves.' Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, slammed the Government for causing confusion and panic about the variant. He tweeted: 'I really dislike the way the news about the increased lethality of B1.1.7 was leaked out and then discussed in a press briefing. Where is the data? We want to be able to scrutinise it and to understand the detail, not just the summary.' Senior doctors call for gap between first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine to be HALVED to six weeks Senior doctors have called for the gap between the first and second doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine to be halved to six weeks. It emerged on Thursday that NHS hospitals could be banned from giving out the jabs if they don't stick to the strategy of delaying second doses by 12 weeks or longer, despite initial proposals to leave a three-week gap. But the British Medical Association (BMA) has recommended to cut the waiting time, warning in a letter that the strategy is 'difficult to justify' and the UK is 'internationally isolated'. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously said governments should be giving people their second dose within 21 to 28 days of having the first, to make sure the vaccine works long-term. In a private letter to Professor Chris Witty, the BMA indicated that second doses may not be guaranteed following a 12-week gap due to the 'unpredictability of supplies', reports the BBC. Although agreeing that the jab should be 'rolled as quickly as possible', the association called for an urgent review of the policy that is 'proving evermore difficult to justify'. Advertisement But the long time lag from infection to hospitalisation means there is not a huge amount of data available on the variant, with Nervtag saying analyses will become more definitive over the coming weeks. One theory as to why it may be more lethal is the stickiness of the mutation and the way it gets into cells and replicates - a behaviour that also makes the variant more transmissible the Telegraph reports. Boris Johnson told the Downing Street briefing last night: 'We've been informed that in addition to spreading more quickly it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant first identified in London and the Kent may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.' Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said during the address that even now the science is still at an early stage. He said: 'These data are currently uncertain and we don't have a very good estimate of the precise nature or indeed whether it is an overall increase, but it looks like it is.' He said for men in their 60s, the average risk was that for every 1,000 who got infected, ten would be expected to die. But with the new variant it might be 13 or 14. That equates to an increased relative risk of 30 to 40 per cent. Sir Patrick noted estimates vary and stressed some concluded there was no additional risk. But he said his best guess was that deaths increase by about 30 to 40 per cent. He added: 'The death rate is awful and it's going to stay, I'm afraid, high for a little while before it starts coming down that was always what was predicted from the shape of this.' Nervtag concluded death rates have not increased among those in hospital. But evidence suggests it raises the risk of being hospitalised in the first place. In a bid to drive the message home, the public will be faced with a set of hard-hitting new adverts warning people to stay in their houses to try to pressure people into obeying lockdown rules. With close-ups of frontline medical practitioners and Covid-19 patients' faces, the advert will ask: 'Can you look them in the eyes and tell them you're helping by staying at home?' The public will be faced with a set of hard-hitting new adverts warning people to stay home as part of a change of tack in the bid to ensure people obey lockdown rules Boris Johnson and Sir Patrick Vallance said at a Downing Street press conference last night that the variant of the coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly than the previous version of the virus that it is competing with Nurses claim they are being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' as they call for higher-grade face masks Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the British Medical Association (BMA) warned that members had raised fears they were being given inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) in a letter to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). One nurse described feeling as though staff were being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' due to the inadequacy of surgical masks. The College is now calling for a review of infection control guidance and calling for all NHS staff to be given the higher grade of PPE as a precaution pending the outcome. It wants staff to be given the high-grade face masks used in intensive care units, called FFP2 or FFP3 masks. Advertisement Despite acknowledging cases are falling, the Prime Minister also accompanied by Professor Chris Whitty decided to hone in on early analysis by the sub-group of SAGE that suggested the Kent mutation was more lethal. The trio resorted to explaining the risk out loud during the Downing Street press conference, failing to offer any actual proof to back their terrifying claim. World Health Organization bosses claimed they had seen no evidence on the variant's lethality during a simultaneous briefing. Dr Mike Ryan - head of the WHO emergency programme - urged people to 'remain calm around the issues of these variants'. He added: 'There is a big difference between the lethality of a virus, how many people on average a virus kills, versus the morality of the virus. If I have one million people infected and my lethality is 1 per cent, or two million people infected with a lethality of 1 per cent, twice as many people will die. 'We are not seeing so far, but we will wait to see, that the disease is more lethal. We are seeing that... increasing incidence leads to increasing mortality. If your cases get out of control, your deaths will get out of control as your health system is overwhelmed.' Professor Whitty, England's chief medical officer, claimed the findings showed a 60-year-old man faced a 1.3 per cent risk of dying of the Kent Covid variant, compared to the usual 1 per cent. But a 30 per cent increase in the risk of death means 13 out of 1,000 men in their 60s will succumb to the illness, instead of 10. Professor Whitty himself admitted the evidence was 'not yet strong'. Data on the lethality of the Kent variant, which has been spotted in 60 countries around the world, was first leaked to the press ahead of Mr Johnson's TV appearance. ITV's political editor Robert Peston was told by Professor Neil Ferguson there was a 'realistic possibility' the variant was deadlier. No10 insiders dismissed claims 'Professor Lockdown' the Imperial College London epidemiologist whose grim modelling that hundreds of thousands of Britons could die without action spooked ministers into lockdown last March had 'bounced' the government into revealing NERVTAG's new evidence. Has the UK passed the worst of second peak? The UK's R rate has dropped below one in a dramatic sign that the peak could have been passed. Scientists said the level was down to between 0.8 and 1, compared to 1.2 and 1.3. The number represents how many people an infected individual passes the disease on to, and anything below one means the outbreak is shrinking. Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics said the total number of people with coronavirus dropped last week - but there were still more than a million people infected. And the symptom-tracking Covid Symptom Study estimates that the number of people developing symptoms each day has halved in a fortnight, down to 34,000 a day from 70,000 on January 8, while official death counts show fatalities appear to be declining in London. Numbers of people testing positive through NHS Test and Trace have also tumbled for twelve days in a row, with the daily average tumbling from 60,000 on January 10 to 40,000 yesterday. And an array of other data also suggests the epidemic is coming under control, with Public Health England figures showing positive test rates are down in all regions and age groups. London's average daily death count fell from 169 to 163 in the most recent four days of data and could be set to fall further as official statistics remain lower than they were at the start of this month. Professor Tim Spector, a King's College London epidemiologist, said yesterday that the 'signs are hopeful we're on our way out of this situation'. But he cautioned the virus is still widespread all over the country, with huge numbers of people infected. NHS hospitals are under immense strain and intensive care wards twice as busy as last year, despite thousands of extra beds. Advertisement The doom-mongering came despite an array of statistics showing the second wave has peaked already and may finally be coming under control. SAGE yesterday claimed Britain's R rate has fallen below the crucial level of one and separate surveillance studies estimated daily cases have halved in a fortnight. Department of Health figures mirrored the trend, with infections falling by 30 per cent week-on-week as health chiefs announced another 40,261 cases. Officials also posted 1,401 deaths, up just 9.5 per cent on last Friday. But experts warned the fatality toll will continue to rise for at least another week because of how long it takes for infected patients to become severely ill. Defying mounting pressure to commit to easing the current measures, Mr Johnson warned yesterday the NHS is still under huge pressure and the curbs will only be lifted when it is 'safe'. The PM even set the scene for tougher restrictions last night, warning: 'We may need to go further to protect our borders.' Nicola Sturgeon warned Scotland life may not be 'back to normal' by the summer, in another sign the UK will not be freed from the draconian restrictions from mid-February. The 70-strong Covid Recovery Group of Conservative MPs is urging the government to start lifting the lockdown no later than March 8 - when vaccines given to the most vulnerable groups should have taken effect. But No10's refusal to give an exact day for when lockdown will end may have been fuelled by the new variant findings. The variant has already been spotted in 60 countries, including the US, Australia, India, China and Saudi Arabia. But the Government's top scientific advisers believe the current crop of vaccines will work against the variant - but may be less effective against other South African and Brazilian mutations. MailOnline also revealed Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed vaccines may be 50 per cent less effective on the South African variant. He warned allowing the variant to become the dominant strain in the UK could ruin Britain's vaccination drive - which yesterday saw a record 400,00 doses administered in one day. And grim figures laying bare the economically-crippling side of lockdown revealed business activity has fallen even more than expected this month, leaving the UK looking down the barrel of a double dip recession. Number 10 borrowed more than 34billion in December - the third highest monthly total ever - as it scrambles to keep millions of jobs and stricken firms afloat while tax revenues dwindle. In a dramatic sign that the outbreak could be flattening out, SAGE said the R rate was between 0.8 and 1. That is down sharply from last week, when it was between 1.2 and 1.3 Worrying strains around the world: Since the Covid pandemic began there have been at least six new stains which appear more infectious and have mutations that open the door to vaccine resistance The ONS report said the number of people likely to test positive for coronavirus came down from 1.122million on January 2 to 1.023million on January 16 Passengers wait at Heathrow Airport yesterday as ministers mull even tighter rules The number of people developing Covid-19 every day appears to have halved in a fortnight from 70,000 on January 8 to 34,000 yesterday, according to the Covid Symptom Study, which uses self-reported symptoms through a mobile app used by around a million people Grim figures published yesterday showed government borrowing soared to 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record - amid growing fears about the UK's debt mountain Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything blow 50 pointing to a contraction No10 insiders flatly dismissed the idea Prof Ferguson had been told to brief Peston and said the suggestion he 'bounced' them into the announcement was 'rubbish'. Sources suggested Prof Ferguson is on Nervtag and knew the announcement was going to be made. The Nervtag report with the evidence on lethality is understood to have landed on the PM's desk yesterday morning, and he was given a 'detailed briefing' on the content by Sir Patrick Vallance. A source said: 'The PM has always been very clear that we have to be transparent with people about the information we had on the variants. The idea that we could have done the press conference without giving the public the information would have been the wrong thing to do.' Tory backbencher Craig Mackinlay told MailOnline some of the scientific warnings were reminiscent of Project Fear and every time there was hope of easing lockdown there was 'a new twist'. Matt Hancock claims South African variant may make vaccines 50% less effective The mutant South African coronavirus variant may make the current crop of vaccines 50 per cent less effective, Matt Hancock has sensationally claimed. In footage obtained by MailOnline, the Health Secretary warned allowing the variant to become the dominant strain in the UK could ruin Britain's vaccination drive and send the country 'back to square one'. Mr Hancock is understood to have made the astonishing comments during an online webinar with travel agents this week, to the shock of everyone on the call. He said there was 'evidence in the public domain' that the South African variant reduces vaccine efficacy by 'about 50 per cent'. Although he followed up by saying: 'We are not sure of this data so I wouldn't say this in public.' The South African strain called B.1.351 has key mutations on its spike protein which scientists fear might make it difficult for the immune system to recognise. These alterations open the door to it being resistant to vaccines, which train the body to spot the spike protein, or natural immunity from previous infection. It comes after South African scientists found that 48 per cent of blood samples from people who had been infected in the past did not show an immune response to the new variant - raising red flags about possible vaccine resistance. The South African version is also though to be at least 60 per cent more infectious than regular Covid and even more transmissible than the Kent variant that ripped through the UK and plunged England into its third national lockdown. The South African strain has already been spotted in the UK 73 times, according to the Covid-19 Genomics Consortium UK (COG-UK). Although it is likely to be far more widespread because COG-UK only analyses 10 per cent of random positive samples. Advertisement He said: 'It seems to me we are now being held hostage to a zero Covid policy which is completely unattainable or if you do attain it we are going to be in lockdown for an incredibly long period. That just cannot be. 'The next thing will be 'oh dear, this new variant from Timbuktu is not responsive to the vaccine', or 'the vaccine doesn't work against it'.' The South Thanet MP, a member of the CRG, went on: 'Because Covid has been with us now for a year it is not at all surprising if the evolution or mutation is going to be towards a different type of which these vaccines can't work against. 'That doesn't matter as such because you then need to formulate a new vaccine. But we are just adding more delay.' Mr Mackinlay said: 'There has got to be a time when you have done the elderly, you've done the vulnerable but the words I seem to be hearing is that this lockdown has got no end to it, because there always seems to be a new twist and turn a reason why it should continue.' He said: 'It does seem to me that scientists are in control of this. I know you wouldn't put an economist in charge of vaccine control, but you wouldn't put these scientists in charge of the economy.' Speaking at last night's Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said: 'We've been informed that in addition to spreading more quickly it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant, the variant that was first identified in London and the South East, may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.' The PM handed over to his chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick, who added: 'If you took a man in their 60s, the average risk is that for a thousand people who got infected, roughly 10 would be expected to, unfortunately, die with the new variant, for a thousand people infected, roughly 13 or 14 people might be expected to die. 'That's the sort of change for that sort of age group.' He added: 'I want to stress that there's a lot of uncertainty around these numbers and we need more work to get a precise handle on it, but it obviously is of concern that this has an increase in mortality as well as an increase in transmissibility, as it appears of [yesterday].' The estimates for R and the growth rate are provided by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M), a sub-group of Sage. The growth rate, which estimates how quickly the number of infections is changing day by day, is between minus 4 per cent and minus 1 per cent for the UK as a whole. It means the number of new infections is shrinking by between 1 per cent and 4 per cent every day. Scientists advising the Government said all regions of England have seen decreases in the R number and growth rate estimates compared with last week, and R is below or around 1 in every region. However, they warned that despite the reductions, case levels 'remain dangerously high and we must remain vigilant to keep this virus under control, to protect the NHS and save lives'. Sage scientists said: 'Cases remain dangerously high and we must remain vigilant to keep this virus under control, to protect the NHS and save lives. 'It is essential that everyone continues to stay at home, whether they have had the vaccine or not. 'We all need to play our part, and if everyone continues to follow the rules, we can expect to drive down the R number across the country.' What do we know about the Kent variant? Name: B.1.1.7, formerly VUI-202012/01 Where did it come from? The variant was first found in Kent and can be traced back to September 2020. Scientists noticed that it was spreading in November and it was revealed to the public in December. What makes it new? The variant, which is a version of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes Covid-19, has a series of mutations that change the shape of the spike protein on its outside. The main one is known as N501Y. This appears to make it better able to stick to the cells inside the body and makes it more likely to cause infection and faster to spread. How did that happen? Viruses, particularly ones spreading so fast and in such huge numbers, mutate all the time. To reproduce they basically force living cells to copy and paste the viral genetic code, and this can contain errors that lead to slightly different versions of the virus. Often these mutations make no difference but, if they make the virus stronger, they can stick around for further generations and become the norm. What can we do about it? Nothing much. People who catch the virus won't know which type they have, and it will still cause the same symptoms and illness. Officials can try to contain it by locking down the areas where it is most prevalent, but if it is stronger than other versions of the virus it will eventually spread everywhere and become dominant as long as people continue to travel. Will it make Covid-19 worse? Scientists aren't sure whether it affects the severity of the disease. Because it is so new, no official data yet exists to track if it is more deadly. If it is, it may be the first of thousands of mutations since the start of the pandemic to increase the risk of death. Will our vaccines still work? Yes, it's very likely they will. Scientists on SAGE are fairly sure the mutations the Kent variant carries do not significantly affect how well the immune system can handle it. People who have a vaccine modelled on an older version of the virus, or who have been infected with Covid-19 before, are likely to be immune to it. This is because the main mutations are only on one part of the spike protein, whereas the immune system is able to target various other parts of the virus. Advertisement Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, from the maths faculty at the University of Cambridge, said the drop in R was 'very encouraging news'. He said the decline in positive cases has been slow but cases are 'nearly half what they were three weeks ago, which is enormously hopeful'. Sir David told the BBC that, by next month, the UK will start seeing the benefits of the vaccine rollout. But he also gave a stark vision of the competing concerns that the government is wrestling with. 'The one thing I can be absolutely confident about is that, by this time next month, there is going to be the mother of all argument,' he said. 'Because it's quite feasible that deaths will have come down considerably, infections should have come down considerably, hospitalisations and ICU will still be under a lot of pressure. 'There will be enormous pressure to loosen things up. 'Loosening it up will inevitably lead to an increase in cases, a resurgence of the pandemic among younger groups, and we can see then that does seep through into hospitalisations. 'So there's going to be a real battle going on.' Hopes have been fuelled the UK might have passed the worst of the second wave, with the Office for National Statistics saying the total number of people with coronavirus dropped last week - but there were still more than a million people infected. And the symptom-tracking Covid Symptom Study estimates that the number of people developing symptoms each day has halved in a fortnight, down to 34,000 a day from 70,000 on January 8, and that the R rate of the virus in the UK is just 0.8, while official death counts show fatalities appear to be declining in London. Numbers of people testing positive through NHS Test and Trace have also tumbled for twelve days in a row, with the daily average tumbling from 60,000 on January 10 to 40,000 yesterday, and Public Health England figures show positive test rates were down in all regions and age groups last week. Professor Tim Spector, a King's College London epidemiologist, said yesterday the 'signs are hopeful we're on our way out of this situation'. London's average daily death count fell from 169 to 163 in the most recent four days of data and could be set to fall further as official statistics remain lower than they were at the start of this month. But he cautioned the virus is still widespread all over the country, with huge numbers of people infected. NHS hospitals are under immense strain and intensive care wards twice as busy as last year, despite thousands of extra beds. Kent variant timeline September 20 - Variant emerges in a chronically ill Covid-19 patient in Kent November 6 - Infected person takes the new strain to California November 2020 - Spike in cases occurs in Kent and Medway despite national lockdown squashing case numbers in the rest of the country November 23 - Air passenger brings new variant to Florida December 11 - SAGE tells the Government about the new variant December 14 - Authorities of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reported to WHO that new SARS-CoV-2 variant was identified through viral genomic sequencing Matt Hancock tells MPs about the new variant December 18 - SAGE tells the Government they are concerned about the new variant and its transmissibility December 20 - London, South East and East of England go into new Tier 4 restrictions due to spike in cases due to new variant December 21 - More than 40 countries halt flights from UK due to new variant December 29 - First case is spotted in the US All dates are for the year 2020 Advertisement More than 20,000 people have died since January 1 and thousands more will die in the coming weeks even with cases continuing to fall because it can take weeks for infected patients to become severely ill. Almost 40,000 Britons are currently in hospital with Covid. Despite the flattening, the direction of travel in government seems to be towards tightening lockdown even further. And No10 delivered a rebuke yesterday afternoon to Tory MPs urging the government to release a blueprint for how lockdown will be eased when the first phase of vaccine rollout is complete. The PM's spokesman said: 'It's important that we continue to monitor the latest situation. 'You see the latest figures that we publish on a daily basis which clearly show that transmission rates of the virus remain high. 'The NHS continues to be under pressure and the number of patients admitted to hospital remains at a high level. 'It's obviously the case that we want to see the transmission rate of the virus come down and therefore the pressure on the NHS eased. 'The Prime Minister has been clear that we will lift restrictions as soon as we can but only when it is deemed safe to do so.' Signs are promising that the vaccine programme is progressing well. More than 400,000 Britons were vaccinated against coronavirus on yesterday, official figures show, as the NHS drive to inoculate the most vulnerable continues to gather steam. Department of Health figures published yesterday reveal 412,615 jabs were carried out on Thursday, marking the third day in a row the scheme has picked up the pace. The Government is aiming to vaccinate all 15million in the top priority groups - over-70s, NHS staff, vulnerable and care home residents - by mid-February, meaning they will need to get jabs into the arms of 350,000 people a day. 400,000 Britons are vaccinated in record day More than 400,000 Britons were vaccinated against coronavirus on yesterday, official figures show, as the NHS drive to inoculate the most vulnerable continues to gather steam. Department of Health figures published yesterday reveal 412,615 jabs were carried out on Thursday, marking the third day in a row the scheme has picked up the pace. The Government is aiming to vaccinate all 15million in the top priority groups - over-70s, NHS staff, vulnerable and care home residents - by mid-February, meaning they will need to get jabs into the arms of 350,000 people a day. But the figures show the daily target was exceeded, sparking hopes the Government will make good on its promise which will pile pressure on ministers to end the brutal lockdown sooner. Overall, more than 5.3million Britons have been vaccinated against the virus since the scheme began. In Wales 21,901 jabs were administered yesterday, official figures reveal. The nation has vaccinated 212,700 people in total, including giving 212,317 first doses and 415 second doses. In Scotland 23,800 jabs were completed bringing its total to 363,143 including 358,000 first doses and 4,600 second doses. And in Northern Ireland almost 7,000 jabs were done on January 21. In total it has completed 173,500 jabs including 150,000 first doses and 22,510 second doses. Advertisement But the figures show the daily target was exceeded, sparking hopes the Government will make good on its promise which will pile pressure on ministers to end the brutal lockdown sooner. Overall, more than 5.3million Britons have been vaccinated against the virus since the scheme began. In Wales 21,901 jabs were administered yesterday, official figures reveal. The nation has vaccinated 212,700 people in total, including giving 212,317 first doses and 415 second doses. In Scotland 23,800 jabs were completed bringing its total to 363,143 including 358,000 first doses and 4,600 second doses. And in Northern Ireland almost 7,000 jabs were done on January 21. In total it has completed 173,500 jabs including 150,000 first doses and 22,510 second doses. There were reports ministers are already in talks with hotel chains over plans to force UK arrivals to quarantine at airports. Travellers could be prevented from using their own accommodation under the proposals being put together by the government. Using GPS tags to ensure compliance is also believed to have been considered. The draconian 'quarantine hotel' system, similar to that used in Australia and New Zealand, is a prospect amid rising fears about the spread of Covid variants around the globe. Arrivals would potentially have to pay for their stays while they self-isolate for 10 days, or even a fortnight. The powerful Covid O Cabinet sub-committee is due to discuss the ideas over the coming days - although a final decision is not likely until next week. Environment Secretary George has refused to rule out even more drastic action, with foreigners barred from coming to the UK altogether. Asked about the possibility in a round of interviews, Mr Eustice told Sky News: 'We always keep these things under review. And it has been considered. Boris refuses to rule out tough new border curbs Boris Johnson set the scene for tougher restrictions on travel into the UK last night as he warned: 'We may need to go further to protect our borders'. The Prime Minister refused to rule out tough new measures including enforced quarantine in specially designated hotels as he led a press conference this evening. Amid fears that a strain of coronavirus that originated in South Africa may be more resistant to vaccines he told the nation making it too easy for it and other variants to enter would under all the hard work put in by locked down Britons. Desperate wrangling is going on within Cabinet over the shape of the restrictions, set to be finalised at a meeting of the core Covid O sub-committee on Monday. A range of escalations are being considered to combat the global spread of variants, with a full border closure to foreign nationals still on the table. However, the most likely outcome is a version of the enforced isolation system used by countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Asked whether new border measures were coming, at the press conference, Mr Johnson said: 'I really don't rule it out, we may need to take further measures still. 'We may need to go further to protect our borders. 'We don't want to put that [all the effort to control the virus] at risk by having a new variant come back in.' Advertisement 'There is concern at the moment about the number of mutant strains.' Any new restrictions would be a further blow to the beleaguered travel industry and put the holiday plans of millions at risk. It comes as Britain's airports are already struggling to cope with demand, with passengers queuing for hours yesterday to get through passport control at Heathrow as the border situation worsened. The lines were so long staff were said to have handed out free water to exhausted travellers just hours after the Home Office insisted there were no staffing issues and people were moving through in 'good time'. The proposal to hand out 500 to everyone who tests positive for coronavirus has surfaced amid efforts to increase compliance - with many believed to dodge the rules because they cannot afford to stop working. Detailed in an official policy paper, it is said to be the 'preferred position' of Mr Hancock's Department of Health. Officials fear that too many with Covid symptoms fail to take a test in case knowing a positive result stops them working. However, it appears to have blindsided Downing Street, with sources making clear No10 was had not seen the blueprint before it was leaked and warning it would create 'perverse incentives'. Treasury officials said it was 'not going to happen' and swiped that they had 'zero idea' how Mr Hancock allowed it to get traction. 'Just bonkers. The whole country will suddenly develop a dry cough,' one said. Sage warns lockdown must not be lifted too soon The Government will have a fierce battle with SAGE on its hands if it wants to lift lockdown rules in February or mid-way through the vaccine rollout, meeting records show. Files from the scientific advisers show they have repeatedly warned that ministers face another epidemic and 'very many hospital admissions and deaths' if they jump the gun. A batch of papers from SAGE, published yesterday, revealed: There were staggering 117,000 to 287,000 new coronavirus infections per day before the third lockdown, SAGE estimated; It was 'not clear' on January 6 whether this lockdown would work at keeping the virus under control. The new variant will undoubtedly make it slower to take effect and the NHS should expect the same level of pressure, or more, into the middle of February; The impact of the vaccines on the R rate in the UK will be 'modest' by mid-February, and lockdown should only be relaxed when virus prevalence and hospital pressure are both low; It is critical to get 'extremely high' vaccine coverage in vulnerable people before lockdown rules are loosened; If lockdown rules are loosened mid-vaccine rollout there will be another full-blown epidemic with 'very many hospital admissions and deaths'; The Kent variant, also known as B.1.1.7, may be more transmissible because it 'grows well in the airways'; NERVTAG said in December that it expected data on whether Kent variant was more deadly 'in the next few days'; Variants of the virus will very likely emerge, SAGE warns, and this becomes more likely as more people develop immunity and the virus faces pressure to evolve to survive. Advertisement Mr Eustice refused to rule out the plan entirely, saying ministers were looking at reasons why people avoid self-isolating with Covid symptoms. But he stressed that 'no decisions' had been taken and the government was 'always keeping multiple policies under review'. The wrangling came as as grim figures showed business activity plunging into the red again this month. Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything below 50 pointing to a contraction. It was significantly worse than the expectations of analysts, who had predicted 46.1, underlining the devastating impact of the pandemic. Economists warned that a double-dip downturn is now firmly 'on the cards' after the fledgling recovery from the worst recession in 300 years was strangled by action to control a surge in cases. Figures last week showed GDP dropping 2.6 per cent in November during the second England-wide Covid lockdown. Any December rally will have been smothered by the harsh 'tier' controls in England, and the renewed blanket curbs in January. In more signs of the huge problems facing the country, figures have revealed public borrowing hit 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record. And retail sales saw the largest fall since records began last year, even though there was a slight uptick in December. However, separate PMI released for the Eurozone show the UK is far from alone, with France and other major players also facing GDP going into reverse again. Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at IHS Markit, said its 'flash' PMI for this month showed the crucial services sector had been hit 'especially hard'. However, in a crumb of comfort, he said the scale of the downturn was far less dramatic than last spring. 'A steep slump in business activity in January puts the locked-down UK economy on course to contract sharply in the first quarter of 2021, meaning a double-dip recession is on the cards,' he said. 'Services have once again been especially hard hit, but manufacturing has seen growth almost stall, blamed on a cocktail of COVID-19 and Brexit, which has led to increasingly widespread supply delays, rising costs and falling exports. 'Worryingly, January also saw companies reduce headcounts at an increased rate again albeit less so than seen between March and November. The steepest loss of jobs was recorded in the hotels, restaurants, travel and leisure sectors, reflecting the new lockdown measures. 'Encouragingly, the current downturn looks far less severe than that seen during the first national lockdown, and businesses have become increasingly optimistic about the outlook, thanks mainly to progress in rolling out COVID-19 vaccines. 'Business hopes for the year ahead have risen the highest for over six-and-a-half years, boding well for the economy to return to solid growth once virus restrictions ease.' Government borrowing soared to 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record - amid growing fears about the UK's debt mountain. UK faces double-dip recession as business activity slumps in January Britain is facing a double-dip recession as grim figures showed business activity plunging into the red again this month. Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything below 50 pointing to a contraction. It was significantly worse than the expectations of analysts, who had predicted 46.1, underlining the devastating impact of the pandemic. Economists warned that a double-dip downturn is now firmly 'on the cards' after the fledgling recovery from the worst recession in 300 years was strangled by action to control a surge in cases. Figures last week showed GDP dropping 2.6 per cent in November during the second England-wide Covid lockdown. Any December rally will have been smothered by the harsh 'tier' controls in England, and the renewed blanket curbs in January. In more signs of the huge problems facing the country, figures have revealed public borrowing hit 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record. And retail sales saw the largest fall since records began last year, even though there was a slight uptick in December. However, separate PMI released for the Eurozone show the UK is far from alone, with France and other major players also facing GDP going into reverse again. Advertisement The number for the last month of 2020 was 28.2billion higher than the equivalent period in 2019 as the pandemic wreaked havoc on the economy and ministers lashed out on massive bailouts such as furlough. It pushed total borrowing for the first nine months of the financial year to 270.8billion, the peak for any April to December period since records began in 1993. There are fears the full-year figure will top 400billion. Even in the aftermath of the credit crunch, borrowing only hit 158billion in 2009-10. The UK's debt pile reached 2.13trillion by the end of 2020, around 99.4 per cent of GDP - the highest debt to GDP ratio since 1962. Other PMI produced by IHS Markit yesterday showed a double-dip recession in the Eurozone is 'increasingly inevitable', with France among the countries most seriously hit. The slowdown among business activities in the currency area intensified in January as the pandemic continued to batter the continent. Government scientists yesterday urged ministers to delay the reopening of pubs and restaurants until at least May to prevent another wave of the virus. Whitehall sources suggested schools could remain shut to most pupils until after Easter. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the UK Hospitality trade body, said many pubs and restaurants would 'struggle to survive' if they were forced to keep their doors closed until May. She added: 'If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be very little left of the hospitality sector and the 3.2million people who work in it to reopen at that point in May.' In recent weeks, the Prime Minister has repeatedly spoken of a return to normality this spring. Last month he said: 'We're no longer resting on the mere hope that we can return to normal next year in the spring but rather the sure and certain knowledge that we will succeed.' But asked directly whether the country was 'looking at summer rather than spring' for an easing of lockdown yesterday, he replied: 'I think it's too early to say when we'll be able to lift some of some of the restrictions.' The PM said the new variant of the disease 'does spread very fast indeed', adding: 'It unquestionably will be a very tough few weeks ahead.' No10 also refused to rule out an extended lockdown when asked to clarify Mr Johnson's remarks. There are early signs in Government data that number of people dying each day in London has turned a corner and started to decline in mid-January, with the daily average declining from 169 to 163 and falling for four days in a row between January 10 and 14 Hancock faces backlash over 'bonkers' plan to give people 500 when they test positive for Covid Matt Hancock faced a furious backlash yesterday after 'bonkers' plans surfaced to give everyone testing positive for Covid 500. The proposal, which would cost up to 450million a week, is aimed at encouraging more people to undergo swabs and self-isolate to stop the virus spreading. Detailed in an official policy paper, it is said to be the 'preferred position' of Mr Hancock's Department of Health. Officials fear that too many with Covid symptoms fail to take a test in case knowing a positive result stops them working. However, it appears to have blindsided Downing Street, with sources making clear No10 was had not seen the blueprint before it was leaked and warning it would create 'perverse incentives'. Treasury officials said it was 'not going to happen' and swiped that they had 'zero idea' how Mr Hancock allowed it to get traction. 'Just bonkers. The whole country will suddenly develop a dry cough,' one said. In a round of interviews this morning, Environment Secretary George Eustice refused to rule out the plan entirely, saying ministers were looking at reasons why people avoid self-isolating with Covid symptoms. But he stressed that 'no decisions' had been taken and the government was 'always keeping multiple policies under review'. Advertisement Asked directly whether he could rule out the lockdown lasting into the summer, the PM's official spokesman said: 'We will continue to keep all of the scientific evidence and data under review. 'It remains our position that we want to ease restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so, but in order for us to do that we need to see the transmission rates of the virus come down and we need to see the pressure on the NHS reduce.' A Government source insisted that the PM's comments did not amount to a change in the timetable for easing the lockdown. 'People should not read too much into this,' the source said. 'The PM wants to reopen as quickly as we safely can, but cases are very high and only coming down slowly there has to be a degree of caution.' Former Tory chief whip Mr Harper said the public now needed a timetable for easing the lockdown. Mr Harper, chairman of the Covid Recovery Group, said achieving the Government's target to vaccinate the 15million most vulnerable by February 15 should clear the way for restrictions to be lifted three weeks later when the vaccines had taken effect. 'Covid causes serious harm and it's vital we control it effectively,' he said. 'But this cycle of lockdowns and restrictions cause immense damage too to people's health, livelihoods and businesses. 'Once the top four risk groups have been vaccinated and fully protected... the Government must start easing the restrictions.' But Government scientists and health chiefs warned it was much too soon to even contemplate easing restrictions. Dr Vin Diwakar, medical director for the NHS in London said the pandemic was 'the biggest health emergency to face this country since the Second World War'. Rounding on those still flouting the lockdown rules, he told a Downing Street press briefing: 'For me and my colleagues in the NHS breaking the rules.... is like switching on a light in the middle of the blackout in the Blitz.' And Dr Marc Baguelin, of Imperial College London, who sits on a sub-group of the Government's Sage committee, said the early opening of the hospitality sector would lead to a rise in Covid cases. He told BBC Radio Four's World at One programme: 'Something of this scale, if it was to happen earlier than May, would generate a bump in transmission, which is already really bad.' No Glasto in June for the second year Glastonbury Festival has been cancelled for the second year running thanks to the pandemic. The organisers say they 'moved heaven and earth' trying to make it happen but continuing uncertainty means Britain's biggest musical jamboree attended by 200,000 fans in 2019 cannot go ahead. It was due to celebrate its 50th anniversary last year but had to be called off days before the first lockdown in March. Now organisers Michael and Emily Eavis say the 2021 event cannot go ahead. Sir Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and rapper Kendrick Lamar were scheduled to headline the Pyramid stage and Diana Ross was the Sunday afternoon 'legend'. People in the festival crowd enjoy watching Dizzee Rascal on the Pyramid stage during day two of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 25, 2010 in Glastonbury, England Primal Scream, Dua Lipa, Manic Street Preachers and Lana Del Ray were also on the bill. The father and daughter Eavis team said yesterday: 'With great regret, we must announce that this year's Glastonbury Festival will not take place and that this will be another enforced fallow year for us. 'In spite of our efforts to move heaven and earth, it has become clear that we simply will not be able to make the festival happen.' They said those who secured tickets with 50 deposits in 2019 will be able to roll this over to the next event in June 2022. Disappointed fans due to descend on Worthy Farm, Somerset, from June 23-28 said the move was understandable, but Tory MP Julian Knight, chairman of the Commons culture committee, called it a 'devastating' blow and criticised the government's failure to set up an insurance scheme to save major events. Tom Watson, head of UK Music, said such a backup scheme 'wouldn't have cost too much' and if Britain's vaccine rollout proved a success Glastonbury would have provided an ideal celebration. Eurostar passengers down 94% of passengers Eurostar passenger numbers plummeted 94 per cent at the end of 2020, it emerged yesterday, sparking fresh calls for a joint UK-French support package. Officials from both sides continued talks yesterday in a bid to strike a deal amid fears the Channel Tunnel firm is facing bankruptcy. Yesterday's figures reveal that, over the course of 2020, passenger numbers were down 77 per cent, dropping from just over 11 million in 2019 to 2.5 million. Workers clean the platform area as a Eurostar train bound for Paris prepares to leave St Pancras International train station in London on January 18, 2021 The fall reached 94 per cent in the final quarter when passenger numbers were 170,010, compared with 2,624,943 in 2019. One rescue option being discussed would involve the Bank of England providing funds from its Covid loan facility. Industry projections suggest Eurostar, which is majority-owned by the French government, could go bust by April, although company insiders say reserves could stretch until summer. The UK Government sold its 40 per cent stake in Eurostar in 2015. Cafes and bars could see 3.2m jobs axed By Claire Ellicott and Sami Quadri for The Daily Mail Hospitality chiefs issued a dire warning about the future of many businesses last night after doctors advised that the reopening of pubs and restaurants should be pushed back to May. Industry leaders said that just one in five restaurants, pubs and bars had enough cash to get through beyond March. It came after Sage scientists who advise the Government warned that the sector would have to stay closed until at least May to limit the spread of coronavirus. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, told Radio 4's The World At One that if the reopening of the sector was delayed until May, 3.2million could lose their jobs. Diners in Old Compton Street, Soho, London, in August 2020 'Just one in five hospitality businesses are confident that they will have enough cash to get through beyond March,' she said. 'There is no way that businesses will be able to survive until May with no revenues coming in for seven months. 'It's a cash burn of half a billion pounds to keep the sector closed each and every month. If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be little left of the hospitality sector and the 3.2million people who work in it to reopen at that point in May.' She said she hoped that with the vaccination programme under way, there would be a 'pathway' to the lifting of restrictions. 'Otherwise I think you've got a danger that you have an impact on peoples' mental health and well-being and also their economic health and well-being,' she said. A man wearing a face mask as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, walks past a closed pub in the City of London, on January 15, 2021 If the sector is closed until May, she warned, there would need to be a 'significant additional injection of cash support from the Government because the support at the moment is just not sufficient to sustain and maintain businesses and jobs'. Doctors warned restaurants would not be able to open until May because it would push up the R rate. Dr Marc Baguelin of Imperial College London, who sits on the Sage committee, said: 'We looked at partial reopening and the increase of the R number and found that it will generate an increase, the extent of which we don't really know. 'And if this was to happen earlier than May, it will generate a bump which is really bad ... at best you will carry on having a very unsustainable level of pressure on the NHS.' School's out until Easter? By Jason Groves for The Daily Mail Schools could remain shut until after the Easter holidays unless virus cases fall dramatically in the coming weeks, it was feared last night. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term. But with Covid cases still at high levels, Downing Street refused to be drawn on the likely restart for millions of children stuck trying to learn from home. And a government source acknowledged it was becoming 'increasingly difficult' to see how schools could be reopened next month, given the state of the pandemic. During a round of media interviews yesterday, Mr Williamson insisted there would be no repeat of the shambolic episode at the start of this month when schools were ordered to close just one day after returning from the Christmas break. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term (stock photo) He said schools would get at least two weeks' notice of any order to reopen suggesting that ministers will have to decide by February 8 whether classrooms will reopen for the start of the second half of the spring term on February 22. Although Boris Johnson has prioritised the early reopening of schools, government scientists have warned that a return to the classroom could trigger another sharp spike. 'We have to be realistic about the situation we are in and the impact reopening schools might have,' a source told the Mail. Dr Mary Bousted, of the National Education Union, said: 'After the chaos and confusion that government incompetence over school opening and closure has created, it is good we now have an assurance from Gavin Williamson that school staff will be given two weeks' notice before reopening. 'The last thing that parents and children need now is a stop-start approach. We all want schools to be open, but they must be opened when it is safe to do so, and when the conditions are right to keep schools open sustainably.' Any delays will pile pressure on Mr Williamson to ensure high quality education is available to all those children forced to stay at home. He said a further 1.3 million laptops, tablets and routers would be distributed to those in need in the coming weeks to widen access to online learning, providing the 'ultimate safety net' for disadvantaged pupils. He added that he had 'made it clear to schools' what was the 'absolute minimum' they were expected to provide. Mr Williamson said he wanted to get pupils back in the classroom at the 'earliest possible opportunity', adding: 'I would certainly hope that that would be before Easter.' Downing Street confirmed that Mr Johnson wanted schools to reopen as quickly as possible but refused to be drawn on when that would be. 'If we can open them up before Easter we obviously will do but that is determined by the latest scientific evidence and data,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Approximately 600 city of Albuquerque employees about 10% of the municipal government workforce have received the COVID-19 vaccine so far, including hundreds of first responders and Mayor Tim Keller. The numbers include at least 317 firefighters and 218 police officers, a city spokeswoman said Friday. The city would not provide the Journal the priority list used to guide vaccine distribution to its employees, citing privacy and security concerns. But spokeswoman Maia Rodriguez said in an email that the citys Emergency Operations Center has longstanding protocols in place that are based on risks for all City employees, as well as critical continuity of government factors. She said the city considers workers age and level of contact with others and is heeding the New Mexico Department of Healths vaccine phase guidelines. All those we have offered the vaccine to are clearly eligible, she wrote. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ About 70 city employees outside the police and fire departments have received shots, she said. That includes staff working with people who are homeless, employees at COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites and the mayor. The mayor was vaccinated after hundreds of other city employees because under the charter, hes the Chief Executive Officer of the City responsible for running the city on a day-to-day basis, Rodriguez wrote. She declined to say if anyone else in the mayors office has received the vaccine. Putins a thief! The chant rang out in cities across Russia on January 23, as crowds took to the streets from Vladivostok in the Far East to Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea and were met with a forceful police crackdown as opposition leader Aleksei Navalnys showdown with the Kremlin entered a new phase. The last time Russia saw a day of rallies with such geographic scope was in March 2017, after Navalny released a video alleging corruption by then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. This time, an immediate catalyst appeared to be a video report targeting the wealth of President Vladimir Putin himself. The nationwide demonstrations were initiated by the Kremlins most vocal critic, who languishes in jail, and staged under the slogan Free Navalny! But analysts say that the Palace for Putin investigation has combined with anger over Navalnys jailing in a way that may reorient the political balance in Russia going forward. There are two different motives for the protesters, but they are converging, political analyst Abbas Gallyamov told RFE/RL. Navalny is becoming synonymous with the fight against corruption. Navalny returned to Russia on January 17 after five months in Germany recovering from the effects of a nerve-agent poisoning he blames on Putin, apparently banking on enough popular support to help him escape a long prison sentence threatened by the authorities and mount a robust challenge to Putins power. The following day, he was jailed for a month pending a court hearing on parole violation charges that could land him behind bars for 3 1/2 years. Before he was led away, he called on Russians to hit the streets in a huge show of solidarity. In the video report released the next day which has now been seen more than 70 million times on YouTube -- he told his viewers that Putin and his associates will keep stealing more and more until they bankrupt the whole country. Revealing what the investigative report says is a $1.36 billion palace on the Black Sea that ultimately belongs to Putin, Navalny said: Russia sells huge amounts of oil, gas, metals, fertilizer, and timber -- but peoples incomes keep falling and falling, because Putin has his palace. Russians responded in droves on January 23, protesting in at least 60 cities and braving winter temperatures that plunged as low as minus 52 degrees Celsius in Yakutsk, Siberia. Many held placards and signs citing the "Palace For Putin" investigation and denouncing official corruption. Police reacted with force, wading into peaceful protests, wielding batons and shields to disperse crowds, and filling riot vans with activists -- including Navalnys wife, Yulia Navalnaya, who had returned with him to Moscow from Germany. By late evening in Moscow, more than 3,400 people had been detained across the country, according to the OVD-Info protest monitor group. Russian state TV largely ignored the protests, but pro-government online streams baselessly accused Navalny of brainwashing Russias youth into dissent, a line often advanced by the authorities in attempts to discredit the opposition movement. Its not their own kids that theyre bringing out, a guest on an online chat show run by the state-owned RT channel said about Navalny and his allies. Navalnys kids arent even in Russia! But evidence of mass teenage participation appeared slim. In Moscow, an estimated 40,000 people came to a protest in central Pushkin Square, with few minors visible in the crowd. A 14-year-old boy who told a reporter he had come to have a look was later roughly detained by police amid cries of, Hes just a child! Navalnys call for a protest in the midst of winter and the COVID-19 pandemic was seen as a gamble and a test of his ability to mount significant support for a new push against Putin, who has been in power for two decades and last year, in a referendum lambasted by critics, secured the right to run for reelection in 2024 and again in 2030. It was not immediately clear whether the sizable, widespread protests would result in Navalny avoiding a lengthy prison sentence. In 2013, large rallies in his support outside the Kremlin and other Moscow landmarks were credited with getting his five-year prison sentence suspended. If protests on January 23 dont bring about an immediate result -- the release of Aleksei Navalny -- then such events will happen again and again, Navalny aide Leonid Volkov told Current Time, the Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. The future of Russias embattled opposition movement also remains uncertain, but the size of the protests -- even in the face of a concerted weeklong crackdown aimed at thwarting them -- suggests that a substantial number of Russians may be determined to keep up the pressure. Tatyana Stanovaya, a political analyst, said that the Russian authorities "made two critical mistakes -- Navalny's poisoning and his arrest," suggesting that instead of sidelining him, the Kremlin has only strengthened his base. "The results of many, many years of painstaking work by the Kremlin to push the real opposition" to the political margins "were ceremoniously buried today in a single day," Stanovaya wrote on Telegram. The harsh police response and high number of arrests also point to what could be a bitter and protracted standoff if the rallies persist in the weeks ahead, especially with potentially pivotal parliamentary elections due to be held in September. In the meantime, Putins popularity has slipped amid the pandemic and anger over what many view as inadequate state support during Russias attendant economic crisis. The president has spent much of the time in recent months at his residence outside Moscow, making few public appearances. Neither has he commented publicly on Navalnys report about the Black Sea palace, which his spokesman quickly dismissed as lies. Navalny has taken over the initiative, analyst Gallyamov said. Now the state is defending itself. According to Nokiapoweruser, HMD Global is readying to launch a plethora of new handsets ranging from Nokia 1.4 all the way up to Nokia 7.3 and 7.4. The earliest one to arrive is the Nokia 1.4, which is scheduled for sometime in February. Most of the phone's specs are already known. Next on the list are the Nokia 6.3 and 6.4 5G and are supposed to be unveiled in late Q1 or early Q2 this year. It is believed that the "Quicksilver" codename that popped-up the other day belongs to the Nokia 6.3/6.4 5G. The specs for the two devices are also known. Lastly, the Nokia 7.3/7.4 5G are also expected to make an appearance as we already mentioned as early as late February or March. We don't know where the information comes from, but it appears to be in line with Nokia's plans to launch at least four smartphones with 5G connectivity throughout 2021. The Nokia 5.5 and Nokia 8.4 are also in the pipeline and will likely see broad daylight sometime in H2 2021. Source Showbiz demands stars to be fit and in shape and they leave no stone unturned to keep in shape and be agile. And one of the fittest Bollywood actresses is Malvade. who has been inspiring many by ardently practising yoga and sharing it on social media with her followers. Here we take a look at some pictures of Vidya Malvade practising yoga. (Image: Instagram) ANN ARBOR, MI -- A cocktail-driven restaurant and bar with a new American menu has been serving diners in downtown Ann Arbor for eight years. Ravens Club is known for cocktails like the Dark and Stormy with Goslings Black Seal Rum, homemade ginger beer and lime. You can close your eyes and pretend youre not in Michigan in the middle of January in a pandemic, General Manager Nick Dean said of the cocktail. We always have an infusion that were putting into that. A spiced pear infusion matches nicely, Dean said. The Old Fashioned is also a staple at Ravens Club. (It) has always been the bedrock of the program here and thats because whiskey is our focus here. We do that with bitters we make in-house, Dean said, adding he combines aromatic orange and cherry bitters. The restaurant has a can seamer to provide carryout cocktails, which customers can order online. But, beyond the drink menu, Ravens Club offers a lot of comforting food made with a lot of love and care, Dean said. The burgers, one of the most popular items, uses Wagyu beef for a decadent dish, Dean said, adding he also recommends the Pad Thai and filet tips with Bordelaise sauce and mashed potatoes. Steak on toast is another dish, under the appetizers, that Dean recommends. Its a medium-rare filet with avocado, tomato, onion, horseradish cream and balsamic glaze on a toasted baguette, according to the menu. Its been beloved by the staff for a long time, Dean said. Its not the easiest one to get to peoples houses, intact, because its a precarious thing. Its a pure chef creation but it definitely takes the avocado toast genre all the way out to 10 and makes a meal of it. The restaurant also offers outdoor seating with heaters Ravens Club, 207 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor, is open from 4 to 10 p.m. everyday. Call 734-214-0400. More information is available at https://www.theravensclub.com/. More Washtenaw County Local Eats: Local Eats: Try a taste of authentic Turkish cuisine at Ann Arbors Ayses Cafe Local Eats: Miss Kim serves a taste of Korean zing in Ann Arbor Local Eats: Gabriels Cheese Steak Hoagies has been serving sandwiches for 60 years Local Eats: Taco Tuesday, margaritas keep Maiz Mexican Cantina lively in Ypsilanti Local Eats: Old Town Tavern has served downtown Ann Arbor for nearly 50 years Local Eats: Jamaican Jerk Pit serves a taste of the Caribbean in downtown Ann Arbor Local Eats: Relish Red Hawks comfort food in Ann Arbor Local Eats: Savor a bowl of ramen at Slurping Turtle in Ann Arbor Local Eats: Seva serves up savory, sweet vegetarian dishes in Ann Arbor Local Eats: Angelos still serves homemade bread after 60-plus years in Ann Arbor Local Eats: Try cauliflower wings, soups or vegan sweets at Detroit Filling Station in Ann Arbor Local Eats: 24th CheeseCakerie makes Kool-Aid, pumpkin and honey pear-flavored sweets Local Eats: Chapala offers southern California Mexican food, tequila, Pedialyte on tap in Ann Arbor Local Eats: Try high end bites at Ann Arbors Blue LLama Jazz Club Local Eats: Grab a pizza or sub or try the monster challenge at Thompsons Pizza in Chelsea Local Eats: Savas restaurant offers upscale diner cuisine in Ann Arbor Local Eats: Ypsilanti Townships Minys Mexican Restaurant named after mother Local Eats: Frita Batidos serves Cuban-inspired street food in Ann Arbor Local Eats: Try simple, honest food at Beezys Cafe in Ypsilanti Local Eats: El Harissa serves Tunisian, North African flavors in Ann Arbor Local Eats: Cravings Dessert Lounge infuses traditional with modern Middle Eastern flavor in Ypsilanti Local Eats: A taste of the Middle East at Ann Arbor-areas Palm Palace Local Eats: Have a taste of Italy in Ann Arbor at Mani Osteria & Bar Local Eats: Ypsilantis Bird Dog Baking opened at the start of Michigans coronavirus lockdown Local Eats: Grab some gourmet delights at The Broken Egg in Ann Arbor Local Eats: Authentic Lebanese street food served up at Ann Arbors Pita Kabob Grill Local Eats: Soul food restaurant serves up comfort in Ypsilanti Township Local Eats: New Ann Arbor-area restaurant features burrito bowls Local Eats: Hola Seoul embraces virtual locations during pandemic Local Eats: Five things to know about Haymaker Public House in Ann Arbor Local Eats: Recently re-opened Blue Nile Restaurant offers traditional Ethiopian food to Ann Arbor The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Friday strongly objected to the European Parliament's so-called "resolution" on Thursday relating to Hong Kong, saying the "resolution" is biased, politically motivated and does not reflect the truth. The HKSAR government is appalled by the European Parliament's call that suspects arrested by law enforcement agencies of the HKSAR, some already convicted by independent courts, should be immediately released. The HKSAR government said nobody is above the law, and anybody who contravenes the law will have to face justice, as long as the offense falls within Hong Kong's jurisdiction. The HKSAR government said it will not tolerate any offense of subversion. Those who organized, planned, committed or participated in subversion would be pursued for their criminal act in accordance with the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR. Officers of the HKSAR government are discharging an honorable duty to prevent, stop and punish acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law. Hong Kong officials' determination in safeguarding national security will not be affected in any way by any so-called "sanctions". Contrary to politically-motivated rhetoric that the national security law in Hong Kong undermines the "one country, two systems" framework, the law fully and faithfully implements the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, the HKSAR government said. The national security law in Hong Kong clearly stipulates four types of offenses endangering national security and the penalties. Law-abiding people will not unwittingly violate the law. At the same time, the law contains specific provisions upholding Hong Kong people's rights and freedoms under the HKSAR Basic Law and relevant provisions of the international covenants on human rights applied to Hong Kong. The mystery behind the masked man at the farmers protest India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 23: At a late-night press conference, the farmer union leaders presented a masked man who claimed that he along with 10 others, including two girls were sent to the protest site at the Sighu border to incite violence. However, hours later, he said that he as reading a script given by the union leaders present at the press conference. The man later identified as Yogesh said that he was forced to lie about the controversy. I was hit by the farmers and forced to lie, he also said. Farmers' Protest: Punjab, Haryana farmers to set out for tractor parade in Delhi today He also said that he was abducted by the farmers and forced to lie about the controversy. In the press meet, he claimed that he was doing a reconnaissance for his assignment of shooting a few farmers between January 23 and 26. He also said that he was trained and paid by some police personnel. He was taken into custody by the police during the press conference. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News The Haryana police questioned the man and said that they did not find any lead to the conspiracy angle. He does not have any criminal record, the police also said. In another video that emerged, the man says that he was forced to say those things. He said that the farmers had threatened him. A man approached her vehicle on foot and tapped against the passenger-side window with his gun before he told her to get out. She did so, and the robber jumped into the 2013 white Toyota Highlander and sped away, police said. Bindi Irwin Re-creates Parents Special Maternity Photo as She Enters Third Trimester Bindi Irwin has celebrated her third trimester by re-creating a 17-year-old maternity photo originally posed for by her parents, Terri and the late Steve Irwin. Terri was pregnant with Bindis younger brother, Robert, at that time. On Jan. 8, 2021, the pregnant Wildlife Warrior posted a photo of her husband, Chandler Powell, kissing her bare belly on Instagram, captioned, Recreating a very special moment. Third trimester love. She also posted the original photo of her late father and herself, as a child, kissing Terris belly beside the tribute, for comparison. The expectant couples photo re-creation proved divisive among netizens. Some criticized Bindi and Chandler for emulating the past, while others celebrated the side-by-side comparison as a sweet homage to Bindis parents. Australia Zoo reposted the photos on Facebook, captioned, Were not crying, youre crying! How cute is this recreation photo Bindi & Chandler did of Steve & Terri?! We cant wait for the arrival of our baby Wildlife Warrior. This time, netizens flocked to the comments section in support of the expectant couple. Chandler Powell and Bindi Irwin attend The Paley Center For Media Presents: An Evening With The Irwins at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, Calif., on May 3, 2019. (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) I cant believe some people are being so mean about this, wrote one netizen. You want to honor your late dad, who was a fab dad, and you could never forget him. I think its a beautiful tribute to him. When my girls grow up and one or all of them recreate a photo like this I would feel so honored, wrote another. This is such a beautiful moment and such a wonderful tribute. Chandler and Bindi attend Steve Irwins posthumous Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in Hollywood, Calif., on April 26, 2018 (David Livingston/Getty Images) Bindi, 22, married 24-year-old Chandler in an impromptu ceremony at Australia Zoo in Queensland in March 2020 amid the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, pandemic. The pair have been vocal about their excitement to become parents since Bindi first announced her pregnancy in August 2020. Exclaiming, Baby Wildlife Warrior due 2021, on Instagram, Bindi added that it was an honor to share such a special moment with the world. Though Im still in my first trimester, we really want you to be part of our journey from the beginning of this new life chapter, she said. [T]his beautiful little being has become the most important part of our lives. Your support means the world to us. (L-R) Conservationists Robert, Terri, and Bindi Irwin with wakeboarder Chandler Powell, attending Steve Irwins posthumous Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in Hollywood, Calif., on April 26, 2018 (David Livingston/Getty Images) Reacting to the announcement, Bindis mom, Terri, 56, claimed on Twitter that her late husband would be proud of their daughter. Words cannot express the love that is filling my heart, she expressed. Steve Irwin, popularly known as The Crocodile Hunter, lost his life during a diving expedition in September 2006 at the age of 44. Bindi and Chandlers baby, a girl, is due this spring. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired Newsletter here: https://www.theepochtimes.com/newsletter Japan and Vietnam are fostering bigger cooperation in building up an efficient e-government in the Southeast Asian nation, with the former expected to share its experiences and know-how with the latter as it realises its national strategy on Industry 4.0. The two nations last week held its first-ever online seminar on sharing experience and new policies of Japan to promote e-government, with the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio stating that Japan is looking to launch programmes in cooperation with Vietnam on the issue, with e-government becoming a common tool for the Japanese to conduct its macro-monitoring in favour of both businesses and individuals. In Japan, a digital agency will be launched in September 2021 to reform inclusivity, remove most administrative management, and unify IT policymaking. In the opinion of Naohico Okuda, director of the Administrative Information System Planning Division under the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Administrative Management Bureau, Japans new digital agency will look to consolidate procurement of government systems. The goal is to enable seamless sharing of information not only among different parts of the central government, but also with municipalities and administrative bodies. The benefits would include improved analysis of big data, which can help determine the effectiveness of particular policies. Broader use of the system would let the government provide services more quickly, with cost savings. Measures will also be laid out to boost telemedicine and remote education, which are overseen by the health and education ministries, respectively. Developing e-government and strong digital transformation in Vietnam will require the support of Japan, according to Mai Tien Dung, Minister and Chairman of the Government Office. In the 2021-2025 period, Vietnam is expected to use cutting-edge technologies to further e-government aims in this country. For example, reforming infrastructure, applying cloud computing, upgrading cybersecurity, and building a digital ecosystem will be carried out based on AI and big data. We are looking forward to receiving more support from the Japanese government and businesses to accelerate digital transformation in the government, Dung said. In 2021 and beyond, e-government is a global trend and a promising area for economic development and the foundation for the international integration of Vietnam. The e-government will attach IT applications with administrative reform to improve transparency, and change the way of serving and considering people and businesses at the centre, he added. In talks with Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide in his first overseas visit to Vietnam last October, Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc proposed to boost cooperation in a variety of areas, including e-government. A year ago, the two countries signed and exchanged 500 million ($4.9 million) in non-refundable aid, which was expensed for IT equipment and building a national reporting database in Vietnam. Through aid and cooperation programmes, the Japanese government would like to support and contribute to the reform process of Vietnam in the time to come, said Ambassador Takio. In fact, developing an e-government has already saved massive amounts of money for Vietnam. The National E-document Exchange Platform, launched in March 2019, has connected all ministries, agencies, and localities, transferred 3.8 million of documents, and served over 21,400 departments at all levels and is saving VND1.2 trillion ($52.2 million) every year. Meanwhile, Vietnams e-cabinet has run for 26 governmental regular meetings, taken 624 votes, replaced 238,000 documents, and saved VND169 billion ($7.35 million) per year. A National Reporting System is saving VND460 billion ($20 million), and the National Public Service Portal, which has supported over 2,700 services and handled 763,000 online documents, saves more than VND8 trillion ($347.8 million) per year. All the money is saved thanks to reductions in physical contact, travelling, and paperwork. Over recent years, the performance of Vietnams e-government has been improving significantly, moving to 86th out of 193 countries and territories, 13 steps better than in 2014, according to the United Nations. The business environment ranking has improved 20 places to 70th out of 190, and ranks fifth in terms of ASEAN member states. VIR Minh Vu Japanese maintaining operations thanks to quick-thinking action Japanese businesses have deployed a number of new business models in Vietnam in 2020 in an effort to shelter from the storm of COVID-19. SEATTLE There was no shortage of coronavirus developments in Washington this week, as the state moved forward to the first tier of phase 1B, and eligibility was expanded to include all adults ages 65 and older. While the changes open up vaccines to hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians, supply chain issues have clouded expectations for future shipments and made state and local health officials uneasy. Gov. Jay Inslee announced a new goal to triple vaccination rates across the state, from 15,000 to 45,000 administered each day. To accomplish that will require the federal government to step up vaccine deliveries significantly and provide better long-term estimates for shipment expectations. "We are removing as many impediments as possible to Washingtonians getting vaccinated; we are going to deliver every dose that comes into our state," Inslee said Monday. "We will still be dependent on the federal government for doses, but we are doing everything we can once it gets here." In the meantime, state and local health authorities are working to stand-up mass vaccination sites, including four scheduled to open next week to serve more rural counties. King and Pierce counties have also unveiled plans for high capacity sites, as well as pop-up clinics. As vaccine inventories increase in the weeks ahead, the state hopes to scale up the sites and provide more supplies to bolster county efforts. The governor also enlisted some of Washington's largest businesses, including Starbucks and Costco to support vaccination efforts, and Amazon announced a one-day clinic scheduled this weekend in Seattle. The new efforts come as Washington continues to see high levels of coronavirus activity in the wake of the holidays, as case counts remain below the December peak but well above the rates seen in the fall. With the looming specter of a more contagious strain, health officials are urging Washingtonians to recommit to safety precautions and tamp down transmission rates before a "COVID-19 volcano" erupts. Story continues In Seattle, Public Health - Seattle & King County recorded 77 cases Friday, with 1,512 positive tests, 56 hospitalizations and 13 deaths resulting from the coronavirus over the past two weeks. The city's 14-day testing positivity rate sits at 9.4 percent. The rate of cases in the state's most populous county has decreased to 310 per 100,000 residents over two weeks, but remains more than 12 times higher than the goal range. Catch up on some of this week's coronavirus headlines: Washington marks 1 year since nation's first coronavirus diagnosis Washington paused to remember a somber milestone this week, marking a full year since a Snohomish County man received the first coronavirus case diagnosed in the United States. Health care workers at an Everett hospital became the first on the front lines of the pandemic in the nation, monitoring the 35-year-old man around the clock until his discharge two weeks later. Just over a month later, King County would report the very first death linked to the virus and identify the earliest epicenter of the virus at a Kirkland senior center, where more than three dozen would die within a month. Since then, COVID-19 has ballooned across the United States, which now leads the globe in total cases and deaths resulting from the coronavirus. The latest models from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predict the national death toll could climb to 567,000 by May 1 if the current trajectory holds. Read more: Washington Marks 1 Year Since Nation's 1st Coronavirus Diagnosis Gov. Jay Inslee, Bill Gates receive first dose of vaccine Gov. Jay Inslee and his wife Trudi received their first doses of coronavirus vaccine Friday under the state's adjusted guidelines allowing vaccinations for all Washingtonians ages 65 and above. The governor is 69 years old. As KING 5 reports, the Inslees got their shots in front of news cameras at an assisted living facility in Olympia. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Also on Friday, Bill Gates, 65, announced he received a vaccine under the expanded eligibility threshold. The Microsoft co-founder and Medina resident shared a photo on Twitter Friday morning. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. All Washington counties remain in reopening phase 1; state launches 'Roadmap to Recovery' dashboard State health officials announced Friday that none of Washington's nine regions would qualify to move forward into the second reopening phase under Gov. Jay Inslee's "Healthy Washington" plan. Friday's announcement was accompanied by the unveiling of a new dashboard that allows residents to easily track their progress across four categories. Under the governor's order, the Washington State Department of Health evaluates each region's progress every Friday to determine whether they can move forward the following Monday. So far, no county has moved out of phase 1. The state's 39 counties are grouped in nine regions, which much meet several benchmarks to qualify for phase 2. King, Pierce and Snohomish counties are evaluated together as the Puget Sound region. To move forward each region must show: A decreasing trend in 14-day rate of new COVID-19 cases per 100K population A decreasing trend in 14-day rate of new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100K population An average 7-day percent occupancy of ICU staffed beds less than 90% 7-day percent positivity of COVID-19 tests less than 10% (Washington State Department of Health) Read more: DOH Launches New Dashboard To Track Reopening Phases UW clinic reports 'multifold increase' in COVID-19 'long-haulers' A University of Washington medical clinic that opened last May to assist COVID-19 patients with lingering symptoms is seeing a significant increase in the number of patients it sees each week, UW Medicine announced Friday. When the rehab clinic first opened at Harborview Medical Center, it saw about two people a week. This month, that number has jumped to 25, hospital officials said. According to UW Medicine, some COVID-19 patients experience symptoms for months, long after they test negative for the virus. The most common symptoms for "long-haulers" include shortness of breath, fatigue, and "brain fog," but some people experience rapid heart rates, dizziness and long-term loss of smell and taste, UW Medicine said. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association last September estimated up to two million people across the country may suffer prolonged symptoms after a COVID-19 diagnosis. "I think we're going to have a lot more COVID infections and even if it's only 5 percent of the infections that have long-term effects, it's a massive public health issue," said Dr. Aaron Bunnell, a UW Medicine rehabilitation physician. "We think that multiple systems can be affected and as literature comes out, we're seeing that autonomic, immune and cardiac issues are more common than maybe we initially thought. We're also seeing the cognitive impairments are probably more common in patients that were never hospitalized." Bunnell estimates that more than 300 patients will visit the clinic by next month. Read more on the UW Medicine website. Total coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths by county: Editors note: Patch is now updating these totals on a weekly, rather than daily, basis. Readers should keep in mind that the increases below represent infections, hospitalizations and deaths over a seven-day period. Also, note that the totals below include 13,062 probable cases. County Confirmed Cases Hospitalizations Deaths Adams 1,734 (+24) 87 (+1) 19 (+2) Asotin 1,205 (+173) 56 (+3) 26 (+1) Benton 13,796 (+465) 719 (+28) 186 (+8) Chelan 5,549 (+189) 243 (+12) 45 (+3) Clallam 859 (+31) 34 (+4) 5 (+1) Clark 16,639 (+766) 881 (+46) 177 (+12) Columbia 93 14 4 Cowlitz 3,415 (+339) 162 (+15) 38 (+4) Douglas 2,949 (+76) 117 (+1) 18 (+1) Ferry 197 (+4) 12 4 Franklin 9,885 (+263) 481 (+2) 88 (+1) Garfield 102 12 4 Grant 6,902 (+257) 323 (+22) 54 (+2) Grays Harbor 2,777 (+116) 134 (+12) 31 (+3) Island 1,125 (+51) 71 (+4) 22 Jefferson 279 (+12) 23 2 King 74,951 (+2,698) 4,700 1,203 Kitsap 4,893 (+252) 245 (+10) 60 (+8) Kittitas 1,996 (+53) 54 (+2) 30 Klickitat 586 (+29) 27 (+1) 4 (+1) Lewis 3,102 (+183) 197 (+17) 36 Lincoln 298 (+7) 17 4 (-1) Mason 2,027 (+107) 63 (+3) 18 (+2) Okanogan 1,975 (+53) 119 (+2) 33 (+3) Pacific 637 (+45) 23 (+1) 8 Pend Oreille 540 (+21) 36 (+1) 4 Pierce 30,509 (+1,628) 2,286 (+124) 442 (+27) San Juan 91 5 0 Skagit 3,898 (+175) 224 (+10) 47 (+1) Skamania 234 (+12) 9 1 Snohomish 26,773 (+904) 1,783 (+58) 470 (+28) Spokane 31,696 (+1,430) 1,684 (+91) 438 (+23) Stevens 1,386 (+45) 82 (+5) 19 Thurston 6,017 (+353) 363 (+18) 65 (+5) Wahkiakum 65 (+4) 2 0 Walla Walla 4,244 (+205) 206 (+6) 48 (+4) Whatcom 5,142 (+475) 250 (+19) 59 (+3) Whitman 3,078 (+95) 81 (+3) 38 (+3) Yakima 23,543 (+853) 1,196 (+33) 360 (+15) Unassigned 1,434 (-5) 16 (-1) 4 Total 298,249 (+12,279) 17,037 (+667) 4,114 (+211) The above numbers are provided by the state Department of Health, and some numbers differ from the totals provided separately by county health agencies. [NORECIRC] This article originally appeared on the Seattle Patch Ahead of the assembly polls in West Bengal and Assam this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the two poll-bound states today to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Kolkata and distribute land allotment papers to indigenous people in Assam. Under the state government's programme, PM Modi distributed land pattas/allotment certificates to over one lakh beneficiaries in Sivasagar. "...There are lakhs who did not have any documentation of their land. But now, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal ji and his government have worked to ensure that people get their recognition," the Prime Minister said. "Today I am here to be a part of your happiness and celebration as our government in Assam has completed a huge task. Today, those who love Assam and are from the state are getting recognition of their land," PM Modi said reiterating his government's commitment to give land rights to the indigenous people of the state. Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said PM Modi is the biggest well-wisher of Assam and its people. The development of Assam and the northeast region is due to his support, he said. According to the PMO release, taking into account an urgent need to protect the land rights of indigenous people of the state, the Assam government came out with a comprehensive new Land Policy with a renewed emphasis on protecting the land rights of the indigenous people. "The issuance of patta/allotment certificates for indigenous people of Assam has been given highest priority in order to instil a sense of security amongst them. Assam had 5.75 lakh landless families in 2016. The present Government has distributed 2.28 lakhs land pattas/allotment certificates since May 2016. The ceremony on January 23 marks the next step in this process," the PMO release stated. Later, PM Modi will fly to Kolkata to inaugurate a permanent museum dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the freedom fighter's 125th birth anniversary. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will also address an event in Kolkata on the 125th birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose. The polls to the legislative assembly in Assam and Bengal are just a few months away. With agency inputs Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Nearly a third of all New York City zip codes are currently reporting a COVID-19 positivity rate that exceeds 10 percent, in a dramatic increase in new cases since the holiday period. As of Saturday, there are 54 out of 177 city zip codes with a rate over 10 percent. In comparison, in the week before Thanksgiving, only 40 zip codes had a positivity rate that was over only four percent. Gov. Andrew Cuomo previously held a four percent positivity rate as the measure by which he would begin to shutdown neighborhoods before the metrics changed to focus on hospitalizations. In a press briefing on Saturday morning, Cuomo revealed that, according to states figures which differ slightly from those issued by the city the Big Apple has a positivity rate of 5.71 percent and the state 5.26 percent. Cuomo was speaking from a pop-up vaccination site in public housing apartments in Brooklyn as he urged those eligible to take the COVID-19 vaccine, at the same time criticizing the federal government for not providing enough doses. He said that the failure to supply New York with a larger number of vaccine doses as promised had 'created anxiety and frustration' for those eager to receive a shot. As of 11am Saturday morning, the state was left with just 309,000 doses. With the current distribution running at 80,000 a day, it means the current supply could run out of doses again in just over three days if another batch of the week three allocation isn't received. Scroll down for video Throughout New York City, almost a third of the city's zip codes have a COVID-19 positivity rate over ten percent, as highlighted in the color-coded map above Cases in New York City are far above what they were before Thanksgiving, pictured According to city data, an average of 67 New York City residents died each day of last week from COVID-19, as deaths increase again following the holiday period, as pictured Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged New Yorkers to take a vaccine in Brooklyn on Saturday The governor had warned Friday morning that the state had come to the end of its five-week supply of the vaccine but confirmed Saturday that New York's week-six allocation was beginning to arrive and is being administered immediately. 'The federal government allocates dosages by week,' Cuomo explained. 'Yesterday, we exhausted all five weeks allocation. We are now starting to receive week 6 allocations which trickle in during the week they're delivered by Washington to individual locations. 'We'll be getting 250,000 dosages in week 6,' he continued, as he claimed that it could take up to 17 weeks to inoculate the seven million New Yorkers currently eligible for the vaccine unless the federal government began to send more. He blasted the Trump administration as 'absurd' for opening up the eligibility to millions of New Yorkers without supplying vaccine doses to cover such large numbers. 'They've made this whole population eligible but you don't have the supply and you've actually created anxiety and frustration by opening the valve that large when you only have a trickle of dosages and that's why people are frustrated,' he claimed. 'I'm eligible but I can't find a vaccine.' Yet he still urged New Yorkers to 'come and get your vaccine' as he praised the distribution network establishing pop-ups throughout the state. 'Take the vaccine. It will save lives and it can save your life,' Cuomo said. 'Please take the vaccine. We'll make it accessible, but we need you to take it. Cuomo revealed New York used up its first five-week allocation of vaccines. Pictured above, People enter a COVID-19 vaccine distribution site in New York as its supply ran low New York Governor Andrew Cuomo visits a NYCHA Pop Up COVID-19 Vaccination Site on Saturday as he criticizes Trump's administration for not sending more vaccine doses Cuomo revealed that the week six allocation is beginning to arrive to vaccine sites 'This is a fight and when you tire before the enemy tires, you know what happens? The enemy wins. We don't have the luxury of fatigue,' he added. 'Don't get cocky with COVID. 144 people died yesterday. Don't get cocky with COVID.' As well as 144 further fatalities from COVID-19, Cuomo announced that there are currently 8,802 New Yorkers hospitalized with the virus. While the state's average positivity rate is at 5.26 percent as of Saturday, six counties are reporting a higher average. The highest are in Orange and Rockland County, just north of New York City, which are both above 6.5 percent. Suffolk, Lewis, Sullivan, and the Bronx are all also over 5.4 percent. Despite the positivity rate in New York City averaging at 5.71 percent as of Saturday morning, many zip codes are seeing a far higher percentage of tests return positive. Orange and Rockland County, just north of New York City, both have a COVID-19 positivity rate above 6.5 percent, pictured above. New York City's is currently averaging at 5.71 percent Hospitalizations in New York State have continued to climb in the first weeks of 2021 The average figures are being brought down by large sections of Manhattan, and wealthier sections of Brooklyn, which are all under five percent. The city's own data shows that over the past four weeks, the average positivity rate is 9.12 percent. The positive cases in south Brooklyn are soaring with Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach and Sheepshead Bay reporting the highest positive test rate at 17.6 percent. Surrounding neighborhoods such as Sunset Park and Borough Park are also over ten percent. In Queens, Richmond Hill and South Ozone are slightly below the high levels reported in Brooklyn, yet are still both at 15.2 percent. The worst hit in the Bronx is Hunt's Point's with a testing percentage at 12.2, although more than a dozen other zip codes in the borough reach over the 10 percent threshold. And in Staten Island New Dorp and Tottenville are both in the double digits. Manhattan is the only borough with large segments of the area falling below the 10 percent positivity rate. Yet Inwood, to the north of the island, is the highest at 10.3 percent. Pictured, a COVID-19 vaccine hub taking appointments only stands in Brooklyn. The city began to run low on doses on Friday as the state receives only 250k doses a week All far exceed the original parameters Cuomo set out in October in which he hoped to shutdown zip codes once their positivity rate reached over four percent. Yet they are still below the spring high was when NYC was the global epicenter of the pandemic. The state has since adopted a new policy to designate 'red zones' based on hospital capacity. According to city data, an average of 67 New York City residents died each day of last week from COVID-19. Fatalities were only at six residents on average per day in October when the original shutdown guidelines had been in place. New York has administered 1.3million doses, according to Bloomberg, with 169,000 residents having received their second dose. NYC has administered 572,910 doses since rollout began on December 14. On Friday, Cuomo announced that the 10,000th vaccine dose had been administered at the city's main vaccine site at the Javits center. Statewide, there have been 33,763 fatalities from the coronavirus more than 1.3million infections. New York City has reported 558,028 cases and 26,398 deaths. ADVERTISEMENT Larry King, a celebrity broadcaster, has passed away. The ace broadcaster reportedly died on Saturday after he was taken to the hospital late December for COVID-19 infections. According to the CNN where King hosted the famous Larry King show for twenty-five years interviewing celebrities and notable political leaders across continents, he was 87 years of age at the time of his demise. With profound sadness, Ora Media announces the death of our co-founder, host, and friend Larry King, who passed away this morning at age 87 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Kings official Twitter announced Saturday morning. The cause of death was not announced but Kings death is coming weeks after it was revealed that he was battling coronavirus. For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television, and digital media, Larrys many thousands of interviews, awards, and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster. Additionally, while it was his name appearing in the shows titles, Larry always viewed his interview subjects as the true stars of his programs, and himself as merely an unbiased conduit between the guest and audience. Whether he was interviewing a U.S. president, foreign leader, celebrity, scandal-ridden personage, or an everyman, Larry liked to ask short, direct, and uncomplicated questions. He believed concise questions usually provided the best answers, and he was not wrong in that belief, the statement read. King King began his media career as a local Florida journalist and radio interviewer in the 1950s and 1960s. He, however, gained prominence in 1978 when he birthed The Larry King Show. On June 29, 2010, he announced that after 25 years, he would be stepping down as the host of the Larry King Live. The final edition of Larry King Live aired on December 16, 2010, after a quarter-century. By the time he ended his show with the CNN in 2010, Larry King Live was entrenched in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running show with the same host in the same time slot. Married to seven different women at different times, with whom he had five children two late- before his own death on Saturday, his last divorce was in 2019. Mr King, who won several awards, including the Emmy, is believed to have conducted over 30,000 interviews. WASHINGTON: Its a proven political strategy: Underpromise and overdeliver. President Joe Biden, in his first three days in office, has painted a bleak picture of the countrys immediate future, warning Americans that it will take months, not weeks, to reorient a nation facing a historic convergence of crises. The dire language is meant as a call to action, but its also a deliberate effort to temper expectations. In addition, it is an explicit rejection of President Donald Trumps tack of talking down the coronavirus pandemic and its economic toll. Chris Lu, a longtime Obama administration official, said the grim tone is aimed at restoring trust in government that eroded during the Trump administration. If youre trying to get people to believe in this whole system of vaccinations, and if you want people to take seriously mask mandates, your leaders have to level with the American people, he said. Biden said Thursday that things are going to continue to get worse before they get better and offered the brutal truth that it will take eight months before a majority of Americans will be vaccinated. On Friday, he declared outright: Theres nothing we can do to change the trajectory of the pandemic in the next several months. Its all part of Bidens pledge that his administration will always be honest and transparent with you, about both the good news and the bad. That approach, aides say, explains Bidens decision to set clear and achievable goals for his new administration. The measured approach is drawing praise in some corners for being realistic - but criticism from others for its caution. Trump often dismissed the seriousness of the virus and even acknowledged to journalist Bob Woodward that he deliberately played down the threat to the U.S. to prop up the economy. Even as death tolls and infection rates soared, Trump insisted the country was already rounding the turn. Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said Bidens pledge for 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days in office might fall short of whats needed to turn the tide on the virus. Maybe theyre picking a number thats easier to achieve, rather than the number that we need to achieve. I would urge people to be bolder than that, he said. Adalja argued that the goal theyve set should be the bare minimum that we accept. But he also acknowledged that theres a major political risk in overpromising. You dont want people to be discouraged or feel like the government is incompetent if they fail to meet a goal, he said. Its a disappointingly low bar, said Dr. Leana Wen, a public health expert and emergency physician. Biden on Friday acknowledged the criticism, saying he was hopeful for more vaccinations, but he avoided putting down a marker that could potentially fall out of reach. I found it fascinating that yesterday the press asked the question, Is 100 million enough?'" he said in the State Dining Room. A week before, they were saying, Biden, are you crazy? You cant do 100 million in 100 days. Well, were God willing not only going to 100 million. Were going to do more than that. In fact, while there was some skepticism when Biden first announced the goal on Dec. 8, it was generally seen as optimistic but within reach. The Biden administration might be taking lessons from the earliest days of the Obama administration, when there was constant pressure to show real progress in turning around the economy during the financial crisis. One former Obama administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak freely about internal conversations, said there was a fevered effort during the first few months of Obamas first term to play down the focus on evaluating the presidents success within his first 100 days because aides knew the financial recovery would take far longer than that. In one notable misstep, Obamas National Economic Council chair, Christina Romer, predicted that unemployment wouldnt top 8% if Congress passed the administrations stimulus package to address the financial crisis. It was signed into law a month into Obamas first term, but by the end of that year, unemployment nevertheless hit 10%. The risk in setting too rosy expectations is that an administration might become defined by its failure to meet them. President George W. Bushs Mission Accomplished speech in 2003 at a time when the Iraq War was far from over became a defining blunder of his presidency. Trump provided an overreach of his own in May 2020, when he said the nation had prevailed over the virus. At the time, the country had seen about 80,000 deaths from the virus. This week, the U.S. death toll topped 412,000. Trumps lax approach and lack of credibility contributed to poor adherence to public safety rules among the American public. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Trumps handling of the virus caused so much damage to public perceptions of its severity that its important for Biden to set a contrasting tone. I think it is really important to start telling the American people the truth. And that has not happened in a year, since we found the first case of coronavirus, so hes got a lot of damage to undo, she said. This is a very serious, very contagious, deadly disease, and anything other than that message delivered over and over again is, unfortunately, adding to the willingness of lots of people to pay no attention to how to stop the spread of the disease. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Aurangabad: Amid cases of avian influenza reported from parts of Maharashtra, six birds, including three peacocks and two peahens, were found dead in Beed district of the state, officials said on Saturday. The samples of these birds, which were found dead on Friday, have been sent for testing to check if they died due to avian flu, they said. The carcasses of these birds were recovered from near Loni village located close to Balaghat mountain range in Shirur Kasar taluka of the district, an official from the animal husbandry department told PTI. "Six birds were found dead in the hilly part near the village. Three of them were peacocks, while two were peahens. The samples of these dead birds have been sent to a laboratory in Pune for testing," he said. District animal husbandry officer Dr Vijay Deshmukh said the teams from the department were carrying out further formalities. When contacted, Dr Pradeep Aghav, an animal husbandry department official, who visited the spot, said that apart from the peafowls, one more wild bird was found dead there. "The birds apparently died on Friday morning and we were informed about it in the afternoon. Shirur Kasar taluka has reported death of 21 crows since January 12. The dead crows were recovered from eight villages and one of the samples had tested positive for the avian influenza," he said. An official from the state animal husbandry department had said on Friday that samples of birds from 16 districts in Maharashtra have tested positive for avian flu. The first case of bird flu was reported in the state on January 8, he had said. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 00:48:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BRUSSELS, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) on Friday condemned and opposed to a resolution adopted by the European Parliament, noting that "such a move grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs." Some MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) have confounded right and wrong by pushing for the adoption of the so-called resolution, a spokesperson for the Chinese mission said, adding that China strongly condemns and is firmly opposed to the move. Denouncing claims of the resolution that the Hong Kong National Security Law contravenes the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the spokesperson underlined that the Chinese government governs Hong Kong in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. "No country or organization has any right to meddle in Hong Kong affairs under the pretext of the Joint Declaration," added the spokesperson. The Hong Kong National Security Law only targets criminal activities that seriously undermine national security, and has closed the legislative loopholes in terms of upholding national security in Hong Kong, noted the envoy, adding that the law represents a major step to improve the "One Country, Two Systems." With the implementation of the law, peace and stability have been restored and justice upheld in the Hong Kong society, and the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents have been better protected in a safer environment, said the spokesperson. "These are undeniable facts," the spokesperson stressed. "What I want to reiterate is that China is a country under the rule of law and that Hong Kong is a law-based society where all are equal before law. Laws must be observed and offences must be held accountable. This is basically what the rule of law is all about," stated the diplomat. The spokesperson said the competent Chinese and HKSAR authorities penalize criminal activities in accordance with law, uphold the rule of law, fairness and justice, and safeguard China's sovereignty and security. "This is beyond reproach and should not be discredited." Hong Kong affairs, including individual judicial cases and local elections, are entirely China's internal affairs. No foreign government, organization or individual has any right to interfere, according to the spokesperson. "We urge the European Parliament to recognize the fact that Hong Kong has returned to China, abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, reject double standards, earnestly respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and immediately stop interfering in any format in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs," stressed the envoy. Enditem (Photo provided to China Daily) Chinese writer in Rome reflects on her experiences. Chinese-born writer and editor Hu Lanbo met her husband Carlo in 1989 during her three-month, 22,000-kilometer journey from her home city of Harbin in Northeast China to Europe. They were traveling in a nine-car caravan along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that linked China with the west as far back as two thousand years ago. They met and got married later that year and have lived in Rome ever since. More than three decades later, the coronavirus pandemic prompted the two main cultures in Hu's life-Chinese and Italian-to "come together" again. The coronavirus outbreaks officially hit northern Italy in late February last year and swept across the country, making Italy the first major epicenter in Europe. Surprising pandemic In the pandemic's early days, Hu stopped going to her office and started working from home as editor of the bilingual China in Italy magazine. Soon after, she was contacted by an Italian woman, who asked Hu to help source protective face masks for her son, who was suffering from leukemia at a time when such masks were hard to come by. Via WeChat, a Chinese messaging application, Hu hooked up with two Chinese women-also residents of Rome-who could spare around 50 child-size masks. Their collaboration soon evolved into a team effort: this small group of mothers eventually raised enough money-around 10,000 euros ($11,800)-to buy 20,000 masks, which they donated to a pediatric hospital in Rome. Hu Lanbo's two sons, Livio (left) and Tiziano. (Photo provided to China Daily) "Here in Italy we have the reputation of being a closed community, but if that was true, why was the reaction of the Chinese community so generous?" she asked. "We were in a unique situation: we had the cultural education China gave us, the collective spirit, but we were also part of Italy and we felt a responsibility connected to that." The interplay of the two cultures provided inspiration at the family level as well. Hu and her husband have two sons, Livio, 28, and Tiziano, 30. Both work in the wine sector. Drawing on their bicultural life experiences, they market Italian wines in China. Both of them were in China when the coronavirus began to spread there, but as soon as it was possible Livio returned to Italy-just when the first infections appeared there. "We were very happy to have Livio home, but nobody could have guessed that the pandemic would last this long," Hu said. "At the start, we thought it would be over in a few weeks or a few months. We were obviously mistaken." Hu said she was never overly fearful that she or the members of her family would contract COVID-19. At the same time, she was fully aware of how the pandemic changed life for her, and for people practically all over the world. It also made her realize that, in a certain sense, she had become more Italian than Chinese. Hu Lanbo (right) with the then Italian ambassador to China. (Photo provided to China Daily) Straddling two cultures This realization played a major role in her decision to put pen to paper and relate the stories of Chinese residents' life in Italy during the pandemic. "As I spoke to other Chinese people in Italy I realized that almost every individual, family, or organization played some role in providing masks or helping out in some other way, and the idea for the book came from that," she said. Hu said she invited members of the Chinese community living permanently in Italy-tourism professionals, actors, translators, designers, writers, musicians, educators and mediators, from Palermo in southern Italy to Turin in the north-to tell the story of how the pandemic had changed their lives. She said 20 people submitted stories that appeared in the book, even including one poem. Most were written in Chinese and translated into Italian. The 20 best stories appeared in the 232-page book Noi Restiamo Qui: Come La Comunita Cinese Ha Vissuto L'Epidemia (We'll Stay Here: How the Chinese Community Lived Through the Epidemic). Hu said that collecting the stories and editing the book, which was published in last September in both Chinese and Italian, became her main focus during the pandemic. "Now it's been 10 months since the start of the pandemic in Italy and five months since we received the last contribution to the book," she said. "We have captured a piece of history by telling the stories of our lives during such an unusual period, and that gives this book meaning." "That whole experience also made me realize how much a part of Italy I had become," said Hu. "Even after 31 years of living in Italy, I sometimes feel like a foreigner. But there are other times when I realize this country (Italy) is home to me now." US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told his Afghan counterpart that President Joe Biden's administration will review Washington's peace deal with the Taliban, the White House said on Friday. "Mr. Sullivan made clear the United States' intention to review the February 2020 US-Taliban agreement, including to assess whether the Taliban was living up to its commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence in Afghanistan, and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government and other stakeholders," the National Security Council Spokesperson Emily Horne said in a White House statement. Horne said further that Sullivan expressed America's desire that "all Afghan leaders embrace this historic opportunity for peace and stability." "The National Security Advisors discussed the United States' support for protecting the extraordinary gains made by Afghan women, girls, and minority groups as part of the peace process," she added. The spokesperson said that Sullivan committed to consulting with the Government of Afghanistan, NATO allies, and regional partners regarding a collective strategy to support a stable, sovereign, and secure future for Afghanistan. "Mr. Sullivan underscored that the US will support the peace process with a robust and regional diplomatic effort, which will aim to help the two sides achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire," Horne said. The White House official said the US will determine if the Taliban is meeting terms of the deal that call for the insurgents to break from terrorist groups, reduce violence and engage in talks with Kabul. Sputnik reported that The US-Taliban deal called for Washington to withdraw troops in exchange for insurgent promises not to allow Afghanistan to become a terrorist safe haven. However, intra-Afghan talks have been stalled as violence in Afghanistan has been on the rise. (ANI) Also Read: Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial will start week of Feb 8: Chuck Schumer Samples of 10 dead birds from Dolasa village in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district have tested positive for avian influenza, officials said on Saturday. This is the first case in where birds have tested positive for the infection, an official from the state animal husbandry department said. Earlier, samples of some wild birds had tested positive for the flu in few districts of the state. "Ten samples of birds (chicken) tested positive for avian influenza, following which 220 birds in three backyard farms in the village were culled," deputy director of animal husbandry at Gir Somnath, D M Parmar, said. The district collector issued a notification restricting activities in one km radius of the site from where the carcasses of infected birds were recovered. Local authorities restricted the movement of poultry products from the affected area as one of the measures to contain the spread of the infection. Other districts of that have reported confirmed bird flu cases are Junagadh, Valsad, Surat, and Vadodara. In these districts, samples of wild birds had tested positive for avian influenza. Washington/Ottawa, Jan 23 : In his first phone call with a foreign leader since he became the 46th US President, Joe Biden has pledged to work with Canada while speaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Taking to Twitter after the call on Friday, Trudeau said: "When it comes to ending the pandemic, growing the middle class, fighting climate change, and creating good jobs for people on both sides of the border, @POTUS @JoeBiden and I know there's a lot of work to do together - and no time to waste. "On our call today, we spoke about these and other issues, and agreed to work shoulder to shoulder to address them. I also congratulated @POTUS @JoeBiden on his inauguration. Talk again soon, Joe." Speaking to CBC News, a senior Canadian government official said that the conversation between the two leaders during the 30-minute phone call was "warm, friendly and collegial". "Many of the priorities are aligned. He's (Biden) got a good rapport with us and wants to work with us, as we do with him," the official said. According to a statement issued by Trudeau's Office, the President and the Prime Minister's discussion included wide ranging topics like the response against the raging Covid-19 pandemic, economic recovery, climate change, continental security, working with Indigenous peoples and international relations. Biden and Trudeau have also agreed to meet next month, the statement said without providing other details like the date and venue. The phone call took place two days after Biden signed an executive order to revoke the existing presidential permit for the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project, which would carry oil from Canada to the American Gulf Coast. In response, Trudeau had said that "we are disappointed but acknowledge the President's decision to fulfil his election campaign promise on Keystone XL". The senior government official told CBC News that during Friday's call Biden acknowledged the hardship the decision would create in Canada but "defended his decision by saying he was making good on a campaign promise and restoring a decision made by the former Barack Obama administration". According to the statement, two leaders also discussed another potential area of conflict, the President's commitment to including 'Buy American' provisions that privilege American companies in future infrastructure spending plans. "Reflecting on the extraordinary and deeply interconnected economic relationship between the two countries, and with a view to promoting and protecting it, the Prime Minister and President agreed to consult closely to avoid measures that may constrain bilateral trade, supply chains, and economic growth," it added. Earlier this month, the body of a young man came through the city Medical Examiners Office: another victim of a fatal overdose amid the COVID-19 pandemic, during which drug deaths have reached record levels in Philadelphia. The man had been found with a few pills in his pocket; his parents told investigators that they had known him to only seek out the opioid painkiller OxyContin. But the pills werent OxyContin, or Percocet, or any other pharmaceutical opioid. An initial test showed the man died with fentanyl in his system the powerful synthetic opioid that has made its way into almost every corner of the citys drug supply. The Medical Examiners Office tested the pills, too. Fentanyl. Increasingly, illicit fentanyl, which first turned up in the citys heroin supply, can now be found in Philadelphia in pill form: drugs that look as though they came from a pharmacy, but, in reality, are composed of fentanyl or other adulterants, pressed into the shape of an opioid painkiller, or an antianxiety drug like Xanax. Theyre cheap to produce and can turn a high profit for dealers. People have been selling fake pills for a while, but not quite to this extent, said Pat Trainor, a spokesperson for the local Drug Enforcement Administration. Weve seen counterfeit pills for many years, but the availability has really skyrocketed over the past year. Its of great concern to us as if Philadelphia isnt saturated enough with fentanyl products. As recently as 2017, none of the DEAs drug seizures in Pennsylvania or Delaware included counterfeit pills. By 2019, they made up 9% of the agencys total fentanyl seizures. Last week, city health officials issued a news release warning drug users that any drug they consume may contain fentanyl. The synthetic opioid has turned up in stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, and hallucinogens like PCP putting people with no tolerance for opioids at higher risk of an overdose. Pressed pills, too, are of particular concern, because they may appeal to drug users with a lower tolerance for opioids. Some may even seek out pharmaceutical pills over powder heroin or fentanyl, believing they know what theyre getting. In Philadelphia, thats increasingly not the case. In interviews Friday in McPherson Square in Kensington, the heart of the citys drug trade, several people in active addiction said they had long avoided pills because its often impossible to tell whats in them fentanyl or otherwise. People that are not from around here seek them out, and they think they know the difference between a real pill and a fake pill, said a young man sitting on the curb at the edge of the park. And bodies are dropping left and right. For his part, the man said, he stopped buying pills years ago: Between fentanyl and other adulterants, they were just too unpredictable. Its safer to buy regular fentanyl because you know what youre getting, he said. (Years ago, powdered fentanyl replaced most of the heroin in Philadelphia; many opioid users, especially in Kensington, are now accustomed to it.) Another man who was preparing a dose of heroin nearby, and gave his name as Jay, said dealers put anything they can get in [pills] to make you buy it. Jay said he primarily used heroin and methamphetamine, and sometimes tests his meth for fentanyl, as well. When asked how he keeps himself safe from overdose, he replied: Whats safe? I dont even know what that means. Compounding the problem is the difficulty of tracking deaths caused by fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills as opposed to a death from injected fentanyl. Unless a sample of the drug is found on the person at the scene, or the next of kin has a sample of it, we have no way of knowing how the drugs were taken in whether ingested, injected, swallowed or in what form the drug was in, said Kendra Viner, the director of substance-use prevention and harm reduction for the city health department. Often, the only clues the health department has to go on are the drugs found near an overdose victim like the young man with pills in his pocket. Viner said the citys anecdotal evidence shows pressed pills are a particular problem in South Philadelphia, where drug use is heavily stigmatized and tends to happen behind closed doors. But theyre available in the open-air drug markets in Kensington, too. In Kensington, folks know that fentanyl is in everything so I think the knowledge is there, said Mary Craighead, the overdose prevention and harm reduction coordinator at Prevention Point, the Kensington-based public health organization for people with addiction. Folks getting pills in different parts of the city might disassociate pill use from heroin use its perceived as maybe a less risky behavior because its not injection drug use. They dont think fentanyl can make its way into this pill that maybe they got from their friends, or someone they trusted. Craighead and Viner said its crucial to educate drug users about fentanyl, regardless of what drug they use, and to encourage them to test for the synthetic opioid especially as overdoses skyrocket. The city health department offers training on how to use fentanyl testing strips on its website. Officials say that 2020 likely saw the highest-ever number of drug overdose deaths in Philadelphia. By Sept. 30, 950 people had died of drug overdoses, more than in the entirety of 2016. (Until 2020, 2017 was the worst year for drug deaths on record; 1,217 Philadelphians died of an overdose that year.) Nationally, public health officials have noted that the stress and isolation of the pandemic had hit people with addiction hard: Overdose deaths spiked across the United States in the early months of the pandemic, a trend that continued through June, according to the most recent available data. In Philadelphia, 81% of the drug overdose deaths in 2020 involved fentanyl the highest proportion ever reported, the city said in a news release. City officials say theyre launching a community education initiative to prevent fentanyl overdoses whether alone, in combination with stimulants, or in pill form. In the news release, the city said it plans to conduct street outreach, give out fentanyl test strips and naloxone, and launch a media campaign early this year. The risk of overdose is becoming more and more an issue, Viner said. We need as many prevention mechanisms in place as possible to prevent an overdose. Shonah Grant and her husband just returned from a Thursday stroll through their Jefferson Park neighborhood when they noticed something in their yard. It was totally bizarre, Grant said of the incident, which happened about 6:45 p.m. in the 5500 block of West Leland Avenue. I saw something in the yard. I thought, well, thats weird, I never saw that before. It looked like a (tire) rim. They walked closer and saw more debris in the yard. Then, there was a tire by our front porch! Grant said. She and her husband assumed it was garbage someone had dumped, so they lugged the heavy wreckage into their alley, thinking scrappers would take it. I just felt puzzled by the whole thing, she said. A little later, while in her kitchen making dinner, it dawned on her. Oh my God, I think its an airplane tire, Grant said. She called a friend, a retired airplane mechanic, who came right over. Thats definitely from a plane tire. It looks like a smaller plane, he confirmed. The couples four children were all home at the time. Two of them heard a very loud bang, Grant said. After speaking to her neighbors, she learned the wheel likely hit her neighbors yard first, just on the edge of her sidewalk, going into her backyard, Grant said. Then, as it broke apart, it fell into our yard. It was crazy it fell literally between the two houses, Grant said. As they were moving the debris back to where they found it, Chicago police officers got there. Police came up and so then we just dropped them, and they didnt want us to move them again, Grant said. The officers also told the Grants a plane had reported it lost a wheel. As of about 7:45 p.m., several houses in the area had been cordoned off and multiple police officers were on the scene as well as at least two television stations. Were waiting for the FAA to get here, Grant said. Grant is grateful it did not hit their home or injure anyone. It would have gone through the roof if it hit the roof, she said. It is a little freaky because, where we live, were right in a flight path to OHare. We have massive planes that fly over, Grant said. Thank God it was a small plane, but its really surreal. ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian police have introduced a software, rescue me app, to aid the timely arrival of officers at crime scenes anywhere in Nigeria. The commissioner of police in Jigawa State, Usman Gonna, told reporters that the police developed the application to tackle insecurity through technology. He said the application would improve the response time of police officers to emergency situations in real time. He said the application uses internet services and is global position satellite (GPS)-based. The official said the application can be downloaded at Google Play Store and Nigeria Police National Command and Control Safety Centres official website, www.npfc4i.com Mr Gonna said those who have downloaded and installed the application on their smartphones, in an emergency situation, only need to press the help button and the distress button will promptly offer for selection an incident icon. The icons include Homicide, Killing Spree, Rape, Assault, Kidnapping, Domestic Threat, Burglary and Violence. After selecting the icon appropriate for the crime one wishes to report, the user is encouraged to select an estimated number of victims to ease the decision-making and preparedness of the rescue team, the commissioner added Thereafter, the application immediately activates the camera and microphone of your smartphone for evidence collection and finally, the emergency will be sent successfully to the police control room. Nigerians can also use the application to report unprofessional conduct of the police, the police boss said. The following is an open letter to President Joe Biden: As you become the 46th President of the United States, I would like you to think about these issues during your presidency. I would like you to send a powerful message to the nation about the importance of mask mandates and the importance of following health guidelines. I hope you will take the necessary actions so that we will go back to school soon. While eating dinner, our family usually watches the news. I have noticed that the country has divided more than ever before. Please take action to reunite our country. We should eliminate discrimination of gender, religion, nationality, age, disability and ethnicity. We all belong to the United States of America. There is no space for racism. I would like you to launch a plan against global warming. I see that there are fewer and fewer snow days as the years go on. I would like you to invest in solar energy programs and produce energy from environmentally friendly sources, such as biofuel, hydropower, and wind power. You can produce more products within our country instead of importing goods from other countries, which will create more job opportunities. I would like you to promote cordial relationships with other nations to share expertise and knowledge. This will ensure that our future will be peaceful. I would also like you to consider free education for kindergarten through college so that kids dont have to worry about expenses and can focus on innovative learning. Also, I would like you to create a plan for affordable health insurance and invest more money in the research of cancer treatments, as well as develop a plan to avoid future pandemics. When Im in 9th grade, at the end of your term, I hope to live in a united country with many prosperities. I wish you all the best on your presidential journey. (Shanya Tissera is a fifth-grade student at PS 65.) GST Compensation Cess was introduced for an initial period of five years to compensate states from a revenue shortfall. Every Budget proposes change in tax policy, procedures, tax rates and compliance. Albeit every change is not beneficial to the taxpayers in general but as a Greek philosopher, Heraclitus said, Change is the only constant in life. It is a very apt quote especially for Goods and Services Tax (GST) where a taxpayer has to constantly deal with changing regulation. Even after three years of GST introduction, the taxpayers are still facing challenges in coping up with the ever-changing nuances of GST law. Therefore, taxpayers expect the government to make changes in the GST law with an aim to ease compliance burden. There are some key challenges which the industry expects the government to address in the upcoming Budget. During the introduction of GST in July 2017, certain petroleum products and electricity were kept outside GST with intent to bring them into the GST regime later. However, even after a lapse of 3.5 years, there is no clarity on their inclusion in the GST regime. These products are currently subject to multiple Central and state taxes with no input tax credit leading to increased price burden to the producer/consumers alike. Therefore, there is an urgent need to announce a roadmap for the inclusion of these products under the GST regime. The inclusion of these products in GST will not only benefit producers, distributors, but also consumers. It will also provide a much-needed relief from managing compliances under multiple laws. The government has implemented the GST regime with minimal exemptions/exceptions to broaden the tax base including levy of tax on deemed supply between branches/related parties/employees. However, the coverage of Input Tax Credit (ITC) is restricted. There are several business expenses for which the ITC is blocked such as construction-related expenses, employee-related expenses, business promotion expenses, etc. The government should not use ITC restrictions to augment the revenue. The denial of ITC to legitimate business expenditure increases the cost of doing business and also dilutes the basic objective of avoiding the cascading effect of taxation and creating a seamless credit structure. GST Compensation Cess was introduced for an initial period of five years to compensate states from a revenue shortfall. However, the GST Council in its 42nd meeting decided to extend the levy of GST Compensation Cess beyond five years to make up for the lower-than-expected GST revenue. With increased restrictions on ITC, this will be another burden for consumers and such decisions also create an uncertain tax environment. Anti-profiteering provisions were introduced to ensure that the benefits arising on account of the introduction of GST are passed on to the end consumers. However, no guidelines have been issued to assess profiteering leading to varying interpretations and consequent litigation. Also, the term of the authority has been increased by two years. The government should re-look at the need for continuing such provisions. GST was introduced as one nation one tax one market and it was expected that states/tax administration will take a uniform view of the GST law. However, recently, a state government has decided to issue its own circular for the administration of state GST law. Similarly, different processes are being followed for grant of refund in some states. Such an approach if adopted by other states could jeopardise the one nation one tax reform and lead to several complexities for the taxpayers. Another matter that needs immediate attention is addressing the delay in the formation of the GST tribunal so that the taxpayers can get a fair trial and timely relief from the untenable demands from tax authorities. The taxpayers are also struggling with frequent changes in the provisions of ITC. Recently, the government notified further restrictions on the availment of ITC to 105 percent of reported transaction as well as restricting utilisation of credit up to 99 percent for a certain category of taxpayers. The recovery of ITC availed by buyers for tax default by suppliers is affecting honest and compliant taxpayers as they have already paid the consideration to the suppliers. Hence, they expect the government to set up a mechanism to directly deal with defaulters rather than expecting the same to be addressed by buyers. The trade further expects the government to issue notification/circulars reasonably in advance and not at the last minute so that taxpayers can plan their activities smoothly. The ambiguity surrounding appropriate GST rates/classification of certain goods and services (e.g. applicable rate for purified/treated water, exploration-related services, automotive components, etc.) is another challenge. The issue is arising due to multiple GST slab rates and it is expected that the government announces a road-map for reducing the GST slab rates to maximum three. On the customs front, in line with the recent policy announcement to make India self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) and reduce Indias import dependency, one can expect customs duty rate rationalisation to provide protection to specific sectors forming part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan such as pharma, electronics, telecom, automotive, etc. As Union Budget 2021 will be presented in the backdrop of pandemic COVID-19 , it is expected that the finance minister will primarily focus on announcing stimulus for growth and economic recovery and, schemes for improving healthcare and social infrastructure. Overall, it is expected to be a pro-industry budget to sustain and achieve economic growth with enhanced measures to monitor and prevent tax evasion. The writer is Partner and Deputy Head of Indirect Taxes, KPMG in India; Santosh Sonar, CA, also contributed to this article. Syracuse, N.Y. -- A lake effect snow warning has been issued for parts of Central New York today as frigid air blows across Lake Ontario. Seven to 12 inches of snow could fall, according to the warning, which was issued by the National Weather Service just after midnight. The warning is in effect until 1 p.m. for Cayuga and Onondaga counties, including the city of Syracuse. Winds gusting to 35 mph could blow the snow around and make driving difficult. Plan on slippery road conditions, the warning said. A separate warning is in effect for the Rochester area, also until 1 p.m. Cold temperatures will prevail this weekend, with a high today in Syracuse of about 18 and wind chills hovering near zero. Sundays high will be in the lower 20s, and with decreasing winds the temperature will feel like its in the teens. Another, more widespread storm bringing snow and travel problems is possible Monday night and Tuesday. While the odds are growing for a significant storm, the weather service said, the exact path and timing are unclear. Due to all of this uncertainty, exact snow amounts remain uncertain at this range, but the chance for enough snow to cause some travel impacts continues to increase., the weather service said. READ MORE Squalls, lake effect snow, bitter cold ahead for Upstate NY Brace yourself for Upstate NYs coldest weekend of the winter so far 25 Things That Make Syracuse Great: Snow Buc-ees is almost ready to open the doors on its newest Alabama location. The travel center will cut the ribbon for its Leeds store on Monday at 11 a.m. The new Buc-ees is located at 6900 Buc-ees Blvd. off Interstate 20 and joins the chains first state location in Loxley. A third is set to be built in Athens. The Leeds store is expected to have about 200 employees. Occupying more than 53,250 square feet with 120 fueling spots, Buc-ees is known for its unique offerings including Texas barbecue, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver nuggets, jerky and fresh pastries. Buc-ees was founded in Texas in 1982, where it now operates 38 locations, including the worlds largest convenience store. It opened its first locations outside the state in 2019 with its Loxley store. It opened its first Georgia location in 2020 and then broke ground in South Carolina and Florida. It broke ground in Leeds back in 2019, and an Athens store is also planned. Take a look at the videos below that offer a peek inside. Live: Take a tour inside the new Buc-ees in Leeds during a preview for first responders. The gas station and store opens to the public Monday at 6 a.m. Posted by al.com on Friday, January 22, 2021 State companies soon on the CSE By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s): Two new state-controlled companies are to be floated shortly and listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) for the purpose of attracting investments. The two companies will be listed on the stock market to harness the maximum advantage of the present boom in the stock market with high investor interest, officials said The two new entities Selendiva Investments Ltd for hospitality and real estate sectors and a Special Investment Company called SIFCO almost exclusively for the highway sector are to be incorporated under the purview of the Finance Ministry. Selendiva Investments Ltd with Treasury ownership of 51 per cent, public 15 per cent and institutional investors 34 per cent of shares will take over the management control of Hilton Colombo, Grand Hyatt Colombo, Grand Oriental Hotel Colombo, Lotus Tower and unutilised land in Colombo. Officials said that the Government was pursuing a strategic plan of establishing state-owned companies initially to manage underperforming and underutilised hospitality ventures and already built expressways or expressways/ highways which are under construction. These stateowned real estate or infrastructure sector based holding companies (SOHCs) will enable such ventures to attract investment and boost investor confidence, a Finance Ministry memorandum revealed. It is aimed at helping the authorities meet their targets setting the foundations for future private sector participation in the relevant sectors, with public-private partnerships (PPPs), a senior official of the ministry said. It will also play an increasingly important role in governments production-oriented strategy facilitated by structural changes within the framework of a market economy. The Governments intention is to revitalise those entities in the hospitality and real estate sector via PPPs with better management but not to privatise them, he emphasised. Rural connectivity is poised to improve significantly, with the government securing funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to rehabilitate rural roads. These road renovations form part of a high cost infrastructure development plan that will also include the construction of several rural expressways in the coming years. Although budgetary shortfalls could make it difficult for the government to allocate the necessary funding for all of the planned developments, the formation of SIFCO will help solve the financial requirements. Opposition MPs have questioned the government as to whether 49 per cent of this new state owned Special Investment Company aimed to finance and manage the countrys expressways would be handed over to a Singapore based firm. CSE indices up The ASPI (index) of the Colombo Stock Exchange ended at a record 8,463 on Friday while the S&P was up at 3,312. Trading volumes was at a record 590 million shares while turnover was Rs. 12.8 billion. Przepraszamy! Ogoszenie na stanowisku: Senior Specialist, Control Monitoring wygaso z dniem 2021-02-04 Ta propozycja bya zozona przez Nordea Bank Abp SA Oddzia w Polsce Mozliwe przyczyny wygasniecia oferty to: propozycja zamieszczona przez pracodawce zostaa wycofana z serwisu praca.egospodarka.pl firma zakonczya proces rekrutacji uzyskujac odpowiednia ilosc CV zleceniodawca zmodyfikowa tresc ogoszenia i jest ono dostepne pod innym adresem WWW dostawca tresci usuna ogoszenie z bazy danych nieprawidowy adres url ogoszenia Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w branzy Konsulting, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Konsulting Jezeli poszukujesz pracy na stanowisku Senior Specialist, Control Monitoring, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Senior Specialist, Control Monitoring Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w miescie: Warszawa, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Warszawa Pamietaj, ze mozesz takze rozpoczac poszukiwanie pracy od strony gownej, kliknij tutaj. Inne propozycje, ktore mogy byc w kregu Twoich zainteresowan: By Martin Quin Pollard WUHAN (Reuters) - On the anniversary of the world's first coronavirus lockdown, in the Chinese city of Wuhan, life for animal lover Du Fan has returned to something like normal. That means Du and his organisation, the Wuhan Small Animals Protection Association, can focus their energy on rescuing, caring and finding homes for stray cats and dogs. Twelve months ago, however, Du, 38, and his group were faced with a whole new problem - saving pets who had homes, but whose owners were unable to provide them with daily necessities when the city where the coronavirus emerged went into lockdown. So they began a project that eventually led to them saving more than 10,000 pets from more than 5,000 households, Du said. Getting into residential compounds sometimes required the gift of the gab or special passes. And to get into flats, Du's team would hire locksmiths, with the owner's consent, to open doors. Ninety-five percent of the pets left home alone were cats. "There would be nothing to eat," Du said. "The litter box would be full. So the cat had no place to poop. But when you had finished all your work and when this dog or cat had been saved from death because of your effort, you would feel very fulfilled in your heart," he added. Du said the work he and the team benefited the whole community, not just the pet owners and their animals. "While helping the owner of the animal, we also helped the whole compound by maintaining its hygiene," Du said. The project was cut short after two weeks when an even stricter lockdown was enforced. But Du said that many pets were able to get through the remaining two months of lockdown thanks to his team putting down vast amounts of food and water, which could last for weeks, and calling on owners to find a way to get back to Wuhan, which many ended up doing. Du has noticed that since the pandemic, awareness and understanding about animals in some areas has improved, such as with regard to the eating of wild animals, cats and dogs. Story continues It is a tradition to eat such meat in many parts of China but following the pandemic the wild animal trade has been banned. Du, who has worked in the field for over a decade, hopes that the lockdown experience has made people more aware of the care their pets need. "I've been telling my friends that no matter what happens to us, we shouldn't leave our pets alone at home for too long, whether it's a cat or a dog," Du said. (Reporting by Martin Quin Pollard; Additional reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Robert Birsel) Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Detail of Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, commonly known as the Night Watch, 1642, by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. On loan from the City of Amsterdam. (Rijksmuseum) Meeting Rembrandts The Night Watch The mere mention of Rembrandts painting The Night Watch brings up the rush of excitement I had when I first approached the painting more than 15 years ago. I still vividly remember my visit to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam to view the painting. Its a memory that never fades. Awe struck me before I even reached the painting. From across the other side of the gallery, Rembrandts painting had a presence that demanded attention, a presence that pulled me in before I could even distinguish what the painting was truly about, let alone marvel at any of the details. Rembrandts The Night Watch can be seen in the center, as viewed from the Gallery of Honor, in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. (Erik Smits) Thats what great art does; it pulls you into the picture. And Rembrandt was a master storyteller. In The Night Watch, he cleverly used a complex composition, light and shade, and brilliant brushstrokes to narrate the action of the story, without a whisper of a word spoken. What first drew me in from afar was the enormity of The Night Watch canvas. Its colossal: nearly 12 feet by 14 1/2 feet, and Rembrandts largest masterpiece. But what made the biggest impact from a distance was Rembrandts use of light. Its pure theater: He illuminated this painting as if it were a stage, emotionally and physically directing the viewer through the story. Cinematographer Peter Suschitzky puts it well. He believes Rembrandt strove to find a universal truth in the human condition and used light to create motion and emotion. This parallels cinematography, where sculpting light and directing the gaze of the viewer to the desired place in an image is essential for powerful storytelling, as hes quoted on Dulwich Picture Gallerys website. In The Night Watch I stood in front of the painting, and even though I was surrounded by other art lovers, everyone seemed to fade away as I entered into the world of Rembrandts painting. In it, many almost life-size military figures ready themselves with arms. Its a dynamic, chaotic scene not normally seen in formal commissions. Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, dressed in the red sash, and members of his Kloveniers (civic militia and police) commissioned Rembrandt to paint the scene for the Kloveniersdoelen, the militias shooting range. Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, commonly known as the Night Watch, 1642, by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. On loan from the City of Amsterdam. (Rijksmuseum) Rembrandt staggered the figures and placed them in the back, middle, and foreground, rather than on one plane (the men at the back are even elevated slightly), all to give the painting depth. On the left, a man in red cleans his gun. Farther back on the left, at the edge of the painting, a man holds a pike and is part of a small group. Similar groups are seen throughout the painting readying themselves for their captains command. The focal point is the three figures gently lit: the girl in white, and the captain with his lieutenant, Willem van Ruytenburch. Rediscovering The Night Watch As a rule when I visit a gallery or museum, I try to view the art with a keen curiosity and a pure heart, like a newborn baby seeing for the first time. My aim with any art is to genuinely connect with it: commune with it, if you will, and observe what comes up for me. I never read more than I have to about the artwork before I see it; I especially avoid reading the gallery notes next to it. I liken viewing art to meeting new acquaintances. The first time you meet them face-to-face, you evaluate whether you like them, if you feel connected to them, and then you decide if you want to deepen the friendship. And just as in a friendship, as you get to know each artist and their work, as the connection deepens, you see new nuances. Nothing beats seeing a piece of art in person, yet over the past year, many of us have lost that luxury. I also know that many online tours are full of interesting facts and high-tech wonders, such as the ability to zoom in on a painting. So putting that thought of communing with a painting aside, as I wanted to give the Rijksmuseum online guide a go, I opened my laptop and entered the online tour. The Online Night Watch The first screen takes me to the Rijksmuseums Gallery of Honor, with its majestic ceiling and harmonious arches. The Night Watch can be seen at the end of the corridor, off in the distance. A couple of mouse clicks takes me to the painting, and I begin the highlights tour. My audio guide first introduces me to some of the militia. At first glance, the scene depicted appears to be a gathering of arms before the militia marches into battle, but actually the scene was painted in peacetime. These militia were wealthy, well-known locals who were called on to calm local disturbances or to attend ceremonies. The captain and 17 of his militia paid to be in the painting. Their names are written on the shield high above the lieutenants head, although it is unclear whether Rembrandt painted the shield himself as it was added after the painting was varnished. Describing the composition, the audio guide highlights the three main characters bathed in light: the girl in the white dress in the left of the painting, and the two main characters in the center (the captain with the red sash and his lieutenant dressed in cream). Rembrandt bucked tradition, first by depicting an informal military scene and then by highlighting the three characters. Painters normally depicted the light source evenly across a painting. Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, commonly known as the Night Watch, 1642, by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. On loan from the City of Amsterdam. (Rijksmuseum) In addition to the light focusing our attention on the three main figures, the chaotic scene of men readying themselves with weapons was actually composed with precision. The mens tangle of weapons was another device Rembrandt used to direct us to the three figures. The angelic girl in white was rumored to be Rembrandts wife, Saskia, who died young. She bears more than a passing resemblance. The audio states that the girl is a kind of mascot to the guild. On her dress dangles a pouch of gunpowder and a dead chicken. The chicken represents the clauweniers (claw guild), as the Kloveniers were sometimes called. The captain (in the red sash) holds his hand out, calling his men to arms. The flag bearer to the left of him raises his flag, and the drummer to the right of him plays his drum. Throughout the scene, men are attentively readying themselves as if they are really going to fight for their country. Each man is fully engrossed in his responsibility, whether thats loading his weapon or running to his position. The chaotic scene that Rembrandt depicted, nevertheless, shows national pride, discipline, and order, for once the captain commands them, each one will fall into line as one unit. More About The Night Watch The painting is full of surprises. Its not the entire painting that Rembrandt painted. In the 18th century, it was hung in Amsterdam Town Hall, but the space was smaller than the painting, so the painting was trimmed to fit the space. In the 19th century, the painting was named The Night Watch, but thats not the title Rembrandt chose. The original name was Militia Company of District II Under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq. However, by the 19th century, the painting had taken on a darker tone: Time, dirt, and varnish had taken its toll, so viewers thought the painting was a night scene. Hence, it was named The Night Watch. Of all the Rijksmuseums Rembrandts, The Night Watch is the painting scholars know the least about because it is on display seven days a week and not available for close analysis. In the summer of 2019, an extensive conservation effort on The Night Watch began, called Operation Nightwatch. Conservation experts hope to reveal more insights from Rembrandts enigmatic painting as they work on the painting while visitors view it. The Rijksmuseums online guide to The Night Watch gives some great insights. Im grateful for being able to access it this way. But online viewing can never replace seeing the painting in person, for what often fascinates me is seeing the painted surface: how the artist rendered the scene with delicacy or fast and furious brushstrokes, and how the varnish has cracked and weathered over time. Its nowhere near the same experience online, where the artists personal touches cannot be seen. Connecting face-to-screen is never, and can never be, the same as connecting face-to-face. Its a bit like connecting with family and friends via Zoom: Youre grateful for it in the short term, but somethings missing and it makes you savor the human connection even more. To find out more about The Night Watch by Rembrandt visit, Rijksmuseum.nl I am not an Eelam Filmmaker but a Sri Lankan filmmaker By Susitha Fernando View(s): View(s): Self-exiled in France, Sri Lankan filmmaker, Pradeepan Raveendrans debut feature Soundless Dance is now available online through his website www.exilimage.com. Pradeepan who left Sri Lanka at the age of 20, is an award winning filmmaker whose films focus mainly on Sri Lankas ethnic conflict. Coming from a family of photographers, Pradeepan first became a still photographer and mastered working in dark room and then digital lab. In France Pradeepan shifted from still images to the moving images making his short films and then the feature. The film a French-Sri Lankan production set around the destiny of a young Sri Lankan Tamil migrant and the psychological trauma he goes through. Pradeepan explained why he wanted to be a filmmaker and specially make films on Sri Lanka. From where did you get the inspiration to be a filmmaker? our family there were many photographers. We had number of uncles who did photography and one of my Grand Uncles has worked even as a photo-journalist. My father told me how this uncle put his camera in a paper bag during 1956 riots and took some photographs which were even won acclaim abroad. Having seen his photographs, he had been presented some expensive lenses from Russia. Photography was in my family and from my childhood I would take photographs, develop them, worked in the dark room and also at Digital laboratory. You were originally from Jaffna and Negombo, you can converse in both Tamil and Sinhala. How did your life in two different areas influenced your cinema skill? I have lot of happy memories in Jaffna. Our house was by the Jaffna Fort. But during the war my parents realised that we could not be educated being in Jaffna and decided to shift to Negombo, my mothers home town. It was during the war and we were not able to come to Colombo but when my maternal grandmother died citing it as a reason we shifted to Negombo. But there we were virtually refugees as we were shifting from house to house on rent. Sometimes we could live in a house only six months as landlords asked us to vacate as we were Tamils. We shifted nearly 12 houses during our stay in Negopmbo and I was longing to get back to Jaffna. Just five days after the A9 road was opened during 2004 ceasefire I secretly went back to Jaffna. But while in Negombo I made it a point to learn my Sinhala and make Sinhalese friend. While in Sri Lanka did you think of becoming a filmmaker? I did but I did not have the opportunity to do it as video cameras were expensive. You are making films on Sri Lanka while living in France. Why dont you come to Sri Lanka and do it? I dont want to come to Sri Lanka with a Sri Lank passport. Though I am not a French citizen here I have some freedom to express myself as a filmmaker. But if I come to Sri Lanka I will lose even that as well. I dont think as a Tamil filmmaker I would get the freedom to make films with my political perspective. That is why I dont want to come to Sri Lanka with a Sri Lankan passport. I have some freedom here. I believe no one can put me into trouble. I need freedom to do films. If I come there I should be able to do my work. Also I dont want to come to Sri Lanka permanently because if I come I will not be treated as an equal Sri Lankan. My view is that Tamils are not treated equally. This is my point of view. This can be interpreted in a negative way. One might ask why cant you come to Sri Lanka because there are so many Tamils living here. I know how I received second class treatment. Until I am assured that I can do my cinema work freely, I dont want to come to Sri Lanka. Its not only Tamils there are other minorities like Muslims, Burghers, Christian and many more. As an artiste why dont you look at this inequality in a broader perspective? Before the LTTE chase away the Muslims from the North, the Muslims too were came under the category of Tamil speaking Sri Lankans. Anyway what Tamils and Muslims are facing in Sri Lanka is a Constitutional problem. A Sinhala majority government cannot solve this problem with a constitutional solution. That is the root cause of 30 years long war. But after so many losses by the Tamils, they are treated as losers. Now we need trust. Lets forget about everything and go forward. We should build a trust and that could be done only with a constitutional framework. As a filmmaker and an artiste isnt it your role to unite people and use your art for that purpose? I know that there is inequality within the Tamil society as well. For example the treatment of low cast Tamils in Sri Lanka is an issue. The treatment given to them is so bad. For hundreds of years we could not find a solution. Coming back to unity, reconciliation is important. Every one needs an assurance and it should be for true unity. For true unity trust should be developed. In the film I show there are so many divisions within the Tamil society as well. It is not only Sinhalese it is among the other communities also. I am not an Eelam filmmaker but Ilangai meaning Sri Lankan filmmaker. When Tamil groups asked for an Eelam, as I can remember it was only the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students (EROS) that included hill country Tamils. From there, many debates took place on the meaning of Eelam. According to me Sri Lanka is a country with different colours and at the same time there are many grey areas. We cannot divide Sri Lanka as black and white. At the same time when comes to the Tamil people, it is not only North and East Tamils but Tamils all over the country. The Tamils who could go about freely and do their work in their own language. It is not only Tamils but there are number of Sinhalese filmmakers who had to face problems for their works of art specially films they made on the ethnic war. Some of those films were not allowed to be screened in Sri Lanka. Isnt it that this issue of freedom of expression is not ethnic but how you express yourself? I honour those Sinhala filmamkers for what they have done and also what they had gone through. I am inspired by them. I am a filmmaker who was inspired by Sinhala cinema more than Tamil cinema. I have great respect for filmmakers like Prasanna vithanage, Asoka Handagama and Vimukthi Jayasundara. They too would have been castigated as Tigers but when I do that I too would be called a Tiger. But the danger we face is different. When we were living in Colombo and Negombo and we had to register our names and were viewed with suspicion always. The Sinhala filmmakers are respected in a different way. But if I do the same thing the repercussion is not the same. Q: Now that you are in France, do you want to continue to make films on Sri Lanka? I am interested in the local scenario. It is very important to me. I think I will continue to make films about Sri Lanka or on Sri Lanka. My film is a 100 percent French film. All the producers are from France. But it is about Sri Lanka and I am from Sri Lanka. Even though more than half of the film is set in France, there are many scenes related to Sri Lanka. So for me this is a French-Sri Lankan film. Soundless Dance now on Online Young filmmaker Pradeepan Raveendrans debut feature Soundless Danceis now available for online viewing. With a special concessionary rate of USD 3.70 for Sri Lanka and India,the film could be watched through the link soundlessdance.exilimage.com while the link for the rest of the world is soundlessdance1.exilimage.com. International premier held at the 43rd Atlanta Film Festival in the USA, Soundless Dance won the award for the Best debut feature film at the Jaffna International Cinema Festival. It was also featured at the Dhaka International Film Festival Bangladesh, Tasveer South Asian Film Festival USA, Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival, the South Asian Film Festival Of Montreal Canada, Film Bazaar, India and Sirahununi International Film Festival 2019 in Batticaloa. Pradeepans short film A Mango tree in the Front Yard was the official selection at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2009 and it was nominated for Golden Bear award. His second short film, Shadows of Silence premiered at the Directors Fortnight at the Cannes international Film Festival in 2010. They were also screened at many prestigious film festivals including the Rotterdam film festival in the Netherlands and the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. 2021 will mark an unprecedented year for palindrome dates. According to the Farmers' Almanac, 2021 will have a total of 22 palindrome dates, which are dates that read the same forwards and backward in four, five, and six-digit formats. INAUGURATION OUTFITS RANKED: The best 2021 inauguration outfits, ranked Dr. Aziz Inan, an electrical engineering professor at the University of Portland, Oregon, describes what makes 2021 a stand-out year for palindromes. Inan has been studying palindromes for over a decade. The only two years in a century that contain 22 palindrome dates are the ones ending with 11 and 21, Dr. Inan said. The year 2011 had 22, and in the next century, they will be found in 2111 and 2121. The first palindrome date already happened on Jan. 2, 2021 (1-2-21). The most significant palindrome date will be the one from Inauguration day, which also marks the start of 10 consecutive days of palindromes. The Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Jan. 20, 2021, marked the first time a palindrome date fell on Inauguration Day in history, according to the Farmers' Almanac. We won't be around to witness the next one happening in 1,000 years on 1-20-3021. The next set of consecutive palindrome dates won't happen until later this year in December, with nine, five-digit palindrome dates: 12-1-21 12-2-21 12-3-21 12-4-21 12-5-21 12-6-21 12-7-21 12-8-21 12-9-21 According to the Farmers' Almanac, palindromes also include words or phrases spelled the same forwards and backward such as Mom, Dad, Hannah, and phrases such as "Was it a bar or a bat I saw?" If you're fascinated with palindrome dates and want to see what other ones are coming up in the 21st Century visit the Farmers' Almanac website here. London-based investment manager Montanaro eats, sleeps and breathes 'good' smaller companies. Its investment view is simple: smaller companies offer the potential to deliver investors stellar long-term returns, especially if they are also run with a firm eye on the environment, adopt fair work practices and do not promote boardroom greed. It's a philosophy that underpins the 3billion of assets Montanaro runs on behalf of investors with all its funds and trusts having at least 60 per cent of their investments in 'good' smaller firms. A team of 11 in-house analysts constantly scour the world in search of hidden investment gems that the managers can then include. Nowhere has this commitment to minnows proved more successful than at investment trust Montanaro European Smaller Companies. The performance of this 282million fund over the past year in the face of the pandemic storm an overall return of 44 per cent has been exceptional and is far superior to other trusts specialising in this particular area. Its three and five-year investment records also knock spots off its competitors. The manager is George Cooke, who has had a hand on its tiller for the past eight years. He is keen to play down his role in its success. He says the trust's performance is primarily a vindication of the meticulous investment approach adopted by Montanaro towards smaller companies. This ensures no manager can buy any stock without it first being approved by the company's internal investment committee. It also means a holding must be quickly offloaded if the same committee believes it has outlived its purpose. In other words, no fund manager is allowed to go off piste. It's a team approach. 'European smaller companies are an overlooked investment space,' says Cooke. 'Collectively, they represent an asset class that is not easy to cover and is labour intensive in terms of analysis. But for those happy to do the hard graft, which our analysts are, there are some rich pickings to be had.' Although Cooke says many UK investors remain lukewarm to investing in Europe, he believes some of the smaller businesses based in Germany and Sweden are among the best in the world. 'There are a huge number of entrepreneurs in Europe running good quality, high growth smaller companies,' he says. 'Most go under the radar of investors.' The trust currently has 56 holdings, all of which are listed Montanaro does not invest in unquoted companies. The biggest holding is Swedish accountancy software company Fortnox, which dominates its home market. 'The more work we did on this business, the more we liked it,' says Cooke. 'We first invested back in September 2017 and then bought more shares in early 2019. It's been so successful we have had to trim our holding a little bit so it doesn't become too dominant in the portfolio.' Cooke, who has his own money in the trust, says most of the businesses in the portfolio are immune to any fallout from the recent Brexit deal. The bigger 'risk', he believes, is future underperformance against rival funds. This tends to happen when stock markets are in bullish mood and do not put a price premium on the kind of quality companies he prefers. It's a point also made by James Carthew, head of investment trusts at research company QuotedData. He says: 'A focus on quality may mean you get left behind as a fund manager when investors are engaged in a 'dash for trash'. But over the long term, the quality approach adopted by Cooke should pay off.' The trust's stock market identification code is 0454351. One of the coronavirus doses went to a 105-year-old local woman. Older in age -- but young in soul. She's quite the tough cookie having lived through two pandemics. Clara Dye is an incredible woman and still quite the personality at age 105. She arrived at Herkimer County Community College today to get her COVID-19 vaccine. And she said it was a piece of cake. But this isn't the only pandemic Clara has been through -- she was a child during the 1918 flu pandemic. She survived the Spanish flu when she was only 5 years old. Clara's family are very happy to help her get through this second pandemic. Clara's daughter in law, Christine Roberts, said "Since she has come this long at 105...we've taken enough chances and we would avoid anymore chance of her getting COVID." She always gets her flu shot and eats healthy, which is why she is in such great condition and high spirits. But she does have a special request, or maybe a few. Clara's son, Dick Roberts said she enjoys, "McDonald's, cinnamon buns, and a Happy Meal." And although she has a sweet tooth, she doesn't have many health issues. Christine said, "No, not really. She does take, you know, medication, very little...She doesn't like medicine and she doesn't need much." Clara loves fashion and watching game shows like Jeopardy. Clara will get her second coronavirus vaccine shot in three weeks. Washington: Capitol Police are investigating an incident in which a Republican lawmaker was blocked from entering the House chamber after setting off a metal detector while apparently carrying a concealed gun. Representative Andy Harris set off the metal detector while trying to enter the chamber on Thursday afternoon. The metal detectors were installed after the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, which left five people dead, including a Capitol police officer. Representative Andy Harris, a Republican. Credit:AP The incident was witnessed by a reporter from the HuffPost website. After setting off the machine, Harris was asked to step aside for further screening. At that time, an officer discovered Harris was carrying a concealed gun on his side, according to the reporter. Alibaba-backed community group buying platform gets fined for uncompetitive practices; U.S. and China trade officials hold their first phone call under the Biden presidency; and the yuan surges to a three-year high against the dollar May 28, 2021 05:54 PM Advertisement Lets start with a challenge Im trying to swim round Africa. Well actually, its a tiny Greek island in the shape of Africa, called Merope. Im swimming across the 100-yard channel between Merope and the little town of Kardamyli in the Mani area of the underrated Peloponnese peninsula. The sea ahead is sunlit turquoise. Behind me, in the shadows cast by the cypress trees, its royal blue. The Daily Mail's Harry Mount recalls swimming across the 100-yard channel between Merope and the little town of Kardamyli (above) Last night, when I had a dip after the half-hour drive from Kalamata Airport, the water was deep purple wine-dark, as Homer, who mentions Kardamyli in the Iliad, called the Mediterranean. Im working up an appetite for lunch at Elies Restaurant, a five-minute drive along the coast. Its simple cafe tables and rush chairs lie under olive trees and a building made of limestone flecked with gold and copper, from the Taygetos Mountains above Kardamyli. I have a Mythos beer, calamari and a choriatiki a Greek salad. After a doze on the beach, I stroll through empty Old Kardamyli a preserved medieval village of fortified tower houses. Then its time to tackle the winding path up into the Taygetos foothills. Beside me is the plunging Vyros Gorge, a thunderous river in winter, but today its bone-white stones rise from the riverbed. After an hour I reach the tiny Byzantine church of Agios Nikolaos in Chora, where Elizabeth Chatwin, widow of the travel writer Bruce Chatwin (1940-89), buried his ashes under an olive tree. I identify an old, gnarled olive tree and declare it to myself as the right spot. Old Kardamyli is a preserved medieval village of fortified tower houses leading to the Taygetos foothills Retreating down the hill, I have a 6pm appointment at the Patrick and Joan Leigh Fermor Centre, the enchanting house designed by Patrick Leigh Fermor (1915-2011), the British travel writer and war hero. On the terrace, his old housekeeper, Elpida, produces fresh moussaka as I look down on Merope. Leigh Fermor swam round it every day in his 80s. It took him an hour. I didnt get all the way today Ill try again tomorrow. Candace Cameron Bure is clearing the air about her social media interests, even if it leaves fans disappointed. On Thursday, the Fuller House star and mother of three took a minute to address multiple messages she had received about her social media activity. I read several comments from peoplepeople that were disappointed or told me that they were unfollowing me because of the people I chose to follow on Instagram, she said in her Stories. Candace Cameron Bure, seen here in Sept. 2020, responded to criticism of her social media interests by saying, in part, "I follow a broad range of people so that I have perspective. (Photo: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images) Cameron Bure added, "It's always strange to me because I follow a very broad range of people politically, within my work industry, and then personal friends and things I like, but a follow does not mean an endorsement. A follow does not mean I agree with everything they say and do. It just means I follow a broad range of people so that I have perspective. The star, with 4.7 million followers, only subscribes to roughly 1,000 accounts, including that of President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Melania Trump, and Michelle and Barack Obama, along with an array of celebrities. Candace Cameron Bure responded to fans who criticized who she follows on social media. (Screenshot: Instagram/CandaceCBure) Cameron Bure, a proud Christian who often reads aloud from the Bible on social media, continued, I want to know what's going on in the world. I want to hear different sides of the argument. I follow people in entertainment that I don't necessarily agree with or act the same way, but I want to hear what our society, what culture is dishing out. And that helps me all the more, know who I am and find my answers and know the truthso please remember that follows on Instagram or Twitter do not equal endorsements The author, whose book Candace's Playful Puppy debuts on Tuesday, said that her approach was healthiest, adding, Thats how I navigate social media But Im also not an argumentative person in that way, so if I read things that I disagree with, and even if thats politically...I follow left and right, but it doesnt make my blood boil. Although openly guided by faith, the former View co-host has vowed to cap political debates outside of her home. Not because I don't believe that my viewpoints and opinions are important but I would much rather share Jesus with people, she explained in a September interview with Fox News That's really my passion. And I dont want to get into the political debate because it just is about division and separation. And I want to learn. I want to be [part of] a conversation about how to build a bridge." Story continues However, Cameron Bure spoke out in December after older brother and ex-Growing Pains star Kirk Cameron was slammed for organizing three mask-optional prayer events that defied Californias stay-at-home order. Cameron, who that month attended a conservative event at former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort, insisted the Christmas events symbolized hope. When Cameron Bure found herself dragged by association, she tweeted, I did not attend any recent caroling events. Also, I choose to follow the greater guidelines by wearing a mask and social distance when Im in public. However, I dont appreciate the vile tweets about my family. I believe respectful dialogue is the key to being heard. Stay safe. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: LANSING The Legislature will be taking a harder stance on some issues in the state government according to Rep. Phil Green. Green spoke to the Huron County commissioners recently, where he informed them of work currently happening in Lansing. The House Appropriations Committee, which Green sits on and puts together the state budget, is expected to work with Whitmer more on the state budget this year than previously, as the Supreme Court had ruled the governor and Legislature have to work together in striking down the 1945 law Whitmer used to issue executive orders. Green said the leadership team of that committee will have a more aggressive stance with the governor. We in the Legislature expect a plan for the reopening of the economy before we write a blank check, Green said. While the Legislature works on this, small businesses that have been adversely affected by the most recent shutdown orders can apply for various grants, with restaurants owners applying through their local Economic Development Corporation and hospitality workers through the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association. Regarding continued claims that there were instances of fraud during the 2020 election, the House and Senate were both reviewing the integrity of the election, investigating fraud claims, identifying any deficiencies in the current election laws and procedures, and will be coming out with reforms in the near future. As part of this investigation, the state Legislature received hard drives, USB drives, and surveillance footage from the cities of Detroit and Livonia. Green is involved only as a member of the Legislature who gets briefs about this, though he said he did put in some requests that he cannot make public at this time. Green said the contents of such reforms can change as they study the issue and get the wording correct. He did not know when they would be introduced. Were at the very beginning of our term, Green said. But with the threats made at the Capitol, its slowing a very slow process down. Lawsuits had been filed in Michigan, including by President Donald Trumps re-election campaign, claiming there was fraud in the states elections, including one involving Dominion vote tabulation machines in Antrim County, though there has been no evidence presented to back up those claims. Green said he knows of several lawsuits that have been filed against the governor regarding the shutdown orders that are still in effect, though he nor the rest of the state Legislature are involved with them. Bill Shorten has taken a thinly veiled swipe at his successor, Anthony Albanese, for adopting a tiny policy agenda in opposition. The former opposition leader will deliver his critique and set out an alternative approach for the ALP during a speech to launch The Write Stuff , a collection of essays by 31 members of Labors Right faction, at the Readings bookshop in St Kilda on Sunday. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese (right) speaks in June with the man he replaced as Labor leader, Bill Shorten. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Mr Shorten will say the book takes as its starting point the clear-eyed view about Labors fortunes - and that is that our beloved partys national vote is declining, has been for some time and that as society changes Labor faces ongoing broad structural disruption. But it is Mr Shortens message about his 2019 election loss to Scott Morrison and his call to arms for bolder policy development that will raise eyebrows within the ALP caucus. Finding Alice ITV, Sunday Rating: It's A Sin Channel 4, Friday Rating: The opening episode of Finding Alice began with Alice (Keeley Hawes) being shown around her new home. That is, the multi-million-pound smart house her husband Harry (Jason Merrells) has designed and built, although why she has never seen it before, not even while it was in progress, I dont know. What did they talk about in the evenings? Anyway, on their first night, tragedy, when hes found dead at the bottom of their (banister-less) stairs. Did he slip? Was he pushed? After watching this episode I did later think, perhaps meanly: Maybe he read the rest of the script and jumped? I would have. Yes, mean. But it does make total sense. The opening episode of Finding Alice began with Alice (Keeley Hawes, above) being shown around her new home Im not sure if this is comedy, thriller or drama, and the problem is: does it know what it is? Certainly, it never settles in tone and, consequently, it just keeps jarring. Its intended, I think, as a darkly witty take on grief and loss and discovering your newly deceased spouse was hiding all manner of secrets (oh, that), but the script was such that everyone simply came over as gratingly annoying and unpleasant. Alice is unpleasant to the bank and is unpleasant to the sexy mortuary guy and unpleasant to the police. We know Hawes is a tremendous actress but she cannot save this, as cant Joanna Lumley, who plays Alices mother. What are you wearing? are her first words to Alice after Harrys death. Followed, more or less, by: Youll find someone else. This is co-written by Simon Nye, who also penned Men Behaving Badly and The Durrells, but what should be comedy gold isnt. It may be because none of the characters feels at all real. There were running jokes to do with the smart curtains Alice cant work, and the fridge she cant find, but nothing sufficiently funny to distract from our bafflement. Were meant to be baffled by some of what is going on why was Harrys office ransacked? What was he doing at a sperm bank? Why is Alice so reluctant to hand over the CCTV to the police? But I was most baffled by what I wasnt meant to be baffled about. For instance, why doesnt Alice take proper care of her daughter? Why do Harrys parents (played by Gemma Jones and Kenneth Cranham) seem barely bereaved? But, of course, the biggest question is: what did happen to Harry that night? I have my own theory. Did I say? This week Hawes also appeared in Its A Sin, which is different from Finding Alice, although its hard to put my finger on why. Because it rings true and is an absolute knockout, perhaps? This is written by Russell T. Davies (Doctor Who, Queer As Folk, A Very English Scandal), based on his own experiences, and is about three gay men theyre 18 or thereabouts coming to London in 1981. Theres exuberant Ritchie (Olly Alexander, terrific) from the Isle of Wight, who will meet up with Roscoe (Omari Douglas, ditto), who has fled his deeply homophobic Nigerian family (I clapped when he left, such a brilliant scene) and shy Colin (Callum Scott Howells, ditto again) from South Wales, whose landlady points out the jotter by the telephone in the hall and asks him to note down any calls he might make, especially after 6pm. That is so 1981. This is so true. Theres the scene featuring Ritchies parents (played by Shaun Dooley and Hawes, above), which perfectly captures the racism of the time For the first times in their lives, these young men dont have to hide and can be who they are. And this captures how exciting and thrilling that must have been. There are parties and hook-ups and its steamy, even if Colin has yet to remove his anorak. He does have some catching up to do. It is one excellent scene after another. Theres the scene featuring Ritchies parents (played by Shaun Dooley and Hawes), which perfectly captures the racism of the time. But where are you from originally? they ask Ritchies new, mixed-heritage friend when she tells them shes from Woking. And that scene with Colins boss? Will you ever be able to get clean it, clean it again, clean it, clean it again out of your head? But Aids is on the horizon. A weird goth woman at a party says shes heard the news from America about a flu that only affects gay men, but Ritchie tells her to stop being so stupid, as you would. Denial is always the first line of defence. (See also: Covid-19.) But Colin has a lovely colleague, Henry (played by the always wonderful Neil Patrick Harris), whose long-standing partner is ill. First they said it was pneumonia, says Henry, then they said it was psittacosis. Is that from parrots? You havent got a parrot, have you? queries Colin. Then Henry becomes ill and you will be reminded of the way people with Aids were once treated by the medical establishment, which is shocking. And heart-breaking. There will be more heartbreak to come, Im sure, but this is all so well told. If youve only time for one Keeley Hawes drama this week, I think you know which way to go. was aware that some NHS trusts are using higher grade face masks Royal College of Nursing wrote a letter to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Nurse leaders calling for all NHS staff to be given the higher grade of PPE Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the British Medical Association (BMA) warned that members had raised fears they were being given inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) in a letter to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). One nurse described feeling as though staff were being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' due to the inadequacy of surgical masks. The College is now calling for a review of infection control guidance and asking for all NHS staff to be given the higher grade of PPE as a precaution pending the outcome. It wants staff to be given the high-grade face masks used in intensive care units, called FFP2 or FFP3 masks. Nurse leaders are calling for an urgent review into the face masks that are given to staff. (Stock image) The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) wants nurses to be given high-grade face masks used in intensive care units, called FFP2 or FFP3 masks (right), rather than the surgical ones (left) The RCN said it was aware that some NHS trusts are using higher grade face masks in all parts of their hospitals, while others use standard face masks, thereby creating a 'postcode lottery' for nursing staff. RCN chief executive and general secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said nurses were concerned that the standard face mask may not be effective in protecting against new strains of the virus and possible airborne spread in healthcare settings. Dame Donna said: 'The Government's silence on this issue is creating a postcode lottery for nursing staff whereby some working on wards have access to the higher-grade face masks and others do not. 'It must stop dragging its feet on this issue. Nursing staff need to have full confidence that they are protected. 'Staff picking up this virus at work are angered at any suggestion they have stopped following the rules - this is down to the new variant and the dangerous shortage of adequate protection.' Jane, which is not her real name, is a nurse from Yorkshire and member of grassroots campaign group Nurses United. She said she contracted Covid in April 2020 after helping a coronavirus patient inside an ambulance, while both she and the patient were wearing a surgical mask. She has suffered from debilitating Long Covid symptoms since, even taking the last four weeks off work due to chronic fatigue - nine months after her initial infection. 'I feel kind of like half the human that I was,' Jane added. Jane said failing to protect all staff with suitable PPE made staff feel like 'commodities'. 'In critical care areas they're in full PPE but in the actual wards we're still in surgical masks... the issue is that the surgical face masks aren't effective enough,' she said. RCN chief executive and general secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said nurses were concerned about the standard face mask 'On top of the trauma, the PTSD and everything else that staff are feeling... people feel let down, scared and vulnerable - like we're just commodities or lambs to the slaughter. 'People start doubting who they're working for and what they're doing.' In a letter to Jo Churchill, minister for prevention, public health and primary care, Dame Donna said staff were 'aware that fluid repellent surgical face masks and face coverings, as currently advised in most general healthcare settings and patients' homes, are not protective against smaller infective aerosols'. In a further letter to Sarah Albon, chief executive of the HSE, and signed by Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the BMA council, Dame Donna called on the HSE to take a 'precautionary approach'. She said: 'In the absence of clarity on the reasons behind the new variants' increased infectivity, we are calling for the HSE to take a precautionary approach and to use your role as a regulator to ensure employers and those developing national guidance meet and understand their responsibilities.' Pictured: Members of staff at St George's Hospital in Tooting transfer a patient through the Emergency Department She added: 'Adequate supplies of PPE that meet the required specifications are vital to support nursing staff to do their jobs safely. 'Without support to use suitable PPE, nursing staff are putting their own lives, and the lives of their colleagues, families and patients, at risk.' In the letter, the RCN cites NHS data showing a 22 per cent rise in the average number of health care staff off due to Covid-19 in the first week of this month compared with the last week in December. From December 31 to January 6 an average of 41,641 employees were off each day, up from 34,210 for the period December 24 to 30. Rajiv Gandhi murderers in prison have been receiving undeserving publicity in media in Tamil Nadu and campaign has been continuously carried out that they should be released from prison, in spite of their being involved in the murder of Rajiv Gandhi. by N.S.Venkataraman In 1991, the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was murdered at Sriperumbudur near Chennai, while he was there to address a public meeting . He was killed by a woman suicide bomber , who belonged to terrorist organization LTTE and she was also killed . Along with Rajiv Gandhi ,another fourteen innocent persons were killed in the explosion and more than forty people were injured. Rajiv Gandhi (file pic) The investigation of the murder of Rajiv Gandhi clearly revealed that it was done by LTTE terrorists , who tried to escape . However, police identified them and caught them and took them into custody. After prolonged court hearing, the judiciary convicted seven terrorists including a woman and her husband and ordered that they should undergo life imprisonment. In any other country, when such an important functionary such as a former Prime Minister would be murdered and the murderers would be caught, they would have been hanged. In the case of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, her security guards who were murderers were subjected to death sentence and were hanged. However, this has not happened in the case of Rajiv Gandhi murderers. All the convicted persons have been in jail since then. To add insult to the injury, the daughter of Rajiv Gandhi met the convicted lady prisoner in jail in Vellore in Tamil Nadu and later on pleaded that the convicted person should be released from the jail. For a moment, the daughter of Rajiv Gandhi appeared to have forgotten that Rajiv Gandhi was not only her father but also was former Prime Minister of India. Therefore, her plea for the release of the convict was not accepted by the government. In Tamil Nadu, from the day of murder of Rajiv Gandhi, some political parties and so called activists have been viewing the convicted persons as heroes and not as murderers. They have been described as heroes, since they were fighting for an independent Tamil country in Sri Lanka. They further seem to think that murder of Rajiv Gandhi was because Rajiv Gandhi sent Indian troops to fight against the LTTE militants. According to these politicians and activists and Tamil chauvinists , the murder of Rajiv Gandhi was for the cause of Tamils. Rajiv Gandhi murderers in prison have been receiving undeserving publicity in media in Tamil Nadu and campaign has been continuously carried out that they should be released from prison, in spite of their being involved in the murder of Rajiv Gandhi. As a matter of fact , these convicted persons in prison have been in and out of jail several times on parole due to one reason or the other. The husband and wife in prison have also come out on parole many times and the lady has delivered a girl child, who is now married and said to be living abroad. While some politicians and activists are demanding the release of the convicts, the fact is that family members of number of innocent persons including police men and public who died along with Rajiv Gandhi in explosion, have been repeatedly stating that those involved in the murder should not be released. But, their voice is not much heard and not publicized in Tamil media, which is now largely run by political parties and business houses. There is also a view that release of these convicts who were convicted on very serious charge of deliberately associating themselves with the murder of the former Prime Minister of India ,would set a bad signal that anyone can get away in this country even after indulging in very grave act , if they would enjoy political patronage due to one reason or other. While the clamour for release of the prisoners is now becoming an election issue in Tamil Nadu, the state government is trying to wriggle away stating that the ball is in the court of the central government. While the issue has been taken to the judiciary , the Supreme Court has said that the Governor of the state should take a decision within a stipulated time. Obviously, Tamil Nadu governor is facing a dilemma. If he would decide that the prisoners should not be released, then he would become the target of criticism by some political parties and activists and even violent demonstrations may happen against him. In this explosive situation caused by explosive murder of Rajiv Gandhi and others, the reason has gone for a toss in Tamil Nadu now and the whole issue has become a subject of vote bank politics. (@ChaudhryMAli88) FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2021 ) :A health city will be established in economic zones of the Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development & Management Company (FIEDMC). This was stated by Chairman FIEDMC Mian Kashif Ashfaq while talking to various delegations of investors. He said that security of investors was a first and foremost obligation of the FIEDMC, therefore, the FIEDMC had taken a decision to set up foolproof security system in the zones for domestic as well as foreign investors. He said the Punjab government had released Rs13 billion for improvement in infrastructure of economic zones, therefore, the FIEDMC had planned various projects for improvement overall environment of economic zones. He said an apparel city was also being established in the FIEDMC economic zones besides setting up one-window center. A second interchange in Tehsil Chak Jhumra has also been proposed so that the investors could get easy access to FIEDMC economic zones. The investors would get energy at 20 per cent low rate in the FIEDMC economic zones while special facilities were decided there for Chinese investors, he added. Nigerias economy may be in a recession and the country may not have enough money to fund its 2021 budget but this has not deterred the Muhammadu Buhari administration from allocating its highest amount ever to the State House including the presidential wing of a hospital the president seldom uses. President Muhammadu Buhari will spend N17.3 billion this year to run the State House, Nigerias seat of power, details of the assented 2021 budget have shown. About N3.4 billion of this approved expenditure will be spent on feeding and travel expenses for the offices of the president and the vice president. The former gets about N2.6 billion and the latter, about N873 million. The N17.3 billion is the highest amount budgeted for running of the nations headquarters since Mr Buhari assumed office in 2015, comparison of the approved budget figures in those years show. Last year, Nigerias administrative centre had N14.6 billion for its running. This was an increase from the N13.7 billion in 2019; N15.5 billion was allocated in 2018; in 2017, N13.6 billion was allocated; and N16.6 billion in 2016. These allocations are higher than what was earmarked in the latter years of Mr Buharis predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, who in 2014, approved N12.2 billion for the State House and N6.6 billion in 2015. The 2021 allocation covers the State House Headquarters, the presidents office and the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. It also covers the budgets of the State House medical centre, the offices of the chief of staff and chief security officer and the Lagos liaison office. The breakdown of the allocation shows that the State House Headquarters and its medical centre will spend about N11.1 billion and N641.2 million on their activities respectively. The president approved about N3.8 billion for his office, while N1.1 billion has been penned for the vice presidents office. The office of the chief of staff to the president will run on a N76.6 million budget this year. The chief security officer, N357.9 million and the Lagos Liaison Office, N300.7 million. Specifics Amidst uncertainties fuelled by dip in oil prices and COVID-19 pandemic, both of which contributed to sliding the nations economy into the worst recession in about three decades, with about a quarter of this years budget to be funded by debt, the presidents office will spend N1.1 billion for the construction of (the) presidential wing at the State House Medical Centre. This amount is more than the budgeted amounts for the entire state house medical centre in each of the last five years. It is also more than the amount slated for the capital projects in 12 of the 20 listed federal medical centres in the 2021 budget, with the exception being those of Abeokuta, Abuja, Bayelsa, Delta, Katsina, Kebbi, Taraba, and Zamfara. Meanwhile, about N416.7 million was budgeted for the same purpose last year. It is unclear how much was released for the project from the 2020 budget, which is one of the constituency projects contained in both years budgets. Many Nigerians have criticised President Buhari and his family for always travelling abroad when sick despite the existence of the State House clinic and other hospitals in the country. It is unclear if such medical tourism will cease after the expenditure of the N1.1 billion for the construction of (the) presidential wing at the State House Medical Centre. Also in the budget, the State House Headquarters will get N399.4 million for feeding. The maintenance and purchase of vehicles will gulp N569.3 million while building of new and the rehabilitation of old office and residential buildings will cost N5.8 billion. Again, comparatively, the latter amount is more than the capital budgets of all the listed 20 federal medical centres and 21 teaching hospitals in the years budget. ADVERTISEMENT Although the exact release for last years budget is unclear yet, rehabilitation of some buildings in the State House alone had N4.1 billion approved for 2020. A flurry of projects, mostly constituency projects, featured in the 2020 budget and were repeated in this years appropriation act, suggesting money was not released for them last year. A classic example is the recurring clamour by the vice-presidents office to purchase shredding machine, spiral binder, vacuum cleaners and air sucker at N5.7 million. Last year, N3 million was penned for the same purpose. In addition, the office is poised to also purchase two photocopying machines and their accessories for N13.6 million. Last year, N8.3 million was approved for the same number of photocopiers and their consumables. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Even with three weeks left in the filing period for City Council races, its already clear who this years most fascinating candidate will be. Jalen McKee-Rodriguez is a former council aide running against his former boss, East Side Councilwoman Jada Andrews-Sullivan. He is a 25-year-old gay Black man who teaches math at Madison High School. He is a self-described military brat who grew up in places as disparate as Honolulu and Kentucky. During his college days, he proudly served as UTSAs mascot, Rowdy the Roadrunner. In his very first bid for political office, he already has raised more money than the combined haul of his eight opponents. McKee-Rodriguez is galvanizing young progressives and his backers include H. Drew Galloway, the outgoing executive director of MOVE Texas, former council candidate Michael Montano and former West Side council staffer (and current community activist) Jennifer Falcon. If armchair politicos hadnt previously taken notice of McKee-Rodriguezs insurgent candidacy, his recently released fundraising report surely got their attention. He raised $17,584 in a span of six weeks from 423 donors: 161 of the donors were from San Antonio and many others were old friends from the various places where he grew up. Knocking off a council incumbent is a heavy lift, but when it works as in Ana Sandovals 2017 win over Cris Medina its generally because a grassroots movement of young idealists decided they were fed up with the status quo. In 2019, McKee-Rodriguez worked to get Andrews-Sullivan elected and spent 51/2 months as her communications director. But he says the experience was deeply disheartening. I worked for her because I believe wholeheartedly in getting regular people into office and I did put a lot of faith in Jada, McKee-Rodriguez said. But it took getting into office to realize that her heart was not in the right place. Every day in that office was a losing battle. McKee-Rodriguez said Andrews-Sullivan initially supported a controversial zoning request for VisionQuest to open a migrant detention center on the East Side, before he and other staffers dissuaded her. We had to convince her to take meetings with organizations like TOP (Texas Organizing Project), because she didnt want to take meetings with people who didnt support her, McKee-Rodriguez said. We would do research for her to make informed decisions on the dais, but shed ignore it or she would wait until the last minute to read it. McKee-Rodriguez also alleges he was subjected to homophobic verbal attacks from the councilwomans chief of staff, Lou Miller. He would make comments about my hair and my clothes not being masculine enough, McKee-Rodriguez said. Hed imply that my behavior wasnt manly. We had a big staff and he would target me. Both Andrews-Sullivan and Miller declined to comment on McKee-Rodriguezs allegations. Unfortunately, we cannot comment on personnel issues, Miller said in a text. McKee-Rodriguez said when he made Andrews-Sullivan aware of his experiences with Miller, she responded with intense retaliation designed to freeze him out. They moved me out of City Hall into the North East office, McKee-Rodriguez added. Theyd prevent me knowing important information I needed for press releases, theyd take my job duties and give them to interns who didnt know what they were doing. McKee-Rodriguez said he is determined to prevent other council aides from experiencing what he went through, but doesnt want the campaign to become a personal grudge match between him and his former boss. He wants to concentrate on the infrastructure needs of District 2 neighborhoods (including street lighting) and intends to advocate for investment in commerce and culture on the East Side. Right now, we have to leave the district to spend our money, he said. We have so much talent. We have entrepreneurs, we have artists. We have people who want to start businesses, but were not investing in those. The District 2 field includes some past candidates, Dori Brown, Walter Perry and Norris Tyrone Darden III; a force in the local Black Lives Matter movement, Pharaoh Clark; and a former VIA board member and West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce president, Kristi Villanueva. It should result in the strongest, most vigorous exchange of ideas weve seen in District 2 in years. It also seems likely to send the race into a runoff. With the name-recognition advantages that come with incumbency, youd have to expect Andrews-Sullivan to secure one of those runoff slots. That could turn the council campaign into an eight-way battle for the second runoff spot. Its way too early to know how the race will shake out, but theres an undeniable energy around McKee-Rodriguezs campaign. I wouldnt bet against him. ggarcia@express-news.net Gov. Ned Lamont will ask for more state funding to train out-of-work Connecticut residents many stranded by the coronavirus pandemics effects on the retail and hospitality industries to start new careers, including health care and manufacturing. He said the expansion of the program, dubbed CareerConneCT, will be the flagship effort in a newly created Office of Workforce Strategy, which will coodinate short-term training across agencies. The changes are included in the budget he proposes to the General Assembly next month. CareerConneCT will offer shorter-term certificate programs of up to 12 weeks. Right now, putting workforce front-and-center in terms of our agenda, as it impacts education, as it impacts job opportunities, as it impacts business, will be a big piece of what we want to try to do, Lamont said. Were making sure were training people for the jobs that are out there. Going back a couple years, I think we knew how important the workforce was, Lamont said during an hourlong news conference on Friday with officials from a variety of state agencies. I wanted to do a better job of aligning our training programs with the jobs that are out there. Youve got to make the best out of these tough situations. For Julie Mathon, 26, of Bridgeport, a former bank employee, the program, funded by part of the states federal pandemic relief, was a chance to become certified in sterilization technology for surgical instruments, and she landed a job at Yale New Haven Hospitals St. Raphael campus. During the pandemic, the banks collapsed and I wasnt really able to work at the bank anymore, Mathon said. I started to feel hopeless and felt I needed a change in career direction. From the moment the course began, I was fascinated to know that sterile processing technicians serve a critical need in health care settings. Mathon is one of 800 people trained in recent months, at a cost of $7,000-to-$10,000 each, to use the Governors Workforce Council, private-sector employers, community colleges and the regional workforce development boards, to offer trade skills in intensive eight-week courses. The program includes health care, transportation and uniforms. The state won a $10 million grant to extend the program, starting Feb. 1. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT While conservative Catholics have doubled down on abortion policy and religious freedom for the past four years, Mr. Bidens policy priorities reflect those of Pope Francis, who has sought to turn the churchs attention from sexual politics to issues like environmental protection, poverty and migration. On his first day in office, Mr. Biden recommitted the United States to the Paris climate agreement, the international accord designed to avert global warming; ended the ban on travel from predominantly Muslim and African countries; and stopped construction on the border wall. Mr. Bidens support for abortion rights is already causing tension in the Catholic church. Even before the inaugural ceremony had finished, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued an extensive statement criticizing Mr. Biden for policies that would advance moral evils, especially in the areas of abortion, contraception, marriage, and gender. Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago, who is known for his alignment with Pope Francis social and economic priorities, pushed back on Twitter, calling the statement unprecedented and ill-considered. Mr. Bidens priorities reflect values that progressive faith leaders have pushed for, and that motivated many to speak out for him during the campaign, said Derrick Harkins, who led interfaith outreach for the Democratic National Committee this past cycle. There is a sense of moral synergy on the left, among not only progressive Christians but also humanists, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs and the spectrum of faith traditions, he said. The work now has a chance of really having traction, he said. Im very optimistic about what can unfold. The grassroots progressive Christian movement is center stage in Mr. Bidens Washington. Unlike four years ago, when many of the participants in the post-inaugural prayer service were conservative evangelicals or prosperity gospel preachers, this years Thursday service included a broad array of religious progressives, including two transgender faith leaders. Rabbi Sharon Brous of IKAR, a Jewish community in Los Angeles, prayed for the coming of a new America, one built on love, rooted in justice and propelled by our moral imagination. The Rev. William J. Barber II, a chairman of the Poor Peoples Campaign, preached and directly challenged Mr. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to pursue a Third Reconstruction, decades after the civil rights era. He urged them to address interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation/denial of health care, the war economy, and the false moral narrative of religious nationalism. Loading As officers toasted the formal establishment of New South Wales, the future of relations with the local Aboriginal bands appeared propitious. The governor had good intentions and his instructions suggested he conciliate their affections and enjoin all our subjects to live in amity and kindness with them. Things did not turn out the way Tench expected. That had become quite clear by the time he left the colony in December 1791. A disastrous smallpox epidemic ravaged the local bands in April and May of 1789 and then spread outwards across much of south-eastern Australia. Violence increased around the fringes of settlement until, in December 1790, the governor ordered Tench to lead Australias first punitive expedition towards Botany Bay and use terror to bring resistance to an end. Frontier conflict became a permanent feature of Australian life for 150 years. It was predetermined by the fateful decisions made in London before the First Fleet set sail. The documents read on February 7 did two things. They concerned sovereignty and property. The imperial government asserted sovereignty over the eastern half of the continent. It was a vast and audacious claim that would have been found illegitimate in international law. And there were already clearly understood protocols among the European nations about the extension of sovereignty. What provided the British with a thin cloak of legitimacy was the assumption that no prior sovereignty existed. The First Nations had been judged from afar to have neither government nor laws and customs. And so the British officials turned their back on the tradition of treaty-making that had been alive in North America for 150 years. It is simply not possible that educated officials were unaware of already deeply entrenched policies concerning the Native Americans. The decision to regard New South Wales as a terra nullius was not the result of forgetfulness or inattention. The likely consequences were understood at the time. Without any means or machinery for negotiation, violence would stalk the land. 1st April 1770: A print from a painting showing Captain James Cook (1728-79) taking possession of New South Wales, taken from the collection of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria. Credit:Hulton Archive/Getty Images An even more egregious decision was made in relation to property. In one apocalyptic moment, all the real estate over half the continent became the property of the Crown. It was an appropriation confirmed in Australian courts for 200 years. It became so central to national life that it was rarely questioned. And it cannot be distinguished from the foundation of British Australia and the commemorations of January 26. The scale of the expropriation was without precedent, and once again only made sense if it was accepted that the First Nations had never been in actual possession of their homelands and that over vast stretches of land there were no settled inhabitants and that there was neither land law nor tenure. Everything changed in 1992, when the High Court handed down its judgment in the Mabo case. The judges overthrew 200 years of legal precedent, deciding that before the arrival of the British invaders the First Nations had both settled inhabitants and land law. They were the legitimate owners of their ancestral homelands. The Captain James Cook statue in Sydneys Hyde Park was defaced, along with others, by protesters who called on changing the date. Credit:Cole Bennetts The implication was inescapable. The British had expropriated the land without compensation. It was a land grab almost without precedent. How this expropriation could have happened under the aegis of the common law is hard to explain. Because at the same moment, and by the same legal instruments the land was expropriated, the Aboriginal peoples all over New South Wales became British subjects, so-called beneficiaries of the Kings peace. Australian judges have often dated the assumption of ownership from either 1786, when Phillip received his first commission, or from the formal annexation on February 7, 1788. Is that when the incorporation occurred? Both at the same time? Or did one precede the other? These seemingly arcane questions matter because they bring us to the much broader question of the sanctity bestowed on private property by the common law. One of the central themes in the history of the common law was the centuries-long struggle to defend the property of the subject from appropriation by the Crown. Statutes of the 13th and 14th centuries were designed to restrain the arbitrary power of kings to confiscate the property of their subjects. It is important to remember that New South Wales was regarded as a colony of settlement. British law arrived with the First Fleet. Early legal and administrative decisions made it clear that the prerogative power of the Crown was no more extensive in Sydney than in Britain itself. Loading So how had the Crown acquired the landed property of First Nations across vast stretches of territory without their permission and without providing compensation? It had been stolen from people who were subjects within the Kings peace. And how and why was this outstanding anomaly allowed to determine what happened to tens of thousands of men, women and children for 200 years? Ultimately it was the responsibility of the British Crown, which made no attempt to protect the First Nations from the inundation of the prerogative. Another astonishing anomaly that the proponents of January 26 as our national day often assert is that the First Fleet brought with it the rule of law. It is less than obvious how such a claim can be sustained. In 1788, the law was profoundly subverted. Hundreds of years of tradition were overturned. For anyone to lose their property as a result of being incorporated into British society was, as Locke had insisted, too gross an absurdity for any man to own. Do the flag-wavers have any idea what they are urging us to commemorate? Do they not know? Do they care? If Australia had a founding principle, it was the sanctity of private property. The imperial government had a number of motives when it decided to plant a settlement on the east coast of Australia, but punishment for crimes against property was central to the whole operation. The convicts were wrenched from homeland, community and family, in most cases for theft. Their punishment was designed as a deterrent against future transgression. It is pointless and gratuitous to tell Indigenous Australians to get over it and to look to the future. The full force of laws against theft was imposed from the moment the expedition arrived in Sydney. At the end of February 1788, five men were convicted of theft and condemned to death, illustrating that property was more sacrosanct than life itself. The sentences were carried out at public hangings, which the whole convict population was forced to watch. Just three weeks before, half a continent had been declared Crown land in one of the most remarkable acts of plunder in modern times. Loading There are so many reasons not to commemorate the nation on January 26. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made their feelings plain since at least 1938 and continue to do so. It is surely extraordinary that their opposition has been disregarded. And it is not as if they didnt have a strong case. The arrival in January 1788 did not merely presage disasters that were to follow. It is pointless and gratuitous to tell Indigenous Australians to get over it and to look to the future. An argument frequently heard in the testy debate about Australia Day is that what happened to the Aboriginal peoples resulted from what was regarded as acceptable behaviour at the time. That is just what happened in the 18th century, the argument runs, and it is pointless now to make judgments using the ideas and sensibility of contem- porary times. On any measure, the First Nations suffered grievously as a result of the British annexation. They were the victims of profound injustice. Even now, many Australians find it hard to accept that white Australia does, indeed, have a black history. Their desire to commemorate January 26 arises from the felt need to focus on both our British heritage and the ongoing story of successful nation-building. John Howard was fond of saying that our history had a few blemishes. Scott Morrison remarked recently that colonisation did produce a few scars from some mistakes and things that [we] could have done better. These comments may have been made in passing, but they are symptomatic of problems that are much more than skin deep. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, also known as the Big Bull of Dalal Street, has dubbed Raghuram Rajan, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), a pessimist who refuses to see any good in what the country has done in the past five years. In an interview with The Print, the billionaire investor criticised Raghuram Rajan for not supporting the newly introduced agriculture reforms that the farmers have been protesting. The ace investor had cited the example of the ongoing farmers stir to explain how difficult it is to introduce reforms in India and claimed that Raghuram Rajan had earlier advocated for the same farm laws that he is now criticising. Jhunjhunwala then called out the former RBI governor for criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre and said: Does Raghuram Rajan have one good word for what India has done in the last five years? I want to take him up. He keeps criticising the government Rajan only sees darkness and no light." The billionaire then moved on to comment on the Indian economy and the stock market and predicted that the country is in a bull run, with the biggest bull run awaiting the nation. He also predicted that India would see double-digit growth in the next three to four years. Jhunjhunwala said even though India will grow at -7 percent in 2021, in 2022 it will go at 10 percent positive and in the next 25 years, it will surpass China." Speaking about his expectation from the Union Budget 2021, Jhunjhunwala said he expects there will be no taxes, a substantial increase in expenditure and a 6.5 to 7 per cent fiscal deficit." A Dubai-based 14-year-old boy from Kerala has made a six-layered stencil portrait of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a gift to him on the occasion of the country's Republic Day (January 26), a media report said. Saran Sasikumar, a grade nine student of New Indian Model School in Dubai, presented the 90cmx60cm portrait, to Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan, who wrapped up a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday night, Gulf News reported. Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, the Minister said: "Happy to meet in Dubai the talented young artist Saran Sasi Kumar from Kerala, now a resident in UAE. He presented this beautiful portrait, a six layered stencil painting, to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a Republic Day gift. Truly inspiring! My best wishes to him." Saran's portrait features Modi receiving a guard of honour during the 50th year celebration of the foundation of India's Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in 2019. He is seen wearing a wide-brimmed cavalry hat with the CISF logo. Last October, Saran, who has drawn 92 portraits including those of top UAE leaders during the Covid-19 pandemic, bagged the a grandmaster certification from Asia Book of Records and another certificate from India Book of Records for another five-layered stencil portrait of the Indian leader. Speaking to Gulf News on Friday, he said that Muraleedharan has promised to present the portrait to Modi. Saran added that he is "planning to finish the portraits of rulers of all the Emirates in one month and I wish to hold an exhibition". Besides Modi and rulers of the UAE, the teenager has also drawn portraits Mahatma Gandhi and former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. NASHVILLE, Tenn. More than 750 Soldiers and Airmen with the Tennessee National Guard returned home from supporting the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. throughout the afternoon of Jan. 22. These Tennesseans were a part of a 25,000-member National Guard task force providing security, logistics, communications and traffic control in our Nations capital beginning last week. Soldiers and Airmen from Middle Tennessee returned to Smyrnas Volunteer Training Site on various flights between noon and 7:00 p.m. Soldiers and Airmen deployed from East Tennessee returned to Tennessee by way of ground transportation and arrived at their local armories between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The Tennessee Army National Guard provided over 700 Soldiers from the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment headquartered in Knoxville, the 194th Engineer Brigade headquartered in Jackson and the 230th Sustainment Brigade headquartered in Chattanooga. They assisted civil law enforcement and first responders with crowd management and security for the event. In addition to the Soldiers providing support, roughly 50 Airmen with the Tennessee Air National Guard supported the inauguration with logistical, communications, food service and religious support. The Airmen are from Nashvilles 118th Wing, and Knoxvilles 134th Air Refueling Wing and 119th Cyber Operations Squadron. These Soldiers and Airmen were transported via Tennessee Air National Guard aircraft from Memphiss 164th Airlift Wing and Knoxvilles 134th Air Refueling Wing. Our soldiers and airmen have once again responded to our State and Nations call and getting them back home is a special day for us, said Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, Tennessees Adjutant General. Im proud to report they accomplished all missions assigned with the utmost professionalism and efficiency. This is a result of training and leadership down to the lowest level. I want to thank the families and employers for their unbelievable support in allowing these great Americans to serve. These young men and women wearing the uniform represents everything that is good about America; selfless service. Transit operators are sounding the alarm about rising coronavirus infections among their ranks and asking for stricter safety measures, with some South Bay bus and train drivers threatening to stop work because of what they deem unsafe conditions if their demands are not met. Infections among 2,100 employees at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority had jumped to 149 since the beginning of the pandemic, rising at a rate of around 40 employees a month for the past three, spokesman Ken Blackstone said. Its largest union puts the count higher at 162 since March, said John Courtney, the president of ATU Local 265, which represents around 1,500 mechanics, drivers and other workers. Five people are recovering from hospitalization, he said. One bus driver died in October. Our members are genuinely scared, Courtney said. Recent spikes highlight the ongoing risks for frontline workers and challenges for transit agencies as the coronavirus surge continues and a limited vaccine supply has not yet reached operators, who are in the states next tier for eligibility. Bay Area agencies have taken similar approaches to worker safety stepping up cleaning, providing protective gear and halting fare collection on buses to protect drivers at the start of the pandemic, then resuming it again with stricter measures. Still, its unclear how many cases are from workplace exposure. At VTA, Blackstone said contact tracing has found few cases from workplace transmission, although he could not provide an exact number, and said those that did resulted from not following safety protocols, such as employees gathering in break rooms for extended periods of time. The union disputes that claim, arguing tracing is brief and conducted by supervisors who are not medical professionals. Break rooms have now been shut for two weeks. At the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, more than 200 employees out of 6,000 have tested positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing shows almost, but not quite, zero cases transmitted among workers, Director Jeffrey Tumlin said Tuesday. At AC Transit, one employee has died from the virus, with contract tracing showing transmission was from outside of work, spokesman Robert Lyles said. Infections spiked from approximately 55 at Thanksgiving to 128 by Friday, said Board Director Jovanka Beckles. This is alarming and Im really scared for my community and the workers involved, Beckles said. Blackstone said the increase in cases at VTA reflect the broader spike throughout the region. While any infection is a serious concern, VTA did experience an uptick in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, it is a small percentage of employees testing positive, he said. It is sadly consistent with the community trend associated with recent holiday gatherings. But some leaders are calling for agencies to do more during the worst wave of the pandemic. In the letter sent Monday to VTA management, Courtney said individual employees could halt work under a section of their contract that gives them the right to stop if they feel unsafe although the contract doesnt allow a strike. The two parties met Tuesday and couldnt agree on labors demands, which included stopping front-door fare collection, expanding COVID-19 leave, paying for time spent traveling to and receiving vaccines from provider chosen by VTA, and offering post-vaccine sick leave. However, members have the right to individually claim that they feel that they are unsafe ... and with COVID-19 killing almost half a million people in this country, their lives are at risk, Courtney said. The infection rate at VTA roughly 7% is double that of the SFMTA. The highest number of infected employees 53 was at the Chaboya Division Yard in San Jose, according to the union. The county and union organized on-site testing for workers in December, which could be why more positive tests arose. One bus driver died from the virus in October. Courtney described Audrey Lopez as a cautious person who only entered a VTA building briefly to get her assignment, then stayed in her sanitized car or at home getting her groceries delivered. Courtney said VTA was a responsible actor at the start of the pandemic that worked closely with the union. The transit agency was the first in the Bay Area to stop front-door fare collection, provided personal protective equipment and installed thin plastic temporary barriers to protect drivers until more heavy-duty permanent versions could be installed. The agency also put plexiglass inside work areas, outdoor seating for workers at facilities and increased contactless forms of payment for customers. But the agency and its largest union have come to an impasse on how to respond to the recent surge. The agency did not agree to stop fare collection again, which resumed in August, similar to other agencies. With nosediving ridership and revenue, all agencies are hurting for the money, but have hope of soon receiving more federal relief funds. Theres no reason for them to continue to risk our lives for $2.25, Courtney said. If we save one life or two lives because weve gone to rear-door boarding, then weve won. Beckles of AC Transit will also push during the Jan. 27s board meeting to halt front-door fare collection, which she said is unsafe. I dont believe theres any amount of money that anyone could tell me is worth people dying, she said. VTAs union also wanted the agency to offer more COVID-19 leave. Workers could use state and federal COVID-19 leave last year, but those policies expired in 2021. Now, if employees are exposed in the course of duty, through no fault of their own, they would be paid through administrative leave, Blackstone said. However, if they get COVID-19 through other ways, employees have to use sick or vacation time. Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@mallorymoench Matthew Busch, For The San Antonio Express-News / For The San Antonio Express-News A group of residents living near Mission San Jose might be small and not yet have a name, but they have a mighty cause. Theyve organized to honor the missions Native American origins in a concrete way, on the street level, so everyone who visits from across town or across the world knows the first people here were indigenous to the land. The residents Latino, Native American and white feel the areas indigenous past, their languages and cultures have been left out. Those of us lucky enough to live in this area are very aware of the historic significance of the arrival of Spanish settlers and the Catholic Church, said Virginia Rutledge, a member of the organizing committee. The missions are the visible symbols of that. But we are as deeply interested in the indigenous peoples that lived here before and some of whose descendants continue to live here their lives and culture, their relation to the land. San Antonios story of world heritage is incomplete without hearing more of their stories, she said. The groups goal is to change the name of the street on which they live to reflect that heritage. The curvy, almost 1-mile section of East Pyron Avenue begins at the missions eastern entrance, crosses Padre Drive and a two-lane bridge over an original part of the old San Antonio River and goes to the River Walks Mission Reach, where it dead-ends. The street picks up on the other side of the Mission Reach and stops at South Presa. The street includes a place called the island, where about 20 houses sit surrounded by water on all sides. Some of the residents have fought off development and gentrification near the historic mission. So, in that context, this street name project is smaller. Its also a labor of love. It will affect just over 40 households. The five-member committee representing them has nothing against Pyron, per se. The fact that its named for a Confederate officer who owned a ranch in the area wasnt a driving force of the campaign. The group also isnt pushing a specific name to replace East Pyron. It just wants to add an indigenous place name to those in the area, such as Padre, San Jose and Mission. The group proposes to identify a word from one of the known surviving indigenous languages, Coahuiltecan. District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran signaled her support Friday, calling the potential name change an absolutely incredible opportunity to continue to celebrate our indigenous roots. Viagran was glad to hear the residents group has reached out to the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, a leading voice in indigenous issues in San Antonio. It has reached out to scholars of native languages, too, and an elder of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, a tribal community that established AIT. Pyron Avenue residents have been at work since late last year and have knocked on a lot of doors since then. Theyve circulated a draft of the proposal and have put it into a letter that will be sent to every household on East Pyron Avenue . The residents will need to raise $1,000 for the citys application fee to have the street name changed and another sum to cover city costs of mailing notices, about $4.50 per household. The group will have to contact other state and local offices as part of the process and will connect with the U.S. Postal Service to check that the name chosen doesnt already exist or poses problems for mail delivery. So far, the group has buy-in from the residents to whom theyve spoken. So far, only one resident has objected. Theres passion in their cause. When we moved here, the feeling that I got was that its a place people have been for a long time, said Adalia Alvarez Perez, a retired Harlandale Independent School District educator and a descendant of the Purepacha tribe of Mexico. You can almost feel the presence of those who were here, Perez said. (It) made me feel comfortable and at home. Everything is beautiful here, but I dont want them to be forgotten. Without them, the missions would not be here. Renaming Pyron would be an homage to them, showing that those of us today have not forgotten those of yesterday, she said. As far as residents know, no descendants of Charles Lynn Pyron remain. The Confederate army officer was born in Alabama and died in 1869, according to the Texas State Historical Associations Handbook of Texas. The group hopes that Confederate connection doesnt overshadow the project. But it does fit into an ongoing national conversation over race, white supremacy and the movement to remove Confederate monuments from public spaces intended to glorify them. Viagran pointed to a few streets in the area named for Native American descendants, all Spanish surnames, including Pacheco Drive, Huizar Street and Bustillos Drive. Those arent nearly enough, she said. Ramon Vasquez, a Tap Pilam spokesman and executive director of American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, said the effort can give way to a creative process to select a new street name. He noted three major tribes entered Mission San Jose during the colonial period: the Pastia, Tilijae and Pampopa. Other tribes followed, he said. Any one of them would be fitting, or any of the names of the original Indian families, he said. There are all kinds of possibilities. eayala@express-news.net Johnson College will use a $25,000 grant to make sure its campus is fully accessible to people with disabilities. The Robert Y. Moffat Family Charitable Trust awarded the grant to the school to perform a comprehensive, campuswide audit to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. While our buildings were either designed or retrofitted to be ADA-compliant, were always working to improve our campus, said Katie Leonard, Ed.D., president and CEO. Identifying and resolving any accessibility issues will help the college achieve its institutional goal of promoting equity and inclusion as part of its strategic plan, the school said. A husband has been accused of throwing boiling water at his wife in anger after she woke him up to bring him breakfast in bed as a treat. Ali Ay, 28, allegedly poured boiling water over Rukiye Ay, 23, because he had wanted to sleep and he saw her romantic gesture as a disturbance. As a result, Rukiye suffered horrific injuries to her back, and was rushed to hospital in Turkey on January 9. Speaking from her hospital bed, Rukiye claimed she had brought her husband breakfast in bed as a surprise, but he was angry that she had woken him up. Rukiya says she then left her husband alone and went to eat breakfast with her daughter but Ali followed and threatened to divorce her. He then allegedly poured boiling hot water down Rukiya's neck and tried to pour on her face but she turned away. The scared mum said she tried to run away but she could feel her "T-shirt sticking" to her skin. Ali is then accused of throwing the "rest of the boiling water" at Rukiya and she said some of it landed on their child's feet. She said: "I prepared it all and then went to tell my husband he had breakfast in bed. He was angry and demanded to know why I woke him up, and told me not to bother him, so I started having breakfast with my daughter. "He came in still in a bad mood and told me he was going to divorce me and gain custody of our daughter no matter what I did. "He then poured boiling water down my neck. He was going to throw it in my face but I turned away. I ran away and could my T-shirt sticking to my skin. He then threw the rest of the boiling water at me and some of it landed on my child's feet and the rest hit me on the hip." Rukiye said she wanted to "escape" but she passed out from the pain and could hear her daughter screaming in the background. Ali then allegedly grabbed his wife's hair and dragged her to the bathroom, where Rukiye found strength and took the opportunity to run to a neighbour who called the police. Police arrested him but he was later released on bail, sparking public fury, which resulted in him being re-arrested and remanded in custody. Rukiye said: "I couldn't believe it, as long as he is free me and my daughter are in danger." Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 17-Year-Old Navy Recruit Sworn in by Her Own Mother, Follows in Her Footsteps as a Sailor A San Antonio girl who just enlisted in the U.S. Navy was recently sworn in. But the moment was made even more special by the fact that the girls own mother administered the oath of enlistment. Mariah White, 17, is following in the footsteps of both her mother and her sister by joining the U.S. Navy. She took the oath of enlistment at the Navy Talent Acquisition Group in San Antonio this week. Mariah, who is still in high school at Brennan High, will serve as master-at-arms. I joined the Navy to follow in the footsteps of my mother and sister, she told ABC. I love the ocean and look forward to traveling and serving my country. On Jan. 22, the teens mother, Lt. Cmdr. Veronica White, told Fox News that administering the oath was very emotional. I actually had a moment where I got choked up and I had to pause, Veronica said in an interview. It was very humbling. The lieutenant commander is a plans, operations, and medical intelligence officer with the Naval Medical Forces Command. She said that shes excited that now both of her daughters will continue carrying on the familys growing tradition. I am very happy because she is continuing our family legacy, Veronica shared. She will pave the way for the next generation of female sailors. According to NTAG officials, as master-at-arms, Mariah will provide waterborne and land security, aircraft and flight line security, strategic weapons and cargo security, maritime security and platform protection. She will also conduct customs operations, detainee operations, and protective service operations, as well as other security, training, law enforcement, and anti-terrorism duties. Mariah is thrilled to follow in the footsteps of her family role models. She told Fox News that she was super ready to join the Navy and that one of the greatest paths in life is being able to be an example for other people out there and [serving] our country. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired Newsletter here: https://www.theepochtimes.com/newsletter The police in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar on Friday invoked CrPC Section 144 till 31 January, prohibiting protests without permission, private use of drones, and carrying of firearms, except by security personnel in view of safety concerns related to Republic Day. The restrictions have been imposed ahead of 26 January, Uttar Pradesh foundation day on 24 January and a likely visit of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the period, as per reports. "No use of private drones, No protests without approval from authorities, No traffic jams, No possession of harmful objects, No audio-video with sensitive content, No alcohol drinking at public places are allowed," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Ashutosh Dwivedi, said in the notice. Nobody would be allowed to roam around with sticks, rods, or firearms in public spaces except for divyangs and vision-impaired people, he stated in the order. "No firearms will be allowed inside any government or private office during the period. People who have been provided with armed security personnel by the government will ensure that their gunners stay out of offices," as per the order. The order has been imposed in Gautam Budhh Nagar from 22 January to 31 January. Any person found violating the above order will be booked under IPC Section 188. The police also reiterated the complete ban on celebratory firing at events like weddings and consumption of liquor in public spaces during the period and cautioned people against selling, playing, or displaying any audio or visual, which may create tension. Police said that the restrictions have been imposed as many people are likely to participate in Republic Day celebrations from Gautam Buddh Nagar. There are apprehensions of unwanted activities due to which the section has been invoked 'one-sidedly' for the safety of the public, police said. With agency inputs Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Last year, despite the quarantine, more than 11.250 million Ukrainian citizens were able to get abroad, they traveled to 123 countries of the world. According to the State Border Service of Ukraine, the most visited were three countries bordering on Ukraine: in the first place Poland about 4 million visitors, in the second Hungary with 1.635 million visitors and the third is the Russian Federation with 1 million Ukrainian visitors. Last year's leaders included Turkey as well, which was visited by 965,000 Ukrainians and Egypt with 730,000 visitors. Quite a large number of Ukrainians traveled to Romania more than 626,000, Belarus 496,000, Slovakia 336,000, Moldova 328,000, Germany 222,000 and the United Arab Emirates 100,000 people. Austria has also become popular destination for Ukrainians, where 68,000 people traveled in 2020, Italy with almost 60,000 visitors, Spain with 53,500 visitors, Great Britain with 44,500 visitors, Bulgaria with 42,000 visitors, Israel with 41,000, Georgia with 33,600 visitors, Greece with 26,500 visitors, Denmark with 24,000 visitors, Qatar with about 20,000 visitors and the Dominican Republic with 14,500 visitors. Some 23,000 Ukrainians visited Montenegro, 16,200 visited Croatia and 12,000 Ukrainians traveled to Albania. Also, for the citizens of Ukraine, Lithuania was popular destination, which was visited by 33,000, Latvia by 19,500, and Finland by almost 10,000 citizens of Ukraine. At the same time, in 2020, Ukraine was visited by almost 66.7% less foreigners, about 3.4 million people from 192 countries of the world. Most of all, people came to Ukraine from border countries: citizens of Moldova accounted for 933,000, Belarus for 463,500, Russia for 390,000, Poland for 272,000, Romania for 229,000, and Hungary for 217,000. In addition, citizens of Turkey accounted for 149,000, Germany for 74,000, Israel for 57,000 and the United States for 42,000. In addition, Ukraine was visited by 34,500 British citizens, about 30,000 citizens of Lithuania, 26,000 from Azerbaijan, more than 25,000 from Italy, 23,000 from India, 22,500 from Georgia, more than 22,000 from Bulgaria, and almost 21,000 from Serbia. From such countries as the Czech Republic, Latvia, China, Egypt, Uzbekistan and Armenia, from 10,000 to 20,000 travelers visited Ukraine. The overwhelming majority of foreigners were in Ukraine for private and tourist purposes, and 70,000 people traveled through our country in transit. The Haripura Congress session of 1938 is considered seminal for many reasons, not the least for Subhas Chandra Boses whiplash, inducing the speech as the new party president. At the same session, the Indian States Peoples' Resolution provided the basis for one of the most pivotal debates of the Congress session. In relation to the proposed Federation under the new Constitution, this question was considered of the utmost importance and occupied the Subjects Committee for five hours in a heated discussion. Ben Bradley wrote, "The concern of the delegates was not merely actuated by the importance of the Indian states in relation to the Federation, but at the Calcutta session last October of the All-India Congress Committee, a resolution was adopted condemning the repression in Mysore state and supporting the heroic struggle of the people in that state." This was a crucial time for the Congress itself and Jawaharlal Nehru's stalking horse strategy of using the All India States People's Conference to make deeper inroads into the autocratic Princely states which required radical democratisation to free the populace of serfdom and penury. The starter pistol had truly gone off and the process of a new India began to be fashioned. Bradley writes that subsequently doubt was raised as to the validity of this resolution. There was opposition in the All-Indian Congress Committee to the resolution and certain Congress leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, stated that the Congress had no right to interfere in the affairs of Indian states, and were of the opinion that this resolution constituted an interference. It was to clear this up that the question was discussed at Haripura. Gandhi believed in the concept of trusteeship and how the Princes represented this concept in their states vis-a-vis their attitude towards their subjects. Nehru opposed this and finally the breakthrough benefit came at Haripura, not just with this resolution but with new president Bose's vehement support to Nehru's vision of an India where the provinces and the princely states would coalesce. Bradley goes on to provide a perspective on the actual happenings: "The delegates representing various Congress committees from the Indian states felt and spoke very strongly for the closer relationship between the people struggling in Indian states and those struggling in British India. The Left Wing and the Socialist section of the Congress delegates were of the opinion that the mass struggle, in order to win basic civil liberties and responsible government, was growing in the states. Further close co-operation was essential between the states' people and the people of British India in order to fight the Federation. It was also the duty of the Congress not merely to sympathise with the struggle of the states' people, but to fraternise with them and give active assistance in the fight against the autocracy of the Princes." The original resolution moved by Abul Kalam Azad sought to relieve the Congress of responsibility in connection with the present struggle of the Indian states' people. This was covered by the following point in thees resolution: "The Congress, therefore, directs for the present that no Congress committee be established in Indian states, and that internal struggles of the people of the states be not undertaken in the name of the Congress. Jawaharlal Nehru, batted for the resolution, saying that it did not renege on the Congress attitude towards the States people. "But the question that had become vital was that they had to face realities and march independently towards their common goal." Speeches were made by all sections of the delegates strongly condemning this resolution. From the delegates coming themselves from Indian states, a fervent appeal was made to the Congress not to refuse the states' people help in their hard fight against feudal lords and despotic rulers. One Congress delegate, Jayanarian Vyas from Ajmer-Merwara, asked the Congress high command, "Would you take away from us what even autocratic rulers or bureaucratic imperialism has not dared to take away, namely, our right to be in the Congress?" Pattabhi Sitaramayya, in a fighting speech, exposed the dangers of the Congress adopting the policy which must follow from the resolution of isolating Indian states, and was allowed to move an agreed amendment accepted by Abul Kalam Azad. The amendment deleted the clause opposing the formation of Congress committees in Indian states, and instead stated: "The Congress, therefore, directs that the present Congress committees in states shall function only under the direction and control of the working committee, and shall not engage in direct action in the name or under the auspices of the Congress nor undertake internal struggles of the peoples of the state in the name of the Congress. For this purpose, independent organisations should be started and continued where they exist already within the states." Pattabhi suggested that on the basis of this formula, all other amendments should be withdrawn. On this proposition, 11 out of 13 amendments were withdrawn. The motion on relations between the Congress and Indian states' people was then put and carried. This resolution represents a retrogressive step; particularly at this juncture, when British Imperialism is making its final plans to introduce the Federal side of the new Constitution, under which one third of the total seats in the Federal government will be reserved for the despotic Princes, while democratic rights are completely denied for the states' subjects. It is just at this stage that full support should have been given to the struggle of the people in the Indian states for democratic rights and civil liberties, and to carry this through effectively to have planned ways and means of strengthening Congress organisations in the states. The 70 million people in the Indian states must be drawn into the Congress as allies of the Indian people in a common struggle for liberation against British imperialism and its allies, the despotic Princes. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday assured Assam that BJP can solve biggest of its problems. Counting party's achievement, he said that their government has made the state free from bullets and agitation and if they were given five more years, the northeastern state would be flood-free too. "Only BJP can solve the biggest problem of Assam -- floods. We have made Assam free from bullets and agitations. Give five years more to BJP and we will make Assam free from flood too," Shah said in Assam's Nalbari. He also came down heavily on those criticising the efficacies of COVID-19 vaccines, asserting that there should be no politics on public health. Addressing a function to extend the benefit of the government's healthcare programme to the central armed police forces, he said the vaccines developed by Indian scientists are fully safe. "There are some people who are spreading misinformation on the vaccines. Come to another platform and let's have a duel. But why are you creating doubt over people's health and doing politics?" he asked. "I appeal to all of you to go for the vaccine when your turn comes. Do not have any doubt over its efficacy. We've already launched the world's biggest vaccination drive," he added. Shah ceremoniously distributed the 'Ayushman CAPF' health cards among some personnel from the seven Central Armed Police Forces here. He said the CAPFs had three prime concerns the existing health coverage was not comprehensive, the satisfaction of housing was not there and long duty hours without leaves due to non-timely recruitment. "Our government is addressing all the three concerns. For the health issue, we've launched the 'Ayushman CAPF' today. This will give health insurance benefit to around 50 lakh people," Shah said. the 'Ayushman CAPF' process will be completed by offering health cards to all the personnel of the seven central police forces, he added. The home minister said the government and the forces are trying to increase the satisfaction ratio to 55 per cent by 2022 from 36 per cent two years ago, and further take it to 65 per cent by 2025. "We've completed the examination process for 50,000 recruitments. Now, we'll start the process again to hire another 50,000 persons in the CAPFs. Our target is one hiring against one departure in five years. With this, everyone will be able to stay home for 100 days in a year," he added. An MoU was signed between the National Health Authority (NHA) and Union Home Ministry in presence of Shah, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at the CRPF Group Centre in Guwahati. Under the initiative 'Ayushman CAPF', around 28 lakh personnel from Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), Assam Rifles and NSG and their families will be covered by the 'Ayushman Bharat: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana'. CRPF Director-General AP Maheshwari expressed his gratitude for bringing the CAPFs under the scheme. The Home Minister also virtually inaugurated Sashastra Seema Bal's (SSB) 168 quarters, a 10-bed hospital and an administrative building located at different places of Assam. (With PTI inputs) This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. Tata Motors has officially launched the iTurbo variant of its premium hatchback, Altroz with the prices starting from Rs 7.73 lakh (ex-showroom). The turbocharged variant will be available in three trims XT, XZ, and XZ+, and a new exterior Harbour Blue exterior paint colour. We have driven the new iTurbo and you can read our first-drive review here. Beginning with the new powertrain, the Altroz is now available with a new 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine putting out 110bhp and 140Nm of torque mated to a five-speed manual transmission. It also continues to be powered with the 1.2-litre NA petrol and the 1.5-litre diesel engine. The former develops 85bhp / 113Nm torque while the latter delivers slightly more numbers at 89bhp and 200Nm torque. Both these engines are also paired to a five-speed manual gearbox and sadly, the Altroz still misses out on an automatic transmission. The iTurbo will be a variant addition in the line-up of the existing Altroz and thus, Tata has not changed the overall design and styling of the car except for the i-Turbo badge at the rear and a black roof for the higher-spec variants. Inside, the iTurbo packs in new features like Xpress cooling, two tweeters for the Harman sound system, and multi-drive modes (City and Sport). To read the variant-wise features of the Altroz, click here. It also debuts the Indian car makers iRA connected technology which offers a host of convenience features such as remote lock / unlock, find my car, intrusion alert, vehicle diagnosis, and a wearable key. The infotainment system has been updated as well and now supports voice commands in Hinglish! Customers can also set a personalised wallpaper and sticker on the multimedia system. With the prices now revealed, the iTurbo will lock horns against the Hyundai i20 1.0 Turbo iMT and the Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI, both of which are available with a turbo petrol option. However, the Altroz iTurbo is priced approximately Rs 60,000 more than the Altroz Revotron petrol variants making it a value proposition. Commenting on the launch of the Altroz i-Turbo, Mr. Shailesh Chandra President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors said, We are thrilled to celebrate the 1st anniversary of our premium hatchback Altroz with a double bonanza comprising of the i-Turbo petrol and the new XZ+ variant with iRA-connected car technology in petrol and diesel option. Since the launch in January 2020, Altroz has been appreciated for its paramount safety, innovative design and thrilling performance and we are delighted to share that with its introduction, in FY 21, our market share in the hatchback category has increased by 5.4% compared to last fiscal and we have captured 17% market share in the premium hatch segment. We are confident that the new Altroz range will cater to the evolving needs of the Indian customer, all while creating benchmarks in the segment. The following are the variant-wise ex-showroom prices of the Tata Altroz iTurbo. Tata Altroz XT i-Turbo - Rs 7.73 lakh Tata Altroz XZ i-Turbo - Rs 8.45 lakh Tata Altroz XZ+ i-Turbo - Rs 8.85 lakh Tata Altroz iTurbo N/A Onwards Tata | Altroz iTurbo | Tata Altroz iTurbo As India gears up for the celebration of its 72nd Republic Day, Republic Media Network brings to you an unmissable exclusive broadcast series from the Valley of Kashmir. Republic Media Network's Senior Consulting Editor - Strategic Affairs Major Gaurav Arya (Retd.) is all set to take India and viewers across the world to the heart of counter-terror operations at Handwara with 7 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, also known as the Rajwar Tigers. The Rajwar Tigers are at the forefront of the counter-terror operations in North Kashmir. The four-episode series will make for unmissable viewing with Major Arya taking the audience to Ground Zero and giving them an up close and personal peek into how operations are carried out. The series will showcase a ringside view of the invincible spirit of the Indian Army, their prowess and will bring to its audience unseen footage and untold stories, narrated by the Indian Army soldiers. The four-episode special series will feature the Rashtriya Rifles, their training and action, stories Veer Naris, widows of our martyrs, and an exclusive interview of Corp Commander of XV Corps, and much more. Ahead of this Republic Day, the Republic Media Network salutes the forces for their boundless grit, spirit, and courage. True to its mission of Nation First & Forces First, Republic brings to you stories of sacrifice, honor and duty. Commenting on the upcoming broadcast series, Major Gaurav Arya said, It is a matter of great honor and privilege to be able to tell the stories of Indias brave hearts and those who have always put the nation above self. When I entered 7 Sector RR, a young army officer greeted me and said Welcome home, Sir. This is what the Indian Army is for me home. I feel blessed added Major Arya. Watch the exclusive series Bharat Ke Veer only on Republic Bharat and Indias Brave Hearts only on Republic TV on 23rd and 24th Jan, 26th Jan, 30th and 31st Jan 2021. Nation First. Jai Hind! The founder of Ann Summers has said that transgender women are welcome at the company's sales parties. Jacqueline Gold, who was appointed chief executive of the renowned company in 1993, described her efforts to 'empower' transgender women and make them feel more comfortable. In an interview for the Past Imperfect series for The Times, Ms Gold said: 'We would absolutely welcome transgender [people], we want to support them. We want to empower them. The founder of Ann Summers Jacqueline Gold described her efforts to 'empower' transgender women 'We want to make them feel comfortable. Our changing rooms are open to transgenders.' The business tycoon went on to describe how the company had employed Talulah-Eve, the first-ever transgender contestant on Britain's Next Top Model, in their Christmas campaign last year. She added: 'It's been fantastic getting to know her. I go to the campaign filming, I love to meet the models.' Last year Talulah-Eve expressed her excitement at being able to represent a brand that 'empowers women and represents all women' after she became the first trans model to represent the company. She told OK! magazine: 'As a trans woman you know it is kind of ground breaking because it's never been done before with the brand and it's an amazing step forward for the trans community because it's shining a light on us, it's raising awareness and it's showing that trans women can do what any other women do as well.' Ms Gold began her career at the age of 21 when she started working for her father's company, Ann Summers. Ms Gold developed the idea of Ann Summers Party Plan after attending an at home Tupperware party. (Stock image) After attending an at home Tupperware party, Ms Gold developed the idea of Ann Summers Party Plan which saw the company introduce sex toys and lingerie to women in the home environment. Last year Ms Gold, who is married to mortgage broker Dan Cunningham, revealed that undergoing chemotherapy had made her 'lose her sight' for almost a year. The businesswoman underwent chemotherapy and a double mastectomy in 2019 after her breast cancer returned - two years after she was first given the all clear. She told OK! magazine at the time: 'Chemotherapy also made me lose my sight. My vision was very blurred and things like crossing the road became a huge challenge. 'Thankfully, it's come back now, but for most of the year it was blurry.' Posted Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:49 am Suzi LeVine, commissioner of Washington state's Employment Security Department (ESD), is leaving the embattled agency for a job in the Biden administration, the agency announced Friday. Her last day will be Feb. 1. ESD Deputy Commissioner Cami Feek will serve as interim commissioner until Gov. Jay Inslee appoints a permanent replacement. The agency provided no details about LeVine's new role. LeVine said in a text message Friday that she couldn't comment on the new job until Feb. 1, but added, somewhat cryptically, that she was "humbled to serve my country as an economic first responder." LeVine's critics responded to Friday's announcement by highlighting problems at the ESD during her 2-1/2 year tenure notably a fraud scheme that siphoned off $600 million in unemployment funds as well as chronic delays in benefit payments to legitimate claimants during the pandemic. They also noted that LeVine, a 51-year-old former Microsoft and Expedia executive and U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein for three years in the Obama administration, is a longtime player in Democratic politics. She and her husband, Eric LeVine, gave more than $400,000 to the Biden campaign and other Democratic causes in 2019 and 2020, according to federal campaign records. Inslee appointed LeVine as ESD commissioner in July 2018. Allies say she revived a dysfunctional and demoralized state agency. State Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, said that LeVine, who graduated from Brown University with an engineering degree, used her considerable technical and management expertise to help modernize an agency that had been slow to upgrade its systems. She is also credited with launching Washington's paid family and medical leave program, which covered around 100,000 people last year, despite a rollout hampered by higher-than-expected demand. "She took an agency that was in the ditch ... and I think she did an extraordinary job of turning that ship," Carlyle said. "And then, [she] ran into the largest global pandemic in world history." Despite that crisis, allies say, the ESD under LeVine has delivered $13.5 billion in state and federal benefits to more than a million Washingtonians who lost their jobs during the pandemic. They also note that nearly every other state has been hit with unemployment fraud, and in some cases, have seen much larger losses. And despite steady calls for her ouster following the fraud and other ESD problems, LeVine maintained the support of Inslee. LeVine "led the Employment Security Department through an extremely challenging time and I never doubted that she had the best interests of working Washingtonians at the heart of all her endeavors," Inslee said in a statement Friday. But critics said LeVine also bore responsibility for the agency's mistakes and shortcomings during the crisis. That includes months-long delays in some benefit payments, poor communication with many claimants, and security lapses that contributed to the fraud. Last September, for example, LeVine disclosed that a software flaw that contributed to the fraud losses was first detected in 2019, but not fixed until much of the fraud had occurred. That problem was highlighted in December in the first of five state audits being conducted on the fraud and other problems during the pandemic. State Auditor Pat McCarthy also rebuked LeVine for hindering her office's investigation. Even some Democrats complained about the ESD's chronic slowness in releasing data about the fraud, claims problems or other issues. "I still don't have [all] the numbers I need," said state Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, chair of the committee with ESD oversight. "So frustration reigns ... over those kinds of things." State Republicans also reprised what has become a common refrain about LeVine: that she got her job at ESD and remained there even as problems emerged largely due to her political connections. "Not only did she inexplicably keep her job, now she's being promoted to a job in the Biden-Harris administration," said state Republican Party chair Caleb Heimlich in a statement Friday. "Talk about failing upwards." Allies said the criticism over LeVine's political connections was a red herring that ignored the severity and novelty of the crisis that ESD faced in the pandemic. "For some reason, her being a former ambassador and contributor was a big deal," Keiser said. But given the volume of claims ESD was trying to process, she added, "I honestly don't think anyone could have done any better." But Keiser said political opposition to LeVine had been growing and that, with the new legislative session starting, "I was afraid that she would be subject to attack on the Senate floor from colleagues across the aisle." That prospect was confirmed by state Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, who said news of LeVine's exit came just as she and other Republicans were preparing to call for the commissioner's ouster during the legislative session. Politics aside, LeVine's departure comes at a tumultuous time for the ESD and the more than 320,000 Washingtonians who are now drawing unemployment benefits. The agency is in the midst of a complicated reboot of several emergency federal benefit programs, each of which is constrained by tight guidelines. Its trust fund is largely depleted after paying out so many jobless claims yet it also faces backlash from employers opposed to a tax increase to refill that trust fund. And although the ESD has improved some operations by adding staff and streamlining its claims processing systems, it is still beset by complaints over delayed payments, hard-to-reach customer service staff, and communications that are confusing or just plain wrong. In recent weeks, for example, some Washingtonians said they're being told by the ESD they owe federal income tax on benefits that were actually paid to criminals using their identities during last spring's massive unemployment fraud. Given those challenges, some observers say LeVine's successor should be someone not only with good managerial and technical skills, but also specific experience with unemployment systems. The ideal candidate "is somebody who has had some experience with the agency," said Joe Kendo, a lobbyist with the Washington State Labor Council who has worked closely with the agency. "I do not think this is the time or the situation [for] somebody with a lot of general managerial experience but [no] hands-on background with unemployment insurance." Seattle Times political reporter Jim Brunner contributed to this report, which also contains information from the Seattle Times archive. ___ (c)2021 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. For the last four years, Donald Trump has boasted about his accomplishments as president in extremes, saying that nobody could do what hes done. He has proved that by not only being impeached while the moving trucks pulled up to the White House, but by being the only president to be impeached twice. Stripping his legacy of any leftover high marks seems like the makings of a politically motivated power play, but after the events of January 6th, Congress took a bipartisan stance. The House of Representatives impeached Trump for inciting the violent attempt to overthrow the Capitol, a riot that led to the death of six people. Constitutional expert Sandra Seder says that Trump may have been able to leave office without the door hitting him on the way, if not for the insurrection. I dont think impeachment would have been brought up, despite his behaviors surrounding the Georgia election. Trumps behavior falls under the Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors'' category. The people at the Capitol were lied to and led to believe that the Electoral College process could be stopped, Seder says. That was the last straw after trying to tamper with the US election results in Georgia, she continues. He led his followers to believe that they had the power to change the Electoral College votes, after literally asking an official in Georgia to do something that he did not have the authority to do, and could cost jobs. People like Trump who behave like thugs need second impeachments, and his behavior was scary enough to compel members of his own party to vote against him. The articles of impeachment mentioned his call to a Georgia official asking for him to find more votes, as well as the 14th Amendment which says that no person can hold office if they have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But now that he is out of office and has already been impeached a second time, is there any merit to bringing the charges before Senate for a vote? The answer is: Maybe. This is uncharted territory, so we don't fully know what comes next. However, now that Mitch McConnell is no longer at the helm, the vote could happen. Justice Roberts would preside over the impeachment proceedings if they made it to Senate, and two-thirds of or 67 Senators have to vote in favor. Seder believes that, for the sake of running in the future, some Republican Senators may vote with the Democrats. If the vote falls short, once again Trump will not have been removed from office. This happened with Clinton in 1998 and Andrew Johnson in 1868 who were, of course, the only two other presidents impeached, hence all of the unknowns. Another likely scenario is that Trump could lose the lifelong benefits provided to him by the Former Presidents Act. These include a $1 million travel allowance for him and a $500,000 one for Melania. His lifelong pension and Secret Service detail may also go away. He could lose the right to be buried with honors. Another possibility is that Trump being impeached could open the doors to a criminal investigation. This is not up to the Senate, but the Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors categorization does indicate criminal wrongdoing. According to the Constitution,"The party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law." Trump would not automatically be barred from running for office again, since another vote would have to be taken up. That one does not require a two-thirds vote, but simply a majority. We all know Trumps style of campaigning by now and that it doesnt stop even when hes in office. For that reason, the possibility of him returning to office could be disastrous. Another round of impeachment votes could once and for all mean an end to the reign of Trump, as well as a necessary blow to the ego. I have no doubt that embarrassing Trump yet again would feel like another Pelosi victory against a well-known bully. The will is there but theres still a lot more to be worked out. This photograph shows the cash and drugs seized by gardai following a raid in North Dublin last night. Gardai seized approximately 57,000 in suspected cocaine and 8,450 in cash after a raid on a house in the Finglas area at around 9pm. A man is due before the courts next month after he was charged in connection with the haul. Gardai from the North Central Divisional Drugs Unit carried out the search as part of an operation into the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the North Dublin region. Quantities of cocaine valued at an estimated 57,000 (pending analysis) was discovered at the location along with 8,450 in cash. Gardai also seized a hydraulic press along with drug paraphernalia. A man, aged in his 20s, was arrested at the scene and taken to Bridewell Garda Station where he was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1996. The man has since been charged and will now appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on February 16. Gardai said: At approximately 9pm, Gardai from the North Central Divisional Drugs Unit carried out a search in the Finglas area. The search was conducted as part of an operation into the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the North Dublin region. Quantities of cocaine valued at an estimated 57,000 (pending analysis) was discovered at the location along with 8,450 in cash. Gardai also seized a hydraulic press along with drug paraphernalia. Investigations are ongoing. Advocates for the elderly are calling on Rhode Island to prioritize vaccinating older residents against COVID-19. The AARPs Rhode Island office on Friday demanded Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo and other state leaders revise the states vaccination plan to immediately prioritize vaccinations for residents 50 years of age and older. Kathleen Connell, the AARPs state director, said in a statement shes alarmed and dismayed that only 25% of vaccinations have so far been administered to Rhode Islanders aged 60 and older, according to state data. Residents 50 and older account for nearly 98% of the states more than 2,000 COVID total deaths, she said. The current disparity is inexplicable, life threatening and unacceptable, she said in part. The governor and state leaders must revise the vaccination plan so that it focuses on the most vulnerable among us. Raimondos office didnt respond to an email seeking comment Friday, but the states first phase of vaccine distribution calls for those 75 and older to start receiving shots in February. We are prioritizing 65 years of age and older, but were starting with those 75 given that they really do have the highest risk of dying, Dr. Phil Chan, consultant medical director for the Rhode Island Department of Health, said at a press conference. If you look at whats happened in other states that have done it, I mean, theyve opened it up, some have used lottery systems, first-come first-served, its created these really unsafe situations in my opinion long lines, overcrowding, and thats exactly what were trying avoid, Chan added, rebutting arguments to expand eligibility for the vaccine. The state health department has also said the state hasnt received enough doses to offer it to all of the states nearly 190,000 residents who are 65 or older. As much as we want to expand vaccination to older adults, we simply do not have enough doses to make appointments available for this entire population, the agency said on its website. We are hopeful that the federal government will increase our supply in the near future, which will allow us to expand vaccination to additional groups. More than 13,000 people have been fully vaccinated in the state, according to health department data. More than 66,000 vaccine doses have been administered most of them, the first of two required doses. Meanwhile, state health officials on Friday also reported seven deaths and more than 800 additional cases of COVID-19. The state Department of Health also said there were 352 patients in Rhode Island hospitals with the virus, including 43 in intensive care units. Rhode Island has recorded 2,083 deaths and more than 109,000 known cases of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The state is currently averaging about 770 new cases per day, down from an average of about 1,007 earlier this month, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Rhode Islands positivity rate is at around 4.5%, down from 7.1% earlier this month. US, Britain seek new WHO look into possible origins of COVID-19 in China 'If China gets aggressive, so will India': IAF chief amid border standoff India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 23: India too "can be aggressive" if China tries to get aggressive along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), asserted Indian Air Force chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Saturday amid border standoff with Beijing. "If they (China) can get aggressive, we will also get aggressive. We have full preparations (to meet any eventuality,)" the IAF chief said during a media interaction at Jodhpur. The statement cames a day ahead of the ninth round of military talks with China to defuse border tensions in Ladakh. There have been 8 rounds of talks, but both sides have not been able to work out a solution as yet. India-China to hold 9th round of military commander level talks tomorrow India and China are locked in a border dispute since May last year. Tensions were further escalated after the Galwan Valley clash in which 20 Indian soldiers were martyred and an equal number of Chinese soldiers were either killed or went missing. India has all along been maintaining that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the mountainous region. In a clear message to China, Chief of Army Staff Gen M M Naravane last week said India is committed to resolve the eastern Ladakh standoff through talks but no one should make any mistake of testing its patience. Earlier, Bhadauria had said any serious conflict with India does not suit China''s global aspirations and "grand plans" and the trigger for the Ladakh face-off could be the result of a variety of reasons including a "military dominated misadventure" that escalated following the rapid trust deficit faced by the neighbouring country due to the coronavirus pandemic. This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. All the turmoil and economic pain the oil and gas industry has undergone in the last year could result in a healthier industry. I see a healthier industry, Steve Gray, founder and chief executive officer of RSP Permian before it was sold to Concho Resources, said during an Oilfield Strong webinar presented by OTA Compression and Kimark Systems. We wont see the super growth of the last decade, but the thing is theres a place in the world economy for oiland gas for the rest of my lifetime, and it will be a healthy industry, he continued. Well have to do things differently, but thats probably a good thing. Gray sees opportunities for smaller companies as large companies, who get larger through mergers, trim their portfolios and sell properties. It will be harder to access capital, but thats probably a good thing, too, he said, because there may have been too much capital chasing the industry in the past. As companies become more disciplined and quit growing production for the sake of growth, and consumption returns to more normal levels, This period of under investment will catch up with us, and when it does, supply and demand come back in balance and prices will strengthen. Gray went on to say that the industry will be driven by the need to return money to shareholders in the form of dividends or share buybacks. Investors have made clear theyre not interested in funding the hyper growth of the last few years and want to see return on capital. They have forced public company behavior to change, and even high-growth companies are talking slower growth, operating with less leverage and returning capital to shareholders. Another driver for oil companies, Gray told Grant Swartzelder, owner and president of OTA and Kimark, is the focus on ESG Environment, Social and Governance. Because of the concern about the industrys impact on the environment, he said some investors will never return. But, he said, Dont underestimate the people who want to make money. He said he asked an investor recently about their plans on the ESG front and whether or not they planned to quit investing in the energy space. The answer was not to quit but they were certainly focused on ESG and prefer companies that have good ESG standards over those that dont. Thats a point of differentiation between public companies going forward in attracting investors: Show financial success but also decent ESG. Dont just focus on the environmental, but the governance component as well, he advised. As a member of the compensation committee on the Range Resources board, he said he receives a lot of feedback from investors about the disconnect between executive pay and corporate performance. Thats as big a part of the ESG problem as environmental. Our industry has work to do in terms of repairing our reputation. If we do that and show decent returns to investors, well see capital come back, Gray said. ADVERTISEMENT No fewer than 1,300 health workers of various specialisations will be employed Enugu State, an official said on Saturday. The Administrator of Enugu State Hospital Management Board, Okechukwu Ossai, revealed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu. Mr Ossai said that the proposed exercise had been captured in the 2021 budget of the state. He said the aim was to strengthen service delivery within 56 general and cottage hospitals in the state. Of course, after governments massive investment in upgrading and equipping existing general hospitals as well as (the) building of new ones in some strategic communities in the state; there is a need for extra manpower. It should have been done in 2020 but because it was not captured in the budget; there was no action in that direction. Luckily for us, His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, graciously directed us to capture all our personnel needs in the 2021 Budget, which was done. We are looking at employing 1300 skilled health workers to fill vacancies and available spaces in our general and cottage hospitals. Without personnel, there is little one can do in a health or hospital facility, he said. Mr Ossai noted that the governor wanted all hospitals especially those in the rural areas to be well-manned and taken care of. According to him, the governor wants to ensure that no sick person leaves his or her locality and travels down to Enugu for common illnesses. ALSO READ: Enugu awards N600 million contract for water scheme rehabilitation The governors vision is to have enough specialised medical experts and health workers to man all rural general and cottage hospitals in the state, he said. He applauded Mr Ugwuanyi for his huge investment in the health sector especially within the general and cottage hospital sub-sector. The general and cottage hospitals received major intervention of the state government in 2020 and the sub-sector is changing for the better and to the benefit of the health of our people. This drive shows the passion and premium Gov. Ugwuanyi places on the health of our people especially the downtrodden in rural communities of the state, he added. (NAN) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. 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. (CNN) - The Hungarian pharmaceutical authority has approved both the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Russias Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines, a spokesperson for the Hungarian government told CNN on Thursday. Hungary becomes the first European Union country to approve both vaccines, but as far as the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine goes, it says it has to wait for a decision by the European Medicines Agency before it can distribute the shot. Speaking about Sputnik, the spokesperson said talks with Moscow to buy the vaccine were ongoing. We hope that vaccines will be available in Hungary from as many places and in as large quantities as possible, the spokesperson added. In a statement, Russias sovereign wealth fund (RDIF) said the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition of Hungary approved the vaccine under the emergency use authorization procedure. The approval is based on the results of the clinical trials of Sputnik V in Russia and a comprehensive assessment of the vaccine by experts in Hungary, the RDIF statement said. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the RDIF, said that Hungary is "the first EU country to realize all the advantages of Sputnik V vaccine and authorize its use. This decision is very important as it demonstrates that the vaccine's safety and efficacy of over 90% are highly regarded by our partners in Hungary. Russia's announcement of Sputnik V as the "world's first" approved COVID-19 shot was met with international skepticism last year, after the country registered the vaccine in August ahead of key large-scale Phase 3 trials necessary to establish its efficacy and safety. While those trials are currently ongoing, the country is already moving towards mass vaccination. On November 24, Russia announced that its interim data suggested the shot is at least 91.4% effective and could be more than 95% effective. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Hungary becomes first EU country to approve Russia's Sputnik V vaccine" President Joe Biden's priorities don't include deliberating over former President Donald Trump's proposed Air Force One makeover, according to the White House's top spokesperson. "I can confirm for you here the president has not spent a moment thinking about the color scheme of Air Force One," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during a briefing Friday. Psaki was first asked about the plane's livery change Wednesday. In 2018, Trump sat down with CBS Evening News' anchor Jeff Glor to unveil his redesign ideas, including the new paint scheme, which would strip the iconic aircraft of its Kennedy baby blue color. Read Next: National Guard Plans to Ask Thousands of Troops to Remain in DC Until Mid-March Trump quoted a previous discussion he had with Boeing Co., which makes the Air Force's VC-25A, a modified 747. The aircraft uses the call sign "Air Force One" only when the president is on board. "I said, 'I wonder if we should use the same baby blue colors?' And we're not," Trump told Glor. Instead, the plane was to be painted red, white and blue for a more patriotic look, he explained. "Air Force One is going to be incredible. It's gonna be the top of the line, the top in the world. And it's gonna be red, white and blue, which I think is appropriate," Trump said. However, the replacement for the aging Air Force One platform has yet to be delivered -- or even fully modified. In 2016, the Air Force awarded Boeing a contract to begin preliminary work on the VC-25 Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program, better known as PAR. The VC-25B program -- a follow-on to the current VC-25A -- began modifying the first of two Boeing 747-8 aircraft last year. The planes were originally ordered for the Russian airline company Transaero in 2013, DefenseOne reported in 2017. Boeing never delivered the jets to the now-defunct airline and instead put them in storage. The first phase of aircraft modification involved "cutting out large skin and structure areas in both the forward and aft lower lobes of the aircraft and then installing two newly manufactured superpanels," Air Force Materiel Command, which is overseeing the upgrades, said in March 2020. The superpanels contain structural upgrades "and cutouts for the VC-25B lower lobe doors, including internal airstairs for mission requirements," the command said. Boeing spent 2019 removing the aircraft's commercial interior, engines, auxiliary power units and "numerous secondary system components," officials said. Other updates include "electrical power upgrades, a mission communication system, a medical facility, executive interior, and autonomous ground operations capabilities," according to the command. The aircraft passed its critical design review last spring, according to Defense News. But that hasn't stopped the Air Force from looking toward a future platform. In August 2020, the service took initial steps to begin prototyping a supersonic aircraft that could someday carry the president around the world in half the time. The Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate that month awarded a $1 million contract to Exosonic, a start-up aerospace company, to begin the design and development of a low-boom executive airlift concept. That same month, the service awarded Hermeus Corp, another start-up developing Mach 5 commercial aircraft, a $1.5 million contract to begin research on how it could modify and apply its commercial prototype to the military's VIP fleet. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Related: Air Force One Set to Drop Trump Off One Last Time A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-22 13:07:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WELLINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand border workers in quarantine facilities will be offered voluntary daily COVID-19 saliva tests in addition to their regular weekly testing, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said on Friday. This additional option will be rolled out at the Jet Park Quarantine facility in Auckland starting on Monday, and then to other dual-use Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities in Wellington and Christchurch. "This new precautionary measure is in response to higher rates of infection overseas and the more transmissible variants of COVID-19, and is the latest in a series of added protection measures at the border," Hipkins said in a statement. Saliva tests will be offered on a voluntary basis to staff at quarantine facilities, he said. "Saliva tests have a lower sensitivity than the nasopharyngeal test, so won't replace our ongoing 'gold standard' diagnostic testing methods already in place at the border and in our community. They will be offered as an additional screening tool for our highest risk border workers. The tests are less invasive," he said. "They could mean we pick up any positive cases among workers at quarantine facilities faster and will provide workers with another layer of assurance," he added. "They are among the most tested people in the country and perform a critical role in keeping COVID-19 out of New Zealand communities. Their ongoing safety is a top priority," Hipkins said. Enditem An injured hiker was rescued by helicopter and taken to a hospital Friday after falling down a 50-foot cliff in the Columbia River Gorge. Other hikers discovered Morgan Bailey, a 43-year-old Milwaukie resident, at the base of a 50-foot cliff less than a mile from the start of the Gorton Creek Trail, the Hood River County Sheriffs Office said. The hikers reported he was conscious and breathing but was confused, hurt and possibly hypothermic. Responders said he indicated he had fallen down the large cliff and possibly others, as well. Bailey said he had gotten lost due to snow conditions on the trail and was following the source of water in the direction of the trailhead before he fell. The Coast Guard performed a helicopter rescue because of the hazardous trail conditions and hikers reported trauma. After receiving a request for assistance about 5:30 p.m., the helicopter arrived on the scene about 6:45 p.m. and took the hiker to Portlands Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, where he is reported to be stable. He was extremely fortunate, said search and rescue coordinator Deputy Chris Guertin, in a news release. Had those hikers not located him, he had a very low chance of survival through the night. Personnel from the sheriffs office, Coast Guard, Oregon State Police, Cascade Locks Fire Department and U.S. Forest Service law enforcement responded to the incident. Volunteers with the Hood River Crag Rats and Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue were also called to the area. The Gorton Creek Trail is located near Wyeth, a small community 15 miles west of Hood River off Interstate 84. Friends of Bailey have organized a GoFundMe to raise money for his medical bills. -- Jaimie Ding jding@oregonian.com; 503-221-4395;@j_dingdingding Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. (Natural News) During the theatrical Joe Biden inauguration, two cities on the West Coast erupted in violence. These rioters were not Trump supporters. They were not citizens protesting election fraud. The violence was caused by the far-left group called Antifa. Feeling invincible after months of looting and terrorizing people, Antifa groups took to the streets as soon as Biden was inaugurated. They vandalized a federal courthouse, shattering windows and taking temporary control of the area. Seattle police responded to an attack at 6th Avenue and Spring Street, where the William Kenzo Nakamura Courthouse was being overrun by Antifa. The historic building, completed in 1940, was the first single-purpose federal courthouse in the western United States. During the 2020 presidential debates, Joe Biden brushed off Antifa as nothing more than an idea. Throughout the year, the media declared Antifas demonstrations peaceful as buildings burned and lives were destroyed. Historic federal courthouse is attacked, yet Democrats and the media look the other way Thats right, a U.S. Courthouse fell victim to insurrection on the day of Bidens inauguration, but the event went largely unnoticed by the Democrats. Despite the left-wing insurrection at an institution of law, the Democrats and their media lapdogs did not see that there was any threat to our democracy. The appalling double standard that the Democrats and the corporate media has established in regard to political violence will ultimately haunt their narrative going forward and threaten their regime. After attacking the historic courthouse, Antifa took to the streets, shutting down traffic, as they set US flags on fire. Their violence was also witnessed in Portland, Oregon at the Democratic Party headquarters. These domestic terrorists will not stop until they get what they want. The Democrats who now control Congress are too weak to face the issues they have helped create, and they will continue to use left-wing insurrection to their advantage, destroying the republic and targeting their political opposition. Instead of dealing with left-wing domestic terrorism, Biden is calling on Trump supporters to unify with the Democrats and placate the lefts violence. Top 5 ways that Democrats inspire unity One: Censor 75 million Trump voters periodically on social media, removing the pages of the most diehard Trump supporters while putting warning labels on all the content they share. Once Trump supporters have been ideologically humiliated, invite them over to the Democrats inclusive society of equality and promise them a voice. Two: Arrest anyone who marched to the Capitol on January 6th and label them all as domestic terrorists. Anyone who wants the courts and the Congress to review election fraud should be viewed as the insurrectionists. Once all these people are arrested for their beliefs, only then can Democrats erase their oppositions thirst for freedom and justice. Once these desires are eradicated, then these domestic terrorists can be reincorporated into society and unified into the new Democrat-ran utopia. Three: Use the National Guard to install a standing army around federal buildings. This show of unity and force will help convince all Americans to join the Democrats as One. As part of this effort, make sure to use the FBI to vet every member of the National Guard, forcing them to believe everything the democrats say. If these troops do not agree with the Democrats, they are to be singled out and court-martialed until they completely agree to unify with the Democrat regime. Four: Bribe Americans with their own money. In order to convince Americans they should unify, Democrats have decided to promise routine stimulus checks and universal basic income. These spending programs allow the Democrats to print as much money as they need to bail out their friends in power in the US and abroad. The remaining morsels returned to the American people are enough to pacify them into compliance with the implementation of global socialism. Uniting behind this plan is the only way forward because Democrats control every level of federal government. Five: Start going after white supremacy. Anyone with white skin who believes the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land is the suspicious one and must be eradicated. Their business and career should be blacklisted, their products ripped from shelves, their home attacked. Once they feel shame for their heritage and beliefs, they are then required to pay reparations to all the minorities, Black Lives Matter and Antifa. Once they are paid up, they can then unify with the Democrats and be accepted as One. Sources include: NationalFile.com FoxNews.com NaturalNews.com Johnny Depps career isnt exactly in the best shape these days. The actor has reportedly suffered from financial trouble, legal issues, and even the loss of his key projects. But some Depp fans remain committed to his particular brand of creativity. After all, how many other A-list Hollywood stars would take the time to compose theme music for their own characters? Johnny Depp speaks at the Zurich Film Festival | Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images for ZFF Johnny Depp has played a lot of memorable movie characters Nowadays, Depp is easily best known as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. He played the character in five movies between 2003 and 2017. The chances of him reprising that role are slim now that Disney hopes to reboot the series with a new hero. But at least Depp has historically had little trouble elevating his film projects with a particularly inventive take on a character. Long before he was a bankable leading man, Depp turned in critically acclaimed work. Movies like Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, and Donnie Brasco proved his range. And even the first Pirates of the Caribbean earned him his long-awaited first Oscar nomination, Depp delivered several more outstanding performances. He got awards attention too for Finding Neverland and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. RELATED: The Book of Boba Fett Isnt the First Time The Mandalorian Actor Temuera Morrison Worked with Robert Rodriguez But the actor wrote his own theme music for director Robert Rodriguez The same year as Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Depp also starred in the final installment of Robert Rodriguezs El Mariachi trilogy. In Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Depp plays a corrupt CIA agent named Sheldon Jeffrey Sands. Although seemingly a side character, Sands actually drives the plot even more than Antonio Banderas infamous gunslinger. Depp had so much fun working with Rodriguez that he even composed a theme song specifically for Sands. Credited to Tontos Giant Nuts, Sands Theme appears on the films soundtrack. And Rodriguez confirms in the albums liner notes that Depp brought the music to him. Depp has a long history as a musician in addition to his acting career. So perhaps its little surprise he went the extra mile. RELATED: The Worst Johnny Depp Movies (So Far) The future looks bleak for Johnny Depps career right now On the Once Upon a Time in Mexico DVD commentary, Rodriguez toys with the idea of bringing Sands back for subsequent adventures. However, he and Depp have yet to work together a second time. But perhaps the time is right for Rodriguez to dust off the character. After all, Depp is certainly available to take on a new franchise right now. Not only is his time as Jack Sparrow likely over, Depp stepped away from the Fantastic Beasts series as well. In that Harry Potter spinoff series, Depp played the villainous Grindelwald. The third entry was already in production when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit. Depp shot only one scene for the movie and has since been replaced by Mads Mikkelsen. Justin Duggar, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggars 14th child, shocked fans in September 2020 when he announced his courtship. Then just 17, no one saw the surprise courtship coming. Since then, things have been much more predictable. Shortly after his 18th birthday, Justin announced his engagement to Claire Spivey. The pair are planning their nuptials, and while a wedding date has been leaked, family followers think the actual ceremony is happening much sooner than expected. Duggar family followers discovered a password-protected wedding registry for Claire and Justin several weeks back. The date on the registry places their wedding ceremony at the end of February 2021. The date does somewhat align with how the Duggars operate. The Feb. 26 wedding date is three months after the pair announced their engagement. RELATED: The Duggar Family Stuns Fans With an Unexpected Courtship Three months seems like the amount of time most Duggars wait between engagement and wedding date. Jessa Seewald and her husband, Ben Seewald, announced their engagement in August 2014 and were married on Nov. 1, 2014. Joseph Duggar proposed to his wife, Kendra Caldwell, at the end of May 2017. The pair were married at the beginning of September 2017. The pattern held for Josiah Duggar, too. Josiah announced his engagement in March 2018 and was married in June 2018. While the timeline makes sense, family followers arent 100% convinced that the date listed on the wedding registry is the couples actual wedding date. The Duggars have been known to provide false event dates, especially on online registries. InTouch Weekly points out that Josiah provided a fake wedding date on his Bed, Bath and Beyond registry when he married Lauren Swanson in 2018. The Duggar family visits Extra | D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra Several other Duggars have provided false information, too. The reason is simple; they want to keep fans from spying on their big day. Justin and Claire would have even more reason to lie about when they are getting hitched. The pairs wedding will likely flounce all safety guidelines that have been set in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Duggars have already been criticized in the media for failing to follow protocols. The family has hosted several large gatherings in recent months. There are a few clues that suggest a wedding is happening very soon The Duggar family has gone largely silent on social media, a sign that some family followers believe point to an upcoming wedding event. Normally, the Duggars share their daily life on Instagram, but posts have been few and far between in the last three weeks. Monsters & Critics notes that the family completely glossed over Jana and John-David Duggars 31st birthday. RELATED: Counting On: Justin Duggars Future Mother-in-Law Might Be Jim Bob Duggars Next PR Nightmare Claire, her mother, Hilary Spivey, and several Bates boys appear to be in Springdale, Arkansas. Several other out-of-state members of the Duggar familys social circle appear to be in town, too. It seems unlikely that a ton of traveling would be going on for no reason at all, and the only upcoming event the Duggar family has is Justin and Claires wedding. Finally, Reddit users strongly suspect that the Duggar family is now trying to throw fans off the trail. In recent days, photos of Justin after a wisdom tooth extraction have been posted to social media. The pictures would explain why Claire and her mother are in town. A wisdom tooth extraction doesnt explain the other visitors to the area. Critics suspect the Duggars are using old pictures to keep fans from figuring out that a wedding is likely underway. For now, fans will need to wait and see. Photo: Erin Schaff/Pool/Getty Images For a few days, the Republican party appeared to be undergoing a crisis of confidence, if not an outright crack-up. First, Donald Trump lost an election, then tried to negate the outcome throughout a series of threats and increasingly absurd lawsuits, then his party lost control of the Senate in a previously red state, and then Trump whipped up an insurrectionary mob that sacked the capitol. Trump failed to check in on Pence even as his vice-president was hiding from a mob out to literally execute him, placing an understandable strain on their once-solid relationship. Perhaps, finally, things had gone so far that the party would undertake the soul-searching it had avoided for four years. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell let it be known he wished to be rid of Trump. The party likely will face a raging internal war over policies and political leaders, asserts longtime Washington hand Jim VandeHei. Do not underestimate how divided and confused their party is right now, posits David Brooks, Do not underestimate how much Republicans trust Biden personally. But instead of a Glasnost for the Republican party, the days after January 6 seem instead to be a Prague Spring a brief flowering of dissent and questioning of dogma quickly suppressed by a remorseless crackdown. The heady predictions that the party would break free of the Trumpist grip already seem fanciful. If anybody is suffering repercussions for their response to Trumps autogolpe, it is the Republicans who criticized it. Conservative Republicans are threatening to strip Liz Cheney of her leadership post after she voted to impeach Trump. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, an adept reader of the prevailing winds within his party, offered a non-defense of his third in command: I support her, but I have concerns. Adam Kinzinger, another pro-impeachment Republican, is facing censure. The Michigan Republican member of the state board of canvassers, who broke with his party to certify the states election results, is losing his job as a result of his refusal to go along with Trumps lie. Fox News is firing journalists associated with its election call that Biden won Arizona. The clearest sign of the counter-revolutionary momentum is the flagging prospects for impeaching Trump. Senate Republicans are coalescing around a technical claim that Trump cannot be impeached because he has already left office, an argument at odds with the conclusion of most scholars, but which allows them to avoid casting firm judgment on Trumps incitement. McCarthy, who last week said Trump bears responsibility for the mob attack, now says, I dont believe he provoked it if you listen to what he said at the rally. The end of the Trump era has left the party divided, broadly speaking, into three wings. On the left is a small wing of Never Trumpers who opposed Trump, believing him to be unfit for office and a threat to the republic. They are represented politically by figures like Jeff Flake, Mitt Romney, and John Kasich and intellectually by the Bulwark and a variety of columnists at mainstream outlets. Many Never Trumpers connected their partys embrace of Trump with a more longstanding anti-democratic turn. They represent the pro-democracy wing of the Republican Party. On the right flank is a violent authoritarian wing of roughly equal size. These conservatives fervently support Trump, and either endorsed his insurrection, or else justified it as a false-flag operation. The violent authoritarians supported keeping Trump in office by any means necessary, and oppose any measures to hold him accountable or to punish any of his radical supporters. This wing is represented by members of Congress like QAnon supporters Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, groups like the Proud Boys, Three Percenters, Oath Keepers, and in the media by various commentators on the Fox News evening lineup, OAN, and Newsmax. In the middle is what you might call soft authoritarians. This factions political representation is figures like McConnell and Pence, and its views are expressed by organs like The Wall Street Journal editorial page and National Review. They have supported most of Trumps abuses of power, firmly opposing impeachment, Congressional oversight, efforts to obtain Trumps tax returns, or any other accountability mechanism. The soft authoritarians strongly believe in the principle of minority rule, as long as it is enforced through peaceful and legal channels like gerrymandering and vote suppression. This is the faction that has determined the partys response to Trump. The soft authoritarians were appalled at Trumps use of a barbarous mob to beat up police officers and smash down the Capitols doors and windows. They sicken at the prospect Trump might capture the partys nomination again in 2024, which is why they remain open to convicting Trump and barring him from holding federal office again. But the soft authoritarians are party men, not principled democrats. And they have surely noticed that Trumps hold over their voters remains strong. A terrifying seventy percent of Republican voters agree with Trumps lie that he received more votes than Biden. Trumps loyalists are threatening revenge if he is convicted. (Trump adviser Jason Miller tells Ryan Lizza, Republican senators need to think long and hard about what an impeachment vote would do to the party. Reports that Trump is contemplating starting his own party, which would guarantee Democrats victory in 2024, are probably a bluff. But the chance that a figure as unpredictable as Trump just might follow through makes it an effective bluff. The path of least resistance for the soft authoritarianism will be to oppose Trumps conviction on technical grounds, and then hope he fades away quietly. As that happens, the centrifugal pressure Trump exerted on their coalition with his deranged antics will ease, to be replaced by the centripetal pressure of a Biden administration enacting Democratic priorities. You can already see the internal Republican tension abating as they pull together in opposition. Did Trump make mistakes? Perhaps so, they will concede, but they are behind us, and now they face new dangers and outrages from Biden. No rethinking of the Republican platform indeed, no thinking of any kind will be needed. Republicans can simply repurpose Trumps attacks on Biden as a corrupt, doddering crypto-socialist tool of AOC. The Republican civil war is over before it even began. Some Sydney residents are living in homes with room temperatures nudging 40 degrees, as climate change raises temperatures and fear of big energy bills stops people from cooling down. A study of indoor air temperatures in Sydney homes found 51 per cent of residents surveyed in the summer of 2018-19 felt uncomfortably hot. Corrie Diamond, inside her Darlington home, said she was dreading the summer after a couple of days of hot weather last month left her in discomfort and unable to sleep. Credit:Louise Kennerley Older residents were more likely to feel dissatisfied with the air temperatures inside their homes. Summertime indoor environmental conditions in low-income households lead to thermal discomfort and heat stress, especially during heat waves, the study said. Netaji would have been proud that the government he dreamt of is fighting a pandemic with vaccines developed by it, and gave a befitting reply whenever its sovereignty was challenged, Modi said Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose would have been proud to see that the country has become strong and is following his footsteps from the LoC to the LAC. The Line of Control (LoC) divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan, while the Line of Actual Control (LAC) separates India and China. The prime minister said that Netaji is the biggest source of inspiration for the dream of ''Atmanirbhar Bharat'' (Self-reliant India) and ''Sonar Bangla'' (Golden Bengal). Netaji would have been proud that the government he dreamt of is fighting a pandemic with vaccines developed by it, and gave a befitting reply whenever its sovereignty was challenged, Modi said on the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji which was celebrated by the Centre as ''Parakram Diwas''. "I sometimes wonder how Netaji would have felt had he seen how a new and strong India is taking shape," he said at a programme at the Victoria Memorial Hall here. "From the LAC to LoC, the world is witnessing a strong India that was once envisioned by Netaji. India today is giving a befitting reply wherever attempts are made to challenge its sovereignty," he said. Referring to the question that Netaji had asked his nephew Sisir Bose before his daring escape from house arrest, Modi said, "If today Indians place their hands on their hearts and feel Netaji''s presence, they will hear the same question: Will you do something for me? This task is to make India self-reliant." Noting that Netaji had identified poverty, illiteracy and diseases among the biggest problems of the country, he said the society will have to come together to solve these problems. He said Atmanirbhar Bharat has to be led by Atmanirbhar Bengal and Sonar Bangla. "Bengal needs to play an important role in the quest for Aatmnirbhar Bharat, just like the role that Netaji played in the freedom of the country. Aatmnirbhar Bharat has to be led by Aatamnirbhar Bengal and Sonar Bangla," he said. Hailing Netaji as the embodiment of India''s power and inspiration, Modi said that the country has decided to celebrate the freedom fighter''s birth anniversary as ''Parakram Diwas'' to honour his indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation. Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said that Netaji ''Dilli Chalo'' (March to Delhi) call had united the nation against the British Rule. He said the freedom fighter''s life was marked by the spirit of search and quest. A man accused of participating in the siege on the U.S. Capitol is facing an additional charge in connection with New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Garret Miller, of Texas, threatened to assassinate AOC in online threats, according to court documents. In additional comments posted online, Miller threatened that next time we bring the guns and said a civil war could start, according to prosecutors. Four days before the siege on the Capitol he posted on Facebook that he was about to drive across the country for this trump [expletive]. Some crazy [expletive] going to happen this week. Miller is charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted buildings or grounds without lawful authority, obstructing or impeding any official proceeding and certain acts during civil disorder. On the streets of Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, thousands gathered in protest as Congress counted the electoral votes to confirm President Joe Bidens victory. Some engaged in violence with police, throwing punches and spraying pepper spray at officers. The crowd descended on the Capitol building, overtaking the building. Elected representatives were seen crouched under desks and donning gas masks while Capitol police barricaded the doors. In the hours the pro-Trump insurrectionists were inside the building, photos showed members of the group taking the seats of lawmakers and hoisting American, Confederate and Trump campaign flags around the building. Glass panes of a House door were shattered and other structures were left damaged. Five people died, including a Capitol Police officer, a woman shot by law enforcement and three others who suffered medical emergencies. After the crowds were cleared from the building, lawmakers returned and confirmed Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election early Thursday. Vice President Mike Pence announced the Electoral College tally of 306-232. You did not win, Pence said when the Senate reopened and he addressed the Pro-Trump rioters. VIJAYAWADA: Two persons, including a habitual temple offender, were arrested and nine kgs of silver was recovered in connection with the theft of three silver lions at Durga temple. It may be recalled that the theft took place last June during the Corona period but it came to light later. The offender is notorious for similar offences in temples since 2008. He took away three silver idols attached to the chariot at the Durga temple. Commissioner of police, Vijayawada, B Srinivasulu told the media here on Saturday that the accused Jakkamsetti Saibaba belongs to Gollavanitippa village of Bhimavaram mandal. The habitual offender works as a daily-wage labourer in aqua tanks and farmlands. He said the accused came to the Durga temple last June and noticed the silver lion idols attached to the chariot and there was no proper security due to the lockdown. He returned a few days later and made good with the three idols between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm. He went to Tanuku and sold them to a gold trader for Rs. 35,000. The trader melted the three lions. Srinivasulu said that the gold trader M Kamalesh of Surendra jewellery showroom was also arrested. The accused was involved in more than 20 such cases in West Godavari and Krishna districts. He praised West ACP K Hanumantha Rao, One Town inspector P Venkateswarlu and other staff for their swift action. In the Senate, more than a quarter of the seats have changed parties in the past four years including five of the Republicans who praised Mr. Biden at that 2016 event. Many of the new members are products of the deeply polarized Trump era and have never served in a more functional Senate. Some of Mr. Bidens closest aides believe the attack on the Capitol broke the fever within the Republican Party, creating space for its elected officials to work across the aisle. Yet, there are plenty of signs that former President Donald J. Trumps influence on his party may linger. While the former presidents approval rating dropped sharply among Republicans after the attack, Trumpism remains embedded in the firmament of the party. Plenty of Republican state officials, local leaders and voters still believe Mr. Trumps baseless claims of election fraud and view Mr. Biden as illegitimate. Theyre threatening primary challenges against Republicans who work with Mr. Biden, complicating the political calculus for members of Congress, including several up for re-election next year, like Senators Rob Portman of Ohio and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who might be inclined to cut some legislative deals. Already, Mr. Bidens proposed $1.9 trillion pandemic relief plan has received a skeptical response from Republicans, including several centrists who helped craft the economic package that passed late last year. Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, called the proposal a non-starter. We just passed a program with over $900 billion in it, Senator Mitt Romney, Republican of Utah, told reporters shortly after the inauguration. Im not looking for a new program in the immediate future. And then, theres the issue of Mr. Bidens own party. After four years of Mr. Trump, many Democrats are unwilling to compromise on their agenda. A vocal portion of the party is pushing to pass Mr. Bidens rescue package through a budget resolution that would allow the legislation to clear the Senate with just 51 votes, instead of the usual 60 votes. Mr. Reid is urging Mr. Biden not to waste much time trying to win over his former Republican colleagues. Like many Democrats, hed like Mr. Biden to eliminate the legislative filibuster the 60-vote requirement for major bills allowing Democrats to pass their agenda with their slim majority. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 23:01:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Xi's speech sends a clear signal that the CPC will continue to deepen strict Party governance in every respect, from which the world can see the determination and will of the CPC leadership to unswervingly push forward the fight against corruption, and expert said. BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks on Party governance showed China's determination in its anti-corruption fight, experts have said, adding that the international community is confident in China's future economic and social development. When addressing the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Friday, Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the importance of leveraging the guiding and safeguarding roles of strict Party governance in every respect to ensure the development goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) are fulfilled. Photo taken on May 28, 2020 shows a view of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) Abbas Zaki, a member of Palestinian Fatah Central Committee and commissioner for relations with Arab countries and China, said Xi's speech sends a clear signal that the CPC will continue to deepen strict Party governance in every respect, from which the world can see the determination and will of the CPC leadership to unswervingly push forward the fight against corruption. Waleed Gaballah, a professor of financial and economic jurisdictions at Cairo University, said that international institutions highly evaluate China's movement in the anti-corruption field. Egypt and China can also exchange experiences and cooperate in the reform of the supervision system, he added. The CPC has been strengthening system building in the fight against corruption and plugging system loopholes, so that Party officials do not dare to be, are not able to be, and do not want to be corrupt, said Alexander Lomanov, deputy director at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, adding that such achievements are obvious to all. Cavince Adhere, an international relations expert in Kenya, said that there are a number of key lessons that other countries can learn from China's battle against corruption. BEIJING, Nov. 14, 2018 (Xinhua) -- Zheng Quanguan, a fugitive suspected of embezzling over 28 million yuan (about 4.03 million U.S. dollars), is repatriated from the United States to Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 14, 2018. (Xinhua/Yin Gang) Faruk Boric, an expert on China from Bosnia and Herzegovina, said the CPC continues to implement successful strategies such as anti-corruption, and the international community has reason to have full confidence in China's future economic and social development. Eduardo Regalado, a senior researcher at Havana's Center for the Study of International Politics, told Xinhua that China has stepped up measures in the fight against corruption at all levels of governmental structure, contributing to the improvement of the country's economic performance, and facilitating a more comfortable environment for the development of business and foreign investment nationwide. It is hypocritical for the Democrat party and their supporters pretend to care about the social cohesion of the United States. Calls for unity are empty coming from a party that spent the last four years dividing people and will continue to do so for four more. Radical education measures, especially pollution of United States history, and likely favors, for special interests await. Americans are incredibly divided, PEW Research Center found that before the 2020 United States presidential election, 89% of Trump supporters were very concerned about the countrys direction and thought, Bidens election would lead to lasting harm to the US. They are right to think so. Bidens choice for Education Secretary nominee, Miguel Cardona, points to the hollowness of talk of unity. Cardona greatly expanded Critical Race Theory as Connecticut education commissioner. Cardona introduced mandatory Black Puerto Rican and Latino Studies that analyze how race, power, and privilege influence group access to citizenship, civil rights, and economic power. Mr. Cardona is likely to want to expand such efforts on the federal level. Children in Americas educational institutions will be divided into categories based on race, and ethnicity. Stripping people of their individuality for categorized thinking will cause resentment because those in attendance will not necessarily view themselves as privileged or see peers like the categories presented. Other people in attendance, if it is mandatory attendance, will resent the time spent away from useful learning. A good comparison is the diversity training experience of the corporate sector. Researchers Frank Dobin, Harvard University, Alexandria Kalev, University of California, Berkeley, and Erin Kelly of the University of Minnesota concluded mandatory training has a negative impact on management diversity. Should anyone be surprised if Americas students turn their backs on one another more? Not content just to waste student's time, the teachers unions linked to the Democrat party have decided to distort their minds against the foundation of the United States. The National Education Association ed justice project says that the NEA recently worked with the New York Times to distribute copies of the 1619 Project to educators and activists around the country. Parents should be concerned. The aim of this project is to reframe US history by considering what it would mean to regard 1619 as our nations birth year. This would poison the idea of Americas founding based on greed, racism, and unfreedom. In particular the words of project essayist Nikole Hannah Jones wrote in the introductory essay for the New York Times that the 1776 American Revolution was launched in order to endure slavery should continue are an assault on the heritage of freedom. Americans fought for democracy when it was scarce globally. Students today should be reminded that the cry no taxation without representation is a call for democracy, collective elite accountability, and to know if ones own representative is virtuous. Most importantly, the actual 1776 American Revolution refutes the notion it was to preserve slavery. On March 1st, 1780 Pennsylvania abolished slavery; its proclamation said: It is not for us to enquire why, in creation of mankind, the inhabitants of several parts of the earth were distinguished by a difference in feature or complexion. It is sufficient to know all are the work of the Almighty Hand. The American Revolution, whatever its faults, should be seen as an event that furthered human emancipation, not stifled it. Where has Joe Biden been to rein in the teachers unions? It is no wonder the Capitol rioters felt driven to think they were defending American democracy. Looking past the extremists to the other average people that were in attendance, their disillusionment is valid. The Democrat party is only pretending to care about the spirit of democracy. Virginia Democrats renamed the Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Virginia as the Blue Commonwealth Gala and Democrats even had Andrew Jacksons statue taken down in Jackson, Mississippi. Strangely for people that remind fellow citizens Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in 2016, Andrew Jackson is unwelcome. Jackson won the popular vote in 1824 Presidential Election and the most electoral votes, but lost out when John Quincy Adams was chosen by the House of Representatives. If Democrats believe the peoples choice matters, honor the man that embodies its spirit. Joe Biden has yet to criticize the Democrats of Virginia or Jackson, Mississippi for the mentioned actions. Of course, this will not happen in a Democrat party comfortable with the heirs of Henry Clay. As part of their election donations WallStreet spent 74 million Dollars on Joe Biden to 17 million on Donald Trump. In Australia, the gaming industry spent equally on Labour and the Liberals until reform was mentioned, then heavily to the Liberals (who are the conservatives Down Under). American donors are likely no more disinterested than Australian ones, and Joe Biden will be expected to pay them back. Now that Biden has taken the oath of office, do not get your hopes up. Biden is a talker of nice words but is not going to stop what has been happening under his watch as a senior Democrat party leader for years. His call for unity will be followed by nominating a radical identitarian as Education Secretary, not calling the National Educational Association out for peddling pseudo-historical resources and staying silent while his fellow Democrats erase the reminders of those that fought for American democracy. Image Credit: From flickr, Creative Commons license. Swearing-in photo by Jim Griffin, caricature by DonkeyHotey, last picture by Gage Skidmore. WOODSTOCK, Ill., Jan. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Prime Law Group, LLC today announced the hire of attorney Mario Sankis. Starting his career as a Marine, specifically military police, Mario has always understood the duty to protect and serve, and its importance. Mario was selected to serve as a guard for HMX-1 Presidential Helicopter Squadron, and was responsible to provide security for the President, as well Presidential assets, both domestic and abroad. After serving in the Marines, Mario became a police officer in our nation's capital of Washington, D.C and later became an officer for the Village of Round Lake Beach, Illinois. After a battle with cancer and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, Mario was forced to step down from the police force. Being unsure of what to do next, Mario turned to the law to continue his career path. Mario is very familiar with Lake County as he was an intern for the Lake County State's Attorney office for three years, eventually becoming an Assistant States Attorney. Mario is a fighter, and knows how tough times can be, he applies that mentality to his clients. It is through understanding, and patience where Mario finds the best results. Mario practices mainly in criminal law matters including, DUI and traffic. Prime Law Group is extremely excited for Mario to join the team. "Mario is a brilliant, caring and compassionate man who fights for the rights of his clients." -Nicole O'Connor, attorney at Prime Law Group. Mario Sankis Awards & Achievements Zeke Giorgi Memorial Scholarship 2016 Memorial Scholarship 2016 Justinian Society of Lawyers Scholarship 2017 American Council on Education, National Student of the year award for 2015. Police Service Area of the year award, Washington D.C. Police Department 2004 To Learn more about Mario, click here. Mario J. Sankis Prime Law Group, LLC 815- 338- 2040 Ext. 108 [email protected] Prime Law Group, LLC is a full-service law firm from business to litigation with over 100 years of combined experience, our lawyers have the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the most complex situations. Should you need assistance with a criminal law attorney please keep Mario in mind. SOURCE Prime Law Group, LLC The members of a people-smuggling gang responsible for the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in the UK have been convicted to serve long jail times. The masterminds Ronan Hughes and Gheorghe Nica were convicted on 39 counts of manslaughter on Friday and jailed for 20 and 27 years, respectively. The truck drivers Maurice Robinson and Eamonn Harrison were also sentenced to jail for 13 and 18 years, respectively. Robinson and Hughes, both from Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to 39 counts of manslaughter. However, Harrison, also from Northern Ireland, and Nica, a Romanian national, both denied manslaughter charges but were later found guilty after a 10-week trial that ended last year. During the trial, Harrison claimed he was unaware that migrants had been loaded onto the truck he drove from northern France to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, from where they were transported to Purfleet docks in Essex, UK. Judge Nigel Sweeney told the court the operation was a "sophisticated, long-running and profitable one to smuggle mainly Vietnamese migrants across the channel." In October 2019, the 39 migrants suffocated in the sealed truck trailer, which reached a sweltering temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius. Robinson, who collected the trailer at Purfleet, opened the doors and discovered the bodies, but it took him 23 minutes to call for an ambulance. Of the victims 28 were men, eight were women and there were three children, two of them aged 15. Once they realized there was insufficient oxygen, they attempted to escape the container. After failing to find a way out, they recorded farewell messages for their relatives. Christopher Kennedy, from Northern Ireland, and Valentin Calota, from Birmingham, were also convicted for their role in the smuggling operation. (CGTN) Quarters, the German co-living firm, has filed for bankruptcy. One of the buildings it leased is located at 324 Grand St. [The Real Deal] Legislation championed by Council Member Margaret Chin to lift the cap on street vendors for the first time in 40 years is expected to be approved next week. [The City] For awhile it looked like Sheldon Silver might have secured a last-minute pardon from Donald Trump, just a few months after finally reporting to prison to serve a 6.5 year sentence for public corruption. But in the end, he did not make the cut. [Gothamist] Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who represents parts of the Lower East Side, urges the Biden administration to help finally enact the Equal Rights Amendment. [AM New York] A follow-up on our story from last week about the citys decision to shut down street-side dining at Yopparai Ronin and three other Clinton Street restaurants to accommodate construction of a luxury condo building. A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation says, This is a rare case, and unfortunately we cant let local construction prevent New Yorkers from accessing their roadways We know this is a hard time for local restaurants in any circumstance, and were actively reviewing solutions for this establishment. [Curbed] Big Gay Ice Cream founders say so long to East 7th Street, explaining, The batteries have gone a bit dim on that street. The empty storefronts (kept vacant by landlords working tax breaks) that plague the city have settled in. It aint what it was. We decided that even if the shop managed to make it through the COVID thing it would never truly recover. They hope to open a new East Village or Lower East Side location in the future. [EV Grieve] A year after a fire nearly destroyed its archives, the Museum of Chinese in America debuts a new digital platform. [The Art Newspaper] In new TN assembly DMK has most MLAs with pending criminal background, crorepatis MK Stalin sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for first time In Tamil Nadu, Gandhi will handle Khadi ministry, while Nehru gets Urban Development Rahul Gandhi hits campaign trail in Tamil Nadu, targets PM Modi India pti-Deepika S Coimbatore, Jan 23: Launching his party's campaign for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi partnered with big businessmen and was 'selling'everything that belonged to the people. Addressing people from an open van here, Gandhi targeted the Prime Minister in his first of the three-daycampaign of western Tamil Nadu. In April or early May state assembly elections are likelyin the state. ''What does Modi do ? Modi partners with three or fourbig businessmen in this country. They provide him media and heprovides them money,'' he alleged. ''Narendra Modi is one by one selling everything thatbelongs to the people of India and Tamil Nadu.'' The Congress MP said what belonged to the farmers wasnow being taken away by three new farm laws and alleged ryots''are going to be made servants'' of biggest industries. Attacking BJP, he said his party was involved in a fightagainst a 'particular' ideology that believed that ''only oneculture, one language and one idea should rule India.'' Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ''no respect'' for theculture, language and people of Tamil Nadu, he alleged. Modi ''thinks that the Tamil people, Tamil language andTamil culture should be subservient to his ideas, hisculture,'' Gandhi claimed. The Congress leader, who is visiting Tamil Nadu for thesecond time within 10 days, was accorded a rousing receptionby Congress workers at the airport on his arrival from Delhi. He is set to cover districts including Coimbatore, andErode, in western parts of the state, popularly known as the'Kongu' (Tamil name) region. He visited Madurai on January 14 to witness bull tamingsport 'Jallikattu.' Photo: pixabay Valemount is a popular winter destination for snowmobilers from both BC and Alberta Thursday's announcement that B.C. will not impose an interprovincial travel ban went over just fine with one northern mayor. It really doesnt matter where folks come from, Valemount Mayor Owen Torgerson said. What matters is their behaviour once they are in Valemount. So far, local residents and non-essential visitors are adhering to provincial health protocols, said Torgerson, whose village is about a 1.5-hour drive from Jasper, AB. Besides being a popular outdoor adventure tourist destination year round, the village of Valemount and surrounding communities in the Robson Valley are currently hosting up to 100 Trans Mountain workers, he said. Much of current interprovincial travel is work-related and therefore cannot be restricted, Premier John Horgan said, nixing a potential travel ban via press release this afternoon. Public health officials tell us what is most important is for everyone to obey health orders, wherever they are, rather than imposing mobility rules, Horgan said. Therefore, we will not be imposing travel restrictions at this time. Last week, Horgan said the provincial government would investigate the legal options of restricting travel after he heard from citizens concerned out-of-province visitors were spreading COVID-19 in B.C. British Columbians were frustrated at seeing other people travel out of the province and country over the holidays, while they stayed home, Horgan said on Jan. 14. Canadians and British Columbians are making sacrifices and one of those sacrifices is staying close to home, not traveling to see loved ones, not going to tend to what would have been traditions or pressing matters, Horgan said. On the surface, it would seem an easy thing to do, just tell people not to come here, he said, responding to media questions about imposing a ban. That's not part and parcel of who we are as Canadians. Getting a legal opinion would resolve the matter once and for all, Horgan said at the time. People have been talking about (a travel ban) for months and months, and I think it's time we put it to bed finally, he said. Either we can do it, and this is how we would do it. Or we can't, and this is the reason why. Today, the Premier said a ban was unworkable. The province cant restrict interprovincial visitors unless theyre harming the health and safety of British Columbians during non-essential travel, he said. Instead, Horgan asked the other Premiers to send a united message to their citizens that now is not the time for non-essential travel. "We ask all British Columbians to stay close to home while vaccines become available," he said. "And to all Canadians outside of B.C., we look forward to your visit to our beautiful province when we can welcome you safely." Meanwhile, the issue may be revisited if there is an uptick in virus transmission linked to people involved in non-essential travel, Horgan said. Torgerson is comfortable with that. So long as actual mandates are followed, Torgerson said. Layers of protection are what will get Valemount through this pandemic, and we expect this of all folks. London, Jan 23 : Researchers has demonstrated a decline in 'son preference' by women of childbearing age in Bangladesh. However, fertility decisions are still influenced according to son preference. The term 'son preference' refers to any situation where parents value sons over daughters and make resulting choices accordingly, which can have a strong economic and demographic impact. "Our research reveals a discrepancy between the child sex preferences of women in Bangladesh and their actual fertility behaviour," said researcher Zaki Wahhaj from the University of Kent. For the study, published in the journal Science Direct, the team surveyed a nationally representative sample of Bangladeshi women of childbearing age, born between 1975 and 1994, to assess how son preference is evolving. The study finds that among women of childbearing age in Bangladesh, son preference is giving way to a desire for gender balance, a consequence of increased female education and employment. However, in contrast to these stated fertility preferences, actual fertility decisions are still shaped by son preference. Among those Bangladeshi women yet to have a child, the proportions indicating a desire for sons and daughters were almost identical. For those with one or two children, the presence of a son has a strong negative effect on the desire for additional sons, and the presence of a daughter has a strong negative effect on the desire for additional daughters. The study also found evidence that the desire for gender balance in children was stronger among women who have completed secondary school and those who live in areas with more opportunities for female paid work, specifically in the ready-made garments sector. A gem-studded tour of an exceptional artist Jomo Uduman looks at a sweeping canvas of the life and work of renowned artist T. P. Manjusri as captured in a book by clinical psychologist Shamil Wanigaratne View(s): View(s): Most of us art lovers have certainly known of Manjusri. Associating him with temple art, frescos, and murals while not really prepared to delve or dive any deeper. Thats why Shamil Wanigaratnes gem of a book (or monograph)that covers a gigantic canvas simply exploded in front of me. A riot of colour, fine drawings, draftsman-like detail,soft tones, subtle textures and delicate tints that unfurled Manjusri to be a classic prodigy, a national hero, who contributed enormously to our culture, art and history. Shamils brilliantly laid out missile of 240 pages (that took 10 years to produce) has brought on and showcased Manjusri to easily be one of the most versatile artists the world has ever known. Shamil first meticulously traces, chronicles and narrates the life and times of Manjusri. A timeline and a biography. Early education in a Muslim school in Beruwela! Performing Nadagam and Kolam, apprentice carpenter at 11. An interest in levitation. Joined a Pirivena at 13 and ordained a monk at 19.The same year left for Shantiniketan the school of learning set up by Rabindranth Tagore whom he met there and Nandalal Bose who introduced him to the appreciation of art. His journey to Tibet that ended at Gangok in Sikkim and a formal training in art from Abbot Uchima. The Japanese spy incident. A founder member of the 43 Group from which he quickly fled. Student of many languages, life as a journalist, artist, craftsman, friend, exhibiting in London, Vienna and New York, winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Asias Nobel Prize, commemoration stamp in his honour.. Shamil then gives us a spectacular gem studded tour of the exceptionally wide spectrum of Manjusris art. From the temple paintings of the Kandyan era which he copied and preserved, to paintings with Buddhist themes and Tibetan influences. Surrealism to Cubism. Abstract Expressionism to Abstract Symbolic Works. Still Life, Animal Drawings and Paintings and Landscapes. One of my favourites is the enigmatic painting Artist (also on the book cover). The artist is represented only by the hand poised with a paintbrush. Two women, one viewed frontally, the other in profile, occupy the foreground. They are set within a forest populated with a lion, an elephant, birds, a butterfly and a toad, set in a hybrid landscape which includes Persianate-style rock formations and clouds, as well as Japanese inspired cherry blossom, bamboo and other landscape elements. The rich complexity of design elements adds to the paintings engaging presence. G.P. Malalasekeras description of Manjusris vast and diverse art is apt and may be a good starting point in trying to understand his oeuvre: He is full of contrasts, even contradictions. His artistic fecundity and variety are amazing. He is dexterous in the conventionalized and detailed line-work of traditional Indian and Sinhala art as in producing work obviously inspired by the modern exponents of Abstractionism and Surrealism. Nobody can doubt his remarkable ability as a draftsman. He has shown great ability in adapting for his own purposes the lessons to be learnt from the most advanced painters from the west without,happily, yielding to imitation as so many of his contemporaries have done He is skilful in handling soft tones and delicate tints as in the daring juxtaposition of the most varied and most brilliant colours. He is an exponent of all styles without developing a style of his own. What captivated me most was that Manjusri was really a simple, gentle, generous, honest, humble human being who could engage (and navigate) easily with anybody he came across during his multi-faceted life. Born in Aluthgama and named L.T. Peiris, nobody knows how he mysteriously acquired the name Manjusri which means Gentle Glory in Sanskrit! Manjusri is one of the most important iconic figures in Mahayana Buddhism and is known as the Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom. Shamil also generously lends some space to the art of Manjusris children Manjista, Mandalika and Kushan who particularly helped him immensely in putting this book together. Copies of paper cuttings that document Manjusris articles with sketches and other significant contributions to our cultural history also adorn the book together with very interesting letters written by his many admirers. Dr. Shamil Wanigaratne is a much sought after Clinical Psychologist and specialist in the field of addiction and mental health capacity building who lives in the UAE while doing a lot of pro bono work in Sri Lanka. In 2000 he published another excellent book to commemorate and introduce the works of George Claessen a founder member (together with Manjusri) of the 43 Group who many believe heralded the dawn of Modern Art in Sri Lanka. Shamils interest, knowledge and love for art is indeed extraordinary. I am sure there will be much better reviews of this wonderful book but I do hope mine will quickly inspire and gently nudge art lovers to take the first step in owning and relishing its valuable contents so lovingly put together. L.T.P. MANJUSRI Artist and Scholar (1902-1982) published by Bay Owl Press is available at leading book stores priced at Rs 7500 Flash The U.S. Senate on Friday approved retired Army General Lloyd Austin, President Joe Biden's nominee, to serve as the nation's first African American Secretary of Defense. The Senate confirmed Austin, aged 67, in a 93-2 vote. The only no votes came from two Republican senators. "It's an honor and a privilege to serve as our country's 28th Secretary of Defense, and I'm especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position," Austin tweeted after he was confirmed. Austin will be tasked with implementing the Biden administration's military and defense priorities, while playing a role in executing the logistics associated with COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Former commander of the U.S. Central Command, Austin retired in 2016 after more than 40 years of military service. As combined forces commander, Austin led the design and execution of the military campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. While serving as commanding general of United States Forces-Iraq, he was responsible for the Army's largest logistical effort in more than 60 years when he oversaw the transition of U.S. and Coalition military forces and equipment out of Iraq. Born in Alabama and raised in Georgia, Austin received his bachelor of science degree from West Point, his master's degree in education from Auburn University, and his master's degree in business administration from Webster University. Congress passed a waiver on Thursday to allow Austin to take the job, as a U.S. law requires Pentagon chiefs to be out of the military for at least seven years. [Read: Biden to Cancel Keystone XL Pipeline in Inauguration Day Executive Order] Mr. Kenney vowed to continue fighting for Keystone XL, which his government kept alive last year through an investment and loan guarantees valued at just over 7 billion Canadian dollars. He also demanded that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau effectively emulate the ways of Mr. Trump and use trade sanctions in retaliation for Mr. Bidens action. But several people I interviewed this week said there was probably no legal or trade channel that could reverse the new presidents decision. [Read: Keystone Rejection Tests Trudeaus Balancing Act on Climate and Energy] But unlike with Mr. Bidens pipeline action, no one foresaw that Governor General Julie Payette would step down this week. Well probably never know the precise reasons for her sudden departure, though it was clearly triggered by an independent human resources review that, based on what Mr. Trudeau and others vaguely indicated, suggested she and her top assistant were among Canadas worst bosses. [Read: Canadas Governor General Resigns Amid Reports of a Toxic Workplace] Citing privacy reasons, the government is not releasing that review. But for months Ashley Burke of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has been producing a steady stream of horror stories from Rideau Hall, the governor generals official residence and workplace. Other reports have questioned a number of Ms. Payettes actions since she, a former astronaut, took office in 2017, lending the impression that she had a bad case of buyers remorse over becoming Canadas head of state as Queen Elizabeth IIs representative. While Mr. Trudeau cant be blamed for how Ms. Payette acted once she was in office, it was clearly his call to put her there. India's COVID-19 caseload rose to 1,06,39,684 with 14,256 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, while the recoveries have surged to 10,300,838, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday. The death toll increased to 1,53,184 with 152 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 10,300,838 pushing the national COVID-19 recovery rate of 96.78 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.44 per cent. The COVID-19 active caseload remained below 2 lakh for the fourth consecutive day.There are 1,88,688 active coronavirus infections in the country which comprise 1.78 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated. "Total number of samples tested up to 22nd January is 19,09,85,119 including 8,37,095 samples tested yesterday," said ICMR. A total of 13,90,592 persons were vaccinated to date and 3,47,058 persons vaccinated on a single day. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. Kerala on Friday logged 6,753 new COVID-19 cases, taking its overall infection count to 8.76 lakh while one more UK returnee tested positive for the mutated strain, state Health Minister K K Shailaja said. She said 19 fresh coronavirus deaths were also reported as the toll mounted to 3,564. As many as 6,108 people recovered from the disease with the cumulative number of those cured touching 8,03,094. Maharashtra's coronavirus tally increased to 20,03,657 with the addition of 2,779 cases on Friday, a state health official said. As 50 patients succumbed to the infection during the day, the fatality count grew to 50,684, he said. A total of 3,419 patients were discharged after treatment, pushing the state's recovery count to 19,06,827. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Foreign forces ignored a deadline to pull out of Libya as scheduled Saturday under a UN-backed ceasefire deal, highlighting the fragility of peace efforts after a decade of conflict. Satellite images broadcast by CNN show a trench running tens of kilometres (miles) dug by "Russian mercenaries" near the frontline coastal city of Sirte, as main foreign protagonists Ankara and Moscow appear intent on defending their interests under any final settlement. An unidentified US intelligence official, quoted by the American news network, said there was "no intent or movement by either Turkish or Russian forces to abide by the UN-brokered agreement". "This has the potential to derail an already fragile peace process and ceasefire. It will be a really difficult year ahead," he said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged all "regional and international actors to respect the provisions" of the October 23 ceasefire accord that set out a withdrawal within three months of all foreign troops and mercenaries. That deadline passed on Saturday, with no movement announced or observed on the ground. The UN estimates there are still some 20,000 foreign troops and mercenaries in Libya helping the warring factions, the UN-recognised Government of National Accord in Tripoli and the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar in the east. The GNA has received military support from Turkey. Haftar has the backing of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt as well as Russia. Guterres called on all parties to implement the terms of the ceasefire "without delay," something he noted "includes ensuring the departure of all foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya, and the full and unconditional respect of the Security Council arms embargo," which has been in place since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted and killed longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi. Interests Any withdrawal or end to foreign interference "does not depend on the Libyans but on the outside powers", said Khaled al-Montasser, professor of international relations at Tripoli University. Turkey on Friday welcomed a deal reached at UN-backed talks for Libya's warring factions to set up an interim executive to rule the North African country until polls in December. Turkey has backed the GNA with military advisers, materiel and mercenaries, repelling an advance on Tripoli by Haftar's forces, and it also has a military base in Al-Watiya on the border with Tunisia under a 2019 military accord. Last December, parliament in Ankara extended by 18 months its authorisation for Turkey's troop deployment in Libya, in apparent disregard of the ceasefire deal. "The mercenaries are unlikely to leave Libya so long as the countries which have engaged them have not guaranteed their interests in the new transitional phase," said Montasser, referring to the multiple tracks of UN-sponsored talks currently underway. "Their presence keeps alive the threat of military confrontation at any moment, while the current calm staying in place seems uncertain," he said. Most of the foreign forces are concentrated around Sirte, at Al-Jufra air base held by Haftar's forces 500 kilometres (300 miles) south of Tripoli and further west in Al-Watiya. "The context of the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters is not the same in the east and the west," said Jalal al-Fitouri, another university professor in the capital. "The extension of the Turkish presence shows that Ankara doesn't intend to leave," he said, whereas the "terms of the contract" between Haftar and Russian mercenaries remain unknown. Moscow denies any link to the mercenaries, but UN experts last May confirmed the presence of fighters of the Wagner group, allegedly close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Short link: Cineworld is facing an investor backlash over plans to pay bonuses worth up to 65m to its chief executive despite receiving taxpayer cash to survive the pandemic. More than 5,000 staff have been furloughed while its 127 UK cinemas are shut. But next week the board will try to push through a pay policy and a long-term bonus scheme that could hand bosses up to 208m. Hard times: The latest James Bond film, No Time To Die (pictured left), was delayed again, but Cineworld boss Mooky Greidinger (right) and his brother Israel will receive 33m each Meanwhile, the cinema industry suffered another blow yesterday when the latest James Bond film, No Time To Die, was delayed again until the autumn. But if Cineworld's share price hits 190p within three years, close to its pre-pandemic level of 197p, the chief executive Mooky Greidinger (pictured below) and his brother Israel will receive 33m each. If the share price hits 380p, the brothers will be handed 65m each. Three top investor advisory groups have urged shareholders to vote against the scheme. The Greidinger family own a 20 per cent stake in Cineworld, leading one advisory group to question whether there was a 'genuine need to further incentivise' the owners. Cineworld declined to comment. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-22 00:46:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close An empty classroom is seen at Sebastiao e Silva school in Oeiras near Lisbon, Portugal on Jan. 22, 2021. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced on Thursday the closure of schools for 15 days as a new measure to contain the spread of the COVID-19 in the country. Only schools that serve parents who work in services considered "essential" during the general confinement will remain open. The nationwide lockdown decreed under the state of emergency will be in force in Portugal until Jan. 30. (Photo by Pedro Fiuza/Xinhua) LISBON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced on Thursday the closure of schools for 15 days as a new measure to contain the spread of the COVID-19 in the country. Only schools that serve parents who work in services considered "essential" during the general confinement will remain open. The nationwide lockdown decreed under the state of emergency will be in force in Portugal until Jan. 30. According to Costa, the government had to change the initial decision that kept schools open because health authorities had detected that the the new coronavirus variant first reported in UK "is proving to be much more infectious than the original strain." Portugal recorded an additional 221 deaths related to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the highest number of daily deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. Now the toll in the country stands at 9,686. A further 13,544 new cases of infection with the coronavirus were registered, bringing the total to 595,149 in Portugal, according to the Directorate-General for Health (DGS). As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in some countries with the already-authorized coronavirus vaccines, including Portugal. Meanwhile, 237 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 64 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on Jan. 15. Enditem A major Northern California city took a big step last week toward addressing the devastating housing crisis thats exacerbating inequality, worsening climate change and hurting families throughout our state. In a move thats both practical and visionary, it plans to allows people to build up to four units of housing on any piece of land now slated for one house. The majority of people speaking in public comment and writing letters about the plan were not cranky NIMBYs, but those who supported building more affordable housing near their own homes. The city council approved it unanimously. The mayor rejoiced, saying the move would foster equity and inclusion. Was this progressive city San Francisco? Of course not. When it comes to housing, San Francisco isnt progressive at all. This truly progressive city was Sacramento a city thats preparing for an influx of residents and businesses by, get this, building more housing. So people of all socioeconomic backgrounds can live there. Shocking, I know. Sacramento is a rapidly changing city, and were shedding our old image as just a government town, Mayor Darrell Steinberg told me. We are diversifying our economy where were attracting a lot of tech and life sciences and innovation and broadening our economic base. But it is not enough to just grow a modern economy, he continued. That growth needs to be coupled with an absolute commitment to inclusion. People should not only have the ability to play in Land Park, which is the crown jewel in our regional parks system, they should have the opportunity to live there as well. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle 2019 What if San Francisco mayors and supervisors had adopted that vision 20 years ago during the first dot-com boom? Or 10 years ago as we emerged from the Great Recession and saw an influx of tech companies and a huge spike in housing prices and rents? What if theyd called for our thriving economy to not leave anybody behind and demanded that people of all income levels be able to live near Golden Gate Park? While some parts of San Francisco saw high-end residential towers built and a smattering of affordable housing was added, the city didnt come close to adding enough units for low- and middle-income earners. And large swaths of the city, mostly on the west side, have remained frozen in time. An artist, teacher, waiter, custodian or nonprofit worker new to the city and lacking a trust fund or high-earning spouse has no chance of buying a home in the city. And little chance of affording rent. Living near Golden Gate Park? Not likely. So if those people work in San Francisco, they often endure long car commutes, which is bad for the environment and ones health and sanity. Progressive? Not at all. Of all the land in San Francisco where homes are allowed to be built, 74% of it is slated for single-family homes, according to Matt Regan, senior vice president of public policy for the Bay Area Council, a business advocacy organization. Its a suburb masquerading as a city, really, Regan said. Theres no difference between the west side of San Francisco and most of suburban San Mateo. Socially, yes, San Francisco is the most progressive city in the country, but when it comes to land use and planning, it is absolutely one of the most conservative. We give divine rights to homeowners and existing residents at the expense of renters and future residents, he continued. Its progressives against progress. For decades, some San Francisco progressives have argued that for some reason, the laws of supply and demand dont apply to San Franciscos housing market. But the pandemic and the drop in rents here proves that they do. Nick Otto / Special to The Chronicle 2020 And Sacramentos progress isnt even the stuff of NIMBY nightmares. That city isnt plopping high-rises in the middle of residential neighborhoods. Its merely allowing up to four units to be built on one lot while ensuring size and design fit in with neighborhood character. Current height limitations would remain. Its part of Sacramentos 2040 General Plan, and if its fully adopted, homeowners could start adding units in about two years. Its similar to action taken in Portland, Ore., and Minneapolis. Under state law, most California homeowners including those in San Francisco can add up to two in-law units to their properties, but Regan said allowing fourplexes would professionalize the endeavor and add far more housing. State Sen. Scott Wiener, who has tried and failed to dramatically alter Californias laws to get more housing built, said San Franciscos policies ensure that housing stays super expensive and perpetuates segregation. He called Sacramentos plan fantastic. Assemblyman David Chiu called it a bold move that could work in San Francisco. I appreciate that people are attached to the status quo, but fourplexes are an incremental change that could go a long way in addressing our housing and homelessness crisis, he said. Mayor London Breed also supports adopting Sacramentos plan. Shes all for policies that make it easier to build housing throughout our entire city, said Jeff Cretan, her spokesman. So will San Francisco ever follow Sacramentos smart path? Unlikely. Pinning the 11 supervisors down on this question was like trying to capture fog. Supervisor Connie Chan, whose Richmond district includes a lot of single-family homes, said the city has enough market-rate housing, though nearly all economists and housing experts disagree. She supports only development thats 100% affordable and pointed to teacher housing, but only one such complex is under development after more than 15 years of talking about the idea. Supervisor Gordon Mar, whose Sunset district also includes a lot of single-family housing, texted that he grew up in Sacramento and a modest density increase to single-family zoning is certainly worth considering. He did not respond to requests for a phone interview for more clarification about whether hed support fourplexes. Supervisor Myrna Melgar, whose West of Twin Peaks district likewise includes a lot of single-family homes, is among the most straightforward supervisors. She said she likes the Sacramento plan, but doesnt think it would have the votes here. She said shed support it if the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency restores the bus and streetcar lines in her district that have been slashed during the pandemic. We cant talk about more density until we have a working transportation system, she said. Supervisors Catherine Stefani and Ahsha Safai representing the Marina and Excelsior, respectively also have single-family homes in their districts, but did not return requests for comment. Neither did Supervisor Dean Preston, who represents the Haight and seems to be one of the supervisors most opposed to building market-rate housing. Supervisor Matt Haney doesnt have single-family homes in his district the Tenderloin and South of Market but supports Sacramentos plan and said, it makes sense to allow apartments anywhere. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who represents the Castro and Noe Valley, said following Sacramentos lead is the right thing to do. He added that his constituents tend to oppose giant homes built for one wealthy family, but would support them if they were for three or four families. Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who represents North Beach and Chinatown, said he supports density equity, but didnt go into specifics about Sacramentos plan. Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who represents the Mission, said she supports requiring all new homes built in the city to include at least two units. Its all about balance. San Francisco is beautiful and desirable because of the years weve fought to preserve the character of our now world-famous neighborhoods, she said. But we are not a museum, and we definitely need housing that San Franciscans can afford. Supervisor Shamann Walton was the only supervisor to flat-out oppose adopting Sacramentos plan. Policies like this would speed up the gentrification in areas like Bayview, he said. Of course I want affordability and opportunities to provide increased housing, but this policy is bad for San Francisco. Housing advocates argue the opposite is true that gentrification has been worse in San Francisco than elsewhere in part because its built so little housing while creating so many jobs. The citys current policies contribute to high housing costs, which drives people out to places like, yes, Sacramento. That city has seen rents rise because of an influx of Bay Area residents. Sacramento doesnt feel like it has the luxury to throw its head into the sand about the housing crisis, said Louis Mirante, legislative director for California Yimby, a pro-housing group. Your Board of Supervisors is seemingly unable to consider the impact their policies have on other people. When it comes to land use, San Francisco could learn a lot of lessons from Sacramento. James Corless is the executive director of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, which includes 28 local governments from Davis to Lake Tahoe and the delta to Yuba City, and hes a big fan of Sacramentos move. We want to be a region thats one of the most creative, thoughtful and forward-thinking regions in California, and this is the type of policy that does just that, he said. We have to open ourselves up to be more flexible and invite developers and affordable housing providers in so we can build the city of tomorrow. He didnt say this directly, but there was one implication: San Francisco is the city of yesterday. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Tuesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf Instagram: @heatherknightsf Senior officers in the Defence Forces are planning to increase their involvement in the battle against Covid if required. Since last March, the mili-tary has completed 58,658 individual tasks. This includes significant efforts in recent weeks in terms of swab testing and contact tracing. Chief of staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett said they decided at the start of the pandemic to launch Operation Fortitude. The "muscle" behind that was a joint task force built out of their experience in missions such as Afghanistan and west Africa. Military planners have developed contingency plans to provide the HSE with increased "surge capacity". This frontline support will continue until the suppression of the third wave of the killer virus. Flights The military has committed nearly 60 first responders, providing for up to an additional 4,000 swab tests a day. Defence Forces personnel were trained by the HSE over Christmas, bringing the total number available for contact tracing to 100. The Air Corps has carried out 19 flights to Germany with swab tests to be analysed, while since the middle of this month two dozen have been deployed to four nursing homes in Munster for non-clinical duties. Lieutenant Colonel Louis Flynn is helping with plann-ing and logistics for vaccination tasks, while the Air Corps has transported vaccines to remote locations and will be available to fly medical staff and vaccines to islands. The Defence Forces also have a pool of 50 central medical unit personnel, consisting of emergency medical technicians, paramedics and advance paramedics, available to help the HSE with administering vaccines. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro could face charges in The Hague after being accused of crimes against humanity by indigenous leaders over the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Two top Brazilian indigenous leaders asked the international criminal court (ICC) to investigate Bolsonaro, accusing him of unprecedented environmental damage, killings and persecution. Chief Raoni Metuktire, leader of the Kayapo people, and Chief Almir Narayamoga Surui, leader of the Paiter Surui tribe, filed the claim at The Hague-based court on Friday, January 22. The news comes as support for Bolsonaro, who has overseen the world's second deadliest coronavirus outbreak, has fallen sharply, a Datafolha poll showed today, as a brutal second wave and a lack of vaccines sours views of his far-right government. Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro (pictured) could face charges in the Hauge's international criminal court (ICC) after he was accused of crimes against humanity by indigenous chiefs Since Bolsonaro became president in January 2019, 'the destruction of the Amazonian forest has accelerated without measure,' said the complaint to the ICC, reported by France's Le Monde newspaper on Saturday. It said deforestation had rocketed 'by 34.5 percent in a year, the assassination of indigenous leaders is at an 11-year high and environmental agencies have collapsed or faced threats.' The two leaders said killings, the forced transfers of local peoples and persecution constituted 'crimes against humanity.' Bolsonaro's government has proposed legislation that would relax restrictions within Amazon regions on commercial mining, oil and gas extraction, and large-scale agriculture, putting the rainforest at even greater risk. Activists are pushing for ecocide to be added to the crimes prosecuted by the ICC, alongside genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The issue was raised by the Maldives and Vanuatu at the ICC general assembly in December 2019. Chief Raoni Metuktire (pictured) leader of the Kayapo people, and Chief Almir Narayamoga Surui, leader of the Paiter Surui tribe, filed a claim with the ICC on Friday, January 22, accusing Bolsonaro of unprecedented environmental damage, killings and persecution 'This situation, the most dramatic in the last 10 years, is a direct result of the policies of Jair Bolsonaro', who wants to 'lift all the barriers to plunder the wealth of the Amazon,' the suit said, also singling out mining firms. It said the 'destruction of the Amazon forest... was a direct danger not only for Brazilians but for all humanity.' In July last year, health workers in Brazil had also urged the ICC to probe Bolsonaro for crimes against humanity over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. A month earlier Chief Raoni had told AFP in an interview that Bolsonaro was trying to use the pandemic to eliminate indigenous people. Brazil's immunisation programme has been widely criticised for being late and chaotic, not least given Bolsonaro's opposition. A demonstrator representing the grim reaper standing in front of an 'impeachment' banner takes part in a protest against Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro measures to confront the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, January 17 Pictured: A demonstrator wearing mask shouts 'Bolsonaro out!' during a protest against the lack of action to combat the new Coronavirus by the administration of Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, in front of the presidential palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, Jan. 21 People motorcade to protest against Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro and his handling of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil January 23 Despite his declining support, a majority of Brazilians are now against Bolsonaro being impeached, a second Datafolha poll found. Both were released late on Friday. According to one of the polls, Bolsonaro's administration was rated as bad or terrible by 40% of respondents, up from 32% in an early-December survey. Just under a third of respondents rated Bolsonaro's government as good or excellent, versus 37% in the previous poll. The poll results are a blow for the president. The Folha de S.Paulo newspaper said they represent the biggest drop in approval since the beginning of his government in 2019. Brazilians have grown increasingly irate at the slow pace of Brazil's vaccine rollout, which began last weekend but remains blighted with few vaccines to inoculate the country's 210 million people and stall a snowballing second wave. Pot-banging protests, a hallmark of the early days of the pandemic, even erupted in some cities earlier this month, and both left- and right-wing groups convened pro-impeachment marches across the country this weekend. Workers vaccinate health personnel in Brazil, 18 January 2021. The inoculation of the first doses was carried out on 17 January in a ceremony presided over by Doria, who, together with the Butantan Institute, managed the import and transfer of antigen technology in Brazil To make matters worse, a new virus variant has appeared in the north of the country that researchers believe has higher levels of transmissibility. Some countries have even barred entry for Brazilian travelers. Bolsonaro, a former army captain, is already under pressure for his handling of an outbreak that has so far killed 215,243 people. He has sought to minimize the gravity of the virus and even said he won't take any COVID-19 shot, stoking growing anti-vaccine sentiment. Nonetheless, another Datafolha poll found that 53% of respondents are against Congress opening impeachment proceedings against the president for his handling of the pandemic, compared with 50% in a previous survey. Those favoring impeachment fell to 43% from 46% previously. Both polls were conducted on Jan 20-21, interviewing 2,030 Brazilians, with a 2 percentage point margin of error. Earlier this week, desperate relatives of Covid patients in Brazil were seen queuing for hours to fill their loved-ones' oxygen tanks as a new mutant strain of the virus ravages the country. Osmar Magalhaes, 68, who suffers from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is helped by his daughter Karoline Magalhaes at his home, where he set up his own emergency ward with air tanks due to lack of oxygen in the public health system, in Manaus, Brazil January 20 Health workers receive oxygen cylinders that are on shortage due to high-demand because of growing number of COVID-19 patients at the hospital of Manacapuru, Amazonas state, Brazil, on January 20 Amozonas state has been inundated with cases of the new variant and doctors at hospitals in Manaus, the rainforest's largest city, are being forced to decide which patients should get the dwindling oxygen. From dawn to dusk, family members queued up outside the Carboxi oxygen plant during torrential downpours and sweltering humidity on Tuesday. They arrived with heavy green tanks to be filled with oxygen and then rushed back to their ailing relatives, laying the colossal cylinders across the backseats of hatchbacks and on truck beds. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro regularly criticises, yesterday dispatched lorries laden with 3.78 million cubic feet of oxygen to help the region. Even as Amazonas welcomed the support, Bolsonaro lobbed critiques at Maduro. 'If you want to offer us oxygen, we will receive it without a problem,' Bolsonaro said Monday. 'But he could give emergency aid to his people too, right? The minimum wage there doesn't buy half a kilo of rice.' A Venezuelan truck driver holds a national flag as he and others arrive to Brazil bringing oxygen to assist Covid-19 patients in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, on January 19 Brazil's government on Friday received further international help in the form of 2 million doses of coronavirus vaccine from India, but experts warned the shipment will do little to shore up an insufficient supply in South America's biggest nation. Brazil's Health Ministry announced that the vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, landed in Sao Paulo before being flown to Rio de Janeiro, where Brazil's state-run Fiocruz Institute is based. Fiocruz has an agreement to produce and distribute the vaccine. The 2 million doses from India only scratch the surface of the shortfall, Brazilian public health experts told The Associated Press, More doses will be needed to cover priority groups in the nation of 210 million people, and shipments of raw materials from Asia have been delayed. 'Counting doses from Butantan (a Sao Paulo state research institute) and those from India, there isn't enough vaccine and there is no certainty about when Brazil will have more, or how much,' said Mario Scheffer, professor of preventive medicine at the University of Sao Paulo. That shortage 'will interfere with our capacity in the near-term to reach collective immunity.' A flight from India planned for last week was postponed, derailing the federal government's plan to begin immunization with the AstraZeneca shot. Instead, vaccination began using the CoronaVac shot in Sao Paulo, where Butantan has a deal with its producer, Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac. Countries around the world, particularly developing nations, are struggling to source sufficient vaccines for their populations. Neither Fiocruz nor Butantan has yet received the technology from their partners to produce vaccines domestically, and instead must import the active ingredients. India's foreign ministry said Friday evening at a press briefing in New Delhi that vaccines had been dispatched to Brazil and Morocco. The concept worked temporarily for Bush, long enough to get him re-elected. In that case, the alternative reality was that the US-led invasion of Iraq was justified, necessary and successful. All false, and ultimately all seen to be false. But at the time Bush and his vice-president, Dick Cheney, were strikingly successful in misleading their nation. And they managed to do it without the help of so-called social media, truly an Orwellian misnomenclature for one of the most socially divisive forces in contemporary civilisation. Bush had already been re-elected by the time Facebook and Twitter launched operations. Yet Bush had a much easier sell. He had to persuade an America unsettled by the 9/11 attacks that it was cool to invade a faraway Arab country that most Americans already considered a hostile state. He merely had to conflate Iraqs Saddam Hussein with Al Qaedas Osama bin Laden and muddy the waters a bit to win public support for his big lie. Mission accomplished. Trump had the advantage of fully fledged anti-social media to work with. Critically, he also had the advantage of another decade of American failure on his side shocking inequalities of wealth and opportunity, failing wars fought with the lives and limbs of the American underclass, a paralysing opioid plague, ever-deepening cultural divides and racial resentments. The conditions for the rise of an authoritarian were ripe. A couple of centuries of American democracy are feeble defence against these historical forces for human discontent. Indeed, the American historians Will and Ariel Durant predicted as much more than half a century ago. They distilled the threefold warning that emerged from their 11-volume survey, The Story of Civilisation. Even though they were writing in 1968, at a time when democracy was sounder than ever before, as they describe it in their overview essay titled The Lessons of History. Loading One: If race or class war divides us into hostile camps, changing political arguments into blind hate, one side or the other may overturn the hustings with the rule of the sword. Two: If our economy of freedom fails to distribute wealth as ably as it has created it, the road to dictatorship will be open to any man who can persuasively promise security to all. Three: If a war continues to absorb and dominate [a democracy], or if the itch to rule the world requires a large military establishment and appropriation, the freedoms of democracy may one by one succumb to the discipline of arms and strife. The Durants didnt posit that you needed all three or even two of these conditions to overturn a democracy. Any one might suffice. And in America, the first two preconditions were present for Trump to exploit. And arguably some elements of the third as well. Trump exploited these crises by decrying them as American carnage and promising populist solutions. Populism has many definitions; the one I prefer is a political style offering unworkably simplistic solutions to complex problems. Loading One. Fix the race problem by shutting out Muslims and Mexicans and encouraging white supremacists. This only inflamed the hate, which Trump then sought to own and direct. Two. Fix the economy by blaming China and others for problems, putting tariffs on imports and handing out tax cuts. This only aggravated inequality and stoked the national debt, while Trump & Family profited personally. Three. Fix the forever wars by dismissing Americas commitments to US allies and bringing all the troops home. This did offer the prospect of relief to overworked troops, but weakened the Western alliance and encouraged Vladimir Putin in the process. And when circumstance delivered a pandemic, he produced a populist response to that, too. Blame China for inflicting it, and the Democrats and media for perpetuating it. Loading The power of Trumps achievement in overcoming reality was a marvel of manipulation. He knew exactly what he was doing. From the first. Remember his easy dismissal of inconvenient information as fake news. And, challenged by reporters in the act of making things up, he gave a pathbreaking attribution to authoritative sourcing: All I know is whats on the internet. Which, of course, is everything and nothing. When he was inaugurated, his spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway defended Trumps exaggerated claims of the number of adoring fans whod supposedly turned out in support. The administration had simply presented alternative facts, she said. This caused a stir at the time, yet now looks innocent compared with the monstrosity of Trumps perversions of pandemic reality that it would just go away like a miracle while 400,000 Americans died in the meantime. And to the last. In his efforts to overturn Joe Bidens election win, Trump was fully conscious of reality but orchestrated the alternative reality he wanted America to swallow. Some of his cynical manipulations were recorded by the former Sydney Morning Herald reporter Jonathan Swan this week for Axios. President Trump was sitting in the Oval Office one day in late November when a call came in from lawyer Sidney Powell. Ugh, Sidney, he told the staff in the room before he picked up. Shes getting a little crazy, isnt she? Shes really gotta tone it down. No one believes this stuff. Its just too much. Loading He put the call on speakerphone for the benefit of his audience. Powell was raving about a national security crisis involving the Iranians flipping votes in battleground states. Trump pressed mute and laughed mockingly. Powell, a former government attorney, filed four law suits in efforts to overturn the election result. It was clear that Trump recognised how unhinged his outside legal advisers were, wrote Swan: But Trump promoted Powell as part of his team. Sometimes you need a little crazy, Trump told one official. At the outset of his prime ministership Scott Morrison flirted with Trumpist populism. Remember his proposal to mimic Trump by moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem? His whack at negative globalism? His sharing the stage with Trump at a political event in Ohio? Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Cloudy with showers. High 54F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Rain. Low around 40F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Fr Paul Symonds PE served in the Diocese of Down and Connor from 1989 until retirement in 2009. In Ballymena, he established good relations with former loyalist paramilitaries and played a key role in helping to settle a controversial dispute around the Catholic church in Harryville. In 2008, he was appointed OBE for services to community relations. It was withdrawn without explanation in 2017. Q. Can you tell us about your background? A. I was born on October 27, 1944 and baptised on April 1, 1945 in St John's Methodist Church, Potters Bar, London. As my parents had no Church connections, I don't know why they chose the Methodist Church, anymore than I know why, several years later, they chose to send me to the local Catholic primary school in Sunninghill, near Windsor. I was very happy there and adored the Marist Sisters, who made God's love very real to me. They led me to my Christian faith, which has never left me, which has been an essential part of my whole life and which I have never doubted. My maternal grandmother, a woman of deep faith and trust in God, also played an important part in my faith journey. On the day I was born, she gave me a Book of Common Prayer and a King James Bible, inscribed with the words "With Nan's blessing". I have treasured those books all my life and I want them to be in my hand in my coffin. My faith continued to be nourished during my six years at Windsor Grammar School and I then went to a predominantly Anglican university in Wales. As I was reading French, I had to spend a year in France, in a school run by the Marist Fathers. It was one of the happiest years of my life. My sense of vocation to the ordained ministry, which first came to me at primary school, was confirmed during that year. Before coming to Northern Ireland, I ministered in Belgium, France, Holland and Italy, serving people in European institutions. I was expecting to spend the rest of my life in Holland, but a chance meeting with the-then Bishop Cahal Daly in Rome in 1987 led me to Down and Connor. Q. Have you ever been angry with God? A. No, but I have been angry with other Christians at times. I try not to hang on to that anger, because, as we read in the Book of James, "man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires". (1:20) Q. Do you ever get criticised for your faith? A. Yes. Some Protestants refuse to accept that I am a Christian, because I remain part of the Catholic Church, which has played such an important role in my life and where I first came to know the Lord Jesus. Q. Are you ever ashamed of your own Church, or denomination? A. I have never understood some of the Marian doctrines and devotions in the Catholic Church. The best sermons I have ever heard on the Virgin Mary have been in the Presbyterian Church. I deeply regret the Eucharistic discipline in my own Church. I believe the Eucharist is the Lord's Supper and anyone who loves the Lord and who wishes to receive the sacrament should be welcome, regardless of their denomination. Q. Have you faced any particular difficulties in your ministry? A. In 2009, two people from different times and places in my life made separate complaints about my behaviour. In accordance with diocesan practice, the complaints were reported to the civil authorities. I was never charged with any criminal offence, but, in 2016, the Church authorities decided that I should live as a retired priest, without public ministry. In 2017, my OBE was withdrawn, but I was never told why. Q. Do you believe in a resurrection and, if so, what will it be like? A. Yes. It will be like those moments of deep communion with those I love the most, which I want to go on forever. Q. What about people of other denominations and faiths? A. I see myself as a member of the Body of Christ and I am at home wherever that Body is made manifest in a faith community. I am completely at home in the Methodist, Presbyterian, Church of Ireland and Catholic Churches and I would find it very difficult to restrict myself to one denomination. Regarding other faiths, I once found myself next to an Iranian Muslim on a transatlantic flight. We bonded and kept in contact by email for a number of years and learnt a lot from each other. Q. Do you think that the Churches here are fulfilling their mission? A. In many ways, yes. Q. Has religion helped, or hindered, the people of Northern Ireland? A. Insofar as the Churches have preached the Gospel and reached out in love and service to their neighbours, they have helped. When they have become too identified with a particular political ideology, they have hindered. Q. What is your favourite film, book and music, and why? A. My favourite films are Chariots of Fire and Amazing Grace, because of the positive image they portray of the life of faith. My favourite book is The Other Side of Loss by Tom Vaughan. It shows that winning the lottery is not necessarily a dream come true, but a nightmare which transforms a humble, caring priest into a harsh, arrogant businessman, but there is redemption in the end. My favourite composer is J S Bach, a Lutheran Christian, whose faith permeates all his work. Q. Where do you feel closest to God? A. My own home. Q. What inscription would you like on your gravestone, if any? A. He loved the Gospel, he preached the Gospel, he lived the Gospel. Q. Have you any major regrets? A. Yes, the times when I have thought I was being loving and generous beyond the call of duty, but when, in fact, I was being possessive and manipulative, pointing to myself, rather than to Christ. Others, though, are tempering their optimism. Some county health officials say they are still working through the initial phase, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday said that the states expected shipment next week of 126,000 first doses for areas outside of Chicago will inoculate less than 4% of those eligible in the new phase. So there will be far greater demand than supply for at least the near term, he said. After adding more surge capacity for the third time last week, doctors and mathematicians at Massachusetts General Hospital say theyre beginning to ebb out of the second COVID surge, and expect to see a decrease in hospital admissions over the next few weeks. Were in the midst of, or maybe towards the end of, the peak of the plateau phase, and projecting a downward trend from the end of the month on, said Dr. Peter Dunn, vice president of procedural services, health care system engineering and capacity management. On Jan. 13, hospital officials opened a third makeshift ICU to accommodate a sustained increase in COVID patients needing care after the holidays. The states largest hospital recently converted pediatric ICU beds and recovery rooms to serve as space to treat the influx of COVID patients. Following a post-holiday surge, the state has seen the weekly number of new COVID cases fall after three weeks of steep increases. The pandemic peak occurred the week of Jan. 2 with 42,495 new cases. By comparison, last weeks number of new cases is at 30,186. But Dunn says hospital modelers can only really make predictions two weeks into the future. With news that a new highly contagious strain of COVID-19 has been diagnosed in at least two Massachusetts residents, Dunn says Mass. General remains vigilant, noting that staff are just as busy compared to the spring of 2020 the difference now being they are able to accommodate more non-COVID patients who are in need of acute care. Modeling of the new variant shows the potential that it could grow rapidly in early 2021, becoming the dominant strain in the United States as early as March, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Friday. Experts believe that the antibodies triggered by the COVID vaccine still prevent the new variant from attaching to cells, injecting its genome and replicating. Our biggest challenge right now is, when you look at the COVID numbers, they dont tell the overall story of the impact on our hospitals, Dunn said. That impact includes numerous longer term stays for COVID patients experiencing prolonged symptoms that require continued hospitalization, Dunn said. We have 123 COVID-active patients flagged in the hospital, but we have many more whose flags have been removed, he said. Dunn said as of this week Mass. General is at roughly 55-60% of the capacity strain experienced during the spring peak for non-ICU care, and roughly 33% of the spring peak for ICU care. Thats about what hospital modelers projected initially ahead of the rise. Mass General Brigham, the umbrella company under which Mass. General operates, was able to spare hospitals excessive capacity burdens by distributing COVID patients across the system a process called level-loading. Dunn said said of the Mass General Brigham hospitals caring for COVID patients, Newton-Wellesley Hospital and North Shore Medical Center were the biggest community hotspots. At Tufts Medical Center, hospital officials say ICU capacity is still tight. Officials have had to ramp up to 140% of normal capacity. Often, as soon as a patient leaves the ICU, we get another ICU admission, said Terry Hudson-Jinks, chief nursing officer for Tufts Medical Center, in a statement. We are working to keep 1-2 ICU beds open to ensure we can care for patients in need. Related Content: What's Happening? If we just followed the headlines, then the entire continent of Africa has been written off by many investors as a fruitless search for fool's gold. So I would ask you to leave all you preconceptions behind and think about a bigger picture and a longer story about how the economies on this continent are changing. Why Does It Matter? Africa is usually associated with poverty and greed, with income seemingly dependent upon mining of all types. Adventure: There are some telephony companies quoted in the UK which have specialised in telephony and money transfer services in Africa Yes of course there are still many governance and political questions, but some of those same points can be raised closer to home as well. Rather, Africa is changing and this can best be seen by the greater value of trade between the nations. Traditionally, countries have sought to protect their economies with higher tariff walls. For anyone who has read anything about economics, this is rarely a route to success. Free trade areas tend to foster greater exchange of goods and services and greater wealth. Although it has been virtually ignored by the western media, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has been signed and ratified by 34 nations and was implemented at the start of the year. This is not going to mark an immediate change but is a pointer in the right direction. However, there are some early ways of benefiting from the internal development of African economies and not just through the hollowing out of its minerals but through a way familiar to us all mobile phones. What Should I Do? I have seen from my own experience how telephony has leapt forward. We have moved on from the days when I had a landline phone in my office in Kampala, Uganda, but unfortunately, since there was no system in place, the plastic handset on my desk was just a status symbol. Now mobile phones are used for trading throughout a growing number of countries and I must say mostly done successfully by the women in the villages. So we could look at investing in the mast infrastructure, although that is a longer play, or in actual operating and growing telecoms companies. Any Suggestions? Putting money in to Africa is for adventurous investors. There are in fact some telephony companies quoted in the UK which have specialised in telephony and money transfer services. Airtel Africa operates in 14 countries across the continent and is now the second largest mobile operator there with over 116m mobile customers and nearly 20m money transfer users. It is a member of the FTSE250 index so UK investors can buy easily. For a less risky ride, try a passive fund of the continent's 50 largest shares, of which about half are in South Africa. The Xtrackers MSCI Africa Top 50 will give you a broader and more diversified portfolio. Justin Urquhart Stewart co-founded fund manager 7IM and is chairman of investment platform Regionally. JACKSON, MI The smell of smoke still lingers in the clothing and bedding of the people displaced by an arson fire at Reed Manor Monday night. The approximately 25 residents of the public housing apartments are mostly senior citizens, who are now living at a Holiday Inn and eating cold meals, cereal and Lunchables supplied by the American Red Cross, Jackson Housing Commission Housing Advocate Justin Counts said. We have a big population of elderly residents that dont have teeth, its hard to eat those kinds of things, Counts said. Reed Manor fire was arson, suspect in hospital, police say Counts put out a request, Friday, Jan. 22, asking the community to help get residents hot meals. Within two hours, a Jackson organization anonymously donated 40 microwave meals, which were delivered early that afternoon. Other people have made cash donations which the Jackson Housing Commission will turn into gift cards for nearby restaurants and grocery stores, Counts said. Weve gotten so much support from the community, he said. While the Red Cross help has been amazing, the residents of Reed Manors D Building at 301 Steward Ave. also need things like socks, underwear and dental glue, which it doesnt provide, Jackson Housing Commission Assistant Director Katie Anderson said. Donations collected will help provide those things, as well as snacks and other niche items residents need, Anderson said. The fire that damaged these residents homes started a little after 10 p.m., Monday, Jan. 18, and all were settled in their hotel rooms by 2 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 19. (The Red Cross) came out here and took care of everybody, Counts said. It was wonderful to see. But the need doesnt go away once these people can go back home, Anderson said. They then will need things like new bedding and beds, she said. Residents can currently enter their homes to grab personal items, as long as theyre with a staff member, Anderson said. But the smell of smoke is prevalent even through face masks. The whole building itself just reeks, Anderson said. You cant get rid of that smell. Its just difficult. Were talking about folks this is all that they have. Its just sad. The Jackson Housing Commission is working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse residents Bridge Cards, because their refrigerators didnt have power after the fire and the food inside spoiled, Anderson said. Its just a big effort, Counts said. Were a small team of close workers that are just trying to help a lot of people. It gets challenging. About half of the building hopefully will be ready for residents to return to in the next week or so, Anderson said. Residents who arent able to return to their homes will be put in vacant units throughout the complex, Anderson said. Police say a 41-year-old man broke through a sliding glass door before entering another unit and starting the fire. The suspect was burned during the fire and is at the University of Michigan Health System burn center, police said. No residents were injured in the fire. Community members who want to help should email Counts at j.counts@jacksonhousing-mi.org. Read more from MLive: Here are snow details on storm rolling through Jackson area Monday night New dean of student services picked for Jackson Area Career Center What kind of housing is needed in Jackson? City officials want to know Historic train leaving, man celebrates 101st birthday after surviving COVID-19: Jackson top headlines Jan. 16-21 DEAL OF THE WEEK Gallery Re-ups Christina Lauren Lauren Billings (l), Christina Hobbs (r) The writing duo of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, who work under the pen name Christina Lauren, inked a new two-book deal at Gallery Books. Jennifer Bergstrom at the Simon & Schuster imprint took world English rights from Holly Root at Root Literary, with senior editor Hannah Braaten set to edit. The first book under the agreement, currently untitled, is set for spring 2022 and, the publisher said, was pitched as a gender-swapped Romancing the Stone meets The Hangover, where a scrappy canyoneering guide is reunited with her city-boy ex on a deadly treasure hunt in the red rock canyons of Southern Utah. Gallery has been publishing Lauren since 2013. FROM THE U.S. Krans Gets Mystical at Chronicle Eva Avery at Chronicle Prism bought a new collection in Kim Kranss Wild Unknown series in a six-figure, world rights deal brokered by Meg Thompson at Thompson Literary Agency. Chronicle called Krans (The Wild Unknown Tarot) a visionary author who has transformed the world of tarot and oracle art and writing. The deal includes two stationery items releasing in fall 2021 featuring the authors mystical art: The Wild Unknown Notebook Set and The Wild Unknown Notecards. Also included in the deal is an oracle deck, The Wild Unknown Alchemy Deck and Guidebook, and a currently untitled daily journal. The latter two titles are slated for spring and fall 2022, respectively. Bevins Mounts Uprising for Priddle For PublicAffairs, Clive Priddle took world rights to Vincent Bevinss The Uprisings. Rob McQuilkin at Massie & McQuilkin sold the nonfiction title, which, the publisher said, is a global survey of the modern era of populist uprisings from Brazil to the Arab Spring to the unrest in Hong Kong. Bevinss The Jakarta Method, about CIA interventions in several international conflicts, was also published by PublicAffairs; it was named one of the best books of 2020 by NPR. Knopf Gets Poetic with Clark Blood Sisters, Heather Clarks survey of four American poets, was bought by Deb Garrison at Knopf. The book, subtitled The Boston Years of Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Adrienne Rich, and Maxine Kumin, was sold by Jacques de Spoelberch at J. de S. Associates in a world English rights deal. De Spoelberch said Blood Sisters paints a group portrait of four remarkable women who brought confessional poetry into the American mainstream. Clark shows how the women, who all won Pulitzer Prizes, broke the rules and broke new ground, writing poetry that defined their era and jump-started a movement that changed America. Oregon reported 877 new coronavirus cases and 22 deaths Friday as the governor defended her decision to prioritize vaccinating educators ahead of seniors. Oregons 150,000 or so daycare, preschool and K-12 workers will be eligible for a shot starting Monday. Oregonians 80 and older will be eligible starting Feb. 8. But being allowed to get a shot doesnt mean immediate access. Portlands largest vaccination site, at the Oregon Convention Center, wont be getting to educators until Wednesday, a Legacy Health spokesman said, because each of the 4,000 slots that were available Monday and Tuesday have already been booked by people in other priority groups. We can only vaccinate so many people at a time, Brian Terrett said. The convention center vaccination site will be run by Portlands four biggest health systems -- Legacy, Oregon Health & Science University, Providence and Kaiser Permanente -- and will be operational for six to nine months, the health systems said in a news release Friday. The convention center clinic has vaccinated 1,365 people this week and plans to vaccinate another 2,400 Saturday. On Monday and Tuesday, about 4,000 people with special needs and their caregivers will get vaccinated. On Wednesday, the clinic will shift to educators. But, as usual, nothing is set in stone. Please note that there are rapid changes based on the direction of Gov. Brown and the Oregon Health Authority, the health systems said. Where the new cases are by county: Baker (1), Benton (24), Clackamas (71), Clatsop (8), Columbia (15), Coos (10), Crook (14), Curry (1), Deschutes (28), Douglas (18), Grant (4), Hood River (5), Jackson (33), Jefferson (9), Josephine (15), Klamath (17), Lake (3), Lane (90), Lincoln (5), Linn (9), Malheur (11), Marion (101), Morrow (7), Multnomah (136), Polk (24), Umatilla (52), Union (9), Wallowa (1), Wasco (3), Washington (138) and Yamhill (15). Deaths: Oregons 1,844th death connected to the coronavirus is an 89-year-old Clackamas County man who tested positive Jan. 1 and died Jan. 20 at Portland VA Medical Center. Oregons 1,845th death is a 90-year-old Clackamas County woman who tested positive Jan. 4 and died Jan. 8 at her residence. Oregons 1,846th death is an 87-year-old Deschutes County man who tested positive Dec. 31 and died Jan. 12 at his residence. Oregons 1,847th death is a 46-year-old Harney County man who tested positive Jan. 5 and died Jan. 20 at his residence. Oregons 1,848th death is a 56-year-old Harney County man who tested positive Jan. 4 and died Jan. 20 at St. Lukes Meridian Medical Center. Oregons 1,849th death is an 87-year-old Jackson County woman who died Jan. 4 at her residence. The death certificate listed COVID-19 as a cause or a significant condition contributing to her death. Oregons 1,850th death is a 73-year-old Jackson County man who tested positive Jan. 4 and died Jan. 1 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. Oregons 1,851st death is a 67-year-old Jackson County woman who tested positive Dec. 30 and died Jan. 18 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. Oregons 1,852nd death is an 82-year-old Jackson County woman who tested positive Dec. 15 and died Jan. 11 at her residence. Oregons 1,853rd death is a 69-year-old Jackson County man who tested positive Dec. 2 and died Jan. 19 at Rogue Valley Medical Center. Oregons 1,854th death is an 80-year-old Klamath County woman who tested positive Dec. 8 and died Jan. 19 at her residence. Oregons 1,855th death is an 80-year-old Klamath County man who tested positive Jan. 10 and died Jan. 20 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. Oregons 1,856th death is an 84-year-old Josephine County man who tested positive Jan. 10 and died Jan. 11 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. Oregons 1,857th death is an 80-year-old Multnomah County man who tested positive Dec. 12 and died Jan. 16 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. Oregons 1,858th death is a 70-year-old Umatilla County man who tested positive Jan. 4 and died Jan. 20 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center. Oregons 1,859th death is a 73-year-old Washington County man who tested positive Dec. 9 and died Dec. 20 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center. Oregons 1,860th death is an 81-year-old Washington County woman who tested positive Dec. 28 and died Jan. 12 at OHSU Health Hillsboro Medical Center. Oregons 1,861st death is a 61-year-old Union County man who tested positive Dec. 21 and died Jan. 15 at St. Lukes Boise Medical Center. Oregons 1,862nd death is a 60-year-old Marion County woman who tested positive on Nov. 29 and died Dec. 26 at Salem Hospital. Oregons 1,863rd death is a 68-year-old Marion County man who tested positive Dec. 17 and died Jan. 20 at Salem Hospital. Oregons 1,864th death is a 61-year-old Marion County woman who tested positive Dec. 22 and died Jan. 10 at Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center. Oregons 1,865th death is a 57-year-old Marion County man who tested positive Dec. 17 and died Jan. 21 at Salem Hospital. Each person had underlying health conditions or state officials were working to determine if the person had underlying medical conditions. Additionally, the deaths of two inmates in Oregon Department of Corrections prison facilities were announced Friday and were not reflected in the states tally: A man between the ages of 70 and 80 who was housed at Two Rivers Correctional Facility in Umatilla County who tested positive for COVID-19 and died at the prison Jan. 21. A man between the ages of 55 and 65 who was housed at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Marion County who tested positive for COVID-19 and died at a local hospital Jan. 22. The prevalence of infections: On Friday, the state reported 1,048 new positive tests out of 20,460 tests performed, equaling a 5.1% positivity rate. Who got infected: New confirmed or presumed infections grew among the following age groups: 0-9 (29); 10-19 (114); 20-29 (206); 30-39 (123); 40-49 (119); 50-59 (110); 60-69 (78); 70-79 (48); 80 and older (35). Whos in the hospital: The state reported 317 Oregonians with confirmed coronavirus infections were in the hospital Friday, 12 fewer than Thursday. Of those, 79 coronavirus patients were in intensive care units, eight fewer than Thursday. Vaccines: As of Friday, 34,902 Oregonians have been fully vaccinated, and another 196,698 have been partially vaccinated. On average, about 12,470 shots have been administered each day over the last week. Since it began: Oregon has reported 136,839 confirmed or presumed infections and 1,865 deaths, among the lowest totals in the nation. To date, the state has reported 3,043,792 lab reports from tests. -- Fedor Zarkhin; fzarkhin@oregonian.com; 503-294-7674 Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. FAIRFIELD School officials said they believe that a recent spike in COVID-19 cases at Fairfield Woods Middle School was because someone came to school while contagious. While many schools have experienced cases and quarantines among staff and students since the winter break, a recent cluster of cases at Fairfield Woods MS appear to likely be the result of in-school transmission, Sands Cleary, Fairfields health director, said in a message to families this week. An undiagnosed case was present at the school during their infectious period and later became symptomatic at school. The exposure resulted in six more positive cases at the school and another 11 people needing to quarantine, officials said. It is also very likely that mitigation protocols broke down, Superintendent Mike Cummings said in the same message. Andrea Clark, the school districts communications director, said the district relies on a number of protocols to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in school. This includes people doing self-checks, wearing masks, keeping the appropriate distancing, practicing hand hygiene, using cohorts and staying home if symptomatic or waiting for test results. Ventilation, cleaning and disinfecting at the buildings also helps, she said. It is the combination of all these strategies that provide the greatest protection, she said Friday. Compliance has been very good, but if there was transmission, then it is likely that resulted from a breakdown in implementation of one or more strategies. In response, we have reissued guidance to families, students and staff reminding them of the importance of adhering to mitigation strategies both in and out of school. She said she cant provide specifics on particular cases but its possible for an individual to become symptomatic during the day, be sent home and then test positive. There are also asymptomatic individuals who may be in school and contagious, she said. Fairfield Woods initially moved to remote learning on Jan. 14 and 15 after officials announced there were 10 positive cases and 21 people in quarantine from the school community as of mid-day Jan. 13. The school was closed to allow contact tracing to identify all cases and isolate them and to identify their close contacts and quarantine them, Cleary said. The Connecticut Department of Public Health was consulted to ensure all appropriate actions have been taken. A third remote day was added on Tuesday because 22 staff members werent able to come in, officials said. Students and staff returned Jan. 20. This significantly impacts the schools ability to function in a safe and effective manner, Cummings said in a letter to families on Jan. 19. I want to assure you that we are acting with the safety of students and staff as our top priority. We are making this shift because of the staffing impact on school operations, not concerns about in-school transmission or exposure to COVID-19. Cleary said theyve identified measures to correct the spread at Fairfield Woods. This includes re-educating families and staff about home screenings and avoiding close contact with others to prevent contamination from happening again. Cummings said the measures, coupled with the remote learning days, should prevent any further spread. It is expected that the isolation/quarantine of any positive cases and close contacts, time out of school and our continued vigilance with mitigation strategies will stop any further transmissions at Woods, Cummings said. Fairfield schools reported 33 students and four staff members were confirmed positive throughout the district with 167 students and 12 staff quarantining as of 3:30 p.m. Friday. No new cases were reported at Fairfield Woods on Friday, though there were seven other cases reported districtwide. Cummings reminded the school community to continue to be vigilant. What happens outside of school is just as important as the mitigation measures we have in place in schools, he told families and staff. We are asking you to support a culture of health, safety and shared responsibility by taking precautions out of school, including adherence to masking, physically distanced socializing and staying home when sick. kkoerting@newstimes.com Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday thanked India for the export of Covid-19 vaccines in a unique way, by tweeting an image of Hindu god Hanuman carrying the jabs from India to Brazil. It was a reference to the Hindu epic Ramayana, wherein Hanuman carries the life-saving 'Sanjeevni plant' to save Ram's brother Lakshman's life. ALSO READ | Indias Vaccine Diplomacy Hits Hurdle as Covaxins Lack of Efficacy Data Gives Pause to Receiving Countries "Namaskar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi! Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad!," Bolsonaro said in a tweet. The honour is ours, President @jairbolsonaro to be a trusted partner of Brazil in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic together. We will continue to strengthen our cooperation on healthcare. https://t.co/0iHTO05PoM Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2021 India had previously cleared commercial exports of COVID-19 vaccines, and the first consignments were shipped to Brazil and Morocco on Friday. The shots developed by UK-based drugmaker AstraZeneca and Oxford University are being manufactured at the Serum Institute of India, the world's biggest producer of vaccines, which has received orders from countries across the world. Modi replied on Twitter, saying the honour was India's in being a trusted partner of Brazil in fighting the pandemic together. "We will continue to strengthen our cooperation on healthcare," he added. However, this is not the first time Bolsonaro has invoked religion to thank or make an appeal to India. In April last year, the President had written a letter to India seeking hydroxychloroquine or HCQ, a drug thought to be effective in Covid treatment, touted by then President Donald Trump as well. ALSO READ | India Welcomes Sri Lanka's Emergency Use Approval of Covishield Vaccine Against Covid-19 Bolsonaro had at the time invoked Hanuman carrying a 'holy medicine' in Ramayana, and referenced Jesus Christ, as well. We applaud Indias role in global health, sharing millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in South Asia. India's free shipments of vaccine began w/Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh & Nepal & will extend to others. India's a true friend using its pharma to help the global community. State_SCA (@State_SCA) January 22, 2021 Meanwhile, the US Department of State also praised India in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines to other nations. "We applaud Indias role in global health, sharing millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in South Asia. India's free shipments of vaccine began w/Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal and will extend to others. India's a true friend using its pharma to help the global community," it said in a tweet. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. SAS: Who Dares Wins star Ollie Ollerton has said he had to grow up fast as a teenage soldier serving in Northern Ireland. Now 49, he was just 19 when he was sent to Co Armagh a year after joining the Royal Marines. He told TV documentary-maker Ross Kemp on his podcast that his tour here during the Troubles made him quickly realise being a soldier was not a game after experiencing bombs and seeing dead bodies. He said: "You join because you've got this glossy brochure. "And in the glossy brochure you see someone in their full dress uniform and you're thinking, 'All the girls will be gagging for that'. "Then on the next few pages you see some bloke who's on leave and is in the Bahamas windsurfing and his blonde, beautiful girlfriend is on the beach. And when I joined there was none of that. "So my first tour out in Northern Ireland, really that was an eye-opener because they call it a conflict but the way I see it is, if someone's trying to kill you, I call that a war. "And it was a time where I grew up very quickly when I realised it was no longer a game and war was extremely real. "When you're stood there in the middle of a bomb site where there's been a massive explosion and people are dead, you realise very quickly that it's no longer a game and you need to up your game and grow up." He added: "I was 19 by that time. The thing is, at the time you think you're a man, but you're so young. "I mean, I look at my son, he's 19 and it doesn't comprehend I was that age." Ollerton later became an elite Special Forces soldier serving in the war-torn Middle East but is now better known for his role as one of the instructors on Channel 4 show SAS: Who Dares Wins. In his book Break Point in 2019, he opened up about being stationed at Bessbrook Mill, which he described as "bona fide bandit country" and said his unit was attacked 19 times in six months. He said: "Every British soldier in Northern Ireland had a price on their head, and that price was a lot higher for a green (Royal Marine) or red (Parachute Regiment) beret. "Not that I cared about any of that. "I'd joined the military to see action. I was wide-eyed with excitement at the possibility of coming into contact with the IRA. To be honest, anything less would have been a disappointment. "The IRA knew we were coming and wanted to welcome us with a bang. But when our squadron landed to take over from the Coldstream Guards, the place was already a mess. "Someone from the IRA had driven into a vehicle checkpoint and detonated a 500-pound bomb. "They thought the changeover had already taken place and the Royal Marines were manning the checkpoint. "Fortunately for us boys, they'd got their intelligence wrong. "The compound had been blown to bits and the sky was thick with smoke. "As we were picking through the wreckage, the sergeant in charge kicked a blackened helmet and said, 'Right then lads, the first thing we need to do is see if we can find any more of these.' "At first, I didn't know what he meant. But when I looked down at the helmet he'd kicked, I realised it still had a head strapped inside it." President on Friday thanked Prime Minister by saying "dhanyavaad" for supplying the "sanjeevni booti" (the vaccine) against the coronavirus to the South American country, which has reported the second-highest death toll from the Covid-19 disease in the world. In a tweet on Friday, the Brazilian President said that it was an honour to have India as a "great partner" against the "global obstacle." "Namaskar, Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) @narendramodi. feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts," Bolsonaro wrote in a tweet. "Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Dhanyavaad!," he added. In his tweet, Bolsonaro shared a depiction of Lord Hanuman carrying a mountain with vaccines from India to Brazil. The illustration is inspired from the tale in the Ramayana where Hanuman carries an entire mountain to deliver the Sanjeevani herb, to save the life Lakshmana, the brother of Lord Rama, when he was injured in a battle. "Dhanyawad, Bharat," the image read (written in the Latin and Hindi text). Prime Minister Modi also replied to the Brazilian President saying that it was an honour to be a trusted partner during the pandemic adding that the two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation on healthcare. "The honour is ours, President @jairbolsonaro to be a trusted partner of Brazil in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic together. We will continue to strengthen our cooperation on healthcare," Prime Minister wrote in a tweet dated Saturday. A flight carrying two million doses of India made coronavirus vaccines landed in Brazil on Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced. "Trust the Pharmacy of the World. Made in India vaccines arrive in Brazil," Jaishankar tweeted.India dispatched two million doses of Covishield vaccines to Brazil on Friday. Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India. In the last few days, India has supplied COVID-19 vaccines, being manufactured in the country, to neighbouring countries including Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Large consignments of Covishield vaccine doses were flown in a special Indian aircraft to Seychelles, Mauritius and Myanmar on Friday. Contractual supplies are also being undertaken to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Morocco, Bangladesh and Myanmar. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) So the way the story goes, President Joe Bidens godfather is from Archbald. That Franklin J. McDonald stood up for baby Joey at his baptism is probably just a legend, but the tale carries a twist that only reinforces it. McDonald, who died in August 2000, grew up friends with Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr. and his brother, John Finnegan, according to a Jan. 20, 1942, Scranton Times story about the three of them. A day earlier, the story says, they all signed up for the Army Air Corps and were about to head for basic training to fight in World War II. That was a month after the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. The story said the Finnegans and McDonald were friends for 17 years. At the time, McDonald was 26, Ambrose Finnegan, 27, and John Finnegan, 21. The Finnegan lads father was Ambrose J. Finnegan Sr., Bidens maternal grandfather and a Scranton Tribune advertising salesman who lived with his family at the now famous house at 2446 N. Washington Ave. Geraldine Blewitt Finnegan was Bidens maternal grandmother. Their daughter, Catherine Eugenia Jean Finnegan, also known as Kitty, was Bidens mother. McDonald was the son of Scranton police magistrate Steve McDonald and his wife. The McDonalds lived nearby in the citys Green Ridge neighborhood at 817 Richmont St. Biden was born 10 months after the Finnegans and McDonald enlisted. In the Catholic tradition, Bidens parents, Joseph and Jean Biden Sr., and Jean Finnegan Biden, likely would have had their son baptized not long after his birth. The godfather claim starts taking on water here. An Oct. 22, 1942, a Scranton Times blurb reported that Cpl. Franklin McDonald was in England as a member of an Army Air Force bomb squadron. Considering Biden was born a month after that, its hard to see how McDonald could be his godfather. Franklin McDonald later settled in Archbald where everyone knew him. He was an older guy whos always walking around, and hed always stop and talk to you, said attorney Chris Munley, who grew up in Archbald. By 1998, McDonald was retired and heard about President Bill Clinton nominating Lackawanna County Judge James Munley as a federal judge in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Munley lived in Archbald and knew McDonald. Munley and his family traveled to Washington, D.C., for a hearing on Oct. 6, 1998. So my uncle gets appointed to the federal bench by Bill Clinton and we have a hearing down at the Senate, Chris Munley said. And they did it before a subcommittee. And there were like 10 or 12 of them (judicial nominees) that were all together that day. U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico, a Republican, chaired the subcommittee that day. And Pete Domenici was the only senator who was there, Munley said. And in from the side door came Joe Biden ... So he walks in, he sits down and Domenici looks over at him and he says, Sen. Biden, this is unexpected. What are you doing here? Are you here in your role as the senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee? Because this was the subcommittee on something and he (Biden) wasnt on the subcommittee. Bidens appearance surprised Domenici because none of the nominees were controversial. The hearing was a formality. He didnt need to attend. As aides scurried to find a nameplate for Biden, he told Domenici, No, Im here for the people of Archbald, Munley said. He said, You know, I got a call this morning from my mother. And she said Joey, Franklin MacDonald called me last night and his friend Jimmy Munleys coming down today before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation to be a federal judge. And I want you to go over and make sure the Republicans arent mean to him. The room broke up with laughter, Chris Munley said. Biden stayed for the whole hearing and posed for pictures afterward with Munley family members. When he returned home, Munley ran into McDonald at Propsts Mini Mart in Archbald, relayed the hearing story and asked if McDonald called Bidens mother. He didnt even crack a smile, Munley said. And he looked at me and he goes, I called Jean. Absolutely. I wasnt gonna let any of those ... push him around. I knew what to do. So I called Jean because I knew that she would make him go to that hearing. Munley didnt even know McDonald knew the Bidens. He said, I grew up with her, Im his godfather, Munley said. Well, maybe not. Joni McDonald Tordoff, Franklin McDonalds daughter, remembers a political rally in the early to mid 1990s at Tomainos Lounge in Archbald, where Biden showed up to campaign for someone whose name she couldnt remember. And Joe walked in the back door of Tomainos Lounge, and my father, who was not a big man, but whoa, he could be heard when he needed to be. He screams out to him, Joe. And you know how tall the president is. He spun and looked and he said, Franklin does my mother know youre here? Then he cuts through the crowd and he picked up my 5-foot-6 father. And he held him up at arms length and said, Does mom know youre here, really Franklin does she know? That night someone asked her father how he knew Biden and my dad said, Im his godfather, Tordoff said. So I dont know if it was an honorary title. As you say, he was in the war during that period, she said. She knows for sure that her father and Bidens father, Joseph Biden Sr., were the best of friends, and the suspicion is Joseph Biden Sr. wanted McDonald to serve as godfather, but daddy was already in the war, Tordoff said. So maybe Franklin McDonald injected a touch of blarney into the Biden family history, but if he isnt the presidents godfather, he sure acted like he was. BORYS KRAWCZENIUK, The Times-Tribune politics reporter, writes Random Notes. New Delhi: A Canadian special operations sniper showcased his pedigree as an ace marksman and created a name for himself in the shooting record books after he successfully hit an ISIS fighter from a whopping distance of more than two miles away while assisting Iraqi forces in the push to retake Mosul, according to Canadian Special Operations Command. The marksman whose identity has not been revealed was part of Canada's elite Joint Task Force 2 special operations unit that has been deployed in an "advise and assist" capacity to aid Iraqi security forces battle ISIS from behind the front line in Mosul. "The Canadian Special Operations Command can confirm that a member of the Joint Task Force 2 successfully hit a target from 3,540 meters. For operational security reasons and to preserve the safety of our personnel and our Coalition partners, we will not discuss precise details on when and how this incident took place," the unit said in a written statement. Due to the distance of the shot, some voices in the military community expressed scepticism at the Canadian government's report. The reported shot from 3,540 meters, or about 2.2 miles, would eclipse the previous sniper world record of 2,474 meters or 1.54 miles set by the United Kingdom's Craig Harrison when he killed two Taliban insurgents in November 2009. The Globe and Mail first reported the shot's success and said it disrupted an ISIS attack on Iraqi forces, citing unnamed sources. "The elite sniper was using a McMillan TAC-50 sniper rifle while firing from a high-rise during an operation that took place within the last month in Iraq. It took under 10 seconds to hit the target," the paper said. The Canadian military unit confirmed the distance of shot shortly after the Globe and Mail story was published, but the shot has yet to be formally confirmed a third party agency. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Its always one helluva party and quite a coup to get on the guest list. But behind all the razzmatazz and ritual, there is something almost spiritual in the swearing in of a US president. Indeed the invocation of a higher power to guide the destiny of the holder of the Oval Office and that of the United States of America is sprinkled throughout the ceremony. This time round, there was also a cloak of caution over the entire proceedings. Mask-wearing, Covid restraint was all-pervasive. Hugs and handshakes were off the menu. And there was the residue of sourness left by the departing Donald Trump. Thousands of prowling soldiers and police added a sombre note to a somewhat buttoned-up event. But this new chapter in the life of the world was still played out on TV screens even in the most far-flung places. The installation of a US president cannot be ignored by either friend or foe. Given Americas pivotal place in international affairs, political leaders across the globe are repositioning themselves as to how best to deal with the man now ensconced in the White House. Read More The portents are exceptionally good for the Republic of Ireland. We will get a better hearing from this president than any of his predecessors. To be sure, John F Kennedy stirred the national heartbeat but 60 years ago was a more innocent time. Despite his lineage, JFK was really an Anglophile, with limited feelings for the ould sod. Prior to his visit here, he made clear no public reference could be made to partition, or the status of Northern Ireland. This disappointed some of the more nationalist-minded in Irish government circles at the time. But they held their counsel while embracing the enthusiasm of an unprecedented cead mile failte. On no account would they embarrass Kennedy by having any heavy political discussion on the national question. In contrast, Joe Biden certainly has a feel for Irish politics, and especially the peace process. His contribution to the Brexit debate was insightful and informed. The British government was warned there would be consequences for the UK and its hopes of a trade deal with Washington if there was any sharp practice that would herald a hard border in Ireland. There is no reason not to hope the new president will keep a favourable eye on issues that matter to a Dublin government. In addition, the Irish-American influence within his administration, and the Democratic Party, has never been greater. Meanwhile, George Osborne, former UK chancellor of the exchequer and still a leading light of the Tory party, warned this week Northern Ireland is heading for the exit door of the UK. The North is slowly becoming part of a united Ireland and most people in England will not care, he said. His argument is based on the fact the Boris Johnson government never kept cast-iron promises made to Arlene Foster and the DUP. Her party was assured that, Brexit-wise, there was no way Northern Ireland would be treated differently to Britain. But such assurances proved little other than hot air. The North, in sharp contrast to the rest of the UK, still has one leg in the EU, much to the chagrin of some unionists. Comments, such as those from Osborne, will stoke their anxieties even further. On the week a new US president was installed, the narrow provincialism of traditional unionist thinking is once again exposed. The Republic of Ireland has acquired a rock solid confidence in the way it conducts its foreign affairs. When it comes to statecraft, our diplomats and politicians can mix it with the best of them. Too many unionists still see their destiny with the Jacob Rees-Mogg wing of the Conservative party. However, those of a more perceptive bent know this insular brand of Toryism when push comes to shove cares little for their welfare. Brexit was but the latest example of how a Johnson-style government will always put its own interests first. Its time for unionism to embrace the wider world. The battle for hearts and minds will increasingly be fought in the international arena. The DUP in particular could learn a thing or two from their neighbour south of the invisible border on this island on how to win more friends and influence the right people. Chennai, Jan 23 : A three way industry-institute-Tamil Nadu government organisation-collaborative effort to increase the value-added products from banana plantation is expected to make the banana farmers in the country go bananas. The faculty and the students of the Kancheepuram-based Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) have come out with an integrated machine that can process the banana trunk or pseudo-stem to make fibre yarn, sap water and other products. The Mumbai-based company Gencrest part of the Samta group will be putting up a mini-plant with such machines. Curiously the initiative is not spearheaded by any agriculture scientist or technocrat but by M. Annadurai, former space scientist who headed India's first Moon and Mars space mission. Annadurai is now the Vice President, Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, Chennai and Chairman, National Design and Research Forum, Bangalore. "Banana crops can become like sugarcane in terms of byproducts-fibre yarn for textiles, sap for nutraceuticals and fertiliser, balance waste for acoustic panels and bio-fertiliser," Annadurai told IANS. Nothing goes waste in the case of sugarcane as its juice is used for making sugar/jaggery, ethanol, the bagasse is used for making paper or fired in a boiler to generate power. Presently, the banana growers are having disposal problems with the pseudo-stem and incurring heavy expenditure on the disposal without getting any income. "One of the stumbling blocks to utilise the full potential of the banana plantation is the absence of an automatic plant to process the trunk. There are small manually operated machines that extract banana fibre to make products like textiles and other handicrafts," Annadurai said. To solve the problem, the faculty and students of IIITDM have designed and built an integrated machine that can peel, press and extract banana fibre from the pseudo-stem. In the process the machine also separates the core stem that can be processed as ingredients for making biscuits, ice cream and others. "The concept to realisation of the integrated machine took just three months and three days for our team," Dr. M. Raguraman, Assistant Professor at IIITDM told IANS. The IIITDM team that developed the machine consisted of Assistant Professors Dr. P. Kalpana and Dr. A.V.S. Sivaprasad, students Manonmani, Mohammed Yusuf and 12 others and two project engineers were also hired, he said. "We have also developed technology for banana tree cutting and loading them on to a vehicle at the farm," Raguraman added. The trunk peels are pressed to extract the excess water or sap. The water rich in potassium can be used for making nutraceuticals, bio-fertiliser or bio-ethanol. The core stem can be pressed to get the stem juice and the remaining fibre can be dried and powdered to be used in making biscuits and ice cream, he said. According to him, a manually operated banana fibre extractor can give only 15 kg raw fibre per day but the IIITDM designed machine can give an output of about three ton per day. The first prototype of the IIITDM built machine was recently tested and the second prototype which will be for industry use is getting ready incorporating minor suggestions, Raguraman said. "The banana fibre yarn is eco friendly and can replace 70 per cent of the synthetic fibre in the textiles. For one kg of cotton fibre about 60,000 litres of water is spent whereas the water usage in the case of banana fibre is far less," Annadurai said. After extracting the raw fibre yarn, sap, the balance waste or pith can also be used for making acoustic panels. Lab scale testing of the acoustic panel made with banana pith has been made. The panels can also be used in high end car interiors, Raguraman said. According to Annadurai, the Mumbai based Gencrest has developed a process using enzymes to convert raw banana fibre yarn into textile grade yarn. Banana fabric is a sustainable green apparel of the future and an alternative solution to synthetic and other resource intensive fabrics like cotton. "Our project envisages scaling up the entire process as a national effort," he added. Annadurai also pointed out Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami talking about the government's interest in increasing the income of banana farmers by encouraging production of value-added products. According to officials, India is the largest banana producer producing about 25 million ton out of about 8.30 lakh hectares under cultivation. The major banana producer states are Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra. "In Tamil Nadu alone about five lakh ton of banana stems are cut and thrown away as waste," Annadurai said. The IIITDM developed integrated banana trunk processing machine will be first put to use at the small plant to be set up by Gencrest. "We are planning to set up a 300 ton per annum (tpa) banana fibre yarn plant in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district. The venture is challenging as what is seen as a viable venture at lab level may not be so commercially at industrial scale," Vinay Gupta Chief Executive Officer, Gencrest told IANS. Queried about the market potential for the various byproducts Gupta said it has to be studied and seen. He said Samta group has five business verticals viz mining, solar power, bio-technology, information technology and foundation. Barring the solar power, all other verticals are in the start-up stage and the group's focus is on sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint. The group's 25MW solar power project located in Gujarat has been generating power since 2012 onwards. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in) The coffee chain will lend its expertise in operational efficiency, among other things, Governor Inslee said in a news release. Microsoft will open up an empty building on its campus in Redmond to vaccinations in partnership with the state and health care providers. It is also offering its technology, building on abilities it has already offered to the government, including artificial intelligence to the State Department of Health to help track hospitalizations and tests. Certainly technology plays a role in the distribution of vaccines, as it basically does in the distribution of everything in the world, Microsofts president and chief legal officer, Brad Smith, said at the event announcing the rollout. Amazon is holding a pop-up vaccine clinic in Seattle on Sunday, through a partnership with Virginia Mason Medical Center; they hope to vaccinate 2,000 people. The company has also offered to vaccinate its own employees in the state, many of whom it says are essential workers an offer it has made to Tennessee as well. This past week, Amazon told the Biden administration that it could help with operations, information technology and communications capabilities. It did not elaborate to The New York Times on what the assistance would entail. The scale of some of these retailers is so important, said Andrew Lipsman, analyst at the data analytics firm eMarketer. Theyve never been better equipped to handle increases in volume, especially because they have had to ramp up their operational capacity in the middle of the pandemic. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. ISTANBUL - Danah Harbi went to another doctor's appointment this week without her fiance, as she has for most of her six-month pregnancy, as she has for all manner of appointments and engagements during their long, forced separation. Maybe they will be together when the child is born this spring, but the last few years have been cruel and capricious, and the future has been hard to predict. Harbi, 38, lives in Falls Church, Va. Her fiance, Mashaal Hamoud, 34, a Syrian national who lives in Lebanon, has been unable to obtain a U.S. visa for several years because of the Trump administration's 2017 ban on entry to people from a group of Muslim-majority countries, including Syria. The couple had done their best to work around the restrictions. Harbi, an optometrist, traveled to Lebanon several times but was forced to curtail those trips when she learned she was pregnant. As one of his first acts, President Joe Biden on Wednesday repealed what critics called the "Muslim ban," offering hope to thousands of families affected by the Trump-era regulations, if not an immediate solution, given the enormous volume of visa and waiver cases that must be resolved. But the ban's legacy will remain. For many of those affected, there will be no regaining what was lost: the moments with loved ones, the money spent on visits to stranded partners or far-flung consulates, the opportunities to live in the United States that were dangled, then dashed or delayed. "It takes a toll on you emotionally, financially to travel back and forth. Physically and mentally," said Harbi, who took a leave of absence from her job last year to be with Hamoud in Lebanon and was unemployed for six months. The ban initially applied to seven countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - but Iraq and Sudan were taken off the list after a court challenge. (Six Asian and African countries, including Sudan again, were added to the list last year.) The Trump administration said the measure was needed to combat terrorism. Refugees, their advocates and many others around the world saw something else: anti-Muslim bigotry. The ban heaped hardship on people who had already had their fill, including survivors of conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. For a time, many of the ban's victims - doctoral students, professionals and blue-collar workers - were stranded around the world, their lives upended. Harbi met Hamoud in 2016, when Harbi went to Lebanon to deliver donations to a nonprofit organization helping Syrian refugees. Hamoud worked for that group, and before long, their relationship developed and Harbi began traveling to Lebanon regularly. In 2017, they decided to get married. As the fiance of an American citizen, Hamoud was entitled to apply for a visa to enter the United States. "I didn't think the travel ban was going to impact us," Harbi said in a telephone interview this week. But from the beginning, Hamoud's application process was beset by delays. After delivering the required documents, the couple said they heard nothing. "As time went by, I realized that this isn't about keeping us safe," Harbi said. "As an American, I felt like we were being discriminated against." Now she is more hopeful. "He's such an incredible person," Harbi said of her fiance. "I can't wait for him to prove that to everyone that prevented him from coming here because they thought he was a threat." Mohamed Abdo Ali Mohamed, a 49-year old Yemeni, has ferried his family around the world trying to obtain a U.S. visa. His lawyers reckon he has spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to secure a U.S. visa that would allow him to leave war-ravaged Yemen and join his father and his siblings in Buffalo, where they had lived for decades, according to Ibraham Qatabi, a senior legal worker at the Center for Constitutional Rights, which filed a lawsuit on Mohamed's behalf. Much of that money was spent during a fruitless trip from Mohamed's home in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, to the East African country of Djibouti after U.S. officials granted him an interview and then told him, at long last, that he and his family would be issued visas, said Omar Mohamed, one of Mohamed's sons. They had risked everything to get there - traveling 300 miles across the war's front lines just to get to an airport, then spending more than a year in Djibouti and thousands of dollars every month waiting for an answer. But the visas never came, held up because of the travel ban, said Omar, 31, who now lives in Malaysia and is still waiting for a visa. "We told them our country is at war. We have to reunite with our family. They didn't do anything," he said. Rand Mubarak, a 25-year old Iraqi refugee, recalled watching her father's health deteriorate as her family waited in Egypt for the Trump administration to decide whether to admit them to the United States. Her father, Mubarak Mubarak, had worked as a translator for the U.S. military in Iraq, she said. The family fled their country after receiving death threats during the violent era that followed the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. By 2017, they had reached Egypt's coastal city of Alexandria and received news from the International Organization for Migration, or IOM, that they could soon travel to the United States. Then came Trump's announcement and, with the stroke of his pen, their dreams of a fresh start were in doubt. Mubarak developed a heart condition. The doctor said a simple operation would help him, but he would need to leave Egypt. Rand called the IOM weekly, telling them her father needed to be transferred to an American hospital. "He worked for the Americans, after all," she said. "They just told us that they had strict instructions not to process applications." The freeze was in place even though Iraq had been officially removed from the travel and immigration ban. Mubarak died in July. Now, Rand said, her mother is sick too. "It's the most hideous feeling, a feeling of being let down, a feeling of being left behind," Rand said. Days before Biden's inauguration, Pamela Raghebi, who lives in Seattle, misplaced her driver's license. It should not have been a big deal, she said, but she panicked. It was one of those ordinary moments when her Iranian-born husband, Afshin Raghebi, would have known exactly what to do. "I'm not as young as I was," Raghebi, 75, said. "Afshin would say to me, 'Sit down, relax, think about it.' He protects me. He recognizes that when I get flustered, I get frightened." But he had been gone since 2018, trapped overseas after traveling to the United Arab Emirates for an interview to finalize his petition for a green card, the couple said in separate interviews. The two had met at the retirement home where she worked when he came to install windows. They've been married for a decade and now jointly own a window installation business. Afshin had entered the United States illegally in 2006 but was granted a legal waiver to apply for U.S. permanent residency after they were married. Following his interview at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the couple learned that Afshin would not be allowed to reenter the United States because of the travel ban. Afshin, now 52, settled in southern Turkey, which was relatively inexpensive. He had some money in a bank account and to help support him, Pamela sold her car. At the beginning, Afshin went to the beach to pass the time or socialized with other Iranian exiles, but both pastimes had become "boring," he said. When Biden took office on Wednesday, Afshin splurged on a bottle of wine to celebrate. "The U.S., I loved that country. I still love it," he said. "They're playing with our lives." - - - Loveluck reported from Baghdad. The Washington Post's Mustafa Salim in Baghdad contributed to this report. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said coronavirus restrictions are likely to remain in place for some time (Julien Behal Photography/PA) Irelands tough Covid-19 restrictions could remain in place for the first half of the year, the Taoiseach has said. Micheal Martin said the number of new daily cases of Covid-19 needs to fall into the hundreds, and possibly as low as 100-200, before restrictions can be relaxed. He added he is particularly concerned about the new UK variant of the virus. The Fianna Fail leader said the Government needs to adopt a cautious and conservative approach to managing the disease, warning the restrictions will be more prolonged than any to date. We will be witnessing far more prolonged restrictions than we have to date Micheal Martin He told RTE Radio 1 on Saturday: Case numbers have to be well below, have to be in the hundreds, if not 100-200. That low. Im thinking of the variant. Thats what my concern is. It will become the dominant variant here. It is at 62% of all cases. It transmits more easily. If we have mass mobilisation and mass socialisation, it will spread again. I think with the vaccines coming, theres an argument to be cautious and conservative now for the first half of this year, until we roll out the vaccines. We will be witnessing far more prolonged restrictions than we have to date. Im the Taoiseach, but I have to consult with my colleagues and ministers, and well consult with the opposition as well, but that is my sense of it until we get control. He added the restrictions will be reviewed every four weeks. The Governments Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 is due to meet on Monday to discuss the extension of the current restrictions. A final decision will be made on Tuesday following a Cabinet meeting. The Taoiseach told RTEs Brendan OConnor he is very worried about the UK variant, and he had called UK Prime Minster Boris Johnson to discuss the latest research which suggests it may be more deadly than the original virus. Mr Johnson revealed on Friday that the new variant could increase the mortality rate in some groups by between 30% and 40%. It was already known that the new variant is up to 70% more transmissible than the original. Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team The Health Protection Surveillance Centre @hpscireland has today been notified of 52 additional deaths related to COVID-19. Department of Health (@roinnslainte) January 22, 2021 The Irish premier said Mr Johnson is worried. Mr Martin said: I just asked him, whats his sense of it in terms of the research. He said: They are going to do more research on that. Hes worried about the variant. Theres something going on out there, is what a lay person would say. A further 77 deaths and 1,910 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed on Saturday by the Department of Health. 76 of these deaths occurred in January, one happened last month. The median age of those who died was 84 years and the age range is 43-98 years. Of the new cases, 710 were in Dublin, 150 in Cork, 103 in Meath, 102 in Limerick, 86 in Louth, and the remaining 759 cases are spread across the remain counties. As of 2pm on Saturday, 1,892 people with coronavirus are in hospital including 217 people in ICU. There were 59 additional hospital admissions in the past 24 hours. Irelands 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population is now 955. Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said Ireland was starting to flatten the curve thanks to people adhering to public health measures. Through the solidarity shown by families and communities across the country in recent weeks, we are beginning to flatten the curve of Covid-19 infection, he said. Each individual effort to follow the public health advice is making an impact, but we can only continue this positive trend and drive down incidence in the community by continuing to stay at home and avoid meeting or mixing with others in our social circle, including for any close family gatherings, such as birthdays or funerals, as these can be super-spreader events. He urged people to all behave as though they are infectious and minimise close contacts with others given it is possible to have the virus without displaying symptoms. Dr Holohan stressed that if you do have symptoms it was important to self-isolate immediately. If you suspect that you might be ill, isolate away from others in your household, let your close contacts know and come forward for testing as soon as possible, he added. Storm over Colombo Ports ECT project, SJB not ready to rock the boat View(s): The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the main Opposition party, has not yet taken up a position on foreign investment to develop the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port. In terms of the latest move, both India, through the Advani group, and a yet-to-be identified Japanese company, are to make a joint investment in the project. The matter was discussed in detail by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with Indian External Affairs Minister Subramaniam Jaishanker during his visit this month. This week, during a meeting of the SJBs management committee, the partys controlling body that runs the SJB and formulates its campaign strategies, the ECT was the subject of discussion. The issue was raised by Kegalle District Parliamentarian Kabir Hashim, a minister in the former government. SJB leader Sajith Premadasa took up the position that the party should not oppose all the moves of the Government. He said the merits of the project should be studied before the party took up a position. Colombo Port trade unions and some Government groups are opposed to the move. In 2017, during the yahapalana government, the then Ports Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, opposed the move. He even presented a Cabinet paper urging that the ECT remain in the hands of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. This paper, however, was not discussed. The issue comes before the SJB at a time when some senior UNP-ers are being wooed by the SJB to join its ranks. They include Navin Dissanayake, Daya Gamage and Arjuna Ranatunga. This is ahead of the conduct of the SJBs annual convention. Jaishanker and Devananda did not fish in troubled waters Old memories were revived when Indian External Affairs Minister Subramaniam Jaishanker, who was in Colombo on a two-day visit, met Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda. When we met the last time, we both had black beards. Now they are grey, quipped Mr. Devananda, the leader of the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party. It brought laughter from the Indian External Affairs Minister. I have known him from the 1990s when he was at the Indian High Commission in Colombo, Minister Devananda told the Sunday Times. He said he discussed the fisheries issue very cordially and expressed deep regret over the boat incident that took the lives of four people in the Palk Strait. ICE worries over direct flights to Myanmar Narcotics top brass are highly worried about the introduction of direct flights from Colombo to Yangon in Myanmar. The reason they fear that there will be a steady flow of synthetic illegal drugs from that country which is the largest producer of synthetic drugs, in particular methamphetamine also known as ICE. While Myanmar continues to be the second largest heroin producer, the methamphetamine production has increased significantly, said a senior Narcotics official who did not wish to be identified. The lower purity meth known as yaba is flooding Bangladesh and West Bengal region, while the crystallised form of methamphetamine is distributed to Southeast Asia, China and Australia. he added. . The recent detections by the Sri Lanka Navy indicate an increase in methamphetamine consignments to Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan drug networks have used a Dubai-centric money transfer capability to conduct the drug business. This has led to the Sri Lankan drug networks having to engage primarily with Pakistan-based networks operating out of Dubai. The presence of a Sri Lankan population in Dubai and the laxed banking system have supported this modus operandi. However, with a growing methamphetamine consumer base in Sri Lanka, the officer said, the drug networks may look for cheaper and closer options to source methamphetamine to Sri Lanka., noting that Myanmar is a closer option than Afghanistan. Top job for Cabinet Ministers daughter A Cabinet ministers daughter, quite active these days, has won a plum position. She is receiving a posting to the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. It will be a nice trade-off for what she does now. Former Minister raises a question of FEB funds Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has raised issue over the Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) at a recent meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE). He claimed the FEB had deposits up to a massive Rs 14 billion, but so far it had spent only Rs 11 million. Mr Ranawaka asked why the money could not be used to repatriate Sri Lankan workers who were stuck abroad. One FEB official responded that there was no room for quarantine. When Qantas announced a swingers program (no, not that kind) in December, enticing Velocity Frequent Flyers to switch to The Flying Roo, Virgin Australia was all ears. Barely a week after the news broke, Virgin Australia made a counteroffer which the airline claimed went one-better on Qantas. Fast forward to today and Virgin Australias bid to retain Velocity Frequent Flyers continues: Virgin Australia this morning announced yet another play to focus the wandering eyes of any would-be swingers. Every member is a winner at Velocity Frequent Flyer, the airline claims, with the loyalty program of Virgin Australia giving all members the opportunity to obtain a share in 20 million Velocity Points, from today. Sound too good to be true? Well, not at Velocity Frequent Flyer. Velocity is thanking its loyal members and with border restrictions tipped to ease over the coming weeks and months, itll give members even more opportunity to increase their Points balance now, to fly faster. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Virgin Australia (@virginaustralia) A Virgin Australia Group spokesman said Velocity Frequent Flyer members are the lifeblood of Virgin Australia: Were committed to our members and this is our way of thanking them for their loyalty, and in doing so, making it that bit easier to boost their Points balance in time for the easing of border restrictions. Our members have been the anchor of Virgin Australia for 20 years and thats why were continuing to look at ways to reward loyalty. Weve demonstrated that many times throughout the pandemic with bonus Points, and Points and status credit extensions, knowing that our members havent been able to fly as often over the past few months. To gain a share in the 20 million Velocity Points currently on offer, Velocity members must download the Velocity app (or already have the app downloaded) by midnight AEST on Tuesday the 26th of January, and activate the offer on the home screen. May the odds be ever in your favour. Read Next WTF?! A former technician admitted on Thursday that he routinely accessed customers' home security accounts in order to spy on nude women, and to watch couples as they had sex. Following his guilty plea, the technician faces a maximum of five years in prison. The technician35-year-old Telesforo Avilesworked for home and small office security company ADT in the Dallas, TX area. While pleading guilty to one count of computer fraud and one count of invasive visual recording, Aviles admitted on Thursday to accessing the cameras of over 200 customers on almost 10,000 different occasions. Ars Technica explains, "He said he took note of homes with women he found attractive and then viewed their cameras for sexual gratification. He said he watched nude women and couples as they had sex." Aviles did this by adding his email address to the list of authorized addresses in customers' ADT Pulse accounts. This allowed Aviles to remotely access video feeds, but also to remotely disable alarms in customers' homes or to interact with other appliances, like lights. Aviles used this method to voyeuristically spy on individuals and couples over a five-year period. However, in April 2020, a customer noticed an unauthorized email in their Pulse account; ADT subsequently learned of Aviles' actions, dismissed him from the company, and informed prosecutors. ADT has contacted customers individually to explain the situation and address concerns. The company has also shared a statement which is being updated with key developments. There, ADT explains that most customers' concerns and disputes have been resolvedthough for some, the company's actions aren't enough. Unsurprisingly, two proposed class-action lawsuits have surfaced: one on behalf of customers, and another on behalf of minors living in affected homes. The suits claim that ADT didn't do enough to ensure that their home security software was safe and secure. Marketed as a way for parents to monitor kids and pets using your smartphone, ADT did not implement safeguards that could further protect customers such as 2FA or automated alerts when new users were allowed into their accounts. Much like Aviles' sentence, the outcome of the lawsuits have yet to be determined. For now, this strange and sad event is another stark reminder of some of the dangers of network-connected devices. While many call on companies like ADT to take the legwork out of installing home security systems, it's essential to take basic steps towards safeguarding your own privacyespecially if the home security camera is pointing at your bed. Fatima Ali was in her final year of studying when Iraq started a full lockdown in March to control the spread of the coronavirus. Forced by the pandemic to stay home, she spent a lot of time on social media, looking for something to do. Then an idea came to her. Six years ago, she visited America on an exchange program. She and other students visited a Vermont cheese factory. There nice, wooden plates showed different kinds of cheese. I liked itI said to myself, why not be the first to do it in Baghdad? She took a free online business course. And she researched cheeses and wooden plates available in the Iraqi capital. Months later, 22-year-old Ali is successful. She sells her cheese boards, making a small amount of money. She also has more than 2,000 followers on the social media service Instagram. A growing number of Iraqi women are using pandemic restrictions to create new businesses in their homes. It's a way to get past the discrimination and harassment that often come with working in Iraqs society. It also provides additional money as the economy worsens. On a recent day, Ali cut up and arranged cheeses, dried fruit and nuts as she talked about her dreams. She wants to go to cooking school outside Iraq and open her own cooking school in the country. This is just the beginning. Im still developing myself, she said. The words on her purple T-shirt said, You Have to Love Yourself. Rawan Al-Zubaidi is a business partner at an Iraqi non-governmental organization (NGO) that supports young business people and their new, small companies. There has been an increase in home businesses since the start of the pandemic. These include women making food deliveries, sweets and hand-made cloth products. Its a solution to obstacles that Iraqi women face when they try to find a job, she said. She said there were many women in Iraq whose husbands or fathers would not let them work. Some Iraqi women cant find a job because conservative families or husbands consider that women talking directly with other men on the job will bring shame on them, she said. The number of women who work in Iraq is very low. As of 2018, only 12.3 percent of women of working age were employed or looking for work, the United Nations reports. Tamara Amir manages a Facebook page to educate Iraqi women about their rights. She said she receives many calls each day from women facing sexual harassment at work. Often, they report feeling they have to give their male boss something in return to get a job or to advance. However, Alis parents have helped her with her business. She said it is secure, and it also means that she does not have to go outside and mix with people. Her mother helps her prepare her cheese plates. She uses a well-known service to send her goods to buyers. At first, she received about two orders each week. Now, she gets many orders each day and works hard to complete them. Mariam Khzarjian is a 31-year-old Iraqi-Armenian. She worked as an assistant in an engineering company for seven years. She quit in late 2018 because she felt there was no way to improve her position. She started her own home business selling handmade objects inspired by her family. Many of the men in her past once worked as carpenters, or professional woodworkers. She called her business Khzar, which is Armenian for the art of cutting metals and woods. Its slogan is wear a story. Khzar designs are based on telling stories and building emotional communication with the clients. During the pandemic, she worked on her designs. The move toward online shopping helped her business grow in a way she could not have imagined. Online became the only way to reach clients, and they in turn became more loyal and more confident about my art, because they are buying something without trying it, Khzarjian said. Im Susan Shand. The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story lockdown n. a state of staying at home or restricted from going places as a security measure plate n. a flat round dish used for serving and eating food harassment n. to annoy or bother (someone) in a constant or repeated way sweet n. a cake or candy obstacle n. something that makes it difficult to do something shame n. a feeling of guilt, regret, or sadness that you have because you know you have done something wrong inspire v. to make (someone) want to do something slogan n. a word or phrase that is easy to remember and is used by a group or business to attract attention client n. a customer confident adj. a feeling of belief that something will turn out the way you expect it We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, and visit our Facebook page. With the countrys notoriously fickle internet connectivity and the continuing danger of physical contact, I find books a safe remedy to the growing loneliness of lockdown. Many local cultural workers and institutions, despite the punishing circumstances of this current crisis, are putting out work, which deserve a much larger audience. This 2021, you can expand your reading list and consider these Filipino writers and publishers. National Publishers The countrys biggest publishers often still have books worth checking out. Anvil Publishing has repackaged several Filipino classics for a contemporary audience, including Manuel Arguilla, Lope K. Santos, and the always fabulous Nick Joaquin. Books from the dearly departed Visprint Inc Bob Ongs bestsellers, Agay Llaneras heartfelt Choco Chip Hips, Kikomachine, and Trese comics have found a second life in Avenida Books. Bookmark Inc. has an online shop with a rich selection of childrens books, Philippine histories, and texts on indigenous culture, environmentalism and popular science. They also sell many affordable literary classics, like Nick Joaquins The Woman Who Had Two Navels, the short story collections of Bienvenido Santos, the novels of NVM Gonzales and Azucena Grajo Uranza, and titles from the grande dame of Philippine letters, Gilda Cordero-Fernando. I particularly love Bookmarks translations of Rizals Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo by Soledad Lacson-Locsin. These translations retain the lyrical, playful language of the original texts, along with all the bombastic drama and romance of Rizals writing. Sandra Nicole Roldans At the School Gate is another noteworthy book. Following an activists daughter as she navigates the perils of Ferdinand Marcos martial law, At the School Gate is an important account of how fascism debilitates the happiness and security of everyday life. Selections from New Day Publishers (Doctor to the Barrios by Juan M. Flavier), Bookmark Inc. (At the School Gate by Sandra Nicole Roldan and Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal) and Anvil Publishing (The Essential Manuel Arguilla Reader and Banaag at Sikat by Lope K. Santos). New Day Publishers is a pioneering national press that has expanded to Shopee. They offer fiction and non-fiction books: Pugad Baboy comics, Moro histories, and a biography of Josephine Bracken. Another great set of New Day titles are Juan M. Flaviers series on working in the countryside. Flavier portrays rural communities with generous humor and humanity. Finally, Adarna House possesses a colorful assortment of literature for children that can be appreciated by all ages. They released one of my favorite books of 2020, Si Laleng at ang Lakbay-Paaralan, which shows the challenges and triumphs of an Indigenous bakwit school, and the terrors of a militarized society. RELATED: Our best Filipino books of 2020 University Presses The University of the Philippines Press, Ateneo de Manila University Press, the University of Santo Tomas University Press, and the Cordillera Studies Center all have online shops, and I always exercise a significant amount of self-control to just browse and not buy. UP Press continues to publish literature with a progressive and sometimes revolutionary perspective. Gelacio Guillermos Mga Tula and Benilda Santos Kuwadro Numero Uno are two poetry collections imbued with startling grace and power, probing everything from the feudal violence in the nations countryside to the nature of consciousness and being. Lualhati Abreus Agaw-Dilim, Agaw-Liwanag is a harrowing autobiography of an activist during the countrys most tumultuous periods, and illustrates the shortcomings but ultimate necessity of revolution. And if youre looking for something a bit more lighthearted but written with equal skill, theres Jhoanna Lynn Cruzs Abi Nako, a memoir on motherhood and the literary equivalent of a drag queen at the height of her bombastic powers. Ateneo Press carries books by prominent cultural critics like Soledad Reyes and Rolando Tolentino, popular Tagalog writers Liwayway Arceo and Rosario de Guzman-Lingat, and National Artists Resil Mojares, Amado V. Hernandez, and Rolando S. Tinio. Ateneo Press also sells H. Arlo Nimmos The Songs of Salanda, a devastatingly heartbreaking and beautiful account of an anthropologist living with the Sama Dilaut of Tawi-Tawi, years before martial law upended their ways of life. And with the threat of historical revisionism growing worse each day, Ricardo Manapats Some Are Smarter Than Others documents the extensive corruption of martial law and reminds us that in a just world, the Marcoses would all be in jail. Selections from UP Press ( Mga Tula by Gelacio Guillermo, Kuwadro Numero Uno by Benilda Santos, and Agaw-Dilim, Agaw-Liwanag by Lualhati Abreu) and Ateneo Press (The Songs of Salanda by H. Arlo Nimmo). Meanwhile, UST Press presents the reader with T.S. Sungkits groundbreaking novel Driftwood on Dry Land, translated into English from the original Binisaya. Sungkits blends the mundane and marvelous to craft a mythic novel on the first inhabitants of Mindanao. Charlson Ongs Blue Angel, White Shadow is another remarkable UST Press title. The novel is a detective story in Manilas Chinatown, and sketches a fascinating panoply of characters with their colorful, intoxicating mysteries. The Cordillera Studies Center (CSC) publishes work that I find incredibly helpful and worthwhile, expanding my limited urban purview into the nations beyond Manila. June Prill-Bretts Tradition and Transformation is a must-read for anyone who wants to become more familiar with the richness and complexity of Cordillera cultures. Saliksik-Kordilerya, edited by Delfin Tolentino, Jr., compiles several interesting papers on aspects of Cordillera life, like Ifugao folk-songs and the Indigenous Kalinga healer called mandadawak. The CSC also carries issues of the seminal research journal, The Cordillera Review. However, even books from university presses can be priced at amounts inaccessible to many Filipinos, especially with todays destitute state of wages and exorbitant costs of living. If you want to read more Filipino literature without emptying your wallet, visit Sentro ng Wikang Filipinos Aklatang Bayan. The online library contains twenty-nine books in Filipino that you can download for free. Its a generous treasury of literature, featuring feminist and revolutionary poetry, manuals for sustainable farming and peasant organizing, Bukidnon folktales, narratives of OFWs, songs of the bakwit, and all the richness that todays Filipino writers have to offer. Selections from UST Press (Blue Angel, White Shadow by Charlson Ong), Sentro ng Wikang Pilipino (Hindi Ito Romansa by Chuckberry J. Pascual) and Cordillera Studies Center (Saliksik-Kordilerya edited by Delfin Tolentino, Jr.). Independent Publishers There are many independent publishers in the Philippines who publish books you wont normally see in National Book Store, Fully Booked, or other big bookstores. At the 2020 Manila International Book, several of these publishers banded together to form The Indie Publishers Collab. A cursory look at the members of this writers collective shows several indie publishers with catalogues of books to captivate your attention. Balangay Books features books from notable Filipino writers such as Bebang Sy, Nap I. Arcilla, and Almayrah Tiburon. Cubao Editions, a homegrown small press from Quezon City, showcases the writing of Paul S. de Guzman and Chiles Samaniego, two writers whose fiction bursts with strangeness and creativity. For those seeking poetry, Gacha Press has linguistically playful and potent chapbooks from Paolo Manalo and Michael Balili. Kasingkasing Press is one of the most exciting small presses publishing today. In addition to works in English and Filipino, they publish books in Binisaya, Hiligaynon, and other Philippine languages, providing some much-needed diversity to Philippine letters. Kasingkasing Press released one of my favorite books of 2020, Felino S. Garcia Jr.s Filipino translation of Adelina Gurrea Monasterios marvellous works, which have so long remained in Spanish unread by many. Selections from Balangay Books ("Maqueda" by Nap I. Arcilla III), Gacha Press ("Happily Ever Ek-ek" by Paolo Manalo), Cubao Editions ("Marienbad, etc." by Chiles Samaniego), Kasingkasing Press ("Panglugayawan" by Elsed Togonon), and Southern Voices Printing Press ("Ang Munting Prinsipe"). Kasingkasings Lazada shop also carries books from Aklat Alamid. They specialize in childrens literature in Philippine languages like Ilocano and Ibanag, and have published two lovely books about children and their relationships with family and the natural world. Another progressive publisher is Southern Voices Printing Press. They sell socially-conscious childrens literature and biographies of activists and revolutionaries like Recca Monte, Crispin Beltran, and Angie B. Ipong. They also recently released Ang Munting Prinsipe, a Filipino translation of Antoine Saint de-Exuperys The Little Prince. Finally, readers should patronize Gantala Press. Philippine literature, as with any other institution, isnt immune to patriarchy and the excess of mens voices; Gantala Press provides an urgent, feminist answer to this. They publish Meranaw and vegan cookbooks, astrology zines, comics of women-loving-women, and stories of peasant and working-class activists. Gantalas publications remind us that literature isnt just produced by a professionalized group of writers from the middle and upper classes; literature should be produced and enjoyed by the broad sectors of the Philippine people, from farmers to urban workers to single mothers to Indigenous peoples. And with every publication, Gantala forwards this necessary, revolutionary alternative. Local Bookstores There are also several local, independent bookstores who carry out-of-print and hard-to-find literature, both local and international. You can visit or contact them online: Wise Guys Bookshop (Santa Mesa, Manila), Roels Bookshop (Quezon City), Popular Bookstore (Quezon City), Bookay-Ukay, Studio Soup Zine Library (Quezon City), Kwago (Makati City), Uno Morato, Tradewinds Bookshop (Intramuros), Mt. Cloud Bookshop (Baguio City), Puon Bookstore of the Alfredo F. Tadiar Library (San Fernando, La Union), Yolis Books and Crafts (Los Banos), and Savage Mind (Naga City). You can also visit artbooks.ph to find rare, limited edition, and wonderfully opulent books. In addition to the books I mentioned above, here are some books I recommend from local presses: La India, or the Island of the Disappeared by Rosario Cruz-Lucero (UP Press) The Sky Over Dimas by Vicente Garcia-Groyon (UP Press) The Forest/Ang Gubat by William Pomeroy (UP Press) Muog: Ang Naratibo ng Kanayunan sa Matagalang Digmaan ng Pilipinas (UP Press) The Philippines is in the Heart by Carlos Bulosan (Ateneo Press) The Nation Beyond Manila/Ang Bayan sa Labas ng Maynila by Rosario Cruz-Lucero (Ateneo Press) Tiempo Muerto by Caroline Hau (Ateneo Press) Moral Politics of the Philippines by Wataru Kusaka (Ateneo Press) Isabelos Archive and House of Memory both by Resil Mojares (Anvil Press) Tikim by Doreen Fernandez (Anvil Press) Balintuna: Mga Kwentong Kakatwa (7 Eyes Productions) Lupang Ramos: Isang Kasaysayan (Gantala Press) Umaalma, Kumikibo: Essays on Women and Violence (Gantala Press) Saliksik-Kordilyera: Papers on Indigenous Practice, Ritual Life, and Oral Tradition (Cordillera Studies Center) Dap-ay Discourse Uno: Activist Perspective of Cordillera History and Social Change (Cordillera Studies Center) Kali: Voice of Cordillera Women (Cordillera Womens Education Action Research Center) 50: Mga Binalaybay ni Roger Felix Salditos (Sentro ng Wikang Filipino). After spending 300-plus days in a soul-crushing lockdown because of the lack of adequate government response to this pandemic, its easy to think that there is nothing else, that we must surrender our lives to corrupt powers beyond our control. Literature, especially literature produced to defend the status quo, can reaffirm that. But literature can also show us the alternatives. And in the Philippines, theres a significant and growing body of literature which illustrates paths to different, more human ways of being. I hope this list helps you find them. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. NEFT service will not be available for 14 hours on May 23: Here's why Is Rs 100 notes banned in india? This is what RBI has to say India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Jan 23: In what comes as a recent development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is planning to withdraw the old series of currency notes including Rs 100, Rs 10, and Rs 5 by March or April. Speaking at the District Level Security Committee (DLSC) and District Level Currency Management Committee (DLMC) meeting organised by the District Lead Bank at Mangaluru's Netravati Hall in Zilla panchayat, Mahesh said that the old currency notes of Rs 100, Rs 10 and Rs 5 will eventually go out of circulation as RBI plans to withdraw them by March-April. However, even after 15 years of the introduction of Rs 10 coin, it can be seen that traders and businessmen have not accepted the coins which has become a problem for banks and RBI. RBI forms panel to suggest measures for promoting digital lending Earlier, RBI had issued new Rs 100 notes in lavender colour with the motif of 'Rani ki vav' - a stepwell located on the banks of Saraswati river in Gujarat's Patan. "All Rs 100 banknotes issued earlier will also continue to be legal tender," the central bank said while announcing the issue of the new Rs 100 notes. The RBI introduced a Rs 200 note in addition to currency note in denomination of Rs 2,000 after the demonetisation on November 8, 2016. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News Responding to an RTI query, the RBI conveyed that it has halted the printing of high-value banknotes. This provides an explanation for the fewer Rs 2000 notes being sourced by ATMs. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 10:29 [IST] At least 505 people have been arrested by the police in Accra and Tema for failing to wear nose masks at public places as part of governments directive to prevent further spread of COVID-19. The police arrested 400 offenders in Accra while 105 were rounded up in various parts of the Tema metropolis, all for non-compliance with the directive to wear nose masks. The Greater Accra Regional Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge, who confirmed the story to the Ghanaian Times, in Accra, yesterday, said the 400 suspects were apprehended at Nima, Cantonments, Weija, East Legon, Kpeshie and Mamprobi all in Accra. She said the police during the operation, observed that some of the suspects had nose masks concealed in their bags and pockets, while others rushed to purchase the masks when they saw that people were being arrested. DSP Tenge said that warning letters have been issued to all those who were arrested. She said the exercise would be sustained, and urged the public to wear nose masks to prevent the spread of the disease. Godfred Blay-Gibbah reports from Tema that the Acting Tema Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector (Chief Insp) Stella Dede Dzakpasu, told journalists that 105 suspects aged between 17 and 64, made up of nine women and 96 men, were arrested at Tema Community 1. She said that 22 of them were not wearing nose masks while 83 had nose masks struck in either their pockets or handbags, but failed to wear them. According to Chief Insp Dzakpasu, after the arrest, some suspects called friends and relatives to bring them nose masks at the police station. She said the suspects were cautioned to observe COVID-19 safety protocols in public transport and public places, granted self-recognisance bail and released. It would be recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the 22nd broadcast to the nation on the COVID-19, directed the police and other security agencies to collaborate to ensure the strict enforcement of COVID-19 safety protocols, following the upsurge of the disease. He said l have instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to direct officers, men and women of the Ghana Police Service to ensure the rigorous enforcement of the law on mask wearing at all public places and public transport. They are also to ensure the closure of all-night clubs, pubs, cinemas and beaches that may be operating in defiance of the law. Latest figures by the Ghana Health Service revealed that there were 391 new cases, 2,178 active cases with 358 death. Currently, 58,822 confirmed cases with 56,286 recoveries. Source: The Ghanaian Times Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Firefighters have been 'limited and delayed' in carrying out potentially life-saving work during the pandemic because of a row over health and safety, according to a watchdog. The inspector of fire and rescue services said fire bosses and union officials being locked in lengthy and complicated negotiations about working conditions affected how much firefighters were able to contribute to the emergency effort to tackle coronavirus - suggesting ongoing problems may hamper the vaccine rollout HM Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services Zoe Billingham said the working arrangements between the fire and rescue service National Employers and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) prevented some firefighters from 'maximising the support they could provide to the public' She suggested the agreement had become 'more of a hindrance' in some cases. But the FBU said it 'totally' rejected the findings of the report, branding it a 'political and biased attack on firefighters'. The fire and rescue services watchdog claimed tensions between fire bosses and the Fire Brigades Union affected how much firefighters were able to contribute o the emergency effort to tackle coronavirus. Pictured: Firefighters joining the Clap for Carers in April The report comes after union officials claimed the agreement allowing firefighters to help NHS and care workers during the pandemic had been scrapped. Negotiations over health and safety measures for firefighters carrying out Covid-19 duties were suddenly ended, said the FBU as it branded the move 'irresponsible' and warned it endangered the lives of firefighters, their families and the public. While National Employers said it was 'frustrated' arrangements could not continue. Ms Billingham said firefighters were being offered 'exactly' the same protections as other emergency workers, telling reporters: 'As a direct result of the position that the trade union adopted, the ability for fire services to deploy firefighters into potentially life-saving activities was limited and delayed. 'It's not what the public would expect of a fire service that they generally hold in such high admiration and we doubt it is what firefighters would want either. They are dedicated, public spirited professionals who told us they want to help.' Describing the situation as 'deeply regrettable', she warned ongoing tensions could affect the number of firefighters volunteering to help deliver the mass vaccination programme after the FBU asked members not to come forward. The FBU said it 'totally' rejected the findings of the report, branding it a 'political and biased attack on firefighters'. Pictured: London Fire Brigade use fire engine to deliver food parcels to those in needs and affected by coronavirus in April That request was made six weeks ago and 'remains the case today', she added. The findings of her inspection, which looked at the response of all 45 fire and rescue services in England to the challenges posed by the pandemic, called for leaders to 'act in the national interest' and remove 'unnecessary barriers which are preventing firefighters from providing further support when it is so desperately needed.' It added: 'Chief fire officers should be unhindered in their ability to deploy their workforce rapidly, safely and effectively to protect the public.' Citing examples of efforts to crack down on coronavirus being 'thwarted' as a result of such delays, Ms Billingham highlighted a 12-week delay in fire crews being able to knock on doors of people who the Test and Trace programme was struggling to contact in Manchester. She added: 'You can only imagine if more people had been contacted by test and trace, what potentially the public health benefits of that might be.' There had also been problems in some cases arranging for firefighters to help other emergency services gain entry to buildings where people were thought to be incapacitated after contracting coronavirus and moving cars so ambulances could get by, inspectors said. HM Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services Zoe Billingham said the agreement had become 'more of a hindrance' in some cases. Pictured: Firefighters join Clap for Carers outside Hertford Station in April Nonetheless, Ms Billingham praised the 'inspiring willingness from fire and rescue staff to step up and provide any support they could to help communities during these unprecedented times' and thanked everyone who offered to help. Overall, inspectors found most fire services had been able to continue responding to blazes during the pandemic and 'many services provided pandemic-specific support outside their statutory duties'. These included driving ambulances, delivering personal protective equipment, food to the most vulnerable and helping to move the bodies of those who had died from coronavirus. FBU general secretary Matt Wrack accused the inspectorate of doing the bidding of Government and fire chiefs with its finding, saying it 'didn't even have the courtesy' to speak to the union when compiling the report. He added: 'This report is a political and biased attack on firefighters. It is neither evidence-based nor an independent report and is instead full of untruths and omissions and we totally reject it.' He said the FBU had 'from the start wholeheartedly supported the response to the pandemic' but the 'message from this report is clear: fire chiefs and the Government don't want workers to have a voice over their own safety or their terms and conditions'. Petrol and diesel prices on Saturday touched new all-time highs after rates were increased for the fourth time this week. Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by 25 paise per litre each, according to a price notification from oil marketing companies(OMCs). This took the petrol price in Delhi to 85.70 per litre and in Mumbai to 92.28. Diesel rate climbed to 75.88 a litre in the national capital and to 82.66 per litre in Mumbai, the price data showed. This is the second consecutive day of rate increase and the fourth this week. In all prices have gone up by Re 1 per litre this week. Fuel prices, which vary from state to state depending on local sales tax or VAT, are now at record highs in the country, prompting cries for a cut in excise duty to ease the burden on consumers. Petrol prices in metros: Delhi: 85.70 Mumbai: 92.28 Kolkata: 87.11 Chennai: 88.29 Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier this week blamed Saudi oil output cut for the surge in oil prices but remained non-committal on tax cuts. State-owned fuel retailers -- Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) -- had on January 6 resumed daily price revision after nearly a month-long hiatus. Since then, rates have gone up by 1.99 a litre on petrol and 2.01 in case of diesel. Petrol and diesel prices are revised on a daily basis in line with benchmark international price and foreign exchange rates. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 00:58:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and African youth on Friday held a virtual dialogue forum to explore innovative ways to promote conservation of biodiversity amid growing threats linked to human behavior and climatic stresses. The forum that was organized by the Nairobi-based African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and Friends of Nature (FON), attracted 190 participants and discussed the holistic involvement of indigenous and local communities to revitalize the protection of natural habitats. "In order for conservation efforts to be impactful, we all need to embrace traditional knowledge and understand the historical trends of landscapes and local traditions that contribute to a healthy ecosystem," said Jie Feng, director of Southwest Project from Shan Shui Conservation Centre. The virtual dialogue forum between Chinese and African youth is part of an ongoing global conversation aimed at boosting the speedy implementation of the post-2020 Biodiversity Framework. Participants agreed that limited engagement with indigenous communities has undermined biodiversity conservation hence the need to reverse the trend as countries focus on nature-based solutions to boost the green agenda. "Indigenous people see biodiversity as part of who they are and what they do in all aspects of their livelihood," said Daniel Kobei, executive director of Ogiek People's Development Program in Kenya. Kobei urged governments and corporations to respect land and territorial rights of indigenous people in order to encourage them to conserve endangered species. Adamu Adija, coordinator of African Indigenous Women's Organization-Southern Africa chapter said that conservation models that are grassroots-based have proved effective in reversing the loss of biodiversity. "There has been a growing gap between high-level and local communities attributed to the ongoing top-down conservation model that has propelled biodiversity loss further," said Adija. "We need to change tact and use a bottom-top approach to see high-impact results," she added. Simangele Msweli, senior youth program manager at AWF said that robust dialogue between Chinese and African youth is key to revitalize the global biodiversity agenda. Enditem We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form She has been living it up in Dubai with a slew of her Love Island pals. And Ellie Brown was sure to set pulses racing as she posed for a sultry swimwear snap that she shared via Instagram on Saturday. The reality star, 22, showed off her sensational figure in a burnt orange bikini that had a plunging neckline to show off a glimpse of her cleavage. Wow! Love Island's Ellie Brown set pulses racing as she showed off her enviable figure in a burnt orange bikini during her Dubai break in a snap she shared via Instagram on Saturday Ellie's bikini bottoms also sat high on her waist to accentuate her slender legs, and it featured bow-tie detailing on the sides. The reality star brushed her blonde locks into a sleek, straight style and she wore a light palette of make-up for the stunning snap. Adding a glittering touch to her ensemble, Ellie wore a pair of large gold bracelets and matching hoop earrings for a glamorous flair. Jetsetter: Ellie has been living it up in Dubai with a slew of her Love Island pals Dozens of influencers who found fame on reality shows such as Geordie Shore and Love Island have spent the previous weeks soaking up the sun in Dubai while Brits back at home are in a nationwide lockdown. Many have travelled abroad under the ruse that their trips are 'for work,' sparking backlash from fans who have been holed up in lockdown amid the pandemic. Among those who have shared glimpses of their trips to Instagram are Love Island's Laura Anderson, Francesca Allen, Arabella Chi and twins Jess and Eve Gale. Geordie Shore's Chloe Ferry is also in Dubai for 'work' while TOWIE's Yazmin Oukhellou and her beau James Lock have also been there for some time on 'business'. Many stars have insisted their trips are for 'work' as the government currently asks UK residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Although at first not facing restrictions upon their return, it was recently announced that the country has been removed from the UK travel corridor amid the pandemic. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kolkata on Saturday (January 23, 2021) for 'Parakram Diwas' celebrations to commemorate Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote: "Dear sisters and brothers of West Bengal, I am honoured to be in your midst, that too on the auspicious day of Parakram Divas. During the programmes in Kolkata, we will pay tributes to the brave Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose." Dear sisters and brothers of West Bengal, I am honoured to be in your midst, that too on the auspicious day of #ParakramDivas. During the programmes in Kolkata, we will pay tributes to the brave Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. https://t.co/FDZtTiQe3O Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 22, 2021 PM Modi during his scheduled visit will be at Netaji Bhawan at Elgin Road on Saturday. He will preside over the inaugural function of the `Parakram Diwas` celebrations at Victoria Memorial. According to a Prime Minister`s Office (PMO) release, a permanent exhibition and a projection mapping show on Netaji will be inaugurated on the occasion. "A commemorative coin and postage stamp will also be released by the Prime Minister. A cultural programme "Amra Nuton Jouboneri Doot", based on the theme of Netaji, will also be held," PMO said. In the ceremony, a book based on Netaji's letters called "Book: Letters of Netaji (1926-1936)" will be unveiled. A felicitation ceremony will be held to honour INA veterans and other freedom fighters. "Before this event, Prime Minister will visit the National Library where an International Conference "Re-visiting the legacy of Netaji Subhas in the 21st century" and an 'Artists' Camp' are being organized. Prime Minister will interact with the artists and conference participants," it said. The government recently announced that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birthday on January 23 every year will be celebrated as `Parakram Diwas'. It is to honour and remember Netaji`s indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation, to inspire people of the country, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as Netaji did, and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervour. Netaji brings a deep emotional connect among people in West Bengal where both the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP are leaving no stone unturned to associate themselves with his legacy ahead of the assembly polls. Live TV India will be displaying some of its key military assets, such as T-90 tanks and BrahMos missile system, during the 72nd celebrations on Rajpath, with a marching-cum-band contingent of the armed forces all set to take part in the ceremonial parade for the first time. The leader of the 122-member contingent on Saturday thanked India for the gesture and said, the "enduring relationship" between the two countries is growing day by day. The Bangladeshi contingent, with members drawn from all the three wings of its armed forces, will be the first marching contingent to walk down the ceremonial boulevard on January 26. India's military might and some of the state-of-the-art assets of the armed forces, including three T-90 tanks, BrahMos missile system, BMP-II, two Pinaka multiple launch rocket system, two bridge laying tanks, electronic warfare equipment Samvijay and one upgraded Schilka air defence weapon system, will be showcased during the parade on Rajpath, which will be held following COVID-19 safety guidelines. "This year, no new asset will be displayed, but upgraded versions of various key assets and equipment will be there," Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, Maj Gen Alok Kacker, told reporters. He said 18 marching contingents - 16 marching and two animal-mounted - will take part in the parade from the armed forces, paramilitary forces, Delhi Police, Cadet Corps and Service Scheme, along with bands, including 15 from the military. The 61 Cavalry, consisting of 43 horses, will be marching down the Rajpath as part of the mounted column. Due to COVID-19 safety norms, there will be no motorcycle display this time, a major attraction for the crowd at celebrations on the Rajpath, and also the veterans marching contingent will also not be there, Kacker said. The contingents in the parade will stop at the Stadium this year instead of following the regular route all the way to the Red Fort, primarily due to COVID-19 safety norms, Kacker added. Responding to queries from reporters, he said bands and contingents have arrived from various parts of the country and about 260 members had tested COVID-19 positive out of the 3,000-odd pool, and they were quarantined and their primary contacts traced and tested, until they tested negative twice. "Also, the fact that the contingent size has been reduced from regular 144 to 96, gives us an in-built reserve. But, we are all safe and fresh and raring to go on Rajpath on January 26," Kacker said. He said COVID-19 safety norms have been followed from day one and contingents have moved from "bubble to bubble" to minimise all scope of infection. A full dress-rehearsal of the parade was held on Saturday morning. Capt Preeti Choudhary from 140 AD Regt (SP) will be commanding the upgraded Schilka weapon system as part of the mechanised column on Rajpath, officials said. The newly inducted Rafale fighter aircraft will feature in India's parade on January 26 and culminate the flypast by carrying out the 'Vertical Charlie' formation. Col Md Mohtashim Chowdhury, the leader of the contingent said, "We feel very fortunate that India has given our country this opportunity. This year marks the the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Liberation War of and also we are in the midst of birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. So, we are very happy to be here." The members of the contingent are drawn mostly from units raised during the 1971 war, and several other units which were raised before it, he said. This is the third time that a contingent from a foreign country will be taking part in the Republic Day celebrations here. The other two countries being France (2016) and the UAE (2017). According to information shared with the media, for the Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29, a special composition 'Swarnim Vijay', to commemorate 50 years of India's victory in the 1971 war, has been done, besides a few other tune compositions. Officials on Friday had said that bravery awardee children parade on jeep will also not be there at the 72nd Republic Day event, on account of social distancing. Also, there will be no chief guest at the event this year. "This year's Republic Day is very different as it is happening amid the coronavirus pandemic. Like in Independence Day, all chairs in enclosures will be placed following social distancing norms. So, the crowd size has come down to 25,000 this time from around 1.25 lakh last year or some of the previous years," an official had said. At the Saturday's press conference, heads of some of the marching regiments, and Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav and Subedar Sanjay Singh were also present, and interacted with reporters, sharing stories of valour from the Kargil war of 1999. Lt Gen Vijay Kumar Mishra, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, will be the parade commander and Maj Gen Kacker will be the Second-in-Command, officials said. Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees will be part of the parade, they said. A total of 32 tableaux -- 17 of various states and UTs, nine of ministries and six from defence arm, including of IAF, Navy, Indian Naval Coast Guard, two from the DRDO and one from BRO (Border Roads Organisation) -- will roll down Rajpath, officials said on Friday. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bureau members of the North West Regional Council Reserved Professor Angwafo III Fru Fobuzshi, President of the North West Regional Council has called on the population to stop fighting the past and rather unite towards building the future. The urologist-turned-politician was speaking in Bamenda Friday, January 23, 2021, during the installation of the pioneer executive bureau of the North West Regional Council. Adolphe Lele LAfrique, Governor of the North West Region and Representative of the State, installed the regional bureau, signaling a new era. The Governor urged them to, "Revitalize the economic situation of the region, bring back the region to the time before 2016. You are the right persons coming at the right moment to solve the challenges of the region." "For our region to shine, we should not look at what animated the past but should focus on what will reshape our region in the future," said Prof Angwafo III, as we accepted the challenge to lead the North West Region on a new path. He said local solutions would henceforth be sought for grassroots challenges. Since November 2016, a teachers strike coalesced with a lawyers and popular protest, morphing into an armed conflict that has claimed many lives and displaced thousands more in the North West Region. In his 35-minute policy speech, Professor Angwafo III called for the observance of a moment of silence for the thousands of lives lost in the ongoing conflict. "May we never rise again for any more soul killed in this crisis," Professor Angwafo III said. The urologist-turned-politician will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the North West Region for the next five years in line with Section 359 (1) of Law no. 2019/024 to institute the General Code on Regional and Local Authorities. Elected on December 6, 2020, for a five-year mandate, the bicameral North West Regional Assembly will concern itself with a region wallowing in underdevelopment and poverty. The Regional Assembly consists of a 70-member House of Divisional Representatives and a 20-man House of Chiefs. 66-year-old Professor Angwafo III Fru Fobuzshi, pioneer President of the North West Regional Council, until his election served as Director-General of the Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital in Yaounde. The bureau of the North West Regional Council consists of: President: Professor Angwafo III Fru Fobuzshi (a representative from Mezam Division) Vice President: Fon Yakum Kevin Teuvih (President of the North West House of Chiefs) (a representative from Ngoketunjia Division) Commissioner for Economic Development: Ghejung Awunti (a representative from Mezam Division) Commissioner for Health and Social Development: Dr. Mrs. Sakah Fondufe Lydia Yuveyonge (a representative from Bui Division) Commissioner for Education, Sports, and Cultural Development: Dr. Mrs. Anjoh Fru Manyi Rose (a representative from Momo Division) Secretaries: - Kalak Flavius Boteh (a representative from Donga-Mantung Division) - Fon Bagmbi III Mathias Njuh (a representative from Menchum Division) Questor: Waindim Jude Nsom (a representative from Boyo Division) Advertisement Robert Jenrick has defended the Government's strategy to leave a 12-week gap between the first and second doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine amid fears a long wait between doses is less effective. The British Medical Association (BMA) recommended to cut the waiting time to six weeks, warning in a letter that the strategy is 'difficult to justify' and the UK is 'internationally isolated'. But the Housing Secretary hit back at the claims, saying that the current policy means millions more can get their first Covid jab and the 'high level of protection' it provides as 'quickly as possible'. Dr Richard Vautrey, Chair of the BMA's GP Committee, told Sky News this morning that they are 'in dialogue' with Prof Whitty over the 12-week gap, saying 'we need to understand the data'. Both the vaccines approved so far one made by Pfizer and the other by Oxford University rely on two doses to be most effective, with them ideally spaced three weeks apart. But in a scramble to stop the devastating second wave of Covid-19, Britain has abandoned this rule and decided it will extend the gap to 12 weeks so it can give more people a single dose as soon as possible. It comes as the health watchdog in France called for a delay in administering a second dose, though only to six weeks. It emerged on Thursday that NHS hospitals could even be banned from giving out the jabs if they don't stick to the strategy of delaying second doses by 12 weeks or longer. The benefit will be that millions more people end up being vaccinated in the coming weeks. But it's possible the vaccines won't work as well in the long run. The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously said governments should be giving people their second dose within 21 to 28 days of having the first, to make sure the vaccine works long-term. BioNTech and partner Pfizer have also warned that they have no evidence their jointly developed vaccine will continue to protect against Covid-19 if the booster shot is given later than the 21-day gap tested in trials. Meanwhile, in the UK's Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine trial, 59 per cent of those who received two doses had a nine to 12 week gap between the first and second jab, compared to 18.6 per cent in Brazil's study. The combined results found that the vaccine was more effective in the group that had over six weeks between the two doses than those that had less than six weeks between doses, according to The Lancet. It comes amid calls from nursing leaders for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19. Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle has also said today it is not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous, despite fears that a UK Covid variant is more deadly than the original strain. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday that scientists on the Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) had found the variant may be associated with 'a higher degree of mortality'. The Government is now considering whether travel restrictions may need to be further tightened amid warnings that new variants of the virus discovered in Brazil and South Africa might be resistant to the vaccines. In another day of coronavirus news: Heathrow says it is impossible for passengers to be socially-distanced as travellers returning to the UK blast hour-long queues on another day of chaos after negative Covid test rule was enforced; The leader of the Welsh Conservatives has resigned following the disclosure he was among a group of politicians who drank alcohol on the Senedd estate days after a pub alcohol ban came into force; Fears of a health crisis at a military barracks housing asylum seekers in Kent have escalated after 120 people are believed to have tested positive for coronavirus; Professor Susan Michie, a scientist advising the Government on coronavirus, has called for tighter lockdown restrictions, describing the current rules as 'the problem' amid rising infections and deaths; Countries around the world are considering tougher travel restrictions in a bid to keep out Britain's 'more deadly' Covid strain; Boris Johnson yesterday claimed there is evidence that the Kent Covid variant may be more deadly ; B ut experts are playing down the concerns, saying its not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous; Nursing leaders are calling for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19; The health watchdog in France has called for a delay in administering a second dose, though only to six weeks; Nearly 39 per cent of Israel's citizens have had at least a single dose of a Covid jab so far. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick (pictured right, speaking to Barbara Baker, 92, during a visit to a Covid vaccination centre in Birmingham) has defended the Government's strategy to leave a 12-week gap between the first and second doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine amid fears a long wait between doses is less effective Senior doctors have called for the gap between the first and second doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine to be halved to six weeks (pictured: Stephen Hartley is given his Pfizer/BioNTech jab by Primary Care Practitioner Nikki Brown at Haxby and Wiggington Surgery in York) Professor Whitty pictured speaking during a coronavirus news conference at 10 Downing Street in London yesterday, during which Boris Johnson announced that the new variant of Covid, which was first discovered in the south of England, appears to be linked with an increase in the mortality rate NHS staff and key workers queue in the Louisa Jordan Hospital before receiving the coronavirus vaccine today in Glasgow, Scotland. Five thousand health and key worker staff are set to be vaccinated at NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital today as part of a mass vaccination drive by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Mr Jenrick said: 'The Government is following the very clear advice by the MRSA, our own experts, and from the four chief medical officers of all parts of the UK. They said that ensuring someone is vaccinated for the second jab within 12 weeks is fine, and that's what we're following. 'As a result of that, we're ensuring that millions more people can get the first jab and the high level of protection that provides as quickly as possible. 5.3million people in this country have been vaccinated already, that's providing support and protection to them. 'We want to ensure more people can get vaccinated in the weeks ahead. But we'll continue to follow the expert advice that we receive.' In a private letter to Professor Chris Whitty, the BMA indicated that second doses may not be guaranteed following a 12-week gap due to the 'unpredictability of supplies', reports the BBC. Although agreeing that the jab should be 'rolled as quickly as possible', the association called for an urgent review of the policy that is 'proving evermore difficult to justify'. A BMA spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The BMA remains fully committed to supporting the Chief Medical Officer and the government in rolling out the vaccine as quickly as possible to protect the public and health care workers most at risk. 'This letter to the Chief Medical Officer represents part of an ongoing dialogue about the best approach to the rollout of the vaccine and shares with him the growing concern from the medical profession regarding the delay of the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as the UK's strategy has become increasingly isolated from many other countries. 'BMA members are also concerned that, given the unpredictability of supplies, there may not be any guarantees that second doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be available in 12 weeks' time. Practice nurse Laura Holmes administers the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine to a member of the public who was unable to leave their car outside a temporary vaccination centre at St Columba's Church in Sheffield, south Yorkshire today Doctor Jane Charles prepares to administer the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine at a temporary vaccination centre in Sheffield today Practice nurse Ms Holmes prepares to administer the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine in Sheffield today. Mr Johnson has revealed that 5.4million people have now received their first dose of two vaccines currently being administered An NHS member of staff speaks to a patient as she prepares to deliver the coronavirus vaccine at the Louisa Jordan Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland this morning Immunisation Nurse Debbie Briody administers the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to Staff Nurse Amanda Thompson at the NHS Louise Jordan temporary hospital at the SEC Campus in Glasgow, Scotland What do manufacturers Pfizer and AstraZeneca say about the vaccine's dosage gap? BioNTech and partner Pfizer have warned that they have no evidence their jointly developed vaccine will continue to protect against Covid-19 if the booster shot is given later than the 21-day gap tested in trials. In a joint statement, they said: 'The safety and efficacy of the vaccine has not been evaluated on different dosing schedules as the majority of trial participants received the second dose within the window specified in the study design. 'There is no data to demonstrate that protection after the first dose is sustained after 21 days.' Meanwhile, in the UK's Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine trial, 59 per cent of those who received two doses had a nine to 12 week gap between the first and second jab, compared to 18.6 per cent in Brazil's study. The combined results found that the vaccine was more effective in the group that had over six weeks between the two doses than in the group that had less than six weeks between doses, according to The Lancet. Advertisement 'The World Health Organization has published its analysis of delaying the second dose and recommended that both doses of Pfizer-BioNTech should be given within 21-28 days, or as soon as possible thereafter. 'WHO has said that in exceptional circumstances this might be extended to within 42 days and there appears to be evidence for this in the Pfizer-BioNTech trial. However, the UK's delay to 12 weeks goes well beyond even this timeline. 'The BMA supports giving a second dose up to 42 days after the first dose, in line with international best practice as this would still allow for a doubling of the numbers of people protected by vaccination within a given time period compared to the original 3-week dose interval. 'The Association is urging the CMO to urgently review the UK's current position of second doses after 12 weeks.' The BMA's Dr Vautrey also said: 'It's important that we have a proper scientific enquiry, we review the evidence and we are open to implementing that evidence as best as we can.' A total of 5,526,071 Covid-19 vaccinations had taken place in England between December 8 and January 22, according to provisional NHS England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 425,596 on Friday's figures. Of this number, 5,085,771 were the first dose of the vaccine, a rise of 424,478 on Friday's figures, while 440,300 were the second dose, an increase of 1,118 Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chairman, said that he understood the 'rationale' behind the decision to delay the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine to 12 weeks, but said the UK should follow 'best practice'. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Dr Nagpaul highlighted WHO analysis that recommended second doses of the Pfizer vaccine only be delayed 'in exceptional circumstances'. He said: 'What we're saying is that the UK should adopt this best practice based on international professional opinion. 'Most nations in the world are facing challenges similar to the UK in having limited vaccine supply and also wanting to protect their population maximally. People pictured queueing at a vaccination centre in Hemel Hempstead on January 7, after a third coronavirus vaccine from US biotech firm Moderna was approved for use in the UK Doctors administer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a vaccination centre in Salisbury Cathedral on January 20. Matt Hancock said over 5million doses have been given out to 4.6million people Although agreeing that the Covid jab should be 'rolled as quickly as possible', the BMA called for an urgent review of the policy that is 'proving evermore difficult to justify' How deadly is the Kent Covid variant? Confusion mounts as scientists offer wildly different estimates There was confusion last night about how deadly the Kent coronavirus variant really is after 10 SAGE studies came to wildly different conclusions about its lethality and the World Health Organization said it still hadn't seen any convincing data. Boris Johnson and his science chiefs made the shocking claim that the strain called B.1.1.7 could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus without presenting any evidence to back up the terrifying development. The announcement came after 10 studies submitted to SAGE overwhelmingly suggested that the strain was more lethal than past variants. But there are question marks over the findings because the estimates varied vastly and one study even found the strain was less deadly than the older version. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimated the risk of death from the new variant could be 1.35 times greater, Imperial College London said it was between 1.29 and 1.36 times, Exeter University found it may be 1.91 and Public Health England said it could be as high as 1.6. But there are further questions over the reliablity of the data because the research was only based on a few hundreds deaths. Public Health England chief Dr Susan Hopkins cautioned people from reading too much into the findings and suggested the evidence was still murky. She added: 'There is evidence from some but not all data sources which suggests that the variant of concern which was first detected in the UK may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. Evidence on this variant is still emerging and more work is underway to fully understand how it behaves.' Sir Patrick Vallance told the briefing last night that hospital data had suggested the variant could increase the risk of death for a man his 60s from 1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, but he admitted 'the evidence is not yet strong'. Adding to the confusion, Professor Chris Whitty, said he was not entirely convinced the strain was deadlier in the first place. And the variant has already been spotted in 60 countries, including most of continental Europe, the US, Australia, India, China and Saudi Arabia - yet none of those countries have reported a higher mortality rate from the new variant. Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, slammed the Government for causing confusion and panic about the variant. He tweeted: 'I really dislike the way the news about the increased lethality of B1.1.7 was leaked out and then discussed in a press briefing. Where is the data? We want to be able to scrutinise it and to understand the detail, not just the summary.' The WHO also undermined No10, saying it had not yet seen any evidence to convince it that the Kent strain was actually more deadly than other strains. In a thinly-veiled jab at the UK Government, the body said it was more likely that the increased death rate was a result of ministers losing a grip on infections. Dr Mike Ryan, chief of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, told a separate press conference today: 'There is a big difference between the lethality of a virus, how many people on average a virus kills, versus the mortality. If I have one million people infected and my lethality is 1 per cent, or two million people infected with a lethality of 1 per cent, twice as many people will die [in the second case].' Advertisement 'No other nation has adopted the UK's approach. We think the flexibility that the WHO offers of extending to 42 days is being stretched far too much to go from six weeks right through to 12 weeks.' He continued: 'Obviously the protection will not vanish after six weeks but what we do not know is what level of protection will be offered... we should not be extrapolating data where we don't have it. 'I do understand the trade-off and the rationale but if that was the right thing to do then we would see other nations following suit.' Dr Nagpaul pointed out that giving people second doses of the Pfizer vaccine sooner would 'free up' appointments for more patients in future. He added: 'The concern we have... if the vaccine's efficacy is reduced... then of course the risk is that we will see those who are exposed maximally to the virus may get infected. 'The other worry is that members of the population, those who are at highest risk, may not be protected.' However, PHE's Dr Doyle defended the decision to delay the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine to 12 weeks, saying the move had been taken on 'public health and scientific advice'. Dr Doyle told Radio 4's Today Programme: 'The more people that are protected against this virus, the less opportunity it has to get the upper hand. Protecting more people is the right thing to do. 'People will get their second dose. As supplies become available more people will be vaccinated. It is a reasonable scientific balance on the basis of both supply and also protecting the most people.' Regarding the Kent Covid variant, she commented: 'There are several investigations going on at the moment. It is not absolutely clear that that will be the case. It is too early to say. 'There is some evidence, but it is very early evidence. It is small numbers of cases and it is far too early to say this will actually happen.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Our number one priority is to give protection against coronavirus to as many vulnerable people as possible, as quickly as possible. 'Through the UK vaccines delivery plan we are getting vaccines rapidly rolled out to older and clinically vulnerable people, as well as our frontline health and social care staff, and 5.3 million people have already received their first dose. 'The decision by the MHRA to change vaccine dosage intervals followed a thorough review of the data and was in line with the recommendations of the UK's four Chief Medical Officers. 'Both vaccines provide a high degree of protection after the first dose, and the Government has closely followed the guidance of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which was clear that we should give as many people as possible some level of immunity initially.' Professor Peter Horby, chairman of Government advice group Nervtag, said it was 'encouraging' that the UK coronavirus variant did not appear to be more resistant to current treatments, but people should continue to follow the rules after receiving the jab. He told BBC Breakfast: 'A vaccine is not a passport to do what you like, especially after one dose... it takes a while for protection to set in. 'So don't think you've got a free pass, we've still all got to adhere to the restrictions whether we're vaccinated or not. 'The encouraging news is that the UK variant is not affecting how the treatments work and it's not affecting how the vaccines work so we believe the vaccines and the treatment are just as good against this virus as they've always been.' The co-author of the Nervtag report, Professor Graham Medley, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it is clear the new variant is more transmissible than the original. Israel study suggests Pfizer vaccine only 33% effective as one dose Israel's top coronavirus medic has claimed the first dose of Pfizer's Covid vaccine is less effective than he expected. Dr Nachman Ash, one of the medics leading the Covid-19 response in Israel, said the first instalment of the jab did not cut infection rates as much as he had hoped. He told local media Army Radio: 'Many people have been infected between the first and second injections of the vaccine.' It can take 10 days or more for the immunity to kick in. Real-world data from Israel's world-beating rollout showed the first dose led to a 33 per cent reduction in cases of coronavirus between 14 and 21 days afterwards in people who got the jab. Another of the country's top doctors said it was 'really good news'. But the figure is lower than the British regulator's estimate, which said it may prevent 89 per cent of recipients from getting Covid-19 symptoms. However, Israel's data does not prove anything about possible impacts of the UK's controversial 12-week gap between doses. The country does not give any more than three weeks between the first and second doses, during which time protection is expected to be minimal at best and the vaccine is not intended to prevent infection, but severe disease and death. Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK's chief scientific adviser, said he would expect all vaccines to be less effective in the real world than in trials. He added that Britain should look 'very carefully' at data during the vaccine rollout to see what effect its having. Dr Ash's comment comes after Britain's decision to prolong the gap between the first and second doses from three weeks to 12 weeks triggered anger among scientists. Pfizer's own data shows that protection from Covid starts from about 12 days after the first dose but one jab can only prevent around 52 per cent of cases of disease, compared to the 95 per cent reduction offered by two. It does not offer any proof that a single dose works for longer than three weeks. For this reason, the US pharmaceutical firm refused to endorse Britain's decision to change the dosing schedule, saying there was no proof it would work. Advertisement However he acknowledged that it remains an 'open question' whether it is more likely to lead to death. He told the Today programme: 'The question about whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality, I think, is still open. There is evidence it is more dangerous but this is a very dangerous virus. 'In terms of making the situation worse, it is not a game-changer. It is a very bad thing that is slightly worse.' Ministers are expected to meet on Monday to discuss a proposal to require people arriving in the UK to quarantine in a designated hotel to ensure they are following the rules on self-isolating. Prof Horby said such measures would have an impact although he warned there is a limit to what they could achieve. He added: 'I think complete control of variants moving around the world is going to be almost impossible but we know that certain measures can slow the movement of these viruses around the world.' Earlier this week, a leaked internal memo sent to staff at an NHS trust in Southampton warned second doses must not be given out too soon. The decision to extend the delay was made to try and stretch the limited supply of jabs to cover more vulnerable Britons and get the UK out of lockdown as soon as possible, rather than offering stronger protection for fewer people. But it has drawn sharp criticism from both scientists and doctors, with medics writing to Health Secretary Matt Hancock and vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi to urge them to rethink the policy. The Doctors' Association UK said no studies had been done to prove a single dose of a vaccine, or two spaced very far apart, would reliably prevent cases of Covid. Pfizer and BioNTech earlier said in a joint statement: 'The safety and efficacy of the vaccine has not been evaluated on different dosing schedules as the majority of trial participants received the second dose within the window specified in the study design. 'There is no data to demonstrate that protection after the first dose is sustained after 21 days.' It follows Mr Hancock boasting on Thursday that more than 5million doses have been given out to 4.6million people across the UK around one in every 14 people. Around 2million vaccines were dished out last week and one in ten inoculated Brits have received their second dose. Staff at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, The Independent reports, received an email that said: 'This has become of the highest political import. 'David French, our CEO, has been sent a letter which is absolutely crystal clear and leaves nothing to the imagination we are not to offer any second vaccines before 12 weeks under any circumstances, at risk of losing our licence. 'This is not at the present time negotiable in any way. A region near us has given 34 second doses and are being investigated centrally.' Boris Johnson and Sir Patrick Vallance said at a Downing Street press conference last night that the variant of the coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly than the previous version of the virus that it is competing with Elizabeth Van-Tam, the mother of deputy chief medical officer for England Jonathan Van-Tam, prepares to receive her vaccine for Covid-19 in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, on January 21 A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust said at the time: 'No vaccine has been wasted as we have progressed through our first dose programme, offering a second dose 12 weeks after the first, which is in line with national guidance.' NHS England denied the claim hospitals would lose their vaccination licences for not following the rules, but declined to comment. The European Medicines Agency has said that the maximum interval of 42 days between the first and the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine should be respected to obtain full protection. Evidence of the vaccine efficacy is based on a study where administration of doses was done 19 to 42 days apart, the agency said, noting that full protection comes only seven days after the booster. It added: 'Any change to this would require a variation to the marketing authorisation as well as more clinical data to support such a change, otherwise it would be considered as 'off label use'.' Grim figures showed government borrowing soared to 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record - amid growing fears about the UK's debt mountain In a dramatic sign that the outbreak could be flattening out, SAGE said the R rate was between 0.8 and 1. That is down sharply from last week, when it was between 1.2 and 1.3 The number of people developing Covid-19 every day appears to have halved in a fortnight from 70,000 on January 8 to 34,000 yesterday, according to the Covid Symptom Study, which uses self-reported symptoms through a mobile app used by around a million people Worrying strains around the world: Since the Covid pandemic began there have been at least six new stains which appear more infectious and have mutations that open the door to vaccine resistance However the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which sets the ground-rules for the vaccine programme, has said the country should get first doses of the jabs to as many people as possible. Although a single dose of the two-dose vaccine regimes will not offer as much protection, it may still prevent many people from getting Covid-19. The JCVI claims that one dose of Pfizer's vaccine could prevent as many as 89 per cent of illnesses. But new data emerging in Israel suggest this initial dose's protection could be as low as 33 per cent, meaning two thirds of people given the single vaccine dose could still catch Covid if they were exposed to the virus. This has not yet been verified in a publicly available scientific study, but raises concerns about Britain's strategy. When the UK made the decision to split the doses with a wider gap than Pfizer had intended, both the company and the World Health Organization refused to endorse the policy because they said there was no proof the jab would still work. Nurses claim they are being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' as they call for higher-grade face masks to protect against new coronavirus strains Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the British Medical Association (BMA) warned that members had raised fears they were being given inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) in a letter to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). One nurse described feeling as though staff were being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' due to the inadequacy of surgical masks. The College is now calling for a review of infection control guidance and calling for all NHS staff to be given the higher grade of PPE as a precaution pending the outcome. Nurse leaders are calling for an urgent review into the face masks that are given to staff. Pictured: Staff nurses working at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south-west London The RCN said it was aware that some NHS trusts are using higher grade face masks in all parts of their hospitals, while others use standard face masks, thereby creating a 'postcode lottery' for nursing staff. RCN chief executive and general secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said nurses were concerned that the standard face mask may not be effective in protecting against new strains of the virus and possible airborne spread in healthcare settings. Dame Donna said: 'The Government's silence on this issue is creating a postcode lottery for nursing staff whereby some working on wards have access to the higher-grade face masks and others do not. 'It must stop dragging its feet on this issue. Nursing staff need to have full confidence that they are protected. 'Staff picking up this virus at work are angered at any suggestion they have stopped following the rules - this is down to the new variant and the dangerous shortage of adequate protection.' Jane, which is not her real name, is a nurse from Yorkshire and member of grassroots campaign group Nurses United. She said she contracted Covid in April 2020 after helping a coronavirus patient inside an ambulance, while both she and the patient were wearing a surgical mask. She has suffered from debilitating Long Covid symptoms since, even taking the last four weeks off work due to chronic fatigue - nine months after her initial infection. 'I feel kind of like half the human that I was,' Jane added. Jane said failing to protect all staff with suitable PPE made staff feel like 'commodities'. 'In critical care areas they're in full PPE but in the actual wards we're still in surgical masks... the issue is that the surgical face masks aren't effective enough,' she said. RCN chief executive and general secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said nurses were concerned about the standard face mask On top of the trauma, the PTSD and everything else that staff are feeling... people feel let down, scared and vulnerable - like we're just commodities or lambs to the slaughter. 'People start doubting who they're working for and what they're doing.' In a letter to Jo Churchill, minister for prevention, public health and primary care, Dame Donna said staff were 'aware that fluid repellent surgical face masks and face coverings, as currently advised in most general healthcare settings and patients' homes, are not protective against smaller infective aerosols'. In a further letter to Sarah Albon, chief executive of the HSE, and signed by Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the BMA council, Dame Donna called on the HSE to take a 'precautionary approach'. She said: 'In the absence of clarity on the reasons behind the new variants' increased infectivity, we are calling for the HSE to take a precautionary approach and to use your role as a regulator to ensure employers and those developing national guidance meet and understand their responsibilities.' She added: 'Adequate supplies of PPE that meet the required specifications are vital to support nursing staff to do their jobs safely. 'Without support to use suitable PPE, nursing staff are putting their own lives, and the lives of their colleagues, families and patients, at risk.' In the letter, the RCN cites NHS data showing a 22 per cent rise in the average number of health care staff off due to Covid-19 in the first week of this month compared with the last week in December. From December 31 to January 6 an average of 41,641 employees were off each day, up from 34,210 for the period December 24 to 30. Advertisement No Glasto in June for the second year Glastonbury Festival has been cancelled for the second year running thanks to the pandemic. The organisers say they 'moved heaven and earth' trying to make it happen but continuing uncertainty means Britain's biggest musical jamboree attended by 200,000 fans in 2019 cannot go ahead. It was due to celebrate its 50th anniversary last year but had to be called off days before the first lockdown in March. Now organisers Michael and Emily Eavis say the 2021 event cannot go ahead. Sir Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and rapper Kendrick Lamar were scheduled to headline the Pyramid stage and Diana Ross was the Sunday afternoon 'legend'. People in the festival crowd enjoy watching Dizzee Rascal on the Pyramid stage during day two of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 25, 2010 in Glastonbury, England Primal Scream, Dua Lipa, Manic Street Preachers and Lana Del Ray were also on the bill. The father and daughter Eavis team said yesterday: 'With great regret, we must announce that this year's Glastonbury Festival will not take place and that this will be another enforced fallow year for us. 'In spite of our efforts to move heaven and earth, it has become clear that we simply will not be able to make the festival happen.' They said those who secured tickets with 50 deposits in 2019 will be able to roll this over to the next event in June 2022. Disappointed fans due to descend on Worthy Farm, Somerset, from June 23-28 said the move was understandable, but Tory MP Julian Knight, chairman of the Commons culture committee, called it a 'devastating' blow and criticised the government's failure to set up an insurance scheme to save major events. Tom Watson, head of UK Music, said such a backup scheme 'wouldn't have cost too much' and if Britain's vaccine rollout proved a success Glastonbury would have provided an ideal celebration. Eurostar passengers down 94% Eurostar passenger numbers plummeted 94 per cent at the end of 2020, it emerged yesterday, sparking fresh calls for a joint UK-French support package. Officials from both sides continued talks yesterday in a bid to strike a deal amid fears the Channel Tunnel firm is facing bankruptcy. Yesterday's figures reveal that, over the course of 2020, passenger numbers were down 77 per cent, dropping from just over 11 million in 2019 to 2.5 million. Workers clean the platform area as a Eurostar train bound for Paris prepares to leave St Pancras International train station in London on January 18, 2021 The fall reached 94 per cent in the final quarter when passenger numbers were 170,010, compared with 2,624,943 in 2019. One rescue option being discussed would involve the Bank of England providing funds from its Covid loan facility. Industry projections suggest Eurostar, which is majority-owned by the French government, could go bust by April, although company insiders say reserves could stretch until summer. The UK Government sold its 40 per cent stake in Eurostar in 2015. Cafes and bars could see 3.2m jobs axed By Claire Ellicott and Sami Quadri for The Daily Mail Hospitality chiefs issued a dire warning about the future of many businesses last night after doctors advised that the reopening of pubs and restaurants should be pushed back to May. Industry leaders said that just one in five restaurants, pubs and bars had enough cash to get through beyond March. It came after Sage scientists who advise the Government warned that the sector would have to stay closed until at least May to limit the spread of coronavirus. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, told Radio 4's The World At One that if the reopening of the sector was delayed until May, 3.2million could lose their jobs. Diners in Old Compton Street, Soho, London, in August 2020 'Just one in five hospitality businesses are confident that they will have enough cash to get through beyond March,' she said. 'There is no way that businesses will be able to survive until May with no revenues coming in for seven months. 'It's a cash burn of half a billion pounds to keep the sector closed each and every month. If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be little left of the hospitality sector and the 3.2million people who work in it to reopen at that point in May.' She said she hoped that with the vaccination programme under way, there would be a 'pathway' to the lifting of restrictions. 'Otherwise I think you've got a danger that you have an impact on peoples' mental health and well-being and also their economic health and well-being,' she said. A man wearing a face mask as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, walks past a closed pub in the City of London, on January 15, 2021 If the sector is closed until May, she warned, there would need to be a 'significant additional injection of cash support from the Government because the support at the moment is just not sufficient to sustain and maintain businesses and jobs'. Doctors warned restaurants would not be able to open until May because it would push up the R rate. Dr Marc Baguelin of Imperial College London, who sits on the Sage committee, said: 'We looked at partial reopening and the increase of the R number and found that it will generate an increase, the extent of which we don't really know. 'And if this was to happen earlier than May, it will generate a bump which is really bad ... at best you will carry on having a very unsustainable level of pressure on the NHS.' School's out until Easter? By Jason Groves for The Daily Mail Schools could remain shut until after the Easter holidays unless virus cases fall dramatically in the coming weeks, it was feared last night. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term. But with Covid cases still at high levels, Downing Street refused to be drawn on the likely restart for millions of children stuck trying to learn from home. And a government source acknowledged it was becoming 'increasingly difficult' to see how schools could be reopened next month, given the state of the pandemic. During a round of media interviews yesterday, Mr Williamson insisted there would be no repeat of the shambolic episode at the start of this month when schools were ordered to close just one day after returning from the Christmas break. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday said he still hoped schools might be able to return after the February half-term (stock photo) He said schools would get at least two weeks' notice of any order to reopen suggesting that ministers will have to decide by February 8 whether classrooms will reopen for the start of the second half of the spring term on February 22. Although Boris Johnson has prioritised the early reopening of schools, government scientists have warned that a return to the classroom could trigger another sharp spike. 'We have to be realistic about the situation we are in and the impact reopening schools might have,' a source told the Mail. Dr Mary Bousted, of the National Education Union, said: 'After the chaos and confusion that government incompetence over school opening and closure has created, it is good we now have an assurance from Gavin Williamson that school staff will be given two weeks' notice before reopening. 'The last thing that parents and children need now is a stop-start approach. We all want schools to be open, but they must be opened when it is safe to do so, and when the conditions are right to keep schools open sustainably.' Any delays will pile pressure on Mr Williamson to ensure high quality education is available to all those children forced to stay at home. He said a further 1.3 million laptops, tablets and routers would be distributed to those in need in the coming weeks to widen access to online learning, providing the 'ultimate safety net' for disadvantaged pupils. He added that he had 'made it clear to schools' what was the 'absolute minimum' they were expected to provide. Mr Williamson said he wanted to get pupils back in the classroom at the 'earliest possible opportunity', adding: 'I would certainly hope that that would be before Easter.' Downing Street confirmed that Mr Johnson wanted schools to reopen as quickly as possible but refused to be drawn on when that would be. 'If we can open them up before Easter we obviously will do but that is determined by the latest scientific evidence and data,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said. A Sydney councils proposal to expand its borders has been slammed as a whimsical land grab that fails to pass any test of public interest by neighbouring councils. Georges River Council has proposed taking over suburbs such as Monterey, Ramsgate, Dolls Point and Sans Souci that are currently part of Bayside Council. The notice of motion from Labor councillor Vince Badalati said the amalgamation of parts of Bayside Council would result in Prime Minister Scott Morrisons federal division of Cook, located north of the Georges River, falling within Georges River Council. The Georges River Council is attempting to take over Bayside Council. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer A community survey conducted by the council said the proposal would unite identified communities of interest around the Kogarah town centre: Further, the proposal would create service efficiency opportunities for the maintenance, promotion and use of important sport and recreation assets. Ahead of PM Modi's visit, BJP-TMC workers clash in Howrah India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P Kolkata, Jan 23: Clashes erupted between workers of the BJP and the TMC in West Bengal's Howrah ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kolkata today. Alleging attack by the TMC workers, a local BJP leader said, "Our workers were attacked today. If TMC wants this kind of politics, then, an answer will be given to them in the same language." Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday address "Parakram Diwas" celebrations to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, an iconic freedom fighter who hailed from the state. Unlike other parties, we have 'neta', 'niyat' to take BJP forward: BJP chief Nadda The BJP, as well as the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, have planned a number of events around Bose, often called Netaji by admirers, as they seek to woo the voters ahead of the polls. The PMO noted that the central government had recently decided to celebrate Bose's birthday every year as 'Parakram Diwas' to honour and remember his indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation. This will also help inspire people of the country, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as the celebrated freedom fighter did and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervour, it added. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti: It is Modi vs Mamata in Bengal Declare Netaji birth anniversary national holiday: Mamata Banerjee West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday paid homage to freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary and urged the Centre to declare January 23 as a national holiday. She also said a monument, named after Azad Hind Fauj, will be built in Rajarhat area and a state-funded university, which is also being set up, will be dedicated to Netaji. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News "...This year's Republic Day parade in Kolkata will be dedicated to Netaji. A siren will be sounded today at 12.15 PM. We urge everyone to blow shankh (conch) at home. Centre must also declare January 23 as a National Holiday. "We are celebrating this day as #DeshNayakDibas. GoWB has also set up a committee to conduct year-long celebrations till January 23, 2022," Banerjee said on Twitter. Flood-hit homes to receive funding following devastating scenes in North Wales This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jan 23rd, 2021 Homes in North Wales hit by recent flooding will receive between 500 and 1000 in support following devastating scenes of damage across the region. More than 150 properties across the whole of Wales were flooded earlier this week after the arrival of Storm Christoph with some areas seeing more than 200mm of rain in 72 hours; more than an average months worth of rain in most parts of Wales More than 40 separate flood warnings and flood alerts were issued by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), including two severe flood warnings, with homes evacuated in a number of areas, including Bangor on Dee, New Broughton and Rossett in Wrexham, and Ruthin and St Asaph in Denbighshire. It led to a busy period throughout Wednesday and Thursday for emergency teams, with the regions fire service receiving around 200 calls. The video below shows the dramatic moment when a HM Coastguard helicopter battled against the elements to rescue three people, including a child, caught up in floods to the north of Wrexham. There were immediate calls for support funding to be made available by North Wales Senedd Members in the wake of the flooding. People continue to be advised to only travel if absolutely necessary, and to avoid travelling to flood-hit areas. As well as the impact on homes and properties, local authorities have also reported impacts to highway networks, resulting in significant traffic disruption. The support payments will be made by local authorities, paid for by Welsh Government. This is the same level of support provided to households following flooding caused by storms Dennis and Ciara last year. The support payments will also be available to households which have suffered significant internal flooding while coronavirus restrictions have been in place through the autumn. First Minister Mark Drakeford said: Major flooding incidents can be devastating for the communities affected and the devastating scenes we have seen across Wales merit a strong and quick response for those householders affected. This is all the more harrowing when we consider those who have had to temporarily leave their homes, or who have seen their homes and belongings damaged by floodwater, have done so during the difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic. We will support people who have suffered flooding in their homes with support payments of 500 and 1,000, similar to the support provided to households during storms Ciara and Dennis last year. Further details on how affected households can apply for funding will be available shortly. Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, thanked local authorities, agencies, volunteers and emergency services which responded to Storm Christoph over the last few days. She said: We know major flooding incidents such as these can be devastating for communities, and I offer my sympathy and support to all those communities hit by flooding especially where residents had to leave their homes due to flooding overnight. The collaborative efforts of organisations and services across the country, many of whom worked overnight to ensure members of the public were safe, have truly been remarkable. The Minister also urged the public not to put extra pressure on emergency services and agencies during the response to flooding caused by Storm Christoph. I urge members of the public to please heed the advice being issued by the emergency services, and to not travel unless absolutely necessary, to avoid putting extra pressure on our response agencies, she said The Minister added: The sad reality is as we face the ongoing threat posed by drastic climate change, major flood and damaging weather events such as these are going to be more likely, not less. The Welsh Government will continue to pro-actively manage and respond to flood risk across Wales in the autumn, we launched our new National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management, which outlined how we intend to work alongside partners to manage long-term flood risks across the country. We will work with risk management authorities to ensure defences across Wales remain robust. Featured image: Newsar involved in the rescue mission in Wrexham When the All Ireland Fleadh was hosted by Sligo in 2015 Fleadhfest has the opportunity to be the most innovative event held in Ireland this year. That's according Fred Finn branch member Micheal O Domhnaill, who along with Bartley Gavin, addressed councillors on the upcoming event, set to be held in Sligo in early August of this year. Covid-19 has put an end to the traditional form of Fleadhanna around the country, but Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann will this year compensate for their absence with Fleadhfest, which is set to be a predominantly online celebration of Irish music and culture. However, in the event that the Covid-19 situation improves, it could become the case that Fleadhfest from August 1st to 9th will more closely resemble the traditional format, as memorably held in Sligo in 2014 and 2015. Outlining plans to councillors in a presentation, Mr Gavin, recently retired from his role as Director of Services, said that they hoped the 2021 version would succeed from building on previous relationships established in 2015 and 2015, and that the event, in whatever form it takes, will present serious opportunities for Sligo. Mr O Domhnaill explained that plans were being formulated at the moment in regard to the shape of the event, but much of it hinged on the developing Covid-19 situation. He said it was their hope that many of the events will be actual, as opposed to online, and all plans drawn up will be with 'public safety to the fore'. Social media will play a key role in streaming from Sligo during the nine days, while TG4 have already committed to four two-hour long broadcasts. Mr O Domhnaill also said RTE could well provide coverage from Sligo also. Cathaoirleach Dara Mulvey said he was 'only too delighted' on behalf of members to support the Fleadhfest, and said everyone was looking forward to it. Cllr Rosaleen O'Grady said it provided the opportunity for extensive coverage that 'you couldn't buy' in terms of promotion for the county. News of Sligo's hosting of the event has come as a welcome respite from current challenges, Cllr Sinead Maguire said, while Cllr Marie Casserly said it was a 'shot in the arm' for Sligo. Acting Chief Executive Tom Kilfeather thanked Mr Gavin and Mr O Domhnaill for their presentation, and said the executive will work with the Fred Finn branch to support their efforts. It promised to be a 'huge lift' for Sligo, he concluded. What shops will be open in Mexico City? Although the town continues to have a red epidemiological traffic light, some stores may open their doors with the aim of "reactivate without risking." In the morning press conference of the local government, Eduardo Clark, general director of Digital Government of the Digital Agency for Public Innovation (ADIP), explained that they are working with representatives of shopping centers and department stores to tentatively restart activities the February 1st. According to the official, this decision will be subject to the history of hospitalizations and infections in Mexico City (CDMX). If these plans materialize, businesses must follow the following measures: Capacity of 20% and access restricted to one person per family. A hours of operation from Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and remain closed on weekends. Weekly tests to floor sellers. Establish mechanisms for online sale and pick up in parking lot. Mandatory implementation of QR codes in establishments for employees and customers. According to ANTAD "the economic conditions of the sector have reached a point of no return, which would imply that thousands of workers would lose their jobs, affecting the livelihood of their families" / Image: Depositphotos.com On Wednesday, January 20, the National Association of Self-Service and Department Stores (ANTAD) requested the Government of CDMX and the State of Mexico (Edomex) to add them to the controlled reopening. Currently, members of the sector and government officials are in talks to reach an agreement. To learn more: Department stores request their reopening in CDMX and Edomex The first meeting with ANTAD was held on Thursday, January 21 in the afternoon, where Fadlala Akabani Hneide, Secretary of Economic Development (SEDECO), commented that the capital's government works to favor the economy of this sector without risking the health of the people, so the proposal will be discussed with the City's Epidemiological Council and virtual meetings will continue, in order to find a solution . What other stores will be open in Mexico City? Clark announced that the reactivation of activities with businesses in other essential areas would be expanded, and that as of Monday, January 25, they will be able to open stationeries, kitchen supplies, opticians, and construction finishing stores. For the establishments associated with these businesses to return to their activities, they must strictly comply with sanitary measures, a capacity of 20% and one person per family. They must also register with sanitary measures.covid19.cdmx.gob.mx On the other hand, outdoor activities will also be allowed, among which the drive-in theater stood out. Related: To travel to Germany, Mexicans must present a negative test for COVID-19 Para viajar a Alemania, mexicanos deberan presentar prueba negativa a COVID-19 Las vacunas CureVac y Novavax contra el Covid-19 empezaran Fase 3 en Mexico Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Passengers arriving into Ireland may be held in quarantine hotels for at least five days if they do not arrive with a negative Covid-19 test, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has revealed. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Mr Martin said he is considering a number of quarantining options for international travellers as part of an attempt to stop the spread of the virus in Ireland. The Taoiseach said he expected hotels, including the Citywest in Dublin, to be used as quarantine centres for people arriving in Ireland. You could be in quarantine until you get a test after five days that proves to be negative, Mr Martin said. It comes as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned there was some evidence the UK strain of Covid, which accounts for 60pc of cases here, may also be up to 30pc more deadly. Although the data is uncertain, the UKs chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance suggested that for a man in his 60s, the risk of death with the new variant is 13 in 1,000 rather than 10 in 1,000. Read More Mr Martin said new quarantining regulations would be close to sealing off the country, a major policy shift but he insisted essential travel would be permitted. He said consideration had to be given to who would police the quarantine hotels and what concessions could be made for people who live in Ireland and were returning home from overseas. He also said the Government would support a ban on all travel into the EU if it was introduced by Brussels. Mr Martin said you could feel the anxiety among EU leaders about the dangers of new Covid-19 variants during a video conference on Thursday. Its a race between the vaccination on the one hand and the new variant on the other which could wreak havoc with all of our best laid plans and maybe new variants of the UK variant on top of the South Africa, the Taoiseach said. Read More However, he said he expected more than a million people in Ireland to be vaccinated by June, along with a significant easing of restriction. It will be a different society, a bit more freer, he said. We will have greater choices to make in terms of what we open. Mr Martin said the Cabinet would decide on extending restrictions on Monday and it would be re-evaluated at the end of February. Last night, Health Minister Stephen Donnellys spokesperson said he was examining stronger measures on incoming international travel. This includes the potential for new measures and also more robust enforcement of existing measures. This has become particularly relevant in the context of the emergence of the Covid-19 variants in the UK, South Africa and Brazil. An inter-departmental group is currently developing a range of options, the spokesperson said. Read More Meanwhile, the warning about the UK variant was part of a double blow in the fight against the virus as Oxford/AstraZeneca announced the volume of its vaccine delivery would be lower than expected due to reduced yields at its manufacturing site. The vaccine due to get approval next week is seen as a game-changer here because it is easy to administer by GPs and pharmacies and it will be central in rolling out the jab to over-70s. Ireland was hoping to get a delivery of 600,000 in the first quarter. The worrying development on the deadlier impact of the variant comes as the death toll here from the disease this month rose to 582 yesterday as another 52 fatalities were announced. The setback comes as hospitals around the country were reaching the limit of 350 intensive care beds as more patients become seriously ill with the virus. There were 1,931 Covid-19 patients hospitalised yesterday while the numbers in intensive care rose again to 219. Asked to comment on reports that the UK strain is more deadly, Prof Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology in Trinity College Dublin, said he had yet to see the preliminary data but if it transpired to be correct he would not be entirely surprised. I am not too surprised because what we do know is that the reason the UK variant is more transmissable is because the viral load is higher "If it is higher it would not be incompatible with it being more virulent. Most people have said up until now that it was not more virulent. It fits with what is happening. The number of new cases of the virus fell to 2,371 yesterday indicating the incidence is slowly dropping but the growing dominance of the UK variant will cause the spread to reduce at a slower pace and could mean much of the current Level 5 lockdown will have to be in place until mid-March. Infectious disease consultant Prof Sam McConkey said he would agree with this approach if needed and said he would not put a calendar date on lifting lockdown. Justice is still not found for the two ethnic Kachin teachers who were sent as volunteer teachers to Shan State by the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) in 2014. After 6 years, Kachin Christians still seek justice for the death of two teachers --Maran Lu Ra, 20, and Tangbau Hkawn Nan Tsin, 21-- who were said to be raped and murdered by the Tatmadaw (Burmese Army) in the Kawng Hka village on Jan. 19, 2015, the International Christian Concern reported. A video was taken by the villagers after the day of the murder displaying the bloody and battered bodies of the dead Kachin volunteers lying side by side on a bamboo bed. Although the Kawng Hka villagers stated that the two Christian volunteer teachers were gang-raped and murdered by troops from the 503rd Light Infantry battalion, who arrived the morning before the two were killed, to take revenge after the Tatmadaw units and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) fought in the nearby Kachin State, the police and Tatmadaw still continue to deny the allegations against the involvement of the Tatmadaw in the rape and murder case. A report from UCA News declared that around 28 soldiers from the troop were suspected to partake in the case but the KBC was told that the collected DNA samples found in the bodies of the two victims did not match those of the tested DNA from the alleged. The Kachin Baptist Convention believes that the case does not involve any local villagers after conducting their own investigation into the murder. The military issued a public threat to local media not to implicate their troops in the crime. The police have reportedly dismissed any possibility of the troops' involvement in the murder and rape case of the Kachin volunteers. Members from civil society groups in Kachin State demanded that the real culprits pay the price of what they have done and face justice as the KBC held the 6th annual memorial service for the victims and their families in a Facebook live stream which includes prayers and gospel songs. The civil society groups made a joint statement in the public saying, "Towards prevailing truth and justice, pressure is needed upon the government and the military by embassies and international rights groups,". The Kachin Baptist Convention will continue to seek justice for the two Kachin women until it is found. In 2019, Rev. Hkalam Sam Sun, chairman of the KBC, sent a message to the public saying "Even though it has been four years, we feel like it was yesterday. It was an act against our whole ethnic community,". "I was told to forget about these volunteer teachers' cases by a [Myanmar Military] commander last year. I told him that as Christians, we know well about forgiveness and having patience and letting go of pain, but we must work to get the truth. We want to reveal who the culprits are." he also added in his message. The BJP claimed that Banerjee's reaction reflects her mindset of appeasement politics and said it saw nothing wrong with the 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday declined to speak at an official programme to celebrate Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary after "Jai Shri Ram" slogans were raised from the audience in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She said such "insult" was unacceptable. The BJP claimed that Banerjee's reaction reflects her mindset of appeasement politics, while the ruling Trinamool Congress said no one can teach lumpens to be dignified. The Congress came out in support of her saying that raising slogans in this way is an insult to the chief minister, as the CPI(M) described the incident as "disgraceful to the state". After it was announced that Banerjee will now address the programme, "Jai Shri Ram" slogans were raised by a section of the audience at the lawn of Victoria Memorial Hall where the event was being held. "This is a government programme and not a political programme. There has to be dignity. It doesn't behove anybody to invite people and insult. I won't speak. Jai Bangla, Jai Hind," she said, wrapping up. Reacting to the development, the TMC's chief spokesperson Derek O' Brien said on Twitter that no one can teach "lumpens to be dignified" and shared a clip of the incident. dignity (noun) The state or quality of being worthy of honour and respect. You cant teach dignity. Nor can you teach lumpens to be dignified. Here is a one-min video of what exactly happened today. Including the dignified response by @MamataOfficial pic.twitter.com/aEQ3jF7CYf Derek O'Brien | ' (@derekobrienmp) January 23, 2021 The BJP leadership, however, saw nothing wrong with the "Jai Shri Ram" slogans. "None of the dignitaries said anything. Why did she lose her cool? It reflects her mindset of appeasement politics. (She) appeases a particular community before elections," BJP national general secretary and Bengal-minder Kailash Vijayvargiya told PTI. Assembly polls are due in the state in April-May this year. The saffron party's state unit chief Dilip Ghosh said "Jai Shri Ram" is not a political slogan. "Why does she losses her cool every time someone raises this slogan? She should not have reacted like this. People raise this slogan because she reacts like this," Ghosh said. BJP leader and grandnephew of Netaji, Chandra Kumar Bose, said there is nothing wrong with the slogan and Netaji's birth anniversary should not be mixed with politics. In a statement, state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that some people insulted the chief minister of West Bengal by raising the slogan when she stood up to address the programme. "By raising Jai Shri Ram slogan in a government function, they have not only insulted her but also the CM of the state, deliberately. They have also insulted a woman in public. I may be her political rival but I strongly condemn it," Chowdhury, also the Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha said. Senior CPI(M) leader and Left Front chairman Biman Bose described the incident as disgraceful to the state. However, he also asked the chief minister to ensure that the functions of the state government are not turned into political events. Claiming that Banerjee turns every government programme from block level to the state secretariat into her party's event, CPI(M) leader Md Salim expressed hope that the chief minister will not do it as long as she is in the chair. South Africa: Drive-by visit to pay tribute to Mthembu The management of departments and entities led by the late Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, will pay their respects through a drive-by visit to his family residence in Ackerville, Witbank, this afternoon. The management will address the family from across the street. The drive-by and address will occur in line with strict COVID-19 protocols, said the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in a statement. The following departments and entities reported to the late Minister: The Presidency Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Brand South Africa Media Development and Diversity Agency National Planning Commission Statistics South Africa He steered the ship with transparency, commitment and confidence. He always served the people of South Africa unreservedly. May his soul rest in peace. Hamba Kahle Minister Mthembu, said the GCIS. Tributes continue to pour in for the late Mthembu, after his passing on, due to COVID-19 related complications on Thursday. Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu said the untimely passing of Mthembu has not only robbed his family of a husband, father, brother and uncle, but it has also robbed government and the nation of a great leader. A man of noble character, Minister Mthembu and I shared the importance of attaching values and principles to our political practice to the dot. This is evident from the work that he produced in his portfolio as well as his role within the ruling party. I would call him Juck son, and he would protest about me zuluwising his name. Those who had the honour of being in his presence can attest to his calm nature; those who had the privilege of working with him; can speak to his leadership skills and his intelligible guidance. He was a peacemaker, constantly providing direction when things seemed to derail, Mchunu said. As we continue to adjust to the ever-changing new normal, Mchunu said COVID-19 continues to claim the lives of many members of society young and old. Minister Mthembus dedication to the public service will forever be appreciated and valued. His immense contributions to governance and the country will be remembered for years to come. Hamba kahle Mphikwa, Mchunu said. Sharing her fondest memory of Mthembu, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, said Mthembu was a real comrade, one you could talk to and laugh with no hesitation of discussing anything with him. Dlamini-Zuma also noted that Mthembu was at the forefront of trying to convince South Africans to protect themselves against COVID-19 and died in trying to save lives against COVID. We are just shocked. He debated in meetings where he should debate and had ideas. You listen to him, and he listens to you, Dlamini-Zuma said. Also paying tribute to the late Mthembu, International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, said Mthembu was a wonderful person, a committed activist, a great friend and a hard worker, who served the people very well. Im just absolutely stunned that we could lose such a person. He wasnt afraid to express his opinion freely and he was totally dedicated to South Africa, Pandor said. Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said Mthembus death has been a terrible blow to the African National Congress (ANC). A committed United Democratic Front (UDF) activist, an ANC grassroots leader, a member of Parliament, a Chief whip of the majority party, a Minister in the Presidency. What an accomplishment! And yet so humble and accommodating of all, Sisulu said. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said the news of the passing of Mthembu came as a shock. We were not ready for this but we have to accept and pick up the baton, Mbalula said. Echoing other political leaders sentiments, Mbalula said Mthembu was passionate about his work, and a principled leader. He was a dedicated fighter and a good comrade. He didnt take anything personal, and we remain indebted to him and his family for the contribution he made for us to be free. Mthembu is one person who, when he feels that something wrong is happening, he stands up. He cared about things, he stood up against wrong doing. Im proud to call him a comrade because he has all the principles that defines a comrade. He loved the ANC and the people of this country. He was a good communicator, Mbalula said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Bishops in Northern Ireland and Portugal suspend liturgical celebrations and pastoral activities in the presence of the faithful due to the resurgence of Covid-19 infections. By Vatican News staff reporter On Thursday, the devolved government of Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland Executive) took the unanimous decision to extend the current Covid-19 restrictions until Friday, 5 March 2021. It comes after Northern Ireland recorded its highest number of Covid-related deaths in the week up to 15 January. As the spread of the virus continues unabated, doctors are warning that hospitals are being stretched to their limits. On Friday, 12 further deaths with Covid-19 were reported by the NI Department of Health, bringing the death toll to 1,704. In light of the decision to extend restrictions, the Bishops in Northern Ireland have decided that, until 5 March, Masses will return online. In a statement issued Friday, the Bishops say that Marriage, funeral, baptismal liturgies and drive-in services may continue (subject to strict safety guidelines and regulations)." Online celebrations Arrangements for recording and/or livestreaming, and making individual visits for private prayer, are also permissible in accordance with regulations. Parishes are being encouraged "where possible to continue to broadcast the celebration of Mass - and other devotions and prayer services - online and on other media." The Bishops point out that once again they are making this decision reluctantly and are conscious of the pain that not being able to gather for public worship causes for all the faithful. Prayers for those impacted They also continue to ask for prayers for the sick, the bereaved and all those whose livelihoods have been particularly impacted by the pandemic. In particular, their thoughts turn to all health workers, carers, chaplains and other essential workers. Situation in Portugal Elsewhere in Europe, liturgical celebrations and pastoral activities in the presence of the faithful are being suspended from Saturday in Portugal, due to the resurgence of Covid-19 infections. The president of the Portuguese Bishops' Conference has called for active collaboration until the upward curve is reversed. According to health authorities, there are more than 151,000 active cases in Portugal and more than 9,600 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. Online meetings and virtual conferences have become the new normal in the corporate and business world during this coronavirus pandemic. Due to government-mandated lockdowns and restrictions, digital access has also become a new trend in sharing the gospel. Demand for oral Bibles is observed to be growing too. Spoken Worldwide said that in keeping up with requests for oral Bibles, their work is expanding. The ministry upholds oral Bible translations believing that having God's Word should not require learning by text, Mission Network News wrote. The ministry's president and CEO Ed Weaver, said, "As you look at the consumption of information by people around the world, it's continuing to grow in terms of non-text based consumption. So whether it's online news, whether it's streaming videos, whether it's podcasts, whether it's other audio content [or] audiobooks, there's just a huge growth spurt that we all have seen happening." A notion that oral Bibles is only for those who cannot read is maybe true. The report said that about two-thirds of the world's population are oral learners, people who are unable to read "and/or simply prefer not to." Oral Bible translations are appropriate for them. Weaver shared an example, "A friend of mine that works with YFC in Lebanon has said, 'I've had to change my entire Bible study methodology so that I could disciple people better.... I've actually had to start listening to audio Bibles so I can then tell the people I'm discipling, 'Why don't you listen to this passage and then let's discuss it.''" "That wasn't necessarily expected. We've got to find ways to scale pretty quickly. So one of the challenges we face is how do we find people fast enough that can help us meet the demand for this type of content? And to be able to do that effectively? Not just scale for scale's sake, but how do you scale with quality?" he further said. A Bible translation expert said that learning the Bible orally is necessary in developing countries, The Christian Post reported. Samuel E. Chiang, The Seed Company president, discussed this matter in his National Association podcast. He said that "orality" in an environment lacking written communication can be relevant in Bible learning, even for people who can read. He said, "There are approximately 5.7 billion people who are oral learners and some of them actually highly textual, but they prefer to learn in an oral manner. People recognize that there are people in this world who we cannot reach purely by texts. What are we going to do in order to reach them?" Chiang has campaigned for the relevance of oral translations in Bible evangelism saying, "We've been so textually-driven for the last 500 years. We have forgotten how people actually learn and express themselves, especially in the marketplace. Most of the Bible translation organizations are highly textual." "It has taken time, even for Seed Company to grapple with and come to a decision point about orality and oral Bible translation," he further stated. Weaver welcomes feedback from Christians who would like to share in their ministry saying, "We'll take any kind of comments at info@spoken.org to say, 'Have you thought about this? Would you consider this? How are you going to address this particular issue?'" Believers are encouraged to pray for Spoken Worldwide in their expanding ministry. Kamala Harris, the 49th Vice President of the United States, received a special gift from Steph Curry and the Warriors this week: her own Madame VP jersey with the number 49. Plus, a vending machine stocked with COVID-19 tests is coming to Oakland Airport, a Reddit scavenger hunt will take you to hidden spots around San Francisco, and more local headlines you might have missed while celebrating the inauguration this week. San Francisco Runner Honors the Work of Stacey Abrams With a Strava Art Portrait, Runner's World On January 9th, Frank Chan embarked on a 32.2 mile run in SF to honor voting rights activist and politician Stacey Abrams. Read more. Vending machine to sell COVID-19 tests at Oakland International Airport, ABC7 News Pretty soon, you'll be able to purchase your very own rapid antigen, saliva, and PCR tests in Terminal 1 for results within in 15 minutes. Read more. A Pair of Dior Air Jordan 1s Stole the Show at the Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, Esquire Kamala Harris' San Franciscobased nephew-in-law Nikolas Ajaguhusband of Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign founder Meena Harris rocked a pair of rare Dior 1sand now the shoe is even trending on Twitter. Read more. This new, popular scavenger hunt has Redditors combing the streets of SF, SFGate Need a new socially distanced activity? Go off in search of a not-so-known landmark thanks to Eddie Hernandez's photo clues, being dropped on Reddit every week. Read more. Warriors celebrate Inauguration Day with stirring video, jersey for Kamala Harris, SF Chronicle In addition to giving Harris her very own "Madam VP" jerseyappropriately displaying No. 49 for her role as the United States' 49th vice presidentthe Warriors also released a moving video that features Stella, a young Oakland girl who is inspired by Harris. Read more. Mural Inspired by PBS' 'American Portrait' Pops Up in San Francisco, KQED After receiving more than 12,000 responses to prompts like "I took a risk when...", PBS selected submissions to inspire murals in seven U.S. cities. Head to Mission Street to view Oakland artist Jocelyn Tsaih's mural, an interpretation of a quote from Lawrence W.'s story about coming out as trans: "Life is so much better now that I'm being who I really am." Read more. The Hard Crowd, The New Yorker Novelist Rachel Kushner's autobiographical essay offers a glimpse into 1980s and '90s San Francisco lifeand the variety of people she encountered around the city at spots like the now-closed Greyhound station and Blue Lamp. Read more. Lana Colombo, a 2020 Jenny Ballard scholarship winner, used her $2,500 to help pay tuition at the Culinary Institute of Charleston. The Ballard scholarship is one of three opportunities totaling $25,000 now available to Berkeley Electric members. West Bengal Chief Minister on Saturday criticised the for abolishing the Planning Commission, which, according to her, was conceptualised by Netaji Addressing a programme at Netaji Bhavan here on his 125th birth anniversary, Banerjee described Bose as an icon who had advocated unity among all communities in the country. She also demanded that Netaji's birthday on January 23 be declared a national holiday. "Why the national Planning Commission, which was conceptualised by Netaji in independent India, was dissolved? Why the demand for a holiday on Netaji's birthday by our government not yet met?" Banerjee said in her brief speech. The Narendra Modi government disbanded the Planning Commission in 2014 and had formed the Niti Aayog. Banerjee said, "We don't remember Netaji before the elections. He is in our hearts for 365 days. We are in touch with his family." She also said Netaji was described as 'Deshnayak' by Rabindranath Tagore. "We are celebrating his birthday day as Deshnayak Diwas," Banerjee added. By midnight, all residents will be tested in 48 hours. Since the start of January, 160 cases of SARS-CoV2 have been reported in the area. Residents protest the sudden decision. Police confine journalists to a hotel. A year ago, China declared a health emergency in Wuhan. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) Hong Kong authorities this morning locked down part of Jordan, an area on Kowloon peninsula, because of COVID-19. The areas residents, about 10,000 people, must stay at home and undergo mandatory testing. Since the start of January, more than 160 SARS-CoV2 cases have been reported in more than 50 local buildings. The confinement measure started at 4 am and will remain in effect until all residents are tested. Testing must be carried out by midnight today in special centres. Those unable to move will be tested at home. The administration will hand out food and other basic necessities to locked down residents. Local houses can be inspected during isolation. People who do not live in Jordan but have spent more than two hours there in the past two weeks are also required to be tested. Hong Kong authorities want to complete the entire operation in 48 hours, so as to allow people to return to work on Monday morning. The sudden decision by the authorities sparked protests from residents, RTHK reported. Tensions also occurred when police confined to a hotel journalists looking into the hike of cases, threatening to fine those who violated the order. This is the first time since the pandemic broke out that the former British colony imposes a partial lockdown. So far, Hong Kong has reported nearly 10,000 cases with 168 deaths. Jordans lockdown comes exactly one year after Chinese authorities (belatedly according to many observers) declared a health emergency in Wuhan (Hubei), considered ground zero of the pandemic crisis. Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin Clifton will reportedly not return to the BBC show as bosses are 'happy' with the current line-up of dancers. The Grimsby native, 38, who won the 2018 series, left Strictly last year to pursue musical theatre work and will be exploring new work opportunities in the future. Production were allegedly in talks with Kevin about a return after his musical work was halted amid the pandemic, but a report on Saturday confirmed it wasn't meant to be. Bye! Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin Clifton will reportedly not return to the show as he focuses on 'different oppurtunutities' while BBC bosses are 'happy' with the current cast An insider told The Sun: 'Feelers were put out about Kev returning to the show, but bosses have decided that theyre happy with their cast and the time has passed. 'Kevin would have gone back if he could have been partnered with a man, as thats something thats never been done before. 'But the opportunity wasnt there, so he is focusing on different opportunities.' The publication previously reported there was no 'bad blood' between Kevin and the BBC show. MailOnline have contacted BBC reps for further comment. Centre stage: The Grimsby native, 38, who won the 2018 series, left Strictly last year to pursue musical theatre work but was believed to be in talks with bosses about a return The dancing ace was due to star in a touring production of Strictly Ballroom as well as head to Australia to dance in Burn The Floor, but is unclear when rehearsals will resume due to the current coronavirus outbreak The star admitted it was 'difficult' watching the 2020 series of Strictly while his West End career was delayed. He told the Huffington Post in December: 'Obviously it was difficult when all the theatre went away this year and I'm sat at home watching [Strictly Come Dancing]. 'But I still feel it was the right time. But fingers crossed that 2021 is going to be a version of what 2020 was supposed to be for everyone in the world!' He added: 'Strictly Ballroom was sort of the catalyst, but to be honest, Id been talking to [Strictly Come Dancing] about leaving for about a year,' with the star saying he had done 'everything' he could possibly do on the show. Kevin last lifted the glitterball trophy in 2018 alongside now-girlfriend Stacey Dooley, after making it into the grand final four times. In the 2019 series, he partnered up with Anneka Rice, but they were eliminated from the competition in week two. His last appearance on the show was during the December 2019 Christmas special alongside Debbie McGee. The ballroom pro managed to leave the much-loved show on a high as the dancing duo were crowned winners of the annual special. The Haryana police on Saturday said that they have found no proof to support the allegations that there was a conspiracy to disrupt the January 26 tractor parade of agitating farmers and target their leaders. Addressing a press conference late on Saturday evening at Sonipat, Superintendent of Police, Jashandeep Singh Randhawa said the youth, who was paraded by farmer leaders before reporters on Friday night and later handed over the police, had made the allegations under fear after some volunteers at the Singhu protest site caught him and accused him of eve-teasing. The youth, whom the SP identified as 21-year-old Yogesh Rawat from Sonipat, was unemployed. During preliminary investigations none of the claims made by the youth were found to be true, he said. Randhawa said that during the press conference of the farmer leaders on Friday, various allegations included that the youth had supplied arms and weapons in this stir and someone had put him on the task to disrupt the agitation. A special team was constituted under DSP Vipin Kadyan to probe the matter, he said. We carried in-depth investigations of who all he came into contact with during the past four months, but so far we did not get any proof to back any allegation which has been made (in the press conference), he said. Earlier in the day, a video purportedly of Yogesh had surfaced, in which he is heard saying that he had made various allegations during the Friday's press conference after being caught and "cooked up" the statements because he was badly thrashed. He said he wanted to narrate the story to the police so that he could be free. However, Randhawa said that the video was not made by the police. To another question, he said that Yogesh was currently being questioned. "We have not arrested him, we are only questioning him and he is cooperating... as allegations are from both the sides, we are investigating the matter deeply," he said. Asked about the allegation of farmer leaders, he said, Since they had levelled some allegation on police as well, we have written to Deputy Commissioner and asked for a probe by SDM as well. "When the probe is completed, whosoever is found guilty will be dealt as per law. At the Singhu border press conference late on Friday night, the farmer leaders presented the youth who claimed that his accomplices were asked to pose as policemen and baton-charge the crowd during the proposed tractor parade in the national capital on Republic Day. Farmer leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu alleged that attempts are being made to disrupt the ongoing agitation against three farm laws. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several border points of Delhi since November 28 last year, demanding a repeal of the three farm laws and a legal guarantee to the minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. Enacted in September last year, the three laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country. However, the protesting farmers have expressed their apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of MSP and do away with the "mandi" (wholesale market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates. Amy Willerton has claimed a number of influencers are 'pretending' to be home when they're actually in Dubai. The model, 28, who jetted to the United Arab Emirates last year with daughter Demelza, 12 months, said she feels sorry for those 'criticised' who have 'owned' being abroad during the pandemic. Taking to her Instagram Stories on Friday night, Amy engaged in a candid Q&A session and said those deceiving fans should 'own their truth'. 'Pretending': Amy Willerton has claimed some influencers are 'pretending' to be home when they're actually in Dubai The model insisted that she wouldn't 'name any names' but commented on how 'sad' it is that people are 'getting praise' when they're 'completely lying' about their whereabouts. The I'm A Celeb star was asked for her thoughts on influencers jetting to Dubai over December and January for 'work' and in the process avoiding UK's third lockdown. To which Amy answered with: 'OK, I have a lot to say about this... some of it which I probably shouldn't say. But I'm a big believer in owning your truth so... I'm here in Dubai, I see a lot of people, who on social media, are pretending they're at home. 'The Netflix, say their at home, I'm in it with you and they're not... they're here! Remember, smoking mirrors OK? Social media is NOT real! It's a glimpse, it's not that person's life. 'Own it': The model, 28, who jetted to the United Arab Emirates last year with daughter Demelza, 12 months, said she feels sorry for those 'criticised' who have 'owned' being abroad (Chloe Ferry pictured in Dubai recently, there is no suggestion she's the influencer referenced) Thoughts: The I'm A Celeb star was asked for her thoughts on influencers jetting to Dubai over December and January for 'work' amid the pandemic (Love Island's Amber Gill pictured in Dubai, there is no suggestion she's the influencer referenced) 'I guess I do feel sorry in some ways for the influencers who came over here and actually just owned the fact they were here and are receiving death threats for it... 'I think that is actually really sad when there are a lot of people getting praise when they are completely lying to you all. I'm not naming any names, I'm not like that, but I'm just saying... it's not real.' Amy went on to admit that she understands why people are 'angry' and 'upset' over people travelling during the pandemic as everyone has 'suffered' so much. Candid: Taking to her Instagram Stories on Friday night, Amy engaged in a candid Q&A session and said those deceiving fans should 'own their truth' She said: 'I'm here in Dubai, I see a lot of people, who on social media, are pretending they're at home. The Netflix, say their at home, I'm in it with you and they're not, they're here! Remember, smoking mirrors OK? Social media is NOT real!' (pictured with her daughter last month) She said: 'Because people have suffered so much in this, I get why they are angry. I get why people are so upset. I know when I've had fears about things that are out of my control like death for instance, putting it out out there. 'The only comfort I find is we're all in it together, we all have to die at some point. That is my way of comforting with that I guess, it's kind of the same thing in this. 'Because it is so so awful, your comfort, I think everyone has found in all this... is the community that's formed from the suffering. Getting through each day. 'Getting through the first lockdown and we've been so lucky we're not going through that now. Liars! 'I think that is actually really sad when there are a lot of people getting praise when they are completely lying to you all. I'm not naming any names, I'm not like that, but I'm just saying... it's not real.' Working abroad: 'I guess I do feel sorry in some ways for the influencers who came over here and actually just owned the fact they were here and are receiving death threats for it,' she added 'I'm not going to pretend to know what everyone's going though right now, I don't, I don't, I have no idea how you're all still doing it. You're all heroes, I would have 100% rebelled by now.' Amy added: 'This virus spreads in a way that, means a lot of people are vulnerable and a lot of people are at risk. 'We don't know enough about it to be able to just carry on life... so for now, I'm going to own the fact I'm here. 'I'm going to own the fact I'm extremely lucky and I'm going to try and enjoy each day. Because I've got the opportunity to do so which is frigging amazing.' Abroad: Love Island's Laura Anderson has also been staying in Dubai and sharing several updates (there is no suggestion she is the influencer referenced) Work trip: Georgia Steel, who has insisted she is on a 'work' trip, recently jetted to the Maldives after flying to Dubai, she has been sharing snaps from her trip (there is no suggestion she is the influencer referenced) It comes after fellow reality star, Olivia Attwood recently criticised her influencer pals who said they are 'working abroad' amid the coronavirus crisis, before asking fans to stop trolling them. Earlier this month, the Love Island star, 29, took to her Instagram Stories from her Manchester home to criticise her reality star and influencer pals, who remain in Dubai, for claiming they are 'working abroad' amid the coronavirus crisis. Addressing the furore over her comments later in the week, Olivia insisted that she doesn't want to encourage any 'hurtful behaviour' and told any of her angry followers to instead 'unfollow' people. Grateful: She ended her video with: 'I'm going to own the fact I'm here. 'I'm going to own the fact I'm extremely lucky and I'm going to try and enjoy each day. Because I've got the opportunity to do so which is frigging amazing.' Olivia's video came as it was revealed that travellers returning to the UK from the UAE will have to quarantine following a 52 per cent surge in the number of COVID -19 cases there - an undoubted shock for the influencer-packed city. Influencers' fun-filled getaways might be overshadowed on their return as travellers returning to the UK need to present proof of a negative Covid test result. New arrivals who flout the rules will face a minimum 500 fine, while the operator who transported them will also be fined. Passengers will still have to quarantine for 10 days regardless of their test results, transport minister Robert Courts said in a statement. Important: It comes after fellow reality star, Olivia Attwood recently criticised her influencer pals who said they are 'working abroad' amid the coronavirus crisis, before asking fans to stop trolling them in a video from her Manchester home 1. Yes. The public must have assurances that ethical standards are met by everyone. 2. Yes. As long as an independent board hears the grievances, its a worthwhile idea. 3. No. The concept is too broad. It should be limited to the citys elected officials. 4. No. There are plenty of stipulations in place already. An ordinance is a waste of time. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say without seeing how it would be structured and applied. Vote View Results The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show that 143 new cases of coronavirus were discovered yesterday. Two new deaths from COVID-19 were reported, leaving the total death toll in the Grand Duchy at 564. 7,387 tests were carried out in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate was 1.94%. There are 64 patients in standard hospital care (up one from yesterday), and the number in intensive care remains at 14. As a reminder, on weekends the government only releases data on the number of tests, cases, deaths and hospitalisations. As of Friday, there were 2,220 active infections in Luxembourg, while 46,656 patients had recovered from the virus. The R rate stood at 0.98, while 6,897 people had received their jabs so far in Luxembourg. For the latest updates on the coronavirus both in Luxembourg and abroad, see our live ticker. Alleging that the government was deliberately undermining the courts and the SEC, he said that YSRC's thoughtless actions would pave way for imposition of Article 356. DC Image VIJAYAWADA: Leader of Opposition in AP Legislative Council, Yanamala Ramakrishnudu on Saturday expressed anguish that the YSR Congress government was working against the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar by resorting to unconstitutional and lawless practices. He termed it as a 'contempt of court' on the part of the State government to create obstacles for conducting panchayat elections in total disregard for the High Court division bench order. This was tantamount to contempt of court. By disrupting the functioning of the State Election Commission (SEC), the government was causing a Constitutional breakdown. He claimed that the Supreme Court had issued an order when TN Seshan was the CEC that the SEC would have the autonomous powers that are granted to Central Election Commission. Alleging that the government was deliberately undermining the courts and the SEC, he said that YSRC's thoughtless actions would pave way for imposition of Article 356. He claimed that Jagan Mohan Reddy has become a stigma to the post of a Chief Minister. Government officials were also disobeying SEC orders, he said. The Telugu Desam leader accused the Chief Minister of undermining the Constitution by disregarding the 74th and 75th Amendments. He claimed that the Governor had a responsibility as per the Article 243 K (3) to make sure that the government should provide the staff to the SEC to conduct the polls. He claimed that the SEC had issued the panchayat poll notification as per the affidavit submitted by the Union Government for conducting polls and going about the vaccination programme simultaneously. Longer Days, Sunsets After 5 Reveal Trippy Little Details for Oregon, Washington, Coastlines Published 01/19/21 at 12:26 AM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Portland, Oregon) Finally, the days are getting longer, and sunsets in inland areas like Portland, Eugene or Olympia, Washington, are now taking place after 5 p.m. as of Wednesday. Portland gets to celebrate its first sunset after 5 p.m. today, but some places north are still a day or two away from that joyous marker. From here until June, days keep getting noticeably longer and the first sunset before 5 p.m. for the Portland area wont happen again until November. Yet on the Oregon coast and Washington coast, thats already been the case. Indeed, some parts of the southern Oregon coast passed that point a few days ago. All this brings up some intriguing little details about sunsets in the Pacific Northwest. Today, Coos Bay is at 5:13 p.m., showing the southern Oregon coast has been over 5 p.m. for a bit already. Cannon Beach is already a few minutes after as well, but Portland reaches that point today. Up on the Washington coast, Westport clocks in at a little after 5 p.m. as does La Push much farther north, but Seattle is still just a minute or two away under that five o clock mark. It has a day or two to go. The online listings you find may not be the same from source to source. A listing for Cannon Beach could deviate slightly from website to website, but its usually within a minute or two of the other. One aspect that already provides a twist is the fact sunsets happen a little later on the coastlines than in inland cities like Seattle, Portland or Eugene. Yet some sources will list the same sunset times for a beach town and its closest inland town. For instance, you may find Seaside with the same sunset predictions as Portland. Most I-5 corridor cities are at least 70 miles west, making the exact moment of that orb going away a bit later along the shoreline. That can be a difference of nearly 10 minutes. While online sunset listings have improved in recent years, you will still discover quirks between locales and websites. Another part of the hitch with sunset times in almanacs and other sources is that they often list that exact time of dusk going by a flat, featureless horizon. It doesnt take into account SE Portland getting blocked by the west hills, for example. Back in 2012, Oregon Coast Beach Connection tested the difference between Portlands sunset time and Warrenton, discovering the beach was seven minutes later. However, the difference between the coastline and nearby valley cities can increase or decrease depending on where you are in the Pacific Northwest. In any case, if you want a little extra daylight at the end of the day you might zip on over to the Oregon coast or Washington coastline. Youll have at least a few minutes more than when you left. Of course, this also means sunrise happens a few minutes later at the coast. Sometimes you just can't win when it comes to daylight. Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - Where to eat - Map - Virtual Tour MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Dr. Deborah Birx has claimed she was 'censored' by the White House and 'always' considered quitting Donald Trump's coronavirus taskforce - but she stayed in the role anyway. Birx, who served as the White House coronavirus task force co-ordinator under Trump, told CBS Face The Nation she asked herself every morning and night if she could make a difference to tackling the pandemic that has so far left more than 400,000 Americans dead. 'I mean, why would you want to put yourself through that every day?' she said in a clip from the full interview set to air Sunday. 'I had to ask myself every morning, is there something that I think I can do that would be helpful in responding to this pandemic and it's something I asked myself every night.' Dr. Deborah Birx has claimed she 'always' considered quitting Donald Trump's White House coronavirus taskforce saying 'why would you want to put yourself through that every day' - but stayed in the role anyway WATCH: @margbrennan: "Did you ever consider quitting?" Birx: "Always...I had to ask myself every morning: is there something that I think I can do that would be helpful in responding to this pandemic?" More on Sunday's @FaceTheNation on @CBS https://t.co/7fk9mlPpvJ pic.twitter.com/qh380bdpcF Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) January 22, 2021 Birx said many close colleagues she had worked with during her long career before the White House started questioning whether she had become too political. 'Colleagues of mine that I had known for decades... decades in that one experience, because I was in the White House, decided that I had become this political person, even though they had known me forever,' she said. She admitted she was aware in the lead-up to the presidential election that the White House race had become a factor in what and how much was being communicated to the public about the deadly virus. But while she claimed she was 'censored' by the White House, Birx denied ever having withheld information on the pandemic herself. Birx went on to admit that she reached a point where she felt she 'wasn't getting anywhere' just before the election. 'When it became a point where I could - I wasn't getting anywhere and that was like right before the election, I wrote a very detailed communication plan of what needed to happen the day after the election and how that needed to be executed,' she told CBS. 'And there was a lot of promise that that would happen.' Birx announced in December she would 'retire' from her role when President Joe Biden took office following a backlash after she broke her own coronavirus safety guidelines to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family. Birx and Donald Trump during a White House press briefing in March. Birx, who served as the White House coronavirus task force co-ordinator under Trump, told CBS Face The Nation she asked herself every morning and night if she could make a difference to tackling the pandemic Birx traveled out of state to Delaware for the weekend while the CDC was urging Americans not to travel for the holiday. The career health official addressed the scandal saying it had taken its toll on her family and said she will retire 'within the next four to six weeks' from the CDC. 'This experience has been a bit overwhelming,' she said. 'It's been very difficult on my family.' Birx served as the US Global AIDS Coordinator for both President Barack Obama and Trump before she was appointed to the coronavirus taskforce in March taking on the very public role as one of the nation's top doctors in its fight against the pandemic. During her time in the role, she came under fire from both sides. In August, Trump called Birx 'pathetic' when she warned Americans that the pandemic is 'extraordinarily widespread' in the US. Meanwhile, House Speaker and Democrat Nancy Pelosi once also described her as 'the worst'. Birx had hoped to secure a job working under the Biden administration. Sources said in December that she reached out to Biden's advisors to make the case for a role in his coronavirus response effort. But she has yet to be tipped for an appointment and new White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki simply said 'that's an excellent question' Friday when asked if Birx was still on the White House COVID-19 response team. Birx's interview making thinly-veiled swipes at her former boss comes days after Dr. Anthony Fauci also took aim at Trump Thursday - the day after Biden took office - as the nation's top doctors finally speak out about what life was like in Trump's White House. Dr. Anthony Fauci made it clear he's happy to be working for President Joe Biden Fauci appeared in the White House press briefing room Thursday for the first time since last spring as he took up his role as Biden's chief medical advisor and member of the COVID-19 response team. He spoke about the differences of work life in the Biden administration compared to the Trump administration. 'One of the new things in this administration is: if you don't know the answer, don't guess. Just say you don't know the answer,' he said. 'One of the things that was very clear as recently as about 15 minutes ago, when I was with the president, is that one of the things that we're going to do is to be completely transparent open and honest if things go wrong. 'Not point fingers but to correct them and to make everything we do be based on science and evidence. 'I mean that was literally a conversation I had 15 minutes ago with the president, and he has said that multiple times,' he noted. Nationwide, 414,000 people have died and 24.8 million have been infected with the virus. The signing took place on January 21 after several rounds of negotiations between the governments. The signatory from the Vietnamese side was Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Xuan Ha and from the Finnish side was Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Kari Kahiluoto. The PIF supports the public sector investments in developing countries in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN and utilise Finnish expertise and technology. It supports investment projects in social services provision, such as water supply, environmental sanitation, environment protection, climate change response, energy, and clean technology. In a pre-recorded remark, Finnish Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari said he expects with the PIF, Vietnam will have additional public funding while companies from Finland with years of experience, expertise, and suitable technology solutions can gain broader access to the Vietnamese market. The implementation of the agreement will play a vital part in nurturing the long-term and effective partnership between Finland and Vietnam, the minister said. Vietnam and Finland has established diplomatic ties more than five decades ago. Two-way trade has increased four times over the last 10 years. Thousands Vietnamese students are pursuing education in Finland. Vietnamplus Marine microalgae-based cellular agriculture is a promising new way to sustainably produce plant-based 'meat' and healthy 'superfoods' for the future. Researchers at Flinders University's Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development (CMBD) in Australia are responding to growing interest from consumers looking for healthier, more environmentally friendly, sustainable and ethical alternatives to animal proteins. Marine microalgae, single-cell photosynthetic organisms from the ocean could be the solution to the world's meat protein shortage, says CMBD director Flinders University Professor Wei Zhang, who is also co-leading a bid to establish a national Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MB-CRC) in Australia. The CRC's mission is to find ways to develop the third-generation of Australian high-value marine bioindustry (as opposed to the first-generation of fisheries and the second-generation of aquaculture) and transform Australia's emerging marine bioproducts sector into a globally competitive industry. The Centre's focus will be on industry and market-driven innovations to improve both the supply chain and value chain to deliver costs savings, improved production and competitive capacity for Australia to access high value marine bioproducts markets across the globe. Our research spans the entire value chain, from microalgae cultivation and circular advanced biomanufacturing to the development of high-value functional food. Microalgae come in a diverse range of nutritional profiles and advanced cultivation strategies can be developed for tuning microalgae to produce protein-, oil- and carbohydrate-dominant types that can be processed into a broad range of functional foods, including healthy cell patties, chips, pastes, jams and even caviar." Wei Zhang, Professor, Flinders University Two freshwater microalgal products currently on the market are the high protein Chlorella and Spirulina varieties used in the production of foods such as green pasta, drinks and beverages. Marine species are of significant interest as they do not require scarce freshwater and crop land. Their unique nutritional profiles such as their high DHA and EPA content (long chain omega 3 fatty acids) are essential for infant and brain development and cardiac health. Bioreactors for upscaling upscaled aquatic production of photosynthetic microalgae can also help to combat greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. One 90 x 90 x 210 cm (3 x 3 x 7 ft) bioreactor unit can absorb up to 400 times more carbon dioxide than the same footprint of trees. Using sunlight, certain varieties of microalgae create oxygen and convert carbon dioxide into organic carbon (protein, carbohydrates, pigments, fats and fibres), just like plants, but do not require valuable arable land for their production. "They are therefore often called the rainforests of the oceans," says Associate Professor Kirsten Heimann, senior lecturer in biotechnology at Flinders University. "Using sunlight, photosynthetic microalgae create oxygen and convert carbon dioxide into organic carbon (protein, carbohydrates, pigments, fats, fibres, and micronutrients), just like plants, but do not require valuable arable land for their production. This means microalgae can be sustainably harvested and converted into eco-friendly superfoods," she says. "Putting one and one together, microalgae and innovative production and processing could help to service the world's booming population and growing demand for sustainable protein production," she says. Along with research into processing techniques, the CMBD team is also investigating the use of waste or harvested seaweed for biodegradable plastics production, another sustainable solution to non-degradable petroleum-based plastics. For the latest paper on microalgae processing development see, 'Release of encapsulated bioactives influenced by alginate viscosity under in-vitro gastrointestinal model' by RE Abraham, P Su, M Puri and CL Raston and W Zhang in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (Elsevier) Vol 170, 15 February 2021, Pages 540-548, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.12.143. The results demonstrate the use of both microalgae and macroalgae for development of controlled release of health and nutritional bioactives from marine sources. The Covid-19 death toll now stands at 440, with the deaths of 15 more people yesterday. The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening. One of the new deaths occurred in Tobago. The Tobago Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development disclosed that the patient was a 38-year-old male with co-morbidities. Operatives are required at a major manufacturing company in Offaly EJ Ireland Acces Solutions is hiring in Birr. EJ is the leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of access solutions for water, sewer, drainage, telecommunications and utility networks worldwide. Across the world, we offer the broadest range of high-quality infrastructure access solutions. As an entrepreneurial family-owned company we have a long, successful heritage of meeting change with innovation. "We are a leading manufacturer and distributor of specialised iron, steel and composite access solutions in the Irish market. As part of our strategy to consolidate our position as market leader in Ireland, we are currently recruiting for the following full-time positions based in Birr, Co. Offaly. Semi-Skilled Operatives The successful candidates must have previous experience in one of the following areas Welding/Engineering/Carpentry. Work experience, good work ethic and excellent timekeeping skills are required. These positions are full-time permanent positions with a start date of February 2021. Please forward your CV in the strictest confidence by post or email before Friday, January 29, 2021. Chrissie Power Accounts & HR Manager EJ Ireland Access Solutions Ltd Roscrea Road, Birr, Co. Offaly R42 X009. chrissie.power@ejco.com EJ is an equal opportunities employer With news that a probable home has been found for the Slav Epic, a series of masterworks by the Czech artist Alphonse Mucha, we take a look at what the paintings represent. There have been years of legal wrangling between the city of Prague and the descendants of the artist Alphonse Mucha over his Slav Epic, a 20-painting sequence telling the story of the Slavic people. Now, an agreement finally appears to have been reached to house the work permanently in Prague. Mucha gifted his masterpiece to Prague in 1928 with the proviso that an exhibition space had to be built to house the paintings -- some measuring more than 8 meters wide. That building never materialized. But the developer of a retail center scheduled to open in 2026 in central Prague has vowed to build a space for the epic to be displayed. Muchas grandson, John Mucha, told The Art Newspaper that if everything goes ahead as planned with the development of the exhibition space, he would drop ongoing litigation -- allowing the paintings to be displayed in a permanent home. Here is a summary of what each of the canvases represent: The Slavs In Their Original Homeland Mucha set the opening of the story of his people around the 5th century, when Slavic tribes of Central and Eastern Europe had no unified political structure in place and were vulnerable to attacks from Germanic militias. The couple in the foreground is hiding in a forest as raiders burn their village. Hovering above the scene is a pagan priest flanked by two youths who represent both war and the peace that fighting for ones freedom can bring. The Celebration Of Svetovid Beginning around the 8th century in the northwest lands of the Slavic tribes, Slavs built a temple to the pagan god Svetovid on Rugen Island in what is now Germany. Danish forces destroyed the temple and the land was soon repopulated with ethnic Germans. This painting shows Slavic pilgrims, dressed in white, making the journey to Svetovid for a celebration. Most are oblivious to their enemies, represented by wolves at the top left, as they advance on the sacred island. The Introduction Of The Slavonic Liturgy By the mid-ninth century, many Slavs had adopted Christianity. The new faith was profoundly strengthened when the Slavic monks Cyril and Methodius translated Christian texts into a language now known as Old Church Slavonic. The script they created for the task is the basis for the Cyrillic alphabet used in Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Bulgaria, and many other countries today. The painting depicts Methodius in the top left wearing a white hood as he returns triumphantly from Rome where hed received the blessing of the pope to continue translating the Bible into a Slavic-friendly text. Figures floating at the top right represent rulers who helped the spread of Christianity in Slavic languages. The paintings subtitle, Praise The Lord In Your Native Tongue, captures the cultural significance of the moment. The Bulgarian Tsar Simeon When the followers of Methodius were evicted from Moravia, Tsar Simeon (at the center of the painting) invited them south to his Bulgarian kingdom to continue translating Christian texts. In this painting, members of Simeons court watch from the side as Moravian translators clutter the royal residence. Simeon is depicted in the midst of an impassioned debate. The Bohemian King Premsyl Otakar II Known as the Golden King for his enormous wealth, King Otakar II worked to forge close bonds with other Slavic rulers during the 13th century. Mucha depicted the Bohemian ruler extending his hands in friendship to two guests at the wedding of Otakars niece and the son of the king of Hungary. The Coronation Of Serbian Tsar Stepan Dusan Girls in traditional costumes lead a procession as the Serbian Tsar Stepan Dusan -- described as "perhaps the most powerful ruler in Europe" -- is crowned in Skopje in 1346. Dusan is in the center of the image dressed in white and gold. Dusan was lauded for vastly expanding territory held by Slavs in the south of Europe, and for a set of laws he enacted that served as a kind of medieval constitution. Milic Of Kromeriz Jan Milic was one of the first Christian men to publicly turn against what he felt was corruption within the Roman Catholic Church. In 1363, he walked away from his clerical titles and became a simple preacher. In this painting, Milic is depicted in a blue cloak with a beard atop scaffolding during the construction of a shelter for penitent prostitutes. The women at the bottom of the frame, apparently moved by Milics sermon, are seen in various stages of replacing their gauzy streetwear with the somber clothing of nuns. Master Jan Hus Preaching At The Bethlehem Chapel: Truth Prevails Jan Hus was another outspoken clergyman who criticized the excesses of the Roman Catholic Church. His Czech-language sermons inside the nondescript Bethlehem Chapel in Pragues Old Town electrified congregations. In 1415, after clashing repeatedly with church leaders, he was charged with heresy and burned at the stake. The Meeting At Krizky The cruelty of Jan Huss death sparked widespread anger in Czech lands and an underground movement opposing papal authority rapidly developed. This work depicts a secret gathering outside of Prague in 1419. A preacher named Koranda, wearing a brown cloak in the center right of the painting, calls on a crowd to take up arms as dark clouds gather in the background. After The Battle Of Grunwald The Teutonic Knights were a formidable Christian military force that regularly raided pagan Slavic territory in northeastern Europe through the 1300s. In 1410, a coalition of Polish and Lithuanian fighters advanced on the knights near their base in what is today the eastern part of Germany -- devastating the Germanic fighters in an infamous battle at Grunwald. This painting depicts the triumphant but shell-shocked Polish King Wladyslaw taking in the cost of the battle. After The Battle Of Vitkov Hill Mucha returns to the followers of Jan Hus, known as the Hussites, in this painting of the aftermath of a battle on the edge of Prague. The battle was fought in the summer of 1420 after Sigismund, the fiercely anti-Hussite Holy Roman Emperor, attempted to crack down on Pragues religious rebels. A small band of Hussites resisted Sigismunds army from their fortified position atop Vitkov Hill before a military force led by the legendary one-eyed warrior Jan Zizka surprised the invasion force from behind. The painting captures Zizka (right) in a shaft of sunlight standing above the enemys abandoned weapons during an impromptu religious service. Petr Of Chelcicky The misery of the Hussite wars is captured in this scene showing the aftermath of one of countless massacres of villagers by Hussite extremists. In the center right of the scene, the pacifist Petr of Chelcicky pleads with people not to seek vengeance. The Czech spiritual leader believed it impossible to physically destroy evil. The Hussite King Jiri Of Podebrady Due to the military endurance of the Hussites, Bohemia was able to crown native Czech Jiri of Podebrady in 1458. The Hussite ruler won popularity for his relatively moderate treatment of Catholics, and by reining in some of the more extreme Hussite factions. But Romes Catholic leadership refused to recognize his rule and demanded he return Bohemia to papal control. This painting shows the king (right) rejecting the demands of one of the popes diplomats. In the foreground, a boy indicates the end of cooperation with the Roman Catholic leadership by snapping shut a book titled Roma. Defense Of Szigetvar Against The Turks By Nikola IV Zrinski A new chapter in religious conflict opens with this painting of the Siege of Szigetvar by Turkish forces in 1566. The towns defenders are led by the Croatian nobleman Nikola IV Zrinski. The Ottomans eventually conquered the heavily fortified town in what is now southern Hungary and massacred the inhabitants. But the massive losses suffered by the invaders during the siege delayed Islams advance into Europe. A French cardinal later called Szigetvar the battle that saved [Western] civilization. The Printing Of The Bible Of Kralice In Ivancice The Unity of the Brethren was a religious sect founded on the principles taught by Jan Hus. In Muchas hometown of Ivancice, the scholarly brethren printed a Czech translation of the New Testament. In the leafy scene depicted by Mucha, brethren read through a new copy of the bible made by a printing press (right). Bibles printed at Kralice would prove crucial to the preservation of the Czech language through the turbulent events that followed. The Last Days Of Jan Amos Komensky In Naarden In 1619, Romes new emperor Ferdinand II used military might to reimpose Roman Catholic rule over Bohemia. Thousands fled the region after being given the choice to convert to Catholicism or become exiles. This painting captures the melancholy death of the beloved Czech educator and philosopher Jan Amos Komensky in 1670. He is seated in a chair on the Dutch coast. The lantern offers what Mucha called a flicker of hope in the gloomy scene as Komenskys followers dream of returning to their homeland. Holy Mount Athos Mount Athos is a sacred, monastery-dotted peninsula in northeastern Greece. It has long held significance for Slavs and was under Serbian administration for decades in the 1300s. Mucha visited the peninsula himself. In this painting, he depicted a crowd of Russian pilgrims paying homage in one of the peninsulas temples. Angels, some holding images of other Athos monasteries, float above the weary travelers. The Oath Of Omladina Under The Slavic Linden Tree Omladina (Youth) was the title given to violent street protesters in Prague in the late 1800s who were opposed to Austrian rule over Czech lands. In an infamous trial, dozens of the protesters received lengthy prison sentences. Mucha painted an idealized nationalist movement, with youngsters and politicians swearing allegiance to the goddess Slavia as she watches over from a perch in a linden tree. The Abolition Of Serfdom In Russia Russian society was dramatically changed in 1861 when Tsar Alexander II granted some 23 million serfs their freedom. Mucha traveled to Russia in 1913 to research the subject. His painting depicts crowds of Russian peasants milling around uncertainly on Moscows Red Square after learning of their new status as free men and women. Back in my high school English classes, we were treated to one Shakespearean play each year and were required to commit to memory a soliloquy from each. I can still recite the whole of Portias hymn to mercy from The Merchant of Venice. Sophomore year, the play was Julius Caesar, so as to coincide with our Latin course which had us translate Caesars De Bello Gallico. Marc Antonys panegyric for Caesar sprung to mind as one after another former friend and supporter of President Donald Trump flipped sides, essentially engaging in a favorite ancient Roman exercise of damnatio memoriae (the damnation or cancellation of the memory of someone). I pray that I have been sufficiently inoculated against that terrible virus. Sometimes friends are irked by my refusal to paint persons and situations with a broad brush, even bringing up good traits in otherwise bad individuals. I attribute that flaw of mine to a profound sense of justice, which is generally defined as giving to each person his due. Thats why, for example, I refused to get onboard the cancel McCarrick train as I pointed out all the good he had done (particularly as Archbishop of Newark, where he reclaimed Seton Hall University from secular control; banned General Absolution; brought Catholic schools back from the brink; packed the seminaries; returned the Archdiocese to full communion with the Catholic Church all done to undo the immense damage done by his predecessor.) I find myself in a similar place with the now-former President Trump. I do so with no small degree of trepidation, fearing that I might be opening myself up to the deprogramming called for by Katie Couric for members of the Trump cult. Let me be perfectly clear: Donald Trump is a flawed human being. And that is so because of the sin of our first parents. He can be very vulgar. His personal insecurity often caused him to regard alternate viewpoints in his orbit, not as the loyal opposition but as enemies. His name-calling (which at times can be quite entertaining) also came off as juvenile. All of those characteristics made me in early 2016 a NeverTrumper. As he became the frontrunner for the Republicans and Hillary Clinton became the Democratic nominee, I realized I had no moral alternative but to put a clothespin on my nose, change course, and vote for Trump -- and to use my God-given grace of Christian prophecy as a priest to convince others to do the same. With his election and in very short order thereafter, I repented of my negative judgment on the man (all the while wishing that his personal liabilities would disappear). Presently, I wish to take three excerpts of the eulogy Shakespeare places on Marc Antonys lips, using them as points of reflection: The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones. . . You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me. What good did Donald Trump do that should not be interred but should live after him? What could cause former supporters to commit damnatio memoriae? What will happen when men have lost their reason? What were the accomplishments of the Trump administration and how did they mirror classical Catholic social doctrine? Lets survey the landscape. Middle-class family income increased by nearly $6000. The lowest unemployment rate in half a century, with particular beneficiaries being African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, veterans, and those with disabilities. Poverty levels for Blacks and Hispanics reaching record lows. Tax relief for the middle class achieved. The creation of nearly 9000 Opportunity Zones to lift a million Americans out of poverty. Historic support rendered to farmers. The Child Credit Tax doubled to $2000. Over 230 federal judges confirmed, along with three justices for the Supreme Court -- judges who believe in judicial restraint and a strict mode of interpretation of the Constitution. An historic peace agreement brokered between Israel and Arab-Muslim countries. No new war launched for the first time in fifty years. Renewed attention given to the needs of veterans. This administration and President the most proactive in promoting the sanctity of human life, with actions too numerous to list here, but well symbolized by President Trumps being the first President to participate in the March for Life in person. Strong stances consistently taken to protect religious liberty in America and around the world, again too numerous to mention. Parental freedom of choice in education advocated. Historically Black colleges supported. The opioid crisis declared a national public health emergency, thus bringing it to the forefront. Those accomplishments would gladden the heart of true papal social justice warriors like Pope Leo XIII and Pope St. John Paul II -- and so, should not and cannot be forgotten. If all of this is the case, then how to explain defectors from Trumpism? Gutlessness and political maneuvering. And the very loss of reason that Shakespeare castigated. If Our Lord spoke well in asserting that by their fruits you will know them (Mt 7:16) -- and He always did speak well -- we can say that the Tree of Trump was (and still is) a very good tree. It is a tree that had its seeds in the social teaching of the Church and bore some astonishing fruit. Hence, far from erasing the memory of Donald Trump, I stand firm in holding it most dearly forever and intend to work and pray for the fruits he produced to remain. Marc Antonys paean to Caesar can provide salutary food for thought for a Catholic examination of conscience. It has led me to conclude that Donald Trump, malgre lui (in spite of himself), may well be deemed the first truly Catholic president. May we Catholics never forget the immense good that he did. I surely shant -- even if Couric gets me sent to one of her deprogramming re-education camps. That said, I believe that I am genetically prepared: Many of my Lithuanian, Ukrainian, and Polish ancestors endured the same. Photo: pixabay Two employees at a Value Village production facility in East Vancouver helped return over $85,000 to its rightful owner after they discovered the cash while sorting through donation bags. Earlier this week, two Value Village staff members discovered the money in envelopes containing bundles of cash totalling over $85,000, Vancouver Police spokesperson Cst. Tania Visintin told Vancouver Is Awesome. The staff contacted VPD, and officers were able to identify the owner of the money by using a bank receipt that was mixed in with the cash. "They unknowingly donated a bag containing the cash." A Value Village employee told V.I.A. that the money was found in an offsite production facility, rather than in a retail store. She noted that people often misplace valuable items and money when they make donations. "It's our policy that when we find money or valuables we return them as best as we can," she said. In this instance, the owner's details were noted on a bank receipt with the money. "It appears the money was stashed away 25 years ago, or longer, and was forgotten about by an elderly woman who recently moved into a care home," explained Visintin. "Her family was cleaning out an old storage locker and decided to donate some items to the thrift store when they unknowingly donated a bag containing the cash." Visintin added that the money will be given back to the owner. A Philadelphia homicide detective who had been placed on desk duty for allegedly using a racial slur on camera in 2018, then retired last year after being charged with DUI and threatening a responding officer has been accused of leading an investigation in which two witnesses were coaxed into identifying an innocent man as a murderer. Darren Rogers, 30, a father of three from Montgomery County, spent more than 14 months in prison awaiting trial on murder and related offenses before the charges were dismissed and he was freed in June 2019. Rogers lawsuit for malicious prosecution, filed Thursday in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, contends that then-Detective John Komorowski, possibly with the assistance of other detectives, pressured two reluctant witnesses to identify Rogers as the man who fatally shot Jamal Washington in North Philadelphia in July 2017. Rogers maintains that he had nothing to do with the shooting. Whats most alarming about this case is two witnesses told the same essential story about detective misconduct in photo array procedures, said attorney Jonathan Feinberg, who is representing Rogers in the civil case. They instructed witnesses which photo to identify. READ MORE: Philadelphia detective, under investigation for racial incident, busted for DUI and threatening an officer The first witness, who had been helping Washington with his wheelchair on the night of the shooting, initially provided police with a description of a gunman that bore no resemblance to Rogers other than the fact that Mr. Rogers is a Black male, according to the lawsuit. The suit claims that detectives insisted that Rogers was the shooter, leading the witness to sign a photograph identifying Rogers. At Rogers preliminary hearing, that witness testified that Rogers was not the shooter, and had a lighter skin tone and different beard than the shooter, the suit states. A second witness, who was taken into custody in March 2018 on a Family Court warrant and for driving without a license, identified Rogers as the gunman when prompted by Komorowski, according to the lawsuit. That witness testified at Rogers preliminary hearing that Rogers was the shooter, but later realized that he had previously met Rogers and his family and likely identified him as the perpetrator because he looked familiar, and under pressure from Komorowski, the suit contends. All charges against Rogers were dropped after that witness gave a statement to an investigator hired by Rogers defense lawyer and it was shared with the District Attorneys Office. Jane Roh, a spokesperson for District Attorney Larry Krasner, confirmed Friday that prosecutors withdrew the case after reviewing evidence showing that Rogers was not the perpetrator. She declined to elaborate. Feinberg said Rogers, who was not available for an interview Friday, had his world upended by the arrest. It set back his family life, Feinberg said. It prevented him and his girlfriend from pursuing their education and full-time work. Feinberg said it was unclear why police had focused on Rogers as a possible suspect. Komorowski, 51, was arrested in July after his vehicle allegedly struck two parked cars in North Philadelphia. He was allegedly intoxicated at the time, with his pants unzipped and belt undone, and told the responding officer: I will f you over and end your career. Ill find you. Go get a gun you piece of s, according to the police report. He was charged with DUI and making terroristic threats and is awaiting a preliminary hearing. At the time of his arrest, Komorowski was being investigated by Internal Affairs for a December 2018 video that surfaced on social media showing him getting out of a car in North Phila. and tucking in his shirt. The man recording the video accused Komorowski of soliciting a prostitute. Komorowski called the man a white n, and the video appears to show Komorowski being punched and ending up face down on the ground. Sgt. Eric Gripp, a police spokesperson, said Friday that Komorowski retired sometime after his July arrest. Hes not on the job anymore, Gripp said. Attorney Charles Gibbs, who is representing Komorowski in the criminal case, said he and his client had no comment Friday. The city Law Department did not have any immediate comment Friday. The city is not named as a defendant in the suit. BY JEFF HORVATH, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune About 2008, Melissa Kutney was scouring cubbies built into a room of her former Scranton home when she discovered a 19th century Bible and a broken rosary tucked away in a back corner, almost buried in insulation. Kutney, now of Thompson, held onto the mammoth Catholic Bible she found on North Garfield Avenue for more than a decade. It was missing its front cover, but Kutney considered the Bible a fascinating find. A family name, Blewitt, recorded several times in the antique book, piqued her curiosity and prompted research that last year led to an exciting discovery. The Blewitts memorialized in the Bible, researcher and genealogist Barbara Spellman Shuta eventually confirmed, were ancestors of President Joe Biden making the Bible a tangible manifestation of Bidens well-documented and frequently touted Scranton roots. The family record section of the Bible includes one recorded marriage and three deaths, including the deaths of Catherine Blewitt in February 1901, and her husband Patrick Blewitt on Nov. 26, 1911. Catherine Blewitt, whose hand-written name is misspelled as Cathrine in the Bible, and Patrick Blewitt were Bidens great-great grandparents on his mothers side of the family. Their son, Bidens maternal great-grandfather, Edward F. Blewitt, served as Scrantons city engineer before being elected a state senator, among other notable achievements. A Democrat, he won the 22nd District state Senate seat representing Lackawanna County in 1906. Doing her own research, Kutney knew the Blewitts were a prominent and historically significant family in Scranton, but didnt make the Biden connection. Motivated by a desire to return the heirloom to the familys descendants, she first tried to track down living ancestors before seeking assistance from St. Peters Cathedral the site of the marriage recorded in the Bible in late March. I thought that somebody might want it and it might be important to them, Kutney said. People dont really hold on to the old things like they used to, so I was hoping I could find somebody that would appreciate it. Thats when Shuta, a volunteer researcher at the Cathedral, got involved and got to work tracing the Blewitt family line down through the generations. Her pedigree chart details Bidens lineage. Edward F. Blewitt married Mary Ellen Stanton at St. Patricks Church in Scranton on May 10, 1879, according to Shutas chart. Their daughter, Bidens maternal grandmother, Geraldine Blewitt, married Ambrose Joseph Finnegan, Bidens maternal grandfather, in 1909. Bidens mother, Catherine Eugenia Finnegan, was born to the couple in 1917, and married Joseph R. Biden Sr. in May 1941. Joseph R. Biden Jr., who became president of the United States on Wednesday, was born in St. Marys Hospital on Hickory Street in South Scranton on Nov. 20, 1942. I was so excited I have to tell you, Shuta said of connecting the Bible to Bidens ancestors. I was beyond excited. Kutney gave Shuta the Bible in May, but the task of returning it to the Biden family remained. After fruitlessly exploring other avenues, Shuta happened to relate the Bible story to Lackawanna Historical Society Executive Director Mary Ann Savakinus, who reached out to Green Ridge resident Virginia McGregor. McGregor, who knows the Bidens and who the president recently nominated to serve as treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, emailed photos of the Bible to Bidens sister, Valerie Biden Owens, and asked if the family would want it. She already knew the answer. Knowing how deep the Catholic faith runs in the Biden family I knew they would want it back, McGregor said. And, not only because it was a Bible, (but) because it belonged to their ancestors, and it was the thread that connected them all. Valerie Biden Owens responded to the email almost immediately and provided her address, McGregor said. She sent the Bible July 31. In a handwritten note, Valerie Biden Owens thanked Savakinus for helping facilitate the return of the Bible. It is a treasure, and I cant wait to share it with my brothers, the note reads. Hopefully, God willing it will find a place with Joe in the White House. On behalf of all my brothers and myself thank you. For Savakinus, the Bible is yet more evidence that Joe Biden shares a similar heritage with many residents of Northeast Pennsylvania. As an artifact, the Blewitt Bible represents that heritage and a familys history, and Savakinus, Shuta, Kutney and McGregor said theyre pleased its back with the Bidens. I was just so happy that it was now back in their familys hands, because, as a genealogist, to me thats (of) the most value, Shuta said. I always feel really great when Ive helped any of the clients that Ive had over the years find the piece of information that unlocks the mystery of what theyve been trying to solve for so long, that gets them back to the generations beyond. Kutney said she plans to look for the broken rosary she found with the Bible more than a decade ago. Because I think theyd really want that as well, she said. Shuta also lauded Kutney for wanting to return the antique book to the Blewitts descendants. Truthfully, if it had not been for her appreciating the fact that there might be someone who would want this Bible ... none of this would have happened, Shuta said. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Homeless men and shelter staffers wait in an observation room after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech CCP virus vaccine at the Open Hearth men's shelter in Hartford, Conn., on Jan. 22, 2021. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images) Pfizer Shipping Fewer CCP Virus Vaccine Vials to US After Finding Extra Doses Pfizer said Friday it will be shipping fewer CCP virus vaccine vials after finding an extra dose in each vial. We will fulfill our supply commitments in line with our existing agreementswhich are based on delivery of doses, not vialsand we are confident in our ability to deliver 200 million doses of our vaccine to the U.S. government by July 31, a Pfizer spokesperson told news outlets. In a situation of limited vaccine supply amidst a public health crisis, our intent with this label change is to provide clarity to health care providers, minimize vaccine wastage, and enable the most efficient use of the vaccine. Each vial contains a certain number of doses. When vaccine administration began late last year, health personnel were told that each vial held five doses. Theyre now being told that each vial contains six doses, according to documents from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), though labels on the vials may state that only five doses are in a vial. Marion Gruber, director of the administrations Office of Vaccines Research and Review, said in a letter to Pfizer earlier this month that the FDA concurred with Pfizer that there are six 0.3 mL doses in a vial of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID19 Vaccine. Accordingly, we also concur with the related updates to the Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) that clarify that, after dilution, one vial of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine contains six doses of 0.3 mL, Gruber said. Pfizer is obligated to send 200 million doses to the United States by July 31, under agreements secured during the Trump administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), meanwhile, said Friday that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are not interchangeable. The messenger RNA vaccines are the only two that are authorized for use in the United States against COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Patients receive two shots spaced several weeks apart. The safety and efficacy of a mixed-product series have not been evaluated. Both doses of the series should be completed with the same product, the CDC stated in updated guidance. In exceptional situations in which the first-dose vaccine product cannot be determined or is no longer available, any available mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may be administered at a minimum interval of 28 days between doses to complete the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series, it added. Accused: Donald Trump is the first US president to be impeached twice. Photo: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta Donald Trumps impeachment trial could begin early next week after Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic House Speaker, vowed to send an article of impeachment charging the former president with incitement of insurrection to the Senate on Monday. It sets on course the second Senate trial for Mr Trump, the only US president to have been impeached twice, and the first to face trial after leaving office. The decision by Democrats to transmit the article from the House of Representatives effectively rejects a request from Republicans to delay the start of proceedings to give Mr Trump time to prepare his defence. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate leader, declined to give a timetable for the proceedings but the chambers rules dictate that the trial must begin very soon after the article of impeachment arrives. There will be a trial, Mr Schumer said. It will be a full trial, it will be a fair trial. Mr Schumer and his Republican counterpart, Mitch McConnell, have been negotiating the parameters for the trial for days. Democrats have proposed splitting the Senates day between hearings to confirm Joe Bidens cabinet appointments and the impeachment trial in order to allow the new president to push ahead with his bold agenda for his first 100 days in office. Mr McConnell had asked to delay a trial until mid-February so that Mr Trump would have time to select a legal team and determine his response to the charges. Read More But Ms Pelosi pushed back on the request as she announced the decision to transmit the articles, saying: We are respectful of the Senates constitutional power over the trial and always attentive to the fairness of the process, noting that the former president will have had the same amount of time to prepare for trial as our managers. The looming impeachment trial will be a source of frustration for Mr Bidens administration, with several key cabinet posts yet to be confirmed by the Senate. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, declined to be drawn on Mr Bidens views on the proceedings yesterday, saying the president believes the Senate should determine how to hold the former president accountable. The trial will be carried out with Democratic impeachment managers from the House serving as prosecutors and Mr Trumps lawyers delivering his defence. All 100 senators will serve as the jury and will vote to convict or acquit Mr Trump at the trials conclusion. Senators could still come to an agreement to allow extra time for pretrial written briefs to delay the start of the trial. But short of an agreement to push back the proceedings, the trial will begin in earnest on Wednesday. If Mr Trump is convicted, the Senate could vote to bar him from holding public office again, effectively ruling out a second run for the White House in 2024. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that she will send the article of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate on Monday, triggering the start of the former presidents trial on a charge of incitement of insurrection of the deadly Capitol Jan. 6 riot. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer announced Pelosis intentions for a quick trial on the Senate floor Friday, rejecting Republicans proposal to push it to mid-February to give Trump more time to prepare his case. Schumer said there will be a full trial, and it will be a fair trial. Senate Republicans are arguing in Trumps defense that it is pointless, and potentially even unconstitutional, to try a president after he has left office. But Democrats say they have to hold Trump to account because of the gravity of what took place a violent attack on the U.S. Congress aimed at overturning an election. If Trump is convicted, the Senate could vote to bar him from holding office ever again. Once the impeachment article is sent to the Senate on Monday, the trial would have to start by Tuesday, under Senate rules, unless leaders come to a bipartisan agreement. Pelosi said her nine impeachment managers, or House prosecutors, are ready to begin to make their case against Trump. Trumps team will have had the same amount of time to prepare, she said. Trump, who told his supporters to fight like hell just before they invaded the Capitol two weeks ago and interrupted the electoral vote count, is the first president to be twice impeached and the first to face a trial after leaving office. He is still assembling his legal team. Democrats say they can move quickly through the trial, potentially with no witnesses, because lawmaker witnessed the insurrection first-hand. The trial will come as the Senate, now in Democratic control, is also working to swiftly confirm President Joe Bidens Cabinet nominees and tackle the new administrations legislative priorities. Biden has repeatedly said that he believes the Senate can both try impeachment and move forward, though that will take some agreement from Republicans. Schumer said he is speaking to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell about the timing and duration of the proceedings ahead. White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Friday deferred to Congress on timing and would not say whether Biden thinks Trump should be convicted. But she said lawmakers can simultaneously discuss and have hearings on Bidens coronavirus relief package. We dont think it can be delayed or it can wait, so theyre going to have to find a path forward, Psaki said of the virus aid. Hes confident they can do that. Democrats would need the support of at least 17 Republicans to convict Trump, a high bar. While most Republican senators condemned Trumps actions that day, far fewer appear to be ready to convict. A handful of Senate Republicans have indicated they are open but not committed to conviction. But most have come to Trumps defense as it relates to impeachment, saying they believe a trial will be divisive and questioning the legality of trying a president after he has left office. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally who has been helping him find lawyers to represent him, said Friday there is a very compelling constitutional case on whether Trump can be impeached after his term an assertion that Democrats reject, saying there is ample legal precedent. Graham also suggested that Republicans will argue Trumps words on Jan. 6 were not legally incitement. On the facts, theyll be able to mount a defense, so the main thing is to give him a chance to prepare and run the trial orderly, and hopefully the Senate will reject the idea of pursuing presidents after they leave office, Graham said. Other Republicans had stronger words, suggesting there should be no trial at all. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso said Pelosi is sending a message to Biden that my hatred and vitriol of Donald Trump is so strong that I will stop even you and your Cabinet from getting anything done. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson suggested Democrats are choosing vindictiveness over national security as Biden attempts to set up his government. McConnell, who said this week that Trump provoked his supporters before the riot, has not said how he will vote. He told his GOP colleagues that it will be a vote of conscience. Responding to Schumers announcement that the article will be delivered, McConnell said Senate Republicans strongly believe we need a full and fair process where the former president can mount a defense and the Senate can properly consider the factual, legal and constitutional questions. The timing and details of the Senate trial eventually rest on negotiations between Schumer and McConnell, who are also in talks over a power-sharing agreement for the Senate, which is split 50-50 but in Democratic control because Vice President Kamala Harris serves as a tie-breaking vote. A trial delay could appeal to some Democrats, as it would give the Senate more time to confirm Bidens Cabinet nominees and debate the new round of coronavirus relief. Facing his second impeachment trial in two years, Trump was beginning to assemble his defense team and had hired South Carolina attorney Butch Bowers to represent him, according to an adviser. Bowers previously served as counsel to former South Carolina Govs. Nikki Haley and Mark Sanford. Trump is at a disadvantage compared with his first trial, in which he had the full resources of the White House counsels office to defend him and was easily acquitted of House charges that he encouraged the Ukrainian president to investigate Biden while withholding military aid. Graham helped Trump hire Bowers after members of his past legal teams indicated they did not plan to join the new effort. The riots two weeks ago left the Capitol badly shaken, and National Guard troops are still guarding the building. Five people, including a Capitol Police officer, died in the mayhem, and the House impeached Trump a week later, with 10 Republicans joining all Democrats in support. Pelosi said Thursday that it would be harmful to unity to forget that people died here on Jan. 6, the attempt to undermine our election, to undermine our democracy, to dishonor our Constitution. This year, the whole world bore witness to the presidents incitement, Pelosi said. ___ Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Columbia, S.C., and Jill Colvin in West Palm Beach, Fla., contributed to this report. Sunshine breaks over the east side of the U.S. Treasury Department building in Washington on March 23, 2009. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) 8 Million Households Yet to Claim CCP Virus Stimulus Payments: Treasury The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Friday that as many as 8 million households havent claimed CCP virus stimulus payments, despite being eligible. The Treasury said it will work to stand up an effort to help households who have not yet been able to access their stimulus payments get much-needed relief, adding that as many as 8 million households eligible for payments from the CARES Act signed in March 2020 may have not received them. Many of these households could be legally entitled to as much as $1,200 per adult, the Treasury announced on its website, adding that it will take steps designed to reach as many of these missed households as possible, to reach households that were not issued payments or who otherwise were unable to access their funds. Doing so will not only help households get billions in relief they are entitled to and need, but can increase the reach of new direct payments if Congress enacts them, the department noted. The department will work to launch online tools for Americans to claim their payments, and work to provide options for people who have not filed an income tax return to do so. It said it will also be taking efforts to reach people who may not have access to the internet or who cannot speak English. It will also be working to reach households that were issued checks and debit cards but didnt cash or activate their payments. The IRS and Treasury will work quickly to either reissue unclaimed benefits or conduct outreach with those who did not claim their benefits to encourage claiming the benefit on their 2020 tax return, while taking steps to prevent fraud byfor exampleturning off previously-issued debit cards when new payments are made, the department said. The Treasury will also be conducting research to better understand what groups of households were potentially eligible but didnt file for stimulus payments. The department said such research would allow greater outreach in ZIP codes with higher levels of non-payment or to households who benefit from other government assistance programs. President Joe Biden speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on Jan. 22, 2021. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images) The effort comes as a response to President Joe Bidens COVID-19 Economic Relief Executive Order signed on Friday which seeks to mobilize federal agencies to provide quick economic relief and aid to those affected by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes the disease COVID-19. Biden asked the Treasury to improve the delivery of relief payments, including to launch online tools for people to claim their payments, and analyzing unserved households to inform additional outreach efforts, according to the White House. The COVID-19 Economic Relief Executive Order is part of a pair of executive orders he signed on Friday aimed to help boost the economy affected by the CCP virus. In particular, the orders aim to increase food aid, make it easier to claim government benefits, protect unemployed workers, and point federal workers and contractors toward a $15 minimum wage. Both measures were largely stopgaps as Congress considers a $1.9 trillion stimulus plan from Biden, called the American Rescue plan. The plan, announced prior to Bidens inauguration, includes $1,400 direct stimulus payment checks that will be added on top of the $600 checks that were issued under the last stimulus, to effectively provide Americans a combined total of $2,000 in stimulus payments. The Associated Press contributed to this report. SUTD research team extends 4D printing to nanophotonics The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and its research collaborators have successfully demonstrated the four-dimensional (4D) printing of shape memory polymers in submicron dimensions which are comparable to the wavelength of visible light. This novel development has allowed researchers to now explore new applications in the field of nanophotonics. 4D printing enables 3D printed structures to change its configurations over time and is used in a wide variety of fields such as soft robotics, flexible electronics, and medical devices. Different materials such as hydrogels, liquid crystal elastomers and magnetic nanoparticles embedded resists along with corresponding printing methods like Direct Ink Writing (DIW), Polyjet, Digital Light Processing (DLP) lithography and Stereolithography (SLA) have been developed for 4D printing. However, the material and patterning challenges inherent to these methods limit the resolution of 4D printing to ~10 m at best. To improve the resolution of 4D printing, the research team developed a shape memory polymer (SMP) photoresist suitable for two-photon polymerization lithography (TPL). Integrating this newly developed resist with TPL, they investigated submicron 4D printing of SMPs at which scale the printed structures can interact strongly with visible light. By programming with pressure and heat, the submicron structures can switch between colourless and colourful states (see image). "It's remarkable that these 3D printed nanostructures are able to recover their shapes and structural colour after they've been mechanically flattened into a colourless, transparent state. This new resist that we've concocted allows for really fine structures to be printed while still retaining their properties as a shape memory polymer," said Associate Professor Joel K. W. Yang, principal investigator of the team from SUTD. "By characterizing the photoresist, we printed the SMPs with ~300nm half pitch. The resolution is an order of magnitude higher than traditional high-resolution printing methods such as DLP and SLA. The dimensions of the structures can be conveniently controlled by varying the printing parameters such as laser power, write speed and nominal height," added Wang Zhang, first author and PhD student from SUTD. ### This study was published in Nature Communications, a multidisciplinary journal that publishes high-quality research from all areas of the natural sciences. This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. President made his first calls to foreign leaders as America's commander in chief on Friday, dialing up Canadian Prime Minister and Mexican President Andrs Manuel Lopez Obrador at a strained moment for the US relationship with its North American neighbours. Biden's call to Trudeau came after the Canadian prime minister this week publicly expressed disappointment over Biden's decision one of his first acts as president to issue an executive order halting construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The long disputed project was projected to carry some 800,000 barrels of oil a day from the tar sands of Alberta to the Texas Gulf Coast, passing through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. In their private conversation, Biden told Trudeau that by issuing the order he was following through on a campaign pledge to stop construction of the pipeline, a senior Canadian government official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversation between the nations' leaders. Biden also spoke with Lopez Obrador on Friday, days after the Mexican president accused the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration of fabricating drug trafficking charges against the country's former defense secretary. While Mexico continues to pledge to block mass movements of Central American migrants toward the U.S. border, there has been no shortage of potential flashpoints between the two countries. Mexico demanded the return of former defense secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos after he was arrested in Los Angeles in October, threatening to restrict U.S. agents in Mexico if he wasn't returned. US prosecutors agreed to drop charges and return Cienfuegos to Mexico. But Mexico passed a law restricting foreign agents and removing their immunity anyway, and went on to publish the U.S. case file against Cienfuegos, whom Mexican prosecutors quickly cleared of any charges. Lopez Obrador said in a statement that the conversation with Biden was friendly and respectful." The two discussed immigration and COVID-19, among other issues. Trudeau told reporters before the call on Friday that he wouldn't allow his differences with Biden over the project to become a source of tension in the US-Canada relationship. It's not always going to be perfect alignment with the United States, Trudeau said. That's the case with any given president, but we're in a situation where we are much more aligned on values and focus. I am very much looking forward to working with President Biden. Biden signed the executive order to halt construction of the pipeline just hours after he was sworn in. Leaving the permit in place would not be consistent with my Administration's economic and climate imperatives, Biden's executive order said. Critics say the growing operations increase greenhouse gas emissions and threaten Alberta's rivers and forests. On the U.S. side, environmentalists expressed concerns about the pipeline which would cross the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the world's largest underground deposits of fresh water being too risky. But proponents of the project say it would create thousands of jobs on both sides of the border. The project was proposed in 2008, and the pipeline has become emblematic of the tensions between economic development and curbing the fossil fuel emissions that are causing climate change. The Obama administration rejected it, but President Donald Trump revived it and was a strong supporter. Construction already started. Biden and Trudeau also discussed the prospects of Canada being supplied with the COVID-19 vaccine from pharmaceutical giant Pfizer's facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan, according to a second senior Canadian government official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe a private conversation. Canada has been getting all its Pfizer doses from a Pfizer facility in Puurs, Belgium, but Pfizer has informed Canada it won't get any doses next week and will get 50% less than expected over the next three weeks. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has publicly asked Biden to share a million doses made at Pfizer's Michigan facility. The U.S. federal government has an agreement with Pfizer in which the first 100 million doses of the vaccine produced in the U.S. will be owned by the U.S. government and will be distributed in the U.S. Anita Anand, the Canadian federal procurement minister, has said the doses that are emerging from the Michigan plant are for distribution in the United States. The two leaders also spoke broadly about trade, defense and climate issues. Trudeau also raised the cases of two Canadians imprisoned in China in apparent retaliation for the arrest of a top Huawei executive, who was apprehended in Canada on a U.S. extradition request, according to the prime minister's office. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Przepraszamy! Ogoszenie na stanowisku: Release Manager wygaso z dniem 2021-01-29 Ta propozycja bya zozona przez Luxoft Mozliwe przyczyny wygasniecia ogoszenia to: propozycja zamieszczona przez pracodawce zostaa wycofana z naszych zasobow zleceniodawca zakonczy proces rekrutacji uzyskujac odpowiednia ilosc osob ogoszeniodawca zmodyfikowa tresc zlecenia i jest ono dostepne pod innym adresem WWW dostawca tresci usuna ogoszenie z bazy danych niewasciwy adres WWW ogoszenia Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w branzy Informatyka / Telekomunikacja, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Informatyka / Telekomunikacja Jezeli poszukujesz pracy na stanowisku Release Manager, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Release Manager Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w miescie: Krakow, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Krakow Pamietaj, ze mozesz takze rozpoczac poszukiwanie pracy od strony gownej, kliknij tutaj. Inne oferty, ktore mogy byc w kregu Twoich zainteresowan: The power of artificial intelligence (AI) to make better sense of data and make better decisions across industries is an old trend that's just gained people's respect in the post-pandemic world. During the panel discussion on 'Technology Re-Invented at the Workplace' at BT MindRush 2021, industry leaders -- Daisy Chittilapilly, MD, Digital Transformation Office, Cisco; Subram Natarajan, Chief Technology Officer at IBM India and South Asia; and Dr Rohini Srivathsa, National Technology Officer (CTO), Microsoft India -- explain how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies like AI and machine learning (ML) all across industries and verticals. "I think we're starting to see post-pandemic with a great degree of adoption of hybrid work. We're also seeing that shift from the external to the internal with enterprises using AI to focus on internal use cases, as well as use cases like employee productivity, employee experiences since Day 1," said Chittilapilly. In terms of industries, almost all sectors - banking, retail, government, communication - have leveraged AI across the board and used the technology to gain traction widely. The biggest concern for enterprises, businesses, and governments - which are all becoming more digitised - is to harness the power of AI to detect and to mitigate cybersecurity risks. Trend of AI staying beyond the pandemic In terms of the increase in the use of AI, India is among the biggest economy as compared to other countries, including the US, UK and Japan, says Srivathsa. The idea of engaging with customers through digital channels, through digital assistance and taking that customer experience to the next level will be an important one, said Srivathsa. The ability for manufacturing and office locations to become a lot more autonomous and a lot more resilient in terms of being able to have always-on facilities, even if there's a disruption will be important, said Srivathsa. There will be more and more digital assistants that will come into the workplace and there will be this augmentation of people and AI in terms of becoming more productive in terms of work, she added. India at the forefront of adopting AI, ML "If India becomes, for many organisations like IBM, Cisco, and Microsoft included, amazing hotbed or a laboratory for research on problems, it needs to have ability to do machine learning," Srivathsa stated. "Very interesting work is happening on low resource machine learning at the Edge (cross-platform web browser) from Microsoft research, that will become a key part for embracing intelligence in agriculture, healthcare and biodiversity... that is all across the board," she further added. In the language translation, the kind of work that is coming out of India is allowing the support of more than 10 languages that can enable more than 90 per cent of Indians to access information. Data India is generating for AI, ML to be a game-changer "The key is approaching this in a more pragmatic way of how we take the data to go through the necessary transformation. Not only collecting the data, but organising it, analysing it, and then bringing the AI part of it. Because if you have bad data, you will end up with bad AI. That whole life cycle, also called AI ladder, is absolutely critical. It's more of a pragmatic way of how you adept it," said Natarajan. "India being data-rich is good, but the ability to leverage and bring value from that data just supercritical by itself. By itself, the data doesn't do much. You have algorithms and compute to work on it too. And then be part of business processes to really create value," said Srivathsa. India in terms of adoption of industrial robotics "The penetration of industrial robots is fairly poor. If you take global statistics, India has about three robots for every 10,000 workers. On the other hand, the US, which is not the best in class, has almost 189 industrial robots for every 10,000 workers," explains Chittilapilly. "The pandemic has already sped up the adoption of robotics. Because one of the things that manufacturing companies have come to realise is we can no longer have a situation where plants are closed for two months," Chittilapilly added. "Consideration for a country like India is always on how do you shift your semi-skilled workers or poorly skilled workers? This conversation about increased industrialisation, robotic adoption has to go hand in hand with where will you relieve these workers? What jobs you create for them," said Chittilapilly. Srivathsa said, "India will have to take a unique approach to automation in my view. And what I mean by that is that we will have to find a way in which our workforce has the ability to use AI in an augmented fashion. I don't think we will be able to take the best way of automating some things because the labour cost structure is completely different." She added, "Also, how do we ensure that the machine learning and automation is augmenting human skills of all, there'll be certain areas where there are safety concerns, or there is the danger of a human being getting fatigued... I think the skilling in India is also unique because it is not just skilling of technical stuff, it is not a skilling of people who've built AI systems, but there's also skilling of people use AI systems." "I think there's catching up to do. Statistically, I think there is there's a lot of stuff that we're doing. Probably because of the cost arbitrage structure, we never made that significant advancement in this area. But what we are seeing is that the whole pandemic has reminded us that we need to start introducing robotics at scale. Not only just bring the skills to a much more standardised and more uniform delivery of the products and services, but more to do with how you redeploy the existing skill, the human skills to higher-value jobs," said Natarajan. "Where the industries have focused on, particularly the manufacturing and process, is to introduce many of these functions associated with AI into their process. Also, not necessarily just repetitively doing what a robot would do, but for example, a visual inspection where typically a human being is involved in really inspecting and validating the quality of the product," he added. "Similarly, you see the introduction of robots and AI complementing each other, and the investments that are going into those areas are on the increase," added Natarajan. Future of workplaces post-adoption of AI, ML "The technology itself is evolving to trusted and open frameworks becoming much more evolutionary, and it will become so ubiquitous. So, we don't even realise that they are part of how we conduct ourselves, both at home, as well as at office," he added. "What we will see is the adoption of many of these technologies, including AI at scale. And that would require a fair bit of you know, transparency of the technology that we use, the trust and transparency, and that will be an area where a lot of companies will grow and will see people wanting to adopt this, establishing the trust," said Natarajan. "The biggest thing is that we must all keep an open mind to how we will all have to make shifts, whether that's the way we go to work or not go to work physically, the way we think about work, who we share that work with," said Chittilapilly. Also Read: MindRush 2021: How companies 'rebuilt' businesses amid Covid-19 crisis Also Read: MindRush 2021: 'After Covid-19, hybrid work culture is way forward but companies need to plan better' Also Read: MindRush 2021: FPI inflows, corporate earnings driving up market, says IIFL Chairman Nirmal Jain (Natural News) MeWe, the anti-Facebook social media website, has seen a surge in new membership following concerns regarding data privacy and the recent mass waves of censorship of conservative speech in popular big tech-controlled websites. People all over the world are leaving Facebook and Twitter in droves, said MeWe spokesperson David Westreich during an interview with Fox Business on Thursday, Jan. 21, because they are fed up with the relentless privacy violations, surveillance capitalism, political bias, targeting and newsfeed manipulation by these companies. MeWe solves these problems. According to MeWe, this week alone the company added about 2.5 million new members to its fledgling social media website. Back in June 2020, they only had about eight million members. Thanks to the recent exodus from more mainstream social media websites, MeWes total user base now numbers around 16 million. MeWes business model puts it in stark contrast with the traditional social media models used by the likes of Facebook and Twitter. Westreich claims that this is part of the websites appeal, as it is the anti-Facebook social media website. MeWe is an ad-free platform. For many, this alone is a great bonus, as it allows people to freely browse the website without their data being collected for targeted advertising. Furthermore, MeWe founder Mark Weinstein has vowed to not censor any user for behavior that Facebook or Twitter might consider a violation of their policies. Weinstein is, of course, referring to political speech that, if published on the latter websites, would cause a user to be censored, or worse, deplatformed. On the homepage of MeWes website, potential new users are greeted with the slogan: Your private life is #Not4Sale. No Ads. No Sypware. No BS. Users are also given the opportunity to look through MeWes Privacy Bill of Rights, which states that the platform is never going to manipulate, filter or change the order with which content goes through a users newsfeed. The company has also pledged to never use facial recognition technology. Furthermore, while the company stresses the primacy of free speech, the websites terms of service prohibit users from posting content that is considered to be hateful, threatening, harmful or incites violence. During an interview with the Associated Press, Weinstein stressed the importance of keeping speech free from censorship on his website. We have absolutely no censorship for good people who follow our rules. We dont care what your opinion is, if youre on the right or the left. Thats none of our business. Also, MeWes structural design prohibits the amplification [of misinformation]. Members do moderation for us, but a very deep violation can lead to immediate removal and being reported to outside authorities. For others, a member can be [temporarily suspended] and then a three-strike rule applies. Privacy-focused alternatives gaining boost in membership On Monday, Jan. 18, for the first time since the website and its companion app were launched in 2016, MeWe became the second most downloaded social app in the Google Play Store. And the only social network on the list that treats its members as customers to serve not data to share, target or sell, bragged the company on their Twitter account. MeWes current boost in membership is the second time the site has experienced a sudden influx of new members. The first time this happened was during the Nov. 2020 election when the website, along with other free speech social media alternatives like Gab and Parler, experienced a surge in membership amid concerns that Twitter, Facebook, Google and other big tech companies were cracking down on conservative speech. This trend of leaving sites that do not guarantee privacy, freedom of speech and freedom from data collection is occurring not just for social media websites. End-to-end encrypted messaging services like Signal and Telegram have also gained a recent boost as users flee the Facebook-owned WhatsApp. (Related: Millions of WhatsApp users are leaving after company announced new privacy policy that will FORCE users to share data with Facebook.) Even the search engine DuckDuckGo, which has placed an emphasis on not tracking what people search, and making sure everybody gets the same search results, has experienced an increase in traffic to its website. The company has said that it has seen a 62 percent increase in site visits in recent weeks as users flee from Google, Yahoo and Bing. People are coming to us because they want more privacy, and its generally spreading through word of mouth, said DuckDuckGo Vice President for Communications Kamyl Bazbaz. People are looking for alternatives to the surveillance-tech business model. Weve seen this happen before, he added. When a high profile privacy issue is exposed, we generally see an increase in use. Learn more about how MeWe and other privacy- and free speech-focused alternatives are standing up to big tech censorship and data theft by reading the latest articles at TechGiants.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com USAToday.com APNews.com Twitter.com Howrah: Several people were injured and many vehicles vandalised as BJP and Trinamool Congress supporters clashed in West Bengal's Howrah district on Saturday (January 23), police said. BJP alleged that a party member was shot at, while some were beaten with rods and sticks. Crude bombs were also allegedly hurled during the street fight at Bally, triggering panic in the area. Besides, a few bikes and a police vehicle were vandalised, officials said. On Friday, Bally MLA Baishaki Dalmia was suspended by the Trinamool Congress for alleged anti-party activities, hours after Domjur MLA Rajib Banerjee resigned as a minister in the Mamata Banerjee government. Police were yet to confirm about the firing but the BJP claimed that party member Promod Dubey who received a bullet injury in a firing at Abhra Sen Street was rushed to the Howrah hospital. Police said that a huge contingent has been deployed in the area to control the situation and prevent any further flare-ups. Local TMC leaders said that some BJP members were allegedly extorting money from shops in the area, following which people of the area protested and roughed them up. As the BJP men blocked the GT Road in protest, some TMC supporters tried to remove them, triggering the violence. TMC claimed that BJP supporters hurled crude bombs and set on fire some vehicles to foment trouble in the peaceful locality. Live TV Gregory Sierra, who played major supporting roles on classic 1970s sitcoms including Sanford And Son and Barney Miller, has died at age 83. The New York Cityborn actor passed away on January 4, but a spokesman for his family only shared the news on Friday via Deadline. He died of cancer in Laguna Woods, California, his family revealed. Television star: Gregory Sierra, best known for being a regular on Sanford And Son and Barney Miller in the 1970s, died in Laguna Woods, California, on January 4 of cancer at age 84 In 1972, Sierra began one of his most popular roles as Julio Fuentes on the sitcom Sanford And Son, which starred Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson as the title characters. His character Julio, a New York-born Puerto Rican, moves in next to Fred and Lamont Sanford in the show's second season. Julio had an often testy relationship with Foxx's bigoted lead, who repeatedly told him to go back to Puerto Rico, though Lamont often tried to smooth out their differences. In 1975, Sierra joined the police comedy Barney Miller as Sgt. Miguel 'Chano' Amanguale. Laugh riot: In 1972, Sierra began one of his most popular roles as Julio Fuentes on the sitcom Sanford And Son, which starred Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson as the title characters; still from Sanford And Son The enforcer: In 1975, Sierra joined the police comedy Barney Miller as Sgt. Miguel 'Chano' Amanguale, who stole the show in the dramatic episode The Hero; still from Barney Miller His character provided comic relief with outbursts in Spanish when he got overheated. The comic series took a serious turn with the episode The Hero, in which Chano gunned down two suspects to prevent a robbery. Although his costars, including Hal Linden as the title character and Abe Vigoda as Sgt. Fish, recommend him for a commendation, he's overcome with guilt. 'I think Barney Miller is much more real than any other cop show,' Sierra said in an interview for the 1976 critical study TV Talk 2: Exploring TV Territory, via The Hollywood Reporter. 'The people in the show have real problems. Kojak never worries. He knows he's got it made. Everything is always under control on that show. You never see the frustrations of police work or the kind of joking that goes on among real policemen. Those are the kinds of things we show on.' Bad timing: Sierra was written off Barney Miller with no explanation after the second season so that he could star on the sitcom A.E.S. Hudson Street, which was set in an emergency room and led by Barney Miller creator Danny Arnold; seen on the Barney Miller set in 1974 Sierra, who was born in New York City's Spanish Harlem, also had a notable role on All In The Family's 1973 episode Archie Is Branded as a 'radical Jewish vigilante.' Sierra was written off Barney Miller with no explanation after the second season so that he could star on the sitcom A.E.S. Hudson Street, which was set in an emergency room and led by Barney Miller creator Danny Arnold. However, the show only lasted for six episodes before being canceled. Sierra continued to have important recurring roles on the police drama Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice and Murder, She Wrote. Varied career: Sierra also appeared on film with roles in Beneath The Planet Of The Apes, Papillon and The Towering Inferno; pictured with Alan Thicke on Growing Pains Sierra was best known for his work on television, but he appeared in high-profile films throughout his career. He played a mutant in 1970s Beneath The Planet Of The Apes and appeared alongside Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen in the prison break classic Papillon. He played a bartender in the 1974 disaster film The Towering Inferno and had a small part in 1992's Honey I Blew Up The Kid. Sierra's last released film was Orson Welle's experimental movie The Other Side Of The Wind, which was filmed throughout the early and mid-1970s, but not completed and released until 2018. Four persons died and 11 were hospitalised following an explosion at a gas plant in Agbor, Delta State, on Friday, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has confirmed. The governor disclosed this to journalists on Saturday after visiting the plant, destroyed property and families of victims of the incident. He described the fire disaster as an unfortunate incident and announced that the state government would pick the bill for medical treatment of the victims. He said the patients were referred to a specialised centre for the treatment of burns at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for further treatment because of the high degree of burns they sustained. It was an unfortunate fire incident involving a gas station where the tanker was trying to discharge gas, he said. We have visited the place and the victims and we have seen the extent of damage caused by the inferno. We lost four persons, three children and a woman. After my visit to the two families that lost their dear ones, I also visited the Central Hospital at Agbor where they were initially rushed to with varying degree of burns ranging from 80 to 90 per cent. They were immediately offered medical services even though they wouldnt have been able to attend to them because of the extent of the burns so they have to transfer them to the Federal Medical Centre Asaba and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital with aid of ambulances provided by the State Government. I have directed the Commissioner for Health to make some deposits at the hospitals to enable them have full treatment, he said. The governor said that complaints of inadequate medical care for the victims at the Agbor Central Hospital were misplaced, adding that most people who complained didnt have an idea of what they were talking about. I have listened and heard the complaints. Haven listened to the Medical Director and the extent to which they went, obviously the patients had severe and extensive burns. Any burn that is above 30 per cent is a major burn and we are talking about 80 to 90 per cent burns here. So they needed to be moved to UBTH, a specialised centre for the treatment of burns. When you have such a degree of burns many hospitals will not accept them because the survival rate is low, Mr Okowa said. On siting of gas plants at residential areas, he said he would liaise with the State House of Assembly to come up with a law regulating such investments. Obviously its a sad situation and we thank God that this one wasnt close to a densely populated area otherwise the damage would have been more. I have just told the member representing Ika South Constituency, Hon. Festus Okoh, that I am going to meet with the House of Assembly to enact a law to that effect, he stated. ADVERTISEMENT Photo: The Canadian Press Two families walk up to a COVID-19 test clinic in Montreal, on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson A group of large businesses in Banff National Park is proposing a rapid COVID-19 testing project meant to help reopen the economy safely. Yannis Karlos, the head of the group, said rapid testing can guarantee the safety of the community while allowing the return to a semblance of normality in a place heavily dependent on tourism. "We're just looking for options to take a different approach to ensure that our community remains safe," said Karlos, who owns a distillery and restaurant in Banff, Alta. "Back in March, our community basically fully shut down and we had an extremely high level of unemployment," he said. Karlos said the group of businesses that represent 5,300 employees would cover the costs of deploying COVID-19 rapid tests if the Alberta government will supply them. "The way we envision it is becoming a public-private partnership, so we're looking for some assistance from the municipality as well as from the province," he said. Town of Banff spokesman Jason Darrah said the municipality will support the project. "We want to support however possible, such as offering facilities for doing it," he said. Sandy White, the co-founder of a coalition of academics, medical professionals and business leaders called Rapid Test and Trace Canada, which is working with the businesses in Banff, said millions of rapid tests already bought and distributed by the federal government are sitting in warehouses across Canada because provincial governments are either unable or unwilling to deploy them. "The overall mismanagement of this file in particular, to say nothing of vaccines and everything else, has been depressingly indicative of Canada's response to this thing," he said. White, who himself owns two inns in Banff, said other countries have responded to the pandemic more efficiently than Canada using rapid tests and other measures to reopened their economies safely. "We are drowning in this situation and we've had a year to get all these wonderful things in place and we could be Taiwan or South Korea or Australia or New Zealand but we're not," he said. "That's very frustrating." White said the 90-day rapid-testing project proposed for Banff would aim to test as many of the town's roughly 8,800 residents as possible within the first two days. After that, the program would test between five and 10 per cent of residents every day. "We are quite confident that with a strategy like that, we can eradicate COVID within the community," he said. Banff had close to 200 active cases of COVID-19 at the end of November, when the economy had reopened and tourists were in town. "The goal really is to be able to safely reopen the economy and encourage tourists to come back to town," he said, noting local jobs depend on tourism. He said the program could also be used as a "test case" to prove that a rapid-testing strategy can work to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. White said his organization is speaking with several groups across the country, including universities and Indigenous communities, to prepare rapid-testing project proposals. "It would be us advising and assisting in setting up pilots and executing on them with the government really just providing testing services in the form of the tests and maybe some basic guidance," he said. chief on Saturday visited the city-based (SII), where a major fire had broken out two days ago, killing five persons. Sources in the SII said, Pawar visited the affected building around noon and took stock of the situation. Serum's CEO, Adar Poonwalla, accompanied Pawar. In a tweet, Pawar later said, "Visited the Serum Institute in Pune along with @adarpoonawalla and reviewed the present situation there, after the unfortunate fire incident." Five men died in the fire that broke out in a five- storey building in the SII's Manjaripremises on Thursday. The Manjari facility is where Covishield, the SII vaccine against COVID-19, which is being used in the nationwide inoculation drive against the infection, is made. The building where fire broke out is one km from the Covishield vaccine manufacturing unit. On Friday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had paid a visit to the SII to inspect the fire site. The SII on Friday said it has suffered losses to the tune of over Rs 1,000 crore due to the devastating fire. Thackeray had said that a probe into the incident was on and whether the blaze was an accident or sabotage will be known after it. Pawar had said in Kolhapur that the fire was an "accident" and that there was "absolutely no doubt about the integrity of scientists" working with the Pune-based vaccine major. Police and other agencies are investigating the incident. Jessica Hart welcomed her first child, a daughter named Baby, in December with her doting fiance James Kirkham. An on Saturday, the 34-year-old model shared a rare image of the father-daughter duo on social media, showing her little girl staring off into the distance while laying in the arms of the sleeping NASCAR driver. She simply captioned the picture: 'My heart'. So cute! Jess Hart has shared a rare snap of her newborn daughter, Baby, alongside her fiance James Kirkham after the pair welcomed her in December The touching post comes just weeks after Jess announced the little girl's arrival online. '11/17/2020 The day my life changed forever. Meet our little angel, BABY after 14 days past our "due date" and 28 hours of (hell) labour,' she wrote. 'Baby joined us earth side and I haven't stopped smiling since - according to James, so grateful for this little soul. 'Baby is everything I ever imagined and so much more. Thank you for choosing us to be your parents, Baby. I promise we won't let you down.' Happy days: The couple announced in September that they were expecting their first child together In October, James proposed to the beauty in front of her family and friends at their beachside baby shower in Malibu, California, before she gave birth to their daughter two months later. However, their decision to name her 'Baby' was soon met with drama. Weeks after her birth, it was rumoured that her friend Sasha Benz wasn't too happy with the choice, seeing as she named her daughter Baybi almost three years ago. Sources with knowledge of the situation told the Sydney Morning Herald the naming had caused a rift between the two women, but Sasha later confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the pair have patched things up. 'Of course Jess and I are still friends. We chatted it out a few weeks back, and I am happy she has a name she loves for her beautiful girl,' Sasha said. Bride-to-be: In October, James proposed to the beauty in front of her family and friends at their beachside baby shower in Malibu, California Sasha welcomed her daughter Baybi in 2018 with her partner DJ Oli Benz. A source told The Sydney Morning Herald that Sasha was 'devastated' her close friend would choose something so similar to her daughter's name - and while she did not dispute this, she did confirm their feud was well and truly over. 'This is her moment and I want her to enjoy this beautiful part of becoming a mother,' Sasha told Daily Mail. 'Baybi is almost three now and our new babies are only weeks apart, so it's more important that they all grow up knowing there are more important things to care about, and both Jess and I agree on that.' 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. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is cautiously optimistic of a multibillion-dollar boost to the Australian economy from a faster vaccine rollout, but has warned that the domestic and global economic situations remain uncertain as countries around the world battle the coronavirus pandemic. While Octobers budget forecast a $34 billion, one-year boost to the economy if the vaccine rollout got under way from July 2021, Mr Frydenberg is now warier reflecting the December budget update, and the accelerating spread of the virus in the United States, Britain and Europe about what the exact economic dividend from mass vaccinations will be. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and his wife Amie, daughter Gemma, son Blake and their dog Fonzie. Credit:Joe Armao In last years budget we made it clear that an earlier rollout of the vaccine could deliver a multibillion-dollar upside to the Australian economy. But prudence is a virtue and none of the gains can or should be locked in until such a situation eventuates, he said. There is still much uncertainty about the virus and its global and domestic economic impact. Tables will be limited to no more than four people indoors or six people outdoors; face coverings must be worn at all times except when seated and actively eating or drinking; tables must be spaced 6 feet apart; indoor service will be limited to a maximum of two hours; and bars and restaurants must close by 11 p.m. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? On Wednesday, poet Amanda Gorman read her poem, The Hill We Climb, at the swearing-in ceremony of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. By Thursday, the 22-year-old was a superstar. Gorman is the youngest poet in U.S. history to mark the change of presidential power. Past inaugural poets include famous writers like Robert Frost and Maya Angelou. Gorman is a native of Los Angeles, California, and in 2017 was named the countrys first Youth Poet Laureate. She recently completed her studies at Harvard University. On Wednesday, Gorman offered a hopeful future for a deeply divided country. We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be. A country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free. Her reading -- and the ceremony as a whole -- took place exactly two weeks after a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump attacked and occupied the U.S. Capitol Building. Gorman says she had completed a little more than half of The Hill We Climb before the January 6 attack at the Capitol. That day gave me a second wave of energy to finish the poem, Gorman told The Associated Press. She chose not to make direct note of the attack, but her references to the event were clear: We've seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it. Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy. And this effort very nearly succeeded. But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. Hours after the inauguration, her two books -- which are to be released later this year -- became number 1 and 2 on Amazon.coms sales list. Gorman's poetry collection The Hill We Climb and her childrens book Change Sings are set to be published in September. I'm Ashley Thompson. Ashley Thompson adapted this story based on reports by Reuters news agency and The Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story poet - n. a person who writes poems poem - n. a piece of writing that usually has figurative language and that is written in separate lines that often have a repeated rhythm and sometimes rhyme inaugural - adj. happening as part of an official ceremony or celebration when someone (such as a newly elected official) begins an important job : happening as part of an inauguration poet laureate - n. a poet who is honored by being chosen for an official position by a ruler or government reference - n. the act of mentioning something in speech or in writing periodically - adv. happening regularly over a period of time New Delhi, Jan 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the nation in remembering Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary which has been marked as Parakram Divas or the day of valour by the union government. "I bow before India's great son Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose -- a great freedom fighter and true son of Mother India, on his birth anniversary. A grateful nation will always remember his sacrifice and dedication for the independence of the country.#ParakramDivas," PM Modi tweeted earlier in the day. He will be in Kolkata later participating in two programmes, one at the National Library and the other at Victoria Memorial Hall. "There was an infinite flow of immense courage and unique resolve of power within Subhas Babu. His amazing personality and vibrant voice created the tidal wave in people's heart to achieve freedom. His life is an inspiration for the youth of this country," tweeted Home Minister Shah and paid floral tributes in Guwahati before Bose's statue. "Even imprisonment didn't deter our patriots from fighting for India's freedom, Netaji encapsulated that determination," Congress tweeted with a poster saying 11 times Netaji was imprisoned between 1921-41 by the British. "Paid tribute to one of India's greatest patriot Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Jankinath Bhawan, his birthplace in Cuttack. Celebrating this day as #ParakramDivas is a befitting tribute to Netaji and a just honour for his stellar contribution in the freedom struggle of our nation," Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted. "Humble tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary. His entire life was dedicated to the cause of India's independence. His sacrifices, struggle, valour and patriotism would inspire generations to come," Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted. Modi will inaugurate a permanent exhibition called Nirbheek Subhas, inaugurate a projection mapping show on Netaji, unveil the book 'Letters of Netaji, release a commemorative coin and memorial postal stamp and felicitate the veterans of the Indian National Army (INA) during the day. He had mentioned in his tweets on Friday about little anecdotes from Netaji's life and time. The West Bengal government has also lined up special programmes to commemorate the day. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Portland patrol sergeants last summer ignored dozens of calls for service placed to 911 dispatchers without sending an officer or contacting the callers to let them know not to expect a response. Supervisors in the citys Bureau of Emergency Communications alerted their boss to the problem on Aug. 28, according to records obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive through public records requests. The supervisors were hearing from angry 911 callers who were calling back to ask why no one had shown up to help them, the records show. They are often understandably upset at the delay and become more upset when told PPB has closed their call without action or notification, Patrick Jones, client services manager for the Emergency Communications Bureau, wrote in the late August memo to Director Bob Cozzie. Police Bureau policy requires officers to make direct contact with a 911 caller if no one plans to respond. Theyre supposed to explain the reason why and refer the person to a different resource if possible. Neither police nor dispatch supervisors said they had a full accounting of the calls dismissed and what they were about. The close-outs appeared to be occurring roughly in July and August according to memos from dispatch supervisors and the police chief. But no one apparently has gone back to do a full review. Police officials indicated they involved lower-level crime reports with no immediate threat of physical harm. During the last week in August, for example, Jones said supervisors in all three Portland police precincts directed emergency dispatch to close out numerous calls for service that had been on hold for hours. In just two days -- Aug. 21 and 23 -- police closed at least 38 calls to 911 without police response or contact with the caller, according to emergency dispatch records. When a dispatch supervisor reminded a police sergeant in late August of the police obligation to make contact with callers before closing out a call, one sergeant told the dispatch supervisor that the Police Bureau was far too busy to make those calls, Jones wrote. That is certainly true, just as it is true that BOEC is far too busy to make the calls or to receive the inevitable calls from angry complaints wondering why police have not responded, Jones wrote to his boss. On Aug. 21, an East Precinct sergeant before 9 a.m. directed a dispatch supervisor to close out more than 10 calls that had been holding in a police que for more than five hours, according to Jones. Two days later, about 7:25 a.m., the same sergeant directed a dispatch supervisor to close out 28 calls holding for more than two hours, according to Jones. Jones also alerted a police lieutenant at the end of August, noting that he wasnt surprised but felt police needed to address the issue. With our 9-1-1 call wait times at unprecedented highs and the dispatch staff overwhelmed, I feel obligated to share the information with you in the unlikely possibility some kind of solution exists, he wrote. The Police Bureau command staff then reminded police supervisors of the bureau callback policy, adopted in 2016. Its always a learning process and sometimes things get missed. This was an opportunity to remind everybody of the expectation at the command level, said Capt. Tina Jones. The key is once it was brought to our attention we addressed it. It appears police leaders didnt try to find out how many calls had been closed out without notification or exactly what those calls were about. Chief Chuck Lovell, in a memo to Mayor Ted Wheeler last month, wrote that the calls were primarily low priority requests for service that had held overnight and then been canceled by a precinct sergeant the next morning. He blamed nightly social justice protests and staffing constraints for the lack of a response. Throughout the increase in nightly violence, there were some isolated incidents in which police did not respond, and low priority calls were cancelled, Lovell wrote. The matter was addressed in a phone call to precinct commanders and a follow-up discussion in an operations managers meeting, led by the assistant chief of operations on Sept. 1, he said. Lovell gave the mayor a few examples of calls that were canceled: a July 1 call at 12:22 a.m. about illegal fireworks being set off near railroad tracks at Northeast 105th and Sandy Boulevard and a harassment call in which an ex-partner was reported to be slow-rolling past the callers Southeast Portland home just before midnight on July 1. In the harassment call, an officer did phone the caller, told her that no crime had been committed and and said the caller could seek a restraining order. Command staff also reviewed bureau expectations with the specific sergeant involved in closing out the calls on Aug. 21 and 23, Lovell said. Bureau policy says any supervisor or manager who decides police wont respond shall, as soon as practical but no later than the end of shift, speak with the person requesting police services and explain why there will be no police response. A decision to cancel police response carries with it the obligation to ensure the person requesting police service is informed why there will be no response, the policy says. Steve Mawdsley, assistant operations manager at the Emergency Communications Bureau, wrote to his command staff and the director on Sept. 3 that the Police Bureau planned to drum the policy into their own precinct supervisors. That means, Mawdsley said: Police shouldnt drop calls for service simply because theyve been on hold for a long time. The calls must remain open until theyre addressed and police must contact a caller if they plan to cancel a call. In early December, the police chief wrote to the mayor: There have not been additional issues with the sergeant, or the Police Bureau as a whole, related to cancellation of calls. Wheeler had asked in late November for more information about police response times, noting that his office had been receiving increased reports from residents saying officers were taking too long to respond to calls or not responding at all. Wheeler, who serves as the citys police commissioner, said he understood the Police Bureau was dealing with competing public safety demands and staffing shortages. However, I am increasingly concerned that priority calls are taking too long to receive a response and that some calls may not be responded to at all, leaving community members without adequate public safety service in Portland, he wrote. Police Bureau figures show the slowest police response time in the last half of 2020 occurred in August, when it took an average of 16.4 minutes to respond to high-priority calls and an average of two hours and nine minutes to respond to low-priority calls. From July 1 through Dec. 31, the average response time to high-priority calls was 12.8 minutes and 92 minutes to low-priority calls. The 911 calls peaked in August, with 51,765, and dropped to 42,197 in December, according to emergency dispatch records. The 33-year-year-old woman who made the harassment call on July 1 said someone called back and said police couldnt help her, citing their staffing shortages and protest coverage. Officers wouldnt respond unless I was being physically harmed, she said she was told. It was phenomenally unhelpful and really frustrating, she said. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212 Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Subscribe to Facebook page This week: Pitkin Countys front line workers are eligible for the COVID19 vaccine, but can your employer require you to get vaccinated? Also a look at the two back-to-back worldwide ski events Aspen is hosting beginning March 10. Host Alycin Bektesh is joined by Madeleine Osberger, Erica Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. There were no casualties in the past day. The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported six violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Friday, January 22. "In the past day, January 22, six ceasefire violations were recorded in the area of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO)," the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on January 23, 2021. In particular, the Russian Federation troops fired an under-barrel grenade launcher toward the Ukrainian positions near the village of Vodiane, as well as automatic rifles near the town of Avdiyivka and the village of Novoselivka-2. Also, the occupiers used an automatic grenade launcher near the village of Opytne. Read alsoUkraine not ready to liberate occupied Donbas by military means KravchukWhat is more, sniper fire was recorded near the village of Novoluhanske. The Russian occupation troops also fired automatic rifles near the village of Shumy. The violations were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) on the ceasefire and stabilization in Donbas. There were no casualties in the past day. Since midnight, enemy forces have not attacked Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian military say the situation is under full control. Donbas ceasefire: Background Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday, July 27, 2020. On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has reported more such violations over the latest period. Reporting by UNIAN The result of this study contradicts the previous observational studies that suggested possible benefits of tocilizumab. Observational studies are limited as they have a high risk of other unknown factors which can influence the study.This can help reduce the body's inflammatory response to the virus and avoid some of the more dire consequences of the disease. However, its effects are not well defined.The researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial and compared tocilizumab plus standard care with standard care alone in patients admitted to hospital with severe or critical COVID-19. For the study, 129 relatively young adults (average age 57 years) with confirmed COVID-19 were selected.The patients received supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation and also had abnormal levels of at least two chemicals linked to inflammation in their blood. Patients were divided into two groups, first group consisted of 65 patients who received tocilizumab plus standard care and 64 received standard care alone.The patients were monitored for 15 days and other important factors like underlying conditions and the use of other medication, were taken into account. At the end of day 15, 28 percent patients (18 patients) in the tocilizumab group and 20 percent (13 patients) of patients received mechanical ventilation or died.At the end of day 15, 11 patients died in the tocilizumab group compared to 2 patients in the standard care group. The trial was stopped early due to the safety concerns. In both groups, deaths occurred due respiratory failure or multiple organ dysfunction.The researchers said,Source: Medindia After internal consultations, the farmers unions decided to reject the offer and stick to their two major demands Unlike the last 10 rounds of talks, at Fridays meeting the two sides could not even reach a decision on the next date as the government also hardened its position saying it is ready to meet once the unions agree to discuss the suspension proposal. (Photo:PTI) NEW DELHI: The governments negotiations with the protesting farmers unions hit a roadblock on Friday as the farmer leaders once again stuck to their demands for repeal of the three agriculture laws and a legal guarantee for MSP, even as the Centre asked them to reconsider its proposal for putting the laws on hold for 12 to 18 months. Unlike the last 10 rounds of talks, at Fridays meeting the two sides could not even reach a decision on the next date as the government also hardened its position saying it is ready to meet once the unions agree to discuss the suspension proposal. On Thursday, the government offered to put on hold the three laws and set up a joint committee to find solutions. After internal consultations, the farmers unions decided to reject the offer and stick to their two major demands. Even though the 11th round of talks lasted for nearly five hours, the two sides sat face to face for less than 25 minutes. The talks were held in two sessions the morning session lasted for about 15 minutes, after which the Central ministers left the meeting room. After about four hours, the ministers again came and held discussions for less than 10 minutes. This is an insult to farmers. When agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar came, he asked us to consider the governments proposal and said that he is ending the process of meetings, said S.S. Pandher of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, adding that their agitation will continue peacefully. Mr Tomar told kisan unions that the government is ready for another meeting if farmers want to discuss the proposal on suspending agriculture laws for a while. He told the unions that the government was grateful for their cooperation. The minister reiterated that there was nothing wrong in the three laws. We gave the best proposal but you could not arrive at any decision. If you arrive at any conclusion please let us know, we will discuss again, he said. After the meeting, Mr Tomar said: We should remain hopeful. Let's wait till tomorrow to hear farmer unions' final decision. Asked whether he expects the farmers to agree to the government offer, he said, "I don't want to speculate, but we are hopeful that farmer unions will consider positively our proposal." The minister also said some external forces were definitely trying to ensure that the agitation continues and that was obviously against the interests of farmers. No resolution is possible when the sanctity of an agitation is lost, he added. Bhartiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said that the farmers have decided to once again deliberate upon the governments proposal to postpone the implementation of the new farm laws. However, he said, the farmers are firm on their demand of complete repeal of the new laws. If the stalemate continues, the protest will be scaled up, starting with the tractor rally on Republic Day, he added. Farmer leader Shiv Kumar Kakka, who was the first to leave the talks, said there was no headway in the discussions and the government had asked the unions to once again deliberate upon its proposal. After the meeting, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan said the discussions have broken down as the unions have outrightly rejected the government's proposal. Farmers leaders told the Centre that they are firm on their stated stance and have already decided that they would not settle for anything less than the repeal of the three laws. Some leaders had apprehensions that their agitation would lose momentum once the farmers leave Delhi borders where protests have been going on for about two months. Harpal Singh, president, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Asli Arajnaitik), said: "Even if we accept the government's offer, our fellow brothers sitting at Delhi borders will not accept anything other than a repeal of the laws. They will not spare us. What achievement will we show to them? We will die here but we will not return without getting the laws repealed." Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said the unions will now concentrate on the Republic Day tractor march. It will be a unique event. We have told the government and the Delhi police that we will march peacefully on the Outer Ring Road on January 26. If there is violence, the government will be responsible, he added. During the meeting, the unions also alleged that Delhi Police was trying to harass their leaders. One of the union leaders alleged that the rear windshield of his car was smashed by the police. Another alleged that he had received a threatening call. Farmer leader Hannan Mollah alleged he was mishandled by the police. The government assured these leaders that their complaints would be investigated. New Delhi: Delhi Police conducted a mock drill in Sarojini Nagar market on Tuesday to check the preparedness in handling a London-style attack. The drill started at 9 PM and went on for close to an hour, said police. Ramming a vehicle into pedestrians has become the most common form of terror attack. We keep receiving inputs about terror outfits planning to target Delhi. Mock drills are a way to check the preparedness levels of various stakeholders, said a senior police officer referring to the recent terror attacks in London. The police had received a specific input about a London-style attack being planned to disrupt the International Day of Yoga in Connaught Place and a three-tier security cover was thrown around the place. ALSO READ: Delhi: Sarojini Nagar, Baba Kharag Singh Marg declared no parking zone In April, a hijacked beer truck rammed pedestrians at a central Stockholm department store, killing four people, wounding 15 others and sending screaming shoppers fleeing in panic. Just days after security forces in Guatemala stopped a large caravan of Honduran migrants, a second of the group is moving forward with their journey toward the U.S. border, reports said. Citing Honduran newspaper La Prensa, Newsweek reported that around 3,000 migrants have managed to move forward to the Mexican border, while the rest returned home. Many of these migrants are fleeing violence and poverty made worse by the global pandemic and recent deadly hurricanes that caused severe destruction in Honduras. Related story: Biden Transition Official Tells Migrant Caravans Now's Not the Time To Move to U.S. Migrant Caravans The first caravan of the year consisted of about 8,000 people wanted to reach the U.S. and hoped that new President Joe Biden would be more welcoming to asylum seekers than former president Donald Trump. According to Newsweek, the migrants came from San Pedro Sula in northern Honduras - a city that was once described as the "murder capital of the world." They hope to travel on to Mexico and then the southern U.S. border. Meanwhile, Daily Mail reported that another migrant caravan is set to depart Honduras on Monday, Jan. 25. The report noted that some Honduran Facebook users urged migrants to meet up on Sunday at the San Pedro Sula terminal, where many other caravans departed from in the past. They are set to march Monday before sunrise. Citing the Guatemalan TV network Televisiete, the Daily Mail reported that at least 3,000 migrants plan to gather in another attempt to reach the U.S. border and seek asylum from Pres. Biden's administration. It was also reported that a caravan of migrants had been scheduled to depart El Salvador on Feb. 14. Guatemalan immigration authorities said that as many as 5,300 migrants had gone back to Honduras after being blocked at the El Florida border crossing on Tuesday. Some of the 8,000 Honduran migrants broke past a human barricade formed by Guatemalan soldiers and police officers before their trek to the Mexican border was denied. Officials noted that migrants who decided not to return to Honduras have spread out across the country. Guatemala health officials said that at least 21 Hondurans tested positive for COVID-19 and were placed under quarantine. Once the migrants tested negative for the virus, they will be deported to Honduras. Reports noted that some Guatemalan residents opened their homes to Honduran migrants and allowed them to camp out in their terraces as they continue to weigh their options. Last week's caravan was the first since October last year when some 3,000 Honduran migrants made their way into Guatemala before they were forced to go back. Honduran Migrants Protesting After being blocked by security forces, many Hondurans felt desperate. Among them was Isaac Portillo, 18. According to a Reuters report, Portillo said that he felt so desperate upon his forced return to Honduras that he thought of suicide. Portillo then decided to join a march on the capital Tegucigalpa on Friday, which is only a week after he tried to depart his country. "We're going to oust this narco-dictator. I already have my group ready," Portillo said in the report. Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez had been scrutinized by U.S. prosecutors, accusing him of having ties with drug cartels and had the country's armed forces protect a cocaine laboratory and shipments to the U.S. Hernandez had vehemently denied these allegations. He said the accusations against him are rooted in traffickers' anger for clamping down on them. Related story: Migrant Caravan Calls on Biden Administration to Honor Commitments Ramallah, Jan 23 : Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye and new UN envoy Tor Wennesland discussed reviving the stalled peace process. In a statement, Ishtaye said that he held a telephone conversation with Wennesland, the Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace Process, and expressed the Palestinian side's openness to any political process sponsored by the Quartet, reports Xinhua news agency. The Quartet comprises the US, the UN, Russia and the European Union. Ishtaye said that he discussed with Wennesland moving a political path based on international legitimacy and international law under the Quartet's auspices and with the participation of various powers in a multi-international framework. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that he briefed Wennesland on the preparations for holding the general elections in the Palestinian territories starting from May 22. He called on the UN to exert every possible effort to facilitate holding the Palestinian elections and pressure Israel to allow holding them in East Jerusalem. The Israeli-Palestinian peace process has stalled since 2014, after rounds of US-sponsored talks failed to produce a breakthrough. Palestine has cut off ties with the US government which under formrt President Donald Trump, who recognized the disputed holy city of Jerusalem as Israeli capital in 2017, and relocated the American embassy in Israel to the city in May 2018. Kendall Jenner recently escaped her grueling daily routine for a tropical getaway. And the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star is getting some use out of her collection of swimwear, months before summer. She heated things up Friday in some sizzling bikini snaps on her Instagram Story, which were taken during her recent stay at a $7K a night Mexican resort with sister Kylie. Bikini babe: Kendall Jenner heated things up Friday in some sizzling bikini snaps on her Instagram Story, as she continues to vacation with her little sister Kylie at a $7K a night Mexican resort The 25-year-old put her taut tummy on display in a string bikini with a floral print, as she sat poolside, teasing a stunning ocean view. She switched it up in another swimsuit, rocking a blue two-piece under a sheer printed bodycon coverup minidress. Kendall later covered up in a candid photo from a parking lot, where she sported some mixed green sweats and a neon orange stetson. She's gotten plenty of praise from her 149million Instagram followers for her sexy bikini looks, but one reaction turned heads. Serving body: The 25-year-old switched it up in another swimsuit, rocking a blue two-piece under a sheer printed bodycon coverup minidress Casual outing: Kendall later covered up in a candid photo from a parking lot, where she sported some mixed green sweats and a neon orange stetson Devin Booker, 24, seemingly confirmed that they're still going hot and heavy, reposting on photo to his Insta Story, writing: 'Whew.' Kendall and the Phoenix Suns shooting guard sparked relationship rumors throughout quarantine, after they were first romantically linked back in April. But Booker was absent from Kendall's getaway, as she got some sun in Costa Careyes with sister Kylie Jenner, pals Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou, Victoria and Sofia Villarroel, Hannah Logan and Carter Gregory. Flirty post: Devin Booker, 24, seemingly confirmed that they're still going hot and heavy, reposting on photo to his Insta Story, writing: 'Whew' Girls trip: But she appears to be enjoying a girls trip, as she gets some sun in Costa Careyes with sister Kylie Jenner, pals Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou, Victoria and Sofia Villarroel, Hannah Logan and Carter Gregory All inclusive: They jetted off on Kylie's private plane, and they've been staying at Ocean Castle Sol de Oriente, where villas go for $6,500 a night, complete a live-in butler, chef and maids They jetted off on Kylie's private plane, and they stayed at Ocean Castle Sol de Oriente, where villas go for $6,500 a night, complete a live-in butler, chef and maids. With an infinity pool and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, their stay also came with private beach access. It's the latest in the famous family's series of ill-advised (and often tone-deaf) vacations over the past year, as COVID-19 cases and the unemployment rate continue to rise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose would have been proud to see that the country has become strong and is following his footsteps from the LoC to the LAC. The Line of Control (LoC) divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan, while the Line of Actual Control (LAC) separates India and China. The prime minister said that Netaji is the biggest source of inspiration for the dream of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-reliant India) and 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bengal). Netaji would have been proud that the government he dreamt of is fighting a pandemic with vaccines developed by it, and gave a befitting reply whenever its sovereignty was challenged, Modi said on the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji which was celebrated by the Centre as 'Parakram Diwas'. "I sometimes wonder how Netaji would have felt had he seen how a new and strong India is taking shape," he said at a programme at the Victoria Memorial Hall here. "From the LAC to LoC, the world is witnessing a strong India that was once envisioned by Netaji. India today is giving a befitting reply wherever attempts are made to challenge its sovereignty," he said. Referring to the question that Netaji had asked his nephew Sisir Bose before his daring escape from house arrest, Modi said, "If today Indians place their hands on their hearts and feel Netaji's presence, they will hear the same question: Will you do something for me? This task is to make India self-reliant." Noting that Netaji had identified poverty, illiteracy and diseases among the biggest problems of the country, he said the society will have to come together to solve these problems. He said Atmanirbhar Bharat has to be led by Atmanirbhar Bengal and Sonar Bangla. "Bengal needs to play an important role in the quest for Aatmnirbhar Bharat, just like the role that Netaji played in the freedom of the country. Aatmnirbhar Bharat has to be led by Aatamnirbhar Bengal and Sonar Bangla," he said. Hailing Netaji as the embodiment of India's power and inspiration, Modi said that the country has decided to celebrate the freedom fighter's birth anniversary as 'Parakram Diwas' to honour his indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation. Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said that Netaji 'Dilli Chalo' (March to Delhi) call had united the nation against the British Rule. He said the freedom fighter's life was marked by the spirit of search and quest. Also read: Republic Day: Traffic police issues advisory; check road diversions in Delhi, Noida Also read: COVID-19 positive children more likely to transfer infection than adults: Lancet Of the 125 federal arrests made so far in connection with the riot at the Capitol earlier this month, most have been relatively simple: Agents and prosecutors have put together cases largely by scouring the news and social media for incriminating photographs and videos. Some of the evidence has been almost comically easy to obtain. Several people have been turned in by their loved ones or have openly bragged about their roles in the attack on Facebook or in interviews with their hometown newspapers. One man went so far as to post a photo of himself on Instagram with a helpful finger-pointing icon and the words, THIS IS ME. But the inquiry into the Capitol assault, a huge effort that has focused its attention on as many as 400 people, took an important turn this week as prosecutors filed their first serious conspiracy charges, accusing three members of the right-wing militia group the Oath Keepers of plotting the incursion in advance. If, as they have promised, investigators are hoping to narrow their gaze on organized extremists who may have preplanned the attack, they are going to have to use a different and more difficult-to-master set of skills. The FBIs most challenging work, legal scholars say, may have only just begun. Its a lot harder to charge a conspiracy, especially compared to the first wave of cases where you basically had people confessing on video to federal crimes, said Aitan Goelman, a former federal prosecutor who helped try Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber. You are going to see more serious charges, but they are naturally going to come later after more investment by law enforcement. Court papers showed that many defendants have turned themselves in and are cooperating with authorities. Cases in the coming days are likely to focus on attacks against members of the press at the Capitol, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the matter. In making more conspiracy cases, the first question investigators must confront is how much conspiring actually went into the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6. Five people died in the violent attack, and the final certification of President Joe Bidens election was abruptly interrupted as lawmakers fled the House and Senate floors. Chilling videos and photos have emerged showing some people moving inside the building in tight formation, wearing military gear, carrying restraints and sometimes using hand signals or radios to communicate. But many people appear to have acted spontaneously and, at least so far, have been accused of misdemeanors like unlawful entry and disorderly conduct. The Oath Keepers case could be a model moving forward for more complicated cases. The criminal complaint shows investigators employing a variety of techniques in tracking down and charging the defendants: Thomas E. Caldwell, Donovan Crowl and Jessica Watkins. Caldwell said he intended to fight the charges at a hearing this week. Crowl and Watkins have not yet appeared in court to respond to the complaint. Agents in their case pored through video footage at the Capitol looking for badges or insignia suggesting that the three accused militia members were part of the same group. They trolled through social media accounts on platforms like Parler for any indications that the three were not only at the building, but had planned in advance to be there. And they obtained audio recordings of Watkins talking with others who are suspected of being Oath Keepers on Zello, a push-to-talk cellphone app that operates like a walkie-talkie. Investigators also conducted an analysis of locational data from a cellphone registered to Caldwells wife, determining that it was near the Capitol at the time of the assault. Since Caldwell had no obvious connection to the others, agents followed up the lead with a more old-fashioned method. While searching Watkins home in Ohio, they persuaded one of her friends to tell them that Watkins had provided a phone number for a fellow Oath Keeper with whom she had stayed after the attack. The FBI was able to determine the number was connected to the cellphone registered to Caldwells wife. On Thursday, the FBI indicated that it was actively pursuing the most serious actors in the Capitol attack, announcing a reward of up to $75,000 for information about anyone linked to devices believed to be pipe bombs that were planted at the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic national committees. The bulletin showed a grainy photo of someone wearing a white mask, black gloves and a hooded sweatshirt, walking down a street and carrying a backpack. The Capitol investigation is, by all accounts, an enormous undertaking, drawing on the efforts of hundreds of agents and prosecutors from across the country. It promises to become even more onerous and sweeping as the probe moves toward more complex charges and investigators begin to use techniques like writing warrants to search through peoples email accounts or possibly infiltrating online chat rooms frequented by extremists. At this point, the only other conspiracy case stemming from the riot has been brought against Eric Munchel, a Nashville, Tennessee, bartender who broke into the Capitol with his mother, intent, court papers say, on creating a civil disturbance and impeding the business of Congress. In new court papers filed Wednesday night, prosecutors noted that Munchel encountered several members of the Oath Keepers in the Capitol and that one of them told him, Theres 65 more of us coming. Prosecutors have come close to alleging a conspiracy against members of the far-right nationalist group the Proud Boys, saying that some of its members wore earpieces and chest-clipped walkie-talkies in a possible effort to communicate with one another. The less serious charges filed against people who stormed the Capitol could eventually open up a wealth of information to investigators as they search for evidence of more severe crimes, since those allegations could help them establish legal justification and obtain warrants to search email, social media accounts and other electronic communications. One of the key obstacles in investigating domestic terrorism has been the First Amendment, which makes it difficult for the FBI to pursue investigations based only on hateful and threatening remarks. Law enforcement is hopeful that the Capitol investigation could yield much more intelligence, according to two people briefed on the fast-moving, broad inquiry. Easy charges were brought early in the inquiry in an effort to get people into custody while investigations pressed forward. Prosecutors have echoed that notion in court, indicating that they are considering more serious charges against some defendants who have already been charged. Samuel Fisher, for example, was arrested Wednesday in Manhattan on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry and disorderly conduct. At his bail hearing, a federal prosecutor said that Fisher could face more felony charges and suggested that his social media posts expressed a desire to overthrow the government. His lawyer, a federal defender, said his political beliefs were not a crime. Riley June Williams, a Pennsylvania woman accused of stealing House Speaker Nancy Pelosis laptop after breaking into the Capitol, was initially charged Sunday with disorderly conduct and entering a restricted building. But Tuesday, prosecutors said they planned to add new charges of obstruction and theft of government property. Shortly after the riot, the prosecutor in charge of the overarching inquiry, Michael Sherwin, the acting U.S. attorney in Washington, announced that some people could face sedition charges, which are difficult to bring and rarely filed. To prove a seditious conspiracy, prosecutors need to show that at least two people agreed to use force to overthrow government authority or delay the execution of a U.S. law, such as stopping Congress from certifying the results of the election. The charge is powerful, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. But some prior sedition cases have fallen apart because prosecutors failed to prove that the defendants had a concrete plan to commit a physical attack even if there was evidence of openly discussing bringing down the government. That defense could be more challenging in the Capitol riot cases, former federal prosecutors say, because the attack has already happened. The First Amendment defense really falls away when people actually engage in violent activity, said Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. The newest arrests have already hinted at more sophisticated investigative techniques. On Thursday, a criminal complaint charging Christopher Kelly, a New York resident, described messages that he sent to a Facebook group after breaching the Capitol. The tipster? A confidential paid informant who has been working for the FBI for more than a year. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. In the run-up to Republic Day, at least six hoax bomb threats have been reported in Uttar Pradesh's Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur and Allahabad this week. The miscreants behind these hoax threats, which even prompted evacuations in hospitals and shopping malls, are yet to be identified. FIRs have been lodged in connection with some of the incidents, according to officials. Panic gripped a busy neighbourhood in Noida's Sector 63 on Friday morning as heavy security was deployed and the area cordoned off following an alert that a bomb-like device was found on a road. "The device was checked by a bomb disposal squad which found that it had no detonator or explosive attached to it. It turned out to be a suspicious-looking item with a watch strapped to its front portion and placed there by some miscreant," a police spokesperson said. On Thursday, an unidentified caller informed a prominent private hospital in Noida's Sector 27 that a bomb was placed in its basement, triggering panic and evacuation of people from the premises. "Police personnel, bomb disposal squads, dog squads and fire tenders reached the hospital immediately and the building was checked for any suspicious item. It turned out to be a hoax," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Noida, Ranvijay Singh had said. In Ghaziabad, an LPG cylinder with a watch-like device attached to it triggered an alarm on Wednesday. The "suspicious" item was found in an empty plot in Madhuban Bapudham area by two police officials on patrol duty. A bomb disposal squad soon reached the spot and found that it was not a bomb. However, an FIR has been lodged against an unidentified person, according to Ghaziabad police officials. Two hoax bomb threats were also received in Allahabad and one in Kanpur on Friday. "The police were informed that a bomb had been placed in PVR mall (Vinayak City Centre). Security was deployed immediately and the area cordoned off for a search by bomb disposal squads and anti-sabotage teams," SP (City) Dinesh Kumar Singh. The officer said similar information was received regarding the Star World multiplex on Katghar road in Mutthiganj area of the city. Both turned out to be hoaxes. Singh said police are tracking the persons who gave the false information and action would be taken against them. In Kanpur, a Twitter user flagged a bomb threat for South X shopping mall in Kidwai Nagar area and a couple of other crowded spaces in the city on Friday, triggering panic among the public and quick deployment of security personnel. Later, in a statement, the Kanpur police said it was a hoax as no explosives were found in the vicinity of the mentioned spots. An FIR was lodged against the Twitter user at the Juhi police station and legal proceedings initiated. The Twitter handle, @suryavanshiBad1, which had posted the bomb hoax, could not be found when last checked by PTI on Saturday morning. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A Bangladeshi tri-service contingent will lead the first ten rows of the parade in The contingent will be lead by the Army which will be in the first six rows, the next two rows will be led by the Navy and the last two rows will comprise of Air Force. While talking to ANI, Mohatsim Haider Chaudhary, the leader of Bangladesh tri-service contingent on Saturday said, "Bangladesh contingent will be lead by its army which will be in first six rows followed by two navy and two air force contingent respectively. We are following all the COVID-19 norms." The Bangladesh tri-service contingent is participating in this year's parade at Rajpath in to commemorate 50 years of the Liberation War. It is especially significant as the year 2021 marks 50 years of the Liberation War of 1971, through which Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation, free from Pakistan's tyranny and oppression with the help of India. The Bangladesh Armed Forces contingent comprises of soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, sailors of the Bangladesh Navy and air warriors of the Bangladesh Air Force. Moreover, the Rafale fighter jets purchased from France and recently inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), will also participate in the parade and will be part of the flypast at the culmination of the parade. Some new formations will also be seen for the first time. IAF Spokesperson Wing Commander Indranil Nandi told ANI that a total of 42 aircraft will be seen in the flypast including 15 fighter planes, five transport aircraft and one vintage aircraft. The formations that will be seen during the parade include 'Rudra', 'Sudharshan', 'Rakshak', 'Eklavya' and 'Brahmastra'. He said that one Dakota and two MI-17s will be part of 'Rudra' formation and 'Sudharshan' formation will consist of two Chinook and two MI-17s. The spokesperson said that 'Rakshak' formation will consist of one MI-35 and four Apache helicopters while 'Garuda' formation will showcase one C-17, two MiG 29, and two Su-30s. "In the 'Eklavya' formation, one rafale, two Jaguars and two MiG-29s will be showcased. One Rafale will be seen under the 'Brahmastra' formation. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Matthew Busch, For The San Antonio Express-News / For The San Antonio Express-News A group of residents living near Mission San Jose might be small and not yet have a name, but they have a mighty cause. Theyve organized to honor the missions Native American origins in a concrete way, on the street level, so everyone who visits from across town or across the world knows the first people here were indigenous to the land. The residents Latino, Native American and white feel the areas indigenous past, their languages and cultures have been left out. Those of us lucky enough to live in this area are very aware of the historic significance of the arrival of Spanish settlers and the Catholic Church, said Virginia Rutledge, a member of the organizing committee. The missions are the visible symbols of that. But we are as deeply interested in the indigenous peoples that lived here before and some of whose descendants continue to live here their lives and culture, their relation to the land. San Antonios story of world heritage is incomplete without hearing more of their stories, she said. The groups goal is to change the name of the street on which they live to reflect that heritage. The curvy, almost 1-mile section of East Pyron Avenue begins at the missions eastern entrance, crosses Padre Drive and a two-lane bridge over an original part of the old San Antonio River and goes to the River Walks Mission Reach, where it dead-ends. The street picks up on the other side of the Mission Reach and stops at South Presa. The street includes a place called the island, where about 20 houses sit surrounded by water on all sides. Some of the residents have fought off development and gentrification near the historic mission. So, in that context, this street name project is smaller. Its also a labor of love. It will affect just over 40 households. The five-member committee representing them has nothing against Pyron, per se. The fact that its named for a Confederate officer who owned a ranch in the area wasnt a driving force of the campaign. The group also isnt pushing a specific name to replace East Pyron. It just wants to add an indigenous place name to those in the area, such as Padre, San Jose and Mission. The group proposes to identify a word from one of the known surviving indigenous languages, Coahuiltecan. District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran signaled her support Friday, calling the potential name change an absolutely incredible opportunity to continue to celebrate our indigenous roots. Viagran was glad to hear the residents group has reached out to the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, a leading voice in indigenous issues in San Antonio. It has reached out to scholars of native languages, too, and an elder of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, a tribal community that established AIT. Pyron Avenue residents have been at work since late last year and have knocked on a lot of doors since then. Theyve circulated a draft of the proposal and have put it into a letter that will be sent to every household on East Pyron Avenue . The residents will need to raise $1,000 for the citys application fee to have the street name changed and another sum to cover city costs of mailing notices, about $4.50 per household. The group will have to contact other state and local offices as part of the process and will connect with the U.S. Postal Service to check that the name chosen doesnt already exist or poses problems for mail delivery. So far, the group has buy-in from the residents to whom theyve spoken. So far, only one resident has objected. Theres passion in their cause. When we moved here, the feeling that I got was that its a place people have been for a long time, said Adalia Alvarez Perez, a retired Harlandale Independent School District educator and a descendant of the Purepacha tribe of Mexico. You can almost feel the presence of those who were here, Perez said. (It) made me feel comfortable and at home. Everything is beautiful here, but I dont want them to be forgotten. Without them, the missions would not be here. Renaming Pyron would be an homage to them, showing that those of us today have not forgotten those of yesterday, she said. As far as residents know, no descendants of Charles Lynn Pyron remain. The Confederate army officer was born in Alabama and died in 1869, according to the Texas State Historical Associations Handbook of Texas. The group hopes that Confederate connection doesnt overshadow the project. But it does fit into an ongoing national conversation over race, white supremacy and the movement to remove Confederate monuments from public spaces intended to glorify them. Viagran pointed to a few streets in the area named for Native American descendants, all Spanish surnames, including Pacheco Drive, Huizar Street and Bustillos Drive. Those arent nearly enough, she said. Ramon Vasquez, a Tap Pilam spokesman and executive director of American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, said the effort can give way to a creative process to select a new street name. He noted three major tribes entered Mission San Jose during the colonial period: the Pastia, Tilijae and Pampopa. Other tribes followed, he said. Any one of them would be fitting, or any of the names of the original Indian families, he said. There are all kinds of possibilities. eayala@express-news.net Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Australias peak medical group says governments should consider building dedicated quarantine facilities similar to the Northern Territorys Howard Springs camp as a better option to house future returned travellers. Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid said high-rise hotels were never designed to keep people locked in their rooms without fresh air and exercise. Brisbanes Hotel Grand Chancellor, which saw an outbreak of the UK variant of coronavirus. Credit:Attila Csaszar Previous proposals for regional quarantine camps have been criticised for being too far from major hospitals, but experts now say the facilities could be safely located in or near the capital cities, including Sydney and Melbourne. Christmas Island is far too remote to be used in our opinion. It actually means that you are putting at risk the lives of the people who you are quarantining, said Dr Khorshid. It's thirty years ago this very month that I took up gainful employment for the first time. Before then I had worked part time in Bandon Mart as a calf drover. I was a very good calf drover and am still remembered fondly and spoken of highly when the greats of calf droving are recalled. Never a man to blow his own trumpet, I think it's fair to say I would probably be considered the Christy Ring of calf droving. The stick like an extension of my arm, the keen eye, always on the lookout for the next calf. But alas, aged 20 on I moved, leaving the fame and adulation behind me. And so, on a cold January morning back in 1991 I donned the uniform of an security officer for the very first time. A uniform that would remain on my back for the next four years. I was to be stationed at an American facility based right here in west Cork. A Pharmaceutical giant, the name of which I cannot give for reasons I cannot say. At that time, the early 90s, due to the ongoing Gulf War with Saddam Hussein, it was figured that American interests throughout the world might be a target for the madman. Security needed to be stepped up. So my job, should I choose to except it, would be to guard the perimeter fence of a west Cork factory from morning til night, looking out for any attack by Saddam. My salary for the exercise would be three old pounds an hour, which made it a job I could hardly refuse. On my very first day I met John, a man from Timoleague who would remain a pal of mine for the rest of my life, or at least he has right up to this very day. My new comrade, an old stager at the security job, wearing a farmer's cap to keep his head warm, showed me the ropes and gave me the confidence to believe that I would prevail if the madman known as Saddam ever made an appearance in our neck of the woods. Patrols were carried out on the hour, every hour, as we watched out for Scud missiles (very popular at the time) peculiar people and anything that remotely resembled a middle eastern threat. In our down time, when attack looked less likely, we would retire to a local hostelry which provided us men in uniform with strong liquor and live country and western music every Thursday night. I saw TR Dallas and Johnny Carroll there on numerous occasions. Being a single man at the time, there was manys a good night I had in that bar. And why shouldn't I? Sure with Saddam liable to blow the heads off us at any moment, I could be dead in the morning! And while myself and John became great pals, as we kept up the counter we often pondered the notion that if Saddam and George Bush Sr had any sense they would work things out over a few pints, rather than increasing tensions with Tomahawk missiles and treats of World War Three. How better the world would be if more of us leaned on a pint rather than an AK47. Alas we never did find Saddam, the yanks themselves got him in the finish. But rest assured, had he dared aim his firepower at west Cork, we would have been only too ready and willing to defend every wonderful acre, provided that is that TR Dallas or Johnny Carroll weren't on stage at that very moment belting out a classic hit. Bengaluru, Jan 23 : Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa on Saturday said illegal quarrying or mining will not be permitted in the state and necessary action will be taken against such activities. After paying homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bhose on his 125th birth anniversary here, Yediyurappa exhorted he will not allow illegal quarrying or mining for any reason. "Tragic incidents like Shivamogga should never repeat in our state. Now it is time to stop illegal mining activities completely," he said He also cautioned that those who want to do quarrying or mining should get a licence for it. "If anyone doing it illegally or found carrying out mining activities without licence, will attract severe punishments. I will direct Deputy Commissioners to take strict measures in this direction," he cautioned. The CM said that he would be going for a spot inspection. "Already Deputy Commissioner (of the district), Member of Parliament, (his eldest son B. Y. Raghvendra), district incharge minister (K. S. Eshwarappa) and Mines Minister (Murugesh Nirani) have visited the spot. I will get to know things from them and take necessary action to stop illegal quarrying or mining," he explained. In response to a question, the CM said that the reason for the blast, who permitted the transportation of explosive substance in a lorry and what led to the incident will be investigated comprehensively and necessary action will be taken against those responsible. On Thursday night a severe explosion occurred at around 10.20 pm which jolted Shivamogga and neighbouring regions. This incident took place, Abbalagere village that is located along the Shivamogga-Hanagal State Highway, which passes through Savalunga and Shikaripura. Shikaripura is the home constituency of Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappam, which is 290 kms from state capital Bengaluru. It is reported that at least five people were killed in this incident at a stone quarry on the outskirts of Shivamogga city on Thursday night. The sound of the blast was so intense that was reportedly heard in neighbouring Davangere and Chikmagalur districts, which are 95 kms and 97 kms away respectively from Shivamogga district. Even in Shivamogga, the effect was severe as some houses developed cracks, roof tiles and window panes shattered into pieces within the radius of 15 kms of blast site. CM Yediyurappa has already announced Rs 5 lakh to the families of those deceased and ordered a high-level probe into the incident and three people have been detained for questioning in connection with the case so far. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be the chief guest in the presence of BJP President J.P. Nadda at the golden jubilee function of Himachal Pradesh's statehood here on January 25, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Saturday. He told the media that the function would be held on the Ridge in the presence of 2,000 people owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The journey of the state's 50 years would be depicted in an exhibition where various departments of the state government would showcase their achievements. Governor Bandaru Dattatreya will preside over the function that will also be attended by Union Minister Anurag Thakur. The Chief Minister said that a special postal stamp would be released to mark the occasion. A total of 51 events would be organised round the year to commemorate the golden jubilee of Himachal's statehood, he added. WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden's pitch for bipartisan unity to defeat the coronavirus and resurrect the economy is crashing into a partisan buzz saw on Capitol Hill, where Republicans and Democrats can't agree on ground rules for running the Senate - let alone pass a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill. Biden's relief package is being declared dead on arrival by senior Senate Republicans, some of whom say there has been little, if any, outreach from the Biden team to get their support. Liberals are demanding the president abandon attempts to make a bipartisan deal altogether and instead ram the massive legislation through without GOP votes. And outside groups are turning up the pressure for Biden and the Democrats who control Congress to enact economic relief quickly, even if it means cutting Republicans out of the deal. In the face of these competing pressures, Biden may discover he can get a big covid-19 stimulus bill or a bipartisan deal - but not both. The path Biden chooses with his first major piece of legislation could set the tone for the remainder of his first term in office, revealing whether he can make good on his promise to unify Congress and the country. "It's important that Democrats deliver for America. If the best path to that is to do it in a way that can bring Republicans along, I'm all in favor of that," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said. "But if Republicans want to cut back to the point that we're not delivering what needs to be done, then we need to be prepared to fight them. Our job is to deliver for the American people." Publicly, top aides insist Biden is serious about wanting a bipartisan deal on the relief bill. They say this should be achievable given the magnitude of the economic and health-care crisis besetting the nation a year after the pandemic began, with more than 412,000 dead and the economy newly shedding jobs. Some Democrats have expressed optimism that GOP frustration with how the Trump administration ended could convince some Republicans to be more open to a fresh start with a Democratic president, especially since longtime lawmakers know Biden from his decades in the Senate and as vice president. But when Biden's relief plan rang in at nearly $2 trillion this month, and included liberal priorities like an increase in the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, some Republicans saw it as a sign that Biden wasn't really serious about getting their support. Even those Republicans who have suggested they're open to making a deal have made clear that the package would need to undergo significant changes. "I suspect the whole package is a nonstarter, but it's got plenty of starters in it. And a lot of them are things that we proposed in terms of more assistance to the states," said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., referring to money for vaccine distribution and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "There's some things in there that aren't going to happen. There's some things that can happen. And that's how this process should work." Outreach to GOP lawmakers before and after the plan's release appears to have occurred only at the staff level so far and has been confined to a limited number of senators, including members of a bipartisan group who helped break a stalemate over coronavirus relief legislation late last year. On Sunday, Biden economic adviser Brian Deese is scheduled to directly brief the senators in that group on a Zoom call. But as of Friday, Senate GOP leadership had not been formally briefed, and multiple GOP lawmakers who are part of the bipartisan talks said they had heard nothing from the White House, even though Biden pitched himself on the campaign trail as a bipartisan dealmaker. "I have not personally [heard from the White House], and I'm disappointed in that, not about me but about, you know, it's one thing to talk about outreach, another thing to do it," said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, a senior lawmaker who is a member of the bipartisan group that will confer Sunday with Deese. "It's much more successful around here if you try to get the bipartisanship at the start so that it's a foundation of trust," Portman added. Instead, Biden unveiled his $1.9 trillion plan without any bipartisan buy-in, leaving Republicans to question the need for such a big new package coming on the heels of the $900 billion Congress approved in December for economic relief, vaccines and more. Including that legislation, Congress has already devoted about $4 trillion to fighting the pandemic and the economic devastation it wrought. "I look forward to hearing their views. My own thought is that we should only be spending money where there is need that needs to be met, and so I'd like to see the figures and calculations behind their proposal," Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, another member of the bipartisan group, said. "I think there's a recognition on both sides of the aisle that where there's need, we in Congress have a responsibility to help meet that. But we don't want to be borrowing money that's not absolutely necessary." Questioned about how a nearly $2 trillion package filled with proposals that are anathema to Republicans could be described as a bipartisan overture, White House press secretary Jen Psaki insisted it was. "Is unemployment insurance only an issue that Democrats in the country want? Do only Democrats want their kids to go back to schools? Do only Democrats want vaccines to be distributed across the country?" Psaki said at a White House press briefing. "He feels that package is designed for bipartisan support." She said Biden would be getting personally engaged in finding support for his plan. "He's very eager to be closely involved, roll up the sleeves . . . and make the calls himself," she said. Psaki said that in trying to sell the package to Republicans, the White House approach would be to ask them which priorities they would cut. The wide-ranging proposal includes a new round of $1,400 stimulus checks to individuals, an extension and increase in emergency unemployment benefits that would otherwise expire in mid-March, and an enhanced child tax credit, as well as hundreds of billions of dollars to help schools reopen and increase testing and vaccine production and delivery. Some Republicans are open to a number of these provisions but view others - such as the minimum wage increase - as unrelated to the coronavirus and designed to appease an antsy liberal base more than garner bipartisan backing. "Biden's opening order was such an overreach that instead of opening negotiations, it just scared Republicans away," said Brian Riedl, policy expert at the libertarian-leaning Manhattan Institute and a former GOP Senate aide. Riedl said Republicans may be open to a deal somewhere between $500 billion and $1 trillion but that Biden's opening bid made that less likely. "The opening offer can be so extreme it can poison the well and push the other side away." While insisting that Biden's preference is for a bipartisan deal, Psaki has repeatedly declined to rule out moving forward under special Senate rules that allow legislation to pass with a simple majority vote instead of the 60 votes normally required. That was how President Barack Obama enacted the Affordable Care Act and how Republicans passed their massive tax cut early in President Donald Trump's first term. The procedure could allow Biden to pass his coronavirus relief package with only Democratic votes. But the path forward under this so-called "budget reconciliation" process could be tricky. The Senate is split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, giving Democrats control only because Vice President Kamala Harris can cast tie-breaking votes. That means any individual Democratic senator could hold the legislation up with an array of demands. Also, Senate leaders thus far haven't even been able to agree on a deal on how to operate the Senate with a 50-50 split, and they're also still arguing over the timing and process for Trump's impeachment trial. Both issues are emerging as impediments to Biden getting his Cabinet confirmed and also probably need to get resolved before the Senate could take up a relief bill. Democrats in Congress and within the White House are split on how much time to devote to trying to strike a bipartisan deal before turning to budget reconciliation and leaving Republicans behind. Biden was vice president when Obama devoted many weeks to futile negotiations with Republicans over the Affordable Care Act, before finally passing the legislation without a single GOP vote. Biden was also involved in negotiations over the $787 billion stimulus bill Obama signed in February 2009 in the throes of the financial crisis. Many Democrats wanted a larger package at the time, but Republicans balked; subsequently, many economists have concluded that a larger stimulus bill would have helped the nation climb out of the Great Recession more quickly. With that history in mind, budget reconciliation has emerged as the clear preference for many liberal Democrats, especially in the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., suggested in a conversation with donors Thursday evening that she was open to advancing Biden's proposal via the reconciliation process in coming weeks, according to a person familiar with her remarks. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to confirm the private comments, which were first reported by Punchbowl News. House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth, D-Ky., said he wasn't aware of a final decision on how to proceed but that Democrats were wary of spending too much time negotiating with Republicans at a moment of urgency. "To haggle over every little provision of Biden's plan (with Republicans) might not be able to be done on a timely basis," Yarmuth said. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., chair of the New Democrat Coalition, noted that last year Republicans refused for months to pass any additional relief, after a spate of legislation in the spring, before finally agreeing to another bill in December. "We can't let that happen again," DelBene said. "People need certainty and visibility going forward, and that's why this package is so important." ADVERTISEMENT The Police in Anambra have arrested a 37-year-old man, Nonso Eze, for allegedly pushing his girlfriend to death from a five-storey building. The incident occurred, Saturday, at No 6 Orakwe Close, Awada Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. The police spokesperson in the state, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident. He said Mr Eze pushed the girl, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, from the building at 3a.m. The police visited the scene of the incident, rushed the victim to hospital where she was confirmed dead. Residents in the compound where the incident happened told police the woman was thrown down from Mr Ezes room, following a quarrel. Suspect was subsequently arrested and a search executed in his apartment where a pair of female slippers and unused condom was recovered as exhibits, Mr Mohammed said. He said the corpse has been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy, while investigation is ongoing. Other arrests Meanwhile, the Police also said they have arrested two ex-convicts for alleged armed robbery in Umueri community in Anambra East Local Government Area. ALSO READ: Family of man chased to death by police demands N5 billion compensation Mr Mohammed gave the names of the suspects as Anthony Okeke, 29, and Chijioke Elijah, 23. He said the duo were habitual offenders who have been terrorising the community since their release from the Nigerian Correctional Centre two months ago. One locally made revolver pistol and six cartridges were among the items reportedly recovered from the suspects. Their arrest is in continuation of the effort to stem the tide of crimes and other nefarious activities in the state, the spokesperson said. They will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. It took Simon & Schuster a little over 24 hours to change course on its publication of Josh Hawleys forthcoming book, The Tyranny of Big Tech. On the morning of January 6, Hawley was a junior senator from Missouri who was aggressively (and baselessly) challenging the results of the presidential election. By the end of the day, he was seen by many as having played a major role in inciting a riot at the Capitol. By the morning of January 7, S&S announced that it was canceling the publication of his book, raising questions about the future of conservative authors at the countrys biggest houses. There are some in the industry who believe houses have a responsibility to publish a wide range of viewpoints, seeing it as a First Amendment issue. But a burgeoning group of mostly younger industry members argue that certain conservative figures, whose messages they say are harmful to society at large, should not be given a platform. I think its one thing to incite a rebellion against the Capitol, and its another to say distasteful things to people like me, said literary agent Wendy Strothman, when asked about Hawleys book. Strothman, who runs her own agency and sells an array of nonfiction titles, added that she sees the Hawley situation as an isolated incident, though. Ive been in publishing a long time, and conservative books have sold well that entire time. She called S&Ss cancellation of Hawleys book a publisher acting responsibly. As Strothman noted, the major houses have been publishing conservative books successfully for decades. After largely ignoring the growing readership for these books, they all opened conservative imprints in the early 2000s. Since then, in an industry full of people who lean left politically, the community buying and selling conservative titles has remained small. If anything, it has slimmed even further: conservative imprints at the big houses that once had two or three acquiring editors now tend to have one. To illustrate the discrepancy, some agents who sell conservative books said that a debut title by an author working at (liberal-leaning) MSNBC could be shopped to 3040 editors in New York. A similar debut by an author at (conservative-leaning) Fox News could be shopped to four or five editors. This disparity has, ironically, made conservative publishing even more lucrative for the big houses. With fewer takers for conservative books, publishers often wind up paying lower advances for them. But as the political divide in the country deepens, the looming question for those in publishing is whether, and where, big houses will draw the line with conservative authors. Will publishers start to shy away from anyone who is seen as having played a role in inciting the rioters on January 6? Will they avoid books by politicians who refused to certify the election results after the Capitol was ransacked? Will conservative pundits who continue to claim the election was stolen be persona non grata? Steve Ross, who founded Penguin Random Houses Crown Forum imprint in 2002, said it was a much different proposition to be publishing political books back then. The goal of the imprint (which continues to publish conservative titles today) was to give a platform to thinkers on the right, since the flagship Crown imprint had been publishing voices from the left for many years (including Barack Obama, Spike Lee, and Jonathan Kozol). And, at that time, he noted, Republican authors and thinkers had not been finding a home with the big houses, so there was a First Amendment issue at play. For Ross, who now runs an eponymous literary agency, the current situation points to a larger question of corporate responsibility and, to some extent, moral responsibility. Noting that the events of January 6 shook the country dramatically, he said he believes we are all reassessing our role in the propagation and dissemination of falsehoods, particularly if they can lead to dangerous situations. He cited the actions of certain tech giants in blocking platforms favored by far-right extremists and added that he thinks its only natural, in the wake of this upheaval, that publishers would reassess their role in disseminating content that could be incendiary, even if incendiary sells books. There is a growing desire, especially among younger industry members, to see publishers draw very firm lines in the sand. This was evidenced by a recent open letter signed by 500 authors and industry professionals. The letter, released on January 15 and titled No Book Deal for Traitors, was organized by author Barry Lyga and opposes publishers signing books by President Trump or members of his administration. It equates them with criminals, stating, Son of Sam laws exist to prevent criminals from benefiting financially from writing about their crimes. In that spirit, those who enabled, promulgated, and covered up crimes against the American people should not be enriched through the coffers of publishing. This sentiment is rejected by Tom Spence, publisher of the conservative indie publisher Regnery (which bought Hawleys book after it was dropped by S&S). Spence said he was extremely taken aback by the letter, noting that he found its vitriol very disturbing. On January 18, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed by Spence, in which he said that the letters signatories are engaged in a form of blacklisting. He understands S&Ss decision to cancel Hawleys book but said Regnery simply takes a different view of the senator. While few in the business feel the letter will have a direct impact on acquisitions, its existence points to a growing anger within the industry about which voices publishers decide to elevate. Will this anger matter to those in positions of power? Its hard to tell. Though no one thinks the Big Five will shut their doors to mainstream conservatives (even if mainstream conservatism has swung farther to the right), publishing them without incident may prove difficult. Adrian Zackheim, publisher of Penguin Random Houses conservative Sentinel imprint, acknowledged that the country is in an unusually tense moment right now. Perhaps not the most perfect time to take a read on the future direction of sentiment on the right, he said. Nonetheless, the 74 million Americans who voted for Trump didnt simply vanish. Though Zackheim admits he doesnt know exactly where the Trump voting block will move, he knows the audience is looking for answers right now, and that the big houses will be ready. Publishing to the opposition presents us with a huge opportunity. Zackheim is probably correct. If anything, editors and agents in the conservative publishing space may simply be facing an issue of timing. As one agent who sells books by conservative and liberal authors stressed, now might not be the right moment to shop books by certain conservatives at the big houses. But in six months or so, when tensions are lower, the agent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, believes it will be fine. There are going to be some land mines out there, he said. You just have to be careful navigating that. Like Zackheim, this agent said publishers, regardless of what some of their employees think, cant ignore the sizeable audience for conservative authors. He added that no one talks about the fact that conservative radio host Marc Levin sells more books than many liberal favorites. Many young industry professionals wont be surprised if the conservative publishing space at the big houses continues on, business as usual. This doesnt mean that theyre okay with it. One junior editorial employee at a Big Five house, who asked to remain anonymous, said, I definitely felt a sense of futility in signing the [Lyga] letter. On the one hand, Im glad I signed it, because Im of the unflinching belief that Trump and anyone who served in his administrationor stood by itshould be publicly shamed into hiding for the rest of their lives and should never see a penny of profit. On the other hand, I know some publishers will always see dollars and cents before they see reason, and thats not something that can be signed away by a single open letter. As long as thats the case, publishers will continue to cite free speech while publishing bigots, trolls, and Trumpers. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 22) Twenty-two Filipino seafarers aboard bulk carrier MV Nikiland are calling for the government's help to bring them back home. MV Nikiland left Australia with coal shipment and arrived at the Caofeidian port in China's Hebei Province on July 3, 2020. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions and the 'no disembarkation' policy imposed by Beijing in all of its ports, MV Nikiland was not allowed to disembark. "Karamihan sa mga barkong narito sa Caofeidian ay manned ng mga Filipino na tripulante," Filipino seafarer Dexter Del Coro told CNN Philippines in an exclusive report. "Marami ang naka-angkla rito na galing Australia na may dalang coal cargo pero hindi rin sila pinapayagan." [Translation: Most of the ships here in Caofeidian are manned by Filipino crew members. Many of those anchored here came from Australia carrying coal cargo but they were not allowed (to disembark).] After spending half a year at sea in China, some of the seafarers are now starting to get sick. Some of them could not get immediate medical attention due to the cost, logistics, and restrictions. "Hindi kami agad binigyan ng medikal na tulong mula sa pantalan dahil hindi kaagad pinapayagan makapunta ang doktor, maliban kung nasa malubhang kalagayan na," ship captain Ricky Batacan told CNN Philippines. [Translation: We were not given medical help because the doctors are not allowed to come here immediately unless your condition is severe.] The 22 seafarers said they are still being paid by the Greek company that owns MV Nikiland, but some of them are already working beyond their contracts. "Ang kontrata ko ay anim na buwan pero umabot na ko ng 15 na buwan, labis na sa dalawang kontrata. Lahat kami ay tapos na ang kontrata, ang iba umaabot ng 17, 18, at 19 na buwan sa barko," Batacan added. [Translation: Our contract is six months long but I already reached 15 months, more than two contracts long. All of us had completed our contracts, even reaching 17, 18, and 19 months on the ship.] The captain said the ship owners assured them they are doing their best for them to disembark or at least be allowed to change crews at the port but to no avail. CNN Philippines reached out to the Philippine Embassy in China. The Embassy said that they will look into the plight of the stranded seafarers. "The Embassy has been making representations with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs & the local authorities. China has a strict policy of no disembarkation for foreign crews as part of its anti-pandemic measures. The Embassy continues to work on this case," said Ambassador Chito Sta. Romana in a statement. Filmmakers around the world have denounced an Israeli court decision outlawing the screening and distribution of the documentary film Jenin, Jenin and called for the ban to be lifted. The 54-minute film was made in 2002 by the renowned Palestinian film maker and actor Mohammad Bakri. An Israeli citizen, Bakri has won numerous awards for his acting and filmmaking, which often reflects the plight of Palestinians inside Israel and in the occupied territories. He has appeared in around 70 films as an actor, including Wajib in 2017. His sons Saleh (The Bands Visit, The Time that Remains, When I Saw You, Wajib), Ziad (Miral, Screwdriver) and Adam (Omar, Official Secrets) are all distinguished actors and/or directors. Mohammad Bakri in 2010 (Photo credit- Eman) Despite heavy pressure from Israel to censor it, Jenin, Jenin won two international film awards. Bakris documentary is available to watch here: as well as on Vimeo. Bakri called his film Jenin, Jenin after the calls Palestinian taxi drivers make touting for fares at Israeli checkpoints. It deals with the incursion by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in April 2002 during the second intifada into the Palestinian refugee camp in Jenin in the West Bank, illegally occupied by Israel since the 1967 Arab Israeli war. Israels declared aim was cleansing known areas that harboured terrorists. Jenin was subject to a strict lockdown and curfew, with no media, medical or human rights personnel allowed near the city. Israels prime minister at the time was Ariel Sharon, who as defence minister was found responsible for the massacre of Palestinians in the refugee camps at Sabra and Shatila in Lebanon in September 1982 at the hands of Israels Phalangist allies. There were fears of another atrocity on the scale of the 1982 massacre. Israeli forces killed at least 52 Palestinians in Jenin, including women, elderly people and children, injuring scores of others, and shelled 150 buildings, leaving 450 families homeless. The fighting was so fierce that 23 Israeli soldiers died in the operation. Jenin, Jenin Bakri courageously decided to film what was going on inside Jenin when an Israeli soldier opened fire on the protesters, injuring a friend of Bakris, a young actress who was standing next to him. He entered the refugee camp before the curfew ended and interviewed dozens of witnesses, capturing with his camera the wanton death and destruction perpetrated by Israeli forces. After journalists and human rights groups entered the camp and spoke to survivors, they accused Israeli troops of war crimes. A Human Rights Watch report found prima facie evidence of Israeli war crimes during its assault on the Jenin refugee camp. Bakris film begins with a dedication to Ivad Samoudi, the films executive producer who was shot dead by the IDF at the end of the filming. It does not use any commentary or voice-over, leaving the Palestinian residents of Jenins refugee camp to tell their story of the 11 days of carnage carried out by the Israeli military. Among those supporting Bakri are British film directors Ken Loach and Asif Kapadia, Finnish screenwriter and director Aki Kaurismaki, Palestinian filmmakers Michel Khleifi and Annemarie Jacir and Israeli director Eyal Sivan, who said they had received the news of the ban with consternation and outrage. The Palestine Film Institute has started an online petition calling on the Israeli state to lift its ban on the screening of the film. The film has been subject to lawsuits and censorship efforts ever since its release more than 18 years ago. In 2016, Nissim Meghnagi, a reservist soldier who appears on archival footage in the film alongside two other soldiers for just a few seconds and is not named, filed a defamation suit. He claimed he was accused in the film of stealing money from an elderly Palestinian man, an allegation he denied, that his good name has been harmed, his honour has been smashed, and that the film libelled Israeli soldiers by presenting them as war criminals. In a highly unusual move, Avichai Mandelblit, the Attorney General and a former Military Advocate General, announced he had decided to support the civil suit against Bakri because of public interest in the case. It followed requests from Meghnagi and from the then IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, the author of the infamous Dahiya Doctrine that advocates the destruction of the civilian infrastructure of regimes deemed to be hostile to Israel. Bakri denied that his film made any accusation against Meghnagi, saying, The camera panned the plaintiff for mere seconds, and he cannot be identified as the person behind the deeds described in the movie. The purpose of the suit was persecution and political silencing. Last week, the Lod District Court Judge Halit Silash ruled in Meghnagis favour, ordering Bakri to pay more than $50,000 to Meghnagi and another $15,000 in court fees. He said Meghnagi had been sent to defend his country and found himself accused of a crime he did not commit and that some of the statements in the film were untrue. Silash ordered a ban on the screening of the film in Israel and the confiscation of the 24 copies of the film. Announcing his intention to appeal, Bakri said the decision was unfair and that the judge had acted on instructions from above. Hussein Abu Hussein, his lawyer, said the ruling was a political decision aimed at silencing any voice that differs from the Israeli narrative. Palestinian Authority Minister of Culture Atef Abu Seif denounced the courts decision, saying it was an attempt to fight the Palestinian narrative and hide racist and fascist practices of the occupation. Writing about the film in Haaretz in October, Bakri explained that ever since the release of Jenin, Jenin, I have been wandering the corridors of Israeli courthousesyears of harassment and tendentious persecution that can only be explained by the fact that I am an Arab, who is forbidden to touch sacred cows such as the Israel Defence Forces or national security. An Arab who must be a good Arab and tell only the Israeli story, otherwise he is a traitor and an enemy of Israel who pisses into the well from which he drinks. Mohammad and Saleh Bakri in Wajib He added, I am 66 years old. I have devoted most of my life to making a better life for everyone. Ive told the stories of the oppressedthe Armenians, the Kurds, the Italians, the Jews and the Holocaust, and of the Palestinians. I dont have much left. Time is short and the work is long, the coronavirus looms, the lunatic right rules the world and has tried to lead us astray. So if not now, when? The courts gross infringement of Bakris freedom of expression is part of Israels broader attacks on cultural efforts to portray the realities of Palestinian life. Finance for Palestinian cultural and artistic work is sparse, with Palestinian Israelis, who constitute 20 percent of the population, receiving just 3 percent of the governments culture budget. The Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts, one of the largest film funds in Israel, makes funding conditional upon signing a declaration of loyalty to Israel. The courts ban on Jenin, Jenin is bound up with Israels efforts to outlaw all efforts aimed at exposing its brutality and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territories. Any such exposure is completely unacceptable to Binyamin Netanyahus right-wing government. That Bakri has faced 18 years of harassment, intimidation and legal actions, including criminal prosecution, expresses Israels determination to provide immunity for those involved in violating Palestinians rights. Earlier this week, the Education Ministry summoned the principal and the managing director of a Haifa high school for a disciplinary hearing. This followed a lecture to students by Hagai El-Ad, the director of BTselem, the human rights organisation that had for the first time referred to Israel as practicing apartheid. The lecture was given despite a ministry order barring schools from hosting representatives of organisations that treat IDF soldiers with contempt and call Israel an apartheid state. Boxes of Sinopharm's China National Biotec Group vaccine against COVID-19 are pictured at a vaccination site in Shanghai, China, Jan. 19, 2021. Reuters The World Health Organization will begin considering China's two COVID-19 vaccines for emergency approval next week, WHO Assistant Director-General Mariangela Simao said Friday. Man jailed on sexual contact with minor POTTSVILLE A man was jailed Monday after being arrested by Pottsville police for sexual crimes involving a minor. Police said Phillip Shane Cartwright, 28, of Pottsville, was arrested by Detective Joseph Welsh and charged with statutory sexual assault, indecent assault, corruption of minors and indecent exposure. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $25,000 bail. Welsh said the charges are the result of an investigation that began on Jan. 5 when a Pottsville juvenile reported that Cartwright had inappropriate sexual contact with her in 2019 at his home. Cartwright will now have to appear for a preliminary hearing before Reiley in his Pottsville courtroom at a later date. 1 suffers minor injuries in crash McADOO A Hazleton woman suffered minor injuries when the 2019 Honda HRV she was driving crashed in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81, near mile marker 138.2 in Kline Township, around 8 a.m. Jan. 16. State police at Frackville said Bianca Pizarro, 22, was negotiating a right curve on the exit ramp when she lost control, went off the road and struck a guiderail. The woman complained of wrist pain but refused medical treatment, police said. Woman arrested after investigation POTTSVILLE Pottsville police arrested a city woman stemming from an investigation that began on Jan. 10. Police said they learned that Jacqueline Chattin, 29, illegally entered a home in the 900 block of West Market Street, went to the bedroom of a 72-year-old woman who was sleeping and assaulted her by punching her and pushing on her with a tire iron. Police said Chattin then stole the womans purse that contained about $200 in cash, her Access card and several bank cards fleeing before the victim called police. The victim was taken to a hospital by Schuylkill EMS for treatment. Police said that during a subsequent investigation it was learned that Chattin tried to use the womans bank card the following day. On Jan. 18, police said, Chattin was taken into custody and charged with burglary, criminal trespass, aggravated assault, simple assault, theft and two counts of access device fraud. She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $50,000 bail, police said. Police chief reports on Naloxone use POTTSVILLE Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky reported that during 2020 members of the department used the drug Naloxone to reverse 27 potentially fatal opiate overdoses in the city. Since beginning the use of Naloxone, members of the Pottsville Police Department have a total of 128 successful overdose reversals with an average of 25 per year, the chief said. More to the point . . . THE EPIC MONEY MAHOMES CONTRACT HAS RUINED THE TEAM'S FUTURE!!! And so, tomorrow really is history for a team that has prospered amid the pandemic but might have trouble maintaining their "dynasty" amid the new normal. Read more and think about the exceptionally quick journey for the Royals from first to worst before dismissing this argument . . . Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The real-life love story of one of its authors, Newtownabbey woman Karin Baine and her husband George, could be a plot for one of its bestselling novels. The couple first met when Karin was 17 and George was 22. They got engaged after three months and have been married for 35 years. "We've been together a long time and are still really happy," says Karin. Expand Close Mills & Boon author Karin Baine / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mills & Boon author Karin Baine "We met on a night out at the Airport Inn in Templepatrick and while I wouldn't call it love at first sight, we both knew from the start that that was it and we got engaged after three months." The couple have two grown up sons and Karin has just finished writing her 17th medical romance novel for Mills & Boon. She plans to keep writing as long as the ideas keep coming. "George, an engineer, has always been really supportive and encouraging - I think he's hoping for early retirement," she laughs. Karin (45) began writing around 12 years ago after the death of her mother. "I was at a bit of a loss for things to do, so decided to have a go," she says. "Both my mum and granny were big readers of romantic fiction and there was always a big box of Mills & Boon by mum's bed, which I started reading - and loved. "I've enjoyed writing stories since I was at primary school and when I went on to Ballyclare High School, one of my teachers - Mr Reid - encouraged me to send stuff off to magazines. "When I was in my 20s, I did have a few bits published here and there, but not a book." Karin entered a Mills & Boon writing competition, So You Think You Can Write, in 2014. It was a worldwide contest and she got through to the final 10. "To enter, you had to write a first chapter and synopsis, and if you got through to the final 50, you had to send a full manuscript. That was the first time I actually finished a book," she says. As a result, Karin began working with a Mills & Boon editor to hone her skills and in 2015, her first novel, French Fling to Forever (which was set in Belfast) was published. The rest they say and after working as a sales assistant and raising her sons, she now writes full-time and aims to complete around three books every year. "Mills & Boon allow you to work at your own pace and will work out a schedule to suit you. I try to be disciplined and write at least 1,000 words every day, sometimes it's more and some days, less. I can get easily distracted," she laughs. "I think a lot of people - especially other writers - think a Mills & Boon is easy to write, or that there is some kind of 'tick sheet' for each book. But there's not. Each book is different in its own way and we work just as hard as other writers. "And they've moved with the times. It's now important that female characters are as strong and independent as men. They no longer give up everything to be with someone. They keep their independence and get the man as well. "Also, you have to be very clear about the language used when writing sex scenes - it has to be very clear that both are willing partners. "It can take away from the spontaneity a bit when you are writing, but the issue of consent and equality are very important in today's Mills Boon love stories." Catherine Tinley writes historical romance novels set in the Regency era. Her sixth love story was published last month and she's already completed the first draft of book number seven. Expand Close Mills & Boon author Catherine Tinley / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mills & Boon author Catherine Tinley The Newry woman, who is in her early 50s, only began writing seriously around five years ago and still works full-time in healthcare management, while putting pen to paper at weekends. She says: "I've always written stories - long and short pieces, but the first project that I ever fully completed was my first book, Waltzing with the Earl, which I sent directly to Mills & Boon on the off chance. "Writing has always been a side-line for me," says the mum of three. "Once the children grew up, I decided to start writing seriously and just went for it. "I got the Artists & Writers Yearbook, found the address and sent it in - which is the worst way, apparently, because your manuscript then goes on to what's known as the 'slush pile' and the chances of getting spotted are very slim. "It's much better to go through an agent, or a competition. "It's hard to get published by Mills & Boon. There's a lot of people send them manuscripts. I'm very lucky in that mine got pulled from the pile." Waltzing with the Earl, which was published in 2017, was a huge success and in 2018, Catherine became the first woman from Ireland to win a RITA - the highest accolade in the romantic fiction industry - for her debut novel. "I've always been fascinated by the Regency era and loved reading Jane Austen (inset)and also Georgette Heyer, who wrote Regency and Georgian love stories," she says. Catherine has been married to Andrew, a lawyer, for almost 29 years and says it was her husband who insisted that she send off the manuscript for Waltzing with the Earl. "I made him read the first draft," she says. "It wouldn't be his choice of reading material, but he said he got half way through and forgot that it was me who had written it because he got so caught up in the story. "That was really encouraging and he insisted I sent it off. He's always been really supportive." Surprisingly Catherine says that she and Andrew aren't romantic. "When we were younger, yes of course, but now, romance for me is being handed some food and the remote control," she laughs. She insists that while in the past, Mills & Boon heroines were somewhat submissive, things are very different today. "They've changed with the times. The books now, reflect society now, even historical romance novels," she says. "You are writing about strong-minded smart women who are making their own choices and men who are worthy of them. "It's been a very long time since the days of dominant men and it's not just Mills & Boon who are reflective of this, it's all storytelling art forms." Catherine agrees that there is still a lot of 'book snobbery' surrounding romantic fiction. "Some people in the book world can be a bit sneery, but romantic fiction is actually quite tricky to write. "There is no formula. The only stipulation with Mills & Boon is that a love story is the central theme and there has to be a happy ending. "I've had a few people say to me, 'Oh, I could write one of those'," she laughs. "I sometimes feel like saying, 'Okay, see if you can get a well told story that's emotionally engaging, with good character development, a good story arc, light and shade, a variable pace, and get the dialogue and historical detail right all within the word count go for it and see if you can get it past a Mills & Boon editor. "Obviously, there are people who can do that, but it really is harder than it looks." Mills & Boon: Writing For Love in Northern Ireland includes the first ever television interview, with mega-selling author Lynne Graham from Ballymena. Lynne (63) published her debut novel, Bittersweet Passion, in 1987 and has since gone on to write more than 120 novels and sell 45 million books. She is one of the most successful Mills & Boon writers in the world. Speaking on the programme she reveals that she wrote her first novel when she was 15. "Of course it was turned down flat," she says. "I didn't know much about life then and I didn't write again till I was in my early 20s. My eldest child was a toddler and I started writing to amuse myself. "I wrote and sent off at least six books before I got one published. Now I write on average six days a week. "A lot of people who read Mills & Boon won't admit to reading them. And in the '80s, I met a lot of people who had quite a judgmental attitude towards me when they found out I was writing romantic fiction." Despite her huge success, Lynne reveals that she continually suffers from self-doubt. "You are always worrying about things like getting stale, because different generations of women look for different things in their heroines," she says. "All I want for my readers is for them to have a happy experience reading my books. "Some of the loveliest letters and emails I have received have been readers writing to me and saying that my books got them through a difficult or unhappy period. "If one of my books can lift someone or cheer them up a bit, that's my job done and done well. That's the best compliment you can get." Palmdale, CA (93550) Today A mix of clouds and sunshine with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High 89F. WSW winds at 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 61F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. PM Nikol Pashinyan has decided to appointfor her special meritsparliament majority leader Lilit Makunts as Armenias ambassador to the US. Mikayel Minasyan, Armenias former Ambassador to the Vaticanand son-in-law of ex-President Serzh Sargsyan, wrote about this on his Telegram channel "Even if we consider that Makunts is not a bad person, there is no doubt that Makunts is an incompetent politician; moreover, an incompetent diplomat. And in general, she is not a diplomat. Evidence of her ignorance at various levelsincluding the interparliamentary, foreign policy failures. First, Pashinyan appointed Makunts as Minister of Culture, then the head of his [parliamentary] faction. Makunts, who is known as Pashinyan's English pedagogue, has one advantage: Nikol believes in her unconditionally. That is why, by sending her to the US, Pashinyan has decided to kill two birds with one stone: to save Makunts from the sinking ship [of the incumbent authorities], and to use her in a dirty game between the two superpowers [US and Russia]. Nikol's [political] team stayed [in power] until [US President Joe] Biden was appointed. They will send Lilit Makunts after the [US] State Department cookies, which the velvet revolutionaries [in Armenia] dreamed of so much. It seems to them that amateur Makunts will save Armenia. Her future appointment [as Armenian ambassador to the US] is a blow to Armenian-American, Armenian-Russian relations, the image of Armenia. Two days ago, the Soros circles started anti-Russian rhetoric. The decision to appoint Makunts will be the institutionalization of that geopolitical chaos in which Nikol has immersed Armenia. P. S. By the way, let me remind [you]: Nikol Pashinyan has sworn to review the practice of appointing people who are not considered personnel diplomats to the post of ambassadors," Minasyan added. PARIS (dpa-AFX) - French telecommunications operator Orange (ORAN) announced that it has agreed to sell 50% equity interest and co-control of Orange Concessions to La Banque des Territoires, part of France's state-owned bank Caisse des Depots, insurer CNP Assurances and EDF Invest consortium. The deal values Orange Concessions at 2.675 billion euros. The entity covers about 4.5 million fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) plugs in rural France. The transaction is expected to close by end 2021. In line with its Engage 2025 strategic plan, this partnership gives Orange the flexibility to reinforce its development in fibre, notably in rural areas. 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. Kelly Marie Tran and John Boyega as Rose and Finn in "The Last Jedi." Walt Disney Studios "Star Wars" has issued a statement condemning "bullying and racism" directed at Krystina Arielle. Arielle, who is Black, was recently announced as the host of an upcoming web series. But fans criticized the move as "hypocritical" following past harassment of cast members of color. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Related: The ending of 'The Mandalorian' season 1 explained "Star Wars" has condemned "bullying and racism" directed at Krystina Arielle - but many fans are underwhelmed by the statement, seeing it as long overdue. Arielle was recently announced as the host of "The High Republic Show," an upcoming web series that will explore the creation of the new "High Republic" series of comics and books. Arielle has since been subjected to racist vitriol from corners of the Star Wars fandom, largely in response to her tweets condemning systemic racism in the US. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. On Friday, the official "Star Wars" account on Twitter responded to the mounting harassment: "Our Star Wars community is one of hope and inclusivity. We do not stand for bullying and racism. We support @KrystinaArielle." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Many fans were appreciative of the statement, describing it as "important." However, many were also quick to note past failures by the franchise to protect its cast members of color. "Great to see Lucasfilm/Disney realize they should stand up for members of their community who face unspeakable, hateful harassment," The Verge's Julia Alexander wrote. "It's still infuriating they did not do this for John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Daisy Ridley." "This is good. We as fans should always ask for better." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Kelly Marie Tran, who portrayed Rose Tico in 2017's "The Last Jedi," was infamously targeted by fans who didn't like her character, driving her away from social media entirely. Tran, who is Vietnamese-American, described much of her harassment as racist and sexist. Tran returned as Tico in 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker," but for a noticeably diminished role in the plot. Story continues John Boyega also experienced harassment when his role as Finn, a stormtrooper-turned-rebel, was announced for the sequel trilogy. Some fans said a stormtrooper somehow couldn't be Black. In 2015, Disney was criticized for shrinking Boyega's image in the Chinese poster for "The Force Awakens." The move was largely seen as an attempt to appeal to a "racist" market. Boyega has since called out Disney for marginalizing him and consistently sidelining characters of color. Read more: John Boyega calls on Hollywood studios to do more to protect actors from racial abuse "When it came to Kelly Marie Tran, when it came to John Boyega, [Disney knew] f--- all," Boyega told GQ in November. "So what do you want me to say? What they want you to say is, 'I enjoyed being a part of it. It was a great experience...' Nah, nah, nah. I'll take that deal when it's a great experience." "You guys knew what to do with Daisy Ridley, you knew what to do with Adam Driver," he continued, adding that costars like Naomi Ackie, who is also Black, and Oscar Isaac, who is Guatemalan and Cuban-American, suffered the same treatment. Given these previous issues, some critics described Star Wars' defense of Arielle as "performative" and "hypocritical." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Other fans brought up "The Mandalorian" star Gina Carano, who was called out in November for sharing anti-mask memes and voter fraud theories. Read more: Fans are calling for 'The Mandalorian' star Gina Carano's removal over anti-mask and voter fraud tweets Some believe that her employment is incongruous with a Star Wars community focused on "hope and inclusivity." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Representatives for Walt Disney Studios did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Insider A driver whose pickup truck jumped a curb earlier this month and fatally struck a 61-year-old woman was driving while under the influence at the time, authorities announced Friday night. Andrew Hallock, 75, of the Fords section of Woodbridge, was charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated, according to a joint statement from the Woodbridge Police and the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office. An investigation revealed that Hallock was driving a Toyota Tundra south on Hoy Avenue on Jan. 4 at 1:36 p.m. when he crossed over the curb at the roads intersection with New Brunswick Avenue, passed into a nearby parking lot and struck Mary Ann Logozio, 61, of Fords, the office said. Logozio was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The incident remained under investigation Friday and anyone with information iwas asked to call Officer Dorward of the Woodbridge Police Department at (732) 634-7700 ext. 2153 or Detective Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office at (732) 745-4328. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. HOUSTON : People with COVID-19 may rely on antibodies created during infections from earlier coronaviruses to help fight the disease, says a new study that may partially explain the difference in symptom severity between old and young patients. The study, published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, noted that humans have navigated at least six other types of coronaviruses before SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes COVID-19. "Our results suggest that the COVID-19 virus may awaken an antibody response that existed in humans prior to our current pandemic, meaning that we might already have some degree of pre-existing immunity to this virus," said John Altin, a co-author of the study from the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in the US. In the research, the scientists used a novel tool called PepSeq to map the body's antibody responses to all human-infecting coronaviruses. "The data generated using PepSeq allowed for broad characterization of the antibody response in individuals recently infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared with those of individuals exposed only to previous coronaviruses that now are widespread in human populations," said Jason Ladner, the study's lead author from Northern Arizona University in the US. The researchers examined the antibody responses from two other potentially deadly coronaviruses -- MERS and the 2002-03 SARS pandemic virus. They also characterised the antibody responses of four older coronaviruses -- alphacoronaviruses 229E and NL63 as well as beta coronaviruses OC43 and HKU1. According to the scientists, these are common viruses that are endemic throughout human populations, but usually are not deadly and cause mild upper respiratory infections similar to those of the common cold. By comparing how the antibodies react against these different coronaviruses, the researchers demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 could trigger immune system antibodies originally generated in response to these past coronavirus infections. They said the cross-reactivity with these antibodies occurred at two sites in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein which enables the virus to enter and infect human cells. "Our findings highlight sites at which the SARS-CoV-2 response appears to be shaped by previous coronavirus exposures, and which have potential to raise broadly-neutralizing antibodies," Altin said. "We further demonstrate that these cross-reactive antibodies preferentially bind to endemic coronavirus peptides, suggesting that the response to SARS-CoV-2 at these regions may be constrained by previous coronavirus exposure," he said, adding that further research is needed to understand the implications. The scientists believe the findings also explain the widely varying reactions COVID-19 patients have to the disease from mild to no symptoms, to severe infections requiring hospitalisation, and often leading to death. They said the differences in the pre-existing antibody response identified by this study may possibly explain some differences in how severely COVID-19 disease affects old versus young people. "Our findings raise the possibility that the nature of an individual's antibody response to prior endemic coronavirus infection may impact the course of COVID-19 disease," Ladner said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! On the FactCheck page, The Associated Press tracks down some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals that were shared widely on social media. The AP takes those untrue stories, checks them out and sets the records straight in this weekly series of news articles. Day care shortage creates barriers for working parents With a labor shortage plaguing the state, working parents are ready to fill these positions. The lack of childcare options creates barriers. The United States will continue to support Armenia as it rebuilds in the years to come, U.S. ambassador to Armenia Lynne M. Tracy said in an article on Friday, January 22, Panarmenian.net reports. According to Tracy, since Armenias independence, the United States has supported Armenia in its fight for democracy "not because we have perfected it ourselves, but because we know how much work it takes to protect and defend." As the United States begins a new chapter in history, Tracy said Washington renews commitment to partnering with the Armenian people, Government, civil society, media, and the private sector to support the aspirations of the Armenian people who voiced their choice for meaningful, tangible reforms to strengthen the country's democratic institutions and for a more prosperous future. 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. The former chief executive of Northern Ireland's health watchdog has taken a job running a disgraced care home firm which is at the centre of two police investigations into allegations of abuse and neglect of residents, it can be revealed. Dermot Parsons left the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) three weeks ago and has taken up the job of managing director of Runwood Homes. It can also be revealed that the company is to be renamed from next month. An internal email sent to staff has announced the appointment of Mr Parsons as managing director, as well as rebranding plans which will see the company renamed as Kathryn Homes (NI) from the beginning of February. The email reads: "We are pleased to announce we have appointed a new managing director, Dermot Parsons, for our Northern Ireland homes. Dermot comes to us with a wealth of experience and has the care and well-being of our residents and staff at the heart of all he does. "We can also proudly reveal that the rebranded Kathryn Homes (NI) will have new signage on the homes proudly announcing the new company name, new branded uniforms and badges, a standalone Kathryn Homes (NI) website, and the Kathryn Homes (NI) logo on stationery." Mr Parsons takes up his new job two-and-a-half years after a damning report by Eddie Lynch, the Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland, which found that residents of Dunmurry Manor, which is owned by Runwood Homes and has since been renamed Oak Tree Manor, had suffered shocking neglect, including starvation and sexual abuse. The report revealed that relatives of residents were forced to buy continence pads as Runwood only provided "the cheapest of the cheap" and nurses bought their own blood pressure monitors because ones provided by Runwood were broken. Mr Lynch said countless agency staff worked for one day at the facility and refused to return because it was so dangerous. Expand Close Former NI health watchdog chief Dermot Parsons has taken up his new role after leaving the RQIA three weeks ago / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former NI health watchdog chief Dermot Parsons has taken up his new role after leaving the RQIA three weeks ago "There is no doubt many people were neglected and abused, with some spending their last few months living in appalling conditions," he said. "Some family members put it to me they felt their loved ones were simply left to die. What sort of a system do we have where a care home can receive more than 2m from a health trust but the company can't afford an extra 10 in their budget to give older people continence pads? That's the reality of the regime in place." Mr Lynch also criticised the RQIA for its role in the failings at Dunmurry Manor, explaining that he was particularly concerned they were happening while the watchdog deemed the home was safe. Mr Parsons was appointed interim chief executive of the RQIA last year when his predecessor moved to the Public Health Agency, however, his time in the top job was mired in controversy as the entire board of the organisation resigned last June in a row over the handling of the pandemic. Mr Parsons was replaced by Dr Tony Stevens, the former chief executive of the Northern Trust, although he remained an employee of the RQIA until the end of last year. His departure from the role came after a series of embarrassing emails, which were sent last April and May, came to light in which Mr Parsons told the chief medical officer of his desire to resign, citing his position as "untenable" and claiming the RQIA board had no confidence in him. Police are currently carrying out separate investigations into two Runwood Homes facilities - Dunmurry Manor and Glenabbey Manor. At the same time, the Belfast Trust is carrying out a high-level probe after it stepped in to remove all residents from another Runwood Homes facility, Clifton Nursing Home, in May last year following the deaths of nine residents during a Covid-19 outbreak. Asked to comment on the appointment of Mr Parsons and the company's planned rebrand, a Runwood Homes spokesman said: "Our residents and their families remain our priority, any announcement in relation to a rebrand will be shared with them in the first instance." A spokesman from the RQIA said: "Dermot Parsons resigned his post in RQIA and left his employment on December 31, 2020. It would not be for RQIA to comment on his current position." The Citizen Eye Ghana (CITEG), a civil society organisation is calling on President Akufo-Addo to urgently sanction investigations into the alleged thievery of new born babies at some health facilities in the country. According to the group, fishing out the culprits harvesting babies and bringing them to book will serve as a deterrent to other individuals and groups engaged in such acts. Addressing a press conference in Accra on Friday afternoon, January 22, 2021, the President of CITEG, Alex Kwaku Tetteh said it is sad that some health personnel, including nurses and doctors in collaboration with some officials of the Department of Social Welfare will team up to steal and sell new born babies in health facilities. He said the practice of some health officials stealing new born babies in their facilities and selling them to people is not only immoral and unethical to the medical profession, but an act which is alien to Ghanaian culture. Mr Tetteh is of the view that severe punishment will help to bring an end to the crime in health facilities in the country. For him, the sad incidents of baby harvesting has brought fear to many pregnant women and families, stressing that if the practice is not stopped immediately, it could serve as catalyst to many pregnant women losing interest in attending antenatal care. Baby harvesters busted The Daily Graphic on Thursday, January 21, 2021, reported that a joint operation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Ghana Medical and Dental Council (MDC) has led to the arrest of 11 people suspected to be involved in the harvesting of babies and human trafficking in some health facilities in the Greater Accra Region. Those arrested comprise two medical doctors, four nurses, two mothers, two social welfare officers and a traditional birth attendant. The operation also led to the rescue of two baby boys who are four months old and less than a month old who were offered for sale at GH30,000 and GH28,000 each to undercover investigators. Growing practice The CITEGs president noted that many victims of baby harvesting syndicate are unable to pursue their cases due to poverty, thus giving the perpetrators a field day to carry out their nefarious activities in some health facilities in the country. It is heartbreaking when people with such noble profession like medical doctors and nurses with their accomplices from the offices of the Social Welfare Department to be involved in such a wicked act to send innocent families into deep sorrowful moment, Mr Tetteh noted. He has therefore commended EOCO and the Ghana Medical and Dental Council for successfully fishing out some of the bad nuts within their fold. Regulation For his part, an executive member of CITEG, Dr Isaac Ankomah, called for new systems to regulate activities of the Department of Social Welfare. He again called on government to resource them (Department of Social Welfare) with qualified personnel who put the interest of children first and able to identify gabs and challenges that encourages illegal adoption, sale and theft of babies. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Sri Lanka has completely reopened its borders to tourists and international arrivals, after flight operations were suspended 10 months ago in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. An Oman Air flight carrying 50 Sri Lankans arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo early Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency. Speaking to the media here, Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga thanked President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for reviving the Covid-19-affected tourism industry which employs three million people. Ranatunga however said the country was not targeting a particular number of tourists at this juncture for the year, as it was too early to predict. "We are trying to attract as many tourists as possible," he said. "All airlines that were operating to Sri Lanka pre-Covid have expressed interest in resuming operations. But given the pandemic situation, we understand that it will take time to gradually get to the same level of operations." Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairperson Kimarli Fernando said that the Tourism Ministry has formulated detailed safety protocols and procedures in consultation with the Health Ministry and the presidential task force on Covid-19. "With all these measures, processes and protocols sat in place, Sri Lanka is ready and Sri Lanka is open to welcome back our visitors," Fernando said. Tourism authorities have created an online information portal and a 24-hour operational centre, with which tourists can have access to support and information updates via phone or e-mail. Sri Lanka currently has a PCR testing capacity for 2,500 tourist arrivals per day. Tourists will have to purchase insurance and pay for their own PCR tests. Currently, there is no quarantine period or minimum stay set for visiting tourists. The Bandaranaike International Airport in the country's west and the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in the south are both currently opened to scheduled and chartered flights from at least eight airlines including the island nation's flag carrier SriLankan Airlines. Also Watch: On Thursday, Sri Lanka registered more than 800 new coronavirus cases, increasing the national tally to to 56,076. The overall death toll stood at 274. TikTok: @nikpeiler A new San Antonio photographer on TikTok recently explained what you should expect if you move to Texas from California. And, he's got a few points. On Tuesday, TikTok user Nikalaus Peiler (@nikpeiler) posted his 1-minute video that listed five things to know about Texas, plus a bonus tip that kind of needed to be said. Peiler, who says he's a San Antonio photographer, uploaded the video because he said he just moved to the Lone Star State from California. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Kalamazoos new cultivation and processing plant is producing more than cannabis as the founders work to grow job opportunities, diversity and sustainability throughout the industry. The Woods cultivation and processing center opened in August 2020. The 16,000 square foot warehouse has been transformed into a high-tech grow production yielding 3,500 plants. Founders Raphael Thurin and Trent Friske grew up together in Saginaw. In 2013, the pair were working as medical marijuana caregivers. Friske had returned home to Michigan after working out in California. His mother was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and using marijuana to cope with her loss of appetite and sleep due to treatment. Rather than have her purchase from a stranger, Friske began experimenting with indoor growing himself. He found out his childhood friend was also growing and the two teamed up. Although neither came from a business background, they saw the cannabis industry as a huge opportunity, Thurin said. In 2017, marijuana advocates were racking up signatures to put recreational marijuana on the ballot. The cannabis industry was looking like the next tech bubble of our generation, Thurin said. They were underdogs but they were determined to get ahead of the curve. We dont have a lot of resources and dont have a lot of capital, the best we can do is use this opportunity to take advantage, and learn as much as we possibly can, he said. If we start early and plan diligently maybe we can make that vision a reality. And so a series of resource and development was put into motion. They tested variations in lights and soil and grow methods like hydroponic and aeroponic. Making the vision a reality Fast forward to 2021 and the level of detail throughout the facility is a mix of mad scientist laboratory and state-of-the art hospital. A motherboard of climate controls shows the health of each grow room down to the percentage of humidity. Water and air filtration are monitored constantly to eliminate any outside containments from getting in. Every surface down to the doorknobs are tested, Thurin said. A whiteboard sits outside the grow room detailing every variance in the plants over the 18-day harvest period. It looks like a nurses clipboard in a patient room and has notes on every one of the 800 mothers growing inside. Grow Facility Manager Lyndle Morley was attracted to the cannabis industry because of those changing variables every day, she said. She said it was exciting that there was still so much that was undefined even in an environment as controlled as a grow facility. Its a burgeoning industry and I wanted to be a part of creating a standard for it, she said. Its an opportunity to solve brand new problems horticulture has never seen before. And even if they have seen them they havent tackled it on this scale. The Woods offers 16 different strains of marijuana ranging in levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The Woods product can be found in 10 different retail locations including Kalamazoos Herbology. Deciding which strains to keep is an ongoing experiment depending on how well they grow and how well they sell, Friske said. The team also tests for flavor, look and smell to determine which products will be popular. Given that recreational marijuana is still pretty new, theyre finding that customers at the dispensary are looking for the best bang for their buck and gravitating toward higher THC levels, Friske said. The Woods grows GMO, which is a mix of strains Chemdog and Girl Scout Cookie and tested at 32% THC, Friske said. The trend of wanting high THC levels will likely fade, Friske said. Eventually once the rec market matures itll be more like alcohol, he said. Like a good beer from Bells might cost a little more but its not going to be 11% ABV and thats what it costs more. The Woods is also collecting data right until the very end of the process. The state requires that marijuana waste is shredded to the point of being unusable and that the waste weight is reported back to the state. The Woods uses that data to inform decisions both financial and sustainability decisions on how to reduce waste. Each plant is hand trimmed from stem to leaf. Even then, any bags of marijuana that just dont look pretty enough to sell to consumers get sold to producers to repurpose as hash, oil or vape cartridge material. We dont really want our product to be out there on shelves and have somebody look at the label and be like, oh this is not very good weed, and associate it with our grow, Friske said. Diversifying the industry from the inside out This year there are plans in the works to expand The Woods production to 10,000 plants by renovating the adjoining warehouse. The expansion will bring the entire plant to 30,000 square feet. So far $5 million has been invested into the current facility and the expansion will require another $4 million in fundraising, Friske said. It will also create new jobs to add to the staff of 30 currently working at The Woods. Approximately 75% of the current staff came from the Kalamazoo area, Friske said. Related: New Michigan marijuana taxes, stock market proposed to boost minority business investment Diversity among the staff is paramount, Friske and Thurin said. Both owners were accepted as part of the states Social Equity Program. In an effort to diversify the industry and repair the damages done by the war on drugs, the social equity program offer licensing fee reductions for individuals meeting one or more of the following criteria: Residency in a disproportionately impacted community for at least five cumulative years within the past 10 years. Conviction of a marijuana related offense. Registration as a primary caregiver under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA) for at least two years between 2008 and 2017. The city of Kalamazoo approved its own social equity policy giving a 25% reduction in city license fees for those who met the qualifications. The policy also designates 25% of fees and tax generated revenue toward programs focused on helping people of color prepare for ownership/operations of future marijuana establishments and community education. As a Native American man and a Black man, Friske and Thurin are the minority within Michigans cannabis industry. Data collected in December 2020 by the Marijuana Regulatory Agency showed that only 3.8% of stakeholders in the recreational marijuana industry are Black or African American and 1.5% are Hispanic or Latino. In an effort to diversify the industry from the inside out, Friske and Thurin are looking to not only employ but promote people of color, minorities and women. Theres different types of activism out there, Thurin said. You can be out there on the street and then theres times where you can use your opportunities to benefit other people in different ways. More on MLive: Two more recreational marijuana dispensaries open in Grand Rapids New Michigan law doesnt mean vets are going to prescribe marijuana to your pets Marijuana and Muslim religion clash as 2nd dispensary slips into Michigan town Kalamazoo Menu founder joins BuyLocal to build grassroots Chamber for small business General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed the importance of leveraging the guiding and safeguarding roles of strict Party governance in every respect to ensure the development goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) are fulfilled. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Friday when addressing the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). The year 2020 was extraordinary in the history of the People's Republic of China, Xi said as he summarized the year's achievements in Party construction. "People feel deeply that in stormy times the strong leadership of the Party and the authority of the CPC Central Committee are what they can always count on," Xi said. The CPC Central Committee is satisfied with the progress made in improving Party conduct, building a clean government and combating corruption, he added. Xi underscored the importance of improving political judgment, understanding and execution in implementing full and strict governance over the Party. NO ALTERNATIVE On fighting corruption, historic achievements have been made but the situation remains challenging and complex, Xi said. "Corruption, as the biggest risk to the Party's governance, still exists," Xi said, adding that old and new types of corruption have become intertwined and corruption is increasingly covert and complex. In 2020, 18 centrally-administrated officials were investigated. Also, 1,229 fugitives were brought back and 2.45 billion yuan (378 million U.S. dollars) retrieved from overseas in the first 11 months of 2020. In the first 11 days of 2021, China's top anti-graft body announced punishments for seven centrally-administrated officials who were accused of taking bribes, signifying that the country's war on corruption is taking steady steps in the new year. "The struggle between corruption and anti-corruption efforts will continue to exist for a long period to come," Xi said. "There is no alternative but to forge ahead in the anti-corruption fight against all odds." HIGHLIGHTED REQUIREMENTS Xi stressed constantly improving Party conduct, building clean government and combating corruption. The governance over the Party must always be strict, so that the CPC can lead and ensure the smooth sailing of the great ship of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said. Xi demanded strong political oversight to ensure the implementation of the CPC Central Committee's major decisions and plans. "We must resolutely continue the fight against corruption," Xi said, stressing the need to build the systems and measures to ensure that officials do not dare to be, are not able to be, and do not want to be corrupt. Xi demanded efforts to resolutely curb the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism. Continuous efforts must be made to address corruption and misconduct that affect people's immediate interests, to boost their sense of gaining, he added. Xi stressed the need to improve the Party and state supervisory systems, and integrate supervision into the country's development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Discipline inspection and supervision agencies should take the lead in strengthening the Party's political building. They must also be subject to the strictest constraint and oversight, Xi said. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting. Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI, presided over the meeting. Xi's important speech serves as the major guidance for advancing strict Party governance in every respect, Zhao said while presiding over the meeting. Zhao called on Party organizations at all levels and Party members and officials to study and implement the guiding principles of Xi's speech, and earnestly implement the plans made at the CCDI session. Zhao also delivered a work report to the session on behalf of the standing committee of the CCDI. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A 22-year-old Staten Islander was arrested in Pennsylvania after allegedly obtaining a forged prescription, according to the Bradford Era. Devante Matthews was charged Thursday with identity theft, obtaining a controlled substance by subterfuge, criminal use of a communication device and violating the pharmacy act, the Bradford Era reported. A pharmacy in Bradford, Pa., reported suspicious activity to the state attorney generals office after receiving calls from a New York physician for narcotic cough medicine, the report said. The pharmacy called police Thursday to notify them that a man identified as Matthews claimed to be a patient and was attempting to pick up a prescription, according to the report. Matthews told authorities he was inside the pharmacy to buy mouthwash, and declined to make a statement about the forged prescription, the report said. Matthews was arraigned Thursday afternoon and held in McKean County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail, the Bradford Era reported. Hours after making history by swearing in as the nation's first Black defense secretary, Lloyd Austin issued a brief message to the force, citing the need to contain COVID-19 and his focus on ensuring the force is effectively equipped to fight. Austin, the former four-star commander of U.S. Central Command, entered the Pentagon just after noon Friday, wearing a face mask. He had been overwhelmingly confirmed by the Senate earlier that morning, following a Thursday vote granting him a waiver to serve in light of his recent military experience. In the message to the Defense Department, Austin said he was honored to serve again. Read Next: National Guard Plans to Ask Thousands of Troops to Remain in DC Until Mid-March "The way I see it, my job as Secretary of Defense is to make you more effective at doing yours. That means ensuring you have the tools, technology, weapons, and training to deter and defeat our enemies," he said. "It means establishing sound policy and strategy and assigning you clear missions. It means putting a premium on cooperation with our allies and partners. And it means living up to our core values, the same ones our fellow citizens expect of us." He did not cite any specific challenges, but in a Jan. 19 confirmation hearing he was direct about the military's current fight to rid the ranks of violence-minded extremists. "We can never take our hands off the wheel on this," he said at the time. In his letter to the force, Austin indicated that Defense Department support of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic would continue. " ... We must help the Federal Government move further and faster to eradicate the devastating effects of the coronavirus," he wrote. "To that end, we will also do everything we can to vaccinate and care for our workforce and to look for meaningful ways to alleviate the pressure this pandemic has exerted on you and your families." Austin, who takes the helm of the Defense Department two days after the start of a new administration and will oversee a new array of service secretaries and deputies, many of whom have yet to be nominated by President Joe Biden, ended on a collaborative note. "None of us succeeds at this business alone," he said. "Defending the country requires teamwork and cooperation. It requires a certain humility, a willingness to learn, and absolute respect for one another. I know you share my devotion to these qualities." -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Related: It's Official: Lloyd Austin Is the First Black Defense Secretary Newly confirmed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived at the Pentagon on Friday to take on a lengthy national security to-do list, including a decision on whether to pull thousands of troops from backup duty at the border wall. President Joe Biden, shortly after taking the oath of office Wednesday, issued a proclamation to halt funding and construction of the border wall and lifted the national emergency declared by former President Donald Trump that has allowed the deployment of thousands of active-duty and National Guard troops to southwestern states since April 2018. In ending the national emergency, Biden set the stage for the eventual withdrawal of troops that have been assisting the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, said Dr. Robert Sanders, chairman of the National Security Department at the University of New Haven. Read Next: National Guard Plans to Ask Thousands of Troops to Remain in DC Until Mid-March "It's not instantaneous," said Sanders, a retired Navy captain and judge advocate general who served in Afghanistan. "[But] they're going to ultimately pull them off." There are currently about 4,000 National Guard troops from 22 states and Puerto Rico on the border under Title 10 active-duty status, U.S. Northern Command said last week. Their status going forward will be determined by the requirements of Homeland Security and CBP, a NORTHCOM spokeswoman said. However, the end of the national emergency will result in the Defense Department "pulling them off Title 10 and redeploying them home," Sanders said. Since taking office, Biden has issued a series of proclamations and executive orders reversing Trump administration policies on issues from climate change to immigration, including funding for the border wall. Biden's proclamation on the wall directs the "termination of [the] emergency with respect to the southern border of the United States and redirection of funds diverted to border wall construction." Border protection is in the national interest, according to the proclamation, "[but] building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution. It is a waste of money that diverts attention from genuine threats to our homeland security." National Guard troops have been on the border since April 2018. In October of that year, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, at Trump's direction, deployed 5,200 active-duty troops to the border to assist CBP and Homeland in warding off what the president called "caravans" of migrants heading north from Central America. In February 2019, Trump declared a national emergency when Congress balked at funding the wall. Under the emergency, about $3.6 billion in military construction funding, $2.5 billion for the Defense Department's drug interdiction activities, and $600 million from Treasury's forfeiture fund were diverted to wall construction. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the emergency declaration "a lawless act, a gross abuse of the power of the presidency and a desperate attempt to distract from the fact that President Trump broke his core promise to have Mexico pay for his wall." In addition to troop withdrawals from the border, Austin also faces an imminent decision on whether to lift the military's effective ban on transgender service. A Biden executive order issued Wednesday bars workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity but did not specifically apply to the military. Advocacy groups told Military.com's Patricia Kime that they expected the ban on transgender service to be lifted once Austin was installed as SecDef. Austin, a retired Army general who was awarded a Silver Star for his service in Iraq, is also expected to weigh in on the current plans calling for the withdrawal of about 12,000 of the 36,000 U.S. troops in Germany. In November, German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said, "During the election campaign, we heard from the Democrats that they aim to look into these plans again very thoroughly," Reuters reported. "At least there is a chance the plans will be changed." Other German officials have said there has been little, if any, movement thus far in carrying out Trump's surprise announcement last July that troops would be withdrawn from Germany. "We don't want to be the suckers any more," Trump told reporters at the White House shortly after making the announcement. "We're reducing the force because they're not paying their bills; it's very simple." Then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper later said that about half of the 12,000 troops would be sent back to the States and the other half would be redeployed in Europe. Trump's announcement of the withdrawal drew immediate bipartisan opposition in Congress that July. On Jan. 1, Congress overrode Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act, including a provision on the troop withdrawal. The provision said that troop levels in Germany should remain at 34,500 until 120 days after the defense secretary submitted cost estimates and assessments of the impact of a withdrawal on allies and military families. On Friday, new National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan made a series of separate calls to German, French and British officials, the White House announced. The new White House press office did not immediately respond to a query on whether the troop withdrawals from Germany were discussed in the calls to officials of NATO member states. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related: It's Official: Lloyd Austin Is the First Black Defense Secretary Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 4:50 pm Service above self. Motto of Rotary International One hundred years ago next week, the Chehalis Rotary was officially chartered. It was number 60 out of what today are more than 35,000 Rotary Clubs. The Centralia Rotary, formed a few months earlier, was number 59. Today, after a century of Rotarys energetic and visionary service, our communities are much richer. Reminders of their ongoing legacy are all around us. Theyre personal to me, and probably to many of you. The Virgil R. Lee building in Chehalis, a charming log cabin structure where my friends and I threw a retro sock hop dance while in high school, was built by the Rotary a half century ago. They also built the Fred Hess community kitchen next door, where we hosted one of my daughters first big birthday parties. These two community resources sit in Recreation Park, whose 13 acres were donated by the state to the city of Chehalis in 1945 through the work of state Sen. Virgil R. Lee, an active Rotarian and one of the Chehalis clubs first presidents. The Chehalis Rotary spearheaded the creation of Penny Playground nearly 30 years ago, and helped support the brand new version of the park that is about to be unveiled. In Centralia Ive spent many happy hours in Rotary Riverside Park (its where my fiance and I had our engagement pictures taken and where my wife would take her fourth-grade students to do water testing during science class.) Again, the vision and energy of local volunteers made that beautiful community resource happen. Over the past years, 2,200 children in Lewis County have signed up for Dolly Partons Imagination Library, thanks to the fundraising and organization of the three Chehalis, Centralia and Twin Cities Rotary clubs. This remarkable program, fueled by Partons original generosity and the mighty sum of $50,000 raised locally by Rotarians and their contacts, gives a free age-appropriate book every month to every child from birth to age 5. And at the Southwest Washington Fair, Ive long enjoyed the delicious butter-dipped corn on the cob sold at the Rotary booth. The list of accomplishments and service to our community could fill the entire newspaper. A few days ago I sat down with the Chehalis Rotary club during their Wednesday lunchtime meeting, which is now being held via Zoom due to the pandemic. It was a pleasure to spend time with folks whose lives have been devoted to service folks who enjoy getting together with others to do good works for their community. Anil Puri discussed his international Rotary work, helping administer vaccines in India. Its part of Rotary Internationals decades-long commitment to help make polio only the second disease in history to be eradicated from the planet. Theyre getting close to accomplishing this jaw-dropping goal. Kathleen Vodjansky-Ward discussed Rotarys work to provide mentorships for students, helping them learn about careers that might be of interest. This is of particular interest to me, as my children enter the phase of life where its crucial to help them connect with ways of successfully entering adulthood. It turns out that for more than two decades, Rotary has been helping match students with job shadows at dynamic local employers. At 80 to 100 students a year over 20 years, thats a lot of students who have gotten a better, smarter start on life thanks to Rotary. David Eatwell, president of the Chehalis Rotary Club, discussed the international exchange programs offered by Rotary, including its Rotary Peace Fellowship program. One common thread from my discussion with local Rotarians is that service not only improves communities, it transforms people. By coming together, these people accomplish great things and grow in the process. In a way, its mentorship for adults who live out another Rotary motto: Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I have gotten more out of the volunteer work Ive done than Ive provided, Eatwell said. Taking on a project and really doing something long-term has great benefit for the individual and thats what we offer. Local Rotary clubs are accepting members from civic-minded folks. Learn more at www.rotary5020.org. Brian Mittges weekly column appears each Saturday. He can be reached at brianmittge@hotmail.com. VANCOUVER, BC and TORONTO, ON, Jan. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. ("West Fraser") (TSX: WFT) and Norbord Inc. ("Norbord") (TSX: OSB) (NYSE: OSB) today jointly announce that Norbord has obtained a final order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) approving the previouslyannounced plan of arrangement whereby West Fraser will acquire all of the outstanding common shares (the "Norbord Shares") of Norbord (the "Transaction"). Pursuant to the Transaction, Norbord shareholders will receive 0.675 (the "Exchange Ratio") of a West Fraser common share ("West Fraser Share") for each Norbord Share held. Receipt of the final order follows receipt of the key regulatory approvals in respect of the Transaction and Norbord's special meeting of shareholders held on January 19, 2021, where the Transaction was overwhelmingly approved by 99.33% of the votes cast by Norbord shareholders. West Fraser's special meeting of shareholders also took place on January 19, 2021, where the issuance of West Fraser Shares in connection with the Transaction was approved by 99.99% of votes cast by West Fraser shareholders. West Fraser and Norbord anticipate that the Transaction will close on February 1, 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Listing of West Fraser Shares on NYSE West Fraser has also received clearance from the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") for the listing of the West Fraser Shares subject to satisfaction of customary listing conditions. The West Fraser Shares are expected to be listed on the NYSE shortly following closing under the stock symbol of "WFG", at which time the Norbord Shares will be delisted from the NYSE. West Fraser and Norbord plan to issue a further news release prior to closing confirming the NYSE listing and delisting dates when finalized. The Norbord Shares are expected to be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") after markets close on February 2, 2021. Termination of Norbord Dividend Reinvestment Plan Norbord's dividend reinvestment plan (the "DRIP") will automatically terminate upon closing of the Transaction. All whole Norbord Shares held on behalf of participants under the DRIP will be entitled to West Fraser Shares in accordance with the Exchange Ratio upon closing of the Transaction. Entitlements to a fraction of a Norbord Share under the DRIP will be converted to cash and paid to participants in accordance with the terms of the DRIP. Participants who submit a valid letter of transmittal to AST Trust Company (Canada) for their Norbord Shares will also receive any West Fraser Shares they are entitled to in connection with their Norbord Shares held under the DRIP. Participants seeking further information with respect to their entitlements under the DRIP may contact the plan agent under the DRIP, AST Trust Company (Canada). FOR MORE INFORMATION West Fraser investors: Chris Virostek, Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (604) 895-2700 West Fraser media: Tara Knight, Communications (604) 895-2773 Norbord investors: Robert B. Winslow, CFA, Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development (416) 777-4426 [email protected] Norbord media: Heather Colpitts, Director, Corporate Affairs (416) 643-8838 [email protected] WEST FRASER PROFILE West Fraser is a diversified wood products company producing lumber, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, other residuals, and energy with facilities in western Canada and the southern United States. West Fraser Shares currently trade on the TSX under the symbol: "WFT". NORBORD PROFILE Norbord Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of wood-based panels and the world's largest producer of oriented strand board (OSB). In addition to OSB, Norbord manufactures particleboard, medium density fibreboard and related value-added products. Norbord has assets of approximately $2.1 billion and employs approximately 2,400 people at 17 plant locations (15 operating) in the United States, Canada and Europe. Norbord is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol "OSB". CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: the satisfaction or waiver of all closing conditions to the Transaction; the anticipated date of closing of the Transaction; the listing of the West Fraser Shares on the NYSE; and the delisting of the Norbord Shares from the TSX and the NYSE. These forward-looking statements and information reflect West Fraser's and Norbord's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by West Fraser and Norbord, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. West Fraser and Norbord caution readers that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and West Fraser and Norbord have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and information are the following: the timing of, and ability to consummate, the Transaction; the ability of West Fraser and Norbord to satisfy all conditions to the consummation of the Transaction on the proposed terms and timeline; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; and changes in applicable laws. Certain of these factors are identified under the captions "Risk Factors Relating to the Arrangement and West Fraser" in the management information circular of West Fraser (the "West Fraser Circular"), dated December 15, 2020 and sent to West Fraser shareholders in connection with the Transaction and "Risks Relating to the Arrangement and the Combined Company" in the management information circular of Norbord (the "Norbord Circular"), and in West Fraser's and Norbord's most recent Annual Information Forms filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. See also the cautionary statements contained in the "Forward-Looking Statements" sections of the West Fraser Circular and the Norbord Circular, West Fraser's 2019 Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") dated February 11, 2020 and Q3 2020 MD&A dated October 26, 2020 and Norbord's 2019 MD&A dated February 4, 2020 and Q3 2020 MD&A dated November 4, 2020. Although West Fraser and Norbord have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information are designed to help readers understand management's current views of the company's near and longer term prospects and may not be appropriate for other purposes. West Fraser and Norbord do not intend, nor do they assume any obligation, to update or revise forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, changes in assumptions, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. U.S. Securities Matters None of the securities to be issued in connection with the Transaction have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws. The West Fraser Shares to be issued in connection with the Transaction are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. SOURCE West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. Related Links www.westfraser.com A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. WHITEHORSE - A cabinet minister says a couple from outside Yukon travelled to a remote community in the territory this week and received doses of COVID-19 vaccine. A registered nurse prepares a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Halifax on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Yukon's Minister of Community Services, John Streiker, says he's outraged that a couple from outside the territory travelled to a remote community this week and received doses of COVID-19 vaccine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan-POOL WHITEHORSE - A cabinet minister says a couple from outside Yukon travelled to a remote community in the territory this week and received doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Community Services Minister John Streiker says he's outraged the man and woman allegedly chartered a flight to Beaver Creek, the most westerly community in Canada near the border with Alaska, to get the shots. Streiker says he heard Thursday night that the Canadian couple arrived in Yukon on Tuesdayand declared they would follow the territory's mandatory two-week self-isolation protocol, but instead travelled to Beaver Creek. He says the two people have been charged under Yukon's Civil Emergency Measures Act for failure to self-isolate and failure to behave in a manner consistent with their declaration upon arrival. Streiker says the couple allegedly presented themselves as visiting workers, misleading staff at the mobile vaccination clinic in Beaver Creek. He says territorial enforcement officers received a call about the couple, who were later intercepted at the Whitehorse airport trying to leave Yukon. The maximum fine under the emergency measures act is $500, and up to six months in jail. The RCMP have been notified, he said in an interview on Friday. Streiker hadn't confirmed where the couple are from, but he said they didn't show Yukon health cards at the vaccination clinic. Yukon has two vaccination teams that are visiting communities throughout the territory with priority going to residents and staff of group-living settings, health-care workers, people over 80 who aren't living in long-term care, and Yukoners living in rural, remote and First Nation communities. Beaver Creek was chosen as a priority community to receive doses of COVID-19 vaccine because it's a remote border community, he said. Yukon's chief medical officer of health has indicated he believes the risk to the community as a result of the couple's visit is low, Streiker added. Streiker said there may be more scrutiny at vaccine clinics when people show up from outside Yukon, but officials are still working through options to prevent such a situation from happening again. "I find it frustrating because what that does is it makes more barriers," he said. "We've been trying to remove all barriers to get the vaccine for our citizens and so if there's another sort of layer of check, I just don't want it to make it harder for Yukoners to get their vaccines." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2021. Indians on Saturday woke up to the news of Bollywood actor and veteran filmmaker David Dhawan's son Varun Dhawan getting hitched to his longtime girlfriend and fashion designer Natasha Dalal in what is being called an intimate ceremony involving friends and family. The couple is set to tie the knot on January 24 at a beach resort in Alibaug. There is a lot of speculation about the wedding venue and unconfirmed reports suggest that the ceremony will be held at The Mansion House in Alibaug. Varun Dhawan's uncle Anil Dhawan had confirmed the wedding date recently. "My nephew Varun is getting married on 24 January. I am looking forward to it, Anil told SpotboyE. It is being said that the wedding will be attended by just 50 guests, including Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt, and Salman Khan. Dhawan and Dalal once batchmates in school, have largely kept their relationship private and mostly away from the public eye so it shouldn't come as a surprise that Bollywood and especially Varun Dhawan fans were curious to know more about his life partner as the news of their wedding broke on social media and eventually became the top trending topic of discussion in the country. View this post on Instagram A post shared by VarunDhawan (@varundvn) Also Read: Varun Dhawan, Natasha Dalal and Families All Set for Wedding In the past few hours, desis have looked up for Natasha Dalal on Google to find out more about who Dhawan was tying the knot to. One of the top-most queries to have emerged on the google trends in the past day is people simply searching: What does Natasha Dalal do? Credit: Google Trends For reasons best known to them, people also looked for Dalal's father on google in India. Who is Natasha Dalal's Father? they searched. Indians were also interested in finding out Dalal's caste along with her age as they looked up her surname on google. Credit: Google Trends Also Read: Where are Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal Planning to Go for Honeymoon? Varun Dhawan, who will next be seen in Jug Jugg Jeeyo, and Natasha Dalal are childhood sweethearts and have been dating for many years. On Kareena Kapoor's radio show What Women Want, Dhawan spoke at length about how he met Dalal. "The first time I met Natasha was in the sixth standard. We have not been dating since then. We were friends till the eleventh or twelfth grade. We were very close friends, he had said. Due to the pandemic, the wedding will reportedly be a small affair. Karan Johar and Alia Bhatt will be attending the ceremony. According to Pinkvilla, the wedding festivities will begin Friday evening. They have booked The Mansion for the venue and guests will be put up in various villas: The Palm Court, The Cove Room and The Sky Deck Room. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Governor Whitmer Announces Elizabeth Hertel as Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Governor Whitmer Announces Elizabeth Hertel as Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 22, 2021 Media Contact: Press@Michigan.gov Governor Whitmer Announces Elizabeth Hertel as Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Elizabeth Hertel as Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Hertel currently serves as the Senior Chief Deputy Director for Administration for MDHHS, where she oversees External Relations and Communications, Finance and Administration, Legislative Services, Legal Affairs, Policy & Planning, Strategic Integration, Organizational Services, Workforce Engagement and Community and Faith Engagement. Elizabeth Hertel has dedicated her career to protecting Michiganders public health, and she is uniquely prepared to lead MDHHS as we continue working together to end the COVID-19 pandemic, said Governor Whitmer. She has served across multiple administrations from both parties, and knows how to bring people together to get things done. In her service to the state, she has proven time and again that she will do everything in her power to ensure the health and safety of Michigan families everywhere. Ending the COVID-19 pandemic is going to take hard work and partnership between state government, businesses, and organizations across the state. I know that Elizabeth is ready and eager to start working with partners everywhere to get it done. As we work to ramp up distribution of the safe and effective COVID vaccine and end the pandemic, I am eager to work with Governor Whitmer and her administration to keep Michiganders safe and healthy, said Hertel. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the department at this time. Michigan is faced with a crisis unlike any we have seen before, but our aggressive action against this virus is working. Lets finish the job and end the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all. Hertel joined the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) in 2013 as the senior assistant for Policy and Planning, and in February 2014, was appointed director of Policy and Planning. Following the merger of the Departments of Community Health and Human Services into MDHHS in 2015, Hertel served as senior deputy director for Policy, Planning and Legislative Services. In October 2016, she left that position to serve as director of Michigan Advocacy for Trinity Health and returned to MDHHS and her current position in February 2019. She earned a bachelors degree at Grand Valley State University and an MBA at Michigan State University. Michigan Hospitals have been working around the clock to get more people vaccinated and keep our communities safe. Elizabeth is exactly the partner we need leading the states response to this virus, and we are eager to work with closely with her moving forward, said Michigan Hospital Association CEO Brian Peters. Time and again, Elizabeth Hertel has proven her commitment to protecting the mental and physical health of Michigan residents everywhere said Willie Brooks, President and CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN). She understands the deep challenges that we face when it comes to ensuring access to care, and she is well-equipped to solve them. I am ready to work with her as she leads the state health department not only through the COVID-19 pandemic, but throughout her entire tenure as director. Our mission at the Michigan Association of Health Plans is to expand high quality, affordable, accessible health care for the citizens of Michigan, and Elizabeth Hertel is exactly the partner we need leading DHHS to get it done, said Dominick Pallone, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Health Plans. As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and all of the public health challenges we face, we are ready to work with Governor Whitmer, Elizabeth, and leaders across the state to protect Michigan citizens public health. Robert Gordon has resigned from his position, and the governor has accepted his resignation. See below for a copy of Elizabeth Hertels headshot: ### It was very cold at that time. Commander Le Quang Dao in person brought bottles of warm ginger water to every unit of the frontier post. After that, he quietly walked along the railway to explore the terrain iWorld | OTT Vidnet 2021: Aggregation of video streaming platforms to pick up soon The three to four-year-young digital video entertainment industry has shown a massive boom in popularity, gaining prominence quicker than any other medium ever did. The right circumstances backed by the right technological and socio-economical interventions pushed the envelope for this impressive trajectory they are treading. Read More... Television | TV Channels TRP scam: Times Network to take legal action against BARC L'affaire TV ratings continues. In yet another sudden turn in the TRP manipulation case, the Times Network is gearing up to take legal action against the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) for allegedly colluding with Republic TV to misreport viewership ratings and giving the channel "undue advantage." Read More... Television | Production House The small screen's growing romance with VFX Visual effects-laden shows have always captured audience interest on television, be it mythological serials like Ramayana or Jai Shree Krishna or the earliest superheroes shows like Shaktimaan. Read More... Television | TV Channels Hero ISL sees uptick in viewership, fans keep the momentum high Cricket is indeed big in India. Globally, however, it's football and football all the way, and the willow game has a long way to go before it catches up with it. In India, in times of Coronavirus and cricket, soccer has been holding its own, especially with the seventh India Super League (ISL 7) 2020 scoring more than pleasing viewership numbers. Read More... DTH | DTH Services DTH gains 1 lakh subscribers, Tata Sky extends market share The DTH sector has added 120,000 new users in July-September quarter to reach the total active subscriber base of 70.70 million. Leading player Tata Sky beat out competitors to once again emerge as the most favoured brand, while also extending its market share to 32.58 per cent from 32.09 per cent in the previous quarter. Read More... iWorld | OTT Data theft case: CBI files FIR against Cambridge Analytica The central bureau of investigation (CBI) has filed an FIR against UK-based political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica for alleged illegal harvesting of personal data in India. It has also booked Global Science Research (GSRL) for its involvement in the same case. Read More... MAM | Print Edtech ad volumes on print grew massively in 2020: TAM Covid2019 impacted nearly every advertising medium apart from digital. Be it television, print, outdoor or experiential, ad volumes across all these mediums took a hit as the brands were uncertain about future projections at that point. Read More... iWorld | OTT Chennai tops entertainment consumption with 73% viewership: Disney+Hotstar The unprecedented rise in the consumption of OTT content, specifically during the lockdown period, has massively contributed to the growth of the sector. Interestingly, most of the platforms have realised and acknowledged a huge spike in content consumption and time spent from the regional markets. Read More... He concedes that truth-telling will inevitably be uncomfortable. But we need to do that to move forward. We need to examine the past to shape the future. And its not all about sackcloth and ashes. Indigenous history, heroes, knowledge systems and philosophy are fascinating. Nor is it all about the past. Jacobs, believe it or not, recommends Instagram as a great way to connect with Indigenous Australia. A lot of people say Instagram is an awful place, but my Insta feed fills me with empowerment, she says I follow some of the brightest minds and most creative minds among First Nations people. Its really uplifting. (If youre interested, she recommends Clothing the Gap, Blackfella Book Club and Deadly Science as good places to start.) For the second time, the show will be simulcast on Ten (not coincidentally, the first commercial free-to-air network to have a formal Reconciliation Action Plan). Im loving that were simulcasting, says Jacobs. This is a way to take some cultural information and social justice into the homes of people who might not choose to access it. Its reaching people in their bubble. Its vital, agrees Janke. Weve got to get into the kitchens and lounge rooms of people who dont see our point of view. We have to challenge that, but also provide the space for them to be comfortable to raise the issues or conversations they want to have. And of course Sunrise Ceremony has particular significance this year, with the elevation of Black Lives Matter into a major movement in this country. BRUSSELS, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) on Friday condemned and opposed to a resolution adopted by the European Parliament, noting that "such a move grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs." Some MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) have confounded right and wrong by pushing for the adoption of the so-called resolution, a spokesperson for the Chinese mission said, adding that China strongly condemns and is firmly opposed to the move. Denouncing claims of the resolution that the Hong Kong National Security Law contravenes the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the spokesperson underlined that the Chinese government governs Hong Kong in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. "No country or organization has any right to meddle in Hong Kong affairs under the pretext of the Joint Declaration," added the spokesperson. The Hong Kong National Security Law only targets criminal activities that seriously undermine national security, and has closed the legislative loopholes in terms of upholding national security in Hong Kong, noted the envoy, adding that the law represents a major step to improve the "One Country, Two Systems." With the implementation of the law, peace and stability have been restored and justice upheld in the Hong Kong society, and the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents have been better protected in a safer environment, said the spokesperson. "These are undeniable facts," the spokesperson stressed. "What I want to reiterate is that China is a country under the rule of law and that Hong Kong is a law-based society where all are equal before law. Laws must be observed and offences must be held accountable. This is basically what the rule of law is all about," stated the diplomat. The spokesperson said the competent Chinese and HKSAR authorities penalize criminal activities in accordance with law, uphold the rule of law, fairness and justice, and safeguard China's sovereignty and security. "This is beyond reproach and should not be discredited." Hong Kong affairs, including individual judicial cases and local elections, are entirely China's internal affairs. No foreign government, organization or individual has any right to interfere, according to the spokesperson. "We urge the European Parliament to recognize the fact that Hong Kong has returned to China, abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, reject double standards, earnestly respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and immediately stop interfering in any format in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs," stressed the envoy. Explained: How are tableaux selected to display on Republic Day? India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Jan 23: India is all set to celebrate its 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday this year. It can be seen that the Indian constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950. This day is also known as the Gantantra Divas. Republic Day is celebrated with full fervour and enthusiasm across the nation. A grand parade will be organised at the Rajpath in New Delhi that showcases the defence capabilities, diversity, and rich cultural heritage. However, this time the celebration is going to look a little different due to the coronavirus pandemic. This time, it is reportedly said that the parade will only cover a distance of 3.3 km instead of 8.2 km and it will start from Vijay Chowk and will end at the National Stadium. Every year, in the celebration of Republic Day, tableaux are represented that showcases the story or a scene from history. Uttar Pradesh govt to showcase Ayodhya Ram Temple in its Republic Day tableaux What are Tableaux? Tableaux are a group of motionless models that showcases the story or a scene from the Indian history. In the celebration of Republic Day, the states, departments, and ministries represent their achievements in the form of history that are represented by their respective tableaux. Who select tableaux? The Ministry of Defence takes care of the selection process of tableaux. The selection process goes through a number of guidelines. According to the guidelines, the tableaux should represent some historical event, culture, heritage, development programmes, and environment. It is also mentioned that the tableaux must not carry any logos and should carry some animation and sound. How are the ideas presented? It can be seen that the selection process is very lengthy. In this, the Ministry of Defence sets up an expert committee with people from various fields of arts so that the proposals get shortlisted accordingly. The expert committee consists of people from different fields of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography, etc. After this, they analyse the various proposals received from all ministries and departments, as well as states and the committee evaluate them in a series of meetings. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News After this, the sketch or the design of the proposals are scrutinised and they are given the suggestion to make changes in it. Later, if the design gets approved, the participants are asked to come up with the 3D models of their proposals. After this process, the 3D models are examined for the final round and this is how the tableaux are selected. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 14:59 [IST] Confident: Sarah Willingham is banking on a big return for hospitality Dragons' Den entrepreneur Sarah Willingham has four children dotted around the house doing lessons on their iPads and laptops during our interview, but she's surprisingly relaxed about home-schooling. When her youngest child, Marly, was five, she took her whole family out of school for a year to travel the world, from Patagonia to Guatemala. Their only formal education was a term at a circus school by the beach at Byron Bay in Australia. 'They learnt about the ocean, sea safety and the wilderness,' she says. 'Long term, their education hasn't suffered in any way. It is the single best decision I've made in my life.' The year out gave Willingham time for the adrenaline to leave her system and to spend more time with her children while they were growing up, following a relentless two decades building up a multimillion-pound business group. By the age of 35, she had already bought the Bombay Bicycle Club and built it up from a handful of sites to the largest chain of Indian restaurants in the UK. In 2008, it was sold for seven figures to co-investor Clapham House Group, led by former Pizza Express chief executive David Page, earning her a seat on two series of the BBC's Dragons' Den. But Willingham's adrenaline has kicked in again over the pandemic despite having to hold board meetings from her bedroom at home in Brighton during lockdown. Over the past few months, she's raised 6million for her new hospitality investment firm, Nightcap Plc, which she floated last week on the Stock Exchange's junior AIM market to help battered hospitality businesses survive and expand after the Covid crisis. Its first acquisition is bar group The London Cocktail Club, which Willingham had already invested in alongside celebrity chef Raymond Blanc. Since the float, backed by retail investors, Nightcap's shares are up 38 per cent to 13.79p. Now Willingham has a 'wish-list' of other small and mid-size bar chains she would like to buy and help expand. Willingham won't name names yet but she says the overall strategy is to become the 'go-to' fund for premium bar groups with potential to expand. 'We only floated last week, so the phone has only just started ringing,' she says. 'But I'm expecting that a possible acquisition will be part of a private equity company restructuring for one of their portfolio companies. 'If private equity firms are carrying heavily indebted businesses that need restructuring and they don't want to expose themselves further by putting more money in, then we are a good solution for that. We can come in with equity to help fundamentally sound businesses restructure.' Willingham is one of a growing number of hospitality entrepreneurs banking on a boom in customer demand for pubs, bars and restaurants once Covid vaccines have been widely rolled out and social distancing restrictions start to ease. Last week, it emerged that Rooney Anand, the former chief executive of pub operator Greene King, has raised 200million to buy a string of pubs through his Redcat Pub Company investment firm. On the same day, Wetherspoons founder Tim Martin announced he has earmarked a share of a major fundraise to buy up more pubs while property prices are cheap (see below). And restaurateur Page and Hugh Osmond, who jointly led the huge roll-out of Pizza Express during the 1990s recession, are snapping up cut-price sites to expand their Franco Manca and Coppa Club chains. Willingham read the runes last summer, after having a 'lightbulb moment' while talking to her husband and business partner, Michael. She says she realised the market conditions over the next three to five years will be 'a once in a lifetime opportunity' to recapitalise fundamentally great businesses where debts have skyrocketed due to Covid and help them grow. In contrast to the historical model of private equity firms buying pubs and restaurants by loading them up with debt, the new financing model will be about injecting equity to reduce debt and restructure balance sheets. The financing will be largely raised through private investment or floating on the stock market via an initial public offering (IPO). She says: 'For the first time in over a decade, I was very excited about that public market space again. Michael and I have done IPOs before and we said, it's the same model. Let's go out, raise equity and be ready in 2021 for the businesses that do need to restructure their balance sheet. 'I think private equity firms will have to fundamentally change the way they invest in our sector in order to be successful. This strong debt focus, this high leverage, is not going to work for investments over the next two or three years.' Another force reshaping the hospitality industry is the shift of power from landlords to tenants, as property firms can no longer charge sky-high rents due to the collapse in demand with so many chains shrinking. Willingham is banking on a boom in customer demand for pubs, bars and restaurants The London Cocktail Club, which is aiming to expand from ten to 40 sites 'as quickly as possible', is being offered a pipeline of premium sites they could never have afforded pre-Covid. Citing one example, Willingham says a vacant site in Kensington, West London, has scrapped its usual 150,000 premium, knocked 30 per cent off the rent and thrown in a year rent-free. She says: 'There are some really good deals. I hope this is a really positive outcome of Covid, that lease negotiations become fairer and more balanced so there are no super profit yields on one side, and businesses being crippled on the other side.' She adds that some landlords have been 'diabolical' in her lease negotiations for The London Cocktail Club, which has bars in Central London and Bristol. 'I have renegotiated all the rents myself and it has shocked me how some of them have behaved,' she says. 'The guy that owns two little sites, it's his pension, he's great absolutely brilliant. But the big companies are saying no, I'm not budging.' She adds: 'I'm thinking, "I'm opening loads of sites over the next five years. But I'm never going to sign another lease with you." Tim Martin said that lower rents due to the pandemic had given him an incentive to invest Wetherspoons boss is buying up pubs Pubs have been decimated by the pandemic, with new figures showing that 2,698 called time for good last year as lockdowns and trading restrictions took their toll. But Wetherspoons founder Tim Martin, who expanded his no-frills chain after the 2008 financial crisis, told The Mail on Sunday that lower rents due to the pandemic had given him an incentive to invest. He is looking at buying a number of sites in Central London, as well as the freeholds on further sites where Wetherspoons is the tenant. The moves will be funded by a share of an equity raising of up to 93.7 million that was announced last week. Martin said: One of the major costs relates to rent. It tends to spiral uncontrollably when the good times are rolling, eventually causing collapse. When rents become sensible then entrepreneurs have more of an incentive to invest. He added that before the crisis, sky-high rents had caused havoc. In 2018, one landlord doubled rent for a Wetherspoons pub in a northern shopping centre from around 200,000 to 400,000. Martin said: Those sorts of rent reviews, based on comparables where one new tenant in a shopping centre has paid a silly price, have caused havoc. He will decide how many sites his group will buy once the Government has set out a timetable for reopening pubs. Source: Reuters Tesla has initiated a lawsuit against a software engineer, claiming he stole trade secrets just days after joining the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. Alex Khatilov stole over 6,000 scripts, or files of code, that automate a number of business functions, Bloomberg reported, citing a complaint filed by Tesla. Khatilov transferred the confidential files to his personal Dropbox cloud storage account, the report said. Khatilov was fired after the incident and his two-week stint at the automaker ended January 6. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers on January 22 issued a restraining order, asking Khatilov to immediately preserve and return all the files and appear before her remotely on February 4. Tesla alleges that Khatilov lied about the theft and attempted to delete evidence, Bloomberg reported. However, Khatilov claims he showed the company the information in his Dropbox account and deleted it at their request. "The scripts are extremely valuable to Tesla, and they would be to a competitor," the company was quoted as saying by the news service. "Access to these scripts would enable engineers at other companies to reverse engineer Teslas processes to create a similar system in a fraction of the time and with a fraction of the expense," the company said. Khatilov said when he joined Tesla on December 28, he received a document that had information for new employees, which he transferred to his Dropbox account so that he could access it on his personal computer. "Nobody told me using Dropbox is prohibited," Khatilov was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. "I don't know why they claim it's sensitive information, I didn't have access to any sensitive information," he added. Khatilov said he had not shared the files with anyone or sent them anywhere. More than 100,000 total vaccinations have been administered in health agency's region In this April 18, 2007 file photo, Larry King speaks to guests at a party held by CNN, celebrating King's fifty years of broadcasting in New York. King, who interviewed presidents, movie stars and ordinary Joes during a half-century in broadcasting, has died at age 87. Ora Media, the studio and network he co-founded, tweeted that King died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021 morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. PHOTO:( AP Photo/Stuart Ramson, File) Larry King Dies at 87 By The Associated Press LOS ANGELES - Larry King, the suspenders-sporting everyman whose broadcast interviews with world leaders, movie stars and ordinary Joes helped define American conversation for a half-century, died Saturday. He was 87.King died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Ora Media, the studio and network he co-founded, tweeted. No cause of death was given, but CNN reported Jan. 2 that King had been hospitalized for more than a week with COVID-19. His son Chance also confirmed Kings death, CNN reported.A longtime nationally syndicated radio host, from 1985 through 2010 he was a nightly fixture on CNN, where he won many honors, including two Peabody awards.With his celebrity interviews, political debates and topical discussions, King wasnt just an enduring on-air personality. He also set himself apart with the curiosity he brought to every interview, whether questioning the assault victim known as the Central Park jogger or billionaire industrialist Ross Perot, who in 1992 rocked the presidential contest by announcing his candidacy on Kings show.In its early years, Larry King Live was based in Washington, which gave the show an air of gravitas. Likewise King. He was the plainspoken go-between through whom Beltway bigwigs could reach their public, and they did, earning the show prestige as a place where things happened, where news was made.King conducted an estimated 50,000 on-air interviews. In 1995 he presided over a Middle East peace summit with PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, King Hussein of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. He welcomed everyone from the Dalai Lama to Elizabeth Taylor, from Mikhail Gorbachev to Barack Obama, Bill Gates to Lady Gaga.Especially after he relocated to Los Angeles, his shows were frequently in the thick of breaking celebrity news, including Paris Hilton talking about her stint in jail in 2007 and Michael Jacksons friends and family members talking about his death in 2009. Lone Star College-CyFair students and the worldwide community will have the unique opportunity to view the four decades portfolio of an artist in their opening exhibit at the Bosque Gallery entitled Continuum A Retrospective. The exhibit features the works of Denise Lorenz, an LSC-CyFair adjunct instructor. On HoustonChronicle.com: Cypress family remembers sons tragic death with kindness coins Continuum reveals a cyclical path from realism to nonobjectivity to abstraction and back to extreme realism. The selected works were chosen to delineate a path for the viewer to trace the development of an artist through time, Lorenz said. Lorenz has exhibited in more than 200 shows throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, India, and Japan, her works garnering local and national attention and awards. My 40 years as an artist has been an exciting journey, where in one respect I ended where I began, with a love of texture and the myriad molecules in motion it always represented to me, said Lorenz, who in her early years owned a dance studio and taught numerous dance forms. Her 25 years in the dance studio developed her love of motion easily found in her oeuvre. Preparing for this exhibit proved difficult in making choices, Lorenz said, because shes done a lot of work over the years. I specifically chose these works because I thought students would feel the continuing thread going through. They dont always get to see the work of an artist over that length of time and there is a lot of continuity of a love of texture, motion even though the medium and subject changes, she said. On HoustonChronicle.com: Cypress area religious leaders offer 2021 spiritual advice She admits her favorite subject overall is landscapes, but it is not always evident in the painting. Over the last few years, Lorenz has concentrated on using colored pencil simply because of its accessibility and its faster to pick up while shes on a teaching schedule. My greatest love is etching into metal and then printing the plates on paper. I developed my own process for that in graduate school, she said proudly. A lot of the etchings Lorenz said students will see in the show come from that process. She wrote about the process briefly in her supporting papers to her thesis exhibit in graduate school. I didnt go into a great bit of detail but its an evolving process anyway, the artist said. LSC hosted a couple of pandemic phases showcasing artwork and Lorenz submitted one work. I just wasnt really ready to address the subject yet. I think I need to ruminate about things a little longer because it has been such a sad occurrence. I just need to think about things longer, she pondered. Lorenz said she hopes visitors to the online exhibit will see characteristics such as motion and change. Ive always been fascinated with molecules in motion whether theyre still in non-living or living beings. I like that idea of molecules in motion, she said. She also likes a variety of textures and space and suggests things that are important to her. I hope they also sense the unity of life forms, Lorenz said. Her preference, as would any artist, would be the traditional exhibit opening but since that is a non-starter because of the pandemic, she made a suggestion. I thought about this months ago and I thought it would be better to host an online exhibit instead of a live one. I had no idea that we would still be faced with COVID problems this far down the road, the artist said. The last few months Lorenz exhibited one work in New York City online, and one in Texas for the Texas Association of Schools of Art, or TASA. I was concerned about how you would show the textural detail, she said fearing that some would appear flat. I have some etchings that are really deep ink. The same with some of my calligraph prints and photography just doesnt capture that, she said. She also confessed that she wasnt a professional photographer and sympathized with students who were forced by the pandemic to submit their work virtually with photos. We encourage students to see art in person and theyre required every semester to see work in a museum, she said. I suspect (leaving out in-person visits) wont give them the depth and experience they need, she said. Lorenz gave praise to the staff who put her exhibit online for including the ability to zoom in and see details. In lieu of the traditional exhibit opening where the artist shares briefly about their work and answers questions, Lorenz sat down for a recorded interview with Heather Braman, Bosque Gallery coordinator, that will play on Instagram at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Its a great opportunity for students to learn and relate to what an artist is doing or how they feel about their work, she said. Putting the exhibit together was a double whammy for Jasleen Sarai as she began the fall semester as the new gallery director for Bosque. I was learning everything new and also had to make a lot of changes because the gallery was shut down, she said. They are partially open this spring to students and faculty in the same building as the art gallery, but still closed to the public. The majority of exhibits for the remainder of the semester will be online with a few in-person offerings and with limited gallery hours for those students and faculty in the building. We had to start from scratch. We had an Instagram account going before the gallery was shut down and only with limited engagement, she said. They used the Instagram as their platform for the fall semester and went to work building an online audience. She started with the students who would rank as their targeted viewer, and ultimately followers. Once we began to get that going, we started reaching out to others, she said. Sarai had to overcome another obstacleviewing works of art online instead of in person. We had a live Instagram opening and that was a nice twist on our former procedures, she said. She said despite the pandemic, they still managed to get a fair complement of student submissions for the exhibit. I hope students will take advantage of the offerings were putting out there. I feel like we have a lot more going on, just not in person, Sarai said. All exhibits at Bosque are free to the public and students and theres no need to drive anywherefor now. The exhibitions can be seen online at LoneStar.edu/bosquegallery while virtual interviews and live events can be followed on Instagram @bosquegallery. Upcoming exhibitions feature artists Damon Thomas and Walter Wagner as well as LSC-CyFair art students. For the schedule and exhibition information, go to LoneStar.edu/exhibition-schedule. dtaylor@hcnonline.com Republic Day 2021: Speech, essay ideas for students and teachers India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Jan 23: In just a few days, India will celebrate its 72nd Republic Day on 26 January, 2021, to mark the first revolution against the British regime. It is on this day, the India Constitution was adopted in 1950 after attaining the independence on 15 August, 1947. In India, Republic Day is not less than a festival, the whole country regardless of caste, creed, religion beams with joy and happiness. The entire country is laced in tri-colours to convey that India is a nation where "Unity in Diversity" is celebrated. India-China to hold 9th round of military commander level talks tomorrow Speeches are common on Republic Day as it can influence people's mindset. So here we are with some ideas that teachers and students can make their speech this Republic Day. 1. Republic Day History, Significance and Importance 2. History of Tricolor 3. It took two years and 11 months to form the Constitution of India 4. The first parade was held on Republic Day in 1955 5. Indian constitution is the world's largest written constitution Coronavirus cases: India records 14,256 new COVID cases, 152 deaths in 24 hours Republic Day reminds us of our struggle, how the Indian National Congress (INC) with the help of youths achieved its demand of Purn Swaraj. The struggle for freedom was based on some high principles and ideas, such as - non-violence, cooperation, non-discrimination, etc. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News It also reminds us of the sacred values enshrined in the Constitution of India, it is a day of national pride. Display of grand military on the Republic Day parade reminds us that the security of our territorial sovereignty is the outcome of many sacrifices. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 13:23 [IST] Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Hamish MacDonald quit social media in the middle of 2020. The Q&A host told Stellar on Saturday that having platforms such as Instagram and Twitter was a challenging experience during a particularly divisive year. The 39-year-old explained that his role mediator and questioner on the ABC program saw him cop plenty of abuse online over his interviews. Online abuse: Q&A host Hamish Macdonald (pictured) revealed he quit Instagram and Twitter last year because he received plenty of abuse online over his interviews on the ABC talk show 'I've never had more abuse for the interviews I've conducted than I had last year,' he said. 'And the abuse has come from left-wing people who don't like you asking difficult questions of Dan Andrews, and it's come from people on the right who don't like you asking difficult questions of the federal government,' he added. Hamish noted that the experience has taught him that not everyone can be pleased, particular when people are feeling more anxious than ever. From every direction: 'The abuse has come from left-wing people who don't like you asking difficult questions of Dan Andrews, and it's come from people on the right who don't like you asking difficult questions of the federal government,' he explained Understanding: Despite being at the centre of the online trolling he admitted to being sympathetic to those who lashed out because it's simply not the information or opinion they want to hear Despite being at the centre of the online trolling he admitted to being sympathetic to those who lashed out because it's simply not the information or opinion they want to hear. Hamish went on praise his partner, economist Jacob Fitzroy, for being supportive with the demands of his work over the challenging year. 'He's always managed to make things fun and happy, and is also very clear with me when to put the phone down,' he said of Jacob. Support: Hamish praised his partner, economist Jacob Fitzroy (left) for being supportive with the demands of his work over the challenging year. 'He's always managed to make things fun and happy, and is also very clear with me when to put the phone down,' he said Hamish came out as a gay man when the couple made their first public appearance in June 2019 at the GQ's Gentlemen's Ball in Melbourne. Recalling the event, the journalist said the move was not deliberate because their relationship was never secret, and that the response from the public was 'surprising and lovely.' He told GQ Magazine: 'To wake up the next day and see literally thousands of messages from all over the world was at first a shock but ultimately a beautiful thing.' Police detain a man during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow (AP) Hundreds of people have been arrested amid mass protests across Russia over the arrest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The 44-year-old, a thorn in the side of the Kremlin for years, was arrested on January 17 when he returned to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a nerve-agent poisoning. Authorities say his stay in Germany violated terms of a suspended sentence in a 2014 criminal conviction, while Navalny says the conviction was for made-up charges. Expand Close Police clash with demonstrators in St Petersburg one of dozens of cities where demonstrations are taking place (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police clash with demonstrators in St Petersburg one of dozens of cities where demonstrations are taking place (AP) Expand Close Hundreds of people have been detained (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hundreds of people have been detained (AP) Expand Close A man protects a police officer as protesters attack him in the capital (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A man protects a police officer as protesters attack him in the capital (AP) Expand Close Riot police at a protest in Yekaterinburg (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Riot police at a protest in Yekaterinburg (AP) Expand Close A man holds a poster with a portrait Alexei Navalny with a message reading: One for all and all for one (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A man holds a poster with a portrait Alexei Navalny with a message reading: One for all and all for one (AP) Expand Close Police officers use batons during a violent encounter in the capital (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police officers use batons during a violent encounter in the capital (AP) Expand Close Navalny has proven to be a durable for for Vladimir Putin (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Navalny has proven to be a durable for for Vladimir Putin (AP) Expand Close Protests took place in freezing temperatures, sometimes as low as minus 50C (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protests took place in freezing temperatures, sometimes as low as minus 50C (AP) Expand Close This image from St Petersburg conveys the scale of the protests (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp This image from St Petersburg conveys the scale of the protests (AP) remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Cuba is no stranger to U.S. pressure, with invasions, assassination attempts and a blockade shaping the life of Cubans. by Rosa Miriam Elizalde We are in the era of soft coups. Old-fashioned coups detat and invasions get terrible press. The images of U.S. troops invading the Dominican Republic in 1965 or marching through El Chorrillo in Panama in 1989, for example, produced resentment and anger. Over the years, U.S. military interventions in Latin America have fallen into disrepute and gone out of style. A soft coup, on the other hand, is when a group of people who are in the minority masquerades as the majority, creates controversies and confrontations and wears down the majority until everyone gives in to their immense pressure. Examples of this are visible in Honduras in 2009 and in Brazil in 2016, as well as in Bolivia in 2019, where a coup has been overturned by the announcement of the presidential election results in October 2020. Cuba and Venezuela have so far withstood the force of a soft coup, but the pressure is unrelenting. Soft coups are more complex to understand than hard coups or interventions by the U.S. Marines. This is because soft coups often feature information wars, in which archetypes of dictators and freedom fighters are used by the United States to define international relations. A remastered epic is also shaped by false speeches of heroism by the protagonists selected by the United States. Cuba is no stranger to U.S. pressure, with invasions, assassination attempts and a blockade shaping the life of Cubans. Over the years, there have been several attempts to conduct a soft coup against the Cuban Revolution. In November 2020, a small group of people who think they are freedom fighters barricaded themselves into a house in the San Isidro neighborhood in Old Havana. Legitimate issues got swept into what appeared to be another attempted soft coup: a dialogue between artists and cultural institutions, political opportunism, the pandemic, and a deepening economic crisis worsened by the new round of unilateral measures imposed by the outgoing Trump administration (which include blocked remittances, more financial sanctions, and persecution of oil tankers). Economic Punishment Cuba has faced economic punishment since 1960, only a year after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. But, since 2017, the island has suffered an escalation of economic sabotage efforts directed by the United States, which increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The so-called San-Isidro Movement (MSI), which has been widely covered in the media, has an undeniable link to this process of a soft coup. Denis Solis, a rapper and a leader of the MSI, has admitted that he received money from individuals in the United States. This appears to be another effort by Trump to stoke tensions and to complicate the transition to the Biden administration (who intends to try to restore some balance to bilateral relations after four years of Trumps delusional efforts to overthrow the Cuban Revolution). Cubans suffer the effects of collective economic punishment. The crackdown on travel and remittances from the United Statesincluding forcing the closure of the more than 400 Western Union branches in Cubahas depleted the primary source of income for many artists, small private entrepreneurs, and hundreds of thousands of Cubans. The suffering is palpable; it translates into long queues to access food, medicine, and fuel, and increases the difficulty of running small restaurants and family-run hotels. It means that Cubans are not able to hug loved ones who live in the United States. Made in the United States of America Despite the attempts to destabilize life in Cuba, the collective networks and the Cuban state have managed to provide services and retain a high level of social cohesion. It did not take long for the San Isidro feint to fall apart without causing any damage or anyone getting hurt. But the United States government could not let this fracas go without turning it into an epic film about good and evil. The charge daffaires of the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Timothy Zuniga-Brown, transported some of the protagonists of the MSI in his car, while high-ranking officials of the U.S. State Department called these soft coup protagonists their colleagues. Some of these protagonists have openly proclaimed their sympathies for Donald Trumpin fact, Solis publicly recognized Trump as his president; members of the MSI also mentioned that they received funds from the United States for democracy promotion. Tracey Eaton, a Florida-based journalist, has documented that the U.S. government has spent between $20 million and $45 million per year since 1996, when it began to financially support groups to provoke a regime change in Cuba; this moneymore than $500 millionwas provided under Section 109 of the Helms-Burton Act of 1996. There is no public information on how much has been spent on covert operations, or specifically on the San Isidro plot. Efforts to confirm what is in these democracy promotion programs are not easy to track; the lack of transparency of these programs shows their hypocrisy. Eaton has had some success through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but there is a lot that is unknown about these operations. During the Obama years, requests for information on regime change were denied. Many of these operations violate both Cuban and U.S. laws. An article written by the New York Times editorial board in 2014 shed some light relating to this issue. Alan Gross, a contractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was arrested in 2009 in Cuba on a clandestine USAID mission to expand Internet access using sensitive technology that only governments use, according to an article in Politico. Shortly after this, the U.S. government carried out a program that led to the development of an anti-government Twitter-like system by Creative Associates International (based in Washington, D.C.) called ZunZuneo. The object of this platform, as the New York Times put it, was to provide Cubans with a platform to share messages with a mass audience, and ultimately be used to assemble smart mobs. Information about these programs is rare, since the U.S. government treats them as highly classified. Even those who are supposed to have oversight over them do not know about them. Information only leaks when the programs fail, which happens frequently. During the Trump era, the U.S. government created a web of hundreds of digital media outlets, mainly headquartered in Miami, to spread disinformation about Cuba. The objective of this web is to provide an echo chamber, to amplify toxic information about events on the island and to project the objective of the U.S. government as something that emerges from Cubans themselves. This is part of the Fourth Generation War, Unconventional War or Hybrid War, which is the sophisticated form of warfare used by the U.S. government to create psychological and cultural chaos and drive Washingtons agenda into a scorched-earth landscape of politics. Ed Augustin of the Guardian interviewed Esteban Rodriguez, one of the people involved in the San Isidro episode and a correspondent with ADN Cuba; this media company, which is based in Florida, received a grant of $410,710 in September 2020 from USAID, according to the article in the Guardian. Rodriguez further described the White Houses restrictions on remittances as perfect; however, Augustin wrote that the ADN correspondent was falsely claiming the bulk of the money sent ends up in state coffers. Rodriguez further said in the article, If I was in the U.S., Id have voted Trump. This is a so-called impartial reporter who was responsible for adding fuel to the San Isidro fire. The purpose of the soft coup is to provoke a violent response from the Cuban government, which would be inflamed by people like Rodriguez and would serve as a pretext for the destabilization of the country. Think tanks in the United States that otherwise egg on these sorts of incidents and episodes nonetheless know that they have little impact on the island. On December 22, 2020, the Inter-American Dialogue, while referring to MSI, said that the Cuban government is not close to collapsing and falling, and it would be a serious mistake to underestimate its capacity to mobilize to face the crisis. Faced with these events, the government has reacted as a compact body, without showing public fissures. It also recommended that Biden stay away from Trumps tactics and noted that the Cuban government will not engage in dialogue with a gun to the head. The San Isidro events provide another example of the U.S. governments attempt to create a soft coup. Meanwhile, inside Cuba, there is another reality, one that the world does not see. This is a reality that says that Cuba will not succumb to this pressure and that will not allow the hatred from Washington to succeed; it will always fail. This article was produced by Globetrotter. Rosa Miriam Elizalde is a Cuban journalist and founder of the site Cubadebate. She is vice president of both the Union of Cuban Journalists (UPEC) and the Latin American Federation of Journalists (FELAP). She has written and co-written several books including Jineteros en la Habana and Our Chavez. She has received the Juan Gualberto Gomez National Prize for Journalism on multiple occasions for her outstanding work. She is currently a weekly columnist for La Jornada of Mexico City. As the West Bengal elections 2021 approaches, Forest Minister, Rajib Banerjee resigned from his portfolio and TMC on Friday, adding to the throng of dissatisfied ministers and party workers who have deserted TMC and were welcomed by BJP. The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal was hit by a fresh round of dissent, as Forest Minister Rajib Banerjee resigned from the cabinet and aggrieved legislator Baishali Dalmiya was expelled from the party on Friday. Both the ministers appeared to be set on joining BJP, adding to the list of discontented members who have deserted TMC and have joined BJP like, Transport Minister, Suvendu Adhikari and Minister of State for Sports, Laxmi Ratan Shukla had earlier resigned from their posts in the state government as well as the party. It has been a while since Rajib Banerjee had been skipping meetings of the Mamata Banerjee cabinet, and had expressed dissatisfaction over the functioning of the party. Banerjee told reporters that he was forced to quit after being publicly humiliated by a section of the party leaders for airing his grievances over their style of functioning. Disgruntled TMC MLA, Baishali Dalmiya, who has been lashing out at the leadership for quite some time, said, Honest and sincere people have no place in the party. Within a few hours of this statement being made, Dalmiya was expelled from the party. Justifying their actions, TMC made a statement saying, Indiscipline wont be tolerated and stern action would be taken against those leaders who are trying to harass the party publically. Also read: Amid BJP-TMCs electoral tussle, PM Modi in Bengal today to mark Netajis 125th birth anniversary Rajib Banerjee, after quitting the government, broke down on camera, saying, I never thought a day would come when I would have to take such a difficult step. Banerjee also said that he wanted to quit the cabinet around two-and-a-half years ago when he was removed as irrigation minister without being informed in advance, but later backtracked after he was pacified by the Chief Minister. In this heated run-up to the Bengal election due by May, many leaders and workers have left Trinamool Congress for BJP. BJP is also trying its hardest to win this election after challenging to oust Mamata Banerjees government, by investing considerable time and energy into this election. BJP President, JP Nadda and Amit Shah have been regularly visiting the state and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, will also be in Kolkata, to mark the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Also read: Farmer protests: 11th round of talks inconclusive, no date set for next meeting Security in the Nineveh Plains: What it Means for Assyrians In August 2020, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi called for Iraq's Christians to return to their country, promising that returnees would be assisted, accepted and protected. As a result, many praised Kadhimi's appeal, viewing it as a hopeful omen for minorities in Iraq. With additional approval, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako voiced that many exiled Christians are eager to return and feel reassured by the state's approach to the situation. However, many ethnic Assyrians, who make up the majority of Christians from Iraq, voiced their various concerns, mainly regarding the present security situation. Most Assyrians remain removed from their lands, reluctant to return as a result of unfavourable control of the Nineveh Plains. Providing that it aims to restore the dwindling population's presence, the Iraqi government must address Assyrian security concerns. Although Da'ish has been defeated in the Nineveh Plains (the Assyrian homeland broadly comprising Nineveh Governorate's Hamdaniya, Sheikhan, and Tel Keyf districts), Assyrians continue to depart from Iraq. Relocated individuals remaining in the country declare that they have no incentive to return to their former towns in the region because they feel unprotected by several of the armed forces stationed there. Despite these objections, the Iraqi government has not modified the security statuses of the region, as it still authorizes the operation of unpopular paramilitaries in Assyrian towns. The Nineveh Plains' security situation remains contested, as both federal government forces and Kurdistan regional forces claim control there. Notably, in the Tel Keyf District, there are four principal Assyrian towns, but three different authorized armed forces: the Kurdish Peshmerga, Iraqi Army and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Similarly, the Hamdaniya district contains the same number of Assyrian towns and forces operating in them. A sizeable amount of the group's holdings in the district are under the mandate of the Nineveh Plains Protection Units (NPU), a government-funded force initially founded by Assyrians to liberate their lands and protect their people. While it has gained the support of locals, the NPU only individually controls two of these towns, Karamlesh and Qaraqosh (Bakhdida). Exacerbating the issue, other armed forces are not as trusted by Assyrians, as return rates remain low and unfavourable accusations have been issued against the Peshmerga and PMF brigades. Claiming to be a Christian battalion, the PMF's 50th Brigade, also known as the Babylon Brigades, a Badr Organization-affiliate, has been operating in the Assyrian town of Tel Keyf since its liberation. Notwithstanding these claims, locals affirm otherwise, accusing the paramilitary group of pushing a political agenda, illegally seizing lands and attacking other groups. Although the force's leader Rayan Al-Kaldani is a Chaldean Catholic, the majority of Brigade 50's members are non-Assyrian Christians, mainly Shia Arabs and Shabaks. Furthermore, the 30th brigade of the PMF, Liwa Al-Shabak, another Badr Organization-affiliate, actively controls Bartella, a once predominantly Assyrian town prior to its capture by Da'ish. While the NPU also operates there, former residents fret over the dozens of accounts indicting Brigade 30 of unlawful arrests, assaults, kidnappings, extortion, sexual abuse, sectarian discrimination and applied demographic change against Assyrians. Fraught relations between the community and the Peshmerga are long-standing and have worsened since the seizure of the Nineveh Plains. While government officials claim that minority inclusion is promoted in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, many Assyrians strongly disagree, typically citing voter suppression against them in January 2005 and the Peshmerga's abandonment of their districts in August 2014. Moreover, the abandonment was preceded by a disarmament order, which left Assyrians, Yezidis and other groups defenseless against Da'ish's onslaught. In 2016, many of these towns were liberated, but their initial capture led to an avoidable exodus of Assyrians. Over three-quarters of the former inhabitants of Baqoufa and Tel Eskuf, two Assyrian towns controlled by the Peshmerga, remain outside, remembering the ravage they faced as an outcome of the force's dereliction. Since the insurgency, politicians have vocalized the importance of ethnic and religious inclusiveness in Iraq. Yet, Assyrian civilians, activists and representatives are infrequently consulted on matters regarding security in their own land. Instead of meeting their demands to expand the operations of the Nineveh Plains Protection Units, the government favors proposals made by KDP and Badr Organization officials, who often have no connection to the region itself. Inevitably, the outcome is damaging. Assyrians face injustice at the hands of forces authorized by the government, furthering their lack of trust in the state and providing them with little incentive to remain in Iraq. This is a counterproductive approach in which authorities liberate lands from an occupier, but then continue to make them inhospitable for their original residents. While the Iraqi state declared victory over Da'ish three years ago, there is much left to be resolved. Iraq will not triumph until populations subject to regional expatriation are assisted in their homecomings. Failure to do so enables the achievement of a prominent goal of the extremist group, the eradication of other religious communities in the region. The Peoples Committee of Tran Van Thoi District in the southernmost Vietnamese province of Ca Mau on Saturday said that local authorities had caught 38 people making illegal entry into the country. According to preliminary information, the 38 people hail from different localities across Vietnam. All of them went abroad to work as day laborers. They attempted to go through the Song Doc estuary in the districts Song Doc Town by fishing boats to return home for the upcoming 2021 Lunar New Year celebrations. The local authorities sent all of the border jumpers and two Ca Mau locals, who had picked up them, to a centralized quarantine facility of the province for COVID-19 prevention and control on Friday. The functional force is further clarifying the case. Ca Mau Province has a coastline of more than 254km, with over 80 estuaries connecting to the sea territory bordering several countries. Cases of making illegal entry by sea through the province have been rampant and complicated, especially when the Lunar New Year is approaching. Facing the situation, Ca Mau authorities have called on people to retain high spirit for COVID-19 prevention and make immediate report whenever detecting a suspicious illegal arrival in the locality. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Google has threatened to remove its search engine from Australia if the new digital news code that makes tech giants pay for content comes into action. Facebook too has threatened to remove news from its feed for all Australians. If the tech giants remove these services, it would mean that 19 million Google users and 17 million Facebook users would not be able to access the said services. However, that has not deterred the Australian government which has said it does not respond well to threats. The new legislation currently before the parliament would force these tech giants into negotiations with news media companies to pay for content. If no agreement is reached between the parties then an arbiter would decide the payment amount. Google which recently signed an agreement with 300 French publications to pay them for content appearing on search results, gave an ultimatum to the Australian government on Friday. Calling paying for links a 'dangerous precedent', Google said it would not be viable to continue offering search in Australia if the code comes to force. Google Australia Managing Director Mel Silva told a Senate committee, "The principle of unrestricted linking between websites is fundamental to search and coupled with the unmanageable financial and operational risk if this version of the code were to become law, it would give us no real choice but to stop making Google Search available in Australia." She said that the company wanted to make changes to the code to make it 'workable'. Meanwhile, representatives from Facebook said that they would pull news content from user feeds if the code goes ahead. Facebook's head of public policy in Australia Josh Machin said that the company would potentially prevent not just news companies from posting links to news articles on Facebook but all users based in Australia. Machin said that news articles make up under 5 per cent of what users see on their feed and that there was not much commercial benefit from it, as mentioned in a report in The Guardian. They have also called the code 'unworkable' and have asked for digital platforms to be given six months so that they can negotiate deals with news companies before the come comes into force. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, responding to the ultimatums, said at an interview in Brisbane, "Let me be clear. Australia makes our rules for things you can do in Australia. That's done in our parliament. It's done by our government. And that's how things work here in Australia and people who want to work with that, in Australia, you're very welcome. But we don't respond to threats." South Australian Senator Rex Patrick said, "Sorry Google, but we will decide which search engines come to this country and the circumstances in which they come." Echoing Morrison, Reset Australia that is lobbying for the regulation of big tech companies said that Google's threats show that it has the body of a behemoth but the brain of a brat. "When a private corporation tries to use its monopoly power to threaten and bully a sovereign nation, it's a surefire sign that regulation is long overdue," said Executive Director Chris Cooper to The Guardian. Australia's competition watchdog, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, that developed the code said that the payment model is not per-click but an upfront lumpsum. ALSO READ: Google to disable search option in Australia if media code comes into force ALSO READ: PhonePe beats Google Pay, Paytm; emerges top UPI app in December EDWARDSVILLE The Madison County Health Department has completed its COVID-19 vaccination registration survey, which got more than 45,000 responses. Now, as the county winds down vaccinations for Phase 1A, it is getting ready to embark on Phase 1B. We closed the survey Wednesday around 5 p.m., said Amy Yeager, public information officer and director of community health for the Madison County Health Department. Since we were looking primarily for Phase 1A and some interest from people in Phase 1B, it was a huge response. Those numbers helped us schedule through the rest of Phase 1A for people that want it and helped us start to plan for Phase 1B. The survey was a success and it gave us what we needed, but we are transitioning to an online appointment scheduler system and will release that link soon. The county health department website (madisonchd.org) added a new vaccination information update on Wednesday to answer questions that people might have about the vaccination priority groups and what the next steps will be. We will be beginning Phase 1B next week and it is going to be by appointment only, Yeager said. For now, the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville will be the primary location that we will be scheduling vaccination appointments for. We may be able to add an additional site, but were still exploring options for that. Our five hospitals are partnering with us and helping with Phase 1B as well, but they are all taking on specific pieces. Thats all part of the plan that we are trying to finalize. Yeager emphasizes that there will be plenty of vaccines to go around, but she also stresses the need for patience. There will be vaccine for anyone who wants it, but its just going to take time, Yeager said. The population of Phase 1B is very large because its anyone in Madison County who is 65 or older, as well as certain essential worker categories, which are listed on our website. Those categories are all determined by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the state of Illinois. We dont set the phases; we just adhere to them. Essential frontline workers, as established by the state of Illinois, include first responders, education, food and agriculture, manufacturing, corrections workers and inmates, USPS workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers and shelters, and day care staff. It will take many weeks if not a few months to get through Phase 1B, one, because of the sheer volume of people; and two, the availability of the vaccine, Yeager said. We just ask people to be patient and watch their local media, watch our website and watch our social media channels and we will continue to update information. We have already contacted everybody that took survey who was in Phase 1A and we have gotten them scheduled, but we have started contacting people in the survey who would be Phase 1B to see if they are interested in being scheduled. If you didnt fill out the survey, you will still able to schedule online through the appointment scheduler. People that dont have computer skills or access to a computer will be able to call a phone number to schedule an appointment. Pity a luggage store during a global pandemic in which people aren't supposed to travel. The Canada-U.S. border has been closed for months, and there's no way to know when it might open again. Passenger air traffic has declined by more than 95 per cent. Code-red public-health restrictions imposed by the province in November in an effort to slow the frightening pace of COVID-19's spread prevented in-store sales of anything not considered essential. Luggage and travel accessories weren't on the list. U.N. Luggage has been doing business in the Exchange District since 1940. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS U.N. Luggage owner Jon Thiessen bought into the business with his sister about a decade ago. Current owner Jon Thiessen, who bought into the business with his sister about a decade ago, says he could never have predicted the effect that the health crisis has had on the store's operations. "I thought it would be difficult through the summer," Thiessen says. "Being a luggage store, our bread and butter are travellers. When people aren't travelling, it is difficult to operate (offering curbside pickup). We are so down it is scary. "You can't survive selling four suitcases a month that's not much of an exaggeration." There is a glint of light visible dim though it may be in the dark and seemingly endless COVID-19 tunnel this morning for Thiessen and other retailers across the city and most of the province. Thursday, 10 weeks after imposing the severe, critical-level clampdown on in-person commerce and social interaction, Premier Brian Pallister and chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced a new public-health order that went into effect at 12:01 a.m. today that loosens some of the most severe restrictions. The changes give retailers the green light to open their doors again at a quarter of normal capacity while ensuring customers maintain physical-distancing requirements. The same goes for hair salons, barber shops and unregulated health services, with the addition of collecting contact-tracing information. And outside human contact is permitted again, albeit on a limited basis; Manitobans are allowed to designate two people not part of their households to visit indoors; up to five people can join an outdoor gathering on private property; and funeral services can include up to 10 people and the officiant. MIKAELA MCKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS U.N. Luggage has been doing business in the Exchange District since 1940. The decision to relax some restrictions came after COVID-19 data began showing some improvement in most of the province, measured by case numbers, test-positivity rates, hospitalizations and the number of patients being treated in intensive-care units. The new rules don't apply in Churchill or in the Northern Health region, where the risk is still too high, health officials have decided. And neither do they allow restaurants and bars to invite customers back inside. Even with financial assistance from both the federal and provincial governments, many business owners and the people who work for them have had to dig into savings or take on debt to keep their heads above water. Data released this week by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business shows the situation is dire. More than one in six businesses at least 239,000 across Canada and 5,601 in Manitoba are at the risk of permanently disappearing because of COVID-19, or have already closed. Thiessen knows of luggage stores in other parts of Canada that have had to close their doors permanently. U.N. Luggage sells online and ships across the country. "We're holding on for now, but at some point you really need things to resume in the world of travel," he says, adding it's nice to have customers back in person, at least theoretically. "I think luggage will be long and slow to recover." Rather than wave the white flag when business ground to a near halt, Thiessen steered the company into wider offerings in an effort to draw more customers, opening The Pen Counter, which sells writing instruments along with accessories and other stationery items. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Thiessen says he could never have predicted the effect that the health crisis has had on the store's operations. And like many other businesses, he has branched out into face masks, including offering some from a museum artist series. Thiessen says with so many people working remotely from home, downtown and the Exchange District are akin to a ghost town. "The TD Centre, I think they have 33 per cent of (the usual number of) people coming into that building," he says. "Usually people don't want to come downtown because it is difficult to park, but it's wide-open now. Even foot traffic in the Exchange is really low." John Graham, the Retail Council of Canada's government relations director for the Prairie region, says Manitoba retail community is devastated but hopeful. "Retailers look at this moment as an important step forward towards economic recovery, and remain fiercely committed to maintaining a safe environment for both their employees and customers," he says. The Green Brier Inn, with its Tudor-like exterior, has been a fixture on north Main Street since 1929. The neighbourhood pub has been surviving on beer-vendor sales and beginning last month a newly minted cannabis store. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Jon Singh, the Green Brier Inn's owner for the past 15 years, says things have been tough, but the weed store has improved the business's immediate outlook. Jon Singh, the establishment's owner for the past 15 years, says things have been tough, but the weed store has improved the business's immediate outlook. "People are happy you can get your beer and cannabis all in one shot," Singh says. "But this is a place that is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. We're open from 9 a.m. for beer and cannabis with the cannabis closing at midnight and the beer store at 2:30 and the bar stays open the same as the beer store. And now the bar is closed. "We understand it is saving lives and we do understand where the province is coming from. But we have followed all the protocols. It was the downtown bars causing the (virus) spreading with their younger patrons." Singh says the lockdown forced him to lay off 40 per cent of the staff. "We couldn't take the staff from the bar to the beer store because we already had staff there," he says. "And cannabis is specialized. As far as I know, a couple have moved on, but everyone else is ready and willing to come back immediately." MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Singh says the lockdown forced him to lay off 40 per cent of the staff. He expects bars and restaurants will be among the last businesses allowed to reopen. "They'll probably want to see how things go before we can open again," he says. Transcona's L'Arche Tova Cafe serves great food and warms hearts. The L'Arche Winnipeg operation pairs paid staff and both paid and volunteer adults living with special needs who work as hosts, servers and in the kitchen. The organization creates homes and opportunities to people living with intellectual disabilities. The restaurant's value to the people who find meaningful work there and the community at large is, unfortunately not a consideration as far as COVID's impact is concerned. There have been layoffs. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS L'Arche executive director and community leader Jim Lapp: "It is really hurting us because the purpose is for people to meet people with disabilities and discover their gifts." "It is really hurting us because the purpose is for people to meet people with disabilities and discover their gifts," says L'Arche executive director and community leader Jim Lapp. "We're looking for that to happen again." Shaun Jeffrey, executive director of the Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association, says the latest lockdown has been devastating. "They were already closed for two months back in the spring so they have been closed a total of 4 1/2 months now," Jeffrey says. "There's no sense of when this will end. It has been over 2 1/2 months now of no dining-in experience and, when you're a people person like our members are, you need people to come in." Jeffrey says 40,000 Manitobans are employed in restaurants and about 80 per cent of them have been laid off for months now. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The L'Arche Winnipeg operation pairs paid staff and both paid and volunteer adults living with special needs who work as hosts, servers and in the kitchen. "When does it stop? When can you give our industry, which is significant, some type of feedback or reassurance you will allow us to reopen as soon as possible? "Our industry can't stay closed forever." COVID-19 has taken much more than a little off the top of hairstylist Meghan Greenlay's income. "I've been doing hair for 23 years and I've never had a break like this; when you are self-employed you have to work or you don't get paid," says Greenlay, one of four stylists at Menagerie Beauty and Goods in Osborne Village. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS COVID-19 has taken much more than a little off the top of hairstylist Meghan Greenlay's income. "With some clients it is going on close to a year since I've seen them because they had to cancel and couldn't rebook or because things (the pandemic) got out of hand and they didn't want to come. "It is very scary, the not knowing will they come back or not when this is over." The long break has allowed her to focus on what was a sideline, but has recently become a source of income: Greenlay creates pottery and sells her wares online. She's obviously happy to be back behind her chair at Menagerie, although doesn't really know what to expect. One thing she knows is that even if all her clients return, she won't be able to serve the same number during a shift, because of sanitization requirements. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The long break has allowed Greenlay to focus on what was a sideline, but has recently become a source of income: she creates pottery and sells her wares online. "There is 20 minutes of cleaning between clients," she says. "And, because everybody hasn't had their hair done in months, everything will be a major project now." Regardless, she has been looking forward to this day for a while. "I've cut my own hair a few times, so I (would) be able to face the public," she says, laughing. kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS or Cezanne received its first alleged benchmarks! Its score revealed that it can perform better than Intel Tiger Lake! AMD's new chipset is an eight-core laptop processor. According to Toms Hardware's latest report, the 3-based chip was able to beat Intel 10th Gen Comet Lake in single-core and multi-core scores. AMD's latest Cezanne was also able to beat the 11th Gen Intel Tiger Lake chipset when it comes to single-core and multi-core performances. Although AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS performs better than the two advanced chipsets, it still falls short against Apple's M1 processor. To help you understand further, here is the list of chips and their performances in single-core and multi-core scores. AMD Cezanne Vs. Apple M1 Vs. Intel Tiger Lake Apple M1 - (Single-core) 1710 // (Multi-core) 7,660 Intel Core i7-1185G7 - (Single-core) 1550 // (Multi-core) 5,600 AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS (Single-core) 1540 // 8,225 (Multi-core) AMD Ryzen 9 4900H (Single-core) 1550 // 5,600 (Multi-core) Intel Core i9-10885H (Single-core) 1335 // 7,900 (Multi-core) Also Read: Incoming Intel Chief Executive Pat Gelsinger Says Company will Reclaim Chipmaking Crown by Relying on Outside Chip Manufacturers The results clearly show that the Apple M1 chip is still on top of the list when it comes to single-core performance. However, AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS easily beats all the laptop processors on the list when it comes to multi-core performance. AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS specs WCCFTECH previously reported that the latest Cezanne laptop processor has a configured base clock of 3.0 GHz. The chip can boost this feature up to 4.80 GHz. AMD's latest processor also comes with 4 MB of L2 and 16 MB of L3 cache, which are based on the TSMC 7nm FinFET process node. AMD's Cezanne is currently 41% faster in single-core and 17% faster in multi-core performances compared with the Ryzen 9 4900HS, bring the chip's average gains to 30%. For more news updates about AMD, Intel, Apple, and other popular chip manufacturers and their chipsets, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Newegg RTX 3080, AMD Ryzen 5 5600, and Newegg PS5 Restock Online This article is owned by TechTimes. Written by: Giuliano de Leon. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The number of coronavirus cases in Russia per day increased by 20,921, which is a record low since November 11, the federal operational headquarters to combat coronavirus on Saturday, TASS reports. In relative terms, the increase in the number of cases was less than 0.6%. In total, 3,698,273 people have been infected in the country since the beginning of the pandemic - slightly more than 2.5% of the population. The lowest growth rates were recorded per day in the Tyva Republic (0.1%), Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Moscow, Altai Republic, Magadan Region (0.3% each). Blood-thinning drugs appear to reduce the amount of time moderately ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients must spend on ventilators, federal health officials announced Friday, citing results from three large international studies. Detailed findings from the studies, one of them overseen by University of Pittsburgh and UPMC researchers, will not be made public for weeks. But the results were promising enough that all three trials have stopped enrolling new patients, on the assumption that many physicians will start using the drugs as part of their standard practice, said Pitt physician Matthew D. Neal. We are as close to certain as we can be that the signal is real, he said. Physicians began treating patients with high doses of blood thinners early in the pandemic, after finding that some with severe illness had developed abnormal blood clots in the lungs and elsewhere in the body. In a small percentage of cases, clotting led to a stroke, cutting off blood flow to part of the brain. READ MORE: He thought he was over COVID, then suffered the 'worst headache' of his life: a stroke But in December, the three studies found that the drugs did not seem to benefit COVID-19 patients in the intensive-care unit, apparently because they were too sick to tolerate the risk of internal bleeding and other complications. Still, the studies continued to enroll patients who were hospitalized with moderately ill cases of COVID-19, as researchers were optimistic that the drugs, such as heparin, would prevent such cases from progressing to severe disease. It now seems that was the right call, said Neal, a UPMC trauma surgeon and critical-care specialist who is co-leading the blood-thinner trial for Pittsburgh. It makes sense if we treat early and stop those blood clots from accumulating, he said. The new findings were announced by the National Institutes of Health. The impact of the blood thinners was measured in terms of how many days patients needed to spend on ventilators and other forms of organ support. READ MORE: Effective COVID-19 drug treatments remain frustratingly elusive a year into the pandemic By definition, patients in the moderately ill group were not on ventilators or in the intensive-care unit when they started taking the drugs, but some ended up needing that level of care. To see whether the blood thinners might reduce a patients chance of progressing to that stage, researchers gave high doses to some and low doses to others. On average, those who got the high doses ended up needing to spend fewer days on a ventilator, according to a review of the data by independent monitors. Exactly how much less time is not yet clear, as the results may vary for different subgroups of patients, Neal said. But the results met a predetermined threshold for statistical significance, he said. Even if the degree of improvement turns out to be just one day, this is good news when the impact is multiplied across hundreds of hospitals worldwide, he said. Heparin is inexpensive and easy to use, so if it helps at all, the case for using it is solid, he said. In the midst of a pandemic and surges, even if its a single day, the impact of this would be profound, he said. Ryan Zarychanski, a University of Manitoba physician who also was involved in the trials, posted a similar sentiment on Twitter. This will define a new standard of care for patients with COVID-19 in hospital but not on life support, he wrote. The White Tiger ***** Persian Lessons **** The Exception **** Framed as a letter written by the narrator, Balram (Adarsh Gourav), to a Chinese dignitary visiting India, The White Tiger (15A) opens in Bangalore in 2010 with Balram explaining his meteoric rise from abject poverty to his current status as a celebrated entrepreneur. The story, which is adapted from Aravind Adigas 2008 Booker Prize-winning novel, is a coal-black comedy in which 21st century Indian capitalism still adheres to the age-old law of the jungle, in which one eats or is eaten. Born into a lower caste, and thus doomed to become a servant at best Balram is the white tiger of the title: a once-in-a-generation phenomenon, and a freak of nature who refuses to accept his fate. Most of the story takes place in 2007, when Balram inveigles his way into the position of driver with a wealthy family in Delhi, where he becomes the trusted confidante of the American-educated Ashok (Rajkummar Rao) and his American-born wife Pinky (Priyanka Chopra). Initially biddable and subservient, Balrams voiceover grows bitter and cynical: trapped in what is effectively a feudal system of servitude, Balram starts to scheme and plot his escape. Adapted and directed by Ramin Bahrani, The White Tiger is a warts-and-all portrait of modern India, a country bedevilled by corruption from top to bottom and where scarcely conceivable poverty lives cheek-by-jowl with mind-boggling wealth. As a representative of the New India the smart, educated working class determined to throw off the old shackles. Balram is brilliantly deceitful, disingenuous and callous, and Adarsh Gourav grasps the opportunity with both hands, delivering a gripping performance that garners our sympathy even as his actions becoming increasingly repellent. Theres strong support too from Rajkummar Rao as the wealthy master who somehow deludes himself into believing he has an emotional connection with Balram, while Priyanka Chopra is deliciously fiery as the American feminist who refuses to accept the injustice of the system she has married into. Blackly funny, blazing with anger and remarkably deft in its upending of cliches, The White Tiger is tour de force. (Netflix) Persian Lessons. France, 1942. Arrested for being a Jew, Belgian-born Gilles (Nahuel Perez Biscayart) narrowly avoids execution by persuading his captors that he is a Persian, and thus capable of providing Persian Lessons (15A) for Hauptsturmfuhrer Koch (Lars Eidinger), a Nazi master-chef with ambitions to open a restaurant in Teheran. With not a single word of Farsi to call on, Gilles is obliged to invent a whole new language for Koch; meanwhile, the suspicious Beyer (Jonas Nay) plots to unmask Gilles as a Jew, in the process exposing the duplicitous Koch to ridicule. The premise is implausible (the pre-credit sequence claims that the story is based on true events; it is adapted from a short story by Wolfgang Kohlhasse) but a number of elements ensure that the film is compelling throughout. Gilless Scheherazade-like plight keeps things on a knife-edge, with immediate death the penalty if his ruse is discovered, and theres considerable fascination to be found in how he manages to develop his imagined language. Then theres the portrayal of the minor German characters who populate the camp, whose petty jealousies humanise the Nazi death machine, and render it even more terrifying. Finally, Nahuel Perez Biscayart and Lars Eidinger are both excellent in their psychologically complex two-hander, Biscayart as the desperately resourceful Gilles and Eidinger in offering a nuanced portrait of a man painfully aware of his own limitations. (internet release) Declan Burke # The Exception The Exception (15A) stars Danica Curcic as Iben, who works in the Danish Centre for Information on Genocide and is currently researching a paper on the nature of evil. When Ibens friend Malene (Amanda Collin) begins to isolate and subtly ostracise one of their co-workers, Anne-Lise (Sidse Babett Knudsen), Iben gradually starts to realise that evil is intrinsic to human nature. Adapted by Christian Torpe from Christian Andersons novel, and directed by Jesper W Nielsen, The Exception is a slow-burning thriller that boils down the horror of genocide to its essence, exploring the reasons why people are motivated to differentiate, exclude and demonise other human beings. The hushed and austere library-like surroundings of the centre are a world away from the killing fields, but the fact that the story is rooted in mundane office politics make it no less profound: the banality of evil writ small, as it were, drives home the ease with which apparently trivial differences can quickly escalate into tragedy. A fine ensemble cast is rounded out by Lene Maria Christensen as the office secretary Camilla, but Danica Curcic, whose character Iben is haunted by her previous experience of being abducted by terrorists in Kenya, is particularly impressive as the films emotional centre. (internet release) 'The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and, in its depths, it has its pearls too.' - Vincent van Gogh. The rise in popularity of sea swimming has been well documented, but for one Drogheda woman who survived drowning in the Rover Boyne, her return to water has ironically been a life-saver. Collin Kirwan was pulled dramatically from the river two years ago, rescued by two passers-by, and spent two weeks on life support in ICU while her lungs were flushed out. She has no recollection of how she came to be in the water, but she admits it was during one of the darkest periods in her turbulent life. 'When you are an addict like me, just when you think you've hit rock bottom, there's always the basement,' says Collin, now a bubbly 37-year-old, who barely pauses for breath as she tells her incredible life story. 'I've been an alcoholic most of my life, since I started bringing it to school when I was nine. I was sexually abused between the ages of six and nine, and have spent time homeless, after joining the army at 17 to try and escape.' Born and reared in Drogheda, Collin (a variant spelling of the name Coleen) said she came to drugs relatively late. Expand Close Collin Kirwan meets Andrew Farrell at the spot on the river boyne where he rescued her after she entered the water / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Collin Kirwan meets Andrew Farrell at the spot on the river boyne where he rescued her after she entered the water 'I was 23 when I first took drugs, although alcohol so more dangerous than any drug, and kills more people,' she says. 'I had a baby at 30, and her father lost his leg through addiction, but thankfully for Maisie, now six, we are both getting our lives back on track.' But Collin nearly didn't make it past July 22nd 2018. She had been drinking in the 'sunshine bar' near the d Hotel with friends, and has no idea how she came so close to death. 'I honestly don't know if I fell or wanted to be in the water or what,' she says candidly. 'I think I might have been given something, as I woke up in hospital weeks after it happened, and they had been draining my lungs - the only thing that saved me was I didn't breathe in the water, but I only have 70% capacity now.' What had happened on the other side of the rescue made the papers, as a visitor from New Zealand and a man Collin has known for years, plucked her from death. 'Andy Farrell just happened to be walking past when he heard the noise and helped this other man pull me out,' she says. 'They risked their lives to save mine, and I am very grateful.' It was a slow process to get Collin from 'her basement' to where she is now, heading for the summit, literally! 'A friend persuaded me to start mountaineering, and I did find it hard at first, as I only have three quarters my lung capacity, so I get out of breath quickly,' she explains. 'But I never imagined that I would love swimming so much, especially after what happened me.' Her first sea swim was at the infamous 40 Foot in Dublin about 18 months ago, and she felt 'out of her depth'! 'I totally panicked the minute I got in, and I really didn't like it at first,' she says. 'But now if I know I'm swimming, I run to the water! 'There's just something about the water now when I swim in the sea - I get a real sense of safety, like being in the womb.' The last swim Collin had in the sea was on December 27th, when she braved the icy Clogherhead waters in aid of Isobel Sanroma's Chernobyl charity. 'We could only do it in twos, unlike previous years, when there was much more craic,' she says. 'That was the last time I could get out because of COVID restrictions, and I really miss it - it is vital for keeping the head right. I couldn't believe they closed the carparks, and am glad to see they changed their minds. For some of us, swimming in the sea isn't just a hobby, it's a lifesaver.' If you have been affected by anything you have read, there is always someone to talk to. Call Pieta House free on 1800 247 247 or text Help to 51444. KLOSAD Clinical Diagnostics Lab, whose staff members were last week exposed for issuing fake Covid-19 certificates, has been shut down to pave way for full investigations. The laboratory was suspended from operating for an indefinite period to allow the Ministry of Health and Childcare and the Medical Laboratory and Clinical Scientists Council of Zimbabwe (MLCSCZ) to complete investigations into the labs operations. The Sunday Mail understands that, in addition to the fake certificates scam, authorities are keen to probe allegations that Klosad was operating without proper registration and qualified staff while its Covid-19 certificates were being authorised by fictitious staff members. MLCSCZ registrar Ms Agnes Chigora confirmed that the lab had been shut down for further investigations. Council has recommended suspension of services until finalisation of the ongoing investigations, she said. An official privy to the developments revealed that authorities were conducting additional investigations into the rot at Klosad. For example, this Nyakuedzwa who was approving the certificates is not even among the employees and is stationed at Chitungwiza General Hospital, said the source. His name was only there on the paper but other people were doing the signing for him. The staff on the ground was not adequately trained and they were working without proper supervision. The Anesu Nyamugama who was arrested is not even registered as an employee of the lab and some of the names of the people who are said to have signed those papers were not on duty. So there are suggestions that the level of corruption at Klosad was high and it could have involved quite a number of people. Nyamugama was arrested last week facing fraud charges. Allegations are that from January 8 to 12, Nyamugama issued two fake negative Covid-19 certificates to The Sunday Mail reporters Harmony Agere and Emmanuel Kafe, thus misrepresenting that they had gone through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. He was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova who granted him $7 000 bail and ordered him to return to court on February 24. In a statement last week, Klosad said it had dismissed Nyamugama and reported him to the police. Klosad Lab is committed to ethical conduct at all times as we are part of the fight against the spread of Covid-19 in our country and support the efforts made by the Government of Zimbabwe. We would like to advise the public and all our valued customers that Klosad Clinical Diagnostics Lab is committed to producing accurate, authentic and certified certificates for the benefit of all Zimbabweans. We are currently working with an IT company on a computerised system that will put an end to all such cases of fake Covid-19 certificates. In another development, Klosad is being accused of entering into a suspicious alliance with commercial airliner, fastjet Zimbabwe. Under the pact, fastjet is reportedly accepting Covid-19 certificates issued by Klosad only, while rejecting results from other registered laboratories. A whistle-blower told The Sunday Mail that his family failed to travel to South Africa at the beginning of the month after fastjet rejected test results which were not done at Klosad. My brothers wife and his kid wanted to fly back to SA using fastjet today but the Covid-19 results they were holding were rejected by the ticketing agent, said the whistle-blower. The agent said they needed results from Klosad only. I later did investigations and was told that there is a contract between Klosad and fastjet to force everyone who boards the plane to produce a copy from the labs. I had time to check whats going on because the health point at Robert Mugabe International Airport had certified the results as valid, only to be turned away by a ticket agent. Contacted for comment, fastjet accountable manager Mr Ed Berry denied the allegations. fastjet does not have an exclusive deal with Klosad, we employ a rigorous staff Covid-19 testing regime for this, we do not use Klosad, we use another supplier, he said. Klosad has a testing centre on the same premises as the fastjet sales shop in Belgravia. They offer passengers of fastjet or TAAG Angolan Airlines, who also have their sales shop on the same premises a special rate. The airline has nothing to do with setting up this relationship. It was purely between the owner of the premises and Klosad. Former Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo, who is the owner of Klosad, did not respond to a request for an interview. Sunday Mail Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. 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. COLONIE A few weeks after the state was criticized for seeming to renege on a promise to place murals honoring the area's Native American heritage on a bridge over a heavily traveled part of the Northway, the Department of Transportation announced Friday evening that work to install the art will begin next week. The two engraved murals, which will be visible to the estimated 100,000 vehicles daily that travel beneath the overpass connecting Northway Exit 3 with the Albany airport, show Native American dancers. Their installation fulfills an agreement made in 2014 between New York and three Native American tribes: the Delaware Tribe of Indians, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians. A Bangladeshi tri-service contingent will lead the first ten rows of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi . The contingent will be lead by the Bangladesh Army which will be in the first six rows, the next two rows will be led by the Bangladesh Navy and the last two rows will comprise of Bangladesh Air Force. While talking to ANI, Mohatsim Haider Chaudhary, the leader of Bangladesh tri-service contingent on Saturday said, "Bangladesh contingent will be lead by its army which will be in first six rows followed by two navy and two air force contingent respectively. We are following all the COVID-19 norms." The Bangladesh tri-service contingent is participating in this year's Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi to commemorate 50 years of the Liberation War. It is especially significant as the year 2021 marks 50 years of the Liberation War of 1971, through which Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation, free from Pakistan's tyranny and oppression with the help of India. The Bangladesh Armed Forces contingent comprises of soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, sailors of the Bangladesh Navy and air warriors of the Bangladesh Air Force. Moreover, the Rafale fighter jets purchased from France and recently inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), will also participate in the parade and will be part of the flypast at the culmination of the parade. Some new formations will also be seen for the first time. IAF Spokesperson Wing Commander Indranil Nandi told ANI that a total of 42 aircraft will be seen in the flypast including 15 fighter planes, five transport aircraft and one vintage aircraft. The formations that will be seen during the parade include 'Rudra', 'Sudharshan', 'Rakshak', 'Eklavya' and 'Brahmastra'. He said that one Dakota and two MI-17s will be part of 'Rudra' formation and 'Sudharshan' formation will consist of two Chinook and two MI-17s. The spokesperson said that 'Rakshak' formation will consist of one MI-35 and four Apache helicopters while 'Garuda' formation will showcase one C-17, two MiG 29, and two Su-30s. "In the 'Eklavya' formation, one rafale, two Jaguars and two MiG-29s will be showcased. One Rafale will be seen under the 'Brahmastra' formation." This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. A former teacher is accused of sexually abusing more than a dozen students at a Sydney school over an 18-year period. The 64-year-old was arrested on Friday morning and charged with 90 offences. Police will argue the teacher sexually and physically abused 14 boys, then aged seven or eight, while he worked at an Earlwood school between 1978 and 1994. A former male teacher, 64, allegedly sexually and physically abused 14 boys, then aged seven or eight, while he worked at an Earlwood school in Sydney between 1978 and 1994 (stock image) The charges include multiple counts of indecently assaulting a child, attempting to solicit or incite a male to commit an indecent act, and common assault. The strike force investigating the man was initiated in 2017 after a referral from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse. The man will appear before Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday. The investigation is ongoing. After long delays, Vietnam will begin implementing a plan to establish an international financial centre as a core pillar of contemporary global finance, thus putting the countrys profile onto the map. In the mood to kick-start the countrys ambition to become a successful hub to attract financial institutions and investors, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung has told a recent forum that previous plans for cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Danang to set up international financial centres must be revamped and taken more seriously so that the country is not left behind in this regard. As such, the minister explained, more concrete plans for such a centre must be carried forward this year by hiring consultancies and building detailed plans in order to report to the government and the Politburo. An international financial centre (IFC) would attract international capital and increase government revenues, Dung said. Building a capable financial centre in Vietnam will be a priority. If we do nothing now, we could miss out on it completely. The dream to create an IFC in the country is not a new one, but previous proposals have failed to leave the starting blocks thus far. Such a financial centre, which could comprise of a region or city with a full financial hub with direct access to major capital pools from banks, insurance companies, investment funds, and listed capital markets, would enable companies, institutions, and individuals from around the world to meet needs like financing supply chains and managing risks. Singapore was one such location which did everything in its power to achieve such a dream over recent decades, and it is now reaping the rewards. As Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Tho from the School of Finance at the University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City explained, In 2001 then-Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a speech vowing that Singapores IFC would be able to create prosperity for not only the country but also for the whole region. Today, Tho added, Singapores IFC has developed beyond the countrys borderlines and is now among the major financial hubs alongside London and New York. With its important geographical location, Vietnam is also expected to have its own IFC, which would contribute to enriching the nation as well as the whole region. A suitable vision IFCs can foster stronger financial cooperation among nations. Qatar, Malaysia, and Turkey have been cooperating to exploit their shared financial market worth $2 trillion, with these nations sharing Qatars tech system. It remains to be seen if Vietnam can, or is willing to, work in such a way with neighbouring nations. Don Lambert, principal private sector development specialist of the Asian Development Bank in Vietnam told VIR, The operation capacity of Vietnams authorities is dependent on what kind of IFC the government plans. Will it focus on attracting financing for Vietnams infrastructure and development needs with a longer-term focus on expanding to other countries in the Mekong? If yes, then this is a realistic vision well within the capacity of Vietnams authorities. However, Lambert added, if focus is more broad then there needs to be honest self-assessment of what Vietnam offers in comparison to other financial centres. He also highlighted that investors may be very keen on Vietnam generally, as they see a fast-growing, stable country with a rapidly expanding middle class. When a financial centre is completed, it could further facilitate their ability to invest in the country. The foremost priority, Lambert added, is to develop a clear, convincing strategy for the financial centre and one that offers the country competitive advantages over existing regional and international financial centres. Thus, governmental priorities will very much depend on the direction of the strategy. Ho Chi Minh City prospects Leading localities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Danang have been required to lay special focus on creating detailed projects and hiring world-class consultants to accelerate the foundation for an IFC, despite the difficulties in getting such initiatives off the ground in terms of policy support and human resources. In September, a joint venture between Singapore-based Sakae Holdings and SSF Investment Company emerged as a leading bidder for IFC construction in the central city of Danang. The joint venture is awaiting approval from the prime minister on a potential financial centre, known as Danang Gateways. The newly-established SSF Investment Company is reportedly linked to Sunshine Homes part of local construction giant Sunshine Group. In 2018, Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Peoples Committee assigned Fulbright University Vietnam along with the Ho Chi Minh City Financial Investment State-owned Company to set up a plan to develop the area into a regional and IFC. At the same time, the city also added the plan to its list of goals as part of its socioeconomic development strategy for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045. Nguyen Xuan Thanh, a member of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Group and lecturer at Fulbright University Vietnam, said that Ho Chi Minh City is well behind the likes of Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok when it comes to offering a strong financial centre for the globe. Therefore, Thanh said, the city needs to work with startups especially in order to improve technical infrastructure and cybersecurity, as well as train quality human resources to prepare for developing the city into an IFC. Nevertheless, currently Ho Chi Minh City is the most attractive financial hub in the country, as it homes over 2,100 banks, credit institutions, and financial services companies. In previous years, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong cited the lack of mechanisms, policies, and high-quality human resources as the key obstacles in the way of building a reputable IFC. Vu Thanh Tu Anh, another member of the Economic Advisory Group, suggested carving out niche approaches to contribute to an IFC in the city. Over the past 20 years, Ho Chi Minh City has been oriented to be the financial centre on a national and regional level, but it still in the seeding stage. Thus, it is necessary to thoroughly review the approaches and find other feasible plans which might be different from the previous IFC plans, he said. Nguyen Chi Dung - Minister of Planning and Investment Four decades ago, the GDP of the tiny archipelago of the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean was near zero, but after establishment of an offshore IFC, daily cash flow through the Caymans has amounted to $2 trillion. As a British overseas territory, it now attracts around 80 per cent of global hedge funds, even if the actual hedge fund managers work almost exclusively in New York or London. The islands also inherited a professional legal system as per English common law, which was attractive to multinational corporations and investors. However, Vietnam also boasts favourable conditions, from geographical to population advantages, to become a leading jurisdiction for an international financial market. From Ho Chi Minh City it takes only three hours by air to visit all of ASEAN and Northeast Asia. Vietnam also sits in a time zone which is different from 21 other IFCs. This is a very narrow doorway that presents a prime advantage. If any other IFC in the same time zone is established, we will miss this golden opportunity forever. Luke Treloar - Managing director, KPMGs Global Strategy Group in Vietnam The Vietnamese government has demonstrated a tremendous capability to innovate and create world-class responses to difficult challenges. We are confident in the willingness of international financial institutions to partner with Vietnam in the development of an IFC. Foreign-invested enterprises will likely enthusiastically support the development of an IFC. Vietnam is growing in priority with many of the worlds largest investors. The creation of an IFC that helps promote trust and transparency, raise Vietnams international profile, and accelerate gains in competitiveness will be welcomed by international investors. The Vietnamese government should actively engage with investors and learn from successful case studies of emerging financial destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates. VIR Bich Ngoc/Luu Huong Ministry of Finance announces ten notable events of 2020 The Ministry of Finance has announced a list of ten notable events of Vietnams financial sector in 2020. In the end, it was about relief. Relief he was not shot. Relief that reliable adults were back in charge; that those resolving their childhood trauma in the Oval Office and the Situation Room had left for Florida to the sound of the Village People. At its essence, though, Joe Bidens inauguration was relief about love. The love between Joe and Jill, the love of a father for his children, a grandfather for his grandchildren; the presidents love for his faith, his ancestors, the constitution, his country, Americans, the world. At the inauguration of the 46th US president, love unspooled itself around the Capitol and America, initiating the healing of hurts, the binding of wounds, the exorcising of the ghosts of fear, the demons of hate, vengeance and violence. The 127-year-old Biden family Bible, with its metal clasps, resembled a book of magic from a fairy tale; bringing the words of Thomas Jefferson to mind: A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles but who can say what would be the evils of a scission, and when and where they would end? Just 14 days before, we had seen scission and its evils right there in the constitutional Holy of Holies, the temple of Democracy. But when President Biden spoke, it was the beginning of their end. Expand Close Star power: Lady Gaga performs the US national anthem at the inauguration / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Star power: Lady Gaga performs the US national anthem at the inauguration Lady Gaga bore the dove with the olive branch on her chest. America had weathered the deluge. Symbols over cymbals. It was amazing. And it was grace. Seeing their grandfather as the antithesis of the 45th president, it was Joe Bidens grandchildren who had urged him to run, telling him: Pops, this is your time. It was, and he took it and revelled in it. On Wednesday, he gave a speech that was authentic, sincere, humble, awed, rallying, challenging and soothing. In image and motif, concept and cadence, it struck the right notes, each of them finding their sympathetic vibration in the words of the 22-year-old poet Amanda Gorman, who took to the dais after the president. Unity, community, neighbours, neighbourhood, high purpose, common cause, light after dark, because joy comes in the morning and sees, in Gormans words, that the nation isnt broken, but simply unfinished. Technically, for such a spectacle, it had a bumpy start, being prosaic, almost transactional. Biden thanked his predecessors, talked about schools and jobs, rebuilding the middle class, the binaries of peace and war, storm and strife, and of the virus stalking the land, a clunking cliche. The delivery, too, was off: forced, staccato, sitting too high in his vocal register; a series of telegrams, as opposed to a building, an unfolding of the moments, of which every good speech is made. As Biden squinted in the Washington snowflakes and sun, I wondered at first if his excellent writers had momentarily forgotten what Maya Angelou said; how at the end of the day, people wont remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel. Except they hadnt forgotten. The inaugural address unfolded in exquisite moments, jewels of lines. Take a measure of me and my heart. The advice from his mother about how we must stand in each others shoes. The image of his father, who became all our fathers, and all of us parents, worrying about the job, healthcare, the mortgage. When he told us: I promise you, I get it, we believed him. The denizens of the glitzy towers and gold elevators were banished. Read More Biden was saying to America: your presidency has returned to you. Together, he assured his fellow citizens, we will recognise our common humanity, our right to disagree respectfully, to do a hands turn for each other. The message: we will be Americans who love our fellow Americans, opening our souls, instead of hardening our hearts. He spoke to the city and the world urbi et orbi looking out at emptiness, Washington cleared of its people, ringed by razorwire, stupefied by swathes of military, since the previous office-holder had so recently tried to asset-strip the capital and Capitol of its dignity, its decency, of democracy itself. In his demeanour and delivery, the new president made it clear that he, his family and allies see themselves as servants of the people, not as buccaneers, profiteers from their losses, divisions, misery and degradation. He was there to unite, and unite he would. Together they would dream the dream, together they would heal the wounds; together, in the work ahead, they would need each other. The speech was low-key. And low-key was genius. A reasonable man with a reasonable message: we have left ego and dysfunction behind; no more spite, vengeance and hypersensitivity to perceived slights; no more moral carnage; no more late-night fusillades of peeve, persecution. Low-key reflects Bidens personality, his politics, his mission. Because he knows that all across America, behind closed doors, in subways and on the streets are bruised people, barely breathing: frightened by factions, alarmed by insurrection, evicted by indifference, dehumanised by division, distrustful of the police. Some 400,000 have lost their lives to Covid-19, a disease that, when it could no longer be denied, that was downplayed; insiders, macho men and women, strutted maskless, reckless, clueless, infected, contagious, while hospitals became a virus slaughterhouse. For the dead and damaged, there was a silent prayer. Praying is what Biden does every day, so he asked America to join him. Here was the leader of the free world, connected to, connecting with, his God, naturally, unselfconsciously, thoughtfully. There were quotes from St Augustine, not from a trawl for something suitable, but from his lived experience. The people are a multitude defined by the common objects of their love. He asked America what those common objects were, before spelling them out on the steps of the Capitol. Their greatest common object was truth. There is truth and there are lies, lies told for power and for profit, there are manufactured facts. The better angels of our nature exhausted from speech-outings since Lincolns first inaugural address got their wings an airing. Here, they were headling angels of mercy. Vision is what Bidens own people have in the backroom. The real-life Donna Mosses and CJ Creggs, the Josh Lymans, and most of all, the Toby Zieglers. I suspect the speech was written by individual writers within a trusted group the different voices were evident but certainly not by committee. Because committee-written speeches are drab, thin, feeble, process-driven, littered with stats, riven by competing data. They are devoid of ideas, fluency; emptied of intelligence, insight, imagination, rhythm, music, heart, soul. I suspect even before the election result was called, there was talk about the Speech; writers hearts would have been in their mouths at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve: My God, were on! For a stammerer at the inauguration, President Biden was definitely on form. Fluent now, he remembers how words can be boobytraps, mere vowels or consonants, reducing us stammerers to whole-body tics, unless we become a living, breathing thesaurus, swapping this word for that, and that for this, so we can retain a semblance of comfort, of control over our speech, breath, lips, tongue, dignity. In life, though, we have no control as Biden, who has lost a wife, daughter and son reminded us. There is no accounting for what fate will deal you. A man of sorrow, acquainted with grief. He can survive and fight and lead. A signal thought for us in a pandemic. In life, change is our only constant. Denying it will destroy us. Acknowledge change, accommodate it and we can move forward. Which is what America, under new leadership, will do in the world, living by the power of its example over the example of its power. Expand Close Words of hope: 22-year-old poet Amanda Gorman took to the dais after Bidens speech / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Words of hope: 22-year-old poet Amanda Gorman took to the dais after Bidens speech At the end of the speech, President Biden did what he does: he smiled. He hugged his wife. In their families his and vice-president Kamala Harriss was evident the joy, weight and honour of public service over celebrity; public responsibilities over private opportunities. They had an innate understanding of Amanda Gormans words for them, for America and for all of us, that if we merge mercy with might and might with right then love becomes our legacy. At the Capitol, love made it a new day in America, and the world. Miriam OCallaghan was speechwriter for taoiseach Enda Kenny Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. There have been 10 rounds of fruitless talks between the Modi government and the farmers' unions so far and the government now seems to have decided that there is no point in talking to them anymore. No date has been fixed for the next round of talks. The unions are protesting against farm reform and are intent on the immediate political gain of embarrassing the government even if the medium term economic gain to farmers is jeopardised. The government, meanwhile, is intent on cutting its expenditure because revenue has been hit hard and will be short by almost 25 per cent. Farm ... As Pennsylvania battles the coronavirus pandemic and is trying to ramp up the distribution of vaccines, the state Health Department is getting new leadership at a critical moment. Gov. Tom Wolf has chosen Alison Beam, his deputy chief of staff, to succeed outgoing Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine. President Biden has nominated Levine to be the U.S. assistant health secretary. Beam is not a doctor and she comes from outside the health department. Neither of those facts should be strikes against Beam, said Zachary Shamberg, president of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, which represents long-term care facilities. In fact, Shamberg said Beam should bring a much-needed fresh perspective to the challenge of fighting the coronavirus, especially for the seniors and staff of nursing homes and other long-term facilities. We have fallen short on the response and prioritization of the staff and residents of long-term care providers, Shamberg said. He added Beam will provide a new perspective and most importantly bring stakeholders to the table. More than half of Pennsylvanias COVID-19 deaths have occurred in long-term care facilities, according to state data. Advocates say the seniors and staff in those facilities must be at the top of the priority list for getting COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccines have been distributed to many of the states skilled nursing homes. But advocates say more attention needs to be paid in vaccinating those in assisted living facilities and personal care homes, where residents are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. We do need to get the vaccine to those in assisted living and personal care, Shamberg said. And he expected Beam could help in pushing vaccines to those facilities. While Levine is a medical doctor, Beam is not, but Shamberg said she can rely on the health departments physicians and epidemiologists in crafting policies. Shamberg said hes optimistic about Beam serving as health secretary based on his work with her. He said Beam played a key role in working with the administration and lawmakers last year to direct $295 million in federal aid to help long-term care facilities deal with the pandemic. Beam helped to ensure those dollars got where they needed to go, Shamberg said. Each vial contains five doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Alison Beam, Gov. Tom Wolf's nominee to be the next Pennsylvania health secretary, will be charged with overseeing the distribution of the vaccines across the state. December 18, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Seeking a clear vaccine plan The governor said Beams top priority would be overseeing the distribution of the states COVID-19 vaccines, an effort which is drawing growing criticism. The Wolf administration expanded eligibility for the vaccines earlier this week, enabling those over 65 and younger people with chronic medical issues or high-risk conditions to get the vaccines. But many have had trouble finding the vaccines or using a state map designed to direct people to locations where they can get shots. More health systems, pharmacies and grocery stores are beginning to get limited supplies of vaccines, but some are finding only disappointment when they try to get shots. State officials are urging Pennsylvanians to have patience. So far, the state has administered 585,000 COVID-19 vaccines. About 100,000 people have received both doses of the vaccine. Since the state has about 12.8 million residents, the vaccination effort has barely begun. On Friday afternoon, Democratic state Sen. Lindsey M. Williams assailed the states vaccine rollout, marking an unusually harsh criticism of the governors administration from a fellow Democrat. Williams asked the health department for a transparent, clearly communicated, and efficient vaccine distribution plan for Pennsylvanians. There is a dire need for Pennsylvanians to be able sign up to be notified of when they are eligible to receive a vaccine and where they can receive it, Williams said in a statement. She noted a similar system is operating in Philadelphia. The city has its own health department and is overseeing its own vaccine distribution. We need that sort of notification for all Pennsylvanians, Williams said. Nearly a million Pennsylvanians have already downloaded the COVID Alert PA app to their phones-- this would be a good opportunity to use this existing app to allow individuals to sign up for the vaccine. Pennsylvania has lagged behind other states in getting people vaccinated. The Keystone State ranks 34th in the nation in the number of doses given per 100,000 people, according to an Associated Press review of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Williams cited West Virginia as a state that is doing a more effective job at working with smaller, independent pharmacies to distribute vaccines. Pennsylvania must catch up to other states in ease of vaccine distribution and communication, Williams said. Wolf said Beam has helped coordinate the states pandemic response. Beam is up to the task of ensuring the distribution of the vaccines, Wolf said. Her foremost and immediate focus will be on the strategic distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, making sure Pennsylvania receives as many doses as possible from the federal government, and that the Pennsylvania Department of Health coordinates with hospitals, health centers, county and local governments, and pharmacy partners to make this vaccine as widely available as possible to Pennsylvanians everywhere, Wolf said. Deep roots in health policymaking Beam begins serving as Acting Health Secretary on Sat., Jan. 23. Her nomination must still be approved by the state Senate. State Sen. Michele Brooks, the chairwoman of the Senate Health Committee, said Beams nomination would be given close scrutiny. The Health and Human Services Committee will do a thorough review, ask the many tough questions that need to be asked, and go through a very careful, thorough, deliberative process, Brooks, R-Mercer, said in a statement. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa., called Beam a dedicated and extremely competent public servant who will bring to the role of Health Secretary extensive experience in both the healthcare sector and Pennsylvanias state government. In the Wolf administration, Beam coordinated initiatives across Pennsylvanias departments of Health, Human Services, Drug & Alcohol Programs, Aging and Insurance. The governor also hailed Beams work rolling out Pennie, Pennsylvanias health insurance marketplace. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, said Beam did an excellent job in developing the states health insurance exchange. Beams nomination drew positive remarks from health care advocates, such as the Hospital and Healthcare Association of Pennsylvania. Our association knows that she has deep roots in health policymaking in the Wolf Administration, and that she is acutely aware of the many ways in which the Department of Health can alter our broad fabric of Pennsylvania caregiving. We know Ms. Beam will draw on this wealth of experience in discharging her duties as Secretary and we look forward to establishing a valuable partnership with her toward our common mission during this critical time, the association said. In a statement, Penn State Health leaders said they are pleased the governor selected Beam for the post. Beam brings a wealth of public health experience to the DOH and we look forward to our continued work together as we stem the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic with the strategic distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine through agency partnership and coordination efforts, Penn State Health said in a statement. Also on Friday, Wolf named Dr. Wendy Braund as Interim Acting Physician General, replacing Levine in that position. She will also begin serving that role on Saturday, Jan. 23. Braund has played a critical part in the states pandemic response, Wolf said. The Pennsylvania Medical Society, which represents the states doctors, said the group looks forward to working with Beam and Braund to advocate for the many issues affecting physicians and their patients, including the availability of COVID vaccine, especially for our frontline health care workers. Beams nomination drew enthusiastic backing from an organization that represents service providers for those with autism and other disabilities. Mark Davis, president of Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disability, said he is strongly supportive of Governor Tom Wolfs decision to nominate Alison Beam for Secretary of Health. Ms. Beam has been a staunch advocate for people with intellectual disabilities and autism, as well as for direct support professionals, Davis said. She has operated with intelligence and integrity, while working to improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians. Beam, who holds a law degree, formerly served as chief of staff to the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner. She previously served as director of public policy and associate counsel for Independence Health Group. Beam graduated from Drexel University School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State University. U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh, said Beams leadership will ensure the state works with hospitals, health care centers and local governments to make the COVID vaccine available to Pennsylvanians everywhere. PennLive Capitol bureau chief Jan Murphy contributed to this report. More from PennLive While Dr. Rachel Levine inspired and enraged Pennsylvanians, her work caught President Bidens eye Pa. reports 193 new COVID-19 deaths, but fewer are in hospitals New Delhi: A court here on Saturday (January 23) sentenced AAP MLA Somnath Bharti to two years in jail for assaulting the AIIMS security staff in a case registered in 2016. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey also imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader. Bharti, however, was granted bail to enable him to file an appeal before the high court against his conviction in the case and jail term. According to the prosecution, on September 9, 2016, Bharti, along with nearly 300 others, brought down the fence of a boundary wall at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here with a JCB operator. "The court is of the considered view that the prosecution has duly proved its case beyond all reasonable doubt against accused Somnath Bharti," the magistrate said. The court convicted Bharti for various offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 147 (rioting). It also held the AAP MLA guilty under section 3 (mischief causing damage to public property) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The offences carry a maximum punishment of five years in jail. The court, however, acquitted Bharti's associates and co-accused -- Jagat Saini, Dileep Jha, Sandeep Sonu and Rakesh Pandey -- citing a lack of evidence against them. The case was lodged on the basis of a complaint from R S Rawat, Chief Security Officer, AIIMS. Bharti had told the court that police officials and other witnesses had deposed against him in order to falsely implicate him in the case. Blog Archive May 2021 (77) April 2021 (77) March 2021 (82) February 2021 (68) January 2021 (64) December 2020 (67) November 2020 (66) October 2020 (66) September 2020 (67) August 2020 (74) July 2020 (83) June 2020 (92) May 2020 (86) April 2020 (104) March 2020 (105) February 2020 (74) January 2020 (75) December 2019 (75) November 2019 (70) October 2019 (89) September 2019 (69) August 2019 (81) July 2019 (77) June 2019 (73) May 2019 (110) April 2019 (110) March 2019 (102) February 2019 (85) January 2019 (123) December 2018 (116) November 2018 (112) October 2018 (121) September 2018 (107) August 2018 (150) July 2018 (163) June 2018 (190) May 2018 (145) April 2018 (112) March 2018 (124) February 2018 (113) January 2018 (164) December 2017 (150) November 2017 (144) October 2017 (169) September 2017 (171) August 2017 (135) July 2017 (131) June 2017 (147) May 2017 (160) April 2017 (138) March 2017 (156) February 2017 (143) January 2017 (203) December 2016 (208) November 2016 (185) October 2016 (173) September 2016 (194) August 2016 (232) July 2016 (225) June 2016 (238) May 2016 (231) April 2016 (215) March 2016 (246) February 2016 (226) January 2016 (252) December 2015 (230) November 2015 (250) October 2015 (234) September 2015 (222) August 2015 (253) July 2015 (275) June 2015 (279) May 2015 (223) April 2015 (226) March 2015 (243) February 2015 (258) January 2015 (281) December 2014 (292) November 2014 (296) October 2014 (413) September 2014 (472) August 2014 (506) July 2014 (483) June 2014 (488) May 2014 (512) April 2014 (497) March 2014 (531) February 2014 (482) January 2014 (535) December 2013 (482) November 2013 (441) October 2013 (416) September 2013 (491) August 2013 (521) July 2013 (491) June 2013 (470) May 2013 (457) April 2013 (426) March 2013 (420) February 2013 (414) January 2013 (489) December 2012 (433) November 2012 (504) October 2012 (469) September 2012 (430) August 2012 (427) July 2012 (360) June 2012 (336) May 2012 (362) April 2012 (322) March 2012 (263) February 2012 (224) January 2012 (291) December 2011 (295) November 2011 (325) October 2011 (330) September 2011 (319) August 2011 (333) July 2011 (318) June 2011 (387) May 2011 (373) April 2011 (389) March 2011 (375) February 2011 (335) January 2011 (400) December 2010 (445) November 2010 (395) October 2010 (312) September 2010 (262) August 2010 (277) July 2010 (323) June 2010 (386) May 2010 (360) April 2010 (333) March 2010 (351) February 2010 (336) January 2010 (384) December 2009 (353) November 2009 (300) October 2009 (308) September 2009 (350) August 2009 (298) July 2009 (255) June 2009 (203) May 2009 (193) April 2009 (186) March 2009 (197) February 2009 (173) January 2009 (148) December 2008 (181) November 2008 (197) October 2008 (236) September 2008 (304) August 2008 (314) July 2008 (273) June 2008 (27) May 2008 (1) April 2008 (6) October 2007 (1) May 2007 (1) April 2007 (6) March 2007 (2) February 2007 (1) October 2006 (1) September 2006 (1) August 2006 (4) July 2006 (4) June 2006 (1) July 2005 (1) May 2005 (2) March 2005 (1) June 2004 (2) May 2004 (1) April 2004 (4) March 2004 (2) February 2004 (2) July 2003 (2) June 2003 (5) Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Sarah McGlynn of Kilcoole said that the widespread idea that fathers of the babies born in mother and baby homes are all to blame is wrong. Her dad Barry McGlynn was one of those fathers, and was not permitted to keep his oldest daughter after her birth. 'He wanted his daughter so badly,' said Sarah. 'He went around leaving letters everywhere.' She said that Bredeen is now very much a sister to her and their younger sister, and they are glad to have her finally in their family. 'He always wanted her to know that she was loved and she was wanted,' said Sarah. 'Dad's heart was broken. He turned up outside that home for days only to be told he had no rights. 'A wonderful end to all of this is that after never giving up, his eldest daughter is now very much part of his life. 'It also shines a light on this infuriating blame that people automatically assume and put on the fathers. It boils are blood as a family. Not all fathers ran from responsibility, they too have been wronged, their babies were also taken.' Barry McGlynn of Ballycanew in Wexford and formerly Walkinstown in Dublin is one of the fathers to have had a child born in a mother and baby home in Ireland. Bredeen Keane was born in St Patrick's on the Navan Road in the late 60s and adopted. This was not what Barry wanted, nor what her birth mother wanted. His girlfriend at the time was not allowed leave the home until she signed the papers, Barry said. He fought to keep the baby but had no rights. Today, he and Bredeen have a close relationship. They met at Dublin airport over 20 years after her birth. 'My girlfriend's mother was dead, it was just her father and sisters and brothers,' said Barry. 'She ended up at St Patrick's on Navan Road. She had no choice, she was going in and that was it.' Barry wasn't allowed in to see her. 'She was there then and she had the baby. She wouldn't sign the adoption papers and they kept her there for nine months until she signed them.' He managed to slip in one day to see and hold his daughter. 'Her sister came along and got me in. The nuns were gone for prayer or something. I only had a few minutes. We have a photo somewhere.' He was discovered and forced to leave, or they would call the guards. 'I had no rights as far as they were concerned,' said Barry. His girlfriend spent nights minding the babies in the nursery and would be up all night with them. Meanwhile, Barry's mother wanted to take the baby and raise her within their family, but that didn't materialise. 'My girlfriend didn't think she had any rights and I definitely didn't have any,' said Barry. 'There were no discussions, it was taken out of our hands. She was incarcerated basically.' The unfolding of the birth of his child, and her adoption, affected Barry deeply. 'I did have a hard time after that. I lost my way again. I got back again but it took years.' He never stopped looking for the child taken from him. He left letters at adoption agencies in Dublin, at South Anne Street, South Circular Road and in Drimnagh. Eventually, Bredeen was contacted and told about the letter, and was ready to meet him. A social worker met and counselled both of them separately before a meeting was arranged. 'I said I wanted to meet her at Dublin airport,' said Barry. 'Because there are so many exits, if she wanted to run there were plenty of ways to get away!' She didn't want to run though, and that was the start of a new relationship for them both. 'It wasn't happily ever after, it wasn't straightforward,' said Barry. 'It took a long time, years, and now we are very close.' She was annoyed, he said, that the recent report on mother and baby homes was so critical of the fathers. 'I was the first male on record looking for one of the children,' said Barry. He appeared years ago on the Late Late Show to tell his story and as a result received letters from women who had been in the homes. 'There was one I met from Kerry who was so innocent, that when I brought her into the lift in the Ilac Centre she had a heart seizure nearly.' The existence of his own daughter was no secret, to his wife, his two younger daughters, or anyone else. 'I told anybody I ever met, any girlfriend,' he said. 'Sarah and Kim were told when they were old enough and they consider Bredeen to be their sister,' he said. On meeting at the airport over 20 years ago, Barry said 'I was a stranger'. 'She wasn't a stranger to me, but I was a stranger to her,' he said. Today, her children call him 'grandad'. 'Please remember,' he said. 'The people who adopted these children are their real parents. They were there when they wet the bed, were sick, growing up going to college. They are the unsung heroes in all of this.' Baghdad, Jan 23 : The Iraqi military said on Saturday that three rockets were fired at the Baghdad airport, just three days after the capital city witnessed two back-to-back suicide bombings. The rocket attack took place late on Friday night, Xinhua news agency quoted the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command as saying in a statement. The Katyusha rockets landed outside the airport, the statement added. One of the rockets hit a house in the nearby al-Jihad district and damaged the building, the media office further said No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. The twin suicide bombings took place on Thursday morning in a bustling outdoor market in the Bab al-Sharji area in downtown Baghdad, claiming the lives of 32 people and injuring over 100 others. The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the attack that targeted a Shia gathering in the area. Thursday's bombings were the first such attack in the Iraqi capital city in nearly two years, as the security situation has improved since the Iraqi security forces fully defeated the IS across the country late in 2017. However, sporadic deadly incidents still occur in the war-ravaged country. The talks come as Glastonbury was cancelled for the second year in a row due to Covid-19 The Treasury could step in to support some of this year's biggest summer music festivals after organisers struggled to get cancellation insurance. It is understood a plan has been discussed that would see the Treasury work closely with insurers to design an indemnity scheme backed by taxpayers to protect against losses. Minister of State for Digital and Culture Caroline Dinenage said: 'We understand [insurance] is a barrier to many live music events being able to take place later on in the year, and we're in discussion with our colleagues in the Treasury about that.' The intervention could provide a much-needed boost to the hospitality industry. The talks come as Glastonbury due to have been held in June was cancelled for the second year in a row because of the pandemic. The House of Commons culture committee has written to the Chancellor calling for a Government-backed Covid insurance scheme. Julian Knight, chair of the committee, warned that Britain risks becoming a 'cultural wasteland' if action is not taken soon to support musical events. 'We are world leaders when it comes to festivals, but we're not going to have any events if the Government doesn't back the insurers,' he said. The Treasury said: 'We are helping festivals with the 1.5billion culture recovery fund and we will continue to work with organisers to address the barriers they face to restarting including challenges getting insurance.' Clarification for educators The Yakima Health District clarified Friday that K-12 educators and their families, as a group, are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine after hearing of a public announcement that said otherwise. K-12 educators who are 50 years of age or older will be eligible for vaccines in Tier 2 of Phase 1B, which is anticipated to start sometime in the spring. There is a possibility others outside that group may end up vaccinated if it allows for easier administration of the vaccine. For example, a school district could opt to schedule a clinic for staff in Tier 2 to Tier 4, allowing all qualified workers to receive the vaccine rather than having workers wait for later phases. The state is in Phase 1B Tier 1, which means everyone 65 and over and those 50 and over in multigenerational households are eligible. People in the 1A group also are eligible: those who work in health care, first responders and staff and residents of long-term care centers. Educators who meet any of the required criteria in Phase A or Phase 1B Tier 1 can get their vaccination now rather than wait for the first phase for K-12 educators. More information can be found on the Yakima Health Districts COVID-19 Vaccine webpage. As the first-ever treaty to ban nuclear weapons entered into force, India said on Friday that it does not support the treaty and shall not be bound by any of the obligations that may arise from it. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017, but none of the nine countries known or believed to possess nuclear weapons supported it and neither did the NATO alliance. The treaty came into force on Friday. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said India continues to attach high priority and remains committed to universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament. "As far as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is concerned, India did not participate in the negotiations on the TPNW and has consistently made it clear that it will not become a party to the Treaty," the MEA said. India does not support the treaty and shall not be bound by any of the obligations that may arise from it, it said. India believes that the treaty does not constitute or contribute to the development of customary international law, nor does it set any new standards or norms, the statement said. The MEA stated that India reiterates its commitment to the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world. India believes that this goal can be achieved through a step-by-step process underwritten by a universal commitment, and an agreed global and non-discriminatory multilateral framework, as outlined in the country's working paper titled 'Nuclear Disarmament', submitted to the UN General Assembly and the Conference on Disarmament. In this regard, India supports the commencement of negotiations on a comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Convention in the Conference on Disarmament, which is the world's single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum working on the basis of consensus, the MEA said. India stands ready to work with all UN member states towards the objective of a world free of nuclear weapons, it said. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. President-elect Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris face reporters during a brief news conference in Wilmington, Delaware, on Nov. 10, 2020. (Jonathan Ernst via Reuters) White House Announces Push to Codify Federal Abortion Law The White House announced Friday that the Biden administration will push for the codification of Roe v. Wade, which would allow for legal abortions even in the event that the Supreme Court overturns the 1973 ruling. The Biden administration made the announcement in a press statement released by the White House. The Biden-Harris administration is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe, reads the statement. In the past four years, reproductive health, including the right to choose, has been under relentless and extreme attack, it continues. We are deeply committed to making sure everyone has access to careincluding reproductive health careregardless of income, race, zip code, health insurance status, or immigration status. The Trump administration over the last four years has enacted policies and laws that are pro-life. As part of his administrations efforts, Trump called for defunding Planned Parenthood and late-term abortions. Trump also nominated three pro-life judges to the Supreme Court. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said women should have the right to make their own health decisions. This core tenet in the canon of womens rights remains under attack, demanding our constant vigilance and resolve to preserve reproductive rights in America, she wrote in a Twitter post Friday. The House majority whip also voiced his support. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) wrote: Today marks the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which gave women the right to control their own bodies. Womens right to choose is under assault across this country. We must continue the fight to protect that fundamental right. Roe v. Wade was the 1973 Supreme Court 7-2 decision ruling that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant womans liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. It struck down many U.S. federal and state abortion laws. Meanwhile, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said: Today marks the grim 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Since this ruling in 1973 over 62 million innocent lives have been lost due to abortion. Every single life matters including the unborn. We must protect the sanctity of life & prevent taxpayer dollars from funding abortions. Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) echoed Pauls criticism. Today is the tragic anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Lesko wrote. I am proud to be a pro-life woman in Congress and fight for the right to life for every unborn baby. Every life is a gift from God, and I will continue to defend the sanctity of life at every stage. This is not the first time Democrats have tried to codify Roe v. Wade. In May 2019 Democrats introduced the Womens Health Protection Act in Congress. This bill guarantees a pregnant persons right to access an abortionand the right of an abortion provider to deliver these abortion servicesfree from medically unnecessary restrictions that interfere with a patients individual choice or the provider-patient relationship. Progressive Democrat senators including Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and then-Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) co-sponsored the bill. Harris took another step and outlined a plan that would require states and local governments that have a history of restricting abortions to obtain federal approval before new anti-abortion measures could take effect. In addition, in 2008, Barack Obama promised Planned Parenthood that he would sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which did not happen because Democrats lost the majority. Correction: A previous version of this article mistakenly stated that the White House has the power to codify laws. The Epoch Times regrets the error. Support on Domestic Abuse The Ministry for Equality have said it would like to remind the community how important it is to ask for support and help during these unprecedented and difficult times. As the lockdown continues, the community is having to stay at home for longer periods of time making it a stressful scenario for everyone. Minister for Equality, Samantha Sacramento MP said: It has always been one of the Governments top priorities to combat domestic abuse and I would like to remind the public that there is always support available. Domestic abuse is a crime and therefore it must be reported. It is vital that anyone living in an abusive relationship or environment must speak out. There is no shame in being a victim and there is always help at hand. For anyone who witnesses or believes that someone is in an abusive situation please speak to the relevant authorities. Important phone numbers to note are; 199 if an emergency or The Royal Gibraltar Police: 200 72500 or The Care Agency: 200 78528 You are not alone. A large numbers of farmers left for Mumbai from Maharashtra's Nashik district on Saturday for a rally to demand repealing of the Centre's three new farm laws. The rally organised by Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha will be held in Mumbai on January 25, a statement issued by the organisation said. The rally will be addressed by former Union agriculture minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar, state Congress president Balasaheb Thorat and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray. A delegation will also present a memorandum to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, the release said. Enacted in September last year, the three laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several border points of Delhi since November 28 last year, demanding a repeal of these laws. Multiple rounds of talks between the government and farmer unions have failed to break the impasse so far, while the Supreme Court has appointed a panel for resolution. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gives a press conference at Geneva's WHO headquarters on Feb. 24, 2020. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images) WHO Modifies CCP Virus Test Guidelines, Warns Against Overreliance on PCR Results The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned experts not to rely solely on the results of a PCR test to detect the CCP virus. In updated guidance published on Jan. 20, the WHO said that lab experts and health care practitioners should also consider the patients history and epidemiological risk factors alongside the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in diagnosing the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. The new guidance could result in significantly fewer daily cases. Most PCR assays are indicated as an aid for diagnosis, therefore, health care providers must consider any result in combination with timing of sampling, specimen type, assay specifics, clinical observations, patient history, confirmed status of any contacts, and epidemiological information, the guidance says. Its unclear why the health agency waited more than a year to release the new directive. The WHO didnt immediately reply to an inquiry from The Epoch Times. Scientists and physicians have raised concerns for many months of an overreliance on and a misuse of the PCR test as a diagnostic tool, since it cant differentiate between a live infectious virus and an inactivated virus fragment that isnt infectious. Additionally, the high cycle threshold values of most PCR testsat 40 cycles or higherincreases the risk of false positives. A higher threshold value indicates less viral load and that the person is less likely to be infectious, while a person with a lower cycle threshold value has a higher viral load, or is more infectious. The WHO didnt specify what the threshold value cutoff should be for a positive diagnosis, but said to only determine if [a] manual adjustment of the PCR positivity threshold is recommended by the manufacturer. A medical staff member prepares and processes PCR and antibody tests of people who want to know whether theyre infected with the CCP virus, at the laboratory of the Karolinska Hospital in Solna near Stockholm, on Dec. 7, 2020. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images) However, it clarified that when the prevalence of the CCP virus is low, the risk of false positive increases, meaning that the probability that a person who has a positive result (SARS-CoV-2 detected) is truly infected with SARS-CoV-2 decreases as prevalence decreases, irrespective of the claimed specificity [of the PCR test]. SARS-CoV-2 is the scientific name for the CCP virus, which causes the disease COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says its PCR tests have a cycle threshold cutoff of 40 cycles. The federal agency finally included information on cycle threshold value in its Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 for laboratories on Nov. 12, 2020. But many medical experts consider a threshold value cutoff of 40 cycles to only return false positives, since samples that go through many amplification cycles will pick up negligible RNA sequences regardless of whether the virus is inactivated or the viral load is so exceedingly low it doesnt pose any problem. Prior to the CCP virus pandemic, for individuals to be considered a case, they must test positive and show clinical signs and symptoms. But to be counted as a CCP virus case, only a positive PCR test is required. And no matter how many times an individual is tested, each positive test is counted as a separate case. The WHO is now advising that a positive PCR test that does not correspond with the clinical presentation should be verified by taking a new specimen and retesting it. This advice may also help lower CCP virus cases in hospitals as it more clearly defines who is considered a hospitalized case. The UKs National Health Service (NHS) Director of International Relations Dr. Layla McCay confirmed to talkRADIO that a percentage of hospitalized patients officially counted as positive cases were actually being treated for different illnesses not related to COVID-19. They had only tested positive for the disease at the hospital without displaying any symptoms. Dr Layla McCay, NHS Confederation director, confirms to Julia that the hospital figures for Covid patients include patients who are not being treated for Covid but have simply tested positive while being treated for something else.@JuliaHB1 | @LaylaMcCay pic.twitter.com/xSud6LW13M talkRADIO (@talkRADIO) January 5, 2021 It is correct that in hospital, people who tested positive for COVID will be the full range of symptoms, McCay said. Some will have it as an aside to some other problem for which theyre in the hospital. The day after the WHO released its new guidance, Chief Medical Adviser to President Joe Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said the United States would rejoin the organization. As such, I am honored to announce that the United States will remain a member of the World Health Organization, Fauci said. Yesterday, President Biden signed letters retracting the previous administrations announcement to withdraw from the organization, and those letters have been transmitted to the secretary-general of the United Nations and to you Dr. Tedros, my dear friend. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is the director-general of the WHO. The United States also intends to fulfill its financial obligations to the organizations, Fauci added. In July last year, the Trump administration pulled out of the WHO over its alleged role in helping the Chinese communist regime cover up the severity of the CCP virus. There have been mixed responses from Congress over Bidens decision to rejoin the WHO. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) introduced a bill (pdf) on Jan. 21 to prohibit the availability of United States contributions to the World Health Organization until Congress receives a full report on China and the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes. She said in a statement: The WHO is China-centric and panders to Beijing at every turn. There is no reason U.S. taxpayers should contribute more than $400 million annually to an organization that covered for China and failed to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to former President Donald Trump withdrawing from the WHO, the United States was the biggest financial contributor to the health agency, according to State Department statistics. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Donald Trump has been accused of throwing his top Pentagon officials 'under the bus' in the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection, as his Defense Secretary claimed that the president said 10,000 troops would be needed on January 6 - but failed to issue orders. Christopher Miller, who until Wednesday was the Defense Secretary, told Vanity Fair that when Trump made him head of the Pentagon, in November, 'the bar was pretty low.' He told the magazine he had three goals: 'No military coup, no major war, and no troops in the street. The 'no troops in the street' thing changed dramatically about 14:30. So that one's off [the list].' Miller, 55, was named Secretary of Defense in November - against his family's wishes Kash Patel, 40, was named Miller's chief of staff and defended the team's response to the riots Ezra Cohen, the 34-year-old head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was critical of Trump Miller also said the Pentagon was in a terrible state. 'This f****ing place is rotten. It's rotten,' he said. He told of his horror of watching the scenes on January 6 unfold, and said the root of the problem was Trump's decision to teargas protesters outside the White House over the summer. That led to the mayor of DC vowing that she did not want the National Guard to be present en masse for the Stop the Steal rally, which preceded the riot. Ezra Cohen, the 34-year-old fiercely loyal Trump servant, appointed on November 10 to be Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, was even more blunt in his assessment. 'The president threw us under the bus,' he said. 'And when I say 'us,' I don't mean only us political appointees or only us Republicans. He threw America under the bus. He caused a lot of damage to the fabric of this country. 'Did he go and storm the Capitol himself? No. But he, I believe, had an opportunity to tamp things down and he chose not to. And that's really the fatal flaw. I mean, he's in charge. And when you're in charge, you're responsible for what goes wrong.' Cohen said that Trump had 'thrown us under the bus' with his actions on January 6 The president incited a mob to storm the Capitol, in an insurrection that left five dead Miller told how, on the eve of the riot, he spoke to Trump. Trump asked about security for the rally the following day. 'We're like, 'We're going to provide any National Guard support that the District requests,' Miller responded. 'And [Trump] goes, 'You're going to need 10,000 people.' No, I'm not talking b******t. He said that. 'And we're like, 'Maybe. But you know, someone's going to have to ask for it.' Miller said that, on the day of the riots, he had the sense that something dramatic was going to happen. He said he was hopeful that the day would prove uneventful. But decades in special operations and intelligence had honed 'It was the first day I brought an overnight bag to work,' he told the magazine. 'My wife was like, 'What are you doing there?' I'm like, 'I don't know when I'm going to be home.' Miller said that he and his team 'were monitoring' the situation as Trump held his provocative rally. 'And we're just like, Please, God, please, God. 'Then the damn TV pops up and everybody converges on my office.' Miller said that his team was watching the events on January 6 and willing the riot away The mob overran the Capitol Police shortly after Trump urged them to 'fight' on his behalf Charges have been filed against around 150 people so far, with more expected Miller said: 'We had already decided we're going to need to activate the National Guard, and that's where the fog and friction comes in.' He denied that he had struggled to get hold of the president, or that Mike Pence was in charge, and his chief of staff, Kash Patel, said that they sent in the National Guard when the mayor of DC, Capitol Police and Secret Service finally asked for it. Miller, asked about criticism that the Pentagon was slow to send in troops, replied: 'Oh, that is complete horses***. I gotta tell you, I cannot wait to go to the Hill and have those conversations with senators and representatives.' He added: 'I know when something doesn't smell right, and I know when we're covering our asses. Been there. 'I know for an absolute fact that historians are going to lookat the actions that we did on that day and go, 'Those people had their game together.' Miller, a 55-year-old Special Forces veteran, also pushed back at criticism that he was brought in to replace Mark Esper as a 'yes man' for Trump. 'I'll just be straight up. My family's not huge fans of the Trump administration,' he said. 'It's really bothered my daughters and my wife. My son, he'll be like, 'Holy cow, they called you a stuffed-shirt moron today.' He said he was particularly angry at the ranks of retired military officers who questioned his suitability for the role, including some of those who had trained him and worked for him. 'You f****** a*******,' he said. 'If I fail, you failed.' Miller is pictured (far right) with Kash Patel (second from right) in October 2019 In the aftermath of the January 6 violence, and with Trump impeached and in legal peril, Miller was asked how he felt. 'Focused, obviously,' he said, speaking on January 12. 'Have to compartmentalize because it's like being in combat. When you take casualties, you're just like, it's horrible. But I'll think about that later over some drinks when I get home. 'I refuse to take the bait and get panicky. I have to portray that this is the Department of Defense. That's my Bill Belichick. Do your damn job. And I'm not going to go out and make some statement. Right now the country just needs to take a quaalude.' And, as he readied to leave the Pentagon, ending a career he began at the age of 18, he explained why he felt the 'f****** place' was 'rotten'. He felt that too much power had been transferred from the civilian leaders to the military commanders. 'When the system is weighted towards the Joint Staff and the geographic combatant commanders against civilian control, you know, we've got to rethink this,' he said, criticizing members of Congress for 'idolizing and fetishizing' senior military leaders. Cohen, head of the DIA, the military intelligence, told the magazine: 'We're in a crisis mode.' He said he and others had discovered that the Joint Chiefs were creating their own 'security compartments' containing operational planning details 'for the express purpose of hiding key information from career civilian and political leaders in the Pentagon.' Cohen said: 'That means that policymakers were basing their decisions on partial information. It's very dangerous and irresponsible, and that's something I've actually highlighted in my conversations with [Biden's] transition team.' Miller said: 'The entire system, the intelligence community [included], is complicit in setting up all these compartments - so that only very select people actually have perspective and access to the entire picture. And then your question is, 'Well, who are these people that have the complete picture?' 'I felt like I finally did as acting SECDEF - to a point. I'm sure there's still some stuff that was being compartmented. But I don't know that for a fact.' Miller was also asked about the $1.5 trillion F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, in an off-the-record conversation that someone in the Pentagon decided to post on the Defense Department's website. The reporter asked what the 'costly, badly flawed aircraft, 27 years in the making' said about the Pentagon's spending priorities. 'Talk about a wicked problem! I wanted to take that one on. F-35 is the case study. 'That investment, for that capability that we're never supposed to use. I'm like, 'We have created a monster.' Miller told the magazine: 'I cannot wait to leave this job, believe me.' Farewell to Cecilia Mangini, pioneering godmother of documentary 93 years, most of which dedicated to documentary filmmaking: Cecilia Mangini passed away. A long-lasting partnership with Lino Del Fra, among the most authoritative voices of Italian documentary, and her husband. But the collaboration with Pier Paolo Pasolini too, and the latest one with Paolo Pisanelli, with whom she made Two Forgotten Boxes A Trip to Vietnam, using the pictures she shot during the Vietnam war. As she recently stated: The Vietnamese people have this extraordinary capacity of opposing all harassments, a huge desire of freedom, and we hope to have the chance to screen it in Vietnam soon. Mangini returned to directing in 2013, thanks to Mariangela Barbanente with whom she realized In viaggio con Cecilia. Born in Mola di Bari, she always kept a strong relation with her native Salento, started in 1960 with a documentary on the mourning chants of Grecia, Stendali. She was recently awarded the Maria Adriana Prolo Lifetime Achievement Prize by the National Film Museum Association, which was presented at the latest Torino Film Festival. In that occasion she was defined a pioneer in many fields: as a young woman she opted for photography, and then moved to documentary filmmaking. Staying behind and not in front of the camera was a huge transgression. She was a pioneer also for the subjects she chose: the outcast, Southern Italy at the end of the 1950s, women at work, wage labor, kids with learning problems. Today, at 93, shes still busy making films and shes still a consistent voice, inviting us to empathize with the others. In 2009, in Florence, she received the Medal of the President of the Republic. The Venice Film Festival and Biennale express their sympathy. In particular President Roberto Cicutto reminds that in the past few years, as President and Managing director of Istituto Luce Cinecitta, Ive participated in the realization of some photo exhibitions about Cecilia Manginis work. Some of the pictures were just been found, restored and reprinted. I met a generous artist, enthusiast like a kid, yet rigorous and demanding like a great professional. She was joyous and thankful to life. Without sounding self-congratulatory, she was aware she gave a lot to culture and the arts. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Recalling their days together during the lockdown of Wuhan, the former epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, newlyweds Chen Lei and Zhang Liuqing found themselves relying more on their family. Both Chen and Zhang are real estate managers. While Zhang worked in Wuhan, Chen worked in Nanchang, a city around 350 kilometers away, after transferring there over a year earlier. The two had previously planned to register for marriage in Wuhan during the 2020 Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, but events conspired against them and the city's unexpected lockdown in January last year scuppered their plans. "The epidemic messed up our arrangement, but also gave us a rare chance to stay together all day long," says Chen. "At the height of the outbreak, I felt that the end of the world was coming," says Zhang, his 33-year-old fiancee, noting that the company of her parents and fiance relieved her anxiety. But what encouraged Zhang most was the swift gathering of medical staff nationwide to Wuhan. "They sacrificed their family reunion to guard the safety of millions of Wuhan residents," she adds. As spring arrived, and the situation in Wuhan gradually began to ease, the life of the two lovers had also warmed up. "We played badminton every day to stretch our bodies and found our new common hobbycooking," says the 34-year-old Chen. Marriage registration in Wuhan resumed in April 2020, after a suspension of more than two months. "We ordered the earliest time slot that was available," says Chen, who got their marriage certificate on April 7. Marriage registration in Wuhan used to culminate in a ceremony, where newlyweds obtained the certificate, made marriage vows, and smiled for the cameras. This ritual, however, was suspended as the city called for continued vigilance against the virus. "We filled out some forms to get the certificate, with no more ceremony than that," Zhang says. However simplified the ritual was, the lovebirds could not restrain their desire to kiss each other, though separated by their masks. And the scene was captured by a Xinhua photographer at the site. "We barely had any photos together, and this one was special and precious for me," says Zhang, who saved the photo on her mobile phone and looks at it from time to time. "It was like a milestone for meour relationship entered a new phase, and our city later lifted the monthlong outbound traffic restrictions," Zhang says. As Wuhan returned to normality, Chen returned to Nanchang to deal with his two-month backlog of work. On April 8, Zhang tearfully drove him to the train. "Be careful of your safety, and I will wait for you at home," she told him. "For the first time, I found the word 'home' irresistible," says Chen, who had defined himself as a workaholic, noting that living together with family during the lockdown made him emotional when it came time to depart. "Now I go home to be with my family when I'm free on weekends," Chen says. The next time the couple were reunited was April 25, when Zhang took the high-speed train to visit Chen and celebrate her birthday with him in Nanchang. "When my husband left Wuhan in early April, he had to provide the negative nucleic acid test certificate. Weeks later, I could leave the city with just a health code on my phone," says Zhang. She notes that the simplified procedure made her feel that her city was no longer a dangerous place. "But the real ending of our psychological lockdown was in June when nearly 10 million Wuhan residents completed their COVID-19 tests. That was when we were sure that the city was secure and we could step out of our houses," Zhang adds. In July, Zhang gave birth to a daughter. "After the epidemic, all that we wish for our baby is that she grows up happily. We hope she will not have too much pressure in her life," says Zhang. Now, the couple calls each other on weekdays via video to follow the baby's growth. And on weekends, they meet alternately in Wuhan or Nanchang. "We usually walk along the greenway by the East Lake to enjoy the sunshine and the fresh air, and so do many others," says Zhang, adding that, as time has passed, more people visit the scenic spot in Wuhan. "But nearly everyone wears a mask. The city has resumed normal life, but cautiously," she adds. For the new year, Chen has a simple wish for everyone: "I hope we can all cherish the present and live a happy life." Prosecutors in Italy on Wednesday requested a Milan court to file documents sourced from U.S. bank JP Morgan as part of the Malabu OPL 245 corruption trial. The prosecutors also requested the court to accept another email allegedly sent by a former Nigerian attorney general, Bello Adoke, from the email address of a company owned by a middleman named in the controversial deal, Abubakar Aliyu. Reuters reports that at a public hearing Wednesday, the prosecutors asked the court to accept the two emails originating from a separate London court case launched by the Nigerian government against JPMorgan Chase. The emails were sent to Italy by the UK authorities. PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the Nigerian government is claiming over $1.7 billion for the U.S lenders role in the disputed oilfield deal. According to Reuters, the first of the two documents is an email sent by Mr Adoke to the U.S. banking giant allegedly from the email address of a company owned by Mr Abubakar. Mr Abubakar is the Nigerian middleman alleged to have paid $500 million in cash as part of bribes, allegedly shared among officials of the Nigerian government at the time. Reuters reported that Mr Adoke sent the bank copies of the resolution agreement regarding the oilfield acquisition in the email and the prosecutors said they considered it relevant to establish the relationship between Messrs Adoke and Abubakar. Mr Adoke has consistently claimed that he only had a mortgage transaction involving Mr Abubakar and a Nigerian lender, which later failed. He could not be reached by PREMIUM TIMES for days to comment on the email claim. His known phone lines did not connect for several days. Meanwhile, the second email is said to be between two JPMorgan officials expressing doubts about the transfer of the $1.1 billion to two accounts at Nigerian banks. On Wednesday, the magistrates said they considered the email significant as it shows there were doubts within the bank over the now controversial transfer. PREMIUM TIMES had reported extensively about the transfers and the Nigerian officials who authorised the payments. The court verdict on the admissibility of the two documents would be delivered in February, according to Reuters. Scandal The Malabu OPL 245 scandal is subject to corruption trials in different jurisdictions around the world. The OPL 245, regarded as one of Africas richest oil blocks with an estimated over nine billion barrels of crude, was controversially awarded to Malabu in 1998 by the then petroleum minister, Dan Etete. Then, Mr Abacha owned 50 per cent of the company while Mr Etete owned 20 per cent through a fictional character, Kwekwu Amafegha. The oil block was controversially sold to oil giants, Shell and ENI, in 2011 with a large chunk of the $1.1 billion paid for it ending up in Mr Etetes accounts with the latter allegedly using a large chunk of it to bribe officials of both the Nigerian government and those of Shell and ENI. ADVERTISEMENT The matter has become a subject of numerous litigations in Nigeria, UK, Italy and others with anti-corruption officials and advocates saying the deals, including the allocation of the oil block, reeks of fraud. The Nigerian authorities have charged Messrs Etete, Adoke, and several others linked to Malabu with money laundering in connection with the onward flow of funds from the OPL245 deal. Messrs Etete, Adoke, Abubakar and other parties accused in the trial, including officials of oil giants Eni and Shell, have denied wrongdoing. Mr Abubakars trial will start in the coming weeks in Italy. ADVERTISEMENT Two persons have been arrested by the police in Edo State, South-south Nigeria, over the alleged disappearance of a Liberian national in the state. The Liberian, Jethro Mulbah, was said to have disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 2019 in Benin City where he was resident. The arrested persons are Joseph Demekar and Samson Obote. They are in police custody in the state. The Liberian was said to have arrived in Nigeria in 2018 in search of job or business opportunities before his disappearance. The police manhunt was said to have yielded no result throughout 2019. The police renewed their investigation in 2020 when the mother of the missing Liberian received a phone call from his possible abductors who demanded N200,000 ransom, a police officer said. The police official did not want his name mentioned in the report because he did not have the authority to speak on the matter. ALSO READ: Thugs kill man in Edo community over unpaid loan The mother of the young man got a call from a Nigerian asking her to pay the sum of N200,000 as a ransom. The suspects sent her a picture of her son to convince her Mulbah was with them. The mother immediately left Liberia for Nigeria to drop the ransom as instructed but was later advised to inform the Nigeria police before parting with the money. Men of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Unit immediately swung into action, the officer said. The officer said the two suspects were tracked and arrested, but the whereabouts of the Liberian was still unknown. The police spokesperson in the state, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the arrest. He said the investigation was ongoing. 404 This page could not be found . Iran and the United States have common interests, and two countries could cooperate on security issues in the Persian Gulf and oil sales, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said today. We see no problems to cooperate with you on the oil issue, just as there are no problems on ensuring the security of the Persian Gulf, the Etemad newspaper quotes the minister as saying, TASS reports. Zarif noted that "a foreign presence in the Persian Gulf threatens security, and the United States must leave the region, adding that this is his personal opinion. (Image: REUTERS/Tingshu Wang) One year ago this week, the Chinese Communist Party was on the verge of its biggest crisis in decades. The coronavirus had brought the city of Wuhan to a halt. In the following days, the governments efforts to conceal the pandemic would become public, sparking an online backlash of the kind the Chinese internet hadnt seen in years. Then, as the blows landed faster than the Chinese propaganda machine seemingly could handle, a number of liberal-minded Chinese began to think the unthinkable. Perhaps this tragedy would impel the Chinese people to push back. After decades of thought control and worsening censorship, perhaps this was the moment that the worlds largest and most powerful propaganda machine would crack. It wasnt. A year later, the partys control of the narrative has become absolute. In Beijings telling, Wuhan stands not as a testament to Chinas weaknesses but to its strengths. Memories of the horrors of last year seem to be fading, at least judging by whats online. Even moderate dissent gets shouted down. People in China should be bowing their heads this week in memory of those who suffered and died. Instead, the China internet is afire over the scandal of a Chinese actress and her surrogate babies, a tabloid controversy egged on by Chinese propaganda. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show Anyone looking for lessons about China in the coming years needs to understand the consequences of what happened in 2020. The tragedy showed Beijing has the ability to control what people in China see, hear and think to a degree that surpasses even what pessimists believed. During the next crisis whether it be disaster, war or financial crisis the party has shown it has the tools to rally the people, no matter how ham-handedly Beijing deals with it. This week I looked through my Chinese social media timelines and screenshots from a year ago. I was shocked by how many posts, articles, photos and videos have been removed. I was also surprised to remember the sense of hope at that moment despite intense anger and grief. The shift was especially palpable the night that Dr. Li Wenliang, who was silenced after warning of the outbreak in late 2019, died of the virus. That night, numerous Chinese people waged what amounted to an online revolt. They posted videos of the Les Miserables song Do You Hear the People Sing? They shared one of Lis quotes repeatedly: A healthy society should not have just one voice. Even one of Chinas propaganda directives warned that Lis death was an unprecedented challenge. Young people told me that the official news media had lost credibility. One of my followers on Weibo, the Chinese social media platform, apologized for attacking me before. I used to think that people like you were evil, he wrote. Now, he added, I know that we were fooled. A middle-age intellectual told me that he expected the population of liberal-minded Chinese people those who want greater freedom from Beijings controls to expand from his estimate of 5% to 10% of the total population to 30% to 40%. As these hopes rose, others tried to tamp down enthusiasm. One political scientist guessed the share of liberal-minded Chinese internet users would shrink, not grow. In three months, she predicted, the Chinese public would be celebrating the glorious victory over the outbreak under the leadership of the great Communist government. Unfortunately, she was correct. To reclaim the narrative in the early days of the pandemic, as my colleagues have reported, the Chinese government began a tremendous behind-the-scene effort to make sure that the censors took control at even the most local level. They listened and read just about everything people posted. Then the censors either addressed the problems or silenced the dissenters. Chinese officials say the police investigated or otherwise dealt with more than 17,000 people who they said had fabricated or spread fake pandemic-related information. After 11 weeks, the lockdown in Wuhan ended. By the summer, a photo of a crowded Wuhan swimming pool appeared on the homepages of many websites around the world. China emerged as a success story while the infection cases and death tolls in the United States and many other Western countries skyrocketed. The contrast made the effectiveness of the partys strong hand an easy sell. The Chinese Communist Party has a long history of controlling history. In the United States, historical narratives shift and compete, leading to arguments and sometimes even violence, but constantly illuminating new perspectives and bringing greater understanding of what underpins the national identity. In China, by contrast, the government has successfully taught its people that the country is nearly ungovernable unless a strong hand controls the narrative. The Communist Party has strict narratives about its most serious mistakes, including the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution and the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Immediately after the Cultural Revolution, the so-called scar literature memoir-style novels by those who suffered during that troubled time became a popular genre. The party quickly realized the danger of letting the public share its individual traumas and banned the books. Under Xi Jinping, the party has become even less tolerant of unorthodox historical ideas. In 2016, Yanhuang Chunqiu, a monthly history magazine in which moderate-minded retired officials published articles, was forced to surrender its editorial power to the authorities. The narrative about the current pandemic is no exception. Journalists, writers and bloggers whose portrayals of the outbreak differ from the official version have been jailed, disappeared or silenced. Fang Fang, a Wuhan-based novelist, became the most vilified figure on the Chinese internet in 2020. Her crime? Documenting her lockdown experiences in an apolitical account in an online diary. People online call her a liar, a traitor, a villain and an imperialist dog. They accuse her of maligning the government and causing the Chinese people to lose face in the world by publishing an English translation of her diary in the United States. One man called on the government to investigate her for the crime of subverting the state power. One high-ranking medical scientist chastised her for lacking patriotic emotions. No publisher is willing or able to publish her works in China. The social media posts and articles that support her are often censored. A few people who spoke up for her publicly were punished, including a literature professor in Wuhan who lost her Communist Party membership and her right to teach. I think Fang Fang wrote about what happened, said Amy Ye, the organizer of a volunteer group for disabled people in Wuhan. In fact, I dont think she included the most serious situations. Her diary is very moderate. I dont understand why even something like that couldnt be tolerated. This demand for a single narrative carries risks. It silences those who might warn the government before it does something foolish, like stumble into a conflict or interfere with Chinas economic growth machine. It also conceals the true feelings of the Chinese people. On the street, in person, most Chinese will be happy to tell you whats on their minds, perhaps in exhaustive details. But China became a more opaque place in 2020. Online censorship became even harsher. Few Chinese people are willing to take the risks of speaking to Western news media. Beijing expelled many American journalists, including those at The New York Times. This single narrative also means that people who dont fit into it risk getting left behind. Ye, the Wuhan volunteer group organizer, doesnt believe that Wuhan could claim a victory over the pandemic. My whole world has changed, and it will probably never go back to what it used to be, she said. Shes still struggling with depression and the fear of getting out of her apartment. An outgoing person before the pandemic, she has attended only one social gathering since the end of the lockdown in April. All of a sudden we were locked up at home for many days. So many people passed away. But nobody was held accountable, she said. I would probably feel better if someone could apologize that they didnt do their job. By Li Yuan c.2021 The New York Times Company In an effort to simplify and speed up Californias troubled coronavirus vaccination rollout, state health officials are considering shifting to a priority system primarily based on age a move that could preserve access for residents 65 and older, but bump down access for some younger essential workers. The states possible move comes amid a backdrop of falling infections. San Francisco Mayor London Breed said Thursday on Twitter that the city could start reopening soon, because its transmission rate had dipped to the point where each person with COVID-19 passes it on to less than one person, on average. San Francisco opened its first mass vaccination site at City College on Friday, where about 500 people received a shot. The site has capacity to give about 3,000 vaccines a day, but the city currently has enough supply to make only a few hundred appointments a day. Most people getting shots at the City College site on Friday were over 75, reflecting a focus by providers around the state on getting that age group vaccinated first. While the state has said that Californians over 65 can get inoculations, the limited number of shots flowing from the chaotic rollout has left counties with hard choices. Marin County had started vaccinating some teachers on Sunday, but changed course during the week to prioritize by age; moving forward, it is vaccinating people 75 and older first. The strategy makes sense right now given the extremely limited supply of vaccine, and given that older people are much more likely to die from COVID-19, said Marin County health officer Dr. Matt Willis. It has clarified and simplified our process significantly to really focus on age, he said. Sonoma County is also focusing on vaccinating those over 75 as a top priority, while also getting to those over 65 as much as possible, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase said Thursday. The county put out a call for all teachers 65 and older to get vaccinated ASAP in the next week or two, Mase said. On a state level, vaccine advisers are thinking very seriously about focusing primarily on age and not as much on the sectors, state health officer Dr. Erica Pan said Wednesday during a meeting of the Community Vaccine Advisory Committee, which advises the state on vaccine policy. Under the current state system, people 65 and older and essential workers including teachers, farm workers and grocery store workers are in the same priority group, Phase 1b. The potential new framework, which has not been finalized or announced, would consider both age and occupation, but put more emphasis on age. It is potentially a cleaner, simpler way for providers to make fast decisions about who to vaccinate, as its often easier to verify someones age than it is to verify their occupation. Prioritizing people for underlying health conditions, another possibility, also has challenges in practice. Vaccinating older people first should also help ease the toll on hospitals, since the majority of COVID-19 intensive care admissions and deaths are people in their 60s or older. Deaths in California remain high even as the infection surge begins to abate, with the state recording another record for coronavirus deaths on Thursday 735. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Were hearing from the public that the system currently as it is feels confusing and is moving more slowly, said California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, who chairs the community vaccine advisory committee. Were also hearing from our local health officers that ... complexity is a barrier to the speed at which were getting the vaccine out. ... Simplifying saves lives. The simpler it is, the easier it is to implement. It is unclear how much a state shift toward age would change the way vaccinations are being done in parts of the state. Counties have handled things differently. Parts of Napa County also started vaccinations for teachers of all ages; in San Francisco, like Sonoma, only teachers over 65 are eligible for the vaccine. The possible state move raises questions about equity, since many essential workers are low-wage earners and people of color. United Farm Workers Foundation said moving to an exclusively age-based system would be disconcerting because farm workers are particularly vulnerable many are uninsured and work under risky conditions, often with no handwashing stations or masks if they are not provided by employers. Pan and Burke Harris acknowledged these are difficult decisions. Were in between a rock and a hard place, Burke Harris said. The state is also considering ensuring that 20% of vaccines go toward communities that fall within an equity metric that incorporates neighborhoods income, education level and access to health care. The potential shift is being discussed as the state is under increasing pressure to speed up immunizations. California ranks 44 out of 51 states and the District of Columbia in doses administered per capita, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 44% of the 4 million doses that have been sent to California counties and health care providers have been administered, according to state data. In San Francisco, the site at City College is the first of three that the city plans to open, in partnership with UCSF, Dignity Health, Kaiser and Sutter Health. On Friday, appointments were mostly limited to UCSF patients. The health care provider will reach out to patients if they are eligible for a vaccine and invite them to the site. John Cruger-Hansen, a 77-year-old UCSF patient who lives in El Cerrito, said he received a text from UCSF Thursday evening telling him he could make an appointment. A few minutes later, he had one for Friday morning. He thought it was too good to be true. But everything went smoothly when he arrived, and he got the shot. While it wont change anything in his day-to-day routine, he said he will at least have a little more peace of mind when he does little things like going to the grocery store. This is one time I wish I was older, Cruger-Hansens 63-year-old wife, who was not eligible for a vaccine, said Friday. Breeds plan is to eventually administer 10,000 coronavirus vaccinations per day, with the goal of immunizing all eligible residents by June 30, but the city is a long way from hitting those daily goals because of a vaccine shortage. We really are so dependent on vaccine supply, said UCSFs Dr. Josh Adler. We need an ongoing, reliable and predictable supply. After the shot, people were directed to a parking spot to sit for about 15 minutes to make sure no symptoms arose. The site is currently drive-in only, but the city has plans to expand it so people can also walk through it, too. Breeds comments on a possible reopening gave the city another stirring of hope on Friday. But San Francisco can start to reopen only when the state gives a green light to the entire Bay Area. Californias guidelines say a region can reopen when its intensive care unit capacity is projected to hit at least 15% availability within a four-week period. The Bay Areas ICU availability is currently 6.5%. The California Department of Public Health said it was unable to predict when an individual region might hit its ICU goal. But infections are falling across the region. The seven-day average for new cases in the nine counties was 49.8 per 100,000 people on Jan. 21, down from 60.9 per 100,000 on Jan. 14. As of Friday, San Francisco had a 4.3% 7-day positivity rate. The citys 7-day average of new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people fell from 39.4 on Jan. 14 to 30 on Jan. 21. Currently, 234 people are hospitalized, down from a high of 259 on Jan. 12. Breed said that San Franciscans must remain vigilant. We all need to keep doing what we know slows the spread of this virus: wear a mask, avoid indoor gatherings with people you dont live with, ventilate indoor spaces when youre around other people, and wash your hands frequently, she tweeted. Lets keep this up! Catherine Ho, Trisha Thadani and Jessica Flores are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com tthadani@sfchronicle.com jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com The extra cost involved in robotic hip replacement is not yet covered by Medicare or most insurers. But after learning about its advantages, my friend chose to pay the extra several thousand dollars out of pocket. It involves creating a three-dimensional model of the patients hip joint. A CT scan of the patients pelvis is done before surgery, or a 3D model of the hip joint can be created at the time of surgery. When the scan is done in advance, the surgeon is able to create a more precise operative plan in effect, a virtual rehearsal of the operation. Nvidia is doing some really cool things with its Reflex technology. It was introduced last September. But in order to take advantage of this Reflex tech, you'll need certain hardware and software to work in harmony. One way to take advantage of the tech is using a supported gaming mouse. Obviously not all gaming mouses are going to work Nvidia's Reflex tech and that's exactly why the company has listed a bunch of supported mouses. For now, the list is small, but it's only going to grow and we'll start seeing more and more offerings in the future. Logitech Here's a list of supported mouses: Acer Predator Cestus 330 Acer Predator Cestus 350 Alienware AW610M AOpen Fire Legend GM310 ASUS ROG Chakram Core Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE Logitech G Pro X Superlight MSI GM 41 Razer Deathadder V2 Steelseries Rival 3 As you can see, the list has a lot of really good gaming mouses. And as we mentioned earlier, the list is growing and we'll start seeing more offerings. Nvidia has already confirmed that the tech will be supported by "top esports peripherals from Asus, Logitech, Razer, and Steelseries." Even the ones mentioned on the list don't all play nice with the tech. Asus ROG Chakram Core, Logitech G Pro X Superlight, and Steelseries Rival are the ones that have appropriate firmware and we'll have to wait for other manufacturers to release it for their hardware. YouTube/Techvania In addition to the mouses, you can also get Reflex supported gaming monitors. And to use the tech, you'll need a supported GPU as well. Everything from the GeForce 900-series (Maxwell) onwards has you covered, so that shouldn't be an issue. Outside of the benchmarks though, the Reflex technology isn't going to majorly help you in any way, at least not in all video games. Yes, you'll get a better understanding of latency and even cut down some of that. But it can make a huge difference in older mainstream cards. It's indeed a promising technology and we expect it to get better over time. Combine Nvidia's Reflex tech with a good gaming monitor and a gaming mouse, and you might land a few more clutch shots. Retired General Lloyd Austin was sworn in Friday as the new US secretary of defense following an overwhelming 93-to-2 Senate confirmation vote. Austin being sworn in as Secretary of Defense at The Pentagon on January 22, 2021 [Source: Wikimedia Commons] The rise of Austin, the first African-American to occupy the top post at the Pentagon, has been hailed by the Democrats and the corporate media as a historic milestone and manifestation of social progress. Newspapers and news web sites carried headlines about the First Black Defense Secretary. Typical was the statement of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer who stated on the Senate floor Friday that Mr. Austin will be the first African-American to ever helm the Defense Department in its historya powerful symbol of the diversity and history of Americas Armed Forces. Others suggested that installing a black defense secretary would serve in itself to counter the threat of right-wing extremism in the US military, reflected in the fact that fully one fifth of those arrested in connection with the January 6 attempted coup at the US Capitol are ex-military personnel. For all the promotion of Austins racial identity as proof of progress, what is most significant in terms of the relations between the military and the civilian government in the US is not that he is the first African-American in the post, but rather that he is the second retired four-star general in four years whose nomination required that both houses of Congress pass a waiver of a law barring recently retired officers from occupying the top civilian position at the Pentagon. In 2017, retired General James Mad Dog Mattis became Donald Trumps first secretary of defense. It is hardly a coincidence that Mattis was Austins predecessor as the chief of the US Central Command, which oversees all US operations in the killing fields of Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan and the war buildup in the Persian Gulf. Like Mattis, Austin was also a combat commander in Iraq, leading Army troops in the bloody invasion of the country and ultimately commanding 150,000 US troops occupying the country. Biden, who as a US senator voted for the criminal war of aggression, as vice president cemented his ties with Austin during his command there. Leading the charge for the waiver vote in the US Senate was Senator Jack Reed, the incoming Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. In 2017, then the ranking Democrat on the committee, Reed also voted in favor of a waiver for Trumps nominee, Mattis, while insisting, I will not support a waiver for future nominees. Approval of the waiver passed by comfortable margins in both the House and the Senate: 326 to 78 and 69 to 27, respectively. The waiver by both houses of congress is required under the National Security Act of 1947, which stipulated that no ex-officer would occupy the top civilian position at the Pentagon until 10 years after leaving the military. This was changed by the US Congress to seven years in 2008. Austin retired from the military in 2016. The act was meant to defend the fundamental democratic principle of civilian control over the military. It was passed during the same period some six decades ago when outgoing Republican Presidentand former five-star generalDwight Eisenhower warned the American people to guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence ... by the military-industrial complex, adding that The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. The growth of this unwarranted influence and misplaced power today is far beyond anything that Eisenhower could have imagined some 60 years ago. Austin, the ex-general and multimillionaire board member of the arms contractor Raytheon, is taking charge of the largest branch of the US government with a budget of close to $750 billion. That two administrations in a row have nominated a former chief of US imperialisms most militarily active combatant command as defense secretary is an undeniable symptom of the unrelenting militarization of the entire US government. This has only been deepened by the events surrounding Trumps failed bid to overturn the election, culminating in the January 6 coup attempt. The Biden camp relied heavily upon the military command to oppose the overthrow of US constitutional government. Meanwhile, Washington remains an armed camp, with plans for keeping armed national guardsmen deployed in the US capital until mid-March. Schumer and other members of the House and Senate leadership pushed for the speedy confirmation of Austin on the grounds that there could be no vacuum of leadership in the sprawling US military and intelligence apparatus. Foreign adversaries will seek to exploit this period of transition, and we cannot allow America's military, intelligence and national security policy to be disrupted by staffing delays, Schumer warned. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (Democrat-Washington) declared, The disruption President Trump brought to the Pentagon cannot be underestimated. They need a fully confirmed secretary of defense, immediately, to begin to thoroughly clean up that mess and get the Pentagon back to being as effective as it needs to be. There were similar expressions of urgency over the confirmation of Avril Haines as the first woman Director of National Intelligence, which took place the day before the vote on Austin, with a vote of 84 to 10 in the Senate. Right-wing Senator Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, urged the swift confirmation of Haines, who as deputy CIA director under Obama, was one of the architects of the drone assassination program that claimed countless victims in the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. Our adversaries will not stand by and wait for the new administration to staff critical positions, Rubio said. The urgency expressed by both Democrats and Republicans over filling the top posts in the US military and intelligence apparatus stands in stark contrast to their plodding indifference to the mass unemployment, hunger and evictions plaguing ever growing sections of the US population There is no such rush to passing even the meager $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package proposed by Biden, an amount that will no doubt be whittled down as his administration accommodates the Republican right. This contrast is a clear warning as to the character of the incoming administration, which will pursue escalating militarism abroad along with social reaction at home. Galveston, TX (77553) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 74F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Kathmandu, January 23 The Ministry of Health and Population has informed that the countrys Covid-19 tally has reached 269,180 as of Saturday afternoon. The ministry says 232 new cases were confirmed in the country in the past 24 hours. In this period, 3,541 swab samples were tested. So far, 2 million and 38,842 people have been tested in the country. As of today, 3,452 cases are active. Of the total cases so far, 263,734 people have achieved recovery whereas 1,994 died, according to the ministry. In the past 24 hours, 386 people have been discharged whereas eight deaths have been reported. Over 100 people are quarantined across the country. DANBURY City police said a driver did extensive damage when they crashed their car into a bank building earlier this month. Police said it happened around 10 p.m. on Jan. 7. The responsible vehicle was an older model white pickup truck. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) inked an agreement with a leading Turkish pharmaceuticals developer to produce Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in Turkey and started the transfer of manufacturing techniques, the RDIF told Sputnik on Saturday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2021) The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) inked an agreement with a leading Turkish pharmaceuticals developer to produce Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in Turkey and started the transfer of manufacturing techniques, the RDIF told Sputnik on Saturday. "RDIF signed an agreement with a leading Turkish manufacturer of pharmaceuticals for the production of Sputnik V vaccine in Turkey and began the process of transferring manufacturing techniques. Interaction with the company is carried out as part of RDIF's activities to promote Sputnik V vaccine to foreign markets," the RDIF said. According to the fund, the potential production volume of Sputnik V in Turkey is millions of doses per year, and negotiations on the possible expansion of production in the future are also ongoing. "The vaccine will be supplied both to the domestic market in Turkey and to other countries," the RDIF said. The RDIF added that Turkish partners are showing great interest in the Russian vaccine, which has an efficacy rate of over 90 percent, for inoculating the country's population, as well as for its production in order to further export it to third countries. They're the Hollywood icons who are both set to star in Marvel's upcoming movie, Thor: Love and Thunder. And on Friday night, Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt were spotted sharing an embrace as they reunited for a night out at The Crown in Sydney, following the Guardians of the Galaxy star's mandatory 14-day quarantine. The two movie stars appeared in high spirits as they enjoyed an exclusive party in a private function room, situated above Nobu restaurant within the city's luxurious new building. Avengers, assemble! On Friday night, Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt were spotted sharing an embrace as they reunited for a night out at The Crown in Sydney Pratt, 41 - who has just come out of isolation after flying in from America - couldn't stop grinning as he enjoyed his freedom alongside the Byron Bay local. One photo showed the buff Jurassic World star jokingly stretch out his arm to flex his muscles. It appeared the film's director, Taiki Waititi, was also at the event, alongside other cast members of whom were not pictured. Marvel mates! The duo appeared in high spirits as they enjoyed an embrace at the private event, as they prepare to begin filming the movie in the next few days Hilarious: One photo showed the Jurassic World star jokingly stretch out his arm to flex his muscles Happy: Pratt, 41 - who has just come out of isolation after flying from America - appeared in high spirits as he enjoyed his freedom alongside his co-star Freedom: The event is the first time Chris Pratt has been seen outside of his mandatory two-week quarantine, after touching down in Australia on January 8 The event is the first time Chris Pratt has been seen outside of his mandatory two-week quarantine, after touching down in Australia on January 8. He landed Down Under via private jet, alongside his co-stars Dave Bautista and Karen Gillan. A day before their arrival, Pratt had let slip that he was starring in Thor alongside during an interview with actor Tom Holland on Instagram live. Hugs all round: After their initial greeting, the two Hollywood icons were seen sharing a second hug as they partied the night away at the exclusive event 'I'm excited to go a country that took the lockdown very serious and eradicated the disease and now they're fully up and back to normal,' he said of his upcoming trip. 'That'll be so good there and to go to like a restaurant,' he continued. A surprised Tom, 24, responded: 'Wait a minute, did you just say you're going to be in Thor? That's so crazy.' 'Yeah... am I not supposed to say that?' Chris replied, to which Tom said: 'I feel like no one knew that bro.' Chris then attempted to reassure himself by saying: 'No they knew that I think, they knew that.. If they didn't know now.' Safe: Weeks earlier, Chris Pratt landed Down Under via private jet, alongside his co-stars Dave Bautista and Karen Gillan Highly-anticipated: On the Thor front, Love And Thunder is the follow up to 2017's massively successful third installment in the series, titled Thor: Ragnarok On the Thor front, Love And Thunder is the follow up to 2017's massively successful third installment in the series, titled Thor: Ragnarok. Like that film, the fourth Thor movie will be directed by Taika Waititi. Notably, Love And Thunder will welcome back Oscar winner Natalie Portman to the franchise, who last played her role of Jane Foster in the less successful second chapter of Thor in 2013, titled Thor: The Dark World. And in the new film, she is said to be taking on the mantle of Thor, thereby becoming the first female actor to do so. Another Academy Award winner set to appear in Love And Thunder is Christian Bale, who is said to be cast in an as-yet undisclosed villainous role. Thor: Love And Thunder is currently slated for release in February of 2022. News outlets have been parsing President Joe Bidens promise of 1 million COVID-19 shots a day for his first 100 days. Depending on the outlet, the goal is too ambitious, or too modest, or doable but difficult, or already stirring disagreements within Bidens pandemic response team. Only one thing is indisputable: Time will tell. April 30 will mark 100 days since Biden was inaugurated, but well before that, it should be clear whether the new administration is on track to fix the chaotic, lagging vaccination rollout it inherited. Even if that 100-day goal is achieved, it will be only the beginning. Experts estimate that 60% to 70% of the population would need to be vaccinated to extinguish the spread of the coronavirus. Anthony Fauci, who is being retained by Biden as the governments top infectious-disease adviser, recently raised his estimate to 80% to 90%. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 death toll is 410,000 and counting. The situation is changing by the hour, but here is an overview: Q. Is the goal of 100 million doses in 100 days achievable? A. Yes, judging from the quickening pace of inoculations, and existing and expected deliveries by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, makers of the two authorized vaccines, both of which require two shots. In the 40 days since COVID-19 immunization began, 17.5 million doses have gone into arms fewer than half of the 37.9 million doses delivered to the states, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, some states have ramped up enough to accelerate the overall effort. The number of people receiving a first dose has been approaching 1 million per day in recent weeks, and hit that target five times in the last 10 days, the Washington Posts vaccination tracker shows. Meanwhile, Pfizer and Moderna together have pledged to deliver 200 million does by the end of March more than 18 million doses a week, the New York Times reported Thursday. That would be enough to exceed Bidens goal. Other COVID-19 vaccines that are close to seeking federal emergency authorization, notably Johnson & Johnsons candidate, would further expand supply. Q. Why are some states doing better than others at giving the shots? A. The Trump administrations Operation Warp Speed played a vital role in getting vaccines from drawing board to distribution within a year, an unprecedented record. But the states and big cities were left to sweat the details of vaccinating a potential pool of 209 million adults, including prioritization criteria, notification systems, the creation and staffing of vaccination sites, and data reporting. The massive effort got even messier on Jan. 12, eight days before Biden was sworn in. Trumps health secretary, Alex Azar, and CDC director, Robert Redfield, upended the phased priority system that CDC scientists and the states had spent months developing. Instead of expanding vaccination from frontline health workers and nursing homes to essential workers and those age 75 and up, Azar told the states to push to the front of the line a vast group of people he wanted to be there from the start people age 65 and over as well as younger people with chronic health conditions. Some states West Virginia, Vermont, Connecticut and the Dakotas have done pretty well managing the resulting public confusion and frustration over who should get shots and how to do so. So far, these states have given at least one vaccine dose to more than 6% of their populations, according to the Washington Post tracker. The lack of federal organization and direction has left some states running low on doses, while others still have much of their supply sitting on shelves. It has also led to infighting. For example, the University of Pennsylvanias medical school announced it would vaccinate academic employees and students who dont have contact with patients in the second phase of vaccination a move that Philadelphia says circumvents the citys prioritization plans. Q. What is the Biden administration doing to improve this situation? A. Bidens 198-page pandemic plan, unveiled Thursday, instructs federal agencies to harness the U.S. industrial base by invoking the Defense Production Act if needed to expand the vaccination efforts. Bidens team is using the DPA to mass-produce a special syringe that can get six doses instead of five from each Pfizer vial, White House chief of staff Ron Klain told MSNBC. Biden is also enlisting the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide the kind of centralized coordination that has been missing. FEMA is supposed to work with the National Guard, states and localities to support existing community vaccination centers, or set up new ones, including equipping and staffing the sites. Because vaccination will take time, Bidens plan also bolsters existing COVID-19 testing and infection prevention measures. For example, masks will be required on public transportation, while a pandemic testing board will be created to expand access to testing, and make sure hot spots have ample capacity. Bidens proposed $1.9 trillion American rescue plan includes $160 billion to create national vaccination and testing programs. The $900 billion COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress in December also includes funds to accelerate vaccine distribution. Q. What do experts think about Bidens vaccination plans? A. Michael Mina, an epidemiologist and diagnostic testing expert at Harvards Chan School of Public Health, said that conceptually, setting up mass federally supported vaccination sites should improve efficiency. I do think that will likely be a benefit vs. asking everyone to reinvent the wheel, he said Friday. Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers, told Kaiser Health News that Biden has introduced two things that are key to improving vaccine distribution: a strong vision and clear communication. She said the goal of 100 million shots in 100 days is attainable, but extremely challenging. That was echoed by Michael Osterholm, a University of Minnesota infectious disease researcher and a member of Bidens COVID-19 task force, who called the goal aspirational but doable. The first days of that 100 days may be substantially slower than it will be toward the end, Osterholm told STAT News. Its not going to occur quickly. Youre going to see the ramp-up occurring only when the resources really begin to flow. In contrast, Paul Offit, a pediatrician and vaccine expert at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, sees the goal as too modest. I love that he set a goal, but a million doses a day? Offit told the New York Times. We can do better. We are going to have to if we really want to get on top of this virus by, say, summer. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 18:34:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SANAA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Budour Lutf, a small and feisty 35-year-old Yemeni woman, said she's got to do something to help her family. Lutf's husband works as a motorcyclist, carrying passengers around Sanaa for little money. Back in their small rental flat, there are three children waiting for food and clothes. As the war drags on and on, Lutf has realized that their life would only go from worse to worse if she does not act. So a couple of years ago, she began to make woman's accessories and ornaments at home and tried to sell them at a weekly fair. The fair, sponsored by a Saudi Arabia-based charity group, is held on every Thursday on the famous Al-Tahrir Square in central Sanaa. It aims to help Yemeni families find a supplement income as hundreds of thousands of Yemenis have lost their jobs and many employees who used to be on public payroll now live on daily-wage jobs. "Since the beginning of the war, our life has been greatly affected. And things are getting worse and worse," said Lutf. "For our family, even 100 ryals (about 0.4 U.S. dollars) mean a great deal. So we try everything to survive." More than 50 families take their homemade products to the fair: candy, cake, traditional clothes, accessories, incenses, perfumes, pottery, and more. Every stall was packed with goods, trying to drum up business. Particularly, Lutf's homemade accessories are a sight to behold. They are exquisitely crafted and stylish. Lutf said she constantly improves the shapes and designs of the accessories to woo more customers, adding that she has to run the extra mile because business is becoming worse as the country's economic crisis deepens. Despite Lutf's tenacious efforts, the income from the accessories selling is not high and barely enough for her to buy food for the family. But Lutf is satisfied with what she gets because, just as she said, every penny matters at such a hard time. "The war has dealt a blow to thousands of people in Yemen. And I'm just one of them. Some people have managed to find a way to support their families, while some others are still struggling painfully," Lutf said, who believed she was among the lucky ones. The protracted war in the impoverished Arab country has killed more than 230,000 people and displaced more than 4 million. The incessant bloody conflicts, in addition to the economic blockade, have pushed millions of Yemenis to the brink of starvation. Lutf said she had given up a long time ago the hope for the war to end. Years of hardship have taught her to be realistic and focus on what's most pressing, which is to keep alive and escape destitution. The mother of three believes that they should rely on their own to improve life. "In my opinion, everyone should, instead of bemoaning his or her fate at home, find a way to cope with the difficult times. Everyone has a talent... and can fend for oneself," Lutf said. Enditem A 21-year-old man has appeared in court over the murder of a teenage boy whose body was discovered on a river bank as tributes have flooded in following his death. Cole Jarvis is charged with the murder of 17-year-old Connor Lyons who was found on the banks of the River Hull at Ennerdale, East Yorkshire, on Tuesday. Jarvis, 21, of Stroud Crescent West, Bransholme, was charged on Friday and appeared before magistrates in Hull on Saturday morning. The body of the teenager was discovered at 8.20am on January 19 after police were called to the scene He is now due to appear at Hull Crown Court at 10am on Monday for a bail application, a representative for Hull Magistrates' Court said. Cole was remanded into custody and is due to appear via video link on Monday. The body of the teenager was discovered at 8.20am on January 19 after police were called to the scene. Moving floral tributes have been left on the bank of the river in the Ennerdale area of where the teenager was tragically found. Detective Chief Inspector Rhod Troake, of Humberside Police, said on Friday: 'Once again, I would like to thank everyone who came forward with information to assist us in our investigation. Moving floral tributes have been left on the bank of the river in the Ennerdale area of where the teenager was tragically found A JustGiving page has been set up in memory of Connor in order to raise funds to support his family Detective Chief Inspector Rhod Troake, of Humberside Police, said on Friday: 'Once again, I would like to thank everyone who came forward with information' 'Our thoughts remain with Connor's family and loved ones.' A JustGiving page has been set up in memory of Connor in order to raise funds to support his family captioned: 'Our good friend Connors life was taken for to soon. He was a very well know lad across hull the devastating new affected us all. FLY High brother sleep tight.' Another added: 'Can't believe you have gone so young, you will be missed by us all.' Close 20 million-year-old evidence discovered by scientists shows how nightmarish Bobbit worms hunted in the past. Dreaded and Bizzare Bobbit Worm With a staggering length of 10-feet, Bobbit worms burrow in the seafloor with their mouth sticking out as a trap. When fish, the unsuspecting prey, wanders near it, shoots with astounding speed, snaps its jaw and takes hold of its game. As its prey squirms, it drags the fish back to its lair, where it devours the fish alive. Scientists now say that they've unearthed evidence that Bobbit worm's ancestors were laying siege to fish for over 20 million years. Published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers say that hundred of fossilized Bobbit worm remains in Taiwan show signs of struggle. However, scientists have not found signs of the worms themselves being invertebrates that are rarely fossilized. Scientists discover trace fossils and geological features that suggest the ancient animals' behavior in sandstone that once belonged on the seafloor. Ludvig Lowemark, co-author and sedimentologist at national Taiwan University, says, "This is, we believe, the first time that we've actually found a trace fossil that shows how invertebrates like worms were feeding on vertebrates. He explains that the trace fossils show how the worms burrowed in their holes, hiding in sediment, jumping out to catch their prey, and dragging them back within the sediment. A much more detailed behavior than that which was previously known. CHECK OUT: Bringing Back Dinosaurs Using Amber-Encased DNA Could Also Bring Back Diseases, Scientist Warns The fossilized burrows discovered are roughly 6.5 feet long. Based on their openings on the seafloor, Bobbit worms would burrow straight down into the much. Halfway down, worms would bend roughly by 45 degrees creating an "L." Near the entrances, researchers noticed collapse funnels or piles of sediment that built up inside the burrow. Scientists argue that the discovery shows signs of struggle preserved for over millions of years. It showed that as the worm dragged its victim down its hole, the fish spilled sediment that filled the void as it struggled. Cross-section analysis shows feather-like structures within the main shaft branching off on each side. Researchers say this is due to the worm's feeding habits. Experts say that after digesting its prey, the worms reemerge out of the lairs back to the surface, reforming the collapsed tunnels. Other sea critters burrow in the seafloor. However, scientists are confident that the recently discovered lair belongs to the ancestors of Bobbit worms. Their assurance stems from the circular shape of the 20 million-year burrows similar to modern-day Bobbit worms. Since the burrows lacked support, it would suggest that the creature inside acted as reinforcement to support the structure. Lowemark explains, "The fact that we have a nice, round shape all the way down with no strong lining suggests that the animal was sitting in its burrow most of the time, then it rushes out. The collapse funnels represent the struggle of the prey being drawn underneath the sediment." ALSO READ: Ancient Dire Wolf DNA Reveals It Was Not Really a Wolf Check out more news and information on Paleontology on Science Times. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size When my father was young, a dog saved his life by leaping on a striking snake. Decades later, I watched our overfed ginger cat mourn Dads death, lying every day in the garage where he once worked, rubbing whiskers against his tools. No one who has lived with a pet could deny they have feelings: affection, irritation, fear, perhaps even shame and jealousy, perhaps love. But is their behaviour always what it seems? Did my fathers dog, who was rather unfairly named Bimbo, pounce on the snake to protect him or was some wolfish hunting instinct surfacing at last? Did Max the cat really wonder where Dad had gone or had he just decided to annex the newly available garage? Dogs and cats have been our companions for thousands of years and remain fiercely popular (almost half of Australians now have a dog, for example). Yet serious scientific questions about their inner lives have only been asked in recent decades. Why is it that a dog always seems to know when youre sad? Are cats secretly plotting world domination? How did these two species evolve from the wild into our homes? How do you read their body language? And could they one day learn to talk to us? Researcher and dog trainer Melissa Starling with Kivi the Finnish lapphund (left), Kestral the Portuguese podengo and Erik the Tall, a Swedish vallhund. Credit:Wolter Peeters How did cats and dogs become cats and dogs? A prehistoric puppy thawed from Siberias icy permafrost could solve the mystery of how wolves first became mans best friend. "Dogor" is remarkably well-preserved, just two months old when he died 18,000 years ago, but still with teeth, fur, even whiskers intact. And yet, whenever scientists test his DNA to find out his species, they are stumped. We dont [know] yet whether Dogor is a dog or a wolf or a bit of both, says David Stanton, one of the researchers still testing the pup more than two years after his discovery. Could Dogor be the missing link between wolf and dog? Today the debate is far from settled but most researchers agree pooches evolved from wolves sometime between 15,000 and 32,000 years ago. Advertisement Dogs are the wolves that came in to sit by the campfire, who learnt to work with our ancestors for food, helping them hunt and manage other animals, offering protection and now, increasingly in the modern world, companionship. They evolved at our side, they can read our facial expressions. Even their patented puppy dog eyes offer an evolutionary advantage for dogs, life has become not so much the survival of the fittest but of the cutest. Were wired to respond to them, too, says Melissa Starling, who both trains and researches dogs at the University of Sydney and has her own lively brood at home. We have no defence against puppy dog eyes. Still, dogs today remain 99 per cent wolf (even pugs). The tiny changes in their DNA affect the digestive system, the brain and their rate of physical development (which helps explain the big differences between breeds). Essentially, dogs are well-mannered wolves who can eat grains. Dogor, a perfectly preserved 18,000-year-old pup unearthed from the ice of the Siberian permafrost, could hold the secrets of the first dogs. Credit:Centre for Palaeogenetics/Twitter But dogs are not prized as mans best friend everywhere. In some cultures, they are eaten or considered impure. Cats, too, face their fair share of prejudice. (Just ask my black rescue cat Nox.) And, while both cats and dogs have been carried out of shelters in huge numbers as we weather COVID-19 lockdowns at home, pets are still routinely abandoned to live as strays in the shadows of our cities and towns. Unlike dogs, cats are not social by nature, coming from a long, proud line of solitary felines including tigers and leopards. How then have we tamed these wildcats into wearing collars and posing for Instagram photos? Advertisement It seems it was largely their idea. When agriculture began some 10,000 years ago, the grain attracted rats and mice, which eventually attracted smaller wildcats. Our ancestors quite liked this pest control service and so left out treats to encourage the cats to stay. DNA evidence now shows that domestication has helped cats take over the world shipped out from their original home in the Middle East to just about every continent on earth. Yet cats have not been selectively bred to the same degree as dogs. Even today, they are still considered only semi-domesticated the lion in your living room. Within a few generations in the wild, house cats can revert back to larger, fiercer animals, the feral cats that now wreak such a toll on our wildlife. (This might account for all those mysterious sightings of panthers and leopards in remote corners of Australia.) Nox the cat doesnt like being rushed when hes out walking with his owner, reporter Sherryn Groch. Credit:Luis Ascui Do cats and dogs love us? Any wild animal might become tamer if handled by humans from a young age. And, as our urban sprawl keeps on sprawling, there are even early signs that other animals such as coyotes might be growing more familiar with us. But cats and dogs are different. While they still need to be around humans early to grow up normal (that is, well-behaved), its not just nurture at play. Thousands of years by our side has created some serious chemistry too. Both species have been recorded getting a boost in oxytocin the hormone released when were in love or bonding while being patted by their owners. Dogs seem to get a bigger hit of this molecule damour than cats. Indeed, both dogs and their owners can produce it just by staring into each others eyes (this does not happen between wolves and humans). When US neuroscientist Gregory Berns began training dogs to lie still in noisy MRI machines, he found another promising sign of affection: the reward centre in a dogs brain lights up more powerfully in the presence of its owners scent compared to when its sniffing other humans or dogs. Advertisement Twenty-five years ago, Jeffrey Masson, a former psychoanalyst from California, wrote his first bestselling book on animals When Elephants Weep and found himself accused of that great intellectual sin: anthropomorphising (attributing human traits to animals or objects). But, today, most scientists agree that animals can have complex, even profound emotions. Masson himself believes dogs are now better at loving than people are. Just as you cant be as content as a cat, no one will ever love you like your dog, he says. They love purely. He recalls a tiny puppy he rescued from a car crash when he was studying in India. The pair became inseparable until it was time for Masson to return home to the States. He found the dog, which hed named Puppy, a loving new family and had the tearful goodbye. But, the next day as he was farewelling a professor at his university, there came a sudden banging and scratching at the door. It was Puppy. I still cant understand it. Someone even swore later they had seen Puppy hop on and off a bus to the university. A cat named Tardar Sauce, but known to the internet as Grumpy Cat, became famous for her signature frown, though her owners swore she was actually a sweet girl. With cats, love is a little more complicated. They are famously independent, even aloof at times. They require wooing, chin scratches, multiple openings of tin cans. And even then its hard to ignore that cold look of disdain from the top of the bookshelf while doing your morning yoga routine. Loading Cats are so graceful, everything they do is aesthetically pleasing, says Masson. Of course, not everything we do is pleasing to them But they choose us, theyre capable of deep affection. If youve ever shared a bed with a cat, youll know. They really settle in, they purr. Advertisement Still, cats are not necessarily faithful. One of Massons own once migrated next door. And my neighbour didnt even like cats [at first]. The fickleness of cats is why many scientists are still loathe to study them in the lab. To test one cat, you need three, they will say, as the other two will probably withdraw consent halfway through. They are notoriously difficult, says Federico Rossano, who works with animals of all shapes and sizes as director of the Comparative Cognition Lab at the University of California. We saw a huge boost in research into dogs starting from the '90s but we havent seen the same with cats. But when they do participate, they can give us great results, even match the dogs sometimes. At the University of Oregon, Kristyn Vitale and Monique Udell have run groundbreaking experiments showing that cats display the same signs of attachment to their owners as dogs. Even more astounding, theyve shown that cats prefer interacting with people over toys and, yes, food, and will seek out humans who pay attention to them. Because domestication has made cats and dogs reliant on us, both species live in a kind of permanent juvenile mindset, Vitale says, where we become almost a surrogate mother. Its why you see cats purring and kneading with their paws the same behaviours kittens usually grow out of. Sherryns other rescue cat Ziggy heads off on an evening stroll. Credit:CREDIT: SHERRYN GROCH How do cats and dogs perceive the world? Humans tend to see the world first dogs smell it. For dogs (and to a lesser extent cats), smell is the primary sense and the world is one aromatic buffet of informative scents. The nose of a dog is at least 10,000 times more powerful than your own it can sniff out storms before a whisper of rain is on the air, find cancer cells in our blood, or catch a familiar scent up to 20 kilometres away. We have bred dogs to help us hunt and now we train them for more modern jobs such as sniffing out bombs, drugs, even COVID. Squads of coronavirus-sniffing canines, for example, are already being trialled in some airports around the world (but dont expect a pooch to replace the eye-watering Q-tip test any time soon). Advertisement Twitter suspended Friday an account believed to belong to the office of the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The social media giant has taken action against some Iran-related accounts since permanently suspending Donald Trump from Twitter earlier this month when Trump was still president. The account, which had the handle @khamenei_site, tweeted a threat against Trump. The tweet was entitled revenge and showed a blond man on a golf course resembling the former president. The shadow of a large drone appeared over the green. The text, in Persian, also referenced the killing of Soleimani. This refers to the Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed by a US airstrike ordered by Trump in January 2020. The tweet violated Twitters abusive behavior policy, a Twitter spokesperson told Al-Monitor. The account was suspended for violating Twitters platform manipulation spam policy, which forbids behavior that manipulates or disrupts peoples experience on Twitter. The account "violated our platform manipulation and spam policy, specifically the creation of fake accounts, and has been permanently suspended, said the spokesperson. Twitter did not reply when asked if the account itself was fake. It had 7,888 followers and was not verified. Other accounts bearing the ayatollahs name have many more followers, though none are verified. Some of these other Iranian ayatollah accounts have been censored lately. On Jan. 8, Twitter deleted a tweet from the @khamenei_ir account. The account, which has hundreds of thousands of followers, tweeted that COVID-19 vaccines produced in the United States and United Kingdom are untrustworthy. It also accused France of donating HIV-contaminated blood to Iran. Other controversial tweets remain up. In 2018, the same account tweeted, Israel is a malignant cancerous in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated. Last year, Twitter had said that incendiary tweets from the Iranian leader on Israel would not be banned because they amounted to saber rattling and are part of the speech of world leaders in concert with other countries, Politico reported. Trumps recent suspension has led to renewed focus on Twitters policy vis-a-vis Khamenei. Trump was permanently suspended Jan. 8 following the storming of the US Capitol by a mob of his supporters. On Jan. 6, Twitter deleted certain tweets from Trump on the incident. In 2020, the Silicon Valley company had already applied labels to tweets of his questioning the validity of the Nov. 3 presidential election. Some questioned Twitter's seemingly different treatment of Trumps activity versus the ayatollahs at the time. The Twitter spokesperson did not respond to a question asking for clarification on how a world leader can get suspended. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey explained the Trump ban in a lengthy thread and cited threats to physical safety." There are now calls for Twitter to take action against what are considered the ayatollahs accounts. A Thursday op-ed in The Washington Post by Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad explicitly called for this. Alinejad slammed Khameneis use of Twitter while ordinary citizens are prohibited from going on the site, among other things. The Iranian government blocks Twitter in Iran, though Iranian officials use the site. Some Iranians can also access Twitter via virtual private networks. Twitter has taken action against other Iran-affiliated accounts recently. The account of Abu Ali al-Askary from the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia in Iraq was suspended as of Friday. Last week, Askary offered to help liberation movements within the United States. Last year, Twitter suspended accounts from Iran it said were disrupting the public conversation surrounding the US election. Twitter received the information on the activity from the US government. Police have condemned an attack on a 92-year-old woman as an outrage after she was set upon during a home invasion in Sydneys inner west. A medical alert device has been credited for potentially saving the womans life after she used it to raise the alarm in the wake of the assault in the early hours of Saturday morning. The intruder is alleged to have broken into the womans home on Burton Street in Concord just after 2am. Police say the woman confronted the man, who assaulted her before fleeing the scene. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! A proud Conor McGregor has declared that his most fulfilling accomplishment is his family, with partner Dee the underboss of the operation. As he prepares to return to the octagon for the first time in 12 months when he fights Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 on Abu Dhabi's Fight Island, a reflective McGregor opened his heart about the importance of family in his life. Hands down, my most fulfilling accomplishment is my family, he said in an interview with online business magazine, entrepreneur.com. They are everything to me. Dee, my fiancee, the underboss of the operation, has been with me since day one. Before I had a cent to my name, and a vision nobody thought was possible but us, she was there. "So, it's been genuinely amazing having her and the kids in my life. "They're my world; they've created a newfound purpose and focus for me on achieving new levels of success inside and outside the cage. Read More The Dubliner also remains fiercely proud of his roots and says he has never forgotten where he came from. He also said that another fulfilling accomplishment for him was being fortunate enough to be in the position to give back. Its a proud accomplishment that Ive been able to give back to my family, my local community of Crumlin, my country of Ireland and other initiatives I've supported, he stated. Expand Close Conor with partner Dee and their two children, Conor Jnr and Croia. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Conor with partner Dee and their two children, Conor Jnr and Croia. I was honoured to be able to support Covid relief in Ireland along with supporting first responder organisations worldwide through my Proper 12 business. In the wide-ranging interview McGregor also said he is in the best shape of his life, ahead of his bout with Poirier, as he really started focusing on my health. Health and fitness, given the nature of my profession, is a daily ritual for me, he revealed. Finding new ways to optimise my training routine is something I always push for. Part of my health and fitness obsession is the focus of recovery. "Ensuring my body is in tip-top shape is essential to maximise my training schedule and go all out without worrying about aches and pains along the way. Speaking about the motivations that drive him inside and outside the octagon, McGregor revealed that when he won his first UFC world title in 2015, the term self-made did not exist for me. The people who have been around me my entire career shaped the moment I won my first belt, he explained. This still rings true today. "To get the job done in fighting or business, you must surround yourself with good people who can work alongside those who share the same vision as you. I'm grateful I have this in abundance with my team. And when asked about what drives his passion for competing in fighting and business, he replied: The answer is in the question. What drives my passion for fighting and in business is the competition. I love to compete. "I have the hunger and the drive to be number one in fighting and business. That fire has never dwindled, and I feel it never will. The competition and will to win runs through my veins. The 32-year-old McGregor has promised to "deliver a masterpiece", when he steps in for the rematch of the 2014 encounter with Poirier which McGregor won via a first-round knockout. ARCs forensic audit reveals the extent of manipulation in BARC TRP data In the past few weeks, Indias premier industry body for measuring television ratings has been under intense scrutiny for TRP manipulation. Leaked Whatsapp chats between former BARC CEO, Partho Dasgupta and Republic TVs Arnab Goswami have opened up a can of worms and show the collusion between the two and how Dasgupta favoured Republic TV. Privacy row: An in-depth understanding of what the law states The past few days have witnessed people across the world looking for alternative options if their privacy is likely to be infringed. Why should this matter to advertisers? Part 22 of the series of articles on Misleading Ads by Advocate Aazmeen Kasad serves to demystify the term Privacy, how use of customer data without their consent can back-fire and provide an in-depth understanding of what the law on the same is, etc. Suspend IBF membership of Republic TV, no BARC ratings till Court order: NBA The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has expressed its shock over the Whatsapp messages revealed recently that show a collusion between former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, who has been arrested, and Arnab Goswami, Managing Director, ARG Outlier Media. E-Commerce Sector Under Lens, Govt Planning Stringent FDI Rules Government of India is likely to tighten the foreign direct investment (FDI) rules for e-commerce to check companies set up by the online marketplaces from trading on their own platform. A clarification is expected from The Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade through a press note where it will prohibit e-commerce platforms from holding stake in a seller, directly or indirectly. Facebook Assures IT Panel that WhatsApp isn't sharing personal data According to media reports, Facebook has assured the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology that it's instant messaging app, WhatsApp isn't sharing personal data like text messages being exchanged between two individuals. Times Network contemplates legal action in BARC TRP scam Times Network/ Bennett Coleman & Company Ltd (BCCL) is contemplating all possible legal actions against BARC for non-redressal of its grievances, as available in law for wrongful loss caused. Vishnu Mohan steps down as Chairman & CEO, Havas Group Vishnu Mohan has quit Havas Group as Chairman and CEO Southeast Asia, India and North Asia after spending 25 years with the company. After Moran's departure, Alberto Canteli, CEO of Havas Group in Middle East and Eastern Europe will extend his remit to include Southeast Asia and North Asia. After a tepid Lohri-Pongal, will Republic Day offers buoy brand sales? It seems the sale season now remains all round the year as marketers leave no occasion untapped to boost sales by offering attractive discounts. Over the years, we have seen marketers increasingly leverage national holidays to conduct sale offers, apart from the annual festive season periods. Hence, we have started seeing national events such as Republic Day and Independence Day being converted into sale periods by brands of all hues, as well as e-commerce platforms. 2021 will definitely be a year of influencer marketing again: Hitarth Dadia Hitarth Dadia, Head of Monetization, NOFILTR Group, sees a tremendous growth curve for influencer marketing and video marketing in 2021. He also stresses on the importance of creative and diversified content to keep the audience entertained and informed at the same time. No media trial in ongoing investigations; PCI rules apply to TV channels: Bombay HC Taking cognizance of the media trial and intense scrutiny, especially pertaining to the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, the Bombay High Court has asked news channels to show restraint while covering ongoing investigation cases. Taking a strong view on the vitriolic spewed in toxic debates and discussions in such cases, the Court also asked the news channels to regulate their coverage. India has a huge potential to be a data refinery: Ravi Shankar Prasad Ten years ago, Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) conducted its first India Digital Summit inaugurated by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communication, Electronics, Information Technology, Law and Justice, Government of India. IAMAI hosted its flagship two-day India Digital Summit 2021 on January 19th and 20th, which was once again inaugurated by Prasad. He was joined by Anant Goenka, Executive Director, The Indian Express. "Big Tech needs to do a better job of educating users on how their data is being used" Mobile ad spends in 2020 grew to $240 billion, up by 26% from 2019, according to State of Mobile 2021 study by App Annie. The report estimates that spend will reach $290 billion by the end of the year. On the side-lines of the 15th India Digital Summit by Internet and Mobile Association of India, Adgully caught up with Nick Seckold, Vice President APAC, Microsoft Advertising, to understand digital and mobile growth trends driving advertising dollars in the APAC market. We need to stop treating influencers as a media buy: Karan Bhandari In conversation with Adgully, Karan Bhandari, EVP, Integrated Media Strategy, Weber Shandwick, says that digital will be playing a huge role in the planning and strategy phase for brands and organisations from the word go in PR. Regulators cant make rules for a technology thats still in beta: Vijay Shekhar Sharma Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder, Paytm, while speaking to Anant Goenka, Executive Director, The Indian Express at a fireside chat on Building Aatmanirbhar Digital Bharat, highlighted how Paytm had brought about changes in QR Code. Brands need to establish a data value exchange: Vasuta Agarwal As digital media becomes more ubiquitous in the marketing strategies of brands, platforms must address consumers concerns of data privacy, security and client concerns such as brand safety and privacy compliant tracking of the consumer footprint. Platforms also need to address the question of content moderation and ask themselves whether they are publishers or aggregators. Rishabh Pant A new brand star is born Indias decisive and inspiring win against Australia at the Gabba, which helped the team clinch the series 2-1, has been hailed as the greatest win. Rishabh Pants heroic knock of 89 played a major part in Indias win and he is now being hailed as a hero and he was also crowned as Player of the Match. Is an English-first Internet irrelevant for Digital Bharat? Access to computers 50 years back was very limited. Only 10 per cent of Indians speak English, but almost all of them have access to the Internet. If we want the Internet to grow in the country, it should be available in Indian languages as well. That was the view of the industry experts who were part of the panel discussion on 50 years of Indic Language Computing How relevant is an English first Internet for Digital Bharat?. Bhuvan Bam becomes Indias first independent creator to cross 3 bn views Indias most celebrated youth icon and Digital Content Creator BhuvanBam's YouTube channel BB ki Vines has hit a new high. With 20 million subscribers and a record 3 billion collective views, Bhuvan Bam has become Indias first independent digital content creator to reach this exceptional milestone. 2021 will be a year of content, especially short video platforms and OTT When the Indian Government banned over 100 Chinese apps in 2020 including TikTok, following Chinese incursions in Ladakh, it opened up a huge opportunity for Indian short video platforms. Bolo Indya, a vernacular short video platform, was one of the indigenous apps that found increase in traction after TikTok ban. Varun Saxena, Founder, Bolo Indya, highlights the growing importance of content in 2021, with the emergence of diverse and unheard content categories. Budget 2021: The industry is looking ahead to MSMEs for additional growth Budget 2021 carries a lot of responsibility to revive specific sectors like tourism, services & apparel, which have been hit hard by the pandemic, remarks Amit Gupta, Managing Director, Httpool India. These sectors contribute considerably to advertising revenues. Given the fact that the situation becomes better with the arrival of vaccination, we should see higher consumer consumption and demand. This Budget should help with sops to get these verticals back on track. #TwitterChat: Will science based claims in advertising become ubiquitous? Post the Coronavirus pandemic, a major shift that has come in consumer behaviour is the fact that they are relooking at the Nutritional Information and Ingredients labels of brands. Consumers are scrutinising the efficacy of products based on a single priority their health and wellness. This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. The families of two men who were shot and killed Sunday in Southeast Portland are still waiting to find out what happened to their loved ones, and who is responsible for the double homicide. Portland police confirmed that Frank Gouland and Adam Kekoa Adams were shot and killed in Southeast Portland, but have released few other details about the shooting. Officers responded around 3:40 a.m. to reports of a shooting on Division Street near 143rd Avenue, and found Gouland, 31, and Adams, 28, dead at the scene. The medical examiner determined both died from gunshot wounds and ruled the deaths homicides. Police have yet to release any information about the circumstances of the shootings, and refused to confirm whether they had identified a suspect or whether the suspect knew the men killed. Family members confirmed the two victims were brothers-in-law. Adams sister-in-law Lo Ieru said the family is still waiting to learn more about what happened. She said Adams loved being a father to his three kids the youngest of whom had just turned one. He was the most humble, loving brother-in-law, Ieru said. He had the most huge heart. Ieru said her brother-in-law moved to Portland from Hawaii about 10 years ago to be with his older brother, and that he had grown to love Oregon. Another sister-in-law, Jennifer Adams, said Adams had been doing really well recently. He worked at Geary Pacific Supply, a heating and air-conditioning equipment supplier, and raised his kids. This is just a shock, she said. He was enjoying being a father, and working so hard. Ieru said the family plans to hold a vigil for Adams but have not yet set a date. Detectives asked anyone with information about the shooting to call Portland police at 503-823-0696 or 503-823-0871. -Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. Tom Norton, a Michigan businessman and Army veteran who lost a 2020 primary to Mr. Meijer, said the congressman called him to give him a heads-up the day he voted to impeach Mr. Trump. Mr. Norton immediately filed paperwork to mount another campaign against Mr. Meijer in 2022. Mr. Norton said he believed Mr. Meijer made a mistake in blaming Mr. Trump for inciting the riot. We have a lot of people with a lot of passion and we cant control everybody, he said, before going on to exaggerate the pockets of unrest that took place alongside last years largely peaceful protests for racial justice. Blaming President Trump is the same thing as blaming Kamala Harris and Joe Biden for all the riots that antifa did last summer. Representative John Katko of Central New York, who was the first G.O.P. lawmaker to back impeachment, is one of the few remaining Republicans who represents a Democratic-leaning district. Some Republicans in his district were outraged by his vote. Not very happy would be the politest way to say it, said Fred Beardsley, the chairman of the Oswego County Republican Committee. Were very upset. Im tremendously upset. I think Mr. Katko crossed a line, he continued. He double-crossed us. For Mr. Katko and Representatives Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, David Valadao of California, and Fred Upton and Mr. Meijer of Michigan, all Republicans who voted for impeachment and hail from states likely to lose seats in this years redistricting process, the shapes of the districts they may seek to represent in 2022 have yet to be determined. Democratic state legislators in New York and Illinois could draw Mr. Katko and Mr. Kinzinger into districts represented by fellow incumbent Republicans, potentially cutting off a path for a Trumpian insurgent, while commissions will determine district lines in California, Michigan and Ohio. Gene Koprowski, a conservative filmmaker who filed to run against Mr. Kinzinger, said he did so to start raising money but he is waiting for the Illinois legislature to redraw its congressional district maps before formally beginning a campaign. National Guard members stand during the 59th Presidential Inauguration near the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2021. (Erin Schaff/Pool via Reuters) Thousands of National Guard Troops to Remain in DC Through March At least 5,000 National Guard members will remain in Washington through mid-March, a spokesman for the agency confirmed to The Epoch Times. As we continue to work to meet the final post-inauguration requirements, the National Guard has been requested to continue supporting federal law enforcement agencies with 7,000 members and will draw down to 5,000 through mid-March, Maj. Matt Murphy told The Epoch Times via email. We are providing assistance such as security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics, and safety support to state, district, and federal agencies, he added. The U.S. Army didnt respond to a request for comment. Tens of thousands of National Guard personnel poured into the nations capital for the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Over 26,000 were on duty on Jan. 20, as part of a heavy militarization of Washington. Guardsmen experienced no security incidents and only three people were arrested in Washington on Inauguration Day, agencies said. About 10,600 Guard personnel were on duty as of Thursday. Officials were planning for how to return the rest of the troops to their home states. Some agencies are requesting continuity of operations, additional support, and recuperation time for their forces to regroup. Approximately 7,000 National Guard personnel are anticipated to provide that assistance through the end of the month, the guard said in a statement on Thursday. National Guard troops patrol outside the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 22, 2021. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo) Christopher Rodriguez, a District of Columbia homeland security official, said that same day that the city requested continued support from the Guard with traffic management and crowd control through Jan. 30 because we do anticipate that there will be another National Special Security Event occurring in the joint session of Congress. The numbers of troops needed were still being calculated, he said. Three governors on Friday said they were requesting the return of their troops. Ive ordered the immediate return of all New Hampshire National Guard from Washington D.C., New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, said in a tweet. They did an outstanding job serving our nations capital in a time of strife and should be graciously praised, not subject to substandard conditions. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, echoed the disenchantment of other governors with the way the FBI vetted all troops in Washington, resulting in the removal of at least 12, while saying on Fox & Friends it was time for the troops to leave the half-cocked mission. Legislators expressed outrage earlier in the week when pictures emerged showing members spending time in a parking garage. The U.S. Capitol Police denied telling the guard to leave the U.S. Capitol. Lawmakers have vowed to figure out what happened. Allen Zhong contributed to this report. A Wilsonville man has been accused of killing his 91-year-old stepfather at the victims Washington County home early Friday morning. Jacob Nebeker, 31, was arrested at the scene and is being held in jail without bail on one count of second-degree murder. He is suspected of killing Gilbert Gutjahr. Sheriffs deputies said they responded to Gutjahrs home at Northwest Canterwood Way in the Bethany area close to 1 a.m., after a woman called 911 and said a man at the home had been killed by a family member. Officers found Gutjahr injured inside. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Police did not specify how they believe Nebeker killed Gutjahr, or the circumstances that led up to the killing. Court officials have not yet set an arraignment date for Nebeker. This story will be updated. -Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR We took the United States for granted. They fought our fights up north, going back to the time of the Good Friday agreement. But then the country we depended on most became undependable. The only consistency was inconsistency. The Trump presidency was a warning from live history, in real time, before our very eyes. The warning wasnt just for the United States but for all of us in our own democracies. Here in Ireland we celebrated Joe Bidens inauguration in small pods but there was a national coming-together. Ireland was always for Biden and not just because he was one of our own. President Joe Biden is decent and democratic. President Biden has a heart and a soul. Trump has neither. One of the few acts of niceness in the dirtiest game of all, politics, is that in America you get to keep the title even though youve lost the job. Hence, Donald Trump is still known as President Trump. But he was never presidential. Read More And on inauguration day on Wednesday, the very saying of the words President Biden was an invocation. We are witnesses to history and participants too. Time passes by inexorably, and often unnoticed. Older folk almost always say: where have all the years gone? Most of us only get to see the history our times in a TV retrospective. Its as we were never part of it all. Political upheavals, the ending of dynasties and the beginnings of dictatorships, are bigger than us, or so the thinking goes. Our American friends and relatives worry about the state of their nation. We all do. The psychologists advise we can only control the controllables. This may be excellent advice when it comes to mental health but the political health of a nation needs minding. A nation needs convincing, all of the time. A nation needs watching. A nation needs minding. Due diligence is always overdue. It only takes a few to make more than a few. The few can be good or bad people. The success of the quest, be it pure or evil, depends on our level of activism and our passion for the cause. Its about how we vote and the study we put in to making our choice. Most of us take more time to check in to the past history of a car than the person we vote for. This is how we participate in history. But there is more needed when needs be, and the need was never greater. Much of Europe has been taken over by the neo-fascists. There is always trouble in some part of the world. Right now the trouble is everywhere in the world. Populism will seek weaknesses and feed of the errors of those who are inefficient or even incompetent. The fascist far-right have been emboldened and energised by the success of Trump. These last few months have been the most compelling in our times. History was an everyday occurrence. Did we ever think there was the capability for a civil war in the United States? Militia roam the state capitols. Some are armed with automatic weapons. On January 6, the Capitol was taken over. Five people died. There are forces on the extreme left who want a war with those on the extreme right. The insurgencies are not confined to Trump supporters. The revolutionaries on both sides could be quelled easily enough by the forces of law and order if it were not for the easy availability of guns. The right to bear arms is enshrined in the US constitution. Those who sought to bring down our democracy had to smuggle in the guns. Gardai were murdered in the line of duty. An embassy was burned down by the mob. I phoned a friend and canvassed him for Joe Biden. He left Ireland a good few years ago during the recession. There have been so many, I can hardly remember which one. Im voting for Trump, he said. I was in shock. Back home he would have been a socialist, always giving out about a country where it wasnt what you knew, but who you knew. But money made a republican out of him. One thing my friend said stuck in my mind. Billy, if only Trump had kept his big mouth shut he would have got in easily. That was scary. I called him again on January 6. There was no reply. He did text back. Know youre not calling to wish me a happy Womens Christmas. I know. I know. Its awful. I replied, You voted for him. Joe Biden will always be known as President Biden. He will seek to unite rather than divide. Ambassador Kevin OMalley, who fought with all of his considerable might for his fellow Mayo man, summed it up for me. I was invited to a Zoom call with a number of prominent Irish Americans who sought to secure the Irish vote for President Biden. Heres what Kevin OMalley said. We must fight the little lies and the big lies. Due diligence is part of that ever ready eternal vigilance. Can you remember the name of the candidate who ran for the presidency here in 2018 and won 23pc of the vote? Heres a clue. He spoke very briefly about Travellers getting houses. He was on 2pc and then he got 342,000 votes on the back of about four sentences. History never sneaks up on us. There are always warnings. The good will prevail only if we all take part in the struggle. Nail the little lies and the big lies. President Joe Biden is the grandfather of the nation. This is a time for grandfathers. Wisdom is acquired over a good many years. Courage and conviction were there from the beginning. The president has been through so much. You can see the sadness in his eyes sometimes. That grief for those he loved and lost has opened up Biden to the sufferings of others. He sees. He notices. He acts. Those who know the president as a friend say he is kind and steadfast. He loves us and our country. There will be no need to teach Joe Biden all about Ireland. He has always been on our side. The grandfather of Ireland might be the right title for Joe Biden. Never did we need more help from our elders. But first we must help ourselves. The little lies and the big lies must be called out. Whim voters are more dangerous than armed insurrectionists. History is judging us now, because history is now. There is no time to lose. We must nail the lie straight away. 3 1 of 3 Courtesy photo /Texas Department of Public Safety Show More Show Less 2 of 3 / Show More Show Less 3 of 3 A man landed behind bars for allegedly driving a stolen vehicle, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. A trooper attempted a traffic stop on a 2008 Nissan Maxima at about 3:16 p.m. Jan. 19 on FM 649 in Jim Hogg County. DPS said the driver refused to stop and started to evade. Gardai are clamping down on breaches of the 5km rule Ahead of the weekend, Gardai have once again called on the public not to flout the COVID-19 restrictions, in order to help stem the spread of the virus. The call comes after An Garda Siochana revealed they have issued more than 400 fines for non-essential travel since they commenced enforcing fines for breaches of the travel restrictions on Monday of last week. Gardai said the vast majority of those, more than 300, were issued over the past weekend for suspected incidents under Operation Fanacht for breaches of public heath regulations relating to non-essential travel. "As of last Friday evening (January 15), 74 fines for non-essential travel had been processed. The fines issued over the weekend will now be checked and processed. Once these are processed, definitive figures will be available later this week," said a Garda spokesperson. The Public Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) Regulations 2020, as amended, which is currently being enforced states inter alia that 'an applicable person shall not leave his or her place of residence without reasonable excuse'. This is a Penal Regulation and enforceable. While Gardai have said they recognise the need for members of the public to get out for exercise and fresh air, in accordance with the current Level 5 regulations, this can only be done 'within a 5km radius of a person's place of residence. However, Gardai have reported numerous incidents over the past week where people have been found to be in breach of the regulations when stopped at checkpoints. They have also been operating high-viability patrols around key locations including beaches, public amenities, parks and scenic areas. Examples in Cork include people gathering in large numbers at Corrin Hill near Fermoy on Sunday, with Gardai attending ordering them to leave the area. Gardai had to break up a road-bowling score attended by a large crowd of people along roads in the Bottlehill area of Burnfort near Mallow on Sunday afternoon. Arriving to the area at around 1.30pm, Gardai from Mallow found at least 50 people in attendance at the event. They took the names and addresses of dozens of individuals in attendance, issuing several 100 fixed payment notices for breaches of the 5km travel restrictions. More that 35 fines were issued on Sunday alone in the Garda West Cork division to people who had travelled to local amenities and beauty spots in the area, including one man who had travelled from County Meath. Gardai also issued fines to people visiting Garretstown beach after they were deemed to have travelled beyond their 5km limit. On Sunday, Gardai from Fermoy stopped and seized a vehicle in Mitchelstown after a mobility device told them that the driver had no licence, tax or insurance. The driver was arrested after a roadside test found cannabis in their system, and the occupants were also found to be travelling outside the 5km limit without a reasonable excuse. Fermoy-based crime-prevention officer Sgt John Kelly said the message to people was a simple one: "Do not travel outside 5km unless it is for a genuine reason". "We will be maintaining high-viability patrols at locations highlighted last weekend and at other appropriate areas; checkpoints under Operation Fanacht on both primary and secondary routes; and foot patrols in local parks and on beaches," he said. He said that while the inclement weather predicted for the weekend "might possibly act as another policeman" in terms of discouraging people from travelling people must still abide by the 5km regulations "In fairness, for the most part, people are being compliant, but you will always get the odd person who will challenge a Garda order, and they will be fined," he warned. "It is a case of us all being in this together for one last push against this virus. This is not the time for people to be letting their guard down." YES BANK on Friday said that its board has approved of raising funds of up to 10,000 crore. "Raising of funds for an amount aggregating up to 10,000 crores (Rupees Ten Thousand Crores), in one or more tranches, on such terms and conditions as it may deem fit, by way of issuance of securities, through one or more permissible mode(s) including but not limited through a Qualified Institutions Placement/ Rights Issue / Global Depository Receipts / American Depository Receipts / Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds / Further Public Offering or a combination thereof, subject to shareholders enabling approval," the bank said in the regulatory filing. "Seeking shareholders approval (by way of a special resolution) in relation to the raising of funds as mentioned above, by means of a postal ballot," the bank further mentioned. The bank had floated follow-on public offer (FPO) of 15,000 crore in July 2020 to shore up its buffers that have fallen below the regulatory thresholds. However, it was subscribed 95% on the final day so it raised 14,267 crore through its FPO. YES BANK on Friday reported a 16.5% quarter-on-year increase in net profit to 151 crore for the quarter ended on 31 December. The private lender's net interest income, the difference between interest earned and interest, expended 29% quarter-on-quarter to 2,560 crore in the quarter under review. Provisions in the quarter under review increased 85.3% quarter-on-quarter to 2,199 crore, against 1,187 crore in Q2FY21, the bank said in the filing. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The bishops sign a statement after the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons enters into force. Pope Francis encourages States and all people to work decisively toward promoting conditions necessary for a world without nuclear weapons, contributing to the advancement of peace and to multilateral cooperation. The bishops of Hiroshima and Nagasaki issued a joint statement against deterrence theory. Vatican City (AsiaNews) The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) entered into force yesterday, 22 January 2021. Adopted on 7 July 2017, it outlaws the use, threat, possession and stationing of atomic weapons. To mark the event, the worlds Catholic bishops issued a statement. It reads: The worst of all weapons of mass destruction has long been deemed immoral. Now it is also finally illegal. It is encouraging that the majority of UN member states actively support the new treaty by adopting, signing, and ratifying it; what is more, public opinion polls show that most people believe that nuclear weapons must be abolished. Last Wednesday, Pope Francis also spoke about the entry into force of the Treaty, underlining that This is the first legally binding international instrument explicitly prohibiting these weapons, whose use has an indiscriminate impact, strikes a large amount of people in a short time and causes long-lasting damage to the environment. For this reason, I strongly encourage all States and all people to work decisively toward promoting conditions necessary for a world without nuclear weapons, contributing to the advancement of peace and to multilateral cooperation which humanity greatly needs today. Adopted by 122 member states of the United Nations General Assembly in 2017, the treaty was ratified by 50 signatories at the end of October 2020, which allowed it to enter into force 90 days after the 50th signature. However, the signatures of existing nuclear powers United States, Russia, China, France, Great Britain, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea are missing. Japan, the only country struck by nuclear weapons, has refused to sign the treaty arguing that its effectiveness is doubtful without the participation of nuclear powers. in a recent interview with Vatican News, Mgr Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, said: On the one hand, we are concerned that the nuclear powers often seem to be turning away from nuclear multilateralism and the negotiating table, as evidenced by a certain erosion of the nuclear weapons architecture, highlighted by the abandonment of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, the weakening of the Iranian JCPOA (Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action), the uncertainty of the future of the aforementioned START, and increasing military spending not only on maintenance but also on the modernization of nuclear arsenals. On the other hand, we must be motivated and proactive by remaining steadfast in our efforts to work towards nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The promotion and implementation of TPNW and the 10th NPT Review Conference, scheduled for August of this year, are two clear opportunities to advance a world without nuclear weapons. In a joint statement released yesterday, Bishop Mitsuaki Takami of Hiroshima and Bishop Mitsuru Shirahama of Nagasaki, define the Treaty as the most effective step for the abolition of nuclear weapons, noting however that there is one last major obstacle that must be overcome and that is the theory of deterrence that places countries like Japan under the so-called nuclear umbrella. As Catholic bishops and Japanese citizens from the bombed cities, we share Pope Francis' confidence that a world free of nuclear weapons is possible and necessary 'to protect all life'. Everyone, nations with and without nuclear weapons, must unite to participate in building a world free of nuclear weapons. The Japanese prelates go on to say that Many countries have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and we renew our commitment to pray that the countries that possess nuclear weapons also ratify it, resulting in the full implementation of the treaty. More is needed however. As Bishop Gallagher said, it is necessary to intensify efforts to counter the pressures against multilateralism and overcome the dynamic of suspicion and distrust. The correct implementation of these tools represents, in fact, a fundamental step on the path towards a world free of nuclear weapons. There is, then, another significant aspect that this path requires; an aspect that is fully recognized in the TPNW: the importance of both education for peace and disarmament in all its aspects, and of raising awareness of the risks and consequences of nuclear weapons for the present and future generations. These two aspects cannot be underestimated: education and awareness-raising also represent two other important pieces that contribute to composing the mosaic of a world free of nuclear weapons and that require a commitment to significant initiatives aimed at promoting a culture that rejects such weapons, a culture of life and peace, a culture of care. (FP) Gardai have again highlighted how easy it is for people to get scammed by unscrupulous con artists using the cover of legitimate financial organisations. Fermoy-based Crime Prevention Officer Sgt John Kelly told The Corkman of one recent incident that resulted in a Dublin man almost being conned out of a significant sum of money in a scam that has links to Mallow. Sgt Kelly explained that the man received an unsolicited text purporting to be from a bank via a thread previously used by them as a contact. It contained a request for the recipient to enter a pin number, which he did believing the text to be legitimate. However, he subsequently received a security call from his bank in relation to two transactions from his account, one at a premises in Mallow the other at a location in the Midlands, totalling almost 10,000. "Fortunately, the bank was able to put a block on the transactions and we have launched an ongoing investigation into the incident," said Sgt Kelly. He said that while many banks do have apps that can be loaded onto electronic devices for transactions, no bank will ever send out texts or email messages to customers requesting sensitive financial or personal information. "This particular case highlights the fact that this kind of crime can happen to anyone, regardless of where they live. That fact that the transactions in question took place at two different locations miles away form Dublin shows how easy it can be for scammers to operate online," said Sgt Kelly. "We were quite surprised to find out that the victim was quite a young man who we thought would have been a bit more tech savvy and security conscious. That said, it does go to show that people need to be careful when using banking apps and how easy it can be to get caught out. Just because the app is legitimate, it does not necessarily follow that texts or emails that customers may receive are and people need to be very aware of that," he added. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 22, 2021 / XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE:XPHY)(OTCQB:XPHYF)(FSE:4XT) ("XPhyto" or the "Corporation") at the request of OTC Markets, is providing the following comments regarding recent promotional activity with respect to the Corporation. The Corporation has been listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange from July 2019. Since that time, the Corporation has engaged various third parties to provide media, marketing and investor relations services ("Promotional Activity" or "Promotional Activities"). Most of the Corporation's Promotional Activities have been ongoing since listing. Most recently, the Corporation engaged Investor Channel Inc. in January 2021 to provide advertising placements and transaction services. All source materials and content for all Promotional Activity were provided by the Corporation and vetted for factual accuracy by a senior officer of the Corporation. Payment for Promotional Activities was made exclusively by the Corporation. In connection with the creation of the Promotional Activity, the Corporation through its executive management participated in the creation of promotional materials. The Corporation was not involved in the distribution of promotional materials and all Promotional Activities were undertaken pursuant to written or oral agreements with third party service providers and their sub-contractors. The Corporation ultimately had control over the content of all Promotional Activities. The Company was aware of all Promotional Activities from when such activities were engaged (as set out in the Schedule A below) and confirms that the statements in the Promotional Activity are not false or misleading. The Corporation does not believe that the Promotional Activity had any material impact on the trading activity of the Corporation's shares but rather, the fact that the Corporation was developing its products and raising capital was the significant factor in the trading activity of the Corporation's shares. The Corporation, verifies the truth and accuracy of the facts provided in or through all Promotional Activities and confirms that, after due inquiry, no third party has paid for or participated in the creation or distribution of Promotional Activity. The Corporation is not aware, after inquiry, if any, director, officer, employee or service provider providing Promotional Activity has traded in the shares of the Corporation in the preceding 90 days, save and except for the purchase of 10,000 shares of the Corporation on January 7, 2021 by a single service provider who provided Promotional Activity. The Corporation has not issued convertible securities at a discount to market price when such convertible securities were contracted. Schedule A is a list of third party service providers engaged by the Corporation to provide Promotional Activities in the preceding 12 months. About XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. is a bioscience accelerator focused on next-generation drug delivery, diagnostic, and new active pharmaceutical ingredient investment opportunities, including: precision transdermal and oral dissolvable drug formulations; rapid, low-cost infectious disease and oral health screening tests; and standardization of emerging active pharmaceutical ingredients for neurological applications, including psychedelic compounds and cannabinoids. The Company has research and development operations in North America and Europe, with an operational focus in Germany, and is currently focused on regulatory approval and commercialization of medical products for European markets. XPhyto Therapeutics Corp.: Hugh Rogers, CEO and Director Investor Inquiries: Mr. Knox Henderson T: 604-551-2360 E: info@xphyto.com Media Inquiries: MC Services AG Julia Hofmann, Andreas Jungfer T: +49 89 210 228 0 E: xphyto@mc-services.eu Forward looking statements This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "develop", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "propose" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and in this release include the statement regarding the Company's goal of building a successful diagnostic, drug delivery, and medical cannabis company. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including: that the Company may not succeed in developing a commercial product; that the sale of products may not be a viable business; that the Company may be unable to scale its business; product liability risks; product regulatory risk; general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; currency risks; competition; international risks; and other risks beyond the Company's control. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. SCHEDULE A Third Party Provider within last 12 months Date First engaged Currently Active Accesswire Canada Ltd. Sep-19 Y Agora Internet Relations Corp. Dec-20 Y B-Inside International Media GmbH Mar-20 Y BullVestor Medien GmbH Mar-20 N Buyins.com Oct-20 N Cayo Ventures GmbH Jul-19 Y Digitonic Ltd. Mar-20 N Equity Guru Media Inc. Jun-20 Y ex-Cubed GmbH May-19 Y InvestorIntel Corp. Aug-20 N InvestorBrandNetwork Jan-21 N Investing Channel, Inc. Jan-21 Y IR-World.com Finanzkommuikation GmbH Apr-19 Y JG Business Management LLC Sep-20 Y Knox Communications Inc. Jul-20 Y Loud Media & Awareness GmbH Mar-20 N M. Davis & Associates Capital Inc. Apr-19 Y MC Services AG Aug-20 Y Newsfile Corp. Aug-19 N Octagon Media Inc. Aug-20 N Pan European Networks Ltd. Sep-19 Y Proactive Investors North America Inc. Apr-20 Y Think Ink Marketing and Data Email Services LLC May-20 Y Winning Media Inc. Sep-19 N Xolutis GmbH Jan-20 N Zacks Investment Research, Inc. Jan-21 N SOURCE: XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/625530/XPhyto-Provides-Comments-on-Promotional-and-Marketing-Activity Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. David Dibo, Auroras economic development director, said not only did the partnership maintain the use and pay the property taxes, it has exceeded expectations in employment. The agreement said the partnership had to have at least 45 employees, and it has had 85 employees for most of its time there, Dibo said. If you are 30 years and above, it is likely that you have been a victim of some sort of a cyber fraud. It could be clicking on a random email link only for your laptop/computer to crash, your card being used for online transactions or phishing used to steal your personal data. Getting financial compensation from financial institutions for these cyber crimes is next to impossible. But insurance could be one way to protect oneself against such liabilities. In India, the biggest problem is that the handful of cyber insurance products for individuals have more exclusions than inclusions. Losing money in online marketplaces where product is sold but money not received, card cloning to buy products online is excluded as also replacement of computer hardware after a hacking attempt. Insurance regulator IRDAI now wants this situation to change and enable comprehensive cyber covers. A working group set by the regulator has suggested that insurance companies expand their coverage to include unauthorised access to devices, worldwide territory, card cloning and online shopping fraud in their policies. This will of course, come at a price. For instance, a Rs 20 lakh cyber insurance cover could be priced at Rs 12,000-14,000 per annum. Right now, basic cyber covers for Rs 20 lakh (with a long list of exclusions) are priced between Rs 5,000-6,200 per annum and typically cover online transaction fraud and legal (lawyer) charges for cyber fraud incidents. And, conditions apply. For instance, if money got debited from your account during a banking transaction and was stuck, it will be the bank's responsibility to refund the money. Your insurer will not pay for these losses. It will be the responsibility of the insurer to do periodic review of the antivirus software installed in the computer and report suspicious files and malware. Similarly, in case of a fraud using a debit/credit card, it will be the insured's responsibility to block the card within 24 hours of this incident. Any delay would mean that the claim won't be paid. Also, if you are a bitcoin enthusiast and lose money to an online fraud, your insurer won't pay this claim. The same goes for trading in other cryptocurrencies, securities (equity and debt market), foreign exchange, derivatives and commodities. Pornographic sites are of course, a clear exclusion. Since pornography is illegal in India, any payment fraud in porn sites is excluded from coverage. There have been instances where individuals have inadvertently shared their bank account/debit card details or even user identity and passwords of bank accounts/mobile wallets leading to online theft. This will also be excluded under cyber liability covers. The exclusions here are also long, but coverage scope has been improved. The most common cyber frauds related to card cloning, credit card hacking and phishing will be covered. But it will be the responsibility of the insured to file claims within 7-14 days of the cyber crime. Any delay would mean claim rejection. You will also have to file a police complaint and submit a copy of the FIR to your insurer. Some exemption could be provided in cases where financial loss is less than Rs 5,000. At the face of it, the cyber liability coverage proposed by the IRDAI working group is a good starter. Once customers start taking cyber liabilities seriously and depending on the individual digital habits (use of net banking, mobile wallets and frequent online shopping), the policy limits and premiums could be fixed in the future. Had enough of the 50s? A tease of summer could come to South Florida with near record high temperatures by Tuesday, says WSVN meteorologist Vivian Gonzalez. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Look for a high of 84 on Tuesday, she said. Fridays morning low of upper 50s in Miami-Dade and Broward is the last we will see of the 50s temps for at least a week as dry air settles over South Florida, dragging temperatures up a couple degrees each day. Expect highs of 79 degrees Friday and Sunday and the first 80s day on Monday, when temps will reach about 82 degrees. Morning lows will be about 70 degrees. So why is Saturday missing from the heat speak? Credit a negligible and brief cold front that should pass through South Florida late Saturday, shaving off a couple degrees on either end. Expect a high of 77 Saturday and low of 68 degrees Sunday morning before the needle moves into the red and lingers, according to the National Weather Service in Miami. Rain chances are nil through Thursday. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. That said, the weather service still issued a hazardous weather outlook notice since that cold front could bring rough seas, making marine conditions sketchy into the work week, along with rip currents along east coast beaches. Some patchy, dense fog could also linger Saturday morning in Miami-Dade and Broward. The Speaker flayed the SEC for failing to conduct polls though they were to be held in 2018. DC Image VISAKHAPATNAM: Legislative Assembly speaker Tammineni Seetharam called for a referendum on conduct of gram panchayat polls in the state if need be. Addressing mediapersons on Saturday, he slammed state election commissioner N. Ramesh Kumar for going ahead with the polls even as the state government had been expressing its difficulty because the dates clash with the vaccination programme and employees are seeking protection. He asked whether the election commissioner was aware of Article 21 which provides the right to life to the citizens and expressed concern that the decision would affect people. He urged the SEC to re-think on the issue. He called for a referendum to find out the opinion of the people on polls at this critical juncture. Referring to the provisions in the Constitution, he said that nowhere was it written to conduct polls even if it would jeopardise the lives of the people and added that NGOs had boycotted election duty while police would also join them. He wondered how the SEC could conduct elections if the employees and the people revolt against it. The Speaker flayed the SEC for failing to conduct polls though they were to be held in 2018. He also found fault with the election commissioner for failing to consider the opinion of the Chief Secretary and asked him whether it was not a violation of judgement delivered by the judiciary. He wanted to know about who would take responsibility in case there was spread of Coronavirus during elections. Killeen, TX (76540) Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 83F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 66F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. A futher 52 deaths linked to Covid-19 and 2,371 new cases have been confirmed by the Department of Health this evening. According to the Department, 50 of these deaths occurred in January and the median age of those who died is 82 years and the age range is 39-99 years. There has been a total of 2,870 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland with 184,279 confirmed cases. Of the cases notified today, 1,129 are men and 1,194 are women. A total of 757 are in Dublin, 237 in Cork, 154 in Waterford, 123 in Wexford, 114 in Louth, and the remaining 986 cases are spread across all other counties. As of 2pm today, 1,931 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 219 are in ICU. 78 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer said: We know that the ongoing restrictions are very challenging for people but, through the hard work and sacrifice of the vast majority of people, we are starting to see the first signs of a lower prevalence of the disease in the population. "Strictly adhering to the public health measures is the key to making real progress in terms of flattening the curve and lowering the current trends in our hospitals and ICUs. The COVID-19 find-test-trace-isolate process is vital to our efforts. "Our data is telling us that for a third of people, its 4 days or more from the time they first experience symptoms of COVID-19 to the time they get tested. We all need to contact our GP as soon as symptoms occur, so we can trace our contacts and prevent further infections. This weekend, we need everyone to stay the course with hand washing, covering coughs, wearing face coverings and keeping a 2m distance. In order to take care of each other, we need all to stay at home, except for essential reasons, to minimise the spread of COVID-19 to ourselves and our loved ones. Meanwhile, the Government is considering plans to lockdown the country for another six weeks as as the more infectious UK strain of Covid-19 takes a stronger grip. Read More Ahead of a Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 next week it has emerged ministers are considering an extension of the highest level of coronavirus regulations until just before St Patricks Day. It comes as chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan warned last night the UK strain, which is easier to catch, is now at 60pc of cases and growing. Worryingly, the spread of Covid-19 has also surged in nursing homes and other long-term care centres in the last three weeks to levels not seen since the first wave last March and April. Up to January 19 there were 483 deaths and of those 55 were linked to outbreaks in hospital settings and another 155 to outbreaks in residential facilities, of whom 139 were residents of nursing homes. Such a move by Government would mean non-essential retail will remain closed and household visits will continue to be banned until into the second week of March. Bengaluru, Jan 23 : Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa's close aide V. K. Sasikala's prison cellmate and sister-in-law, J. Ilavarasi has also tested Covid-19 positive. She has been admitted to Victoria Hospital, the prison authorities said here on Saturday. Ilavarasi is undergoing treatment at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, where Sasikala has been admitted since Thursday. Sasikala and Ilavarasi have been lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru since February 2017 after the Supreme Court upheld their conviction in a disproportionate assets case. The two along with another relative Sudhakaran were sentenced to four years in jail. Both Sasikala and Ilavarasi are scheduled to be released on January 27. On Thursday night expelled AIADMK leader Sasikala tested positive for Covid and according to prison officials, Ilavarasi was tested for Covid-19 on Friday. The Victoria Hospital in its health bulletin released to the media on Friday night stated that Sasikala's condition was stable and she was comfortable besides being conscious and well oriented. After Ilavarasi tested positive, she was given initial treatment at the prison hospital before being shifted to Victoria Hospital. "Both Sasikala and Ilavarasi were sharing a cell, there were no other occupants. As a precautionary measure, we also tested a couple of officials who had accompanied Sasikala while shifting her to Bowring on Wednesday. They underwent tests which came out negative," prison officials said. Sasikala was reportedly unwell for about a week before being admitted to Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital by the prison doctors with a diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism, urinary tract infection (UTI) and suspected Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI). The 63-year-old Sasikala is serving her prison term in a disproportionate assets case. The case pertains to the amassing of disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 66.65 crore during J Jayalalithaa's tenure as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1991-1996. In September 2013, a special court sentenced Jayalalithaa to simple imprisonment of four years. She was slapped with a Rs 100 crore fine and forced to step down as the CM. The three co-accused V. K. Sasikala, V. N. Sudhakaran, and J. Ilavarasi were also convicted. They were fined Rs 10 crore each. Jayalalithaa challenged the conviction in the Karnataka High Court, which acquitted her of all charges. But, in 2017, the Supreme Court upheld the special court verdict convicting all four of them. Charges against Jayalalithaa were abated in view of her death on December 5, 2016. Soon after Jayalalithaa's death, Sasikala, who is also known as Chinnamma, took over the reins of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in December 2016, but was later expelled from the party by the Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami-led camp. She again came into the limelight in late November 2019, when the Income Tax department had reportedly attached benami properties valued at Rs 1,600 crore allegedly belonging to her under the provisions of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act. It is further alleged that nine properties, located in Chennai, Puducherry and Coimbatore, were purchased soon after demonetisation. PHOENIX (AP) A Las Vegas-based tour bus heading to the Grand Canyon rolled over in northwestern Arizona on Friday, killing one person and critically injuring two others, authorities said. A spokeswoman for the Mohave County Sheriff's Office said the cause of the Friday afternoon wreck was not yet known, but a fire official who responded said speed appeared to be a factor. No other vehicles were involved. It was a heavily damaged bus. He slid down the road quite a ways, so there was a lot of wreckage, said Lake Mohave Ranchos Fire District Chief Tim Bonney. Just to put it in perspective, on a scale of zero to 10, an eight. None of the passengers was ejected from the vehicle but they were all in shock, Bonney said. A lot of them were saying the bus driver was driving at a high rate of speed, he said. A photo from the sheriff's office showed the bus on its side on a road that curves through Joshua trees with no snow or rain in the remote area. There were 48 people on the bus, including the driver, authorities said. After the crash, 44 people were sent to Kingman Regional Medical Center, including two flown by medical helicopter, spokeswoman Teri Williams said. All the others were treated for minor injuries, she said. Two people were critically injured, said Mohave County sheriff's spokeswoman Anita Mortensen. The bus was heading to Grand Canyon West, about 2 1/2 hours from Las Vegas and outside the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park. The tourist destination sits on the Hualapai reservation and is best known for the Skywalk, a glass bridge that juts out 70 feet (21 meters) from the canyon walls and gives visitors a view of the Colorado River 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) below. Before the pandemic, about 1 million people a year visited Grand Canyon West, mostly through tours booked out of Las Vegas. The Hualapai reservation includes 108 miles (174 kilometers) of the Grand Canyons western rim. In addition to the Skywalk, the tribe has helicopter tours on its land, horseback rides, a historic guano mine and a one-day whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River. Rafters who are on trips through the Grand Canyon also can get on and off the river on the reservation. In a statement issued late Friday, the Hualapai Tribe and its businesses said they were saddened by the rollover and that safety is the highest priority for guests, employees and vendors. As a people, our hearts go out to those so deeply affected, the statement read. We wish speedy recoveries to those requiring medical attention. National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway said he didn't immediately have more details about the crash. The agency doesn't send investigators to all bus crashes. Other, deadly crashes have happened before in the area. Four Chinese nationals died in 2016 when their van collided with a Dallas Cowboys staff bus headed to a preseason promotional stop in Las Vegas. In 2009, a tour bus carrying Chinese nationals overturned on U.S. 93 near the Hoover Dam, killing several people and injuring others. The group was returning from a Grand Canyon trip. Federal investigators cited driver inattention as the probable cause of that crash. The bus driver was attempting to fix a problem with airflow through his door before the crash and became distracted, then veered off the road and overcorrected before crossing a median and overturning. Most of the passengers were ejected. ___ Fonseca reported from Flagstaff. Associated Press reporters Ken Ritter and Michelle L. Price in Las Vegas, Terry Tang in Phoenix and AP/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative corps member Sam Metz in Carson City, Nevada, contributed. A group of Democratic lawmakers led by 'Squad' members Ayanna Pressley and Cori Bush has called on President Joe Biden to commute the sentences of all 49 federal death row inmates, as they slammed the execution spree that closed out Trump's presidency. The group, also including Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib, sent a letter to Biden on Friday in which they highlighted their 'grave concerns regarding the death penalty', which they branded 'cruel and heinous'. The letter, signed by 35 lawmakers in total, urged Biden 'to take swift, decisive action' to commute the sentences of the people on federal death row, calling it a 'crucial first step in remedying this grave injustice'. It came after Trump's administration carried out 13 executions in total, three of which were carried out in his final week in office. A group of Democratic lawmakers led by 'Squad' members Ayanna Pressley and Cori Bush has called on President Joe Biden to commute the sentences of all 49 federal death row inmates Bush claimed in a tweet that 'we must end federal executions for good', pictured Biden (pictured above on Wednesday) said that as president, he would 'work to pass legislation to eliminate the death penalty at the federal level and incentivize' states to do the same 'By exercising your clemency power, you can ensure that there would be no one left on death row to kill,' the Democrats wrote in Friday's letter. 'Given the historic nature of your administration, this would be an unprecedented - but necessary - action to reverse systemic injustices and restore America's moral standing 'We believe that rebuilding the dignity of America requires that we recommit ourselves to the tradition of due process, mercy, and judicial clemency when it comes to matters related to the criminal legal system.' 'This moment demands a series of meaningful actions to ensure that no President can authorize the killing of Americans through the death penalty,' it continued. 'This includes dismantling death row at FCC Terre Haute, and establishing clear executive guidelines prohibiting federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.' The letter, signed by 35 lawmakers, urged Biden 'to take swift, decisive action' to commute the sentences of death row inmates, calling it a 'crucial first step in remedying this grave injustice' During his campaign, Biden said that as president, he would 'work to pass legislation to eliminate the death penalty at the federal level and incentivize' states to do the same. He claimed it is on his list of plans for criminal justice but has not yet commented on the topic since he took office. 'The President, as you know, has stated his opposition to the death penalty in the past,' his press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday. 'He remains - that remains his view. I don't have anything more for you in terms of future actions or mechanisms, though.' President Obama halted federal executions in 2015 but they were revived under Trump. In July 2019, then Attorney General Bill Barr announced that the moratorium was ending after an almost two-decade hiatus. Before this, there had been only three executions since 1963, all of which were in the early 2000s. In 2020, the U.S. carried out ten executions, which was more civilian prisoners than all the states combined over the same period. They included three federal inmates who were put to death just over a week ago: 'Womb raider' Lisa Montgomery; Corey Johnson, a Virginia man linked to seven murders; and Dustin Higgs, who was convicted for his role in the murder of three women. 'Womb raider' Lisa Montgomery was put to death last week at the end of Trump's spree Corey Johnson, a Virginia man linked to seven murders; and Dustin Higgs, who was convicted for his role in the murder of three women were among those put to death under Trump Trump had voiced his support for the death penalty long before he decided to run for president. 'Either it will be brought back swiftly, or our society will rot away,' Trump told Playboy magazine in 1990. Yet Friday's three-page letter accused Trump of 'carnage and unrestrained violence' for the 13 executions that were carried out under his watch. 'We must end federal executions for good,' Congresswoman Bush added in a tweet Friday. 'The Obama administration paused executions, but Trump's reversal and ensuing killing spree proved that a moratorium is not enough.' The letter calls for a commutation of the sentences, not a pardon, meaning the inmates' sentences would be reduced, but they would not be cleared of any charges or have to be released from prison. If Biden chooses to take up the call, he could commute the sentences to life in prison. The Democrats claimed that in order for the country to find 'accountability and healing,' it must 'first acknowledge the moral depravity of federal executions'. 'Like slavery and lynching did before it, the death penalty perpetuates cycles of trauma, violence and state-sanctioned murder in Black and brown communities,' it continued. Of the prisoners currently on death row, 21 are white, 20 are black, seven are Latino and one is Asian. The letter also called for the closure of death row at FCC Terre Haute in Indiana, pictured The letter is the latest step in a series of actions from Democrat lawmakers eager to see an end to federal executions in the U.S. On December 15, before Biden took office, Pressley sent him a letter in which she claimed that his 'historic election with record turnout represents a national mandate to make meaningful progress in reforming our unjust and inhumane criminal legal system.' It came five days after the execution of Brandon Bernard and told Biden that 'with a stroke of a pen, you can stop all federal executions'. Pressley had also proposed legislation to eliminate capital punishment in July 2019 when AG Barr first announced executions would be restarting. And earlier in January, she joined with Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin to unveil further legislation that would seek to end federal capital punishment. 'State-sanctioned murder is not justice,' Pressley said. It has placed focus on the issue as the Democratic Party takes complete control of Congress. Yet, it is unclear if the legislation would garner support among House and Senate Republicans. With the Senate at a 50-50 split with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie, it would need the full support of Democrats, if not bipartisan support to be passed. 1. Yes. The public must have assurances that ethical standards are met by everyone. 2. Yes. As long as an independent board hears the grievances, its a worthwhile idea. 3. No. The concept is too broad. It should be limited to the citys elected officials. 4. No. There are plenty of stipulations in place already. An ordinance is a waste of time. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say without seeing how it would be structured and applied. Vote View Results House Bill 133 aims to extend Medicaid coverage to eligible new mothers. The House version of the bill calls for a one-year extension, whereas the Senate version calls for a six-month extension. Advocates say the bill could reduce the states maternal mortality rate. Currently, the state offers Medicaid for two months after giving birth. Should Texas extend Medicaid for eligible new mothers for six months or one year? You voted: BALTIMORE (AP) President Joe Biden took executive action Friday to speed a stopgap measure of financial relief to millions of Americans affected by the coronavirus pandemic while Congress begins to consider his much larger $1.9 trillion package. The two executive orders that Biden signed would increase food aid, protect job seekers on unemployment and clear a path for federal workers and contractors to get a $15 hourly minimum wage. This can help tens of millions of families especially those who cannot provide meals for their kids, Biden said. A lot of Americans are hurting. The virus is surging. ... No matter how you look at it, we need to act. Biden described the pandemic situation in the U.S. as bleak, saying the virus could not be stopped in the next several months and predicting that well over 600,000 would die. The nation's death toll has just passed 400,000. The administration has emphasized the orders are not substitutes for the additional stimulus that Biden says is needed beyond the $4 trillion in aid that has already been approved, including $900 billion this past December. Several Republican lawmakers have voiced opposition to provisions in Biden's plan for direct payments to individuals, state and local government aid and a $15 hourly minimum wage nationwide. Most economists believe the United States can rebound with strength once people are vaccinated from the coronavirus, but the situation is still dire as the disease has closed businesses and schools. Nearly 10 million jobs have been lost since last February, and nearly 30 million households lack secure access to food. One of Biden's orders asks the Agriculture Department to consider adjusting the rules for food assistance, so that the government could be obligated to provide more money to the hungry. Children who are unable to get school meals because of remote learning could receive a 15% increase in food aid, according to a fact sheet provided by the White House. The lowest-income households could qualify for the emergency benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. And the formula for calculating meal costs could become more generous. The order also tries to make it easier for people to claim direct payments from prior aid packages and other benefits. In addition, it would create a guarantee that workers could still collect unemployment benefits if they refuse to take a job that could jeopardize their health. Biden's second executive order would restore union bargaining rights revoked by the Trump administration, protect the civil service system and promote a $15 hourly minimum wage for all federal workers. The Democratic president also plans to start a 100-day process for the federal government to require its contractors to pay at least $15 an hour and provide emergency paid leave to workers, which could put pressure on other private employers to boost their wages and benefits. These orders arrive as the Biden White House has declined to provide a timeline for getting its proposed relief package through, saying that officials are beginning to schedule meetings with lawmakers to discuss the proposal. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a Thursday briefing that the proposal has support ranging from democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. But not all components of the package are popular among Republicans, and that could delay passage in ways that could injure the economy. Psaki stressed that Biden wants any deal to be bipartisan and that the process of meeting with lawmakers to talk through the plan is just beginning. Biden must balance the need for immediate aid against the risk of prolonged negotiations. Psaki told ABC's Good Morning America on Friday that Biden is not going to take tools off the table" as he looks to bring Republicans to the table, and she argued that the back-and-forth is exactly how it should work." Well figure out what the sausage looks like when it comes out of the machine," she said. Neil Bradley, chief policy officer at the Chamber, told reporters Thursday that Congress should act fast to approve the roughly $400 billion for national vaccination and reopening schools and other elements of the plan with bipartisan support, rather than drag out negotiations. Were not going to let areas of disagreement prevent progress on areas where we can find common ground, Bradley said. We cannot afford six months to get the vaccination process working right. ... We cant even wait six weeks to get vaccinations distributed and schools reopened. ___ AP writer Zeke Miller in Washington contributed. President Joe Biden is only the second Catholic head of state in the United States. He is pictured here with his wife and First Lady, Jill Biden, attending his Inaugural Day Mass. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his Irish Catholic roots with an early-morning Mass on his inauguration day. Irish concert violinist Patricia Treacy played Ag Criost an Siol, the music for which was composed by Sean O Riada, during the Mass attended by President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and their family. While the words for Ag Criost An Siol (To Christ the Seed) were written by a Clare poet/priest Micheal O Miochain in the 18th century,, the poem was set to music by Sean O Riada when he lived in Cuil Aodha in 1964/5. It was first performed when O Riada's Aifreann 1 was celebrated by the late Cardinal Tomas O Fiaich in a church in Tallaght in Dublin in 1967. "It's mighty to hear that it was to be played for President Biden," Peadar O Riada said on Wednesday. He was also delighted to learn that the music composed by his father would be played on a 300-year-old Stradivarius violin. "There's rarely a minute of any day throughout the year where Irish families all over the world aren't attending a religious event - be it a wedding, a Funeral or a Christening - where Ag Criost an Siol or Ar nAthair are being played," he said. "These are iconic hymns, and the music composed by my father has travelled all over the world." Both hymns featured in Papal Masses celebrated by Pope John Paul II, in 1979, and Pope Francis, during his visit to Ireland in 2018. At the Phoenix Park Mass in 2018, Ar nAthair, the music for which was composed by Sean O Riada; and Go mBeannaithear Duit, composed by his son Peadar, featured in the ceremony. Ag Criost an Siol was performed during Pope Francis' event in Croke Park, also during that visit. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Former President Donald Trump offered his Trump International Hotel in Washington DC to thousands of National Guard troops kicked out of the U.S. Capitol building. Trump authorized 5,000 guardsmen to stay at his luxury hotel Nearly 5,000 guardsmen were brought to protect Joe Biden's inauguration on Thursday. They were forced to take shelter in an underground parking garage after they were told to leave the building. The move created an intense backlash after revealing that the soldiers were forced to sleep on the ground in freezing temperatures and had one bathroom and one power outlet to share, as per One America News Network. An advisor told OAN Friday that Trump stepped in by informing the troops to stay at his luxury hotel near the Capitol. Upon weighing the situation, lawmakers from the Democratic and Republican parties demanded the unit be brought back inside. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said, "Well, I don't want to go out on a limb but let me say this, whatever blockhead in the U.S. Senate decided that the National Guard has to sleep in the parking garage should sleep in the parking garage themselves tonight." It remained unclear who released the initial order. However, some Republicans point their finger at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has remained silent on the issue. Several state governors' have ordered the troops to go back to their homes, as per OAN. Video shows police officers housed in Trump's hotel lobby On Wednesday, Trump's Washington DC hotel posted a video showing the hotel serving the local police officers. Mickael Damelincourt, the managing director for the district's Trump International Hotel, posted on Twitter the same day before President Biden was inaugurated a block away. Damelincourt expressed his gratitude to all the law enforcement officers. Tagging @DCPoliceDept, he encouraged them to enjoy America's Living Room. Trump International Hotel in D.C. houses law enforcement this week. Treatment of military and officers has been in the spotlight this week as news broke of National Guard troops being forced to sleep in a parking garage. pic.twitter.com/xsaxMFyj77 Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 22, 2021 According to Washington Examiner, the video was posted in the same week that the National Guard troops were forced to sleep in a parking lot. The National Guard troops secured the inauguration before they were relegated to rest in the underground parking lot, which drew outrage from politicians on social media. Freshman Rep. Madison Cawthorn, a Republican, tweeted on Thursday that she visited the soldiers abandoned and insulted by leaders. Rep. Cawthorn even brought the National Guard troops pizza and offered them to sleep at her office. "No soldier will ever, ever sleep on a garage floor in the U.S. Capitol while I work in Congress. Our Troops deserve better," Cawthorn continued. Weeks before the swearing ceremony, federal officials led the tabletop exercises to practice inauguration security and strengthen coordination between the National Guard and federal personnel, as per a Washington Post report. Read also: National Guardsmen Forced to Sleep in Parking Garage After Protecting Capitol for Biden Inauguration @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. According to both firms, they started vaccinating nonskilled nursing facilities in Chicago on Dec. 28, about the time they started in much of the rest of the country. But CVS and Walgreens didnt launch the same program for the rest of Illinois until weeks later. Both list their formal activation date as Monday, Jan. 25. Across the entire country, CVS activation date was that late in only two other places: in Wisconsin and in Philadelphia, which has its own jurisdiction. For Walgreens, only Wisconsin was that delayed. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (January 23, 2021) visited Assam and expressed that the rapid development of North East is necessary for an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. PM Modi while distributing land allotment certificates to indigenous landless people in Assam's Sivasagar said, "For a self-reliant India, the rapid development of North East and Assam is necessary. The road to self-reliant Assam passes through the confidence of the people of Assam. Confidence only grows when basic facilities are available and the infrastructure is better." To build an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, we have to focus on the rapid development of the Northeast. pic.twitter.com/Ym3fE5PIt5 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2021 Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that with over 1 lakh native families of Assam getting the right to land, a big concern has gone away from the life of people in Sivasagar. He said, "Today's event is connected with self-respect, independence and safety of the native people of Assam." PM Narendra Modi said that the Centre is taking steps to include Sivasagar in the five most Archaeological sites in the country. Distribution of land pattas/allotment certificates at the large public meeting in Sivasagar was a historic occasion. This will ensure a life of dignity for many and protect Assams unique culture. pic.twitter.com/Y3vyvRfFfB Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2021 The Prime Minister said that even after so many years of independence, there were lakhs of families in Assam who were earlier deprived of land and added that when the Sonowal Government came to power, more than 6 lakh tribals had no papers to claim their land. He said now with the right to land, these beneficiaries can be assured of the benefit of many other schemes, which they were deprived of, like PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Kisan credit card, Crop Insurance Policy. Not only this, but they will also be able to get loans from banks. Prime Minister Modi said that every region of Assam is on the path of peace and progress due to the policy of taking every tribe together. We are working towards Assams development based on the requirements and aspirations of the states dynamic people. pic.twitter.com/fFiOBmWDAI Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2021 "With the historic Bodo agreement, a large part of Assam now has returned to the path of peace and development," said PM Modi and hoped that with the recent election of the representatives of the Bodoland Territorial Council in the wake of the agreement will usher in a new paradigm of development. PM stated, "Over the years, unprecedented work has been done in Assam on both these fronts. In Assam, Jan Dhan bank accounts have been opened for about 1.75 crores poor. Due to these accounts, money was transferred directly to bank accounts of thousands of families in the time of Corona. In Assam, almost 40 per cent of the population are covered under Ayushman Bharat scheme. Out of which about 1.5 lakh have received free treatment." He added that the toilet coverage in Assam has increased from 38 per cent to 100 per cent in the last 6 years. , , , pic.twitter.com/20LoU43bga Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2021 "Five years ago only less than 50 per cent of households had access to electricity, which has now reached almost 100 per cent household. In Assam under Jal Jeevan mission, in the last 1.5 years piped water connections have been provided in more than 2.5 lakh homes," said PM Modi. Live TV Qatar Airways announced Thursday an expansion of its flight services to several American destinations. The Doha-based airline plans to resume flights to Seattle on Jan. 29 and Atlanta on June 1. Qatar also plans to increase its weekly flights to Dallas and Chicago and daily ones to Houston in March. It plans to up its weekly flights to Miami and daily flights to San Francisco in July, according to a press release. Qatar Airways flight network is now relatively close to full capacity amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc on global air travel. In October, Qatar Airways reached 100 destinations. At one point last year, the airline was down to only 30 destinations. It claims to be the "largest airline to have flown consistently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic." Qatar Airways also recently announced the resumption of flights to Saudi Arabia and Egypt. This follows the end of the Gulf diplomatic crisis. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Hedge funds often measure their investments in minutes, not decades; but for Anchorage Capital Group, its long-held stake in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is proving that patience can also be profitable.The New York-based money manager stands to make roughly $2 billion on its investment in the film and TV producer, one that began almost 11 years ago with MGM in bankruptcy court. Amazon.com Inc. agreed to buy the company for $8.45 billion Wednesday, a price that includes just under $2 billion in debt.The deal is in many ways a vindication for Kevin Ulrich, the former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. trader who co-founded Anchorage in 2003 and was part of a group of distressed debt investors that took control of MGM as it went through the restructuring process. In recent years the stake looked to be an albatross for the fund, one that came with significant drama in its own right.Ulrich brought in and later fired a high-profile chief executive officer, resisted efforts by activist investor Carl Icahn to take control, and held out for a bigger payday after years of considering various exit strategies. By selling now, as demand for media content from entertainment and technology companies alike is booming, hes proving his long-held faith in the investment was justified.There was a lot of maneuvering, a lot of financial engineering, said Steven Azarbad, chief investment officer at New Yorks Maglan Capital, an MGM investor who sold his shares four years ago. But theyve done great.A representative for Anchorage declined to comment.When Ulrich first invested in MGM, he was new to Hollywood. He helped pick Gary Barber, a South African-born producer of films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective as chief executive officer of the storied but debt-laden studio. Barber brought to the table a shrewd business sense, and connections into a world Ulrich long admired from afar.Barber shepherded MGMs development of The Hobbit franchise, a co-production with Warner Bros., that became a global smash hit. He helmed the release of the James Bond film, Skyfall, which generated over $1 billion at the box office, and he revived the studios work in television. Barber also brokered a deal to bring on TV super producer Mark Burnett, which gave MGM access to reality show hits like Survivor and The Apprentice, but would ultimately become personally troublesome.In 2012 the company bought back Icahns stock for $590 million. It also filed paperwork for a possible public offering of shares, and considered other options, such as a sale.As Barber boosted MGMs film and TV pipeline, Ulrich was increasingly entranced by the allure of Hollywood. He became a regular at movie premieres in Los Angeles and New York, and frequented industry parties in the Hamptons and elsewhere. He became active in creative decisions after becoming chair of MGMs board -- somewhat unusual for a non-executive lacking Hollywood experience -- even getting involved with business granularities like casting.Growing RiftBut over the following years a rift began to open up between Barber and Ulrich. When it was time to renew Barbers contract in 2017, Ulrich conducted an extensive search for a new CEO. When it ended, he ultimately chose to sign Barber to a new five-year deal. Yet around the same time, the pair split on whether to sell the company, with Ulrich wanting to hang on to the studio and Barber saying it was time to find a buyer.The company would hold buyout talks with Apple Inc. as well as Chinese investors that would ultimately prove fruitless.Only months after renewing Barbers deal, Ulrich fired him. The shock departure meant the company had to pay Barber for five years of salary and buy out his equity, a package totaling $260 million. In the three years since Barber left, Ulrich hasnt replaced him, instead operating an office of the chief executive officer, comprised of various people that each have their personal vision for MGM.Barber declined to comment via his spokesperson.Bounce BackAfter the initial period of success following the restructuring, the gains became harder to come by, as they did in Anchorages overall credit-focused business. Two senior managers left the firm in January 2020, and another in November. Anchorages flagship strategy, with about $8.5 billion under management, returned just 0.6% in 2018, 1.5% in 2019 and 4.4% in 2020, according to people familiar with the matter.In December, MGM hired investment bankers for a potential sale.MGM only released one film in theaters in 2020. Its biggest potential hit, the latest Bond film, No Time to Die, was pushed from last year to this October as a result of the pandemic.Yet the value of MGMs library rose as everyone from media companies to technology giants have sought to build video streaming platforms that can compete with industry leader Netflix Inc. Earnings jumped 48% last year, to about $307 million, even as sales declined.Anchorage holds a roughly 30% stake in MGM, worth about $2.5 billion in the sale, said people with knowledge of the matter. Anchorage invested around $500 million in the company more than a decade ago. Including the MGM stake, Anchorages flagship fund is up 18% this year, the people added. The fund has gained about 8% in 2021 not counting the studio.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. A contractor will conduct a "controlled burn" of about 50 barrels of crude oil that leaked from a Texas Petroleum Investment Co. platform about six miles south of Pilottown on the lower Mississippi River, the U.S. Coast Guard has announced. Officials estimate that between 1,600 and 2,100 gallons of oil were released from the South Pass 24 platform, which is located along a canal that runs along the east bank of Southwest Pass just south of Joseph's Bayou in Plaquemines Parish. The spill was reported to the Coast Guard on Tuesday. The oil company, based in Houston, has hired T&T Salvage and Marine Fire Fighting Company to conduct the on-site burn, which should be completed by Sunday evening, weather permitting. "The incident was discovered after a pressure test failed, identifying a flow line leak," said a Coast Guard news release. "The source is now secured and containment boom was deployed to prevent further spread of oil." Officials with the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are involved in the response. The Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office also is represented in the incident's "unified command." The Coast Guard said the cause of the oil release is under investigation. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Texas Petroleum has reported 37 separate spills involving platforms or pipelines in Louisiana to the oil spill coordinator's office in 2020 and 2021, including 10 involving spills of between 210 and 1,260 gallons of oil. Of the 37 total spills, 12 have occurred in Plaquemines Parish. Many of the spills involved less than a barrel of oil, which is 42 gallons, and many were the result of one of the five hurricanes that hit Louisiana's coastline during the record-breaking 2020 season. The South Pass 24 platform reported a spill of 840 gallons on July 8, 2020, one involving less than 80 gallons on Jan. 22, 2020, and one involving 210 gallons on Aug. 8, 2019. That one was the result of a hatch malfunction on a saltwater and oil storage tank, according to a NOAA report. An elevated platform operated by the company in Breton Sound was the location of an explosion and fire on Aug. 28, the day after Hurricane Laura hit the western part of the coast. Two workers had to issue a mayday call to be evacuated by a neighboring crew vessel, but no oil release was reported. "TPIC proactively patrols all our fields weekly with aerial overflights to help to monitor our operations," the company said in a Friday afternoon statement. "TPIC has significantly reduced total annual spill reports over the last three consecutive years due to increased oversight, flowline replacement projects, and increased testing and inspection frequency. It is also important to note that three of the ten spills over 5 barrels were hurricane related and considered non preventable." Advertisement National Guard members began leaving Washington D.C. on Saturday as angered governors recall troops amid controversy over the conditions they suffered while protecting the U.S. Capitol during Joe Biden's inauguration. There were 25,000 troops stationed in D.C. on Wednesday amid fears of a repeat of the violence seen on January 6 when a MAGA mob stormed federal building. Up to 7,000 service members are expected to remain in the Capitol until February 6 as concerns remain that Biden's first State of the Union address will be targeted that week. Of those, 5,000 troops are predicted to stay until mid-March, Guard spokesperson Maj. Matthew Murphy told Politico. Yet at least eight governors, including Florida's Ron DeSantis and Chris Sununu in New Hampshire, have already pulled back troops, angered at their treatment. Both appeared on Fox News to slam the decision to keep the troops in D.C. after service members were seen sleeping in a freezing parking lot on their breaks, and it emerged that up to 200 members deployed there have since tested positive for COVID-19. The Guard said that Capitol Police had ordered the troops to leave the Capitol building and take their rest breaks in a nearby designated parking lot instead of the federal building. Photos showed up to 5,000 Guardsmen sleeping on the floor of the packed Thurgood Marshall Building parking lot and in a park outside as temperatures hit a low of 40 degrees. DeSantis blasted it as a 'half-cocked mission', claiming they were soldiers not 'servants', while Sununu said that the treatment of the troops was 'demeaning' and 'disrespectful'. Scroll down for video At least eight governors, including Florida's Ron DeSantis and Chris Sununu in New Hampshire, have already pulled back troops, angered at their treatment. They both appeared on Fox News this week to voice their disgust Members of the National Guard listen during a U.S. Capitol tour on Saturday as they prepare for a longer stay Members of the National Guard march on the East Front of the US Capitol in Washington as troops begin to leave .@GovRonDeSantis calls Florida National Guard troops home from D.C. "They're soldiers. They're not Nancy Pelosi servants." pic.twitter.com/K1v16VzOX4 Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 22, 2021 'They're not Nancy Pelosi's servants,' fumed DeSantis as he appeared on Fox & Friends on Friday morning. 'They're soldiers. They've served our country all over the world. They've served our state after natural disasters. They're serving right now, helping with vaccinating senior citizens and they've been on the front lines of the COVID fight.' The Florida governor also took issue with reports that members were vetted ahead of the inauguration amid fears that the event could be targeted by a person on the inside. There were 12 troops dismissed as a result. 'And this comes on the back end of them trying to investigate the backgrounds of our Guardsmen,' DeSantis added. 'Florida, we did not let them go into their political beliefs. I thought that was totally inappropriate. I thought it was very disrespectful for people who are clearly patriots. So, this is a half-cocked mission at this point, and I think the appropriate thing is to bring them home.' DeSantis was backed by Texas Governor Greg Abbot who had sent 1,000 troops for the inauguration but vowed in a tweet that he would never do so again. 'This is the most offensive thing I've ever heard,' Abbott tweeted Monday. 'No one should ever question the loyalty or professionalism of the Texas National Guard. I authorized more than 1,000 to go to DC. I'll never do it again if they are disrespected like this.' DeSantis and Abbot were joining in calling troops home by the governors of New Hampshire, Montana, Alaska, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Tennessee. Tennessee's Governor Bill Lee said he was 'very disappointed in the way this mission came to a close & the overall treatment of the National Guard in DC'. 'We are bringing home our National Guard members from D.C. They served with distinction,' said Alaska's Governor Mike Dunleavy. 'Some guardsmen from other states were treated in a fashion inconsistent with how our service members should be treated.' Troops were given a tour of the U.S. Capitol on Saturday as they settled down for a longer stay in D.C. Up to 7,000 troops are remaining until February 6. Pictured, troops on a tour of the Capitol Some 5,000 troops are expected to remain in D.C. until March. Pictured, service members enjoy a Capitol tour Capitol tours had been restricted since March 13, 2020, but have exclusively been reopened for National Guard members A tour guide gives more information to a National Guard member on a tour of the Capitol The government has been criticized for its treatment of National Guard members during Inauguration week 'These women and men put their lives on the line for our freedom that they would be put out to a parking garage in return is appalling,' tweeted Arizona's Doug Ducey as he shared an image of the National Guard troops in the controversial sleeping arrangements. It showed 5,000 troops in a garage without internet and one bathroom with two stalls between them with chilly nighttime temperatures and caused uproar when shared earlier this week. A string of governors revealed their disgust on social media over the troops' treatment 'I've confirmed that none of our 29 @AZNationalGuard members were among those displaced. They are headed back to AZ. Thank you for your service!' Ducey added. 'With their mission complete, I have instructed Adjutant General Hronek to bring our @GuardMontana soldiers home,' wrote Montana's Gregg Gianafort. 'I've ordered the immediate return of all New Hampshire National Guard from Washington DC,' Sununu also announced. 'They did an outstanding job serving our nation's capital in a time of strife and should be graciously praised, not subject to substandard conditions.' He also appeared on Fox & Friends on Saturday morning when he raged against the conditions faced by his troops while they were in D.C. 'They don't complain but it's my job to really protect the team and make sure they are not put into those substandard conditions, so we pulled them out,' Sununu said. 'If there's another call, there's another mission we're always going to be there, absolutely. But I just needed to make sure we weren't being part of a broken system.' Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also called the situation an 'outrage' as he pledged that it would never happen again. Of the 7,000 troops scheduled to stay in D.C. until February, 5,000 are predicted to remain there until at least March, staying on guard in case of unrest around Donald Trump's second impeachment trial. Many are staying on a voluntary basis but several groups or being forced to remain, according to Politico. Shocking pictures showed up to 5,000 Guardsmen sleeping on the floor of a packed parking garage Thursday, above Insiders described a failure by the National Guard to implement coronavirus testing and social distancing protocols evenly across the board. Pictured up to 5,000 troops in the garage Thursday, a scene with caused outrage among governors National Guard soldiers sleep inside the Capitol Visitors Center of the US Capitol on Friday National Guard outside of the U.S. Capitol as they begin to leave Washington, D.C. after Inauguration Day One guard member whose group is involuntarily staying at the Capitol told the publication that morale was already low due to the long hours and poor conditions but is plummeting further, especially as many of the citizen-soldiers want to be at home with their families during the pandemic. 'The treatment we've received lately and the Covid symptoms we face are taking their toll. Especially as it becomes clear to us that we are no longer wanted,' the person said. 'It's shameful.' Residents had already voiced concerns about the influx of thousands of troops and the dangers it could pose to residents in light of the coronavirus pandemic. D.C. residents had already voiced concerns about the influx of thousands of troops and the dangers it could pose to residents in light of the coronavirus pandemic 'Are the thousands and thousands of national guard members practicing safe social distancing in DC? Wearing a mask or two? Were they all tested before arriving? Are they sanitizing the tanks, weapons, ammo, etc? Asking for a friend,' asked resident Kelly Dyer on social media '@NationalGuard in DC not wearing masks should be ashamed! When I asked a group on MA Ave NW 'you don't wear masks?' They laughed and said 'No.' Our mayor @MurielBowser stresses the importance of mask wearing yet only some are wearing them. They should be doing their job safely,' echoed fellow resident Ella McBride. Their fears were founded this week as at least 200 National Guard members who had been deployed to D.C. for the inauguration have now tested positive. The National Guard did not immediately confirm how many troops contracted the virus but maintained health guidelines were followed. 'When National Guard members departed from their individual states and upon arrival to the DC Armory, they had their temperatures checked and completed a screening questionnaire. Masks and social distancing are required where the mission allows,' a spokesperson told The Hill. 'They are following these procedures daily.' The departure of the National Guard will allow some D.C. residents to breath a sigh of relief. 'Today, there was a sense of calm,' Capitol Hill resident Nagesh Rao said told WUSA 9 as they began to leave. 'I definitely feel relieved.' While he appreciated that the troops were there to keep residents safe, he said it was hard to navigate around the closures. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 04:48:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LONDON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- A 16-year-old boy from South East London appeared at Westminster Youth Court here Friday and was charged with terror offence. The teen, who was not named for legal reasons, was charged with one offence of dissemination of a terrorist publication. He was arrested in December 2020 and subsequently charged following an investigation led by counter terrorism cops assisted by the London's Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command. He has been bailed to next appear at Westminster Youth Court on Feb. 26. A 15-year-old boy from South Derbyshire appeared in court in December 2020 charged with two terrorism offences as part of the investigation. He will also next appear before the courts on Feb. 26. Enditem It's been a long time since Xbox users have clamored for an HDR support for Youtube, but finally it's here. Previous gen and current gen Xbox consoles can now support HDR when you're streaming Youtube on TV. While you watch, you can now tap into the HDR to use your console. For a number of years Microsoft and Youtube has been working on this, but it's here at last. As Flat Panels HD has reported, the Xbox One S from the previous generation and an Xbox Series X from the current generation has successfully worked on the Youtube App via HDR Support. It's highly likely that it also works well on Xbox One X as well as in the Xbox series S although Flat Panels HD has not tested these two other consoles. Thus for Xbox owners, it's best to confirm first if your console supports the latest update or not. However, it's highly likely that it will work on most Xbox consoles. How to Confirm if Your Xbox Console is Compatible with HDR Support for Youtube According to SlashGear, if you have any of these consoles, and you want to confirm that your console is supporting HDR for the youtube app, then you have to test it first. Head over to "stats for nerds" while you are using the app. Then you will find HDR support that actively uses the VP9-2 codec of Google. It's important to bear this in mind since Flat Panels HD discloses that the compatibility of the AV1 codec isn't going live yet as of the time being. Google has not confirmed yet if it has any plans of supporting the AV1 videos in the Xbox YouTube App. As of now, videos that use that specific codec will not be applicable for the HDR support on the Xbox consoles. Read more: Nvidia Shield TV will Now Support Next-Gen Controllers PS5 and Xbox Use Youtube App to Its Full Capacity with HDR Support For the resolution and framerate limit on Xbox One S, it is limited to only 1440p60 given that the HDR is in use. On the other hand, the Xbox X series shows a resolution of 4K60. This is expected since Microsoft has insisted on pushing for the console to be compatible with a 4k resolution. If you're streaming something through your console connected to a TV, things are made easier with the new HDR Support. Now you can watch youtube to its full capacity if you have an Xbox that has an HDR capable display. For now, there's limited support for videos, but we'll keep you posted if the Youtube app will soon support the AV1 codec. Related Article: Xbox Game Pass January 2021: Get 'Yakuza Remastered Collection,' 'Cyber Shadow,' Plus 'The Medium' Debut This article is owned by Techtimes Written by Nikki D 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) Children aged 10 to 14 will be permitted to go out in areas under the modified general community quarantine starting next month, but only when they are accompanied by their parents, Inter-Agency Task Force co-chair Karlo Nograles announced Saturday. Mayroon po tayong karagdagang resolusyon na ipapalabas kung saan strictly enforced po na paglabas ng mga bata ay dapat kasama nila ang kanilang mga magulang, he told CNN Philippines Newsroom Weekend. [Translation: We will release another resolution stating it would be strictly enforced that children should be accompanied by their parents when going out.] On Friday, the IATF approved the recommendation to ease the age restrictions, allowing younger children to go out beginning Feb. 1. The Trade Department earlier made the proposal to ease the age limit to help stimulate economic activity. Current IATF rules permit people aged 15 to 65 years old to leave their homes. Meanwhile, those covered by the age restrictions could only go out to access essential items and services. Nograles said they also discussed within the IATF the suggestion of some business leaders to allow those aged 66 to 70 to go out as well. But he said medical experts in the task force opposed the proposal, noting that people belonging to the age group risk serious illness if they contract COVID-19. But kung sasabihin natin na above 65, palalabasin po natin ay hindi po, as of this moment pumapayag ang ating health sector, he noted. [Translation: Our health sector does not recommend the proposal to let individuals above 65 to venture out.] Afton, Calif. - Afton Road in Butte County will be closed to traffic during an upcoming bridge replacement project. That's according to McGuire and Hester Civil Contractors, the company that will head up demolition and construction of the bridge. It's located a 1 quarter mile East of the intersection of Afton Road and Riceton Highway. The bridge replacement is part of a Water Supply Project for the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. To help ensure public safety and expedition of the work a full closure of Afton Road is being proposed from February 1, 2021, to March 1, 2021. Alternate detour routes will be in place. A public hearing on the closure is scheduled for January 27, 2021, at 9 a.m. You can join the Zoom meeting at Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/91834600864?pwd=VzFtQTN0T2lFYlRaTDhLOXp4cVdXZz09. Meeting ID: 918 3460 0864 Passcode: 2JU1Mx Phuket tourism industry calls to end quarantine for Bangkok arrivals, pitches plan to revive tourism by October PHUKET: Leading representatives from Phukets devastated tourism industry have called for the Phuket provincial government to end the mandatory 14-day quarantine for people arriving from specific districts in Bangkok in the hope of throwing local businesses a lifeline until international tourists return. COVID-19CoronavirushealthtourismeconomicsChinese By The Phuket News Saturday 23 January 2021, 11:56AM Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew recognised the need for urgent action. Photo: PR Phuket The high-powered delegation also called for the Phuket provincial government to prepare to start receiving international tourists from October, ahead of what would normally be Phukets tourism high season, under a plan that would require all international arrivals to be vaccinated for COVID-19 before being allowed to enter Phuket. By that time, the 70% of the population on Phuket is to be vaccinated for the disease. The delegation delivered their plea at a special meeting held at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Jan 22), chaired by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew. Among the key tourism industry representatives present to deliver the plea were Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, President of Phuket Tourist Association; Sarayuth Mallum, President of the Phuket Industry Council; Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, President of the Thailand Hotels Association Southern chapter; Thanusak Pungdej, President of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce; and Anchalee Thepabutra, well-known businesswoman and former Phuket MP. Governor Narong noted that the meeting was a collaboration to discuss ways to stimulate tourism in Phuket that is seriously stagnating from the second wave of COVID-19. Phuket has been hit hard by the second epidemic. Thai tourists do not come because they do not want to quarantine and follow the difficult steps to enter the province, not to mention there are no foreign tourists at this time, he said. We expect foreigners to start coming to Phuket at the end of the year, so for now we have to rely on Thai people together, he admitted. Delivering the tourism-revival plan was PTA President Mr Bhummikitti, who said the COVID-19 vaccine was the last ticket and the last hope for Phuket tourism, because Phuket tourism has no way out at this time. Thai people are unable to travel due to the second outbreak, and foreign tourists are not to be mentioned at all. Vaccines are the hope of the Phuket tourism sector, he said. In order to revive the tourism industry, the private sector in Phuket has come together to discuss and think about ways to promote and bring people to Phuket. The vaccine is now available in many countries that can be the focus of Phukets next travel model for foreign tourists. The private sector sees the possibility of opening to receive foreign tourists in October and through the high season at the end of the year, Mr Bhummikitti said. In October is Chinese National Day. As you know, the Chinese authorities now allow Chinese people to travel to safe cities. We expect that Chinese people will travel here for sure if they believe that we are safe, he added. However, Mr Bhummikitti also called for strong measures to protect Phuket people from infection from foriegn visitors. Tourists entering Phuket must be people who have been vaccinated with the COVID vaccine, and Phuket people must be vaccinated, at least 70% of the population, he said. This is to ensure the confidence of both Phuket residents and the tourists who visit, that they [the tourists] will not be infected by people in Phuket and the Phuket people will be confident that incoming tourists will not bring the disease to spread again, he added. The private sector wants to get clarity from the government whether we can follow this plan or not, because if it is left like this open, close, lockdown and so on, as in the past local businesses are all dead. And we would like to have clarity soon in order to be able to market [tourists coming to Phuket] at least two to three months [before October], he added. Mr Bhummikitti pointed out that the government had promised to work with local industry on all matters related to COVID-19 and keeping the local economy alive. in Phuket, we have not had any infections for a long time. Schools are allowed to re-open and many measures in Bangkok are being relaxed. Therefore, we would like Phuket Province to consider canceling the 14-day quarantine for people traveling from Bangkok, but keep [the quarantine] for eight provinces that are high-risk areas, so that people in Bangkok and other Thai people can start traveling to Phuket again during this Chinese New Year [Feb 12], he said. The move would allow tourism and the Phuket economy to be able to walk once more from having fewer Thai tourists, he added. Governor Narong pointed out, In order to ensure tourists that Phuket citizens as well as incoming tourists are safe from the COVID-19 virus, there will be a tracking system, and a fund established to be used as a remedy [sic] to help those affected if there is an infection from incoming tourists. The vaccine provided to the people of Phuket will be provided by the government, through local government procurement and from private procurement once the government has given the green light to allow purchasing, Governor Narong added. Like millions of others, I listened to President Trump's Farewell Address with a mix of admiration and sorrow. The president's great accomplishments are impossible to refute the creation of a booming economy, record tax cuts for ordinary Americans, restoring our military, securing our borders, cutting regulations, and two vaccines in record time. No president has accomplished as much even in eight years, to say nothing of four. The most important part of the president's address, however, had to do with the preservation of belief in America as a nation. We are united, the president said, "by our common conviction that America is the greatest nation in all of history." Those are words we will not hear from President Biden, nor anything else about American exceptionalism. President Trump stressed that under his administration, "we reclaimed our sovereignty" with respect to the United Nations, NATO, and various international agreements. His "greatest legacy" was to "put the American people back in charge of our country." The danger is that Biden will reverse this democratic populism, along with so much else that President Trump has accomplished. As the president wrote, "The key to national greatest lies in sustaining and instilling our shared national identity." I fear that Biden and those he has chosen for his Cabinet have no idea of a "shared national identity" other than their ideal of "diversity." Diversity, however, cannot be a source of "shared" identity if anything, it is a means of eradicating the shared values, traditions, and heroes that President Trump spoke of. More to the point, Biden's conception of America not only "gets in the way" of national sovereignty, but actively opposes it. Biden is a globalist whose loyalty is to transnational organizations like the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, the World Trade Organization, and other global institutions and non-profits. He will seek to undermine national sovereignty because he believes in world governance, not in governance by nation-states. These views are shared by Antony Blinken, Biden's choice for secretary of state. In an interview with Walter Russell Mead (July 9, 2020), Blinken spoke of finding "new ways to cooperate among nations." "There are now all sorts of groups and individuals," Blinken stated, with "veto authority" over "the decisions of traditional sources of authority and decision making, like a national government[.]" As is common among globalists, Blinken speaks of transferring American sovereignty to international alliances and institutions. Blinken's approach to China, for example, would seem to rule out unilateral action: "We need to rally our allies and partners," he says, not go it on our own. One action that Blinken believes would "rally our allies" is a return to the Iran JCPOA agreement. That agreement, Blinken thinks, would restrain Iran's nuclear ambitions by "jointly" confronting "Iran's actions and provocations." So Blinken thinks a group of nations asking nicely will cause Iran to end its nuclear weapons program? Is this the manner in which Blinken intends to defend our nation? America did not wait to check with our allies before entering WWII on Dec. 8, 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the men and women who swerved in WWII served as Americans in defense of America as a sovereign nation not as soldiers in an international force, regardless of coordination with our allies. Our military strategy was not subject to "veto authority" by foreign nations, non-profits, or global institutions, and our soldiers were not subject to prosecution in international courts. A nation cannot succeed if it is subject to the "veto" of international institutions, or if its people are divided into groups at odds with one another. This is especially the case in wartime, but even during peacetime, the nation's economy and status will suffer, and its ability to defend itself will decline. A young person who believes in the priority of his hyphenated identity will not rush out to defend the nation in time of war. Nor will a young person filled with resentment possess the faith in the future that makes possible the sacrifice it takes to educate himself and to strive for excellence in his profession. His energies will be sapped by the resentment he feels toward others at school and in the workplace. His attitude will be one of defeatism, and defeatism is not the attitude that sparks entrepreneurial greatness or even modest success. Defeatism is a parasite that saps the lifeblood out of an organism, and out of a nation as well. What President Trump warned us of is the continuance of a nation divided against itself. Certainly, he should know better than anyone, for he was the victim of a ceaseless and cynical campaign to divide the country and undermine faith in its elected leader. If we continue down the course we are on the fostering of ever more grievances and resentments we will lose sight entirely of that ideal of America as "one Nation under God, indivisible, and with liberty and justice for all." We will not even be able to conceive of the idea of a "nation" as a polity devoted to higher ideals that apply to all citizens indiscriminately. We will automatically do as progressives are teaching us to do: consider ourselves members of separate groups existing within no nation at all and seeking advantage and reparations at the expense of other groups. President Biden has done nothing to indicate he opposes this destruction of the idea of America as a nation. While he gives lip service to "unity," what he means by unity is the silencing of the opposition's ability to criticize his policies policies intended to foster ever greater hyphenated identity. That is the point of his intention to sign an executive order granting permanent residence to 20 million illegals now living in the U.S., and to allow millions more to enter unchallenged. That is the point of an executive order opening travel to the U.S. from states associated with Muslim terrorism. That is also the point of the expansion of economic opportunities that exclude whites on the basis of race, or that exclude opportunities to white males, as did his selection criterion for his vice president. The more that government policies are based on hyphenated identity, the more we will lose sight of the idea of America as one people. Once that idea is lost entirely, it will be impossible to restore, and our country one can no longer at that point say "nation" will devolve into what amounts to a prolonged war of acrimony, political fraud, violent protest, and vicious rhetoric such as we saw in 2020. At that point, with many groups contending for supremacy, one can no longer speak of the American nation. It was that, the idea of America as a truly united nation with each citizen loyal to it, that President Trump strove to preserve for four years and beseeched us to preserve after his leaving office. Jeffrey Folks is the author of many books and articles on American culture including Heartland of the Imagination (2011). Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Mauritius will use its first 1,00,000 Covid-19 vaccines to inoculate 50,000 frontline workers as part of a plan the government says will contribute to a revival of crucial industries. The Serum Institute of India Ltd.s Covishield shots, which are being produced under license from AstraZeneca Plc, are a donation from the Indian government, Mauritius Government Information Service said in a statement on Friday. While Mauritius has just 28 active cases, according to a statement from the health ministry on Jan. 18, the countrys economy is heavily dependent on a return of tourists from places where the virus is far more widespread. Revenue from tourism, a main foreign-currency earner for the Indian Ocean island nation, slumped 69% from January through November while arrivals in 2020 declined 78% to 308,980. Mauritius is in talks with major pharmaceutical companies and trade partners about securing vaccines to inoculate as much as 60% of the island nations 1.27 million people. It has engaged with Pfizer Inc, which developed a shot alongside BioNTech SE, Moderna Inc, the Gamaleya Institute and AstraZeneca, the statement quoted Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth as saying. The country has also entered into agreements with the Covax initiative, which seeks to ensure equitable access to vaccines, to purchase shots for at least 20% of the population, he said. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. After residents of a town in the state of Washington were initially advised to flee Thursday night because of the threat of a potential explosion, officials lifted the previous order early Friday. Grant County Sheriff's Office stated that the local police, alongside the fire agencies, responded to a commercial structure fire at the Washington Potato Company in Warden, Washington. Based on the statement of the sheriff, there was a risk of ammonia tank explosion. In a tweet on early Friday morning, the sheriff's office gave the town residents the 'all-clear signal.' The town of Warden in the state of Washington is around 90 miles southwest of Spokane. According to the recent Census Bureau estimate, the town's population is approximately 2,800, NBC News reported. At this time, the exact number of residents ordered to evacuate is not clear. The sheriff's office also tweeted late Thursday that authorities issued a Level 3 evacuation, which means 'Go Now' for all the residents in "all areas west of Road U-SE and south of SR170, Warden." The tweet also mentioned that law enforcement officers would go door-to-door to notify all individuals in the area where Level 3 was declared. Officials mentioned, though, that there were no reports of injuries in the town of Warden during the time of declaration. On the other hand, CNN reported that Grant County Sheriff's Office also tweeted that the Red Cross can assist individuals displaced by the #WardenFire. The company behind the commercial structure fire, the Washington Potato Company, owned by Oregon Potato Co., is known for premium quality dehydrated and 'dehydrofrozen' potato products domestically and throughout the world. Read also: National Guardsmen Forced to Sleep in Parking Garage After Protecting Capitol for Biden Inauguration COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE FIRE According to authorities, the fire that had broken out at a potato plant late Thursday has prompted evacuations in parts of Washington state. According to the information gathered by the Grant County Sheriff's Office, no injuries were reported. The video captured online on Thursday revealed flames with a plume of smoke at the Washington Potato Co. in Warden. The authorities issued a level 3 evacuation order for individuals living in the surrounding area around 8:30 p.m. Based on the protocol, Level 3 means individuals should leave the area as soon as possible and do not delay any operation conducted by the authorities. Law enforcement officers will go door-to-door to notify persons in the level 3 area. Residents were also immediately informed that they had to evacuate due to the possible risk of an ammonia tank explosion. The order was lifted shortly after midnight, and residents were allowed to go back to their respective homes. Warden is a small town in the state of Washington with a population of not more than 3,000. According to KIRO, the evacuation notice, which was raised to level 3, included areas west Road U Southeast and south of state Route 170 in Warden. They have also reminded people to leave immediately. Law enforcement officers also double-checked each house to secure that everyone's safe. @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As the All Assam Students Union (AASU) on Friday night took out torchlight processions as a mark of protest against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah visit, Police lathicharged on them, as per local media reports. In Guwahati, police barricaded the AASU headquarters ''Swahid Bhawan'' and did not allow the protesters to move out with torchlights, but the students'' body staged their protest behind the barriers. The police detained several AASU activists in Tezpur. The protesters shouted slogans against Modi, Shah and Sonowal and demanded that the CAA and EIA be repealed along with the implementation of the report of the Clause Six Committee. AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya and president Dipanka Kumar Nath were seen engaged in a heated argument with police officers, who said the rally would be allowed if they handed over the torchlights. He was particularly critical of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who was the president of the AASU when Bhattacharya was its general secretary, for sending police to quell the protest. "It was from Swahid Bhawan that Sonowal reached the chief minister''s office and now he is sending force to stop democratic and peaceful protests. This is shameful and we condemn this," he said. "The constitutional safeguard under Clause 6 of Assam Accord is our democratic right and not any charity by the prime minister or the home minister. Our protests will continue till these demands are fulfilled," the AASU leader asserted. AASU will stage protests in all district and sub-divisional headquarters by covering their faces with a black cloth during Modi's visit on Saturday, and observe ''Black Day'' on January 24 by burning copies of the CAA during the home minister's visit. The NRC exercise and the CAA have been opposed in Assam and AASU alleges that the Central government has violated the Clause 6 of Assam Accord - which guarantees constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the culture, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people. READ | 'BJP Committed To Implement CAA': Mukul Roy In Presence Of Matua Neta Shantanu Thakur Assam Assembly Elections The election to the 126-member Assam assembly is likely to be held in March-April 2021 where BJP eyes to retain the state. Assam witnessed massive protests against the CAA-NRC-NPR, as Assamese people fear a massive inrush of migrants which will threaten their indigenous culture - violating the Assam accords. The BJP is yet to convince the state subjects of the merits of CAA, after the disastrous NRC drive which resulted in the exclusion of 19 lakh citizens. READ | Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): One year since contentious law was passed by Parliament BJP and its stance on CAA On December 6, senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is likely to be implemented from January next year. Vijayvargiya added that the Centre is keen to grant citizenship to the large refugee population in the state. He also accused the ruling Trinamool Congress government of not being sympathetic to the cause of the refugees. However, on December 20, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the rules of CAA are yet to be framed and the law will be acted upon after COVID vaccine inoculation is done. "Rules of CAA are yet to be framed. Due to Coronavirus, such a massive drive cannot be undertaken and hence after inoculation, we will think about it," said Shah. When asked about his 'understand the chronology' remark, Shah said, "Let the first part of the chronology be fulfilled". The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities who came to the country from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014. The Parliament passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill on December 11, 2019, and President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on December 12. READ | Amit Shah says 'CAA rules to be framed after COVID vaccination'; opines on Centre V Mamata READ | On road to West Bengal polls, BJP's Vijayvargiya eyes 'CAA implementation from January' President Joe Biden announced Friday that he was asking the Department of Veterans Affairs once again to delay collecting debts from veterans. According to the White House, an economic relief executive order signed Friday "will help approximately 2 million veterans maintain their financial footing by asking the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to consider pausing federal collections on overpayments and debts." According to the announcement, the executive order will also: Ask states to expand and extend federal nutrition assistance programs (food stamps). Ask the Treasury Department to improve the delivery of relief payments. Prevent Americans from losing their unemployment benefits if they turn down a job that has unsafe working conditions that may expose them to COVID-19. The text of the order, signed Friday afternoon, was less specific. "All executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall promptly identify actions they can take within existing authorities to address the current economic crisis resulting from the pandemic," it read. "Agencies should specifically consider actions that facilitate better use of data and other means to improve access to, reduce unnecessary barriers to, and improve coordination among programs funded in whole or in part by the Federal Government." But Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., confirmed in a statement Friday that the debt collection delay had been extended. "Far too often veterans face unexpected debt collection from the VA, some due to overpayments that were through no fault of their own," he said. "However, this Executive Order will provide the relief so many need and ensure that our veterans can focus on their physical and financial health during these trying times." While executive orders do not carry the weight of law, they often do result in substantial changes in the way that government agencies in the executive branch conduct business. It was not immediately clear when or if affected agencies would begin honoring the president's request. There was no indication on exactly what debts the VA would be requested to suspend or how long the suspension would last. Late last year, the VA announced that it would begin collecting medical copayments owed by veterans for treatment during the previous nine months. The VA had suspended all debt collection since April 2020 in response to an executive order from President Donald Trump. Get the Latest Financial Tips Whether you're trying to balance your budget, build up your credit, select a good life insurance program or are gearing up for a home purchase, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com and get the latest military benefit updates and tips delivered straight to your inbox. Spain has denied a claim it could shut to holidaymakers this summer as a minister revealed it wanted to welcome the first tourists in the spring. Spain wants to 'reactivate tourism' as soon as possible, said the tourism minister, despite reports suggesting Spain might not open to holidaymakers until September. Reyes Maroto, minister of industry, trade and tourism, told the Telegraph vaccinations mean other countries' populations could soon travel safely. She said: 'Our priority in 2021 is to reactivate tourism and resume safe mobility on a global scale as soon as possible. 'We hope that at the end of spring and especially during the summer, international travel will resume and travellers will choose Spain as their destination.' It comes after reports suggested Spain might not fully reopen to holidaymakers until at least September. Pictured, a healthcare worker disinfects his colleague after treating a patient suffering with coronavirus in Ronda, southern Spain Reyes Maroto (pictured), minister of industry, trade and tourism, told the Telegraph vaccinations mean other countries' populations could soon travel safely It was thought Spain could be closed to international travel until September, after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said only 'mass vaccinations will open the way to normality', adding that vaccination was only likely to be completed at the end of the summer. Britons have raced to secure trips to popular spots like Costa Del Sol and Menorca in the hopes of reduced coronavirus restrictions by the summer, MailOnline revealed yesterday. Reservations on rental cottages in the UK are 63 per cent higher than last year as others take the more cautious approach of planning a staycation amid tightening border restrictions in the UK. It was thought Spain could be closed to international travel until after summer, after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (pictured) said only 'mass vaccinations will open the way to normality' But airlines have been encouraging potential holidaymakers to book their summer getaways this month - despite Priti Patel saying it is too soon to tell what the restrictions will be in the warmer months. Last year restrictions were eased as cases fell when the mercury rose, but it is still unknown whether this year will follow a similar trajectory. At Thursday's coronavirus briefing, the Home Secretary said: 'It is is far too early in terms to speculate around restrictions, such as the point you just made should people be booking a holiday.' But one travel agency founder told MailOnline he had seen a 300 per cent increase in bookings this month compared to November. Tom Harding at Nemo said: 'These are split between staycations from March, European trips from around June and longer haul from September. Last year restrictions were eased as cases fell when the mercury rose, but it is still unknown whether this year will follow a similar trajectory. Pictured, police officers in Ronda, Spain 'In the last few days there's been a definite increase in inquiries and bookings but everyone needs really flexible terms so we're offering cancellation up to a month before.' Despite the uncertainty, one recent EasyJet advertisement has encouraged Britons to book now to make the most of cheap prices. It said: 'You deserve something to look forward to... We've got high hopes for this summer we want as many of you as possible to get away on well-deserved getaways. Book now and save 50 per person on your next holiday.' The advertisement, sent to customers in the form of an email, reassured those worried about coronavirus uncertainty that the bookings were 'super flexible'. Yesterday, 42,885 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Spain, alongside 400 deaths. President Joe Biden delivers his Inauguration speech after being sworn in as the 46th President at the U.S. Capitol, on Jan. 20, 2021. (Patrick Semansky/AFP via Getty Images) Dems, Union Leaders Cheer Bidens Firing of Labor Board Lawyer Democratic lawmakers and their traditional labor union allies are cheering President Joe Bidens firing of the National Labor Relations Boards (NLRB) general counsel even though Peter Robbs four-year term had nine months left. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott praised Biden in a statement issued Jan. 20 for seeking Robbs resignation; Robb was fired after declining to resign. It has taken just one day for President Joe Biden to deliver his first major victory for American workers. As General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, Peter Robb has consistently neglected his statutory duty to uphold workers right to stand together and negotiate for better working conditions, Scott, a Virginia Democrat, said. His refusal to uphold the Boards mission during this deadly pandemicincluding unlawfully halting union representation elections and failing to hold employers accountable for violating the lawhas left workers powerless to protect themselves against unsafe workplaces, meager wages, and other forms of abuse. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka described Robb as a union-busting lawyer by trade who, as the NLRBs chief lawyer, mounted an unrelenting attack for more than three years on workers right to organize and engage in collective bargaining. His actions sought to stymie the tens of millions of workers who say they would vote to join a union today and violated the stated purpose of the National Labor Relations Actto encourage collective bargaining, Trumka said in a statement. Robb earned such intense opposition from labor leaders that the resignation request was delivered to him a mere 23 minutes after Biden was inaugurated, according to National Right to Work Foundation (NRTWF) President Mark Mix. Mix told The Epoch Times on Jan. 22 that Biden has received millions of dollars in union campaign cash and in-kind contributions in the course of his 50-year career as a Washington politician, including tenure as a senator, vice president, and now president. Bidens action is unprecedented since the NLRB was created in 1935 during President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal. The general counsel position requires Senate confirmation. A general counsel who was serving during the Truman administration who had time left in his term was asked to resign and complied, but never before has the general counsel for the NLRB been fired, so this is a first, Mix said. The reason they had to get rid of Robb is because he has issued several complaints that give individual workers the right to act under the NLRB Act. The NRTWF head said prior to Robbs appointment in 2017 by President Donald Trump, the NLRB only recognized two parties, Big Business and Big Labor, and finally, a general counsel had the nerve and the courage to stand up and fight for employee rights. Mix was referring to NLRB cases defending individual employees rights such as not having to pay union dues as a condition of employment and their rights to demand elections to decide whether to decertify a union as their representative, among others. Weve got several cases pending at the NLRB that are specifically about giving workers the right to exercise the privileges and powers they were granted under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, Mix said. Richard Trumka and the rest of the Big Labor leaders were desperate to get rid of this NLRB. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Scotts counterpoint on the education and labor panel as ranking minority member, decried Robbs firing as political interference by the Biden administration. President Bidens continuous calls for unity and civil discourse upon taking his oath of office are already proving to be empty aspirations, Foxx told The Epoch Times on Jan. 22. This outrageous ultimatum that General Counsel Robb step down from his four-year Senate appointment less than 10 months before the expiration of his term is unacceptable and flouts the National Labor Relations Act. Foxx said Biden should rescind Robbs termination and allow him to finish the job he was appointed to do independently and free from political influence. Other Republicans on the education and labor committee echoed Foxx, with Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) telling The Epoch Times: This is an unprecedented and divisive action that literally comes right off the lips of President Biden saying that he was calling for unity in the country. He literally spins off the teleprompter to cut out from underneath the labor board their general counsel. Its always been precedent for every single president before Biden that they allowed every general counselregardless of their political affiliation or appointmentto finish out their term. Similarly, Rep. Ron Wright, a Texas Republican, told The Epoch Times that firing Mr. Robb from his Senate-confirmed, four-year appointment speaks volumes to how unserious President Biden and his administration are about truly uniting our government and the nation. The Biden administration seems to be wasting no time with their unprecedented move in favor of Big Labor, and the Congressman looks forward to having these debates in the Education and Labor Committee, Wright said. On the same day Biden fired Robb, he named NLRB member Lauren McFerran as the boards new chairman, replacing John Ring, who was named to the post in 2018. Republicans still hold a 31 majority on the NLRB. Contact Mark Tapscott at Mark.Tapscott@epochtimes.com There is a photo pinned to a board where I write that is just joyous. It was taken on Australia Day a year ago at the beach and features my dear friend John, my dog and myself. Fresh from the surf, our embrace is backlit by a sensational retreating sun and we are all beaming. If ever there was to be a caption happy days, this picture deserves it. Australia Day is for many people about going to the beach. Credit:James Brickwood For John, the picture has a special relevance. He had just returned from a long stint living in the US and it was his first Australia Day back home. As we hit the beach that day and noticed crowds with flags waving and some revellers faces painted with the Union Jack, John flinched. The last time he had seen such a patriotic display was in Sydneys Maroubra, where he lived before he left some 15 years earlier. As a black man, the overt patriotic symbols worried him. Am I OK here? he asked me tentatively. His question broke my heart. You see, I too remember the ugliness of that awful time in December 2005, when so-called loyalists rioted at Sydney beaches after messages calling for a "Leb and Wog bashing day" had been shared widely, producing unruly crowds sporting Southern Cross tattoos and spouting racist slurs. Vision of the shameful exhibition was broadcast all over the world, causing some countries to issue a warning for its citizens not to travel to Australia. This statement was issued by the Texas Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee. We call on all Texas educators, parents and students to join our committee at wsws.org/edsafety wsws.org/edsafety wsws.org/edsafety . Attend and help build for our next meeting this Sunday, January 24, at 1 p.m. Central Time. The Texas Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee calls on educators and other workers to create and join rank-and-file committees across the United States in preparation for a general political strike to remove and investigate all of the coup plotters involved in the January 6 coup attempt, which was planned in advance and coordinated by Republican officials as well as fascist sympathizers within the military-intelligence apparatus and police. Texas politicians played a central role in the lead-up to Trumps attempted coup. They must be exposed and held accountable for their assault on the democratic rights of the working class. Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021, file photo, (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz opposed the certification of the election in the four states in which Trump was trying to overturn the results and repeated false allegations of election fraud. Joining Cruz, many Texas Republican congressional representatives voted against certifying the results of the election in Arizona and Pennsylvania. The list includes Louie Gohmert, Pat Fallon, Lance Gooden, Ron Wright, August Pfluger, Ronny Jackson, Randy Weber, Pete Sessions, Jodey Arrington, Troy Nehls, Roger Williams, Michael Burgess, Michael Cloud, John Carter, and Brian Babin. Beth Van Duyne voted against certifying Pennsylvania. Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, is also implicated in the coup plot, along with Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. Abbott repeated the false charges of election fraud circulated by Trump and the Republicans. He denounced the vetting by the FBI and Department of Defense of National Guard soldiers sent to the Capitol from Texas, tweeting on January 18: This is the most offensive thing Ive ever heard. No one should ever question the loyalty or professionalism of the Texas National Guard. I authorized more than 1,000 to go to DC. Ill never do it again if they are disrespected like this. Within two days, 12 National Guard soldiers were removed from protective detail in Washington, DC, after investigators found that they had ties to right-wing extremist organizations or espoused their views. Abbott has issued no retraction of his statement. In December, Ken Paxton, the attorney general of Texaswho has carried out an unrelenting assault against Texas educatorsfiled a brief to the Supreme Court asking it to overturn the results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, and hand the appointment of electors to the Republican-controlled state legislatures in each state. After this, Paxton incited a fascist mob in a speech at the March to Save America rally, where Trump himself stated, we will never concede. Paxton has worked in Texas to force schools to reopen, tying school funding to in-person education when there were already over 500,000 cases in Texas. When Texass openly anti-constitutional attempt at mass voter disenfranchisement failed, state GOP Chairman Allen West called for the formation of a secessionist movement, stating, Perhaps law-abiding states should bond together and form a Union of states that will abide by the constitution. On January 8, Chair of the State Republican Executive Committee and Texas Senator for Senate District 12 Jill Glover issued a press release titled Legislative Priorities, providing a glowing account of the January 6 rally, which she attended. The statement reads in part: Coming home from Washington, D.C., yesterday on the plane, I began trying to write this report and was simply unable to come up with anything to say that wouldnt sound trite. Everything about the trip was surreal. Most of the people on the flight were Texans who had also attended the rally, including many of our wonderful activists from around the state. Representative Kyle Biedermann sat behind me, and we chatted about where we go from here. I told him I wasnt sure what to say, and he [sic] reply was, Just tell the truth. Who are these people that Glover calls our wonderful activists, about whom she clearly has knowledge? Who among them breached the capitol walls? Who had knowledge of the bombs that were planted, caches of rifles, and plans to kidnap and kill congressmen? What are their ties to the political establishment in Texas? Such questions need to be answered before the masses, not in a closed investigation in which essential truths about the role of top officials in the attempted coup will be hiddenor never take place. There is overwhelming mass opposition to the coup attempt, with a joint ABC News/Washington Post poll stating that Nine in 10 Americans oppose the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The poll found that 71 percent believe Trump bears at least some responsibility for the attack. In spite of this opposition and the overwhelming public evidence of the roles played by high-ranking Republicans, the Democrats and all the unionsincluding, in Texas, the Texas AFT and the Texas State Teachers Association, who claim to represent teachershave ordered no strike nor made a call for the removal and prosecution of all the coup conspirators. In fact, none of the unions in Texas or the rest of the US have issued any call for action whatsoever. Trumps departure from office is not the end of the anti-democratic machinations of the American ruling class, and workers cannot have any illusions that a Biden presidency will either stop the growth of the far right or bring an end to the deadly pandemic. The incoming administration, whatever its promises regarding mask mandates and ramping up vaccine distribution, is openly committed to reopening schools and keeping workers in workplaces regardless of spiraling COVID-19 deaths and infections. The attempted coup of January 6 was directly connected to the governments homicidal herd immunity policy, which is in endorsed by both big business parties. Enraged by even the limited shutdowns imposed when the coronavirus first hit, over the course of the past nine months the most right-wing sections of the Republican Party openly cultivated fascist forces that they hoped could be used to overturn the November election and block the implementation of any public health measures providing even the most minimal protections. In the face of this assault, the Democratic Party has preached unity and passivity, and called for reaching across the aisle. They are more afraid of a mass movement of workers in opposition to the ruling classs response to the pandemic and the entire profit system than they are of the far right. And they too understand that coercion, force, and intimidation will have to be used to keep the economy open so that, above all, massive profits can continue flowing into the hands of the super-rich. In opposition to the soporifics of the Democrats, the Texas Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee calls for the fullest investigation into the high-level connections between Texas Republicans, the Trump administration, and the far-right and fascistic groups that coordinated the January 6 coup attempt. We urge educators, parents, students and all workers in Texas and throughout the Southwest to take up this demand as part of a broader struggle to close all schools and nonessential workplaces until the pandemic is fully contained. Join and help our committee by signing up today at wsws.org/edsafety, and spread the word about this Sundays meeting! After temporarily shuttering two bars found to be in violation of ordinances designed to curb the spread of COVID-19 on Thursday, the Laredo Police Department announced the closure of two more on Friday. Vibe, located at 6408 Crescent Loop, and La Patrona Disco Bar, 1011 Iturbide St., were both served temporary restraining orders by police. This has effectively closed each on a temporary basis. Previously, Laredo PD announced TROs had been issued to Blue Moon Country Patio, 9802 McPherson Road, and Social Bar & Grill, 7128 Rosson Lane. No bars are allowed to be open in Webb County due to the COVID-19 hospitalization rate being above the states limit of 15% in the Laredo hospital region. In fact, Laredo has led the entire state of Texas since Dec. 10 in this category and most recently was reported as having a 43.6% rate on Thursday. It also owns the states overall record, 48.4% from last Saturday. However, a number of Laredo bars have reclassified their businesses as restaurants, which has been allowed by the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission since June to keep them operational. But in order to receive this license, bars must offer food and commit that their alcohol sales will make up less than half of their total revenue. According to the city, all of the businesses that received a TRO were not serving food at the time that they were observed by the Laredo Police Department. "Some of these businesses didn't even have the permit to operate as a food and beverage establishment," Laredo PD spokesman Joe Baeza said. "Theres no way these businesses were operating in good faith or conscience in regards to the public health order." A number of businesses were also observed exceeding 50% of their total occupancy, a restriction that was put in place by the state as long as the city was above a 15% rate. Once below this benchmark for seven straight days, an area can expand to 75% occupancy and reopen bars. Laredo made this move itself on Nov. 2 also days removed from the Oct. 31 Halloween celebrations. From October through Nov. 3, Laredo averaged 48 cases per day and eclipsed 100 just three times in 34 days. Since then, the area has averaged 278 cases and been in triple digits 69 of 80 days. Laredo has also seen its positives skyrocket going from 1,553 cases in October to 4,589 in November, leading to new records set in December (6,923) and January (10,794) as spikes continued following other major holidays in Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. With these numbers rising, its important that safety precautions are being followed. And according to the LPD, the recent violations were significant. "In my opinion, they were very egregious, glaring violations of the COVID public health emergency order," Baeza said. "In one extreme case, a parking lot was so full that the cars spilled across the street to an adjacent business." Baeza said the Police Department will continue surveying all businesses, not just bars, to ensure they are in compliance with both the ordinances set in place statewide and locally. Additionally, police are also looking at cracking down on social gatherings outside of homes in the coming days. According to Laredo's emergency order, social gatherings in private residences can include no more than 10 people from outside of one's household. Additionally, no gatherings are permitted at all between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The Laredo Police Department reminds the public that citizens can report non-compliant businesses and gatherings through the Laredo PD mobile app. lsanmiguel@lmtonline.com Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. Ms B.C. writes: In 2019, I booked and paid for a specialist archaeological holiday with Andante Travels to Pompeii. It was due to depart last April but was cancelled due to the pandemic. Andante agreed to a full refund of 2,186, but six weeks later it withdrew the offer and would only give me a voucher for future travel, with the possibility of a cash refund by the end of February this year. Blow: The archaeological trip to Pompeii with specialist holiday firm Andante was axed Tony Hetherington replies: I have received many hundreds of complaints from readers who have been fighting to get refunds from travel companies and airlines, but what made your battle stand out was the threat you received from Andante Travels when you rejected the offer of an IOU and said you would complain to the Competition and Markets Authority, which had issued guidance on customers' rights. Although you had not mentioned court action, Andante's boss Jackie Willis told you: 'If you were to obtain a court judgment, we would find ourselves unable to make the payment.' It appears that Andante would resist any attempt to enforce a court judgment and Willis added: 'We will seek expenses from you on a full indemnity basis in any action taken by you.' In a nutshell then, Andante admitted owing you money, told you it could not pay it, but threatened to land you with a bill for its own legal costs if you sued to get your money back. And this was after you had actually been quite sympathetic, telling Andante you really did understand the problems of the travel industry during the pandemic, but explaining that for just the same reasons, you were unable to work and were in financial difficulties. An IOU promising payment months into the future is not something you can use to pay your mortgage, or your rent, or to put food on the table. Most holidays had to be cancelled over the last year, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic Faced with Andante's threats, you asked your bank, Santander, to use the chargeback system to snatch back your 2,186. This worked, and the money appeared in your account, but at the beginning of December it disappeared after Andante appealed. By then, you had just 350 in your account, so when 2,186 vanished you were pushed into overdraft. Your routine direct debits were not paid, you could not draw cash and you were hit with bank charges. All because Andante had your money instead of you. I asked Santander to see what it could do to help, and remarkably it quickly went even further than I had hoped, offering to scrap all the charges and put more than 2,000 of the bank's money into your account to tide you over until Andante finally repaid you. And this is what has happened, putting your account back into credit at Santander's expense. But what about Andante Travels? It told me it regarded the chargeback situation and your overdraft as 'a private matter between the bank and the customer', neatly ignoring the fact that Andante caused the problem in the first place. And it admitted that it was struggling. Although it is taking bookings for future holidays, Andante told me it was currently unable to operate those holidays. It added: 'This has potentially serious consequences for the financial position of the company.' Its IOUs were guaranteed under the Air Transport Operators Licence scheme, so were sure to pay out eventually, but repaying all its customers right away 'would risk the insolvency of an otherwise viable business'. In normal times, this might well mean that Andante and its bosses were guilty of the offence of wrongful trading by continuing in business while unable to pay its debts. But this bit of law has been suspended by the Government for the moment. However, last Wednesday, Andante suddenly told me: 'Ms C's refund cheque will be sent on Monday, January 25, in line with all of our previous communications with this guest.' This, of course, is false. What it had told you and other customers was that you could use the IOU to book a new trip, failing which it would offer cash by the end of February, not January. Panic at Andante? Who knows, but do tell me if the cheque fails to arrive. Failure: B.N. has tried unsuccessfully to get a refund from Morrisons Morrisons fails to deliver on its lockdown promises B.N. writes: My wife and I are in the Covid-vulnerable age group, so I paid 40 for a pass from Morrisons to receive food deliveries during the first lockdown. However, when we tried to place our first order, we received an email saying no delivery slots would be made available for our address. Since we received nothing at all for our 40, I have written twice to the branch and twice to Morrisons head office, asking for a refund, but I have received no reply. Tony Hetherington replies: You have been chasing Morrisons for months over this, and I sympathise after trying to contact this supermarket giant by phone, only to be sent round in circles by taped messages telling me the answer to life, the universe and everything could be found on its website, when the only answers provided fail to deal with the question you would have asked if only Morrisons had human beings to answer the phone. After finding someone to contact by email, I was told by Morrisons: 'We have apologised to Mr N. We always strive to get things right for customers, but on this occasion got it wrong. 'We have been in contact to refund the money and to inform him of another way of ordering his shopping called our Doorstep Delivery Service, where customers who are vulnerable or self-isolating can place an order over the phone and have it delivered the following day.' Morrisons says it does, in fact, deliver to your address, but during the first lockdown it was sometimes very difficult to book a slot. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. WASHINGTON A new Republican congresswoman agreed in 2018 that the Sandy Hook school shooting was staged, according to Facebook posts that surfaced this week, drawing condemnation from Connecticut lawmakers and calls for her resignation from some gun-reform groups. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., wrote in 2018 that is all true on a Facebook post that claimed the Sandy Hook and Parkland shootings were stagged [sic], along with the 1981 assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The post was surfaced by Media Matters this week. In response, Nicole Hockley, another leader of the nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise and mother of six-year-old Dylan who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, invited Greene to Newtown to see her sons ashes and his bullet-hole riddled sweatshirt. Asked if Greene still believes the school shootings were staged, her spokesman Nick Dyer said simply no and referred the reporter to a Twitter statement from Greene, in which she referred to the 2018 Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as tragic and said the students who died should have been protected by good guys with guns. Greene is Congresss most prominent QAnon supporter. The false, extremist theory that the Sandy Hook shooting, which killed 26 people, including 20 children, was a hoax, has plagued Newtown families for years, promoted by Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and others. Now even Jones doesnt believe it was staged, like he did in 2014, according to court documents. But other extremists continue to hound and harass Sandy Hook families over the falsehood. In 2018, Greene suggested on Facebook that Democrats cooked up school shootings to limit gun access. She wrote I am told that Nancy Pelosi tells Hillary Clinton several times a month that we need another school shooting in order to persuade the public to want strict gun control. Now, a first-term congresswoman, Greene has said she intends to be the strongest defender of gun rights on Capitol Hill and has signed onto to legislation to expand access to suppressors and ease transfers of firearm accessories. Newtown families called out Greenes 2018 comments on Friday. This kind of dangerous and irresponsible thinking is disgusting and appalling, and it is even more reprehensible when it comes from an elected official whos focus should be on keeping children safe, said Mark Barden, managing director of the nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise, who lost his son Daniel in the shooting. Advocacy groups like March for Our Lives-Parkland, Moms Demand Action, and Everytown for Gun Safety, have called for Greene to resign from Congress. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who represented Newtown in the U.S. House of Representatives at the time of the shooting, said Friday Greenes past remark was fringe, hateful and dangerous. I fear there is going to be a cadre of House Republicans who are going to trade in these fringe theories to try to get attention, he said. I think we need to condemn folks who say things like that but at the same time, we dont need to elevate what theyre saying as a means to give it more attention. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Greenes falsely bizarre remarks exacerbate the harassment of Sandy Hook victims. Murphy and Blumenthal have lead the efforts to stronger national gun laws, including bolstering the federal background check system for gun sales and implementing a national red flag law, respectively. Police in Moscow on Saturday began detaining people ahead of a rally in the Russian capital in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, a Reuters reporter said. The rally is due to start at 1100 GMT. Several hundred people had gathered just over an hour beforehand. A Reuters reporter said he saw police detain 11 people and that detentions were continuing. Navalny called on his supporters to protest after being arrested last weekend when he returned to Moscow for the first time after being poisoned in August with a military-grade nerve agent. Navalny had been treated in Germany. Short link: Faridabad: In a shocking incident, the lover of a woman allegedly banged the head of her six-year-old daughter against a wall after she peed on the mattress, resulting in her death. Parul, who had separated from her husband, Sunny, three years ago, has been living with her lover, Saurabh, in Faridabad's Parvatiya Colony since then, the police said. Saurabh allegedly never considered Parul and Sunny's daughter Rabi his own and would beat her up over petty issues. On Monday night, Rabi peed on the mattress. When he got to know about it, an enraged Saurabh banged Rabi's head against a wall due to which she fell unconscious. After some time, he rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. Hospital staff also informed police about the incident, following which Saurabh was arrested and a murder case registered against him at Parvatiya police station. WASHINGTON In his first days in office, President Biden has devoted more attention to issues of racial equity than any new president since Lyndon B. Johnson, a focus that has cheered civil rights activists and drawn early criticism from conservatives. In his inauguration speech, the president pledged to defeat white supremacy, using a burst of executive orders on Day 1 to declare that advancing equity, civil rights, racial justice and equal opportunity is the responsibility of the whole of our government. He has ordered his coronavirus response team to ensure that vaccines are distributed equitably. His $1.9 trillion recovery plan targets underserved communities by calling for paid leave for women forced out of jobs, unemployment benefits that largely help Black and brown workers, and expanded tax credits for impoverished Americans who are disproportionately nonwhite. And the new administration is preparing to take sweeping steps in the months ahead to directly address inequity in housing, criminal justice, voting rights, health care, education and economic mobility. Editor: If someone asked, How many pounds of milk do Pennsylvania farms produce every year? could you give them an answer? Would you shrug? Or would you just stare at the person and say, Ive never really thought about it. Pennsylvania farms produce 10.2 billion pounds of milk, every year. No wonder Pennsylvania ranks fifth in U.S. milk production. Thats enough milk to fill 2,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. It makes you realize how hard dairy farmers have to work to take good care of their cows so they produce so much delicious and nutritious milk. Dairy farmers work hard to make sure that their cows are comfortable and happy. Cows are provided with good hay, clean water and clean bedding all day, every day. Future mothers get extra special treatment, as do baby calves. The softest, fluffiest hay goes to them and farmers monitor them around the clock to make sure theyre healthy. Farmers put the health of their animals above themselves, to make sure their cows are happy. After all, healthy cows are happy cows and happy cows produce milk, and milk makes ice cream, and ice cream makes you happy. The next time you walk into the grocery store, remember that you can support Pennsylvania dairy production and hardworking farmers by purchasing milk and other nutritious dairy products. Dont forget the ice cream. CHARLOTTE QUICK TUNKHANNOCK, SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY DAIRY AMBASSADOR Editor: I address misinformation in Joseph Bradys letter about the Knights of Columbus (Protective pope, Dec. 19). Father Michael McGivney, the organizations founder, suffered prejudice as an Irish Catholic growing up in early America. One of his fellow incorporators, David Colwell, stated that the intent of the Knights of Columbus was to unify American Catholics of every national and racial origin in a social and fraternal organization, giving scope and purpose to their aims as Catholics and Americans. Catholic historian Christopher Kauffmann wrote that the orders early ethnic diversity represented the only American fraternal society that did not, by its constitution, prohibit Black membership. When Samuel F. Williams, a Black man, addressed the 1896 Knights of Columbus Massachusetts convention it was as a brother knight, a co-founder and officer of Sheridan Council 119 in Southborough. In World War I the knights offered the only racially integrated facilities available to troops, three decades before the U.S. military was integrated. Some councils had prevented Black Catholic men from joining in the early 1960s as it only took five votes to block admission to the order. The supreme council took aggressive steps by amending its bylaws to forever remove the opportunity of prejudice. FRANK RYCZAK SCOTT TWP. Editor: No one is to blame for the Capitol riot, nor the Summer of Love plundering except for those who actually rioted. Everyone is responsible for their actions, not for anyone elses actions. No one was forced to riot. Use caution when dealing with those who preach that all violence is immoral. Many people just talk a good game. For example, President Joe Biden was silent regarding the 2020 riots and picked a vice president who encouraged and promoted Black Lives Matter protests. Biden supports abortion rights. What those of this ilk mean is that your form of violence is wrong, but my form of violence is fine. We should ask ourselves why a president who claims he wants to unite the country would apply an if-then construct to social justice by saying that if the Capitol rioters werent white they would have been treated differently. Such constructs are often used in mathematical and algorithmic problems to solve scientific problems, but applying it to rioting? What does that mean? While politicians, who are not the brightest people to begin with, play word games, the rest of us suffer the adverse consequences. TERRY P. SWEENEY SCRANTON Editor: Where was Michael Stumo (Make buy-American requisite, Dec. 25) during the last four years while we were wasting money on parts of a border wall that helped nobody but former President Trumps donors? Cheap steel and cheap labor were available and we could have been using that money to fix our roads and bridges. All we heard during this time of a trillion-dollar tax cut for big business and the rich and high employment was about how great we were doing. Should we only buy American? Do you think the rest of the world will buy our products if we only buy American? Would our manufacturers raise their prices with a lock on the market? I think Stumo should save his idea for the next time Republicans are in power and we let them rip off the country again. We like to sell our soybeans and other products and commodities overseas and our farmers found out the hard way under Trump what happens when you try to shut out other countries. JOSEPH BRADY SCRANTON Editor: The recent passing of Scranton firefighter Stephen Sunday is a tragedy. The death of any first responder is always a cause for remembrance, especially for one so young. Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, in all good conscience, directed that the national colors at city facilities be flown at half-staff for 30 days. The mayors authority for flying a flag at half staff is limited to the flag of the city. Permission to fly our national colors at half staff is by order of the president. The National Flag Code establishes that such action will be taken on the death of principal figures of the government or the governor of a state, territory or possession. The period of mourning is 30 days from the date of the death of a president or former president; 10 days from the date of death of a vice president, chief justice or retired chief justice of the Supreme Court or the speaker of the House of Representatives; four days from the day of death until interment of an associate justice, a secretary or executive of a military department, and the governor of a state territory or possession. There is an extensive list of other U.S. government figures entitled to have the flag flown at half-staff on the day of internment. The president may also designate others for this honor. While I understand the feelings that prompted Cognetti to issue this directive, it needs to be corrected. ROBERT CUDWORTH MOOSIC Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Cybersecurity Senate Dems demand answers on DOJ's hack exposure A group of Democratic senators is seeking answers from the Justice Department on agency efforts mitigate potential harm arising from compromised to email accounts breached in the SolarWinds hack. The month's-long attack, which the intelligence community attributes to Russian actors, also penetrated the judicial branch's case filing system. "The DOJ and the [Administrative Office of U.S. Courts] have acknowledged that they were among the federal agencies breached by Russian hackers, providing troubling accounts of the breadth and depth of the compromise," the senators wrote in a Jan. 20 letter. The letter is signed by Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Richard Durbin (Ill.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Chris Coons (Del.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) and Cory Booker (N.J.). DOJ reported 3% of email accounts may have been compromised. The lawmakers pointed out that given the size of the agency "over 115,000 positions," they wrote the damage, "could amount to thousands of email accounts with an agency tasked with profoundly sensitive law enforcement and national security missions." The senators want DOJ to elaborate on which offices and records specifically were affected and detail mitigation measures have been implemented. The letter also asks if DOJ has found and reported other methods of entry hackers may have used. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has stated the hackers behind the ongoing SolarWinds Orion breach are skilled at forging security tokens and have been observed tampering with trust protocols. "Microsoft reported that the actor has added new federation trusts to existing on premises infrastructure," according to guidance from CISA. "Where this technique is used, it is possible that authentication can occur outside of an organization's known infrastructure and may not be visible to the legitimate system owner." The senators want DOJ and the courts to provide written answers to their questions by Jan. 31. Discovery from horror movies in Santo Domingo: the lifeless body of a 59-year-old Italian woman, found inside a large refrigerator. The victim is Claudia Lepore, 59, originally from Carpi (Modena), who had lived in the Dominican Republic for about ten years. According to reports, she was raped and killed. But it is not excluded that she may have been placed in the refrigerator still alive, freezing to death. The fridge door was blocked by a ladder, the 59-year-old tied up and gagged. A man suspected of the crime was arrested and placed under interrogation. From what emerges the motive for the murder is of an economic nature. To report the disappearance of the woman, who lived in the residential area of Bavaro and who had not given news for three days, was a friend from Modena, with whom the 59-year-old had started a bed & breakfast in 2009. The arrested man is called Antonio Lantigua and is 46 years old: he would have been hired by someone to carry out the murder upon payment of 200 thousand pesos (equivalent to just under three thousand euros). (Unioneonline / lf) Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. The global COVID-19 pandemic has made it far more difficult to emigrate and work overseas, but it does not mean South African IT professionals are barred from working for international companies. As more companies embrace remote work, it may be easier in certain cases to find remote positions at international IT businesses. South Africa has been suffering a severe brain drain for many years, with skilled professionals leaving the country in favour of better prospects overseas. Many cite security, a desire to travel, better living conditions, and quality of life as the key reasons for their emigration. Additionally, skilled IT professionals can earn a lot more overseas than they can in South Africa, although this is balanced to varying degrees by the higher cost of living. We compared the average salaries for software developers in South Africa with a number of countries that are common destinations for South African emigrants. IT salary comparison We used data from Where Did We Go? a website that collects data about South Africans who have moved overseas to determine which countries to include in this comparison. The following countries are included in this comparison: South Africa United States of America Canada Netherlands United Kingdom Australia New Zealand Ireland United Arab Emirates We used figures from Indeed, PayScale, and Glassdoor to compare average pay in South Africa and other countries for the broad position of software developer. International salaries are listed in their local currency and are converted to South African rand using the exchange rate at the time of writing. The average software developer salaries for South African emigration hotspots are below. Software Developer Salary Comparison Country Salary South African Rand USA $71,909 R1,102,953 Netherlands 44,620 R825,340 Australia AU$69,451 R817,105 Canada C$66,732 R800,572 Ireland 38,405 R710,262 New Zealand NZ$64,684 R704,715 United Kingdom 31,019 R643,895 United Arab Emirates AED104,482 R436,177 South Africa R304,667 R304,667 Cost of living It is apparent that software developers in South Africa can earn far more when working overseas, although it is also important to note that the taxes and cost of living in these countries are different. For example, while the average salary in the United Arab Emirates is only slightly higher than that of South Africa relative to other countries, there is no income tax levied on that amount. Countries such as the USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom have variable tax rates depending on the income you earn. South Africa has a tax rate comparable to many of the other countries on this list, but the cost of living in South Africa is a lot cheaper. For example, it is far more expensive to rent an apartment in New York or London than in Johannesburg, and the property you will get for the same price will be nowhere near as large. The latest Big Mac Index for 2021 shows that the South African Rand is significantly undervalued compared with the US dollar, meaning it is far cheaper to live in South Africa than in other countries. The Big Mac Index is an initiative created by The Economist that aims to measure whether currencies are priced at their correct level. It is based on the theory of purchasing-power parity (PPP) the notion that, in the long run, exchange rates should move towards the rate that would equalise the prices of an identical basket of goods and services (in this case, a Big Mac burger) in any two countries. The table below shows the GDP-adjusted percentage of how much each of the currencies compared above is under or overvalued against the US dollar. Currency Over/under-valued Euro +12.6% Canadian Dollar +8.5% New Zealand Dollar +4.1% United States Dollar 0 Australian Dollar -4.3% British Pound -5.8% United Arab Emirates Dirham -12.3% South African Rand -32.5% Now read: South Africa facing a dark 2021 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. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Bianca Divito creates bespoke glass designs in her studio The following Wexford businesses have been successful in securing LEADER grant aid in 2020: Barnadown Show Jumping Ltd 82,581.22 Installation of "all-weather" arena with international standard show-jumping fences Bianca Divito Studios 18,097 To develop a workshop/studio for glass art sales and training and a glass kiln to facilitate increased productivity. Cowhouse Studios 9,833.78 Upgrade of IT equipment to enhance the on-line presence of the business. Freshtoday Catering Wexford Ltd 60,366.44 Purchase of specialised equipment to allow for the roll out of the hot meals scheme in schools across the region. Granite Links Ltd 20,737.50 Feasibility study to determine viable options for a tourism enterprise. Greenhill Fruit Farm Ltd 20,447.50 Purchase of additional pack-house equipment as well as branding and marketing supports. Inish Pebble Co Ltd 77,500.00 Construction costs of a building for an automated bagging system for beach pebble and silica sand products. Wexford Bus 67,269.67 Supply and installation of an environmentally friendly vehicle wash system. John Hassey 12,705.00 Support towards the conduction of a feasibility study. Kilcannon Industries CLG 84,112.75 Construction works to assist the development of an enterprise incubation hub. Lamh Chunta Teorainte 44,048.98 Construction of a multi-purpose unit and upgrading of IT equipment to facilitate Irish language school-book business development. Mary O Hanlon T/A Tasty Parlour 5,347.65 Purchase of catering equipment and storage space to facilitate the expansion of this gluten and wheat free artisan producer. Morris Manufacturing Ltd 78,000.00 Purchase of specialised equipment to facilitate the manufacturing of bespoke trailers for the agricultural sector. Natural Ice Cream Co. Ltd T/A Scup Gelato 48,610.00 Purchase a range of production equipment to facilitate business expansion. O'Neill Foods Ltd T/A O Neill's Dry Cure Bacon Company 17,133.50 Upgrade of essential equipment for this producer of Irish dry cured bacon products. Promotex Ltd 26,200.00 Purchase of an industrial embroidery machine to facilitate business expansion. Robert O Connor T/A The Woodturning Studio 5,256.04 Purchase woodworking equipment to facilitate expansion of training workshops Ryan's Bakery Wexford Ltd 194,037.13 The associated fit-out costs of a new bakery at Whitemill Industrial Estate, Wexford Slaney Spirits Ltd 175,600.49 Support towards the development of a micro distillery and gin experience as a new rural tourism attraction in the county. Three Sisters Cruise Company Ltd 200,000.00 Refurbishment works for a 75-seater cruise vessel to operate on the river Barrow between New Ross and Waterford City. Tony Boland T/A APB Treecare 6,087.00 Purchase of a log cabin and fit out for office use for a specialised tree surgery and arboriculture business. Trudies Catering Kitchen Ltd T/A Trudies Kitchen 13,690.00 Supply and installation of essential equipment to facilitate business expansion. Wexford Cable Industries Ltd 83,776.50 Purchase of equipment for cable cutting and crimping to facilitate business expansion. Wexford Home Preserves 27,976.00 Purchase of equipment to expand production of jams, marmalades, savoury and speciality preserves. Wheelock Fruits Ltd 7,257.00 Purchase of refrigerated units to expand and display artisan products available for sale in the farm shop. Zanna Cookhouse Ltd 188,479.20 The associated fit-out costs of a new food production facility at Whitemill Industrial Estate, Wexford By Kim Hyun-bin James Kim, chairman and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Korea, said more chemistry is expected between the Korean government and the newly inaugurated U.S. President Joe Biden administration. "There seems to be more chemistry between President Joe Biden and President Moon as it relates to the Green New Deal so I think that will be very positive," Kim said during a phone Interview with The Korea Times, Friday. "The Digital New Deal as well is something President Biden talked a lot about." AMCHAM Chairman James Kim Both Biden and President Moon Jae-in believes the Green New Deal is a crucial framework to tackle the challenges of climate change. On July 14, 2020, President Moon Jae-in formally announced the Green New Deal which aims to speed up Korea's transition to an eco-friendly, low-carbon-emission economy. The government is aiming to attract 73.4 trillion won in private investment into the deal, covering around 46 percent of the total 160 trillion won that is planned to be spent on the initiative by 2025, and expects to create 655,000 jobs. "President Biden talked a lot about strengthening the alliance between South Korea and the U.S. I think the defense minister appointee talked about how he wants to quickly take care of negotiations on the cost sharing," he said. The chairman said that although AMCHAM was a nonpolitical organization, it has worked closely with both democratic and republican presidents and its previous encounter with many of the Biden administration officials could better relay the voices of the U.S. companies that are based here. "We have a lot of relationships with the Biden administration including when he first visited Korea when he was a vice president and we hosted an event for him," Kim said. "We also have close ties with many of the people in the Biden administration including Kurt Campbell. Sung Kim, the acting assistant secretary, would be very helpful for all of us and we look forward to working very closely with him." Former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Sung Kim has been named acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs Kim believes 2021 could be a "real banner year" with vaccines implemented and the stock market hitting records even after the election of President Joe Biden, which can be seen as a positive outlook for the year. Kim, who previously worked as a country manager for Microsoft Korea and GM Korea president and chief executive officer, believes Korea has become a key regional player with many top name companies moving to the country to establish their Asian hub from previous strongholds such as Hong Kong and mainland China. The chairman said The New York Times is moving a big part of its operation from Hong Kong to Korea as it understands the advanced "digital infrastructure," and Almonty Industries is heavily investing to build the world's second largest tungsten company here. AMCHAM has conducted an assessment on the difference between Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan with Seoul leading in many key categories. "When they look at it, Korea is very impressive on many fronts. Let me talk about where Korea leads. In ICT adoption, Korea is number one when compared to these other countries, and macroeconomic stability is another one," Kim said. "I think the consumer sophistication makes it such a wonderful test-bed for companies to set up shop here. Also R&D capability, which is why a lot of companies come here because they want to partner up with global companies such as Samsung, Hyundai and POSCO, the OGs of the world. I know that the ease of doing business in Korea is rated pretty high." Last year was a historic one for AMCHAM with more members joining as well as the digital transformation efforts which even further strengthened the organization allowing it to get a bigger audience and pool of speakers to help member companies. "I'm in constant contact with our board of governors. We have 34 board governors representing all the major industries and major U.S. companies and if you take away travel and tourism companies we have done really well in 2020," he said. AMCHAM, founded in 1953, is the largest foreign chamber in Korea with around 800 member companies. The organization is dedicated to developing and expanding investment and trade between Korea and the United States. After political and economic instability saw unprecedented demands for reform of the Thai monarchy, King Maha Vajiralongkorn is seeking to burnish his image in what is shaping up as another year of tension in the country. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha oversees an economy with tourism decimated by the coronavirus pandemic, factories shedding workers and exporters slammed. Farmers have struggled under the worst drought in four decades. Gross domestic product contracted an estimated 6.6% last year. While some recovery is forecast for 2021, it's set to be relatively anemic for an economy that's been sluggish for years. A new wave of coronavirus infections has seen an extension of a state of emergency until the end of February. Meanwhile, Thailand's biggest opposition party plans to pursue a no-confidence vote against the government for its alleged "mismanagement" of the country, including the covid-19 response. Looming over everything is the months of rallies where protesters have openly criticized the monarchy, Thailand's most powerful institution. Right now the streets are relatively quiet but student leaders have vowed to return until their demands are addressed: Less royal power, a more democratic constitution and the resignation of Prayuth, a former army chief who staged a coup in 2014. Vajiralongkorn has boosted his presence in Thailand since the unrest broke out. He returned in October from Germany, where he had spent much of his reign. The king and his entourage have since attended religious ceremonies, handed out diplomas to graduates, greeted kneeling supporters clad in yellow shirts, and even swept the floor at one of his charity projects. While Vajiralongkorn automatically inherited vast power and wealth when he ascended the throne in 2016, many Thais also subscribe to a concept of informal authority -- what Buddhists term "barami," or virtue -- that must be earned rather than bequeathed. Over the course of his 70-year reign, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej accumulated and demonstrated his own barami. "The moral authority and informal power of King Bhumibol was not transferable," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. "There is not the same kind of ability to summon the different sides to put an end to conflict. In fact, the opposite is happening -- the monarchy has become a party in the conflict. This is something that is very alarming." During one appearance in early November, Vajiralongkorn called Thailand "the land of compromise" in a rare public comment to foreign reporters. The Bureau of the Royal Household did not respond to a request for comment and subsequent calls to the Bureau went unanswered. Unlike past tumult -- Thailand has had about a dozen coups in the last century -- the protesters aren't seeking power for themselves: They want the military and monarchy to become more accountable to the country's 70 million citizens. The stakes both politically and economically are high: Even before the unrest, Thailand's wealth gap had widened, while poverty was on the rise. A 2019 study by the Bank of Thailand's research institute found about 36% of corporate equity is concentrated in the hands of just 500 people. The government has so far avoided a bloody crackdown like those during some past demonstrations, although at least a dozen protest leaders face charges of insulting the monarch, which carry prison terms of as many as 15 years. A Thai court on Tuesday sentenced a former civil servant who was arrested in 2015 to 43 and a half years in prison for sharing clips on social media of an online talk show that allegedly defamed the monarchy, which human-rights group Amnesty International called the harshest conviction under the statute to date. On Wednesday, the Thai government filed a royal defamation charge against former prime ministerial candidate Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, one of its most high-profile critics, after he questioned the involvement of a company with links to the monarchy in the nation's vaccine production. Prayuth's administration is enforcing existing laws and hasn't focused on using one particular statute to target protesters, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said when asked earlier about use of the lese majeste law. Sulak Sivaraksa, a Buddhist activist who has studied the monarchy for decades, said Vajiralongkorn already has moral authority among royalists and is attempting to now burnish his image with the rest of society. He noted the king was "very shy" compared with his father, even though he similarly carries out charitable activities. "A lot of people criticize the king because he spent too much time abroad and too little time within the kingdom -- I think he realizes that now," Sulak, 87, said. "People used to be afraid of him you know, but now he walks around and talks to people, allowing people to photograph him and his royal family and having a good chat with them. I think that earned him a very good reputation." Traditionally the level of esteem of a Thai monarch has depended on adherence to ten virtues of kingship, including generosity, self-sacrifice, honesty and integrity. During his lifetime, King Bhumibol was careful to appear in step with ordinary Thais even as he oversaw a fortune worth an estimated $40 billion. He met often with hill tribesmen and farmers, sponsoring programs aimed at cutting opium production and bringing irrigation development to far-off regions. Bhumibol preached a lifestyle of moderation befitting his semi-divine status and spiritual role within Buddhism, the religion of more than 90% of all Thais. In the last four decades of his life, Bhumibol traveled outside Thailand only once to preside over the opening of a bridge crossing into neighboring Laos. At the apex of his power in 1992, Bhumibol intervened -- despite limited legal authority -- to end deadly clashes between the military and protesters, Paul Handley wrote in his 2006 book, "The King Never Smiles: A Biography of Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej." "King Bhumibol had accrued the authority to summon the country's most powerful men to his feet and, with a few deliberately spoken words, expel them from politics," Handley wrote. The personal life of his son, who has been married four times, has for years been the subject of gossip. In July 2019, he designated an official royal consort for the first time in almost half a century, three months after he announced his fourth wife Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana as queen. Shortly afterward he stripped the consort of her titles, only to reinstate them again last year. Since taking the throne, Vajiralongkorn has spent most of his time out of the country while taking command of some army units and gaining greater control of the Crown Property Bureau's assets worth tens of billions of dollars through legal changes he approved. He also intervened in politics, rebuking a popular ex-leader who is now in exile but still holds sway over the country's main opposition party. While the previous king's interventions brought stability, they also often validated the military's role in politics, said Michael Montesano, coordinator of the Thailand studies programs at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. "The variant of stability that King Bhumibol's moral authority allowed him to enforce is part of what's led Thailand to this dead end, and part of what's created the order that these young people find so unacceptable," he said. Student Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, a 22-year-old protest leader, said Vajiralongkorn must do more to attain the "barami" of his father. "If they want people to love them and have popularity, they have to work and let people see what they are doing for them," she said. "If the monarchy could do its job and gain respect that way, I will respect it." Government grapples to drive economic growth amidst fiscal woes By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s): The recession-hit Sri Lanka Treasury is grappling to drive economic growth towards 5 to 6 per cent of GDP this year amidst current fiscal woes, Finance Ministry sources said. The main task at hand is to raise funds to repay loans and for finance development activities from local and foreign borrowings as revenue is not sufficient to meet rising expenditure, a senior official disclosed. The anticipated actual expenditure is expected to rise to around Rs. 5 trillion exceeding the estimated expenditure of Rs. 3.52 trillion indicated in 2021 budget estimates, provisional data showed. Tourism, foreign remittances and trade-dependent economy have been stumbling from the major impacts of the deadly 2019 Easter bombings and the fallout from the corona virus pandemic. Gross borrowing limit of Rs. 2.9 trillion will be utilised for the repayment of loans amounting to Rs. 1.25 trillion and Rs. 1.74 trillion to finance development projects and interest payments in 2021. Domestic borrowings will mainly consist of the issuance of Treasury bills, Treasury Bonds and Sri Lanka Development Bonds (SLDBs). In 2021, the total debt service payment is estimated to be US$6865 million and $1514 million as interest payments, according to a memorandum of financing the Budget 2021 formulated by the Finance Ministry recently. Interest payments and capital repayment of Foreign Currency Banking Unit loans (FCBUs) and SLDBs are estimated at $2664 million. During 2021, it is expected to raise $2000 million through the issuance of SLDBs. In addition $1170 million worth of FCBUs raised from the Bank of Ceylon and the Peoples Bank will mature this year and the Treasury will raise loans to repay it from the same channel. The government will also be appealing for international investors to roll over bonds maturing this year, a further sign of the island nations grim financial situation. If bond auctions fail and bills are purchased by new rupees expanding reserve money and excess liquidity there will be forex shortages, it said. The Treasury expects net FDI will finance about 40 per cent of the current account deficit in 2021, and the rest will be wholly covered by official multilateral and bilateral borrowings as well as commercial funding. A sum of $2.5 billion is an achievable FDI target for 2021 as commitments made for the Port City alone amount to $1 billion, a senior official of the ministry said, The Hambantota tyre factory should generate $300 million with at least $175 million expected in 2021 while investment estimates in pharmaceuticals and education will be in the range of $200 million. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission lists Tse as a Priority Organisation Target, a designation the criminal intelligence commission chief Mick Phelan has previously said is reserved for those entities suspected of causing significant harm to the nation. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Tses arrest will be heralded not just in Australia but by the US government and authorities in New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and across Europe, places which have all served as markets or supply hubs for Tses organisation. Policing authorities say that, more than any other alleged Asia Pacific drug trafficker, Tse represents the modernisation and corporatisation of organised crime. The syndicate he allegedly helps control is an amalgam of once competing Chinese Triad groups that have variously worked with Australian bikies, South American cartels and European crime bosses. The Company mostly avoided generating media headlines and viewed violence as bad for business as it industrialised drug production via super laboratories in Myanmars lawless Shan State and accessed massive stockpiles of precursor chemicals in southern China. The syndicate is alleged to have dispatched expendable shore parties to its most profitable market in Australia to handle wholesale distribution to local drug bosses. When these shore party drug runners or domestic distributors were occasionally busted by the AFP or state agencies, Tse allegedly shrugged it off as a business expense. He also had inside help. A police intelligence report circulated among overseas agencies warned The Company had corrupted policing and security agencies across Asia. A former investigator told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that Tse had boasted Macau in my pocket. In 2019, Tse even obtained the contents of a highly confidential Australian Federal Police document circulated among partner forces which alerted him to the fact that he was a high value police target. That fact makes the story of his investigation and planned extradition pieced together by The Age and Herald over two years and conversations with more than a dozen Australian and Hong Kong serving and former investigators even more remarkable. Tracking a drug boss In 2011, the Australian Federal Police began monitoring a millionaire Melbourne greengrocer with an unusual profile. Vietnamese born Australian national Suky Lieu was under surveillance as he met well established Italian mafia clan bosses in Melbourne. He also dined with Asian organised crime figures and he knew bikies. Intelligence suggested he was a man in demand because of his access to a seemingly endless supply of imported narcotics being distributed in Sydney and Melbourne. A quietly spoken and determined federal police drugs investigator, Roland Singor, along with a small team of AFP investigators and analysts began closely tracking Lieu as part of probe codenamed Volante. Media and press releases surrounding Lieus eventual arrest in 2013 depicted him as a Mr Big on par with Tony Mokbel. But phone taps later aired in Lieus court case revealed he was more akin to a logistics manager who was following orders from afar. Last year, AFP deputy commissioner Karl Kent described the organisation as being a huge threat to Australia not only in terms of illicit drugs but in terms of people smuggling, in terms of firearms. Credit: We were seeing a lot of offshore conversations where they were talking about supply and demand price, concealments, projects that they were undertaking, recalled Singor when he was interviewed last year by 60 Minutes and The Age and Herald. Singor was guarded about the precise content of the phone interceptions and classified intelligence captured in 2012. But Victorian court records reveal Lieu appeared most deferential when dealing with a man in Hong Kong with the Cantonese nickname Sam Gor or Brother Three. He was based offshore, a very, very cautious individual. He didn't directly deal with people here in the nuts and bolts, Singor said. If something went wrong for example, or a seizure occurred, or money was intercepted here, his broker and his managers would interact and then refer to the fact that the big boss wasn't happy, that they had to answer for these seizures. Following offshore leads can take years and cost millions and infuriate budget-conscious senior police in Canberra. Even so, Singors federal police crew in Melbourne pushed for more time and money. Their lobbying paid off. We started to hear about a reference to a very high-ranking member of this organisation who had global reach, had global control, and had a serious ranking globally as an international trafficker, says Singor. He was referred to as Sam Gor, the Brother Three in Cantonese. Adding to Singors intelligence picture was a classified and highly controversial probe codenamed Dayu and run between 2008 and 2012 by the Australian Crime Commission (later renamed the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission). In an operation still mostly hidden behind court suppression orders and secrecy classifications, the ACC had allowed and even facilitated the movement of drug money from Australian to Asia in the hope it would help identify offshore crime bosses who had taken over the drug trade from traditional domestic crime groups. Letting dirty money cross international borders rather than seizing it pushed the risk appetite of Australian law enforcement chiefs to breaking point and despite impressive results, Dayu would ultimately fizzle out amid bitter inter-agency turf wars and allegations of rogue conduct. But before it did, investigators believed they had identified a Chinese triad-led international organisation whose members whispered about a boss they called Grandfather. The ACC named it The Grandfather Syndicate but as investigators eavesdropped on more conversations involving the group's members, they chose the name used by the group itself: The Company. The Company A 2012 ACC intelligence briefing claimed the multinational organisation was made up of about two dozen "seats" or executive management positions held by formerly warring triad bosses across Asia, who shifted in seniority and location according to demand and supply. It claimed money from drug ventures was laundered in Australia and poured into a range of ventures including "high-profile internet gambling facilities across south-east Asia, Asian hotel chains and resorts, commercial construction companies, property companies in Hong Kong and Vietnam", as well as casinos. Among The Company 's most valuable assets was its infiltration" of governments and police and security agencies across Asia. According to the ACC briefing, "the pooling of resources of the main triad groups has allowed them to merge their contacts, assets and holdings. These contacts, intelligence briefings warned, included high-ranking Asian government officials and their relatives, including figures with close ties to Hun Sen regime in Cambodia, a top politician in Vietnam and a Chinese government official who had worked with Interpol. Singor and the AFPs Operation Volante picked up where the crime commissions Operation Dayu left off, filling in a still-emerging intelligence picture about the operations of The Company. Court records reveal Singor and his fellow AFP detectives tracked millions in cash back to Crown Casino in Melbourne. The cash, generated by Suky Lieu's drug sales, was given to a high-roller tour business known as a junket operator. Crown licensed and paid that business to attract wealthy gamblers to come to its Southbank casino. Millions laundered through Crown's casinos in Melbourne and Perth. Credit:Scott McNaughton The court records detail how this junket in turn wired millions of drug dollars to Hong Kong. Some of the alleged orders to do so were issued by Brother Three and were recorded on phone taps aired during the prosecutions of Suky Lieus associates. At Crowns Perth casino, another high-roller tour junket closely linked to Brother Three was turning over even more money hundreds of millions of dollars in cash via gamblers who arrived on private jets from Macau in 2015. The still-ongoing Bergin inquiry in NSW into Crowns organised crime dealings recently heard how this Perth junket was owned by a business also running a chain of Hot Pot restaurants in Macau. The Bergin inquiry heard how a Crown manager had warned back in 2015 that this junket was linked to Macaus underground network. The Macau police provided Australian authorities a further sliver of intelligence about the Hot Pot junket. A suspected silent partner in the Hot Pot business was an extremely discrete but obscenely wealthy businessman. His name was Tse Chi Lop but some of his associates referred to him in Cantonese as Sam Gor. Tse Chi Lop was Brother Three. Closing in on Tse By 2015, Tse, a short, middle-aged and pudgy faced man who looked more accountant than crime boss, was firmly on the radar of drug enforcement agencies across the globe. Police believe Tse, a Canadian national born in Guangdong Province in Southern China in 1964, became a low ranking member of a Triad crime syndicate known as the Big Circle Gang before migrating to Canada in the 1980s. In 1996, the FBI arrested him in connection to a drug importation ring in the US that was sourcing heroin from the Golden Triangle in Asia. Police intelligence suggests that, after serving nine years in jail, Tse re-established his Triad connections, including to the notorious head of the 14K triad organisation, Wan Kuok Koi, a gangster more commonly known as Broken Tooth. While the ostentatious Broken Tooth was busy generating news headlines, including by launching a crypto-currency, investing in Myanmars casino industry and promoting the Chinese Communist Party's enormous Belt and Road global infrastructure agenda, Tse was suspected by police to be easing quietly into one of The Companys top "seats" or executive positions. Critical to The Companys success was its supply hubs in corruption-prone Asian countries and regions like Shan State in Myanmar, which is governed by ethnic warlords. An International Crisis Group report last year noted that the drugs trade would not be possible without high-level corruption in those countries including China, Laos and Thailand through which large consignments of drugs or their precursors are smuggled. The other key to The Companys success was corrupting logistics and shipping companies in drug-hungry markets like Australia, where voracious consumers are prepared to pay a premium for ice, cocaine and other drugs. The AFPs Operation Volante had shut down Lieu and 35 others, the key alleged Australian distribution hub for Tse, but it was quickly replaced. In April 2017, the AFPs Operation Jacaranda seized a record 903 kilograms of methamphetamine also linked to Tse. At the time, it was Australias largest ice bust. Six months later, the federal police and Taiwanese authorities intercepted another huge drug shipment that had arrived in Western Australia. The syndicate was also implicated in the seizure of 600 kilograms of methamphetamine from a yacht moored at Naha port in Okinawa. It was billed in the media as Japans largest drug bust. As months of investigations turned into years, the federal police patiently tracked Tse and his associates via a newly badged operation codenamed Kungar. Federal police liaison officers in Myanmar, Washington, Thailand, China and Hong Kong worked with trusted counterparts in local agencies to gather fresh intelligence on The Companys operations. Last year, Reuters reported that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime had estimated The Companys meth revenue in 2018 at $8 billion a year, but said it could be as high as $17.7 billion. In December 2019, the AFP intercepted yet another drug shipment from Bangkok: 1.6 tonnes of methamphetamine and 37 kilograms of heroin worth an estimated $1.2 billion. Police also arrested a couple running a shipping and freight logistics business, who are accused of helping smuggle the contraband past authorities. Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Karl Kent described the seizure last year in an interview with 60 Minutes as another record bust, bigger than any before it. But his comments also marked a decided shift in the AFPs rhetoric. Bigger busts were not indicative of success but the endless war of attrition against powerful and shadowy crime conglomerates. This has raised deep concerns in every jurisdiction in this country about the volume that we're seizing because it tells us that there is a significant volume, probably about the same, that we're missing, Kent said. Financial sanctions Kent hinted in his interview that Tse was still being hunted, but that police were also focussing on new strategies to disrupt and deter powerful international syndicates who could replace bosses almost as quickly as they could find fresh drug mules. The American government would move first. On December 9, the US Treasury Department blacklisted Tses close associate Wan Kuok Koi, aka Broken Tooth, using "Magnitsky Act" financial sanctions that were originally designed to crush corrupt Russian oligarchs. The listing of Broken Tooth was aimed at the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and more politically symbolic than practical. But it also prevented the triad boss from dealing with any US financial outlet or business. In its formal statement, the Treasury Department said Broken Tooth was a member of the CCPs Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, a Beijing advisory body. It also accused him of using the CCPs Belt and Road project to legitimise his criminal activities. This continues a pattern of overseas Chinese actors trying to paper over illegal criminal activities by framing their actions in terms of ... major initiatives of the CCP," the Treasury statement said. Australia has no equivalent financial sanctions regime. To catch Tse, the AFP would have to rely on an old and time consuming tool: a Mutual Assistance Request from Attorney-General Christian Porter to the Taiwanese government, where Tse was suspected to be hiding, or to any of the other countries where he travelled. Throughout 2019, lawyers from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions extracted evidence about Tse from the case against Suky Lieu as it finalised a brief of prosecution. Brother Three was finally to face justice in Australia. Who are the other Brothers? His arrest in the Netherlands and plans to extradite him, while undoubtedly a significant law enforcement success, leaves many questions. In his interview last year, Deputy Commissioner Karl Kent cautioned that locking up the next El Chapo or Brother Three was less a priority than finding ways to attack the infrastructure that organised crime groups need to prosper. It's not just about that individual. It's the whole network and how can we have an effect on their business mode, he said. There is evidence these strategies are already working. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission is dedicating resources to expelling from Australia all the casino junket operators linked to The Company. By the end of 2020 it had crippled the operations of the worlds biggest junket company. Policing agencies are lobbying the federal government to introduce an Australian version of the Magnitsky Act, allowing authorities to financially blacklist suspected crime bosses and corrupt officials. The greatest legacy of Brother Three may be to force policing agencies to rethink how they operate and measure success. Make no mistake, someone will take their place and they'll take their place very, very quickly, Kent said last year. Friday's retirement of a New Orleans Police Department captain who served the force for nearly half a century created a domino effect and prompted the agency to announce numerous personnel changes at the command level. Capt. James Scott is leaving after 47 years. He most recently led the Specialized Investigations Division, which is in charge of building major drug cases and compiling intelligence on criminal suspects, NOPD said in a statement. Prior to that, Scott had overseen three of the citys eight patrol districts, supervising officers in neighborhoods such as Mid-City, Treme, Lakeview, Gentilly and Algiers. He also commanded the Special Operations Division, colloquially referred to as the SWAT team. Capt. Scott has a played a major role in this department, NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said in Fridays statement. Ferguson said the NOPD was counting on continued help from Scott, who will join the agencys division of reserve officers. Without elaborating, a police spokesperson said the SIDs responsibilities would be divided among other NOPD divisions. Meanwhile, several additional changes among NOPD brass were announced. +2 In case of horses sexually abused at City Park stables, NOPD seeks man whose DNA was found at scene New Orleans police are looking for a man whose DNA was found in the stables where two horses were sexually abused last month, officials said T The Crime Laboratory and Central Evidence and Processing units will be split into two sections. Ferguson promoted Lt. Bruce Haney the second in command at the NOPD training academy to captain and tapped him to lead the crime lab. Capt. Simon Hargrove will oversee the CE&P section. Capt. Frank Young, most recently the commander of the NOPDs 5th District encompassing the 9th Ward and surrounding areas, will now head the Criminal Investigation Division. And Capt. Regina Williams will take command of the 5th District, moving over from the CID, which includes the homicide investigations section. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The shake-up at CID occurs as the departments homicide investigators grieve the death of their colleague Detective Greg Hamilton, 64, last week. Hamilton, an Army veteran, had worked for 26 years at NOPD. He spent 22 of his years at the agency as a detective. He died at his home in Harvey on Jan. 15. The agency didn't provide a cause of death. Hamilton's survivors include his wife, two children and six grandchildren. Detective Greg Hamilton served this city admirably, Ferguson said Friday while expressing condolences to Hamiltons family. He will be greatly missed. The NOPD confronts the rest of 2021 with a budget that is $16 million or 8% lighter than it was last year, when the coronavirus pandemic precipitated steep declines in city sales tax collections and other revenues. 2020 was also a much more violent year than had been typical in New Orleans. The city's 202 homicides last year were 36% higher than the 150 homicides it averaged each year from 2016 to 2019, and the 425 nonfatal shootings were 56% higher than the annual average of 273 during the same period, according to a Metropolitan Crime Commission analysis. Some New Jersey workers could receive cash bonuses for getting vaccinated through employee incentive programs. Instacart, Trader Joes, and Dollar General are all offering monetary incentives to employees willing to roll up their sleeves and receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Instacart is offering $25 to its shoppers, while Dollar General and Trader Joes are offering four or two hours worth of wages, respectively. Our goal with the introduction of our new vaccine support stipend is to ensure that, when the time comes, Instacart shoppers dont have to choose between earning income as an essential service provider or getting vaccinated, Instacart CEO Apoorva Mehta said in a statement. Trader Joes has 18 New Jersey stores, and Dollar General has 13. A vaccine advisory panel at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control voted late last month on recommendations for vaccine distribution. The panel said grocery workers which would include Instacart and Dollar Generals employees should be in the second group to receive shots after health care workers and nursing home residents. New Jersey has opened up vaccines to healthcare workers, first responders, those over 65, and people ages 16 to 64 with certain health conditions, and smokers. Other essential employees, like retail workers, have not yet been made eligible based on their professions. Companies can mandate that workers get COVID-19 vaccines as a requirement for employment, although they must make accommodations for medical or religious reasons, according to guidance from the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. However, most companies are reluctant to impose such mandates, said Sharon Perley Masling, a partner at the law firm Morgan Lewis who has been advising clients on workplace issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency nature of the vaccines FDA approval makes it impractical for many companies to require it, given that the shots are not available to most of the population, she said. Still, Masling said the companies she works with are taking various steps to strongly encourage their workers to get vaccinated, including internal public relations campaigns showing top executives who are eligible getting the shots. Other incentives include free child care, paid time off and freebies like pizza delivery and other gifts, she said. Its good for employees, its good for their communities and its good for ensuring the continuation of business operations, Masling said. The push to vaccinate comes amid signs that some people even health care workers are reluctant to get the shots, contributing to a slower than hoped-for rollout of the mass vacation effort in the U.S. Masling said many of companies are still trying to figure out how their employees feel about the taking the shots, with some sending out internal surveys. Not every company is offering incentives. Delivery app DoorDash, another big platform for gig workers, said it has asked the CDC and governors to prioritize delivery workers in vaccine distribution. But it doesnt plan perks for workers who get vaccinated. Target Corp. also plans no incentives, but said it will make the vaccine free and accessible to its 350,000 employees. Target said 1,700 of its stores have a CVS pharmacy on site that will offer the vaccine to staff when its available. Stop & Shop is also opting out of providing employee incentives, spokeswoman Stefani Shuman told NJ Advance Media. Similar to our approach with the flu vaccine, and in keeping with our overall commitment to maintaining a healthy workplace, we are urging all associates to consider receiving the vaccine when it is available, she said. ShopRite and Wegmans did not respond to questions about their vaccine policy. With reporting by the Associated Press. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 01:07:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embalo (L) and Chinese Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau Guo Ce attend the official foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of a Chinese-funded 14-km highway in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, Jan. 22, 2021. (Chinese Embassy to Guinea-Bissau/Handout via Xinhua) BISSAU, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embalo presided over the official foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of a Chinese-funded 14-km highway that will link Bissau to the suburb of Safim. The ceremony took place at the large roundabout of Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau, with the participation of members of the government, deputies, the diplomatic corps accredited in the country. In his speech, Embalo thanked the Chinese government for this great contribution. "China has just shown once again that it is accompanying us in our process of socio-economic development of the country," Embalo said. For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau Guo Ce underlined the importance of the construction of this highway between Bissau and Safim, which will facilitate the life of the inhabitants and especially the socio-economic development in the country. Guo stressed that this project is the fruit of good relations between Beijing and Bissau who have decided to cooperate more in different fields. Guinea-Bissau's Minister of Public Works, Habitation and Urban Planning, Fidelis Forbs, warmly welcomed the support of China for the financing of this major project, which will improve the lives and facilate trade between Bissau and the rest of the country. The construction will begin in March and will last two years, he added. China has already carried out several major projects in Guinea-Bissau, where it participated in the construction of various infrastructures, including the government building, housing for ex-combatants, the National Stadium and the military hospital. Enditem Police have launched an appeal for witnesses after five burglars claiming to be delivering food during the pandemic gagged an elderly woman in east London. The men forced their way in after tricking the victim into opening the door, the Metropolitan Police said. One of the burglars sat on her chest to hold her down while jewellery was cut from her wrist. The victim a woman in her 80s had a sock stuffed in her mouth and was told not to speak during the ordeal at her home in Plaistow, Newham, on Thursday evening. The five suspects are described as while males in their 20s wearing black clothing. One was wearing black Nike tracksuit trousers with red piping. Police were called at around 7pm on Thursday, and it is estimated that the burglary lasted for 20 to 30 minutes. The incident is being investigated by the Mets North East Burglary and Robbery Unit. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference CAD 006400/21JAN21 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. There have been no arrests and inquiries are ongoing. More than 130 years ago, a brutal respiratory virus swept across the globe, killing a million people out of a worldwide population of 1.5 billion before fading away, eventually overshadowed in history by the deadlier 1918 influenza pandemic. That 1890 pandemic, which some scientists believe was caused by a coronavirus, may offer a glimpse of the modern worlds escape from COVID-19 or at least one possible path in a future thats still largely clouded by uncertainty. The United States is in a desperate race to speed up vaccinations and develop herd immunity that would end the pandemic. But with several variants of the virus emerging, including one or more that could make the vaccines less effective, its increasingly unclear what the finish line looks like. One possibility would be an echo of the 1890 pandemic: The virus slowly drops off as countries develop herd immunity because of a large majority of the population being infected or getting vaccinated. After anywhere from a few years to a few decades, it circulates mainly among children and rarely causes anything more serious than the sniffles. Or the virus could be stamped out, or close to it, with vaccines. It could disappear like smallpox, or be pushed to such low levels in the U.S. that it shows up only in isolated clusters, as with measles. Or it could turn into something like influenza, with the world in a constant battle to adjust vaccines to changing variants and keep the virus under control. The stakes, however, will be much higher if the coronavirus remains as deadly as it is far deadlier than the flu or mutates to become worse. Weve had a cold reality moment in the pandemic with the arrival of several new variants, including one in the Bay Area, in recent months, said Fyodor Urnov, director of technology and translation at UC Berkeleys Innovative Genomics Institute. Scientists had believed that this coronavirus wasnt as changeable as other viruses, but that belief was upended as the virus mutated quickly setting up a race to stamp it out before more undesirable mutations arise. This virus is a formidable enemy, Urnov said. The vaccines are well tuned to the coronavirus that currently is dominant around the world itself a variant of the original virus first identified in Wuhan, China, one year ago. The vaccines most likely will work against four new variants that have appeared suddenly in the past two months, including one that seems to have settled in the Bay Area and other parts of California. But studies suggest that at least one of those variants, found in South Africa, may be able to partially evade the vaccine. The Bay Area variant has a mutation that concerns scientists, who are conducting tests to determine whether its resistant to some antibodies meant to fight the virus, though at this time they believe the vaccine will be effective. And scientists worry that as the coronavirus continues to spread around the world, more variants will emerge, potentially with mutations that could undermine efforts to control it. In a race between a pathogen and a host, the pathogen is going to mutate to try to adapt and be a better pathogen. As the host develops a better immune response, the pathogen develops ways of evading the immune response. And it goes on forever that way, said Dr. Joel Ernst, an infectious disease expert at UCSF. I think were going to be in pretty good shape in the near term, he said. But I dont think we know yet what the ultimate potential of this virus is. Short-term outlook Many scientists like Ernst believe the new variants, even those that appear to be more infectious, wont have a dramatic impact on the current pandemic. They also think the vaccines will remain effective enough to reach at least a temporary herd immunity. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that a particular variant first identified in the United Kingdom and which has been found in at least 22 states could dominate in the United States by March. That variant is roughly 50% more infectious than the currently dominant virus and would undoubtedly fuel more cases and a surge in hospitalizations and deaths, the CDC warned. Preliminary findings reported Friday also suggest the variant may be deadlier than other versions, but more research needs to be done. Nick Otto / Special to The Chronicle Only 72 cases of the U.K. variant have been identified in California, but its assumed to be more widespread. And another variant has been identified that may also cause faster spread of disease. That one appears to have gained significant traction in parts of the Bay Area and Los Angeles County in the past month. Either or both of those variants could prompt delays in lifting current stay-home orders or reopening schools, infectious disease experts have warned. Or they could lead to a new wave of infections in the spring that might once again overwhelm hospitals in much of the state. The U.K. variant is more infectious in children as well as adults, studies have found, though kids are still less likely overall to be infected or have serious illness. None of the approved vaccines has been tested in children yet. The variants also could have no effect on the short-term course of the pandemic, as long as they respond well to vaccines and the state picks up its immunization efforts. Scientists are trying to understand how the variants behave in their human hosts. Theres no reason to panic, Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, said at a news briefing last week. This is going to be part of this pandemic, as we see variants emerge. Were just going to have to learn more about them. But a prolonged pandemic would further impact livelihoods of millions of Californians. Ashley Voss, who opened a Mission District art gallery six months before the pandemic arrived, worries that Californias variant could lead to a longer lockdown. Visitors are sparse, especially because restaurants are closed, so fewer people wander through the neighborhood. And the city cant say when that will change. The troubling thing is, weve never encountered something like this in our lifetimes, so we dont have a playbook on how to navigate this, Voss said. Its difficult trying to figure out how to plan for the future. Most public health and infectious disease experts believe that with a strong national immunization campaign and a few more months of aggressive social distancing and other protective measures, the United States will come out from under this darkest period of the pandemic. But the outlook beyond that is murky. A study out of Emory University this month suggested an outcome similar to what some experts believe happened after the 1890 pandemic. A new virus crashed over the world, causing widespread illness and death among populations that had no natural immunity. Then, after years or possibly decades, the virus either mutated to become less severe or the world built enough immunity that its now toothless. That coronavirus is now one of four that cause the common cold. Most children are infected with that coronavirus by the time theyre 5, and its as inconsequential in adults as it is in kids. This could imply that our normal, tame coronaviruses that we see today have arisen in the same fashion as the virus were seeing now, said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, an infectious disease expert at Stanford. And over time this virus will mutate into a more benign form. And with our ability to build up immunity, well be progressively getting less and less sick from it. This theory is based on a few premises: That the current coronavirus almost never causes serious illness in young children, and that everyone else in the population will eventually develop some degree of immunity, so even if theyre reinfected they dont get very sick. Also, it assumes that the virus will mutate to cause less serious disease over time, which is often the case with new pathogens as they adapt to their hosts and become less hostile. It may not disappear, it may stay, but if it stays it may become a normal, regular cold virus, Maldonado said. Best-case scenario It may be possible to eradicate this coronavirus. But that will require a combination of luck and a successful global vaccination effort. If the vaccines remain as effective as they proved in clinical trials, if the immunity they produce is long-lasting, and if the world gets to herd immunity in all corners, then COVID-19 could disappear entirely, or close to it. But it would take years, and potentially decades, to get to that point. We may not be able to eradicate it like we did with smallpox. But we can at least get it to a level, once we get a sufficient number of people vaccinated, where the virus will have no toehold, said Dr. Catherine Blish, a Stanford infectious disease expert. Hopefully we just vaccinate everyone and get rid of it altogether. But we will be dealing with this for a while. Global immunization would be a necessary but monumental task. The vaccines would have to reach countries devastated by war and poverty, along with the pockets of vaccine-resistant communities in the United States. Any gaps in immunity would be opportunities for the virus to spread and mutate, and potentially turn out vaccine-resistant variants. This is a global problem, said Dr. Warner Greene, an infectious disease expert with the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco. Its a pandemic, and were only as strong as our weakest link. Were only as strong as our smallest herd. Perhaps the most likely, and least satisfying, end to the pandemic is not much of an end at all: The coronavirus keeps spinning out variants, scientists keep refining vaccines, and the world learns to live with COVID-19. This might be the outcome if the vaccines dont provide sterilizing immunity, the kind of protection that lasts for the rest of peoples lives. Depending on how long immunity lasts, people may need regular boosters as often as every year. There are reasons to be hopeful, though. Even if vaccine immunity isnt permanent, it may provide long-lasting protection that prevents serious illness or death, so another mass immunization effort may not be necessary. Plus, the vaccines that have been developed can be easily changed to keep pace with variants, infectious disease experts say. If a variant emerges that is able to elude vaccines, developers can tweak the recipe and probably have it ready to inject within a few months. But that would require constant vigilance to quickly identify new variants and a strong system for vaccine distribution. The coronavirus would remain a threat for decades. These variants could make us very busy and could prevent a full success of the vaccine, said Dr. Melanie Ott, director of the Gladstone Institute of Virology. Yes, we can adapt the vaccine. But we know the influenza vaccine is not 100% effective, and every year we have to guess what will be the predominant strain and build the vaccine. We really want to avoid that. But we might end up in a situation that is similar to what we have with influenza. Nick Otto / Special to The Chronicle The United States will get some measure of control over the coronavirus eventually, infectious disease experts said. Between vaccination efforts and the natural immunity people will have from being infected, the country will almost certainly reach herd immunity, and that will make a profound dent in the spread of disease here. How long that takes is unclear, and depends as much on peoples behaviors as on the virus itself. Variants that arent quite as responsive to vaccines may mean more people need to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity. Addressing vaccine hesitancy could add months to the timeline. But if everything goes smoothly, some communities may get to herd immunity by autumn. Even if the virus cant be quashed, it can be contained, experts said. Im mildly but not exceptionally concerned about the future of this pandemic, Blish said. The good news is weve learned a lot from this, and well be able to respond even better and faster next time. When COVID-25 comes along, the world will be more ready. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Michael Williams contributed to this story. Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday 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. Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 5:09 pm Two people have been charged in connection to an illegal marijuana growing operation in Chehalis that operated for six months in 2020. Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) detectives do not know how much marijuana was grown at the site, but suspect it was a large-scale operation due to the high power consumption at the home, according to Lewis County Superior Court documents. The building consumed over 25,830 kilowatt-hours of power between Jan. 10 and March 3, 2020 a significant increase from the 4,000 kWh of power consumed in the same period the year prior. Vivian Yu, 38, of Sacramento, California, and William Chen, 39, of Tacoma, were each charged for manufacture of marijuana, felony possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a building for drug purposes. The married couple allegedly grew a significant amount of marijuana in the 100 block of Ridgeview Road from Jan. 10 to June 11, 2020. The property belonged to Yu, who paid the power bill while living in Sacramento. Chen reportedly lived with Yu in Sacramento, but had an official Tacoma address. While JNET detectives were observing the property on June 11, 2020, a neighbor informed them that two people later identified as Chen and a Puyallup resident named Ya Di Zhang had loaded something into the back of a pickup and left the property. An officer with the Fife Police Department later pulled the truck over for speeding on northbound Interstate 5, and Chen gave the officer permission to search the back of the truck. The officer found two garbage bags filled with marijuana leaf trimmings. Samples sent to the Washington State Patrol crime lab were found to have a THC content above 0.3%. JNET detectives returned to the Ridgeview address in June. 16 with a warrant and found remnants of a marijuana grow, including marijuana leaf clippings, fertilizer and other growing equipment. The plants had obviously been harvested, which is why the trimmings were in the truck five days earlier on the 11th, reads a statement in the affidavit of probable cause filed in Lewis County Superior Court on Dec. 24. Yu and Chen are both scheduled for preliminary appearances in Lewis County Superior Court on Feb. 3. President Trump got rid of the Obama/Biden slush funds where the Justice Department, CFPB, and EPA shook down corporations and then used the negotiated settlements that they were forced to pay (taxpayer money) to funnel kickbacks to their political supporters. But one of Biden's first priorities was to re-establish these corrupt slush funds. Why didn't the media highlight this magnificent, corrupt, first day action? The answer is clearly that the complicit media will gladly hide anything from the public that might shed a bad light on their chosen one. It is the same reason they always buried the stories of pure corruption by the Biden and Clinton families. The politicians that most of the media are campaigning for and contributing to are special. They can take as many kickbacks and violate as many laws as they like and lie with impunity, and the loving media will support them. The truth hasn't mattered for a long time to people who pretend to be fact-based journalists. Joe Biden's DOJ To Resume Extorting Money From Corporations To Benefit Leftist Groups In the first set of Executive Orders signed today by Joe Biden was the reversal of a DOJ policy put in place by Attorney General Jeff Sessions which prohibited provisions in settlement agreements in civil litigation that directed the opposing party to pay the money from the settlement to some third-party interest group that DOJ believed could put the money to better use than having it go into the Treasury of the United States. Why wasn't there front-page and wall-to-wall coverage of the violent riots in Portland, Seattle, and other places on Election Day by radical leftists? The answer is that violence by leftists never matters when the media are pushing an agenda. When an MSNBC reporter stands in front of a burning building and describes it as mostly peaceful, we know that facts mean nothing to propagandists. We all know that if any group remotely associated with Trump committed a sliver of the violence that the media and other Democrats predicted and hyped for Election Day, the coverage would be massive and the calls for impeachment would compound. Should V.P. Kamala Harris be impeached since she promoted and supported the violence and bailing out the criminals? Biden sat silently by with all the violence last summer until the polls said he should say something. Why didn't journalists ask Biden for scientific evidence showing that there is a correlation among oil, temperatures, sea levels, and storm activities when he revoked the permit for the Keystone pipeline? The answer is that science and facts have never mattered when Democrats are pushing an agenda to remake and destroy America. They, along with the loving journalists, gladly spread misinformation to the children and others without any evidence. And they call anyone who disagrees and tells the truth that the climate has always changed cyclically and naturally a liar, a denier, anti-science, and stupid. They are canceled and silenced to hide the truth. Debate is not allowed. Why didn't we constantly hear the term "systemic racism" while Obama and Biden were in office, since we are told that we have been racist for 400 years? The answer is that the media and other Democrats know that the statement isn't true. Why didn't Biden take care of the systemic racism problem in his first fifty years in D.C. if the problem is so bad? Why would anyone believe it will be different now? For the last four years, we have been treated to a hate fest by the media and other Democrats where they demonized Trump and his supporters with lies and every vicious name in the book. They called Trump an illegitimate president, said he stole the election, conducted witch hunts about Russian collusion, and continually spread lies about what Trump said in Charlottesville to gin up hate and violence. They sought to destroy white Christian boys and Judge Kavanaugh with known lies. And they blame Trump and his supporters for dividing the country while they falsely claim they are uniters who are the empathetic party. For the Obama/Biden eight years and for the next four years of Biden/Harris, we will be treated to a love fest. The truth, science, the law and corruption will not matter. Caricature by Donkey Hotey, CC BY 2.0 license. ADVERTISEMENT Kano State Government is set to appoint COVID- 19 marshals to enforce safety protocols. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje disclosed this on Saturday while meeting with journalists, at the Government House, Kano. He said there was the need to tackle COVID-19 with all seriousness, noting that non-compliance with safety protocols had been identified as a huge challenge to curbing the spread of the virus. Mr Ganduje said the state government had held a meeting with relevant agencies to find a template on how the compliance would be enforced. Enforcement of compliance with COVID-19 protocols would soon come up in the state. People should comply for the health of the citizenry. The state task force on COVID-19 held a meeting with security agencies to embark on the enforcement to ensure that members of the society do comply for optimum result, he said. The governor said the vanguards would include security agencies, the paramilitary and non-governmental organisations. He called on the media to continue to enlighten the public on the dangers of the pandemic. We are very happy that you are cooperating with the state government in this fight, he said. The governor, who also met with private school proprietors, urged them to complement government efforts in curbing the menace in their respective schools. Mr Ganduje commended the proprietors for their cooperation so far. We are very happy that you are cooperating with the state government in this fight, and we will give you all the support, he added. (NAN) At least 100,000 of tariffs have been slapped on Fairtrade bananas from Africa because of Brexit, prompting mounting anger that farmers face ruin. Ministers are under pressure to explain why the levies are being charged, despite an announcement that a last-gasp deal was struck between the UK and Ghana on New Years Eve. Both banana exporters in the developing country and UK shipping firms are losing money on deliveries 20,000 a week, says one company while the crisis continues. Thousands of jobs in rural areas will be put at risk, the head of the Commons international trade committee has warned the government, in a letter seen by The Independent. Before Christmas, ministers rejected calls for transitional measures to prevent tariffs, as talks with Ghana on a rollover of an existing EU trade agreement went down to the wire. The UK was accused of bullying the country into a deal which Ghana believes would break its obligations to its neighbours in the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). George Kporye, manager of the Golden Exotics company, said it only learned on 1 January that despite the agreement it was moving onto punishing World Trade Organisation (WTO) tariffs. A shipment from Ghana, due this weekend, was set to pay charges of 20,000 to 25,000, taking total tariffs imposed this month through the 100,000 barrier. Such punitive tariffs are clearly unsustainable and it is important that a solution is found as quickly as possible to relieve us of such a burden, Mr Kporye said. If this issue continues for weeks, it will put the jobs of over 3,000 workers mostly in rural communities at great risk. Keith Sadler, managing director of importers Compagnie Fruitiere UK, said his firm was paying weekly tariffs of 20,000, adding: If you add that up, it would be 1m over a year. No business can operate with that level of extra costs. Warning it might have to turn its back on Ghana, he said: This is a serious threat to the banana industry and it needs to be resolved before we have to make difficult decisions. The letter, sent by SNP MP Angus MacNeil, asked Liz Truss, the trade secretary, to explain why a statement said an agreement had been reached on all the main issues. With businesses losing 20,000 each week, the longer this issue is left unresolved the more the costs mount and the more unsustainable it becomes, especially at a time when business is already suffering, he wrote. Mr MacNeil pointed out that Ghana sends more than 40 per cent of exports to the UK, adding: If importers are forced to move away from sourcing from Ghana, thousands of jobs in rural areas will be put at risk. Mr Kporye urged Ms Truss to waive tariffs in the interim period or commit to refund them after the agreement has been signed. The Department for International Trade was unable to say when tariffs would be lifted and blamed Ghana for failing to engage with us fully until it was too late. We share the Ghanaian governments concern for their banana industry, and that is one of the reasons why we made an early and generous proposal to Ghana that would have guaranteed their continued and lasting access to the UK market, but they chose not to take this take up, a spokesperson said. We are glad Ghana is working with us to reach an agreement, and the restoration of our trading terms is in sight. It is the responsibility of both our countries to work to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Ghana argued a rollover deal would have meant agreeing a different tariff for UK goods than its neighbours, undermining that customs union and badly damaging relationships. Back in 2017, then-trade secretary Liam Fox promised exporters that nothing would be done to jeopardise trade with Africa, as Brexit was carried out, Mr Kporye has said. Although anti-Muslim sentiments certainly existed long before 2001, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the response to them intensified anti-Muslim tropes, namely the presumption that Islam is inherently violent or that Muslims have a propensity for terrorism. Since 9/11, specific individuals have turned Islamophobia into an industry, scapegoating Muslims to further their own agendas, Econo Times writes in the article Islamophobia in western media is based on false premises. Like other forms of intolerance, however, Islamophobia can be objectively assessed. Empirical studies are an effective means of exposing this prejudice, one that plagues both sides of the political spectrum. The rhetoric of Canadian conservative author Mark Steyn is typical of right-wing Islamophobia. For instance, Steyn claims that most Muslims either wish or are indifferent to the death of the societies in which they live. Likewise, Dutch politician and right-wing populist Geert Wilders refers to the Quran as a source of inspiration for, and justification of, hatred, violence and terrorism in the world, Europe and America. British conservative political commentator Douglas Murray suggests that to reduce terrorism, the United Kingdom requires a bit less Islam. Prominent left-wing commentators also contribute to the same scaremongering stereotypes as their conservative counterparts. For example, American neuroscientist and new atheist Sam Harris asserts that there is a direct link between the doctrine of Islam and Muslim terrorism. Similarly, American comedian and television producer Bill Maher believes that there is a connecting tissue of intolerance and brutality that binds 1.6 billion Muslims to terrorist groups like ISIS. And Somali-born Dutch American activist and writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali states that violence is inherent in the doctrine of Islam. None of these characterizations, however, are sufficient from a scholarly viewpoint. Self-evident positions and gross exaggerations tend to detract from the main issue: whether the depiction of Muslims as violent extremists is misleading. Globally speaking, Muslims overwhelmingly reject suicide bombings and other forms of violence against civilians in defence of Islam. Studies found that Muslims view such extremism as rarely or never justified, including 96 per cent in Azerbaijan, 95 per cent in Kazakhstan, 92 per cent in Indonesia and 91 per cent in Iraq. The 2016 report What Muslims Want, the most extensive research of British Muslims ever conducted, found that nine of 10 British Muslims reject terrorism outright. When asked To what extent do you sympathize with or condemn people who commit terrorist actions as a form of political protest, 90 per cent condemned these actions, five per cent didnt know and three per cent neither condemned nor condoned political acts of terror. Thats hardly most Muslims, as Steyn contends. When a large-scale global survey asked if attacks on civilians are morally justified, similar results were found when comparing Muslim attitudes to the general public in France, Germany and the United Kingdom. In fact, the responses were almost indistinguishable: French public (one per cent) versus Muslims in Paris (two per cent); German public (one per cent) versus Muslims in Berlin (0.5 per cent); and British public (three per cent) versus Muslims in London (two per cent). In North America, research outcomes were strikingly similar. In a 2016 Environics Institute survey, only one per cent of Canadian Muslims endorsed the following statement: many or most Muslims in Canada support violent extremism. When asked if killing civilians for political, social or religious reasons can ever be justified, a 2017 Pew Research Center survey found that 84 per cent of American Muslims confirmed that it is never/rarely justifiable. Because 12 per cent of American Muslims replied that violence against civilians can be sometimes/often justified, anti-Muslim activists argue that hundreds of thousands of Muslims remain radicalized. The qualitative responses of Muslims are quite revealing in this regard: violence is permitted if attacked, both as individuals and as a nation. In other words, in self-defense. When the U.S. general public was surveyed, their answers were practically identical: 83 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. Contrary to Mahers belief that the worlds Muslims support terrorist organizations like ISIS, most people in countries with significant Muslim populations have an overwhelmingly negative view of ISIS, including virtually 100 per cent of respondents in Lebanon, 94 per cent in Jordan and 84 per cent in the Palestinian territories (10 per cent of Palestinians had no opinion of ISIS). The main assertion that Muslims largely support extremist violence is groundless. Because Islamophobia distorts the western image of Muslims, scientific studies serve as an important corrective in two important ways. First, they expose Islamophobic attitudes that have gripped the West since 9/11 and second, they help to decrease the spread of anti-Muslim vitriol by providing a rational forum for discussion. A former Selma police officer was sentenced Friday to five years of probation in a federal obstruction case involving an on-duty incident in Dallas County last year. Matthew Blaine Till, 34, pleaded guilty in September to three felony obstruction of justice charges. In doing so, he admitted that on April 30, 2020, he used force against a citizen while on duty as a Selma police officer. Afterward, said Southern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Richard Moore, Till instructed a fellow law enforcement officer not to say anything to anyone including a federal agent. The incident happened near the Crossroads Exxon in the 2700 block of Highway 80 West in Selma. Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson filed state charges against Till and another officer, Dallas County Sheriffs Deputy John Nicholas Taccone. Till was fired shortly after the incident, and Taccone no longer works with the sheriffs office. Taccone also was on duty and in uniform at the time when they responded to the scene. When they arrived, the victim was exiting a parking lot and they stopped him and ordered him out of the vehicle, Jackson said. Till got one handcuff on the victim but was unable to get the second on and a scuffle ensued. Till pulls out a gun and says hes going to kill him,' Jackson said. They Tased him multiple times, threw him to the ground and were punching and kicking him. It was a brutal beating. Jackson pointed out that both officers are white, and the victim is Black. He said the victim repeatedly asked the officers What did I do?. He managed to get back in his vehicle and fled but crashed a short time later. Till and Taccone are charged in state court with second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment and obstructing government operations. Their trial is set for September 2021. These officers escalated a personal matter that should have been a traffic stop at worse into a Rocky Horror beating,' Jackson said. Documents in the federal case show Till sent a text to another police officer stating, The indictments are coming for us. We need to get on the same page and use the same attorney. I dont care what they threaten you with. If we dont fight this together, we are both going to be getting in trouble. Moore said Till admitted that he gave those instructions with the intent to hinder, delay, or prevent the communication to a federal law enforcement officer of information relating to the possible commission of a federal civil-rights violation. Federal prosecutors sought a prison sentence for Till, but the court imposed probation instead. Till was not ordered to pay a fine, but the judge ordered him to pay $300 in special assessments. Additionally, as part of his plea agreement, Till will no longer be able to work in local, municipal, state or federal law enforcement, nor as a corrections officer or private security guard. The FBI and the Alabama Attorney Generals Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Justin Roller and Deborah Griffin prosecuted the federal case in coordination with Jackson, who is prosecuting the state case. We have always made clear that the U.S. Attorneys Office supports law enforcement officers and we have specifically emphasized that you do not assault those officers,' Moore said Friday. It is equally true that we hold law enforcement officers to a high standard and if they violate the rights of citizens and, as in this case, obstruct justice by attempting to cover up what they have done, we will vigorously prosecute them. These are the pictures that show a botched dissident republican ambush attempt on police in Co Fermanagh. The Belfast Telegraph's exclusive images show live ammunition from a high powered rifle, left behind by the Continuity IRA when they fled the scene of the planned attack in the Wattlebridge Road area of Newtownbutler. Also pictured is the suspected hoax device used to lure officers into the area. As the alert continued into its second week, police said yesterday they are dealing with a "complex and difficult" operation. Expand Close Ammo find: The scene in Wattle Bridge where a suspect device and ammunition were discovered by police Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ammo find: The scene in Wattle Bridge where a suspect device and ammunition were discovered by police In a statement last week, the CIRA claimed they attempted to draw officers to the location for a gun attack. Yesterday police continued to comb the area, with the alert expected to drag on into the weekend. PSNI Chief Superintendent Andy Freeburn thanked the community for their patience over recent days. "From speaking with the local community, it is clear that the people responsible for this disruption have no support," he said. "Together with partners on both sides of the border we have been working long hours to progress this complex and difficult operation to a safe conclusion. At this stage it is not possible to say when we will complete the search but we anticipate that it will run at least into tomorrow." The disruption started on January 13 when police responded to reports of a suspicious device being left in the area. The CIRA claimed they had opened fire on a police helicopter on the evening of January 14 - a claim the PSNI denied. Expand Close Ammo find: The scene in Wattle Bridge where a suspect device and ammunition were discovered by police Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ammo find: The scene in Wattle Bridge where a suspect device and ammunition were discovered by police On Tuesday officers said if the claims were true they believed a privately owned helicopter flying in the area on Thursday evening may have been targeted by the group. The helicopter did not sustain any damage and those on board were unaware it was being fired at. Mark Lindsay, the chairman of the Police Federation in Northern Ireland, condemned the attempt on the lives of officers. "We know these republican groups are continuously looking for ways to murder the men and women I represent. Police officers have to be cautious and alert on a continuous basis. There can be no let-up in vigilance," he said. "In their warped thinking, killing or maiming an officer may be seen to advance a political agenda. They couldn't be further from the truth or more detached from society. "A severe terrorist threat is the reality of what police officers have to deal with daily and thankfully we have been able to thwart them in their evil ambitions through a combination of expertise, patience, meticulous procedures and investigations." First Minister Arlene Foster said those behind the attack were "crazed political ideologues", telling them to "back off". Expand Close Ammo find: The scene in Wattle Bridge where a suspect device and ammunition were discovered by police Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ammo find: The scene in Wattle Bridge where a suspect device and ammunition were discovered by police Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew described the attack as "futile and pathetic". "Armed groups have no place in our society, they must disband immediately and allow our communities to progress in peace," the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP said. Newtownbutler, situated near the border with Co Monaghan, has previously seen dissident republican activity, and this is not the first attempt to lure police to the Wattlebridge Road area. While responding to a security alert in August 2019, police and Army Technical Officers narrowly escaped injury after inspecting a hoax device before a bomb exploded on the main A3 Cavan Road. Police have said the CIRA were also behind a booby trap device in Craigavon in July 2019 and an explosive device on a heavy goods vehicle in Lurgan in January 2020. One by one, family members of 94-year-old Leola Shreves stepped to the witness stand Friday and cried as they described the pain of losing Dode eight years ago, before the long and tangled effort to track down the man who viciously killed her in her Sutter County home. They called her killer, Armando Cuadras, a coward and animal and recommended that Shreves name be tattooed on his forehead so hed never forget the hurt he inflicted on the Yuba City matriarch. This animal took my great-grandmother without hesitation, one woman said, choking up. He tortured and mutilated her. Cuadras, 31, stayed quiet at Fridays sentencing for the January 2013 murder and torture. But his defense attorney, Mani Sidhu, heaped more pain on another innocent party, saying the real attacker was not his client but Shreves former next door neighbor, Michael Alexander. Alexander, now 28, spent more than three years in jail accused of capital murder before Sutter County prosecutors dropped the charges, which were based on a flimsy confession and not a shred of physical evidence. The intellectually disabled man the subject of a Chronicle investigation last year titled The Suspect Next Door cant seem to escape the case, even with another man convicted. During Cuadras trial, prosecutors told jurors Alexander had played a role in the murder, even though he was no longer accused. We still maintain Michael Alexander was the one who killed Leola Shreves, Sidhu said. Hes the one who brutally murdered her. I understand that comes across as not taking responsibility. Superior Court Judge David Ashby sentenced Cuadras to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This is without a doubt the most troubling and disturbing case this court has ever been involved in, Ashby said. My hope is that (after) today begins some closure. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Shreves was beaten and stomped to death by an intruder on Jan. 18, 2013. Her injuries were described as catastrophic. Police quickly zeroed in on Alexander after finding his actions in the days after the murder suspicious. Detectives got Alexander to confess to the murder using lies or ruses about evidence they had collected and by creating an alter ego named Angry Mike. A false confession expert called Alexanders statements coerced. Alexander soon recanted. But when DNA and other evidence collected from the scene matched another, unidentified man, investigators pivoted. Now they said Alexander had played a role in the killing. In 2019, new genetic technology matched the DNA evidence to Cuadras and he was arrested. It turned out, police had missed their chance to nab him earlier. Authorities revealed last year that Cuadras had been found by officers, drunk and bloodied, a few blocks away from Shreves home soon after she was slain. Somehow, police missed the connection. During Cuadras trial, both the prosecution and defense argued that Alexander played a role in the murder. Assistant District Attorney Jana McClung, who tried the case, and District Attorney Amanda Hopper did not return requests for comment Friday. They have not ruled out refiling charges against Alexander. Alexanders mother, Audra Alexander, said she was furious to hear that her sons name was brought up again on Friday, despite Cuadras conviction. Michael Alexander, who moved away from Yuba City and last year passed his EMT certification, has been taking care of his grandmother in recent months. To the defense attorney who continues to blame Michael and wouldnt know how to have his client accept responsibility for the benefit of all of the victims of this crime: Mani Sidhu should be ashamed of himself, Audra Alexander said. Yes, hes doing a job. But part of that job should include accepting fact and quit living in a fictional world where all killers get off and get to live their lives without punishment. At Fridays sentencing, Shreves loved ones spoke about their cute little grandma who lived in a cute little grandma home. They shared stories she had told of living in homes with dirt floors, and working at a duck-hunting club, and living on a house on stilts that required the use of a boat to get her children to school during floods. They recalled how shed wash her grandsons mouths out with a bar of soap for cussing. She was an amazing woman, one great-granddaughter told the judge, pausing as she cried. She was my best friend, my rock, and I was looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday. Audra Alexander wrote her own letter to the court, but didnt know how to send it or if it was even allowed. She expressed her sorrow for the loss of Shreves and directly addressed Cuadras. My son is the one who took the blame for you, she wrote. For almost four years, he sat in a jail cell ... while you roamed free, doing what you do, knowing what you did. Michael was another victim of your choices. She had a message for prosecutors and detectives, too. You all need to take responsibility for your choices, admit your wrongdoings, and understand that Michael was in no way involved in Mr. Cuadras plan or actions, she wrote. This crime has been held over Michael for far too long. Its time to let him live his life. Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Heroic Officers Reunite With Grateful Parents and Newborn After Emergency Delivery Two New Jersey police officers have been reunited with two very grateful parents and their new baby after an impromptu delivery at the couples home. Patrolling Cranford officers, Thomas Bell and James Knight met expecting parents Gina and Noberto Chaves on the morning of Dec. 20, 2020, when they responded to a 911 call from the Chaveses home address. Ginas water had suddenly broken and the baby was already crowning. Bell, a 21-year veteran of the force, quickly ascertained the situation and made an on-the-spot call to help deliver the baby right there, according to a Facebook post by the Cranford Police Department. While delivering the baby, Bell noticed that the babys umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. Bell successfully removed the cord, and baby Lucas came into the world fit and healthy. His first cries brought relief to the entire entourage before Cranford First Aid Squad arrived on the scene to check on the newborn and monitor Ginas condition. The mother-son duo was then taken to Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, for an evaluation. Nuchal cordthe medical term used for an umbilical cord wrapped around a babys neck in uterocan occur during pregnancy, labor, or birth. The majority of nuchal cords are harmless, according to Healthline, adding that 1 in 3 babies are born without issue with the cord wrapped around their neck. If the cord is cutting off blood flow, however, the situation could be life-threatening to the baby. On Jan. 14, 2021, Officers Bell and Knight were reunited with Lucas and his parents at their home. Cranford Police Department celebrated the story on Facebook by posting a photo of the young family and the two officers at their reunion. The proud parents expressed their gratitude to the responding officers and EMTs for their actions, the post read. The couple also confirmed that Lucas is perfectly healthy. Officers Thomas Bell and James Knight with Gina and Noberto Chaves, holding baby Lucas. (Courtesy of Cranford Police Department) Social media users immediately took to the comments section to praise the officers for their efforts in assisting to deliver the baby. I saw this live on the news this morning and was so proud of our Police Department! one netizen commented. Wow! This is truly amazing, wrote another. Thank you Cranford PD and EMTs. Also, congratulations Gina and fam on the new baby! We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us here: emg.inspired@epochtimes.com NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. EXPERT ALERTS Maintaining a Positive Mindset Focusing on Key Client Audiences Eliminating Forced Labor in the Supply Chain MEDIA JOBS OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES Get Your Daily Dose of News From These 10 Trusted Health & Wellness Sites Blog Profiles: Storm Chasing Blogs Maintaining a Positive Mindset Laura Brandao Author, president American Financial Resources, Inc. "I am on a mission to keep searching for new experiences and showing others to just say YES because with no expectations you will far exceed your own!" Positive mindset A seasoned executive, Laura Brandao has built her mortgage company as a servant leader, inspiring others with her positive attitude. As a coveted speaker and panelist, Laura can not only provide insights into residential lending programs and trends, but can also share her expertise on leadership and how to achieve more through positive mindset techniques. Say Yes Everyday! is the highly-anticipated inaugural release from powerhouse of positivity Laura J. Brandao. Laura J. Brandao is the president and only woman partner of American Financial Resources, a national mortgage company. With many business and mortgage awards to her credit, Laura is a coveted speaker and panelist, inspiring audiences with her positivity and passion. Although Laura married her high-school sweetheart, raised two wonderful men and built a successful business, she felt as if she started living into her purpose when she accepted an invitation to get in front of a Las Vegas ballroom filled to capacity. Once she said "YES!" to stepping out from behind her desk, Laura began experiencing life in whole new way. She learned that if you go into every situation with no preconceived notions or expectations, you can do ANYTHING! Laura shares her infectious passion to fulfill her life purpose to inspire, encourage and empower people to rise up to be their best selves, so they can live their greatest lives. www.linkedin.com/in/laura-j-brandao--80ab0444 Website: https://www.sayyeseveryday.com Media contact: Sheri Wachenheim, [email protected] Focusing on Key Client Audiences Eric Schoenfeld CEO MINT Advertising "Interest in driving leads, conversions and sales has not diminished. There are two key audiences which deserve focus in 2021. The first is the external, customer-facing message; being appropriate, timely, and considered, all while staying on brand. The second is ensuring that clients' internal audience, their employees, are getting a better amount of meaningful touchpoints to help keep the brand and culture top of mind, and keep them engaged and connected," says Eric Schoenfeld, CEO and Co-founder of MINT Advertising." As CEO of a full-service agency, Eric Schoenfeld can provide expertise on a wide variety of marketing topics. In addition to creative execution and branding, Schoenfeld has decades of experience with internal marketing and messaging campaigns, and can speak to why engaged employees make the best brand ambassadors. https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-w-schoenfeld/ Website: https://mintadvertising.com/ Media contact: Sheri Wachenheim, [email protected] Eliminating Forced Labor in the Supply Chain Mark Burstein Executive Vice President, Industry Principal at Logility Logility "The apparel industry will do what it takes to eliminate the use of forced labor in the supply chain," said Mark Burstein, Executive Vice President, Industry Principal at Logility. "If H.R. 6210 Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is signed into law as it is currently drafted, importers must be able to prove their products do not contain any inputs from the XUAR, including both materials and labor. Logility's expertise in sourcing, quality, compliance, visibility and planning allowed us to quickly work with brand owners and retailers to ensure visibility across the entire digital thread at this critical time." Mark Burstein is a digital supply chain and traceability expert that can discuss the current US ban on Xinjiang cotton and tomatoes, its impact on US businesses and what businesses can do to better vet suppliers, trace source materials and enact real change in their supply chains. Mark can also discuss the financial/reputational impact unethical sourcing practices will have on US brands if they don't take action. Website: https://www.logility.com/ Media contact: Erica England, [email protected] Mark was recently quoted by WWD: https://wwd.com/sustainability/business/xinjiang-china-cotton-traceability-sustainability-1234696874/ **************** MEDIA JOBS: Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://www.cisionjobs.com/jobs/united-states/ ***************** OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES: Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected] Get Your Daily Dose of News From These 10 Trusted Health & Wellness Sites. In addition to COVID-19 updates, many people may be searching for health-related news on nutrition (hi, resolutions), pharmaceuticals/vaccines, medical equipment like PPE or wearables, mental health, and clinical research, among other topics. These health news sites are some of the most trusted for up-to-date information for consumers, healthcare professionals, and executives: http://prn.to/3pmMpDe. Blog Profiles: storm chasing Blogs. Every week we highlight blogs focusing on a specific topic. This week is all about storm chasing: http://prn.to/2Y4Rt3d. **************** PROFNET is an exclusive service of PR Newswire. To contact ProfNet: [email protected] or 800-776-3638, ext. 1 SOURCE ProfNet Related Links http://www.profnet.com The steel used in beam support pads in HCMCs first metro line does not meet contracted standards and poses a safety threat, an urban railway source told VnExpress. An engineer checks the beam supporting pad at an area on the elevated section of HCMC's first metro line, January 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Quynh. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said the agreement between the city Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) and the contractors, Civil Engineering Construction Corporation No. 6 (Cienco 6) and Japan's Sumitomo Corporation, requires them to use a certain quality of elastomeric laminated bearings pads, which are reinforced steel plates sandwiched between layers of rubber. The pads are designed for use in bridge and building construction as a beam support. But the contractors have used at least two pads of inferior quality, and MAUR has already warned them this could threaten the quality, safety and life span of the project, the source said. In October one of the pads fell out from between two beams on the line, which runs 19.7 km (12.24 miles) from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien theme park in District 9. In December MAUR inspected all the pads itself and found two of them were lighter than the required standard, and suggested that could have caused the cracks seen in October. It said EB1 and EB4 on the elevated section weighed only 117 kilograms, or nine kilograms less than the agreed weight. One of the Elastomeric Laminated Bearings pad that has been removed from the project to serve the investigation. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Quynh. This month a team of independent inspectors found another pad had moved from its position on the elevated section and does not fit properly. They were imported from South Korea but made in Malaysia, and around half the pads used in the metro have been sourced from there. The rest were made in Japan. The contractor has not made any statement yet about the issues. Officials from the Ministry of Construction have visited the site to check. The metro route No.1 will have 14 stations, three of them underground, and cost an estimated VND43.7 trillion ($1.89 billion). Work on the much-delayed project is more than 80 percent complete. The city hopes to begin commercial operation by the end of this year and build a total of eight metro lines running a total of 220 km. Researchers who study sewage to monitor the pandemic are detecting less virus in Houston than they have in months, a positive signal that could indicate a forthcoming drop in new COVID-19 cases, doctors said. The amount of viral load has declined at 28 out of 38 wastewater treatment plants across the city for the first time in five months, said Dr. Paul Klotman, president and CEO of Baylor College of Medicine. He announced the good news during a Friday video update. "It's actually a big drop," Klotman said. "What that means is, in 7 to 10 days, I think were going to see a pretty dramatic drop in the number of new cases." The study was launched in May by the city, Baylor Medicine and Rice University. Data helps officials track the prevalence of the virus across the city, acting as an early warning system. In September, the study helped officials detect and squash an outbreak at a homeless shelter. COVID Q&A: Texas likely won't move to next vaccine phase until May or June, official Dr. David Lakey predicts Scientists study wastewater to study the cumulative amount of virus in a community, Klotman said. People shed virus matter in feces and urine. "It has been rising and rising and rising until just now," he said. "That's all really very good news, and it's a testament to the Houston community, that we are finally following our public health guidance a little bit better than we have been before." While the pandemic continues to rage nationwide with more than 400,000 dead, Houston is faring better than other major cities in Texas, Klotman said. Other indicators show signs of improvement. The Houston area's R(t) value has dipped below 1 for the first time in weeks, meaning community spread is slowing. The test positivity rate for the Texas Medical Center hospital systems dipped from 13.2% last week to 12.7% this week, Klotman said, and the weekly average of COVID-19 hospitalizations is beginning to plateau. People should get vaccinated as soon as they have the opportunity, wear masks and continue to follow public health guidance, Klotman said. Authorities overnight apprehended the inmate who escaped from the Jefferson County Correctional Facility on Friday evening. Here is an update from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office: UPDATE 01/23/2021: Suspect Robert Lake is in custody. He was arrested at approximately 1230 this morning in the area of Tyler and Cleveland St. In Beaumont. He will be booked back into the Jefferson County Correctional Facility where he may face a multitude of additional charges. Original Enterprise post: Authorities are searching for an inmate who escaped from the Jefferson County Correctional Facility just before 6 p.m. Friday. Robert Orlando Lake, 39, of Beaumont reportedly climbed his way through the ceiling, Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Crystal Holmes said. Lake then climbed the fence at the edge of the facility, cutting himself on the concertina wire, Holmes said. The inmate is believed to have found a truck parked at a nearby business with the keys inside. Lake fled in the 2020 Chevrolet truck deeper into Beaumont and was tracked by the owner using the OnStar service to the neighborhood around Gladys Street and Mangolia Street. The Beaumont Police Department responded and approached the suspect, who ran away on foot. As of 9:30 p.m. on Friday, police and sheriffs deputies were searching a perimeter between Magnolia Street and Interstate 10, looking in yards, alleys and other places. The public is urged to not approach the escapee but to call 9-1-1 with any information. Lake was being held on a local charge of felony possession of a firearm and a robbery warrant out of Mississippi. jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/jd_journalism Yalda, a Night for Forgiveness was screened at the International Film Festival of India. The International Film Festival of India went virtual this year. One of the films I watched is Massoud Bakhshis Yalda, a Night for Forgiveness (2019). Its a tale of conflict, and the conflict arises from the very title. The first word refers to the winter solstice festival in Iran. It is a celebration, a day of joy. The last word of the title, however, refers to the fate of Maryam (Sadaf Asgari), a young woman who killed her much-older husband. She says it was an accident. But she fled the scene, so the evidence stacked up heavily against her. She has spent months in prison. The other major character in this story is Mona (Behnaz Jafari), the daughter of the dead man (through his first wife). She is older than Maryam, too. The two women have been called into a television studio for a special programme where they will be seated opposite one another, with an anchor probing them to hear both sides of the story. If Mona forgives Maryam, the latter will not be executed though, Maryam, frankly, does not seem to care. After her child was stillborn, she says she died anyway. The women are perfectly cast. Asgari has the soft looks of a lost little girl. Just looking at her, we feel sorry for Maryam. (The mind says: Can someone who looks like this be a killer?) Jafari, on the other hand, has a longer face, more chiselled features. She radiates imperiousness, the sense of having unlimited power. (Now, this woman looks like she could kill.) Even while sitting across each other in the show, their postures are indicative of the power imbalance. Maryam is hunched over in her chair, her arms clasped between her legs. Mona leans back, and has one leg crossed over the other. She looks every bit in control. The premise is almost farcical. A matter of life and death is being decided on a reality show (called Joy of Forgiveness), by voters who are asked to text 1 if they believe Maryam should be forgiven, and 2 if they dont. Its a garishly lit set, on which performers will sing and recite poems (it is Yalda night, after all!), interrupting the Maryam-Mona showdown, so that the whole thing doesnt turn too serious. There are even sponsors who will chip in with the blood money, in case Maryam ends up being forgiven and has to compensate Mona for her loss. Apparently, there is a show along these lines in Iran. The opening scenes make you wonder if youre supposed to laugh. Maryam is waiting for Mona to arrive she presumably hasnt met her step-daughter while she was in prison. She probably has things she wants to say face-to-face. But in the meantime, she is whisked away to the makeup room, so she can look nice for the camera. We make this show to save the lives of people like you, the show-runner tells her, without a trace of irony. Massoud Bakhshi has said that this isnt how he originally wanted to stage his story. He didnt even know such a show existed. In his initial draft, Maryam is in prison. (In this version, we dont see the prison at all. We just get an image of Maryam in handcuffs, as she enters the studio.) She has learnt that she is pregnant. She is assured that she will not only live to see the baby born, but also be given two years to breastfeed the child. Only then will she be executed. But when a friend told Bakhshi about the television show (called Honeymoon), he was intrigued. He reworked his script. The resulting film might make some of us think of Sidney Lumets Network (1976), where a television station exploits the on-air ranting of a just-fired news anchor for ratings. Network is shockingly prescient. Aaron Sorkin, while accepting his Best Screenplay Oscar for The Social Network, said, no predictor of the future not even Orwell has ever been as right as Chayefsky was when he wrote Network. Bakhshi has said Lumet was definitely an influence on Yalda, where the ratings-hungry media is similarly reliant on (and influenced by) an excitable mob. But it was through another legendary film: 12 Angry Men. Like that 1957 classic, Yalda unfolds mostly in a confined space. At first, the handheld camera follows Maryam. Its her story. But after a while, the camera begins to follow Mona. This is now her story, too. She wants revenge, an eye for an eye, which the anchor says is her legal and religious right. But is there more? Is she also angry with her father for being exploitative? Maryam was his employee and he pursued her relentlessly, like hed pursued many others. Only this time, he was hell-bent on marriage: a temporary marriage. His wife is away for medical treatment. Islamic law forbids cohabitation without marriage. Hence this convenient solution. Maryam says she kept saying no, but was forced by her family. But slowly, she learnt to love the man she once looked at like a father. Bakhshis setting lends this angle of class-exploitation a new shade. In another film, the scenes of Maryam being pursued/wooed might have actually been shown, and we would be able to see what really happened between the two. But because we never leave the television studio (except for the opening and closing, and the mid-section where Mona goes on a drive), we get only Maryams words, highly charged words from that lost-little-girl face. Surely, shes telling the truth! Or is she simply using that face to manipulate an audience of millions into voting for her? I cant say the film worked entirely for me: despite the complex underpinnings, its a tad too simplistic. But I really enjoyed the way such explosive situations (there are at least two twists!) were treated without an iota of melodrama. Bakhshi is a documentarian, and thats the no-frills approach he brings to this feature project. Even the neon colours of the set have a function. They are a perfect contrast to the darkness, the sadness inside the hearts of Maryam and Mona. And like in 12 Angry Men, when a tough decision is arrived at, its cause for neither celebration nor despair. It just is. Yalda, a Night for Forgiveness was screened at the International Film Festival of India. Baradwaj Rangan is Editor, Film Companion (South). Dignity cannot be taught, TMC spokesperson Derek O'Brien said Saturday, flaying those who raised the "Jai Shree Ram" slogan at a Kolkata event to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose which irked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee declined to speak at the event after the slogans were raised in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said such "insult" was unacceptable. She had not started her speech when the slogan was raised by a section of the crowd at the Victoria Memorial event to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of the legendary freedom fighter. "This is a government programme and not a political programme. There has to be dignity. It doesn't behove anybody to invite people and insult. I won't speak. Jai Bangla, Jai Hind," she said, wrapping up. Tagging a one-minute video depicting "what exactly happened", Derek tweeted, "Dignity (noun). The state or quality of being worthy of honour and respect. You can't teach 'dignity'. Nor can you teach lumpens to be dignified. Here is a one-min video of what exactly happened today. Including the dignified response by @MamataOfficial." There are several ways the Biden/Harris juggernaut will be blunted. One of these is the market. A national government opposed to the market will make decisions that harm pocketbooks directly. These relate to taxes and regulation. Many of the losses that Biden/Harris cause should be actionable. The market that was greatly helped by deregulation and lower taxes will be generally dragged down by the reversal of those policies. This means loss of jobs and income throughout the country. Minorities that benefited as in no other time under Trump will see those gains eroded. A declining economy will not reflect well on those who caused it. Some will benefit. If you get one of those jobs that raises you to $15 an hour, you will benefit. What do you care if others lose their jobs in the process? Progressive consultants should do very well at the federal level and on the coasts. In fact, flyover country will be required to hire them to promote right thinking. Security firms should benefit as "defund the police" rages on. Does Biden have a way for our most vulnerable groups to be able to afford private security? Solar power and wind should benefit at the expense of fossil fuel electric generation. Forget about the millions of jobs tied to fossil fuels and the rising cost of electricity in a non-fossil world (assuming that a functioning non-fossil world is possible). Look for many firms to receive government grants to promote the Green New Deal. And look for them to fail to deliver, as was already exhibited during the Obama administration. There are numerous others who may benefit from the edicts from the fortified Imperial City of D.C. Fill in the blanks. But those who benefit will most likely do so on the backs of those who are hurt in the process. If there is anything that the left is good at, it is dedication to its cause backed by the willingness to do literally anything to win at any cost. Trump, in commenting on Hillary's "virtues," said her dedication to her cause was her greatest asset. We reject the ugliness of such unbridled dedication, but we can learn to win in a dedicated, civil fashion. Trump has left us with a vastly restructured court system at all levels that should aid greatly in this regard. So as Texas has said, we should sue the Biden/Harris government in every case where it harms us. Remarkably, only a few days into the Biden/Harris administration, the agenda flowing from D.C. in the form of executive orders and the coming promised legislation is generally unconstitutional. This is not surprising since the perpetrators think the Constitution says whatever they say it says. This attitude has been true in many cases courts decided before the Trump restructuring and even a few afterward. The Supreme Court refused to intervene in the election because the justices saw these cases as politics that would reflect badly on the institution. Perhaps they thought Biden could be controlled through the Constitution and that they would take care of the Constitution and America going forward. I believe in general that we should see future court decisions that in the end defend the Constitution as written. Logically, you would think that this would give Biden/Harris pause. However, in the fever of a victory that has translated into a vicious hatred for millions of fellow Americans, logic is suspended. The only pause will be the result of having their agenda repudiated by the courts en masse. Christopher Garbacz is a former economics professor. Image: Judge's gavel and law books by George Hodan. CC0 Public Domain. why would Monsta X join in the first place? i get that they're pretty unknown in korea but theyre huge with oversea fans and with BTOB was popular with GP but had a small stanbase, is that wrong? the popularity of the groups are all over the place. Reply Thread Link monsta x didnt need the show, mnet needed monsta x Reply Parent Thread Link I think Korean GP support would go a long way for their long-term careers though. Monsta X is popular internationally, but I don't know if they are popular enough to have huge solo careers once the group ends. Having the Korean GP like you can lead to acting, hosting, variety, etc. to make your career last longer than the average 5-10 years. The state of boy groups is not great with the GP right now. Since the chart reforms, nearly no boy band besides BTS have charted (which is funny since some people were saying BTS would tank after the reforms, but they are doing really well). I agree that BTOB is relatively popular in Korea though. It's nice to see an older group still together, although I wonder how Ilhoon's scandal and Cube being kind of a mess now will affect them... Reply Parent Thread Link The state of boy groups is not great with the GP right now. Since the chart reforms, nearly no boy band besides BTS have charted Thats why the end of the year shows being sausage fests was ...amusing to me. I know they rely on clicks from international viewers who care about these boy groups but they still shouldve put some effort into the girl groups that actually charted. I dont even care about them anymore but Oh My Girl had a huge year in 2020 with a title track AND a b-side (and that rarely happens) doing really well but they were paid in dust Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Monsta X didnt need to go on, but even some stans admitted it could help their popularity in Korea, which would help in ways of awards, show wins, more brand deals. But tbh, theyre just popular enough that mnet needed them and because they said no, mnet has essentially banned Cravity and another solo artist under their label from being on their network since theyre petty. But, also, Monsta X just because ambassadors for Urban Decay so theyre doing alright. Reply Parent Thread Link monsta x barely break the melon charts tbh, which is the most important chart. the groups who were on Road to Kingdom's popularity skyrocketed. the industry likes them (based on award shows) but they havent been as relevant as other boy groups in SK with that said, mx has been working thru the industry via different means (nabbing hosting roles and, like i said, industry's trust), so they're definitely going thru a mature route Reply Parent Thread Link I definitely came into this post to see if Ateez was going to be mentioned. Theyre my new favorite group Reply Thread Link Amazing taste Reply Parent Thread Link I'm glad Monsta X isn't participating since Minhyuk is already really busy with a bunch of stuff that he seems happy doing and the other members always have their own things going on too. I feel bad for Cravity and Jeong Sewoon if they're being punished for it though. There's always weird politics between companies and broadcasters and usually it's from one or both sides being petty. I do wonder how the Produce scandal affected the relationship with Mnet since Starship seemed to be tied up with it. I don't know how interested I'll be in Kingdom. I'm a fan of Ateez and Stray Kids but RtK just turned into a huge competition about which group could out-spectacle the others and I was kind of bored of it. There wasn't really much variety in performances and I don't see Kingdom being much different. Reply Thread Link tbh i wish it would get canceled but here we are Reply Parent Thread Link i was skimming and thought that said queerdom and was like oh?? , and then i actually read for real and was disappointed lol Reply Thread Link I don't know anything about iKon other than that one actress who is always trying to start something threw a member named Bobby(?) under the bus for something? I completely forgot her name but she is the same former YG trainee who was dating TOP and then said he was a weirdo with a tiny dick. TOP and YG did try to place the weed smoking blame solely on her though so *shrug*. She also was involved in revealing some scandal with Showbu and Wonho, respectively. Yes #StanATEEZ ! For some reason I thought this was coming out in January and I kept thinking "shouldn't it be out now?!" Hopefully Mingi will be well enough to participate by then. And hopefully San's hair will no longer be vibrant pink. To go from that outfit he wore at the MAMAs to this is just not right lolI don't know anything about iKon other than that one actress who is always trying to start something threw a member named Bobby(?) under the bus for something? I completely forgot her name but she is the same former YG trainee who was dating TOP and then said he was a weirdo with a tiny dick. TOP and YG did try to place the weed smoking blame solely on her though so *shrug*. She also was involved in revealing some scandal with Showbu and Wonho, respectively. Reply Thread Link Afaik ikon has had hits in Korea, love scenario was huge , so that's why I don't get why are they there, they aren't rookies or nobodies And the member is BI and that former YG trainee is Han Seo Hee , what a mess all of that was and then poor Wonho and Shownu Reply Parent Thread Link Technically the show isn't for rookies or nobodies. Queendom had mamamoo and they're far from being an unpopular group Reply Parent Thread Link I will try listening to them again. I just put on a Spotify playlist in the background while I was working today. Reply Parent Thread Link San's pink hair is the worst Reply Parent Thread Expand Link That was Han Seo Hee and she is completely certifiable but BI not Bobby is trash for trying to buy drugs from her even though she tried to dissuade him from it and then he was a full coward about it and hiding behind his company to threaten her to go away. And now he somehow became a director in another company and is also trying to rehabilitate his image, taking a drug test years later which was obviously negative, and doing charitable stuff. Apparently supposedly his family has same shady dealings too. The Shownu scandal was ridiculous and the Wonho one she took advantage of but it wasnt really about her as much as it was on him for not dealing with an old ass mess. Edited at 2021-01-23 05:19 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I think the tiny penis rumor was GD and not TOP? But no, the one always starting stuff was about BI and after being forcefully removed from his group and having no charges after over a year brought up against him, he made a solo come back as a feature on Epik Highs new album, and got credits for also writing and producing the song. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Not a fan but SKZ deserves for the bop that is Back Door ( i tried with more of their songs but I didn't like them lol, 4th gen groups are definitely not my thing ) Reply Thread Link Monsta X really. I havent followed kpop in years and thats one name I know very well. I can see why they didnt participate. Reply Thread Link Tbh it was not unexpected, they were offered. Queendom had mamamoo. And monstax have no Korean fanbase. This show could have helped them there, but I also think this show creates unnecessary drama between fandoms. Reply Parent Thread Link Is iKon just always going to be on the brink? This reality is not what I had envisioned for them. Edited at 2021-01-23 01:40 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Any currently active YG group that is not BP does not mentally exist to me at this point. I forget Winner and Ikon exist until I see their names written out. Treasure is also just such a non-factor. Man when YG fell off they fell really fell all the way off. Reply Thread Link It's hilarious that there are two Changmins on this show as well, TVXQ Shim Changmin and TBZ ji Changmin. They are exactly 10 years apart. Changmin is gonna face an existential crisis lol I enjoyed queendom, but can't muster up enthusiasm for this show. I had watched road to kingdom, and the boys seemed too interested in stunts rather than performance art and music. Not a bad thing, just not my preference Reply Thread Link Same with Yunho. Both TVXQs Jung Yunho and Ateezs Jung Yunho are from Gwangju and are the main dancers. Reply Parent Thread Link Isnt Bobby releasing solo stufff soon? Anyways.... But what about Queendom!!!!!! They paid the girls dust! Pfff Reply Thread Link They used girlgroups as guinea pigs and spent all the budget on the boygroups. Someone even compared ioi's season to wana one's season Reply Parent Thread Link I think BTOB already declined bc of scheduling conflicts Reply Thread Link Hmmm I don't care for any of the participating groups. Guess I'll skip this. Reply Thread Link Honestly, as a Cassie. I would just watch this for TVXQ... I only care about Queendom. Reply Thread Link Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed the importance of leveraging the guiding and safeguarding roles of strict Party governance in every respect to ensure the development goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) are fulfilled. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Friday when addressing the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). The year 2020 was extraordinary in the history of the People's Republic of China, Xi said as he summarized the year's achievements in Party construction. "People feel deeply that in stormy times the strong leadership of the Party and the authority of the CPC Central Committee are what they can always count on," Xi said. The CPC Central Committee is satisfied with the progress made in improving Party conduct, building a clean government and combating corruption, he added. Xi underscored the importance of improving political judgment, understanding and execution in implementing full and strict governance over the Party. No Alternative On fighting corruption, historic achievements have been made but the situation remains challenging and complex, Xi said. "Corruption, as the biggest risk to the Party's governance, still exists," Xi said, adding that old and new types of corruption have become intertwined and corruption is increasingly covert and complex. In 2020, 18 centrally-administrated officials were investigated. Also, 1,229 fugitives were brought back and 2.45 billion yuan (378 million U.S. dollars) retrieved from overseas in the first 11 months of 2020. In the first 11 days of 2021, China's top anti-graft body announced punishments for seven centrally-administrated officials who were accused of taking bribes, signifying that the country's war on corruption is taking steady steps in the new year. "The struggle between corruption and anti-corruption efforts will continue to exist for a long period to come," Xi said. "There is no alternative but to forge ahead in the anti-corruption fight against all odds." Highlighted Requirements Xi stressed constantly improving Party conduct, building clean government and combating corruption. The governance over the Party must always be strict, so that the CPC can lead and ensure the smooth sailing of the great ship of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said. Xi demanded strong political oversight to ensure the implementation of the CPC Central Committee's major decisions and plans. "We must resolutely continue the fight against corruption," Xi said, stressing the need to build the systems and measures to ensure that officials do not dare to be, are not able to be, and do not want to be corrupt. Xi demanded efforts to resolutely curb the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism. Continuous efforts must be made to address corruption and misconduct that affect people's immediate interests, to boost their sense of gaining, he added. Xi stressed the need to improve the Party and state supervisory systems, and integrate supervision into the country's development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Discipline inspection and supervision agencies should take the lead in strengthening the Party's political building. They must also be subject to the strictest constraint and oversight, Xi said. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting. Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI, presided over the meeting. Xi's important speech serves as the major guidance for advancing strict Party governance in every respect, Zhao said while presiding over the meeting. Zhao called on Party organizations at all levels and Party members and officials to study and implement the guiding principles of Xi's speech, and earnestly implement the plans made at the CCDI session. Zhao also delivered a work report to the session on behalf of the standing committee of the CCDI. The United States logged a record new daily virus caseload as Joe Biden slammed the Trump administration's vaccine roll-out as a "travesty" and millions in Asia woke up to new lockdowns. Almost 1.9 million people have now died from the virus, with new variants sending cases soaring and prompting the re-introduction of curbs on movement even as some countries begin mass inoculation campaigns. Almost 290,000 new cases were reported in the US within 24 hours Friday according to Johns Hopkins University, a day after the world's worst-hit country recorded a daily record of nearly 4,000 deaths. "Vaccines give us hope, but the roll-out has been a travesty," Biden told reporters, warning distribution of the vaccine would be "the greatest operational challenge we will ever face as a nation." On Saturday the streets of the Australian city of Brisbane were quiet as its more than two million residents were ordered back into lockdown after authorities detected a single infection of a new strain from Britain, which is thought to be more infectious. "Quite surreal, like something from a movie set," local man Scott told AFP in Brisbane's deserted downtown. "It's necessary. Hopefully we will get through the next few days without any cases, that will allow us just to start to get back to normal." In China, where the original coronavirus first emerged in late 2019, authorities also tightened restrictions on two cities near Beijing to stamp out a growing cluster. The new week-long stay at home orders affecting about 18 million people in Shijiazhuang and Xingtai come as cases spike ahead of the Lunar New Year, when hundreds of millions criss-cross the country to visit family and friends. On Saturday Beijing's National Health Commission said authorities had so far given out more than nine million vaccine doses, but warned the upcoming holiday would "further boost the risk of transmission." Story continues As the race to inoculate heats up, the World Health Organization urged rich countries to stop cutting their own deals with manufacturers to snap up the first wave of vaccines. "Fifty percent of the high-income countries in the world are vaccinating today," said Bruce Aylward, head of the WHO co-led vaccine procurement and distribution effort. "Zero percent of the low-income countries are vaccinating. That is not equitable." The comments came as the European Union said it had agreed an option for a further 300 million jabs from Pfizer/BioNTech, doubling its supply of the vaccine. China also said Saturday that preparations were still ongoing for a WHO mission to Wuhan to investigate the origins of Covid-19, following a rare rebuke from the UN body over a delay to the long-planned trip. "As long as these experts complete the procedures and confirm their schedule, we will go to Wuhan together to carry out investigations," National Health Commission vice minister Zeng Yixin told reporters. - Records keep falling - Despite nearly a year of intermittent restrictions across the globe, many countries are still recording record coronavirus numbers, including Britain which on Friday announced new highs of 1,325 deaths and 68,053 cases over 24 hours. Fears have been rising over the new virus variants that emerged in Britain and South Africa, but BioNTech brought some relief on Friday, saying its vaccine was effective against a "key mutation" found in the strains. In Brazil, which has the second-highest death toll after the US, two vaccine makers -- China's Sinovac and AstraZeneca/Oxford -- applied for approval for their jabs. Meanwhile Iran said it was banning the import of any US and British-produced vaccines doses, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying they were "completely untrustworthy". "It's not unlikely they would want to contaminate other nations," he said. Africa was spared the worst of the pandemic's first wave, but has seen a sharp surge in recent weeks, with Senegal recording its highest death and infections figures -- eight and 296, respectively -- on Friday. At a hospital in Nigerian megacity Lagos, managing director Ngozi Onyia likened the surge in cases there to a "tsunami". "I'm making tough calls -- who to take into the treatment centre, who to put on one of our four ventilators -- ethical decisions I've never had to make in 38-plus years," she said. But there was relief in Spain, where a baby -- three-month-old Petru -- left the hospital after spending nearly all his short life fighting Covid-19. bur-rma/mtp Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated on Saturday the El-Fayrouz fish farming project in the northeastern Port Said city among other development projects nationwide. The Port Said project is founded over 15,886 feddans and includes two fishing lakes on an area of 9,762 feddans, Mostafa Amin Ali, the general director of the National Service Projects Authority said. The new fish farming project has 5,908 tanks with an annual production capacity estimated at 13,000 tons. The project includes a fish processing factory, an ice production factory, a laboratory for tests and research, a number of water plants and a network of canals and drains. According to Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi, the project aims at reducing the gap between production and consumption, achieving self-sufficiency, and limiting fish imports. The project is also meant to increase fish exports to Arab and European countries, Radi said, adding that it will contribute to securing foreign currency and supporting the national economy. It is also set to provide 10,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, he noted. In his speech during the inauguration ceremony, El-Sisi said the project was implemented at a high cost, having met comprehensive industrial standards. He said that many national mega-projects were implemented, including in the fields of agriculture, land reclamation and fish farming, noting that the state is developing Lake Manzala near Port Said. In order for the Lake (Manzala), that is founded on 250,000 feddans, to produce 70,000 or 80,000 tons of fish or more, what we have done should be followed by full control on procedures in the lake, the president said. El-Sisi also opened a fish farming project at Deeba Triangle in west Port Said via video-conference. According to the head of the National Company for Fish Resources Hamdy Badeen, the Deeba Triangle project is implemented on a total area of 204 feddans. It consists of 72 tanks with an annual production capacity estimated at 250 tons. Ongoing projects The ceremony witnessed the inauguration of other projects via video-conference, including projects for dairy and livestock products in Fayoum and Nubaria and projects for producing marble and granite in South Sinais Ras Sedr city and Ain Sokhna city in Suez. El-Sisi said overpopulation was hampering development efforts. I want to improve the living conditions of all citizens but population growth is not giving us the chance, the president added. He referred to a project to develop 1,500 villages, stating that it will provide sanitation services and road networks, drinking water systems, governmental institutions, and other services. He noted that the project will contribute to securing job opportunities for local contractors. The project will significantly develop the countryside within three years, the president added. Railways Egypt is upgrading 10,000 kilometres of railway lines across the country, El-Sisi said, adding that by the end of the year, all old locomotives and railcars will have been replaced. The president revealed plans to establish a new railway line between the northern 6 October city in Giza to Upper Egypts Aswan in the south, saying that passengers will be able to travel between the two cities in four hours. He noted that the state rejected foreign bids to implement a 450-kilometre railway line between Ain Sokhna and Alamein valued at $19.5 billion and $10 billion, saying that a 2,000-kilometre railway line is being implemented with a total cost of EGP 350 billion (about $22 billion). The railway lines we are implementing are a big goal We are working for our people in Egypt, El-Sisi said. The president reiterated that overpopulation remains an obstacle to the states development efforts, because population grows faster than the states resources. Development efforts Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reviewed a number of state projects being implemented as part of Egypts 2030 strategy. The premier said the state has been implementing 31,000 projects to improve people's lives in rural and urban areas. The projects have been implemented with investments valued at over EGP 5.8 trillion, Madbouly said, noting that many of these projects were already implemented and the rest will be finished within three years. Madbouly said the state has been constructing 30 new cities with a total investment of EGP 700 billion. The cities are expected to accommodate around 30 million people, he noted, adding that construction is planned to finish in four years. Madbouly said Egypt has a large number of dry ports, adding that the total investment in these ports amounts to EGP 50 billion. The goal of developing ports is for Egypt to become a hub for international trade, Madbouly said. In electricity, the premier said Egypt has invested over EGP 500 billion, adding that the country now has a surplus in power and is capable of exporting it to neighbouring countries. The state has been working to implement 25 governmental, private and non-profit private universities, valued at EGP 150 billion, Madbouly said. Short link: Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. The general rule View(s): My dear Gota maamey, I thought I must write to you only because we hear many people grumbling already that the Paradise they hoped for when they voted you in to high office just over a year ago has not materialised- and some are indeed complaining that we are in a worse state now than they were under Cheerio Sirisena! I dont really think we have reached that state quite yet but it is true that there has not been much progress either. The time has come to take a look at what has been happening over the past year and plan for the next four years ahead- that is, if you dont want to go the same way that Sirisena did! You might say that this corona virus hampered all your great plans but it is also a fact that at first, everyone was praising you for how you were managing the pandemic and Paradise was held up as an example to other countries on how to deal with Covid-19 with little resources and tough controls. Months later a second wave emerged. Instead of dealing with it with tougher measures, we saw Pavithra throwing pots of water in to rivers and drinking peni, sending all the wrong messages to the public. The pandemic grew steadily. The lady is herself in quarantine now- and we do wish her well. Then, when you turn a blind eye to cousin Udayanga bringing groups of tourists from Ukraine apparently ignoring all quarantine regulations, that paints a pretty poor picture- especially at a time when more than five hundred people are being infected and a few succumb to the pandemic daily. All the while we are told there is still no community transition and that each and every one of our more than fifty-five thousand cases have been linked to one cluster or another. Add to this, claims by some communities that their funeral rights are being denied and you have the perfect storm brewing. Gota maamey, people are wondering why controlling the pandemic has become so messy and whether putting military men in charge of anything and everything is the solution to every problem. Yes, they won the war but surely, running a country is too serious a matter to be left to the Generals alone? It doesnt also help your image when, on the one hand, Ranjan from the opposition ranks is sent to prison for a few harsh words he said about judges but, on the other hand, those charged with murder such as Premalal and Pillayan return to Parliament, all of this happening around the same time. We know these are separate matters and they were all decided in different courts of law. Still, you told us that the words you say become a circular, so many assume that your word is law. We also know there are greater challenges awaiting you because India is trying to tell you what you should do with provincial councils. They are also demanding part of the Colombo port. If you give in to them, would you be betraying the promises you gave to the nearly seven million who voted for you. You also have the Cardinal-whose statements supported you at the election- asking why the culprits of the Easter bombings have not been brought to book. Indeed, many others are asking why those who robbed bonds from the big bank are roaming still free when you promised to deal with them quickly? When you have so many issues to deal with, it is not surprising to lose your cool. Still, to do so with that chap Harin leaves a bad taste, Gota maamey. All that it achieved was allowing Harin to get some publicity claiming you threatened him. It is in these types of matters that you should perhaps get some advice from Mahinda maama. Remember, he too was called Percy by some- which is also his name- and he just laughed it off, didnt he? Despite all this, Gota maamey, you have one saving grace: there is no one to challenge you, at least for now. The Greens are a disaster. Sajith is still to get his act together. Still, stranger things have happened: who thought Sirisena could defeat Mahinda maama? So, you need to watch out! Yours truly, Punchi Putha PS- With regard to the disaster in the Green camp that allows you to go almost unchallenged, some said Kusal was like Ranil: drafted in to the team at a very young age, thought to be a prodigy, given many chances at the top but failing repeatedly. Well, not any more- even Kusal has been dropped! GRAND RAPIDS, MI West Michigan residents eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine will soon have a new place to get a dose. A large-scale clinic at DeVos Place convention center in downtown Grand Rapids is scheduled to open Monday as part of a partnership between the Kent County Health Department, Spectrum Health and Mercy Health Saint Marys. Initially, the clinic will have roughly 7,200 doses of the vaccine to distribute starting next week, with the goal of eventually ramping up to 20,000 doses a day. However, with the vaccine in high-demand and short-supply, its unclear when the clinic will be able to reach that goal. The reality is, at this time, that theres a bit of an unknown, said Brian Brasser, chief operating officer at Spectrum Health. But I think the key message is that from the west side of the state, were ready. Doses of the vaccine will be offered by appointment only. As of now, those eligible for the vaccine include people age 65 and older, as well as teachers, childcare workers, law enforcement and other essential frontline workers. Appointments for the clinic can be made online at wmvaccineclinic.org or by calling 833-755-0696. DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, is a large convention center with a 162,000-square-foot exhibit hall and various ballrooms and meeting rooms. It was a natural choice for the clinic because of its ample space, accessibility by public transportation, proximity to multiple highways, and because a parking garage is located underneath the building, officials said. The DeVos Place clinic is known as the West Michigan Vaccine clinic. By pooling our resources, by pooling our expertise, we can do this a lot better for the community, said Kent County Health Director Adam London. By coming together, I think were sending a powerful message to the community, and were providing a better experience as well. Darryl Elmouchi, president of Spectrum Health West Michigan, said the clinic will help ensure more people can get vaccinated once more doses of the drug are available. Scale is key here, he said. If we want to get shots in arms and we want to head toward that famed heard immunity, coming together will make that happen quicker, better and easier for everybody. Staffing is another benefit of the partnership, said Hyung Kim, president of Mercy Health Saint Marys. Our working together means that if for some reason on a given day, if theres a certain type of staff at a level that one organization cannot provide, that the others will be able to step in, he said. DeVos Place is being made available after Kent County signed a lease for the space with the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA). The CAA is the public authority that owns and operates DeVos Place. Kent County spokesperson Lori Latham said the county will pay a $12,000 per-day rental fee. Thats a discounted rate from the normal fee of $33,525. She said the rental fee is needed to reimburse the CAA for the cost of hosting the clinic, which includes equipment, staff, utilities, and more, she said. Theres no profit in this, she said. Everyones just covering their costs at this point. In addition to the cost of renting DeVos Place, there will also be operational costs, Latham said. That includes medical staff who will administer the vaccine, as well as medical supplies and equipment. The cost of those supplies are being finalized by representatives of the county, Spectrum and Mercy. The length of time the clinic will be open for has not been finalized. Latham said the month-to-month lease is designed to give the county and its partners flexibility when determining how long the space is needed. However, the expectation is that the clinic would be open for at least three- to six-months, she said. While the clinic is being run in partnership with several of the Grand Rapids areas biggest healthcare providers, one provider Metro Health-University of Michigan Health is not taking part. When asked why it was not participating, the Wyoming-based hospital said in a statement that its focused on fulfilling scheduled vaccinations for healthcare workers, our patients and the public servants directed to our vaccination clinic. We feel we can best serve the overall Kent County population by focusing our vaccination efforts at our location in Wyoming and eventually expanding to our Neighborhood Outpatient Centers, Metro said in a statement. We believe there are many members of the West Michigan community that require vaccine access closer to their homes due to factors including transportation. We are proud of the cooperation among our healthcare colleagues throughout the pandemic. As vaccine supplies increase, we look forward to continuing that collaboration. We share the goal of working together to help West Michigan achieve widespread protection from COVID-19. Read more: Michigan health director abruptly resigns, replaced by deputy Bars, restaurants will have 10 p.m. curfew when indoor dining reopens Feb. 1 Judge jails Michigan man in Capitol insurrection over guns, Facebook statements Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched One of Raleighs favorite florists has moved to a new location. Watkins Flowers of Distinction has expanded its business and moved into a larger and more accessible Midtown location at 1612 North Market Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609. The new shop opened just days before Christmas on Monday, December 21, 2020 and features a beautiful wood-themed retail store along with an expanded floral design area. The site also includes warehouse space with a loading dock that will accommodate any size of delivery vehicle to streamline the delivery process. Watkins Flowers of Distinction co-owners Sallie Taggart and Ed Carpp said the transition to the new space was nearly seamless despite taking place during some of the busiest shopping days of the year. The new shop is perfect for us and everything is in place, Taggart said. Were delighted on a number of levels. We have more space, and a more centralized location for delivery in a well-established shopping area with customers who love supporting local businesses. We also continued our dedication to quality and sustainable green practices by installing state of the art plumbing, refrigeration, and high-efficiency, low energy usage equipment. Taggart said Watkins Flowers of Distinction is a perfect fit for the N. Market Drive location and they look forward to many years there. From day one they made us feel like they really wanted us to be there, Taggart said. They took the facility down to the studs, installed beautiful wood floors and painted everything in our colors, transforming the shop into a floral and gift showcase showcase that our customers will love to visit. Watkins Flowers of Distinctions new shop at 1612 N. Market Dr., Raleigh, NC, 27609 is open from 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. They are closed on Sunday. Shop online 24/7 at watkinsflowersofdistinction.com. Watkins Flowers of Distinction has been serving Raleigh and surrounding areas since 1963 and is among the most Google-reviewed and highest-rated florists in the Triangle area of North Carolina. This rating reflects its obsession with customer service, floral quality and design, and unique curated gifts and decor. For more information, please contact owner Sallie Taggart at (919) 872-3333, or sallie.taggart@watkinsfod.com. Two years ago, Rachael Akhidenor had a breakthrough moment in a yoga class. Sat on her mat, she looked around the room and realised she was the only person of colour present. From there, she says she began to notice it not just in yoga, but throughout the wellness realm: in meditation and mindfulness, in fitness, in spas, even personal development. Rachael Akhidenor, 25, says her Self Care Originals T-shirts are "wearable activism". Credit:Justin McManus "I couldnt unsee it. It was everywhere ... I noticed [the industry] was really singularly focused on one type of person white, female, thin and privileged," says Akhidenor, whose parents' heritage is Greek and Nigerian. "It completely shifted my perception." The 25-year-old, from Melbourne, says she created her self-funded brand, Self Care Originals, in 2018 while at university with the aim of encouraging people to look after themselves mentally, spiritually and physically but she then shifted her focus to promote the message that everybody has the right to pursue health and wellbeing. The coronavirus pandemic continues to run rampant across Canada with an exponential increase in cases that has driven the health care system to the breaking point. Given that health experts warned, as early as last spring, of a second wave of COVID-19 that would potentially be even deadlier than the first, the question that must be posed is: How is it possible that this catastrophic scenario has now materialized? The answer lies in the class policy of Canadas federal and provincial governments, which have worked to avoid all effective measures against the pandemic that are deemed harmful to the accumulation of profits. Since the start of the second wave in September with the reopening of schools, the country has seen record numbers of infections and hospitalizations. If we compare the current figures with those of the first wave, which ended in early summer, the situation is more than alarming. Source: Government of Canada. According to data provided by the Canadian government, there were more than 8,800 deaths in the country (including more than 5,600 in Quebec alone) and nearly 109,000 infections during the first wave, which effectively ended in early July. As of January 22, more than 18,700 people have died in Canada, while the number of infections now exceeds 730,000. If one excludes Quebec, which was disproportionately impacted during the first wave, the number of deaths in the second wave exceeds the total of the first wave by a factor of three. There are on average six times as many cases across the country. According to the Public Health Agency of Canadas forecasts, the number of daily infections could reach 10,000 in February if the measures currently in place are maintained, and 30,000 if the situation deteriorates further. The skyrocketing number of cases and deaths is clearly demonstrated by the federal governments own graphs, shown above. In many parts of the country, the number of seriously ill COVID-19 patients is overwhelming the health system. In Quebec and Ontario, the two most populous provinces, and the provinces most affected by the COVID-19 crisis, there is no room for maneuver. There is a critical shortage of equipment, and critical care beds are running out. In several large urban centers, such as the Greater Montreal Metropolitan Area or the Windsor, Ontario area, the forced transfer of patients to outlying areas has already begun, and authorities are reviewing plans for triage under which some patients are denied treatment and left to die, due to the lack of intensive care beds and other shortages. Many hospitals are reporting occupancy rates of over 100 percent. In addition to the shortage of beds and equipment, there is a crying lack of health care personnel, who have been hard hit by the pandemic. Not only have thousands fallen ill, but the inordinate workloadnurses in Quebec have been denied their vacations and forced to work endless hours of overtimehas taken a heavy psychological toll. As a result, many hospitals cannot function at their normal capacity. The severity of the crisis is not the consequence of the unexpected nature of the pandemic, which was both foreseeable and foreseen, but of the disastrous response of government authorities. They have refused to funnel the requisite resources into a health care system that was already ravaged by decades of budget cuts, thus ensuring its inability to carry out systematic mass testing and contact tracing and massively expand medical infrastructure to combat the pandemic. At the beginning of the first wave last spring, the federal government and the Bank of Canada focused on rescuing the financial and corporate elite, providing them some $650 billion in bailout funds. The ruling class then turned to reopening the economy to make the working class paythrough increased exploitation in the workplacefor the monies they had just allocated to themselves. In this, they received the unstinting support of the trade unions, which demobilized working class opposition, and have helped reopen workplaces and schools. (See: Canadian unions cement anti-worker corporatist alliance with government and big business) With criminal disregard for human life, provincial governments, with the blessing of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his federal Liberal government, began in late April to reopen nonessential businesses, factories and schools even as the virus continued to run freely. This campaign was led by Quebec Premier Francois Legault, who in May reopened all industries and most of the provinces schools (except in the Greater Montreal region). Instead of using August to strengthen the health care system for a potential resurgence of the pandemic as temperatures cooled and people were forced to spend more time indoors, the federal and provincial governments expended their energies on countering widespread public opposition to their push to force children and teenagers to return to in-class instruction at the beginning of September. Their aim in doing so, despite hypocritical claims of concerns about pupils mental health and education, was to free parents from their childcare responsibilities so that they could be forced back to work and generating profits for big business. (See: Canadian medical experts provide ideological justification for homicidal back-to-work drive ) As the number of cases began to rise in September and October, government officials rushed to announce that there would be no lockdown in the face of a second wave. Instead, amid calls from epidemiologists and other health specialists for urgent action, they imposed only minimal and ineffective restrictions, such as the partial closure of restaurants that Quebecs government ordered in late October. They were particularly adamant in insisting that schools must remain open for in-class instruction, although they had emerged as a significant source of transmission. Canada thus implemented the herd immunity policy adopted by governments across the US and Europeand once openly advocated by Legaultof letting the virus spread throughout the population in order to keep the economy open and preserve the flow of profits. Having rejected any serious measures to stem the pandemic, government officials are now adding insult to injury by scapegoating ordinary people for the spread of the virus. They are blaming private gatherings for the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases, while their own documents show that the majority of infections occur in workplaces, schools and long-term care facilities. It is working people that are bearing the full weight of the coronavirus crisis. In addition to the staggering number of deaths, social misery and income inequality have dramatically increased across the country during the pandemic. Unemployment has risen sharply, with hundreds of thousands of service sector jobs eliminated. In the spring, as hundreds of billions were handed out to big business, eligible workers received a meager $2,000 per month under the CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit). While right-wing forces were denouncing the CERB for incentivizing dependence and recipients as potential cheats, companies that had received millions in wage subsidies were, as the Financial Post subsequently documented, using the money for executive bonuses and shareholder dividends. The real COVID-19 profiteers are the rich: this year alone, the countrys top 20 billionaires increased their wealth by $37 billion. (See: Canadas pandemic wage subsidy: a slush fund for wealthy shareholders and corporate executives ) The ruling class homicidal policy was orchestrated with the full backing of the pro-capitalist trade union apparatuses, which have endorsed and implemented the back-to-work and back-to-school drive. For decades, the unions have served as watchdogs for the ruling elite, suppressing workers struggles and imposing the big business assault on jobs, wages and public services. The coronavirus crisis has provided them with an opportunity to collaborate even more closely with big business and its governments, in complete disregard for the health and lives of the workers they purport to represent. A similar sharp turn to the right was carried out by pseudo-left organizations such as Quebec Solidaire, which has come under criticism even from its own members for its open collaboration with Legault and endorsement of his governments disastrous handling of the pandemic. To halt the spread of the virus and prevent a massive loss of life, emergency measures must be taken now! The availability of vaccines makes it all the more urgent that a full lockdown be put in place across the country until the bulk of the population is vaccinated. Schools must be closed, and millions invested in e-learning. All non-essential economic activity must be shut down. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) must be made available to all those workers who must stay on the job for essential production and services. And full financial compensation must be provided to all workers and small businesses affected by lockdown measures. The resources to finance such measures exist in abundance, but they are monopolized by the billionaires and multimillionaires, whose grip on society can only be broken by the independent political mobilization of the working class. To fight for these demands, workers must build rank-and-file safety committees, independent of the pro-capitalist trade unions. This must be combined with a broader political struggle on a socialist perspective, for the bringing to power of a workers government and the reorganization of economic life to meet the social needs of all, not the profit interests of a tiny minority. Posted Saturday, January 23, 2021 11:01 am EPHRATA A Grant County official announced he will not take his salary until restrictions on businesses are lifted by Gov. Jay Inslee, and challenged Inslee and other state officials to do the same. Grant County Prosecutor Garth Dano sent a video to the governor's office Jan. 5, "Concerned Citizens of Grant County," detailing some of the local effects of the restrictions. The video also included Dano's challenge. Dano followed that with a letter to the governor's office Jan. 20. "To date, I have received no response from you or your staff concerning the plea from Grant County citizens to reopen our economy," Dano wrote in his letter. "I am personally declining to take my salary until you end your orders, out of respect and support of Washingtonians who have lost their jobs or businesses as a direct result of your orders." "I am seriously troubled by the lack of communication or response from your office," he continued. "As one elected official to another, representing the interests of the people of this State, I find it inexcusable and disrespectful that neither you or your staff have extended to me the common courtesy to respond to my attempts to speak with you." Dano said in a separate interview he believes the pandemic offers a serious challenge, but state officials should show more flexibility in dealing with it. "This one size fits all is crazy," Dano said. Mike Faulk, deputy communications director for the governor's office, said he didn't know if the governor planned to defer his salary. "I have not heard of any such plans," he wrote in an email. "The question itself reflects a misplaced frustration with the governor for how the pandemic has unfolded. The virus is what's hurting our communities right now, not the measures taken by the state that are totally appropriate for this moment in time. These restrictions are necessary and are backed by a robust body of scientific evidence about how the virus spreads." People in the governor's office apparently watched the video. "Members of the governor's staff have seen and appreciated the views expressed in the video," Faulk wrote. Faulk said Inslee and his staff understand the concerns of Washington business owners. "Our office talks to stakeholders in the business communities most impacted by these restrictions every day," he said. "We hate what has happened to businesses coping with the most restrictive measures right now, and the governor has targeted hundreds of millions in state funds toward these businesses, as well as tenants and landlords. Many times that amount was distributed to local governments via the state through federal CARES Act dollars." Faulk said the restrictions are necessary. "Lifting many of the current restrictions would result in exponential growth of the virus and overwhelm our health system, which is a disaster that would hurt even more people than we've seen among people and businesses affected by COVID. Our health is essential to our freedom, and the pandemic represents threats not just to people with COVID but anyone with ongoing medical needs, including non-urgent needs that could worsen over time with a lack of access to consistent medical care," he wrote. State officials consulted a number of groups when establishing the standards, Faulk said. "We have considered every avenue and the measures we settled on came after months of feedback positive and negative from stakeholders in local government, business, health, education, labor and more," he said. "There is a popular myth out there that these decisions have been made in a bubble, and it's just not true. The businesses, small and large, are all limited to 25% capacity. Bigger stores can fit more people before they hit 25% capacity, but it's still a uniform standard and if big stores violate that, they will face potential enforcement actions." Dano said state officials should emphasize vaccination. After medical personnel and emergency responders, Dano said state officials should focus on vaccinating those most at risk for complications from the disease, including people more than 70 years of age and people with medical conditions. Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com. ___ (c)2021 the Columbia Basin Herald, Wash. Visit the Columbia Basin Herald, Wash. at www.columbiabasinherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Advertisement Britons today ignored the government's 'stay at home' message as they formed huge queues for coffees and flocked to parks as the sun came out. Walkers, runners and cyclists were out and about in Hyde Park, central London, and Greenwich Park in the south-east of the capital. Officers from the Metropolitan Police kept a close eye on them as they were out on the beat in pairs wearing face coverings. But in Clapham pavements were clogged up with young adults either queuing outside coffee shops, walking to the Common or just standing around. And at Bradgate Park in Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire, the car park was teaming with vehicles as hikers headed into the woods. It comes as a scientist advising the Government on coronavirus called for tighter lockdown restrictions than the first one in March. Professor Susan Michie, director of the Centre for Behaviour Change at UCL, also said she was in favour of paying people from low-income households to self-isolate. Yet analysis by Oxford University's Covid-19 impact monitor shows the current nationwide shut down is having 'a third less impact on movement' than the first one in March. Meanwhile experts played down fears the Kent variant of the coronavirus is more deadly than the original strain after a 'scaremongering' Downing Street press conference last night. The gloomy address from No 10 came despite a report by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies yesterday saying the R rate was between 0.8 and 1 - down from last week when it was between 1.2 and 1.3. In another day of coronavirus news: Heathrow says it is 'impossible' for passengers to be socially-distanced as travellers returning to the UK blast hour-long queues on another day of chaos after negative Covid test rule was enforced; The leader of the Welsh Conservatives has resigned following the disclosure he was among a group of politicians who drank alcohol on the Senedd estate days after a pub alcohol ban came into force; Fears of a health crisis at a military barracks housing asylum seekers in Kent have escalated after 120 people are believed to have tested positive for coronavirus; Countries around the world are considering tougher travel restrictions in a bid to keep out Britain's 'more deadly' Covid strain; Boris Johnson yesterday claimed there is evidence that the Kent Covid variant may be more deadly; But experts are playing down the concerns, saying its not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous; Nursing leaders are calling for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19; Nearly 39 per cent of Israel's citizens have had at least a single dose of a Covid jab so far. In Clapham pavements were clogged up with young adults either queuing outside coffee shops, walking to the Common or just standing around Lockdown-weary pedestrians were out in Hyde Park (pictured) and Greenwich Park on a warmer day in the city At Bradgate Park in Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire, the car park was teaming with vehicles as hikers headed into the woods In Clapham the paths were full of people waiting for coffees, walking to the popular Common or just standing around talking to friends People queue down the street as they wait for takeaway coffees from a stall in Clapham on Saturday afternoon Officers kept a close eye on them in Hyde Park (pictured) as they were on the beat in pairs wearing face coverings Joggers and cyclists exercised in pairs on the pavements and roads weaving through the central London park Two police officers stop to speak to a woman in Hyde Park, central London, on Saturday morning People walk in Primrose Hill, north London, on the sunny Saturday afternoon. It comes as a scientist advising the Government on coronavirus called for tighter lockdown restrictions than the first one in March The crowds appear most prevalent near the Serpentine in Hyde Park as people pushed their bikes and took pictures Borough Market is a particularly popular tourist destination and hundreds of people were snapped mingling together Even outside people are supposed to keep a distance of 6ft but many places in London were too busy to make this possible A group of friends enjoy a drink and a bite to eat at a very busy Borough Market in the centre of London People wrapped up in scarves and hats admire the view at Primrose Hill during the third national lockdown People walk along a busy path in Hyde Park, central London, on a warmer day in the capital today Cyclists are pictured out in Westminster, London, on Saturday (left). Right: A police officer speaks to a cyclist on Rotten Row, Hyde Park, London, during the third coronavirus lockdown A narrow path leading past the Serpentine and up to a coffee shop was busy with people today Professor Susan Michie, director of the Centre for Behaviour Change at UCL, said she was in favour of paying people from low-income households to self-isolate Senior doctors call for gap between first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine to be HALVED to six weeks Senior doctors have called for the gap between the first and second doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine to be halved to six weeks. It emerged on Thursday that NHS hospitals could be banned from giving out the jabs if they don't stick to the strategy of delaying second doses by 12 weeks or longer, despite initial proposals to leave a three-week gap. But the British Medical Association (BMA) has recommended to cut the waiting time, warning in a letter that the strategy is 'difficult to justify' and the UK is 'internationally isolated'. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously said governments should be giving people their second dose within 21 to 28 days of having the first, to make sure the vaccine works long-term. In a private letter to Professor Chris Witty, the BMA indicated that second doses may not be guaranteed following a 12-week gap due to the 'unpredictability of supplies', reports the BBC. Although agreeing that the jab should be 'rolled as quickly as possible', the association called for an urgent review of the policy that is 'proving evermore difficult to justify'. Advertisement Hyde Park saw a large group of middle-aged women and one man walking a dog while nursing coffees as they strolled past police. Crowds were also packed in tight on a narrow path near the Serpentine leading to the refreshment shop where others sipped their drinks. Meanwhile joggers and cyclists exercised in pairs on the pavements and roads weaving through the central London park. Over in Greenwich, a woman was pictured pushing a pram while walking three small dogs in Greenwich Park in the east of the capital. Others chose to workout in front of the National Maritime Museum, with the skyscrapers of the City in the backdrop. In Clapham the paths were full of people waiting for coffees, walking to the popular Common or just standing around talking to friends. Some queued into the road outside a pop up drinks stall in the south west town in the capital, forcing a jogger to skirt around them. Despite this, Professor Michie said an 'overwhelming' number of people were sticking to lockdown rules as she questioned how government messaging was being targeted. The Government launched a new advert that asks people to 'look in the eyes' of frontline medical workers and Covid-19 patients and tells them to stay at home. Prof Michie told Times Radio: 'The advert, the Government messages and Priti Patel talking about fines is all on the basis that the main problem is that people aren't adhering to the rules that exist. 'But actually all the data show that the overwhelming number of people are sticking to the rules with one exception which is self-isolation. 'In fact I would say that it's not so much people not sticking to the rules, but it's the rules themselves that are the problem.' People out in Clapham, south west London, are pictured today. England in currently in its third lockdown due to Covid 19 Three men walk through Battersea Park, London, during the third national lockdown Professor Michie said an 'overwhelming' number of people were sticking to lockdown rules as she questioned how government messaging was being targeted. Pictured: Clapham today Some queued into the road outside a pop up drinks stall in the south west town in the capital, forcing a jogger to skirt around them People stand outside a coffee shop in Clapham Common in the south west of the capital on Saturday afternoon Despite the new government advertising blitz there were still plenty of people out in Hyde Park today (pictured) The popular central London park was teaming with people dressed for the winter this morning A cyclist looks back at two joggers who were out in Greenwhich Park on Saturday morning Two people sit on a bench as others walk past in Hyde Park, central London, on Saturday morning Prof Michie advocated for a much stricter lockdown, and possibly even tougher than the first lockdown in March last year. Pictured: Hyde Park today Heathrow says it is 'impossible' for passengers to be socially-distanced Heathrow Airport has said it 'isn't possible' for people to socially distance in its terminals as travellers blast the long queues at passport control. Shocking images shared to social media today showed hundreds of travellers -including children and the elderly - waiting in lines. Witnesses said the queues took at least an hour to clear as Border Force officers checked each passenger's proof of a negative PCR test and their locator form. The Home Office has insisted they have 'the necessary staff' needed to get through the hoards of passengers - and claim it is 'ultimately up to individual airports to ensure social distancing on site.' But Heathrow Airport said Border Force are responsible for the checks, and claim 'social distancing in an airport environment isn't really possible'. The chaos in arrivals come as ministers consider enforcing a mandatory 10-day 'hotel quarantine' system for all arrivals to stop Covid variants entering the UK. The plans - which could come into place as early as next week - may force travellers to pay out of pocket for a hotel stay, sparking fears the tough rules could spell the end for the hard-hit travel industry. Advertisement Prof Michie, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (Spi-B), said current lockdown rules were not enough to tackle the more infectious variant of Covid-19, which Boris Johnson revealed may be associated with 'a higher degree of mortality'. She said there were twice as many people going to work and using public transport compared to the first lockdown, and more children in classrooms because the Government 'has widened the definition of who's a key worker'. She advocated for a much stricter lockdown, and possibly even tougher than the first lockdown in March last year. Prof Michie described nurseries and places of worship, which are both allowed to remain open during lockdown, as 'superspreading events', and said she had heard from a lot of people who are 'really distraught' about going to work. On what restrictions she would like to see, Prof Michie said: 'Do what we did in March but consider are there other things we could tighten? 'The better the lockdown is now the shorter it will be. I think we should throw everything we can at really driving transmission down to a low level. 'Make a really effective test, trace and isolate system so when inevitable outbreaks occur there's a system there that can manage it and prevent it getting out of control again.' The scientist also revealed she was in favour of paying people from low-income households to self-isolate. Meanwhile as snow fell across much of the country on Saturday the sun drew huge crowds to the North Tyneside coast to enjoy its picturesque beaches. Dog-walkers and groups flocked to Longsands, in Tynemouth, for a midday stroll along the promenade. An onlooker said: 'Such scenes are quite upsetting to see after last night's announcement. 'There's a new deadly strain of the virus currently spreading yet people don't seem to be taking any heed to the guidance. 'It's just like any other Saturday, only busier, if anything. People clearly aren't taking the advice to stay at home seriously.' Meanwhile as snow fell across much of the country on Saturday the sun drew huge crowds to the North Tyneside coast to enjoy its picturesque beaches Dog walkers were seen in Longsands, Tynemouth, for a midday stroll, during the third national lockdown, on Saturday It came after the government decided not to go ahead with a proposal to pay 500 to everyone who tests positive for coronavirus in order to increase the number of people abiding by quarantine rules. Prof Michie said evidence showed 80 per cent of people with symptoms are not staying at home for the whole 10 days and the main reason for that is people needing to go to work to get an income. She described it as a 'financial issue', adding to Times Radio: 'People who can't afford to stay at home, paying them to stay at home would help.' She said 500 is not enough for people on low income, suggesting that they should be 'paid just automatically what they get'. People walk through Battersea Park, London, on Saturday during the third national lockdown while others are seen cycling and jogging A group are seen cycling out in Westminster, London, on Saturday. The Government launched a new advert that asks people to 'look in the eyes' of frontline medical workers and Covid-19 patients and tells them to stay at home Walkers are pictured on Westminster Bridge on Saturday while others are seen jogging amid the third lockdown A woman jogs over Westminster Bridge in London today as many others were seeing walking on the sunny Saturday Prof Michie said evidence showed 80 per cent of people with symptoms are not staying at home. Pictured: People walk over Westminster Bridge in London on Saturday The scientist also revealed she was in favour of paying people from low-income households to self-isolate. Pictured: Hyde Park Crowds were packed in tight on a narrow path near the Serpentine leading to the refreshment shop Greenwich Park was also busy, as a woman walked three dogs while pushing a pram on Saturday Police officers in a squad car drive past people out walking in Hyde Park, central London, this morning Police officers talk to two women in Trafalgar Square, London, during the third national lockdown Two cyclists cruise through Hyde Park in central London today as a police car watches on Welsh Tory leader QUITS after admitting he drank alcohol on Welsh parliament grounds with other MPs days after pub booze ban was enforced The leader of the Welsh Conservatives has stepped down after admitting he downed alcohol on Welsh parliament grounds days after a pub alcohol ban was enforced. Paul Davies was accused of drinking alcohol with former Welsh Government minister Alun Davies, Tory chief whip Darren Millar and the party's chief of staff Paul Smith in a licensed Senedd tearoom in December. Just four days earlier, Wales banned the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol on licensed premises - although off-licences were allowed to sell alcohol until 10pm. All four men denied breaking Covid-19 rules and say they observed social distancing while meeting in the Ty Hywel building to discuss working together on a proposed bill. But Mr Davies today said the controversy had become a 'distraction' and that he is standing down with 'immediate effect' despite appeals from colleagues to continue. Advertisement Despite Prof Michie's claims people are obeying the lockdown, new analysis from Oxford University shows it is having a third less impact than the original one in March. Researchers found that in some areas people are moving at above 50 per cent of what they were before the pandemic struck last year. Population movement plummeted by 89 per cent on average in March, but it is about 59 per cent down on pre-Covid levels in January's shut down, according to data up to January 8. The figures show the North East is the region where people are moving most, with it above 50 per cent, while the North West is just under 50 per cent. The South East had the lowest percentage of people out, according to the data, at just of third of pre-pandemic levels. Co-director of the impact monitor Dr Matthias Qian said: 'Our mobility measures show signs of lockdown fatigue among Britons. 'Despite the overflow of hospitals with COVID-19 patients, the behavioural change and mobility patterns responded less than during the March lockdown.' Fellow co-director Dr Adam Saunders added: 'As widely reported in the media, there have been growing concerns over adherence to this third lockdown, with pockets of evidence suggesting that some members of the British public have been moving more despite public health warnings highlighting the increased transmissibility of the virus. 'This latest data shows what we believe to be the first national picture of the third lockdown's effectiveness along with better insight into why the spread of the virus has proved so difficult to contain this time around.' Experts today played down fears a UK variant of the coronavirus is more deadly than the original strain after a 'scaremongering' Downing Street press conference last night. Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle said it is not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous. Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it is an 'open question' but not a 'game changer' in terms of dealing with the pandemic. And Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of SAGE subgroup the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about the suggested increased mortality rate. Boris Johnson and Sir Patrick Vallance said at a Downing Street press conference last night that the variant of the coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly than the previous version of the virus that it is competing with A SAGE warning revealing scientists are only 50 per cent sure the variant could be more fatal had been handed to ministers just hours before the official address to the public from Downing Street last night. Ministers were only informed about the development yesterday morning after members of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), a subcommittee of Sage, discussed the issue on Thursday. The group found there was a 'realistic possibility' the variant resulted in an increased risk of death when compared with the original strain. But evidence for increased mortality remains thin Nervtag papers reveal the term 'realistic possibility' is used when scientists are only 40 to 50 per cent confident something is true. The paper states 'it should be noted that the absolute risk of death per infection remains low'. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said if the evidence is correct it would mean three to four more deaths per 1,000 cases. Chief Scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance even admitted during the press conference evidence the strain is more deadly is still 'weak'. Joggers and people wrapped up in scarves and hats take their exercise in Battersea Park, London, during the lockdown People walk along the sea front on Bournemouth Beach in Dorset, during England's third national lockdown Covid marshals walk along sea front in Bournemouth, Dorset, as people get outside for their exercise during the lockdown The decision to reveal the new information just hours after learning of the development is a yardstick of how alarmed ministers are. Critics accused them of 'scaremongering' by announcing their fears the Kent strain is more deadly at short notice and without strong supporting evidence. The gloomy report followed positive news from SAGE that the R rate was between 0.8 and 1 - down from last week when it was between 1.2 and 1.3. Covid infections are also still falling, down 27 per cent yesterday compared to last week with 40,261 new cases and 1,401 new deaths. But the Covid Recovery Group of Tory backbenchers and business chiefs are growing increasingly alarmed at suggestions lockdown could stretch well into summer despite Britain's vaccination programme. The SAGE paper released last night cited three studies of the risk of death associated with the new strain. They were all based on a study of 2,583 deaths among 1.2million tested individuals: A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study said the hazard of death within 28 days of a test for the mutant strain compared with non-mutant strains was 1.35 times higher; An Imperial College London study of the Case Fatality Rate of the new mutant strain found the risk of death was 1.36 times higher. It used mathematical analysis to look at all cases of the new variant but the total number was not revealed in the papers. The SAGE paper said its data is based on just 8 per cent of the total deaths occurring during the study period. Imperial used the same datasets as London School of Hygience and Tropical Medicine; A University of Exeter study suggested the risk of death could be 1.91 times higher. This study matched those with the new variant to those of a similar demographic. The SAGE paper did not reveals its sample size, but its analysis was again based on 8 per cent of the total coronavirus deaths during the study period; SAGE admits 'the results of all studies may not be representative of the total population'; Some of the analysis might be comparing frail elderly people in nursing home outbreaks of the Kent variant, which is more transmissible, with healthier elderly people infected with other strains in the community; An increase in the severity of infection with the variant would likely lead to an increased risk of hospitalisation, which there is currently no evidence of in individuals suffering from the strain; Analysis has not identified an increased risk of death in hospitalised cases of the variant. The SAGE paper cited three studies of the Kent strain: A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study (left) based on 2,583 deaths that said the hazard of death within 28 days of test for the mutant strain compared with non-mutant strains was 35% times higher An Imperial College London study (centre) of the Case Fatality Rate of the new mutant strain that found the risk of death was 36% times higher A University of Exeter study (right) that suggested the risk of death could be 91% higher. Both the Exeter and the Imperial studies were based on just 8% of deaths during the study period Nervtag concluded there was a 'realistic possibility' - detailed on the yardstick above as a probability between 40 and 50 per cent - that the variant resulted in an increased risk of death when compared with the original strain PHE's Dr Doyle said it is still not 'absolutely clear' the new variant coronavirus which emerged in the UK is more deadly than the original strain. She said more work was needed to determine whether it was true. She told the Today programme: 'There are several investigations going on at the moment. It is not absolutely clear that that will be the case. It is too early to say. 'There is some evidence, but it is very early evidence. It is small numbers of cases and it is far too early to say this will actually happen.' Meanwhile professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Dr Medley said it is still an 'open question'. Prof Medley was co-author of a report by the Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group. But he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme it was not a 'game changer' for dealing with the pandemic. He said: 'The question about whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality I think is still open. There is evidence it is more dangerous but this is a very dangerous virus. In terms of making the situation worse it is not a game changer. It is a very bad thing that is slightly worse.' How deadly is the Kent Covid variant? Confusion mounts as scientists offer wildly different estimates There was confusion last night about how deadly the Kent coronavirus variant really is after 10 SAGE studies came to wildly different conclusions about its lethality and the World Health Organization said it still hadn't seen any convincing data. Boris Johnson and his science chiefs made the shocking claim that the strain called B.1.1.7 could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus without presenting any evidence to back up the terrifying development. The announcement came after 10 studies submitted to SAGE overwhelmingly suggested that the strain was more lethal than past variants. But there are question marks over the findings because the estimates varied vastly and one study even found the strain was less deadly than the older version. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimated the risk of death from the new variant could be 1.35 times greater, Imperial College London said it was between 1.29 and 1.36 times, Exeter University found it may be 1.91 and Public Health England said it could be as high as 1.6. But there are further questions over the reliablity of the data because the research was only based on a few hundreds deaths. Public Health England chief Dr Susan Hopkins cautioned people from reading too much into the findings and suggested the evidence was still murky. She added: 'There is evidence from some but not all data sources which suggests that the variant of concern which was first detected in the UK may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. Evidence on this variant is still emerging and more work is underway to fully understand how it behaves.' Sir Patrick Vallance told the briefing last night that hospital data had suggested the variant could increase the risk of death for a man his 60s from 1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, but he admitted 'the evidence is not yet strong'. Adding to the confusion, Professor Chris Whitty, said he was not entirely convinced the strain was deadlier in the first place. And the variant has already been spotted in 60 countries, including most of continental Europe, the US, Australia, India, China and Saudi Arabia - yet none of those countries have reported a higher mortality rate from the new variant. Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, slammed the Government for causing confusion and panic about the variant. He tweeted: 'I really dislike the way the news about the increased lethality of B1.1.7 was leaked out and then discussed in a press briefing. Where is the data? We want to be able to scrutinise it and to understand the detail, not just the summary.' The WHO also undermined No10, saying it had not yet seen any evidence to convince it that the Kent strain was actually more deadly than other strains. In a thinly-veiled jab at the UK Government, the body said it was more likely that the increased death rate was a result of ministers losing a grip on infections. Dr Mike Ryan, chief of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, told a separate press conference today: 'There is a big difference between the lethality of a virus, how many people on average a virus kills, versus the mortality. If I have one million people infected and my lethality is 1 per cent, or two million people infected with a lethality of 1 per cent, twice as many people will die [in the second case].' Advertisement Dr Tildesley, a member of Spi-M, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about both the suggested increased mortality rates from the new Covid variant. He said: 'I was actually quite surprised the news had been announced at a new conference. It seems to have gone up a little bit from about 10 people per thousand to about 13 which is quite a small rise but it's based on a relatively small amount of data. 'I would be wanting to wait for a week or two more, monitoring a little bit more before we draw really strong conclusions about this.' Speaking on BBC Breakfast he added: 'I just worry that where we report things pre-emptively where the data are not really particularly strong.' Professor Peter Horby, who chairs Nervtag, said people needed to put data showing increased mortality rates from the new UK coronavirus variant 'in perspective'. He told BBC Breakfast: 'Initial data didn't suggest that this was any more serious than the old virus but now the data has started to come in there are a number of streams of data that are coming in that suggest there might be a small increase in risk of death. 'There are some limitations in the data so we need to be cautious with the interpretations but it is important that people understand that we are looking at this and this may be true. 'If you look at it as a relative change like 30 or 40% then it sounds really bad but a big change in a very small risk takes it from a very small number to a slightly bigger, but still very small number, so for most people the risk is very, very small. 'People need to put it into perspective. This is a risk for certain age groups and that risk may have increased but for most people it is still not a serious disease.' But Prof Horby acknowledged the new data should be taken 'very seriously'. He added: 'This is an unpleasant virus. It's throwing things at us that are unpleasant and we're going to have to manage them.' His comments follow PHE doctor Susan Hopkins, who cautioned people from reading too much into the findings and suggested the evidence was still murky. She added: 'There is evidence from some but not all data sources which suggests that the variant of concern which was first detected in the UK may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. Evidence on this variant is still emerging and more work is underway to fully understand how it behaves.' Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, slammed the Government for causing confusion and panic about the variant. He tweeted: 'I really dislike the way the news about the increased lethality of B1.1.7 was leaked out and then discussed in a press briefing. Where is the data? We want to be able to scrutinise it and to understand the detail, not just the summary.' But the long time lag from infection to hospitalisation means there is not a huge amount of data available on the variant, with Nervtag saying analyses will become more definitive over the coming weeks. One theory as to why it may be more lethal is the stickiness of the mutation and the way it gets into cells and replicates - a behaviour that also makes the variant more transmissible the Telegraph reports. Boris Johnson told the Downing Street briefing last night: 'We've been informed that in addition to spreading more quickly it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant first identified in London and the Kent may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.' Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said during the address that even now the science is still at an early stage. He said: 'These data are currently uncertain and we don't have a very good estimate of the precise nature or indeed whether it is an overall increase, but it looks like it is.' He said for men in their 60s, the average risk was that for every 1,000 who got infected, ten would be expected to die. But with the new variant it might be 13 or 14. That equates to an increased relative risk of 30 to 40 per cent. Sir Patrick noted estimates vary and stressed some concluded there was no additional risk. But he said his best guess was that deaths increase by about 30 to 40 per cent. He added: 'The death rate is awful and it's going to stay, I'm afraid, high for a little while before it starts coming down that was always what was predicted from the shape of this.' Nervtag concluded death rates have not increased among those in hospital. But evidence suggests it raises the risk of being hospitalised in the first place. In a bid to drive the message home, the public will be faced with a set of hard-hitting new adverts warning people to stay in their houses to try to pressure people into obeying lockdown rules. With close-ups of frontline medical practitioners and Covid-19 patients' faces, the advert will ask: 'Can you look them in the eyes and tell them you're helping by staying at home?' The public will be faced with a set of hard-hitting new adverts warning people to stay home as part of a change of tack in the bid to ensure people obey lockdown rules Nurses claim they are being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' as they call for higher-grade face masks Nursing leaders have called for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the British Medical Association (BMA) warned that members had raised fears they were being given inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) in a letter to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). One nurse described feeling as though staff were being treated like 'lambs to the slaughter' due to the inadequacy of surgical masks. The College is now calling for a review of infection control guidance and calling for all NHS staff to be given the higher grade of PPE as a precaution pending the outcome. It wants staff to be given the high-grade face masks used in intensive care units, called FFP2 or FFP3 masks. Advertisement Despite acknowledging cases are falling, the Prime Minister also accompanied by Professor Chris Whitty decided to hone in on early analysis by the sub-group of SAGE that suggested the Kent mutation was more lethal. The trio resorted to explaining the risk out loud during the Downing Street press conference, failing to offer any actual proof to back their terrifying claim. World Health Organization bosses claimed they had seen no evidence on the variant's lethality during a simultaneous briefing. Dr Mike Ryan - head of the WHO emergency programme - urged people to 'remain calm around the issues of these variants'. He added: 'There is a big difference between the lethality of a virus, how many people on average a virus kills, versus the morality of the virus. If I have one million people infected and my lethality is 1 per cent, or two million people infected with a lethality of 1 per cent, twice as many people will die. 'We are not seeing so far, but we will wait to see, that the disease is more lethal. We are seeing that... increasing incidence leads to increasing mortality. If your cases get out of control, your deaths will get out of control as your health system is overwhelmed.' Professor Whitty, England's chief medical officer, claimed the findings showed a 60-year-old man faced a 1.3 per cent risk of dying of the Kent Covid variant, compared to the usual 1 per cent. But a 30 per cent increase in the risk of death means 13 out of 1,000 men in their 60s will succumb to the illness, instead of 10. Professor Whitty himself admitted the evidence was 'not yet strong'. Data on the lethality of the Kent variant, which has been spotted in 60 countries around the world, was first leaked to the press ahead of Mr Johnson's TV appearance. ITV's political editor Robert Peston was told by Professor Neil Ferguson there was a 'realistic possibility' the variant was deadlier. No10 insiders dismissed claims 'Professor Lockdown' the Imperial College London epidemiologist whose grim modelling that hundreds of thousands of Britons could die without action spooked ministers into lockdown last March had 'bounced' the government into revealing NERVTAG's new evidence. Has the UK passed the worst of second peak? The UK's R rate has dropped below one in a dramatic sign that the peak could have been passed. Scientists said the level was down to between 0.8 and 1, compared to 1.2 and 1.3. The number represents how many people an infected individual passes the disease on to, and anything below one means the outbreak is shrinking. Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics said the total number of people with coronavirus dropped last week - but there were still more than a million people infected. And the symptom-tracking Covid Symptom Study estimates that the number of people developing symptoms each day has halved in a fortnight, down to 34,000 a day from 70,000 on January 8, while official death counts show fatalities appear to be declining in London. Numbers of people testing positive through NHS Test and Trace have also tumbled for twelve days in a row, with the daily average tumbling from 60,000 on January 10 to 40,000 yesterday. And an array of other data also suggests the epidemic is coming under control, with Public Health England figures showing positive test rates are down in all regions and age groups. London's average daily death count fell from 169 to 163 in the most recent four days of data and could be set to fall further as official statistics remain lower than they were at the start of this month. Professor Tim Spector, a King's College London epidemiologist, said yesterday that the 'signs are hopeful we're on our way out of this situation'. But he cautioned the virus is still widespread all over the country, with huge numbers of people infected. NHS hospitals are under immense strain and intensive care wards twice as busy as last year, despite thousands of extra beds. Advertisement The doom-mongering came despite an array of statistics showing the second wave has peaked already and may finally be coming under control. SAGE yesterday claimed Britain's R rate has fallen below the crucial level of one and separate surveillance studies estimated daily cases have halved in a fortnight. Department of Health figures mirrored the trend, with infections falling by 30 per cent week-on-week as health chiefs announced another 40,261 cases. Officials also posted 1,401 deaths, up just 9.5 per cent on last Friday. But experts warned the fatality toll will continue to rise for at least another week because of how long it takes for infected patients to become severely ill. Defying mounting pressure to commit to easing the current measures, Mr Johnson warned yesterday the NHS is still under huge pressure and the curbs will only be lifted when it is 'safe'. The PM even set the scene for tougher restrictions last night, warning: 'We may need to go further to protect our borders.' Nicola Sturgeon warned Scotland life may not be 'back to normal' by the summer, in another sign the UK will not be freed from the draconian restrictions from mid-February. The 70-strong Covid Recovery Group of Conservative MPs is urging the government to start lifting the lockdown no later than March 8 - when vaccines given to the most vulnerable groups should have taken effect. But No10's refusal to give an exact day for when lockdown will end may have been fuelled by the new variant findings. The variant has already been spotted in 60 countries, including the US, Australia, India, China and Saudi Arabia. But the Government's top scientific advisers believe the current crop of vaccines will work against the variant - but may be less effective against other South African and Brazilian mutations. MailOnline also revealed Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed vaccines may be 50 per cent less effective on the South African variant. He warned allowing the variant to become the dominant strain in the UK could ruin Britain's vaccination drive - which yesterday saw a record 400,00 doses administered in one day. And grim figures laying bare the economically-crippling side of lockdown revealed business activity has fallen even more than expected this month, leaving the UK looking down the barrel of a double dip recession. Number 10 borrowed more than 34billion in December - the third highest monthly total ever - as it scrambles to keep millions of jobs and stricken firms afloat while tax revenues dwindle. In a dramatic sign that the outbreak could be flattening out, SAGE said the R rate was between 0.8 and 1. That is down sharply from last week, when it was between 1.2 and 1.3 Worrying strains around the world: Since the Covid pandemic began there have been at least six new stains which appear more infectious and have mutations that open the door to vaccine resistance The ONS report said the number of people likely to test positive for coronavirus came down from 1.122million on January 2 to 1.023million on January 16 Passengers wait at Heathrow Airport yesterday as ministers mull even tighter rules The number of people developing Covid-19 every day appears to have halved in a fortnight from 70,000 on January 8 to 34,000 yesterday, according to the Covid Symptom Study, which uses self-reported symptoms through a mobile app used by around a million people Grim figures published yesterday showed government borrowing soared to 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record - amid growing fears about the UK's debt mountain Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything blow 50 pointing to a contraction No10 insiders flatly dismissed the idea Prof Ferguson had been told to brief Peston and said the suggestion he 'bounced' them into the announcement was 'rubbish'. Sources suggested Prof Ferguson is on Nervtag and knew the announcement was going to be made. The Nervtag report with the evidence on lethality is understood to have landed on the PM's desk yesterday morning, and he was given a 'detailed briefing' on the content by Sir Patrick Vallance. A source said: 'The PM has always been very clear that we have to be transparent with people about the information we had on the variants. The idea that we could have done the press conference without giving the public the information would have been the wrong thing to do.' Tory backbencher Craig Mackinlay told MailOnline some of the scientific warnings were reminiscent of Project Fear and every time there was hope of easing lockdown there was 'a new twist'. Matt Hancock claims South African variant may make vaccines 50% less effective The mutant South African coronavirus variant may make the current crop of vaccines 50 per cent less effective, Matt Hancock has sensationally claimed. In footage obtained by MailOnline, the Health Secretary warned allowing the variant to become the dominant strain in the UK could ruin Britain's vaccination drive and send the country 'back to square one'. Mr Hancock is understood to have made the astonishing comments during an online webinar with travel agents this week, to the shock of everyone on the call. He said there was 'evidence in the public domain' that the South African variant reduces vaccine efficacy by 'about 50 per cent'. Although he followed up by saying: 'We are not sure of this data so I wouldn't say this in public.' The South African strain called B.1.351 has key mutations on its spike protein which scientists fear might make it difficult for the immune system to recognise. These alterations open the door to it being resistant to vaccines, which train the body to spot the spike protein, or natural immunity from previous infection. It comes after South African scientists found that 48 per cent of blood samples from people who had been infected in the past did not show an immune response to the new variant - raising red flags about possible vaccine resistance. The South African version is also though to be at least 60 per cent more infectious than regular Covid and even more transmissible than the Kent variant that ripped through the UK and plunged England into its third national lockdown. The South African strain has already been spotted in the UK 73 times, according to the Covid-19 Genomics Consortium UK (COG-UK). Although it is likely to be far more widespread because COG-UK only analyses 10 per cent of random positive samples. Advertisement He said: 'It seems to me we are now being held hostage to a zero Covid policy which is completely unattainable or if you do attain it we are going to be in lockdown for an incredibly long period. That just cannot be. 'The next thing will be 'oh dear, this new variant from Timbuktu is not responsive to the vaccine', or 'the vaccine doesn't work against it'.' The South Thanet MP, a member of the CRG, went on: 'Because Covid has been with us now for a year it is not at all surprising if the evolution or mutation is going to be towards a different type of which these vaccines can't work against. 'That doesn't matter as such because you then need to formulate a new vaccine. But we are just adding more delay.' Mr Mackinlay said: 'There has got to be a time when you have done the elderly, you've done the vulnerable but the words I seem to be hearing is that this lockdown has got no end to it, because there always seems to be a new twist and turn a reason why it should continue.' He said: 'It does seem to me that scientists are in control of this. I know you wouldn't put an economist in charge of vaccine control, but you wouldn't put these scientists in charge of the economy.' Speaking at last night's Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said: 'We've been informed that in addition to spreading more quickly it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant, the variant that was first identified in London and the South East, may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.' The PM handed over to his chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick, who added: 'If you took a man in their 60s, the average risk is that for a thousand people who got infected, roughly 10 would be expected to, unfortunately, die with the new variant, for a thousand people infected, roughly 13 or 14 people might be expected to die. 'That's the sort of change for that sort of age group.' He added: 'I want to stress that there's a lot of uncertainty around these numbers and we need more work to get a precise handle on it, but it obviously is of concern that this has an increase in mortality as well as an increase in transmissibility, as it appears of [yesterday].' The estimates for R and the growth rate are provided by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M), a sub-group of Sage. The growth rate, which estimates how quickly the number of infections is changing day by day, is between minus 4 per cent and minus 1 per cent for the UK as a whole. It means the number of new infections is shrinking by between 1 per cent and 4 per cent every day. Scientists advising the Government said all regions of England have seen decreases in the R number and growth rate estimates compared with last week, and R is below or around 1 in every region. However, they warned that despite the reductions, case levels 'remain dangerously high and we must remain vigilant to keep this virus under control, to protect the NHS and save lives'. Sage scientists said: 'Cases remain dangerously high and we must remain vigilant to keep this virus under control, to protect the NHS and save lives. 'It is essential that everyone continues to stay at home, whether they have had the vaccine or not. 'We all need to play our part, and if everyone continues to follow the rules, we can expect to drive down the R number across the country.' What do we know about the Kent variant? Name: B.1.1.7, formerly VUI-202012/01 Where did it come from? The variant was first found in Kent and can be traced back to September 2020. Scientists noticed that it was spreading in November and it was revealed to the public in December. What makes it new? The variant, which is a version of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes Covid-19, has a series of mutations that change the shape of the spike protein on its outside. The main one is known as N501Y. This appears to make it better able to stick to the cells inside the body and makes it more likely to cause infection and faster to spread. How did that happen? Viruses, particularly ones spreading so fast and in such huge numbers, mutate all the time. To reproduce they basically force living cells to copy and paste the viral genetic code, and this can contain errors that lead to slightly different versions of the virus. Often these mutations make no difference but, if they make the virus stronger, they can stick around for further generations and become the norm. What can we do about it? Nothing much. People who catch the virus won't know which type they have, and it will still cause the same symptoms and illness. Officials can try to contain it by locking down the areas where it is most prevalent, but if it is stronger than other versions of the virus it will eventually spread everywhere and become dominant as long as people continue to travel. Will it make Covid-19 worse? Scientists aren't sure whether it affects the severity of the disease. Because it is so new, no official data yet exists to track if it is more deadly. If it is, it may be the first of thousands of mutations since the start of the pandemic to increase the risk of death. Will our vaccines still work? Yes, it's very likely they will. Scientists on SAGE are fairly sure the mutations the Kent variant carries do not significantly affect how well the immune system can handle it. People who have a vaccine modelled on an older version of the virus, or who have been infected with Covid-19 before, are likely to be immune to it. This is because the main mutations are only on one part of the spike protein, whereas the immune system is able to target various other parts of the virus. Advertisement Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, from the maths faculty at the University of Cambridge, said the drop in R was 'very encouraging news'. He said the decline in positive cases has been slow but cases are 'nearly half what they were three weeks ago, which is enormously hopeful'. Sir David told the BBC that, by next month, the UK will start seeing the benefits of the vaccine rollout. But he also gave a stark vision of the competing concerns that the government is wrestling with. 'The one thing I can be absolutely confident about is that, by this time next month, there is going to be the mother of all argument,' he said. 'Because it's quite feasible that deaths will have come down considerably, infections should have come down considerably, hospitalisations and ICU will still be under a lot of pressure. 'There will be enormous pressure to loosen things up. 'Loosening it up will inevitably lead to an increase in cases, a resurgence of the pandemic among younger groups, and we can see then that does seep through into hospitalisations. 'So there's going to be a real battle going on.' Hopes have been fuelled the UK might have passed the worst of the second wave, with the Office for National Statistics saying the total number of people with coronavirus dropped last week - but there were still more than a million people infected. And the symptom-tracking Covid Symptom Study estimates that the number of people developing symptoms each day has halved in a fortnight, down to 34,000 a day from 70,000 on January 8, and that the R rate of the virus in the UK is just 0.8, while official death counts show fatalities appear to be declining in London. Numbers of people testing positive through NHS Test and Trace have also tumbled for twelve days in a row, with the daily average tumbling from 60,000 on January 10 to 40,000 yesterday, and Public Health England figures show positive test rates were down in all regions and age groups last week. Professor Tim Spector, a King's College London epidemiologist, said yesterday the 'signs are hopeful we're on our way out of this situation'. London's average daily death count fell from 169 to 163 in the most recent four days of data and could be set to fall further as official statistics remain lower than they were at the start of this month. But he cautioned the virus is still widespread all over the country, with huge numbers of people infected. NHS hospitals are under immense strain and intensive care wards twice as busy as last year, despite thousands of extra beds. Kent variant timeline September 20 - Variant emerges in a chronically ill Covid-19 patient in Kent November 6 - Infected person takes the new strain to California November 2020 - Spike in cases occurs in Kent and Medway despite national lockdown squashing case numbers in the rest of the country November 23 - Air passenger brings new variant to Florida December 11 - SAGE tells the Government about the new variant December 14 - Authorities of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reported to WHO that new SARS-CoV-2 variant was identified through viral genomic sequencing Matt Hancock tells MPs about the new variant December 18 - SAGE tells the Government they are concerned about the new variant and its transmissibility December 20 - London, South East and East of England go into new Tier 4 restrictions due to spike in cases due to new variant December 21 - More than 40 countries halt flights from UK due to new variant December 29 - First case is spotted in the US All dates are for the year 2020 Advertisement More than 20,000 people have died since January 1 and thousands more will die in the coming weeks even with cases continuing to fall because it can take weeks for infected patients to become severely ill. Almost 40,000 Britons are currently in hospital with Covid. Despite the flattening, the direction of travel in government seems to be towards tightening lockdown even further. And No10 delivered a rebuke yesterday afternoon to Tory MPs urging the government to release a blueprint for how lockdown will be eased when the first phase of vaccine rollout is complete. The PM's spokesman said: 'It's important that we continue to monitor the latest situation. 'You see the latest figures that we publish on a daily basis which clearly show that transmission rates of the virus remain high. 'The NHS continues to be under pressure and the number of patients admitted to hospital remains at a high level. 'It's obviously the case that we want to see the transmission rate of the virus come down and therefore the pressure on the NHS eased. 'The Prime Minister has been clear that we will lift restrictions as soon as we can but only when it is deemed safe to do so.' Signs are promising that the vaccine programme is progressing well. More than 400,000 Britons were vaccinated against coronavirus on yesterday, official figures show, as the NHS drive to inoculate the most vulnerable continues to gather steam. Department of Health figures published yesterday reveal 412,615 jabs were carried out on Thursday, marking the third day in a row the scheme has picked up the pace. The Government is aiming to vaccinate all 15million in the top priority groups - over-70s, NHS staff, vulnerable and care home residents - by mid-February, meaning they will need to get jabs into the arms of 350,000 people a day. 400,000 Britons are vaccinated in record day More than 400,000 Britons were vaccinated against coronavirus on yesterday, official figures show, as the NHS drive to inoculate the most vulnerable continues to gather steam. Department of Health figures published yesterday reveal 412,615 jabs were carried out on Thursday, marking the third day in a row the scheme has picked up the pace. The Government is aiming to vaccinate all 15million in the top priority groups - over-70s, NHS staff, vulnerable and care home residents - by mid-February, meaning they will need to get jabs into the arms of 350,000 people a day. But the figures show the daily target was exceeded, sparking hopes the Government will make good on its promise which will pile pressure on ministers to end the brutal lockdown sooner. Overall, more than 5.3million Britons have been vaccinated against the virus since the scheme began. In Wales 21,901 jabs were administered yesterday, official figures reveal. The nation has vaccinated 212,700 people in total, including giving 212,317 first doses and 415 second doses. In Scotland 23,800 jabs were completed bringing its total to 363,143 including 358,000 first doses and 4,600 second doses. And in Northern Ireland almost 7,000 jabs were done on January 21. In total it has completed 173,500 jabs including 150,000 first doses and 22,510 second doses. Advertisement But the figures show the daily target was exceeded, sparking hopes the Government will make good on its promise which will pile pressure on ministers to end the brutal lockdown sooner. Overall, more than 5.3million Britons have been vaccinated against the virus since the scheme began. In Wales 21,901 jabs were administered yesterday, official figures reveal. The nation has vaccinated 212,700 people in total, including giving 212,317 first doses and 415 second doses. In Scotland 23,800 jabs were completed bringing its total to 363,143 including 358,000 first doses and 4,600 second doses. And in Northern Ireland almost 7,000 jabs were done on January 21. In total it has completed 173,500 jabs including 150,000 first doses and 22,510 second doses. There were reports ministers are already in talks with hotel chains over plans to force UK arrivals to quarantine at airports. Travellers could be prevented from using their own accommodation under the proposals being put together by the government. Using GPS tags to ensure compliance is also believed to have been considered. The draconian 'quarantine hotel' system, similar to that used in Australia and New Zealand, is a prospect amid rising fears about the spread of Covid variants around the globe. Arrivals would potentially have to pay for their stays while they self-isolate for 10 days, or even a fortnight. The powerful Covid O Cabinet sub-committee is due to discuss the ideas over the coming days - although a final decision is not likely until next week. Environment Secretary George has refused to rule out even more drastic action, with foreigners barred from coming to the UK altogether. Asked about the possibility in a round of interviews, Mr Eustice told Sky News: 'We always keep these things under review. And it has been considered. Boris refuses to rule out tough new border curbs Boris Johnson set the scene for tougher restrictions on travel into the UK last night as he warned: 'We may need to go further to protect our borders'. The Prime Minister refused to rule out tough new measures including enforced quarantine in specially designated hotels as he led a press conference this evening. Amid fears that a strain of coronavirus that originated in South Africa may be more resistant to vaccines he told the nation making it too easy for it and other variants to enter would under all the hard work put in by locked down Britons. Desperate wrangling is going on within Cabinet over the shape of the restrictions, set to be finalised at a meeting of the core Covid O sub-committee on Monday. A range of escalations are being considered to combat the global spread of variants, with a full border closure to foreign nationals still on the table. However, the most likely outcome is a version of the enforced isolation system used by countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Asked whether new border measures were coming, at the press conference, Mr Johnson said: 'I really don't rule it out, we may need to take further measures still. 'We may need to go further to protect our borders. 'We don't want to put that [all the effort to control the virus] at risk by having a new variant come back in.' Advertisement 'There is concern at the moment about the number of mutant strains.' Any new restrictions would be a further blow to the beleaguered travel industry and put the holiday plans of millions at risk. It comes as Britain's airports are already struggling to cope with demand, with passengers queuing for hours yesterday to get through passport control at Heathrow as the border situation worsened. The lines were so long staff were said to have handed out free water to exhausted travellers just hours after the Home Office insisted there were no staffing issues and people were moving through in 'good time'. The proposal to hand out 500 to everyone who tests positive for coronavirus has surfaced amid efforts to increase compliance - with many believed to dodge the rules because they cannot afford to stop working. Detailed in an official policy paper, it is said to be the 'preferred position' of Mr Hancock's Department of Health. Officials fear that too many with Covid symptoms fail to take a test in case knowing a positive result stops them working. However, it appears to have blindsided Downing Street, with sources making clear No10 was had not seen the blueprint before it was leaked and warning it would create 'perverse incentives'. Treasury officials said it was 'not going to happen' and swiped that they had 'zero idea' how Mr Hancock allowed it to get traction. 'Just bonkers. The whole country will suddenly develop a dry cough,' one said. Sage warns lockdown must not be lifted too soon The Government will have a fierce battle with SAGE on its hands if it wants to lift lockdown rules in February or mid-way through the vaccine rollout, meeting records show. Files from the scientific advisers show they have repeatedly warned that ministers face another epidemic and 'very many hospital admissions and deaths' if they jump the gun. A batch of papers from SAGE, published yesterday, revealed: There were staggering 117,000 to 287,000 new coronavirus infections per day before the third lockdown, SAGE estimated; It was 'not clear' on January 6 whether this lockdown would work at keeping the virus under control. The new variant will undoubtedly make it slower to take effect and the NHS should expect the same level of pressure, or more, into the middle of February; The impact of the vaccines on the R rate in the UK will be 'modest' by mid-February, and lockdown should only be relaxed when virus prevalence and hospital pressure are both low; It is critical to get 'extremely high' vaccine coverage in vulnerable people before lockdown rules are loosened; If lockdown rules are loosened mid-vaccine rollout there will be another full-blown epidemic with 'very many hospital admissions and deaths'; The Kent variant, also known as B.1.1.7, may be more transmissible because it 'grows well in the airways'; NERVTAG said in December that it expected data on whether Kent variant was more deadly 'in the next few days'; Variants of the virus will very likely emerge, SAGE warns, and this becomes more likely as more people develop immunity and the virus faces pressure to evolve to survive. Advertisement Mr Eustice refused to rule out the plan entirely, saying ministers were looking at reasons why people avoid self-isolating with Covid symptoms. But he stressed that 'no decisions' had been taken and the government was 'always keeping multiple policies under review'. The wrangling came as as grim figures showed business activity plunging into the red again this month. Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything below 50 pointing to a contraction. It was significantly worse than the expectations of analysts, who had predicted 46.1, underlining the devastating impact of the pandemic. Economists warned that a double-dip downturn is now firmly 'on the cards' after the fledgling recovery from the worst recession in 300 years was strangled by action to control a surge in cases. Figures last week showed GDP dropping 2.6 per cent in November during the second England-wide Covid lockdown. Any December rally will have been smothered by the harsh 'tier' controls in England, and the renewed blanket curbs in January. In more signs of the huge problems facing the country, figures have revealed public borrowing hit 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record. And retail sales saw the largest fall since records began last year, even though there was a slight uptick in December. However, separate PMI released for the Eurozone show the UK is far from alone, with France and other major players also facing GDP going into reverse again. Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at IHS Markit, said its 'flash' PMI for this month showed the crucial services sector had been hit 'especially hard'. However, in a crumb of comfort, he said the scale of the downturn was far less dramatic than last spring. 'A steep slump in business activity in January puts the locked-down UK economy on course to contract sharply in the first quarter of 2021, meaning a double-dip recession is on the cards,' he said. 'Services have once again been especially hard hit, but manufacturing has seen growth almost stall, blamed on a cocktail of COVID-19 and Brexit, which has led to increasingly widespread supply delays, rising costs and falling exports. 'Worryingly, January also saw companies reduce headcounts at an increased rate again albeit less so than seen between March and November. The steepest loss of jobs was recorded in the hotels, restaurants, travel and leisure sectors, reflecting the new lockdown measures. 'Encouragingly, the current downturn looks far less severe than that seen during the first national lockdown, and businesses have become increasingly optimistic about the outlook, thanks mainly to progress in rolling out COVID-19 vaccines. 'Business hopes for the year ahead have risen the highest for over six-and-a-half years, boding well for the economy to return to solid growth once virus restrictions ease.' Government borrowing soared to 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record - amid growing fears about the UK's debt mountain. UK faces double-dip recession as business activity slumps in January Britain is facing a double-dip recession as grim figures showed business activity plunging into the red again this month. Closely-watched PMI data for the private sector showed a reading of 40.6 so far in January - with anything below 50 pointing to a contraction. It was significantly worse than the expectations of analysts, who had predicted 46.1, underlining the devastating impact of the pandemic. Economists warned that a double-dip downturn is now firmly 'on the cards' after the fledgling recovery from the worst recession in 300 years was strangled by action to control a surge in cases. Figures last week showed GDP dropping 2.6 per cent in November during the second England-wide Covid lockdown. Any December rally will have been smothered by the harsh 'tier' controls in England, and the renewed blanket curbs in January. In more signs of the huge problems facing the country, figures have revealed public borrowing hit 34.1billion in December - the third highest monthly figure on record. And retail sales saw the largest fall since records began last year, even though there was a slight uptick in December. However, separate PMI released for the Eurozone show the UK is far from alone, with France and other major players also facing GDP going into reverse again. Advertisement The number for the last month of 2020 was 28.2billion higher than the equivalent period in 2019 as the pandemic wreaked havoc on the economy and ministers lashed out on massive bailouts such as furlough. It pushed total borrowing for the first nine months of the financial year to 270.8billion, the peak for any April to December period since records began in 1993. There are fears the full-year figure will top 400billion. Even in the aftermath of the credit crunch, borrowing only hit 158billion in 2009-10. The UK's debt pile reached 2.13trillion by the end of 2020, around 99.4 per cent of GDP - the highest debt to GDP ratio since 1962. Other PMI produced by IHS Markit yesterday showed a double-dip recession in the Eurozone is 'increasingly inevitable', with France among the countries most seriously hit. The slowdown among business activities in the currency area intensified in January as the pandemic continued to batter the continent. Government scientists yesterday urged ministers to delay the reopening of pubs and restaurants until at least May to prevent another wave of the virus. Whitehall sources suggested schools could remain shut to most pupils until after Easter. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the UK Hospitality trade body, said many pubs and restaurants would 'struggle to survive' if they were forced to keep their doors closed until May. She added: 'If we are forced to wait for a longer period then unfortunately there will be very little left of the hospitality sector and the 3.2million people who work in it to reopen at that point in May.' In recent weeks, the Prime Minister has repeatedly spoken of a return to normality this spring. Last month he said: 'We're no longer resting on the mere hope that we can return to normal next year in the spring but rather the sure and certain knowledge that we will succeed.' But asked directly whether the country was 'looking at summer rather than spring' for an easing of lockdown yesterday, he replied: 'I think it's too early to say when we'll be able to lift some of some of the restrictions.' The PM said the new variant of the disease 'does spread very fast indeed', adding: 'It unquestionably will be a very tough few weeks ahead.' No10 also refused to rule out an extended lockdown when asked to clarify Mr Johnson's remarks. There are early signs in Government data that number of people dying each day in London has turned a corner and started to decline in mid-January, with the daily average declining from 169 to 163 and falling for four days in a row between January 10 and 14 Hancock faces backlash over 'bonkers' plan to give people 500 when they test positive for Covid Matt Hancock faced a furious backlash yesterday after 'bonkers' plans surfaced to give everyone testing positive for Covid 500. The proposal, which would cost up to 450million a week, is aimed at encouraging more people to undergo swabs and self-isolate to stop the virus spreading. Detailed in an official policy paper, it is said to be the 'preferred position' of Mr Hancock's Department of Health. Officials fear that too many with Covid symptoms fail to take a test in case knowing a positive result stops them working. However, it appears to have blindsided Downing Street, with sources making clear No10 was had not seen the blueprint before it was leaked and warning it would create 'perverse incentives'. Treasury officials said it was 'not going to happen' and swiped that they had 'zero idea' how Mr Hancock allowed it to get traction. 'Just bonkers. The whole country will suddenly develop a dry cough,' one said. In a round of interviews this morning, Environment Secretary George Eustice refused to rule out the plan entirely, saying ministers were looking at reasons why people avoid self-isolating with Covid symptoms. But he stressed that 'no decisions' had been taken and the government was 'always keeping multiple policies under review'. Advertisement Asked directly whether he could rule out the lockdown lasting into the summer, the PM's official spokesman said: 'We will continue to keep all of the scientific evidence and data under review. 'It remains our position that we want to ease restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so, but in order for us to do that we need to see the transmission rates of the virus come down and we need to see the pressure on the NHS reduce.' A Government source insisted that the PM's comments did not amount to a change in the timetable for easing the lockdown. 'People should not read too much into this,' the source said. 'The PM wants to reopen as quickly as we safely can, but cases are very high and only coming down slowly there has to be a degree of caution.' Former Tory chief whip Mr Harper said the public now needed a timetable for easing the lockdown. Mr Harper, chairman of the Covid Recovery Group, said achieving the Government's target to vaccinate the 15million most vulnerable by February 15 should clear the way for restrictions to be lifted three weeks later when the vaccines had taken effect. 'Covid causes serious harm and it's vital we control it effectively,' he said. 'But this cycle of lockdowns and restrictions cause immense damage too to people's health, livelihoods and businesses. 'Once the top four risk groups have been vaccinated and fully protected... the Government must start easing the restrictions.' But Government scientists and health chiefs warned it was much too soon to even contemplate easing restrictions. Dr Vin Diwakar, medical director for the NHS in London said the pandemic was 'the biggest health emergency to face this country since the Second World War'. Rounding on those still flouting the lockdown rules, he told a Downing Street press briefing: 'For me and my colleagues in the NHS breaking the rules.... is like switching on a light in the middle of the blackout in the Blitz.' And Dr Marc Baguelin, of Imperial College London, who sits on a sub-group of the Government's Sage committee, said the early opening of the hospitality sector would lead to a rise in Covid cases. He told BBC Radio Four's World at One programme: 'Something of this scale, if it was to happen earlier than May, would generate a bump in transmission, which is already really bad.' RTHK: Senate confirms Austin as first black Pentagon chief The US Senate confirmed retired general Lloyd Austin as secretary of defence on Friday, the second cabinet nominee of new President Joe Biden to gain approval and the first African American to lead the Pentagon. Austin sailed through with overwhelming support from both Biden's Democrats and opposition Republicans, who voted 93-2 in his favour. The retired four-star general will be the first African American to lead the Department of Defence, and takes on the job as the Pentagon sees the need for greater efforts to root out racism in the ranks and give more opportunities for leadership positions to minorities. Biden picked Austin, and the Senate endorsed him, despite a law that says the US military must be led by a civilian or, if a former military official, someone who has been out of the service at least seven years. The requirement is to ensure civilian control of the military, That meant both houses of Congress had to grant a waiver for Austin, who retired in 2016. Biden chose a former officer he knew well from when he was vice president in the administration of Barack Obama. Austin, a West Point graduate who served four decades in the military, was commander of US forces in Iraq and then head of the US Central Command covering the Middle East, from 2010 to 2016. The two bonded because Austin was friendly with Biden's late son when both were serving in Iraq. Biden called him "uniquely qualified to take on the challenges and crises we face in the current moment" when announcing the nomination in December. Austin, known to be media-shy and not particularly politically savvy, tweeted a statement quickly after gaining Senate approval. "It's an honour and a privilege to serve as our country's 28th Secretary of Defence, and I'm especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position," he wrote. "Let's get to work." He honed in on two urgent issues facing the US military in his confirmation hearing on Tuesday. He singled out China as the country's most potent adversary. Under his leadership, the Pentagon would "make sure that we are prepared to meet any challenge and that we continue to present a credible deterrent to China or any other aggressor who would want to take us on, and convince them that would be a really bad idea," he said. He also pledged to tackle extremists in the forces, after some members of the military took part in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol by supporters of then-president Donald Trump. "The activity that we've seen recently in terms of potential racists or extremist behaviour within our ranks is in my view absolutely unacceptable," Austin said. "The job of the Department of Defence is to keep America safe from our enemies. But we can't do that if some of those enemies lie within our own ranks," he added. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The WugulOra Australia Day smoking ceremony at Barangaroo. Credit:Kate Geraghty SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 RIDES Take a last whirl, or hurl, on Luna Parks 18 rides, including the Devils Drop, Power Surge, Wild Mouse and Rockin Tug, before the 85-year-old amusement park closes for renovations. 10.30am-4pm, Luna Park, 1 Olympic Park Drive, Milsons Point, $50, lunaparksydney.com MONDAY, JANUARY 25 EXHIBITION Peruse four CBD street art installations, including environmental group Dirt Witches footpath micro-forest on Barlow Street and We Are All Astonishingly Wise, Katy B Plummers interactive fortune-telling ghost on Abercrombie Lane. 24 hours, CBD streets, Sydney, free, news.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au Up to 15 states should get set for a drone-full spring as the most widespread and largest colony of cicadas known as Brood X spring up from their 17-year hibernation. This was made known by Gary Parsons, an entomologist from the Michigan State University. Mating Sounds to Reach Near Deafening Proportions According to a report by Newsweek, the stout-bodied insects will surface around mid-May. Brood X mating's sound is expected to reach up to 100 decibels, and there will be trillions of these insects. This is confirmed by Michael J. Raupp, an emeritus professor of entomology at the University of Maryland and Entomological Society of America fellow. The emeritus professor told Newsweek that these insects' densities could be so great that it reaches at least 1.5 million per acre. This means that between New York and Georgia, trillions of cicadas will emerge. Brood X is expected to emerge in New Jersey, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Maryland, North Carolina, Illinois, Georgia, Delaware, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Washington DC, and West Virginia for the first time since 2004. ALSO READ - Scientists Looking For 'Croocked' Cicadas Why Cicadas Emerge at A Specific Temperature Above Ground CBS News reports that the cicadas will start emerging as soon as the ground heats up to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. This is expected to happen from mid-May to late June. The cicadas will be mating above the ground and laying lots of eggs for approximately 5 to 6 weeks. Parsons explained that the nymphs would eventually dig right into the ground in order to stick to and suck tree roots for the next 17 years. This brood's vast numbers, as well as incredibly long hibernation period, are just part of a unique evolutionary strategy that is several millions of years old. Parsons added that it is believed that having extraordinarily long life cycles have significantly prevented predators from targeting them specifically for food. And by emerging in trillions all at once, they become too numerous for predators that eat them to succeed in wiping them all out. Parsons said the cicadas are so numerous that hundreds of thousands of them will eventually survive, no matter how hard predators attacked them. According to CBS News, these long hibernation periods help the cicadas avoid unseasonable and unexpected cold summers. For instance, about 1.8 million years ago in the Pleistocene Epoch, summers could be as cold or colder in the Eastern U.S. But research shows that cicadas cannot survive for too long above ground if the temperature is below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. And that probably explains why they evolved so that they can emerge infrequently. This helps to minimize their chances of hitting an icy snap and getting wiped off suddenly. Brood X, Not the Only Cicada Brood in the Country Parsons said that research reveals that Brood X will not be the only cicada brood roaming the country. There are several other broods with varying year cycles13 or 17 years as well as annual cicadas with only 3 to 4-year cycles. Many of these broods have been severely and significantly impacted by environmental changes that have occurred recently. The only harm these cicadas can do is to harm newly-planted trees. Raupp adds that trees planted in 2020 could also be in severe danger of getting attacked by the cicadas. This is why it is now recommended that people should not use pesticides on young trees but protect them with netting. RELATED ARTICLE - Bees May Run Out of Nectar Soon, New Study Reveals He's been busy working on the NHS frontline throughout the coronavirus pandemic. And Dr Alex George has revealed that he has had to to join the 'glasses crew' ahead of his 30th birthday, in a new snap shared to Instagram on Saturday. The former Love Island star, 29, posted a playful selfie of him smiling for the camera in a car, while showing off his brand new pair of specs. New glasses: Dr Alex George has revealed that he has decided to join the 'glasses crew' ahead of his 30th birthday in a new snap shared to Instagram on Saturday He captioned the post: 'Felt cute might delete later Turning 30 in a few weeks and I have finally accepted its time to join the glasses crew. 'What do you think?! (Be gentle) (sic)' Dr Alex had previously been lauded by fans for his tireless work with the National Health Service in the midst of the global health crisis. Hard at work: Dr Alex had previously been lauded by fans for his tireless work with the NHS in the midst of the global health crisis He has been working as an A&E doctor in Lewisham throughout the pandemic, while many of his reality TV pals have been jetting off to Dubai and claiming their trips are for 'work purposes'. A post praising Dr Alex's work during the pandemic was shared on social media earlier this month, quickly gained traction as others thanked him for using his platform in a positive manner. The post was originally shared by meme page Archbishop of Banterbury and featured a shot of Dr Alex dressed in full PPE, including a mask and visor during another lengthy shift. A post praising Dr Alex's work during the pandemic was shared on social media earlier this month, quickly gained traction as others thanked him for using his platform in a positive manner The caption read: 'While almost every other Love Islander influencer is partying in Dubai, let's take a moment to appreciate Dr Alex who is still working on the frontlines in hospital for the NHS. This is how to be an influencer.' It didn't take long for the post to receive thousands of likes, with even Dr Alex himself thanking fans for their kind words. He wrote in the comments: 'Thank you so much for your kindness and support. Look after yourselves guys.' Supportive: Dr Alex later took to social media to thank fans for their kind words Dr Alex later took to his Instagram story to reveal he'd been overwhelmed with fans' messages, writing: 'Wow. Just wow. Really feeling the love today. I wish I could reply to you all. Thank you. Just thank you.' In a video, he later added: 'I'm just trying to be my best throughout this pandemic and stuff, and I feel a sense of responsibility that comes with it, thanks to everyone who's doing their best across the NHS and keyworkers and stuff, I think it's awesome to recognise these people. Thank you so much.' The doctor recently admitted that 'grief him [him] like a brick', as he opened up about the loss of his brother Llyr, who died by suicide at the age of 19 last July. Tragic: Alex ecently admitted that 'grief him [him] like a brick', as he opened up about the loss of his brother Llyr, who died by suicide at the age of 19 last July Taking to Instagram, he wrote: 'Grief hits you like a brick at times. Driving tow work today it really hit me really hard. 'I feel so sad at times. I really miss my brother. I am sharing this because it's ok to feel sad. It's ok to cry. Miss you mate x.' Later speaking about his 'bright, talented and funny' sibling, he explained that Llyr's sudden death left their family 'shattered and irrevocably changed'. Opening up: Later speaking about his 'bright, talented and funny' sibling, he explained that Llyr's sudden death left their family 'shattered and irrevocably changed' Describing the moment his father told him about Llyr's death, Dr Alex wrote in The Sun: 'In that moment my world fell apart, it came down around me, it shattered.' 'Not once did Llyr tell me how he was feeling, I'm a doctor, we were very close, he knew I was a mental health advocate and hugely passionate about it.' Dr Alex, who has been a mental health advocate for years, went on to explain that his pain from Llyr's death will no doubt be there for the rest of his life. He added that his brother is always in his thought, as he shared his hope he will eventually be able to live alongside his grief. Drilling activity continued to move higher this month, recovering from last years activity collapse. Oilfield services firm Baker Hughes and data analytic firm Enverus reported Friday in their weekly rig count that the national tally rose five to 373, well above the record low 244 seen last August. The count is 416 rigs below the 794 reported at work last year. There were 289 rigs drilling for oil, up two but 387 below the 676 seeking oil a year ago. There were 88 rigs drilling for natural gas, up three but 27 below the 115 looking for natural gas last January. Texas added six rigs to 175 but is 222 rigs below the 397 rigs active in the state a year ago. Alaska, North Dakota, Ohio and West Virginia joined Texas in adding to their counts. New Mexico lost five rigs to 65. Pennsylvania was the other producing state to lay down a rig this week. The Permian Basin dropped one rig to 188 and is 217 rigs below the 405 reported last year. Lea County, New Mexico, was the most active county in the Permian with 35 rigs, unchanged for the week. Eddy County, New Mexico, followed with 29, down five and the steepest drop among Permian counties. Midland County, Martin County and Loving County each reported 19 rigs this week unchanged for Midland County and up one each in Martin and Loving counties. Howard County reported 17 rigs, unchanged for the week, and Reeves County had 13 rigs at work within county lines, down one. Winkler County saw no activity this week with the loss of its one rig. According to Enverus, the US rig count is up 6 percent in the last month but down 48 percent year-over-year. The company also said that, week over week, the Permian was the basin that added the most rigs, adding 12 active rigs over the last month. Stressing that the downfall of YSRC MLA Rambabu has started, Pawan Kalyan said they will not spare him after coming to power. DC Image NELLORE: Squarely blaming Giddalur legislator Anna Rambabu for the suicide of a Jana Sena worker Bandla Vengaiah Naidu of Singarapalli in Prakasam district, party chief Pawan Kalyan rebuked Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for not taking any action against the MLA. Addressing media persons after consoling the family members of the deceased and offering Rs 8.5 lakh to the family, Pawan Kalyan alleged that Vengaiah ended his life after Rambabu scolded him for questioning about the pathetic condition of roads in his habitation. You may forget your atrocities but we will remember. Though we dont have crores of rupees and private army apart from hired goons, we will continue our fight for justice the actor-politician said. Stressing that the downfall of Rambabu has started, he said they will not spare him after coming to power. Jana Sena leader Nadendla Manohar hailed Pawan Kalyan for assuring to take care of Vengaiahs childrens education apart from the compensation. Later, Pawan Kalyan handed over a representation to Siddharth Kaushal, Superintendent of Police, Prakasam district demanding stern action against persons responsible for abetting the suicide. He alleged that Vengaiah took the extreme step after Rambabu abused him and YSRC leaders threatened him. The Jana Sena chief alleged that non-bailable cases are being filed against Jana Sainiks for forwarding reports published in newspapers on the desecration of idols in Singarayakonda. Posted Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:52 am For teachers in Spokane and the rest of the state, the confusion surrounding distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine just got worse. Earlier this week, the Washington State Department of Health announced that all school employees, regardless of age, would be eligible for a vaccine as soon as February, provided they were returning for in-person instruction. The news was applauded by educators, administrators and teachers' unions, not to mention parents who endured almost five months of distance learning. However, with no explanation, the state revised its vaccine flowchart and pushed some school employees those under 50 and who aren't considered high-risk back down the line. In the new timeline, the same group of educators and staff is now forecast to be eligible for vaccines in "spring/summer." Meanwhile, employees of Coeur d'Alene Schools got their first shots last week, with more inoculated since then. "I'm sure it's in the hundreds," Scott Maben, director of communications for the district, said of the vaccinations. Maben couldn't offer a timetable for completing the inoculations, but it's clear that Idaho schools are ahead of those in Washington, mostly because that state prioritized teachers along with front-line medical works and first responders. More than 1 million Washington residents over the age of 65 (or 50 and older in multigenerational households) were eligible for the vaccine as of Monday in the first tier of Phase 1B; however, the state is expecting to receive only 93,300 first doses this week. The majority of vaccine doses already in the state are going to long-term care facility staff and residents, or to health care workers and first responders. State health officials have said that vaccine distributors can move on to additional tiers in Phase 1B, which include K-12 teachers, once they have finished at least half of the initial tier. There are no estimates from the federal government about when vaccine production will speed up and more doses will come to the state, but for now the math is clear: there's not enough vaccine for everyone who wants it. "We are asking people to be patient as those supplies increase in the coming weeks," Michele Roberts, assistant secretary of health who is leading the vaccine rollout, told reporters Thursday. The bottom line for schools: Be prepared for anything. "We certainly appreciate that educators have been prioritized in the distribution schedule," Adam Swinyard, superintendent at Spokane Public Schools, said before the state's new vaccine timeline with later estimates for teachers had debuted. Swinyard said he was optimistic that the district would be prepared to efficiently distribute the vaccines once the supply chain grows. "We'll be setting up vaccine sites in some of our schools, and we've already reached out to staff to get those going," Swinyard said. Jeremy Shay, president of the Spokane Education Association, said that teachers and staff "certainly want to have access" to the vaccines. Shay said there was some concern about making the vaccines mandatory, though. "Some want vaccinations right now, but we also have members who don't want to be vaccinated," Shay said. In Coeur d'Alene last month, the school district surveyed its 1,400 employees. Of the 63% who responded, about 1 in 5 said they were not interested in being inoculated. However, more than 60% said they wanted the vaccination as soon as possible; another 17% said they want the shots but prefer to wait, Maben said. The state teachers' union, the Washington Education Association, took a stronger stance. In a statement last week, the organization said "it's important that we vaccinate teachers fully before we start sending kids back to school." S-R reporter Arielle Dreher contributed to this story. ___ (c)2021 The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) Visit The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) at www.spokesman.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. There were 12 new cases of Covid-19 notified in Longford this evening and Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, has called for continued solidarity across Ireland. The 14-day incidence rate has risen ever so slightly to 460.0 per 100,000 population with 188 new cases in the county over the past 14 days. It remains the second lowest rate in the country. The previous day, Longford's 14 day incidence rate of Covid-19 was 452.6 per 100,000 population. From January 1 to January 22, the accumulated number of Covid-19 infections in Longford amounts to 465 (Jan 1 - 39 cases; Jan 2 - 55 cases; Jan 3 - 30 cases; Jan 4 - 5 cases; Jan 5 - 78 cases; Jan 6 - 28 cases; Jan 7 - 34 cases; Jan 8 - 9 cases; Jan 9 - 43 cases; Jan 10 - 7 cases; Jan 11 - 6 cases; Jan 12 - 28 cases; Jan 13 - 7 cases ; Jan 14 - 11 cases ; Jan 15 - 5 cases; Jan 16 - 7 cases; Jan 17 - 11 cases; Jan 18 - 4 cases ; Jan 19 - 11 cases ; Jan 20 - 14 cases ; Jan 21 - 21 cases ; Jan 22 - 12 cases). The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Longford since the pandemic began is 1,255 (1,243 as at Thursday, January 21 plus the 12 announced today by NPHET). Also read: Dr Tony Holohan urges people to #STAYHOME as Longford Covid-19 daily cases rise Dr Tony Holohan has called for continued solidarity across Ireland. Through the solidarity shown by families and communities across the country in recent weeks, we are beginning to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infection. Each individual effort to follow the public health advice is making an impact, but we can only continue this positive trend and drive down incidence in the community by continuing to stay at home and avoid meeting or mixing with others in our social circle, including for any close family gatherings, such as birthdays or funerals, as these can be super-spreader events. We know it is possible to have COVID-19 without displaying symptoms, so we all need to behave as though we are infectious and minimise our close contacts with others. If you suspect that you might be ill, isolate away from others in your household, let your close contacts know and come forward for testing as soon as possible," he said. NPHET said the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has been notified of 77 additional deaths related to COVID-19. 76 of these deaths occurred in January, 1 in December. The median age of those who died is 84 years and the age range is 43-98 years. There has been a total of 2,947 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of 2pm today, 1,892 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 217 are in ICU. There were 59 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. As of midnight, Friday 22nd January, the HPSC has been notified of 1,910 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 186,184* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. The national incidence has fallen to 955.55 cases per 100,000 on the back of 45,500 as the third wave recedes. The seven day incidence is now 344.9 per 100k. The average number of new cases over five days has fallen but remains high at 2,273. An elderly woman was savagely attacked at her own home after a stranger broke in during the early hours of Saturday morning. An unknown man assaulted the 92-year-old at the home on Burton Street, in Concord in Sydney's inner west. Police were called to the scene just before 4am and paramedics treated the woman who had suffered severe bruising and cuts. She was rushed to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition. An elderly woman was savagely attacked at her own home after a stranger broke in during the early hours of Saturday morning in Sydney's inner west An unknown man assaulted the 92-year-old at the home on Burton Street, in Concord. Police are seen at the scene It's believed the elderly woman had also been doused in an unknown liquid during the sickening attack. A crime scene was established at the home and police are continuing their investigations. Anybody with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Helen H. Richardson, Pool photo Christy Ruffell, left, administers the very first COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 14 to Kevin Londrigan, a respiratory therapist at UCHealth Medical Center at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) President Rodrigo Duterte has assured police and military personnel they will be among the first to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for free, along with their families. Uniformed personnel are fifth in the list of priority groups in the government's vaccination program, next to health care workers, indigent senior citizens, remaining senior citizens, and the indigent population. Workers from several industries will also be prioritized in the first wave of the vaccine rollout. Iyon talagang mga mahirap na isang tuka, isang kahig. Unahin ko yon pati yung uniformed service kasi paano kung magkasakit itong lahat... How can we function [as] a government with a sick soldier or policeman in your midst? Duterte said during a visit to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Headquarters in Jolo, Sulu on Friday. [Translation: I will really prioritize the indigent, as well as uniformed service because what will happen if they get sick? How can we function [as] a government with a sick soldier or policeman in your midst?] Duterte said he will ask the countrys vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., to also prioritize the families of uniformed personnel. Magpunta yung mga mag-inject sa mga kampo, turukan pati yung mga anak ninyo. So ito lahat, libre ito... para hindi kayo magworry, the commander-in-chief added. [Translation: Those who will inject the vaccines will go to the camp and inoculate including your children. This is all free, so you don't have to worry.] The government seeks to procure a total of 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines this year, enough to inoculate 70 million people. It expects the first 50,000 doses from Chinese drug maker Sinovac on February 20, by which time the company would be able to secure emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. Vaccines from the global COVAX facility will be received in the first quarter. With this development, Pfizer vaccines could reach the country by February, officials earlier said. Although the President has repeatedly said he wants the police and military vaccinated first, officials said the 50,000 doses of Sinovac's CoronaVac vaccine will be administered to health care workers. Members of the Presidential Security Group got COVID-19 vaccine shots that they said were donated by unnamed groups as early as September 2020, but investigations are underway into how these unauthorized vaccines presumably were smuggled into the country and used on Dutertes detail. A Republican Congressman wants to put a stipulation on who receives the next round of stimulus payments they must receive a coronavirus vaccine. Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Ohio, told Yahoo Finance Live he thinks President Joe Bidens $1,400 stimulus shouldnt be distributed without the vaccine stipulation. I hope the administration will look at that option because we actually buy something with our $1,400 and thats herd immunity, Stivers said. Biden has proposed the $1,400 per person stimulus that, when coupled with the $600 payments approved in December 2020, would bring the total to $2,000, an amount sought by both Democrats and former President Donald Trump. The first $1,200-per-person stimulus was approved in March during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Stivers said the $2 trillion price tag for the entire stimulus package would be worth it if it pays for the right things. The quickest thing we need to do if we really want to help the American people, is get this economy turned back on get people back to work, get kids back in school, get ourselves some herd immunity, get the vaccine distributed as quick as we can and get the uptake rate up, Stivers said. Thats why Id be willing to accept a $1,400 stimulus check if people are willing to take the vaccine. Stivers suggestion isnt the first time pay for vaccine has been proposed. U.S. Rep. John Delaney, D-Maryland, said late last year that payments he suggested $1,500 would be an incentive for people to receive the vaccine. The faster we get 75% of this country vaccinated, the faster we end COVID and the sooner everything returns to normal, Delaney said. We have to create, in my judgment, an incentive for people to really accelerate their thinking about taking the vaccine. When it comes to politicians, Ricky Ney Jr. didnt fit the typical mold. When he was the mayor of Tremont, a small town devastated by historic flooding, he did something rare: He put problem solving before politics and paved the way for current senators, representatives and local officials to do the same. During his tenure as mayor, combating flooding was his top mission. And to do that, he understood the immediate need to get water out of peoples basements. But Ney also recognized that its far more costly to ignore the driving cause of extreme flooding in the first place: pollution. Specifically, greenhouse gas emissions. Maybe you just rolled your eyes. Or felt a pang in your stomach. Maybe youre about to set your newspaper down this very instant and stop reading. I get it. Weve been programmed to take sides when it comes to combating climate issues. But when the rains start falling and the creeks overflow, floodwater doesnt care if youre a liberal or a conservative. Everyones at risk. Thats why Ney, a registered Republican, passed a resolution in 2019 supporting the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. (More on that in a bit.) How does pollution fuel flooding? About 93% of the extra heat trapped by man-made global warming pollution goes into the worlds oceans. And while that may seem like a coastal problem, it impacts Schuylkill County. Heres how: Between 1971 and 2010 alone, our oceans absorbed more than 90% of the extra accumulated heat energy resulting from higher greenhouse gas levels. This results in way more water vapor evaporating into the sky. And how this plays out depends on where you live. As part of the Mid-Atlantic region, Schuylkill County falls in the zone thats becoming wetter. Much wetter. The heaviest daily precipitation events increased by 71% between 1958 and 2012. And aside from the anxiety, depression and devastation felt by flooded homeowners and businesses, its costing taxpayers a lot of money. For example, in 2011, Tropical Storm Lee stalled over Pennsylvania, resulting in 15 inches of rain. This cost the small borough of Pine Grove an estimated $40 million in damages, with 250 lost jobs. In 2018, PennDOT reported record-breaking impacts from floods and landslides that cost more than $125 million in infrastructure replacement. And thats just the tip of the (melting) iceberg. Overwhelming support The price tag of ignoring the problem and not leading on climate is astronomical. Thats one reason the vast majority of Americans, regardless of political party, want our politicians to get to work on meaningful climate solutions. According to recent George Mason University data, 67% of registered voters support requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a tax on the carbon pollution they produce. One tool on the table The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act would do just that, and its expected to be re-introduced in Congress this year. The bi-partisan, market-driven approach that former Mayor Ney supports proposes that Energy extractors pay for the pollution they create (instead of taxpayers continuing to pay for cleanup) The tax is not kept by the government; its given back to American households to offset any increase in energy costs Lower- and middle-income households are projected to get more money back than they need to cover costs, stimulating the local economy If adopted, this policy of putting a price on carbon would be well received by scientists and economists alike. In fact, more than 3,500 U.S. economists call for a dividends plan like this that returns the revenues collected back to U.S. citizens. (It also establishes a border carbon adjustment system to prevent carbon leakage and protect U.S. competitiveness.) The EICDA, if implemented, will reduce Americas emissions by at least 40% in the first 12 years, all while creating a projected 2.1 million jobs and reducing premature deaths linked to air pollution. If were going to effectively end devastating flooding in Schuylkill County, it may require us to move outside of our comfort zones and explore measures like these. I urge you to take a look, and if its something you support, let U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser know about it by calling his office at 570-871-6370. Learn more at https://energyinnovationact.org. (Zerbe can be reached at leah.zerbe@gmail.com) NAUGATUCK Multiple investigations are ongoing after racial comments made by Police Chief Steven Hunts daughter emerged on social media, prompting condemnations from officials and an apology from the chief and his wife. Saturday night, Hunt and his wife, Naugatuck High School Vice Principal Johnna Minicucci Hunt, said in a statement that the posts were made by their daughter two years ago when she was 13 years old. We cannot soothe or erase the pain caused by the words and images seen by many. On behalf of our family, we sincerely apologize to all those who were hurt by this, the Hunts statement read. We are left, however, as parents of a scared, regretful child who has and will continue to suffer the consequences of her poor and inexcusable actions. Contributed In the joint statement issued Friday evening, Borough of Naugatuck Mayor N. Warren Hess, Police Commission Chairman Ralph Roper Jr. and Deputy Chief of Police C. Colin McAllister called the comments disgusting and totally inappropriate. An internal police investigation is proceeding, and officials are simultaneously in the process of bringing in assistance from the outside to conduct a comprehensive and independent investigation, a statement released by town officials Friday said. In addition, the Board of Education is currently conducting a separate investigation. Contributed Reached by phone Saturday afternoon, Hess confirmed the posts contained photos of the chiefs daughter and that they were sent to authorities by another minor. One of the posts appears to reference Hunts appointment as police chief, which occurred March 1, 2019. Hess said there are three investigations ongoing one by the school district, another by the town and a third by an independent group. The town is doing one, and then also weve hired an outside investigator, he said, adding that the town and third-party investigations are each being conducted by outside law firms. Hess said Hunt has not been placed on leave or suspended from his duties. The Hunts statement released Saturday said they condemn the comments in the messages and they do not reflect our hearts, minds or the love we have for all our neighbors, or how they have raised their children. No parent wishes their child to be the primary actor in a teachable moment, but there are lessons to be learned. In the age of social media, our words and actions can be scrutinized for all to see, the couple said. Hurtful and racist comments will live long after they are made. In Naugatuck and at the police department, we condemn any act of racism or bigotry, in any form at any time, the towns statement said. Racism and bigotry are totally inconsistent with our values and who we are as a town and a police department. The comments, which are not explicitly detailed in either the town or the Hunts statements, refer to Hunt and suggest he would use his position to harm Black people. Ill make my dad drive with lights and sirens and if we see any black people we will shoot them, one post said, according to WFSB and other media reports. My dad is now officially police chief so that means hes more advanced in shooting black people then (sic) he just was a couple minutes ago, another reads. These comments are not consistent with Police Chief Hunts character and leadership of the department as well as the values he has instilled in our Police Department, the towns statement says. Also, Mrs. Johnna Hunt has always been a model citizen and a great example for the youth of the community. Flyers circulated online Saturday are promoting a peaceful protest and student walk-out on Tuesday and Wednesday. I cannot imagine the pain it causes our students, especially those of color, Naugatuck High School Principal John Harris said in a Friday email to parents, saying he was committed to investigating the incident and holding students accountable for their actions. Paul Singley, a member of the Naugatuck Police Commission, said on Facebook that he considers the Hunts to be close friends. We know their character. We know they do not condone this talk or behavior in their household, wrote Singley, who is a teacher and whose wife works for the Naugatuck school system. And we know their daughters, all three of whom have always shown themselves to be fine young ladies in our presence. The United State Senate has confirmed the nomination of General (retired) Lloyd Austin to serve as secretary of the defense department, making him the first ever African American to occupy the top pentagon position. The nomination was confirmed in an overwhelming 93-2 vote. Soon he was sworn in by Tom Muir, acting director of Washington Headquarters Services. Thereafter, Austin received an intelligence briefing. Vice President Kamala Harris would administer the ceremonial oath to Austin next week. President Joe Biden thanked the senate for confirming Austin and working to get his cabinet in place. It's an honour and a privilege to serve as our country's 28th Secretary of Defense, and I'm especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position. Let's get to work, Austin tweeted. A day earlier, the House of Representatives voted 326-78 to pass a waiver exempting Austin from the seven-year 'cooling off period' for retired generals taking over as defense secretary. The senate approved the waiver by 69-27 votes. This is the third time that Congress has given such a waiver to a retired general. The previous one being of General (retired) James Matin who was appointed as defense secretary by former President Donald Trump in January 2017 and George Marshall in 1947. Austin had retired as a four-star Army general in 2016. I am honoured to have this chance to serve again and to do so alongside you and your families. My wife, Charlene, and I know all too well the sacrifices you make to keep this country safe. That safety is job one, and I promise to work as hard as you do at it, Austin said in his message to the defense forces soon thereafter. According to new pentagon spokesperson John Kirby, the president called Austin in the afternoon, shortly after his arrival at the pentagon. "The president congratulated the secretary on his swift confirmation and thanked the secretary for agreeing to serve the country again. Secretary Austin expressed his gratitude to the president for his trust and confidence and for his support during the confirmation process, Kirby said. Later in the day, Austin spoke to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg over phone. The call was his first to a foreign leader as the defense secretary, and reinforces the importance of the NATO alliance to the US, Kirby said. The two leaders discussed the importance of our shared values, the current security environment including maintaining a strong NATO deterrence and defense posture, and the ongoing missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. They also briefly reviewed the upcoming NATO Defense Ministerial and agreed to discuss it again in more detail in the coming weeks, Kirby said. Austin said that he looked forward to developing a close working relationship with Stoltenberg and both leaders pledged to consult in the months ahead, he said. The White House welcomed the swift confirmation of Austin. We applaud the senate's strong bipartisan confirmation of Lloyd Austin, who has been breaking barriers all of his life, as the first black secretary of defense in our nation's history, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference. Austin's confirmation is a major benefit to our national security, and he's going to hit the ground running, leading the Pentagon. He will be sworn in today, but he will be -- he will be sworn in more officially by the -- not 'more officially', I should say, but he will be sworn in more ceremoniously on Monday by the Vice President, Psaki said. In his message to the department of defense personnel, Austin said that his job as secretary of defense is to make them more effective at doing their work. That means ensuring you have the tools, technology, weapons, and training to deter and defeat our enemies. It means establishing sound policy and strategy and assigning you clear missions. It means putting a premium on cooperation with our allies and partners. And it means living up to our core values, the same ones our fellow citizens expect of us, Austin said. Right now, of course, doing my job also means helping our country get control of the pandemic, which has killed more than 400,000 Americans. You have already come to the aid of our nation's health care professionals. You can expect that mission to continue," he said. "But we must help the federal government move further and faster to eradicate the devastating effects of the coronavirus. To that end, we will also do everything we can to vaccinate and care for our workforce and to look for meaningful ways to alleviate the pressure this pandemic has exerted on you and your families, he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A dental clinic worker handed in forged sick certificates to her employer when doctors would not give them to her to get time off, a court heard. Samantha Croft (28), who passed off three fake documents as genuine, said she had been suffering from depression and her GPs would not give her "what she wanted" to get sick leave. Judge Bryan Smyth applied the Probation Act, sparing her a criminal record. Croft, of St Berach's Place, Kilbarrack, pleaded guilty. Dublin District Court heard it was reported to gardai last March 15 that the accused had used three false sick notes at her former workplace at Northumberland Dental Care, Dublin 4. The offences were committed between February 2019 and last March. The doctors involved made statements of complaint after they were notified that their names had been used on the documents, which had been accepted as genuine. Advantage Croft had submitted the certificates to her employers, saying she was sick and could not go to work. She had no previous convictions and had given gardai a voluntary statement. The accused was a single parent and had a good work history, her lawyer said. However, she "took advantage of her knowledge of the work she was doing". The offences were not committed for any personal gain, but to get time off while she was "struggling." Judge Smyth asked if the accused was "looking for extra days' holidays". The defence lawyer said Croft had been suffering from depression and "wasn't getting what she wanted from the doctors she was seeing and went and took it into her own hands". "I'm sorry," Croft told the judge. "What I did was wrong." She was "throwing herself at the mercy of the court", her lawyer said. Judge Smyth said he would give Croft a chance. As the national festival of Indian Democracy, the Republic Day approaches, the Armed Forces have been more vigilant to avert any terror attack from across the border and to thwart any efforts of infiltration. The Border Security Force (BSF) has discovered a long tunnel which could have been used by the terrorists from across the border to infiltrate the LoC with the possibility of it being used for infiltrations. "Its an old tunnel, whether used or not is a matter of investigation," said NS Jamwal, Inspector General (IG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Jammu Frontier. The tunnel was spotted after the Forces have been conducting anti-tunnel drive ahead of January 26. A similar tunnel was found out by Forces just 10 days ago. According to the IG, the Forces have found 10 to 11 tunnels in the past six to seven years and this tunnel is the fourth one in the last six months. READ | Indian Army Kills 3 Terrorists; Major Terror Bid Foiled In J&K's Akhnoor Sector The tunnel is said to be 140 metres inside the Indian territory starting from point zero of Pakistan, said the IG while adding that the tunnel could be anything between six to eight years old. On the other side of the fence are Pakistani border outposts of Abhiyal Dogra and Kingre-de-Kothe in Shakargarh district which house terror launch pads. A hexacopter drone has also been shot by the Forces in 2020 with the recovery of weapons. "Some old bags with Pakistan marking have been found", he said, while adding that the tunnel must have been dug with a well-laid plan and the proper thought process must have been put into it. "Experts also must be involved in the digging of the tunnel it seems", he said. READ | Army Chief Calls For Self-reliance In Defence, Says 'it Has Become Strategic Necessity' 5-6 terror launch pads across border in Sialkot and Shakkargarh "Its a tough area", the IG described, while adding the area is surrounded by dense forest on both sides. He said, "Sniping too had happened earlier and our jawans attained martyrdom. Some terrorists were killed too." "Pakistan is deliberately using dense forests to push terrorists and 5 to 6 terror launchpads are there in Sialkot and Shakkargarh area across the border," he said while adding the Indian side of the border is on target as "highway and some vital installations are very near". A tunnel was also unearthed in November after the Nagrota encounter that killed four terrorists who had infiltrated through the tunnel. A massive amount of arms and ammunition have been recovered from the terrorists. 7.5 kg explosives (RDX), over Rs 1 lakh in cash had been recovered after the encounter, apart from 29 grenades, 11 AK series rifles, mobile phones, six under-barrel grenade launchers. 'Karachi-made' medicines had also been recovered from the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist truck that was blown up in the encounter. READ | J&K Police Bust LeT Hideout In Pulwama, One Terrorist Associate Arrested READ | Ambala: Army Jawan Killed In J&K's Poonch Cremated With Military Honours Killeen, TX (76540) Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 83F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 66F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. The Aero India 2021 edition, scheduled to be held next month, will be the first global air show organised in the Covid era. Other air shows, such as the Australian International Air Show and Paris Air show, have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year, Asia's largest aerospace exhibition would be a hybrid show, which means delegates would be present either physically or virtually. As per the organisers, the 2021 edition will be held on an indigenously developed virtual exhibition platform on a hybrid model. According to organisers, 41 aircraft including Dakota, Su30 MKI would participate in the flight display on an inaugural day while there would be 63 aircraft on static display. The key attractions would be the display by Surya Kiran aircraft and Sarang helicopters, which would be participating for the first time in this biennial event. Negative Covid test report mandatory A negative coronavirus (RT-PCR) test has been made mandatory for those attending the 13th biennial Aero India-2021 show at the Indian Air Force Station at Yelahanka in Bengaluru from 3 February to 5 February. "Whoever wishes to attend the event has to have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report without which there will be no entry," Air Commodore Shailender Sood, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Yelahanka, said while speaking to reporters. The test report has to be taken 72 hours prior to the show, organisers said. In view of coronavirus, to control the crowd at the exhibition areas, only 15,000 people would be allowed and in the Air Display Visual Area. Isolation centres have also been set up. The Yelahanka Air Base is decked up for the biennial event. A gallery for spectators has been erected for the viewers, and the runway cleaned up. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Bengaluru: Karnataka Public service Commission has released a statement on Saturday (January 23) for cancellation of the First Division Assistant (FDA) examination which was held on Sunday (January 24). Karnataka Public service Commission Secretary, G Satyavati ordered the cancellation of the FDA test which was scheduled for Sunday (January 24). The reason behind the cancellation is that the FDA examination paper got leaked. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) exposed this paper leak scam and informed KPSC about it. Two of the accused who have been identified are Rachappa and Chandru. An informer gave the details of this scam to the Central Crime Branch (CCB). They immediately acted on this and arrested six. Joint Commission of Police, Sandip Patil tweeted that six accused with the KPSC paper leak scam are under arrest, Rs. 24 lakh cash, three vehicles along with the FDA question papers are seized from them. The matter is being investigated. 6 accused arrested in connection with FDA question paper leak..exam was scheduled to be held tomorrow.. Rs 24 lakhs cash, question papers seized from accused.. further investigation on.. @CPBlr @BlrCityPolice Sandeep Patil IPS (@ips_patil) January 23, 2021 The Karnataka Public service Commission has cancelled the test which was scheduled for tomorrow and will be rescheduling it. A male Springbok praying mantis looking for a hook up doesn't have to worry about a female stealing his heart away. There is, however, a very good chance she'll bite his head off, and he knows it. Indeed, 60 percent of sexual encounters between Springboks -- one of nearly 2,000 mantis species across the globe -- end in males being eaten as snack. "Males play Russian roulette whenever they encounter cannibalistic females," explained Nathan Burke, an entomologist at the University of Auckland and an expert on mantis mating rituals. All male mantises show extreme caution when approaching a prospective partner. Hard to blame them. But whereas most will sneak up from behind or distract the female with a tasty morsel, the Springbok has an entirely different -- and previously unreported -- strategy for staying alive, according to findings published Wednesday in Biology Letters. "Under threat of cannibalistic attack, males try to subdue females by pinning them down in violent struggles," said Burke, co-author with colleague Gregory Holwell of the study. Males who win the lovers' tussle are far more likely to succeed in consummating the relationship, "which suggests that wrestling is both a mating tactic and a survival tactic," he added. The key to victory, according to gladiatorial experiments with 52 pairs of mantises, was striking first. If the male was quicker to the draw and grabbed the female with its serrated raptorial forelegs, he stood a 78 percent chance of escaping unscathed. And when, in addition, the male inflicted a serious but non-fatal wound to the abdomen, he kept his head every time. "I was very surprised to discover that males injure females while trying to subdue them for mating," said Burke. "Nothing like that has ever been observed in mantises before." If the female grasped first, however, males were always killed and devoured. - Asexual reproduction - Overall, males came out top more than half the time in these jousts, which lasted 13 seconds on average. Winning the match did not automatically lead to mating -- coupling followed only two-thirds of the time, and even then the male wound up in the female's stomach half the time. The bright green Springbok mantis, aka Miomantis caffra, is native to southern Africa, but has spread to New Zealand, southern Europe and California, probably through the pet trade. Sexual cannibalism -- when the female of a species consumes the male during or after mating -- is also known among spiders, such as the black widow, and scorpions / AFP/File The nutrients gained when a female praying mantis eats her suitor benefit her offspring as they grow. Sexual cannibalism -- when the female of a species consumes the male during or after mating -- is also known among spiders, such as the black widow, and scorpions. Typically smaller males do what they can to avoid getting gobbled up, including playing dead. But female Springbok mantises have another trick up their spiky sleeve: the ability to reproduce asexually, or without any help from males. "They can produce clones of themselves if they don't mate," said Burke. Having this Plan B fallback raises an interesting question: if females are so good at cannibalising males and can reproduce without sex, how do males continue to exist? "That's what motivated me to look so closely at male mating tactics," Burke said. Sexual conflict theory, he explained, tells us that males in this situation should evolve couter-measures to help them mate and stay relevant. And sure enough, that is what the researchers found. "It's a fascinating example of how sexual conflict can lead to the evolution of mating tactics that help one sex but hinder the other." A humongous crowd of feline assembled in the conference room of the Plainview Country Club on Wednesday with Lion Boss Stacie Hardage holding serve with queen Kenzi Knippa and princess Bella Becerra manning the royalty chairs at the head table. Newly designated Lion Police Captain Derrick Watson led both U.S. and Texas flag pledges. Travis Thornton led a cappella singing of God Bless America and Misty Rowell gave the blessing. A guest, Devin McQueen, was introduced with Lion Garrett Mathis. Our program, introduced by First VP Landon Hughey was our own Lion Ashley Mayberry, of Plainviews YMCA, who spoke on the workings of that group in association with the residents of this city. She talked about the functions of several of programs and about the new pool at the 16th St. M. B. Hood Park. The city will own the park and the YMCA will fulfill necessary manpower to operate the facility with supervision when the park opens with the return of summer weather. At programs end, our weekly raffle was conducted by our queen and princess, collecting buyers of their raffle tickets to the tune of $134 for Faith In Sharing House (FISH). A man said to be one of the world's biggest meth dealers and accused of being responsible of 70 per cent of all narcotics entering Australia has been arrested after a two-year operation. Asia's most wanted man, Tse Chi Lop, is a Chinese-born Canadian national who is known as 'El Chapo of the East' in reference to the Mexican cartel boss El Chapo, is one of the world's most notorious gang leaders. Tse Chi Lop is in the league of El Chapo or maybe Pablo Escobar, Jeremy Douglas, Southeast Asia and Pacific representative for United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime told Reuters in 2018. The word kingpin often gets thrown around, but there is no doubt it applies here. However, he is now facing possible extradition to Australia, after he was hauled off a plane in the Netherlands on Friday following an Australian Federal Police request for his arrest through international law-enforcement agency Interpol. Tse Chi Lop is accused of sitting atop a multi-billion dollar enterprise called Sam Gor, or The Company, which authorities say has thrived during the global pandemic. In a sense, the pandemic is an opportunity for them to increase market share, Douglas said last week. Authorities say Sam Gor factories are based in areas like the Golden Triangle centred on the borders of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, and protected by private militias. While the world has shifted its attention to COVID-19, all indications are that production and trafficking of synthetic drugs and chemicals continue at record levels in the region, Douglas said. Tse Chi Lop, who travelled with a guard of eight Thai kickboxers is alleged to oversee an alliance of five Chinese Triads that distribute everything from heroin and MDMA to ketamine via its 'Golden Triangle' super-labs in Asia. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates Tse's alleged network rakes in between $10 billion and $23 billion a year from organised crime. Police say the multinational cartel moves drugs throughout Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Europe and other parts of the world. The Company also has links with local criminal groups including Japan's Yakuza and Australian outlaw bikie gangs. Tse, who has a Canadian passport, travels by private jet and hosts lavish parties at five-star hotels and resorts. He hangs out with a group of drug traffickers and makers nicknamed the Billionaires Club but hes not known to be a drug user. He keeps a low profile but is also known for his outlandish spending and once gambled away $85million in a single night at a Macau casino. Tse has been on the Australian Federal Police's radar for about eight years after a major drug bust in Melbourne. On that occasion police seized 2kg of heroin and meth, $4million in cash, $5million worth of residential properties, $10,000 in jewellery, 99 designer handbags and wallets, a Lamborghini and $600,000 in casino chips. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission in 2012 described The Company's members as having a well-established network of contacts across many governments as well as legitimate business and company structures, that enables them to mask and support their criminal activities. In December 2017 a record 1.2 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized on the west coast of Australia in December 2017. Police estimate the drugs seized in the operation have a street value of $1.04 billion. It was the largest meth bust in Australian history, topping a 903-kilogram seizure in Melbourne earlier that year. The haul would have been enough to feed the meth appetite of the entire country for two months and is also larger than the total amount of meth used in the city of Perth in a year. Police alleged that shore parties working for The Company unloaded the drugs from a mothership, 500km off the coast of Western Australia. Tse is now facing possible extradition to Australia, where he could face trial on charges of drug trafficking. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday asked opposition parties to move a no-confidence motion against "incompetent, illegal and unqualified" Prime Minister Imran Khan. Addressing an event here, Zardari said that sending no-confidence motion will be "much more effective" than the ongoing Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rallies, Geo News reported. Early this week, the 11-party opposition alliance-- Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-- on Monday announced its new round of anti-government rallies across the country. "Even 10 rallies will not yield the kind of results as a strategy meeting over a cup of tea which is sure to cause the government to worry," he said, while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Larkana Industrial Estate on Friday. He said he will speak to the Opposition parties to "strike" in the assembly. Bilawal lamented the "damage" caused to the economy over the last two years since the PTI took the reins of power. "The PTI government wishes to use brute force as a corrective measure to get the economy running," he said, adding that the Sindh government "did not employ such tactics to collect tax". Back in December, PM Imran Khan had said that the constitutional way to send a government packing is to table a no-confidence motion in the Parliament and dared the Opposition to do so. "If the Opposition seeks to move a no-confidence motion, they should come and do so in the assemblies," he said. After a meeting of the PDM steering committee in Islamabad on January 18, PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that they will hold its first rally of the new phase in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh on February 5, SAMAA TV reported. According to the PDM chief, the next rally will be held in Hyderabad on February 9 and it will be followed by another public gathering in Sialkot on February 13. PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal are among major leaders who have said that they will send the Imran-led government packing and have organised several PDM rallies including those in Peshawar, Gujranwala, Karachi, Quetta, Multan and Lahore since October 16. The PDM has demanded the resignation of Imran Khan by January 31. (ANI) Also Read: According to a Tweet published on January 23, 2021, Turkey has officially launched the first Istanbul-class F 515 frigate on January 23, 2021. The launching ceremony was attended by the President of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan and the president of SSB (The Turkish Defense Association) Ismail Demir. According to a Tweet published on January 23, 2021, Turkey has officially launched the first Istanbul-class F 515 frigate on January 23, 2021. The launching ceremony was attended by the President of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan and the president of SSB (The Turkish Defense Association) Ismail Demir. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link The official ceremony for the launching of the first Istanbul-class frigate for the Turkish Navy. (Picture source SSB) The Istanbul-class also called I-class frigate is a series of four frigates built for the Turkish Navy that were developed under the MILGEM Turkish national warship program. The official cutting steel ceremony first of the first Istanbul-class frigate was held January 19, 2017, at Istanbul Shipyard which is the main contractor for the construction of the ship. It is planned to deliver the first Istanbul-class ship to the Turkish navy in 2023. The MILGEM is the most important projects of Turkish armed forces for the development and the construction of a new generation of multipurpose corvettes and frigates that can be deployed to conduct a wide range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, early warning, anti-submarine warfare, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air warfare, and amphibious operations. The MILGEM project includes the construction of four Ada class anti-submarine warfare corvettes, one ELINT corvette, four Istanbul class multipurpose frigates, TF2000 class anti-air warfare destroyers for the Turkish Navy as well as four Jinnah-class frigates for the Pakistan Navy. The Istanbul- class frigate is an enlarged variant of the Ada-class anti-submarine corvettes also developed under the MILGEM project. The ship features a slightly larger hull for improved endurance. Citing the Daily Sabah website, the Istanbul-class frigate will be equipped with indigenous infrared search and tracking systems developed by the Turkish defense corporation ASELSAN. It will also be integrated with a Turkish-made electronic assault system, according to officials. The ship will also feature locally made guided missiles and anti-torpedo shields. According to the Turkish naval industry, the Istanbul-class frigate has a length of 113.2 m, a beam of 14.40 m, a draft of 4.05m, and a displacement of 3,000 tones. The ship is powered by a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion system including two MTU 20V 4000 M93L diesel engines, one LM2500 gas turbine, and two shafts. She can reach a top speed of 29 knots (54 km/h) with a maximum cruising range of 6,570 nmi (12,170 km) at 14 kn (26 km/h). The ship has a crew of 125 people. The Istanbul-class frigate will be armed with one 76 mm (3 inches) Oto Melara Super Rapid naval gun, two 25 mm automatic cannon (0.98 in) Aselsan STOP, one GOKDENIZ close-in weapon system CIWS), 16 Harpoon anti-ship missile or Atmaca anti-ship cruise missiles, 16 HISAR surface-to-air missiles and two 324 mm (13 inches) Double Torpedo launchers. The ship has a flight deck and one hangar able to accommodate one S-70B Seahawk ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) helicopter and one unmanned aerial vehicle. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been in the news lately following his agitation for a Yoruba nation and subsequent clash with the Fulani community in Oyo State. He recently gave a seven-day ultimatum to Fulani herders in the Ibarapa axis of Oyo State to leave the area in the wake of the heightened insecurity in the state, as well as the South-west, as a result of the activities of kidnappers and bandits. Mr Igboho alleged that herders have been responsible for the killings and kidnappings of the residents of Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa. His ultimatum came at a period when Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, also issued a similar ultimatum to herders in Ondo forests. Unlike Mr Akeredolu, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State maintained that Fulanis are not responsible for the insecurity. He also warned against ousting the herders citing the provisions of the Constitution that allows residents of Nigeria to live in any place of their choice. Despite the warning, Mr Igboho invaded Igangan on Friday. The invasion led to the clash between some Yoruba youth and Fulani in the community. Who is Sunday Igboho? Mr Igboho is an acclaimed Yoruba activist but some persons describe him as a notorious political thug in Ibadan. He was born on October 10 in 1972, at Igboho town, located in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State. Nicknamed after his hometown, Mr Igboho later rose to fame following his role in the Modakeke-Ife communal crisis in 1997, where he played an active part. Many believe Mr Igboho has metaphysical abilities which make him a formidable opponent in battle. But Mr Igboho says he does not see himself as a troublemaker, but a human rights activist. People just shout Sunday Igboho, Sunday Igboho Who can say he saw me in a public fight? Who can say he has seen me cheat or oppress people? If you hit my car, I tell you to go because if I did anything untoward, people would say I was oppressing such a person because of my personality, he once said in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune. Many folks in Oyo and Osun states fear Mr Igboho and his boys and see such fears as the beginning of wisdom. He is usually seen on the street with a live snake coiled around his neck, many persons claim. Involvement in Oyo politics Mr Igboho was involved in the combative politics between the late political leader, Lamidi Adedibu, and former Oyo State governor, Rashidi Ladoja. He supported Mr Ladoja and acted as his bodyguard throughout the tussle. He also led the camp of Mr Ladoja in the violence that occurred then. Mr Ladoja was illegally impeached as Oyo governor in 2006 due to a political disagreement he had with the late Mr Adedibu but was later reinstated after 11 months through a court order. Explaining his role in the violence to The Sun Newspaper, Mr Igboho said he supported Mr Ladoja because he never subscribed to the cheating of fellow human by those who considered themselves as superiors. It is true I was a key witness and also a key player in the political developments of that period. I was an insider. Former governor, Rashidi Ladoja, was my leader, my political boss. I rose and fought on his behalf when late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, wanted to carry out their illegal impeachment of Ladoja. By nature, Im a gentleman, but I hate cheating and injustice. I have my supporters who are loyal to me and who also believe in me, just as I believe in Ladoja and I was also loyal to him. Me and my supporters, who some people like to describe as Sunday Igbohos boys, decided to fight the injustice against Ladoja. ADVERTISEMENT By nature, Im not violent, but when the other party is not only being violent but also being openly supported by ex-President Obasanjo, to the extent of even using the police against Ladoja and his political interests, we had no choice than to fight back. When we decided to fight back, people now said Sunday Igboho and his boys were violent. When you give me a dirty slap, do you expect me to turn the other cheek to you or to run away? Land grabbing allegations Many have also accused Mr Igboho of land grabbing, using armed thugs against original owners of such lands. He also defended himself against these allegations. He claims he only fights on land matters when he is invited to do so. Mr Igboho said part of his job entails helping people reclaim their land snatched illegally. He also says he is the Akoni Oodua, a title that means Warrior of Yorubaland. Those who follow me are like my younger brothers and none of them can do anything unlawful. But the problem is most thugs and misguided youths cause trouble in my name. They do bad things and claim to be Sunday Igbohos boys. I have never seen these people before; whenever they were arrested by the police and they are asked whether they could identify me, they then confess that they had never seen me before. I am a lawful person. Even when someone reports land-grabbers, I will tell people to go and call them and I will warn them to release the lands to their rightful owners, he was once quoted in an interview with the Tribune. Metaphysical powers, sorcery? Asked how he got the metaphysical power people claim he has, he responded: It is a divine secret from God; I inherited the powers from my fathers. For several months now, Mr Igboho has been agitating for the Yoruba nation. The recent friction between the Yoruba and Fulani in Oyo State has, again, brought him to fame. Brood X is here Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield. In his independently published First Blush: Peoples Intuitive Reactions to Famous Art, Dan Hill uses facial coding and eye tracking to observe how viewers look at artworks. Hill is the founder of Sensory Logic, a company that measures emotional responses to outside stimuli for market research purposes. BookLife spoke to Hill about what he has learned about human perception and emotion. How did your interest in art develop? When I turned six years old, our family moved to Italy for two years because my father had a posting there for the company 3M. Its fair to say my interest in art started during those two years. For one thing, my mother ensured we went around to visit many of the great art museums. For another, I didnt know Italian at first and often had to read my environment visually more so than verballyand it was a very interesting new environment to take in. Finally, on the way back to America, we stopped in Holland, where I first fell in love with Rembrandt. I minored in art history in college, and, in my work as a market researcher, I continued to apply my interest in visuals to analyzing advertising for over 50% of the worlds top 100 companies marketing to consumers. How did you conceive of First Blush? I always wanted to use the two tools I specialized in for businesseye tracking to capture where exactly people look, and facial coding to read expressions and learn how people feel about what theyre seeingapplied to art rather than just helping sell, say, more baked beans. The specific inspiration was an article that mentioned people spending on average about 20 seconds per artwork in viewing them in a museum. That struck me as too long an estimate. So, on my next business trip to New York City, I spent the equivalent of about a day sitting in the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Frick, and the Guggenheim observing visitors. My finding: on average, about four seconds to view an artwork, five seconds to read the title plate, and another one-second glance at an artwork before moving on. From that confirmation of my instincts, I became eager to go further and capture the inside scoop on how people really experience art. How did you find participants and choose the works? How did you conduct research? Eye tracking has been used in studying art, but, as best I could find, nobody went in-depth. My study is easily the largest ever of this kind, with 88 artworks and 96 demographically varied participants ranging from age eight to 80. Each person got 15 seconds to view an artwork, and halfway through that period I would say aloud the last name of the artist and the works title to simulate people reading the title plate in an art museum. Choosing the artworks to include took a lot of investigation online and via art books. I started with the obviously most famous works. Then I wanted to have a strong dose of more contemporary works. Ensuring gender and racial diversity was important. So was my getting in some works from Africa and certainly Asia, for instance. I varied the mediums, integrating photography, sculpture, and ready-made pieces. Finally, I added in artists that would introduce a few interesting variables: figures who made the most money, were the most popular, and/or were the most critically acclaimed. Trying to spread the choices around by era was yet another factor. All in all, a very tricky proposition that left out some personal favorites, like Matisse. What surprised you most? I cant say I was surprised that 80% of peoples visual attention and emotional responses centered on faces when they were a part of the composition. However, there were other strong findings, too. How does ones gaze move through an artwork? The best bet is the lower middle as the starting point, with the four corners being a little like Outer Mongolia. The study confirmed that the vast majority of participants viewing and emotional involvement happened within the first four seconds. Other findings: vertically oriented compositions performed best; red was the most emotionally engaging color, and blue the most appealing, or most associated with positive emotions. Titles that were poetic or meaningful did well; those that were obscure or untitled were panned emotionally by my participants. In terms of titles, the single best performer was Mondrians Broadway Boogie Woogie. The title provided them with greater insight into the visual content. Now, the participants could see the Manhattan grid of streets, the yellow as taxi cabs, and the overall brightness as the lights of Broadway. Suddenly, participants really connected with an abstract piece. Do you feel that the ability to intuitively see visual art is learned out of us as we age? It might be. Its striking that more time is spent in a museum on the title plate than the artwork itself. Yes, were seeking context, and I support that as an analyst! But, as an art lover, its a bit of a disappointment to think that maybe people are looking for more understanding or confirmation that such and such artwork is important as opposed to being absorbed by what one sees and responding accordingly. What were the key takeaways? What do you hope readers gain? My book is very, very visually oriented. Its in four-color [printing], and the eye tracking results are shown in color based on whats known in the trade as colorized heat maps. Reds and orange mean more gaze activity, green less, and no color could account for the parts of an artwork that the participants barely observed. So the key takeaway concerns what kind of content and composition elements draw people in. I think this inside scoop can be useful to practicing artists, to teachers, to museum curators laying out the next exhibit, and to the general art lover. Is a purely emotional response to art as valid as a more critical response? Certainly. The scientific estimate is that about 95% of our mental activity isnt fully conscious. A lot of that activity goes to monitoring intuitively how our body is doing. But lots more goes to subconscious than conscious processing of the world around us and our experiences of it, including art. Im as vulnerable as the next person to taking in the title plate and confirming this is such-and-such important artist to pay attention to in an art museum. But, at the same time, I often enter the next room and try to start by asking myself: what piece in this room grabs my eye and heart most? Washington Syracuse lawyer Rick Guy has left a post in the federal government in a cloud of controversy after sending a memo to staffers questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. Guy, 59, a former member of the Syracuse Common Council, told syracuse.com that he stepped down this week from a directors position at the U.S. Agency for International Development, a federal agency that provides disaster relief and aid to nations around the world. Guy had served as one of former president Donald Trumps political appointees at the agency since June 2020. He said his appointment expired with the end of Trumps presidency at noon Wednesday. An internal memo sent to USAID employees a week earlier on Jan. 13 informed staffers that Guy and a second Trump appointee, who also made controversial comments about the election, will be away from the office until further notice, according to a copy obtained by syracuse.com. A USAID spokeswoman, asked if Guy had been suspended, declined to comment citing privacy restrictions over personnel files. Guy in an interview Friday said that employees in his department demanded his firing after he sent them an email Jan. 12 titled 2020 Hindsight - My Thoughts as Requested. Guy said he sent the email in response to a request from staffers for his thoughts on the storming of the U.S. Capitol by a violent mob incited by Trump. I was challenged by my staff in my last senior staff meeting to express my views in respect to what happened Jan. 6, Guy said. I gave a little broader perspective than what they were looking for. In his email, Guy criticized state and local election officials, the media, and a voting machine manufacturer, and repeated unfounded claims of a conspiracy to rig the Nov. 3 presidential election against Trump. Monopoly media outlets colluded and actively interfered in the 2020 U.S. presidential election by censoring any news and information that could adversely impact voter opinions of their selected candidate, Guy wrote in the email, which he provided to syracuse.com. Guy served as USAIDs acting director of democracy, rights and governance in the Bureau for Development, Democracy and Innovation. In that post, he was tasked with overseeing U.S. efforts to promote global democracy and human rights. In his email to staffers, he suggested his colleagues would be hypocritical if they didnt examine his election claims. We need to practice what we preach, Guy wrote. Otherwise, we have just witnessed the death of the American Republic and the demise of elective democracy amidst arrogant blinding hypocrisy. A spokeswoman for USAID said in a statement that Guy was not speaking for the agency in his email. The opinions expressed by Mr. Guy in his email are his personal opinions, said Pooja Jhunjhunwala, speaking for USAID. They do not reflect the policies or programs of USAID, the Bureau for Development, Democracy and Innovation, or the Office of Democracy, Rights and Governance. Guy called the violent storming of the Capitol a reprehensible act in his email and said those who broke the law should be punished. When asked Friday if Trump was responsible for inciting the riot in which five people were killed, Guy defended the president. Do I think there could have been a more prudent time for him to have an event? Sure, Guy said. Did he incite that crowd through the use of his language? Absolutely not. Guy returned to work at his law practice in Syracuse this week. He said he has been encouraged to run again for public office in Central New York. He served three terms on the Syracuse Common Council in the 1990s as a conservative Republican who opposed abortion rights and gay marriage. Guy declined to say who recommended him for the Trump political appointment. He said he was offered a job at USAID after applying for the open position of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, a Syracuse-based post. He said his son, Joseph Guy, 28, was hired a few weeks before him at USAID as a political appointee. The younger Guy served as a special adviser to an assistant administrator in global health, and then moved to a post as special assistant to the deputy chief of staff in USAIDs White House liaison office, Rick Guy said. Joseph Guy was hired by William Maloney, a Trump White House liaison at the agency who started as an intern on Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, CNBC reported in July. Rick Guy said his son has since left USAID to accept a new job as a legislative assistant for Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., the youngest member of Congress at age 25. Cawthorn spoke at Trumps Stop the Steal rally before the storming of the Capitol. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 Crop insurance is never going to make you whole its meant to cover your farming costs, Antonini said at the time. No one makes money on it. Knowing insurance wont cover much of their typical profit, Beckstoffer Vineyards employs what basically amounts to grape growing catastrophe insurance, according to General Manager Dave Michul. Custom crushing unpurchased fruit and selling it on the bulk market is actually preferable to making an insurance claim on Beckstoffer fruit or having some of their clientele renege on contracts, Michul said. Of course, selling fruit to contracted buyers is preferred, according to Michul, who expressed some mild frustration with wineries that had stepped away from fruit. Some said they would not make wine from Beckstoffer grapes as early as August, amid the LNU Lightning Complex Fires, he said. Though there was smoke around the valley at that time, industry experts believed fruit would remain usable through most of Napa County. Theres so much thats unknown and who am I to say they should have taken the fruit? Im not a winemaker; Im a grower, Michul said of his buyers. But I felt like there were a lot of people who were just throwing in the towel and waving the white flag. At the first sign of smoke, they just ran away. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Photo: (Photo : Unsplash/Thomas Park) A person who has had adverse childhood experiences affects his adult life significantly. A study reveals how an adverse upbringing could impair one's health and circumstances when they into adults. The team studied a large number of correspondents that included 818 moms and their partners. They asked the subjects to answer a questionnaire about their life one year after having a child. An unfavorable living condition linked to a negative childhood The study's principal author and senior lecturer at the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences at the Uppsala University, Per Kristiansson, explained what they found out. He said that the couples noted how a relatively unfavorable living situation links to a negative childhood experience. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect a person's future dramatically. Studies showed that the higher the number of ACEs, the higher the risk a person would have negative consequences in life. READ: Recent Study Suggests Children With Autism Could Benefit From Pet Cats A tough childhood could cause adult problems Previously, some studies revealed that people who have had a tough childhood have been more likely to suffer from illnesses. Most also showed that some die prematurely, while others suffer from a range of common conditions and diseases. The people with tough childhood had developed diabetes, cardiovascular disease, severe mental ill-health, and cancer. The research team focused on sexual assault and both physical and mental abuse and neglect. The questionnaires also included problematic situations in the family, such as substance abuse, violence, criminal behavior, mental disorders, and separations. READ MORE: Working Mom Talks About Benefits of Choosing Family over Career Many suffered from more ACEs What the study team found was that there were common cases reported by their subjects. Eleven percent of women and nine percent of their partners admitted to suffering four or more tough childhood experiences. Two percent of the participants showed that both men and women suffered from at least four ACEs. Data showed that if one of the couples suffered from ACEs, the other was likely to have undergone the same. READ NEXT: Easy Ways to Get Your Kids to Read More Books Couples who had encountered more problems in childhood had suffered more problems during adulthood. The group of subjects who reported having a negative childhood shared that they had low educational attainment, overweight, smoking habits, poor couple relationships, and low income. Some also shared that they suffered from poor self-assessed health, a high-stress level, low sense of coherence, and anxiety and depression in very high frequency. Fighting stress during the childhood years could benefit the community, according to previous studies. It also helps improve a student's performance, enhances one's sense of responsibility, and boosts economic productivity. Kristiansson said that they hope their study could cause the public agencies to take the initiative to detect, support, and provide treatments to the families affected by the adverse childhood experiences. He also noted how the ACEs affect people's lives and health, affecting the future generation negatively. The arrest of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny has triggered international outrage and growing calls for his release. Navalny was detained Sunday upon his return to Russia nearly five months after he was nearly poisoned to death by a military-grade nerve agent. (@FahadShabbir) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd January, 2021) The World Health Organization's (WHO) drug safety panel said Friday there was no evidence to suggest that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine had contributed to deaths in frail elderly patients, after such cases were reported in some countries. The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety met by video with experts from the EU medicines regulator and the UN center for drug monitoring to review deaths reported in Europe and elsewhere following vaccination with the anti-coronavirus drug developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. "The available information does not confirm a contributory role for the vaccine in the reported fatal events. In view of this, the committee considers that the benefit-risk balance... remains favourable in the elderly, and does not suggest any revision," a statement read. The panel said reports did not suggest any "unexpected or untoward" rise in deaths in frail senior citizens or any unusual adverse events. Norwegian experts said earlier that side effects, such as fever, nausea and diarrhea, might have played a role in the recent deaths of 23 frail elderly people in the country. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is the only vaccine approved by the WHO for emergency use so far. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission NEW DELHI: Amid speculations and reports doing round that the circulation of old currency notes of Rs 100, 10 and 5 would stop permanently by March-April, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said that the Central bank has no such plans and termed the report as 'fake'. An RBI spokesperson thrashed such false reports and clarified that they are not planning any such move. However, there is no official confirmation from RBI as of yet on the matter. As reported by several media publications, Assistant General Manager (AGM) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) B Mahesh while speaking at the District Level Security Committee (DLSC) and District Level Currency Management Committee (DLMC) meeting, stated that the old currency notes of Rs 100, Rs 10 and Rs 5 will eventually go out of circulation as RBI plans to withdraw them by March-April. New currency notes of 100 rupees were released by the Reserve Bank of India in 2019. The RBI had issued new Rs 100 notes in lavender colour with the motif of 'Rani ki vav' a stepwell located on the banks of Saraswati river in Gujarats Patan. "All Rs 100 banknotes issued earlier will also continue to be legal tender," the central bank said while announcing the issue of the new Rs 100 notes. The RBI introduced a Rs 200 note in addition to the currency note in denomination of Rs 2,000 after the demonetisation on November 8, 2016. In 2019, responding to an RTI query, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conveyed that it has halted the printing of high-value banknotes. This provides an explanation for the fewer Rs 2000 notes being sourced by ATMs. Speaking of the Rs 10 coin, even after 15 years of its introduction, the coin has not been accepted by traders and businessmen, which has become a problem for banks and RBI. Several rumours surfaced around the coin that created doubt among the people about its validity. Traders and shopkeepers still refuse to take Rs 10 coin that do not have a rupee symbol on them. Live TV Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. In a roller coaster year that saw Midlands unemployment rate leap from a low 2.3 percent in February to a high 12.4 percent in May, local unemployment ended on a positive note. The Texas Workforce Commission reported Friday that the December unemployment rate in its Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) which includes Midland and Martin counties fell to 8 percent from 9.3 percent in November. Still, that is far higher than the 2 percent recorded for the MSA in December 2019. Odessa likewise saw a sharp drop in its unemployment rate, to 11.5 percent from 13.1 percent in November. For the first time in June, Odessa did not report the states highest unemployment rate. At our board meeting recently, board members said they were seeing an uptick in the market, which is great, Willie Taylor, chief executive officer of the commissions Workforce Solutions Permian Basin, told the Reporter-Telegram in a telephone interview. He said board members reported some hiring in manufacturing, oilfield services and other industries. Taylor reported that unemployment insurance claims filed in the 17 counties his office oversees have fallen from a high of 6,500 a week last March and April to about 1,008 presently, giving him reason to believe the labor market is stabilizing. What I am concerned about is the ups and downs of childcare, Taylor said. The last year has highlighted the urgent need for access to good, reliable childcare, he said, especially since 49 percent of job seekers in the Permian Basin are female and need childcare. People are beginning to see the need for childcare out here, he continued. We have a younger workforce in the Permian Basin and they need childcare, especially since both parents work. Unemployment benefits were recently extended when the omnibus spending bill was signed, he noted. I continue to encourage people, while theyre drawing unemployment, to engage in upgrading their skills. They wont get penalized and its the ideal time, while youre drawing unemployment. When the regions economy returns, he said, We wont return back to a boom. If unemployment remains stable, well still have shortages in key areas education, medical, even oil and gas. Thats why its so important to continue building our infrastructure homes, roads, schools. Well need that to attract people into the community. He added, Its a continuous cycle, continuous training, continuous upgrading, he said. That will be the key to economic recovery, Taylor said an educated workforce created by employers and schools working together and creating pathways for the areas children. Midlands labor force actually declined from November to December, by about 350, and 5,500 below December 2019 levels. But that decline was offset by a jump of 1,100 in the number of employed Midlanders though still down by 11,700 and a drop in the number of unemployed Midlanders, down by about 1,500 though still about 6,100 higher than the number of unemployed residents last December. The Midland MSA added 1,100 jobs from November to December. Job growth was led by the areas dominant industrial sector, Mining, Logging and Construction, which added 500 jobs. Next was the Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector with 400 new jobs and the Government sector with 200 new jobs. Financial Activities added 100 new jobs. The only sector to report a loss was the Leisure and Hospitality sector, down 100 jobs. For the 12 months ending December 2020, Midland has lost 12,400 jobs, led by the 9,200 job plunge in the Mining, Logging and Construction sector. The Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector and the Leisure and Hospitality sector followed, losing 1,000 jobs each for the year. Other Services was down 800 while the Manufacturing sector and Education and Health Services sectors each lost 300 jobs. Financial Activities was down 200 jobs and the Information sector down 100 jobs. The Government sector added 400 jobs, and the Professional and Business Services sector added 100 jobs. Statewide, the unemployment rate fell to 7.2 percent from 8.1 percent in November. The state added, 64,200 jobs over the month, the eighth consecutive month of job growth. Amarillo reported the lowest unemployment at 4.9 percent, followed by College Station-Bryan with 5 percent and Austin-Round Rock at 5.1 percent. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission reported the highest unemployment rate at 11.7 percent. In a roller coaster year that saw Midlands unemployment rate leap from a low 2.3 percent in February to a high 12.4 percent in May, local unemployment ended on a positive note. January 2020 2.4 percent January 2019 2.3 percent February 2020 2.3 percent February 2019 2.2 percent March 2020 3.4 percent March 2019 2 percent April 2020 10.2 percent April 2019 1.7 percent May 2020 12.4 percent May 2019 1.8 percent June 2020 9.6 percent June 2019 2.1 percent July 2020 9.4 percent July 2019 2.2 percent August 2020 8.1 percent August 2019 2.3 percent September 2020 9.6 percent September 2019 2.1 percent October 2020 8.1 percent October 2019 2.1 percent November 2020 9.3 percent November 2019 2.1 percent December 2020 8 percent December 2019 2 percent Garnet Valley School District Superintendent Marc Bertrando was thrilled when he learned local health officials planned to start vaccinating Delaware County teachers against the coronavirus in February, with clinics at four schools over consecutive weekends. In March, educators would get the second doses required to complete inoculation enabling schools like Bertrandos to open more fully for in-person instruction this spring. There was just one problem: The county didnt have the doses to move forward, officials said. As the pandemic continues to disrupt education with many area schools offering in-person instruction only part-time or operating entirely online its unclear when teachers around the Philadelphia region will be vaccinated. Thats adding uncertainty to when life will return to something resembling normal for children, their parents, and the broader community. Inadequate supply and an expansion of residents eligible for inoculation during the first round a group that doesnt include most teachers have created a double whammy for the education community, said Jeanne Casner, the Chester County health director, whose department also serves Delaware County. With limited access to vaccines, health experts say, schools should be considering other strategies including ramping up COVID-19 testing for students and staff to improve safety while moving toward more in-person instruction. I no longer think keeping schools closed if they have a strong safety plan, strong leaders, and strong guidance is needed, Susan Coffin, professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, said Friday during a discussion hosted by the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia PolicyLab, a research group that has influenced local school reopening plans. READ MORE: Some Philly-area public schools are planning to test students, staff for COVID-19 Still, school leaders worry the vaccine shortage threatens to complicate matters. While some local schools have reopened in person five days a week, others have been limiting the number of students in schools due to social distancing guidelines. If teachers are vaccinated, some officials expect they could reduce the spacing between students allowing more children to attend in person. In the Philadelphia School District, where schools have been fully virtual since last March, Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. has said any return to school is not dependent on vaccines. But teachers union president Jerry Jordan said every employee who comes into contact with children should be fully vaccinated before a return to school buildings. The vaccine cant be ignored, Jordan said Friday. It has to be part of the solution. A Philadelphia Department of Public Health spokesperson said the city anticipates it wont have enough vaccine to offer teachers for another month or two. This is our only shot at getting kids in, said Bertrando, who last week asked families to contact state health officials and request more vaccines for Delaware County. Weve spent a year now hearing Kids have to be in school. Its a priority, he said. Now, all of a sudden, its not a priority. County officials say vaccine doses allocated by the state have been in short supply, and they arent sure when theyll be able to move on to vaccinating people in Pennsylvanias 1B category, which includes educators. The issue was exacerbated by the addition last week of people 65 and older to the 1A category, an expansion that bumped teachers further down the list. (Philadelphia, which receives vaccines directly from the federal government and is operating independently from the state, also has limited doses and says its currently prioritizing first responders and people in congregate care settings.) While Montgomery County has vaccinated school nurses, special-education teachers, and aides a group that has close contact with students in terms of vaccinating all of our teachers, which had been our plan, we dont have the ability to do that right now, Val Arkoosh, chair of the county commissioners, told reporters Wednesday. Casner said Thursday that she couldnt guess anymore about when teachers in Chester and Delaware Counties would receive vaccines. Its not going to happen probably in the next month, Casner said. Chester County needs an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 vaccines for its K-12 teachers and child care staff to receive their first doses. It received 2,500 doses last week. Some local officials have questioned whether the state is fairly directing resources to area communities. Arkoosh believes that Montgomery County is receiving a disproportionately smaller number of doses compared with other counties, based on our demographics, Lower Merion School District Superintendent Robert Copeland said in a message to families Friday. Pennsylvania Department of Health spokesperson Barry Ciccocioppo said the state is distributing doses to counties based on many factors including current allocations, amount administered, and local infection rates. But supply is extremely limited, he said: 3.5 million Pennsylvanians are currently eligible for the vaccine, and the state has been getting about 140,000 doses a week. While advocating for educators to have access to the vaccine, Pennsylvanias largest teachers union hasnt called for the state to bump teachers closer to the front of the line. The issue right now is the availability of the vaccine, said Chris Lilienthal, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, who called vaccinating teachers critical to being able to reopen schools safely for in-person instruction. We are hopeful that the Biden administration will bring all the resources of the federal government to bear in getting more vaccines to states, Lilienthal said. READ MORE: As teachers quarantine, Philly-area schools hunt for substitutes In Philadelphia, Hite on Friday told educators the district would ask the city to hold vaccination clinics in school buildings, though I do not yet know the exact timing of when vaccines might be available. Some teachers in districts that have brought children back to classrooms worry their vaccination isnt a priority because they are already teaching in person. In those that havent reopened buildings like Philadelphia teachers expressed fear about returning without a vaccination. I dont know where to go, I dont know what to do, I have no instruction about how I should get vaccinated, said Fatim Byrd, who teaches Spanish at Mayfair Elementary. Mayfair is one of the citys most crowded schools, with nearly 2,200 children and bringing back even a small percentage worries Byrd. The district is saying that their timetable isnt based on vaccinations, which is crazy to me, Byrd said. Chris Chavarria, a physics and biology teacher at the Charles Brimm Medical Arts High School in Camden, plans to get the vaccine as soon as possible. He worries there wont be an adequate supply for both doses needed. I would not feel comfortable returning to the classroom until I got the second vaccination, Chavarria said. I want to develop an immunity to COVID. Emily Simpson, a social studies and English teacher at Philadelphias Saul High School, also wants two doses of the vaccine before she sets foot in her classroom, but isnt sure thats going to be possible. Theres just a lack of information, not only from the district, but from the health department in a really digestible format, she said. In a vacuum, people are left to their own devices, and people are just anxious. Staff writer Melanie Burney contributed to this article. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Enough is enough already. Americans on both sides are just plain sick of these parasites in Washington (on both sides) not just doing the peoples business, only looking for new ways to attack each other day in and day out. Donald J Trump is now living in Florida as a private citizen. He is no longer The President. Law professors and Constitutional experts Alan Dersowitz and Jonathan Turley (both Democrats), and many others without a political agenda have said categorically that impeachment is for a sitting president, not private citizens. Will anyone quote me anywhere in our U.S. Constitution, Amendments, or private writings by any of our founders where they suggest that this provision in any fashion can be used against a President (a President mind you) after they have left office. Article 2 Section 4 of our U.S. Constitution specifically says: "The President, Vice President, and civil officers of The United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for a conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." News Flash.Donald J Trump is now living in Florida as a private citizen. He is no longer The President. Law professors and Constitutional experts Alan Dersowitz and Jonathan Turley (both Democrats), and many others without a political agenda have said categorically that impeachment is for a sitting president, not private citizens. Will anyone quote me anywhere in our U.S. Constitution, Amendments, or private writings by any of our founders where they suggest that this provision in any fashion can be used against a President (a President mind you) after they have left office. In my 59 years as an educated voter, and student of politics, I have never witnessed such obsessive hatred for a President by so many unhinged people. Washington seems hell bent on destroying the greatest democracy the world has ever known. They give new meaning to the phrase "mutually assured destruction". If you don't believe me, just wait until the obsessed Trump haters spew their vile retorts to my comments without once actually addressing the facts and words of our founding document relating to how and when a President can be removed from office. I have had it with turning on the news every day and having to put up with the childish bickering from overpaid politicians and biased individuals. That goes for the RINOs in my party as well. As I said, I have been a lifelong voter and Republican party contributor for years, but enough is enough. Since as a Christian that supports Life and traditional Biblical morality, I could never be a Democrat, the only thing left for me is to leave my party and register as an Independent. Bill Reesor Ooltewah * * * Mr. Reesor is exactly right. The so-called progressives are pulling back the curtain to reveal what tyrants they are and how far they will go. Okay, Ms. Pelosi, if you can impeach a former president, then I demand you impeach LBJ. He lied to the nation about the Gulf of Tonkin incident which gave him the war powers to do what he did in Viet Nam. Nearly 100,000 Americans died as a direct result of that disaster. Our nation is still dealing with the harm LBJ did. Hows that for a president causing violence and destruction, Nancy? And he was a Democrat. And whats to stop this gang from impeaching Dick Cheney? They hatred him almost as deeply as they do Trump. Perhaps his daughters vote for impeachment will come back to bite her-then maybe it wont. Having a high profile Republican vote for impeaching Trump gave their scheme some traction. For that matter if your scrapping the constitution to try to destroy Trump, whats to stop them from going after any senator, federal judge or justice or member of Congress that gets in the way of their New Order? Ralph Miller The government says preparations are underway for the state funeral of former President, Jerry John Rawlings. The state funeral for Mr Rawlings is expected to be held at the Independence Square in Accra from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on January 27, 2021, according to a note verbale the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration sent to Diplomatic Missions, International Organizations and Honorary Consulates. Information Minister Designate, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah told Citi News all participating bodies in the funeral are currently rehearsing at the Black Star Square and Accra International conference centre ahead of the scheduled events. Today, if you visit the Black Star square and Accra International Conference, the various teams that are doing the preparatory work are gradually getting their work to an advanced stage. We look forward to the people of Ghana paying their final respect and salutations to the former President even in these COVID times. Mr Rawlings, died in the early hours of Thursday, November 12, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. He will be laid-in-state from 24th to 26th January 2021 at the foyer of the Accra International Conference Centre from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. There will also be a Mass on 26th January 2021 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra. It is after the above arrangements that the family of the late president is demanding to take charge of the remains of Mr Rawlings to carry on with some traditional rites. Funeral for the late President was initially scheduled for December 23, 2020, by the State but that upset the Anlo Traditional Council and the Agbotui, Tamaklo, Husunu and Allied families which wanted to be consulted. The Council led by the Awadada of the Anlo, Togbui Agbesi Awusu II, said the arrangements made at the time were not in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Anlo people, leading to the initial indefinite postponement of the funeral rites of the late former President. Source: Citi News Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Sara Ali Khan continues to give her fans glimpses of her idyllic vacation in Maldives. In her latest posts, she was seen wearing a cute blue swimsuit. (Image: Instagram) Police in Texas have arrested a man who stole an ambulance before driving to a fast food restaurant to place an order. Officers arrested the man at the Ludington Drive branch of Jack in the Box in Houston on Thursday. The Houston Police Department said the man got into the ambulance and drove off while Houston Fire Department responders were on a call at an apartment building nearby. The man, who has been identified as Renaldo Dechaume Leonard (36) jumped into the ambulance and sped off, police said. According to officers, they tracked the ambulance down at a Jack in the Box on South Post Oak and West Orem with the emergency lights still on while going through the drive-through. Police said Leonard was taken into custody and has been charged with felony theft. A tweet posted by the Houston Police Department read: "Southwest patrol and CST officers just recovered a stolen ambulance S. Post Oak and W. Orem. Paramedics were on a call when male jumped in and drove off. "Officers tracked the ambulance to a fast food outlet where the driver was at the drive up ordering food with emergency lights." The police said the suspect was taken into custody without incident and the incident is under investigation. It is not the first time that an ambulance in Texas has been targeted, after a man stole one from outside a hospital because he needed to get food and cigarettes. The suspect, who was not named but described as being in his sixties, took the vehicle from the Cypress Creek Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Houston in 2019. According to police, the man got into the ambulance and drove off while the responders were busy. He was found by Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies at a gas station. Officials said the ambulance had been left with its engine running outside the hospital, where the man is believed to have once been a patient. When deputies asked him why he had stolen the vehicle the suspect claimed he "needed a ride." Inside, officers found the man had obtained fried chicken from KFC and cigarettes. That same year, a 29-year-old woman was arrested in Florida for allegedly stealing an ambulance before crashing into a police car after a short pursuit. Kamala Harris is sworn in as Vice President by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as her husband Doug Emhoff holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday. On Friday, Jan. 22, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming Kamala Harris put her hand on a purse instead of a Bible during her swearing in. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East Subhas Chandra Bose, popularly known as Netaji, was one of the tallest leaders of the Indian independence movement. A staunch nationalist, Bose is known for his brilliant strategic moves to garner support for his cause not just in India but abroad as well. He formed the Azad Hind Fauj or the Indian National Army to fight the Britishers who occupied India. On his 125th birth anniversary, we recall his life and contributions to Indias freedom struggle. Early life and Education Born on January 23, 1897 in Cuttack in the Bengal Province, he was ninth in a family of 14 children. His primary schooling was done at the Protestant European School in Cuttack, before being admitted to the Ravenshaw Collegiate School. After school, he joined the Presidency College, but later changed to the Scottish Church College at the University of Calcutta where he obtained his B.A degree in philosophy. To fulfill his fathers wish, he prepared for the Indian Civil Services examination, in which he bagged the fourth rank. But he did not want to serve the British and so he resigned from his job in April 1921 to join the independence movement. Bose Joins Independence Movement Bose started the newspaper Swaraj, which stood for freedom. For his nationalist credentials, he was arrested by the government in 1925. After being released two years later, he became general secretary of the Congress party, where he worked with Jawaharlal Nehru. Bose was jailed again for participating in the civil disobedience movement. After his release in 1930, he became the Mayor of Calcutta. Bose Quits Congress, Forms Forward Bloc Bose was forced to quit the Congress party owing to his differences with Mahatma Gandhi and other senior party leaders. Consequently, Bose formed the All India Forward Bloc on June 22, 1939. Bose Escapes to Germany Bose escaped from under house arrest imposed by the British to make way for Germany. He arrived in Germany in 1941, where he tried to garner support for the cause of India's independence. However, after realizing changing German priorities, Bose left for Japan in a German U-boat in February 1943. Formation of Indian National Army Bose formed the Indian National Army which comprised captured Indian soldiers of the British Indian army in the Battle of Singapore. The INA fought the British army at various places in the Burmese territory. However, Boses military effort was short-lived as the British army prevailed. Mystery of Bose Death Bose is said to have died of third-degree burns when his plane crashed in Taiwan. However, there were many who believed he did not die in that crash and that he was in hiding, waiting for the right opportunity to strike again. His death has been surrounded by conspiracy theories ever since. Bose was a charismatic leader who was an icon for the youth who dreamed of an independent India. His famous quote: Give me blood and I will give you freedom had become the war cry for millions of Indians. The Telegraph The Duke of Sussex was told his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, had died after police were called to his California home in the middle of the night, it has emerged. Prince Philip, 99, died at Windsor Castle on the morning of April 9, prompting a series of urgent calls across the Atlantic shortly before 3am local time, 11am in the UK. Buckingham Palace aides contacted the US embassy in London, which in turn called the Santa Barbara sheriffs office. An officer was then sent to the Sussexes home in the wealthy enclave of Montecito, around 10 miles away Prince Harry, 36, is understood to have been asleep at the time. It is not known whether family members tried to call him to break the news before police were alerted, but aides will have been acutely aware of the need to inform the Duke before the media were alerted. A spokesperson for the Santa Barbara Sheriff's office told the Telegraph that they sent officers to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's home at 3am on April 9. The purpose of the visit was to tell the Duke his grandfather had passed away, after it had not been possible to contact him in any other way, they said. 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. Launching his party's campaign for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi partnered with big businessmen and was 'selling' everything that belonged to the people. Addressing people from an open van here, Gandhi targeted the Prime Minister in his first of the three-day campaign of western Tamil Nadu. Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi In April or early May state assembly elections are likely in the state. "What does Modi do? Modi partners with three or four big businessmen in this country. They provide him media and he provides them money," he alleged. "Narendra Modi is one by one selling everything that belongs to the people of India and Tamil Nadu." The Congress MP said what belonged to the farmers was now being taken away by three new farm laws. Rahul Gandhi Attacking BJP, he said his party was involved in a fight against a 'particular' ideology that believed that "only one culture, one language and one idea should rule India." Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "no respect" for the culture, language and people of Tamil Nadu, he alleged. Modi "thinks that the Tamil people, Tamil language and Tamil culture should be subservient to his ideas, his culture," Gandhi claimed. We believe Sri Lanka is better than this View(s): Two recurrent themes in President Joe Bidens inaugural address last week was the need for uniting the nation and protecting democracy. While these concerns had been repeatedly flagged by him during his campaign as well as after his victory, President Biden took the opportunity to once again impress upon the American people the significance of these two values in his inspiring speech. What is of interest to Sri Lankans is that both these issues are of contemporary relevance to this country. In fact these and other issues that he addressed in his speech had an uncanny resemblance to the situations faced by this country (A full read or full listen of his speech will be useful). Many of his exhortations dealt with what Sri Lankans would like to hear from and be implemented by their own leaders. While both countries are struggling to face the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout, democracy and national unity are of paramount concern to the progress of this country as well. After taking the oath of office, President Biden said he wants to restore the soul of America, bringing America together, uniting our people, and uniting our nation. He promised to defend America for the public good and said, together we shall write an American story of hope, not fear, of unity, not division a story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness. On the night before his inauguration, depicting a national moment of grief, Joe Biden and Vice president Kamala Harris held a memorial by illuminating 400 lights along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, to remember the 400,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19. At this commemoration Kamala Harris remarked, For many months, we have grieved by ourselves and tonight, we grieve and begin healing together. Those whose loved ones have died in the Sri Lankan conflict on all sides of the ethnic divide have been left to grieve silently and alone. Those whose near and dear ones who have died due to COVID-19 have been left to grieve silently and alone. Those whose near and dear ones have been forcibly cremated have been left to grieve silently and alone. The country or the Sri Lankan state has not found it fitting to collectively grieve and begin healing together. From the time of the Sinhala kings Sri Lanka has been a model of coexistence and communal harmony. While like in any multi-religious and multi-cultural societies, in Sri Lanka too there have been occasional minor skirmishes between different sections of society. Yet the country has been resilient enough to overcome and manage such situations without ripping society apart until more recent times. It was only after independence that the relationship between the communities began to weaken. Failure to address concerns of the Tamil minority in a wise and mature manner allowed the conflict to metamorphosis into an armed struggle and subsequently into terrorism. Subsequently since 2012 the Muslim community has begun to feel itself being targeted and continuously marginalised. Even today Governmental action in forcibly cremating COVID-19 victims in violation of the Muslim communitys human rights and against the weight of scientific opinion has further contributed to the polarisation of society. While the fact that the minorities did not support him at the Presidential elections is very much on President Gotabaya Rajapakses mind, President Joe Biden refuses to draw such a distinction. He assured that he would be the President for all those who supported him as well as those who did not. His eloquence in putting across the idea that dissent and democracy need not divide but will only strengthen is worth repeating. To all those who supported our campaign I am humbled by the faith you have placed in us. To all those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart. And if you still disagree, so be it. Thats democracy. Thats America. The right to dissent peaceably, within the guardrails of our Republic, is perhaps our nations greatest strength. Yet hear me clearly: Disagreement must not lead to disunion. And I pledge this to you: I will be a president for all Americans. I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did. Such inspiring sentiments are worthy of emulation by Sri Lankan politicians of whatever hue and more so when they occupy office. Speaking on the potential generated by the unity of the people to overcome the challenges faced by the American nation, Biden went on to explain his vision. He said he was commited to bringing America together. Uniting our people. And uniting our nation. I ask every American to join me in this cause. With unity we can do great things. Important things. We can right wrongs. We can put people to work in good jobs. We can teach our children in safe schools. We can overcome this deadly virus. We can reward work, rebuild the middle class, and make health care secure for all. We can deliver racial justice. We can make America, once again, the leading force for good in the world. Uniting our people. And uniting our nation. In each of these moments, enough of us came together to carry all of us forward. And, we can do so now. History, faith, and reason show the way, the way of unity. We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbours. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting, and lower the temperature. For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury. No progress, only exhausting outrage. No nation, only a state of chaos. This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward. All of us. All of us. Let us listen to one another. Hear one another. See one another. Show respect to one another. Politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path. Every disagreement does not have to be a cause for total war. And, we must reject a culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured. My fellow Americans, we have to be different than this. America has to be better than this. And, I believe America is better than this. And we believe Sri Lanka is better than this. (javidyusuf@gmail.com) A Gangster Disciples leader from Birmingham has been sentenced to decades in federal prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy involving murder and drug trafficking. Shauntay Shake Craig, 42, was sentenced to 40 years. He was arrested in 2016 during a massive roundup in nine states of 32 accused gang members wanted in federal investigations out of Atlanta and Memphis. FBI agents, Jefferson County sheriffs deputies and Birmingham police arrested three Alabama suspects, including Craig. The Gangster Disciples is a violent group that began in Chicago in the 1970s. According to federal authorities, Gangster Disciples employ a highly structured organization and are divided into geographic groups which each are called a count or a deck. The Gangster Disciples are a national gang with roots in Chicago dating back to the 1970s. The gang is highly structured, with a hierarchy of leadership posts known as Positions of Authority or POAs. The gang strictly enforces rules for its members, the most important of which is Silence and Secrecy a prohibition on cooperating with law enforcement. Violations of the rule are punishable by death. Evidence at trial showed that the Gangster Disciples were responsible for 24 shootings from 2011 through 2015, including 12 murders. The case was investigated by the FBI Atlantas Safe Streets Gang Task Force, Atlanta Police Department, DeKalb County Police Department, Aurora Police Department (Colorado), IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Services, and the Georgia Department of Corrections, with significant assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Craig was a Board Member, the highest-ranking position in the Gangster Disciples. he was responsible for violence drug trafficking and murders, including orchestrating the murder of a government information in Colorado, to protect his drug empire,' according to a Friday statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. He pleaded guilty in August 2019. As leaders of the Gangster Disciples, these defendants terrorized communities across the country by engaging in, and ordering others to engage in, multiple acts of violence, including murder, said Nicholas L. McQuaid, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. The significant sentences imposed upon defendant Craig for his national leadership role in the gang, and defendant Glass for his creation of an army of teenagers who shot and killed indiscriminately, demonstrate that even the most sophisticated and ruthless gangs are no match for the coordinated efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement. The Gangster Disciples are a ruthless gang that preyed upon our communities for far too long, and Craig and Glass were the driving force behind the devastation the gang caused, said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Atlanta Field Office. It is our goal to dismantle these organized, violent criminal enterprises and we could not do it without the efforts of the FBI-led Safe Streets Gang Task Force and its state and local partners. Among the critics who emerged last week to condemn the Philadelphia District Attorneys Offices plea deal with an AK-47 gunman who critically injured a man this year during an attempted robbery, one voice stood out for both its prominence and underlying message. U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain, the top federal law enforcement official in Southeastern Pennsylvania, derided the 3 -to-10-year sentence for gunman Jovaun Patterson as a sweetheart deal for a violent defendant." He went on to deliver a remarkable public rebuke of District Attorney Larry Krasner, accusing his city-level counterpart of abdicating his responsibility as a prosecutor and routinely failing to notify or consult crime victims before making plea decisions. I think the DA has more and more over the past year shown his true colors, McSwain said in an interview with the Inquirer and Daily News. He unfortunately seems wholly unconcerned about providing justice to victims. He seems preoccupied with advocating for defendants. A spokesperson for Krasner shot back, dismissing McSwains remarks as political grandstanding and false assertion in the best tradition of the man who appointed [him] Donald J. Trump. With that biting back-and-forth, a simmering tension that had been building behind the scenes between the regions two top prosecutors burst into public view. McSwain and Krasner are hardly the first men in their posts to trade public barbs. And turf disputes among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies arent unheard of. But the clash between the U.S. Attorney and District Attorney last week was notable both for its public nature and the rancor behind their remarks. In some ways, though, the falling out appeared inevitable from the moment both men were sworn in this year. Both are newcomers to high-profile public offices, ones that occasionally draw a regional if not national media spotlight. Both also hold fundamentally different views on the role a prosecutor should play. McSwain is a Republican appointee charged with enforcing federal law in the Philadelphia region under one of the most tough-on-crime Justice Departments in decades. Krasner is a career defense attorney whose campaign pledges to upend a city criminal justice system he has described as racist, broken, and corrupt have made him a national darling of progressives. Line prosecutors in each office have cooperated and continue to do so on cases where their jurisdictions overlap. In July, federal authorities aided the District Attorneys Office in an investigation that led to charges against more than 60 alleged members of a Kensington drug ring. But communication between the men at the top is nearly nonexistent. Sources from both offices described an initial meeting between Krasner and McSwain last spring as tense. McSwain said last week that although he has regular contact with other district attorneys in the nine-county region covered by his office, he hasnt spoken to Krasner in months. The DAs Office has decided not to participate in the normal channels of communication, he said. Clearly, theyve got an agenda and dont really want to spend a lot of time with people who dont share their views. Krasner has described efforts to distance himself from some other prosecutors including his decision last month to withdraw his office from membership in the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association as a principled stance. In doing so, Krasner said he believed the association was at least partly responsible for an explosion in the states prison population over several decades. He also cited the organizations backing of several ideas that run counter to his reform-driven agenda. We have a Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association . . . that would have you believe that the war on drugs all over again is a good idea for their own incumbency, for their own ambition, for the economies of their own counties, he said in a speech last month. In some ways, McSwain and Krasner benefit from having the other as a political foil, said Neil Oxman, a Democratic political consultant from Philadelphia. The Justice Department under McSwains ex-boss, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, has steered directly into many of the policies that helped Krasner win his election. Krasner has received a lot of coverage in terms of the things hes doing with sentencing reform and other issues, Oxman said. He becomes an easy target for someone from the right. At the same time, McSwain has made a public point of embracing groups, including police organizations, that have been most alarmed by Krasners reform efforts. McSwains attendance this month at Pennsylvania Society -- the annual New York City confab of the states elected officials, lobbyists, and politicos -- also did not go unnoticed, triggering speculation about his ambitions. McSwain maintains his criticism of Krasner isnt based in partisan politics but rather a concern over what he views as the breakdown of the adversarial nature of the legal system in Philadelphia courts. Krasner spokesman Ben Waxman, meanwhile, rejected the idea that the District Attorneys Office had somehow become soft on crime or an advocate for defendants. We are indeed working to reform a broken and unjust system, he said in a statement. But we have also continued to prosecute serious violent offenses, including shootings, sexual assaults and homicides. He cited dozens of recent cases in which violent criminals including drug dealers, sex traffickers, and attempted murderers had been sentenced to lengthy prison terms as a result of his offices efforts. The case that ignited last weeks falling-out, involving AK-47 shooter Jovaun Patterson, wasnt one of them. Even Krasners office has described its handling of the matter as a mistake. Patterson shot and critically injured Michael Poeng, a West Philadelphia beer-deli owner, during an attempted robbery May 5. The incident left Poeng in a coma for weeks and with lasting injuries. In the deal cemented last month, Patterson agreed to plead guilty to aggravated assault, robbery, and possession of an instrument of a crime in return for a sentence that could set free him on parole in 3 years. The District Attorneys Office dismissed the remaining charges, including attempted murder and gun violations that could have significantly increased Pattersons sentence. In what appeared to be a violation of state law, Poeng was not notified or consulted about the move by prosecutors. He said he was shocked by the sentence they negotiated for his attacker. After first defending the plea deal as wholly appropriate, Waxman last week blamed an assistant district attorney for the agreement. He said she mistakenly failed to get approval from her supervisor before offering the deal to Patterson. Krasners office sought to reopen the case for resentencing. Common Pleas Court Judge Rayford Means rejected that bid last week, though the judge has scheduled a Feb. 11 court hearing to give Poeng a chance to address the court. McSwain said his office is weighing whether to file federal charges against Patterson for the same incident a rare step that requires approval from Justice Department officials in Washington but that could result in a stiffer sentence. If theres going to be justice in this case, it may require federal authorities getting involved, he said. Krasners spokesperson, meanwhile, dismissed what he described as McSwains fact-free opinion and stood by his offices efforts. As we have stated, it was an honest mistake by a good lawyer who failed to consult with her supervisor for approval [and] we are trying to correct it, he said. We will always attempt to fix errors, regardless if reactionary political opportunists try to use them to score points. Taiwan on Saturday reported incursions by Chinese Air Force, who allegedly violated the country's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Taiwanese Defence Ministry on January 23 informed that eight Chinese nuclear-capable bombers and four fighter jets violated the country's airspace, calling it an "unusual" activity. According to reports, Taiwan responded by conducting air sorties, sending warnings over radio control and also by activating its air defence missile system. Read: Outgoing US Envoy To UN Berates China, Says 'world Must End Taiwan's Exclusion' The alleged incursions that took place on Saturday included eight H-6K bombers and four J-16 fighter jets. The Taiwanese defence ministry said that China has been operating daily flights over the waters between the southern part of Taiwan and the self-ruled island nation-controlled Pratas Islands, which lie in the South China Sea. The ministry added that what made Saturday violation unusual was the number of planes sent by mainland China. During earlier flights, China sent only one or two aircraft, however, on Saturday, at least 12 planes were involved in the ADIZ violation. Read: 'New Breakthrough': Taiwan Invited To US Inauguration For The First Time Since 1979 China-Taiwan dispute China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has been regularly violating Taipei's airspace for the past several months. The large incursion on Saturday comes days after Taiwan conducted a military drill as a show of strength. Experts see China's violation of the median line as a way to coerce Taiwan into towing Beijing's line. China allegedly aims to put pressure on Taiwan by making regular incursions, especially over the growing relations between the island nation and Washington. Read: China To Sanction US Officials For Lifting Diplomatic Curbs On Taiwan Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who came into power in 2016 and has since become a massive thorn for China, is calling for indigenous development of the country's military to counter threats from Beijing. Under Tsai's rule, Taiwan has not only developed closer ties with Washington but has also purchased high-end military equipment for billions of dollars, including armed drones, rocket systems, missiles, etc, making Beijing wary of the ties. China has warned the US on several occasions to adhere to the 'One-China' policy and stop engaging with Taiwan. Read: Taiwan's Armed Forces Conduct Military Drill Amid Rising Threats From China (Image Credit: AP) This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. Sen. Wyden Condemns Inauguration Day Riots in Home State, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) condemned the riots by anarcho-communist activists across Portland on Inauguration Day. I repudiate it in every form possibleviolence in any form. Violence from any corridor is wrong, Wyden told The Washington Examiner on Friday. Some Republicans denounced the fact that their Democratic counterparts didnt condemn the riots in Portland and Seattle even though they castigated the Jan. 6 Capitol breach sharply, saying, in some cases, that former President Donald Trump and other Republicans encouraged it. Im waiting for Pres Biden to condemn violence/looting/arson last two days in Oregon & Washington state, wrote Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Thursday. Antifa members broke the glass door and windows at the Democratic Party business office in Oregon, spray-painting an anarchist symbol over the party sign. Garbage cans around were toppled and lit on fire, according to reports. Antifa activists marched along banners that read, We dont want Biden. We want revenge for police murders, imperialist wars, and fascist massacres, and We are not governable, along with numerous anarchy symbols. Mugshots of rioters arrested by Portland police in Portland, Ore., on Jan. 20, 2021. (Portland Police Department) The Democratic Party of Oregon released a statement following the violence. Were frustrated and disappointed about the damage done to our Democratic Party of Oregon Headquarters in Portland this afternoon. Were thankful that none of our staff were in the building at the time. This is not the first time our building has been vandalized during the past yearnone of the prior incidents have deterred us from our important work to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, and this one will be no different. Portland police confronted a crowd that gathered outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement building near downtown, with some in the crowd later burning an American flag in the street. Multiple windows were shattered at the William Kenzo Nakamura Courthouse in Seattle, Wash., on Jan. 20, 2021. (Seattle Police Department) In Seattle, Antifa activists marched into the iconic Pike Place Market to smash up property, with video from the scene showing broken windows in a Starbucks. A group of black-clad activists marched along the street, kicking over garbage containers, carrying a tattered American flag with the anarchy sign spray-painted on it. Some spray-painted buildings with an anarchist symbol and smashed windows, including at the William Kenzo Nakamura Courthouse, a federal building, according to KOMO. No Cops, Prisons, Borders, Presidents, read one banner that they marched under, according to reports from the scene. Police announced that two people were arrested during the unrest, one for property damage and another for assault. After the riots, Twitter suspended several Antifa accounts. One of the most prominent accounts that were suspended was The Base, a bookstore in Brooklyn, New York, where Antifa would train new recruits for the radical activist group, according to independent journalist Andy Ngo. The sum of all the accounts would add up to about 70,000 followers. Some of the earliest accounts have been on Twitter since 2012. Seattle and Portland have been the scene of unrest for months, with a mix of protestersincluding anarchists, Antifa, and other far-left groups, as well as civil rights activistsvoicing various grievances and sometimes engaging in violence, damaging property, and clashing with police. Tom Ozimek contributed to this report. Haiti - Crisis : The Jesuits of Haiti urge the Nation to rise up and reborn A report on the social and political crisis prepared by the Jesuits of Haiti invites the forces of the Nation to continue the struggle to reverse this "unbearable situation". "The deep crisis that Haitian society has been going through for several decades has now reached unimaginable dimensions. We feel like we are in total chaos; at the bottom of a chasm from which no way out is visible on the horizon. Uncertainty and suffering seem alas ! take away all hope. Our Nation is slowly collapsing and with it our institutions and the fundamental values on which our collective existence is based. This sad situation challenges us as men and women, Christians and even more as Jesuit Religious [...]" After an analysis of certain aspects of Haitian society, the report indicates that there is a way out of the crisis: "If the tragedy we are currently experiencing is the result of human action, a way out of the crisis and a better tomorrow can come thanks to positive action by the sons and daughters of our country. We urge key players, both national and international, to take the appropriate decisions, with full respect for fundamental democratic principles, to help save this country. We urge the vital forces of the Nation, we ask to stand up, at this historic crossroads of our country, to redo the gesture of 1804 and thus launch this vast movement of national rebirth which will restore hope and dignity to our people. We also urge all social and political activists, the many organizations of the Haitian diaspora, not to lose heart and to continue the fight to reverse this unbearable situation. We urge the valiant people of Haiti, courageous and resilient people, proud people even in the depths of adversity to continue to draw on their faith, their rich culture and their unique history, new reasons for hope and courage necessary to make his dream of a new Haiti a reality." HL/ HaitiLibre A man from Texas who was recently fired by his employer after he took part in the Capitol Hill riots earlier this month after Trump called his rabid supporters to march to Washinton on the day when the US Congress was to certify Joe Biden's election victory has filed a bizarre law suit. Paul Davis, who was until recently an associate general counsel & director of human resources at Goosehead Insurance has filed a suit at the Waco Division of the Western District of Texas requesting that Congress disappear entirely and that nearly everyone who holds high office in the United States, along with Mark Zuckerberg, be barred from ever seeking election or voting again. He also asked the court to tell the Justice Department and FBI not to arrest him. Screengrab Davis in his plea claims that every vote cast in the 2020 general election was illegal, and therefore that "entire 117th Congress is illegitimate." Consequently, Davis argues, every action this Congress has taken, including impeaching former President Trump and certifying President Joe Biden's victory, is "null and void." Davis takes the additional bold step of asking the court to ban every sitting member of the House and Senate, all 50 governors and secretaries of state, the governor of Puerto Rico and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg from ever holding elected office, voting, or publicly engaging in any political activity for all time. AFP Davis was one of the many Trump supporters who are facing arrest for their role in the riots on January 6. Like most of them who have been identified by the agencies, Davis's own stupidity gave him up. He had posted a video of himself in Capitol Hill claiming that he has been tear-gassed by police and said he wanted Congress to audit the results of the presidential election. AP Were all trying to get into the Capitol to stop this, he said. And this is whats happening. Theyre tear-gassing us, and this is not acceptable. Not acceptable. People are not going to stand for this. This is Paul Davis. Paul is a lawyer. Hes also associate general counsel & director of human resources at Goosehead Insurance. Today he stormed the capitol building in an attempt to stage a coup against the US government and documented it (!) on Instagram. @followgoosehead pic.twitter.com/eTkoK92ujL Roger Sollenberger (@SollenbergerRC) January 7, 2021 He, like many other Trump supporters, lost his job after social media users identified him and alerted his employer. One morning in July 2009, I was escorting the new Joint Chiefs of Staff Director for Intelligence (J-2), thenBrigadier General Mike Flynn, into the basement of the Pentagon to meet some of the analysts who worked eight-hour shifts, day and night seven days a week, preparing the Chairmans daily intelligence brief. As we walked down a long corridor and before we arrived at the door to the secure room where the analysts worked, Flynn stopped me and asked, so what are these folks saying about me? What rumors are you hearing? Stunned, I responded that I had no idea because I would never ask them, and they would never offer their unsolicited opinion. He was the new boss, and as far as I could tell, they all respected him. They were committed to doing their jobs. Flynn persisted, telling me to keep my ears open. It was a bizarre conversation with more than a hint of paranoia. Eleven years later, after a precipitous fall from grace, retired Lieutenant General Flynn wrongly suggested to a television interviewer at the far-right outlet Newsmax that the President of the United States could deploy the military to states he did not win in a recent election, seize voting machines, and rerun the election in those states. He also accused the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge John Roberts, of lacking courage and moral fiber for not doing enough to interject the Court into the election certification process. In the ensuing weeks, he continued to perpetuate the lie that electoral victory had been stolen from Donald Trump, his former boss. On 5 January, Flynn riled up many of the Trump supporters who, a day later, would storm the Capitol building. While Flynn never explicitly called for violence, he repeated the lie about a stolen election and used highly suggestive language about taking our country back. On 7 January, Twitter banned Flynn for promoting the QAnon conspiracy theory and in line with its policy on coordinated harmful activity. Less than a week later, on 12 January, the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a memorandum reminding military servicemembers of their oath to the Constitution (as opposed to, presumably, a person, group, or ideological movement). This was an extraordinary event in the modern era of U.S. civil-military relations. Many Americans probably wondered why the Chairman and Service Chiefs felt it necessary at all. U.S. military personnel loyalty to the Constitution, after all, is one of those bedrock principles Americans havent had to worry about since, well, maybe 1861 and the years prior leading up to the Civil War. But the 6 January storming of the Capitol was not only violent and seditious, it included an unsettling number of military veterans (11 of the first 72 arrested, as of 16 January). The more we learn about military veterans in far-right extremist movements and the growing reach of those movements into the military (see Marine Corps Captain Julia Quinns recent Proceedings article, Confronting the Militarys White Nationalist Problem), the more the Joint Chiefs memo starts to seem sensible, if not overdue. Indeed, a 2019 Military Times survey of 1,630 active-duty members found that 36 percent had seen evidence of white supremacist and racist ideologies and in the military." In recent years, this data and other events have finally prompted Pentagon leaders to formally investigate extremism in the military. But what it finds, I suspect, will have no resemblance to what the U.S. military was experiencing in 1861 as the nation cleaved apart. At its core, the Confederacy was a seditious white nationalist movement that precipitated the greatest calamity in American history. But in type and under the context in which it culminated in a failed violent secession, it was far different than what is occurring within an element of society today. Confederate secession was grounded in geography and states rights to preserve slavery. It did not rely on a single charismatic leader, or small cabal of leaders, or on a massive lie or set of lies (Confederates werent in the thrall of conspiracy theoriesthere was a powerful abolitionist movement in the North that envisioned a day in the near future when slavery would be illegal in all states), and largely wanted to secede from the Union and preserve its way of life (as opposed to overthrowing the entire U.S. government and conquering the northern states). And so, while the Confederate flag was prominent at the 6 January Save America rally (the epitome of absurd symbolism considering the Confederacy was most definitely not interested in saving America as it was originally constituted), the history of the Confederacy or even that of the more recent era of Jim Crow segregation will not help military leaders diagnose the cause of extremism in the ranks today. A portion of the hard-core Trump base are unabashed white supremacists, for sure, but other groups include religious extremists, conspiracy theorists, and remnants of the Tea Party movementall fanatics who believe elected leaders who do not share their views are illegitimate and represent tyrannical government. They have turned their backs on democracy in the name of their vision of an American democratic republic. What they really have in commonand Mike Flynn is the most high-profile veteran in this categoryis their fanaticism. What the military should probably be focused on, then, is not as much what makes a servicemember drift toward white supremacy, although that must be stamped out, but what makes a servicemember a politically motivated fanatic. And perhaps the best writer to look to in that regard is Eric Hoffer, the longshoreman philosopher, who published his classic book, The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements in 1951. In looking back at the horrifying episodes in Europe and elsewhere, Hoffer was trying to determine how illiberal mass movements originated, cohered, and ultimately triumphed over whatever existing order they were opposing. The book became a bestseller when President Dwight D. Eisenhower referred to it in one of his early televised press conferences. Given the events of recent months, it would be reassuring if the book became a bestseller again. Its insights and wisdom provide relevant, if frightening, parallels to what we are witnessing from the radical portion of the Trump base todaynot a politics situated in coherent conservative principles or ideas (those are jettisoned in an instance in favor of personal loyalty), but one that exalts one thing above all else: fanatical devotion. Fanatics, Hoffer notes, are what mass movements need more than anything to take flight and challenge the existing order. What is the difference between a fanatical follower and someone committed with measured and not unconditional adherence to an otherwise practical organization or political philosophy? For Hoffer, it can be found in the psychology of self-loathing. The fanatic does not have a passion for self-advancement but for self-renunciation. He or she is fundamentally unhappy at a subconscious level with who they are, and they project that unhappiness outward onto the system. As Hoffer wrote, people who see their lives as irremediably spoiled cannot find a worthwhile purpose in self-advancement. A demagogue who denounces the system with exhortatory rhetoric brings music to their ears. They become intoxicated with an irrational thirst not to create but to destroy. This passionate frenzy for destruction is what we witnessed on 6 January. While this certainly does not describe the majority of Trump voters, it is an accurate assessment of more than merely a radical fringe, to include many of the fanatical supporters who attend rallies, including the 6 January rally (initial investigative research indicates many indicated they were preparing for war and willing to die). Hoffer does not label these people losers, deplorables, or misfits. Instead, he calls them the poignantly frustrated whose frustration is born of the estrangement of the self that produces both a readiness to sacrifice the self and a willingness to dissolve it by losing ones individual distinctness in a compact collective whole. The movement gives them community and purpose, and they are utterly convinced they are not only right but rightly ordained. How deeply rooted is this phenomenon in our society today? Again, one should be careful not to take comfort in the notion, repeated by too many in my view, that it remains on the fringe. The United States has experienced many extreme movements in its history, on the left and right. We have had our versions of the Communist party and Nazi party, radical antigovernment movements in the 1960s, and plenty of militant religious movements and cults. But until recently, no mass movement open to using illegal measures, including violent ones, has had the blessing of a major party presidential nominee, let alone a sitting president. Fear most that Donald Trump is not the cause, but the symptom of the phenomenon, as many believe. The violent fanatics we witnessed storm the Capitol building absolutely believe themselves a part of a mass movement, part of a self-sacrificing whole. They crave the passion of attachment to a cause. It is pointless to attempt to reason with them. The fanatic cannot be weaned away from his cause by an appeal to reason or moral sense. He fears compromise and cannot be persuaded to qualify the certitude and righteousness of his holy cause. When political identity becomes indistinguishable from personal identity, political discourse in a democratic society begins to break down and venture into dangerous territory. I have served in countries where political parties are nothing more than religious or tribal groups. Their periods of political calm are extremely fragile and combustible, an illusion of democratic stability, and capable of fracturing and descending into murderous violence in a moment given the right spark (witness Kenya in December 2007). Unfortunately, in a Constitutional Republic like the United States, for good reasons, the military has very little control to affect the trajectory of such a social phenomenon. However, unlike with some left-wing movements in the 1960s, members of this mass movement do not hold those who serve or have served in the military with disdainpeople perpetuating the very oppression they are fighting against. Instead, they admire veterans and those still serving and actively seek their membership. Their radical, undemocratic message has penetrated far deeper into the ranks than military leaders have cared to countenance. This is the terrifying reality to which military and law enforcement leaders are now awakening. Regular U.S. military life doesnt cause the type of alienation and self-negation that feeds this type of mass movement, aside from the traumas of combat. But those who leave the military often find themselves in civilian jobs that lack the meaning and camaraderie of military life. Many were already politically conservative, and thus a toxic combination exists from which right-wing radical groups find many recruits. The U.S. military will not be taken over or undermined by such extremism. With rare exception, it is led by true patriotic professionals who understand their oath and will hold firm in maintaining the militarys long apolitical history and fidelity to the Constitution, as the Joint Chiefs memo affirms. But this mass movement isnt going anywhere anytime soon. The real danger is that a growing number of its adherentsits fanatical followerswill come from the military and do long-term damage to the publics perception of it. The U.S. military cannot be seen as a breeding ground for fanatical insurrectionists. For this reason, the military's investigation into extremism in the ranks is not only warranted, but it is also urgent. When I was a Navy lieutenant in the mid-1990s serving in Hawaii, a fellow lieutenant was prone to believing and promoting some fantastical conspiracy theories. He was even reprimanded for handing out information brochures in the workplace that claimed to show black, unmarked helicopters landing in rural parts of the United States with United Nations troops on them. Everyone thought he was crazy, and, unsurprisingly, his career didn't go very far. The problem was solved with one bad fitness report. Today, the military could dispense with such an officer in a similar fashion. However, I doubt his chain of command could quickly conclude he was just a lone oddball. Too much of the American electorate supports politicians that promote conspiracy theories and categorically false claims of election fraud. Part of that electorate is in the military today. Hoffer observed that when antidemocratic mass movements have succeeded in the past, the tipping point was never seen but in hindsight. U.S. military members are taught and trained to uphold the principles that undergird an apolitical military while also encouraged to vote and participate in the democratic traditions they swear to defend. Perhaps that training should now include a greater emphasis on the fact that in healthy democracies, political activity is centered on ideas and principles and not on personalities. Take to heart what, in surveying a young American Republic in the 1830s, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in volume one of Democracy in America, The political parties I style great are those which cling to principles rather than to their consequences; to general and not to special causes; to ideas and not to men. Bill Bray is a retired Navy captain. He added: I dont even know what would have happened had they breached that area. Ms. Babbitts husband, Aaron, told a Fox affiliate on the day of the riot that he had seen his wife die on the news. She didnt have any weapons on her, I dont know why she had to die in the Peoples House, he said, adding, She was voicing her opinion and she got killed for it. He did not respond to an email requesting comment. One of Ms. Babbitts brothers, reached by phone, declined to comment. Ms. Babbitt was one of five people who lost their lives at the Capitol that day. A Capitol Police officer was overpowered and beaten by rioters. A Georgia woman appeared to have been killed in a crush of fellow rioters. One man had a stroke, and another a heart attack. The lieutenant had heard on the news that Trump supporters like Ms. Babbitt would be converging on Washington, according to his account. But the first time the protests were discussed at work came only when he arrived early that morning; according to his account, he had been given no advance planning to counter a violent riot or an invasion of the building. That afternoon both the House and the Senate were in session, with hundreds of lawmakers debating challenges to the certification of the Electoral College vote when the mob fought its way past lines of Capitol Police officers outside and forced their way into the building. Some said they merely wanted to halt the proceedings while others carried weapons, climbing gear and zip ties that could be used as restraints. The crowd was peppered with far-right nationalists, military veterans and militia members, and adherents of a dangerous conspiracy. Rioters hurled invectives at police officers and called them traitors, threatening to kill former Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. ROCHESTER, Minn. - It's a focused goal for the North Star State, transitioning to 100% clean energy by the year 2040. That's the plan by Governor Tim Walz and DFL Lawmakers. The City of Rochester has set a goal too. The city wants to go to 100% renewable energy by the year 2030, a full decade sooner than the state. KIMT News 3 spoke with Jeremy Sutton with Rochester Public Utilities. He says the city wants to reduce greenhouse gasses by 80% by going with renewable energy. To meet that benchmark, the utility is looking at options that include a mix of wind and solar energy. Either batteries or a gas-fired generator would provide a power boost when demand is high. Sutton says going green will not cost a lot of green either on your power bill. "The majority of people have a tolerance of five dollars more a month on their residential bill. We believe we can do this plan to get us that 80 percent reduction to around two dollars more a month," said Sutton. Rochester is part of the larger electrical grid and right now about 25% of the power coming from the grid is considered renewable. Risters named RBGA Small Business of the Month GODFREY The RiverBend Growth Association has named Risters Automotive at 1322 Milton Road, Alton, as its Small Business of the Month for January 2021. Established in 1991 by Duane Rister, the family owned and operated automotive and transmission repair shop offers complete maintenance and repair on all vehicles. They offer free 27-point safety inspections. We are honored to be chosen as RGBAs Small Business of the Month for January 2021, said co-owner Candy Rister. We hope this sets us off on a great 2021 versus the year we just went through. This recognition is a testament to our customer base and the quality of workmanship that we do here. The NAPA AutoCare Center specializes in oil changes, brakes, suspension, A/C and heating systems and transmission diagnosis and repair. It is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For details, call 618-465-5591 or visit www.ristersauto.com. The RiverBend Growth Association selects a small business to honor each month. To nominate a business visit http://www.growthassociation.com/page/recognitions-and-awards/. The association is the Chamber of Commerce and economic development organization for the 11 communities known as the Riverbend. For more information visit www.growthassociation.com or call 618-467-2280. #### One of the lesser wake-up calls of the COVID-19 pandemic happened when Americans, forced to work from home with nowhere to go, spent some time with their stuff. Stuff that clutters their homes, chokes garages and overwhelms storage units. Stuff that junks up the shelves behind us while we Zoom through the workday. As people turned spare bedrooms into home offices and remote classrooms, the big COVID-19 cleanup of 2020 became a thing; people struggled to manage the world inside since nobody could control what was threatening outside. Across the nation, people began to get rid of stuff. Some took a page from professional organizer Marie Kondos The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing and began tossing out stuff that no longer inspired joy. Others took inspiration from Margareta Magnussons The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleansing: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from A Lifetime of Clutter and said farewell to things they no longer needed so after they died, their loved ones wouldnt be burdened with the cleanup. Donation centers and junk removers saw a big spike. A lot of it was psychological, said Gigi Lehman, a San Antonio empty nester who recently celebrated getting rid of enough things that she could finally let go of a storage unit. A lot of what we have as possessions is aspirational; a lot of what we hold on to is because we want to lead the kind of life where we would use this or where we would still use that. Lehman had been holding on to things she was saving for her adult children and found the kids didnt necessarily want all the stuff that was waiting for them. My children are millennials. They have different attitudes toward possessions than their parents do, she said. They also have a different idea of what they want than their parents. It makes sense, then, to get rid of things that boast a combination of sentimental value and dust. No sense in keeping Dads burnt orange La-Z-Boy when the rightful heir would rather have the Ekolsund from Ikea in gunnared light brown-pink. And it isnt about being spendthrifts, either millennials might spend on Gladware instead of reusing the spaghetti sauce jar, but theyll use the same reusable grocery bag for six months. It also isnt just about the things that fill our cabinets and closets. America is changing. Families used to live in the same house for decades, because owning a home was the foundation of the American dream that could be passed on through generations, especially if it was filled with heirloom furnishings. But being able to downsize is a luxury that frees homeowners from stairs that seemed like a good idea when they had 30-year-old knees. And those sophisticated home offices lined with shelves filled with volumes of reference books or leather-bound classics are a lot harder to manage than a clear desktop and a Kindle Fire. The 22-edition World Book doesnt really have a place in todays world. The pandemic has cost Americans a lot, but the COVID Cleanup gave us an opportunity to free ourselves from stuff. It also gave us a chance to take an uninterrupted look at what we want, what we have accumulated, and what that says about who we are becoming. More important, it has given the haves and the have-enoughs an opportunity to see exactly how much we can do without and how much we can afford to give the have-nots. At a time when so many are still hurting, thats something we ought to hang on to. mariaanglinwrites@gmail.com Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... BOULDER, Colo. Former California university professor John Eastman has been banned from performing outreach or speaking at the University of Colorado Boulder after giving a speech for former President Donald Trump shortly before the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, university officials said. The University of Colorado Boulder relieved John Eastman of duties related to outreach and speaking as a representative of the Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization, the University of Colorado Boulder said in a statement Thursday. The statement said Eastmans actions would likely be disruptive. The university said Eastman alleged widespread election fraud during his speech without providing evidence, The Daily Camera reported. Eastman was seen next to Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani during the rally. John Eastman remains rostered as the Visiting Scholar and may continue to perform scholarship, spokesman Andrew Sorensen said. He will no longer carry out representational or outreach duties. University of Colorado administrators, faculty and staff have since condemned his remarks, and some have called for his dismissal, officials said. Chancellor Phil DiStefano said on Jan. 7 that he would not dismiss Eastman, citing university policy on academic freedom and free speech. Chapman University President Daniele Struppa said in a statement that Eastman retired on Jan. 14 after reaching an agreement with the university. His retirement came after students and faculty demanded his ousting at the California campus. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The University of Colorado Boulder statement was made public this week, along with a copy of Eastmans employment contract and salary, after the Daily Camera filed an open records request. According to Eastmans offer letter, he agreed to comply with rules, resolutions, regulations and policies adopted by the system and campus, and is required to affirm in writing that he would support the constitutions of the United States and of Colorado. Eastman began his full-time appointment in August 2020 and is set to end on May 7, the letter said. It also specifies that Eastman is an at-will employee and is subject to termination at any time. Eastman told the Daily Camera that the University of Colorado Boulder violated his constitutional rights and he would be exploring all options. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 07:26:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Friday that the United States would review its agreement with the Afghan Taliban, which was signed in last February. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told this plan in his phone conversation with his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib earlier in the day, according to a White House statement. Sullivan said that the United States would assess "whether the Taliban was living up to its commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence in Afghanistan, and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government and other stakeholders." "Mr. Sullivan committed to consulting closely with the Government of Afghanistan, NATO allies, and regional partners regarding a collective strategy to support a stable, sovereign, and secure future for Afghanistan," the statement added. The United States and Taliban signed an agreement in late February 2020, which called for a full withdrawal of the U.S. military forces from Afghanistan by May 2021 if the Taliban meets the conditions of the deal, including severing ties with terrorist groups. President Joe Biden's nominee for Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday in his confirmation hearing that terrorist group al-Qaeda still maintained a relationship with the Taliban. The war in Afghanistan, which has caused about 2,400 U.S. military deaths, is the longest one in U.S. history. The former President Donald Trump accelerated the pullout from the country in the final months of his presidency, though some of his senior aides had suggested a more cautious approach. The Pentagon confirmed last week that U.S. troops in Afghanistan had reduced to 2,500 level. Enditem Video PlayerClose General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 22, 2021. [Xinhua/Shen Hong] BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed the importance of leveraging the guiding and safeguarding roles of strict Party governance in every respect to ensure the development goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) are fulfilled. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Friday when addressing the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). The year 2020 was extraordinary in the history of the People's Republic of China, Xi said as he summarized the year's achievements in Party construction. "People feel deeply that in stormy times the strong leadership of the Party and the authority of the CPC Central Committee are what they can always count on," Xi said. The CPC Central Committee is satisfied with the progress made in improving Party conduct, building a clean government and combating corruption, he added. Xi underscored the importance of improving political judgment, understanding and execution in implementing full and strict governance over the Party. No Alternative On fighting corruption, historic achievements have been made but the situation remains challenging and complex, Xi said. "Corruption, as the biggest risk to the Party's governance, still exists," Xi said, adding that old and new types of corruption have become intertwined and corruption is increasingly covert and complex. In 2020, 18 centrally-administrated officials were investigated. Also, 1,229 fugitives were brought back and 2.45 billion yuan (378 million U.S. dollars) retrieved from overseas in the first 11 months of 2020. In the first 11 days of 2021, China's top anti-graft body announced punishments for seven centrally-administrated officials who were accused of taking bribes, signifying that the country's war on corruption is taking steady steps in the new year. "The struggle between corruption and anti-corruption efforts will continue to exist for a long period to come," Xi said. "There is no alternative but to forge ahead in the anti-corruption fight against all odds." Highlighted Requirements Xi stressed constantly improving Party conduct, building clean government and combating corruption. The governance over the Party must always be strict, so that the CPC can lead and ensure the smooth sailing of the great ship of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said. Xi demanded strong political oversight to ensure the implementation of the CPC Central Committee's major decisions and plans. "We must resolutely continue the fight against corruption," Xi said, stressing the need to build the systems and measures to ensure that officials do not dare to be, are not able to be, and do not want to be corrupt. Xi demanded efforts to resolutely curb the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism. Continuous efforts must be made to address corruption and misconduct that affect people's immediate interests, to boost their sense of gaining, he added. Xi stressed the need to improve the Party and state supervisory systems, and integrate supervision into the country's development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Discipline inspection and supervision agencies should take the lead in strengthening the Party's political building. They must also be subject to the strictest constraint and oversight, Xi said. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting. Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI, presided over the meeting. Xi's important speech serves as the major guidance for advancing strict Party governance in every respect, Zhao said while presiding over the meeting. Zhao called on Party organizations at all levels and Party members and officials to study and implement the guiding principles of Xi's speech, and earnestly implement the plans made at the CCDI session. Zhao also delivered a work report to the session on behalf of the standing committee of the CCDI. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 22, 2021. [Xinhua/Li Xueren] Video PlayerClose General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 22, 2021. [Xinhua/Shen Hong] (Source: Xinhua) Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Representative image: AP States are likely to take a break from the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 26-27, based on instruction from the Union Health Ministry, The Economic Times reported. According to the news report, the health ministry has asked states to not plan any vaccination sessions on Republic Day. The break may be extended by a day in some bigger states. This break will be used by state authorities to check the COVID-19 vaccine stockpile and review their database. They will check how many beneficiaries missed getting the first dose. A senior health ministry official, who asked not to be identified, told the newspaper that this break would be used to strategise how to cover the remaining beneficiaries over the next two weeks. The states would plan their sessions, increase session sites and gauge their stockpile of vaccines in this time, the official added. Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates of the coronavirus pandemic COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show The second batch of Serum Institute of India (SII)s Covishield and Bharat Biotechs Covaxin vaccines will also reportedly reach some states during these two days. Around 10.4 lakh beneficiaries have been given at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since the drive started on January 16. Priority is being given to healthcare and frontline workers, who had already been registered on the purpose-built CoWIN application. This would be sequentially followed by people with comorbidities, senior citizens and finally, the general public. The Centre is hoping to vaccinate 30 crore people by July, in a bid to stop the novel coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker: All you need to know about manufacturing and pricing As of January 22, India had reported more than 1.06 crore confirmed COVID-19 cases. The death toll from the outbreak in the country stood at over 1.53 lakh. While more than 1.02 crore patients had recovered, 1.88 lakh cases remained active. Globally, more than 9.76 crore individuals have been infected by the virus and over 20.97 lakh people have died so far. A speedy rollout of vaccines is being seen as the best way to curb the spread of COVID-19 and restore normalcy in the pandemic-battered global economy. Several countries have already vaccinated a significant number of people from high-risk groups. Chief Minister on Saturday said India's freedom was the top priority for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for celebrating his birth anniversary as 'Parakram Divas'. Addressing a programme here on the occasion of Netaji's 125th birth anniversary, Adityanath said his clarion call -- you give me blood, I will give you freedom -- was not a mere slogan, but a mantra for countrymen to join the freedom movement. "For Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, India's freedom was the top priority," he said, adding that his 'dharma' was 'raashtra dharma'. "Netaji had taken the pledge to herald a new dawn by freeing the country from the chains of bondage. It is for this that people of the country remember him." He added that Netaji gave a direction to the country's freedom struggle and motivated the youth to join the movement by forming the Azad Hind Fauj outside India. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The bloc has a deal to purchase a minimum of 300 million doses from AstraZeneca, with an option for an additional 100 million, part of the drugmakers global commitments to supply more than 3 billion doses. Photo: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images AstraZeneca (AZN.L) has delivered a fresh blow to the European Unions (EU) mountain of woes after announcing that it plans to cut deliveries of the COVID-19 vaccine. The reduction will see deliveries to the EU cut by 60% to 31 million doses in the first quarter of the year. It blamed production problems, meaning the number of initial available doses would be lower than expected. The jab developed in coordination with Oxford University is already in widespread use in Britain but the bloc has yet to approve it. The EU is expected to make a decision by 29 January. So far, the bloc has approved vaccines made by Pfizer (PFE) /BioNTech (BNTX) and Moderna (MRNA). The bloc has a deal to purchase a minimum of 300 million doses from AstraZeneca, with an option for an additional 100 million, part of the drugmakers global commitments to supply more than 3 billion doses. It was expected to deliver around 80 million doses to the 27 EU nations by the end of March, an EU official told Reuters. The drugmaker confirmed the decline in deliveries without specifying the magnitude of the shortfall. An AstraZeneca spokesman said: Initial volumes will be lower than originally anticipated due to reduced yields at a manufacturing site within our European supply chain. We will be supplying tens of millions of doses in February and March to the European Union, as we continue to ramp up production volumes, the spokesperson said in a written statement on Friday. The UK-based drugmaker was also due to deliver more than 80 million doses in the second quarter of 2021, but it was not able to indicate delivery targets for the April-June period amid production issues. READ MORE: Pfizer supply woes for Europe as UK steers ahead with vaccination Responding to the announcement, EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said on Twitter (TWTR) that EU governments expressed deep dissatisfaction with this. "We insisted on a precise delivery schedule on the basis of which Member States should be planning their vaccination programs, subject to the granting of a conditional marketing authorisation, Kyriakides said. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. She added that the EU Commission will continue to insist with AstraZeneca on measures to increase predictability and stability of deliveries, and acceleration of the distribution of doses. It is the second drug manufacturer that has warned on supply issues. Last week Pfizer and BioNTech slowed shipments and distribution proceeds unevenly among EU states. This meant that some nations' inoculation programmes were slowed due to the cuts. The drugmakers are retooling a site in Belgium to boost output. While the coronavirus vaccines have been developed and approved across the globe at record speeds, distribution and deliveries have been slower to EU nations. European countries have administered more than five million doses to citizens so far. The bloc aims to inoculate 70% of adults by the end of August this year. WATCH: What UK government COVID-19 support is available? Washington: Donald Trumps Senate impeachment trial will begin in a little over a fortnight, a delay designed to allow President Joe Biden more time to confirm his cabinet nominees and begin enacting his policy agenda. Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to send the article of impeachment accusing the former president of inciting the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol to the Senate on Tuesday (AEDT). Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the House would transmit the article of impeachment on Tuesday (AEDT). Credit:Bloomberg Schumer later announced that Trumps Senate trial will begin on February 9, a slower timeline than had previously been expected. Biden had made clear he wanted the focus of his administrations first weeks to be on his policy agenda and getting his cabinet installed rather than his predecessor. Some Brandon businesses spent Friday preparing to reopen their doors to customers as eased provincial health restrictions came into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertise With Us Some Brandon businesses spent Friday preparing to reopen their doors to customers as eased provincial health restrictions came into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday morning. Under the revised COVID-19 restrictions, barbershops, hairdressers, retail stores and non-regulated health services can open again in Manitoba, except in the Northern Health Region. The businesses that do open can also now sell non-essential items. At Tommy Guns Original Barbershop at Shoppers Mall, owner Chad Cumming said he spent the day getting the final pieces into place before opening the barber shops doors again. "Weve been waiting and ready for it all along here. We had only anticipated a few weeks, maybe a month, of being closed but were pretty much ready to go," he said. Restrictions closing all businesses but those deemed essential by the province took effect in mid-November, meaning stores and services were closed for eight weeks. Reopening is an anxious feeling, Cummings said, but something everyone is looking forward to. "Its good to be open again weve been through this with our staff before and well go through it with them again in the morning before we open. We were following the procedures all along, so things wont really be any different, just a matter of getting going again," he said. The shop wont look any different inside than when it closed in November, Cummings said. Customers will be asked to wait in their cars before their appointment and there will be plastic sheets hanging between barbers chairs. "Were excited to see everybody again and its nice, Im really happy for my staff here to get back to work," said Cumming. "Im just excited to see everybody it will be nice. I know its different, we cant hang out in the backroom like we used to but its still nice to get to see everybody again and hear some laughs." Recovery Skate Shop owner Taber Collens said he is also excited to open his doors once again to Brandons skating enthusiasts. "Im excited, just to actually get to see people again and actually in the shop, doing my thing," he said. The store was open for curbside pickup for the past weeks but having people in the store is better. "Everyone that skates wants to support us, so we did real well, people really came through with that," he said. When the store reopens there will only be five people allowed in the store at once, he said, along with hand sanitizing and making sure people wear face masks. "I just want to urge people to support local as much as possible," said Collens. "Even if its not me, just local businesses in general. I know theres definitely some that are hurting right now because of the lockdown, so definitely get out and support now that theyre open." Donna Woodhouse, owner of Hair Pro Barbers, said she was feeling good about reopening on Saturday morning. She spent Friday moving things around, getting towels organized in anticipation of opening her doors again. While its been a slow start so far, she said shes looking forward to getting the first customers back in her chair and will follow all health guidelines. The current health restrictions are set to be reviewed in three weeks. dmay@brandonsun.com Twitter: @DrewMay_ A judge has denied James Heerdegen's request for a restraining order against his wife Christina Ricci, after he claimed she is a drunk, pops pills and is a danger to their six-year-old son. Court documents obtained by DailyMail.com show a Superior Court of California judge turned down Heerdegen's request for a temporary restraining order, a change in custody of their son and a change in visitation rights Friday. The ruling said there was 'no basis for emergency orders before a hearing' and that the allegations made will be 'considered fully' at a hearing already scheduled for February 11 in Los Angeles. Heerdegen had filed a temporary retraining order against the actress Friday making blistering claims that Ricci would get into drunken rages in front of him and their son Freddie, black out and then forget everything she did when she finally came to. Heerdegen also claimed he had to check their son's bottles of breast milk for fear of it being contaminated with alcohol she drank the night before. His filing came just days after Ricci accused her estranged husband of physically abusing her. She said she had to hide knives in the house because she feared Heerdegen could kill her after he allegedly said he would only feel sorry for her if she was 'dismembered into small pieces'. A judge granted Ricci a domestic violence restraining order against Heerdegen on Wednesday, six months after she filed for divorce. A judge has denied James Heerdegen's request for a restraining order against his wife Christina Ricci, after he claimed she is a drunk, pops pills and is a danger to their six-year-old son. The couple pictured in January 2019 Court documents obtained by DailyMail.com (above) show a Superior Court of California judge turned down Heerdegen's request for a temporary restraining order Ricci's attorney did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment on Friday's court decision. Heerdegen's attorney Larry Bakman told DailyMail.com in a statement that, though the judge denied the request for a temporary restraining order, he believes the court is 'more concerned' by the allegations made by his client than those made by Ricci. 'Despite the Courts denial of Mr. Heerdegens request for temporary orders, trial has been set on a far more abbreviated schedule than that provided to Ms. Ricci,' he said. 'Trial on Mr. Heerdegens request is set for February 11, 2021 wherein Ms. Riccis is not set until March 10th. 'A reasonable inference is that the Court is far more concerned with Mr. Heerdegens allegations particularly with respect to the best interest and safety of the couples child.' In Heerdegen's request filed Friday, he claims he feared his child was being fed with 'alcohol polluted breast milk'. 'On those occasions in which I found ''contaminated'' bottles, I would have to throw them out to ensure that our infant was not being fed with alcohol polluted breast milk,' he says in the filing. He also includes embarrassing photos of Ricci 'in a state of severe intoxication wherein she was ''blacked out'' and passed around by numerous third parties who seem to find humor in the situation.' He says the photos 'severely adversely affected my emotional calm and peace of mind. The documents include messages between Ricci and Heerdegen where she apologizes for her alleged drunken outbursts. 'I get it this time,' Ricci writes. 'This morning was a huge alert'. In other messages Ricci he labels herself a 'monster' and says she's 'detoxing.' Heerdegen claims at one point she was so drunk she fell over while holding their baby in her arms and says she would drive their son in a car while under the influence. He goes on to claim that Ricci once terminated a pregnancy without his knowledge. 'I was particularly devastated upon learning of this,' he said. 'It resulted in a brief separation as I left the family house in order to contemplate whether I wanted to continue on in the marriage. Ultimately I decided to reconcile with Petitioner and moved back into the family.' Heerdegen had filed a temporary retraining order against the actress Friday making blistering claims that Ricci would get into drunken rages in front of him and their son Freddie, black out and then forget everything she did when she finally came to. Ricci and Heerdegen seen at Adelaide Airport with their son Freddie in 2018 He also included photos of Ricci 'in a state of severe intoxication wherein she has 'blacked out' and is being passed around by numerous third parties who seem to find humor in the situation' He said the photos of a drunken Ricci 'severely adversely affected my emotional calm and peace of mind' Heerdegen also tells of a time in August 2015 when they traveled to Savannah, Georgia, while Ricci was filming a show for Amazon. He says they threw a small party for their son who had just turned one. Heerdegen says he left the party and returned to find Ricci drunk which 'resulted in her launching into a drunken tirade in front of my son, informing me that she had slept with a producer on her show, and calling me the most vile of names and making bizarre threats. 'The following day [Ricci] claimed to have no memory of what she had said or done. When I inquired about her statement that she had slept with a producer on the show, she stated to me that she most likely said that in order to ''hurt me''. 'Prior to our separation in June of 2020, [Ricci] would drink to excess on an almost daily basis causing her to engage in emotionally abusive and offensive conduct directed towards me wherein Petitioner during her rants and raves would typically call me a 'fu**ing cu*t,' he writes in the filing. In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Heerdegen claims that Ricci would get into drunken rages in front of him and their six-year-old son Freddie. He claims he had to check baby bottles where she pumped her breastmilk for fear of being contaminated with alcohol she drank from the night before The documents include messages between Ricci and Heerdegen where she apologizes for her alleged outbursts. 'I get it this time,' Ricci writes. 'This morning was a huge alert'. In other messages Ricci he labels herself a 'monster' and says she's 'detoxing' Heerdegen claimed Ricci would 'typically ''black out'' after drinking to excess, and upon waking, have no memory of the events and/or abusive conduct that she had engaged in'. While Ricci claims Heerdegen has been violent with her, he says in the filing that she once attacked him while he was on the toilet. The 40-year-old actress accused Heerdegen of allegedly beating her, throwing her into a fire pit and mocking her with pig noises before she filed for divorce in June last year. Ricci's allegations were included in a request for a domestic violence restraining order against Heerdegen, which a judge approved late on Wednesday. Photos of bruises on her hands, wrists and arms were included in the court documents, which were obtained by TMZ, as proof of Heerdegen's alleged abuse. But in Heerdegen's filing Friday, he claims any photos she has of her own bruising was caused by her hitting him. Ricci's attorney Samantha Spector said in a statement to DailyMail.com that Heerdegen's filing is 'nothing more than a transparently abusive attempt to silence my client. It will not work. Christina will not be intimidated by Mr. Heerdegen and his barrage of misleading claims and she remains determined to protect her family.' Photos of bruises on her hands, wrists and arms were included in the court documents, which were obtained by TMZ , as proof of Heerdegen's alleged abuse Painful: The actress, 40, gave proof of her injuries, which she said were a result of Heerdegen's attacks, after she 'found herself trapped in a house with a violent abuser' during lockdown Heerdegen claims at one point Ricci was so drunk she fell over while holding their baby in her arms and says she would drive their son in a car while under the influence A judge ordered Heerdegen to remain at least 100 yards away from Ricci and their son Freddie. He also cannot have visitations with the boy and must stay away from the family's dog. Heerdegen's lawyer, Larry Bakman, said his client 'unequivocally denies all allegations of abuse made by Ms Ricci.' He said Heerdegen, who works as a cinematographer, intends to file his own restraining order against Ricci that he claims will reveal 'her abusive conduct fueled by alcohol and substance abuse'. He also claims that her restraining order is a preemptive fabricated strike against him. In Ricci's filing, she claimed the alleged abuse at the hands of Heerdegen started in late 2019. During a family vacation in New Zealand that year, the Addams Family star claimed she feared Heerdegen 'could kill me' because of comments he made. 'He said the only way he could feel sorry for me is if I were dismembered into small pieces,' Ricci alleged in the filing. 'That night I hid all the knives in the cabin where we were staying. I feared for my life and the life of our son. I slept in a separate bedroom with Freddie and I locked the door.' She claims Heerdegen 'brutally attacked' her in December 2019 where he allegedly beat her, spat at her and mocked her with pig noises. This incident was what Ricci said sparked her decision to divorce her husband of eight years. Injuries: Ricci, who is represented by lawyer Samantha Spector, submitted court photos of bruises and other injuries she said were a result of Heerdegen's attacks on her Ricci claims she told Heerdegen she wanted a divorce but it was hindered by the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March when lockdown quarantines were first initiated. She said in the filing that she found herself 'stuck in the house with a man who had physically and emotionally abused me, and knew that I wanted to end the marriage'. Ricci alleges that Heerdegen 'focused solely on punishing and terrorizing me 24 hours a day... I was afraid to sleep at night.' The filing details two instances in June where Heerdegen allegedly physically attacked her. The first was June 2 when she claimed Heerdegen allegedly chased her through their house to stop her from calling 911. 'He grabbed my wrists and hands, dragged me, and slammed my body into the fire pit we have in the yard,' she said in the filing. 'I suffered cuts, bruising, and soreness of my hip, which still causes me pain today.' The couple married in 2013 after two years of dating. Ricci filed for divorce in June 2020 citing irreconcilable differences as the reason why she wants to end the marriage. They are pictured in February 2019 The second occurred on June 25 when Ricci alleged that her estranged husband followed her through the house while 'screaming at me, spitting on me, throwing coffee at me and throwing a chair at me' in front of their son. She called 911 in that instance was given an emergency protective order against him that prohibited any contact between the couple. The court documents detail Ricci's fear that Heerdegen will harm their son, claiming that he has allegedly threatened to 'abduct' the boy. In addition to the restraining order she requested, Ricci also asked the court to block Heerdegen's potential efforts to 'humiliate and embarrass' her with audio and video clips he amassed during their relationship. The couple married in 2013 after two years of dating. They met on the set of ABC's Pan Am. Ricci filed for divorce in June 2020 citing irreconcilable differences as the reason why she wants to end the marriage. She is asking for sole custody of their only son. Larry King, who died on Jan. 23, 2020, is remembered by his Hollywood peers. (Photo: Larry Marano/Getty Images) Hollywood is remembering beloved television host Larry King, who died at age 87, as an American treasure. The long-time celebrity interviewer, whose Saturday death was announced by his production company Ora Media, had recently been hospitalized with COVID-19, however his cause of death has not been provided. In recent years, King also suffered from cancer, heart problems and a stroke. Although he stepped away from his CNN show Larry King Live in 2010, his colleagues and celebrities, many of whom he interviewed over the shows 25-year run, recalled him fondly. There are friends in this industry and then there are real friends for whom I can count on one hand, The View co-host Meghan McCain wrote on Instagram. Larry was one of those people. From the beginning of my career when I first appeared on his show when I was 23 and no one took me seriously, he gave me a platform, opportunities, guidance, support and always treated me with the upmost respect. McCain said King provided the best career advice with his acerbic sense of humor and called him a constant gentlemen. She added, TV is less interesting without you. Ryan Seacrest posted, I lost a dear friend and mentor. Truly an American treasure. While Nancy Grace wrote, RIP Larry King. You did so much for me. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Bravo host Andy Cohen tweeted, RIP Larry King!!!! I loved the easy breezy format of his CNN show and his amazing voice. And Katie Couric called him a broadcasting legend. R.I.P To the legend Larry King God bless him, tweeted rapper 50 Cent. And New York governor Andrew Cuomo wrote, Larry King was a Brooklyn boy who become a newsman who interviewed the newsmakers. He conducted over 50,000 interviews that informed Americans in a clear and plain way. New York sends condolences to his family and many friends. Celine Dion tweeted, He was such a kind gentleman and Bill Clinton praised his great sense of humor and genuine interest in people. Oprah added, It was always a treat to sit at your table. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson tweeted that King was a glue that helped hold things together and praised his non-partisan platform. He set a high bar, she wrote. And late-night television host Craig Ferguson wrote, Just heard the awful news about Larry King. He taught me so much. He was a true mensch. He probably even taught me that word. So long pal, thanks for all the laughs... This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Mumbai, Jan 23 : Actor Vineet Kumar Singh on Saturday dedicated a song to the Indian soldier, which he has written and sung. The actor said his effort aims at commemorating the nation's 71st Republic Day that is coming up on January 26. Vineet posted the song, titled "Unke kaaj na bhulo sadho" on his official Instagram account. "The song 'Unke kaaj na bhulo sadho' happened on its own. After hearing of the incident that took place at Galwan Ghati, where a lot of braveheart soldiers lost their lives, I was completely shaken. I was shooting at Ladakh at the time and I had met many soldiers. We used to go to meet them at their check posts and they would greet us with immense love and respect. Witnessing them standing in such frostbiting condition, where it is difficult for us normal people to stand, putting their blood, sweat and tears as they perform their duty to keep our homeland safe, is something I will always be in awe of," said the "Mukkabaaz" actor. "This is what was in my conscience, along with their stories. And that's how this song was penned. We should never forget the ordeals of our soldiers and their families. This song is a small tribute from my side to the soldiers of our nation," he added. The actor's next film "Aadhaar" is scheduled to release on February 5 in theatres. This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jan 23rd, 2021 A fith detailed briefing on the pandemic situation locally has been published by the local authority. The below update was published yesterday part of the new twice weekly update system, and echos recent updates with community transmission in households thought to be the driver of the high local covid figures. Again update has also come with a set of social media graphics, with three copied top, above and below. The full update from yesterday afternoon is copied below, and as usual all bolding and underlining of points is copied from Wrexham Councils data: Dear Councillors, Community Councillors and the media, COMMUNICATIONS Please share this document and the attached graphics and animations (GIFs) widely in your communities. A link to todays Council public briefing note, which you can also share on social media, is provided here: https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/covid-19-briefing-note-do-your-bit-stay-strong-and-stick-with-it/ The key messages remain: Any reduction in the spread of the virus is purely because of everyones sustained efforts to abide by the lockdown regulations and any relaxation in behaviour will send the figures soaring again. Dont call us; well call you- dont call your GP for a vaccine; wait to be called. It will take months before the vaccination programme significantly reduces the rate of transmission so continue to act as if you, and everyone you meet, has Covid-19 DATA ON THE VIRUS Please find attached: Table 1 the summary of the weekly data for Wrexham as a whole compared to other councils in North Wales. From today, this will include data on the number of vaccinations administered in North Wales. Table 2 the summary of daily data for the 18 MSOA statistical sub-areas of Wrexham used by Public Health Wales in their Tableau. The County Borough as a Whole (Table 1) (NB the data for week ending 17th January are very tentative and will not be finalised until next week). Wrexham remains worst in Wales for the rate per 100,000 population (660.5 today) and positivity (26.5% today). The UK variant accounts for most new cases, but there are not, as yet, any known cases of the South Africa or, much more worrying, Brazil variants. The figures are better than reported on Monday (867.9 and 28.8) and the trend over the last few weeks suggests that the virus has peaked. Hospital admissions for Covid-19 in North Wales (167 week ending 17th January) are almost twice the peak of last year (91 in May), placing even greater strain on an over-stretched NHS in general and local hospitals in particular. This figure has been updated by PHW and is even higher than reported in this note on Monday. The figure for week ending 17th January (152) is probably an under-estimate and will not be finalised until next week. We should expect hospital admissions to remain high for several weeks to come. Sadly, deaths are rising in North Wales too (29 for week ending 10th January, though this is a tentative figure). The Sub-Areas (Table 2) Most of the 18 MSOA sub-areas of Wrexham used by PHW in their Tableau have improved since my last report to you on Monday, but the figures remain very high. 1 has recorded its worst figures since 20 th October (shown in bold on the table), compared to 0 on the 18 th has recorded its worst figures since 20 October (shown in bold on the table), compared to 0 on the 18 13 have greater than 550/100k , compared to 16 on the 18 th . have greater than , compared to 16 on the 18 . 5 have greater than 800/100k , compared to 8 on the 18 th . have greater than , compared to 8 on the 18 . 16 are in the worst decile (10%) in Wales , compared to 16 on the 18 th , but this threshold is much lower (460/100k) than it was on Monday (511), reflecting the fact that cases have fallen much more quickly in South Wales. are in the , compared to 16 on the 18 , but this threshold is much lower (460/100k) than it was on Monday (511), reflecting the fact that cases have fallen much more quickly in South Wales. The 7 with more than 700/100k (compared to 11 on Friday) are set out below: o Gwersyllt West & Summerhill has 1198 down from 1232 on the 18th o Chrik and Ceirog Valley has 972 up sharply from 602 on the 18th o Caia Park has 896 down from 1064 on the 18th o Wrexham West has 888 down from 1056 on the 18th o Hermitage & Whitegate has 811 down from 1040 on the 18th o Town North, University & Rhos-ddu has 743 down from 923 on the 18th o Acton & Maes-y-dre has 732 down from 890 on the 18th 1 has less than 300/100k, compared to 0 on 15th December. The lowest is 271/100k, compared to 376 on the 18th Settings The principal settings for the virus remaining households followed, some way below, by outbreaks at the Maelor Hospital, in care/nursing homes (including, sadly, a number of hospitalisations and deaths) and the prison. There are also several work-place clusters. MANAGING THE VIRUS General The Level 4 Alert lockdown has finally begun to have an effect on the rate of infection. Schools Schools continue to provide education to pupils via remote learning. On-site provision continues for those children who are vulnerable and for the children of key workers. Unless there is a significant reduction in cases of Covid-19 before 29 January these arrangements will continue until the February half term (week beginning 15th February), which seems likely. Other Council Services The Council is continuing to provide critical services as publicised on our website. Vaccination Programme The vaccination programme is fast-moving and subject to daily change. Care Homes Staff and residents at care homes continue to be vaccinated. To date, over 67% (700) residents have been vaccinated and 46% of staff. Plans remain in place to vaccinate in homes which have had an active outbreak as soon as that becomes possible Local Vaccination Centre On Tuesday the 26th of January the Local Vaccination Centre in Wrexham will be opened operating at the Catrin Finch Centre on the University campus. For next week it will operate between Tuesday and Thursday, 8am to 6pm. Opening times will expand as vaccination supplies allow. People cannot just turn up; they must wait for an invitation. GP Practices As previously reported, all GP practices have agreed to provide vaccinations and will have received some supplies this week. This will continue and expand in the coming days with priority groups being contacted to attend for vaccinations. Again, people cannot just turn up; they must wait for an invitation. More information on vaccinations can be obtained via the following links: Regards Chief Officer Planning and Regulatory Hala Alyan, the 34-year-old novelist and poet, had just finished her first novel, 2017s Salt Houses, when she had a dream. In it, an old woman grows up in Syria and then leaves to find fame and fortune in Hollywood. Her adventure is so epic that when Alyan awoke, she jotted down 10 pages of notes describing it. Five years later, that dream has evolved into The Arsonists City (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Mar.), a family saga that traverses decades and moves between Beirut; Brooklyn; Austin, Tex.; and Damascus. The novel opens in Brooklyn, where Ava, the eldest child of the Nasr family, receives a call from Mazna, her mother. Mazna (who is based on the old woman in Alyans dream) wants Ava and her siblings to come to Beirut to stop their father, Idris, from selling the ancestral home. The book is subsequently divided between recollections of how the family came to leave Beirut and the implications of their return. Intricately plotted, Arsonists City is a novel that renders custom and place in very precise detail. It is also, Alyan says, a love letter to Beirut, where she lived from 2000 to 2006. She drew upon a mix of research and memory: It was really important to me for this to be right. I needed to properly depict the 1960s and 70s. Alyan says her first novel, Salt Houses, which won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and the Arab-American Book Award, was written as a series of vignettes. Speaking via Zoom from her home in Brooklyn, she explains that, in contrast, Arsonists City was heavily storyboarded, with the plot entirely worked out in advance. Arsonists City is an examination of what its like to be a migrantto feel a familiarity with many places rather than an assured connection to one in particular. The Nasr children never feel American, despite being born here and seemingly achieving affluence and fulfillment. Nonetheless, they feel like Westerners when in Beirut. Its a paradox Alyan relates to as a Palestinian American, and its something complicated further by Palestines status as a disputed state. I feel guilty, she says, referring to the fact that she left Beirut, especially after the explosion [in 2020]. But then as the diaspora, as a Palestinian, what is yours to mourn? Ultimately, I would love to see some stability in the region, so I could go forward and back. I would love to live there again, but of course it is a privilege to have a choice in this matter, too. This sense of dislocation presents itself as a central tension in Alyans writing. Im very interested in what we owe each other, she says. I grew up between the Middle East and here. There is a division between the two places. Once you belong to a family, you are in it forever, it doesnt matter what you do. But this notion is not quite the same in the in the U.S. There is a different sense of loyalty, Alyan says. The concept of marriage is very different here. So what happens to that family who are uprooted from [their traditions]? Within the Nasr family, Mazna and Idris adhere to Middle Eastern convention and commit to marry each other for forever. But they have secrets, and both endure misery within the relationship. Their children are brought up in the U.S. and experience a distance both from their parents values and from those of their American counterparts. Ava is the most alienated, despite the fact that she appears to have settled well into her American life. She has a husband from the Upper East Side and her children have playdates in Park Slope. Alyan captures the disingenuousness of this milieu with acuity and humor, detailing how the only currency is what wealth leaves in its wake: veneration, respect, fear. Arsonists City contains pleasing revelations as the story progresses. Mazna is a complex and rewarding character; readers emotions shift as they spend time with her. Similarly, her difficult marriage to Idris evolves. One of the biggest surprises for me as I wrote [the novel] was the progress that Mazna and Idris make, Alyan says. The children experience great change, too. Their struggles invite empathyeven those of Mimi, Avas brother, a failed musician in Austin who cheats on his partner and is jealous of their youngest sister, Nav, a pop star in Beirut. Writing is just one of Alyans professional pursuits. She is also a practicing clinical psychologist who lectures at New York University and sees herself as someone who will always need this variety in her work. I would like to continue both, because when I have the most time to write, I dont do any writing, Alyan says. My brain is like an engine, I need to be fired up and, when I teach, that is stimulating, too. Theyre all very tied up in each other. Feeling steady in one helps with the other. They call upon a similar patience, a willingness maybe to connect to chaos. Sinead OShea is a writer and filmmaker in Dublin. She has contributed to Al Jazeera English, the Guardian, and the New York Times. Maharashtra's move to block General Motors (GM) from shutting a plant and exiting the country defies the state's business friendly image and sends a "concerning message" to potential future investors, the US automaker has said. GM's comments came after authorities in Maharashtra earlier this week rejected the automaker's application to cease operations at its plant in the western state amid protests by workers who demanded GM continue production or keep them on the payroll indefinitely, according to local media. The decision runs counter to Maharashtra's business-friendly reputation, a GM spokesman said in a statement. "It sends a concerning message to any potential future investors who want to bring jobs and investment to the state." GM stopped selling cars in India, the world's second most populous nation, at the end of 2017 after years of low sales. It sold one of its two factories in the country to China's SAIC Motor Corp and continued to build vehicles for export at its second plant until Dec. 24. In January 2020, it agreed to sell its second factory in the state's Talegaon district to Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor Co, but tensions between India and China have delayed completion of that deal. GM said it planned to seek a reversal of the state's order as soon as possible. "Effectively, the state's decision amounts to a requirement that GM either produce vehicles for which there are no customer orders, or pay workers indefinitely for doing no work. We reject both suggestions," the spokesman said, adding production would not resume. GM is offering higher than the statutory severance pay to its roughly 1,500 workers at the plant, amounting to nearly two years of salary and is willing to negotiate further, said a source with knowledge of the matter. Also read: Aurangabad Industrial City bags investment of Rs 160 crore Also read: DHFL bidding: CoC declares Piramal as successful bidder Muzaffarpur, Jan 23 : A youth was critically injured when a neighbour fired at him following a fight over his (the youth's) dog in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district in the Kanti police station area. Four bullets hit 20-year-old Keshav Kumar's leg. On Friday, Keshav was taking away his dog sitting outside his house in Madhu Chhapra village in Kanti police station area when it ran inside his neighbour Mithilesh Mishra's house. When Mishra drove the dog out of his house, Keshav was standing outside with a stick in his hand due to which the dog again barged into Mithilesh's house, leading to a fight between Kumar and Mishra. It is alleged that later when Keshav was going out from his home, Mithilesh and his son Rishabh Mishra shot at Keshav and also hit him with the pistol's butt. Keshav was rushed to the local hospital from where he was shifted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital. Muzaffarpur (west) Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Syed Imran Masood said the police is investigating the matter. The accused father-son duo are absconding and the police is conducting raids to arrest them. Sources said there was a dispute between the two families over some land. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said today the supply of COVID-19 vaccine coming to Alabama will continue to fall well short of the demand for the foreseeable future, which means there are no immediate plans to expand eligibility for who can receive shots, including to those age 65-74. Harris gave an update on the status of the rollout of vaccines in Alabama, which so far have gone to health care workers, nursing home residents, people 75 and older, and first-responders. The next major phase of the states plan would include people age 65 to 74 and those ages 16 to 64 with health conditions that make them at higher risk. Harris said the age 65 to 74 group would add almost a half-million people to the number eligible. But he said the state does not have enough shots for the groups already eligible. So adding that number for us would mean sending a message to all these Alabamians between 65 and 75 that youre now at the front of the line, its time for you to get your vaccine, Harris said. And yet we dont have any more vaccine. The total amount is not going to change. Thats why weve tried to be deliberate about doing that. We believe everyone of those people deserve a vaccine and needs to get it as fast as possible. And yet at the same time, adding hundreds of thousands of people to the lines that we have already without any additional vaccine is going to be a difficult situation for everyone. Related: How to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Alabama There are about 695,000 people in the groups made eligible for shots so far. Harris said about 224,000 shots have been given in Alabama, and that includes about 28,000 second doses. The state has been giving the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinces, both of which require two shots a few weeks apart. The state is receiving about 50,000 to 60,000 doses a week, Harris said. That does not include the doses allocated for second shots, which come to the state about a week before the second shot is due. Alabamas share of vaccines is based on its population as a percentage of the U.S. population, Harris said. Harris said theres a chance vaccine supply could increase slightly in February if manufacturers are able to produce more. He said a new, one-shot vaccine from Johnson & Johnson could be available sometime in February. Related: Alabama to take vaccine doses from providers that dont give it out fast enough. Alabama releases map of vaccination locations. Harris said almost 900 providers are trained and authorized to give vaccines in Alabama, but more than 500 of those have not received any shots to give. It simply has to do with the supply of vaccine that we get, Harris said. The authorized providers include hospitals, doctors offices and clinics, county health departments, community health centers, pharmacies and rural health clinics. Harris said only 117 of those entities are scheduled to receive vaccines from next weeks allocation to the state. This story will be updated. Edited at 1:52 p.m. to say there are about 695,000 people in the groups eligible for shots so far, not 675,000. The worst thing is the uncertainty, says Heather Murphy, one of the 60,000 students taking the Leaving Cert this year who still dont know how they will be assessed. Time remaining to the traditional start dates for the State exams can be counted in weeks. The Government has been determined to run conventional exams, although the impact of Covid meant they were never going to follow pre-2020 lines exactly. The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has been working through options with the education partners, in the hope of arriving at something closely resembling the norm. But much of that planning may be torn up by the unexpectedly savage resurgence of Covid infection, which has left schools closed since Christmas and with no certainty about a reopening date. The longer sixth years are out of school, the longer the odds on a traditional Leaving Cert in 2021. Its all taking its toll on students. At the 970-pupil Colaiste Bride in Clondalkin, Co Dublin, principal Marie Therese Kilmartin says the mood among her 150 Leaving Cert candidates is generally quite anxious. The schools three head girls, Heather Murphy, Eniola Sangoyomi and Liepa Andrulyte, have written an open letter to the Government, pleading for an early decision. They acknowledge the pressure that Government is under on the issue, but warn that the uncertainty is leading to the mental health deterioration of many students in our school and around the country. They want a decision to be made once and for all so that the academic and emotional well-being, the very things you say you are trying to guard, remains intact for the sixth year students this year. While some accommodations have already been agreed to reflect the loss of face-to-face teaching in March to May last year, they argue that it is fundamentally unfair to put us through these exams, even in their amended formats for 2021. The edits and amendments you have made to the exams do not go far enough to narrow the gap. They suggest a number of measures for consideration, including alternative approaches to doing the orals, further modifications to the written papers and a calculated grades option. Read More The Government is under growing pressure not only from students, but parents and TDs, including from among their own party ranks. There are calls for a decision by the end of next week, although no consensus on what Leaving Cert 2021 should look like. While teacher unions share the Governments ambition to run exams, others want a return to calculated grades, or the option to do one or the other. Apart from trying to second-guess the behaviour of Covid in full spate, the Government faces another unknown, the outcome of High Court challenges on last years calculated grades approach. The lead case has not concluded and the ruling will have a critical bearing on Government flexibility in this area. Meanwhile, attention is being paid to the student voice. A meeting of the Education Departments exams advisory group yesterday, attended by Education Minister Norma Foley, agreed to intensive engagement around exploring further possible options, beyond whats already under consideration. It was on foot of findings from a recent survey by the Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU) presented to the meeting. The results showed a strong appetite for flexibility and change this year, including four in five (81pc) supporting a choice between calculated grades and sitting June exams. Only 4pc voted for conventional exams as their preferred option. There is also demand for a scaling back in oral and practical assessments. A statement afterwards said the group agreed that the report represented an important input to the deliberations underway and intensive work on a range of ideas thrown up by the students has started. As the nation prepares for the funeral of late President Jerry John Rawlings from Monday, January 25, Parliament has insisted that his values of probity, responsibility, discipline and accountability be embedded in the national psyche. Eulogising the former President by the legislators on Friday, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Leader of the National Democratic Congress Side, set the tone by describing late President Rawlings as a paradox or enigma, with an enduring institution of values that would continue to define the people and guide the progress of the nation. Clad in black or brown attires, members from both sides of the House extolled the bravery, forthrightness, discipline, love and fairness of the affable former Ghanaian Leader, popularly called Papa J, who passed on Thursday, 12th November, 2020, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Papa J died almost five months after celebrating his 73rd birthday and less than three weeks after burying his mother, Victoria Agbotui. He was a Ghanaian Military Officer and politician who led the country from 1981 to 2001 and also for a brief period in 1979. He led a military junta until 1992, and then served two terms as the democratically elected President of Ghana from 1992 to 2000. Upon his unexpected death, the nation and the international community went into shock, and in the tributes, recognized him for the many contributions to Ghanas growth, especially as the Founder of the Fourth Republic. They encouraged Ghanaians to live peacefully and dialogue with one another despite their political differences. Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who later gave the chair to Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, and later resumed the chair, allowed contributions that took longer than the usual time, as the legislators remembered the late political icon for ensuring political stability, democratic governance, and smooth transfer of power in all the times he was in office. Mr Iddrisu said the Late Presidents commitment to justice, equity, probity and accountability and transparency was unparalleled and those were the values and principles that found expression in the preamble to the 1992 Constitution, which was promulgated under his able leadership. The Constitution remained the most enduring constitution since the birth of Ghana, surviving almost three decades and seeing the transition of power from one political party to another, he said. Mr Iddrisu went down memory lane to recall how former President Rawlings came into the political space on 15th May 1979, driven by a mission to have the political leadership at the time to account for their misrule. In his view, the Military administration at the time had completely desecrated the Military Code of Conduct and sunk the image of the country. Mr Iddrisu said with determination and zeal, former President Rawlings was able to reverse the socio-economic decline and restored the economy back on track, with infrastructure being improved and power from the Akosombo Dam extended to all the then 10 regions and the 110 district capitals. The pride and belief in Ghanaians was restored and most Ghanaian professionals who left the shores began returning to help build the country, Mr Iddrisu said. Rawlings sowed his leadership role to be a watchdog for ordinary people and he addressed problems of incompetence, injustice and corruption. Mr Kofi Adams, a former Aide to the former President, and debutant Member of Parliament for Buem, said it was very difficult for him to pay tribute to his boss, as he would have wished he was alive to see him make his first statement on the floor of Parliament. He spoke about courtesies that were withdrawn from the former President, especially during his travels, and said that should never be repeated. Mr Adams said though humiliating, the former President did not get offended at the treatment but used the opportunity to interact with the ordinary people. He was courageous but very humble, he said, and that his passion for decentralisation, infusing tradition, culture and governance, and the passage of the Intestate Succession Law to help widows would not go unnoticed. Late President Rawlings will be laid in state from January 24 to 26 at the Foyer of the Accra International Conference Centre from 0900 hours to 1700 hours daily. There will be a funeral mass on January 26, from 0900 to 1100 hours at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra, followed by a burial service on January 27 from 0900 hours to 1100 hours at the Independence Square. Meanwhile, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has announced in the Business Statement for next week that Members of Parliament were to file past on Tuesday, January 26. It is proposed that they pay their respects between the hours of 0900 and 1000 on the said date to enable the House to sit by 11.00 am, thereafter, he said. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Christian leaders demand Cuban authorities release pastor arrested for leading illegal' church Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Christian leaders are calling on the communist government of Cuba to immediately release Pastor Karel Parra Rosabal, who heads an unregistered church and was arrested on false charges of hoarding. He's been held in detention for 11 days. Rosabal, who leads the Fuego y Dinamica Apostolic Church, was arrested by police in the town of Jobabo in Las Tunas on Jan. 12 and was told he was being arrested so that you learn that illegal churches in Cuba are not allowed, according to the U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The pastor was kept incommunicado during the first two days of detention and was on hunger strike, CSW said, adding: During the COVID-19 pandemic, accusations of hoarding have been used by the Cuban authorities on occasion to target religious leaders, many of whom have played important roles in providing resources for their local communities. After searching his house, police told the pastor that he was being arrested for hoarding, which means possessing too many tools without proof of purchase, according to Premier Christian News. The police seized equipment worth about $1,900 from the pastors house. The pastor says he bought all the equipment legally and can show the receipts. The Apostolic movement has many churches in Cuba, but the Castro regime has listed the denomination as illegal and banned it from registering as a religious group. That appears to be the reason why the pastor was targeted. The detention of Pastor Karel Parra Rosabal and the trumped-up charges against him are the latest case in a long record of the Cuban government targeting the pastors of unregistered churches for harassment and imprisonment, CSWs Head of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl said. We call on the authorities to allow Pastor Parra Rosabal to return to his wife and three young children and to allow him to continue his pastoral work and maintain his small business, which not only sustains his family in a difficult economic climate but also provides a valuable service to the community in an area of the country where transport options are severely limited, Stangl added. Rosabal's trial was to begin on Thursday but was postponed to give the police more time to investigate. He is likely to be under arrest for another week. The Cuban government amended its Constitution in 1992, declaring it a secular state, instead of an atheist state, partially allowing religious activities. Since then, the percentage of the country's population that identifies as Christian has grown. As we wait for season two of Lupin with bated breath, our obsession with manually going about setting things right is clear. Critics attribute the success of this Netflix series to many things: slick production, great acting, the dialogues and plot. It is modern without posturing, and the heros many daring heists are unbelievable in a good way. We want the underdog, Assane Diop, to win; we want the bad guys to fall by the wayside. When the hero takes matters into his own hands, we sigh happily. Thats how it has to be from now on, we are to be our own Superman. In those faraway long ago pre-COVID days, remember what our fairy tales were like, what our lullabies were like? Celestial beings zoomed in from the sky to save us. We are a changed lot nowadays, thirsting for tales of self-saviors. The system is iffy, governments are a lottery across the globe, romantic love is by the way and a pandemic is raging all around -- where's our cape? At last, our moral compass is glowing dimly through our shirts. There is only one self-care package and that is us ourselves. We bleed, we put the band-aid on. We are the ones who set things right in our own life this is the newest mantra, the latest spiritual understanding. If the heroine who shockingly miscarries in the Pieces of a Woman film did not pick up the pieces herself eventually, who would? Her romantic interest fades off the screen, despite being the star Shia LaBeouf, and rage becomes her biggest healer. The heroism of giving up any petty vendetta against the erring midwife is both human and uplifting in the end. In this new modern maze of joblessness and sudden deaths, of what-ifs and what-nexts, we are all groping our way back into a new inner system. The external world has failed us to a certain extent whose heart did not sink while hearing about the fire in Punes Serum Institute? It just felt like another nail in a universal coffin and atmospheric catastrophes do seem to be on a spree. One after the other, a sense of invisible terrorism pervades the air. This helplessness can only be banished with serious psychological warfare from within. As soldiers stationed in the battlefields of our own mental territory, we have to guard our interests, starting with our emotional wellbeing. We are the CEOs of our own souls. If we dont care about ourselves, who will? And if you think about it, that is our only job, to keep ourselves going no matter what, to take it on the chin and move on. Self-care keeps us on our toes, it is the new sunrise industry we must all buy shares in. Because righting our world, one wall at a time, is our own responsibility. Before we are sons or spouses, dads or daughters, patriots or prisoners, we are just us. So and so in the middle of earth. Come, lets find our bearings. A window on an internet browser shows that it blocked the Adobe Flash plugin from activating due to a security issue, in Berlin, Germany, on July 14, 2015. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Chinese Railway Dispatch System Crashes After Adobe Flash Stops Running A Chinese railway depot recently lost access to its local dispatching system after U.S.-based software company Adobe stopped supporting the Flash Player program. The local railway system was paralyzed as a result. The depots IT workers chronicled their attempt to fix the technical issue on Chinese social media, written in a war diary style. The post went viral after tech-savvy netizens noticed that the IT workers solved the glitch by installing an older version of Flash from a pirated operating system. The post has since been deleted. Netizens were also amused that the railway seemingly did not realize that Adobe would stop supporting Flash. The company announced in 2017 that it would stop supporting the program by the end of 2020, due to Flash being prone to hacking and malware attacks. The company recommended that users uninstall Flash Player before the end of 2020, and said it would suspend service completely on Jan. 12, 2021. The Dalian city railway depot published a minute-by-minute account of how it sought to resolve the technical glitch over the span of 20 hours. It was posted onto popular social media platform WeChat on Jan. 12. The post was written in a style similar to Chinese Communist Party propaganda, describing the IT staffs attempts to troubleshoot as dare to tackle, dare to innovate, dare to lead. The Dalian railway depot wrote that the staff attempted to restore an older version of Flash from a backup Ghost system, which means a pirated system. Netizens reacted with sarcasm. The [Adobe] suspension announcement was made a few years ago, but [Dalian railway] didnt prepare for it, and now celebrates [its failure], one wrote. Dare to innovate refers to using a downgraded Ghost operating system, another chimed in. If this happened at an ordinary internet company, the whole team would be fired. But it became a great achievement when it happened at a state-owned company too surreal, another commented. A soldier who fought in Afghanistan before becoming a teacher is providing live online lessons for more than 1,000 children a day after he was appalled at the quality of remote teaching by state schools during lockdown. Stephen James, 37, a former lance corporal in the Intelligence Corps, is co-founder of the Invicta National Academy, which offers free live English and maths lessons for children aged between six and 16. Many of the parents of the children who log in for the lessons are unhappy with the pre-recorded lessons or worksheets provided by their own schools. At least 15 state schools have directed their pupils to Invicta's live lessons, rather than providing their own. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson last week told MPs that 'live' education was the 'best way' to deliver online teaching. Stephen James, 37, a former lance corporal in the Intelligence Corps, is co-founder of the Invicta National Academy, which offers free live English and maths lessons for children aged between six and 16 But an alarming survey by the Sutton Trust, an education charity, found that only half of state school teachers are providing such lessons during this lockdown, compared with 86 per cent in private schools. Mr James last night railed against the Left-wing teaching unions, which he accused of discouraging members from offering live lessons. 'The unions are basically saying 'do not live teach', and they are not for it because they see it as extra workload for teachers,' he said. 'It just seems that for every solution, they come up with a problem, which is a real shame. The profession deserves better than the unions.' Mr James fought in Afghanistan The father-of-two from Folkestone, Kent, set up the virtual school with Anna Firth, a Tory district councillor, over the summer. The pair were shocked at how few state schools were offering any live lessons. In contrast, Mrs Firth's son Piers, who attends the 6,730- a-term King's Rochester school on a music scholarship, was receiving four or five live lessons a day. Invicta has a national network of about 80 qualified teachers who take it in turns to provide online lessons after raising 100,000 from donors. Five different maths lessons, for various age groups, start every day at 10am. At 11am there are five different English lessons. In the afternoon, children can log in for a 25-minute story session. Class sizes can be large. About 250 Year 3 and Year 4 children regularly log in for individual lessons. While pupils cannot interrupt during lessons, they can send messages to a teaching assistant, who alerts the teacher if they do not understand something or would like a recap. Online education is a world away from Mr James's former Army career, which included two tours of Afghanistan. In 2009, he had the task of identifying Taliban bomb-making networks. Invicta's data shows that children from 1,294 different schools across the UK have logged in, with at least 15 head teachers encouraging their pupils to use the live lessons. Mr James said he was happy to help, but he is frustrated more state schools are not offering live lessons. Tamara Brooks, 51, from London, whose nine-year-old son uses Invicta, said: 'He does maths and the English every morning, and although they are big classes it is very well managed and he feels challenged.' Despite Invicta receiving a letter from Boris Johnson in September praising its efforts, it has only enough funding to continue free lessons until February half-term. Earlier this month, Mrs Firth and Mr James met Schools Minister Nick Gibb and appealed for 40,000 but were rebuffed. They believe the Department for Education is wedded to the Oak National Academy, which offers recorded lessons and won 4.3 million of funding last year. 'The Government should be funding this for every child,' Mrs Firth said. 'The Secretary of State has said every child deserves the best remote teaching this is the best teaching.' Car thefts, the COVID-19 vaccine...and sledding? News 10's Chris Essex and Emily Pike bring you this week's trending stories in The Wrap. THE CAR THIEF WHO THREATENED TO CALL THE COPS ON THE VICTIM Last week we told you about a warning from local police about not leaving your car running, that comes after Terre Haute Police report 10 vehicles were stolen in just one month. The short version of that story was don't leave it running and unlocked. That warning was triggered after reports of at least 10 stolen vehicles in the city in just one months time. A car thief in Oregon brings us to a new what not to do. As the thief started to drive away...he noticed a four-year-old in the back seat. He drove back to the scene of the crime, lecturing the mother about not leaving her kid in the back. The man supposedly said he would call the police on her because the kid was left unattended. Sadly, he still got away with the car. The moral of the story... It's best to take the keys and lock up.. even if you're only stepping away for a short period, and while we're at it...never leave your leave valuables behind. THE COVID-19 VACCINE And now let's talk about the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Right now, in both Indiana and Illinois, vaccines have mainly been focused on seniors, Doctors, and first responders. That's not going to be the case for too long though, as vaccinations will continue to pick up. According to an Associated Press poll, less than half of all Americans want to receive a vaccine when it becomes available to them. We went to our Facebook for your feedback and according to our poll...All of you line up with the rest of the country. Click here to vote in our poll. WE MISS SNOW, SO LET'S TALK SLEDDING Something not lining up is snow plows. A lack of snow this season has been sad for us snow lovers, but we want to hear YOUR favorite places for winter activities. We all know about Demining Park...but what else is out there? We want to hear your ideas, sledding hot spots, and even your sledding photos! You can share them with us here or find Chris on Facebook and Twitter and share them there. Dublin, Jan. 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Epilepsy - Market Insight, Epidemiology and Market Forecast - 2030" drug pipelines has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report delivers an in-depth understanding of the Epilepsy, historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the Epilepsy market trends in the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and United Kingdom) and Japan. The Epilepsy market report provides current treatment practices, emerging drugs, and market share of the individual therapies, current and forecasted 7MM Epilepsy market size from 2017 to 2030. The report also covers current Epilepsy treatment practice/algorithm, market drivers, market barriers and unmet medical needs to curate the best of the opportunities and assesses the underlying potential of the market. Geography Covered The United States EU5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) Japan Study Period: 2017-2030 Diagnosis Several tests are used to determine whether a person has a form of epilepsy and, if so, what kind of seizures the person has. These tests include: Imaging and Monitoring Medical History Blood Tests Developmental, Neurological, and Behavioral Tests Epidemiology - Key Findings This section provides glimpse of the Epilepsy epidemiology in the 7MM. The total prevalent population of Epilepsy in the seven major markets was found to be 7,190,297 in 2017. However, the total diagnosed prevalent population in the 7MM was 5,216,490 in 2017. The diagnosed prevalent cases of Epilepsy, in the United States, were found to be 2,808,599 in 2017. In the United States, the number of cases of Generalized, Focal and Other determined and undetermined Epileptic seizures in Adults was 770,288, 1,482,440 and 169,560, respectively, in 2017. In the United States, the number of cases of Generalized, Focal and Other determined and undetermined Epileptic seizures in Children was 158,387, 212,471 and 15,452, respectively, in 2017. It was also found that in the United States, the number of males and females with Epilepsy was 1,477,323 and 1,331,276, respectively, in 2017. In the EU5 countries, the prevalence of Epilepsy was found to be maximum in Germany with 645,784 cases, followed by the United Kingdom with 641,720 cases in 2017. While, the least number of cases were found in Spain, with 403,591 cases in 2017. In Japan, the total prevalence of Epilepsy was estimated to be 1,012,659 in 2017. Country-wise Epidemiology The epidemiology segment also provides the Epilepsy epidemiology data and findings across the United States, EU5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and Japan. Drug Chapters The drug chapter segment of the Epilepsy report encloses the detailed analysis of Epilepsy marketed drugs and mid and late stage pipeline drugs. It also helps to understand the Epilepsy clinical trial details, expressive pharmacological action, agreements and collaborations, approval and patent details of each included drug and the latest news and press releases. Marketed Drugs Valtoco: Neurelis Epidiolex: Greenwich Biosciences Fintepla (ZX 008): Zogenix Briviact: UCB Biopharma Xcopri (cenobamate): SK Life Science Nayzilam (midazolam), nasal spray CIV: UCB Diacomit: Biocodex Emerging Drugs Ganaxolone: Marinus Pharmaceuticals AQST-203: Aquestive Therapeutics Cannabidiol: Insys Therapeutics Padsevonil: UCB Soticlestat (TAK935/OV935): Takeda/Ovid Therapeutics Zygel (ZYN002): Zynerba Pharma Key Market Findings This section includes a glimpse of the Epilepsy 7MM market. The market size of Epilepsy in the seven major markets was estimated to be USD 1,847.46 Million in 2017. The United States accounts for the largest market size of Epilepsy, in comparison to EU5 (the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France) and Japan. Among the EU5 countries, the United Kingdom had the highest market size with USD 118.23 Million in 2017, while France had the lowest market size of Epilepsy with USD 72.65 Million in 2017. The Japan Epilepsy market accounted for USD 121.90 Million in 2017. The United States Market Outlook This section provides the total Epilepsy market size and market size by therapies in the United States. EU-5 Market Outlook The total Epilepsy market size and market size by therapies in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom are provided in this section. Japan Market Outlook The total Epilepsy market size and market size by therapies in Japan are provided. Epilepsy Drugs Uptake This section focuses on the rate of uptake of the potential drugs recently launched in the Epilepsy market or expected to get launched in the market during the study period 2017-2030. The analysis covers Epilepsy market uptake by drugs; patient uptake by therapies; and sales of each drug. This helps in understanding the drugs with the most rapid uptake, reasons behind the maximal use of new drugs and allow the comparison of the drugs on the basis of market share and size which again will be useful in investigating factors important in market uptake and in making financial and regulatory decisions. Epilepsy Development Activities The report provides insights into different therapeutic candidates in phase II, and phase III stage. It also analyzes key players involved in developing targeted therapeutics. Pipeline Development Activities The report covers the detailed information of collaborations, acquisition and merger, licensing and patent details for Epilepsy emerging therapies. Competitive Intelligence Analysis The researchers perform competitive and market Intelligence analysis of the Epilepsy market by using various competitive intelligence tools that include-SWOT analysis, PESTLE analysis, Porter's five forces, BCG Matrix, Market entry strategies, etc. The inclusion of the analysis entirely depends upon the data availability. Scope of the Report The report covers the descriptive overview of Epilepsy, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis and currently available therapies. Comprehensive insight has been provided into the Epilepsy epidemiology and treatment. Additionally, an all-inclusive account of both the current and emerging therapies for Epilepsy are provided, along with the assessment of new therapies, which will have an impact on the current treatment landscape. A detailed review of Epilepsy market; historical and forecasted is included in the report, covering the 7MM drug outreach. The report provides an edge while developing business strategies, by understanding trends shaping and driving the 7MM Epilepsy market. Report Highlights In the coming years, Epilepsy market is set to change due to the rising awareness of the disease, increased diagnosis and incremental healthcare spending across the world; which would expand the size of the market to enable the drug manufacturers to penetrate more into the market. The companies and academics are working to assess challenges and seek opportunities that could influence Epilepsy R&D. The therapies under development are focused on novel approaches to treat/improve the disease condition. As per the analysis, Epilepsy can be of three kinds on the basis of seizure-type, namely, Generalized, Focal and other determined and undetermined seizures. These seizures come with a slight variation in children as well as adults. The publisher has also analysed gender-specific data regarding Epilepsy, which suggests that it is more prevalent in males than in females. Expected Launch of potential therapies, Libervant/Diazepam Buccal Soluble Film (Aquestive Therapeutics), UCB0942/Padsevonil (UCB Biopharma), Soticlestat (TAK-935/OV935) (Takeda), CX-8998 (Jazz Pharmaceuticals), Ganaxolone (Marinus Pharmaceuticals), PF-06372865/CVL-865 (Pfizer/Cerevel Therapeutics), Cannabidiol Oral Solution (Insys Therapeutics), Staccato Alprazolam (EngageTherapeutics/UCB), GWP42003-P (GW Research), Fintepla (Zogenix), Perampenal (Eisai) and Zygel (Zynerba), may increase the market size in the coming years, assisted by an increase in diagnosed prevalent population of Epilepsy. Currently, the first line treatment of Epilepsy involves the use AEDs either as monotherapies or combination therapy. Additionally, the second line and third line treatment option for epileptic patients also involves the use of AEDs itself. However, the third line treatment option also includes Surgery, VNS, Deep Brain stimulation, etc. Furthermore, certain Mono or Adjunctive therapies are also used for treating Epilepsy. Market Insights What was the Epilepsy market share (%) distribution in 2017 and how it would look like in 2030? What would be the Epilepsy total market size as well as market size by therapies across the 7MM during the forecast period (2020-2030)? What are the key findings pertaining to the market across the 7MM and which country will have the largest Epilepsy market size during the forecast period (2020-2030)? At what CAGR, the Epilepsy market is expected to grow at the 7MM level during the forecast period (2020-2030)? What would be the Epilepsy market outlook across the 7MM during the forecast period (2020-2030)? What would be the Epilepsy market growth till 2030 and what will be the resultant market size in the year 2030? How would the market drivers, barriers and future opportunities affect the market dynamics and subsequent analysis of the associated trends? Companies Mentioned Aquestive Therapeutics Biocodex Eisai Pharmaceuticals GlaxoSmithKline Greenwich Biosciences Janssen Pharmaceuticals Lundbeck Meda Pharmaceuticals Neurelis Pfizer Questcor Pharmaceuticals/Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Roche SK Life Science Supernus Pharmaceuticals UCB Zogenix For more information about this drug pipelines report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7mrire Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Sorry! This content is not available in your region New Delhi, Jan 23 : A document issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India suggests that proper cooking inactivates the bird flu virus present inside meat and eggs. In view of the bird flu scare in the country, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a guidance document on "Safe handling, processing and consumption of poultry meat and eggs during bird flu pandemic" for creating awareness among the food business operators (FBOs) and consumers. The document suggests that proper cooking inactivates the virus present inside meat and eggs. Poultry meat and eggs from the areas affected by the outbreak of bird flu should not be consumed raw or partially cooked. Properly prepared and cooked poultry meat and eggs are safe to eat, the FSSAI said. "However, to date, no evidence indicates that anyone has become infected following the consumption of properly cooked poultry or poultry products, even if these foods were contaminated with the avian influenza virus," FSSAI said. The World Health Organization (WHO) also states that it is safe to consume poultry meat and eggs. According to the WHO official website, there is no epidemiological data which suggests that the disease can be transmitted to humans through cooked food. The major Do's and Don'ts suggested are -- do not eat half-boiled eggs, do not eat undercooked chicken, avoid direct contact with birds in the infected areas, avoid touching dead birds with bare hands, do not keep raw meat in the open, no direct contact with raw meat, use mask and gloves at the time of handling raw chicken, wash hands frequently, maintain the cleanliness of surroundings and eat chicken, eggs and their products after cooking. The virus is destroyed at a temperature of 70-degree Celsius if held for about three seconds. Also, properly cooking meat or eggs to achieve a temperature of 74-degree Celsius in eggs or all parts of meat will inactivate the virus. The FSSAI has urged the FBOs and consumers not to panic and ensure proper handling and cooking of poultry meat and eggs for their safe consumption as outlined in the guidance document. Although sick birds will normally stop producing eggs, eggs laid in the early phase of the disease could contain the virus in the egg-white and yolk as well as on the surface of the shell. Proper cooking inactivates the virus present inside the meat and eggs, the FSSAI said. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said that Turkey has temporarily halted flights from Brazil due to the rise in the more infectious COVID-19 variant, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah. Turkey previously stopped flights from Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark and South Africa because of the more transmissible mutated coronavirus variant. Ankara began its nationwide vaccination campaign by using China's Sinovac on Jan. 14, with health care workers among those who initially received the shots, followed by high-risk groups. More than 1.2 million people have since been vaccinated against coronavirus. In an incessant quest for unravelling the mystery behind Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses disappearance, admirers of Netaji have repeatedly asked three vital questions: How, when, and where did Netaji breathe his last? Successive governments in India have refused to divulge the truth. Full and final declassification of the crucial files pertaining to Netaji and the Indian National Army (INA) has never been undertaken. Any celebration in the name of his birth anniversary ought to be accompanied by an obvious question: When is his death anniversary? After decades of research on the life and works of Subhas Chandra Bose, I can certainly say that there has been a systematic conspiracy to obliterate his work from the pages of history. This is an international conspiracy. However, to date, Netaji is one of the few leaders who is widely revered across India, and is held in high esteem in several parts of Southeast Asia and Japan. The British, too, admired Subhas Chandra Bose for his burning patriotism. The British premier who oversaw the transfer of power in India, Clement Attlee, admitted in 1956 that the British had to leave the country in haste due to the patriotic fervour ignited by Subhas Chandra Bose and his INA. Prior to that, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in his interview with the BBC in 1955 had clearly stated the reason behind Britains hasty departure from India because of the national army raised by Subhas Chandra Bose. A question may well be asked, what made Netaji so special? In a world like ours, ridden with strife over petty identities that have reduced our societies into a cocoon of self-aggrandizement, where intolerance has given rise to bloody conflicts, where discord is easily triggered in the name of race, religion and gender, where holding to power by hook or crook is considered normal, Netaji is more relevant than ever. In post-1947 India, there has only been petty politics (rajniti), and no statecraft, least of all, a robust national or state policy (deshniti or rashtraniti). Netajis deeds embodied statecraft and formulation of a robust nation-building policy, combined with astounding foresight and an uncompromising selfless dedication and planning for national reconstruction. All these were reflected in his speeches and in his actions during his association with C.R. Das in pre-Independence Calcutta, as well as during his time as the Head of the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind). Believed in Gender equality On 21 October 1943, Netaji announced in Singapore the formation of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind. A striking feature of this government was the raising of an all-woman regiment. It was reported that the occasion saw the birth of the first army of Indian sisters. Girls in their teens crowded the camp and threw themselves heart and soul into intensive military training. Despite stiff opposition from within the Indian community, as well as the Japanese generals, Netaji brought about parity between men and women. To date, we are struggling to achieve gender equality in various spheres of life. This Rani of Jhansi Regiment became the first womens contingent in Asia. ALSO READ| Subhash Chandra Bose Birth Anniversary: Kalka Mail Gets a New Name For its Role in Netaji's Great Escape Netajis valour, righteousness and the spirit of sacrifice, as well as his fellow-feeling for the soldiers of the INA are incomparable. His commitment to the safety of the members of the womens regiment and the INA was paramount. During enemys aerial bombardment and machine-gun assault, Netaji refused to take shelter until the last of his volunteers had taken refuge. At the end of the war, when the Japanese offered him a car but did not arrange transport for his soldiers, Netaji refused to travel alone. He marched from Rangoon (Yangon) to Bangkok through the jungles for three weeks with his soldiers, braving the enemys assault. His empathy towards his combatants greatly impressed everyone, including the Japanese authorities. When the war was over, Bose quickly disbanded the womens regiment and sent the girls back home before the enemy could discover their identity. He did this to protect their honour. Upheld secular values Netajis infinite knowledge of military affairs astounded Col. Prem Kumar Sahgal who later recounted his days with him. Netajis unflinching faith in Indias ability to win struck everyone. Sahgal wrote, No amount of wealth, power or honour could make him deviate from his one-point zeal to break the shackles of Indias slavery. He was so much above the ordinary run of politicians that he detested power politics. He believed in letting the masses decide what form of government they would like to have. The Japanese authority was impressed with Netajis stern insistence on maintaining the autonomy and honour of the INA, while other ethnic groups were invariably subjugated by the Japanese. Sleeping only three hours a day, Netaji worked untiringly for the cause of Indias liberation. Netaji believed in communal harmony. Once he was invited to a temple ceremony, but he is known to have refused to attend it without his Muslim generals. The temple authority had to relent. Food for the INA soldiers was prepared in a secular kitchen. There was no separate site for any religious congregation; everyone was expected to pray at a common venue. In Singapore, he used to often visit Ramakrishna Mission, but never interfered with the spiritual practices of his soldiers. The secularism that Indian politicians post-1947 trumpeted was practiced by Netaji in all sincerity. A vision for the future Bose all along opposed Indian servility of the British Raj. He kept his promise by hoisting the Indian flag on 30 December 1943 in the Andamans. He had already renamed the Andamans as Shaheed Islands and Nicobar as Swaraj Islands. But the names of the islands were never retained in post-1947 India. Nor was Netaji remembered as the founder of the Planning Commission, which he set up in 1938. Nor was he given the credit for having sent a medical mission to China in 1938. The war in Manipur is another such forgotten chapter that needs to be re-read. The INA War Museum in Moirang (where the Indian Tricolor was hoisted on 14 April 1944) suffers from utter neglect. While stationed in Southeast Asia, Netaji had built a powerful administrative infrastructure for a post-independence India by training personnel. He went to the extent of printing currency notes, coins, and even postal stamps with the word Azad Hind inscribed on them. A powerful enemy of the British Unfortunately, none of these momentous acts was ever recorded in our history books, nor any members of the Indian Independence League or the INA were appointed by the Jawaharlal Nehru administration after 1947. Nehru also deprived the INA soldiers of the freedom fighters pension. The INA fighters, especially the 26,000 who were martyred in the battlefield along the Northeastern borders, have never been honoured by the Ministry of Defence as true war-heroes. Nor does the Defence Ministry display any photograph of Subhas Bose in its premises. We as a nation have failed to honour the Man of Valour and his soldiers who had fought against the British. To date, honour is conferred upon those who died protecting the British EmpireLook at the India Gate in New Delhi. ALSO READ| Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti: May Netaji's Ideals Help Towards Building Self-reliant India, Says PM Modi The British so dreaded Boses aligning with the anti-British forcesthe Axis Powersthat Churchill ordered his assassination in 1941. His raising an army that could challenge the British rule unnerved the latter to such extent that some British spies in February 1944 were sent twice to assassinate Bose while he was in Burma. This demonstrates that Bose was a powerful enemy of the British Empire. The stigma of fascism wrongly attached to Netaji was removed by British intelligence officer Hugh Toye and American historians Joyce Lebra and Leonard Gordon through their biographies and historical accounts on Bose, and not by the court historians in India. A strategist On 24 December 1944, Netaji addressed a mammoth rally in Singapore and shared his assessment of the Second World War. The IIL published a booklet titled Netajis Masterly Survey of War in East and West. He covered the inner contradictions of the Allied PowersRussia versus the Anglo-Americans; the hostility between Britain and America, and the threat Britain felt in maintaining its naval force in the Pacific. Britain was apprehensive of Australia and Canada falling under the American influence. Boses analysis of the post-war political scenario was unerring. Subhas Chandra Bose in his relentless quest for achieving freedom for India devised a strategy to bring about a Sino-Japanese rapprochement. By advocating peace between China and Japan, Bose sought greater Japanese military involvement in the Indian cause, since the majority of Japanese forces were busy controlling China. He sought to divert the entire Japanese focus towards fighting the Anglo-Americans in India, letting the Chinese seek liberation from Japan. It is widely acknowledged that following Boses advice, Japan refused to declare war against the Soviet Union. Japan was already fighting on two fronts and waging a war against Russia would have opened a third front. Boses advice was accepted by Japan, especially after the defeat of Germany and Italy by mid-1945. Netajis forming of an army was solely directed towards fighting the British colonizers in India, and never against any other power. Therefore, the Free Indian Legion raised by Bose in Germany refused Hitlers order to fight against the Soviet Union. As a result, several Indian soldiers were mercilessly executed by Hitler. Similarly, Bose refused to send his men to fight the anti-Japanese guerrilla groups from China and Burma. During the INA Trials at Red Fort, Japanese diplomat and later Foreign Affairs Minister Shigemitsu Mamoru and many other Japanese who had come for the deposition declared that the INA or Bose were never puppets of Japan. In fact, historian Joyce Lebra called Bose the weakest ally of Japan. These instances show that Bose and the INA were far ahead of others in terms of dedication, consciousness and conscience. Let us truly cherish Netajis legacy with utmost sincerity for all times to come. 8 year old tunnel to push Pakistan terrorists detected by BSF India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 23: The Border Security Force on Saturday found a 150 meter long tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, which was used by Pakistani terrorists to infiltrate into India. The 30 feet deep tunnel was detected between Border Post number 14 and 15 near the BSF's outpost at Pansar in Kathua district. The tunnel appears to be at least 8 years old a BSF official told OneIndia, while adding that this could have been used for long. Last month, a senior officer said that a terror tunnel was detected by the BSF in Bobbiyan village of Hiranagar this morning. He said that the tunnel originated from Pakistan to facilitate the infiltration of terrorists. The tunnel is around 150 kilometres long and a lot of engineering has gone into it. This is a deliberate attempt by Pakistan to push terrorists into India, Inspector General, BSF, N S Jamwal told news agency ANI. BSF detects trans-border tunnel along Indo-Pak border On November 22, a similar tunnel in the Samba sector used by four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists was detected. The terrorists were gunned down at the Ban toll plaza near Nagrota on November 19. The Pakistan Army and the ISI has been constructing trans-border tunnels to create new infiltration routes. The entry of this tunnel was spotted from the zero line and the 3 feet tunnel was constructed at a depth of 25 to 30 feet. In November the BSF had detected a tunnel at the International Border in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Officials OneIndia spoke with said that the tunnel could not have been made without the help of the Pakistan establishment. With Pakistan's propaganda machinery falling flat after the abrogation of Article 370, it is making every attempt to send terrorists to the Valley and carry out terror attacks. The Pakistan establishment also wanted to disrupt the upcoming DDC polls, the official cited above also said. The tunnel, which was 2.5 metre wide and 25 to 30 metre deep was constructed with proper engineering effort to ensure that it is not detected as its opening was found surrounded with sarkanda (elephant grass). Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News This time around the BSF did not stumble upon the tunnel. The officials learnt that the Pakistan Army had started building the tunnel to create a new infiltration route. Officials say that there have been a spurt in the number of ceasefire violations. The Pakistan Army wants to divert the attention of the Indian forces from these tunnels. In 2020 alone there have been 930 ceasefire violations by Pakistan when compared to the 605 in 2019. Authorities in Russia on Friday warned against protests over the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny planned by his supporters for Saturday in Moscow and more than 60 Russian cities. The warnings come as Navalny's associates in Moscow and other regions have been detained in the lead-up to the rallies. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin urged Muscovites not to attend the rally. Sobyanin cited coronavirus concerns, called the upcoming demonstration "unlawful" and said law enforcement agencies will "ensure the necessary order" in the city. Russia's Prosecutor General also issued a public warning against attending or calling for unauthorized rallies. This comes as Russia's largest social network VKontakte blocked all pages dedicated to the rallies. Roskomnadzor, Russia's media and social media watchdog, also announced that it would fine social media companies for encouraging minors to participate in the protests, after pressure from the Prosecutor General's office. The move came amid media reports of calls for demonstrations - and videos of school students replacing portraits of President Vladimir Putin in their classrooms with that of Navalny - going viral among teenagers on social network TikTok. The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal probe into the enticement of minors into protesting, accusing unidentified supporters of Navalny of encouraging minors to participate in the rallies on social media. Navalny, an anti-corruption campaigner and Kremlin's fiercest critic, was arrested on Sunday when he returned to Russia from Germany, where he had spent nearly five months recovering from nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. He could face years in prison - authorities accused him of violating the terms of a suspended sentence in a 2014 conviction for financial misdeeds. However Navalny's allies are telling supporters not to get discouraged and to show up on Saturday. Dozens of influential Russians, including actors, musicians, journalists, writers, athletes and popular bloggers, have come out with statements in support of Navalny, and some promised to attend the demonstrations. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) AN 18-YEAR-old student who injured her right ankle when she slipped and fell on "an excessively wet floor surface" in a Lidl supermarket five years ago has accepted a 20,000 settlement from the company. Barrister Richard Wixted told Judge John O'Connor in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday that Rosalinda Milosavijevic had been injured in the incident at Lidl's store in Fortunestown, Tallaght, when she was 13. Mr Wixted said the girl's injury had not resolved until at least 18 months after the fall. He said Ms Milosavijevic, of Tyman North Lawns, Tallaght, had fallen on an excessively wet floor surface in May 2015 and had been treated in Tallaght Hospital casualty department. Rejected Mr Wixted said an earlier settlement offer had been rejected by Ms Milosavijevic and her mother, Natalija Lazarevic, but the company had increased its terms of settlement to include a payment of 20,000 and 1,285 for expenses, special damages and legal costs. Judge O'Connor said that since Ms Milosavijevic had in the meantime attained her majority, it was not necessary for him to direct a lodgment of the money into court. The settlement could therefore be paid directly to Ms Milosavijevic. He said the settlement negotiated by her legal team was a good one and had been recommended as an appropriate outcome by them. It was a black Friday at Igangan in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State as hundreds of residents led by Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Igboho, attacked a Fulani settlement in the town. Mr Adeyemo had earlier issued an ultimatum to Fulani community in the Ibarapa axis of the state to vacate the area or produce the suspected kidnappers and murderers among the Fulani. He alleged that the killings and kidnappings in the area are being perpetrated by some Fulani who are known to the Fulani community leadership. The seven-day quit notice to members of the Fulani community elapsed on Friday. Mr Adeyemo and his supporters visited the community to eject the head of the Fulani community, the Seriki Fulani, Salihu Abdukadir, and members of the community in Igangan. This is despite the warning by Governor Seyi Makinde, in a broadcast, that he would not make any law-abiding resident of Oyo State feel unsafe in their homes, farms, or business places. We are aware of some people circulating flyers and giving people ultimatums to leave their land. This is totally unacceptable and will not be condoned. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which I swore to defend and protect, guarantees freedom of movement in Section 41(1), such that citizens are free to reside in any part of the country without fear. We are determined to preserve that right in Oyo state. Defying the governor Mr Adeyemo, however, defied Mr Makindes warning by storming Igangan community with fully armed youths. Hundreds of residents of the area, apparently concerned about the security situation, trooped out to welcome them. Addressing the crowd, Mr Adeyemo in a video seen by PREMIUM TIMES accused the state governor of threatening him with soldiers. When our people were being kidnapped and killed, there was no soldier deployed to secure them and now the governor is threatening us because we took a bold step to defend our people. Sources in the community told this newspaper that the violent protesters upon getting to Igangan went to the house of the Seriki Fulani, Mr Abdukadir, and set it ablaze. Properties with millions of naira including vehicles were also destroyed during the raid that occurred on Friday evening. Meanwhile, Mr Adeyemo could not be reached as of the time of this report as his telephone number indicated that he was out of reach. I left before his arrival Seriki Although PREMIUM TIMES could not directly speak with Mr Abdulkadir as at the time of this report, he told SaharaReporters that he left the community before Mr Adeyemos arrival but his properties were destroyed. As we speak, we are in the bush. Our cars, numbering about 11, have been burnt. Some of my children sustained injuries and we are looking for a way to get them to hospital. My children have left their houses for the bush. We need the government to help us. Police, Operation Burst and other security agencies were there when they set my house ablaze, he was quoted. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Ibarapa, Muhammed Bello, had earlier told PREMIUM TIMES that it was wrong for Mr Adeyemo to associate all Fulani herdsmen with criminality. We all want a peaceful environment. One of us, Alhaji Anji was kidnapped twice. The kidnappers asked for N3 million but he was able to raise half of it with the promise that if released, he would work hard to get their balance. After he was freed, the kidnappers were calling him with different lines, he went to report at police station thinking he had regained freedom. ADVERTISEMENT But to everybody surprise, Anji was kidnapped again and was beaten mercilessly by the same set of people until he paid the balance. So, this is to tell you that even Fulanis are also affected, he said then. Police keep mum When contacted on the incident, the Oyo State police spokesperson, Olugbenga Fadeyi, did not respond to calls and text messages. But on Friday, Mr Makinde ordered the new police commissioner in the state, Ngozi Onadeko, to treat those fueling ethnic tension as criminals. He gave the order while playing host to the new police chief at the Agodi State Secretariat. You are welcome home because we believe Oyo State should be home to you and should make you and the team as comfortable as possible. We dont want this to be a hardship posting for you. So, your welfare and that of your officers and men is of paramount to us and of very high importance. You and your team are all coming in at a very challenging time. This is a period where false information is almost at its highest, ethnic tension almost at its highest as well. So, I will say you have your job cut out for you. We wont make the job difficult. We will be sincere, open and support you. I am sure that since you came in, you must have heard about some things happening at Ibarapa axis of the state. I will still say it here that we are not after Hausa-Fulanis. We are after criminals, he said. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. File photo shows the national flags of China (R) and the United States as well as the flag of Washington D.C. on the Constitution Avenue in Washington, capital of the United States.(Xinhua/Bao Dandan) BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's decision to impose sanctions on relevant U.S. individuals was entirely justified and necessary, and fully demonstrated Chinese government's firm resolution to safeguard the national interests, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Friday. Hua made the remarks at a daily news briefing in response to remarks by Michael McCaul, a ranking member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, on China's decision to sanction 28 U.S. individuals who have seriously violated China's sovereignty and are mainly responsible for a series of crazy U.S. moves on China-related issues, including former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. China's sanctions on relevant U.S. individuals are in response to their wrongdoings on China-related issues, Hua said, adding that their acts have gravely violated China's sovereignty, security and development interests. Statistics from relevant U.S. agencies show more than 3,900 sanctions were imposed by the Trump administration. Hua said that such U.S. actions had seriously violated the international law and the basic norms of international relations, and gravely undermined the sovereignty, security and development interests of relevant countries. "Such actions are unpopular and have been opposed and condemned by the international community," Hua said. "We've already said that those who impose unilateral sanctions not only hurt others but also themselves," said Hua, adding that McCaul's words had fully exposed the hegemonic and bullying thinking of some U.S. politicians who believe the United States can arbitrarily suppress others, but others are not allowed to defend themselves. Demonstrators shout slogans as they protest against China's claim of six districts of Arunachal Pradesh state in New Delhi on April 25, 2017. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images) India, China Wage War of Words About Chinese Village on Indian Land People protest in India against construction, voice anti-China, pro-India slogans NEW DELHIChina is defending the construction of a village on land in Indias state of Arunachal Pradesh, saying that the Beijing regime has never recognized the border area as a part of India. The Chinese village of 101 houses sits along the Tsari Chu river in the border state, according to the U.S.-based imaging company Planet Labs. Construction was completed 2.5 miles into Indian territory last year, as India and China engaged in a tense military standoff in the far north, Himalayan region of Ladakh. The construction is a matter of grave concern for India, New Delhi Television (NDTV) reported on Jan. 18. The Indian External Affairs Ministry said in a statement the same day that the Indian government is aware of the Chinese ramping up infrastructure development in the region and is taking necessary measures. We have seen recent reports on China undertaking construction work along with the border areas with India. China has undertaken such infrastructure construction activity in the past several years, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The ministry said its taking all necessary measures to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India and is stepping up infrastructure development on the Indian side. Meanwhile, the Chinese External Affairs ministry noted the construction in a statement on Jan. 21 but said it doesnt recognize Arunachal Pradesh as a part of India. Chinas position on the east sector of the China-India boundary, or Zangnan region (the southern part of Chinas Tibet), is consistent and clear. We have never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established on the Chinese territory, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing. While theres a history of clashes between the Indian army and Chinas Peoples Liberation Army in the Tsari Chu river valley has since 1959, there are areas that are a part of the official map of India, yet are under Chinese control. Indian retired Maj. Gen. G.G. Diwedi, who has served in the region, told The Epoch Times over the phone that because control of the area is in dispute, international norms prohibit construction there. He said India and China have various agreements to regulate conduct with respect to the disputed border. The basic issue is that in the disputed territory, we dont make any permanent construction. While we may patrol because our perception [of the border] is different, we dont do any construction work, he said. A demonstrator is detained by Indian police during a protest against Chinas claim of six districts of Arunachal Pradesh state, in New Delhi on April 25, 2017. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images) Another Indian military veteran, retired Lt. Gen. Kamal Davar, who has also served in the region during his career and who founded Indias Defense Intelligence Agency, told The Epoch Times that the Chinese dont do anything randomly and everything for them is a long, drawn-out strategy. As late as 2005, the Chinese ambassador said the whole of Arunachal belongs to China. How do you say that? Are you ruling the world? Or are you still suffering from that irrational, Middle Kingdom syndrome? Chinese have the thing that they own the world, Davar said. Chinas statements reflect their deceit and disregard for humanitarian and international norms, he says. The report of the construction of the 101 houses follows other recent reports of China settling Han Chinese and Tibetan members of the Chinese Communist Party along the border with India to further its expansionist agenda, according to NDTV. Like it used fishermen in the South China Sea, China uses civilian resourcesherders and grazersas the tip of the spear to intrude into Indian-patrolled Himalayan areas, Dr. Brahma Chellaney, a geopolitical analyst and a noted syndicated writer, told NDTV. Davar said: The Chinese constantly come out with innovative methods in the pursuit of their strategic missions by means fair and foul. Their modus operandi embraces clandestine measures employing seemingly innocent Tibetan and nomads in areas close to the Indian border, who are then utilized to wander across the LAC (Line of Actual Control) to obtain information. Historically Complex Border Ninong Ering, a former federal minister of the Indian government and a current lawmaker in the legislative assembly of Arunachal Pradesh, told The Epoch Times by telephone that his state has always been a target of the Chinese because they consider it a part of south Tibet. The Chinese are really [expletive] off, they are really angry with us because we gave a kind of solace to his holiness the Dalai Lama when he had come to Tawang. And thats the reason why they are always against us, said Ering, who was also a member of the lower house of the Indian parliament for 10 years. Arunachal Pradesh is home to the historic Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in India and the second-largest after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, with which it was connected. It belongs to the Gelug school of Vajrayana Buddhism and when the Dalai Lama escaped to India in March 1959, he settled at the Tawang monastery for a month before meeting with the Indian government. Arunachal Pradesh, which has a 684-mile-long boundary with China, has set up about 20 to 25 military posts along this border. Ering said that the Chinese have already occupied some Indian land in the past few decades and its important to have a check on their ongoing activity, to halt further aggression and intrusions. There has to be a check. Now, theres no check. They are still engrossed in incursions and they always do this because we dont have any border on the border. Its completely jungle in Arunachal Pradesh and there are no roads, he said. The Chinese have already built a network of roads on the other side of the border, Ering said. He gave the example of Arunachal Pradeshs remotest town, Anini, which is 20 miles away from the nearest Indian military post and another 62 miles (100 kilometers) to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), is which is unmanned. Now, when there is a gap of 100 kilometers, the Chinese have already constructed roads, because you can see through the Google [maps] they went right into Dibang valley. That is going to be a very serious threat for all of us until and unless we build infrastructure, until and unless we build roads, Ering said. So if the Indian government doesnt build roads, then I think we may lose Arunachal, said Ering. He expressed hope that newly elected U.S. President Joe Biden will support India. Let us hope that the United States president will also take concern about what China is doing to India, he said. Indian army personnel stand guard at Bumla pass at the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh on Oct. 21, 2012. According to Indian media reports, the Chinese have built 101 houses in the state, 2.5 miles inside Indian territory. (Biju Boro/AFP via Getty Images) Protests Against New Village After reports emerged about the new Chinese village, anti-China protests broke out in the Upper Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh, where the houses were built. People carried placards and banners and shouted pro-India and anti-China slogans, NDTV reported. The banners read long live India and go back China, according to the images and videos available in the media. Ering said the people of the state are very patriotic, and the region always has been under the Indian format. People are completely patriotic, the national feeling is there. Bharat Mata ki Jai (Long Live Mother India) and JaiHind (Victory to India) are always there in our mouths. So we are completely nationalistic, said Ering. He says hes written a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the Chinese road, in the unmanned territory between the Debang valley and the LAC. Meanwhile, the Chinese state-run Global Times called Indias response hype by Indian media and cited a Chinese expert who said the Indian media is seeking to create anti-China sentiment in the country. China and India havent demarcated the borderline of this area yet. So they cannot accuse China of building a village on the Indian side, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the media outlet. The science- and mindfulness-based activities suggested in Easkey Brittons 50 Things to Do at the Beach (illus. by Maria Nilsson; Princeton Architectural Press, May)think seabird watching or rock poolingcome in an accessible format conducive to quick dips. PW caught up with the scientist and big-wave surfer, who grew up on Irelands North Atlantic coast, at the end of a cold day in her homeland, when shed already been out in the water. Why did you choose an illustrated format for 50 Things? As a marine social scientist, Ive experienced the challenge of not being able to communicate to a much wider audience the wonder of the ocean and how its linked to our well-being, so its to broaden that reach. Each piece is stand-alone, but theres a flow throughout. Visually, its a lovely way to break it down and create a softer entry point. The illustrations bring the text to life, its less word-heavy, and has a playful quality even as it addresses the research Ive been doing. What led you to become an ocean conservationist? Ive been lucky as someone who was born into a family with a sea connection through surfing. Its been a really powerful force in my life. The northwest part of Ireland has these amazing beaches, and when I was a child it was a wild, unfamiliar place. I developed a wider awareness of tides and weather. The more people who have a direct emotional connection to the sea, the more will value it. Its been a lifeline for so many people during a time like this. How can the ocean give a sense of wellness and focus? There are so many tools on mindfulness and meditating, yet its hard to create that state. The ocean starts to soothe and regulate our nervous system without us even having to try. If you do some of the activities in the book around mindfulness, it has an even more profound effect. The ocean is multisensory in a way that makes us feel more alive, helps restore our attention, soothes our nervous system, calms the heart rate, and lowers stress. It makes it easy to self-connect and be more mindful. Our health is directly affected by how the ocean is doing, and its capacity to heal and restore us. But how do you make accessible its transformative healing power for those who need it most? It would be great for that to be more mainstream. How can the ideas in your book benefit readers not near a beach? We live on an ocean planet, and every action we take anywhere we are on the planet has an impact on the ocean. Our bodies are 70% water. A type of phytoplankton releases tons of oxygen responsible for our breath. The warmer the planet gets, the worse it will be for the ocean. You can reduce your use of plastics or do a litter pickup in a citycigarette butts go down the gutters and end up in the sea. Theres a lot you can do without having to physically be there. Return to the main feature. SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - On Thursday, we introduced you to the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office's new addition. That is their new K9 Ace. Now, we have an exclusive look at Ace in action. Ace is around nine-months-old. While he may be just a puppy, the Belgian Malinois is ready for work. The sheriff's department has needed a K9 for several years. When Deputy Justin Copeland volunteered to fill that role - and the county supported his decision. "The community came together amazingly, we got so many donations from so many different businesses. Everybody here was very generous. We had no problems getting the donations that we needed to buy Ace and get all of his training and safety equipment," Copeland said. Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom says Ace will be done with his training by this summer. Tribal clashes in Sudan's Darfur region have killed at least 250 people and displaced more than 100,000 people since erupting earlier this month, the UN refugee agency said. The violence in the provinces of West Darfur and South Darfur has posed a significant challenge to the country's transitional government. Among those displaced were some 3,500 people, mostly women and children, who fled into neighboring Chad, according to Boris Cheshirkov, a spokesman for the UNHCR said Friday. Those fleeing the violence into eastern Chad's Ouaddai province have been overwhelmingly forced to seek shelter often nothing more than a tree in remote places that lack basic services or public infrastructure, the spokesman added. The UN agency said that Chad's current Covid-19 measures would require people to quarantine before accessing existing refugee camps. Before the latest influx, there were more than 350,000 Sudanese refugees in Chad, according to the agency. The fighting in West Darfur between members of the Arab Rizeigat tribe and the non-Arab Massalit tribe grew out of a fistfight Jan. 15 in a camp for displaced people in Genena, the provincial capital. Four days later, the clashes in South Darfur erupted between Rizeigat and the non-Arab Falata tribe over the killing of a shepherd. The violence has been a major test for the Sudanese government's ability to protect civilians in the war-torn region following the end of the joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force's mandate in Darfur this month. Sudan is on a fragile path to democracy after a popular uprising led the military to overthrow strongman Omar al-Bashir in April 2019, after nearly three decades of rule. A joint military-civilian government is now in power. Fewer than half of Winnipeg long-term care homes have been visited by a COVID-19 vaccination team in the past two weeks, while 20 facilities in the region remain under a declared outbreak. Fewer than half of Winnipeg long-term care homes have been visited by a COVID-19 vaccination team in the past two weeks, while 20 facilities in the region remain under a declared outbreak. On Friday, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority reported four homes in the city had a total of 35 active cases of COVID-19 among residents. Among staff, it reported 29 active cases, as of Jan. 22. "We are cautiously optimistic that the trend witnessed over the past few weeks towards a reduction in cases will hold, as more and more residents and staff members are vaccinated every day, and as the overall number of COVID-19 cases in our community stabilizes," the WRHA said in a statement. Southeast Personal Care Home, in the Fort Whyte neighbourhood, is a priority as it grapples with an outbreak. The home has reported 64 cases so far, according to provincial data, including 45 residents. Eleven people connected to the outbreak at Southeast have died. As of Friday, the Canadian Red Cross was not deployed on site at any Winnipeg long-term care homes. Outbreaks were declared over at Tabor Home (Morden) and Tudor House (Selkirk), and Deer Lodge Centre (Lodge 4 East), West Park Manor and St. Amant Health and Transition, all in Winnipeg. A new outbreak was declared at Pembina Manitou Health Centre care home (Manitou). Since the province began its COVID-19 vaccination campaign in long-term care facilities Jan. 11, an estimated 1,500 Winnipeg seniors at 14 homes had received their first dose (of two required) by end of day Thursday. A further 600 residents at four more Winnipeg facilities were expected to be vaccinated Friday. Within Winnipeg, there are 39 licensed personal care homes. Of seniors eligible for the vaccine, uptake in the region has been roughly 95 per cent, the WRHA noted. On Friday, Manitoba reported two additional COVID-19 deaths: a woman in her 80s linked to an outbreak at Heritage Life (Niverville); and a man in his 80s linked to an outbreak at Southeast (Winnipeg). Manitobas COVID-19 death toll was 795; active outbreaks at personal care homes account for 243 of those, according to the province. The provinces vaccine task force said an estimated 3,903 seniors living at 61 long-term care homes will have received the first dose of vaccine by the end of the week. Another 62 homes will be visited by immunization teams next week. There are 125 licensed personal care homes in the province. Dr. Jazz Atwal, acting deputy chief provincial public health officer, said significant disruptions in the supply of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to Manitoba is not anticipated to result in delays in giving long-term care residents their second dose. Seniors at homes in the Winnipeg region received the Pfizer brand vaccine; those outside city limits received Moderna. Atwal said public health officials will be providing a report on the outcomes of asymptomatic surveillance testings at three long-term care facilities in the near future. In December, the province launched a four-week pilot program which offered voluntary, rapid Abbott Panbio antigen COVID-19 tests to staff on a weekly basis. Atwal did not say Friday whether public health officials were still considering a broad roll-out of the program. In early November, the province received 87,000 such tests which produces a result in 20 minutes from the federal government. Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew said the province should be carrying out more asymptomatic testing, since it clearly has the capacity to do it. He said testing persons without symptoms would be especially beneficial in personal care homes until all vulnerable residents are vaccinated and schools. "I think we want to see everyone in Manitoba have access to quick testing so that they can do their part to self-isolate and stop the community spread," Kinew said. "But when it comes to education, theres still so many people who have that open question about how safe schools in Manitoba are right now." Manitoba is launching a "fast pass" COVID-19 pilot testing site in Winnipeg to test teachers and educational support staff for COVID-19. However, Kinew said if government is going to launch a pilot program, it should be for asymptomatic testing "so that we can generate some data right here in Manitoba" that would prove whether or not there is community spread in schools. with files from Larry Kusch danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 16, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Sen. Rubio Accuses Biden of Talking Like a Centrist but Taking Far-Left Actions Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) criticized President Joe Biden on Friday, saying he is talking like a centrist but taking far-left actions. An important thing to point out this morning, President Biden is talking like a centrist, he is using the words of the center, talking about unity. But hes governing like someone from the far-left, Rubio said in a video posted on his personal Twitter account. Rubio said Biden has issued more executive fiats than any other president ever in a short period of time, and that the fiats are not normal ones, but literally the wishlist of the far-left. Biden issued over two dozen executive actions and orders in his first two days in the White House, including a 100-day moratorium on deportations and the shutting down of the Keystone XL pipeline project. This is literally going down to the wishlist of the far-left and checking all of them off, Rubio said. He added that Bidens executive orders are forcing blue-collar workers out of their jobs. Some of them are incredibly dramatic and far-reaching in real life. At the stroke of a pen, he literally put thousands upon thousands of hard-working blue-collar union members out of work. These are people that were working on Monday, that were working on Tuesdayand then the president goes into the Oval Office, signs an executive order wiping out the Keystone pipeline. He mentioned the moratorium on deportation that Biden signed would shelter a lot of dangerous criminals. We now have a president who talks like a centrist, but is governing from the far-left, he said. Rubio concluded by warning the public that the Biden administration is going in the wrong direction, adding its not going to be a good one for the country and its not going to be a good one for peoplefor working Americans and for your jobs. Rubio has been a critic of Biden and his cabinet nominees, however, the fact that he was one of the first few Republicans who acknowledged Bidens victory in the election displeased many Trump voters. He is facing 2022 election challenges from both sides of the aisle. Democrats have already launched a Retire Rubio committee, and speculations of Ivanka Trump running against him in the Republican primary are also running around. The White House did not respond to The Epoch Times request for comment. The Senate will begin hearing opening arguments in the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump in the week starting 8 February, after majority leader Chuck Schumer reached an agreement late on Friday with top Republicans. Mr Trump, who is charged with incitement of insurrection" for his role in helping inspire the 6 January attack on the Capitol which left five dead and scores injured is not only the first president to be impeached twice, but also the first to be subject to an impeachment trial after leaving office. Some Republicans have argued this process is pointless and potentially violates the constitution. Senator Schumer said on Friday that it will be a full trial and it will be a fair trial. Under the deal, the House will send its article of impeachment to the Senate on Monday, and initial proceedings could begin on Tuesday. President Biden has said his main focus is getting quick coronavirus aid and top cabinet appointments into place, rather than prosecuting the president. The more time we have to get up and running ... the better, Mr Biden told reporters on Friday. Lawmakers told the Associated Press they would rather be focusing on policy at the moment too, but the attack on the Capitol to overturn the election results was too grave to forget, even as the administration begins undeterred. This was an attack on our Capitol by a violent mob, California congressman Ted Lieu, one of nine House impeachment managers, told the AP. It was an attack on our nation instigated by our commander in chief. We have to address that and make sure it never happens again. Many Republican lawmakers condemned the president for his actions on the day of the riot, but 17 GOP senators would need to join all 50 Democrats to successfully impeach Mr Trump, which appears unlikely. Mr Trump is reportedly seeking out a legal team for the impeachment trial, the first of many legal battles and investigations he will face now that he no longer holds the White House. The impeachment trial is the centrepiece of a broader wave of condemnation against top Republicans for indulging the fantasy that mass election fraud cost the president the election. On Thursday, seven Democratic senators lodged an ethics complaint against their GOP counterparts Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, two early leaders of a group of Senate Republicans who announced their intention to object to the final ceremonial certification of the election results. A Pakistani Anti-Terrorism Court has sentenced three leaders of Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeeds Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) terrorist organisation to six months in prison in a case of terror financing. Saeeds brother-in-law Hafiz Abdur Rehman Makki, JuD spokesperson Yahya Mujahid and Zafar Iqbal were handed down the six-month imprisonment each by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore. With Fridays sentencing, the collective imprisonment of Mujahid and Iqbal has climbed to 80 and 56 years respectively. The verdicts against them will run concurrently in the terror financing cases registered by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Punjab police. ATC-II Presiding Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta announced the verdict in FIR No 32 of 2019 against Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Makki and Yahya Mujahid," a court official told PTI. The three convicts were present in the court when the judge announced the verdict, he said. The CTD had registered as many as 41 cases against the leaders of the JuD in different cities of Punjab, the court official said, adding that the trial courts have so far decided 37 cases. In a recent verdict, operations commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi was given a 15-year imprisonment on three counts in a case of terror financing. Early this week, the ATC handed down a 14-year imprisonment each to Iqbal and Mujahid while a six-month sentence to Makki in another terror financing case. The ATC has sentenced Saeed for a collective imprisonment of 36 years on terror finance charges in five cases so far. His jail terms will run concurrently. The LeT, led by JuD chief Saeed, is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans. Saeed, a UN designated terrorist whom the US has placed a USD 10 million bounty on, was arrested on July 17 last year in the terror financing cases. The 70-year-old JuD chief is lodged at Lahore's high-security Kot Lakhpat jail. The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. He was listed under the UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. The global terror financing watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is instrumental in pushing Pakistan to take measures against terrorists roaming freely in Pakistan and using its territory to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere. The Paris-based FATF placed Pakistan on the Grey List in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action to curb money laundering and terror financing by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later on due to Covid-19 pandemic. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The feeling economy: how AI is creating the era of empathy The next stage in the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has workforce implications that may seem surprising. Rather than fostering tech-savvy, AI is making emotional intelligence and empathy increasingly important, and analytical ability less important, write authors Roland Rust and Ming-Hui Huang in their book The Feeling Economy: How Artificial Intelligence Is Creating the Era of Empathy, released today by Springer International Publishing. "Ironically, as AI is becoming more able to think, human intelligence is deemphasizing thinking in favor of feeling and interpersonal relationships," says Rust, Distinguished University Professor, David Bruce Smith Chair in Marketing and founder and Executive Director of the Center for Excellence in Service at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. The book sheds light on the stages of AI's ongoing development and shares strategies to help business leaders, educators and today's workers prepare for careers, organizations, and a world in which AI and human intelligence collaborate closely, says Huang, Distinguished Professor in College of Management at National Taiwan University. "This involves AI doing more of the 'brain' work and humans handling the 'heart' work, including social interaction, emotion recognition, nuanced communication and genuine care for customers." The Feeling Economy further means: Women are poised to become more important in business and society than ever before. Feeling Intelligence will be dominant in the economy - a shift already well underway. A much greater emphasis on empathy, and less emphasis on rational thinking in politics - a shift also underway and being amplified. STEM education may have already passed its peak and is likely to be much less important in the future. The book draws from the authors' research published recently in California Management Review. They sifted through U.S. Department of Labor data on work tasks associated with jobs and the people who perform those jobs, covering millions of workers throughout the U.S. economy. They coded the things people report doing in their day-to-day jobs as physical tasks, thinking tasks or feeling tasks and compared the breakdown for each job in 2006 and 2016. The results revealed "a profound shift across the board toward feeling tasks, a big indication that the move to a Feeling Economy is already under way," says Rust. That evidence confirms "that knowledge workers should prepare now for the coming reality: As AI evolves to handle much of the thinking required in fields from manufacturing to retail to healthcare, humans will need to recalibrate and capitalize on strengths beyond pure intelligence--like intuition, empathy, creativity, emotion and people skills," Rust adds. The book adds real-world examples to the research to illustrate and guide readers on the emerging future of "feeling jobs" and "relationalization" (personalization plus relationship), Huang says and elaborates: "Collaborating with thinking AI inevitably changes the nature of human jobs and what business leaders can do to keep pace. This starts with upgrading existing jobs--including financial analyst, immigration officer, bank teller, and physician--to emphasize people skills. "With women inherently advantaged in the Feeling Economy, we give strategies to support women's rise to the top and encourage every woman to leverage 'soft' skills and people-oriented strengths without reinforcing gender stereotypes or discrimination. "The advance of thinking AI is changing consumers--from their product expectations to their everyday life--we explain how to tailor sales, marketing, and service to meet the needs of emotionally-driven buyers." ### Rust is an award-winning scholar who has edited several major journals and consulted with American Airlines, AT&T, Dupont, Eli Lilly, FedEx, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, NASA, and Sony, among many companies worldwide. Huang is a Fellow of European Marketing Academy, International Research Fellow of the Centre for Corporate Reputation, University of Oxford, UK, and Distinguished Research Fellow of the Center for Excellence in Service at Maryland Smith. She is also the incoming Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Service Research (JSR). For more information, go to https:/ / www. palgrave. com/ us/ book/ 9783030529765 . This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Brasilia, Jan 23 : Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said "Dhanyavaad" (thank you) to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for helping the South American nation with Covid-19 vaccine exports. Taking to Twitter on Friday night, the President said: "Namaskar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi... Brazil is honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle. "Thank you for helping us with vaccine exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad!" Bolsonaro's message comes after Bharat Biotech Limited had announced on January 12 that it has signed an agreement with Precisa Medicamentos for supplying Covaxin doses to Brazil. Covaxin, India's indigenous Covid-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech, is being made in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Virology (NIV). Meanwhile, 92 countries have approached India for Covid-19 vaccines, including Brazil, which currently accounts for the third highest coronavirus caseload in the world and the second largest death toll. The country has sent a special plane to pick up Indian vaccines from Pune. It is expected to fly the first 2 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine purchased by the government's Fiocruz biomedical institute. According to media report from Sao Paulo, Brazilian Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello said the documentation is ready for bringing the AstraZeneca-Oxford University vaccine being produced at the Serum Institute of India in Pune. As of Saturday morning, Brazil's overall coronavirus caseload and death toll stood at 8,753,920 and 215,243, respectively. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text A former ADT security company employee has admitted to breaking into the cameras he installed in users homes in the Dallas area to watch their private moments. Telesforo Aviles has pleaded guilty to computer fraud and now faces up to five years in federal prison. According to the Department of Justice, Aviles has admitted that he would take note of the homes of women he deemed attractive to log into their accounts and view feed from their cameras for sexual gratification. He was able to access customers footage by adding his email addresses to their ADT Pulse accounts. Aviles added his address without their knowledge at times, though there were also times when he told them he needed temporary access to their accounts for testing purposes. In his plea papers, he said he accessed over 200 customers accounts more than 9,600 times over the course of four-and-a-half years. He also admitted to watching video feeds of naked women and couples engaging in sexual activities. FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno said in a statement: The defendant used his position of employment to illegally breach the privacy of numerous people. The FBI works with our law enforcement partners to thoroughly investigate all cyber intrusions and hold criminals accountable for their actions. Cyber intrusions do not only affect businesses, but also members of the public. We encourage everyone to practice cyber hygiene with all their connected devices by reviewing authorized users and routinely changing passwords. If you become the victim of a cybercrime, please contact the FBI through ic3.gov or 1-800-CALL FBI. ADT has been updating a page about the situation over the past months. In its first statement from April, the company said a customer notified it about an unauthorized email on their account. As soon as we discovered this, the unauthorized access was revoked, and the employee was terminated. We also reported him to law enforcement, ADT wrote at the time. As Ars Technica notes, ADT is now dealing with several lawsuits over what issue, one of which is a proposed class action filed on behalf of minors living in the homes Aviles hacked into. BuzzFeed News also reports that the plaintiffs in three lawsuits said ADT tried to offer them confidentiality agreements when they were notified of the security breach. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... NEW YORK A Colorado geophysicist accused of dragging a police officer down steps to be beaten by an American flag outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was ordered held without bail Friday after a prosecutor said the man afterward tried to flee to Switzerland and commit suicide. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Krause, based in White Plains, said during an electronic hearing that he found the alleged actions by Jeffrey Sabol, a 51-year-old born in Utica, New York, beyond the pale and it is troubling to a degree that is really shocking. Krause said the allegations were very disturbing, deeply troubling and that Sabol needed to remain behind bars as a danger to the community and a risk to flee. Sabol was arrested Friday morning at the Westchester Medical Center. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ What we see is Mr. Sabol, part of a group of people dragging a law enforcement officer down the steps of a building at the Capitol, where that officer has been repeatedly assaulted by a number of people, apparently including Mr. Sabol, Krause said. The judge said he also saw video footage that showed Sabol going back up the stairs after the first officer was dragged down to possibly look for someone else to bring down those stairs into the teeth of that mob that was at the Capitol that day. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Gianforti said Sabol identified himself to law enforcement authorities as the black-gloved man in the video wearing a brown or tan jacket, a black or gray helmet and a green backpack. We see the defendant dragging a police officer down a set of stairs just outside the Capitol, Gianforti said. This allows another man, whos standing nearby, to beat that police officer with an American flag ironically, as the officer is being dragged down the stairs. The prosecutor said other images show the defendant holding a police baton across a police officers neck, and we have reason to believe he may have assaulted another police officer to procure that baton. Gianforti said Sabol had offered investigators self-serving statements saying he was trying to protect the officer but had also admitted to being in a fit of rage that day and that the details of the day were quote, cloudy.' Gianforti noted the video evidence and said: I would just submit that a picture is worth a thousand words. After the attack, the prosecutor said, Sabol booked a flight from Boston Logan International Airport to Zurich, Switzerland, where he would not be able to be extradited to the U.S. Sabols lawyer, Jason Ser, argued for his clients release on $200,000 bail, saying the man had steady employment for decades Ser said Sabols job, in which he supervises other employees and contractors, involves removing unexploded ordnance from testing grounds for the military and the support of family that includes a longtime girlfriend, an ex-wife, three children and parents. He said video of the actions by his client were not as clear cut as they had been described by a prosecutor and noted that Sabol was currently charged only with civil disobedience charges that carry a potential maximum penalty of five years in prison. He said his client was coherent, stable and cooperative with federal law enforcement authorities after he underwent treatment at a psychiatric facility for a week and spent several days at the Westchester Medical Center. Both the judge and the prosecutor referenced Sabols suicide attempts in the wake of the attack, though Ser told pretrial services his client was no longer suicidal. Im sorry for what Mr. Sabol has been through since he left the Capitol but I think, your honor, that his suicide attempts can be taken as consciousness of guilt and in some respect really the ultimate flight attempt, Gianforti said. This is a man who just cant face the fact that he is facing a felony charge because of his actions on Jan. 6. Slamming the central government for allegedly 'destroying' the 'federal structure', West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said there will be befitting 'reaction' for every 'wrong action'. Addressing an event celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose here, Banerjee said, "Netaji endorsed Tagore's Jana Gana Mana as the National Anthem. They are trying to play with the National Anthem. We will not tolerate this. If you do good we will listen to it. But if you do the wrong action, we will show the reaction." "Netaji envisioned the Planning Commission. I used to go to the Planning Commission to discuss policies. Today there is no space for discussion. The federal structure is destroyed. We demand the National Planning Commission must be brought back," claimed Bannerjee. She said Netaji constituted the Indian National Army with people from all the regions and religions. "Netaji stood against the divide and rule policy of the British. History cannot be written in new forms. We want a united India," she added. The chief minister said there should be four capitals in India and the demand regarding this will be raised in the parliament. ''One nation, one political party will not work,'' she said. On Centre's decision to celebrate Netaji's birthday as 'Parakram Diwas', Banerjee reacted saying, "What is Parakram? They should at least consult me or Sougata Bose or any other, about which word to use. We will celebrate the day as Desh Nayak Diwas." She explained that Rabindranath Tagore addressed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose 'Desh Nayak'. She also announced about building Azad Hind Monument. "It feels sad that the Centre has not yet declared a holiday on Netaji's birthday. We will build the Azad Hind Monument. We will show how it will be done. They have spent thousands of crores of rupees in building a new parliament complex without any present requirement," pointed out Banerjee. Before the event, Mamata Banerjee led a march from Shyam Bazaar to Red Road in Kolkata. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited Netaji Bhawan at Elgin Road in Kolkata today. The Prime Minister will preside over the inaugural function of the 'Parakram Diwas' celebrations at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. In order to honour and remember Netaji's indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation, the Government of India has decided to celebrate his birthday on January 23 every year as 'Parakram Diwas' to inspire people of the country, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as Netaji did, and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervour. Born to advocate Janakinath Bose in Odisha's Cuttack on January 23, 1897, Netaji went on to play a key role in the freedom movement. He is also known for establishing the Azad Hind Fauj. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The bill is due. Those words don't necessarily conjure up a lot of positive mental imagery. In fact, I can follow them to some scary places ... the scale following the holidays, the credit card statement after binge shopping for gifts, a little too much celebration and, yes -- here's where I'm focused -- a downsized paycheck following the payroll tax deferral. I get it. You didn't have any say in this particular bill. But that doesn't change that it may be coming due in the form of an increased payroll tax obligation to your finances. As a quick recap: In August 2020, President Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum creating an optional deferral of certain payroll tax obligations for employers, effective Sept. 1 through the end of the year. As a result, some American workers, including many government employees and those currently serving in the military, may have seen a 6.2% increase in their paychecks. "Deferred" is the operative word, however, and it has to be repaid starting in January. While we are still waiting on the final details (and they may vary from employer to employer), the IRS initially issued guidance that the deferred payroll tax would be paid back proportionately out of paychecks from January through April. However, the pandemic aid and government funding bill Trump later signed extended the payback period over the entire year of 2021. Here are some ideas as you tangle with the potential hangover of coping with reduced take-home pay: Determine the impact. After last year, we've had our fill of the unexpected. Get a ballpark estimate of how your paycheck will be impacted by reducing your last paycheck in December by around 8% -- that's approximately 2% payback, along with the normal 6.2% payroll tax withholding per pay period. Those currently serving will feel a bit less of a sting as they will be receiving a 3% pay increase this year. In any case, 8% should get you close enough to create a cash flow-coping strategy, assuming you'll be paying the amount owed back over the full 12 months of 2021. Use the money you already set aside. My hope is that many folks will have to do nothing more than supplement their paycheck with the money they already set aside. When the payroll tax holiday became a reality last fall, there were a lot of voices encouraging prudence. The idea of setting aside the additional income wasn't glitzy but, like so much of the grunt work of being savvy with your money, the payoff is real: No hangover. Build on your good work with expenditures. The pandemic has brought us all a little closer to our finances. If nothing else, our spending patterns have changed. Likely, we've got a tighter handle on where our money goes each month. Unfortunately, the payroll tax repayment represents yet another challenge. Are there services you can cut back or cut out, habits you can put on hold, or purchases you can put off to help you get to the other side of the recapture? It may take nothing more than a series of small decisions to take spending down a notch in certain areas -- instead of full-scale elimination (fewer streaming purchases comes to mind) -- to get you through the next few months and create momentum to make some lasting change for the good. Boost your income. In 2020, a lot of folks were creative in their efforts to make side hustles a critical element of coping with the financial implications of the pandemic. That type of effort can be a key element of responding to the impact of the payroll tax repayment. A little extra cash from turning a hobby into income, extra contract work, selling some stuff or something similar could allow you to fill the gap created by the holiday tax hangover. Reach out. One message that I hope has resonated throughout this incredibly difficult time has been, "Ask for help." That applies here as well. Organizations such as Army Emergency Relief, Air Force Aid Society, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, We Care for America and Coast Guard Mutual Aid are always standing by to assist if you're struggling to make ends meet. Changing jobs isn't a free pass. Don't forget to account for your employer's responsibility to recapture the uncollected Social Security tax. This could result in a very small last paycheck, a bill, or some other sort of surprise if you leave the military or move on to a new employer. Just remember, there's no free lunch for this holiday. Be sure to check with your employer to understand how this will be handled. Pivot to normal. If there's a word that I've grown tired of over the last year, it's "unprecedented." On the other hand, despite getting quite a bit of use, I still like "pivot." To me, it conveys a sense of constructive action. And that's how I'll finish this off. Your repayment period will be over before you know it. After you successfully navigate the last paycheck impacted by the "holiday" that was the payroll tax deferral, you will experience -- at least in terms of what hits your bank account -- the beauty of a "pay raise." As I'm fond of saying, that's money that you aren't spending and can be used to pay down debt or save. When it arrives, don't miss out on that opportunity. Filing your taxes can be an annoyance, but it can become even more of a nuisance if you get audited by the IRS. Find Out: This Is Where Your Tax Dollars Actually Go Fortunately, your chances of being audited are small only 0.6% of the individual tax returns filed for tax years 2010 through 2018 were audited, according to the latest IRS data. However, that small fraction still amounts to over a quarter million tax filers getting audited, so it can happen if youre not careful. So that youre prepared, these are the red flags the IRS looks out for when reviewing your tax returns. Last updated: Jan. 13, 2021 AndreyPopov / Getty Images/iStockphoto Large Charitable Donations The IRS often identifies red flags through automated computer programs, said Nate Smith, director in the CBIZ MHM National Tax Office. Almost all returns submitted to the IRS are analyzed by a computer program to search for an anomaly or a result that deviates from norms. Under this program, each return is assigned a score, which the IRS calls a DIF (Discriminate Function) score. The DIF score is used by the IRS to identify returns for examination. One factor that would negatively impact a DIF score is a charitable contribution deduction that is disproportionate with your overall amount of income, Smith said. Read: The Major Tax Changes for 2021 You Need To Know About mapodile / iStock.com Mismatches Between Reported Income and Data on Your Tax Forms Make sure the income you report matches exactly what it states on your Forms W-2 and 1099. Any mismatches are considered a red flag, Smith said. Take a Look: How To Avoid Paying Taxes Legally and the 11 Craziest Ways People Have Done It eclipse_images / Getty Images Failure To Report Cryptocurrency Transactions The IRS sent around 10,000 letters (in previous years) to taxpayers who participated in virtual currency transactions Bitcoin, etc. and who did not report gains or losses involving virtual currency, Smith said. These letters offer taxpayers participation in a voluntary disclosure program if they find that virtual currency transactions were omitted from prior tax filings. Story continues Sales Tax by State: Heres How Much Youre Really Paying DaniloAndjus / Getty Images/iStockphoto Business Income and Expenses That Are Out of Whack The IRS is always on the lookout for both unreported income and high expenses, said Dave Du Val, chief customer advocacy officer at TaxAudit. Self-preparers should be cautious of accidental duplication of employee and business expenses, and of taking losses on activities that might be a hobby rather than a business activity. Make the Right Moves: What Can I Write Off on My Taxes? mapodile / Getty Images Itemized Deductions That Seem High The IRS loves to pounce on people who report high itemized deductions, Du Val said. Its fine to claim these legally allowable deductions for your actual qualifying expenses, but make sure you have your documentation on-hand to support your position before you file your tax return. Du Val notes that 2017 was the last year that unreimbursed employee business expenses were allowed to be deducted on federal returns. (However), many states such as California will still allow the deduction, so its still important to hold onto receipts, he said. FG Trade / Getty Images Inflated Rental Property Expenses Tax returns with what appears to be inflated rental expenses are frequently caught in the IRS net, Du Val said. Some of the deductions on the Schedule E for rental income, where the income and expenses for rentals are reported, can be easily misinterpreted. Those who prepare their own tax returns should take the time to understand the deductions they are claiming. Not knowing the difference between a deductible expense and one that must be capitalized over a number of years could result in a disaster in an audit. This is especially true if you rent a room(s) to a roommate, as common-use areas are not allowed as rental areas. franckreporter / Getty Images Dependency Issues When two people claim the same dependent, the IRS gets involved. Although separated and divorced parents who have custody have the clear advantage, they still have to prove everything by providing birth certificates, school records and more, Du Val said. monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images/iStockphoto Filing Status Confusion Du Val said that those who file using the head of household filing status are often questioned because the way you categorize dependents with this status can be confusing. The (most recent) tax reform bill has not made the rules any easier to understand; in fact, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, there is a new $500 credit for what the IRS calls qualifying relatives who are not necessarily people who are even related to you, but who meet certain tests and are not eligible for the child tax credit, he said. courtneyk / Getty Images A Tax Return That Suggests the Taxpayers Are Not Reporting Enough Income To Support Their Lifestyle If your expenses are high but the income you are reporting is not, this could be a red flag for the IRS. For example, a taxpayer who claims a deduction for mortgage interest on a million-dollar mortgage (or the new $750,000 mortgage limit) and personal property taxes on expensive vehicles has a good chance of showing up on the IRSs radar if their taxable income is not enough to pay these expenses, Du Val said. LumiNola / Getty Images Reporting the Exact Right Ratio of Income and Expenses To Qualify For a Large Earned Income Credit A Schedule C for self-employment that reports just the right ratio of income and expenses to qualify the taxpayer for a large earned income credit is a red flag, Du Val said. The available credit is as high as ($6,660 for 2020) for a taxpayer whose income is below a certain threshold, he said. Taxpayers who claim EIC and whose returns include a Schedule C business form should be prepared to show proof of all expenses, and even income listed on the return. Be Prepared: These Are the Receipts To Keep for Doing Your Taxes AleksandarNakic / Getty Images 199A Deduction for Real Estate Rentals Some people who claim this deduction dont actually qualify for it. To be eligible the owner needs to have a contemporaneously written log showing that they have put in a minimum of 250 hours of non-investor type activity hours into the rentals, Du Val said. Examples do not include such activities as commuting to the rental, reviewing the records or preparing a tax return. Meeting this requirement does not automatically qualify a taxpayer to be considered a real estate professional for tax purposes, or to exclude this income from the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) calculation. martin-dm / Getty Images Overseas Accounts The law requires Americans with foreign financial accounts to report accounts to the U.S. Treasury Department, even if they dont generate any taxable income. The Bank Secrecy Act requires you to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) if you have financial interest in, signature authority or other authority over one or more accounts in a foreign country and the aggregate value of all foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year, according to the IRS. Failure to report these accounts could land you in hot water with the IRS. If you dont disclose overseas accounts, the IRS might find out about them anyway because foreign institutions are required to disclose account holdings by U.S. citizens, CNBC reported. Drazen_ / Getty Images/iStockphoto What To Do If You Get Audited Hopefully being aware of these red flags will prevent you from being audited but if you do end up hearing from the IRS, heres what to do to be prepared. Skarie20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto 1. Gather All Necessary Documents To defend yourself during a tax audit, youll need documentation to back up what you claimed on your return. The documentation you will need will depend on what it is youre being audited for but can include receipts, bills, canceled checks, employee documents, legal papers, loan agreements, trip logs, medical or dental records, theft or loss documents, business trip tickets or a Schedule K-1. kate_sept2004 / Getty Images 2. Ask For Help The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that protects taxpayer rights and assists with tax-related problems. If youre audited, you can contact the service for help. Most audits are conducted via correspondence, but if you do need to meet with an auditor in-person, consider hiring an attorney or another advocate to represent you. The best thing to do if youre subject to an IRS audit is to hire someone and authorize them to go to the audit, said Paul Joseph, an attorney, CPA and president of Joseph & Joseph, LLC. Never go yourself. In fact, my clients dont go at all. It is my position that I never let my clients come to an audit because they are expected to know all of the answers immediately. By not having the client attend the audit, theyll have an opportunity to discuss and fully explain the return with the hired professional prior to giving a response to the IRS. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: These Red Flags on Your 2020 Tax Return Could Spark Interest From the IRS TROY Voices: A Library Lecture Series, presented each semester by Hudson Valley Community College, will this round include 50-minute talks streamed live online. All are welcome to attend. See www.hvcc.edu/voices. The Politics of Public Health Wednesday, Feb. 3, 11 to 11:50 a.m. Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Presentation Dorcey L. Applyrs, DrPH (doctor of public health), will provide a brief overview of the public health field and its relevance at this moment in history. As the United States grapples with surging COVID-19 cases, unprecedented political discourse, and unrest related to social injustice, public health experts are faced with the challenge of being intentional about the '3Ps' of public health: promotion, prevention, protection. The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces has pledged that his top target this year is to ensure the turnover rate of military personnel is reduced by a third. Vice Admiral Mark Mellett says the churn rate must be arrested by holding on to the good calibre of personnel already in the military while at the same time bringing in new entrants and fresh blood, which is healthy for any organisation. This means reversing the retention crises that have confronted the Defence Forces over the last few years, resulting in the overall strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps falling almost a thousand below the establishment figure of 9,500 to 8,573 today. In an interview with the Irish Independent, Vice Admiral Mellett said in some cases bounties of up to 15,000 were paid by the private sector to attract those with particular skills. The biggest competition comes from the pharma industry and the multinationals. Official figures for the last three years show there were net losses annually in personnel, despite successful recruitment campaigns. The Chief of Staff says he wants to see the churn rate down to around 5pc, from the current 7.5pc. At one stage, the turnover had risen to 10pc in some areas, with a jump to 14pc in the Naval Service in a year. Those figures were not sustainable, he said. We have a remarkable cohort of women and men. The last number of years has been defined by their loyalty, dedication and commitment to service to the State, not only at home but overseas and across land, air and maritime. He added: You can never pay people too much. But you can pay them too little. In a healthy organisation, pay should be number three or four on the agenda but right now it is at number one or two. Read More The new commission on the future of the Defence Forces is looking at the structures of pay and at mechanisms for pay determination. One of my objectives in advocating for a commission was that we would have an independent mechanism that would recognise the unique characteristics of service in an institution like the Defence Forces, the fact that we are subject to military law, we will never strike and we do not have a union. The Chief of Staff acknowledged that some of his troops were still likely to qualify for the State family income support allowance because of their poor pay. He also emphasised the nature of their career. It is our job to go into harms way. Last month, the Government brought in a sea-going service commitment scheme for the Naval Service to stem the drain of experienced and trained personnel, while in 2019 a similar scheme was introduced for Air Corps pilots. Vice Admiral Mellett is also building the foundation for what he sees as a tech-enabled force for the future. He said there were concerns over evidence of state sponsored cyber-attacks. He said the commitment of the Defence Forces over the last 62 years to overseas duty with nearly 72,000 individual rotations of duty in some of the most challenging theatres in the world was a key plank in Irelands campaign to gain a seat on the United Nations Security Council. It had also been a key driver towards stability in those missions. We are standing up to extremists in Mali, we have done it in Syria, freed hostages in west Africa and rescued people in the Mediterranean and that is all in the day-to-day activity of the Defence Forces as part of Irelands contribution to the multilateral effort, which is about being a civilised society, he said. There was interlinkage between peacekeeping and peace building, he added, with other enablers working with the UN to bring stability to an area and make peace stick. One of the downsides was the number of weapons that had fallen into the hands of extremists and they were now peppered throughout many of the conflicts in Africa. He said Africa was probably the continent most impacted by climate change, while it was also hit by a biodiversity loss and scarcity of resources as well as confronting a huge problem with extremist armed elements. The whole landscape is a challenge, he said. The Gulf of Guinea was a gateway for narcotics from South America into Africa, coming up through Mali, where the Irish were deployed in two missions, and mixing in with people trafficking and arms importation. Some of those narcotics ended up on the streets here, giving us another problem in terms of criminality in the Irish jurisdiction. To join the dots, being present in missions like Mali is not just about our international commitments but also having a regional and national dimension and that ties into our overall commitment towards peace building in the region. Vice Admiral Mellett is the first naval officer to serve as Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. He is also only the second naval officer to be awarded the distinguished service medal by the Government for his leadership role in a complex maritime drugs interception, which led to the arrest of the ketch Brime and the seizure of a 20m cannabis haul in July 1993. He began his military career as an army reservist before being selected for a naval cadetship. His experience overseas included serving in Kabul, Afghanistan with the International Security Assistance Force. Help India! By Dr Ahmed Raza Experiencing frequent and long-lasting public agitation and protest against government policies can never be a good sign for developing countries like India as it always poses a threat and hurdles to smooth functioning of growth and developmental work. The ongoing farmers protest against the Centres farms acts must be viewed in accordance with the previously passed policies of BJP government and its political agenda since 2014. Though, we have been witnessing a number of public protests and agitations on account of NDAs landmark policy reforms and decisions, including namely the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019, abrogation of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmpir Re-organization Act, Constitutional Amendment Act 2019 and now centres farm acts 2020. Support TwoCircles Judicial resources and dissenting voices On one hand, right to protest against governments decisions is explicitly mentioned in Indian constitution as Article 19(1)(a) which guarantees the freedom of speech and expression, and Article 19(1)(b) assures citizens the right to assemble peaceably and without arms. On the other hand, societal reforms through policies and decisions always happens to be a prerogative of elected government if such reforms and changes are under the purview of the constitution and required in the national interest. The ongoing farmers protest against central farm laws 2020 appears to be political stunt rather than for farmers interest as the government remains engaged in dividing the farmers between rich and poor farmers on account of dialogues and negotiations whereas demands for farmers are crystal clear. Unfortunately, India has been experiencing a lot of inconveniences and other hardships on account of mass agitation and protest as it causes road blockage and affects commuters in the area. Hence, the right to judicial resources against the governments policies and decisions must be a way out rather than organizing a huge protest as there are numbers of constitutional provisions under judiciary which acts as arbitrator between rulers and ruled in Indian democracy. The ongoing farmers protest against the new farms acts 2020 has appeared to be a huge protest as public in-conveniences must also be taken into consideration while organizing any protest. More than five months have passed, the protest could not be heard by the government willingly except delay-tactics on account of dialogue and discussion. Therefore, citizens at the large level happen to be victims and they suffer as instability always leads to under performance in the economic system. Although, protesting may be allowed legally subject to the conditions as mentioned in Article 19(1)(3), subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order. These reasonable restrictions may be related to security and sovereignty of the state or public order. At the same time, Article 246 of the Constitution places public order and police under the jurisdiction of the state. This gives each state government full legislative and administrative powers over the police. Hence, protest and public conveniences needs to be balanced as farmers protest could not be taken seriously by the ruling government rather than a plan to divide them on the basis of political affiliation and income groups. Keeping the public utilities in mind, there must be prior-application of judicial resources over organizing long protests if dissenting voices against the government emerges as the power of judicial review over the legislative action vested in the High courts under Art 226 and the Supreme Court under Art 32 of the constitution is an integral and essential feature of the constitution and formed part of its basic structure. The recent judgment of the Honble Supreme Court in Amit Sahani v Commissioner of Police and Others dated 7 October 2020 on the Shaheen Bagh protest, held that public ways and public spaces cannot be occupied for indefinite period acknowledging the right to dissent. On the other hand, In Ramlila Maidan incident v. Home Secretary, Union of India & Ors. case (2012), the Supreme Court had already stated that every citizen of India has fundamental right to assemble peacefully and protest against the governments and which cannot be taken away by an arbitrary executive or legislative action. The right of the protester or dissenters has to be balanced following right of the commuter or common man. Therefore, demonstrations or protests need to be allowed only in designated places alone. Keeping in mind, the deadlock between the government and farmers despite rounds of talks between the both, the ongoing farmers protest could be treated as a war of egoism as every round of talk turns to be inclusive despite passing of more than 5 months since its beginning in the month of August 2020. The NDA government remains engaged in portraying this movement as Congress-sponsored, rich-class farmers movement as well as lack of PAN India character. Therefore, delay tactics became one of the most important weapons in the hand of government in order to demoralize the farmers so as to continue the three farms act. For the last few years, dissenting voices against the governments policies could not be accommodated rather than were being defamed on account of setting a wrong narrative of anti-nationalism, which needs to be judiciously taken into consideration if Supreme Court exercises its powers of constitutional interpretation or judicial review. Dr Ahmed Raza is an Assistant Professor & Project Director (MRP, ICSSR), Ministry of Education, Government of India. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia's sovereign wealth fund) has announced the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has authorised the use of Russian Sputnik V vaccine in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The vaccine was registered under the emergency use authorisation procedure based on the results of the Russian Phase III clinical trials which included over 33,000 subjects. Moreover, local Phase III clinical trials of Sputnik V in the UAE are ongoing under the supervision of the MOHAP and Department of Health (DOH) of Abu Dhabi with 1,000 volunteers already enrolled into the study. Medical protocols are handled by the public health provider, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, SEHA. As a precursor to the emergency authorisation procedure, Sputnik V trials were conducted in the UAE and were facilitated through a partnership between RDIF and Abu Dhabi-based Aurugulf Health Investment and Pure Health the marketing and distribution partner. Since the launch of the trials in December 2020, a total of 1000 volunteers received their first dose of the vaccine, a celebrated milestone which paved the way for registering the vaccine under the emergency use authorisation. Sputnik V had been registered under the same procedure earlier in Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, Serbia, Palestine, Venezuela, Paraguay and Turkmenistan. The vaccine is also registered in Russia and Belarus. Supplies of the vaccine to the UAE will be facilitated by RDIF's international partners in India, China, South Korea and other countries. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said: "The UAE is one of Russia's key partners in the Middle East. RDIF appreciates the cooperation with health authorities of UAE and welcomes the regulatory approval of Sputnik V. We strive to help people of UAE to get access to a safe and effective Russian vaccine against coronavirus based on a proven and well-researched platform of human adenoviral vectors. The decision to include Sputnik V in UAE's national vaccine portfolio is an important step towards protecting the population with one of the best vaccines against coronavirus in the world." Sputnik V has a number of key advantages: * Efficacy of Sputnik V is over 90%, with full protection against severe cases of COVID-19; * The Sputnik V vaccine is based on a proven and well-studied platform of human adenoviral vectors, which cause the common cold and have been around for thousands of years; * Sputnik V uses two different vectors for the two shots in a course of vaccination, providing immunity with a longer duration than vaccines using the same delivery mechanism for both shots; * The safety, efficacy and lack of negative long-term effects of adenoviral vaccines have been proven by more than 250 clinical studies over two decades; * Over 1.5 million people have already been vaccinated with Sputnik V; * The developers of the Sputnik V vaccine are working collaboratively with AstraZeneca on a joint clinical trial to improve the efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine. * The Sputnik V vaccine has been approved in Russia, Belarus, Serbia, Argentina, Bolivia, Algeria, Palestine, Venezuela, Paraguay and Turkmenistan; the process to approve the vaccine in the EU has been initiated; * There are no strong allergies caused by Sputnik V; * The storage temperature of Sputnik V at +2+8 C means it can be stored in a conventional refrigerator without any need to invest in additional cold-chain infrastructure; * The price of Sputnik V is less than $10 per shot, making it affordable around the world. - TradeArabia News Service Hyderabad: One of the largest heists in the country, in which about 25 kilos of gold ornaments was stolen in Tamil Nadu, ended up being one of the shortest ever. The Cyberabad police on Saturday caught on the city outskirts, an eight member gang of dacoits that was trying to make good with the loot it had stolen from the Muthoot Finance office at Hosur in Tamil Nadu on Friday. Also seized by the police along with the gold ornaments, was Rs 93,000, seven pistols, 10 magazines, 97 rounds of ammunition, a container lorry, a multi-utility vehicle and 13 cellphones. According to Cyberabad commissioner of police V.C. Sajjanar, the gang members conducted a recce of several branches of Muthoot Finance before the robbery on Friday at the Hosur branch. Around five days ago, Sajjanar said, the gang members bought the weapons and ammunition along with the lorry in which they planned to transport the stolen gold to Nagpur. The plan for the robbery was then set into motion with the lorry owner instructing the driver to park the vehicle on the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border. On Friday morning, six gang members went to Hosur on three motorcycles. While two of them waited outside to keep watch, the rest made their way in two of them wearing face masks and the other two wearing two-wheeler helmets. They threatened the employees with the pistols they were carrying and robbed the company of 25 kg of mortgaged gold ornaments, and cash. They esaped to the rendezevous with the other gang members on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border where the lorry and the MUV were waiting. After placing the loot in a specially made box in the lorry drivers cabin, the gang started for Nagpur. One of the accused was in the lorry while the others travelled behind in the MUV. After reaching Anantapur, they shifted to another hired vehicle. Police officials from Krishnagiri district, in which Hosur falls, alerted the Telangana police about the heist and about the getaway vehicles. According to Sajjanar, armed checkposts were immediately put in place at the Raikal and Shamshabad toll plazas to check the vehicles passing by. When the hired MUV passed Raikal, the cops posted there identified it and alerted officials who intercepted it and took into custody the gang members. Based on the information provided by them, the police intercepted the lorry carrying the gold at Medchal, seized it and arrested those in the vehicle. The accused, the police said, were brothers Rup Singh Baghal, a 22-year-old student, and Shankar Singh Baghal, 36, a farmer, from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Amith from Indore who is absconding, Pavan Kumar Vishkarma, 22, driver, Bupender Major, a 24-year-old labourer and Vivek Mandal, 32, both from Doranda village in Jharkhand, Rajiv Kumar, 35, cleaner of the lorry, from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, and Lulya Pandey, weapons dealer from Nagpur, Maharashtra. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close But Mary Alexander, a lawyer representing the families of 13 victims, said the families were outraged with the plea agreement, which she said would allow Mr. Almena to avoid additional time behind bars when he is sentenced on March 8. Mr. Almena was in jail for about three years after he was arrested and charged in connection with the fire; he was released on bail last year. Ms. Alexander said prosecutors had told the families that although Mr. Almena would receive a nine-year prison sentence, he would be credited for time served and good behavior, which could allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence roughly a year and several months at home with an ankle bracelet. After that, he would be expected to complete three years of probation, Ms. Alexander said. This is really a crushing blow for the families, Ms. Alexander said. Its not enough time behind bars. They feel like its not justice and theyre not holding him accountable for killing 36 beautiful young people. Colleen Dolan, whose daughter, Chelsea Faith Dolan, 33, was killed in the fire, said it was not fair to allow Mr. Almena to serve his sentence at home when many are already stuck at home because of the coronavirus. Weve all been sitting at home, she said. Weve all been living in isolation for a year. And this is supposed to be justice? It just isnt. University of Georgia law student Tara Louise Baker was murdered in Athens on the eve of her 24th birthday. Now 20 years later, Bakers family and friends remain without an answer as to who killed. Letters to the Editor View(s): Time to solve the decades long problem over SLMC I wrote an article in the Sunday Times on October 2, 2018, on the subject of the Sri Lanka Medical Council after Prof. Colvin Gooneratne who was President in 2018, resigned from his post in disgust when he could not bring about the changes that we had asked for on the lines of the British model. Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, a Sri Lankan by birth who has been the past president of Britains Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, past president of the British Medical Association and past president of the World Federation of OBGYN sent me the documents by email and I forwarded copies of them to the then SLMC President, Prof. Carlo Fonseka in 2017, but he did not take any action. The Ceylon Medical Council was established by the then British Government on the lines of the parent body, the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom in 1926, almost 94 years ago. Unfortunately this antiquated institution has not progressed unlike its British counterpart over the last 94 years. The General Medical Council is a legal body established by the Privy Council, the highest judicial authority in the UK, to which it is answerable. The GMC consists of 24 members, 12 of whom are from the medical profession and the other 12 who are lay people. The GMC appointments are made by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) which is appointed by the Privy Council. The applications for the post and the interviewing of the candidates are done by the PSA, and these appointments are sent to the Privy Council for confirmation. The Chairman of the Council is determined by the Privy Council from amongst the Council Members, and the Health Department is informed of the appointments by the Privy Council. However, what the SLMC is doing is different. All members appointed to the SLMC are medical men. Applications are called for by the SLMC and the appointments are made by voting of the general membership of Doctors. There are 8 Deans of the eight medical faculties of the country and the rest are all medical men from the SLMC membership. It is obvious that we are not following the parent body. The SLMC being a legal body should be appointed by the highest court of the country, the Supreme Court. It is the Public Service Commission (PSC), like the PSA of the UK, that should call for applications for the posts in the Council as and when they arise and have the necessary interviews and inform Supreme Court once the candidates are selected by interviews. This same procedure should be adopted in Sri Lanka in the future, as it is foolproof and transparent. I have already made representations to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran has also forwarded all the data by courier to the President a few weeks ago. As this matter comes under the Ministry of Justice, I hope Minister Ali Sabry PC will take the matter up with the President and do the needful as soon as possible and solve this problem, which has been going on throughout these many decades. Prof. Wilfred Perera (Past President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, & Past President of the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians &Gynecologists) Oath of allegiance by Govt. servants a black mark I refer to the very thought provoking and absorbing Editorial in the Sunday Times of January 3. The Editorial refers to the steps taken by the current administration to have all Government servants take an oath of allegiance to the present Governments manifesto of Vistas of prosperity and splendour. This type of oath taking was never conducted by any Government in the good old days but Government servants were expected to follow the guidelines stipulated under the Administrative Regulations and the Financial Regulations. The duties of such Government servants should not be detrimental to the policies of the government in office. Now an octogenarian, I am a retired Government servant who joined the service way back in 1959 and served until retirement in 2000 in the Railway Department. Government servants were selected after a competitive examination published in the Government Gazette They were expected to perform their duties responsibly and honourably and adhere to the ARs and FRs. Politics was taboo for all Government servants when performing their official duties irrespective of their political affiliations. The present set-up is definitely a black mark under the present stable government. Dear Mr. President, it is up to the Government servants to execute their responsibilities to the public who seek their guidance and assistance to solve their problems under the relevant Ministry. While the writer appreciates your performance so far, please do not allow this type of unethical instructions given by some of your officials to mar your image. Lionel Caldera Battaramulla Shes part of one of the most star-studded and high profile projects of this year. And Cate Blanchett looked like she was fully in character on Friday, when she was seen heading to the set of Netflixs Dont Look Up in Boston, Massachusetts. The two-time Oscar winner, 51, looked fabulous in a black outfit, rocking 1970s-style feathered blonde hair. Ready for her closeup: Cate Blanchett looked like she was fully in character on Friday, when she was seen heading to the set of Netflixs Dont Look Up in Boston Blanchett was in a black blazer cinched at the waist with a thick belt. Underneath, she wore a matching low-cut lace top. On the bottom, the Notes On A Scandal actress donned a knee-length black skirt. Cate stayed comfy in a pair of brown Ugg boots as she strode on the sidewalk. Fashionable: The two-time Oscar winner looked fabulous in a black outfit, rocking 1970s-style feathered blonde hair She sported small gold hoop earrings, and looked to be in full make up ready for the shoot. The Blue Jasmine star carried a heavy black puffer coat and some papers in one hand, and an RX bar in the other. She also had a face shield secured around her neck, as a measure of protection against the still-prevalent coronavirus pandemic. Protected: The Blue Jasmine star had a face shield secured around her neck, as a measure of protection against the still-prevalent coronavirus pandemic Dont Look Up is an upcoming sci-fi comedy set for release on Netflix from Oscar winning writer-director Adam McKay of The Big Short fame. In addition to Blanchett, the stellar cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Evans, Timothee Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Matthew Perry and Ariana Grande, to name but a few. The film follows two astronomers who must convince Earths population that an approaching comet will soon cause the end of the world. In addition to Blanchett: The stellar cast of Don't Look Up includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence (both pictured), Chris Evans, Timothee Chalamet, Meryl Streep and many more Search operations were under way off the southern island of Geoje after three crew members of a capsized fishing boat went missing on Saturday, authorities said. The 339-ton vessel capsized at around 4 p.m. in waters 1.11 kilometers southeast of the island, located some 400 km south of Seoul, with 10 crew members aboard nine South Koreans and one Indonesian according to the Coast Guard. Seven of them have been rescued, but search operations were still under way to find the three others, it said, adding that strong winds and high waves are hampering their efforts. Minister of Interior and Safety Jeon Hae-cheol ordered the mobilization of all available resources for the search and rescue effort. After receiving a report on the incident, the Coast Guard dispatched 11 patrol boats and two helicopters to the scene. (Yonhap) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. The other day, Stu Ross, a retired elementary school teacher, threw his neighbor out of his townhouse in Harrisburg, Pa. The guy had said he saw nothing wrong with the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Ross wasn't having it. "You need to leave now," he said. "I can't believe you said that." The two haven't spoken since. So when Ross heard President Joe Biden's Inauguration Day appeal for a lowered temperature, for unity, he wasn't seeing a realistic path to that goal. Ross, 59 - alternately a Republican and a Democrat through the years but never particularly political - voted for Biden in November. He called the new president's first speech "soothing and calm." But unity? Normalcy? A return to how things used to be, to Biden's idea that "politics doesn't have to be a raging fire?" Come on. Where Ross lives, the only way he and the others in his breakfast crew at Roxy's Cafe can get through a conversation is to steer clear of politics. At the dawn of an administration that seeks to return to a less fractious, even boring, politics, many Americans grant that Biden's quest for a quieter culture is a nice enough goal, but, from the left and right, many say the country's divisions remain too deep to allow for such a shift. A thousand miles west of Harrisburg, in Topeka, Kan., Ed Myers has no patience for the debate over whether to hold Donald Trump to account for his role in inciting the attempted insurrection at the Capitol. On public radio shows in New York and Los Angeles, callers grapple over whether it's more important to punish the former president and send a message that such behavior is beyond the pale, or to move on, allowing Biden to focus on his agenda. But Myers has KNSS radio out of Wichita blaring on his smartphone and Rush Limbaugh is saying, "Trump did not incite the riot," which happens to be what Myers just said, too. A retired farm equipment factory worker, Myers says he was suspended by Twitter after he wrote that Biden is "an illegitimate president." The way Myers sees it: That puts him in the same boat as Trump, whose Twitter account was banned for "incitement of violence," which Myers views as a move to stifle free speech. So no, Myers sees no reason to unify, no cause to rally around the new president to combat the virus and revive the economy. "Two years of Biden, with the economy going to crap, everybody is going to want Trump back," he said. "It's typical of Biden; he said we are going to come together and heal the country, and that's a big lie." An impeachment trial in the Senate will only "cause people to rise up. The country is totally divided because of the Democrats." Myers drove 150 miles from his home in Newton, Kan., on Inauguration Day to stand outside the Kansas Capitol in a brutal January wind, waving a sign that said "HONK if Socialism Sucks." He'd expected a big crowd. He stood on the corner by himself. He looked around and said, "Where is everybody?" In his inaugural address, Biden staked his ability to make progress on the country's crises - the virus, the paralyzed economy, racial division and climate change - on Americans' willingness to unite. "I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days," Biden said. "I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real, but . . . we have to be different than this. America has to be better than this." Chris Buskirk, publisher of the conservative journal American Greatness, thinks that even if Trump voters don't buy Biden's policies, many may come along, if only because the new president is offering an oasis of calm after the storms of the past four years. "There's a lot of people that at least temporarily want to take a breath," Buskirk said. "For people who supported Trump, there's going to be a period of self-reflection that always comes with being out of power. What are our priorities? What are we for?" That doesn't mean that the majority of Republicans who believe the 2020 election was somehow rigged or stolen will suddenly embrace Biden as their president. After all, Buskirk said, "three of our last six presidential elections ended with a substantial part of the electorate thinking the result was tainted - 2000, 2016 and 2020. That's a big problem, indicating a country where people fundamentally don't trust institutions." Still, Buskirk believes that although a hard core of Trump supporters will stand by their man, "most probably just go back to their lives. They weren't involved in politics before Trump and they don't see much reason to stay involved if he's not there." And similarly, some on the Democratic side may be so exhausted by the country's political fray and life in the pandemic that they too may recede from the battlefield. "Even if you're convinced that Trump is a horrible person and ordered an insurrection," Buskirk said, "you may decide that some grace would be good for you and your party, and also for the country." That's how Nate McBride, a 27-year-old salesman in Columbus, Ohio, thinks about Trump's second impeachment and the country's need to address its problems. McBride is the ultimate swing voter - he cast ballots for Republican John McCain in 2008, Democrat Barack Obama in 2012, Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020. Now, even though he says Trump created terrible division and "got all those people to storm the Capitol" and that "everybody should be accountable for their actions," he has concluded that it's time to move on. "We need to restore balance in the country," he said. "You kind of want to say, 'Let him go, let him ride off into the sunset. Let it be over with.' " And yet - maybe not. When McBride heard Trump hint at a return, perhaps another presidential run in four years, "that's when you say the Senate should convict. He has to go." For many Biden voters, the very notion of letting Trump escape punishment for his role in inciting the Capitol attack is a nonstarter. As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., put it: "I don't think it's very unifying to say, 'Oh, let's just forget it and move on.' . . . People died here on January 6th." Yet moving on - forgoing a reckoning with the forces that led to the assault on the Capitol - is exactly what some on the right seek. "In my Christian faith, healing starts when forgiveness is expressed and repentance is asked for," said Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, one of the country's largest evangelical organizations. But, he said, the line between seeking repentance and seeking vengeance is thin, and Democrats may have already crossed it. "Vengeance is a terrible tool," Daly said. "Moving on would be a good gesture - a true act of unity, rather than just words of unity." Daly said Biden "will be a calming force. Trump was divisive, I get that. But there's millions of us who think what the Democrats want is more about uniformity than unity." Suzanne and Earl Austin, who own a business that handles health benefits for employers, are still in the fight. Suzanne heard Biden's call for unity, but, she said, "it doesn't resonate." On Inauguration Day, the Austins drove three hours from their home in Jacksonville, Fla., to the Capitol in Tallahassee to protest Biden. "Trump has left office," Suzanne said. "Leave the man alone." Back in 2015, she originally "thought it was funny when I heard he was running, to be honest, until I listened to his election promises, what his agenda was. And what was the most amazing thing, is everything he said he was going to do, he did." She liked how he talked about immigration and the economy and the elites. "I've never been this passionate about anything until this," she said. She stood outside Florida's Capitol with a "TRUMP WON!" sign, pronouncing herself "scared to death that we're going to become a socialist country with this new administration." She even suspects, incorrectly, that the attack on the Capitol may have been "staged" by Democrats. And yet: Would they give Biden a chance? Would they consider his promise to represent all Americans? "I think that chapter is yet to be written," Earl said. "But it's one I look forward to." Suzanne was never much interested in politics before Trump came on the scene. Right now, she's not saying she'd return to a focus on other aspects of life, but that kind of a shift is commonly seen when populist leaders' time in power comes to an end. Whether it's exhaustion, frustration or a sense that the leader's ideas have been absorbed into the national agenda, followers of populist leaders often lose their fervor over time. "Without Twitter, Trump is no longer the fuel that feeds the fire," said Kathy Cramer, a University of Wisconsin political scientist whose book "The Politics of Resentment" explores attitudes among Trump supporters. "Not having that constant reminder of him has to matter. A president's tone matters. There's such a fatigue now. The possibility of unity might feel different to many people than it did even just a few days ago." Even after the exhausting events of 2020, even with a new chief executive trying to set a different tone, people still have a lot of fight left in them. Outside the gold-domed Capitol in Denver as Biden was sworn in, T-shirt hawker Rufus Williams waved a Black Lives Matter flag in a solo demonstration of support for the new president and especially for Vice President Harris. He saw little prospect of unity. "This country is at war with itself," said Williams, who is 61. Trump, he said, "should just go retire on an island somewhere." Trump supporters need to tone down their rhetoric on social media, Williams said: "They are a racist group of people. I just don't understand what they're thinking - that they're going to build their own white-supremacist world?" In Topeka, Trump voter Marcie Green, 46, a hospital manager, said she didn't watch a bit of the inauguration festivities because Biden is "a fake president." She said the 86 judges - many of them Trump appointees - who rejected Trump's claims of election fraud did so only because "the evidence they had was not presented in the proper way." Green sees no route to unity. Her only hope is that the country somehow "start over," electing all new lawmakers and imposing term limits. "Our country is going down a path, the wrong path, we are never going to get out of," she said. Beyond the political polarization, the coronavirus and Americans' reliance on social media have also made it hard for Biden to push the country back to "normal," to an era of calmer politics when Americans had a shared base of information and facts, said Lara Putnam, a historian at the University of Pittsburgh who has examined the social forces fueling Trump's support. "It's hard to think a new normal comes back easily," Putnam said. "The old normal, we realize, actually was different for different people. What is different now is how and where people get their trusted information." It's not yet clear whether Trump's departure can pave the way toward a return to a society in which Americans share a basic foundation in facts, Putnam said. The country's divide over how much of a threat the coronavirus really poses and how to fight it demonstrates that the nation's fractures lie deeper than Trump, she said. Somehow, Biden must find a way to persuade disbelieving Americans to accept him and the nation's institutions, even if only grudgingly, said Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. "We are not healthy right now," he said. "We are not healthy as a republic. Trump was a symptom of the problems, and he was an accelerant." Finding a new normal will be difficult for Democrats who are torn between their desire to hold Trump and his Republican enablers accountable and Biden's wish not "to be sidetracked . . . with a long, bitter, protracted trial. You can't demonize your neighbors who went down the path of being a Trump voter. It's an arduous balancing act." Some Biden voters have concluded that a second trial of Trump might actually move the needle toward unity. Chad Allen, a 26-year-old salesman in Topeka, agrees with Biden that the country must heal, "but at the same time, [Trump] shouldn't be able to get away with it," he said. "People can ask, 'What's the point of impeaching him now?' But you hate to see someone escape the justice system - especially the president. It's not vengeance, it's more accountability." Len Murray, an independent who supported Biden, had hoped that the result of Trump's drive to overturn the election outcome - affirmation by dozens of courts and every state government that the election was fair - would finally persuade Trump supporters to accept reality. "We need to accept that first and stop talking past one another," said Murray, a 55-year-old operations manager in the food industry in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Murray has voted for Republicans and Democrats through the years, from Ronald Reagan to Hillary Clinton. During Wednesday's inauguration, he stood outside the Florida Capitol holding an American flag, standing behind a sign that said, "One country, one flag. United we stand." An impeachment trial may set back efforts to build unity, he said, but Trump's actions must be investigated and exposed. "Because people died," he said. "I mean, you had an insurrection there." Still, Murray said, "we have to listen to one another. We have 75 million people who voted for Trump regardless of what we saw. Let's have a reset. And I think Biden is the right kind of guy for that. We can all get around him and come together on this in these four years. And in four years, we have another election." - - - Fisher reported from Washington; Gowen from Topeka, Kan.; Shammas from Tallahassee; and Spolar from Harrisburg, Pa. The Washington Post's Peter Whoriskey in Columbus, Ohio, and Jennifer Oldham in Denver contributed to this report. In celebration of St. Brigid's Day 2021, the Hawk's Well Theatre is delighted to present Creating CONSTANCE, an intimate unplugged session performed by the Constance Ensemble on the Hawk's Well Theatre stage. In an exciting collaborative event, the theatre has partnered with IMBOLC International Arts Festival to bring this riveting production to audiences locally and around the world. Creating CONSTANCE is a free but ticketed online event. It will stream 8pm, Friday 5th February. CONSTANCE, an original Hawk's Well Theatre production, premiered in Lissadell Church, Sligo, December 2019 to rapturous acclaim. Sadly, like countless other productions, the highly anticipated national tour of CONSTANCE was cancelled due to the global pandemic. Creating CONSTANCE offers a rare behind the scenes look at this exciting new production, celebrating the life and work of Constance de Markievicz, one of Ireland's most enigmatic icons. Created by writer/director Kellie Hughes and composer/musician Michael Rooney in collaboration with the Constance Ensemble and developed in association with Hawk's Well Theatre and IMBOLC festival. A well-known yet illusive figure, the complexities, contradictions and above all, extraordinary humanity of Constance de Markievicz remains largely unknown. Reflecting on her life and legacy, Creating CONSTANCE features an octet of traditional Irish and classical musicians; Niamh Crowley, Stephen Doherty, David Doocey, John Joe Kelly, Clare Horler, Marie O'Byrne, Shaza O'Hara & Michael Rooney. Creating CONSTANCE combines original compositions by Michael Rooney with Constance's prose and poetry; performed by actor Nichola MacEvilly to create a rich sonic experience that celebrates one of Ireland's most iconic figures. Creating CONSTANCE features interviews with playwright and director Kellie Hughes. She is Artistic Director and Theatre Director of UCD Ad Astra Academy, a highly trained theatre-artist with twenty years of professional experience as a director, writer, performer and collaborator. Her work has toured extensively both nationally and internationally. Kellie says "I found a beautiful letter to her brother Josslyn, where she tells him 'My enemies will make a monster out of me, my friends a heroine and both will be equally wide of the truth' and I thought that is such a prophetic statement. She really understood how she was going to be viewed and she went for it anyway" Imbolc marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the spring equinox. The festival marking the beginning of Spring is also known as St Brigid's Day, traditionally held on February 1st. A most fitting time to share this powerful and unique new production of Constance de Markievicz, presenting the artist, activist and revolutionary through her own words. Creating CONSTANCE is a free but ticketed event. It will stream 8pm, Friday 5th February 2021 and will be available for viewing for 48 hours. You can book your ticket for this special streamed event via the Hawk's Well website or by emailing boxoffice@hawkswell.com. have asked the government to clarify about the entity that will be held liable if there is security breach in the network post implementation of Directive (NSD) on the telecom sector, according to industry sources aware of the development. The telecom operators have given their input to the government in a meeting called by the Council Secretariat (NSCS) about one-and-a-half weeks back, industry sources told PTI. "A meeting was called to work on road map for trusted products by the NSCS. Senior regulatory officials of telecom service providers attended the meeting and gave their inputs. wanted the government to come out with clear guidelines on who will be responsible for breach in the network if the government is making a list of trusted products that have to be deployed in the network," a private operator official told PTI. Under the current rules, telecom operators are held responsible if there is any security breach in their network. Another private operator representative said that two private mobile service providers want the government to ensure price competitiveness among vendors in case equipment from China are barred from the networks. "It was suggested that the price competitiveness can be maintained by way of reducing import duties. Nokia and Ericsson have told government officials that the prices of their telecom gears will come down as they are manufacturing in India and saving on import duty," the representative said. In a bid to tighten security of communications network, the government on December 16 had announced the Directive on Telecommunication Sector, which will mandate service providers to purchase equipment from trusted sources. Notably, Chinese telecom gear maker Huawei has had its run-ins in the past with governments of Canada and the US. The US has alleged that it did not comply with its cybersecurity and privacy laws leaving the country and the citizens vulnerable to espionage. There have been several reports claiming that India will likely cut Huawei gear from telecom network. The meeting was attended by representatives from industry body COAI, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. Telecom equipment were not part of the said meeting, the source said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Generals, royalty and ministers in Spain have secretly been vaccinated for COVID-19, skipping the vaccine wait-list even as vaccines suddenly and inexplicably run out for frontline nurses. This theft of vaccines destined for critically vulnerable elderly people and health workers exposes the criminal class contempt underlying the European Unions (EUs) herd immunity policy. The billionaire parasites, far-right generals and endlessly corrupt officials in Spains ruling class each day needlessly send millions of workers and youth to risk infection and death, going to work and school in packed trains and trams. They refused to implement medically necessary lockdown orders in order to continue pumping corporate profits into the banks at the expense of lives. The lives they sacrifice are not, however, their own. While lecturing workers on sacrifice and the need to save the economy, they have selfishly stolen vaccines to save themselves. 2017 photo of Miguel Angel Villarroya, Spains Chief of the Defence Staff. (Wikimedia Commons) Yesterday, Defence Minister Margarita Robles (Spanish Socialist Party, PSOE) was compelled to pledge she would ask Chief of Staff General Miguel Angel Villarroya why he and numerous top military officials in Spain skipped the vaccine wait-list. El Confidencial, a news site with extensive sources in military circles, confirmed that other top staff officers, including General Francisco Braco and Lt. General Fernando Garcia Gonzalez-Valerio, had also been vaccinated. Spain has also vaccinated soldiers participating in its imperialist military interventions abroad. The Defence Ministry has its own vaccination schedule, undisclosed to the public. It has enough doses for the nearly 1,000 soldiers in its warships deploying off Somalia. Thousands more are preparing for deployments to Lebanon, Iraq or Latvia. For the moment the vaccines are stored in a new, 5 million refrigerator, at the military base of Colmenar Viejo. There is little doubt that broad sections of the financial aristocracy have in fact secretly obtained access to vaccines, via the black market or other means. This was seen in the case of Inaki Urdangarin, the brother-in-law of Spanish King Felipe VI, now serving a five-year prison sentence for his role in an embezzlement and financial corruption scandal. Urdangarin was vaccinated because he works three days a week as a volunteer at a centre for people with disabilities. Significantly, he secured this job just three weeks ago, coinciding with the start of the vaccination campaign. On the same day, he was allowed third-degree prison regime, the lowest category within the prison system, allowing for day release. It raises the issue of whether his brother-in-law and commander of the armed forces, King Felipe VI, was also vaccinated. High-ranking officials across Spain irregularly obtained the vaccine. In Murcia, one of the regions with the highest incidence rates1,189 cases per 100,000450 senior officials and family members working at the regions Health Ministry got the COVID-19 vaccine. This took 72 hours and was done in total secrecy. These were not frontline health workers. At the same time, the regions Ministry of Health refused to vaccinate 9,300 elderly people aged over 90, who were not considered a priority. Murcias health minister, Manuel Villegas, who was vaccinated with his wife, refused to resign for two days. He caved in only under mounting pressurenot before the regional premier, Fernando Lopez Miras, defended him as exemplary and his performance as impeccable. Irregular vaccinations of state officials took place in Spains African enclave city of Ceuta and the regions of Valencia and Alicante. In Alicante province, the mayor of La Nucia and a local councillor got the vaccine. The mayor cynically argued that he has a medical degree. At the same time, unexplained shortages are suddenly appearing in official stocks of COVID-19 vaccines in Spain. The lack of doses for health workers is particularly criminal in that over 50,000 health workers have fallen ill, and 63 have died so far. The regional government of Madrid has announced it will stop vaccinating frontline health workers fighting COVID-19 because it has run out of vaccines. Madrid health workers told elDiario.es many people have been vaccinated in hospitals over the past weeks. Sonia told the daily that she had an appointment at the health centre where she works as a nurse; however, Today the coordinator sent us a message to tell us that it was being cancelled due to a shortage. The Madrid region has yet to say how it went from having one of the slowest regions vaccination rolloutsadministering 14,000 doses or 14 percent of those received by January 9to having now used 73 percent of its vaccines. This occurred while the region was brought to a standstill by a storm that coated it with snow. The obvious question is whether these vaccines were stolen in order to be illegally administered to wealthy, well-connected individuals. The Spanish ruling elites vaccine theft come as, across Europe, cold weather and the emergence of new, deadlier variants of the coronavirus are leading to a staggering loss of life. Around 100,000 people die of COVID-19 every three weeks in Europe. There are currently 27,000 hospitalised cases in Spain, including 3,734 in intensive care, under conditions where the enforcing of back-to-work and back-to-school policies is set to claim even greater numbers of lives. The official EU response to COVID-19 is hopelessly gangrened by an utterly corrupt, money-mad ruling class. While they implemented a herd immunity policy, fascistic moods and plans for a coup surged through the officer corps against workers strikes demanding a shut-down of non-essential industry. In now-leaked WhatsApp chats, senior officers said they were good fascists and called to start shooting 26 million sons of b*tches to extirpate the cancer of left-wing sentiment. Villaroya downplayed these chats, insisting the army exquisitely accomplishes the mission laid out in the constitution and hailed the many sacrifices made by army personnel. In the final analysis, this corruption is rooted in the grotesque social inequality created by capitalism. A society in which the wealthiest individual (Zara owner Armancio Ortega, net worth 57 billion) is worth more than 3 million individuals in the bottom 50 percent is incapable of administering a rational, scientifically guided health policy. As revelations mount of widespread irregular access by the rich to the vaccine, it is difficult to believe that Ortega and other billionaires across Europe have not also already been vaccinated. The middle class, left populist Podemos party, which is in government with the PSOE, has made a few panicked calls for top officials implicated in the scandal to resign. Podemos deputy spokesperson and General Secretary of the Spanish Communist Party (PCE) Enrique Santiago tweeted: If its true that the JEMAD [Chief of Staff Villaroya] has been vaccinated, he should resign or dismissed by the Prime Minister. If the MinDefence has designed a protocol that allowed officers to be vaccinated before the population or other high-risk soldiers, Robles should explain. Podemos Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz, who has spearheaded the back-to-work policy together with the union bureaucracy, said all political leaders who skipped protocols to be vaccinated must resign immediately. In fact, after nearly a year in which Podemos has implemented the EUs murderous herd immunity policy, the question that is posed is what Podemos knew about illegal elite vaccinations and, indeed, whether Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias or other Podemos officials were illegally vaccinated. The central political lesson of this scandal is that the pandemic cannot be fought through the European political establishment. It requires the mobilisation of workers and youth, organised independently from the unions in workplaces and schools, in a political movement fighting for equality and for socialism. The only viable perspective for such a movement is to transfer power from the financial aristocracy to the working class. In November, the PSOE-Podemos government announced its Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy to great fanfare. This plan divided the Spanish population into 15 groups in order to administer vaccinations during 2021 in three phases. In the first phase, from January to March, 2.5 million people were to be vaccinated, including nursing care home residents and staff, health workers and people with serious disabilities. In monopolizing the supply of vaccines against Covid-19, wealthy nations are threatening more than a humanitarian catastrophe: The resulting economic devastation will hit affluent countries nearly as hard as those in the developing world. This is the crucial takeaway from an academic study to be released on Monday. In the most extreme scenario with wealthy nations fully vaccinated by the middle of this year, and poor countries largely shut out the study concludes that the global economy would suffer losses exceeding $9 trillion, a sum greater than the annual output of Japan and Germany combined. Nearly half of those costs would be absorbed by wealthy countries like the United States, Canada and Britain. In the scenario that researchers term most likely, in which developing countries vaccinate half their populations by the end of the year, the world economy would still absorb a blow of between $1.8 trillion and $3.8 trillion. More than half of the pain would be concentrated in wealthy countries. London, Jan 23 : Business activity in the UK this month registered an eight-month low slump as the country introduced a new round of lockdown restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report. British Composite Output Index stood at 40.6 in January, down sharply from 50.4 in December 2020, far below the neutral 50.0 threshold, said the report published on Friday by IHS MARKIT/CIPS. "A steep slump in business activity in January puts the lockeddown UK economy on course to contract sharply in the first quarter of 2021, meaning a double-dip recession is on the cards," Xinhua news agency quoted Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit, a London-based global information provider, as saying. The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the services sector dropped to 38.8 in January, down sharply from 49.4 in December, figures showed. In addition, PMI for the manufacturing sector registered 52.9 in January, down from 57.5 in December. "This is a sudden blow to the UK economy as recovery in the two sectors lost its momentum after some improvement at the end of last year," said Duncan Brock, group director at the CIPS, a UK-based global procurement and supply organisation. Brock said that "though worrying, this was not an unexpected downturn from businesses ravaged by restrictions, lockdowns and post-Brexit disruption", adding that firms are "placing hope in vaccine programmes bringing more normality soon". Williamson echoed the optimism due to vaccines rollout, saying that the current downturn looked far less severe than that seen during the first national lockdown, and "businesses have become increasingly optimistic about the outlook, thanks mainly to progress in rolling out Covid-19 vaccines". England is currently under the third national lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This week California has crossed yet another devastating threshold, reporting more than 3.12 million cases of COVID-19 and 35,701 deaths. The state has now reported more cases than Italy and Japan combined, with a multitude of cases that still remain unreported. According to Bonnie Castillo, the executive director of the California Nurses Association, death rates have increased by more than 82 percent in California over the last two weeks. In the past seven days, the state averaged more than 41,000 new cases each day, a significant increase since the period before the winter holidays. One out of every 13 people in California has now tested positive for COVID-19, a number that is currently set to double every 72 days as long as 99.9 percent of Californias population lives in regions deemed to have completely uncontrolled rates of infection, according to data gathered by the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles County remains the epicenter of the pandemic on the West Coast, surpassing one million cases last week. Suffering almost 300 COVID-19-related deaths each day, the city has recently suspended air pollution regulations to accommodate the massive influx of cremations for COVID-19 victims. In some Los Angeles neighborhoods, one in every three school-aged children is now testing positive for COVID-19. In response to these undeniable conditions, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the largest school district in the state, was forced to postpone their reopening plans in December. Instead of having students return to regular classes on January 11, the school district will be continuing distance learning courses, but they began sending nurses back to campuses on that date. In San Diego County, multiple school districts have opted to reopen elementary schools and allow for small group in-person instruction in secondary schools in the coming weeks. On Thursday, the Poway Unified School District (PUSD) board approved reopening schools for pre-K-5th grade between January 25 and February 1. Middle and high schools will be next to open for in-person instruction for special education students and small cohorts of the student population. The district is the third largest in the county serving 36,000 students. San Diego High School [Credit: Wikimedia Commons] In December, when San Diego County was experiencing record high COVID-19 cases, PUSD had reported an outbreak of more than 70 positive cases among students and staff. By January 11, when they opened preschools and English as a Second Language classes instead of the full planned reopening, Poway Unified School District listed more than 125 cases among students and staff. The main impetus for the delay in reopening, which was originally set for January 11, was due to teacher shortage. Carol Osborne, associate superintendent of Learning Support Services, noted in a recent interview with local media that PUSD has been struggling to find substitutes to fill the over 300 staff vacancies at its schools. Only 24 percent of substitutes are accepting full-time open positions, she added. Substitutes are also being used to cover teachers who must quarantine for 14 days due to close contact with a COVID-positive person. The situation in Poway is yet another tragic example of the lie propagated by corporate media outlets and the Democratic Party that somehow children are immune to the virus, and that schools are somehow a COVID-free-zone. In East San Diego County, a predominantly working class region of San Diego, case rates have been consistently above 1,000 cases per 100,000 peoplea rate that is almost 150 times higher than what the state of California itself deems acceptable for resuming in-person instruction. In a perfect illustration of the state of Californias anti-scientific and arbitrary tiered system of reopening, K-8 schools and some high schools in East County have been able to continue in-person instruction, due to a loophole of having started in-person classes before the governors system was installed. In the Santee School District, a small K-8 district responsible for a population of just 7,000 students, the school board was forced to adjust their January reopening plans, much to the disappointment of the school board bureaucrats and union officials at their public board meeting, after an outpouring of opposition from parents and teachers in the district. In public comments from the meeting, concerned parents and teachers begged the school board to not reopen for full instruction, many citing recent COVID-19 rates, personal stories of their experiences with the pandemic, and concerns for the inadequate protection of their children and teachers. Echoing these emotional pleas, one parent begged the school board, Please do not gamble with the safety of our teachers, the school staff, our children and families. The district plans to continue their hybrid system, allowing half of the student population into classrooms for the morning and the other half in the afternoon, and revisit full reopening again in February. Vista Unified School District began its semester on January 4 with in-person instruction for Pre-K-5th grade students despite multiple outbreaks in schools during the fall semester. San Marcos Unified School District plans to reopen Pre-K-1st grade classes on January 26 and allow for small group in-person instruction among students in grades 2-12. Throughout Southern California, hospitals are nearing almost a monthlong period of zero percent Intensive Care Unit capacity. Doctors and nurses are being asked to ration care and prioritize patients with higher chances of living over those in more dire straits. Emergency medical workers have been given directives not to transport individuals with low chances of survival and have been directed to declare a patient dead if EMT workers are unable to resuscitate them within 20 minutes. Amid these horrendous conditions, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a $2 billion Safe Schools for All program to incentivize a return to full instruction in February beginning with the youngest students, as part of the broader return-to-work program demanded by the capitalists. Newsoms plan falsely claims that schools can be retrofitted to effectively stop the spread of Covid-19 even in close conditions and while the state still reports unmitigated spread in 99.9 percent of its communities. This lie that somehow schools and children are immune to the spread of COVID-19 is exposed by the fact that more than two million children in the US tested positive for the virus in 2020, accounting for nearly 12.4 percent of all cases, and as deaths among children and educators tragically become less and less rare. The antiscientific lie in Newsoms latest plan to bribe cash-starved school districts into unsafe reopeningthat any reopening can be safe during these conditionsfalls perfectly in line with the program of the Democratic Party. Now President Joe Biden himself recently declared school reopenings as a top priority for his first 100 days in office. Meanwhile, all the teachers unions have been in lockstep with politicians throughout the pandemic. In their end-of-year statement, the California Teachers Association (CTA) responded favorably to Newsoms plan to reopen schools, agreeing with various school board bureaucrats that there should be a common, statewide standard for safety rules as students return to classrooms. The statement declares, We will work with the Governor and Legislature as this must be a joint effort to ensure a safe and successful reopening of schools. Similarly, the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) politely responded to the governors proposed reopening plan by simply stating, proposed budget needs more work. They added, we need help to open our classroom doors, begging for more funding to reopen schools. The Democratic Party, teachers unions, school districts, and politicians at every level blatantly ignore the necessary means to lowercase rates in their jurisdictions. Their aim, instead, is to secure what little funding they can receive from the state to reopen schools under the worst conditions of the pandemic. All of their plans are designed to put children into unsafe classrooms so parents can return to unsafe working conditions as quickly as possible. The necessary measures to contain the pandemic begin with the immediate shutdown of all schools and nonessential workplaces and directly paying every worker to stay home. The incredible sums of money lavished on Wall Street and the financial oligarchy must be reallocated for these purposes, and towards the creation of an effective and speedy nationwide vaccination program to eliminate the spread of the virus and save lives immediately. The San Diego and Los Angeles Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committees are fighting to unite educators and workers in Southern California and throughout the region to implement these policies. In conjunction with an expanding network of such committees among educators, autoworkers, Amazon workers and other sections of workers across the US, we are preparing workers to launch a nationwide political general strike to put an end to the homicidal policies of the ruling class and oppose the growing threat of fascism. All those who wish to join this struggle and our next meeting should sign up today at wsws.org/edsafety Empty shelves in some of the supermarkets the Herald visited yesterday to investigate shortages Hundreds of items are nowhere to be seen in Dublin supermarkets. Post-Brexit problems are being blamed for much of the disruption, although some chains claim a change in buying patterns, with more consumers at home in lockdown, is having an impact. Everything from Volvic mineral water to Scottish smoked mackerel and Cadbury's confectionery was missing at various points in our trawl. Marks & Spencer has been affected by the disruption to UK supply chains, and there were a number of items missing when we visited. In Tesco in Clarehall, north Dublin, labels indicate that some items will not be delivered until next month. Biscuits Dunnes and SuperValu also appeared to be missing items, although the issue was less apparent in German supermarkets Aldi and Lidl. The M&S food hall in the Omni Park Shopping Centre in Santry appeared to have run out of a variety of foods including Scottish smoked peppered mackerel, air-dried mini chorizo bites, medium cured pork pies and Viennese all-butter swirl biscuits. The chain's flagship Grafton Street store was missing fruit and veg, along with many pre-cooked meals. M&S has been forthcoming about the impact of Brexit, and a sign noted that supply chains from the UK have been affected for the near future. "Following the UK's recent departure from the EU, we're transitioning to new processes and it's taking a little longer for some of our products to reach our stores," a spokesman said. "We're working closely with our partners and suppliers to ensure customers can continue to enjoy the same great range of products." In Tesco in Clarehall, blue labels were dotted around the shelves, each reading "Sorry out of stock". The chain insisted it was well-prepared for Brexit, but there were some availabiity issues. Among the treats missing were Swizzels giant love hearts, Chupa Chups lollipops, Cadbury snack bars, Kinder Surprise eggs and Animal Bar milk chocolate packs. Six-packs of Volvic mineral water were gone, leaving customers with the choice to buy six single bottles. Fresh-cut chips were out of stock, along with fresh Tesco cabbage and leek packs. Aromatic shredded duck pancakes were not due for delivery until February 15, according to a label, and parts of the dairy and frozen food section looked relatively bare. A Tesco spokesperson said: "Owing to our extensive Brexit preparation, stock-building and collaboration with suppliers, our supply chain is robust and is responding well, with plenty of stock to go around. "As the food industry responds to this new environment, customers may experience some temporary availability issues on products such as prepared ready meals, pre-packed fish, chilled dess-erts and some seasonal produce lines. "We continue to work with the new processes implemented at ports, and in turn with our suppliers and relevant authorities to resolve any short-term issues as quickly as possible. "We thank our customers for their patience and remind them there is no need to change their buying habits." SuperValu blamed a change in shopping habits instead of Brexit for some omissions from its own shelves, notably in the alcohol section. Tequila Rose was out of stock, as was Fireball - a liquor mixed with Canadian whisky. Italian wine Intrigo Primitivo Puglia and Australian shiraz Nugan Estate Alfredo were also out of stock, along with Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava. Jus-Rol shortcrust pastry sheets, Terry's Chocolate Orange, Toblerone 360g bars and Cadbury Fudge five-packs were also missing. A SuperValu spokesman said: "We've not experienced any disruption to date due to Brexit. "We're seeing a spike in demand for groceries due to a combination of families spending more time at home as a result of the latest Covid-19 restrictions and the cold weather. "Due to heightened demand, a limited number of products are selling out faster than expected compared to our regular January forecasts, but they are re-ordered on an ongoing basis to ensure ongoing availability on store shelves." Cucumbers In Dunnes, cucumbers were missing from the fruit and veg section. McColgan's cocktail sausage rolls were sold out, as was Dunnes southern fried chicken, Dunnes smoky boneless beef ribs, Irish beef burgers and Dunnes milk chocolate digestives. In the baby food section, Heinz Blueberry Porridge tub and scoop was out of stock, as was Heinz Banana Porridge tub and scoop and Heinz Fruit and Yoghurt Cereal tub and scoop. However, very little seemed to be missing from Aldi and Lidl. A Lidl Ireland spokeswoman said: "We've been scenario planning and preparing for Brexit for more than three years and as a result we do not have significant supply issues at present." John Curtin, group buying director at Aldi Ireland, said: "Our buying teams are working very closely with our suppliers to ensure there is no disruption to our supply chain." Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Judah Smith talks about Christian alternative to YouTube Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Bestselling author and lead pastor of Churchome, Judah Smith is part of a new innovative mobile app developed by Seventh Spark named Faithful. The Christian app is a space for believers to stream sermons and original content from some of the most prominent spiritual leaders today. The app offers users an alternative space to help people deepen their connection to God without being bombarded with secular ads as what is seen on YouTube and other streaming services. In an interview with The Christian Post, Smith said he's "really excited and thankful for what we've been able to put together through the Faithful app. "We found that 50% of millennials are watching Christian content on YouTube and the experience at YouTube, obviously, is not tailor-made or curated for someone who's living a faith-based lifestyle, he said. Smith explained that Christians streaming on YouTube might be watching their favorite Steven Furtick sermon on the platform but then suddenly get push notifications for someone who's from a different religion. YouTube is fantastic, [but] it's just not wired that way, he said. The curated content features over 50 motivational voices around the world. The faith leaders include: Smith and his wife, Chelsea; Charlotte Gambill of LIFE Church; Levi and Jennie Lusko of Fresh Life Church; Dharius Daniels of Change Church; Samuel Rodriguez of New Season Worship; Chad Veach of Zoe Church; Erwin McManus of Mosaic Church; Chris Hodges of Church of the Highlands; Steven Furtick of Elevation Church; Rich and DawnChere Wilkerson of Vous Church; reality star and Christian speaker Sadie Robertson, and many others. "We're going to be that space in the world saying, Hey, you can grow spiritually in just a couple minutes a day, Smith said. One of the first things that happens when you download the app is we're going to ask the question, How much time do you have? "There's a little button that says under five minutes, and then you can pick the topics that you're struggling with. You can also pick your favorite preachers from our roster, which is going to grow every day. The app allows users to choose a specific time every day to listen to preachers speak on various topics such as anxiety, or loneliness, or joy, or courage. We're going to use technology as much as we can to get the word out, Smith stressed. The minister also said that the technology will provide Bible studies in addition to topical options and will not be a seeker-friendly experience, but instead biblically sound. "The Bereans searched the scripture to ensure that what Paul taught was true, Smith noted. We want to inform people, we want to educate people, we want to empower people to understand how to study their Bible. There's thousands of hours of content on the Faithful app, not the least of which is how to study your Bible. There are masterclasses from some brilliant theologians and thinkers who are going to put that together to help us study our Bible, he continued. Smith said he believes both topical sermons and in-depth chapter studies are essential. As a pastor and pastoring Churchome now, for instance, we're about to go into a Galatians series. I'm going to do a study on multiple chapters and we're just going to go verse by verse, but we just got done with the series on trauma, he added. I think being able to understand that both topical study of Scripture is important and then, of course, verse by verse is also important. But context is always imperative when interpreting the Scripture. 2020 was a year of great hopelessness for many and even exposed some preachers' failings, but Smith assured that all of the pastors featured on the app are people of integrity. We've tried to be really diligent in our roster to have people that are people of integrity, people who understand hermeneutics and how to study their Bible, Smith insisted. I think you're going to find there's a really sound, good Bible teaching that can really help us grow just a few minutes every single day. The platform, he added, is designed to allow users to choose who they want to follow while also discovering new pastors. When asked about the importance of being a preacher in these times, the prominent American pastor said modern-day ministers help people learn how to apply the Word of God to their everyday life. "The word application comes to mind when Bible study or Bible teaching is in play. We've got to be really effective and efficient at making application to people's everyday life, Smith maintained. The Seattle resident referenced how Jesus spoke of modern-day things when He walked the Earth to help share the message of God. "It's one of the reasons I'm excited about Sadie Robertson. She is a young, powerful woman who has so much to say about Jesus and living a life in loving others, he said. She's been exposed to this massive TV program with her parents, and so she has this take on how to reach the world and how to love people, and how to love people who maybe don't know Jesus. It is time that more and more voices begin to rise. "You got Steven Furtick, who might be the most listened to preacher in the world, Smith added. Then you have brand new faces and voices that I think people will be like, Wow, I didn't know of her or him. Now I do. And they might end up finding their brand new favorite preacher and we're pretty excited about that as well. When asked why people should choose Faithful instead of YouTube, the spiritual leader who is popularly known as Justin Biebers pastor, said because its a safe space. "I think YouTube, rightfully so, dominates the space [because] it just seems like that's the easiest spot, Smith said. One of the challenges, I'll just be very candid, I have 16 and 13-year-old sons, and honestly, them going to YouTube to watch content YouTube also understands that it's a young man watching and there'll be notifications for models or girls or whatever. That can be very counterproductive to your spiritual growth. He added, "We believe that Faithful is a safe space. It also can be tailor-made to the individual and your spiritual journey, while also [pushing] you [to] some new voices so that you don't stay siloed in listening to the two preachers you love. "I think one of the beautiful things that we're experiencing with faithful is we're also demonstrating that over 50 preachers, pastors and leaders of different communities around the world can work together to share the message of faith, hope and love at a time that we desperately need it, Smith continued. So I assure you, if you go to Faithful, do our onboarding process, which honestly will take you about two minutes or less, we're going to find out where you are and what headspace you're in, what needs you have, and the communicators that you like, and we're going to be able to, in just a few minutes a day, give you content that really will help you grow. Smith added that he likes to meditate on just one scripture a day which helps him to not get overwhelmed and actually apply the Word of God. Faithful is a free ad-free service and is available now on the App Store and Google Play. A paid subscription option is also available for $9.99 monthly. The free content includes thousands of hours of full sermons (all ad-free with background audio) and a unique Verse of the Day experience that mixes scripture with interactive teaching. The subscription feature includes guided prayers and masterclasses. Close (Photo : The Multiple Career Options Offered By A Degree In Nursing) When many people think about nursing, they're perhaps limited to an old-style, Florence Nightingale type view of working in wards performing purely a caring role. However, a healthcare qualification can open many interesting avenues of work, far removed from just traditional hospital employment. Also, the skills developed in studying nursing are highly transferable to other positions and are often valued by employers in completely different industries. A nursing qualification fosters many additional vocational and personal talents that can be put to good use in other roles. Perhaps more importantly, with so much uncertainty in the world right now and so many jobs being lost through the COVID crisis - plus the increased use of automation in the workplace - studying a defree in nursing could offer you much-needed, highly-valued job security moving forward. Career Skills Developed by Nursing Graduates As mentioned, a degree in nursing helps foster many personal talents that can be put to good use in all walks of life, not just in your role at work. Some of the skills you will improve while studying nursing include: An ability to problem-solve quickly and effectively - crucial in the care environment but also useful for other positions (and life in general) Stronger analytical skills to help you assess situations from all angles and find the best solution for all concerned An adaptable and flexible approach to work and life Highly-tuned skills of empathy, understanding, and caring The ability to work effectively and productively as a team - plus knowing when and how to delegate tasks where necessary A keen understanding of risk management and an understanding of when chances should be taken for the overall good An ability to concentrate on the individual and provide people-centric care and solutions The development of strong verbal and non-verbal communications - useful for all areas of life and employment Many of these talents are readily-transferable to other areas of work and are often highly valued by employers in other roles. Having demonstrable evidence of these types of skills can go a long way to landing you a job in seemingly unconnected roles in other sectors. Medical Career Avenues Upon Graduating As you might expect, there is a vast array of jobs that are open to qualified nurses directly within the healthcare industry. While some positions might require a little further training to work in particularly specialized areas of medicine, some of the more common roles open to graduates include: Midwifery Midwives provide a crucially important service to mothers-to-be through all stages of their pregnancy, including labor and even continuing into post-natal support. A trained midwife is expected to advise and support women on all aspects of their pregnancy as well as monitoring the health and well-being of both mother and child. This highly-rewarding - yet, in some cases, equally challenging - role requires a calm nature with advanced caring skills and a talent to be able to put people at ease. Strong communication skills are essential to keep mothers up to date with the progress of their children and advise of any potential complications. Adult nursing Adult nurses provide primary care services to the sick and are normally the first point of contact a patient will have when attending a hospital or other healthcare establishment. This type of nursing involves treating patients with a variety of problems ranging from minor cuts, bruises, or breaks right up to those with long-term, chronic illnesses or diseases. Adult nurses typically work in multi-disciplinary teams offering care and support to the ill but are also expected to liaise with relatives to keep them informed of developments. Nurses will often devise patient care plans bespoke to the needs of the individual and so need to gain trust easily and effectively. This role is considered by many as being front-line nursing and can also afford an extremely rewarding and interesting career where you're really making a difference in the lives of others. Child nursing (or pediatric nursing) Child nurses work treating the conditions or illnesses specific to kids. Child nurses typically have highly-developed skills of empathy and caring and have to put these talents to good use with young children, who are often incapable of describing what's wrong with them. They should also have finely-honed communication skills and be able to talk in a kind and caring way with parents and children alike. Child nurses will assess and evaluate the nursing needs of individual kids to work out the best course of treatment while also bearing in mind their particular social, medical, cultural, and family circumstances. Health visitor Health visitors play a pivotal role in the early years of pre-school children and their parents. The role involves assessing the parenting skills of families as well as home and environment circumstances to help ensure kids get the greatest start in life with the best support. As well as working with young children, health visitors are also frequently required to work with groups considered at-risk or suffering deprivation, including drug/alcohol addicts and the homeless, etc. A health visitor will typically work closely with other experts in the healthcare community such as GP's, midwives, or social workers to provide the best service, guidance, support, and advice. Mental health nurse care Mental health nurses offer crucial support to individuals suffering from a wide variety of disorders and conditions. Problems with mental health are on the rise globally (though many would argue they're just being reported more) - so mental health practitioners are more in demand than ever and are playing an increasingly important in society. Often, mental health workers will choose to specialize in working with particular groups of people - for example, specifically with children or the elderly. It's also very common for specialists to concentrate on particular problems, such as problems with depression or anxiety, those with eating disorders, personality disorders, psychosis, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), or people suffering problems with drug or alcohol dependency. Learning disability nursing Problems with learning disabilities affect people of all ages across all spectrums of society, and learning disability nurses deal with all sorts of people from all backgrounds. This highly varied role sees the nurse first assessing the particular needs of the patient then devising suitable plans and arrangements to help them live their lives as well as possible while also maintaining their overall health and well-being. Typical tasks include teaching patients how to look after themselves better while also developing ways to keep them mentally and physically healthy. The role might also involve trying to find individuals work or attending college. As well as dealing with the specific needs of the patient, a learning disability nurse will also work with family and friends of the patient to find ways to provide additional support. Wide Variety of Jobs The above career options are just a few examples of the types of work available in the healthcare industry. However, your options don't stop there. Just because you have a nursing degree doesn't mean you have to work as a nurse. In fact, you don't have to work in a healthcare environment at all. The healthcare sector is huge, with many specific jobs available that offer great options for people wanting a better work/life balance or those who want to take their career to a new level. In fact, many of the skills learned on a nursing degree are easily transferred into other roles and will prove a valuable addition to your CV when looking for other types of work. Sometimes, you may need to take extra training or education to embark on more specialized types of jobs that aren't directly related to nursing, but here are just a few positions where you'll have an immediate head-start with the talents learned on a nursing degree: Specialist medical journalist Nurses are, by nature, good communicators, and many possess strong writing skills suitable for journalist-type work. The same cannot be said when it comes to journalists and their knowledge of the medical and healthcare industries - meaning you'll have an immediate advantage applying for this type of work. Counselor jobs The skills learned on a nursing degree can quickly transfer into a counseling role - and usually with very little extra training. Counselors help people improve their lives by identifying and addressing underlying issues that might be causing problems and helping them find more effective ways of dealing with these difficulties. The overall aim of counseling is to encourage positive change through listening to an individual's issues then offering support and empathy to help a patient work their way through them. Common problems that counselors try to address include issues with illness, divorce, or relationship difficulties, trying to deal with bereavement or general anxiety disorders. However, there are sometimes specific areas of counseling that people can focus on. For example, genetic counselors offer support and treatment options to individuals suffering from genetic conditions, including helping patients and their relatives to understand the part played by the genetic process. Counselors explain how hereditary factors can influence or contribute to their conditions as well as ways that recurrence within families can be mitigated or avoided. This tough and demanding job often means imparting medical facts or details, so it needs a strong sense of compassion and understanding. Counselors also need good listening skills and the ability to calm distressed patients. Medical sales representative A great number of salespeople working in the healthcare supplies industry received their formal training in medicine before moving sideways into selling medical treatment tools, equipment, and medicine. The inherent understanding of the sector gained from a nursing degree course gives graduates the ability to speak with authority to decision-makers and can make them extremely effective in sales roles. Higher education lecturer or teacher Higher Education (HE) lecturers find employment in colleges and universities, typically teaching subjects relevant to the degree they studied. This is the perfect option for nurses who are seeking to continue helping people but want to take a step back from the more demanding side of nursing and treating patients. As a nurse educator, you can continue to offer your experience and wisdom and pass this onto the next generation of nursing staff. There is no requirement to have specific teaching qualifications, although you may benefit (and be more employable) if you have at least some knowledge of teaching methods. If you are considering going down the nursing educator route, then you would benefit from achieving a masters in nursing education. This is perfect if you feel you lack lecturing skills/ Plus, many of the courses can be completed online. This means you can work at the same time, which allows you to continually improve your clinical skills. Social worker Social workers provide support, advice, and guidance to often vulnerable individuals facing difficult times in their lives. Most social workers choose to specialize in either child or adult care, and their main role is to offer impartial solutions to ensure a positive outcome to their problems. The job sometimes involves making tough judgments for the overall good of individuals - often decisions that are unpopular with those who are receiving care. Health service manager Working as a health service manager will be much more of a sideways move than the other jobs listed above, but with the considerable skills and hands-on experience of the medical sector learned in a nursing degree, many graduates carve a successful career as managers. The responsibilities of the role include planning the fiscal operations of a hospital, GP surgery, or other healthcare practice and also involves strategizing the day-to-day running of practices. Health service managers normally work with a wide range of experts from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds to achieve the best, most efficient, and cost-effective services. If the organization is government-funded, they will also have to work with health trusts and also remain mindful of political strategies and policies. The take out Contrary to what many expect, a nursing qualification can open a world of career opportunities and give you useful skills that you can use in both your personal and working life. There can be few better qualifications to have if you're looking for truly varied employment prospects plus the potential to make a real difference to other people's lives. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Residents in areas of west Belfast and Lisburn who have been living with a foul smell from a nearby landfill site have ramped up the pressure on the Minister for Agriculture to put an end to their misery. It is understood members of Whitemountain and District Community Association met with minister Edwin Poots and officials last week to voice their continuing concerns over the smell coming from Mullaghglass landfill site, and called on the department to use emergency powers to close the site once and for all. They voiced anger at a proposal to carry out further investigations at the site which, they say, has achieved nothing so far. "Following over 100 complaints about Mullaghglass landfill those who are closest to the 13-year-old site met with minister Edwin Poots and called on him to take emergency action and close the site for good," a statement from Whitemountain and District Community Association said. "NIEA admitted in a letter to those that complained that the site was deemed non-compliant to their regulations and that it had been so since before summer 2020." The residents say no decisive action has yet been taken. "Minister Poots did agree to investigate what his powers were from an emergency legislative perspective," they said. "Proper action on a matter that has been growing in scale for almost eight months is needed now." The final call by residents was for strict enforcement action to be placed on the site operator inside the next seven days or else close the site since it has only approximately 10% capacity left to be filled. The residents said that the minister agreed to a follow on meeting inside the next 10 working days to brief all on progress on the actions requested. A spokesperson for the residents told the Belfast Telegraph: "We were promised an update during the course of this week on our request, and promised a follow up meeting. We have heard nothing." Residents have been complaining of the smell for months, with many reporting symptoms like breathing difficulties, headaches and nosebleeds. "What we don't want to see happening is political parties using us for their own gain," the residents added. "We need them to support the people who are living with this and call on the immediate shut down of the site." The Department of Agriculture has not yet replied to a request for comment. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Day care shortage creates barriers for working parents With a labor shortage plaguing the state, working parents are ready to fill these positions. The lack of childcare options creates barriers. PUNE: Looking at the declining cases of coronavirus, the Thane and Pune Municipal Corporations on Friday decided to reopen schools from January 27 and February 1 respectively. However, both the municipal corporations issued strict coronavirus guidelines and said all have to follow these SOPs sincerely. PUNE: Issuing an order, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Friday allowed reopening of schools for classes 5th to 8th from February 1 following SOP (standard operating procedure) that have been provided by the state government. The civic body has also released the standard operating procedure (SOP) which are required to be followed by the schools to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID19). As per the guidelines, schools will make arrangements for thermal scanner/gun, pulse oximeter, thermometer, soap, sanitisation etc. And Zonal Medical Officer and Ward Medical Officer have to certify that all the teachers have submitted their RT-PCR COVID test report of the (government) lab to the school. Moreover, the school administration has to ensure that adequate markings for physical distance in the staff room and classrooms are there. One student per bench is allowed as per his/her name on the bench As per the SOPs, school administration and supervisor (secondary education) will certify that there are awareness posters and stickers about the use of masks, maintaining physical distance, on the walls. Also, there should be arrow marks for exit/entry at the schools. Markings to maintain six feet distance while standing in the queue. THANE: Thane: Issuing an order, Thane Municipal Corporation on Friday allowed Classes 5 to 12 to reopen in from January 27. Minister Eknath Shinde issued directions to reopen schools of all mediums, including ashram schools, which have remained shut since the last 10 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Maharashtra government had last week announced the reopening of schools for Classes 5 to 8 based on the ground situation in their respective regions. While schools in Thane rural, excluding those in the limits of civic corporation and councils, would be reopened on January 27, a separate decision will be taken about schools in urban areas of the district. District collector Rajesh Narvekar has instructed all educational institutions to strictly follow the school education departments guidelines in this regard. Live TV As part of its strategy to bolster its regional connectivity, IndiGo has announced as its 64th domestic destination. The airline will connect to and Bhopal through direct flights under the RCS scheme from March 28. A weekly flight to Goa is also likely to start early February, sources said. The bookings are open with one-way fares starting at Rs 2,523 for Bhopal and Rs 3,789 for Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, IndiGo said, "We are pleased to have the Golden Triangle cities mapped on the 6E network, with the addition of as our 64th domestic destination. This will not only enhance connectivity for domestic travellers, but also aid in expanding international air traffic once restrictions are lifted and travel opens up. Additionally, these connections will help promote tourism, trade and commerce, with Agra being home to multiple UNESCO world heritage sites, one of the hubs for leather goods production and known for its food and delicacies." The Agra tourism industry is upbeat as it expects a big inflow of tourists, both domestic and foreign, in the coming days. The industry had long been demanding air connectivity from Agra to major destinations in India. A lone flight to Jaipur was also halted some months ago. The last 10 months saw a major setback to tourism, with the footfall of foreign tourists falling to just one per cent. The Taj Mahal and other monuments remained closed due to Covid-19 for over six months. With restrictions now removed, the flow of visitors has increased and the hospitality industry is hoping to make good in the coming months. The daily evening cultural show at the Kalakriti Auditorium - Mohabbat the Taj - has resumed, as weekend crowds have begun thronging Agra again. The inter-state buses have also begun operations, particularly to Delhi, from Monday, bringing relief to thousands of commuters heading for Palwal, Faridabad, Gurugram and other neighbouring areas. Welcoming the announcement by IndiGo to start daily flights from Agra to Bangalore, Bhopal and Lucknow, Sunil Gupta, chairman IATO, northern region said "Tourists were hesitant to visit Agra as there are no flights which are usually considered very safe during the pandemic. We are hoping the number of visitors will now increase. We have demanded international flights also from Agra." Vice president of the Tourism Guild, Rajiv Saxena said "the flights will be very helpful and boost tourism in Agra. For the tourists, it will be such a big help as travel time would be reduced." Before the pandemic, Agra was annually visited by more than seven million tourists. "With three World Heritage monuments, and a number of other tourist attractions, plus Mathura and Vrindavan close by, Agra badly needed air connectivity. But due to pressure from the Delhi lobby of hoteliers and travel agents, all kinds of hurdles were being created, but now the Modi government has taken a huge initiative which should see a turnaround in the fortunes of the hospitality industry in Agra," said founder president of the Agra Hotels and Restaurants Association, Surendra Sharma. --IANS bk/kr (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ADVERTISEMENT Some residents, including students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA) in Ondo State, were reportedly killed or injured when a truck ran into them at the institutions gate on Saturday. Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that a yet unknown number of people were killed after a truck belonging to the Dangote Group, conveying bags of cement, suffered brake failure and rammed into shops in the area. The incident happened a few minutes past 6:00 p.m., witnesses said. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that rescue operations were still going on as of the time of this report. The state police spokesperson, Tee-Leo Ikoro, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report. The state FRSC public relations officer, Omotola Ogunbanwo, could also not be reached. Details soon Families who lost relatives during Wuhans initial outbreak of coronavirus are being blocked in their legal efforts to hold the Chinese authorities responsible, one year after lockdowns first started at ground zero of the pandemic. Five families have accused the municipal and provincial governments of covering up the outbreak, neglecting to notify the public and failing to act swiftly, causing infections to explode. The Daily Telegraph has spoken to four of the five trying to bring unprecedented lawsuits. Most are seeking 2 million yuan (250,000) each. Local courts have rejected all lawsuits they have tried to file, so they are attempting to sue at higher courts, defying government threats that have scared dozens of others into giving up. Pursuing their cases poses immense risks as they are challenging Chinas official narrative, which claims authorities acted swiftly and with transparency to contain Covid-19, glossing over missteps and the silencing of whistle-blowers. Read More Its very clear the authorities concealed the situation at the time and committed a crime that amounts to murder, one that meant my father died, said Zhang Hai (51), the first in China to try to sue the government last June. This behaviour should be punished by law. However, he added: They know if I succeed in filing a lawsuit, that means thousands of other families will also sue. Maybe they hope these issues will go away over time. Mr Zhang said he never would have checked his father, Zhang Lif (76) into a hospital in Wuhan in mid-January last year if authorities had sounded the alarm over the outbreak. While in hospital for a thigh bone fracture, his father contracted Covid-19 and soon died. At the end of last year, Mr Zhang sent papers to Chinas supreme court in Beijing after lower courts in Wuhan city and Hubei province refused to accept his lawsuit, but he has yet to receive an acknowledgement of the documents. He posted an open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, demanding government officials responsible for the cover-up be punished. ( Telegraph Media Group Ltd 2021) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] " " To some, it might seem as if investigating and re-investigating cold fusion is a waste of time and resources, but some scientists don't see it that way. Yves Forestier/Getty Images Back in March 1989, at a press conference in Salt Lake City, scientists Stanley Pons of the University of Utah and Martin Fleischmann of Great Britain's University of Southampton made a startling announcement. The researchers had managed to fuse the atomic nuclei of a hydrogen isotope to create helium the same sort of process that powers the sun and they'd been able to do it at room temperature, without putting in more energy than the process produced, as this Wired retrospective from 2009 details. The research raised hopes of a new source of abundant energy that would replace fossil fuels and conventional nuclear power, as a CBS News story from that time reported. But other researchers who tried to duplicate the experiments were unable to reproduce the results, or else concluded that they were caused by experimental errors, according to a 1989 New York Times article. "Most of the scientific community no longer considers cold fusion a real phenomenon," Peter N. Saeta, a professor of physics at Harvey Mudd College, wrote in Scientific American in 1999. Advertisement The Dream Dies Hard Even so, scientists' interest in cold fusion has never completely gone away, and they've continued to do research on it. Though nobody has been able to prove conclusively that it can be accomplished, that work actually has yielded valuable knowledge in other ways. Several years ago, for example, Google funded a multi-year investigation of cold fusion that included researchers from several universities and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as well. The researchers ultimately published a 2019 Nature article in which they revealed that their efforts "have yet to yield any evidence of such an effect." "Nuclear fusion is a potential energy source that could provide a vast amount of power without harmful byproducts," Jeremy Munday, one of the participants in the Google research, explains in an email. He's a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of California, Davis. "For fusion to occur, the nuclei of atoms, which are positively charged, need to get close enough to fuse (join) together. If this happens, energy is released. The difficulty is that the positively charged nuclei repel each other. If there are a lot of nuclei close together high density and they have a lot of kinetic energy (high temperature), this reaction can happen. In nature, the sun is powered by fusion, but the temperatures and densities necessary to sustain those reactions are very difficult on Earth. Cold fusion is the idea that fusion could occur at much lower temperatures, making it feasible as an energy source on Earth. "It's really hard to rule a phenomenon out, which is one of the reasons these concepts have been floating around for so long," Munday adds. "We didn't find any evidence of cold fusion, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist." " " Scientists Stanley Pons (left) and Martin Fleischmann testify to their cold fusion breakthrough before the House Committee on Science, Space & Technology in 1989. Diana Walker/Getty Images To a layperson, it might seem as if investigating and re-investigating to find evidence of cold fusion would be a waste of time and resources. But scientists don't see it that way, because as they search, they gather other sorts of knowledge and pioneer technological innovations. "The spinoffs are perhaps one of the biggest impacts that our research in this area has had," Munday says. "Through the Google collaboration, we have collectively published more than 20 papers in high impact journals such as Nature, Nature Materials, Nature Catalysis, various American Chemical Society journals, etc. and have been granted two patents to-date. In addition to papers directly about lower energy fusion processes, we've had papers about the interesting materials physics and optical properties of metal-hydrides as well as their uses in sensors and for catalysts." Advertisement The HERMES Project In Europe, a multinational team of scientists recently embarked upon yet another cold fusion investigation, the HERMES project, which will employ more advanced scientific techniques and tools developed in recent years. "The purpose is to try to look for an experiment that would reproducibly produce some anomalous effects," says Pekka Peljo, in an email. He's the project's coordinator, and an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at the University of Turku in Finland. "We are revisiting some of the previous experiments. Also, we are going to study electrochemistry of palladium-hydrogen and palladium-deuterium systems in detail, utilizing well-controlled model systems such as palladium single crystals. So shortly, HERMES is a combination of fundamental studies on palladium-hydrogen system, repetition of some promising earlier experiments, and development of new approaches. For example, we are going to look at reactions at higher temperatures utilizing proton conductive solid oxides." Even so, the researchers aren't necessarily expecting to find evidence of cold fusion. "The majority of the scientific field think it was most likely experimental artifact, i.e., it is not real," Peljo explains. "Basically, when palladium metal is loaded with high amounts of deuterium, it seems that most of the time nothing unusual happens. But sometimes, for reasons not well understood, it seems that something strange can happen. Originally, Pons and Fleischmann observed excess heat, but there are reports of other anomalous effects, such as neutron radiation or helium production. But there are a lot of reproducibility issues. Most likely, these reactions are not actually fusion, but instead some other nuclear reactions taking place in the metal lattice." The HERMES researchers won't try to recreate Pons' and Fleischmann's research, while Peljo says would be too time-consuming and difficult. "Instead, we are focusing on nanosized materials, where the loading should be much faster, and stresses due to the volume change upon deuterium insertion should be much smaller," he explains. "One of our main focus is so-called co-electrodeposition experiments, where Pd-D is deposited electrochemically. This approach was developed by Dr. Stanislaw Szpak and Dr. Pamela Mosier-Boss in the U.S. Navy SPAWAR Systems Center in San Diego, California. The experiments are well-documented and their results have been published in multiple peer-reviewed scientific literature, so our first approach is to try to reproduce their results." "This is a high-risk, high-reward project, i.e., there is a very high likelihood that we will not be able to observe anything anomalous," Peljo says. "On the other hand, if the project is successful, we will have a reproducible experiment to probe these reactions. According to modern physics, no such reactions should take place, so a new theory should be developed to explain these reactions. There is also the possibility of developing novel heat sources, as these reactions are claimed to be producing excess heat from electricity." Information that the HERMES research gathers about the fundamental properties of palladium-hydrogen systems could also help with developing a better process for producing hydrogen for fuel cells to power automobiles, according to Peljo. Now That's Interesting The term LENR low-energy nuclear reaction now is used by some scientists "to avoid the stigma associated with cold fusion," according to Munday. Alibaba-backed community group buying platform gets fined for uncompetitive practices; U.S. and China trade officials hold their first phone call under the Biden presidency; and the yuan surges to a three-year high against the dollar May 28, 2021 05:54 PM We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. The day following the storming of Capitol Hill by Trump supporters, whose use of the Confederate flag signalled a white supremacist insurrection, Simon & Schuster announced that it was cancelling the publication of Sen. Josh Hawleys book, The Tyranny of Big Tech. Simon & Schuster justified their decision based on Hawleys involvement in challenging the election results and helping incite the violence. Opinion The day following the storming of Capitol Hill by Trump supporters, whose use of the Confederate flag signalled a white supremacist insurrection, Simon & Schuster announced that it was cancelling the publication of Sen. Josh Hawleys book, The Tyranny of Big Tech. Simon & Schuster justified their decision based on Hawleys involvement in challenging the election results and helping incite the violence. Hawley replied with an angry tweet about how this was an affront to the First Amendment and he would see them in court. Of course Hawley, a graduate of Yale Law School, is fully aware that a publisher cancelling a book contract has nothing to do with the First Amendment. Simon & Schuster is a private company that acts in its own interests and this depends only on the fine print of the book contract. Hawleys anger is not just folly or misplaced disappointment, but the continuation of a long-term strategy that American historian Joan Wallace Scott has termed the "weaponizing of free speech" by the right wing, or the deliberate misrepresentation of the very idea of free speech. As Wallace demonstrates, this dangerous redefining of freedom of speech by the right wing has nothing to do with accepting diverse opinions. Rather, it is a weapon in their culture war premised on creating confusion and misunderstanding. Its in this context that we all must think through the implications of the mayhem on Jan. 6 and understand the argument behind the principle of freedom of speech. We must also be willing to ask if this foundational principle, developed in the 18th and 19th centuries, is able to fulfil its function today in a very different digital and social media environment. Social media platforms and free speech English philosopher and economist J.S. Mills classic defence of freedom of speech includes a limitation directly relevant to the siege of the Capitol. In his philosophical treatise On Liberty, Mill notes that action cannot be as free as speech. He immediately provides the example of speech in front of angry mob that could incite violence. Mill contends that such speech should not count as free speech but as action, and when harmful should be regulated. This describes exactly how most media commentators and Democratic politicians understand Trumps incendiary speech at his rally on Jan. 6. Importantly, Republican leaders who had supported Trump, such as senators Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham, agreed. They explicitly noted that the violent attack was, in former Trump chief of staff John Kellys words, "the direct result" of Trumps speech. But it was not the government but private corporations, Twitter and Facebook, that made the decision that Trumps speech was so incendiary that it had to be suspended. These companies are targets of Hawleys now-cancelled book. As critics have noted, both social media platforms are hardly neutral in making such determinations. They can be harmed by and at the same time, benefit from Trumps incessant tweets that bypass traditional media to communicate directly to his supporters. Twitter and Facebook are private, for-profit institutions and must put their own interests first. They cannot be expected to be a primary vehicle of the public interest. The future of Twitter and Facebook will be shaped by congressional legislation and potential regulation. To expect them not to have a dog in this fight is unreasonable. History of free speech The principle of free speech developed historically after the advent of the printing press, newspapers and, significantly, mass literacy through mandatory public education. Prior to the invention of the printing press and mass literacy, this would have made little sense as the "reading public" did not really exist. Radical for 1784, German philosopher Immanuel Kants argument in favour of freedom of speech what he called the "public use of reason" was specifically dependent on non-democratic and illiberal restrictions on all other civil freedoms. Kant applauded the slogan he attributed to Frederick the Great, "argue as much as you will, and about what you will, but obey." Kants optimism about the public use of reason was so great, it surpassed any worry of autocracy. While an important argument in the development of freedom of speech, Kants general position is obviously out of place for contemporary democracies. Mill, writing 75 years later, feared democracy as the "tyranny of the majority," but was more accepting of it than Kant. Mill did not posit an antagonistic relationship between freedom of speech and other civil freedoms as Kant had. However, to justify freedom of speech, he too clearly distinguished it from action. And Mills position rested on a similar optimism about the best ideas triumphing over objectionable and potentially harmful ones. Mill goes much further, with the utilitarian view that even false and terrible ideas can strengthen true and better ideas. Of course, we have to question if this remains true in terms of hate speech and racism at the heart of much of Trumps base. Free speech and violent actions Kant and Mill both accepted the now commonplace principle that more speech is the best response to dangerous or objectionable ideas. But today, pollsters tell us 70 per cent of Republican voters do not think the 2020 election was "free and fair" despite massive amounts of empirical and legal evidence that it was at least as legitimate as Trumps 2016 electoral win. And there is a clear link between this and the violence we saw on Jan. 6, as well as an irony concerning the history of voter suppression (especially of Black voters) and gerrymandering in the U.S. However difficult it might be to determine in practice, the logic of free speech rests on that childhood formula: "Sticks and stone may break my bones but names will never hurt me." Of course, not only can names and speech hurt people, but as we have seen, they can also threaten democracy. Trumps angry mob was not just incited by his single speech on Jan. 6, but had been fomenting for a long time online. The faith in reason held by Mill and Kant was premised on the printing press; free speech should be re-examined in the context of the internet and social media. Peter Ives is a professor of political science at the University of Winnipeg. This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca. 'Christ born of Mary' inscription uncovered in ancient church in Israel Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Archaeologists have discovered an Ancient Greek inscription bearing the phrase Christ, born of Mary in northern Israel the first evidence of an early Christian settlement from 1,500 years ago in Taibe, located in the Jezreel Valley. The Israel Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday that archaeologists discovered the inscription on a wall of a late-Byzantine era structure during excavations in Taibe. According to researchers, the inscription had originally been laid at the entryway of a previously unknown fifth century church. The phrase Christ born of Mary was often used at the beginning of documents or other forms of text, serving as a blessing and protection from evil. As a blessing, the inscription must have originally stood at the entrance of the church, where people could see it, Antiquities Authority archaeologist Yardenna Alexandre said, according to Aleteia. However, it was now found incorporated in the walls, therefore we know that the stone was reused as construction material. Likely the building collapsed and was rebuilt. The ruins of a Crusader-period church were previously discovered at Taibe, a Christian village in the Byzantine period that was later rebuilt into a Christian fortress during Crusader times. However, before the discovery of the inscription, there had been no evidence of a Christian presence from the earlier Byzantine era, said Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Walid Atrash. The importance of the inscription is that until now we didnt know for certain that there were churches from this period in this area, Atrash told the Times of Israel. There are many signs of ancient Christian life in the region the Jezreel Valley but this is the first evidence of the Byzantine Churchs existence in the village of Taiba, he told the Jerusalem Post. Still, the discovery that there was a Byzantine-era church built in the area is unsurprising, said Atrash, adding that the new inscription has closed the circle, and now we know there were Christians in this area during this era. The complete inscription reads: Christ born of Mary. This work of the most God-fearing and pious bishop [Theodo]sius and the miserable Th[omas] was built from the foundation. Whoever enters should pray for them. The inscription greets those who enter and blesses them. It is therefore clear that the building is a church, and not a monastery, Leah Di Segni, researcher at the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said in a press release. She said that churches, unlike monasteries in those times, greeted visitors at the entrance. Atrash told the Times that Theodosius, one of the first bishops of Christianity, encouraged the construction of churches in his region. The mention of his name, he said, points to a financial donation from his seat in Beit Shean, the center of the religious life and the capital of Palaestina Secunda, a Byzantine province from 390 CE until the Muslim invasion of circa 636 CE. There is a large blank circular area on the stone where a large cross once was engraved, Atrash said, adding he believes the cross was intentionally destroyed by Christians or Jews who lived in the area prior to the stones recycled use in the wall of the later building. In July, remains from a 1,300-year-old church were discovered at a village called Kfar Kama, located near Mount Tabor the location believed to be where the transfiguration took place. New Delhi: India and China will hold the 9th round of corps commander level military talks on Sunday to resolve the ongoing standoff between the two nuclear-powered countries in Eastern Ladakh. The military talks between the two sides are expected to begin at around 9.30 AM in Moldo opposite the Chushul sector on the Indian side of the border on Sunday. The military talks between the two sides come after more than two months. The last round (8th round) of talks took place on 6th November. The latest round of talks will take place several months after the standoff at the Line of Actual Control began in Eastern Ladakh. The border standoff that started in April/May last year intensified after the Galwan incident in June during which 20 Indian soldiers died and an undisclosed number of Chinese troops died in bloody man-to-man combat. China has so far stayed mum about the casualties suffered by its military during the Galwan Valley clashes. The last corps commander level talks between Indian and China happened in November where "both sides agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries (India and China), ensure their frontline troops to exercise restraint and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation. India and China agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels and taking forward the discussions at this meeting, push for the settlement of other outstanding issues, so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. India and China also agreed to have another round of meeting soon, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said after the last round of talks. Along with the military round of talks, both sides continue to engage themselves through diplomatic channels - Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC). The last round of WMCC took place on 18 December. During that round of talks, the two sides agreed to hold the next round of Senior Commanders' meeting soon. Live TV TORONTO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2021) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he will explore strengthening the vetting process for government appointees after the Queen's representative in Canada resigned ahead of the release of a report that details a toxic work culture at her office. On Thursday, Canada's Governor General, Julie Payette, issued a statement announcing her resignation ahead of a "scathing" report concerning the allegations made earlier this summer of widespread harassment of employees at Rideau Hall - the Monarch or its representative's residence in Ottawa - by Payette and her secretary, Assunta Di Lorenzo. "Obviously, the vetting process that was in place was followed but, obviously, we're also going to look at ways we can strengthen and improve the vetting process for high level appointments," Trudeau said during a press briefing on Friday. Trudeau would not commit to a committee approach to selecting the next governor general, as was done by previous prime ministers and sidestepped questions about the opposition parties call to choose the next governor general with input from them. When given the chance, the Prime Minister did not apologize to Rideau Hall staffers for the treatment they received, only saying that all Canadian Federal employees deserve to work in a safe and welcoming environment. Trudeau's choice of Payette, a former astronaut, was initially celebrated as evidence of the Prime Minister's commitment to progressive policies. However, the adulation was short-lived, after it was revealed that Payette was accused of second-degree assault in the US, a charge that was later expunged, and was found not-at-fault in a deadly car accident. The Governor General would again come under fire this summer when at least 16 employees came forward to say that Payette and Di Lorenzo cultivated a toxic workplace, which led to the resignation of some workers and emotional breakdowns by others. The Chief Justice of Canada, Richard Wagner, will fulfill the duties of the Governor General in the interim. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-22 17:10:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BANGKOK, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Thailand confirmed 309 coronavirus cases on Friday, mostly via active testing, according to Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Of the total new cases, 297 were domestic ones while 12 others were those who had returned from abroad, CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin said. The new local infections included 217 of those who have tested positive via active testing conducted by mobile units at factories and communities mostly in Samut Sakhon province and Bangkok, Taweesin added. Meanwhile, Taweesin himself on Friday took a COVID-19 test since a news anchorman of a government-run TV channel, who he has worked with during the daily briefing, was a close contact with a confirmed case. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has permitted 13 businesses to reopen since Friday, including gaming centers, beauty salons, fitness centers, among others, due to a recent decline of new infections in the capital city. Thailand has so far confirmed 13,104 cases of infection, including 10,224 recoveries and 71 deaths, while 2,809 others are currently hospitalized, the spokesman said. Enditem Lisbon Man Spots 68-Year-Old Man Face Down in Tagus River, Dives in and Saves His Life A Portugal man leaped into freezing water when he saw an elderly man floating on his stomach in a river in central Lisbon. Jose Brito is a 37-year-old fisherman and father from Cape Verde. He was walking near the Rio Tejo Tagus on Dec. 12, 2020, when he witnessed a 68-year-old man fall face-down into the water and then float motionless on his stomach. Brito told Western Journal that about 12 people [were] standing around. When no one moved to help the old man, the fisherman took it upon himself to rescue him. Some said I shouldnt do anything, that it would be better to wait for the bombeiros, he said, referencing the firefighter rescue service. But I couldnt. No one of that age could survive for long. After stripping down to his underwear, Brito swam to the man, turned him over, and hauled him out of the water and onto a set of steps. His initiative was contagious; two people raced over to help as the fisherman initiated CPR right there on the stairs. Before long, the victim regained consciousness and started coughing up water. Safe Communities Portugal reports that firefighters were dispatched to Cais das Colunas at 11:30 a.m. By the time they arrived, the elderly man had already been rescued, but they took him to the hospital for a followup examination and care. (Courtesy of Jose Brito) Upon learning of the rescue of the person the President of the Republic praised the good example of human solidarity and courage shown by Jose Brito, Safe Communities wrote on Dec. 13, 2020. While walking with his son [he] saved a human life. In fact, Brito told Western Journal that the president even called him personally, thanking him for his act of human solidarity and courage. The call came late at night, catching him by surprise. (Courtesy of Jose Brito) I was at home with my family, he said. I never thought it would be him calling me at that hour. Britos son praised him, too, calling him the best father in the world. I did what I had to, Brito humbly said, adding that he would do it all over again. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us here: emg.inspired@epochtimes.com Deborah Merola, PhD, is an American theatre director. She first came to Nepal in 1992 and later as a Fulbright scholar in 2003 and 2011. Under the Fulbright programme in 2011, she also worked with Gurukul Theatre in Kathmandu and produced a play, Desire Under the Elms. Even after nine months of the programme, she chose to stay in Kathmandu and began teaching drama at Tribhuvan and Pokhara universities. Also, Merola established One World Theatre, a company that has produced and performed over 30 plays in Nepal, mostly in English and some in Nepali. Over these years, she worked with stars of Nepali theatres and films such as Bipin Karki, Namrataa Shrestha, and Rajkumar Pudasaini. Merola was preparing for a play to stage in Kathmandu in March 2020 when fears of the Covid-19 pandemic gripped the country. She closed her production and moved back to the US and hopes to return to Kathmandu later this year. As people are gradually returning to normality, the veteran director is hopeful of the revival of Nepali theatre soon. Onlinekhabar recently talked to Deborah Merola on the past, present, and the future of the Nepali theatre. Excerpts: You said you closed a production 10 days before its opening last year. How did you feel when you took that harsh decision? Our promising remaining theatre season had to be cancelled or postponed because of Covid-19. The Ride Across Lake Constance by Nobel Laureate Peter Handke was proving to be a truly funny and thrilling ride, but we shut it down only ten days from our scheduled opening on March 13, 2020. We paid the cast two-thirds of their salary to help them through the coming difficult period, which was difficult indeed, with all theatres closed. Now, we plan to perform The Ride Across Lake Constance on September 10 to September 19, 2021, on the occasion of our tenth anniversary, in the outdoor courtyard of Barbermahal Revisited, allowing for social distancing. So, it seems Nepali theatres were seriously hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, doesnt it? Like so much in life, benefits and disadvantages can balance out. We do not own our own theatre but do not carry overhead. One World Theatre is really an international theatre companyin 2019 we had two directors from the USA (Rose Schweitz and me), one from France (Alize Biannic), one from Belgium (Bruno Deceukelier), and two Nepali directors in the Nepali language plays (Rajkumar Pudasaini and Sandesh Shrestha). Our plays that year originated or were centred in Argentina, India, Nepal, and the USA. The Westerners in our company do not count on OWT for their livelihood and therefore could weather the theatre closures more easily than our Nepali partners who were really suffering. In our 2018-2019 theatre season, we produced eight full-length productions, including four original dramas and employed over 120 Nepalis, several more than once. When the 2020 season was cancelled mid-March, all the paid work for Nepali artists was cancelled too. In addition, we all suffered from the loss of our shared creativity. I know about the impact of Covid-19 primarily through One World Theatre artists who have had a very difficult time. Although we always pay our artists at a rate that compareseven favourably comparesto other theatres, even in ordinary times, the OWT artists need to supplement the income from production budgets by acting in other theatres, doing voiceovers, and making films. Most of those regular outlets are now also closed due to Covid-19 except for some Zoom teaching sessions. Merola during a rehearsal in Kathmandu. Photo: Archana Thapa/Facebook How do you compare it with the Covid-19 impact on the theatres worldwide? I think theatres in the West have more and better technical capacity for virtual productions, with their artists, too, better prepared to work remotely. Some Western theatres are producing quite advanced digital collaborations and live-streaming. But, it is a hard adjustment for all since much of the spontaneity, creativity and joy comes from doing live theatre and connecting with an audience. But, dont you think Nepali drama scene was already facing a great disaster even before the pandemic? The audiences were scarce and theatre companies were opening and closing one after another. This was not my experience, although as a non-Nepali speaker, very busy with producing English language dramas at One World Theatre, my experience is limited. Although Gurukul faltered and Theatre Village closed, established theatre companies continued to present excellent dramas: the faithful social justice productions at Sarwanam, Sabine Lehmans well-attended annual productions at Studio 7, and Anup Barals Actors Studio that brought the advanced director training from Indian National School of Drama as had Sunil Pokharel and Bimal Subedi. In its own right, One World Theatre entered into very active production of iconic and experimental Western dramas and original plays, often in Nepali. The artists at Mandala Theatre built their own theatre, which became a new centre, consistently able to attract large audiences of mainly young people. Ghimire Yuba Raj oversaw the building of Shilpi Theatre with commedia dellarte training and a Shaili was successful in organising childrens theatre festivals. There was the Theatre Mall too, focusing on children. More recently, Kausi Theatre has emerged as a centre for women-centric drama and Sulakchhyan Bharati is just opening Purano Ghar. International theatre festivals in Kathmandu and Theatre Hub encourage cooperation among our amazing theatre community. Several of these theatres have offered excellent actor training programmes, although sadly, there is often not enough quality productions happening for these young artists to make a living. But, I think it is a good thing that young artists are filling the gap, creating their own theatres, putting on dramas, and learning by doing, even if their fledgeling theatres fail. It reminds of the 60s in the USA or even the early days of Hollywood when making a drama or a film was not prohibitively expensive (hence, not financially lucrative) or regulated. Until Covid-19 brought all this creative activity to a halt, albeit a temporary one, the theatre was experiencing a renaissance in Nepal, with the number of offered productions easily able to fill theatre festivals. Debora Merola. Photo: Mags Yap/Facebook Not all of these productions were of the same calibre, and contemporary playwriting in Nepali, or in English on Nepali themes, is needed. We look to our theatre to give us back an understanding of ourselves, our history, politics and culture, and communicate these insights across other cultures. In the United States, the dramas of Eugene ONeill, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, August Wilson, Tony Kushner, Suzan-Lori Parks, etc are part of our national heritage. In addition to religious and historical dramas, Nepal deserves a contemporary reflection of its culture, adding to its own national treasury. But, I am no expert on Nepali theatre. For the five years after the founding of One World Theatre in 2011, I lived in Nepal and began to see productions in Nepali in an ever-growing number of theatres. The old Theatre Village where we rented theatre space was our focal point in those years. Likewise, Gurukul was the centre of the theatre world, complemented by a few other venerable theatre companies. Yes, perhaps the best recent time Nepali theatre has ever got in Nepal was during the 2000s when Sunil Pokharels Gurukul was dominant in Kathmandu. You also worked with the Gurukul team. Why do you think no successor could replace the vacuum created by Gurukuls absence in Kathmandu? Or, was this institute overrated? I think Sunil Pokharel is a gifted actor and director, and a guru to many. But, like other companies or enterprises based on the brilliance of a single individual, this has inbuilt limitations. I did have the privilege to work with the Gurukul Theatre Company on Desire Under the Elms and later brought productions to the international theatre festivals it hosted. I think Gurukuls combination of a physical theatre where the actors lived and worked together and ran the theatre, engaged in continual training workshops and alternating in large and small roles, was extraordinary and the true model for a repertory theatre, which Mandala somewhat follows. One World Theatre was the tremendous beneficiary of this time, with built friendships with actors, most particularly Rajkumar Pudasaini, the finest actor I ever directed in my history of 75 productions in the States and Nepal. But again, dont you think theatres are losing their powers just because there are better mediums to express, communicate, and get entertained? For example, people have also stopped going to cinema halls because the films are already on the TV at home. The internet gives you everything. This is a usual question: how can theatre, and film, survive? While the internet appears to give us everything, its content is often from the West and filtered through commercial exigencies, not ideal for Nepal. Also, the writers, directors, actors, and designers that produce these shows, need training. On TV platforms, we often see predictable plots and gratuitous violence and sex, although there are also some beautifully produced shows. On Netflix, I just saw One Night in Miami and the depth of its analysis and the power of its text came from the stage play on which it was based. Merola during a rehearsal in Kathmandu. Photo: Archana Thapa/Facebook So, what needs to be done to revive the Nepali theatre? In my opinion, the current pause is a temporary one in the on-going renaissance of Nepali theatre that once it begins, it will hopefully rebound. I see a new spirit of cooperation between theatres and new productions launched in the past weeks. This drive should get back its momentum soon given the amazing talent and devotion of its theatre artists. For this, Nepal also deserves a national programme like the National School of Theatre in India, which supports multilingual and indigenous theatre throughout the country, and produces high-quality world drama. A BA/BFA Theatre Programme at Nepal colleges, and then a MA/MFA and PhD programme at a university could provide education, training and employment to theatre academics and artists. Likewise, the theatre community needs to access the tourists visiting the country. There are many foreigners who visit Nepal and tell me they do not know if there is any theatre in Kathmandu. Further, until world governments view art as development, the theatre will not be the powerful educational and economic tool it can be. Anything that the Nepali theatre can learn from the international experience, especially on resisting modern technology and asserting its presence in hard times? Most theatre artists, especially at a high professional level, are not resisting but embracing modern technology, while also being able to function with very simple means. The human body, voice and soul are the essential elements of our craft in communication with other human souls. A dozen Louisiana Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs across Louisiana will begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine. The stores are expanding efforts at the state's request to administer the vaccine to designated priority groups. An estimated 100 stores across the country will participate in the administration with a plan to supply the vaccine seven days a week through planned in-store clinics and large community events. Louisiana expects 'relatively flat' coronavirus vaccine shipments; here's how it creates 'problems' The Biden administration has told Louisiana officials that shipments of the coronavirus vaccine wont be increasing much for at least a month, +2 Flawed data on race of coronavirus vaccine recipients leaves equity of rollout unclear Flawed data collection concerning the race of coronavirus vaccine recipients in Louisiana has made it hard for state officials to understand i Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The stores and clubs in the following cities plan to assist with vaccinations: Minden Natchitoches Winnfield Franklin Jennings New Iberia Houma Many Chalmette Winnsboro Mansura Port Allen New Roads For more information about Walmart's and Sam's Clubs' vaccine rollout and to schedule an appointment, click here. One of the two species found in the Periyar Tiger Reserve of Kerala has been named Ooceraea Joshii in honour of professor Amitabh Joshi -- a distinguished evolutionary biologist from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), a DST institute. (Image:pib.gov.in) New Delhi: Two new species of a rare ant genus have been discovered in Kerala and Tamil Nadu by a team of scientists, the Department of Science and Technology said on Saturday. The team was led by Himender Bharti of Punjabi University in Patiala. One of the two species found in the Periyar Tiger Reserve of Kerala has been named Ooceraea Joshii in honour of professor Amitabh Joshi -- a distinguished evolutionary biologist from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), a DST institute. "The species of the ant genus Ooceraea found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu add to the diversity of this rare genus. They differ from others of the same genus on the basis of the number of antennal segments," the DST said. New species are typically named after some distinguishing attribute or location but are often named after scientists as a means of honouring their research contributions to biology, especially in the fields of evolutionary and organismal biology, ecology or systematics. "The two new species, the first ones spotted with 10-segmented antennae among this rare genus, were discovered by a team led by Prof. Himender Bharti of Punjabi University, Patiala. The discovery has been published in the journal ZooKeys," the DST added. The genus is currently represented by 14 species of which eight possess nine-segmented antennae, while five possess 11-segmented antennae and one species has recently been reported with eight-segmented antennae. In India, the genus was so far represented by two species with nine and 11-segmented antennae respectively. "The newly discovered ant species with 10-segmented antennae discovered, establish an old world lineage that contains a species emerging as the only model organism among the ant subfamily," the statement added. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Offer a personal message of sympathy... By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that below. Otherwise, you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below, and then register to create your account. YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan received on January 23 the delegation led by the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia Zareh Sinanyan, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Artsakh Presidents Office. A number of issues referring to the Motherland-Diaspora relations, housing programs in Artsakh and solution of problems of people who have become homeless were discussed. President Harutyunyan emphasized that only by pan-Armenian efforts it will be possible to restore and develop Artsakh. Zareh Sinanyan noted that as always, the Armenians of Artsakh are not alone, and joint works will be carried out for solving all vital problems. People take part in a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Vladivostok, Russia, on Jan. 23, 2021. (Sergei Shevchenko/Reuters) Police Arrest Over 2,000 at Russia Protests Backing Jailed Kremlin Foe Navalny MOSCOWPolice detained over 2,000 people and used force to break up rallies across Russia on Saturday as tens of thousands of protesters ignored extreme cold and police warnings to demand the release of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Navalny had called on his supporters to protest after being arrested last weekend as he returned to Russia from Germany for the first time since being poisoned with a nerve agent he says was slipped to him by state security agents in August. The authorities had warned people to stay away from Saturdays protests, saying they risked catching COVID-19 as well as prosecution and possible jail time for attending an unauthorised event. But protesters defied the ban and, in at least one case in temperatures below -50 Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit), turned out in force. Leonid Volkov, a Navalny ally, called on them to do the same next weekend to try to free Navalny from what he called the clutches of his killers. In central Moscow, where Reuters reporters estimated at least 40,000 people had gathered in one of the biggest unauthorised rallies for years, police were seen roughly detaining people, bundling them into nearby vans. The authorities said just some 4,000 people had shown up, while the foreign ministry questioned Reuters crowd estimate. Why not just immediately say 4 million?, it suggested sarcastically on its official Telegram messenger channel. Ivan Zhdanov, a Navalny ally, put turnout in the capital at 50,000, the Proekt media outlet reported. A man holds a placard reading One for all, all for one during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Omsk, Russia, on Jan. 23, 2021. (Alexey Malgavko/Reuters) Some protesters chanted Putin is a thief, and Disgrace and Freedom to Navalny! Navalnys wife Yulia was briefly detained at the rally before being released. Some of Navalnys political allies were detained in the days before the protest; others on the day itself. At one point, protesters surrounded a sleek black car with a flashing light used by senior officials, throwing snowballs at it and kicking it. A group of policemen were also pelted with snowballs by a much bigger crowd. The OVD-Info protest monitor group said that at least 2,250 people, including 855 in Moscow and 327 in St Petersburg, had been detained at rallies in nearly 70 towns and cities. Navalny, a 44-year-old lawyer, is in a Moscow prison pending the outcome of four legal matters he describes as trumped up. He accuses President Vladimir Putin of ordering his attempted murder. Putin has dismissed that, alleging Navalny is part of a U.S.-backed dirty tricks campaign to discredit him. Some protesters marched on the prison, where police were waiting to arrest them. Images of protesters with injuries such as bloodied heads circulated on social media. The scenes were reminiscent of the months-long unrest in Russias neighbouring ally Belarus where anti-government protests flared last August over allegations of voter fraud. One Moscow protester, Sergei Radchenko, 53, said: Im tired of being afraid. I havent just turned up for myself and Navalny, but for my son because there is no future in this country. He added that he was frightened but felt strongly about what he called an out of control judicial system. A protester is taken away by law enforcement officers during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Omsk, Russia, on Jan. 23, 2021. (Alexey Malgavko/Reuters) Putins Palace There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin, which had previously called the protests illegal and the work of provocateurs. State prosecutors said they would look into alleged violence against police officers by protesters. In Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, nearly 1,000 people demonstrated against Navalnys arrest. Small demonstrations were also held in Bulgaria and some 200-300 people protested in Paris. Police in Siberias Yakutsk, one of the coldest cities in the world, where the temperature was -52 Celsius (-62 F) on Saturday, grabbed a protester by his arms and legs and dragged him into a van, video footage showed. In Moscow, some journalists covering the protests were detained, drawing a rebuke from the U.S. Embassy. Russian authorities arresting peaceful protesters, journalists, spokesperson Rebecca Ross said on Twitter. Appears to be a concerted campaign to suppress free speech, peaceful assembly. There were outages on mobile phone and internet services, the monitoring site downdetector.ru showed, a tactic sometimes used by authorities to make it harder for protesters to communicate among themselves. Britains foreign ministry said it was deeply concerned by the detention of peaceful protesters. In a push to galvanise support ahead of the protests, Navalnys team released a video this week about an opulent palace on the Black Sea they alleged belonged to Putin, something the Kremlin denied. As of Saturday the clip had been viewed more than 70 million times. Navalnys allies hope to tap into what polls say are pent-up frustrations among the public over years of falling wages and economic fallout from the pandemic. But Putins grip on power looks unassailable for now and the 68-year-old president regularly records an approval rating of over 60 percent, much higher than that of Navalny. By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Andrew Osborn Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Rumaan Alam writes of a world which one is thrown into without caution, and expected to not only coexist but also find meaning in an involuntary collective experience. Exactly a month ago my grandmother, my fathers mother, was still alive. When she contracted the coronavirus in September, she spent a few weeks in the ICU of a hospital in Kolkata where her health deteriorated rapidly. Even after testing negative, there was barely any improvement in her physical state as the virus had somehow drastically affected her aging heart. Although something miraculous happened, and in a final battle against mortality she showed immense zeal and grit, turning things around for herself, and our family at least for a brief while. She returned home from the hospital, and spent her last two months there with my parents, trying her best to recover. The drugs made her memory fade away slowly but when I visited home from Delhi to see her, she touched my hand and said, I cant remember your name right now but I have known you for a long time. On the early morning of 25 December 2020, she decided thats it, and went away to celebrate Christmas elsewhere with the many people she had known and loved before us, including hopefully, my grandfather. I would have found it uncanny that I was reading Rumaan Alams compelling new novel Leave the World Behind at the same time when I was spending a month at our Kolkata home, if this previous year hadnt so frequently left us all confounded. In Alams masterful third book, when an unknown calamity strikes, causing a city-wide blackout, it leaves a white, affluent (Theyd made a nice life for themselves, hadnt they?) Brooklyn family of four stranded in a rented vacation home in a remote corner of Long Island where they have arrived expecting a quiet reprieve from life in New York City. An unexpected midnight knock on the door also brings an elderly black couple in the house, who claim to own the property. As these two families, strangers to each other but stuck together being choiceless in the wake of a catastrophe, battle personal prejudices and suspicions to survive in each others company, Alams narrative starts taking shape. Some reviewers have called this an end-of-the-world novel, considering that the scale of the disaster unraveling outside the house where the six principal characters meet and where much of the novel takes place is unknown yet seemingly cataclysmic. But its equally a novel about world building; a world in which one is thrown in without caution, and expected to not only coexist but also find meaning in an involuntary collective experience. Never since my schooldays had I spent so much time in the same house as my grandmother, as I did last November when I was home for almost 25 days. The day she was discharged from the hospital, I received a call from my father who asked me if I can come back to see her what possibly would be for the last time. I asked him if I could come in a week, and remember him saying that it might get too late by then. I bought a plane ticket for the next day but the person I met on returning, even though bearing a resemblance to my grandmother, was a frail, hastily vanishing version of her. Over the next three weeks, however, I saw her sit up straight on her bed, walk to the next room without needing much help, ask me if shed ever be able to eat ice-cream again, put on a new sari so she looks good in a photograph which I wanted to click; even assure me before I left that shed be fit to go for a drive around Kolkata with me the next time I am in town. In the 30-odd years that I had known her, we had never had such conversations before. I had no idea she was fond of eating ice-cream; every time we met, we primarily spoke about what was going on in my life, and even when I asked about her life shed rarely respond with anything outside routine responses stressing on the fact that her days and nights were mostly unremarkable. But with an invisible deadly virus still out there, and us locked inside the house trying to step out as little as possible to ensure that my grandmother remained safe possibly for the first time both she and I went beyond merely exchanging life information and make a delayed but sincere effort to know each other a little better. Amanda and Clay and their two children Archie and Rose too, make similar attempts with the owners of the home they are renting, GH and Ruth, while the world outside purportedly collapses. They barely see anything change when they look out of their windows; making do with scraps of information, which they receive sporadically over the course of the novel. There were days when my grandmother would find it hard to breathe, and the doctor would have to be called in who would ask us before leaving to stop hoping against hope. The three of us would go quiet for some time but soon return to living again checking our phones for news updates, bathing, eating, emailing, trying to sleep. What Alam calls in his book, Business as usual, the business of being alive. In Alams universe, home gives an illusion of a safe space; like our own homes have since the lockdown was announced. Home is supposed to be the place where no harm could touch us, and yet a woman who barely ever stepped out of her house in her life had to bear the brunt of it. Its human adamancy which makes us think that the world is ending, or at least phrase the thought in that manner. The truth is, and always will be, that its we who are nearing the end of our term on this planet, while the world is where it was millions of years ago, watching and waiting. Alams big ideas book deals with major themes of race, climate change, parenting, greed and, of course, the Armageddon. But my major takeaway from it has been this unique humanness, the throwaway acts of kindness even amid the everyday brutalities, which he populates the novel with. Imagine yourself in the middle of a disaster novel where the biggest disaster is not a celestial event but your own daily disasters. Alam writes, Home was just where you were, in the end. It was just the place where you found yourself. Between the hospital wards, and my uncles home and our house, perhaps my grandmother too struggled to call a place her home during her final days. But Id like to live with the belief that she had found the peace and laughter of a home with us. In Leave the World Behind, the protagonists are able to hear a mysterious sound from the sky which leaves them perplexed and shaken. Even though I have no faith in the idea of an afterlife, every time I hear the sound of thunder from now on Id try to convince myself that its my grandmother trying to let me know that shes having her favourite flavour of ice-cream in some corner of this vast universe. Because as Alams novel reminds us, the real apocalypse wont be brought upon us by the stars; itll happen when we, people who have inherited the earth, stop listening to one another especially those whose stories may seem unremarkable at first. WEST COVINA, Calif., Jan. 22, 2021 /CNW/ -- Popular fast-food chain Jollibee, known for its unique and mouthwatering take on comfort food, is strengthening its footprint across Canada with the addition of two new stores this month. The brand will open its seventh location in the province of Ontario in Mississauga on Saturday, January 23. Days later, the brand will open its fifth location in the province of Alberta in West Edmonton on Thursday, January 28. Jollibees Jolly Crispy Chicken along with its Jolly Spaghetti and Peach Mango Pie awaits Mississauga and Edmonton locals at the chains respective openings. (Photo credit: Jollibee) The addition of the two stores brings Jollibee's Canada store count to 16 and the brand's North American store count to 62. The new Mississauga and West Edmonton stores arrive on the heels of Jollibee opening a location on downtown Toronto's historic Yonge Street just last month. As previously announced, the brand plans to add 28 stores to its North American network in 2021, nine in Canada and 19 in the U.S. The expansion will mark the largest addition to Jollibee's North American store network in company history. The latest Mississauga store is located at 100 City Centre Drive, situated within the popular Square One Shopping Centre. Square One is Canada's second largest mall in terms of retail space and fifth busiest mall in the country, seeing 23 million visitors in 2019. The store is conveniently near the main entrance of the mall and across from the Mississauga City Centre Transit Terminal. The store will be open for call & pick-up, to-go, and delivery via DoorDash. Store hours are 11AM 7PM, seven days a week. The new West Edmonton store is primely situated across from West Edmonton Mall, the largest shopping mall in North America and the most visited mall in Canada. Located at 17136 90th Avenue, Jollibee invites hungry shoppers to satisfy their fried chicken cravings with the brand's Jolly Crispy Chicken. The store will be open for call & pick-up, to-go, drive-thru and delivery via DoorDash. Store hours are 9AM 10PM, seven days a week. Story continues To provide a safe environment for customers and store team members in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dining rooms for both of these stores will remain closed until further notice. "During these times, we are humbled by the role our food plays in bringing a spark of joy to those who visit us," said Maribeth Dela Cruz, President of Jollibee Group North America, Philippine Brands. "We know Canadians love their chicken so we have set very aggressive expansion goals to bring our unique take on fried chicken to every corner of the country. Our hope is to continue spreading joy by increasing easy and safe access to our great tasting food, headlined by our beloved Jolly Crispy Chicken and other Jolly favorites." Jollibee openings have been known around the world to inspire multi-day camp-outs and generating huge numbers of enthusiastic fans. With the onset of the pandemic and safety measures in place, Jollibee's fans and curious new customers cannot pack into stores, but they are still showing their support by coming out in droves, and engaging in socially distanced line-ups to welcome Jollibee to their neighborhood and get a taste of joy. Both stores' offerings will include: Jolly Crispy Chicken : Jollibee's fried chicken is delicately hand-breaded to create a crispy and crunchy exterior, pressure fried for maximum juiciness and marinated to the bone to provide next level flavor. Jolly Crispy Chicken is often complemented with a side of silky, savory gravy for dipping each and every bite. Jolly Spaghetti : Spaghetti? At a fast-food restaurant?! You heard that right. This dish, beloved by adults and kids alike, features a signature sweet-style sauce loaded with chunky slices of savory ham and hotdog and is topped with a generous sprinkle of cheese. Peach Mango Pie: This easy-to-enjoy dessert is delivered in a hand-held sleeve, so you'll never lose the delicious filling made with real sweet Philippine mangoes or its light crispy crust. Though the pandemic has delivered challenges across the restaurant industry, Jollibee's North American business has remained strong with 2020 previously being the brand's most aggressive year yet. Last year, the brand opened 16 stores across Canada and the U.S. and has been able to persevere by focusing on off-premise channels including call & pick-up, to-go, drive-thru and delivery via DoorDash. For more information on these and Jollibee's other upcoming 2021 store openings, stay tuned to Jollibee Canada Facebook and Instagram pages. About Jollibee Jollibee is the largest fast food chain brand in the Philippines, operating a Philippine network of more than 1,400 stores. A dominant market leader in the Philippines, Jollibee has embarked on an aggressive international expansion plan. Jollibee has more than 240 international branches including in the United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Brunei, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Italy, and in the United Kingdom. In North America, Jollibee opened its first store in 1998 in Daly City, California. It now operates 60 stores across the region, with 46 stores in the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington, and Virginia of the United States, and 14 stores across Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. Technomic has consistently cited Jollibee among its Top 500 ranking restaurants in the United States. It was also awarded as Multinational Corporation of the Year by the Asian Business League of Southern California in 2017 and Corporation of the Year by the Asian Business Association in 2019. About Jollibee Group Jollibee Group is one of the fastest-growing Asian restaurant companies in the world. It operates in 36 countries, with over 5,800 stores globally with branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), United Kingdom, Italy, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, Panama, and Malaysia. It has 8 wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger), 3 franchised brands (Burger King and Panda Express in the Philippines, Dunkin' Donuts in certain territories in China), 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee and PHO24 brands. Jollibee Group has investments in Titan Dining LP, the ultimate holding entity of Tim Ho Wan Pte. Ltd. (the Master Franchisee of Tim Ho Wan in the Asia Pacific region excluding Hong Kong), and a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless to build Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States. Jollibee Group has been named the Philippines' most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for eight years and was honored as one of 'Asia's Fab 50 Companies' by Forbes Asia Magazine. Jollibee Group has grown brands that bring delightful dining experiences to its customers worldwide, in line with its mission of serving great tasting food and spreading the joy of eating to everyone. SOURCE Jollibee Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2021/22/c9089.html 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. A student peers through the window of a school bus as he arrives at the Bancroft Elementary School in Montreal, Canada, on Aug. 31, 2020. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press) Ontario Children Hospital Calls for Quick Return to In-person Learning Ontario needs to reopen schools for in-person learning as soon as possible, as the harm of school closures outweigh the likelihood of COVID-19 spreading among children, according to Canadas largest child health hospital. A guidance document for school operations was released on Jan. 21, conducted with the lead of the Toronto-based Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). It recommends children return to in-person learning, adding that school closure only be considered when significant in-school outbreaks occur. When considering public health measures aimed at curbing community transmission of COVID-19, it is our strong opinion that schools should be the last doors to close and the first to open in society, Ronald Cohn, president and CEO at SickKids, wrote on Twitter. The current school closures need to be as time-limited as possible. It is therefore imperative that bundled measures of infection prevention and control and a robust testing strategy are in place, he stated. While elementary and secondary schools in Ontarios northern public health regions have resumed in-person classes as of Jan. 11, those schools in grey (lockdown) zonesWindsor-Essex, Toronto, Peel, York, and Hamiltonremain closed until Feb. 10. On Jan. 20, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced in a statement that schools in seven public health units, with over 100,000 students, will also return to in-person learning on Jan. 25. Getting students back into class is our top priority. According to Ontarios Chief Medical Officer of Health and leading medical and scientific experts, including the Hospital for Sick Children, Ontarios schools are safe places for learning, he stated. We will continue to follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health to keep students, families and staff safe. My statement below: pic.twitter.com/ylw3E2WnSt Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) January 21, 2021 The hospital, in its guidance document, made sweeping recommendations on how to safely reopen schoolsincluding access to non-invasive testing for all staff and students exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 patient. For younger age students, it suggests cohorting classes as a primary strategy, rather than strict physical distancing, because of the centrality of play and socialization to their development and learning. More robust physical distancing and the use of non-medical masks are suggested for high school and middle school students, particularly in the highest risk/epidemiology regions. The document also highlighted the social and economic inequalities amplified by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which further disadvantage children/youth living in areas with higher infection burden where educational inequality and barriers to online learning may be more pronounced. An earlier version (pdf) of the guidance document, released in the summer of 2020, focused on reducing transmission risk in schools and keeping community transmission low, through the emphasis on robust testing, contact tracing, and infection control. (Newser) Joshua Shenkera naked Florida man, as the AP puts itwas arrested this week after he allegedly stole a marked police vehicle and crashed it into a wooded area in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office received multiple reports of a naked man running along I-10 on Thursday around 11:45am, First Coast News reports. A responding officer saw Shenker lying in the roadway. The officer was on the opposite side of the road. Shenker ran across all lanes of traffic toward the officer. Exactly how Shenker stole the police vehicle was redacted from the police report, per First Coast. story continues below But the outlet did get footage of the aftermath of the crash, which reportedly resulted in $10,000 in damage to the police cruiser. Officers saw that Shenker, who is in his early 20s, had road rash after the crash, the AP says, and he was taken to the hospital. He faces charges of motor vehicle theft, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, depriving an officer of means of communication or protection, and resisting an officer without violence. Shenker was being held on $4,011 bail. (Read more Florida stories.) Kolkata, Jan 23 : Paying homage to 'Deshnayak' Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said that Netaji was a true leader and strongly believed in unity of all people. "We are celebrating this day as Desh Nayak Dibas...He strongly believed in unity of all people," Banerjee tweeted. She said that her government has also set up a committee to conduct year-long celebrations till January 23, 2022 across the state. "A monument, named after Azad Hind Fauj, will be built at Rajarhat. A university named after Netaji is also being set up which shall be funded entirely by the state, and will have tie-ups with foreign universities," the Chief Minister said. She also said that a grand padyatra will be held on the day. This year's Republic Day parade in Kolkata will also be dedicated to Netaji. "A siren will be sounded today at 12.15 pm. We urge everyone to blow shankh (conch shell) at home," Banerjee said, demanding that the Centre must also declare January 23 as a National Holiday. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Sudans information minister Faisal Saleh reiterated on Saturday concerns over the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) before Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia reach a binding agreement, Al-Arabiya news channel reported. Saleh voiced out Sudans concerns amid Ethiopia's unwavering intention to embark on the second filling of the dam's reservoir in July despite the absence of a binding deal with Egypt and Sudan. Sudan does not accept the imposition of a fait accompli, Saleh said, noting that Sudan has the means to respond in case a fait accompli is imposed on us. He warned that Sudan will be the most affected country in case a binding deal was not attained. Saleh described the ongoing African mediation as no longer useful in its old form, affirmed at the same time that negotiations are the only means to resolve the issue because Sudan does not seek escalation. Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok met last week with Sudans higher committee for following up on the GERD developments, where it was stated that risking the safety of 20 million Sudanese whose lives depend on the Blue Nile is unacceptable. The meeting highlighted the consequences of the second filling of the dam, if it were to take place, on the safety of the operation of the Sudanese Roseires Dam, which is located close to the GERD, and other water facilities in Sudan. In a step that angered Sudan and Egypt, Addis Ababa declared last summer that it had achieved the first-year filling (4.9 billion cubic metres) during the rainy season flooding of the Blue Nile. A few days later, Sudan announced that it had recorded a decline in water levels on the Blue Nile coming from Ethiopia. Both downstream countries have repeatedly voiced out their rejection of taking any unilateral action without reaching a binding agreement. Short link: Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 22, 2021) - Seabridge Gold Inc. (TSX: SEA) (NYSE: SA) (the "Company" or "Seabridge") announces that it has entered into a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement dated January 22, 2021 (the "Sales Agreement") with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (the "Lead Agent") and B. Riley Securities, Inc. (collectively with the Lead Agent, the "Agents"). Pursuant to the Sales Agreement, the Company will be entitled, at its discretion and from time-to-time during the term of the Sales Agreement, to sell, through the Lead Agent, such number of common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") that would result in aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to US$75 million (the "Offering" or "ATM Facility"). Sales of the Common Shares, if any, will be made in "at the market distributions", as defined in National Instrument 44-102 - Shelf Distributions, directly on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or on any other existing trading market in the United States. No offers or sales of Common Shares will be made in Canada through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange or other trading markets. The program can be in effect until Seabridge's current US$775 million Shelf Registration Statement expires in January 2023. Net proceeds from the ATM Facility, if any, will be used to advance non-flow through eligible exploration and development of the Company's projects, potential future acquisitions, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Offering will be under a prospectus supplement dated January 22, 2021 (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's existing Canadian short form base shelf prospectus and U.S. registration statement on Form F-10, as amended (File No. 333-251081), dated December 3, 2020 (collectively the "Offering Documents"). The Prospectus Supplement will be filed with Securities Commissions in Canada and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The Offering Documents will contain important detailed information about the securities being offered. Before you invest, you should read the Offering Documents and the documents incorporated therein for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. Copies of the Sales Agreement and the Offering Documents will be available for free by visiting the Company's profiles on the SEDAR website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, as applicable. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. ABOUT SEABRIDGE Seabridge holds a 100% interest in several North American gold projects. Seabridge's principal assets are the KSM Project and Iskut Project located near Stewart, British Columbia, Canada, the Courageous Lake gold project located in Canada's Northwest Territories and Snowstorm in the Getchell Gold Belt of Northern Nevada. For a full breakdown of Seabridge's mineral reserves and mineral resources by category please visit Seabridge's website at Reserves/Resources. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, nor their Regulation Services Providers accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (together, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated offering of Common Shares under the ATM Facility, the proceeds from sales under the ATM Facility, the anticipated use of proceeds from such sales and the Company's financing options. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as the following: expects, plans, aims, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, assumes, potential and similar expressions, and, being estimates, resource and reserve estimates are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include reference to events or conditions that will, would, may, could or should occur, including in relation to the use of proceeds from the offering. These forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable at the time they are made, are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill projections/expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's projects; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and other tests and the estimation of gold reserves and resources; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of environmental issues at the Company's projects; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in work programs; the need to obtain permits and comply with environmental laws and regulations and other government requirements; fluctuations in the price of gold and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's December 31, 2019 Annual Information Form filed with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com) and the Company's Annual Report Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR (available at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml). ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Rudi Fronk" Chairman and CEO For further information please contact: Rudi P. Fronk, Chairman and CEO Tel: (416) 367-9292 Fax: (416) 367-2711 Email: info@seabridgegold.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/72662 The Donald Trump administration almost had a Saturday Night Massacre of its own in the last weeks of the presidency. Trump devised a plan to oust the acting attorney general with a lawyer who was eager to push his baseless claims of voter fraud in Georgia but he ultimately never went through with the idea as Justice Department officials threatened to resign en masse, reported the New York Times in an account that was later confirmed by the Washington Post. Advertisement As Trump found it increasingly difficult to accept that he lost the election and grasped at any straw he could find to prove his baseless claims of voter fraud, particularly in Georgia, he kept getting pushback from the Justice Department. After Attorney General William Barr resigned, some thought Trump wouldnt immediately push his replacement on the issue. But, of course, Trump did just that, and tried to pressure Jeffrey Rosen, the acting attorney general, to pursue the issue and appoint special counsels to investigate. Rosen refused, but Trump kept insisting. And at one point he met Jeffrey Clark, the acting head of the civil division who was on board with Trumps push. Clark quickly got the ear of the president and started pressuring department leaders to take more actions to uncover the supposed fraud. Suddenly Trump planned to oust Rosen in order to replace him with Clark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When word of the plan got to the senior leadership of the Justice Department, they all said they would resign if Rosen was fired. Many immediately saw the parallel to the 1973 Saturday Night Massacre, when then-Attorney General Elliot Richardson and his deputy resigned after Richard Nixon ordered the firing of the special prosecutor who was investigating him. Ultimately, Trump convened Rosen and Clark to the White House and had each present their point of view, a move White House officials said appeared eerily similar to an episode of the Apprentice. After three hours, Trump ended up siding with Rosen after several key officials warned of the chaos that would ensue if there were mass resignations at the Justice Department. Before the insurrectionist assault on the US Capitol, there was an attempted coup at the Justice Dept. fomented by the President of the United States, former Justice Department official David Laufman wrote on Twitter. Advertisement Clark issued a statement saying he categorically denied coming up with a plan to get Rosen out of the department. My practice is to rely on sworn testimony to assess disputed factual claims, Clark said. There were no maneuver[s]. There was a candid discussion of options and pros and cons with the President. It is unfortunate that those who were part of a privileged legal conversation would comment in public about such internal deliberations, while also distorting any discussions. . . . Observing legal privileges, which I will adhere to even if others will not, prevent me from divulging specifics regarding the conversation. Horrifying visuals of an elephant being set on fire has created an uproar on and off social media. A 40-year-old elephant died after being set on fire by a villager in Tamil Nadu. The villager had reportedly thrown a piece of burning tyre to chase away the elephant. However, the tyre got stuck on the elephant's ear. In a video that has since gone viral the distressed elephant can be seen trying to make its way away from the attackers. The incident took place in Masinagudi in the Nilgiris. One can see men throwing a burning object at the elephant in an attempt to chase it away. The elephant was later found by forest rangers with severe burn injuries on the back and ear. The elephant succumbed to the injuries while it was being transported to a medical facility for treatment on January 19. The elephant was found in a very weak condition. It was tranquilised before being transported to the Theppakadu elephant camp. Three men who were allegedly responsible for the violent act have been booked. Senior official of the Masinagudi Tiger Reserve identified three men as Prasath, Raymond Dean and Ricky Rayan. Two of them have been arrested and the third one is yet to be nabbed. As the video went viral, netizens called for the strictest punishment for the perpetrators. Some condemned the inhuman act while some lamented the lack of humanity that leads to such incidents. Also read: Congress made India dependent, PM Modi made it self-reliant: BJP Chief Nadda LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Sungjae Im shot a 7-under 65 on Friday at The American Express to take a one-stroke lead over first-round leader Brandon Hagy and four others. RELATED: Leaderboard | Mickelson cards 18 pars in a round for first time on TOUR Im, the 22-year-old South Korean who was the PGA TOUR's rookie of the year in 2019, had seven birdies in the bogey-free round on the Stadium Course at PGA WEST, highlighted by three in four holes around the turn. Hagy was in position to join Im at 11 under, but he bogeyed his final hole with a tee shot into the fairway bunker to finish his 70. Canada's Nick Taylor (66), South Korea's Si Woo Kim (68), Tony Finau (66) and Mexico's Abraham Ancer (65) also were 10 under. Emiliano Grillo (66), Francesco Molinari (66) and Doug Ghim (68) were two shots off the lead. The leaderboard was crowded with low scores as usual at the Palm Springs-area tournament long hosted by Bob Hope. Im, Taylor and Ancer were among 12 players who didn't make a bogey Friday. After splitting the first two rounds over two courses, the players will all play the Stadium Course for the final two rounds. Tournament host Phil Mickelson made 18 pars for the first time in his 2,201 rounds of PGA TOUR play. The 50-year-old missed the cut at 2 over. With his drives looking sharp and his mid-range putts dropping regularly, Im is off to another strong start at a tournament in which he has already finished 10th and 12th in his short PGA TOUR career. "I'm pretty satisfied with how I played all of my shots," said Im, who feels his putting has improved sharply this year. "Speaking of putting, I started drawing a line on the ball as I visualize my putts, and that seemed to work pretty well today." Im also feels he might have an edge because didn't travel home to South Korea during the holiday break due to the mandatory coronavirus quarantine required. Instead, he stayed in the house he recently purchased in Atlanta and practiced for the new season. Hagy made 10 birdies in his opening round, but got off to a rough start Friday on the Stadium Course with two early bogeys. He rallied with birdies on his 16th and 17th holes, but his errant drive on his final hole kept him one shot off the pace. Taylor, who also led the Sony Open in Hawaii after two rounds last week, shot a 66 with six birdies on the Stadium Course. He had three straight birdies on the back nine of his bogey-free round, including a 24-foot birdie putt on the 15th and an 18-footer on the island green at the 17th. Taylor appears to be rounding into impressive form as he prepares to defend his Pebble Beach title in three weeks. "My game feels really good right now, so hopefully it keeps peaking," he said. "It was a lot of intimidating tee shots, iron shots into greens. I feel like I missed in the right places. I drove it really nice on the par-5s and gave myself pretty easy looks on a few of them." A top US intelligence officer said Friday that North Korea sees dialogue as a way to further advance its nuclear weapons program and not as something that could end its isolation from the world. Sydney Seiler said Washington must not get overly excited if North Korean President Kim Jong Un suddenly proposes talks tomorrow because engaging in diplomacy is one of their ways to advance the nuclear program. Seiler is the US national intelligence officer for North Korea. Read: IN PICS | Kim Jong Un Opens North Korea's Major Political Event, Admits Party Mistakes "Every engagement in diplomacy has been designed to further the nuclear programme, not to find a way out of it. I just urge people not to let the tactical ambiguity obstruct the strategic clarity about North Korea that we have. So we should not be overly encouraged if suddenly Kim Jong Un proposes dialogue tomorrow, nor should we be overly surprised, or discouraged, if there's an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) launch by Sunday," Seiler said in an online event on January 22. Read: North Korea Holds Major Political Event Indoors With Nearly 5,000 Attendees Without Mask Biden admin intends to start talks This comes after the new administration in the White House indicated that it is willing to put pressure on North Korea to return to negotiating tables. The incoming Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said Tuesday that the new administration is planning a full review of US's approach towards North Korea and is willing to increase pressure on Pyongyang in order to persuade the country to return to negotiating tables with Washington. Blinken also added that Biden-Harris government also intends to provide humanitarian aid to North Korea if necessary. Read: North Korea Holds Its Biggest Political Event Amid Crises Sailer called the humanitarian assistance a "small-scale effort", adding the new administration is pushing hard to get North Korea to respond to, but that is not something of interest to Kim's regime. The United States is seeking denuclearisation of North Korea for the past few years. Because of the security threat the program poses to its allies, South Korea and Japan in the region, and also the threat Pyongyang present to Washington. Read: Biden's Pick For Secretary Of State On North Korea LAist only exists with reader support. If you're in a position to give, your donation powers our reporters and keeps us independent. Our reporting is free for everyone, but its not free to make. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now. The killings began to ramp up in July of 1985, and for two months, Los Angeles was terrified as "The Night Stalker" killed, raped, and robbed seemingly random Angelenos by night. The new Netflix documentary series Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer goes in-depth on the rampage, interviewing police, victims, and reporters about the search and ultimate capture of Richard Ramirez. Director Tiller Russell was writing for TV dramas Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. when his producing partner and friend Tim Walsh came to him with a source. He said that he'd just met a cop that worked the Night Stalker case, Gil Carrillo. Walsh thought there might be a documentary here. "As soon as I sat down and saw [Carrillo] in this old school '80s-esque restaurant, and he began to unfurl the story, I thought 'Wow, here's this amazing canvas in which a bygone L.A. is a huge character,'" Russell told LAist. As Carrillo started talking about the child abductions happening at the same time as the murders, Russell was drawn to his vulnerability. "Literally, tears began pouring down his face," Russell said. "I was so struck by how it had affected him as a human being. As a cop, but also as a man, as a father, as a husband." PUTTING IT ON FILM Gil Carrillo (L.A. Sheriff Homicide Detective) in episode 4 "Manhunt" of Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer. (Courtesy Netflix) Russell felt that it was an iconic story in an iconic city -- with an iconic killer. In an era with numerous ripped-from-the-headlines docuseries, Russell realized that the story of the Night Stalker had never been told on film in a detailed, definitive way. In narrative terms, Russell thought Carrillo was a great character, with his tale an unexpected hero's journey. The documentary pairs his story with Frank Salerno, in the role of the grizzled veteran cop. "It was straight out of a James Ellroy novel, the pairing of those two detectives," Russell said. The series had a rigorous style guide that steered its aesthetics, making sure they captured the feeling of 1985 L.A. just right. It works to put viewers back in that time and place with a combination of nightly TV news, crime scene photos, and more. Russell wanted to avoid overly modern camerawork for the period piece. Rather than going with the highly identifiable look of drone footage over Los Angeles, the series used helicopter shots. They also filmed using vintage lenses. "We went and got amazing helicopter pilots," Russell said. "It's a subtle distinction, but it's in keeping with what would have been shot in the day, and also in keeping with the pre-existing archival footage that exists." But beyond just a look, Russell wants to evoke a feeling. He worked with the director of photography to use the language of film, particularly horror and noir, to get this story into your lizard brain. With the crimes all taking place at night, and the police showing up at night, Russell saw much of the series as a noir film. "We shot the entire thing at night, to give it that nocturnal, noir feel," Russell said. WHAT IT MEANS TO CENTER THE STORY ON COPS IN 2021 Richard Ramirez ("The Night Stalker") in episode 4 "Manhunt" of Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer. (Courtesy Netflix) One way the story is being told differently now than it would have been in the past, according to Russell, is a focus on diversity in the story. There's Carrillo as Latino cop, Ramirez as Latino killer, and Latino citizens on the street that ultimately apprehend him. The victims also came from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, with victims' stories being a key part of the narrative. The documentary anchors its story in the perspective of the two officers telling the story, but Russell wanted to make sure the viewpoints of victims, survivors, and family members were also included. "It became critical to tell those stories in a very intimate, and personal, and hopefully emotional way," Russell said. "We understand the human impact and that terrorizing feeling that everybody had that summer, of anyone could be next -- it could be me." At the same time, there's also the issue of centering the story on the words of police in a time when policing is being re-examined by the culture at large. "It's not just a crisis, it's a failure in policing that needs a complete, radical reimagining," Russell said. "And yet, this is a story in which, in my opinion, those guys are heroes." Russell wanted to evoke the diversity of Los Angeles in this story, but also found many of those elements baked in. In the end, the publicity around the Night Stalker ended up being his downfall, with people on the street apprehending him. "It was the people from the very neighborhoods that he's praying and unleashing his depredations," Russell said. "There was this beautiful, amazing poetic justice to the city itself rising up to capture this guy. If you made it up, it would be a terrible pitch, but because it's real, it was this amazing narrative gift." Russell's built a career making movies about the criminal underworld. He described every movie he makes as being the same, in a way. "All of them are mapping the criminal underworld, and the thin and sometimes porous boundary between cops and gangsters," Russell said. "Each one of these is a step on my attempt to leave my record of human experience behind." COULD THIS CRIME SPREE HAPPEN TODAY? Detective's investigate evidence in episode 3 "Lock. Your. Doors." of Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer. (Courtesy Netflix) One reason that it would be more difficult for Ramirez to commit his crimes now, according to Russell: This all took place before the widespread use of DNA evidence, or even computerized fingerprint databases. "To match a print, you literally have to manually hold up a magnifying glass and match one print to a pre-existing known print that belongs to a specific person," Russell noted. "It's a totally different ballgame." That lack of investigative options weighed on the police, according to Russell. "In a way, at the time, for them to catch the killer, they constantly needed another body, another victim," Russell said. "That weighed on their souls, because that was the methodology in some sense for working the case." The crimes were also taking place across multiple jurisdictions, which made it more difficult to connect and investigate it all. "There are innumerable societal, technological, cultural changes -- this exact set of murders couldn't happen again," Russell said. "But I suppose it remains to be seen whether something this shocking and horrific will happen again." Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer is available on Netflix now. If anyone ends up wanting to tell the story again, there may be a screenwriter with a unique perspective to write the story -- Ed Solomon, who wrote the Bill & Ted movies, recently posted his own Night Stalker story involving police coming to his home in 1985, when he was identified as a suspect. (Newser) Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is facing an impeachment petition that claims he misled the public about the Breonna Taylor case, the Louisville Courier Journal reports. Among the citizens that signed the petition filed with the state House of Representatives on Friday were three members of the grand jury in the Taylor case, who claim that Cameron misrepresented their actions. These are randomly selected citizens who were compelled to sit on a grand jury and were terribly misused by the most powerful law enforcement official in Kentucky, their attorney, Kevin Glogower, said in a statement. Police shot Taylor to death in March as they forced their way into her apartment while serving a no-knock warrant. Grand jurors have said that the only charges presented to them were the wanton endangerment charges against an officer who shot into another apartment. story continues below That officer, Brett Hankinson was charged. Many people were outraged that no homicide charges were filed in the case. Some jurors have claimed they were not given the opportunity to weigh homicide charges, CNN reports. That contradicts Camerons claim that, per the Journal, his office provided jurors with all of the information, including every homicide offense. The impeachment petition alleges that Cameron lied to the grand jury by excluding information and charges available to them, then lied to the public about what he had told the grand jury." The petition also ties Cameron to the Jan. 6 riot in Washington DC because of his involvement in a Republican attorneys general group that financed robocalls encouraging people to protest at the Capitol. (Read more Breonna Taylor stories.) Action-themed film "Confidential Assignment" will soon release its sequel and the cast has been confirmed! "Confidential Assignment" is a South Koreanmovie released in 2017 that tells the story of Im Cheol Ryung (Hyun Bin), a North Korean officer of the special investigation team. His team goes on a mission at a warehouse that prints counterfeit money. Unexpectedly, Im Cheol Ryung's superior Cha Ki Seong (Kim Joo Hyuk) as well as his team are there to steal the master plates to print the counterfeit money. Because of this, chaos happened and a shoot-out occurred, to which Im Cheol Ryung obtained gun wounds and others were also killed in the incident. Later on, North Korean leaders discovered that Cha Ki Seong has fled to South Korea and Im Cheol Ryung was given a task to take down Cha Ki Seong to retrieve the stolen master plates. He was given a time frame of only 3 days to complete his mission. In order to help Im Cheol Ryung complete his mission, he needs to work together with a South Korean detective named Kang Jin Tae (Yoo Hae Jin), who is ordered to watch over Im Cheol Ryung closely. For the first time, South Korea and North Korea decide to cooperate to catch a criminal. The sequel of the film will possibly be titled "Confidential Assignment 2: International" and will feature the main lead, Im Cheol Ryung, going back to South Korea to track down a vicious and secret criminal organization. Again, he teams up with Kang Jin Tae who also requested to work with him in order to get back on the investigation team after an error that landed him in the cybercrime department. The new installment will also have new faces, which include Daniel Henney and Jin Sun Kyu. The former is said to star as an FBI detective from the United States named Jack. He is also tracking down the North Korean criminal organization that has caused destruction and chaos all around the world. Meanwhile, Jin Sun Kyu will star as Myung Joon the head of the North Korean criminal organization. YoonA previously appeared in the 2017 film as the sister-in-law of Kang Jin Tae. In the sequel, however, YoonA's role will expand as Park Min Young, who nurtures a deep affection for Im Cheol Ryung. She considers herself as a YouTube star, but based on her sister's outlook, she's just an unemployed girl. "Confidential Assignment" sequel will be helmed by Director Lee Seok Hoon, who also worked on films "The Pirates" and "The Himalayas." The film is scheduled to start their filming next month (February)! Are you also excited to see the sequel of "Confidential Assignment"? Drop your comments below! For more k-drama, K-movie, celebrity news, and updates, please keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Written by Liza Parker SUMMERVILLE Tommy Baker wanted an authentic look for the nation's first and only commercial van dealership specializing in Sprinter vehicles built by Mercedes-Benz Vans. So he hired architects and builders to work closely with the German vehicle maker to create Baker Motor Co.'s newest vehicle sales center specializing in the top-selling work vehicle that originated overseas but is now built in the Lowcountry. "The question was asked what's the budget?," Baker said during an event this week to mark the opening of the dealership on Sigma Drive in the Nexton development. "I said we don't have a budget. We want to do it right." The final tab came in at $25 million for a 28,600-square foot showroom with offices, conference rooms and lounges, a service center and an area where more than 150 used luxury vehicles termed The Baker Collection will be sold. It's an architectural concept called Autohaus 3, created by GBA Architecture in Charleston in consultation with Mercedes-Benz Vans. Any future Sprinter dealerships will have to follow the same concept. Hill Construction was the builder. "Inside everything is black so only the vehicles 'pop' in the showroom," said James Bishop with GBA Architecture. "Also, the casual furniture makes it more of a relaxed atmosphere when buying a new car." The Summerville dealership also includes biking and hiking trails, a fishing pond and a children's play area for customers to occupy their time while vehicles are being serviced. The dealership takes up 13 of the roughly 30 acres Baker purchased in the master-planned development. He's planning a large body shop up to 80,000 square feet on some of the parcel and is talking with other vehicle manufacturers about selling their cars at separate dealership sites. "We see this as the beginning of our campus here," Baker said, adding the Nexton project will help him tap into a growing population and business base in Berkeley and Dorchester counties. "We're 27 miles from Charleston, so it's an entirely different market that we haven't had." The Berkeley County site adds to Baker Motor's dealerships in Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Wilmington, N.C. Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! "This allows us to have multiple sales offices to deliver a customized and personal experience for each customer," said A.J. Geffert, general manager for Baker Motor. Nearly all of the Sprinter dealership's employees will be current Baker Motor workers who've been promoted to the new site. "I'm very big on employee satisfaction," Baker said. "We believe happy employees means happy clients. The Sprinters sold in Summerville are built at the Mercedes-Benz Vans plant in North Charleston. There are five companies, called upfitters, in the Charleston area that can customize the vehicles for practically any purpose. Having the upfitters nearby allows Baker's dealership to keep on hand a number of different Sprinter and commercial van configurations. "We want the florist, the plumber, the electrician ...," Baker said. "People who want extra luxury if they are traveling across country. We've got pop-up campers that are very popular." The Sprinter van celebrated its 25th year of production in 2020 and is perhaps the world's most recognizable work vehicle. Online retailer Amazon has ordered 20,000 of them from the North Charleston plant for last-mile deliveries of goods throughout the U.S. and the van is widely used by a variety of businesses because it is easily customizable. A record 41,930 Sprinters were sold in the U.S. in 2020 a 31.6 percent increase over the previous year's total. The Mercedes-Benz Vans campus in Palmetto Commerce Park initially took vans that were sent from Germany to the Port of Charleston in parts and then rebuilt them for U.S. customers. Mercedes-Benz Vans started full production of the Sprinter in North Charleston in September 2018. Baker, a graduate of The Citadel, founded his first vehicle dealership in Charleston in 1988. His company is now the largest privately held automobile dealer group headquartered in South Carolina. Some residents in the Volta Region have expressed mixed reactions about the President's re-nomination of Dr Archibald Yao Letsa as the Volta Regional Minister-designate. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) some residents described the renomination as a step in the right direction to enable him to continue with the development plans he has for the Region, while others think otherwise. An egg seller, who only gave her name as Akpene said the President had taken a good decision for re-nominating him, considering the swift nature he handled security situations in the Region. She said the Region also witnessed some appreciable level of development under him in the past four years, and thus deserved a second chance to continue. Akpene commended the President for reducing the number of his ministers, saying it would help save the public purse. Another resident who gave his name as Emmanuel said the Region had not witnessed any development under Dr Letsa as Minister, hence, "we don't want him, the President should bring another person. A lotto agent, who wanted to remain anonymous said the President would not have re-nominated him if he had not performed to his satisfaction, therefore he had no problem with him being reappointed. The agent while commending the President for reducing the number of his Ministers, added that he wondered why such was not done in his first term of office. A trader who gave her name as Dzigbordi said she had not seen the needed development in the Region for which Dr Letsa should be given another term as the Regional Minister. Another gentleman who also gave his name as Michael said "the reduction of the number of ministers is a step towards plus, but not a plus," urging the President to reduce it further to save the public purse. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Angel holding the banner of Stop Persecuting Falun Gong opposite the main entrance of the Chinese Consulate in Toorak in Melbourne, Australia. (Courtesy of Angel) Woman Almost Killed for Her Faith Recalls Horrors of Living Under the Communist Terror Having fled communist China, a woman who was almost killed for her faith 20 years ago is now on a mission to expose the gross injustices dictated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). She is one of the countless innocent citizens who were suddenly viewed as state enemies overnight and a threat to the communist regimes ideologies of Marxism and atheism after the CCP initiated a nationwide crackdown to eradicate Falun Gonga spiritual meditation system that is freely practiced by over 100 million people across the world but is being violently suppressed in China since 1999. Angel, 49, fled China in 2015 after enduring years of harrowing persecution and narrowly escaping organ harvesting. She currently resides in Melbourne, Australia, where she enjoys the freedom to follow her faith. However, two decades ago, life was completely different for her. They attempted to force me to renounce my faith. But Im not a piece of wood. I have my own thoughts, Angel, who declined to give her Chinese name due to safety concerns, told the Falun Dafa Information Center, recalling the torture she faced after she was abducted from work by the Chinese police and taken to a brainwashing center in 2001. This is a trampling of human rights, trampling freedom of belief. In order to protest against the barbaric persecution, Angel went on a hunger strike, but that resulted in more abuses. Authorities pushed a rubber tube into Angels mouth to force-feed her while several people pressed her down. When they pulled out the tube, it was covered in blood. I really dont want to recall this Angel said of the harrowing experience. Faith Rooted in Truth, Compassion, Tolerance Angel recalled the pre-1999 days when between 70 million and 100 million people were practicing Falun Gong in China alone. Falun Gongs incredible healing efficacy enabled many people to have stronger, healthier bodies, Angel said. So, people naturally wanted to tell others about it. In just a few years, hundreds of millions of people were practicing. Back in the days at the young age of 28, Angel suffered from several health issues and anxiety. This led to depression, Angel said. I couldnt control my emotions, and felt lost in life. Being so distressed all the time caused my heart rate to become irregular. Sometimes when climbing two flights of stairs, my heart would palpitate like crazy, my body would feel weak, and I would be sweating Moreover, my liver developed a problem, it became very painful. Angel said her psychological pain far outweighed her physical pains. Feeling hopeless, she felt that she wouldnt even make it to the age of 40. In the pursuit to regain her health, Angel decided to try the meditative exercises of Falun Gong. After practicing Falun Gong, I became a cheerful, optimistic, happy person, she said. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an ancient mind-body cultivation system based on the universal tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance; the practice consists of five gentle and slow-moving exercises. Angel participating in the Tian Guo (Divine Land) Marching Band in Australia to raise awareness about the goodness of the Falun Gong spiritual system and expose the unlawful persecution ongoing in China. (Wang Yucheng/The Epoch Times) Persecuted Severely for Faith Since July 1999, countless Falun Gong adherents have been arrested and tortured during illegal incarceration. Thousands of practitioners across China have died as a result of the persecution in the last 21 years. Angel is one of the many living witnesses who have survived these brutalities firsthand. In 2000, with the hope to appeal for the freedom to practice Falun Gong, Angel along with four other adherents got on a train to Tiananmen Square in Beijing. We went to appeal for our right to practice freely, in peace, she recalled. Wed only been sitting for 10 seconds or so when we were illegally abducted. Police and plainclothes officers were everywhere on Tiananmen Square. Angel and other Falun Gong practitioners meditate in Tiananmen Square, in Beijing, in 2001. (Courtesy of Angel) After Angel was taken to a local police station, she was questioned about where she lived and worked. However, as she refused to reveal her identity, police officers burned the back of her hand with a lighter, which resulted in big blisters. However, another adherent divulged Angels and others identities to the police officers after struggling to endure the physical abuse. Angel was then sent back to her city, where she was detained at her workplace for four long days and monitored round the clock. I was traumatized by the incident, Angel said. This was my first time being persecuted. However, it was not the end of the torture that she was going to face. Just a year later, in December 2001, police officers again illegally abducted Angel from her workplace and took her to a brainwashing center, where she went for a hunger strike to protest the persecution. She was force-fed salty meals mixed with unknown substances. The abuse took a toll on Angels health, and her blood pressure became dangerously low. Her family received a letter stating that she was going to be unconditionally released. Although back home, she was still monitored by the communist officials. After her health stabilized, she continued her efforts to expose the persecution. In 2004, she was again arrested for the third time for handing out informational brochures about the practice and its suppression. The torture Angel endured this time was worse and more inhumane than her first two incarcerations. An illustration of force-feeding, a routine torture method employed in Chinese prisons to coerce prisoners of conscience to give up their faith. (Wang Weixing/Minghui.org) Several people pinned me down to force-feed me, Angel said. In order to get released earlier, prisoners collaborated with the police to torture us wildly. Some prisoners jumped on her chest with as much force as possible with their whole body weight pressing down. Meanwhile, other prisoners grabbed her head and pulled her hair. They force-fed me extremely salty things. I felt terribly thirsty. My tongue felt dry like sand, she said. My stomach felt like it was burning. I dont know what they poured in. Recalling a startling incident during the March 2004 detention, Angel said: When I was incarcerated, guards drew my blood. I was confused at the time. Of the 20 people detained in that large room, why was only my blood drawn? Why didnt they take blood from anyone else? However, being the sole Falun Gong adherent in the cell during that time, Angel only realized two years later the reason why her blood was withdrawn. It was finally in 2006 when the truth was revealed. The Chinese Communist Party is killing Falun Gong practitioners for their organs to sell. Thats when I finally realized that the CCP is engaged in such evil. Killing innocents on-demand, Angel said. In 2006, two independent Canadian investigatorsDavid Matas, an international human rights lawyer, and David Kilgour, a former Canadian Secretary of State (Asia Pacific) and human rights advocatepublished a 46-page report, accompanied by 14 appendices, confirming that Falun Gong prisoners of conscience are being murdered for their vital organs in China. A painting shows Chinese police and doctors harvesting the organs of a living Falun Gong practitioner. Investigators believe thousands of Falun Gong adherents have had their organs harvested by Chinese authorities. (Minghui.org) Being force-fed for a month and after undergoing horrific torture, Angels condition began to deteriorate, and she was unable to walk or take care of her well-being; she was admitted to the forced labor camps infirmary. A doctor said that as my endocrine was a mess, I could die at any moment, so it was useless to treat me. They refused to accept me, she said. Angels family was notified to pick her up. When her mother saw her lying immobile, she was shocked. I was persecuted to the point of being unrecognizable. My elderly mother cried, shouting my name. The policemen told my mother: Were handing her over to you. Shes still alive, Angel recalled. Feeling of Hope After facing horrendous abuses, Angel knew staying in China was life-threatening for her. Living under the Communist Red Terror in China, theres no guarantee that Ill be safe. Given the danger, and in desperation, I fled China and flew to Australia, this beautiful and free country, Angel said. Now residing in Australia for the last five years, Angel works as a cleaner for 20 days a month, and in the remaining time, she endeavors to create awareness of the persecution still ongoing back in her beloved homeland of China. Despite rain or shine, Angel is determined to expose the CCPs crimes and is often seen silently holding a large white banner that reads Stop Persecuting Falun Gong directly opposite the main entrance of the Chinese Consulate in the Melbourne neighborhood of Toorak. Angel holding the banner of Stop Persecuting Falun Gong opposite the main entrance of the Chinese Consulate in Toorak in Melbourne, Australia. (Courtesy of Angel) Angel strives to collect signatures for a petition to be sent to the Australian government, calling for an immediate end to the persecution of Falun Gong. As long as I do my part well, by allowing people to realize the terrible truth of the situation in China, people will willingly take my signature board to sign. For me thats hope, Angel said. She further adds that witnessing peoples kindness is the most beautiful thing. When I see people reading our materials and learning about the persecution, that feeling of hope arises, Angel said. Arshdeep Sarao contributed to this report. She is never one to shy away from social media. And Maya Jama showed off her dance moves on Friday as she sipped on a glass of wine and got 'waved' in her London apartment amid the UK's third lockdown. The TV presenter, 26, flaunted her incredible figure in a plunging white crop top and jeans, as she recorded herself shaking her hips in her kitchen. Command attention: Maya Jama showed off her incredible figure in a plunging white crop top and jeans on Friday in her London apartment amid the UK's third lockdown Maya rocked a gold necklace and displayed her natural beauty with minimal make-up as she captured the sizzling video. Her raven tresses tumbled down her back in a straight hairdo and she captioned the upload to her 2 million Instagram followers: 'Friday nights in lockdown.. FaceTime waved in my kitchen '. Maya was recently announced as the new host of BBC Threes Glow Up: Britains Next Make Up Star. Glow Up returns for a third season later this year and the TV sensation will replace Stacey Dooley, who fronted the series for two previous runs. Capturing the moment: The TV presenter, 26, sipped on a glass of wine and got 'waved' as she recorded herself, shaking her hips in her kitchen Having a whale of a time: Maya rocked a gold necklace and displayed her natural beauty with minimal make-up as she captured the sizzling video Maya said of the recent appointment: 'I absolutely LOVE Glow Up and cant wait to join the family! Im obsessed with makeup and creating different looks - its going to be so much fun and I cant wait to see what the [Make Up Artists] get up to!' Industry icons Val Garland and Dominic Skinner will also return as series judges, on hand to whittle down ten budding Make Up Artists [MUAs] one by one, before discovering Britains Next Make Up Star. Stacey, 33, announced in October that she would be leaving as host. She tweeted: 'I won't be able to be a part of Glow Up, series 3. It was such an utter delight to work alongside Dom and Val. Total stars. 'And of course, a real treat to meet the artists, and appreciate their creativity! It's a show v close to my heart, and I wish everyone involved in the next gig, all the love in the world.' [sic] Stunning: Her raven tresses tumbled down her back in a straight hairdo and she captioned the upload: 'Friday nights in lockdown.. FaceTime waved in my kitchen ' It's understood signing on to host new show This Is MY House led to Stacey being unable to front season three of Glow Up. Her new show - set to air this year - sees four people declare a property is theirs, but only one of them is telling the truth. A team of celebrity judges will work together to figure out who is the honest homeowner and who are the imposters. When she announced the new show, and her subsequent departure from Glow Up, trolls hit out at Stacey on Twitter for ditching one to front the other. Back to business: Maya was recently announced as the new host of BBC Threes Glow Up: Britains Next Make Up Star She replied to some of the comments, saying: 'Reading some of the unnecessarily cruel comments re my new gig. I got the same criticism doing Strictly and Glow Up. 'I did well on Strictly and Glow Up went on to be a global series, that was recommissioned and Netflix took. I don't know why this platform is so unkind.' [sic] Meanwhile, Maya will be adding Glow Up to her CV of hosting gigs, which already includes a show on BBC Radio 1, the MOBO Awards, Stand Up To Cancer, and Save Our Summer with Peter Crouch. Some of the most revered names in the beauty and fashion industry have also appeared on the show, from Rankin, Henry Holland and Andrew Gallimore through to NikkieTutorials, Anastasia Soare and Lisa Armstrong. Glow Up series three will be available to stream in the UK exclusively on BBC iPlayer later this year. They made their appointments, got in their cars and were ready to stroll into the vaccine center, when police officers turned them away at the last second. Locals only, was the response from officials at Teanecks Richard Rodda Community Center. Despite objections from exasperated travelers, residence-based policies are completely allowed, as Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli clarified Friday. I do want to make a distinction between the megasites and the county sites, she said. There are a number of counties that have put up their own sites. And very appropriately, they will give priority to the county residents first. I want to make that clear, go to a mega site, with the state-supported site anyone can go there, but the counties will give priority to their county residents first. That hasnt eased the understandable frustration of residents trying to navigate an onerous appointment system, especially when the policy had not been made clear ahead of time. When Teaneck received 566 coronavirus vaccine doses last week, the information was posted on Holy Name Medical Centers website and people were told they could register for vaccinations. But when the site received 1.2 million clicks on Sunday, technical problems developed. Those problems resulted in some people believing they had completed registration when they had not. Faced with website problems and overwhelmed by inquiries online and in person, Teaneck officials decided to prioritize the vaccination of local residents over people from other towns, township officials said. You cant offer the vaccine to everybody from Day 1 or else nobody gets it, Deputy Mayor Elie Y. Katz said Thursday. Holy Name Medical Center pharmacists and nurses work in a mass vaccination center at the Rodda Community Center in Teaneck, N.J. January, 14, 2021Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for Katz said about 1,300 senior citizens were vaccinated Monday and Tuesday with the 566 doses they received. The deputy mayor said each dose is enough for two vaccinations. A number of county vaccine websites have made it painstakingly clear that their programs are only open to county residents. In Essex, residents are asked to fill out a survey that includes the questions do you work in Essex County but reside in a different county? and are you a resident of Essex County, NJ? If users answer no to both questions, the form automatically tells them they are ineligible at this time. The same is true of Salem Countys Google Form vaccine survey if someone answers no to the very question, Are you a Salem County resident, theyll never see the rest of the questions. A message on Hudson Countys vaccine website instructs residents that As of January 14, 2021 appointments are reserved for the following groups of people (who must live or work in Hudson County). If someone tries to call the Hudson Regional Health Commission, the first question an operator asks is whether you live or work in the county. Others are opening their doors to residents from across the state. Anybody can receive a vaccine at one of Middlesex Countys sites and proof of residency isnt asked for, a county spokesperson told NJ Advance Media. In Passaic County, Paterson is running one of the states most accessible vaccine programs residents from anywhere in the state are welcome and no appointments are taken, though availability has fluctuated due to vaccine limitations. Residents have come from as far as Atlantic County, driving two hours to stake out a spot in line, the first arriving at Patersons International High School at 2 a.m. before doors opened at 9:30 a.m. This is a humanitarian effort and its a global crisis, so were not turning non-Paterson residents away, Mayor Andre Sayegh said last Friday. Eventually, vaccines will be given to anyone in New Jersey who wants to come Teaneck, Katz said, adding that proof of residence wont matter in the weeks ahead. But during this week, as they tried to work the kinks out of the system, they did make the net smaller, the deputy mayor said. Katz said communication could have been better so that people didnt waste time coming to Teaneck only to be turned away. We dont have everything perfect, Katz said. We ask everyone to be patient. Eventually, everyone who wants the vaccine is going to get it. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Josh Axelrod may be reached at jaxelrod@njadvancemedia.com. Anthony Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. Gunshot sounds echoed in the home of Lovelyn Endne every night. Apart from the psychological effect on her little children of seeing people being killed nearly every day, Mrs Endne was afraid her family members, too, could be killed. Over 3,000 have lost their lives since an armed conflict started in 2017 between government troops and secessionists who want to take the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions out of Cameroon. The conflict began after security forces cracked down on lawyers and teachers protesting the imposition of French language on schools and courts in the regions. The conflict has displaced at least 700,000 people, including Mrs Endne and her husband, who fled with their two kids from Babessi, their village in the Northwest, to the Southwest town of Kumba. The 25-year-old was pregnant with their third child when the family fled Babessi where her husband was a smallholder farmer. Life became very hard after they arrived Kumba in early 2020. Unable to secure a job and driven crazy by their childrens daily cry of hunger, her husband had disappeared one morning. Mrs Endne does not know where he is. His disappearance firmly placed the burden of caring for the children on Mrs Endne. Things got even worse following the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown between March and June in Cameroon last year when prices of food and their other needs skyrocketed. As her pregnancy entered its sixth month, her familys day-to-day life became an ugly mixture of hunger, frustration and uncertainty. Things were very bad, she said. Help from unexpected source But in July 2020, relief came to the family from an unexpected source. One morning that month, a young woman had visited Mrs Endne at her home and handed her a big sack. In it were a 4kg bag of rice, beans, vegetable oil, a pack of Maggi food seasoner, tablets of soap and rolls of detergent. Heline Babiene Eweni told Mrs Endne the gift was from her organisation, Exceptional Youth Initiative. She explained that the family was one of 30 households in Kumba it was supporting to cope with the impact of the conflict and the economic effect of COVID-19. The things helped my situation, Mrs Endne, now a single parent of three kids, said. Miss Eweni further told Mrs Endne she would receive a grant of 100,000 Francs (nearly $200) to start a small business so that she could keep supporting her family. With the money, Mrs Endne has been trading in rice, beans, tomato paste, garri (cassava flour grains) and other food items. She makes between 5,000 and 10,000 Franc ($9.3 and $18.7) as profit every week, which she said, has been key to her familys sustenance. The business has helped me because from there I feed my children, buy clothes and also buy medicine when my child is feeling ill, she said. For Mrs Endne, Miss Eweni is God-sent. They call her a caring grandma, even though Eweni is just 24 years old, because she is just like a mother to me. It is not only Mrs Endne who calls her Iya another local word for mother. Many young people around Kumba, especially those who have benefitted from her organisations work, call her that, too. 35-year-old Sally Eweh had also fled her hometown of Bamenda in Northwest Cameroon to Kumba and now trades in fruits after receiving 50,000 Franc to start a small business. ADVERTISEMENT She says they call Miss Eweni Grandma because beyond giving material support, she also offers emotional help to suffering people around her. That kind of tender care, Mrs Eweh says, is characteristic of a loving grandmother. Miss Eweni had herself become an orphan when her mother died of sickness in 2015, two years after her fathers death. This forced her and her four siblings to start working early to fend for themselves and their education. She says her personal experience inspired her to start the Exceptional Youth Initiative as a vehicle to lend support to the poor and the vulnerable. Since she registered the group as a nonprofit in 2018, hundreds of displaced people in Anglophone Cameroon have benefitted from its humanitarian outreaches. The beneficiaries include over 3,000 displaced pregnant women and girls who got laundry and sanitary products like diapers, detergents, toilet soaps and others for about six consecutive months in 2019. Her organisation has also paid for antenatal care for 10 displaced pregnant girls who could not afford the service and helped two children who had cataracts to receive free eye surgeries. Another 130 families in Kumba have received food packages similar to those the Endne family got. Ten women have each also received at least 50,000 Franc to start a new small business or support an existing one. A teacher with a degree in English from the University of Buea in Cameroon, Miss Eweni is also a child rights advocate. She appears on radio programmes advocating childrens right to unhindered education. She is also a youth pastor at Christ Embassy Town Green in Kumba, with at least 45 teenagers under her pastoral care. In late 2019, Miss Ewenis humanitarian effort caught the attention of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, an initiative of a Nigerian pastor, Chris Oyakhilome, that supports youth-led projects transforming lives in Africa. After reviewing Miss Ewenis work, the foundation had named her its 2019 star prize winner with a $35,000 cash support, which Miss Eweni says has boosted her work. By the way, Mr Oyakhilome is the founder of Loveworld Inc., also known as Christ Embassy Church. It is one of its local assemblies in Kumba that Miss Eweni pastors. Many challenges In recent times, Miss Eweni has had to endure many challenges to keep her work going. For example, since the Coronavirus pandemic broke out in Cameroon, she has been unable to raise meaningful fund. There are people I would have loved to visit to request their support, but they are afraid to receive guests because of the pandemic, she says, noting that such requests are best-communicated face-to-face with potential donors. Also, since 2018, her network of volunteers has reduced to just 10. About 20 others have fled to the French-speaking regions as the conflict intensified in their hometowns. Miss Eweni is also mindful of her own safety because not even Kumba is entirely safe. In October 2020, suspected secessionists stormed a school in the town and killed seven schoolchildren. Separatists have declared every Monday a no-movement day in Kumba. Yet, Miss Eweni says these challenges will not dampen her determination to support those in need. She will keep pushing. In addition to her belief that giving support is her mission and her personal experience that inspired it, Miss Eweni also draws strength from the lives and works of women who have stood up for vulnerable female groups and whose lives inspire courage among young girls globally. Her role models include Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the economist-turned-politician who became the first female president in Liberia and Africa (2006-2018) and has worked to advance womens rights. Others are Oprah Winfrey and Lisa Nichols, two black-American women who overcame childhood challenges to become global icons. In Kumba, Mrs Endne prays for the Anglophone conflict to end soon so that her family can return to their farms in Babessi. Meantime, she intends to grow her small business. It is our only source of survival, she says. [NOTE: This article was produced with the support of the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, the John Templeton Foundation, and Templeton Religion Trust. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of these Organisations.] Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Slate is now asking those who read the most to support our journalism more directly by subscribing to Slate Plus. Learn more. To get advice from Prudie, send questions for publication to prudence@slate.com. (Questions may be edited.) Join the live chat every Monday at noon. Submit your questions and comments here before or during the live discussion. Or call the Dear Prudence podcast voicemail at 401-371-DEAR (3327) to hear your question answered on a future episode of the show. Advertisement Dear Prudence, Four years ago, I had an affair with my cousins husband. The fallout was exactly what youd imagine: godawful. I felt terrible about it at the time and apologized immediately. My cousin severed ties with me and most of my immediate family. Recently our grandmother died from COVID, and we were all together for the funeral. My cousin was perfectly polite, and I was reminded of my immense guilt that I hurt her and broke up her marriage. I would like to send a note apologizing for my part in the dissolution of her marriage but am not sure its a good idea. I also realize sometimes its better to let sleeping dogs lie and dont want to bring up a painful memory for her unnecessarily. I would ask my parents, but I dont want to open an old can of worms with them. Weve moved on, but I know they feel pain at losing their niece at my hands. Any advice you can give would be appreciated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family Fallout The key here is that your impulse to send this apology note did not arise from a realization that you had failed to apologize comprehensively four years ago, nor from an indication from your cousin that she was interested in reestablishing a relationship, or in having a conversation that went beyond basic politeness. You were simply reminded of your guilt. Thats understandable, given the circumstances, but I dont think its a very good reason to try to contact her. She was fairly clear about not wanting to speak to you (or anyone in your family) four years ago, and since she hasnt followed up after the funeral with either you or your parents, its reasonable to assume she still feels now the way she did then, and the only reason she spoke to you at the funeral was because she didnt want to violate social conventions. Were you to try to speak to her again, I fear you would only cause her additional pain and make her feel responsible for managing your guilt. The kindest thing you can do for your cousin, the clearest way you can honor your commitment to not add to the pain youve already caused her, is to respect her wish not to speak to you. Advertisement Advertisement If the idea of not saying anything to anyone feels unbearable, or if you worry youre going to endlessly punish yourself, Id encourage you to speak with your close friends or a therapist about your feelings. You might even consider the possibility of revisiting the subject with your parents. You say you dont want to open an old can of worms with them, but since they are in a relationship with you and your cousin isnt, theres much more room there for potential honesty, making amends, and healing. You can proceed cautiously and begin by asking them if theyre even interested in speaking on the subject again. Speaking with these other people instead of your cousin may not fully address your guilt, but it will go a long way toward treating her with respect and compassion. You deserve relief from your guiltyou do not deserve to spend the rest of your life in shame and self-loathingbut you cannot seek that relief from the person you harmed, since shes already made her wishes very clear on that front. Advertisement Help! My Niece Stole From My Neighbors. Her Mom Blames Me for Her Getting in Trouble. Danny M. Lavery is joined by Noah Kulwin on this weeks episode of the Dear Prudence podcast. Advertisement Subscribe to the Dear Prudence Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Dear Prudence, Ive met someone who fills me with warmth and kindness and care. I met her family for the first time this past weekend, and it went great. They invited me to an upcoming vacation in Hawaii, and Im thrilled. Im a survivor of domestic abuse from a previous relationship that spanned physical, verbal, and sexual violence. Its taken quite a bit to even admit that. My current partner, Jane, is also a survivor of sexual assault and, from what I can glean, parental abuse. Her father used to be an alcoholic and regularly hit Jane and her sister. Shes told me shes worked to forgive her father, and I support her 100 percent. Advertisement However, I just couldnt help but notice Janes extremely short fuse with her dad over the long weekend or watching her squirm away from one of his unannounced hugs. After I left, there was family tension around the election that culminated with her and her father getting in a yelling match about the definition of rape. He stomped toward her, screaming, and poked his finger in her chest. Shes shaken that hed use violence to intimidate her again after years of not doing so. Its been a couple weeks, and shes sort of let it go. I know its not my role to care-take this, and I do have a lot of respect for her mom, and sort of forced respect for her dad. Her mom is playing mediator, pleading with her husband to be more understanding on topics he really doesnt know anything about (Jane has not revealed her assaults to her family). Advertisement Advertisement I need help with boundaries and understanding my place. I support Jane and will continue to advocate for her physical and mental well-being. I also know that if I were there (or say, will be there on the upcoming vacation), Im not sure I could keep my mouth shut to a man yelling at his daughter. I am not encouraging Jane to share her story of sexual assault. Thats her choice. But I am finding myself caught on how to support her, and this issue feels newly and intensely stirred up. Keeping My Mouth Shut I must begin by contesting your claim that this weekend meeting Janes family went great. I dont think it did. Whats more, I dont think you believe it went great, either. I suspect youre desperate to be supportive of Jane, worried about alienating her after youve both suffered so much abuse, and frightened of acknowledging anything that might get in the way of declaring their family situation healed. But the visit youve described was not an example of forgiveness, growth, meaningful change, or respect. You saw continued abuse, silence, enabling, and secrecy. You saw your partner so uncomfortable with her fathers physical presence that she squirmed away when he hugged her. You know that after you left, a man who physically abused his children suddenly screamed, intimidated, and prodded his grown daughter during an argument about rape. You saw Janes mother attempt to placate her abusive husband by pleading with him not to erupt in rage, which is nothing like mediation, but clearly part of a very old family pattern thats grown up around his abusive behavior. I hope you will reconsider your decision to respect Janes father. You may choose to treat him with basic politeness or diplomacy for Janes sake, but nothing in your description of his past and present behavior merits your admiration, begrudging or otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are right to let Jane decide whether to disclose her history of sexual assault to her family, and I think shes right not to trust them with that information. Your instinct to offer support rather than instruction as to how Jane should manage her relationship with her relatives is a good one too. But do not mistake denial for healing or fantasy for support. You can acknowledge what troubled you about this latest visit without calling Janes decision to forgive her father into question, and be clear about your concerns for an upcoming trip without making unreasonable demands of her. Expressing reservations about taking a family vacation with people youve only met once and you know to have recently behaved violently is a perfectly reasonable thing to do. You can express such reservations lovingly and with great respect for the difficulty of Janes position. You also have your own history of trauma thats relevant here, and you should honestly discuss your concerns that if her father were to erupt at her in front of you, that you would find it urgently necessary to intervene. Advertisement Frankly, I dont think you should go on this trip. Its too much, too soon, and it sounds like a recipe for disaster. It may be difficult to have such a conversation with Jane, but it would be much worse to go on that trip because you feel uncomfortable stating the obvious. Jane can choose to forgive her father for his abuse, even if hes never apologized for it and continues to act violently in the present. But acknowledging reality or setting limits on your own contact with him does not contradict that forgiveness. Get Prudie in Your Inbox We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Dear Prudence, In one of the rare upsides to the pandemic, I have reconnected with a friend. Weve been video chatting every two to three weeks for the past few months, and its been great. The first time we talked, it somehow came up that I had recently realized I was bi. They mentioned that they had recently begun dating women and nonbinary people. (For context, Im a cis woman, and this friend is nonbinary; historically we have both only dated cis men.) Im developing feelings for this person and feel like they have recently been subtly signaling romantic interest in me. But Im not sure if Im reading this right. We live on opposite sides of the country and are not the sort to travel during the pandemic. Also, I have a pretty low sex drive and am worried about disappointing them in that regard whenever we might actually be able to see each other in person. Another worry is that I dont have a lot of sexual/relationship experience for someone in their 30s. Advertisement On the one hand, this is the first time Ive developed romantic feelings for someone in a long time, so I sort of want to say something. On the other hand, Im worried about ruining our friendship if Im reading this wrong. And even if it turns out we are on the same page, Im not sure how we would make this work in a pandemic without a clear end in sight. How do you think I should approach this? Advertisement Pandemic Pining Approach this with the assumption that signaling possible romantic interest is not a friendship-ruining proposition! You may decide youre not ready to say anything until after the vaccine has been made widely available (or some other pandemic-related milestone), which would be perfectly reasonable. But plenty of friendships have survived a brief conversation about romantic possibility, and what youre contemplating telling them is relatively low-risk. Its not as if youve been desperately in love with them for years and dont think you can continue your friendship if they dont return your feelings. Youve recently reconnected, youre in the habit of discussing unexpected changes in your dating lives, and you have reason to think theyre at least a little interested in you. You dont yet know what expressing such interest might look like, which stands to reason, because you havent discussed it with them yet, and your present circumstances are a little unusual. Again, thats a good thing, not a reason to keep your mouth shut. Advertisement I often hear from people who want to ask out a friend but feel like they shouldnt unless they have a perfect sense of how such a relationship would proceed. That is too high a barrier to expressing interest! You can cross those bridges when you reach them, but dont assume that a relatively low libido or a relatively small number of exes precludes you from ever trying to date someone you like. Give yourself permission to express romantic interest at some point in the future. You dont have to do it today if you dont feel ready. But neither do you need to exhaustively map out an entire romantic future, ensuring a road ahead thats free of any bumps or complications, in order to say: I think weve been flirting a bit lately, and Ive really liked it. What do you think? Advertisement Advertisement Catch up on this weeks Prudie. Now available in your podcast player: the audiobook edition of Danny M. Laverys latest book, Something That May Shock and Discredit You. Get it from Slate. More Advice From How to Do It Recently, I was visiting my brother and sister in our home state, and we were joking about something sex-related. We were talking about taboos, and that led to talk of incest, and I said I thought it was sort of an overstated taboothat most people seem to declare their disgust at it in a way that seems over the top. In a lot of the world, cousins get married, and the most common legal argument against incest about genetic risks isnt even that big of a deal beyond very close familial relations, etc. Plus, incest porn is very popular, so the universal stigma it carries seems exaggerated because people feel shame. We were having wine, and it was mostly a devils advocate kind of debate, but I could tell they were both a little uncomfortable. (Theyre both straight and married, and Im a bisexual man and single, for context, so Ive always been the button-pushing one.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This brings us to my problem. Since it was on my mind and I was a little buzzed, I decided to please myself to a little faux-incest porn in the guest room later that night. To be clear, I am not interested in having sex with my brother and sister. I barely even watch that kind of porn, honestly, but I was a little horny and my mind was where it was. Well, my brother used my laptop the next day to pull up some tickets, and I had only minimized the window from my adventure the previous evening, not closed it. You can guess what happened. I watched in slow motion as he inadvertently opened the window, looked at it in shock for a moment, and then quickly closed it. It was brutal. I cant be sure, but I think he told my sister about it, because the rest of the weekend was awkward, like there was an elephant in the room. I am afraid they think I have a real incest fetish and/or want to sleep with them! Should I raise this with my brother and explain? If so, what do I say? The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Friday informed the London High Court that it has paid around USD 7 million to Peregrine Aviation Charlie Ltd in the case related to two jets leased to it by the Dublin-based AerCap. This comes a week after the Malaysian authorities seized a PIA Boeing-777 at the Kuala Lumpur airport on the orders of a local Malaysian court, over the non-payment of aircraft lease dues owed to the Dublin-based AerCap. Lawyers for both the PIA and the airliner sought an adjournment as they hoped that the full amount would be paid through an agreement without the court issuing an order against PIA, reported Geo News. The Dublin-based AerCap's lawyer told the court: "The claimant's position is that the sums were paid today by the defendant (PIA)." The court was informed that the PIA didn't make payments since it asked for the amendment of its claim in July and that it owed USD 580,000 per month to the airliner, but it didn't pay and litigation was initiated. The leasing company had filed a case against the PIA in London High Court in October 2020 over its failure to pay the leasing fee worth about $14 million which had been pending for six months. In response, Pakistan national carrier had maintained that since the COVID-19 pandemic had seriously affected the aviation industry, there should be a reduction in the overhead charges. Meanwhile, the leasing company kept an eye on the activities of PIA, and as soon as it received the information of flight 895's scheduled landing in Malaysia, it appealed to a local court to seize the aircraft as per the international civil aviation leasing laws, sources added. The Boeing 777 aircraft was seized after London High Court issued the order, an airline spokesman had said. "A PIA aircraft has been held back by a local court in Malaysia taking a one-sided decision pertaining to a legal dispute between PIA and another party pending in a UK court," a PIA spokesman Abdullah H Khan said in a statement at the time but today the flag carrier's lawyers raised no objections about the seizure of its plane in Malaysia. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Statehouse Reporter Danny Jin is the Eagle's Statehouse reporter. A graduate of Williams College, he previously interned at the Eagle and The Christian Science Monitor. Danny can be reached at djin@berkshireeagle.com or on Twitter at @djinreports. Tucows has announced that it has shut down its software download site, famously known as the Tucows Downloads after nearly three decades of being a popular and established download website. Engadget has reported that the CEO of Tucows himself, Elliot Noss, made the announcement, wherein he mentioned and described the website as an old one. He also added that such old sites are experiencing maintenance challenges, which could result into a risk on keeping it up to date. The Fall of Tucows Downloads With the emergence of the app stores form various brands and companies, mainly headed by the likes of some of the biggest digital app stores, such as the Google Play, Microsoft, and Apple, all of those has been running their self-developed app stores in an already long run. These are some of the main competitions being inclined to the maintenance challenges being faced by the much older software download sites, and in this case, just like Tucows Downloads. The CEO also said that the decision to close and shut down the website which once became a very popular one especially during the early days of the internet and the world wide web has been brought to the table for a long time now, wailing way back to 2016. Yet their view towards the website which could signify this certain sentimentality as one of the oldest yet most used and visited download websites of all time has been on top of the situation during those times. Also Read: Google Announces Agreement to Compensate French Publishers for Using Their Online Content The report also stated how the company approached the matter surrounding on keeping their established website - which is to treat it as a somehow public service instead of being a website intended to earn and generate revenue. The ads that were popping out of the site were all removed, yet they have confessed that one effect of doing so is that the site had become less relevant in terms of "looking at the balance sheet," indicating that it almost lost value when it comes to the moneymaking aspect. Now after more than four years since the thought of closing the site first occurred within the mindset of the company, they have put an end on the long reign of Tucows Downloads. Some of the Known Software from Tucows Downloads Some of the software being catered by the site include the likes of Softonic - the known virus portal based in Barcelona, Spain, Softpedia - the library site housing almost 10 billion free and free-to-try applications for the Windows, Mac, and Linux OS, as well as for those in the mobile games and drivers for both PC and mobile phones, MajorGeeks - the four-star geek-tested and reviewed software for Windows, FileHippo - another established software download site, and CNET Downloads - the software download body and entity inclined with CNET. Yet Lilipuitng has listed that the Tucows downloads section will still be active and can be accessed through the Tucows Software Library in the Internet Archive. It places more than 32,000 applications which are available for download, especially those which went by the website from 1993 up to 2004. Related Article: Suspected Chinese Group of Hackers Reported to Rob Airline Passengers' Private Information Bookmark in a book market View(s): I came across news that Anne Krueger has published a new book titled International Trade: What Everyone Needs to Know. I dont think the author is a familiar name to our readers. Anne Krueger has been a pioneering economist who has worked largely in the area of international trade for more than 60 years, I believe. For that matter she has been one of the leading economists who contributed to the decisive shift in world development thinking and practice from protectionist regimes to liberalised regimes in developing countries, which took place during the 1970s 1990s. I used to read her research publications in detail during my postgraduate studies in the 1990s. Therefore, I was fascinated by the news about her new book on international trade; I wanted to get a copy of it immediately for our library. The procedures I checked with the university library. What is the procedure to buy a new international book to our library which has been published recently in the US? I learnt the procedure: Universities have to follow the National Procurement Guidelines of Sri Lanka when purchasing books. As stipulated in the guidelines, the books can be purchased either from direct publishers and exclusive distributors or from the registered suppliers calling for quotations. However, many foreign publishers do not accept orders for a few titles, the available option is to call for quotations from suppliers. Based on the value of the books, the library has to get the approval from the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) and Departmental Procurement Committee (DPC) of the university before placing the order for the books. I was told that this procedure may take a couple of months. I had a question: If I want to buy the book immediately how do I do it? With a reasonable justification of the urgency, the book may be brought down by air freight, but the cost would be much higher. I thought to myself that the book is about $18 only; about 3,500 Sri Lankan rupees. I was not sure if any supplier would be bothered preparing a quotation for such a business deal. One-way trade As I realized that it is not possible to buy the book for our library as quickly as expected, I thought of buying a copy personally. I knew that the internationally published scholarly books are hardly available to purchase in Sri Lanka. Anyway, I checked with a couple of bookshops. As usually the case, the book was not available with them, but they can order it for me. It may take a couple of weeks after placing the order. I remember that books can be ordered from online stores such as Amazon. I knew that it is the easiest way to buy books, when I was abroad; within two-three days, the book is at the doorstep! I checked the Amazon online store. Of course, it is there and there is a $2 discount too for the paperback copy so that the price of the book is quoted as $16.95. But shipping charges and import fees would be $63.15 so that the total cost of the book is $80.10 when it arrives here in Sri Lanka! Apparently, online trading or e-commerce particularly with international online stores is still quite new to Sri Lanka so that not many transactions are taking place. Much more than that, it is only one-way transactions. You can use online payment platforms only for purchases, but not for sales; there are no online payment gateways established in Sri Lanka. The reason is that international e-commerce in Sri Lanka is no more than a subject that students learn in Management and Commerce streams it hardly exists in practice! For the same reason, some of the small-scale exporters of goods and services have opened their online payment accounts in Singapore. This means that even though they export goods and services from Sri Lanka, they receive their export proceeds in Singapore! Half a century development I thought of discussing the size of the market today as well. Its all what I have quoted in previous stories about the size of the market, and how the policies and regulations deters the market from growing! Why is it so difficult to find an international book in Sri Lanka, in fact, at a time that there has been much discussion about the need for a globally competitive education system and knowledge economy? It is because there is a tiny market. In that market the demand for an international book like the one I referred to above is almost negligible. If any supplier decides to import and store such books at their bookstores, apparently that initiative would hardly become a viable business. For this reason, the suppliers are comfortable to supply only the pre-orders of a handful of books demanded by the customers. What we see today is the fruit of over half a century development in the area of education in the country. Since the time that Sri Lanka changed from English to mother tongue Sinhala and Tamil as the medium of instruction in education, the number of students who study in English have declined, while many of them left the country too. At the same time those who study in the mother tongue have increased. It has taken so long for us to realize that the small nation like Sri Lanka cannot stand in this globalizing world without English language; it has resulted in some of our universities making a laborious and fresh move towards English-medium teaching. Production of knowledge Now we have another question: Why dont we supply books in Sinhala and Tamil? The answer is again the small size of the market. On the one hand, there are thousands of new books I mean important books from various subject areas published every year in the English language for millions of students, scholars and the public all over the world. According to UNESCO information, the US and the UK alone publish more than half a million new books and editions every year! In this context, I dont think we can have a viable industry either to write competitive books in our local languages or at least to translate the internationally published books to our languages. On the other hand, the small size of the market hardly provides any market incentive for Sri Lankan authors to write academic books in the mother tongue. I know that some of them do write books out of their personal academic interests. But how many books do you expect to sell in a tiny market with low per capita income as ours? Since there is no competition, the room for sub-standard publications is also greater, just like in other local product market protected from competition. Lack of market for standard publications either in English or in local languages has nurtured a particular education system over the years in Sri Lanka. It is a system without a reading culture as an integral part of the learning process; what we have is limited largely to note-reading culture rather than book-reading culture. We love to take notes, read and store in our short-term memory, and retrieve them at the examinations! Knowledge economy The implications are two-fold: Sri Lanka does not have a comparative and competitive edge in publications as a globally competitive industry; rather we are forced to be self-reliant on whatever the tiny knowledge we have. But it is not the bigger issue, which is the fact that as a nation, we are not moving along with the fast-moving global knowledge society. The irony is that while we stagnate in this book syndrome, there is much talk about moving to a knowledge economy in Sri Lanka. (The writer is a Professor of Economics at the University of Colombo and can be reached at sirimal@econ.cmb.ac.lk and follow on Twitter @SirimalAshoka). On Friday, Facebook carried out a purge of left-wing, antiwar and progressive pages and accounts, including leading members of the Socialist Equality Party. Facebook gave no explanation why the accounts were disabled or even a public acknowledgement that the deletions had occurred. Screenshot of Facebooks disabled account notification At least a half dozen leading members of the Socialist Equality Party had their Facebook accounts permanently disabled. This included the public account of Genevieve Leigh, the national secretary of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, and the personal account of Niles Niemuth, the US managing editor of the World Socialist Web Site. In 2016, Niemuth was the Socialist Equality Partys candidate for US Vice President. Facebook also disabled the London Bus Drivers Rank-and-File Committee Facebook page, which was set up with the support of the Socialist Equality Party (UK) to organize opposition among bus drivers. This follows a widely discussed call for a walkout by bus drivers to demand elementary protections against the COVID-19 pandemic. None of the individuals whose accounts were disabled had violated Facebooks policies. Upon attempting to appeal the deletion of their account, they received an error message stating, We cannot review the decision to disable your account. With no explanation or warning, Facebook has effectively seized the intellectual property of those it has targeted, cutting them off from years of their photos, writings and online discussions. Also targeted was the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) in the UK. Its main national Facebook account was disabled, with approximately 20,000 followers, together with its student group, the Socialist Workers' Student Society, with approximately 5,000 followers, as well as its annual Marxism festival, with 12,000 followers. Additionally, entire branches of the organization were disabled on Facebook, particularly in Scotland, as well as the Facebook accounts of individual members, according to SWP representative Lewis Nielsen. This has been a concerted attack on us, Nielsen told the World Socialist Web Site. Following widespread protests on Twitter and other social media networks, Facebook reversed the ban of the SWPs main page, although the pages of a number of local branches and members remain offline. The attack on leading members of the SEP and other left-wing organizations is a calculated act of censorship, at the behest of the state and the ruling class, to silence opposition. These actions are part of a yearslong campaign to create the framework for censorship in the United States and internationally. Such acts of censorship are a desperate response to the growth of popular opposition to inequality, social misery and the ruling classs disastrous response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has put profits above the protection of human lives. The World Socialist Web Site has for years warned about the crackdown on left-wing political organizations by Facebook, Twitter and Google. Since the 2016 election, the US intelligence agencies have advocated internet censorship in the name of fighting fake news. While these actions have been presented as targeting far-right conspiracy theories, they have, in fact, disproportionately affected left-wing, antiwar and socialist organizations. In 2017, Google announced that it would promote authoritative news sources over alternative viewpoints, leading to a massive drop in search traffic to left-wing sites. World Socialist Web Site Editorial Board Chairman David North published an open letter to Google on August 25, 2017 demanding that it stop the censorship of socialist, antiwar and progressive sites. Censorship on this scale is political blacklisting, North wrote. The obvious intent of Googles censorship algorithm is to block news that your company does not want reported and to suppress opinions with which you do not agree. In congressional testimony this past November, Google CEO Sundar Pichai was asked, Can you name for me one high profile person or entity from a liberal ideology who you have censored? In response, he acknowledged that there had been compliance issues with the World Socialist Web Site. Facebook and Twitter followed Googles example, removing left-wing accounts and pages with millions of followers. Friday was a new milestone in this campaign, with Facebook systematically removing the entire social media presence of a left-wing organization on the same day that it erased dozens of other accounts. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies remotely during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on antitrust on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Washington. [Credit: Mandel Ngan Pool via AP] Notwithstanding our differences with the Socialist Workers Party, we unconditionally defend its right and the right of its members to have unfettered access to social media, and demand the immediate restoration of all their accounts. It is essential for all left-wing organizations to be able to freely express themselves in order to clarify the differences between them and to allow workers and young people to make up their own minds. There must be a unified response by all left-wing organizations against this type of censorship. It is precisely in this situation that the historic slogan of the labor movement must be brought forward: An injury to one is an injury to all! We urge all supporters of the Socialist Equality Party and the World Socialist Web Site to vigorously protest all those targeted by Facebook. We urge our readers to make public statements on every platform available to them protesting the censorship of both members of the SEP and SWP. We call on workers at Facebook and other technology companies to register their protest against this action and demand that it be reversed. In order to coordinate and take forward their struggles, workers must have unfettered access to information. As they enter into struggle against the corporations and the financial oligarchy, workers must take up the demand for the defense of freedom of expression and opposition to internet censorship. Many African countries are expected to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine doses in March from the United Nations COVAX effort. The World Health Organizations Africa director recently announced the plan. The statement comes as deaths on the continent from the disease have been rising. COVAX is a plan from the WHO, the European Commission and France to vaccinate people in poor and middle-income countries against COVID-19. Matshidiso Moeti is the WHO Regional Director for Africa. She told reporters that a larger supply of the millions of doses from COVAX is expected by June. It is the second major vaccine announcement in one week for the African continent of 1.3 billion people. Last Wednesday, the leader of the African Union said 270 million doses came from Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca through the Serum Institute of India. About 600 million doses are expected to be provided through the COVAX effort. Doses are expected to be given to countries based on population size and the severity of their health crises. Health workers will receive the doses first as thousands of them have been infected. African countries are now recording about 30,000 new virus cases each day compared to 18,000 during the first surge months ago. John Nkengasong is director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or Africa CDC. He has said that confirmed deaths from COVID-19 jumped 21 percent in one week in Africa, with more than 5,400 reported. The continent has more than 3.1 million confirmed virus cases, including more than 75,000 deaths. This second wave of infections is hitting very, very hard, said Nkengasong. The case death rate in Africa is now 2.4 percent, which is above the world rate of 2.2 percent. Around 20 African countries have case death rates above the world average. They include Sudan at 6 percent, Egypt at 5 percent, Mali at 3.9 percent, Congo at 3.1 percent and South Africa at 2.8 percent. South Africa is one of the worlds hardest-hit countries. A highly infectious variant of the virus now makes up most new cases. The country has more than 1.2 million cases including 35,000 deaths. The WHOs Moeti said gene sequencing tests have found the new variant in three other countries: Botswana, Gambia and Zambia. The importance of a strong genomics surveillance system cannot be overstated, Moeti said. Africa CDC director Nkengasong said the fast-growing number of cases means we run into short supplies of oxygen. He has been seeking to increase the supply to Africa, where medical oxygen is not easy to get. Vaccine doses from the COVAX effort are expected to reach 20 percent of the population in Africa. Officials are pushing to secure enough doses to meet the goal of vaccinating the 60 percent needed to achieve herd immunity against the virus. The vaccinations will require a very massive historic campaign of a kind that the continent has never seen, Nkengasong said. There are already concerns about how African countries will be able to store vaccines that require extremely cold storage. Nkengasong said African governments are being advised to get deep freezers to start the vaccinations at hospitals in large cities. They are advised to then bring people to those points to receive the vaccines. Im Alice Bryant. The Associated Press reported this story. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story dose n. the amount of a medicine or treatment needed to treat a disease income n. money that is earned from work surge n. a fast increase in something variant n. something different in some way from others of the same kind gene sequencing n. a process that studies the order of DNA molecules to find out if organisms are related and to what extent surveillance n. to watch something very closely, especially to look for evidence of crime or disease herd immunity n. when enough people in a population can no longer be infected with a virus thereby protecting the rest of the people who are not immune from it Egypt's Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem announced the opening of registration for the second phase of Start Your Dream (Ebdaa Helmak) project, welcoming people interested in theatrical arts from Beni Suef, Kafr El-Sheikh, Port Said, Giza, and Aswan. Applications can be retrieved online and should be submitted to the Cultural Palaces of each city no later than 15 February. Check the application link here. Organised by Ahmed Awad, head of the General Organisation of Culture Palaces, the project is the brainchild of Adel Hassaan, the director of the Youth Theatre in Cairo. Start Your Dream aims to develop and offer opportunities to young people interested in acting and the field of theatre at large. Operating since 2018 in Cairo, the initiative has attracted a large number of young people. Among the achievements of the Youth Theatres acting workshops was the play Beit Al-Ashbah (The Ghost House), performed by young actors in 2019. The play was written and directed by Mahmoud Gamal Hedindi. During the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the initiative was moved to an online platform under the culture ministry's YouTube channel. Viewers were able to attend online workshops that consisted of short lectures covering a variety of theatre issues with the aim of developing young talents interested in exploring the field. Numerous theatre specialists shared their expertise during the workshop, presenting topics on acting, drama, and stage performance. The workshops then continued across Egypt's governorates, such as Beni Suef, Kafr El-Sheikh, Port Said, Kerdasa in Giza, Aswan, Fayoum and the latest was in Sharqiya. The project receives a large number of applicants and theatre specialists choose a few dozen of the most talented candidates. The six-month training culminates with a performance at the Cultural Palace. The culture ministry stressed adherence to precautionary measures against the coronavirus in the upcoming workshops. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Short link: Bellaire and West University Place have reported zero deaths due to COVID-19, despite Harris County having some of the highest COVID-19 related death totals in the state. Although the two cities, which are located in the heart of Harris County, have similar COVID-19 precautions that other cities have, local officials in the two cities believe their lack of COVID-19 related deaths are a result of a variety of reasons, such as high incomes and low populations. On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas likely won't move to next vaccine phase until May or June, official Dr. David Lakey predicts Despite the lack of reported deaths, the two cities will continue to follow standard health and safety protocols as advised by the city, state and federal government. As a city, we are doing what everyone else is doing, said Deacon Tittle, Bellaire Fire Chief, and Safety Officer. We are working to keep our citizens educated on the Coronavirus and following the guidance with the citys operations from our elected officials along with the CDC. There are many factors that come into play with the number of coronavirus cases in the City of Bellaire but ultimately it comes back to the individual, their health, the recognition of symptoms early on, and how they approach the virus. West U Fire Chief Aaron Taylor had similar sentiments. I could tell you about all of the precautions the city has taken, but the answer as to why we may have fared better than other communities, thus far, said Aaron Taylor, West University Fire Chief, could be a myriad of reasons yet to be known with certainty. At first glance, Bellaire and West U would seem to be prime COVID-19 incubators, considering the median age of both cities are higher than the surrounding communities. While 10.5 percent of Houstonians are 65 years old or older, 17.4 and 15.3 percent of people are older than 65 in Bellaire and West U, respectively, according to the US Census Bureau. But, according to Elizabeth Perez, Harris County Public Healths Director of Communications, Education, and Engagement, other factors that go into COVID-19 deaths are population and socio-economic disparities. In higher population areas, people come in contact with one another more often, Perez said. According to the US Census, Bellaire has a population of approximately 19,283, and West U has 28,552. This is compared to Houston, which borders the two cities, with a population of 2.3 million. Of the total confirmed COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began last year, Harris County has 293,271, with 2,812 deaths, as of Jan. 22. With the latest reports from the two cities, Bellaire and West U have a combined 1,368 confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with zero deaths. But the zip codes surrounding the two cities have similar population sizes and more COVID-19 deaths. According to Harris County Public Health , the zip code that encompasses Montrose had six reported COVID-19 deaths, the Texas Medical Center has eight, Braeswood Place has 12, Gulfton has 34 and the Meyerland area has 11 as of Jan. 22. This could be the result of Bellaire and West U having some of the highest median incomes in the state. Residents of Bellaire and West U could potentially have more opportunities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and all other diseases, that lower-income areas wouldnt be able to do. According to Perez, its not surprising that areas that have higher incomes are less likely to have poor health outcomes. Areas where there have been long term historical disparities, and where youre likely to have larger amounts of socio-economic disparities, that is going to historically be hardest hit by COVID, she said. Theyre less likely to have access to health care, they might be working more lower-income jobs that might put them at a higher risk. They may not have the ability to take time off if theyre sick. So, there are all these other social factors that will indirectly or directly impact health. Correction: The article mistakenly reported Southside Place has 12 COVID-19 related deaths. Although in the same zip code, the areas outside of Southside Place have the reported deaths. Southside Place has zero. ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com CLEVELAND, Ohio Cleveland State University President Harlan Sands on Friday defended hiring a late applicant with a criminal record as a $140,000-a-year associate vice president, stating that the other 37 applicants lacked the right skills and experience to fill this critical role at our university. In an email sent Friday night to faculty and staff, Sands also reiterated that the school was aware that Douglas Dykes was still on probation when hired last month, and that we believe in providing talented individuals with second chances. We remain confident that we made the right decision to add Mr. Dykes to our team, and we ask that you give him the opportunity to demonstrate his value to our university, the letter states. The letter is Sandss first public statement about the disclosure by cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer that Dykes, the former human resources chief for Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish, was asked by CSU to apply 10 months after the application deadline had expired. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer on Tuesday asked for the applications and resumes of the other 37 candidates who applied for the job. The university has yet to release the documents. Sands in his Friday email also was critical of the application deadlines that are part of the universitys current hiring protocols, saying such deadlines may limit CSUs ability to find the best applicants. He said he has asked for recommendations to improve the hiring process in order to widen our pool of applicants and better identify individuals who have the talent, experience and skills best suited for open positions. The universitys yearlong request for applicants began in February 2019 and concluded in February 2020. Dykes submitted his resume in February 2020, but did not formally apply until Dec. 7, 2020 and was hired one week later on Dec. 14, records show. Dykes this week told The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com that he submitted his resume to CSU after his current boss, Chief Talent Officer Jeanell Hughes, first contacted him about the position. The month prior, in January 2020, Dykes resigned from his job in the Budish administration, shortly after he quietly repaid the county more than $10,000 he was accused by corruption investigators of stealing. A felony indictment accused him as human resources chief of converting a $13,500 moving expense perk for a county IT official into a $15,000 signing bonus. He pleaded guilty in July to misdemeanor charges of obstructing official business as part of a deal in which prosecutors dropped the felony theft-in-office charge. Bibb-Carson previously said the university had placed the search for applicants on hold several times, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the school continued recruiting for the position and decided to fill the job in December. Dykes told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer he did not know why Hughes sought him out for the job, which is second-in-command of the human resources department. Meanwhile, last May, the Budish administration filled Dykes vacant county position with Jesse Drucker, CSUs former chief talent officer, who held Hughes position from September 2012 to December 2017. In that role, Drucker also held the title of associate vice president, his resume states. Heres the full email: As many of you may be aware, we are currently the focus of news coverage by the Plain Dealer and cleveland.com and I want to provide some background on the story. At CSU, we work together every day to deliver our unique brand of Engaged Learning that sets us apart and provides the foundational education our students expect and deserve. Key to delivering on that promise is having a team of dedicated and talented individuals in our classrooms and our offices. Every time we make a hire for our faculty and staff, we ask ourselves: Will this person provide the skills and expertise to best serve our students? Is he or she the best individual for this position and will they help further our collective goal to be one of Ohios premier public universities? These are the questions we asked when the decision was made last month to hire Douglas Dykes as associate vice president of human resources. When the deadline for applications closed earlier last year, our HR staff did not feel they had yet found the person with the right skills and experience to fill this critical role at our university. When our staff learned of Mr. Dykes availability, he was extended an invitation to interview. After he interviewed for the position, and his candidacy was reviewed and vetted, he was offered the position, with full knowledge of his probationary status with the Cuyahoga County courts. As we recently told the Plain Dealer, we believe in providing talented individuals with second chances. We remain confident that we made the right decision to add Mr. Dykes to our team, and we ask that you give him the opportunity to demonstrate his value to our university. We realize that our current process for recruiting talent with hard deadlines on applications may be limiting our ability to identify and hire the best individuals for positional needs. Accordingly, I have asked Jeanell Hughes to undertake a review of our recruiting and hiring process and make recommendations for improving it in order to widen our pool of applicants and better identify individuals who have the talent, experience and skills best suited for the position we are seeking to fill. We appreciate the Plain Dealer and Cleveland.coms interest in our university. Our Communications and Marketing team is coordinating our response to their questions on this matter, and we ask that you work with them on any contacts from the media in the days ahead. Sincerely, Harlan M. Sands President Cleveland State University On the occasion of the 176th anniversary of the first arrival of Indian immigrant labourers to these shores, I intend to comment briefly, through a couple of letters to the press, on the current status of Indo-Trinidadians after their presence here for over a century and a half. They may be regarded as ethnic-focused, divisive and contentious, or may be deemed irrelevant and inconsequential in these times. Not many people can claim to have been run over by a rhinoceros and survived, but Stephen Ngulu can. He's the vet at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, in Kenya, where dozens of species live in 140 square miles of protected wilderness. He nearly died after wearing the wrong colour trousers into the bush to check on a limping black rhino. 'The rangers and I got to within 20 metres, and although rhinos have poor vision they can pick you out when you're wearing bright clothes,' explains Stephen. 'Then she picked up the scent and decided to come for me...' The new Channel 4 wildlife series Secret Safari: Into The Wild follows the life-or-death dramas that unfold daily at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya (rhinos Lola and Lottie are pictured) Stephen panicked and made a run for it... and fell over. 'But that saved my life,' he says with a wry chuckle. 'It was ready to put its horn in my back but ran over my knee instead and kept going. I only had minor injuries to the muscle.' It's one of many colourful tales that the staff of Ol Pejeta tell in the new Channel 4 wildlife series Secret Safari: Into The Wild. Narrated by Fleabag's Hot Priest Andrew Scott, it follows the life-or-death dramas that unfold daily at Ol Pejeta, where the animals live with minimal human contact. Incidentally, Ol Pejeta is where Earth's last two northern white rhinos live. They're both female, and experts there are trying to find a way to prevent the species' extinction. The area has 13,000 animals, but Stephen is the only vet as far as possible, nature is left to take its course. 'It's not like a zoo,' he explains. 'Many things are settled by nature and it's not mandatory that we intervene. We focus on endangered or threatened species like elephants, wild dogs and leopards. If they're hurt then it is mandatory to intervene.' The new series will be narrated by Fleabag's Hot Priest Andrew Scott (pictured in 2018) What Secret Safari does differently to many wildlife series is film Ol Pejeta's more than 150 rangers as they put themselves in harm's way to monitor the animals. 'My work is highly skilled, but the rangers are priceless,' says Stephen. 'You cannot learn that kind of job in school you need passion, wit and experience to understand the animals.' He admits his run-in with the rhino happened because he failed to follow the lead of the rangers. The first episode of the six-part series features stories that will tug at the heartstrings. Ol Pejeta is home to more than 80 lions, but its Eastern Pride suffers a blow when second-in-command Sekela, an elderly female, is found gravely injured. She was likely attacked by a male from another pride, and her death could spell disaster because she is pivotal to her pride's success at hunting. Lions are a threatened species and so Stephen was called to examine her horrific injuries. 'Some of her toe bones were sticking out, she had missing claws and her tail had been bitten,' he says. 'Her injuries were so severe, rangers were in tears. I decided she was in too much pain and I was considering euthanasia.' But by law Stephen had to consult the vet at the Kenya Wildlife Service. 'He said, 'Lions are very resilient,' and advised me to clean her wounds and give her antibiotics and painkillers. Once we woke her up she started moving, and that was it. I never had to treat her again and she is still alive today.' The rangers voice concerns for black rhino mum Lola and her calf Lottie (pictured), because Lola has already lost a calf But lions are also fearsome predators, and one male in particular has been attacking rhino calves. The rangers are considering moving him to another part of the reserve. They're particularly worried about black rhino mum Lola and her calf Lottie, because Lola had already lost a calf, Jax, and she might not be able to protect Lottie. 'Jax was killed by a bull that wanted to mate with Lola,' explains assistant park warden Abraham Njenga. 'Animals want to eliminate any sort of competition and because Lola had a small calf to take care of, Jax was in the way.' Black rhinos produce only one calf every three or so years and it's imperative every life is preserved, explains Abraham. 'They are critically endangered it's a species that has been hammered over the years,' he says. 'If we can do something for them now, we will avoid what is happening to the northern whites. 'They are remarkable creatures. I have seen a pride of nine lions try to attack a calf, and the mother fought all the lions until they were about to bring her down. She was saying, 'I'd rather die than leave my calf.' I admired her. In the end, we scared away the lions.' Meanwhile, the cycle of life goes on as the staff work tirelessly to keep the animals safe. 'So often we're part of dramatic moments it's like Jurassic Park,' laughs Stephen. 'You can't predict what will happen. The animals write the script for you.' n Secret Safari: Into The Wild, Tuesday, 8pm, Channel 4. See olpejeta conservancy.org/secretsafari. MAKE WAY FOR THE WILDEBEEST From a low of just 400 black rhinos in Kenya in the mid-1980s, their number has now almost doubled. However, they still face big threats from poaching and loss of habitat. 'Bigger spaces with healthy, suitable habitats are vital for enabling black rhinos to breed and ensure population growth,' says Dr Jenny Cousins, Regional Africa Conservation Manager at WWF-UK, who's heading WWF's Land For Life project. 'Our work with Maasai communities to assist the development of community conservancies is helping increase available habitat and maintain connected landscapes for wildlife, while also supporting the livelihoods of local people.' Space to roam is vital for rhinos, but the distance they travel is dwarfed by that of wildebeest (above) Space to roam is vital for rhinos, but the distance they travel is dwarfed by that of wildebeest (above). Every year, nearly 1.5 million of them trek around 500 miles across Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara in search of fresh pasture. But this epic migration is under threat because of fencing erected by landowners. WWF is working to keep wildlife corridors open, which would also help local people who can no longer move their livestock to new grazing areas if land is fenced off due to private ownership. 'The awe-inspiring sight of so many thousands of wildebeest thundering across the plains is an iconic image of Africa,' says Dr Cousins. 'We just cannot consign this to history. Our vital work in partnership with the Maasai people to maintain healthy and intact landscapes should give people and wildebeest the space to roam and protect these magnificent landscapes for many years to come.' Weekend magazine is a partner of WWF's Land For Life Appeal, supporting community efforts to protect wildlife, people and key habitats in Kenya and Tanzania. Donations made before 2 February will be matched by the UK government up to 2 million. Donate at wwf.org.uk/life. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature. Europe Further strikes by UK energy workers Following a five-day strike, engineers and office staff at energy company British Gas, owned by Centrica, held a further strike on Wednesday with another due today. The GMB union members voted by an 89 percent majority for action. They are opposed to the companys plans to fire and rehire, putting workers on a contract with less favourable conditions and 20 percent pay cut. Those involved in the strike included 4,000 service and repair gas engineers, 1,700 smart metering engineers, 600 central heating installers, 540 electrical engineers and 170 specialist business gas engineers. The strikers carried out socially distanced pickets throughout the country. Further action of five 24-hour strikes on January 20, January 22, January 25, January 29 and February 1 is planned. Around 7,000 office staff, Unison union members, accepted British Gass reduced terms and signed the new contractafter it was recommended by the unionas have 4,000 non-unionised workers. Further strikes by British Airways cargo staff in UK Around 850 British Airways (BA) cargo-handling workers at Londons Heathrow Airport are set to begin a further nine-day strike today. They previously held a nine-day strike beginning Christmas Day. The Unite union members voted almost unanimously to walk out over plans to fire and rehire the entire workforce on inferior terms. Some workers face losing a quarter of their income under the new terms. The union initially refused to set a strike date, hoping to reach agreement with management as it did in other sectors of BA. Following the failure of talks the first strike went ahead on Christmas Day. Unite did not organise pickets citing COVID-19 fears. Unlike BAs passenger sector, the cargo handling company has not suffered any reduction in business as a result of the pandemic. Fears over a no-deal Brexit led to increased demand for cargo services. French energy workers one-day strike On Tuesday, energy workers at state-owned French power company EDF held a one-day strike. The energy workers represented by four unions are opposed to the Hercule restructuring project, which would see the break-up or partial privatisation of the company. The strike is part of an ongoing programme of opposition to the project. Industrial action threat by French lorry drivers French lorry drivers are threatening industrial action, such as mounting blockades. They are concerned over difficulties with having to carry out COVID-19 tests prior to crossing borders, the closure of facilities for cheap food and refreshment and problems arising from Brexit. Any action by the lorry drivers represented by five unions would begin on February 1. The unions have called for urgent discussions with transport minister Jean-Baptise Djebbari. Strike by French pharmaceutical workers Workers at pharmaceutical company Sanofi walked out Tuesday over plans by the French multinational to cut around 1,000 jobs across its estate. Around 200 strikers, CFDT and Stalinist CGT union members, protested outside the companys research and development facility in Marcy lEtoile in central France. Sanofi, Frances largest pharmaceutical company which is involved in the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine, has come under criticism for its slow dispersal of the vaccine. The company expects to push through the majority of its proposed cuts through voluntary redundancy. Irish medical staff to reject government pay deal Irish medical laboratory staff are set to reject a government pay offer. The Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA) members voted unanimously last October to strike over pay rates. The strike did not go ahead as a new pay deal was proposed, to come into effect at Christmas. The workers, however, do not think the deal addresses the gap between their pay and that of biochemists and medical scientists. Related to pay is the high level of unfilled posts, currently standing at around 130. MLSA members, who have a high workload resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, argue a pay increase is needed to address staff shortages. Union at UK plane makers seeks to impose pay cut on behalf of company UK workers at plane manufacturer Airbus at Broughton in North Wales will ballot over a five to 10 percent cut in working hours and consequently pay. The Unite union negotiated the sellout deal with Airbus, with the company insisting on the need to achieve savings in light of the pandemic, which has impacted the air travel industry. The company claims without the cuts it would be forced to make redundancies, and say the cuts will be restored at some point. Unite attempted to gloss over its reduced hours and pay cut deal in a statement from its Wales Regional Secretary Peter Hughes. He declared, This plan to reduce hours will come with a reduction in pay for our members but crucially it offers a route out of the current crisis which will not involve any further job losses. Unite and our senior reps on site believe this is the best option available and we will be strongly urging our members to accept the proposal. The company and union have already overseen the loss of almost 1,000 jobs during the pandemic, a fact admitted to in Hughes statement. DHL delivery and warehouse staff in Liverpool, England resume strike Around 120 UK delivery and warehouse staff employed by DHL Supply Chain in Liverpool have resumed their strike. They walked out on December 19, but the Unite union called off the action after the employer made an improved pay offer. However, DHL reneged on their offer. The workers also accuse DHL of using bullying tactics. They were due to strike Wednesday and Thursday, with further strikes planned for February 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9. The workers are responsible for contracts supplying brands such as Wagon Wheels and Jammie Dodger biscuits. Attempts by Unite at the government mediation service ACAS to resolve the dispute failed. The workers began their original stoppage after rejecting a pay offer, due to come into effect in April next year, which would leave them just above the minimum wage rate of 8.91. Instead, they are seeking a 50p an hour increase. The strikers are angry at the company after it called the police on several occasions, and its use of scab labour from within DHL. Strike vote by teaching support staff at London school Ten UK teaching support staff at Colvestone Primary school and Thomas Fairchild community school in London voted unanimously to strike. The Unite members are opposed to plans by the employer, Hackney-based Soaring Skies Foundation to cut 18 out of 30 teaching support roles. Soaring Skies says it is proposing the restructuring in response to falling school rolls. No strike date has been set. Unions call off planned stoppage by paint production workers in northeast England Unions called off planned action by around 400 UK workers at International Paints site at Felling, Gateshead. An overtime ban was due, with strikes on January 27 and February 10. The Unite and GMB accepted a 1.5 percent pay offer backdated to April last year, along with improvements to performance-related bonuses and the holiday scheme. The decision means the paint production site has not had a strike over the last 100 years. Middle East Strike by Palestinian workers on West Bank industrial estate Around 80 Palestinian workers at the Yamit plant, on the West Bank industrial estate of Nitzanei Shalom, went on strike December 31. The plant produces water filters for domestic and agricultural use. While in Israeli-occupied West Bank territory, the workers are subject to Jordanian rather than Israeli labour law. Many of the highly skilled workers, employed at the plant for over 20 years earning between $1,600 and $1,900 were seeking a pay rise. Other demands include improved health and safety measures, sick pay and leave in line with Israeli workers, and a regulated pension scheme. The workers organised a union which sought to negotiate with the factory owner. After months of fruitless negotiations in which the owner cited the pandemic as reason not to meet their demands, the workers walked out. In response the owner threatened to close the facility. Protest by Jordanian farmers On Sunday, Jordanian farmers protested outside the Ministry of Agriculture. Their demands included being allowed to hire foreign workers, the abolition of taxes on fertiliser and other agricultural chemical products, and the abolition of peak hour price increases on electricity supplies. Jordanian famers have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. Africa South African metalworkers strike over summary redundancies Workers employed by steel manufacturer and distributor, Macsteel Service Centres, South Africa, went on indefinite nationwide strike Monday in protest at 99 workers dismissed at short notice before Christmas. The National Union of Metalworkers South Africa members plan to disrupt the companys operations at over 50 centres countrywide until management reinstate the workers under their existing employment conditions. Paint manufacturing workers in South Africa win victory over unfair dismissal South Africas Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) ruled last Monday that 181 workers employed by Luxor Paints, an automotive coating manufacturer in Johannesburg, were treated unfairly when dismissed after striking over pay and conditions in February 2018. The General Industrial Workers Union of South Africa members were sacked for carrying sticks, allegedly to intimidate security personnel, during the strike. However, video evidence showed that armed security guards incited violence, using rubber bullets and causing one worker to lose an eye. The CCMA ordered that all the workers be reinstated on February 1, and that R40 million ($2.6 million) in lost wages be paid by Luxor Paints. Workers strike against redundancies at South African Broadcasting Corporation Employees at the state-owned South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) are to strike Friday against the loss of 300 jobs. The workers took industrial action against the redundancies last year, but suspended action for consultation. Now workers have started to receive retrenchment notices. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) members drove a motorcade to the Union Buildings in Pretoria Wednesday, and presented their demands to the government. On Thursday they had a go-slow, and Fridays action will cause a four-hour blackout of broadcasts. The workers were joined by Broadcasting, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union members, despite that unions efforts to avert the strike by requesting further negotiations with the SABC board. Namibian Shoprite retail workers continue strike, defying intimidation Over 2,000 retail workers from Shoprite, Checkers and U-Save stores in Namibia have been on strike since December 23. They are demanding a pay increase of N$600, a minimum wage of N$2,500 and allowances for housing and transport. The employers and government are relying on the conciliation service to agree settlement that keeps the workers on low pay. The employers began recruiting 390 new employees to replace the strikers until prevented by an order from the law courts. Nigerian retired teachers hold protest and enter state building over lack of pension payments Retired teachers in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria stormed the Iwo-East Local Council Development Area secretariat building in Olomowewe on Monday. They were protesting pensions unpaid since 2016. The leader of the protest, Okunlola Joseph Oludare said, [The local government] should stop telling lies, they have not paid us. Some of us are sick; some have died because they could not afford food. Midwives in Zimbabwe strike over lack of PPE Midwives at the Sally Mugabe Hospital maternity ward in Zimbabwes capital, Harare began strike action on January 8, to demand adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE). The strike came after the death of one of the wards matrons on January 7 due to COVID-19, and 15 other confirmed cases among nurses on the same ward. Nurses explained they have only been supplied with plastic aprons and surgical masks when they need World Health Organization-approved N95 masks and protective suits. The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has focused attention on the role of health minister and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. Last year, all nurses at government-financed hospitals struck over lack of PPE and low pay. Since the strike was betrayed by the unions some nurses have moved into private healthcare. Zimbabwe has 29,408 reported cases of COVID-19 and 879 deaths. Council workers in Zimbabwes capital strike over lack of PPE Local government workers in Harare went on strike from January 18 over the lack of PPE and non-payment of salaries and bonuses for December 2020. Press reports described the dire consequences of the strike including raw sewage flowing on the streets, without mentioning safety needs of key workers. New journal to push the boundaries of biological imaging A new Open Access journal from Cambridge University Press will provide a home for interdisciplinary research in the fast-growing field of quantitative and computational imaging in the life sciences. The Press has launched Biological Imaging in recognition of the way computer science, machine learning and ever more sophisticated imaging technology are pushing the boundaries of knowledge about the tiny, hidden worlds of living cells and tissues. With advances being made across a large number of disciplines, the journal is designed to provide a single, Open Access forum for new research, discoveries, methods and tools, to encourage and promote collaboration and idea-sharing. Its scope includes microscopy, image acquisition and processing, data mining and analysis, mathematical modelling and machine learning, applied to bioimaging research. Editor-in-Chief of the new journal is Professor Jean-Christophe Olivo-Marin from the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France. He said: "Studying the biology of natural systems increasingly relies on imaging to visualize, measure and, eventually, to uncover their inner workings. This is done through combining technology, methods and algorithms developed in many inter-connected fields. "Despite this, the increasingly vital role of bioimaging in making new advances is not fully recognised. That and the large number of disciplines involved means there are only a few journals that cater for bioimaging, and none that cover the central contributions of image processing and analysis, data mining and analysis, mathematical modelling and machine learning, topics that are currently scattered across a range of journals." He added: "We have the vision that Biological Imaging, through the quality of the papers and its fast and Open Access publication policy, will drive cross fertilization across the spectrum of research and applications and inspire further innovative and groundbreaking work." Caroline Black, Publishing Director of STM Journals at Cambridge University Press said: "We're delighted to be working with Professor Olivo-Marin, who is one of the leaders in the bioimaging field. "Prof Olivo-Marin and his editorial team saw a pressing need to support research and collaboration in the field and have seized the opportunity to unite the physical, computer and mathematical sciences with the life sciences. Scientists will be able to use advances in hardware, devices, image processing and data analysis that they find in our exciting new journal, to visualise and measure samples in ways that weren't possible before." Submissions to the new journal are welcomed and authors should visit Cambridge Core for more information. ### This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Washington, D.C., Jan. 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Civil Liberties Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group, filed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to reverse the judgment of the District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Community Housing Improvement Program, et al. v. City of New York, et al. and remand the case for further proceedings. NCLA believes that the lower court erred when it declared that the New York Rent Stabilization Law (RSL) does not violate the due process rights of the Plaintiffs-Appellants related to their property, when in fact, it does. Plaintiffs-appellants, NCLA argues, have a fundamental right to their property under the U.S. Constitution, so the RSL should have been subjected to strict scrutiny. Violations of fundamental rights may only be upheld if the intrusions are both narrowly tailored to minimize the impact on the rights in question and are necessary to achieve a compelling state interest. New York Citys RSL is neither of those things. Moreover, even under lesser scrutiny, standardless perpetual emergencies violate due process because they are arbitrary and irrational. Under the RSL, the City of New York is allowed to determine that there is a public emergency requiring the regulation of residential rents once it is established that the vacancy rate is below a 5% threshold. When an emergency is declared, the RSL places restrictions on property owners rights to use, possess, occupy, and sell or otherwise dispose of covered properties. Without fail, for the last 50 years, New York City has consistently declared an emergency every three years to keep the RSLs strictures in place. Therefore, NCLA argues, the 5% threshold is an arbitrary means to an endthe trigger that allows the City of New York to regulate under the RSLnot a standard of whether an emergency really exists in the first instance. NCLA released the following statements: Property rights are fundamental rights under the Due Process Clause, so they warrant heightened protections before the courts. NCLA is hopeful that the Second Circuit may recognize the need for strict scrutiny review in cases regulating private property. Kara Rollins, Litigation Counsel, NCLA Exploiting an emergency to consolidate power and deprive citizens of their fundamental rights is nothing new for municipal governments. But that doesnt mean courts should sit idly by as New York City destroys property rights under the pretense of an emergency without a beginningor any end in sight. Caleb Kruckenberg, Litigation Counsel, NCLA ABOUT NCLA NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights. ### The case was regarding the kidnap of one Praveen Rao and his brothers over purchasing a 25-acre land near Hafeezpet in 2016. DC Image Hyderabad: Former AP minister Bhuma Akhila Priya, who was arrested by the Hyderabad police in connection with a kidnap case in Bowenpally, was granted bail by a local court in Secunderabad on Friday. The court granted bail on two sureties of Rs 10,000 each. Akhila Priya, a Telugu Desam leader, was arrested on January 6 and was remanded in judicial custody at the Central Prison in Chanchalguda. She is expected to be released on bail from prison on Saturday. The Hyderabad police, in their counter to the bail petition, told the court that if she is released Akhila Priya using her political background could influence victims of the Bowenpally kidnap case and tamper with evidence apart from using muscle power to harm the victim's family. The court which heard both sides, issued an order granting her conditional bail. The case was regarding the kidnap of one Praveen Rao and his brothers over purchasing a 25-acre land near Hafeezpet in 2016. The deal was reportedly mediated by one A.V. Subba Reddy with the assistance of the late Bhuma Nagi Reddy, Akhila Priya's father. Though Praveen Rao had paid a huge sum, Subba Reddy and Akhila Priya allegedly began harassing him for more money as the market value of the land shot up. As Praveen and his brothers were not willing to give more money or a share in the land, the former minister and her husband allegedly hatched a conspiracy to threaten them by kidnapping. There is a growing economic consensus that we must act decisively and boldly, he said. This cannot be what we are as a country. We cannot, will not let people go hungry. We cannot watch people lose their jobs, and we have to act. Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council, said on Friday that the orders would provide some immediate relief for families but that they were not a replacement for the type of sweeping stimulus program that Mr. Biden had outlined. These actions are not a substitute for comprehensive legislative relief, but they will provide a critical lifeline to millions of families, Mr. Deese said. The American people are hurting, and they cant afford to wait. But the presidents swift use of executive action was already drawing rebukes from Republicans. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida panned Mr. Bidens early moves, saying on Twitter that a radical leftist agenda in a divided country will not help unify our country, it will only confirm 75 million Americans biggest fears about the new administration. Such brewing discontent shows legislative action will not come easily. Democrats hold a slim majority in Congress and Republicans are already showing signs of resistance to another spending package. That resistance is expected to only increase given that Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Friday that she would send articles of impeachment to the Senate next week. That could delay any legislative move on stimulus and further anger Republicans who do not believe the Senate should proceed with an impeachment trial against former President Donald J. Trump. The White House is wrestling with whether to spend time trying to find a bipartisan agreement, as Mr. Biden has said he would like, or to use a procedural maneuver to push at least part of his proposal through the Senate with a simple majority, avoiding the need for any Republican support. The orders are part of Mr. Bidens attempt to override dozens of actions taken by Mr. Trump on issues like the Keystone XL pipeline and immigration. The actions on Friday signal a break from the Trump administrations attempts to limit the scope of many federal benefits that officials said created a disincentive for Americans to work. Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said that any kind of disruption at a Republic Day function 'will send out a wrong message' Chandigarh: Haryana Bharatiya Kisan Union chief Gurnam Singh Chaduni on Saturday appealed to farmers and their supporters protesting the Centre's contentious farm laws not to oppose ministers or political leaders at Republic Day events in the state. He, however, said farmers will continue opposing state ministers at rallies and events on other days. "I would like to request that in Haryana if any minister or political leader comes to an event to unfurl the national flag on the occasion (of Republic Day), we don't have to oppose them," Chaduni said in a video message. Disruption of any kind of a Republic Day function "will send out a wrong message", he said. Farmers will continue to oppose Haryana ministers if they hold rallies and functions on other days in the state, he added. Earlier this month, protesting farmers had vandalised the venue of a "Kisan Mahapanchayat" in Karnal where Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar was to address people to highlight the benefits of the Centre's three farm laws. Last month, a group of protesting farmers had shown black flags to Khattar when his convoy was passing through Ambala city. In another incident last month, a group of farmers had shown black flags to Union Minister Rattan Lal Kataria in Jandli village adjoining Ambala city. Notably, Khattar and state ministers will be unfurling the Tricolour at various events across the state on 26 January. According to an official release, Khattar will unfurl the Tricolour in Panipat. Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala will unfurl the Tricolour at a function in Ambala. Education Minister Kanwar Pal will hoist the flag in Gurgaon and Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma in Rewari. Haryana police sources said tight security arrangements are being put in place in and around venues of all Republic Day functions which will be attended by the chief minister, ministers and other dignitaries. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several Delhi border points since 28 November last year, demanding a repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee on MSP for their crops. Enacted in September last year, the three laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country. However, the protesting farmers have expressed their apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of minimum support price (MSP) and do away with the 'mandi' (wholesale market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates. As President Joe Biden takes office, White House staff change out photographs in hallways, newly appointed cabinet members familiarize themselves with briefing materials, and new stationary memorializing the arrival of the 46th president of the United States is printed. Change is everywhere in Washington, D.C. In stark contrast, Americans across the nation are plagued with the same challenges that they faced yesterday. A global pandemic that has claimed more than 402,000 American lives continues to wreak havoc with no end in sight. In its wreckage, families struggle to make ends meet in an economy that flounders under the weight of international and domestic factors including political turmoil, foreign price wars, and supply chain deficiencies. Unemployment rates have stagnated at a staggering 6.7 percent, and 7.3 million Americans are still actively seeking employment. While the name might be confusing, the Railroad Commission of Texas regulates the oil and gas industry in the single largest oil producing state in our nation. Alongside surface mining, pipeline safety and alternative fuels, this agency seeks to responsibly produce our states abundant resources for the benefit of all Texans with sensible and practical regulation. As chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas, I am proud of the significant economic impact this industry provides to our state and the nation. Producing more than 41 percent of the nations oil, Texas energy producers leave a massive footprint on our economy. Last year, the industry paid $13.9 billion in state and local taxes and state royalty payments. More than 400,000 Texans were directly employed by oil and natural gas companies last year, with average incomes that more than double the national average. Indirectly, each oil and natural gas job creates an additional 2.4 jobs in Texas. All in, the oil and natural gas industry was responsible for employing nearly 1 million Texans last year alone. These companies provide some of the most affordable energy prices to families across the state at 8.6 cents/kWh compared to the national average of 10.54 cents/kWh. Additionally, this industry provides tax revenues and refined products that keep our roads paved, teachers employed, and hospitals supplied. Texas is not the only state that faces dire consequences. In Pennsylvania, more than 60,000 individuals are employed by the oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear production industries. Natural gas drilling has provided the state with nearly $2 billion in revenue since 2012, funding roads, parks, first responders, and agricultural preservation across the state. In New Mexico, more than 62,000 jobs stand to be lost to a fracking ban on federal lands, totaling 5 percent of the states overall workforce and more than $1.1 billion in state revenue would disappear. In California, a state that has already begun to enact policies that pick energy winners and losers, communities face rolling blackouts and soaring energy costs as a result of an unreliable energy grid. President Biden has been very clear about his intent to dismantle this industry in favor of the Green New Deal and expensive, unreliable alternative fuel sources. Through a series of executive orders, his plan to strangle the American oil and gas industry will lead to increased energy costs, increased unemployment rates and an increased dependency on foreign oil. While Americans struggle to pay their bills and keep food on the table, this polar shift in energy policy will make the road to recovery even longer and American families simply cannot withstand any further delay in economic stabilization. In his inaugural speech, Biden made a plea to Americans who do not support his ideals. To all those who did not support us, let me say this. Hear me out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart. If you still disagree, so be it. Thats democracy. Thats America. Mr. Biden, I implore you to heed your own advice. This democracy, this America, desperately needs a president who will do exactly what you have asked of them to hear us out as we move forward and take measure of our hearts. My ask is simple: as you assume office, take measure of the needs of every American who has suffered through the economic turmoil of the last year. Instead of immediately signing energy and climate policies into law that will cause detrimental harm to American families across the country, hear me out. Allow Americans to get back to work, provide for their families and keep the lights on. Wait for the economy to fully recover before forcing the Americans to pay more for energy, fight for fewer jobs and take home less income. We need stability and growth, not a Green New Deal. Christi Craddick is the chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warns that a new variant of the coronavirus may be associated with a higher level of mortality, though the two vaccines being used in the country appear to be effective. By Susy Hodges London Its the news about the new British variant of Covid-19 that nobody wanted to hear. This new variant was first discovered in southeast England last autumn and has quickly become the most prevalent form of the virus in the nation. It is already known to be up to 70 percent more transmissible than the original, but now there are suggestions it may be up to 30 percent more lethal. Uncertain conclusion The governments Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance stressed the evidence about mortality levels was not yet strong, and said there was still great uncertainty around the data. He said once people reached hospital there was no greater risk but there were signs that people who had the British variant were at more risk overall. Vallance explained that for a man in his sixties, the average risk was that 10 in 1,000 people who got infected would be expected to die, but that this rose to roughly 13 or 14 people in l,000 with the new variant. National responses Scientists have reacted by urging tighter controls and one said the news could take the country back to square one. It is also likely to increase the concerns of EU leaders who were already considering strengthening border measures against the new British variant. The emergence of the new variant quickly led to travel bans across the world but despite these measures it has been found in at least 50 other nations. Vallance said there was more concern about two other variants of the virus that had emerged in South Africa and Brazil. He said they had certain features which mean they might be less susceptible to vaccines. Continued lockdown The prime minister warned of stricter travel curbs on Friday and continued lockdown measures, saying the nations infection rate remains forbiddingly high. Britain has recorded more than 3.5 million Covid infections and its death toll is approaching 100,000, the 5th highest in the world. The bright news amidst the gloom is that the number of new infections in the nation was estimated to be shrinking by as much as 4 percent a day, and the roll-out of the two vaccines is moving ahead swiftly. Southern Pines, NC (28387) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 68F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. by Stefano Caprio There is a lot of fear and self-censorship in the country where peace between confessions is guaranteed by the Kremlin. The strong Christians preach moral principles, but are distant from the weak, the lower ranks of the population. A disciple of Fr Alexander Men is interviewed to mark the end of the Week for Christian Unity. Moscow (AsiaNews) Father Yakov Krotov, 63, is a well-known Russian historian and freelance journalist who grew up in Soviet times at Father Aleksander Mens ecumenical school. After Men's death, he became an Orthodox priest and served in Churches closest to Catholics (Orthodox Apostolic Church, now part of the new Ukrainian Autocephalous Church), in Moscow, where he has inspired a large community of Orthodox engaged in dialogue and cultural work. Answering questions for AsiaNews, at the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, he expressed his bitterness over the current difficulties in his countrys ecumenical journey. Father Yakov, apart from the negotiations and official contacts between the Churches, can you think of any exchange or dialogue between Christians of various confessions in today's Russia? The practice of dialogue in todays Russia is very limited. Venues where to meet and discuss are few. An atmosphere of fear and self-censorship prevails, in which open discussions are only theoretical. In practice, nothing prevents them from being considered a form of extremism. A new form of encapsulation has arisen, in which everyone turns inward. And how could it be otherwise? The ruling regime has established itself first by expelling several Catholics, then by arresting Jehovah's Witnesses and even Orthodox who do not toe the Moscow Patriarchates line. An ecumenical rite of embrace is celebrated once a year in Russian Catholic churches, behind closed doors, without drawing too much outside attention. This cannot be called ecumenism. It is the Kremlins will, which ordered everyone to live in peace with one another, like in the years from 1943 to 1990, from the time Stalin re-established the Orthodox Church until the end of communism. Limited contacts do take place between liberal Orthodox that is, those who at least are not anti-Semites and Roman Catholics, but are reduced to singing and dancing (literally, people try to dance like David in front of the ark, but because of their shrunken joints, it doesn't work out very well). This leaves the Internet as a venue for discussions but these too have fallen asleep in recent years because they lead to nothing in practice, and they are not discussions between theologians, but rows between neophytes and fanatics. In your experience as a believer and as a priest, how would you compare the traditions of the Christian East and the Christian West? In my experience, the dividing line is not between confessions. Vladimir Solovyov spoke of Russia of Christ and Russia of Xerxes, the King of the Kings of men; there is also a Catholicism of Christ and a Catholicism of Xerxes, an Orthodoxy of Christ and an Orthodoxy of Xerxes. Christianity of the weak versus that of the strong. As always, the latter are indifferent to the former, the satisfied do not understand the hungry. There are very few strong who know how to be weak of spirit, and have compassion for the weak. There are many more weak who try to join the strong. Thus the union between Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox fighters is formed against the weaknesses of others, their debauchery, consumerism, etc. Russias characteristic lies precisely in this clique of powerful people who have ruled for centuries, and permeated all aspects of life. In the age of Putin, the situation has worsened, due to the huge flow of petrodollars, which has allowed many people to live fairly well (working poorly and lazily), using wealth to rule the people around. The West has delicately preferred to pretend that it's all Putin's fault. Church administrators of various levels find it easier to find a common language with their social peers than with the lower ranks of the population. Personally, the American experience seems more interesting to me, the experience of Christians (of all confessions) who fight against all forms of violence, and do not fight to prevent with the laws, but simply fight to stop the use of violence. We do not have such experience in Russia. After 30 years of religious revival, is Russia really a religious country? Russia has become a more religious but less believing country. Until 1990 there were very few believers, but at least one could see in them the guardians of the ideals of freedom, brotherly love, and culture. Now believers are as few as before, but they are deemed degenerates, hypocrites, embezzlers and uncultured fanatics. Like before 1990 when there were no socialists nor Marxists in the country, but there was a mass of state institutes and universities that studied Marx, so today, in the face of a small group of believers, there are tens of thousands of people who life off state money as propagandists of religion above all Orthodox which is seen as the foundation of patriotism and military service, and as a guarantor of social order. The Church is funded directly by the state, and even more by businessmen, who express their loyalty to the state this way, and their trust in the Church as the bridle of the people. As Voltaire said: if my waiter goes to Mass, I sleep more peacefully. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Posted Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:31 am From his home in Battle Ground, Clark County, middle school teacher William Baur has paid close attention to any COVID-19 news about schools. He has dug up available data on infections in his district. And he seldom went a day without checking his county's infection rates. So in mid-December, when Washington officials dramatically loosened guidance for reopening school buildings, Baur was perplexed. He hadn't seen new local data to support such a move, so to find out if there was a good reason, he filed 26 requests with county and state health officials for the number of cases recorded in schools. The justification Baur was looking for a robust and well-studied log of cases in Washington schools that pointed toward safety wasn't what led health officials to change the guidance. That research doesn't exist. Rather, it was a decision based on principle. State officials believe that, for academic and mental health reasons, more students should be learning in-person a view that fits with recommendations from the nation's top disease experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci. Whether to teach in-person or online is a decision left up to individual school districts; Gov. Jay Inslee can't order schools back in session. But changing the metrics, state officials believed, would encourage more schools to open up. And it seems to be working. Since the day Inslee announced plans to change school opening metrics, dozens of school districts have started bringing kids back into buildings, including Bellevue, which brought many second graders back on Thursday, and Tacoma, which brought kindergartners back Tuesday. Seattle, Lake Washington, Auburn, Highline and Federal Way have all announced plans to bring the youngest learners back to school in February or March, although some of those plans may depend on negotiations with teachers unions. State officials say about 85% of students in the state are learning remotely. But with the reopenings, that number will soon change. The new metrics rely on a flurry of research papers released by Washington disease modelers over the summer, suggesting that hybrid learning and safety measures could help reduce transmission if it's low in the community, and that districts should start by reopening elementary schools, since young kids are less likely to get sick from, or spread, the virus. And when some schools reopened in the fall, data hinted that schools aren't superspreaders. But there have been few research studies confirming this finding, which is based on crowdsourced, not representative, data. The state acknowledges collecting little data of its own. And there's limited research to explain a host of other phenomena, such as why some schools where COVID-19 is surging seemed to open safely, while many did not. "It's not about faith in the data, it's about what we value from a policy perspective," said Dr. Thomas Tsai, assistant professor of health policy and management at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Tsai said we've come a long way in devising school safety measures, but acknowledged that the quality of available data on COVID-19 and schools is "poor." Researchers still have few hard facts on the basics, including infection rates in teachers and students, and transmissibility in schools. But, "the question, we've realized, is the consequences of keeping schools closed," Tsai said. Earlier guidance, which advised keeping most students home until case rates dropped to 25-75 per 100,000 over two weeks (now it's 350 per 100,000), was a "reasonable approach given what we knew at the time," said Lacy Fehrenbach, one of the state's top health officials. A confluence of information supported revising the guidance, she said, including evidence from other countries and states, Washington's outbreak data and a disease modeling group's findings. "Those sources of information are aligning to say that if you go back into buildings, and you can do all these health and safety measures, that your chances of having an infection are barely more than if you all stayed at home," she said. Washington has logged at least 117 coronavirus outbreaks linked to schools, just a few less than those tied to groceries, retail stores and agricultural work. But DOH has acknowledged that its contact tracing efforts in schools are flawed, so there may be many more. "Weighing that against the cost of being fully remote especially for young learners really motivated us to expand the metrics," Fehrenbach said. Remote learning has education experts concerned about children's mental health and their ability to socialize with peers their own age, as well as access to services that support those with disabilities. To better understand why officials changed course, The Seattle Times examined the research studies they cite, requested the emails of public health officials and spoke with education and infectious disease experts, and reviewed a trove of data Baur received in response to his requests. Solo quest Baur, who teaches science at River HomeLink in Battle Ground, has never had a reason to file a public records request an inquiry available to any taxpayer who wants information held by the government. But Inslee's announcement, he said, compelled him to do it. Over winter break, often with his sleeping infant on his chest, he and a fellow teacher wrote to at least 26 of the state's health districts and two state agencies asking for data on all COVID-19 exposures in schools since August 2020. They also wanted the number of close contacts who may have been exposed and needed to quarantine. DOH and the state's education department responded by saying they had no responsive records. But several county health departments did reply with data, including Clark, Pierce, Whatcom and Yakima. In his analysis so far, Baur says, it seems that many school cases are going unreported. Because of this, it's likely the data only tells part of a bigger story. For instance, Clark County data showed relatively high rates of transmission in schools but that could be because the county has more robust contact tracing efforts. "I also found that the data they are reporting has little correlation with the stages of reopening of the school districts or the amount of virus in the community," Baur said. Baur's solo quest to track down data is unique. The state doesn't keep a school-specific COVID-19 database, and Baur's venture may help fill in a so-far incomplete picture of the virus's spread in schools. "I want it to influence public policy," he said. "I want it to give parents an accurate picture of what COVID is like in schools." But his attempts to find something concrete come at the same time that policy makers are quickly forging ahead. Washington now recommends that schools phase in in-person learning for elementary schoolers when cases are "high," or above 350 per 100,000 residents over two weeks, and when other trends, like cases and hospitalizations, are flat or decreasing. Schools where cases are logged as "moderate" or 50 to 350 per 100,000 should also resume classes for middle schoolers, and if cases are below 50, for all students. These new thresholds are based in part on CDC recommendations, Fehrenbach said, and a review of available scientific literature. So far, most school outbreaks have happened in communities with "moderate" case rates not "high" case rates a statistic that illustrates how difficult it is to decide when returning to buildings is "safe." This finding might be explained simply and by the fact that most districts fell into the moderate category in the fall, Fehrenbach said. But even so, she added, "We're pretty cautious about interpreting that." The decision to change the metrics was a monthslong process. Health department officials had been mulling over revisions since at least late October, records obtained by The Seattle Times show. They tried to keep the process quiet at its earliest stages. On Nov. 3 of last year, State Health Officer Kathy Lofy emailed county health officials to ask for their input on a draft of new guidance to schools, which they were instructed not to share with any of their colleagues and school officials. With the same warning attached, Jeff Duchin, health officer for Public Health Seattle and King County, shared his comments on the draft with three colleagues, including Patty Hayes, who directs the county department. The proposal "will create some chaos probably," Hayes replied to him. Another department official recommended a strong public health statement to support school reopenings that would assuage concerns from teachers unions that there "may be a political agenda around these changes." Later that week, DOH presented its proposal to Inslee's staff. Maddy Thompson, a K-12 adviser to Inslee, said that even with the limitations of data, she felt confident in what DOH presented. "I've questioned the Department of Health and looked at the list of covid cases," Thompson told The Seattle Times regarding the challenges of contact tracing in schools. "When you're at a school, you're going back every day. It's a bit different (from) going to a restaurant," where a different set of strangers gather every day. Local health departments have also prioritized school investigations, she added. Inslee met with superintendents in reopened school districts last fall to gather intelligence. The statewide teachers union unsuccessfully tried to sway him against changing the metrics. Throwing a wrench There are new and urgent reasons to question reopening school buildings on a wide scale, some researchers warn. A new study, for instance, suggests that reopening buildings for 76% or more students in a given location, for hybrid or full-time in-person learning, can drive community spread of the virus. The recent unpublished findings are from a team of University of Washington researchers who used county and district-level data from Washington. "There are reasons to be cautious if you start to get into higher case rates, particularly if you've got lots of kids in the same buildings," said Dan Goldhaber, who led the research and is director of UW's Director of the Center for Education Data & Research. The presence of a new, fast-spreading coronavirus variant, first recorded in the United Kingdom, is also raising alarm among physicians like Dr. Vin Gupta, a critical care pulmonologist and an affiliate assistant professor at the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. In mid-January, he said, the variant "should force us to reconsider what we're doing with schools." New variants that don't follow the same transmission pattern as original strains could amp up risk in school settings, and may throw a wrench in what we've come to see as established research findings in schools. Dan Klein, a researcher who has led some of the most prominent modeling studies on COVID-19 and schools including modeling based on King County data that state officials say has guided their policymaking said he's "absolutely keeping track" of how new variants are spreading in the United States. Klein, senior research manager at the Institute for Disease Modeling, said he's also trying to gauge how they might affect the analytical model he uses in his research. More highly infectious variants, he said, "would have some implications for the spread in schools and the community overall." ___ (c)2021 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The White Tiger Cast: Adarsh Gourav, Priyanka Chopra, Rajkummar Rao, Mahesh Manjrekar, Vijay Maurya, Swaroop Sampat, Direction: Ramin Bahrani Rating: * * * and half (three and a half stars) BY VINAYAK CHAKRAVORTY "Don't believe for a second there's a million-rupee game show you can win to get out of it". That's Balram Halwai thinking aloud, outlining the squalid poverty that he lives every day, as opposed to what Jamal Malik in Slumdog Millionaire might have said. The White Tiger sets its tone bluntly with that line, somewhere in the early portion of a two hour-odd runtime. The idea is clear: There is no superstar-hosted miracle game show waiting to deliver you if you are Balram Halwai, 'dehati' driver devoted to a wealthy upper caste 'master'. But if you are Balram, and at the wrong end of the social stratum, getting at the wrong end of the law might just help. Only, in a country where 'Wanted' posters that cops issue rarely ever look like the culprit, you have to be smart enough to get away with it. It is a notion that triggers instant chaos as we enter Balram's world, and the mood pervades beneath all that goes on, as the film captures the essence of two very different Indias that have learnt to coexist. From the gutters of Laxmangarh village in backwater Bihar, where Balram hails from, to the world of super-swanky Gurgaon condos, where he ends up a driver for his morally malleable, ultra-rich employers, it's interesting how the film captures the reality about both milieus with discomforting precision. It leaves you intrigued all the more because the man who gets it so right -- Iranian-American filmmaker Ramin Bahrani -- has never lived in either India. It is easy, of course, to root for The White Tiger for its performances, because the cast is what primarily draws your attention. Adarsh Gourav as Balram Halwai, rises from the fringes to deliver a defining performance, as Bahrani unfolds his life story brimming with unapologetic tragi-comedy. Balram's is a journey from lower-class ignominy to what he hopes will one day be a tale of successful entrepreneurship. The grey story of ambition gets a twist of colour when he meets Pinky madam (Priyanka Chopra Jonas, in surely her most assured performance in years), drop-dead wife of his employer Ashok (Rajkummar Rao, awkwardly out of sync with forced accent). Indeed, the plush world of Ashok is an awakening of sorts for Balram. Sly and ambitious that he always was, Balram manages to penetrate Ashok's world in a way he becomes increasingly indispensable to his master. Yet, Balram's rude awakenings will not be restricted to the realisation of the acute class divide that exists. He will be shocked to realise after a tragic incident one night how disposable he actually is to his employers. Balram understands the only way to buck the class divide, which is wholly loaded against him, it is to break all master-servant rules that have been drilled into his mind since childhood. Maintaining the narrative tone of Aravind Adiga's Man Booker Prize-winning book of the same name, Bahrani's screenplay unfolds as a letter Balram writes to erstwhile Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, around his India visit of 2010. As Balram punches in his story on a laptop, the idea is to lay bare a representative citizen of one of the two most populous nations in the world to the head of the other. Does Balram really represent India, and the nation's moral, economic and cultural fibre? We will give the makers of this film the advantage of creative liberty. For, Bahrani does keep his narrative as close as possible to Adiga's story. The book was always gripping, and the writer-director uses the advantage to credibly establish every socio-cultural comment inherent in the tale. Witty in tone, heart-rending in its impact and entertaining overall, The White Tiger is the best thing Netflix has dropped in a long, long time. -- Syndicated from IANS Jailed RJD chief Lalu to be shifted to AIIMS-Delhi as health condition deteriorates India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P Ranchi, Jan 23: Jailed RJD chief Lalu Prasad will be shifted to AIIMS-Delhi after his health condition deteriorated while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ranchi, officials said on Saturday. Prasad, convicted in fodder scam cases, is undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) here for multiple ailments. "Lalu Prasad is having trouble breathing for the last two days. On Friday, he was found to be having pneumonia. Considering his age, we have decided to shift him to AIIMS- Delhi on the advice of doctors for better treatment," RIMS Director Dr Kameshwar Prasad told reporters. I fear physical and mental harm: BJP MLA who filed complaint against Lalu "He is likely to be shifted to AIIMS today. We have already spoken to the experts at AIIMS," he added. Dr Prasad further said that the authorities and his family are arranging for an air ambulance to shift him to AIIMS-Delhi. An eight-member medical board is examining Prasad's health and he is likely to be shifted to AIIMS as soon as the experts submit their report. To send Prasad to Delhi, the jail authorities will also have to seek approval from the CBI court. On Friday, Prasad's wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharti, sons Tej Pratap and Tejashwi reached Ranchi on a special plane after being informed of the veteran leader's deteriorating health. The family met Prasad in the night. After meeting his father, Tejashwi told reporters that his condition was worrisome. Tejashwi also met Chief Minister Hemant Soren at his residence during the day to seek cooperation of the state government in arranging to take his father to Delhi. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News The Jharkhand High Court on Friday heard about the violation of the jail manual by Lalu Prasad while he was admitted at RIMS, pulling up the hospital authorities, the jail administration and the state government. The case will be next heard on February 5. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 15:28 [IST] When Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny returned to Moscow on Sunday after convalescing in Germany from an attempted poisoning by the FSB domestic spy agency, the regime-friendly media loyally failed to mention his arrival. With one striking exception: Vremya, the flagship news show of Russian state television. Opinion When Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny returned to Moscow on Sunday after convalescing in Germany from an attempted poisoning by the FSB domestic spy agency, the regime-friendly media loyally failed to mention his arrival. With one striking exception: Vremya, the flagship news show of Russian state television. Presumably, somebody there was hoping to win favour with the Kremlin, because they briefly mentioned Navalny three-quarters of the way through last Sundays two-hour programme. In fact, they compared Navalnys trip home to Vladimir Lenins famous return to Russia in 1917, and suggested that he was as great a danger to Russia as Lenin had been. Sergei Bobylev/TASS/Abaca Press/TNS Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny was detained upon arrival at Sheremetyevo International Airport on Jan. 17. As every Russian knows, the Germans plucked Lenin from exile in Switzerland in the middle of the First World War. He was sent across Germany in a "sealed train" (so he wouldnt spread the infection of Communism there) to St. Petersburg, then in the throes of Russias first democratic revolution and he did just what the Germans had hoped he would. Lenin overthrew the fumbling democratic "Provisional Government" in a military coup, took Russia out of the First World War and launched a 73-year totalitarian Communist regime that cost at least 20 million Russian lives in purges, famines and lesser acts of repression. Is Navalny really that great a danger? The ambitious presenter at Vremya probably wont get the job he wanted, because President Vladimir Putin really wont have liked seeing his noisiest critic compared in stature to Lenin, a genuine world-historical figure. Putin himself never mentions Navalnys name at all. Russians cannot even put a name to the system they live under, as the poor Vremya presenters confusion illustrates. Its certainly not a democracy, although there are regular elections. Its definitely not Communist, although most of the regimes senior figures were Communists before they discovered a better route to power and wealth. Its not a monarchy, although Putin has been in power for 20 years and is surrounded by a court of extremely rich allies and cronies. And "kleptocracy" is just a pejorative term used mostly by foreigners, although Navalny does habitually refer to Putin and his cronies as "crooks and thieves." In fact, Putins regime is not a system at all. Its only ideology is a traditional Russian nationalism that is lightweight compared to blood-and-soil religious and racist movements such as Trumps in the United States and Modis in India. Its a purely personal regime, and it is very unlikely to survive his dethronement or demise. Putin has been in power for 20 years, and he has just changed the constitution with a referendum that lets him stay in power until 2036. But that seems unlikely, partly because he is already 68 and partly because the younger generation of Russians is getting restless and bored. Navalny is a brave man who has gone home voluntarily to face a spell in Putins jails. (He missed two parole appointments for a suspended sentence on trumped-up embezzlement charges because he was in Germany recovering from the FSB assassination attempt.) But his role in Russian politics so far had been more gadfly than revolutionary. His supporters do their homework and make clever, witty videos detailing the scandalous financial abuses of the regime (the latest is a virtual tour of Putins new US$1 billion seaside palace on the Black Sea near Novorossiysk), but he is probably not the man who will finally take Putin down. What he is doing to great effect is mobilizing the tech-savvy young. Since 2018, the average age of protesters at anti-Putin demos, mostly linked to Navalny one way or another, has dropped by a decade, and their boldness has risen in proportion. Moreover, their attitude to the regime now verges on contempt. Rightly so: consider, for example, the last two assassination attempts by regime operatives. In 2018 the GRU, the Russian military intelligence agency, sent two agents to England to kill defector Sergei Skripov and his daughter Yulia. The agents made two trips to Salisbury because they couldnt find the right house, they were tracked by CCTV every step of the way, and in the end they left too little novichok (nerve poison) on the doorknob to kill the targets. Equally crude and bumbling was the FSBs attack on Navalny in Tomsk, where the novichok was put on his underpants. Once again, the target survived, and afterwards the investigative site Bellingcat was able to trace FSB agents tracking Navalny on 40 flights over several years before the murder was attempted. Neither agency is fit for 21st-century service, nor is the regime they both serve. Russians have put up with it for a long time because they were exhausted and shamed by the wild political banditry of the 1990s, but Putins credit for having put an end to that has been exhausted. He may still be in power for years, but this is a regime on the skids. Gwynne Dyers latest book is Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work). Schools cannot risk reopening due to continued high levels of Covid-19, the HSE Chief Clinical Officer has said. Primary and secondary schools are closed since before Christmas with classes online, but were scheduled to reopen on February 1. However speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland on Friday, Dr Colm Henry said that transmission levels are still "frankly far too high". He said that it is tragic to be talking about school closures again because of what children experienced during the first lockdown. Transmission levels are now ten times what they were in early December. Dr Henry said this needs to reduce to a much lower level "before we can add to additional risk by the mixing of crowds at school settings". Regarding children with additional needs who are much more vulnerable to school closures, he said "our hope is there would be priority given to certain elements of the education sector". The country is still in a "precarious position" with "extraordinary levels" of infection, with on average over 2,500 new cases per day in the last five days. "Those cases have yet to become sick, some will require hospitalisation, some unfortunately will require intensive care and some unfortunately will die," the HSE Chief Clinical Officer said. Dr Henry noted the severe pressure on hospital staff caring for very sick patients. 66% of the patients currently in intensive care in Ireland have Covid-19. Bhuvanesh Boojala (right), who has been named president of the American Telugu Association, announced that 1-844-ATA-SEVA will be expanded to all the major cities across U.S. and encouraged the Indian American Telugu community to reach out to the service line during an emergency. (photo provided) Wicklow schools have been encouraged to apply to the National Gallery of Ireland's expanded art outreach programme. Your Gallery at School is a new initiative which aims to bring art directly to schools across the country. The National Gallery of Ireland said it will work with six schools this year to create a tailored programme of activities including individual practical workshops, sensory sessions and talks for selected schools. The project aims to engage with children who may not usually be able to visit the Gallery or who may face barriers in accessing culture. Sean Rainbird, director of the National Gallery of Ireland, said: 'The National Gallery of Ireland is delighted to grow its partnership with SMBC Aviation Capital with the launch of this exciting new initiative: Your Gallery at School. Creativity and innovation are transferrable and valuable skills for children. We hope that bringing art education to schools across the country in this dynamic new way will encourage curiosity and future learning amongst our participants.' The primary school phase of Your Gallery at School is now open for applications and will run during the spring and summer. The post-primary school phase will open for applications in August. More information is available at www.nationalgallery.ie. Community leaders, volunteers, and elected officials joined the Chattanooga 2.0 collaborative on Thursday for a virtual event to release their 2021 Report to the Community and celebrate the last five years of Chattanooga-Hamilton Countys progress towards improving birth-to-career education and workforce development outcomes. Chattanooga 2.0 is the organized collaboration of over 150 partner organizations in Hamilton County working together to ensure all children and students can thrive, said officials. Chattanooga 2.0 partners have been at the forefront of many cradle-to-career efforts during the past five years, most recently serving as the foundation for the countys response to the impacts of COVID-19 on children and students. The 2021 report details these wins along with the current challenges and opportunities that lie ahead early childhood through postsecondary education. During Thursdays event, Executive Director Molly Blankenship renewed Chattanooga 2.0s commitment to advancing equity and opportunity in Chattanooga-Hamilton County, outlining updated goals and strategies for the next decade of collaborative work. These new goals include achieving the following by 2030: 80 percent of children arrive at kindergarten with the skills needed to be successful in school 80 percent of Hamilton County Schools students are proficient in reading by third grade 80 percent of students graduate on time from Hamilton County Schools prepared for college and career 80 percent of graduates from Hamilton County Schools obtain a postsecondary degree or credential of value within six years Double the number of young adults aged 18-25 who obtain meaningful, self-sustaining careers and successfully transition to the workforce During the event, Ms. Blankenship said, Are these goals bold? Yes. Are they attainable? Yes. For this community who knows how to work together and come together to solve tough problems, we can do this. Later in the event, Ms. Blankenship said, We will build systems that meet every child where they are, both in and out of school - were relentlessly committed to that. Multiple student performances were woven throughout the event. Chattanooga State Community College student Sydney Nielsen kicked off the event by reading a poem entitled The Proof of Worth, Center for Creative Arts student Kaylyn Yancey sang the national anthem, and a unique pre-recorded performance by Sale Creek Middle High Band was played. Later in the event, Assistant Principal Arielle Hayes of East Hamilton Middle moderated a student panel discussion and Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger and Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson, both chairs of the Hamilton County Childrens Cabinet, were on hand to recognize the work of Chattanooga 2.0 and its partners. Dr. JaNay Queen Nazaire, chief strategy officer for Living Cities, delivered a keynote address, providing coalition members with tools and wisdom from her nationwide collaborative work to close racial gaps and grow economic security. She called on community members to think collaboratively and creatively to solve big problems, with the courage to take risks and the discipline to remain committed. Its okay if we fail, as long as we are failing forward - because then we know what doesnt work and can move on to try something else, Dr. Nazaire said in her address to Thursdays attendees. Its finding the discipline and courage to keep taking those risks. Find more information on the strategic planning process, 2030 goals, and supporting strategies, along with Chattanooga 2.0s vision, mission, and racial equity statements, see the Forward Together 2021 Report to the Community, now available at chatt2.org/report. A Rochester woman who was leading state police on a car chase seriously injured several others after crashing the car she was driving, according to New York State Police. Tamiya Jackson, 30, of Rochester, is set to face several charges, but has also been taken to Strong Hospital. She is currently being treated for injuries she suffered in the crash, according to police. New York State Police have not yet said what charges Jackson will face. On Friday at about 4:10 p.m. a state police investigator tried to stop Jacksons car because she was a suspect in a larceny, police said. She was driving near Lincoln Road in the town of Ontario, according to police. Jackson did not stop her car and fled from police as an officer activated his emergency lights and sirens, police said. The investigator then turned off his lights and sirens and saw a crash between two cars on Monroe-Wayne County Line Road, according to police. A preliminary investigation found that Jackson drove through a red light and hit an SUV with a family of four, police said. The SUV had one adult and three children in the car, some of whom have serious injuries, police said. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter. Washington: Violence, social persecution and marginalisation in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh have become a threat to the Hindus where they are in minority, said a report prepared by a top Hindu-American body. The Hindu America Foundation (HAF), in its annual report on Hindus in South Asia and The Diaspora, said Hindu minorities living in countries throughout South Asia and other parts of the world are subject to varying degrees of legal and institutional discrimination, restrictions on their religious freedom, social prejudice, violence, social persecution and economic and political marginalisation. "Hindu women are especially vulnerable and face kidnappings and forced conversions in countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan. In several countries where Hindus are minorities, non-state actors advance a discriminatory and exclusivist agenda, often with the tacit or explicit support of the stat", said the report released early this week at the US Capitol. In the report, HAF lists Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Pakistan as 'egregious violators' of human rights of Hindu minorities. Bhutan and Sri Lanka have been identified as countries of serious concern. The report also placed Jammu and Kashmir state in the same category. Also Read: Pak court asks police to produce converted Hindu girl before it Fiji, Saudi Arabia and Trinidad and Tobago have been placed in the category of monitored countries. "Persecution by state and non-state actors alike has led a growing number of Hindus to flee their country of origin and live as refugees", the report said. The twelfth annual report documents the challenges facing Hindu minorities in ten nations and regions throughout the world and makes policy recommendations to improve conditions for these populations as well steps the US can take to assist with this. Hindus, numbering over one billion (1.03 billion), constitute the third largest religious group in the world. The HAF at its 14th annual Capitol Hill Reception honoured Charles Haynes, vice president of the Newseum Institute and Director of the Religious Freedom Center, with the Mahatma Gandhi Award for the advancement of religious pluralism. HAF executive director Suhag Shukla described Haynes "as accomplished as he is humble" and noted that religious liberty in the US and awareness about the First Amendment has been profoundly shaped by his deeply committed and principled leadership. Also Read: Abduction, forced conversion of Hindu girl create uproar in Pakistan A number of US lawmaker attended the HAF s Capitol Hill Reception early this week. Prominent among them were Raja Krishnamoorthi, Michael Coffman, Eric Swalwell, Pete Olson, Judy Chu, Sheila Jackson Lee and Darren Soto. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A global team of scientists, co-led by a Winnipeg doctor, say blood thinners appear to prevent some moderate COVID-19 patients from deteriorating further offering a "massive" advance in treatment they expect will ease suffering and lesson strain on hospital ICUs. A global team of scientists, co-led by a Winnipeg doctor, say blood thinners appear to prevent some moderate COVID-19 patients from deteriorating further offering a "massive" advance in treatment they expect will ease suffering and lesson strain on hospital ICUs. "We're repurposing a drug that is inexpensive, familiar and widely available, to every hospital in the world," said Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, a University of Manitoba professor who works as a hematologist for CancerCare. His research involved a clinical trial spanning five continents, in more than 300 hospitals, whose interim results showed the common blood thinner heparin reduced the probability of requiring life support by about one-third. "It reduced their burden of critical illness in the hospital," Zarychanski told the Free Press. "If we can prevent people from getting critically ill, then we can reduce strains on hospital systems, and allow us to care for patients more efficiently." That means the drug could soon be part of standard care for COVID-19 patients, who often experience inflammation. The study involved more than 1,300 moderately ill patients admitted to hospital, including hundreds in Canada. Researchers found the full dose was more effective than the lower dose typically administered to prevent blood clots in hospitalized patients. Zarychanski said he hopes patients in Winnipeg would soon be on routine blood thinners, and hopes hospitals around the world add it to standard care. His colleague, Ewan Goligher, a critical care physician at Toronto General Hospital, said research into other questions surrounding blood thinners will continue. That includes whether to continue treatment if a moderately ill patient develops severe COVID-19, and whether adding an antiplatelet agent would help. Doctors noticed early in the pandemic that COVID-19 patients suffered an increased rate of blood clots and inflammation. This led to complications including lung failure, heart attack and stroke. In December, investigators found giving full-dose blood thinners to critically ill ICU patients did not help, and was actually harmful. However, Goligher noted there have been other drugs that appear to ease mortality in severe cases, expecting more trials to release promising data soon. Goligher was heartened by the news blood thinners could soon ease a devastating winter surge of infections. "I personally find the thought that this treatment will prevent (patients) from getting to this state incredibly gratifying. It's even better than if it was an effective treatment for severe COVID-19, to be able to prevent people from becoming severe is huge." The trials are supported by international funding organizations including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, NIH National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute in the United States, National Institute for Health Research in the United Kingdom, and National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia. Meanwhile, U.S. drug maker Eli Lilly said this week its antibody drug bamlanivimab developed in partnership with Vancouvers AbCellera Biologics can prevent COVID-19 illness in nursing home residents and staff. In November, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada had purchased 26,000 doses of the therapeutic drug, with shipments to arrive between December 2020 and February 2021. Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Friday that Health Canada relies on clinical experts "on the ground" treating patients "to decide what's best for them." with files from The Canadian Press dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca The states Catholic school system will have wide discretion over how it spends more than $200 million from a taxpayer slush fund after striking a deal with the Commonwealth Government, bolstering fears it could be used to subsidise the fees of already affluent parents at wealthier schools. Catholic Schools NSW will receive around $230 million to spend over a 10 year period under the Morrison governments private schools fund, which was set up to help schools dealing with cuts from the new school funding model. Agreements reveal how the Catholic and independent school bodies will spend the Morrison governments $1.2 billion choice and affordability fund for non-government schools. Credit:Louie Douvis Of that money, $17 million will be spread across 38 independent Catholic schools, including Loreto Kirribilli, Waverley College and St Scholasticas College Glebe. A further $3 million will be allocated to regional schools. The Catholics can decide how they spend the remaining $209 million, so long as it improves parent choice. School funding expert Peter Goss said the agreement meant the sector could use the money to subsidise fees for primary school parents of higher socio-economic status, such as in inner-city Sydney and the north shore, where Catholic schools are set to have their government funding slashed. The late Sean and Brid OToole on their wedding day in 1958 Baltinglass said a fond farewell last week to a local couple Sean and Brid O'Toole who died within hours of each other. There was a sombre mood in the town on Wednesday (13th) for the joint funeral of Sean and Brid O'Toole, who both passed away due to Covid-19. Sean died peacefully on Sunday, January 10 at the age of 97 in the care of Baltinglass Hospital. Brid (95) passed away on Tuesday, January 12, at Baltinglass Hospital, hours before Sean's funeral had been due to take place. 'They lived together and died together. The loss will fade, but their love story will remain,' said Martin O'Toole, one of the couple's two sons. Mr O'Toole said the family's thoughts are with the staff at the nursing home, where both Brid and Sean had been so well cared for. 'Our hearts are with the staff. They are facing a tough job and a tough job mentally. This disease does not differentiate. If you're elderly, it's very dangerous,' Mr O'Toole said. Sean O'Toole was born on November 15, 1923 in Slievemane, Aughavannagh. The eldest of four brothers, Sean's early years were spent farming in the Wicklow hills. In the late 1930s, he attended school for a year or two at Terenure College, before his working life began at Quinn's shop in Baltinglass. In April 1958, Sean married the love of his life, Brid Ni Dhireain. Later that year, the couple bought a shop and home on Weaver's Square and Sean O'Toole's shop opened. They raised two sons, Martin and John. The couple enjoyed many happy years together at their home in Weaver's Square and were known for their kindness. Sean spent the next four decades standing behind the counter of his shop, delivering a high quality of service to his many loyal customers. Brid was born on April 9, 1925 in the townsland of Shrawn, Inishmore, Aran Islands. One of seven children, she completed her training as a teacher in Galway. Brid returned to the Aran Islands to work as a teacher in Killeany after completing her studies. She was later posted to Davidstown NS in the Glen of Imaal where she worked in the one teacher school until it was closed in 1968. Brid then moved to Bigstone NS where she taught until her retirement. Teaching was Brid's passion and she loved to watch the children learn and grow. Summers were spent on the Aran Islands visiting family and friends. Brid's deep connection to her birthplace never waned throughout her life. 'In life, it took you 35 years to find your bride. In death Mom found her husband in 35 hours,' Martin said, remembering his parents during a eulogy for his late father at the funeral. John gave the eulogy for Brid, describing her deep connection to her home on the Aran Islands and her love of teaching. The O'Toole family were contacted this week by friends in Co. Galway, who said the community on the Aran Islands had paid tribute to Sean and Brid, highlighting the enduring connections between Counties Galway and Wicklow. Sean had a long association with Baltinglass GAA, playing in the first senior final the club were involved in. He was a stalwart officer of Baltinglass GAA Club, serving as club treasurer for 32 years between 1953 amd 1985. He later took on the role of club president, which he would hold for over 20 years. Paying tribute on social media, Baltinglass GAA posted, 'Sean will always be part of the history of our club'. Brid moved to Baltinglass Hospital around seven years ago following the onset of dementia and Sean joined her there four years later. While the ongoing pandemic has meant that the community could not come together as they would have liked to offer their condolences to Sean and Brid's family, Martin said many had shared stories on the street about the couple while following public health advice. Sean and Brid O'Toole are sadly missed by their sons John and Martin, daughters-in-law Emer and Pauline, grandchildren Aislinn, Lorcan, Cormac, Cathal and Sarah, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends. A private family funeral for Brid and Sean took place in St Joseph's Church, Baltinglass last Wednesday, followed by burial at Baltinglass Cemetery. May they rest in peace. Patricia Highsmith, the author of Strangers on a Train, Carol and The Talented Mr Ripley, was an animal lover, largely because she regarded them as superior to human beings. On one occasion, she declared that if she came upon a famished infant and a starving kitten, she would not hesitate to feed the latter and leave the child to fend for itself. Why, she once asked, should domestic pets be expected to consume material that we might find unpalatable? She recommended that as a mark of respect to dogs and cats, they should be fed carefully prepared foetuses from human miscarriages or abortions. We care nothing for the dignity of bulls and other animals when we eat them, so why shouldnt we compensate mammals similarly with our own bodies? For some time when in France she enjoyed eating beef as it came from the butcher, uncooked. Not tartare, but in a bloody lump. She appeared to think that eating dead cattle unadorned accorded them some respect. She had a particular affection for snails, regarding the French, who ate them, as cannibals. In several of her homes, she created space in her garden for her private snail colonies and when she moved to France from England she smuggled out a handful of her favourites in her bra. Her obsession with them began, apparently, when she watched two of them mating. The spectacle appealed to her because the participants seemed devoid of pleasure or emotion. Keen drinker In 1973, she visited East Berlin and raised the question in her diary of how we would feel if imprisoned and forced to defecate and make love while watched by people who laugh, point and stare. She was unconcerned by the police state run by the Stasi; she was horrified by the zoo. We should not, however, regard her as a forerunner of animal rights. Once, she shocked her guests by swinging her pet cat around in a sack, apparently to see how animals would cope with the equivalent of drunkenness. On the matter of drink, Highsmith was a record-breaker. From college days she enjoyed everything from beer to spirits and by middle age she worked hard at remaining drunk from breakfast until bedtime. She was most fond of gin, but would counterpoint her intake of this with quarter-pint shots of whiskey. When she lived in Suffolk, she once attended an event at a hotel, sat alone in the hall with her drink. She drew the attention of another guest, who had never met her before but who commented to a friend that she was in his opinion insane, dangerous and someone who should be committed. He was a psychiatrist and was struck by her facial expression, which he claimed never to have encountered outside of a mental institution. I am a man, she proclaimed, and I love women. She wasnt and she did, and her record as a lover might be treated as a triumph for lesbianism, gay sexuality and even womens rights in general. Compared to Highsmith, the likes of Casanova, Errol Flynn and Lord Byron might be considered lethargic, even demure. She seemed to enjoy affairs with married women in particular, but breaking up lesbian couples was a close second. Had she lived in our era of equal marriage, one could imagine her taking great delight in adding breaking up lesbian marriages to her repertoire. On six occasions, at least on record, she choreographed menages a trois, ensuring that she was the only member of the threesome who was aware of what was going on, and twice she involved a fourth participant. Amazingly, she found time during her busy career as a nymphomaniac to fall deeply in love, becoming enchanted by five women in particular. Read More The beginning of each relationship is recorded in terms of otherworldly ecstasy, but the hyperbole of infatuation is always accompanied by predictions of murder and death, which usually turned out to be accurate. Beauty, perfection, completion all achieved and seen. Death is the next territory, one step to the left. One of her long-term lovers, Ellen Hill, did attempt suicide. Highsmith watched as her girlfriend washed down half a bottle of high-strength barbiturates with gin and then left for supper with friends, one of whom she had sex with later that night. One of Highsmiths closest friends commented on her disposition as a whole: She was an equal opportunity offender You name the group, she hated them: Latinos, black people, Koreans, Indians (south Asian), Red Indians, the Portuguese, Catholics, evangelicals and fundamentalists, and Mexicans, among others. She disliked Arabs, but made an exception with the Palestinian cause. It was not so much that she sympathised with this small Middle Eastern nation of the dispossessed; rather, her support for Palestine reflected her feelings about another group of people which she abhorred far more than any other: Jews. She once confessed to a friend that she enjoyed the rural areas of Switzerland, where she spent her final years before her death in 1995, because they seemed like Europe as envisioned by the Nazis after the successful completion of the Final Solution. When hosting a dinner party in the 1980s she sparked a debate on Israel, and returned from the kitchen with her sleeves rolled up, having used a ballpoint pen to mark her lower forearm with an identity number similar to those crudely tattooed on to the arms of concentration camp victims. She smirked, without explaining the gesture to her guests, most of whom left soon afterwards feeling too appalled to comment on what she had done. And yet, three of the women to whom she declared her unbounded love were Jewish. Expand Close Matt Damon as Tom Ripley in The Talented Mr Ripley / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Matt Damon as Tom Ripley in The Talented Mr Ripley She was not, like Ripley, a murderous psychopath but she modelled his mindset on her own, as a special form of masochism. Few things that happen in her novels relate directly to her immediate experience, but each bears her view of the world and how she understood her role in it. One of her editors suggested to her that although her books commanded immense respect in America, many ordinary readers would feel alienated as all of her characters lacked decency or humanity. She agreed, and added: Perhaps its because I dont like anyone. This week marks the centenary of her birth. Some of her novels will endure as works of genius, while others will continue to fascinate us in their refusal to fall into the category of popular or serious fiction, and a number are simply bizarre. Her books contribute greatly to our understanding of who we are and how we behave. She never killed anyone nor committed a serious criminal offence, but she regarded those who did as honest representations of the sheer wickedness of human nature. Expand Close Devils, Lusts and Strange Desires: The Life of Patricia Highsmith by Richard Bradford / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Devils, Lusts and Strange Desires: The Life of Patricia Highsmith by Richard Bradford Richard Bradford is Professor of English at Ulster University and Director of Ulster Literary Biography Research Centre. His book, Devils, Lusts and Strange Desires: The Life of Patricia Highsmith, is out now Several infrastructure development projects which had been put on the back burner over the past five years will now be taken up on a war footing and completed in a very short period of time Elections, our festival of democracy, are around the corner in Tamil Nadu. A good indicator of election season of late has been the flurry of activity by the civic body across the city. Roads that citizens have complained about for years with no response get a facelift, potholes are fixed, pavements are laid and any and all grievance is addressed with a swiftness that makes one wish election season lasted longer. Several infrastructure development projects which had been put on the back burner over the past five years will now be taken up on a war footing and completed in a very short period of time. This is the time when citizens like us need to keep our eyes and ears open and ensure that the work being done is of good quality and will actually benefit citizens. I would like to highlight a few examples from my neighbourhood, where all our unheeded complaints are being answered with a swiftness not seen before. Milling of roads I had been regularly writing to the local administration on this issue and pushing them to ensure that roads and streets across Perambur and elsewhere in the city are properly milled before they are resurfaced. This issue is now seeing some action as Perambur High Road and BB Road have been taken up for milling among the several other arterial roads across Chennai. Its a long overdue change. The milling of these roads at this time gives me the impression that a few well-timed complaints by citizens across the city could get the civic body to undertake similar actions in other parts. I urge fellow Chennaiites to be vigilant and ensure all the streets or roads are properly milled before they are resurfaced. The Madras High Court, too, is in agreement about the importance of this action. New bus terminus The compound wall, tarmacs and also the main building of the Perambur Bus Terminus has been in abysmal shape over the past several years. Residents from our neighbourhood had escalated the matter to various authorities and the issue was covered by print media some time in December 2019. Following our efforts, the leader of opposition promised to take up the responsibility of using his MLA funds to renovate the entire terminus at a cost of Rs 75 lakh. Islamic Republic of Iran's President, Hassan Rouhani has dubbed outgoing US President, Donald Trump as a tyrant, after Trump released a farewell speech hours before Joe Biden takes over as president of the United States. Rouhani, whose regime with Supreme leader Ayotallah Khamenei is one of the most repressive and dictatorial in the Islamic Nation's history, called on United States President-elect, Joe Biden, to return to the 2015 nuclear deal and lift sanctions imposed on Tehran by Donald Trump's administration. Speaking at a televised cabinet meeting Wednesday, January 20, Rouhani said the ball was "in the US court now." "If Washington returns to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal, we will also fully respect our commitments under the pact," he said, adding in reference to Trump that "a tyrant's era came to an end and today is the final day of his ominous reign." Tensions between the two countries were at an all time high during Trump's time in office as he castigated the Iran Nuclear deal saying it was a cover up for Iran to develop a nuclear bomb. Tensions also increased after the US assassinated Iranian general Qasem Soleimani last January using a military drone. Recently Trump ordered Nuclear capable jets to fly over the Middle East as political observers feared Trump could start a war with Iran by bombing an Iranian nuclear site. Biden -- a member of the Obama administration which negotiated the original Iran Nuclear deal -- entering office on Wednesday noon, hopes are high for diplomacy between both countries. At the meeting Wednesday, Rouhani castigated Trump, saying his four years in office "bore no fruit other than injustice and corruption and causing problems for his own people and the world." Under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the Iranian government agreed to three key things: reducing the number of centrifuges in the country by two-thirds, slashing its stockpile of enriched uranium, and capping ongoing enrichment at 3.67%, an amount sufficient for energy provision but not enough to build a nuclear bomb. In addition, Iran was required to limit uranium research and development, and allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) certain access to its nuclear facilities. In return for its compliance, all nuclear-related sanctions on Iran were lifted and the economy grew. But Trump ended the deal in 2018, sending the nation into economic hardship and blocking the Islamic Nation's ability to conduct business with other nations. Biden has expressed a desire to return to the 2015 agreement, telling CNN last year that Trump had "recklessly tossed away a policy that was working to keep America safe and replaced it with one that has worsened the threat." "I will offer Tehran a credible path back to diplomacy," the then-candidate wrote in September. "If Iran returns to strict compliance with the nuclear deal, the United States would rejoin the agreement as a starting point for follow-on negotiations." Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. CLEVELAND, Ohio Beginning Monday, Cuyahoga County residents can call United Ways 211 HelpLink to access information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including eligibility details and places to obtain inoculations. Residents can access vaccination information by dialing 2-1-1 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. We know that people are eager to get vaccinated and that the rollout of the vaccine has been confusing for many, said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish in a Friday news release. We are supporting this centralized and familiar phone number so people can get answers to their questions, such as Am I eligible? When can I get vaccinated? Where do I sign up? and other concerns. The hotline is intended to help seniors and other eligible people who may have difficulty finding vaccination locations online, Budish said. Under Ohios vaccination plan, people must call around to the 90 or so providers in Cuyahoga County to try to find available vaccines. The hotline will be staffed by 15 temporary workers, funded by Cuyahoga County, who will link callers to doctors as well as hospital systems, health clinics, pharmacies and other locations offering the vaccine. Pharmacies and other vaccination locations will be recommended based on a callers location. Callers also could be directed to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health or the Cleveland Department of Public Health to get on vaccination waiting lists. Vaccination information also can be found online at: https://cuyahogacounty.us/vax or https://www.ccbh.net/covid-19-phase-1b-provider-list/ This week was the first that Ohioans 80 and older were eligible to receive the vaccine. Next week, Ohioans 75 and older will be eligible. A recent update on Ohios vaccine rollout plan can be found here. A list of providers in Northeast Ohio can be found here. In addition to COVID-19 vaccination information, United Ways 211 HelpLink can be called to obtain help with food, shelter, rentals, utilities and more. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 5:03 pm A proposed Washington state bill to force some public schools to reopen under certain COVID-19 metrics was met last week with support from several parents citing frustrations about local power struggles that have emerged amid the states largely hands-off approach to the issue. But state officials, and some residents, pushed back against the legislation sponsored by Sen. John Braun, of Centralia saying that setting reopening metrics in stone could be counterproductive. Our knowledge about COVID-19 evolves tremendously on an ongoing basis, with new information coming out daily, said Lacy Fehrenbach, deputy secretary for COVID response at the Department of Health (DOH). If metrics are put into statute, it will be difficult to make quick changes based on new data or science. The concern was echoed by an adviser to the governor and a representative of the Washington Education Association. But many parents including some from the WA Alliance 4 Kids, an advocacy group pushing for more in-person learning during the pandemic critiqued what they see as a patchwork of policies throughout the state that have exacerbated education inequities and created social and emotional issues for students. Issaquah man Nate Perea characterized the local conflicts over how and when to bring students back to classrooms as civil wars, and said he wants directions, not suggestions from the state. Under Senate Bill 5037, if a county has below a 5% test positivity rate, or less than 200 new cases per 100,000 over two weeks, public schools would be required to offer in-person learning to K-12 students, which could include a hybrid model. Although new research on COVID-19 in schools spurred statewide guidelines to hasten the return to school, so far ultimate decisions have been left up to individual districts. This school year, Lewis County aggressively and contrary to state guidance at the time reopened schools with the help of its public health officials, a workgroup including superintendents and pediatricians, as well as IPAC, a small infection prevention consulting group. Braun has applauded the countys efforts, and condemned other areas including King County that have been slower to reopen. Weve learned a ton that the remote schooling just doesnt work for some students, Braun said Monday. I think statewide were not exactly where I would like to be, but Im particularly proud of the schools in my district and Lewis County. Nearly every one of them is open, and some of them have been open right from the beginning of the school year. Centralia School District Superintendent Lisa Grant could not make it to public testimony, but said she likely would have signed in as other, instead of in support or opposition of the bill. We would like to maintain local control, Grant told The Chronicle. We met with Sen. Braun, I think three other superintendents, the health department, and some of his staff, and we appreciate he was willing to listen and made some revisions to the bill. One revision was allowing for a hybrid model under the established metrics. In Grants school district, even in-person learning has to be staggered and in conjunction with virtual learning, as some buildings just arent big enough to allow for social distancing with the whole student body. Seattle parent Edward Lin criticized the legislation for only requiring schools to reopen, and not pairing the requirement with metrics requiring schools to shift back to virtual learning. The bill weighs heavily on one side of that debate only, Lin said. This is just an attempt to force schools in Western Washington like Seattle public schools to reopen when local communities should be making that decision. While Braun characterized the bill as establishing a very low bottom barrier, that would largely allow schools flexibility to open or close as they saw fit, Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, who co-sponsored the bill, offered a different picture. My understanding is that once theyre reopen, they would be reopen for the remainder of the school year, Mullet said. The bill is likely to undergo significant changes if it progresses further through the Legislature. Mullet noted that the financial burden placed on schools offering both in-person and virtual instruction may have to be addressed through state spending. We know that probably 30% of students will choose to stay remote, so we know its going to take extra resources to offer in-person learning while a lot of students are choosing to stay remote, he said. The state will be your partner in that journey. IPAC also requested that the bill include more safeguards to ensure that schools have health measures solidly in-place before bringing students back. The idea of getting the state to prioritize teachers, staff and administration in vaccination distribution was also floated, and called a potentially extraordinary game changer by committee chair Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island. In her conversation with The Chronicle, Grant threw out the idea of allowing DOH to decide on reopening metrics, which would then be mandated by the proposed bill. But even with alterations, the bill will face obstacles in a Legislature where both chambers are controlled by Democrats. Mullet, a moderate Democrat, is the only lawmaker in his party to sign onto the bill. NEW DELHI: India and Beijing will on Sunday hold the ninth round of senior military commander level talks at Moldo, on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), in an attempt to reduce tensions that have been simmering for months now following incursions by China into Indian territory. The talks are expected to start in the morning and focus on disengagement of troops, and drawdown of military hardware amassed along the LAC. Lt General PGK Menon, commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps that oversees the Ladakh sector, will lead the Indian delegation to talks on Sunday. Tensions rose in May when New Delhi detected incursions by Chinese troops in Ladakh along with a massive deployment of Chinese military personnel. India too quickly moved in its troops to counter further incursions. Previous rounds of military talks have failed to yield any consensus on pull back of troops, with both sides having some 50,000 personnel each along the LAC. The corps commander level talks have been supplemented by dialogues at the diplomatic level, which too have been unable to break the impasse. While analysts have discounted any sudden moves by the Chinese to surprise India during the harsh winter months, the melting of snows in April could result in activity that may escalate tensions between the two neighbours. A violent clash in June last year had resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of casualties on the Chinese side. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has arrived at the site of the El-Fayrouz fish farming project in the northeastern Port Said city to attend the inauguration ceremony. Founded on 15,000 feddans, the project is the largest of its kind in the Middle East. The project aims at reducing the gap between production and consumption, achieving self-sufficiency, and limiting fish imports, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said. The project is meant to increase fish exports to Arab and European countries, Radi said, adding that it will contribute to securing foreign currency and supporting the national economy. It is also set to provide 10,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, he noted. El-Sisi will inaugurate projects for producing marble and granite in South Sinais Ras Sedr city and Suezs Ain Sokhna city via video-conference. He will also open projects for dairy and livestock products in Fayoum and Nubaria. Short link: Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In . Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Mr Clement Nii Lamptey Wilkinson, the Ga West Municipal Chief Executive, has called on Ghanaians to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols to help prevent the spread of the disease. He said the disease was real and that the only way to avoid the spread was for everyone to observe the wearing of the nose mask, regular washing of the hands under running water, sanitizing of the hands and social distancing. Mr Wilkinson made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Amasaman when the Water and Sanitation for Urban Poor (WSUP), a non-governmental organization, with the support of the UK Government donated personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the Ga West Municipal Assembly to assist in the fight against the spread of the COVID-19. The items include 27 veronica buckets, 27 packets of Lifebuoy soaps, 15 boxes of sanitizers, which were to be distributed to communities and schools in the municipality. He urged parents to take the lead in observing the protocols for their children to learn from them since the virus was no respecter of age. Mr John Alate, the Programmes Manager of WSUP, who made the presentation, gave the assurance of his organisations continuous support to help prevent the spread of the disease. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris issued a joint statement in acknowledgment on the 48th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision on legalizing abortion nationwide, a report said. This day also marks the National Sanctity of Human Life day as declared by President Donald Trump. They committed to support and defend the landmark court decision and work to have it made into a law. An article from the Independent says that their agenda includes "codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe," extending "health care" access, and promoting "reproductive rights" worldwide. Biden has gone back and forth on abortion for years when he finally made up his mind, "If I believe health care is a right, as I do, I can no longer support an amendment that makes that right dependent on someone's ZIP code," he reckoned. The Blaze reported that Biden, a devout Catholic, and Harris said in their statement, "In the past four years, reproductive health, including the right to choose, has been under relentless and extreme attack. We are deeply committed to making sure everyone has access to care - including reproductive health care - regardless of income, race, zip code, health insurance status, or immigration status," "The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe," they added. Abortion rights activists along with the president of Planned Parenthood, Alexis McGill Johnson, wanted to have Roe in federal laws for a long time to create a policy on national abortion that limits the states' ability to have restrictions on abortions. "Nearly half a century later, abortion is a right in name only for millions of people across the country," Alexis said. "Without access to abortion, this right is meaningless. Now is the time for President Biden and our elected officials in states across the country to take necessary and immediate action to ensure that everyone, no matter their race, income, or ZIP code, has access to safe and legal abortion." she added. Trump's administration declared Jan. 22 to be a National Sanctity of Human Life Day which states that "every human life is a gift to the world." and that "Whether born or unborn, young or old, healthy or sick, every person is made in the holy image of God." It was one of his last acts as the President of the United States which is the total opposite of what the new Biden-Harris administration stands for. Trump said in his statement on the White House Website, "I call on the Congress to join me in protecting and defending the dignity of every human life, including those not yet born. I call on the American people to continue to care for women in unexpected pregnancies and to support adoption and foster care in a more meaningful way, so every child can have a loving home. And finally, I ask every citizen of this great Nation to listen to the sound of silence caused by a generation lost to us, and then to raise their voices for all affected by abortion, both seen and unseen." His statement was later on removed from the website after Biden's inauguration. Coronavirus vaccinations for over-70s may be delayed due to potential supply issues with the Astra-Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine, the Taoiseach has said. Micheal Martin said a delay to the delivery of Astra-Zeneca would create a real problem for the rollout of the States vaccination programme. But he added that he expected robust discussions would be held between the European Commission and Astra-Zeneca in the coming weeks to try to solve the issue. The British company has warned that supplies of its coronavirus vaccine to Europe will be lower than originally anticipated due to production issues. Its vaccine is being rolled out in the UK, but the European Union has not yet approved its use. It is expected to make a decision on January 29. Speaking on RTE Radio 1, Mr Martin said April, May and June were going to be key months in terms of the rollout of coronavirus vaccines, but that the over-70s will be delayed because of AstraZeneca. Astra-Zeneca combined with extra volumes of Pfizer/BioNTech was going to be the catalyst for us to move from a low level of administration of vaccine to a mass vaccination situation, he said. Now AstraZeneca puts a real problem in our midst, but were gonna have to deal with it and see what else we can do, he added. Despite the issue, the Fianna Fail leader said the Government still aims to be in a mass vaccination scenario by the end of June. He said the delivery of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine had been on time and that there would be other vaccine deliveries. But the Fianna Fail leader admitted that the supply of vaccines overall had been problematic. Our problem in January and February has been delivery not getting enough vaccine into the country, he said. We had delivery of 150,000 vaccines up to the beginning of this week. By the end of this week well have 147,000, administered, so you can see theres very little in the tank. Were giving it out as fast as we get it in. But he added that by summer Ireland would be in a changed environment due to large scale vaccination that will have been achieved by then. The news from AstraZeneca, which has advised the EU of a reduction in vaccine supply in Feb and March, is a real setback. The numbers are still tentative and AstraZeneca is due to provide more exact figures at a meeting early next week. Will provide an update as soon as possible. Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) January 23, 2021 Health Minister Stephen Donnelly described the Astra-Zeneca delay as a real setback. He tweeted: The news from AstraZeneca, which has advised the EU of a reduction in vaccine supply in Feb and March, is a real setback. The numbers are still tentative and AstraZeneca is due to provide more exact figures at a meeting early next week. Will provide an update as soon as possible. Up to January 20, some 121,900 people have been vaccinated in Ireland. By Sunday, the Taoiseach said the majority of residents and staff of all long term residential facilities will have received a Covid-19 vaccine and that half of all frontline healthcare workers will also have received the jab. The rotting carcass of a nearly 14-metre (46-foot) whale washed up Thursday on Bali beach popular with tourists. The conservation agency said it was investigating the death of the giant creature, which was first spotted in shallow waters near Batu Belig beach, north of Seminyak. Curious onlookers gathered around the carcass but the strong smell of decay put many off, said one local. Bali conservation official Prawono Meruanto said the creature could be a Bryde's whale, and that its carcass was later buried at the beach using an excavator. In July, ten smaller whales were found dead on a beach in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province. Locals managed to get one surviving member of the pod back into the water alive. Cross-currents off beaches pose a danger to whales as they can get caught between reefs close to shore. Just days ago, the carcass of a huge whale has been recovered from the waters off southern Italy, the coastguard said Wednesday, calling it "probably one of the largest" ever found in the Mediterranean. The dead mammal was spotted in the sea on Sunday near the popular tourist destination of Sorrento by coastguard divers who were first alerted to the presence of a smaller whale, which has since disappeared into the sea. Also Read: One of Mediterranean's Largest Whales Washes Up Dead on Italy Shore (With inputs from AFP) Houston councilmember Abbie Kamins sleeve was rolled up and ready for the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. But there was a hitch. Kamin is eight months pregnant and received her adult tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria (TDAP) vaccine less than two weeks before her vaccine appointment at La Nueva Casa de Amigos Health Center last week. Vaccinations are a normal part of prenatal care, said Dr. Kjersti Aaagard, maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Texas Childrens Hospital and a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine. But Kamin hadnt realized two weeks must pass between the vaccinations until the nurse administering her shot asked about recent shots in a standard screening question. Kamin was disappointed she couldnt receive her vaccination yet. But she was also reassured. It shows how vigilant and vigorous our health care workers are being, Kamin said. Pregnant women were not included in either Pfizer or Modernas vaccine trials, but there is no evidence showing that the population should not be inoculated, Aaagard said. In the early days of the virus, scientists thought thought pregnant women were mostly unaffected, or somehow protected, Aagaard said. But in the months following the initial outbreak, researchers found that was far from the truth. Even with zero comorbidities, pregnant women are five times more likely than their same-age counterparts to be hospitalized if they develop COVID-19 and about three times as likely to require lifesaving measures, such as being intubated, according to research published by Texas Childrens and Baylor College of Medicine in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Further, pregnant Black and Latina women are at a considerably higher risk of dying from COVID-19 because of lack to adequate health care, Aaagard said. MORE FROM THE HEALTH DESK: Texas likely won't move to next vaccine phase until May or June, official Dr. David Lakey predicts In a pandemic like this, there had to be enough time lapsed for bad outcomes to show up, she said. Our work, alongside those of our colleagues, started changing the narrative. We now appreciate the degree to which pregnant women are at a higher risk of bad outcomes compared to nonpregnant women. How the vaccine works Vaccine technology is designed with safety in mind, Aaagard said. The mRNA, or messenger RNA, vaccine does not contain a live virus. It will not transform a persons cells in any way, she added. The vaccine creates a road map for the immune system to help it recognize the virus if it comes in contact with it. From a pure biologic standpoint, I dont know what the risk would be to a pregnant woman and her fetus, Aaagard said. There are some unknowns around how efficacious it would be, and maybe pregnant women would need a third booster. But the harm, Im just not aware of where biologically that would exist. Dr. Rathi Asaithambi, a pediatrician in the Texas Medical Center, is 21 weeks pregnant and received her second COVID vaccine dose earlier this month. She said the days leading up to her decision to vaccinate were tough because she would never want to do anything that would harm her baby. Asaithambi had all the same concerns as any mom-to-be even with her masters degree in public health: Is it safe for her and the fetus? Would it be effective? How long will the immunity last? But the decision came down to risk benefit and her individual circumstances. The 34-year-old doctor has a 2-year-old who thrives in school, which increases her risk of exposure, and she takes care of young patients in the hospital every day. Plus, shes only halfway through her pregnancy. She considers her risk of contracting the virus extremely high. For me, the threat of COVID felt really real compared to the risk of the vaccines, Asaithambi said. From a mechanistic standpoint, (my OBGYN) and I werent able to come up with a reason why it would be dangerous. Aaagard, who has a PhD in immunology and has practiced obstetrics for two decades, said the many unknowns about vaccinations for pregnant women are because it is a new vaccine not because they are pregnant. But Im not aware of unique risks, she said. Pregnant physiology When it comes to COVID, just being pregnant puts a woman in a higher-risk category, Aaagard said. When a person is pregnant, the womb expands, causing a decrease in lung capacity. The heart pumps more blood, raising the heart rate to compensate for fetus and placenta growth. While theyre not immunosuppressed, a pregnant womans immune system adapts in a way that allows the body to grow a fetus. This population is more prone to blood clots, so their body can naturally control bleeding during delivery, Aaagard said. On HoustonChronicle.com: Got COVID questions? Submit them here How it manifests in people has variance pregnant women are no different than others in that, but they have to adapt to carry and deliver a baby safely, she said. A perfectly healthy young woman can suffer the most. Its like a snake in the grass. Dr. Sonal Bhatnagar, assistant professor of pediatric nephrology and hypertension at UT McGovern Medical School, was in her first trimester in mid-December when vaccines were administered for health care providers and frontline workers. At first, Bhatnagar studied the data from the Pfizer and Moderna trials and shared concerns with her OBGYN. They found no adverse effects reported, and she felt reassured that it was an mRNA vaccine. The body will respond to that, make antibodies and develop immunity, Bhatnagar said. Theres no logical reason it would affect the fetus in any way. Asaithambi said pregnant women can be considered a complicating factor in clinical trials, whether it be for a new vaccine or a medication. Typically, theres no medical reason pregnant women are excluded from trials, she added. It really comes down to the ease of running the trial and getting data quickly, she said. A sense of relief As a councilmember, Kamin said its her job to educate residents on the benefits of vaccination, and encourage them to do it. She plans to bring other pregnant women to her next appointment, to encourage everyone to speak with their health care providers about it. Eight months ago, Kamin and her husband planned to expand their family. They didnt imagine the virus would still be rampaging through Houston and the country at-large. This will be their first child, and Kamin has all the concerns that come with being a first-time mother: Is she eating the right food? What will her labor be like? But once she is vaccinated, she believes shell be able to breathe easier. We cannot wait to welcome our future child in this world, she said. We will do what we can to protect him and our family. julie.garcia@chron.com Twitter.com/reporterjulie Theres something about moving to a new city. Walking through busy streets and discovering unexplored corners; eating in shacks that sell traditional delicacies to the tony restaurants that lay lavish spreads on the table; gaping at ancient monuments that have withstood the vagaries of time to stepping into modern edifices that speak another architectural language. Many have moved to Goa and now call it their home. Different people came here for different reasons. Different people are staying here for different reasons. Here, five Goa settlers talk of why they moved to Goa and what keeps them here. Srishati Singhal with her son Mayan Ellis in her old-style Portuguese home in Assagaon. Srishati Singhal (Founder, Lavida, a travel/event company, Tantra teacher I was 7-months pregnant when the heart yelled a Now or Never move to Goa. It was not the first time Goa had crossed my mind. In Delhi, the air is polluted, the pace fast, and for a few years I had been speculating about moving to Goa. Two years ago, my partner and I flew in, stayed for a week, found not only a home in Nachinola but also a midwife for the preferred home birth for the baby. Thats it. Thats how we moved in a jiffy. Lock, stock and the baby in wait. In the past two years, we have moved from Nachinola to an old Portuguese home in Assagaon and not for a moment do I miss my Delhi life. I chose the hermit life and Goa is the ideal spot for it. Goa is more receptive, more adaptive; people are open minded, and what keeps me here is the Slow pace, Susegado (derived from the Portuguese word sossegado quiet), the beaches and the chill attitude. I have trained as a Tantra teacher in Greece and Finland and been to several cities around the world for Tantra and spiritual practice but I find that the audience here is more international. I also organised Goas first Tantric speed-dating. As my partner is from England, we will straddle two continents. But in India, Goa will always be home. Uma Shahi in her villa in Monsoon Meadows, Majorda. Uma Shahi (Homemaker): Many years ago, I moved from my childhood home in Patna. But the green landscape, the quiet and the charm of small-town life were never forgotten. I was looking for another home far from the maddening crowd of Gurugram and as luck would have it, the lady from whom we bought the house in Gurugram had a villa in Majorda, Goa. She recommended it. I had no family in Goa, a few friends but what drew me to Goa was a nostalgic similarity to my childhood world. Goa is different from all the other cities that I have been to. It is like a small town loaded with fun things to do and a deeper sense of community. In 2019, when I decided to buy a home in Goa, South Goa became the preferred choice because it suited my budget as well as it was not caught in the cliched touristy trappings. For me, the beaches are a huge attraction. The gourmand in me is lured by the countless eating-out options - from the humble shack to the tony restaurants, choices galore. Add to it, healthy air and lots of greenery and fresh produce. What more does one want in life, anyway. Gauri Gharpure amidst her plants in her apartment in Alto Betim. Gauri Gharpure (Writer) After a degree in journalism from Columbia University, I wanted to return home. Mumbai was an obvious choice but then a work opportunity arose in Goa and I moved. Initially, the reason to call Goa my home was a stint with a magazine. I worked, did a bit of craft, paper jewellery and gradually my romance with Goa blossomed. When the magazine downed its shutters, my love for Goa did not fade. I wanted to write and chose not to move out. First, I lived in a rented apartment and then bought an apartment in Alto Betim in 2015. The neighbours are a bit nosy but I still will not live any place else because Goa allows you to be yourself. Theres a certain coziness in town that is not tangible elsewhere. I have lived here for almost 8 years and sometimes I do get disheartened with the insider-outsider debate but life here has been worth every moment. Here, I wrote my first collection of poems Everything in Between which was recently published by Writers Workshop, Kolkata (74 poems, 92 pages, Price: Rs 300). For now, Goa feels like home. It could turn out to be my forever home. Mayank Prakash in the balcony of his home in Miramar. Mayank Prakash (Co-founder, Cognit Technologies) Work From Home is not a new concept for me. Having co-founded Cognit Technologies three years ago, we have always worked from home. Then, when a virus shut the world, I thought it was time to move to a calmer, greener place where my inherent love for the outdoors and my vegan lifestyle could be sustained. From a 1BHK in Mumbai, my wife and I moved to a 3BHK in Miramar for the same rent. As a chronic WFH person, I always yearned for a dedicated workspace which was unaffordable in Mumbai. Goa offers a perfect balance between rural and urban lifestyle. With over 70 percent forest cover, we have mothballed the air purifiers; the bicycle that was gathering rust in Mumbai is now put to good use every weekend. Morning run on the beach, driving through those beautiful narrow roads, going on hikes, swimming in the sea and occasional eating out at beautiful cafes are some of our big joys here. Add to it the fact that with everything from housing, electricity, fuel and fresh vegetables being much cheaper than Mumbai, maintaining a good standard of living here is not drilling a hole in our wallet. Plus, here we can finally accomplish our '52 weeks-52 new places dream. At first moving to Goa seemed like an impulsive and irrational decision. Today, after spending two and a half months here, I am happy I made that choice. I do not see myself moving to another city. Not for the next two years at least. Rakhi Puri (Animal Welfare Worker) I was working with HSBC in Bengaluru but when my husband who runs/builds and manages property complexes found a golden opportunity in Goa, I quit my job, packed a few things and 4 dogs in the car and drove from Bengaluru to Goa. That was nine years ago and there has not been a moment of regret. Opportunity for a better life was the primary reason to move but now we are not going anywhere else. This is home. Goa was different when I first moved here. There was no online food delivery and I was not aware of all the fresh fish and produce that you can source locally. I discovered all this later. What has not changed and gets better is the good quality of life. While other cities are going breathless due to pollution, in Goa, you can breathe fresh air and never worry about your lungs. It is certainly not cheap to live here but the existence here is still very holistic. There are a few gaping holes but I happily ignore those because I have gone back to being more basic in my existence. I cannot think of living anywhere else in the world. On the Day of Unity of Ukraine, the United States Embassy once again called on Russia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea and Donbas. Acting Deputy Chief of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Ukraine Joseph Pennington said this in a video address, posted by the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine on its Facebook page. On Ukrainian Unity Day, we again call on Russia to respect Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea and the Donbas and extending to its territorial waters, the diplomat said. Pennington noted the efforts of Ukrainians in building a free and democratic Ukraine, repelling Russian aggression and striving to reform the country. He assured that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine "on Unity Day and every day." Ukraine marks the Day of Unity on January 22, the day when the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) and the West Ukrainian People's Republic (WUPR) signed the Unification Act in 1919. This holiday was officially established in 1999, given its great political and historical significance. ish In the recent update of the ongoing saga between controversial social media app Parler and the Big Techs like Amazon, Judge Barbara Rothstein from the Western Washington US District Court denied the social network's bid into forcing Amazon to host the site back on its Web Service. Parler accused Amazon of being "motivated by political animus" when deciding to cut its Web Service from the network earlier this month. As TechCrunch reported, the judge believes that the suit is nothing but "a faint and factually inaccurate speculation." "The evidence it has submitted in support of the claim is both dwindlingly slight, and disputed by AWS," the statement reads. Read also: BT UK to Pay Lawsuit Worth of $800 Million Over Systemically 'Overcharging' History. Long-Lasting Saga The controversial far-right network has been trying to get back on its feet after the tech behemoth dropped its hosting support earlier this month following the US Capitol riot. Parler, formed by John Matze and Jared Thomson in 2018, has become an internet sensation after social networks like Twitter and Facebook started labeling content from Donald Trump's account, especially amidst the 2020 presidential election. Since then, the self-proclaimed "free-speech" network has become a base for conservatives and conspiracy extremists. After several days of missing, the website has now partially been back online, although viewing and creating content, as well as managing accounts, are still impossible. Accessing parler.com will greet you with a message from its CEO, John Matze, "We will resolve any challenge before us and plan to welcome all of you back soon. We will not let civil discourse perish!" Speaking to Fox News, Matze assures that the team is working harder than ever to get the network back online by at least the end of January. Big Tech vs. Parler In other related news, Parler mobile app has also vanished from Apple's App Store and Google Play Store. Since no mobile app provider would host Parler back on their store, getting trust from other internet providers has been hard for Parler. "We've seen a steady increase in this violent content on your website, all of which violates our terms," Amazon Web Serice writes in a letter to Parler, as Buzzfeed News revealed the news first. AWS insists that the network has violated its terms of service by failing to stop the mass circulation of hoaxes, misinformation, and calls to the Capitol riot. However, as Reuters spotted, Parler uses an internet protocol address owned by Russian-based tech firm DDoS Guard to get back on its feet partially. The tech firm has a negative reputation for working with other conspiracy sites used by extremists, including 8kun. Although its website enlists a Scottish address under the name "Cognitive Cloud LP," it is owned by two Russians in Rostov-on-Don. Related post: Parler Back Online: How a Russian Tech Firm Played a Part in the Platform's Return. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Joe Biden became the nation's 46th president, at least on paper. But among the dubious election, the last-minute changes to mail-in voting, social media's blatant censorship, Zuckerberg's cash injection to blue county election machines, and the media's ongoing machinations to prop him up, Biden's legitimacy is questionable. Nearly half the country certainly questions it, and those people have every right to do so. There is no consent of the governed. Beyond all that is Biden's clear mental deterioration over the past year. He can barely put two sentences together. He constantly flubs names and forgets where he is. His grand COVID plan is one he plagiarized from Donald Trump. Biden was never a genius, but his swift decline will lead to a power struggle behind the scenes that's like something out of the late Roman empire or King Lear. It's already leading to something that many Americans suspected and feared: the stealthy return of Barack Obama in a shadow third term. The dishonest, viewpoint-discriminating media and Big Tech might view this as a conspiracy theory, but they're never ones to let inconvenient truth get in their way. "Personnel is policy," as they say in politics. Just look at the people Biden is bringing into Kamala Harris's administration. He or whoever is wielding power behind the office of the president-elect named four scientists to become his science advisers. Eric Lander is an Obama retread, whom Biden has named along with Alondra Nelson, Maria Zuber, and Dr. Frances Arnold to major science advisory posts. Frances Arnold, by the way, is also on the board of Alphabet, which is Google's parent company. Big Brother is coming back in a big way since Google long ago ditched its "Don't Be Evil" motto to crush competition and unmask itself as a digital supervillain in Big Tech's Legion of Doom. Their first target: the Bill of Rights. The insidious Deep State from the Obama years morphs into a freedom-terminating cyborg thanks to Big Tech. The fusion of Big Business and Big Bovernment into a single viewpoint has a name. It's right on the tip of my keyboard...starts with an "f." It ends with "ascism." Biden (or whoever is making the actual decisions) nominated Victoria Nuland to the State Department. Nuland is an awful choice, signaling Biden's intent to return to the Obama days of groveling and appeasing our enemies. Leading from behind is back. Not only is she an Obama retread, but Nuland also negotiated the disastrous Obama Iran nuclear deal in which the mullahs were given a huge pallet of U.S. cash to do with as they pleased. Somehow, Hezb'allah found funding for missiles to launch at civilians in Israel. Terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq suddenly got cash infusions, and they went on violent rampages. Funny how that works. Deliberately attacking civilians has a specific name. Starts with a "w." Ends with "ar crime." Nuland empowered that with your taxpayer dollars, or at least dollars borrowed from China. Nuland, and Obama and Biden, knew at the time that Iran was a terrorist state. They knew that untraceable cash over a billion dollars, in fact was likely to end up in the hands of either Iran's Revolutionary Guard (a terrorist special forces army) or Hezb'allah (Iran's terrorist proxy). But they handed it anyway to the madmen who start out every morning chanting "Death to America" and tweeting genocide at Israel. An honest media which we don't have in the mainstream at all might use a word to describe Nuland's actions. It starts with an "s." Ends with "editious." Trump's foreign policy was more direct. He scrapped the terrible terrorist-empowering Iran deal and ordered the strike that killed the leader of the Revolutionary Guard as he was plotting attacks on Americans in Iraq. The days of speaking so clearly and kinetically to our enemies and allies are over. Congress also investigated Nuland for concocting the lies that then-ambassador Susan Rice told to the American public to smokescreen how Team Obama (and Biden) left Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, to die at the hands of terrorists on September 11, 2012 in Benghazi, Libya. Biden wants a liar who empowered terrorist-state thug mullahs, and who's another in a long list of Obama retreads, to run operations in American diplomacy? He's populating his administration with the same people, from the hapless and childish Jen Psaki to the retreaded retread Janet Yellen to the consummate master of failure himself, John Kerry. Even old Tom Vilsack is back. According to reports, about 60% of Biden's appointees are Obama people. These people spent eight years failing the American people, flailing from one disaster to another. Now they're back to infest Washington again. It's going to be a long four years, and a bit insane in the membrane, whether Biden, Harris, Biden's wife, Pelosi, Psaki, Kerry, or Barack Hussein Obama himself is truly the president. A.J. Rice is CEO of Publius PR, a premier communications firm in Washington D.C. Rice is a brand manager, star-whisperer, and auteur media influencer, who has produced or promoted Laura Ingraham; Donald Trump, Jr.; Judge Jeanine Pirro; Newt Gingrich; Monica Crowley; Charles Krauthammer; Alan Dershowitz; Pete Hegseth; Steve Hilton; Victor Davis Hanson; and many others. Find out more at publiuspr.com. Image: Joe Biden and Barack Obama. YouTube screen grab. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. KALAMAZOO, MI Meet Ryan Bridges, the new public information officer at the city of Kalamazoo. Bridges, 34, resides in Lansing with his wife. He has an office in the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety headquarters on Crosstown Parkway and works in Kalamazoo regularly, he said. A little more than a month into the job, Bridges said he plans to focus on relationship building and establishing trust in the community. The key to all of that is open communication and being transparent about whats going on, Bridges said, responding to questions about the challenges he faces as the city works through several issues related to communication and transparency. Bridges will emphasize work for the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety in his role, he said during an interview Thursday, Jan. 21. He will work to provide factual information for the protection of residents, Bridges said, and he and others at the department are committed to providing timely updates when they believe the community should be alerted about something. He will use different formats to reach people, including social media and news releases. Bridges said he is working with Chief Vernon Coakley Jr. toward the chiefs vision for the department to be more communicative. In one recent example, the department put out a statement before the inauguration, saying police did not have information about any events or protests planned in Kalamazoo, but they were prepared with a plan if something did happen. Coakley posted a short video on Facebook on the night of the Presidential inauguration, indicating Kalamazoo was safe as the night drew to a close, while letting people know that police were still monitoring the situation closely. Its all about providing information -- what we can, when we can, Bridges said. The department and the city face challenges that include public relations issues. Bridges comes on as KDPS faces a third-party investigation of its response to protest events in May, June and August. Police were criticized for using tear gas against people at Black Lives Matter protests in June. The department was criticized again after officers were not on location when violence broke out between Proud Boys and counter-protesters in August. Bridges previously worked for Byrum & Fisk, a public relations firm that the city of Kalamazoo hired to improve communications on Aug. 21, less than a week after the Proud Boys incident. When the city fired KDPS Chief Karianne Thomas in October, the city managers office told the community she retired. The Kalamazoo Gazette reported the truth in December, and now commissioners have voted to place the topic of an investigation of the former chiefs departure on the next public meeting agenda. Bridges said he wants to create an environment where information is able to flow, and also build legitimacy and trust. He said he will help the city and the department respond to questions and issues from the community. When there are issues or conversations, well address them quickly and directly, he said. Listening and collaborating with the community is also important, he said. Bridges said he would strive to be responsive and provide information. For example, when police are working at certain incidents in the city. His passion for doing the job is ensuring information is flowing freely, Bridges said. He sees himself as a bridge between the organization and stakeholders, both internally internally, and with others including residents, businesses, community partners, commissioners and others. Bridges will also work to tell the community about the successes of the department. KDPS is working on making changes, such as offering more social services, Bridges said, for example. We want people to know that KDPS really is here to help you, he said. Bridges said he has communications experience, and spent time in state of Michigans Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, and working county government in Wayne County, as well as at the private sector, at public relations firms. Bridges is from Detroit, and was educated in Detroit Public Schools, he said. He went to Michigan State University, majoring in journalism, and attended Wayne State University, where he received his MBA concentrated in marketing and management. Read more: Kalamazoo hires public relations firm to improve city communications Michigan reports 2,157 new coronavirus cases, 17 new deaths Kalamazoo Menu founder joins BuyLocal to build grassroots Chamber for small business WWU participates in the first Postdoc Seminar for young researchers from Chile DAAD Since 2018, WWU's Brazil Centre has been looking into expanding its scope to other South American countries by analyzing the interest of many of its members in the region and taking advantage of the strategic location of its liaison office in Sao Paulo. In this context, the representatives of the Brazil Centre, Anja Grecko Lorenz and Laura Redondo, participated for the first time in an event organized by the DAAD Information Centre in Santiago, Chile as part of the "Research in Germany" campaign. The information seminar was aimed at researchers in Chile who are interested in a postdoctoral stay in Germany and took place on 3 and 10 December. Its format was similar to the event organized for the Brazilian audience in November. The first day was dedicated to the informative session. More than 130 participants watched the presentations by the German funding agencies DAAD, DFG and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, as well as on European funding programmes, the latter given by the EURAXESS representative. Afterwards, in five-minute pitches, WWU, Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, Heidelberg University, Freie Universitat Berlin and the Technical Universities of Berlin and Munich presented their outstanding research lines and institutes as well as their own funding programmes for a research stay. Exactly one week later, bilateral virtual meetings were held with participants who wished to receive individualised advice. In 20-minute meetings, the participants asked questions ranging from departments and research groups in the universities and how to find and contact a potential host supervisor to the clarification of logistical issues such as housing and moving with spouses and children. In total, the event counted 170 individual consultations, of which the WWU held 15, with researchers from the most diverse areas, such as mathematics, psychology, theology, physiology and history, among others. The numbers and plurality of profiles reinforce the enormous interest of the Chilean scientific community in opportunities in Germany. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. WSU Outdoor Adventure and Welcome Center Opens January 22, 2021 OGDEN, Utah Weber State Universitys new Outdoor Adventure & Welcome Center will hold a grand opening ceremony Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. The public is invited to join the event via Facebook Live at facebook.com/WeberState/live. Located directly north of the Wildcat Village residential complex, the new facility will provide easy access to students and community visitors. In addition, the 17,000- square-foot building will host a Welcome Center to help students get oriented and make connections on campus. The new center will be an incredible resource for WSU students, faculty, staff and the Ogden community, said Daniel Turner, Campus Recreation associate director. It will be a beacon, helping to recruit students to Weber State by leveraging our incredible outdoor resources and helping students create healthy, active lifestyles and lasting memories. The new center will allow WSUs popular Campus Recreation Outdoor Program to expand their equipment rental center, making room for new equipment and improved efficiency for rental pickup and drop offs. The Welcome Center portion of the facility will serve as a hub for the Office of Admissions to host visitor experiences that showcase Weber States connection between education and the environment. A unique component to the new Adventure Center is a three-story, state-of-the-art rope access training center to train people who work and play on high structures. First responders, public safety, emergency personnel and construction workers will have access to a two-story rescue-training area. They will also be able to use a practice wall with windows to simulate an emergency bailout, a 65-foot rooftop rappelling and rigging area, a training classroom and a three-story catwalk system for rigging to practice all conceivable rescue scenarios. The facility also boasts a state-of-the-art ski tuning shop as well as a hub for all things related to recreational rock climbing, including a 15-foot bouldering wall and a 55-foot climbing wall. Additionally, the center will allow the Outdoor Program to expand their recreational course offerings, beginning with a new Learn to Rappel course starting Feb. 20. The class is free, but registration is limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. For more information, visit weber.edu/outdoor/adventure-program. The Campus Recreation Outdoor Program is an essential component of our students education, Turner said. From leadership development, to introducing students to active, healthy lifestyles, to applying classroom concepts to real-world application, the Outdoor Program elevates education through high-impact learning. Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. For photos, visit the following links. wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Student-Affairs-Departments/Services/Campus-Recreation/Climbing-Wall-Installation wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Student-Affairs-Departments/Services/Campus-Recreation/Outdoor-Adventure-Welcome-Center-Construction Karl Stefanovic's wife Jasmine was reportedly left in tears after a group of men hurled a barrage of vulgar insults at her at a swanky Sydney venue. The Today show presenter, 46, and his shoe designer wife Jasmine are understood to have finished a meal at Justin Hemmes' Mimi's restaurant at the Coogee Pavilion in Sydney's eastern suburbs when they went downstairs to leave. The couple were winding down after Stefanovic spent a gruelling morning covering US President Joe Biden's inauguration from Channel Nine's North Sydney studio. But the leisurely mood quickly turned sour when a mob started publicly heckling the 36-year-old shoe designer, Private Sydney reported. Jasmine and Karl Stefanovic are pictured with their daughter Harper, who was born last year Jasmine was reportedly left distraught and in tears after a group of men hurled a barrage of vulgar insults at her in a swanky Sydney venue. Pictured: Coogee Pavilion Jasmine and the popular Today show presenter had just finished a meal at Justin Hemmes' Mimi's restaurant at the Coogee's Pavilion when they went downstairs to leave, according to the report The publication reported men were seated at the downstairs pizza bar and directed a barrage of ugly insults at Jasmine. The hurtful words are said to have left the new mum in a 'flood of tears' before her 46-year-old husband leaped to his wife's defence and fired back a few insults of his own, according to the paper. Stefanovic could reportedly then be seen comforting his wife as security guards stood by the high-profile pair. A spokesperson for Stefanovic confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that an incident took place. NSW Police later confirmed they had received reports of harassing comments made 'towards a 36-year-old woman at a restaurant in Coogee' on January 21. The couple got married in December 2018 and had their first child, daughter Harper May, in 2020. The leisurely mood reportedly quickly turned sour when the mob started publicly heckling the 36-year-old shoe designer (pictured together with Karl and Harper) The couple (pictured) got married in December 2018 and had their first child, daughter Harper May, in 2020 It was reported the hurtful words left the new mum in a 'flood of tears' (pictured with Harper) Earlier this week, Stefanovic laughed off claims that he and wife Jasmine has split. The Today show host posted an Instagram Stories video which showed him shopping, as a woman, believed to be Jasmine, approached him holding a magazine which had the couple on the cover. It showed the pair looking angry, along with a headline reading that they had been 'torn apart'. The accompanying article, published by Woman's Day, claimed that the pair are living apart, with Karl working on the Today show in Sydney while Jasmine stays in Queensland, where the couple have recently holidayed. Karl, wearing a face mask, was clearly amused by the story, and as Jasmine asked, 'Karl what do you think of this?' he pretended to burst into tears. Hiding his face by pressing it against a packet of wet wipes, he mock-wept, 'No comment! No comment!' Torn: The Today show host, 46, posted an Instagram Stories video earlier this week which showed him shopping, as a woman, believed to be Jasmine, approached him holding a magazine which had the couple on the cover Waterworks: Karl, wearing a face mask, was clearly amused by the story, and as Jasmine asked, 'Karl what do you think of this?' he pretended to burst into tears Hiding his face by pressing it against a packet of wet wipes, he mock-wept, 'No comment! No comment!' The Woman's Day article, published on Monday, claims that Karl has 'left his wife' to live in Sydney without her while he works. 'Jasmine will likely stay up at the beach house in Queensland permanently and Karl will return to work and their rental digs on Sydney's north shore,' an alleged source was quoted as saying. Considering Karl's mocking response to the story, it would appear he is denying those allegations. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! BERNIE Ryan from Woodview Park in Caherdavin and 101-year-old Nora Gray from Newport, County Tipperary have become the first residents at St Camillus Hospital, Shelbourne Road to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Nora, who turns 102, on February 16 was delighted to receive the vaccine. She even joked that now she has had the vaccine she can replicate what she did for her 90th birthday celebrations when she visited her granddaughter in Australia. After she received her jab, Bernie commented: "I cant wait to be able to see my seven children and 11 grandchildren and Im looking forward to being able to have my weekend visits home again soon." The 85-year-old also joked that she would love to go dancing at the Glentworth on Sunday night now she has the vaccine. Bernie from Woodview Lawn, Caherdavin Co. Limerick told us why the vaccine meant so much to her Im looking forward to being able to have my weekend visits home again soon. Bernie also joked she would love to go dancing at the Glentworth on Sunday night now she has the vaccine pic.twitter.com/OEpbJaW4QN HSE Mid West Community Healthcare (@CommHealthMW) January 23, 2021 All Staff, residents and their families were given a HSE vaccine information leaflet, along with more detailed manufacturers patient information leaflet, before getting the vaccine. Afterwards, each person vaccinated was given a vaccine record card, showing the name and batch of the vaccine they have received. They will each return for their second Director of Nursing Sian Rowe McCormack was the first staff member vaccinated. "All week there has been a lovely air of expectancy at the hospital in anticipation of the vaccine arriving. Between today and tomorrow our residents and frontline staff will have received their first doses and as Director of Nursing I am so proud of all of them, they have displayed so much resilience and care over the past 10 months, she said. Peer Vaccinator Mairead Duggan, administered the first shots at St Camillus': "Im thrilled to be a peer vaccinator and to also receive the vaccine today, the sense of joy and relief has to be seen to be believed, Im delighted with how today has gone and by tomorrow we will have a big weight lifted off our shoulders with residents and staff receiving their first doses," she said. Last night, a further 96 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported in Limerick. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. A unique ultraviolet telescope installed in the Russian module of the orbital space station has documented a rare atmospheric phenomenon known as a triple elve, which is a ring of reddish light created by upward blue lightning striking from thunderclouds MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd January, 2021) A unique ultraviolet telescope installed in the Russian module of the orbital space station has documented a rare atmospheric phenomenon known as a triple elve, which is a ring of reddish light created by upward blue lightning striking from thunderclouds. Russia and Italy launched an experiment in 2019 to observe some of the most spectacular but short-lived events that occur high above the Earth in stormy weather when thunderclouds shoot bright blue jets into the stratosphere and generate phenomena with eldritch-sounding Names "elves" and "red sprites." This light show lasts less than a millisecond and is very difficult to observe from the Earth's surface. Russia's Mini-EUSO telescope looking down on the Earth from the International Space Station can track electrical discharges as they propagate in the ionosphere, Nuclear Physics Institute senior researcher Pavel Klimov told Sputnik. "Elves are perfectly visible. We have registered 15 to 20 of them. Their spatial-temporal propagation was observed, including rare phenomena that are called double elves a ripple chasing another one and even a triple elve, made up of three successive ripples," he said. The European Space Agency is running a parallel experiment with the help of the space-based ASIM telescope. It published the first results in the Nature magazine this week. The article described the sightings of five blue flashes followed by a pulsating blue jet and elves. Klimov said the European telescope lacked the capacity for high time-resolution observation and had to rely on the artistic rendition of the elve phenomenon. The Russian telescope can record events with a 2.5-microsecond precision. "They simply look at the emission spectrum [of the electrical discharge] to figure whether they are dealing with an elve: a short-wave ultraviolet emission most likely means it is an elve," the physicist explained. Only a tenth of research data has been transmitted from the orbital outpost to the Russian and Italian scientists, with the rest due to arrive on Earth on flash drives in June. Both experiments are essential to understand these obscure weather phenomena happening right above our heads. The European Space Agency suggests that blue lightings and associated atmospheric events may affect the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Southern Pines, NC (28387) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 68F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Many of the arts and cultural events or activities we usually take for granted have been closed or reduced to limited hours due to the COVID-19 restrictions. It may be easy to view that as just fewer enjoyable things to do. It is that, but also so much more. The arts are an industry that fuels our economy, both locally and nationally. According to a study by Americans for the Arts, before the pandemic, the arts typically created a revenue stream of more than $135 billion, with more than $20 billion going toward taxes, which allows the government to provide more and better services. In addition, more than four million full-time equivalent jobs were filled. In January 2019, Randy Cohen, the vice president of research and policy for Americans for the Arts, spoke at the Cayuga Economic Development Agencys Economic Forecast Luncheon. Based on his study of how the arts affect local tourism and the economy, he said that people who go to arts events spend between $30 and $50 on top of the cost of the event, and that almost 70% of the people who took their survey came here specifically for an arts or cultural event. A popular American reality television personality, actress and businesswoman, Masika Kalysha, had gotten engaged to someone around the recent holiday season. It was an extremely special time for the celebrity as she announced her engagement to her fiance to the world. Although she kept his identity a secret for a while, she revealed it soo after. However, things went downhill for her and three weeks into the engagement, Masika called off her engagement. She even announced her decision to part ways with her fiance. Also read: Kim Kardashian's Close Friend Jonathan Cheban Spent 'weeks' In Bed Due To COVID-19 Masika Kalysha calls off engagement In December 2020, the entrepreneur gave away a few minor details about her engagement. However, nothing was officially announced by her about it. Later, a set of several videos surfaced online which were said to have been submitted by the couple themselves. The video showed the couple giving heartfelt speeches and putting rings on each other's fingers at their engagement party. But now it looks like the relationship is over for good as Masika stated that her fiance attempted to 'extort' her in a lengthy and serious Instagram post. Also read: Was 'The Bachelor' Contestant Sarah Trott In A Relationship With Rapper G-Eazy? Find Out Masika Kalysha took to her Instagram page on January 23, 2021, to reveal what she had discovered and realised about her fiance. In the photo that she shared, Masika wrote that although she had assumed that after 10 years of knowing one another, she could be sure of the person she had chosen to spend her life with, it turned out to be the other way round. She added that she uncovered many secrets that left her questioning herself about everything she believed about him. Masika stated in the post that while she considered him to be her best friend and confided in him, he tried to come up at her expense. Also read: 'The Bachelorette' Latest Eviction: Tayshia Sends Eazy Home After He Confesses His Love Who was Masika Kalysha engaged to? Although many were unaware of whom she got engaged to, it is now known that Masika Kalysha's fiance is a man named Jamar Champ. Masika mentioned in the latter half of the post that Jamar even tried to use her past traumas and troubles in order to conceal the skeletons she found in his closet. Masika mentioned that she worked her hardest and built her businesses from scratch by herself and that Jamar attempted to use her to succeed. Masika Kalysha's net worth has been estimated to be around $400 thousand of late. "After much thought and careful consideration, along with some unfortunate findings, I have made the difficult decision to call off my engagement," wrote Masika in her lengthy Instagram post. She believed she knew her fiance very well but was surprised to see this side of his. Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment. South Koreas Samsung Electronics Co. is considering an investment of as much as $17 billion to build a chip-making factory in Arizona, Texas or New York, according to documents and people familiar with the companys plans. Samsung is scouting two locations in and around Phoenix, two locations in and near Austin and a large industrial campus in western New Yorks Genesee County, according to one of the people. An important factor in whether Samsung moves forward with the expansion will be the availability of U.S. federal government incentives to offset those offered by foreign countries and cheaper costs in other parts of the world, according to a person familiar with the matter. The proposal comes as the U.S. weighs allocating billions of dollars in funding to grow U.S. chip manufacturing and reduce its reliance on Taiwan, China and South Korea. New chip-making incentives were included in the National Defense Authorization Act passed in January, although the measures have yet to receive funding. Samsungs proposed plant would employ up to 1,900 people and aims to be operational by October of 2022, according to correspondence viewed by The Wall Street Journal between Samsung and the city manager of Goodyear, Ariz., one of the places the company is considering. As is customary with large industrial projects, the local Goodyear authorities are offering a range of incentives, including tax breaks and infrastructure upgrades to lure the factory, according to the letter. The U.S. has historically not offered federal aid for chip plants. But the coronavirus pandemic highlighted how disruptions in the global supply chain could interrupt the flow of key ingredients needed to make vital technologies ranging from 5G smartphones to jet fighters, and sparked U.S. interest in becoming more self-sufficient. With the rise of the chip industry in Asia over recent decades, the U.S. share of chip manufacturing has fallen to around 12%, according to a Boston Consulting Group report last year. It said significant new financial help would be needed for the country to reverse the trend. Samsung didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Samsungs move would follow last years blockbuster chip-making investment decision by rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. TSMC said it would build a plant north of Phoenix and in December bought land for the $12 billion project. TSMC is a contract chip manufacturer, meaning it makes chips according to others designs. Samsung has a contract chip-making business that would be the focus of its new U.S. plant, but it also has an array of its own consumer products that use chips coming from its factories. Samsung has had chip-making facilities in Austin since the 1990s, and has expanded there over the years. The company bought additional land near its existing facilities last year, according to local land records. Next week, it is asking local officials to relocate a roadway near those facilities, according to a City Council agenda. Discussions about development incentives for the project have appeared on agendas of public entities in Austin and the nearby city of Taylor. Officials in Texas, Arizona and New York either declined to comment or didnt respond to requests for comment. Bloomberg earlier reported Samsung was considering investing $10 billion or more in a facility in Austin. A wave of new U.S. chip-plant developments add to changes taking place across the semiconductor industry. Intel Corp., the U.S.s leading chip maker, has fallen behind foreign rivals and plans to outsource production of more of its most advanced chips to factories in Asia. Intels embrace of more outsourcing comes as competitors are chipping away at its dominance, aided by chips that rival or exceed Intels in performance and rising stock prices that are spurring a spree of acquisitions. Graphics-chip giant Nvidia Corp. is proposing to buy the British chip-design company Arm Holdings for $40 billion in what would be the largest-ever deal in the industry. Intel rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Analog Devices Inc. are poised to gain heft through their own megadeals on the horizon. Samsung has largely sat out the rapid consolidation. Its leadership is in fresh disarray after the companys vice chairman and de facto leader Lee Jae-yong returned to prison Monday, following a Seoul appeals courts retrial in a long-running bribery case. Mr. Lee, the third-generation heir, has been responsible for ultimately approving all major business decisions. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Walking into Robert Maxwell's bedroom late one night, his son Ian was surprised to see the tycoon bending down with his nose almost touching the glass of his enormous television. On the screen was a documentary showing newsreel footage of Jews arriving at Auschwitz on trains and then being divided into two groups those deemed fit for work and those who were to be sent straight to the gas chambers. 'What are you doing?' his son asked. Slowly, Maxwell straightened up and turned round. 'I'm looking to see if I can spot my parents,' he told him. For Maxwell, the brutal loss of most of his family at the hands of the Nazis in the 1940s would haunt him for the rest of his life. Ian, left, and Kevin Maxwell, right, pictured with their father Robert in the late 1980s. For Maxwell, the brutal loss of most of his family at the hands of the Nazis in the 1940s would haunt him for the rest of his life It was only when the Second World War was over after he, like many young men from his homeland of Czechoslovakia, had been away fighting for the Allies that he discovered the shattering truth of what had happened. His mother, two of his sisters, his brother and a grandfather had been rounded up with thousands of others, taken on a three-day train journey in horrific conditions to Poland and killed in the gas chambers of Auschwitz. Another 19-year-old sister was arrested in Budapest in 1944 and never seen again. She probably suffered the same fate as other Jews: forced to strip naked, roped together, then thrown off a bridge into the Danube. Maxwell's father didn't get as far as the gas chambers. It is thought he was shot on arrival at Auschwitz. Maxwell spent the rest of his life trying to replace the family whose loss had torn his world apart. Born on June 10, 1923, in the small town of Solotvino to a young Jewish couple, Mehel and Chanca Hoch, he was given the name Jan. The family lived in a two-room wooden shack with earth floors. In one room, there were a couple of beds. In the other, they cooked, ate and washed. Outside, was a primitive latrine. The Hochs eventually had nine children and, as the family grew, babies and toddlers slept in cots suspended on ropes from the ceiling. Maxwell was their third child and first son. Their oldest daughter had died in infancy, and another son later died aged two of diphtheria. From the moment Maxwell was born, his mother doted on him, believing him to have extraordinary gifts. 'My boy will be famous one day,' she would say. He himself later claimed he had never really had a proper childhood. But there were three things he recalled about life in Solotvino. 'I remember how cold I was, how hungry I was and how much I loved my mother,' he said. If Maxwell adored his mother, he was terrified of his father, who regularly beat him. The fear never left him nor would the shame he felt at being so frightened. Ian and Kevin Maxwell are pictured above in 2018. Walking into Robert Maxwell's bedroom late one night, his son Ian was surprised to see the tycoon bending down with his nose almost touching the glass of his enormous television At home, the Hochs talked Yiddish, but like most of their neighbours, they also spoke Hungarian, Czech and Romanian. To this impressive tally of languages, the young Jan Hoch added English while stationed in Britain during the war. It was at around this time he adopted the name Robert Maxwell because it sounded distinguished. Along with his old identity, he also shed his religion. Towards the end of the war, now a handsome officer in the British Army, Maxwell married the beautiful Betty Meynard, daughter of a Protestant French businessman whom he had met in a Paris bar. Shortly after their wedding, he wrote her a letter outlining his recipe for a perfect marriage. 'Here are my six rules for the perfect partnership,' he set out. '1. Don't nag. 2. Don't criticise unduly. 3. Give honest appreciation. 4. Pay little attentions. 5. Be courteous. 6. Have the utmost confidence in yourself and in your partner.' Unfortunately, Maxwell was not to observe these rules himself. But in the early years, the marriage was an idyllic one. 'Most of our time was spent in bed,' Betty would recall. 'We just could not stop making love. It was as if he needed to assuage all his pent-up desires as if our carnal pleasure was the living proof that life had prevailed over death.' Within a decade, the couple were happily settled in England. Maxwell's business empire was taking off, they were the parents of six children and they would have three more. But in 1957, tragedy struck. At the age of three, their oldest daughter, Karine, was diagnosed with leukaemia, dying soon afterwards in her father's arms. Then, in 1961, three days after the birth of the couple's youngest child, Ghislaine, their 15-year-old son, Michael, was involved in a horrific car crash that left him in a coma for seven years and from which he never recovered. The effect on the family was catastrophic. Always a draconian father, Maxwell became an even harsher disciplinarian, as if setting more rigid boundaries might minimise the danger of any other tragedies befalling his children. Any suggestion of slacking at school aroused in him a terrible fury. 'We lived in mortal fear if we got a bad mark,' says Ian. 'Dad always beat us if we'd been lazy or inattentive, or if we'd lied. He would beat us with a belt girls as well as boys and then afterwards you would have to write him a letter saying how you were going to be different in future.' Maxwell's daughter Isabel remembers: 'Every time we wanted to go anywhere, my father would ask, 'Where are you going? How are you going? Do you have to go in a car?' ' Once, several of the children went to the local cinema in Oxford. Halfway through the film, a notice appeared on the screen telling them to go home immediately. The Maxwells' marriage, too, came under increasing pressure, with Betty constantly at the hospital bedside of the desperately ill Michael and her husband preoccupied with his publishing empire. At times, Maxwell referred to Betty as 'Mummy', and expected her to provide the comfort and uncritical devotion his own mother had given him. But at others, he plunged into extended sulks, blaming her for all his problems. In 1965, she wrote to him, explaining her growing unhappiness. 'I am so intensely miserable that I have decided to confide my thoughts to paper,' she said. 'We are both mentally and physically exhausted. 'Your use of uncouth language does you no credit, nor does your complete lack of respect for what I represent.' In January 1968, Michael died of meningitis, aged 21. After the funeral, the family gathered in Maxwell's and Betty's bedroom. 'I think he wanted us all to share our memories of Michael,' Ian recalls. 'But he couldn't. He just burst into tears. We were all overcome, both by the funeral and by the sight of this big alpha male being so distressed. I'd never seen him like that before.' Somewhere in the back of Maxwell's mind must have been the thought that history was repeating itself in the cruellest possible way. He had set out to recreate the family he had lost by having nine children. Two of his siblings had died in childhood, leaving him with six brothers and sisters. Now only seven out of his own nine children had survived. He was, according to Betty, 'shaken to the very core of his being. He could not believe that fate had dealt him such a cruel blow after all he had already endured'. After Michael's death, Betty's attitude to her husband changed. She accepted what she regarded as inevitable. In 1969, she wrote to him: 'For some years I have realised that my usefulness to you has come to an end. I now understand that the only present that can prove my love to you after 25 years is, paradoxically, that I should give you your freedom.' Although Maxwell showed no desire to go along with this proposal, he now rarely visited the family home, staying in London and having affairs with other women. One was with Wendy Leigh, the author of several sex manuals. According to her, he was a considerate lover. Maxwell's father didn't get as far as the gas chambers. It is thought he was shot on arrival at Auschwitz. Maxwell (pictured) spent the rest of his life trying to replace the family whose loss had torn his world apart 'Wendy said he was always gentle, courteous, and despite lacking any manual dexterity, very dainty in his habits,' says former Daily Mirror editor Roy Greenslade. What's more, Maxwell could be unexpectedly old-fashioned, even prudish. 'Apparently he was very shocked once when she started talking dirty to him, and asked her never to do it again,' adds Greenslade. However isolated Betty was feeling, she tried to keep her unhappiness from the children. At Christmas, she laid on a huge family celebration, ensuring that Maxwell always had more presents than anybody else, to compensate for the fact that he'd never had any as a child. 'Mummy would give him new shirts, new shoes, a new watch, all kinds of things,' Ian recalls. 'He loved getting presents. Absolutely loved it.' Present-opening would be followed by lunch. Despite the size of the Christmas turkey often about 40 lb there was another golden rule no one dared disobey: Betty always gave half the turkey to Maxwell, while everyone else had to share the rest. Even after he had eaten his fill, though, the atmosphere could be tense. 'Increasingly, Dad was in a terrible mood,' Ian remembers. 'Time and time again, Christmas Day was ruined because Dad was in a filthy temper for reasons that no one could work out. 'Everything had to be perfect. If, say, the turkey was a bit burned then bam! That was it for the rest of the day.' The end of the Maxwell marriage eventually came a year before the tycoon's death, after he furiously berated Betty one day for going to a party when he was at home ill with a headache. 'After all I've done for you, you don't even have the decency to stay with me when I come home sick and tired,' he shouted at her. 'You prefer to go out dancing. I've decided irrevocably to leave you.' In all the time they had been together almost 50 years she had never seen him so angry. Betty later wrote: 'I found myself alone, reflecting on what a ridiculous way this was to part and wondering what on earth had happened to the man I had loved so dearly, protected and slaved for all my life.' In fact, the couple saw each other again, notably for a family reunion in the US to mark Ian's wedding. 'It was one of my last really happy memories of Bob, joking, relaxed and good company,' Betty recalled. 'I had almost forgotten how nice he could be. That day, we probably all had our last glimpse of the Bob of old.' But for the couple, it was the parting of the ways. A financial settlement was reached and Betty moved to France, where she spent most of her time until her death aged 92 in 2013. At her memorial service, Sir Colin Lucas, former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, speculated on what had made Maxwell turn against her. He spoke of Maxwell's 'Jewishness'. He said: 'She felt he was full of guilt for marrying a Christian woman, and that he had not therefore created a Jewish family such as the one he had grown up in, and which had been so cruelly decimated.' Was Betty right? She believed it was after a visit they made to his home town of Solotvino in 1978 that his feelings for her changed for ever. 'He was convinced that had he stayed at home [in Czechoslovakia], he could have saved the lives of his parents and siblings,' she later wrote. 'Nothing he achieved in life would ever compensate for what he had not been able to accomplish the rescue of his family. He took his distress out on me.' But while he clearly blamed Betty for something, there is another possibility: that increasingly haunted by the death of his family above all, by the death of the one person who had ever loved him unconditionally what Maxwell really blamed her for was not being more like his mother. John Preston, 2021 Abridged extracts from Fall: The Mystery Of Robert Maxwell, by John Preston, published by Viking on February 4 at 18.99. To pre-order a copy for 16.71 with free UK delivery, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193 before February 7. WINNIPEG, MB / ACCESSWIRE / January 22, 2021 / Bird River Resources Inc. (CSE:BDR) ("Bird River" or the "Company") announces the sale of 100% of the Company's shareholdings in 2411181 Manitoba Ltd. ("2411181") under a share sale & assignment agreement (the "Assignment") with an arms-length party (the "Acquirer"). The transaction is now effectively closed. 2411181 was a subsidiary holding company of Bird River, which holds a minority interest in nine oil wells of which three were non-active and subsequently were shut-in during 2020 leaving six wells still in production. Under the terms of the Assignment, the Acquirer will receive: 100% of the Company's shareholdings in 2411181; the interest in the nine wells operated by an independent operator; and the Acquirer is responsible for all existing liabilities resulting from well service expenses. The Company's Winnipeg director Mr. Edward Thompson said he regrets seeing the sale however, due to the volatility of oil prices during the past year and rising costs, the investment in the wells, did not earn a profit during 2020 and the board of directors decided the time had come to finally exit the oil business. Also, the expected future returns did not justify the costs associated with a public company. At the past Annual and General Shareholders Meeting held this past September 25, 2020, shareholders approved the sale of the Company's Alberta subsidiary High Point Oil Inc. for similar reasons. About Bird River Resources Inc. Established in 1958, Bird River Resources Inc. is a Winnipeg, Manitoba based diversified resource company which currently holds a net royalty smelter (NSR) interest in a platinum palladium property in the Bird River Sill area of northeastern Manitoba near the Ontario border. Management and the Board of Directors are currently reviewing new business opportunities in various resource related activities. Additional information on the Company is available at www.SEDAR.com. For further information, contact: Jon Bridgman, CEO Bird River Resources Inc. Tel: 1-877-587-0777 Email: jonbirdriver@gmail.com This news release is for information purposes only and no statement herein should be considered an offer or a solicitation of an offer for the purchase or sale of any securities and may contain forward looking statements that are based upon current expectations or beliefs as well as a number of assumptions about future events and words such as may, should, could, will, expect, anticipate, estimate, believe, intend, project should not be taken out of context. NEITHER THE CSE NOR ITS MARKET REGULATOR (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CSE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. SOURCE: Bird River Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/625540/Bird-River-Resources-Announces-Sale-of-Interests-in-Manitoba-Oil-Wells New Delhi, Jan 23 : Pakistani actress Sana Jafri, who features in Zee Theatre's latest teleplay 'Gidh' -- the story of two women's lives connected with one man -- says that she could feel her character in her bones by the end of the shooting. Saleema's mundane life is disrupted after an unexpected visit from Salma who claims to be her sister-in-law. As the plot unfolds, both the women share the miseries of their respective lives caused by the same man - Junaid, Salma's brother and Saleema's husband. Together, they decide to put an end to their suffering. What in fact transpires changes one of their lives forever, but not in the way that she had expected. This engrossing thriller stars Sana Jafri, Raasti Farooq and Adeel Afzal. The filming director for 'Gidh' is Kanwal Khoosat and the play can be watched on Tata Sky. The play will be aired on Dish and D2H Rangmanch on January 31. An IANSlife chat with Sana Jafri: What was the brief that Kanwal gave you for your character? How did you understand and 'get into the character'? Jafri: Getting into character honestly was not very easy for me because the character had a lot of layers and it was very complex. The dialogues were taken from mundane, routine situations so there was no direct conversation. It was hard to gauge what the women were actually feeling and what their emotions were. So, it was very difficult to pull it off as an actor but the greatest thing about this whole experience was that Kanwal sat with both me and my co-star Raasti, discussed these characters and related them to our lives and to the lives of all the other women we know. Be it our mothers, our grandmothers, or aunts. We see these women as normal and domesticated beings at home but not as complex characters. Kanwal wrote these two women very intricately and once I was in character, it was very hard for me to get out of it even after the play ended. We made our own backstories that we could really relate to. And once we embodied the backstories, we became the characters and didn't really have to act. We just had to react to what was happening before us. Kanwal never told me how to act but we just knew what the motivation for a certain dialogue or certain scene was. And we would just perform within that framework authentically. We did not care how it would look but how we felt while performing a moment. It was important to do justice to the characters and feel truthful. Salma has a hard to define personality with many layers. What was your take on her? Jafri: Salma's character is definitely hard to define. She seems very fierce and sure of herself on the outside but on the inside, she's vulnerable and scared. She's been through more traumatic experiences than Saleema and she has built this defence mechanism and a facade of a strong, almost feelingless person who's constantly taunting Saleema whenever she gets the chance. That's because she has suffered so much and has been betrayed by every person she has ever trusted be it her brother or her husband who was also her rapist. In order to protect her core, in order to survive, she has had to become this hardened person. This dichotomy between what she is actually feeling and what she says is what I really wanted to explore. There was hardly a dialogue in the script that Salma spoke with a single motivation . There were always multiple motivations behind each dialogue and this helped me create a nuanced performance. Tell us about the powerful scene where Salma and Saleema break down on the floor together. Jafri: First of all, thank you for saying that it was a very powerful scene. I am very happy to hear that and I also feel very humbled because I have not seen the teleplay myself yet. I have goosebumps thinking about those hours when we shot it and what we felt during that time because it was all so real. There was so much truth to it. My co-actor Raasti and I were both on that floor for about four hours and all those tears were real because we had fleshed out our characters so much and had talked to each other so much. Theatre and these different characters that you play kind of give you the liberty to share things and bond with co-actors, directors and the crew in a way you wouldn't otherwise with anyone else. We would all sit in a circle and everyone talked about how they could relate to Salma or Saleema or share something about their mother, aunt or grandmother. We shared so many stories with each other and created this unique bond that just connected us even though we are all so different. At the end of the rehearsals, I knew who Salma was and could feel her in my bones. There's always a constant pressure of performing for society and hiding your true emotions and running away from your own self and the truth. These two women Salma and Saleema start by trying to dominate and taunt each other to win arguments. I think they hardly ever let their guard down until they realise that they share a strong bond and what bonds them is their misery and the fact that the source of their misery is the same. Until this point, the two women have hid their misery very well not just from the world but also from their own selves. What are your views on the teleplay format? Jafri: The teleplay format is a very intriguing medium for us actors. It is a hybrid form combining theatre and film and we were more than excited to experiment and explore. We got to dig deep and add nuance to our performances since we had a lot of time to rehearse, to get to know our characters, and build a strong bond with the co-actor before the performance. But since we were going to be performing for the screen, we had to measure all our movements and contain our energy. As a theatre actor, it was a little challenging for me to not be larger than life and restrain myself. But that worked out really well and was a learning curve for me as a performer to strike the right balance. What was the experience like to act in a teleplay? How does the format differ for an actor? Is it more challenging to work in a setting where the focus is only on the actors and the lines being spoken? Jafri: The biggest challenge I would say was the format that we were supposed to follow because honestly, we did not strictly follow any. I have been doing theatre for the last 10-12 years. I have also written and directed for the screen. I understand both of these mediums really well but to be able to create a bridge between the two was the biggest challenge. This challenge though became our biggest strength because unlike in television where actors get virtually no time to rehearse or to internalise the character, we got ample time. And unlike theatre, that restricts intimacy because we see no zoom shots or closeups, we had the liberty to break the fourth wall and get up close and personal with the characters. Also our audience is much bigger when we perform theatre for television so that was another advantage. How did you personally interpret the story of 'Gidh'? How do you think the audience will react to it? Jafri: Filming 'Gidh' was a great experience for me because it wasn't a theatre play or a soap opera. It was, as I said before, a hybrid format between theatre and TV. What made it so special was that we could blend the best of both worlds. As in theatre, we went through a process of extensive rehearsals and developing the back story of a character. And when it was time to film the story, we didn't have any certain set of rules to follow because with a new kind of medium that is still evolving, we had the freedom to do what we wanted. We had a lot of room for experimentation so filming it was a very interesting, exciting, and challenging experience. As an actor, it was the best experience of my life so far. (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in) Travel stocks suffered another torrid day as fresh worries about coronavirus sent stock markets around the world into a tailspin. British Airways owner IAG was the biggest faller on the FTSE 100 as its shares dived 3.4 per cent, or 5.35p, to 151.6p amid fears that tighter travel restrictions are on the way to stop the spread of Covid-19. On the FTSE 250, holiday firm Tui was down 16.7 per cent, or 70.6p, to 352p while Easyjet traded down 3.3 per cent, or 26.6p, at 780.6p. With summer holidays under threat, the sell-off was echoed on the Continent as German airline Lufthansa fell 2.7 per cent and Air France KLM dropped 2.5 per cent. Travellers around the world are facing tough new rules that mean they must take a Covid test before departure and undergo a period of quarantine on arrival. Speculation is mounting that the UK may close its borders altogether. Hopes of an early end to lockdown are also fading despite the rollout of vaccines sparking fears of a double-dip recession and delayed recovery. The FTSE 100 fell 0.3 per cent, or 20.35 points, to 6695.07 points, while the FTSE 250 was down 1 per cent, or 196.81 points, to 20596.91. 'The FTSE 100 is drifting back towards the levels seen at the start of 2021 as any optimism over Brexit resolution and vaccine roll-out is swamped by the seemingly endless Covid-19 crisis,' said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould. 'The Prime Minister's refusal to flatly rule out an extended lockdown, as rumours of a gradual reopening from May started to swirl, has knocked sentiment toward those firms that would benefit most from increased movement.' Trainline fell 5 per cent, or 22.2p, to 425.8p while WH Smith, which has shops in train stations and airports across the country, was down 3.3 per cent, or 58p, to 1725p. Shopping centre owner Hammerson whose tenants are struggling to survive while their stores are closed fell 6.2 per cent, or 1.35p, to 20.35p. Oil stocks were also on the back foot BP fell 1.1 per cent, or 3.35p, to 290p while Shell was down 1.3 per cent, or 17.2p, to 1359.6p as worries that new pandemic restrictions in China will curb demand for fuel hit the price of crude. Brent fell 1.1pc to 55.56. It wasn't all doom and gloom, however, and IT provider Kainos lifted its full-year guidance after a decent end to 2020. 'The continued momentum in our business has driven a strong trading performance and we therefore expect results for the year ending March 31, 2021 to be ahead of current market consensus expectations,' the firm said. Kainos said it was working on 'several substantial, long-term engagements as part of the Government's digital transformation programme, including supporting the NHS as it responds to Covid19'. Shares soared 16.4 per cent, or 186p, to 1322p. IT consultancy Computacenter was also bullish as it raised its profits forecasts 'in excess of 195m' for the third time in less than six months. The company added: 'The positive momentum we have seen in trading since the start of the pandemic shows no sign of abating.' Shares fell 1 per cent, or 24p, to 2430p. Pharmaceuticals giant Glaxosmithkline was given a boost when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved HIV drug Cabenuva, which reduces treatment doses from one a day to one a month. Shares rose 1.1 per cent, or 15.4p, at 1380.2p. Investors were keeping a watchful eye on Diageo ahead of its update next week. The Smirnoff and Guinness owner is expected to reveal a 4.6 per cent sales slump, according to analysts. The Taoiseach has indicated that public health restrictions could stretch out to the summer due to concerns over new variants of Covid-19. He also said the reopening of schools may have to be phased in, with special schools the first to allow children back in. In a lengthy and sobering interview on RTE radio, Micheal Martin also said he had spoken last night with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson about the new UK variant and the indications that it may lead to a 30% increase in mortality compared to the strain of the coronavirus that first hit this country 10 months ago. The Taoiseach also said any idea of a two-island approach to quarantine was at an "embryonic" stage and said he did not feel an all-island approach was "practical or doable". Mr Martin also reflected on the spiralling number of positive Covid-19 cases since Christmas and admitted that lessons needed to be learned, while also saying that the decision to ease restrictions ahead of the festive period had been based on multiple factors and without a full sense of the extent or potential dangers of new variants of the virus. Taoiseach Micheal Martin addressing the nation some weeks ago at Government Buildings, Dublin, where he announced Ireland will face Level 5 coronavirus restrictions for at least a month. The overall sense from the Taoiseach was of caution, even as vaccine rollout takes place around Europe and Ireland, hampered by delivery target issues over the AstraZeneca vaccine. Read More Government's Covid vaccine programme dealt a further blow He said he was "very worried" about the emergence of variants, saying they had the ability to undermine the effect of vaccine rollout, which he said was a "race against time". He also said he was concerned about the potential of new variants to undermine the vaccine efficacy. "By the summer I think we will be in a changed environment," the Taoiseach said. "I am sounding here this morning [a note of] caution and a conservative approach now because of how the virus is evolving." The overall sense from the Taoiseach was of caution, even as vaccine rollout takes place around Europe and Ireland, hampered by delivery target issues over the AstraZeneca vaccine. The government has already signaled that current level 5 restrictions will remain in place well into February before being reviewed ahead of March, but Mr Martin said the impact of rising numbers since Christmas would impact on plans to reopen society into the future. "I don't think anyone saw the level of 6,000 [cases] a day," he said. "There was an expectation that we would be going back into three-week lockdown in January." He said that was based on estimates of a couple of hundreds of cases a day, and that "a sense of human behavioural analysis" in easing restrictions over Christmas. "We have got to learn from it," he said. As for restrictions on those entering the country, he said: "We are looking at other quarantining options." Read More Hospital cases drop to 1,846, but ICU Covid admissions continue to rise Those would impact on people coming from countries such as South Africa and Brazil, where variants have emerged, he said. "The object of this is to deter people, to make it so Goddamn awkward that people won't be bothered travelling," he said, adding that many of those coming into the country were returning holidaymakers. He urged people not to travel overseas in the coming months. Micheal Martin also said he had spoken last night with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson about the new UK variant and the indications that it may lead to a 30% increase in mortality compared to the strain of the coronavirus that first hit this country 10 months ago. The Taoiseach also said he spoke with Prime Minister Johnson last night, primarily about the UK variant of the virus. "He is worried about the variant, there is something going on out there, as a layperson would say," Mr Martin said. He referred to "whole wards getting infected" and observations from the HSE that the spread now was different from the first months of the pandemic. He said any thoughts on a two-island approach to quarantining was "embryonic" and said of a possible an all-island approach: "I don't think it's practical or doable. "It's just not that simple, there are particular issues." He also accepted that the u-turn on re-opening schools for children with special education needs was "a failure all round". "There is a shared determination to do something for families with special needs in particular," he said, adding that while he did not want to give a timeline he hoped it could happen "in the coming weeks". "If it comes sooner, fine," he said. "It is our priority". However, he dampened any expectations that all schools will reopen soon. "We are going to have to look at it differently now in terms of reopening schools, not the one big bang approach because of the transmissibility and that, I think we have to get the numbers down." Jalandhar: In an incident of sacrilege, two motorcycle-borne persons on Thursday threw torn pages of a holy Sikh scripture along a canal in Jalandhar, even as a probe was ordered into the incident. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has directed the DGP to order a thorough inquiry into the incident of sacrilege in which miscreants tore and threw pages of the scripture. Amarinder has asked the DGP to ensure that the culprits are immediately identified and booked so that stringent and exemplary action can be taken against them. He also asked the state police chief to take all possible steps to prevent vitiation of the secular environment in the wake of the incident, which occurred at around 11 am when two unknown persons threw the pages of the scripture along a canal. Such incidents of desecration of religious texts of any faith will not be tolerated and our government would not allow anybody found involved in these kind of sacrilegious acts to go scot-free, said the chief minister, reiterating his commitment to maintaining the peace and harmony of the state at all costs. The chief minister lauded Jalandhar DCP for controlling the tension which erupted after the incident, when some religious groups gathered at the spot and the nearby gurudwara. Amarinder also instructed the security personnel to liaise closely with religious groups to maintain religious harmony, while deploying all resources at their disposal to trace the culprits. He asserted that anyone found guilty of involvement in any incident of sacrilege will not be spared, and once the Commission of Inquiry set up to probe all such cases (incidents of sacrilege in the past) submits its report, the same would be taken to their logical conclusion, with severe action against the guilty. The governments pressure against such elements has led to a massive decline in the number of cases reported in the state now, with only 13 incidents having taken place prior to todays, since the change of guard in Punjab, Amarinder said. Of these 13, as many as 12 had been solved, with the culprits having been identified and booked, he added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. India will mark its 72nd Republic Day next week, however, it will be the first to be organized amid the covid-19 pandemic which means celebrations will take place with many changes, including a shorter route for the parade and much less public participation in the event. For starters, there will be no chief guest at the event for the first time in decades after British prime minister Boris Johnson called off his India trip due to the mounting covid-19 cases at home caused by a virulent variant of the SARS-CoV2 strain that triggers covid-19. Given the pandemic, India then decided not to have a chief guest at all this time around. Other years when India did not have a chief guest for the day it showcases its military might and cultural diversity include 1952, 1953 and 1966. The number of marching contingents from the armed forces will remain the same but the numbers making up each contingent have been reduced from 144 to 96. Each member of the contingent will be wearing a maskas per the protocol laid down by the Indian government to prevent the transmission of covid-19. The only exception will be the leader of each contingent who calls out the commands. The leader will be 10-12 feet in front of the marching contingent so maintaining social distancing is not a problem," said one government official overseeing the parade arrangements this year. Wearing a mask could mean some of the commands called out being unintelligible to those making up the rear of the contingent, the official said, which could result in a lack of coordination. The ceremonial parade will start as usual at 9:43am with the Presidential Guard escorting President Ram Nath Kovind from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the saluting dias. It will continue for the customary 90 minutes after that. But this year, the paradewhich usually starts from Vijay Chowk and winds its way down to the Red Fort and covers a distance of 8.2 kmis expected to terminate at the National Stadium. This means that it will cover just about one third or about 3.3 km, a second official said. Missing this year at the parade will be the veterans contingent that consists of ex-servicemen and women. Also absent will be the motorcycle stunts by troops of the army and the Central Armed Police Force personnel. Seating arrangements for the public and dignitaries have been specially made keeping the social distancing norms in mind. Chairs have been arranged in such a way that they are separated from each other by several feet. Only 25,000 visitors will be permitted to witness the Republic Day parade compared to the over 100,000 every year. People will not be allowed to line up along the route of the parade. In keeping with the social distancing rules, the six-day Bharat Parvshowcasing cuisines of various statesusually organized on Rajpath lawns from 26-31 January is also unlikely to be held. Another new additions to this years parade include a Territorial Army contingent of the Madras regiment from Andaman and Nicobar islandsthe first time the island chain is being presented at a Republic Day parade in New Delhi. Also participating in the celebrations will be a 122 member strong contingent from Bangladeshs armed forces given that India and Bangladesh are marking 50 years of the founding of the country. This is only the third time that a foreign armed forces contingent is participating in the Republic Day parade. France sent a contingent in 2016 and the United Arab Emirates sent one in 2017. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Both the leaders took part in multiple events in West Bengal's Kolkata in a bid to host the biggest celebration of Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary even as a clash between BJP and TMC workers earlier in the day left several injured in Howrah The BJP and the TMC sought to outdo each other in celebrating Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary in poll-bound West Bengal on Saturday. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in several events in Kolkata, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee held a march to honour the freedom fighter. The ruling TMC dismissed Modi's visit as a political gimmick, as the race for power heats up ahead of the state's Assembly polls. On Saturday evening, Modi addressed the 'Prakram Diwas' celebrations in Kolkata and lauded Bose for his "steely resolve" while the TMC celebrated the day as "Desh Nayak Diwas". "On this day, that brave son was born in the lap of Mother Bharati, who gave a new direction to the dream of independent India. From LAC to LOC, the world is witnessing the powerful avatar of India that was once envisioned by Netaji. India today is giving a befitting reply wherever attempts are made to challenge its sovereignty," Modi said. "Netaji reached Andaman and unfurled the Tricolour with his own soldiers. The declaration which he had made was the first government of 'Akhand Bharat' He was the first head of the Azad Hind Government," he added. The prime minister also said that Bose would have also been "proud that the government he dreamt of is fighting a pandemic with vaccines developed indigenously". "Netaji's life, work and decisions are an inspiration for all of us. Nothing was impossible for a person with such steely resolve," he said. Modi also said that the Howrah-Kalka Mail, the train that begins at Howrah, will be renamed as 'Netaji Express'. Modi had a packed itinerary in Kolkata on Saturday, where, apart from visiting the National Library, he also inaugurated a "permanent exhibition" on Netaji at the Victoria Memorial. Mamata and Modi shared the stage during the event at Victoria Memorial, however, Mamata refused to give her speech after some people raised 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans. Banerjee had not yet started her speech when the slogan was raised by a section of the audience, PTI reported. She said such "insult" was unacceptable. "This is a government programme and not a political programme. There has to be dignity. It doesn't behove anybody to invite people and insult. I won't speak. Jai Bangla, Jai Hind," she said, wrapping up. Earlier on Saturday, the PMO tweeted that the Centre had recently decided to celebrate Netaji's birthday on 23 January every year as 'Parakram Diwas' to honour his "indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation". We don't pay tribute to Netaji only before polls: Mamata Ahead of Modi's visit to the state capital, Mamata held a massive rally or padayatra from Shyam Bazaar to Red Road to mark the occasion. Addressing a programme at Netaji Bhavan, Mamata described Bose as an icon who had advocated unity among all communities in the country. #WATCH | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee leads a march from Shyam Bazaar to Red Road in Kolkata, on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of #NetajiSubhashChandraBose pic.twitter.com/s9VpoUqPSa ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2021 She also demanded that Netaji's birthday on 23 January be declared a national holiday. In a veiled attack on the Modi government, Mamta pointed out that Netaji was not given his due respect by the Centre until the upcoming elections in the state scheduled in April-May. "We don't remember Netaji before the elections. He is in our hearts for 365 days. We are in touch with his family," she added. Banerjee also alleged that there is a "game" going on to change the country's national anthem "Jana Gana Mana". "There is a game going on to change our national anthem. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had endorsed 'Jana Gana Mana' as the national anthem. We will not allow to change it," she said. Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore wrote "Jana Gana Mana" in 1911 in Bengali and it was adopted as the national anthem in 1950. However, the national anthem is only a part of the poem penned and composed by Tagore. She also criticised the Centre for abolishing the Planning Commission, which she claimed was conceptualised by Bose and said that the Niti Aayog (which is the organisation constituted in place of the Planning Commission) can co-exist. "He (Netaji) had also spoken about the Planning Commission and several other things. I do not have any idea why the Planning Commission was abolished. Niti Aayog and the Planning Commission can co-exist. You will have to bring back the national Planning Commission," she added. "Why the national Planning Commission, which was conceptualised by Netaji in independent India, was dissolved? Why the demand for a holiday on Netaji's birthday by our government not yet met?" The chief minister also criticised Centre's decision to celebrate the birth anniversary as "Parakram Diwas Programme". She said, "I don't understand Parakram. Subhas Chandra Bose was a desh premi, he was a desh nayak," she said, adding that all the people of Bengal know this. "He worked for all castes and communities. INA symbolised that," said Mamata. "We will celebrate the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as 'Desh Nayak Diwas'. It is based on a great history. Rabindranath Tagore addressed Netaji as Desha Nayak. We formed a committee for Netaji's 125th birth anniversary celebration. Amartya Sen, Abhijeet Banerjee and eminent personalities are part of the committee for the year-long celebration," the chief minister said. She also announced to introduce Netaji Subhas University and Jai Hind Vahini. "We know about the birthday but do not know about his death. This is very painful," she added. While there is controversy over Bose's death in a plane crash in Taipei on 18 August, 1945, the central government had in an RTI in 2017 confirmed that he had died in the incident. TMC MP Saugata Roy claimed that the Central Government has declared Netaji's birthday as 'Parakram Diwas' with the aim to reap political benefits ahead of Assembly polls. He was quoted by reports as saying, "We do not appreciate politics in Netaji's name. If the prime minister wanted to do it, he could have done it six months ago. Why is he doing this on the eve of Netaji's birthday and ahead of Assembly elections in the state?" Meanwhile, speaking about Modi's programme a Congress leader said, "There is no doubt that Subhash Chandra Bose ji is the pride of the nation, especially for West Bengal but why both TMC and BJP are remembering him when elections are inching closer? Soon Congress-Left alliance will come up with the Development Agenda of West Bengal and give an alternative to the people of the state." Several injured in BJP-TMC clash at Howrah Meanwhile, political tensions between the BJP and TMC boiled over in Howrah on Saturday as Modi and Mamata presided over separate events to honour Bose. Several people were injured and many vehicles vandalised as BJP and Trinamool Congress supporters clashed, PTI reported. BJP alleged that a party member was shot at, while some were beaten with rods and sticks. Crude bombs were also allegedly hurled during the street fight at Bally, triggering panic in the area. Besides, a few bikes and a police vehicle were vandalised, officials said. On Friday, Bally MLA Baishaki Dalmia was suspended by the Trinamool Congress for alleged anti-party activities, hours after Domjur MLA Rajib Banerjee resigned as a minister in the Mamata Banerjee government. Police were yet to confirm the firing but the BJP claimed that party member Promod Dubey, who allegedly received a bullet injury in a firing at Abhra Sen Street, was rushed to the Howrah hospital. Police said that a huge contingent has been deployed in the area to control the situation and prevent any further flare-ups. Local TMC leaders said that some BJP members were allegedly extorting money from shops in the area, following which people of the area protested and roughed them up. As the BJP men blocked the GT Road in protest, some TMC supporters tried to remove them, triggering the violence. TMC claimed that BJP supporters hurled crude bombs and set on fire some vehicles to foment trouble in the peaceful locality. With inputs from agencies A key part of President Joe Biden's new coronavirus strategy is a push to administer 100 million doses in 100 days, or a lofty sounding 1 million immunizations a day. That goal, part of a comprehensive national plan launched this week, has raised questions about how quickly the United States can, and should aim to, deliver vaccines to its population. The strategy document calls the 1 million shots per day pace "aggressive," an effort that will "take every American doing their part." But critics have pointed out that it does not constitute a major leap from the current rate, which has already neared or even surpassed the target. Many wonder why the country cannot move more swiftly. It remains possible that the United States could pick up its pace as vaccine supply increases and logistics improve. But in international context 1 million doses a day does not seem slow. Though differences in population, logistical capacity and data transparency, along with different levels of vaccine vetting and effectiveness between vaccine types, make it hard to compare vaccination campaigns across countries, the United States is near the top of the pack, behind some of the fastest countries to vaccinate, including Israel and Britain, but ahead of most of the rest of the world. The biggest factor shaping the rate of vaccination is global supply. Though the development and emergency approval of coronavirus vaccines has unfolded at an unprecedented pace, drug companies are scrambling to make enough doses to meet demand. As some countries receive a high number of doses from among the limited total produced, others must wait their turn. So far, a small number of relatively rich countries, including the United States, have snapped up the initial supply, relegating low- and middle-income countries to the back of the line - possibly for years. Some projections suggest poor countries will not have enough doses until 2023 or 2024. Rich countries are set to fare better. The European Commission aims to vaccinate 70 percent of the adult population of the European Union by the summer, though details of that plan are not yet clear. Anthony Fauci, adviser to Biden and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said this week that the United States could potentially reach "herd immunity" by fall 2021. Will other large countries move faster than the United States? Possibly, but it is hard to say. Questions about manufacturing capacity, the potential approval of additional vaccines and the impact of the new U.K. variant make predictions tough. However, India offers an interesting point of comparison. On Jan. 16, India launched a plan to vaccinate 300 million people by August. The roughly 200 day push to deliver 600 million doses is more ambitious than the U.S. plan. However, India's population is more than three times larger than that of the United States. China promised to vaccinate some 50 million people against the coronavirus before the Lunar New Year holiday next month - a seemingly rapid pace. But a report in a news outlet controlled by the ruling Communist Party said the country had administered 15 million doses by Jan. 20. There are also questions about whether Chinese-made vaccines are as effective as the Moderna, Pfizer and AstraZeneca formulations used elsewhere. Days after Brazilian officials announced that a vaccine made by Chinese company Sinovac was 78% effective protecting against moderate and severe covid-19 cases, for instance, they were forced to clarify that the shot's efficacy rate among all cases was only 50.4%. Ultimately, the biggest difference between the U.S. vaccination push and the Chinese effort is need. Though there are doubts about China's figures, the country reports just above 4,600 coronavirus deaths to date - comparable to the 4,409 U.S. deaths on Inauguration Day alone. Budget 2021: Annual halwa ceremony to be held today India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 23: The annual tradition of hosting a halwa ceremony prior to the Budget will be held today. The tradition is held every year before the Budget is presented. The making of the halwa marks the official kick-off of the events. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair an all-party meeting on January 30 during which the government will put forth its legislative agenda for the Budget session of Parliament, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. Budget 2021: All party meet to be held virtually He said the meeting will be held virtually and an invitation has been extended to floor leaders of all parties. An all-party meeting is a customary procedure before the beginning of every session of Parliament to ensure its smooth functioning. However, this time it is being held a day after the session starts on January 29. "The all-party meeting will be held on January 30, where government will put forth its legislative business for the Parliament session and would also listen to the opposition's suggestions," Joshi told PTI. The Budget session of Parliament is starting from January 29 and will be held in two parts. The first part will conclude on February 15 and second part will be held from March 8 to April 8. Budget 2021 must build on recent reforms on labour, education, say HR experts Parliament will sit in two shifts with Rajya Sabha in the morning and Lok Sabha in the evening. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting of top government officials for holding the Budget session amid the pandemic. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 11:01 [IST] Advertisement Shes been seen enjoying the sun and surf on an extended Brazilian beach getaway with family and friends, but not with her significant other. And Alessandra Ambrosio continued her lovely and warm vacation on Friday, walking languidly in the shallow ocean waters of a Florianopolis beach in her native South American country. The former Victorias Secret Angel, 39, was in a lovely copper-toned bikini from her own Gal Floripa swimwear line. Beach babe, continued: Alessandra Ambrosio continued her lovely and warm vacation on Friday, walking languidly in the shallow ocean waters of a Florianopolis beach In motion: The former Victorias Secret Angel, 39, was in a lovely copper-toned bikini from her own Gal Floripa swimwear line Alessandras swimsuit consisted of classic high-waisted bikini bottoms, along with a bra-like top that featured underwire. The material of her swimsuit looked somewhat like suede. Her curves were on full display, with flat abs, shapely legs and her breasts receiving a delicate push from her bathing suit top. Splish splash: Alessandras swimsuit consisted of classic high-waisted bikini bottoms, along with a bra-like top that featured underwire Interesting finish: The material of her swimsuit looked somewhat like suede With friends: The beauty was flanked by friends as they walked on the sand She got body: Alessandra's curves were on full display, with flat abs, shapely legs and her breasts receiving a delicate push from her bathing suit top The model, who was born in Erechim, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, wore rounded reflective sunshades. Her dark hair hung wet down her back. When it started to dry in the sun, her blondish highlights glinted in the light. Ocean relaxation: The model, who was born in Erechim, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, wore rounded reflective sunshades Sleek: Ambrosio's dark hair hung wet down her back Later: The 5ft9in beauty wrapped up in a lovely earth-toned Christian Dior sarong, which she knotted at her waist Hydrating: She also hydrated with coconut water, drinking from a straw directly from the fruit She layered up with a couple of delicate looking necklaces, including a gold chain choker. On one wrist, Ambrosio sported a collection of bangles. She rocked a red pedicure, but her fingernails appeared to be nude. Strutting on the sand: The mother of two carried her smartphone on a melon-colored strap, which she wore across her delicate frame Touch of bling: The siren layered up with a couple of delicate looking necklaces, including a gold chain choker Laughing with friends: On one wrist, Ambrosio sported a collection of bangles From the back: This is the latest sighting of the runway star at the beach, which she's been frequenting since arriving in Brazil some weeks ago The catwalker was spotted with a number of friends, as they strolled along the sand deep in conversation. Later, the 5ft9in beauty wrapped up in a lovely earth-toned Christian Dior sarong, which she knotted at her waist. She also hydrated with coconut water, drinking from a straw directly from the fruit. Top knot: When her locks were dry, AA arranged them in a messy top knot in the sun Beach regular: Ambrosio has been seen repeatedly enjoying the beach for some weeks, with friends as well as family Emerging from the surf: At one point Alessandra resembled Venus herself as she emerged from the waves sensuously alongside her gal pals Alessandra and her gal pals were seen toasting their three coconuts on the beach as they smiled. The mother of two carried her smartphone on a melon-colored strap, which she wore across her delicate frame. She also carried a separate fabric throw in paisley shades of blue and white. Dior in the breeze: It appeared to be a slightly windy day, as Alessandra's designer sarong flapped in the ocean breeze Cheers: Alessandra and her gal pals were seen toasting their three coconuts on the beach as they smiled Ambrosio has been seen repeatedly enjoying the beach for some weeks, with friends as well as family. On January 10th, she posed on her Instagram with her daughter Anja Louise, 12, while on the beach. Her boyfriend, Italian businessman Nicolo Oddi, has not been seen with her in public since last year. New Orleans East and an area including the 9th Ward have borne the brunt of the gun violence that perennially plagues the citys streets over the last five years, according to a recent analysis from the Metropolitan Crime Commission. About half of all homicides and non-fatal shootings reported in the city between 2016 and 2020 occurred in two police districts: the 7th District, which patrols New Orleans East, and the 5th District, which encompasses areas such as the 9th Ward, Bywater and Marigny. About 25% of New Orleans 753 slayings and 27% of its 408 non-fatal shootings during that five-year period happened in the 7th District. It is by far the largest area patrolled by police, with 133 square miles and 80,000 residents. The 5th Districts jurisdiction accounted for 23% of killings and 24% of non-fatal shootings. The rest were spread out among the NOPD's remaining six districts across the city, according to the commission's analysis of calls for service received by police. The commission, which serves as an independent watchdog group over the city's policing efforts, issued a statement saying it hopes sharing this information with residents and neighborhood associations will facilitate a higher level of citizen awareness, engagement, and support of law enforcement efforts to mitigate crime. The commission also urged the city to restore overtime pay for NOPD officers, particularly in crime-plagued districts, after the forces budget for this year was slashed by $16 million or 8% from what it was in 2020. Another area standing out in the analysis for the wrong reasons was the 3rd District, which includes Lakeview and Gentilly. That district had the highest share of vehicle burglaries in the city, at 20%, and the second-highest share of carjackings, at 17%, making it a preferred spot for criminals targeting vehicles. Meanwhile, the commissions analysis contextualized a spike in several key violent-crime categories that New Orleans experienced last year after the coronavirus pandemic began to unravel many aspects of life in the city. The 232 carjackings reported in 2020 were an astonishing 90% higher than the average of 122 carjackings seen annually during the four prior years. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Likewise, homicides and non-deadly shootings were much higher than they had typically been citywide. The 202 homicides in New Orleans last year were 36% higher than the 150 homicides averaged each year from 2016 to 2019, and the 425 non-fatal shootings were 56% higher than the annual average of 273 during the same period. An NOPD spokesperson on Friday issued a statement saying the higher crime rates last year were in line with nationwide trends and were fueled by a host of factors, including neighborhood and domestic disputes and the challenges of life during the pandemic. The NOPDs resolve remains the same, the statement added. We continue to be vigilant, committed and engaged in our determination and efforts to keep visitors and residents in our community safe. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the NOPDs 8th District in charge of protecting the French Quarter and Central Business District consistently had the lowest rates for most major crimes. At just 7.5 square miles, the district is one of the agencys smallest, and officers there have received help on patrols from state troopers, which likely helps keep crime there relatively low. Internet users can download the complete analysis at the MCCs website, metrocrime.org. Lockdown hit some industries very badly. While some companies gained, some were hit severely. Some saw demand rising soon after the lockdown in March 2020 and taper off later. So to see how different industries fared amid the pandemic, CEOs discussed 'rebuilding businesses' on Day 2 of BT MindRush 2021. On the destruction Covid-19 infused lockdown caused to the hotel industry, Patu Keswani, CMD, Lemon Tree Hotels, said he didn't anticipate it to be so terrible earlier in February. "But in March, we took a lot of steps to stop revenue destructions. We have a plan for events like this. In our response to this revenue destruction -- considering around 75 percent of our hotels are owned by us plus we had operationalised about $200 or 250 million worth of investment in the previous year, of which $150 million was incremental debt -- we asked ourselves three questions. What are the boundaries in which we'll operate? Our response was that we'll not lay off over 8,002 of our employees. Second was to have a cash cushion not only to our debt obligation, regulatory or payroll, but also to pay our small vendors. So we identified three levels of destruction -- 40%, 60% and 80%." Also read: BT MindRush: India will return to pre-COVID growth at higher rate, will grow at 8%, says Arvind Panagariya On the first few hours of revenue destruction, Suresh Narayanan, CMD, Nestle India, said the global giant had announced in February 2020 itself that international travel has been suspended. "For me, the pivoting point was March 16 when our Covid-19 crisis committee decided that we'll work from home from March 17. It was just an instruction but clearly it's the entire team -- HR, IT, and general service -- who enabled over 2,500 employees to work from home with all infrastructural capabilities in place. In factories, we focussed on people. As a leader, I think it was not a time to run a company but to serve a family." Ravinder Takkar, MD & CEO, Vodafone Idea said the first thing that the company had to ensure was to keep the services running. "With that in mind, we knew a lot of people would also have to be on the field. How do we make sure we get permits for those guys since we are essential service. I think the first week was quite a bit of a challenge. And the biggest challenge was to make sure the network stays up. Second thing was to make sure our digital gateways were working -- since shops were closed -- in case people wanted to recharge their plan's validity or top-up. And, in many cases where people didn't have online capabilities, ensure that distributors are able to provide them services without leaving their home. So overall, the initial experience was chaotic and impressive at the same time. Lastly, we were worried about the health and safety of our employees," he said. On rebuilding the business after the pandemic, Keswani said unlike most hotel companies, Lemon Tree didn't shut most hotels. "So in Q1, 80-90 per cent of our rooms were operational. And we had about 2,500 employees staying in the hotels. Our's is a very young team, with an average of 27-28 years. Some employees who had earned leave went home. We shut office on March 17. Around 250 people in corporate office have still not come back. Whoever didn't leave, we moved them into hotels. We kept low-demand hotels in some form of comma. We only kept 20 rooms open in a hotel of 100 rooms. Ran them with lowest possible cost. Now we have 100 per cent inventory open. This was a gradual process. Critical thing is that it was the time when your employees, suppliers, and guests needed support." Also read: MindRush 2021: AI impact on economy to be rapid in 3-5 years, says SoftBank's Rajeev Misra On rebuilding amid the pandemic, Narayanan said for Nestle, it was more a question of getting its feet on the ground operationally. "We ensure our purpose as a company, which is food quality and safety, was right. Secondly, we implemented Covid-19 rules very stringently not only to employees but to our suppliers as well. We have about 8,000 SMEs. We provided them huge amount of support in terms orders, training, equipping, orders, and advance payments." Vodafone Idea CEO Ravinder Takkar said there were two-three things that were critical in rebuilding after the lockdown. "One was to make sure our services remain up and running. All teams, especially field teams stepped up. We provide all facilities and equipment to them. Support from all authorities was very positive. The other part was to digitise our partners. The third thing was to make sure all employees working from the field as well as home were enabled and connected." On productivity amid the pandemic, Keswani said employees from the company's corporate office delivered almost the same as when they worked from the office. "In hotels, the culture of multi-tasking building is going to play an enormous role for us going forward," said Keswani. Narayanan said to his surprise, people settled into work from very quickly. "It's not easy, considering you stay with family members. For women employees, it was especially a more difficult time," he said. Takkar also said there were many surprises. "Just because of Covid-19, we were able to act and we adapted. From on-field services to researching -- we automated many services just overnight. Somehow, we managed to provide services as good as before, if not better," he added. Also read: MindRush 2021: 'After Covid-19, hybrid work culture is way forward but companies need to plan better' LAist only exists with reader support. If you're in a position to give, your donation powers our reporters and keeps us independent. Our reporting is free for everyone, but its not free to make. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now. By Frank Stoltze and Robert Garrova In his first two years in office, L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has come under fire -- and scrutiny -- from local political leaders and watchdogs on issues of accountability, transparency, discipline, use of force, and more. Now he's facing a wide-ranging civil rights investigation by California's Department of Justice into whether his department has engaged in a "pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing," the state announced Friday. The investigation was sparked by "credible reports" of excessive force, retaliation, and other misconduct at the Sheriff's Department, including reported incidents involving management, Attorney General Xavier Becerra told a news conference. The inquiry is "aimed at identifying and addressing potential systemic violations of the rights of the people of L.A. County," he said. While declining to comment on the specifics of the allegations, Becerra said the state decided to investigate after a "thorough review" of "credible information, reports [and] evidence." The investigation "also comes in response to the absence of sustained and comprehensive oversight" of the department, the DOJ said in a news release. Noting that the Sheriff's Department is the largest in the nation, Becerra called on it to be "transparent, accountable and to cooperate with our investigation." VILLANUEVA: 'FINALLY...AN IMPARTIAL, OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT' In an emailed statement, Sheriff Alex Villanueva welcomed the inquiry. "I look forward to this non-criminal 'pattern and practice' investigation," he said. "Our Department may finally have an impartial, objective assessment of our operations, and recommendations on any areas we can improve our service to the community." Villanueva has frequently clashed with the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission and the County Board of Supervisors over accountability and oversight. Last October, the commission called on the sheriff to resign. The oversight panel issued a statement praising the state's investigation "as a step toward realizing our collective goal of a department that is transparent, accountable and one which operates in a manner consistent with our constitution." The commission said it looks forward "to providing any assistance needed ... to ensure a full and fair investigation." L.A. County Inspector General Max Huntsman, who has clashed bitterly with Villanueva, said in a statement he's "deeply gratified" that the state is looking into the department's performance and said his office will assist the investigation. Villanueva has been criticized for rehiring deputies who had been fired for misconduct, for deactivating disciplinary proceedings against deputies accused of using excessive force, and for tolerating secret deputy cliques, some of which have been accused of violence. The department is also facing lawsuits alleging deputies used excessive force against protesters during last year's George Floyd demonstrations. A CALL TO FOCUS ON DEPUTY CLIQUES Robert Bonner, a conservative former federal judge and ex-head of the DEA who sits on the Oversight Commission, expressed the hope that the investigation will "focus on deputy cliques and their impact on use of excessive force and also how they undermine discipline and accountability within the Sheriff's Department." The ACLU of Southern California, which has frequently clashed with the sheriff, applauded the news of the investigation, noting that it was one of a number of groups that had written to Becerra last fall urging him to open an inquiry. The civil rights group also called on the Board of Supervisors to work to "amend the county charter to give the board the power to impeach and remove sheriffs who violate public trust, obstruct oversight and sanction unconstitutional policing." The supervisors voted last November to explore options for removing Villanueva. There have been several controversial deputy shootings in recent months, including the killings of Andres Guardado, Dijon Kizzee and Fred Williams. But Becerra said officer shootings are beyond the scope of the inquiry, since it is a civil investigation. Another fierce Villanueva critic, Mariela Alburgues of Reform LA Jails, issued a statement calling the inquiry "long overdue, but welcome considering the rogue antics this Sheriff has spearheaded throughout his tenure." The attorney general didn't comment on what steps might be taken if the DOJ determines there has been wrongdoing, although similar investigations into other California police departments have led to legal settlements to change certain practices. President Biden has nominated Becerra to head up the Department of Health and Human Services. The Attorney General said his office will continue with the investigation after his departure. The DOJ is requesting anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact its Civil Rights Enforcement Section at Police-Practices@doj.ca.gov. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said on Friday he will nominate his deputy chief of staff, Alison Beam, as the commonwealths health secretary, saying she will have an immediate focus on distribution of the coronavirus vaccine. Beam, who assumes the role of acting secretary on Saturday, brings a background in law to a traditionally low-profile state government job that was vaulted into the spotlight by the pandemic. Her predecessor, Rachel Levine, a physician, became for millions of Pennsylvanians the face of the states response to the virus; Levine is joining President Joe Bidens administration as assistant secretary of health. Beam, 34, takes over as more than 20,000 Pennsylvanians have died of the coronavirus, the public is battling fatigue as the pandemic nears the one-year mark, and the vaccine rollout has been slow and, for many, confusing. The state is coming out of its worst case surge to date, and deaths in recent weeks have been the highest of the pandemic. Beams immediate focus will be on vaccine distribution, Wolf said, pledging she would work to ensure Pennsylvania gets as many doses as possible from the federal government and would coordinate the Department of Healths work with hospitals, local governments, pharmacies, and other partners. Its a task that comes with significant pressure, as the rocky start to the vaccine campaign has eroded public trust nationwide. The efforts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other states have been stymied by the federal governments limited vaccine supply. But changes could be coming soon, as the Biden administration begins efforts to revamp the nations pandemic response and pledges aid to the states. All we need are the millions of doses that weve been promised, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday. I am much more confident today than I was on Tuesday that well get there. READ MORE: No phone hotlines, multiple websites, long lines: Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is confusing in Pa. and N.J. Through Thursday, 569,503 first doses of the coronavirus vaccine had been administered in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. More than 428,000 first doses had been administered in New Jersey by midday Friday. Wolf also named Dr. Wendy Braund, the state health departments current COVID-19 response director, as interim acting physician general. Since Levine is a doctor, she had served as both physician general and health secretary. Levine, who in her new role would oversee the Department of Health and Human Services public health offices and programs, awaits confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Wolf made the announcement of Beams nomination via a written statement. The Department of Health declined The Inquirers request to interview Beam on Friday. Alison Beam is a talented public servant who brings years of experience in health-care policy and implementation to this position, Wolf said. Alison knows that a strong, widely available, and successful vaccination strategy is the path out of the pains of this pandemic. Beam, who was previously the chief of staff to the Pennsylvania insurance commissioner, has been involved in the Wolf administrations coronavirus response, and she also helped coordinate the rollout of the states health insurance marketplace, Wolfs health-care reform plan, and a mental health initiative called Reach Out PA. She has been Wolfs deputy chief of staff since August 2019. She must be confirmed by the state Senate, meaning she will face the Republicans who control the chamber and have been sharply critical of the Wolf administrations pandemic response. Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman said Beam has played an integral leadership role in the administration during the pandemic, including by coordinating public health policy and operational work across multiple agencies. She also said Beam regularly collaborated with the Department of Health on mental health and substance-use disorder services while at the Insurance Department. She is a proven leader whose career has been defined by her in-depth health-care knowledge and ability to successfully execute on even the most difficult of challenges, Altman said in a statement to The Inquirer. Beam, of Camp Hill, got her undergraduate education studying health policy and administration at Pennsylvania State University; she graduated in 2008, according to her LinkedIn profile. And she has Philadelphia ties: She graduated from Drexel University School of Law in 2013 and worked for Independence Health Group in Center City as director of public policy and associate counsel. Michael A. Young, president and CEO of Temple University Health System and Temple University Hospital, who has worked with Beam in the past, said she will bring a wealth of health-care experience. Pennsylvania reported 5,338 newly confirmed cases on Friday, as the rate of infection continued to decrease, though it was another day with a high death count: 193. Philadelphia reported 367 cases and 28 deaths. While city officials said the vaccine supply remains extremely limited, residents can sign up to be notified when theyre eligible to make an appointment at phila.gov/vaccineinterest. Philadelphia announced a relief program for restaurants and gyms, to be launched next week, that will offer a total of $12 million in grants to small businesses impacted by the shutdown. Businesses will be able to receive up to $15,000 each through an application process that will open Thursday at 11 a.m. at phila.gov/RGRP. READ MORE: Philly will soon have two vaccine sign-up websites, but only one run by the city Chester and Delaware Counties relaunched preregistration forms on Friday; any resident can complete the form to register their interest. Delaware County residents can access the form at chesco.seamlessdocs.com/f/delcovac. Chester County residents can go to chesco.seamlessdocs.com/f/chescovac. Delaware County will open a COVID-19 call center next week, staffed by people who will answer questions and assist people without computer or email access, the county said. New Jersey confirmed its first two cases of the new, more contagious COVID-19 variant first detected in the United Kingdom, Murphy announced Friday. The state reported 3,694 cases and 118 deaths. Staff writers Allison Steele, Bethany Ao, and Laura McCrystal contributed to this article. Four police officers in Warren County were treated for smoke inhalation after entering a burning home Saturday in an attempt to rescue a woman trapped on the second floor, according to the police department. Firefighters were able to get to the woman, who was taken by helicopter to a hospital, officials said. The fire was reported just before 9 a.m. at 82 Youmans Ave. in Washington Borough, according to Sgt. Jerry Magyar of the Washington Township Police Department, which serves the borough. They (the officers) were met with heavy smoke and once the fire department got there, the four officers backed out of the house and then the borough fire department went in and extracted her, Magyar said. The woman was flown by Atlantic Air Ambulance to Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, according to Magyar. She was breathing on her own while being taken from the home, the sergeant said, though he did not have her condition as of Saturday afternoon. Police were not immediately releasing her name. The Washington Emergency Squad transports a woman to be flown by Atlantic Air Ambulance for treatment after a house fire Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, at 82 Youmans Ave. in Washington Borough. Four police officers who tried to rescue her were treated for smoke inhalation. Rich Maxwell | lehighvalleylive.com contributor The four police officers were taken to an area hospital, treated and released, Magyar said. Before being taken for treatment, the officers started evacuating the adjoining row home and rescued two dogs, a bird and a cat, Magyar said. One of the dogs, named Cheyenne, subsequently got loose, and police and community members were looking for into the afternoon, according to police. No other injuries were reported, Magyar said. The fire remained under investigation by Warren County Fire Marshal Joe Lake, Washington Township detectives and investigators from the Warren County Prosecutors Office. The Washington Emergency Squad and numerous fire departments assisted at the scene. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. A tribute to late congressman and civil rights hero John Lewis could one day rise at the same DeKalb County, Ga. site where a Confederate monument stood for more than a century. Last fall, DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett assembled a task force of some two dozen people to determine the best way to honor Lewis. Lewis, who died in July after a battle with pancreatic cancer, represented the 5th Congressional District, which includes a large portion of DeKalb County, for more than three decades. In the wake of Lewis death, various community groups and advocates suggested that Lewis be honored outside the historic DeKalb County courthouse on the Decatur square, in the same spot where a long-standing Confederate obelisk was removed about a month before his passing. The task force agreed. A resolution set to be considered Tuesday by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners backs the groups recommendation and calls the former Confederate monument site the most fitting location for a memorial to the civil rights leader. What, exactly, the memorial may consist of and other details about its creation are yet to be determined. The Decatur-based Beacon Hill Alliance for Human Rights has proposed a statue of a young Lewis in the trench coat and backpack he wore while crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. ___ (c)2021 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, Ga.) Visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, Ga.) at www.ajc.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The future law on Ukraines state policy of transitional period will clearly define the Russian Federation as the aggressor state. "We propose to say openly in this law that the Russian Federation is the aggressor state in relation to the occupied Crimea, the city of Sevastopol and certain areas of Donbas in a clear and understandable manner. And then all the legal consequences can be used," Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov told journalists, an Ukrinform correspondent reported. Reznikov stressed that the territory of Crimea and part of Donbas are occupied, not annexed, which is a very important international aspect. In addition, the minister clarified that a glossary is being prepared to avoid confusion, and the Russian Federation will be clearly defined as the aggressor state in it. As reported, on January 11, 2021, the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine published the text of the draft law on Ukraines state policy of transitional period. ol London: British ministers are to discuss on Monday further tightening travel restrictions, the BBC reported on Saturday, adding that people arriving in the country could be required to quarantine in hotels. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a news conference on Friday that the UK may need to implement further measures to protect its borders from new variants of COVID-19. Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the Friday evening press conference in Downing Street. Credit:Getty Britains current restrictions ban most international travel while new rules introduced earlier in January require a negative coronavirus test before departure for most people arriving, as well as a period of quarantine. The government is considering making it mandatory for travellers to spend that 10-day quarantine period in a hotel for which they would have to pay, as a way to enforce the quarantine rules, the BBC said. Hours after the State Election Commissioner (SEC) Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar on Saturday issued a notification for the four-phase panchayat polls, the state government employees associations representatives threatened to boycott the elections because of the pandemic. The employees representatives said they would see how many employees the SEC terminates. "Government employees in have risked their lives to control the coronavirus. Instead of appreciating, you are threatening to terminate and suspend us. We oppose this step. If you go ahead with the state panchayat polls, chaos may prevail across the state. So please cancel your election notification," said an employees representative. The Andhra SEC on Saturday notified the schedule for four phase rural local body elections whose nomination process would begin in the next two days. The employee drew attention to the special care Kumar took while addressing the media earlier on Saturday. He had fixed a glass partition on his table and wore a mask to protect himself from the virus. "Is your life so important without caring for our lives. While addressing the media, you spoke from behind a glass, all the people in the state watched it. Should we discharge election duties and lose our lives," he asked the Andhra SEC. He warned the SEC that if he goes ahead not paying heed to the appeal by the employees, then he would face difficulties. "So do not scare us and cause paranoia. We will see how many employees you will terminate," he said. The representative reminded the SEC about what he did more than two years ago when the panchayat polls were supposed to be held then. "Why didn't you conduct the elections back then. Why are you trying to kill all of us by conducting the elections amid the pandemic," he added. He appealed to Kumar not to risk the lives of employees, adding that they would undertake election duties only after receiving the vaccination jabs. Another employees representative said that they are scared at the rapid pace at which the SEC is proceeding to conduct the polls amid the pandemic and the gigantic vaccination drive. "I appreciate the care Kumar took for himself to ward off coronavirus by fixing a glass partition. Will he provide similar protection to employees?" he asked. Despite taking similar care, he said, many employees succumbed to the virus, including a general medicine professor in a medical college in Visakhapatnam. Mandating the employees to urgently take up election duty amid the pandemic is a huge discouragement as most of them are waiting to receive the vaccine. Another representative said that the SEC postponed the polls in March 2020 when there were fewer infections but is eager to conduct them when the vaccination drive is taking place. "People are not ready to cooperate, officers are not ready to cooperate. Life is more important, take back your decision. It will not be good if the SEC goes ahead obstinately," he opined. These elections were originally supposed to be held in 2018 when the tenure of the local bodies expired back, but Kumar chose not to hold them. However, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy thought of going to the polls in March 2020 but Kumar did not give the nod citing the coronavirus pandemic which led to a major standoff between the two. THe Chief Minister accused Kumar of acting at the behest of opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu, during whose tenure as the Chief Minister he was appointed. Reddy had tried to replace him which backfired as the SEC has constitutional protection equal to a Supreme Court judge. With just two more months to go as the SEC, Kumar is keen on conducting the polls which the state government has opposed citing the coronavirus pandemic and the vaccination drive. The Supreme Court might take a decision on Monday on the state government's petition to postpone the elections. --IANS sth/khz/bg (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senate DEMS are clamoring Chuck Schumer to end the Senate Filibuster. This signifies the DEMS's desire to dominate without the GOP opposition, ignoring that they benefited from it. A majority in the Senate led by the DEMS want significant changes in the Senate; one is the Filibuster. Soon after, the next administration took power after Trump's departure on January 20 and the Republicans as a minority. The DEMS asked Schumer to remove the Senate Filibuster rule, even after Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's plea to keep it, reported The Epoch Times. The Filibuster aims to keep the US senate from the clutches of partisanship or majority control. According McConnell in a post on Twitter, he said that minority rights and how it affects legislation are necessary for the Senate. The winner of the election was one of its defenders. About two dozen DEMS supported them four years back. Minority rights on legislation are key to the Senate. President Biden spent decades defending them. More than two dozen Senate Democrats backed them just four years ago. This isn't complicated. Simply reaffirming that Democrats won't break the rules should not be a heavy lift. Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) January 21, 2021 He said that it is no complicated. Saying that the DEMS will follow and not break the rules is not a problem for them. The publication Politico said that some DEM senators that include Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), are for abolishing the Filibuster permanently. Several months back, there were alleged intentions to do this, but it was denied. Tester said that Chuck Schumer is the majority leader and must be treated likewise. He claimed it is not needed and will be a hindrance to the DEMS agenda. He added that the GOP minority would be allowed a say in the Senate. Blumenthal said it was a mistake, like Tester, he preferred an oppose Democratic majority. In the last four years, the DEMS have actively used it, but they don't want the Republicans to have that option. In his last speech, McConnell gave his congratulations on Schumer taking the majority leader from the minority. He strongly advised that the Filibuster be kept. He stated, this 117th Congress, America chooses a fifty-fifty senate of fifty Republicans and fifty Democrats. With the elected Democrat VP, which makes the Democratic leader will act as Majority Leader. What is the Filibuster? It is a rule to stop a Senate vote on any bill capable of getting broken by a cloture vote. If a vote of 60 is allowed to act on proposed bills unanimously. According to McConnell, a precedent happened 20 years ago, in a similar 50/50 senate as before. It was honored by the DEMS and GOP then, as should now. McConnel added that Schumer wants the same rules from 2000 to apply now. It is unthinkable to destroy the Filibuster to take away the minority's prerogative on legislation. One concern is an even senate, both majority, and minority leader, to discuss terms for an agreement for the Senate to run. He added the 60 vote supermajority is integral and should be kept. Other DEMS like Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Mo.) encouraged ending the Filibuster rule. She posted her thoughts on Twitter. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) expressed his dissatisfaction at McConnell for his insistence on keeping the Filibuster. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) quoted the new president why the Filibuster is crucial in the Senate. GOP McConnell added that Chuck Schumer and the DEMS used the Filibuster to block bills. @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 4:54 pm One of the first duties upon arrival at The Chronicle in 1992 was to energize the editorial page. Editor-in-Chief Eric Schwartz is now doing the same thing in the face of a challenging economy. Knowing the editorial page serves as the heartbeat of a community newspaper, I wrote the small mission statement that still appears on the lower left hand corner on each Opinion page. It talks about our editorial goal to be fair, offering a variety of opinions while seeking peaceful solutions to obstacles in our way of life. The last sentence is When necessary, we will be willing to take a tough, definitive stance on a controversial issue. This is such an instance. In my two decades at the helm of The Chronicle, the 100-year flood of 2007 was the most critical for this Southwest Washington region. Over the holidays back then, my wife and I toured the flooded area and visited with victims. We saw submerged homes and farm machinery, random stacks of drowned animals and piles of ruined Christmas presents piled on the rented home porches of farmhands. Many roads and highways were blocked. Local radio stations were off the air. Being in the news business my entire adult life, I am somewhat hard-bitten to tragic news and sad scenarios, but what we saw and heard was overwhelming to the point of tears. In the following days and weeks, this newspaper shared the devastation in words and dramatic pictures in every issue. A photo book of the flood is still available at the newspaper. The outstanding staff effort earned us a Pulitzer Prize nomination courtesy of the late educator and author Gordon Aadland. Our staff in 2007 universally agreed to take a strong position to at least attempt prevention of another horrendous flood. The threat is nothing new. It has been here for as long its been settled. Even Lewis and Clarks Washington exploration was limited by flooding in 1805. In recent times the idea of adding a water retention facility has been frequently debated by committees and commissions. Those debates ended in internal scraps and even petty personality clashes. Now, after 61 in-depth government studies, the possibility of a dam helping prevent the catastrophic recurrence of 2007 seems logical. Science supports the proposal to create a dam in the upper Willapa Hills. Some of the science is a challenge to be comprehended by us non-scientists, but the research is conclusive. Even if you live in the highlands and non-flooding areas, we owe it to our neighbors to study the issue. To assist the understanding, The Chronicle will present a brief question-and-answer series for several weeks, beginning with the first installment on Tuesday. After that, this series will be continued in each Saturday edition. We welcome your opinions and questions as we proceed. Dennis. R. Waller is acting executive editor for The Chronicle . The United States on Friday "applauded" India for gifting COVID-19 vaccines to several countries including the Maldives, Bhutan and Bangladesh, saying New Delhi is a "true friend" which is using its pharma industry to help the global community. Taking to Twitter, the State SCA (the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in US State Department) said: "We applaud India's role in global health, sharing millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in South Asia. India's free shipments of the vaccine began with Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal and will extend to others. India's a true friend using its pharma to help the global community." In the last few days, India has supplied COVID-19 vaccines, being manufactured in the country, to neighbouring countries including Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated that India's vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used for the benefit of all humanity to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. On January 19, New Delhi announced its grant assistance of vaccines to the neighbouring countries. On January 20, 1.5 lakh doses of vaccines were supplied to Bhutan and one lakh doses to the Maldives as grant assistance. On Thursday, New Delhi supplied 10 lakh doses to Nepal and 20 lakh doses to Bangladesh. Large consignments of Covishield vaccine doses were flown in special Indian aircraft to Seychelles, Mauritius and Myanmar on Friday. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that the supplies of COVID-19 vaccine as grant assistance to Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be undertaken after receiving confirmation of regulatory clearances from these two countries. Contractual supplies are also being undertaken to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh and Myanmar, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. India has already rolled out a massive coronavirus vaccination drive using two vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin. Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India. Meanwhile, Covaxin is an indigenous vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The end is nigh. Or rather, the end is apparently nowhere in sight. Last week, the hardcore Lockdown-Deniers began to deploy a new mantra. Your regular reminder that there is no end to lockdowns, declaimed their High Priestess, the broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer. There is no exit strategy, no plan to reopen schools & businesses, to return to our normal lives. There will always be another reason to remain in lockdown. For weeks, like-minded people had been arguing the threat of Covid had passed. There would be no deadly second wave. The NHS was under no unique threat. Soaring infections were simply the result of false positives. Mounting hospitalisations a product of people with broken legs and minor Covid symptoms being misclassified. And then reality struck. More than a thousand dead a day. The reopening of the Nightingales. London buses converted into ambulances. So the Deniers frantically sought to construct a new narrative. Because of this modern miracle, we no longer need to sustain our Covid purgatory indefinitely. We have a clear and direct path to freedom The Forever Lockdown. Boris and his Ministers intend to keep the nation under incarceration for ever. Through a bizarre combination of gross incompetence, stupefying credulity and totalitarian malfeasance the Deniers are always vague about which of these fits best well all be locked in our homes till the end of our days. To be fair, there was a time I would have entertained many of those fears myself. Until recently, I was a fully paid-up Lockdown Sceptic. It was clear to me that perpetual lockdown was socially, economically and morally unsustainable. I still believe that. But now we have the vaccine. And because of this modern miracle, we no longer need to sustain our Covid purgatory indefinitely. We have a clear and direct path to freedom. The lie that the Government will always find another reason to extend lockdown would be vindictive at any time. To peddle it at precisely the moment that Ministers are trying to secure the compliance that will buy precious weeks to inoculate the most vulnerable represents stupidity bordering on the criminal. But there is not just something pernicious but also cruelly ironic about the claim Boris and his team have no strategy for ending lockdown. Because its been deployed just when we have the first tentative signs that their strategy is actually starting to work. There IS a plan, and its this. Lockdown. Protect NHS capacity. Reduce infection rates. Vaccinate. Then gradually unlock. And do it all in a way that ensures we never need to lockdown again. The latest data is clear. The plan is starting to have the desired effect. The R rate is below 1 for the first time since December. Infections and hospitalisations are plateauing. And most important of all, the Government is successfully hitting its target of vaccinating 350,000 people a day, or more than two million every week. Ever since the pandemic began, Boris and his Ministers have been vilified. For locking down too hard, and for locking down too late. For testing too much, and not testing enough. For being too blase and slapdash in the face of global crisis, and for overreacting and being excessively draconian in response to a phantom menace. A number of those criticisms are valid. But if they are expected to absorb the brickbats, then they also deserve the appropriate plaudits. And the vaccine rollout is a staggering Government achievement. The Lockdown-Deniers, and Boriss other numerous critics, would like everyone to believe it happened by accident. That the Covid jabs went from the Petri dish to the bloodstream of five million Britons without any ministerial oversight. But in truth, there were at least three pivotal points where Government intervention speeded up vaccine delivery, and saved countless lives. The first was back in May when Boris picked up the phone to Kate Bingham and asked her to take charge of the Vaccine Taskforce. That was a key moment, a No 10 adviser tells me. Kate grabbed hold of the entire process. It was a turning point. If it hadnt been for her, we wouldnt be where we are now. Bingham, a venture capitalist, was attacked over cronyism she is the wife of Tory Minister Jesse Norman and for her use of media consultants. But by the time she stepped down in January, she was able to report the UK was in a position to exceed its vaccination targets. The second was when Ministers took the decision to fast-track UK vaccine-licensing, and reject an offer to join the EUs Covid vaccine scheme. At the time, Boris was condemned for petty Brexit posturing. But the decision was vindicated when Britain secured licensing of the Pfizer vaccine weeks before the rest of the EU. At which point, those who had spent the year furiously claiming every day of delay in the Covid fight represented a death sentence fell silent. The third crucial moment was when Matt Hancock ensured supplies of the Oxford vaccine went into the arms of the nations pensioners by keeping it out of the clutches of Donald Trump. Initially, Oxford were going to go into partnership with the US company Merck, a No 10 source explains. But Matt wanted written assurances our supplies would be guaranteed. They offered a verbal commitment but wouldnt put anything in writing. So he vetoed the deal, and Oxford signed up with AstraZeneca instead. He knew Trump was looking to hoover up as much of the vaccine as he could. Obviously there are many potential pitfalls ahead. Ministers are increasingly anxious that those who are given the vaccine believe it makes them invincible, and begin to flout social distancing before it has had the chance to become effective, after two to three weeks. They are also worried that improvements in treatment are actually increasing pressure on the beleaguered NHS, as more patients in the 60 to 70 age bracket survive the disease but have extended hospital stays. But thanks to the vaccine miracle, Boris remains confident that when he delivers the order to unlock in a few months, he will be doing so for the last time. But his critics simply refuse to acknowledge what an achievement vaccination against Covid is. Britain is again rallying to the cause. In defiance of the anti-vaxxers, we top the international table of those willing and eager to get our jab. There was something genuinely moving about the footage of people patiently waiting for the inoculation among the pillars of Salisbury Cathedral, as the organist serenaded them. But the Deniers refuse to see any of this. They do not want to recognise how close we are to the end of our national nightmare. Or how the vaccine rollout takes its place in the pantheon of our great national moments. Its as if they were bearing witness to the first Spitfire making its majestic climb through the clouds, then began chuntering: You watch, that will only make old Hitler angry. Yes, lockdown is wreaking an almost unbearable toll. Emotionally. Physically. Financially. But that doesnt alter the fact that those who say it will be with us in perpetuity are lying. There is a strategy to reopen our schools and our business and return us to our normal lives. And it is going to work. Ignore the Deniers. Lockdown will end. It will end soon. And it will end for good. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "continued support" to the global Covid-19 response. India's 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative is providing vaccines to its neighbouring countries. "Thank you #India and Prime Minister @narendramodi for your continued support to the global #COVID19 response. Only if we #ACTogether, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods," the WHO chief said in a tweet. Brazilian President Jair M. Bolsonaro also thanked Modi for dispatching two million doses of India made coronavirus vaccines to Brazil. India dispatched two million doses of Covishield vaccine to Brazil on Friday. Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII). Meanwhile, 92 countries have approached India for Covid-19 vaccines, including Brazil, which currently accounts for the third highest coronavirus caseload in the world and the second largest death toll. Besides Covishield, India has also granted emergency use authorisation to Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. India this week also announced it would supply Covid-19 vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles. Larry King attends the 45th International Emmy Awards at the New York Hilton in New York City, on Nov. 20, 2017. (Andy Kropa/Invision/AP) Longtime Television Host Larry King Dies at Age 87 Longtime television host Larry King passed away at age 87, representatives said Saturday. King died on Saturday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, Ora Media announced. King co-founded the media. The cause of death was not announced. King was hospitalized with COVID-19 late last month. He had appeared to be recovering; he was moved out of intensive care during the first week of January. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. It can be particularly harmful to the elderly and those with serious underlying health conditions. King, who hosted a show on CNN for decades, leaves behind three children and other relatives. Funeral arrangements and a memorial service will be announced later, Ora Media said, in coordination with the King family, who ask for their privacy at this time. Wendy Walker, former executive producer of Larry King Live, said on CNN Saturday that King treated every guest the same. It didnt matter if it was a president orsomebody off the street. King preferred to enter interviews unprepared, she added. Broadcaster Piers Morgan was among those posting tributes to King, writing on Twitter that he he was a brilliant broadcaster & masterful TV interviewer. DNA, time perception and combustion investigations filled the research schedule aboard the International Space Station today. The Expedition 64 crew is also training for a pair of spacewalks set to start next week. Researchers are studying how microgravity affects a human's DNA and even time perception as astronauts spend more time living in space. Radiation and weightlessness can impact DNA while the lack of an up-down orientation and a day-night cycle may influence spatial and time perception. Biologist and NASA Flight Engineer Kate Rubins, the first person to sequence DNA in space in 2016, was once again preparing DNA samples for sequencing to learn how to monitor crew health and identify organisms in space. She also replaced fuel bottles inside the Combustion Integrated Rack to maintain safe fuel and flame studies aboard the orbiting lab. Flight Engineers Michael Hopkins of NASA and Soichi Noguchi of JAXA took turns Thursday morning helping researchers understand the subjective changes in time perception they may experience in space. The duo wore a virtual reality headset, used a trackball and performed tests to measure their timed responses. All three astronauts then joined NASA Flight Engineer Victor Glover in the afternoon to practice robotics maneuvers they will use during a pair of spacewalks set for Jan. 27 and Feb. 1. Hopkins and Glover will be the spacewalkers for both excursions. The duo will set up European science and communications hardware on the first spacewalk and configure battery gear and high definition cameras on the second. The orbiting lab slightly boosted its orbit this morning after the Progress 75 cargo craft fired its engines for nearly seven minutes. The new altitude readies the station to receive a new cargo craft, the Progress 77, when it docks on Feb. 17 to the Pirs docking compartment. On-Orbit Status Report ISS Reboost - Today, the ISS performed a reboost using the aft Progress 75P R&D thrusters. The purpose of this reboost is to set up the conditions for Progress 77P 33-Orbit rendezvous on February 15. The burn duration was 6 minutes 58 seconds with a Delta-V of 0.723 m/s. Payloads Airborne Particulate Monitor (APM) - The APM was removed from its US Lab location and relocated to Node 3. This hardware is routinely moved to different locations to allow monitoring of the particulate environment in those areas. Although requirements exist for maximum allowable concentrations of particulate matter, currently no measurement capability verifies whether these requirements are met. The Airborne Particulate Monitor (APM) demonstrates an instrument for measuring and quantifying the concentration of both small and large particles in spacecraft air. The data can be used to create a map of air quality in terms of particles and shed light on the sources of such particles. CIR/ACME - The crew replaced a 40% O2/60% N2 gas bottle and a 100% CH2=CH2 gas bottle to allow the continuation of the BRE part 2 investigation. The Burning Rate Emulator (BRE) investigation is conducted in the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) on the International Space Station (ISS), as part of the Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments (ACME) project. In this fire safety study, the flammability of solid and liquid materials is simulated by burning gaseous fuels under key conditions corresponding to the solid and liquid materials. This technique has been demonstrated for a wide variety of materials in normal-gravity and could provide an efficient way to screen and select fire-resistant materials for use in spacecraft, if the technique is similarly effective in microgravity. Time Perception - The crew set up the appropriate hardware and participated in a Time Perception science session. The accurate perception of objects in the environment is a prerequisite for spatial orientation and reliable performance of motor tasks. Time perception in microgravity is also fundamental to motion perception, sound localization, speech, and fine motor coordination. The Time Perception in Microgravity experiment quantifies the subjective changes in time perception in humans during and after long-duration exposure to microgravity. Systems Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations - The crew continued preparations for next week's Columbus Upgrades EVA on Wednesday, January 27th. The Columbus Ka-Band Antenna (COL KA) was prepared for EVA. EVA Mobility Unit (EMU) Helmet troubleshooting and installation for the Extra Vehicular Activity Helmet Interchangeable Portable (EHIP) Light was completed successfully this morning. Additionally, crew connected the Lab Ethernet Ext (W1985) cable associated with the External High Definition Cameras (EHDC) for Camera Port 3 (S1) and Camera Port 13 (Lab Starboard) to the Joint Station LAN (JSL) for the External Wireless Communication (EWC) system. Both CP3 and CP13 will have EHDCs installed on US EVA ISS Upgrades 2. Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphic (DOUG) Review - The crew performed a visual review of the EVA using the Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphic (DOUG) software. This session allows the crew to view the step-by-step sequence of a specific EVA. Entire translation paths can be highlighted and displayed for review by crew members prior to performing an EVA. In-flight Maintenance (IFM) External Television Camera Group (ETVCG) Bulb Remove and Replace (R&R) - The crew R&R'ed and tested two metal halide lamps bulbs. These light assemblies are used to illuminate sections of ISS during periods of darkness and support continuous operations. After bulb failure, these assemblies can be removed and replaced during an Extra Vehicular Activity. Completed Task List Activities: WHC KTO REPLACE Today's Ground Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. Attitude Control System (ACS) Motion Control System (MCS) Configuration for Reboost PRO CIR Activation Commanding Primary Power System (PPS) Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) Lock JEMRMS Small Fine Arm (SFA) Installation to SSE Attitude Control System (ACS) Global Positioning System (GPS) Accelerometer Management Look Ahead Plan Friday, January 22 (GMT 022) Payloads: AC touch, CBEF reconfig, Food Acceptability, HRF Veggie questionnaire, ManD print removal, MSG CTB audit, Story Time from Space, Veg-03J plant check Systems: Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Maintenance Scrub Rechargeable EVA Battery Assembly (REBA) Powered Hardware Checkout Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Review Columbus Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Robo Procedure Review Saturday, January 23 (GMT 023) Payloads: Crew is off duty. Sunday, January 24 (GMT 024) Payloads: Veg-03J plant check Systems: Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) On-orbit Fitcheck Verification (OFV) Extravehicular (EV) Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) Installation Practice Today's Planned Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. Time experiment science JEM Cell Biology Experiment Facility Alternative Reconfigulation A Part 1 COL1D3 rack outfitting wih pivot pins [ABORTED] Virtual Reality Training (VRT) Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) Environmental Health System (EHS) Acoustic Monitor Setup Environmental Health System (EHS) Biomole Maintenance Work Area Prep 2 Extravehicular Mobility Unit Helmet Troubleshooting Lab External Wireless Comm (EWC) system External High Definition Camera (EHDC) connect to Lab Joint Station Lan (JSL) Router BioMole MELFI Retrieve BioMole Part 3: DNA Prep and Sequencing Environmental Health System (EHS) - Coliform Water Sample Analysis 44 +/- 4 hours post processing Clear stowage prior to ColKa Prep Combustion Integrated Rack Manifold #2 Bottle Replacement Combustion Integrated Rack Manifold #4 Bottle Replacement MELFI Dewar Audit Recharging Soyuz 747 GoPro HERO3 Batteries (8) Airborne Particulate Monitor Data Transfer COLKA EVA PREP In-flight Maintenance (IFM) External Television Camera Group (ETVCG) Bulb Remove and Replace Airborne Particulate Monitor Node 3 Install Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Review IMS delta file prep On-board Training (OBT) EVA Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) Session Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Swap Crew Dragon Tablet Sync [Aborted] DOSIS Main Box LED Check ISS HAM Columbus Pass Kenwood Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Vietnams ICT market is expected to see a big 5G race in 2021 as international tech giants look to boost partnerships with local telcos to gain more advantages, driven by strong performances in Vietnam in 2020. Despite a challenging year across the board in 2020, tech titans still made gains from strong digital transformation demands. Riding high Ericsson, a global leader in ICT services and solutions from Sweden, also made gains in Vietnam during 2020 with its prestige continuing to increase as an important partner in promoting the digital transformation of industries and enterprises. Throughout 2020, Ericsson continued to focus on working with customers such as Viettel, VNPT/Vinaphone, MobiFone, and Vietnamobile in expanding and upgrading their 4G networks to ensure mobile broadband capacity and coverage meets the needs of Vietnamese industry and society throughout the nation. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we all appreciated the significant value of remote work, healthcare, and education, amongst other societal needs. This was all made possible through the availability of 4G mobile broadband network services provided by leading Vietnamese mobile network operators, supplied by Ericsson and other vendors, said Denis Brunetti, president of Ericsson in Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Ericsson also ended 2020 with pivotal and strategic 5G launches with Viettel, VNPT/Vinaphone, and MobiFone, laying an important foundation for future 5G-enabled plans this year. Similarly, US tech giant Qualcomm, the worlds leading wireless technology innovator, highlighted its 2020 performance in Vietnam with a number of new moves to double down on its commitment to the country. Thieu Phuong Nam, country manager of Qualcomm Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia stressed, The opening of our new office and interoperability testing laboratory, Qualcomms first research and development lab in Southeast Asia, last June is a testament to this. The new office allows Qualcomm to provide enhanced support to partners in both business and government. It also reflects our expanded capacity in Vietnam, particularly our increased number of engineers and developers, which help address the growing demand for quality products and services, Nam explained. Meanwhile, the interoperability testing laboratory offers state-of-the-art testing capabilities for local partners including VinSmart, BKAV, and Viettel, among others, to develop and produce high-quality devices matching international standards. Another example of showing its ambition in Vietnam is the recent announcement of the 10 local startups shortlisted for the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge, a competition for local startups. These shortlisted startups focus on technology areas such as smart cities, Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things (IoT), agriculture, and machine learning which also overlap with the priorities of the Vietnamese government. Elsewhere, Chinas Huawei Vietnam focused on ICT training and technology transfer to develop its local staff and cooperating with local partners to carry out telecoms projects. Seeing growth potential, Huawei Vietnam has been preparing for future plans to benefit from 5G there in line with the countrys supporting policies to accelerate digital transformation. Huawei has suffered from 5G rollout bans in the US and a number of EU nations, with some leaders questioning the groups security. But it continued to grow in 2020, although slowdown in growth was reported. Revenue in the first nine months reached 671.3 billion ($103.57 billion), up 9.9 per cent from 2019, versus 24.4 per cent over the same period a year earlier. Net profit margin for the nine months was 8.0 per cent, versus 8.7 per cent over the same period a year earlier. 2021 race The year 2020 could be remembered as a milestone year in Vietnams ICT history due to the initial launches of 5G services. People in several locations across Vietnam are now already starting to experience the higher speeds and superior performance that 5G offers, with the promise of much more to come in 2021 and beyond. The launch of such services will serve to achieve the governments goal of making Vietnam one of the early adopters of 5G technology and capabilities across industry and society. 5G will be the foundation upon which Vietnam can further build on its digital transformation journey and realise the strategic vision of making Vietnam one of the top 50 digital transformation countries by 2025. And in this path, the next wave of socioeconomic development through high-tech foreign investment, science and technology, and startup innovation is created, thus opening more opportunities for multinational corporations (MNCs) and increasing competition. With its wide range of new products, Lenovo Vietnam is expecting business growth to not only be attributed to a growing PC market: it also reflects the acceleration of an existing trend of customers turning to Lenovo for complete solutions. To enable its expansion journey in the country, Lenovo Vietnams general manager Giap said that Lenovo proactively seeks partnerships in Vietnam to help organisations reap the benefits of digital transformation. In particular, it has been focusing on the healthcare and education sectors, enabling organisations to intelligently transform. For Ericsson, through 2021, it will remain focused on bringing the latest 5G technology to Vietnam. The group sees many opportunities in the country, and is making plans for this. We continue to work with the Embassy of Sweden to Vietnam and Business Sweden on a number of strategic digital transformation initiatives, including in transport such as airports, and also energy, said the groups Denis Brunetti. Business Sweden is an organisation jointly owned by the Swedish government and representatives from the Swedish business community. We are also planning to invest in various Industry 4.0 initiatives in Vietnam over the coming years, partnering with other Swedish companies as well as our mobile operator customers. Our ambition is further sharpened by the expectation that over two-thirds of MNC manufacturing globally will relocate to Asia-Pacific by 2025, with Vietnam clearly attracting a high number of these manufacturing opportunities, Brunetti added. To this end, Ericsson will continue to work with Vietnams mobile operators and service providers to build the 5G networks across Vietnam, which will effectively lay the foundation for Vietnams inclusive and sustained GDP growth fuelled by IoT, AI, automation, AR/VR, and machine learning. Like Ericsson and Lenovo, Qualcomm plans to focus on working with Vietnamese partners to help create a robust mobile ecosystem, specifically for 5G networks and services, which are slated to be commercially launched this year. This includes working with telco companies to ensure they have the proper infrastructure to deploy commercial 5G, including the ability to leverage on mmWavethe cornerstone in ensuring 5G is better than previous generations of cellular technology. We also plan to continue our collaborations with local original equipment manufacturers to create devices such as smartphones and Always On, Always Connected laptops that will allow end-users to access and benefit from 5G, said Nam from Qualcomm Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. And in this trend, Huawei Vietnam, with over 20 years of presence in the country, is not an outsider. CEO of Huawei Vietnam Sun Bohan said that the opening of two new offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City confirm Huaweis long-term investment commitments in Vietnam. He told VIR, We will continue to cooperate with local mobile network operators and other partners to bring advanced technologies to Vietnamese users. Moreover, in the time to come, Huawei will also collaborate with leading universities in Vietnam in ICT training. To prepare for the countrys stronger acceleration of digital transformation with commercial launch of 5G this year, groups such as Viettel, VNPT/Vinaphone, and MobiFone are working with MNCs on specific products and solutions for their future journeys. With similar approaches and specific plans, the race among the MNCs is forecast to be further heated in the upcoming months to come. VIR Bich Thuy Vietnam ICT revenue reaches US$120 billion in 2020 Vietnam plans to have around 50,000 IT and electronic and telecommunications companies, of which the ten largest will play a leading role and be internationally competitive with revenues of at least US$1 billion each. Ambulances waiting to deliver COVID-19 patients queued outside hospital emergency departments on Friday as Portugal's COVID-19 surge continued unabated, adding a new record of daily deaths for the fifth day in a row. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and patients in intensive care also reached new highs over the previous 24 hours, placing the public health system under severe strain, health authorities said. Authorities reported 234 deaths, bringing the country's total to 9,920. Hospitals added another 149 COVID-19 patients to their wards, with another 13 in ICUs. Hospitals are on average around 90% full. At Lisbon's Santa Maria Hospital, the capital's largest, more than a dozen ambulances queued along an approach road, waiting to hand over their COVID-19 patients to medics. At some hospitals, ambulance drivers have complained about waiting for hours. At Santa Maria, the hospital's head of the COVID-19 emergency response, Anabela Oliveira, said staff were working under "brutal pressure". She said the hospital has also been receiving overflow patients from other hospitals in the region. "The public health service will collapse if these numbers keep coming, if we remain under this pressure," she told reporters outside the hospital. "This is the most critical moment of the pandemic." Daniel Ferro, chairman of Santa Maria Hospital board, said doctors were checking the needs of patients held in the ambulances, to see whether they were urgent cases, and that the hospital was close to its limit. "It doesn't mean the hospital doesn't have the capacity in terms of hospitalization and intensive care, we still have that capacity but it is very close to its limit," Ferro said. The almost 14,000 officially reported new cases in Portugal was the second highest during the pandemic. Portugal has the highest seven-day average rate in the world of new cases per 100,000 population and the highest rate of new deaths, according to data collated through Thursday by Johns Hopkins University. Portugal's government blames the surge on the appearance of a more contagious variant first identified in southeast England. As a result, it is stopping flights to and from the United Kingdom from Saturday. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) China-based battery maker CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd) and its subsidiary Shenzhen Dynanonic signed an agreement with Jiangan county government (located in south-west Chinas Sichuan province) to build a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials plant with a production capacity of 80 tpy. The construction of the plant is expected to be completed in three years, with a total investment of US$280 million. In a speech at the China EV100 conference, CATL Chairman Zeng Yuqun observed that global lithium battery market demand will increase significantly starting this year, but added that the growth of capacity supply in the entire industry chain is relatively slow, and effective supply is insufficient. CATL, he said, has over the years formed four innovation systems: material system; system structure; extreme manufacturing; and business model. First of all, material system innovation is very important. For a certain period in the future, lithium iron phosphate and ternary materials still have room for improvement, and they are still the absolute mainstream of application. Afterwards, some new systems may emerge. It is necessary to start from the atomic scale, deeply understand materials and their interface properties, achieve a fundamental breakthrough in the material system, avoid many precious metals, and take a more cost-effective way to deal with long-term, huge market demand. Zeng Yuqun Metals, minerals and chemical industries consultancy Roskill said that in 2020, LFP accounted for around 20% of global cathode materials production. In 2021, the market share of LFP cathode materials is forecast to increase to 25%. Roskill said that in 2020, the installation of LFP batteries in EVs is reported to have increased by around 21% y-o-y, to 24.4 GWh in China, and the upward trend is expected to remain in 2021. Roskill attributes a wider use of LFP in EVs partly to technology improvements, boosting driving ranges of EVs, coupled with price competitiveness and safety benefits. Earlier in January, Guoxuan High-tech launched its new-generation LFP cell, with an energy density of 210Wh/kga similar level to NCM523 battery cells. At the pack level, module-less pack designs, including CATLs Cell to Pack and BYDs Blade Battery, have allowed more LFP cells to be placed into the pack than previous technologies. The use of LFP in other applications, such as stationary ESS and water transportation, is forecast to increase as well. As reported by Roskill previously, despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the electrification of vessels has not shown any signs of slowing down in China. In 2020, around 70MWh of LFP batteries were installed in Chinese electric vessels, equivalent to more than 1,270 Tesla Model 3 vehicles with LFP batteries. CATL has invested heavily in LFP battery production. Besides the expansion of connections with downstream clients, CATL has been actively moving towards an upstream position to gain a source of captive LFP cathode materials. This would grant the company a strong foundation to deal with the impending changes to the global Li-ion battery market, Roskill said. For all the glossy allure of its tropical locations and the stylish 1970s fashion, the BBC's hit crime drama The Serpent has a rather more disturbing theme the dark underbelly of the hippy trail, which once drew thousands of young travellers to South East Asia seeking drug-fuelled enlightenment. The series, which has helped the BBC's iPlayer service set new viewing records during lockdown, follows the true story of 'Alain Gautier', a handsome and charismatic French gem dealer noted for his devoted circle of followers and the louche cocktail parties he threw at his Bangkok apartment. His real name, though, was Charles Sobhraj, and today he is better known the world over as the Bikini Killer or the Serpent. With his lover Marie-Andree Leclerc (played by Jenna Coleman) at his side, Sobhraj (portrayed by French actor Tahar Rahim) exerted a cult-like hold over travellers to Bangkok, many of whom were never seen again. For all the glossy allure of its tropical locations and the stylish 1970s fashion, the BBC's hit crime drama The Serpent has a rather more disturbing theme the dark underbelly of the hippy trail, which once drew thousands of young travellers to South East Asia seeking drug-fuelled enlightenment Yet there is another very different man at the heart of the drama, one without a shred of mystery or glamour. A methodical, carefully spoken diplomat posted to the Dutch embassy in Bangkok, Herman Knippenberg wasn't even a detective when he started a 30-year pursuit of Sobhraj. But it is thanks to Knippenberg's dogged bravery that one of the most depraved killers of modern times now lives out his days in a Nepalese jail cell. Knippenberg now 76, just like Sobhraj seems an unlikely hero, more book-keeper than Bond. Yet in a rare interview, he reveals the reality of the case was every bit as heart-stopping as the story unfolding on screen. And it has left its mark. 'It took a long time to get Sobhraj, many years,' recalls Knippenberg, who worked as a consultant on the TV drama. 'But I had to do it. He got inside me like some sort of tropical malaria. He wouldn't go away. This is not over until Sobhraj and I are in different worlds,' he says. 'If there is a Hell, I am sure he is a candidate.' The killings began in 1975. Sobhraj and Marie-Andree would befriend Western tourists in bars and hotels and invite them to stay at their apartment. She used the alias Monique, and would pretend to be Sobhraj's wife or a fashion model. The couple hosted parties for their 'guests' and took them to Bangkok nightspots. Their victims were drugged with a crude mix of laxatives, sedatives and vomit-inducing medication. Those who survived were stabbed, strangled, drowned or burned alive, their bodies dumped on roadsides or beaches, with the Thai police apparently not interested. Sobhraj then took their cash or travellers' cheques and stole their passports. The total number of murders he committed is unknown. Ellie Bamber and Billy Howle as Angela and Herman Knippenberg are pictured in the hit BBC series The Serpent Knippenberg, then aged 31, was on his first international posting in Bangkok when he found himself drawn into Sobhraj's shadow. In February 1976 the embassy was informed that two Dutch travellers Henk Bintanja, 29, and his fiancee, Cornelia Hemker, 25 were missing. Uncharacteristically, neither had written home for six weeks. Knippenberg played by Billy Howle in the TV series was a lowly third secretary at the time. His superiors told him to leave the case to the Thai police. Yet he felt compelled to defy them by enquiring further. 'Something was wrong. I couldn't believe we wouldn't take an interest,' he says, speaking from his home in Wellington, New Zealand. 'These were Dutch citizens and the parents had every right to think we would help. I'd been travelling in my 20s, and I knew that people like Henk and Cornelia would keep in touch. 'The more I saw it, the more I knew I had to follow this. The ambassador told me to stop and he even sent me on leave at one point. But I wouldn't give up on them, even though I knew I was putting my career in danger.' He paid a visit to the mortuary at the Bangkok police headquarters and discovered there were two unidentified corpses there, a man and a woman. Both were European. Knippenberg requested that Henk and Cornelia's dental records be sent from Holland. 'We went to the morgue and had to push through rubber flaps to get into a room with quite a number of corpses in metal-frame beds,' he recalls. 'I had asked a local Dutch dentist, an elderly lady, to help me and she was already there, working in a corner. She welcomed me and said, 'Oh yes, it is them.' She'd already analysed the mouths of the victims. I just nodded. 'It was quite gruesome because they had performed an autopsy and stitched them back together with what looked like wire. At that point my driver, an ex-policeman, fainted and fell to the floor. 'What shocked me the most was when the pathologist at the mortuary told me there was soot in their lungs, which indicated they had both been set alight when they were still alive. Charles Sobhraj, top, is pictured above being led to prison in Delhi in 1977 'When I got home it hit me. I asked my wife to pour me a triple whisky.' By now, Knippenberg was in contact with the young couple's worried parents. They forwarded the letters sent home shortly before their disappearance in which they explained that they had been invited to Bangkok by a gem dealer. Talking to other Western tourists, Knippenberg pieced together an increasingly disturbing picture. The name 'Alain Gautier' kept recurring and soon he was linked to at least five more deaths. Knippenberg says: 'The two Dutch people came from Amsterdam, a city known for its diamonds, and they were interested in making money. That's why they went to see Sobhraj. He thought no one would miss them because they had been travelling for so long. They were killed not because they were weak but because they were strong. They didn't want to stay in his cult with his friends or buy his gems and so he decided to kill them.' Knippenberg spent months convincing the Thai authorities to act but when the police eventually did raid his apartment, Sobhraj persuaded them with a false passport that he was someone else entirely. Sobhraj and Leclerc then fled the country. Knippenberg now had a problem. As one of only a small handful of people who suspected Sobhraj of murder, his own life was at risk from Sobhraj and his gang. Such was his paranoia that Knippenberg bought a gun to keep by his bed a decision that almost had fatal consequences for his wife, Angela, played on TV by Ellie Bamber. 'I remember it was around 2am,' he said. 'It was pitch dark and a noise on the staircase had woken me up. I reached for the King Cobra gun an American special forces pocket gun designed to look like an old-style metal cigarette lighter. I thought to myself, 'Well, you have asked for it and now you are going to get it.' I saw this shadow move into the room and I felt as if I was having the same thoughts you have before you die. Then I heard this voice say to me, 'Oh love. I see you are awake.' I almost exploded. I said, 'You stupid woman. Don't do that again. I could have killed you!' ' Sobhraj and Leclerc had fled to Nepal and India where they continued their orgy of destruction. That same year, 1976, they were arrested by the Indian authorities and accused of killing a French tourist and an Israeli academic. Cleared of those murders, he was sentenced to 12 years for the attempted robbery of a group of French students. French-Canadian Leclerc was jailed for being an accomplice but was released in 1983 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was allowed to return to Canada, where she died the following year, aged 38. Even in prison, Sobhraj lived up to his reputation for snake-like cunning. Due to be extradited to Thailand upon his release in India, he broke out of prison, drugging the guards with sedative-laden sweets. He then allowed himself to be recaptured. This meant his sentence would be extended and that the 20-year limit on his arrest warrant in Thailand, where a potential death sentence awaited, would expire. When he was finally released, in 1997, he was free to return to Paris. There, he capitalised on his notoriety and charisma and began a new life as a media personality. He collaborated on a biography, charged interviewers handsomely to speak and even attempted to sell his memoirs. But as his desire for notoriety remained undimmed, so did his lust for risk and, in 2003, he returned to Nepal. He was soon arrested for the murders in 1975 of 28-year-old American backpacker Connie Jo Bronzich and her Canadian friend Laurent Carriere, whose mutilated corpses were found in fields near the capital, Kathmandu. A methodical, carefully spoken diplomat posted to the Dutch embassy in Bangkok, Herman Knippenberg wasn't even a detective when he started a 30-year pursuit of Sobhraj. But it is thanks to Knippenberg's dogged bravery that one of the most depraved killers of modern times now lives out his days in a Nepalese jail cell Sobhraj denied having been in Nepal before and, because he had travelled on a fake passport belonging to Henk he knew the police would find it hard to prove otherwise. But he had forgotten about his nemesis, Herman Knippenberg, who by now had settled in New Zealand with his second wife, Vanessa. The arrest came just as the diplomat was beginning his retirement. 'I was sitting down with my wife having breakfast, eating pancakes, and I was thinking I will never have to go into an office again,' he said. 'Then there was a phone call. I said, 'It's a miracle! He's been arrested in Nepal. I have to be quick.' 'I ran down the stairs to my garage where there were six boxes of evidence that I had taken all over the world and I fished out one of the files and called Interpol.' Within Knippenberg's files there were interviews with Leclerc conducted by the Indian police after the couple's arrest in Delhi in 1976. They contained crucial testimony namely, confirmation that she and Sobhraj had been in Kathmandu at the time of the murders. That played a key part in finally nailing him. Sobhraj looks set to die in a Kathmandu prison still protesting his innocence after being convicted first of murdering Bronzich in 2004. In 2014, he was handed a second life sentence for murdering Carriere. 'He wanted to move from the shadows into the limelight by showing up in the one place where he knew he had committed murders but they would not have the evidence any more,' says Knippenberg. 'But he forgot I still had the documents. He was a gambler. It was like he always did with casinos, putting everything on black. But then it landed on red.' So what does Knippenberg think drove Sobhraj to kill? Besides displaying all the classic traits of a psychopath ruthless, emotionless, lacking in empathy Knippenberg says Sobhraj was thrilled by the risk that he would be caught. His own life had been rootless. Born in Saigon to Indian and Vietnamese parents, he was sent to boarding school in France but always felt himself to be an outsider. Knippenberg says: 'I was told by a police inspector in Nepal that Sobhraj had left behind a book by [the German philosopher] Nietzsche. I believe he practised what he read that a superior human creates his own sense of good and evil. Nietzsche wrote about embracing risk and Sobhraj certainly practised that. He thought he was an 'ubermensch' or superman who didn't have to live by the usual rules of society.' Knippenberg reflects: 'Of all the things I have done, the Charles Sobhraj work is still the most important. It is the only point at which I felt I really made a difference, where I felt I saved lives. 'If we hadn't stopped him when we did, he would have gone on to kill many more. 'People say I was obsessed with it but I am absolutely not. Finally I just feel a sense of justice.' U.S. Marshals are pictured in a file photo taken in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 7, 2013. (Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images) US Marshals Rescue 33 Missing Children in Operation Lost Angels More than 30 children were rescued by U.S. Marshals from human trafficking in Southern California, including eight who were being sexually exploited, the FBI announced Friday. The multi-day joint agency Operation Lost Angels involved more than two dozen partner agencies and was initiated on Jan. 11. The rescue operation recently culminated in the recovery of 33 children, Kristi K. Johnson, assistant director in charge of the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office, said in a press release. Of the 33 children recovered, eight were being sexually exploited at the time of recovery, FBI officials said in a press release. Two were recovered multiple times during the operation while on the track, a common term used to describe a known location for commercial sex trafficking. Johnson said people who become a victim of commercial sex trafficking and then return either voluntarily or by force, fraud, or coercion is not uncommon, even after being rescued in previous operations. This harmful cycle highlights the challenges victims face and those faced by law enforcement when attempting to keep victims from returning to an abusive situation, FBI officials said. Victims may not self-identify as being trafficked or may not even realize theyre being trafficked. According to information obtained by local agency KTLA, the minors were aged between 13 and 17, though this hasnt been confirmed in the FBI statement. Officials announced one suspect accused of human trafficking was taken into custody on federal charges. The agency has since opened multiple investigations. Some of the recovered victims were arrested as well for allegedly being involved in violating probation, robbery, among other misdemeanors. One child was also the victim of a noncustodial parental kidnapping. Johnson said the FBI considers minors who get engaged in commercial sex trafficking as victims while comparing human trafficking as modern-day slavery. The FBI considers human trafficking modern day slavery and the minors engaged in commercial sex trafficking are considered victims, the assistant FBI director said. While this operation surged resources over a limited period of time with great success, the FBI and our partners investigate child sex trafficking every day of the year and around the clock. Michel Moore, the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, stressed that human trafficking is a threat to our youth, calling it a pervasive and insidious crime. Human trafficking is a pervasive and insidious crime that threatens the safety of our young people, who are the future of our communities, Moore said. We can only begin to take back the future of our youth with the strong partnerships forged between outstanding service providers and law enforcement. The FBI says the caseload for both sex and labor trafficking-related crimes has seen a surge in the last several years. The agency said it is working on more than 1,800 pending investigations as of November 2020, including cases involving minors. Last year, 664 human trafficking investigations were conducted nationwide, which resulted in 473 traffickers being arrested. In another large human trafficking operation earlier this month, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office (HCSO) announced on Jan. 11which is National Human Trafficking Awareness Daya month-long undercover sting in Florida resulted in 71 arrests. Photo of arrested people over a human trafficking sting in Florida, announced Jan. 11, 2021. (Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office) Photo of arrested people over a human trafficking sting in Florida, announced Jan. 11, 2021. (Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office) Photo of arrested people over a human trafficking sting in Florida, announced Jan. 11, 2021. (Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office) Photo of arrested people over a human trafficking sting in Florida, announced Jan. 11, 2021. (Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office) The operation, known as Operation Interception, was created to combat human trafficking leading up to the Super Bowl coming to Tampa in February 2021, HCSO Sheriff Chad Chronister told reporters during a press briefing. From Dec. 7, 2020, through Jan. 9, 2021, undercover detectives posted advertisements online offering to meet up for sex. Female detectives also posed as sex workers. All 71 suspects are male, and are aged between 20 and 62, the sheriff said. Those arrested include active-duty military members, a firefighter, a Christian schoolteacher, a banker, construction workers, local business owners, and two registered sex offenders. Former President Donald Trump has made fighting human trafficking a top priority of his administration since the day he entered office. He signed an executive order in January 2020 focused on eliminating human trafficking and online child exploitation in the United States, which requires resources to be directed in ways that would result in the prosecution of offenders, assist victims, and expand prevention education programs. Isabel van Brugen contributed to this report. Russias Multi-polar world magazine has run an article by journalist Pavel Vinogradov highlighting the context and significance of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. browser not support iframe. The article underlined that decisions and resolutions from the congress will have a major impact on the nearly 100-million-strong country, which is developing dynamically along the socialist direction. The journalist expressed his belief that the upcoming 13th National Party Congress will create a strong impetus for Vietnams development towards modernisation, including growth in high technology. The newswire aseantoday.com has said amid global and regional crises sparked by COVID-19, natural disasters and geopolitical changes, Vietnam has continued to show marked successes in the fight against the pandemic and in economic growth, mainly due to strong political will and drastic measures by the Government and citizens. In an article published on January 21, the author said the countrys upcoming change in leadership, after the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), will bring further new developments. In another continent, leading and prestigious newspapers in Algeria also run articles in recent weeks on the 13th National Party Congress in Vietnam. VNA Foreign media highlights RCEP signing, praises Vietnam's ASEAN chairmanship Foreign media outlets have run various headlines on the signing of the worlds largest trade deal the RCEP, with ASEAN at the centre during the groupings summit virtually hosted by Vietnam as ASEAN 2020 Chair last week. Indian and Chinese militaries will hold a ninth round of talks aimed at resolving the border disputes in Eastern Ladakh after a deadlock prevailed since the last negotiations in November 2020, sources said. The latest "Corps Commander level meet is likely to take place in the next few days, probably in a day or two", the sources, adding contours of the dialogue were being worked out and some changes are expected. A Ministry of External Affairs representative is likely to be part of the dialogue. The eight round had taken place on November 6, 2020. Though the talks ended in a deadlock, both countries agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and also to take forward the discussions, push for the settlement of other outstanding issues, so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Earlier this month, Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane had said that the force is ready for a long haul along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), while hoping for an amicable solution in its nine-month-long conflict with the Chinese People's Liberation Army. "We are prepared to hold our ground where we are for as long as it takes to achieve our national goals and interest," he had said. On August 30, 2020, India had occupied critical mountain heights on the southern bank of the Pangong Lake like Rechin La, Rezang La, Mukpari, and Tabletop that were unmanned till now. India has also made some deployments near Blacktop also after the Chinese tried to make a provocative military move. Now, dominance at these 13 peaks allow India to dominate Spangur Gap under the Chinese control and also the Moldo garrison on the Chinese side. People protest outside the Tendercare Living Centre long-term-care facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in Scarborough, Ont., on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. This LTC home has been hit hard by the coronavirus during the second wave. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette A video of an Ontario woman whose grandparents are in a long-term care home has gone viral, as she shares a heartbreaking plea for the government to take more action. In the video, a woman who identifies herself as Natasha says that it has been three months since her loved one received a shower. She calls out Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Long-Term Care Dr. Merrilee Fullerton to intervene, as what she has experienced via her family members is unacceptable. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. In a follow-up video, she says her mother has asked her to share a letter, and reads that aloud. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The videos are two of dozens that have been shared on social media this month, in an effort to draw attention to the conditions of Ontarios long-term care homes. The hashtag #STOPTHESENICIDE was recently launched to raise awareness of the appalling conditions and lack of dignity that patients in care homes are facing, as COVID-19 continues to spread, particularly to the most vulnerable. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Maureen McDermott is the organizer of Voices of LTC, which is demanding change and raising awareness of the conditions in long term care in Ontario. While theyve organized various protests outside care homes across Ontario, which have been attended by the likes of federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, she decided to take the action online in light of the new lockdown measures. And while people have been using social media to vent their frustrations about the treatment of loved ones, it felt like it was falling on deaf ears. The shocking stories about the conditions in long term care during the pandemic continued. We thought instead of highlighting what we need changed, lets just show why we need it changed and whats happening behind the walls, to the families, the emotional heartache, she tells Yahoo Canada. ALSO READ: Ontario long-term care homes under fire for meals fed to residents Loved ones who have gone months without being bathed and residents having to bang on the wall to get the attention of staff are just some of the anecdotes being shared on social media with the hashtag. McDermott has experienced the nightmare first hand with her elderly mother Elsie, who suffers from various illnesses including Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia and Alzeheimers. Since the pandemic, McDermott has had to navigate being separated from her mother for months and hasnt received clear information about her wellbeing. Story continues The group of activists are demanding that more help is sent in immediately, including the military. McDermott stresses they arent calling for the Red Cross, as they arent trained medical professionals, though she admits they could be useful to comfort residents by keeping them company. The group would also like to see a similar model used in Quebec, with the funding Ontario has received from the federal government. Hire thousands of staff, pay them $21 an hour to train and then when theyre employed, pay them $26 an hour, she says. Thats what Quebec did this summer in preparation for the second wave. Our government did very little to prepare for it. McDermott also wants to see meaningful inspections from the Ministry of Long Term Care. She alleges that current inspections are planned in advance rather than by surprise. Through those inspections, shed like to see licenses revoked at facilities that arent following proper protocol. The inspections need to mean something, she says. Ive made complaints to the ministry and Ive been hung up on on their complaint line. In the long term, McDermott wants to see a shift from a for-profit system. Shed also like to see the enactment of Bill 203, the More Than A Visitor Act, which was presented to parliament by MPP Lisa Gretzky. The bill proposes that the Minister respect and promote certain rights for persons receiving care, support or services in congregate care settings and their designated caregivers. Its currently on its second reading, though the legislature isnt expected to reopen until mid-February. They need to get back to work, says McDermott. It is an absolute humanitarian crisis. Put pen to paper and push through the bill so we can have meaningful access to our loved ones before were planning their funerals. The Ministry of Long Term Care has yet to respond to a request for comment. As soon as I stepped off the tour bus the tears appeared. The other Aussies and Brits started to cry. The Turkish tour guide looked teary while the Americans looked solemn but puzzled. Was there a war here? one asked in hushed tones. Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, Turkey. Credit:AP I have never felt more patriotic than during that visit to Anzac Cove. The little beach fringed by the low sandstone wall, the schoolbook history of the failed Anzac campaign suddenly alive and overwhelming, the pride in Australia and Turkey as two enemies that became friends. I have never felt the same rush on Australia Day, except as a kid during the Bicentenary in 1988, when the final white chrysanthemum firework exploded across the entire sky, foreshadowing a future full of potential. Three decades later, have we fulfilled that potential? This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Lloyd Austin's first call after being confirmed as defense secretary on Friday went to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the retired general announced on Twitter. Why it matters: Former President Trump took office four years ago questioning NATO's relevance and value to the United States. President Biden and his team are sending just the opposite signal, with Austin emphasizing America's "steadfast commitment" to the alliance and signing off with "#WeAreNATO." As soon as I stepped off the tour bus the tears appeared. The other Aussies and Brits started to cry. The Turkish tour guide looked teary while the Americans looked solemn but puzzled. Was there a war here? one asked in hushed tones. Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, Turkey. Credit:AP I have never felt more patriotic than during that visit to Anzac Cove. The little beach fringed by the low sandstone wall, the schoolbook history of the failed Anzac campaign suddenly alive and overwhelming, the pride in Australia and Turkey as two enemies that became friends. I have never felt the same rush on Australia Day, except as a kid during the Bicentenary in 1988, when the final white chrysanthemum firework exploded across the entire sky, foreshadowing a future full of potential. Three decades later, have we fulfilled that potential? First House of Sea Cliff by Florence Holub (Originally published in the Noe Valley Voice, in "Florence's Family Album - From the Ashes of 1906", April 2001) Every April, many of us dwell upon a terrible disaster (besides our tax returns): the Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906. The 65-second temblor struck our fair city in the early hours of Wednesday, April 18. The raging fire that followed left four square miles of destruction. Although my family, in Idaho at the time, had little knowledge of the event, our late friend Phoebe Brown and her family lived through the disaster and dealt with it bravely. The Brown family lived in a lovely, well-appointed home on Van Ness Avenue. After the powerful jolt struck---it was later determined to be 8.0 on the Richter Scale---the Browns' house was still standing, but listing to the rear. All its contents--the furniture, china, portraits---had been thrown to the floor and shattered. But luckily, none of the family members was harmed. Within minutes of the quake, the city's residents realized that few of the conveniences they depended on---gas, electricity, telephones, elevators, even streetcars---were working. More importantly, the water lines had been cut, so water to drink, and water to stop the fire that was devouring the wooden buildings downtown, was in short supply. Fire Chief Dennis Sullivan was unable to lead the fight against the spreading conflagration because a chimney had fallen on his bed during the quake, breaking both his legs. (His even less fortunate assistant had been killed instantly.) At Midday, the residents of Van Ness Avenue watched anxiously as the billowing flames drew closer, and Mayor Eugene Schmitz was forced to dynamite rows of Victorians to prevent the inferno from claiming the entire city. San Franciscans were given short notice to gather their most precious possessions and join the mass of humanity, carrying, pushing, and pulling what was left of their worldly goods. Phoebe Brown was just a toddler at the time, so she later said she barely remembered the quake. Her parents and two older brothers came away with much stronger impressions, however. her mother, Helen Hillyer Brown, wrote a vivid account of their experiences, intending to send it as a letter to worried friends and relatives. Helen Brown described how the family piled their belongings into a light horse carriage called a Victoria (after Queen Victoria). It seated two, with a folding top, and was strong enough to carry two loads of the Browns' household goods to higher ground. She also wrote that all of the parks (including Dolores Park in the Mission) were turned into tent cities, with both the Army and civilians acting as overseers to enforce health and safety rules. Fortunately, the weather was mild, and the people remained in good spirits. Phoebe's father, Phillip King Brown, was a physician. After he learned that his downtown medical office had gone up in flames, he took over an empty house to care for the injured, aged, and infirm victims of the quake. His wife helped to gather the names of the living, for hundreds (674, according to early reports) were either dead or missing, and 28,000 buildings were destroyed. Amazingly, the city made a rapid recovery from the devastation, and within two years, in 1908, the Brown family moved into their new home, the first residence built on the bluff at Sea Cliff, overlooking Baker Beach and the inlet to San Francisco Bay. One 25th Avenue Leo and I first visited the house about 50 years ago, when Phoebe Brown, whom he'd met while working for the San Francisco Planning Department, invited us to dinner. Phoebe loved to entertain and was a gracious hostess. I recall how we wielded the heavy oak bronze knocker on the massive oak front door. Upon entry, we were struck by the elegance of the large rooms. the bookcases were filled with leather-bound volumes, and the floors were covered with luxurious patterned carpets (like the kilims at Nomad Rugs or Artemisia on 24th Street). There were art objects from all over the world in the living room, but the one that caught my attention was a painting in an ornate gold frame over the fireplace. It was an oil that depicted a hillside of golden dried grass with a barely trodden, meandering path and a few oak trees in the background. When I told Phoebe how much I admired the tranquil scene, she happily revealed the painting's history. The landscape had been given to her father and mother as a wedding present by the artist, William Keith, who was a personal friend. The framed painting had been hanging in their sitting room that fateful day in 1906 when the order came to abandon their home on Van Ness Avenue. Transporting such a heavy, unwieldy object was out of the question, but the thought of allowing this treasure to be blown up was too painful to bear, so Mrs. Brown cut the canvas out of the frame, rolled it into a tube, and tucked it under her arm, saving it for posterity. William Keith, born in Scotland in 1839 (he died in 1911), was an extremely popular and prolific painter in California. He often went on mountain trips with his friend, the naturalist John Muir. Muir used to chide his artist friend about taking liberties with Mother Nature, because Keith felt obliged to move or omit a tree in order to improve the composition of his paintings. You can find William Keith's work in most California museums. In fact, I made a point of taking one last look at his painting of a glorious sunset shining through a stand of oak trees, before the de Young Museum closed for retrofitting last December. Though she never married, Phoebe Brown attained great stature as an architect and lived a rich, full life. She was active in so many causes that photographer Ansel Adams once noted that whenever there was some important civic or environmental issue pending you would find Phoebe Brown in the middle of it and on the right side! Throughout her bust life, various friends and relatives asked for copies of her mother's earthquake account, which she provided in handwritten form. This chore became so time-consuming that she finally decided to produce it in type. In 1956, she engaged my man Leo to design and print The Great San Francisco Fire, by Helen Hillyer Brown, on his printing press in our basement. It was so well received that a second printing, in 1976, was done by our son Eric, at his print shop on Mission Street near 30th. The book is now "out of print" and sadly Phoebe is no longer with us to order another edition. She died in 1990 at the age of 86. With her going, the Brown home was sold to a man from the East Coast, then resold to a couple who have established deep roots in our city, none other than San Francisco Chronicle editor Phil Bronstein and his wife, actress Sharon Stone. (You will not be able to recognize the house today using the old photograph shown on this page, because other large homes of distinction have sprung up all around it.) Nevertheless, I'll always think of the house as Phoebe and her family's refuge and reward after surviving the Great Quake of 1906. Image: One 25th Avenue in 1908 by Phoebe H. Brown, courtesy of Leo and Florence Holub. The fourth National Party Congress held from December 14-20, 1976, reviewed the resistance war against the US imperialists for national salvation, and guiding the nation towards socialism. VNP/ VNA The First Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam took place from March 27-31, 1935, marking the restoration of party organisations from the central to local levels, from home to abroad and at the same time unifying revolutionary movements. Call for a Special Presidential Com: CoI on political victimisation By Ranjith Padmasiri View(s): View(s): The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into Political Victimisation has suggested the establishment of a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry to make recommendations to Parliament on imposing punishment on former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and 21 others for violating the Constitution. The CoI has determined that the individuals in question had violated the Constitution in their role in establishing the Anti-Corruption Committee and Anti-Corruption Secretariat which functioned under the Yahapalana Government. Among those named by the Committee as having violated the Constitution include Mangala Samaraweera, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rauff Hakeem, Sarath Fonseka, R. Sampanthan, M.A. Sumanthiran, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, J.C. Weliamuna, Malik Samarawickrama, Dr Jayampathy Wickramaratne and former Prime Minister Wickremesinghes Secretary Saman Ekanayake. The Committee has recommended that the new Presidential Commission be appointed to make recommendations to Parliament on the punishments that should be given to the individuals as Sri Lanka does not have a Constitutional Court. In addition to violations of the Constitution, the CoI has also found that these individuals had also misused public property through the Anti-Corruption Committee and the Anti-Corruption Secretariat. The CoI noted in its final report that though the Anti-Corruption Committee had been registered as a Non-Governmental Organization, it had been allowed to host meetings at Temple Trees using state funds. The CoI has found that these meetings resulted in the misappropriation of Rs 33.7 million in state funds that had been allocated to the PMs office. Meanwhile, the CoI has also found that employees at the Anti-Corruption Commission had been paid using state funds. The CoI has completed investigations into 97 complaints and has recommended that individuals in many of these cases be granted relief by the state as they had been politically victimized. These individuals include Udaya Gammanpila, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Nalaka Godahewa, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, Rohitha Bogollagama, Udayanga Weeratunga, Wasantha Karannagoda and Jagath Wijeweera. The three-member CoI was headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne. The other two members were retired Court of Appeal Judge Chandrasiri Jayathilake and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandra Fernando. President Joe Bidens inauguration and subsequent celebration may have featured major celebrities, but we all know who the real star of the show was: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The meme-able senator from Vermont attended the inauguration bundled up in a parka, wearing mittens handmade for him by a supporter and bearing a large envelope. An image of him sitting on a folding chair and looking rather grumpy (although he was probably just cold) quickly overtook the internet. New Yorkers wasted no time photoshopping the Brooklyn native all over the city. The subway? He was there wearing his mittens. Chess in Washington Square Park? Hes got his game face on. Zabars? Where else should he be waiting for his bagel and lox? But for the rest of the weeks non-meme related news, I am once again asking for you to keep reading. Biden makes it official After months of former President Donald Trump questioning the results of the 2020 election, President Joe Biden was sworn into office along with Vice President Kamala Harris. He immediately signed a number of executive orders that undid several Trump actions, including rescinding the travel ban on majority Muslim countries and rejoining the Paris Agreement. On the same day, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer officially became the new majority leader, taking over from Sen. Mitch McConnell after three new Democratic senators were sworn in. Schumer now leads a Senate split 50-50, where Harris will act as the tie-breaking vote. Cuomo offers dueling budget proposals A day before the inauguration, Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out his executive budget proposal or rather, he offered two alternatives depending on the amount of federal aid the state receives from Congress. Cuomo is pressuring the Biden administration and Congress to deliver $15 billion to New York to close its budget gap. He even vaguely threatened a lawsuit over inadequate aid, which officials later said referred to ongoing litigation over the federal cap on state and local tax deductions. With that money, Cuomo said he could not only avoid budget cuts, but use it to invest in a variety of policy proposals, including providing low-cost broadband to undercovered areas of the state. But Cuomo also proposed an alternative if the state only receives $6 billion, which he considered to be a worst-case scenario. Under that plan, the state would slash $2 billion in education funding, $600 million from Medicaid and $900 million in other across-the-board cuts. Cuomo proposed a temporary tax hike on the states wealthiest residents, although only if New York doesnt get that $15 billion. Although it seemed like a shift for the governor who resisted state lawmakers and legislative leaders calls to tax the rich, the proposed surcharge would only last a few years and even be reimbursable. New York is running out of vaccines Although the Biden administration is giving New York officials hope with regard to a better coordinated federal response to the coronavirus pandemic, current vaccine supply issues are causing the state major headaches. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio warned that the city would run out of vaccines before a new shipment arrives and canceled over 20,000 appointments due to the growing scarcity. Erie County officials also canceled thousands of appointments. At least part of the problem can be traced back to the state receiving tens of thousands fewer doses than it expected from the federal government in the past week, which meant it could distribute fewer doses than expected around the state. Cuomo wrote a letter to vaccine producer Pfizer asking to buy doses directly from the company, but the Biden administration does not support the idea. Cuomo warned that the state is also about to run out of vaccines and said that vaccination efforts will need to be handled on a week-to-week basis due to the supply problems. Hunts Point works strike Workers at the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx which handles the majority of New York Citys produce have been on strike since Jan. 17 after contract negotiations fell apart. The workers, who are members of Teamsters Local 202, are asking for a $1 raise and improved health benefits, which the market owners have not agreed to. The owners said the fiscal impact of the pandemic made the demands impossible to meet. But the striking workers argued that they deserve a wage increase after risking their health to keep New York City fed. The strike has attracted a number of different lawmakers who joined strikers in solidarity, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. At a time of year when the weather is unsettled and half of Spain is freezing cold, what could be better than wrapping yourself up in a bit of urban art? Two businesswomen from the Soho district of Malaga, tired of seeing nothing in the way of decoration but graffiti, decided to crochet covers for the orange trees which line the streets of the area. "Well, this is supposed to be the arts district, so we thought we would draw attention to that fact," they say. And so they set about 'yarn bombing' Soho to attract new visitors. Estrella Zurita and Estrella Malet, who are mother and daughter, own the Lock And Relax left luggage business, and they had time on their hands because there are so few tourists in the city nowadays. What began as a mother's hobby, something to do to pass the time, has become an initiative that is highly appreciated by other business owners and residents of the district. "We wanted to cheer things up a bit," they say. The wraps are strikingly colourful and cover practically the whole trunk of the orange trees. / Salvador Salas Their aim was to decorate all 29 trees in the district, starting in Casas de Campos, the street in which their business is located, and they have almost completed the project. The younger Estrella says all the designs are different and they are all hand-crocheted. The patterns are simple but colourful and are certainly eye-catching. The idea is for them to remain in place until at least the spring. "The orange trees were looking very sad and a bit neglected," say these ladies, and as their idea has had such a positive response they have now decided to repeat it but with different designs whenever there is an important event in the Soho district, such as the Goya award ceremony which is due to take place in March. They are sure that this urban art will attract more visitors and will therefore help to boost business in local bars and shops when the pandemic is over. They are not seeking to make money out of the project. The Soho Malaga business association has paid for the materials, and this mother and daughter team receive no payment for their many hours of crochet work. An international movement The yarn bombing movement began several years ago, and in America a group called Yarn Bombing Los Angeles has been decorating their city in this way since 2010. One attraction of crochet is that it can be used in many different ways, including on trees, walls and buildings. In Spain, there are several yarn bombing groups in cities such as Barcelona, Zaragoza, La Coruna and Valencia, and similar initiatives have taken place on the Costa del Sol and other parts of Andalucia. Unlike graffiti, these crochet decorations leave no lasting mark and have no negative effects. However, when Estrella and her daughter began, they had no idea that yarn bombing was so popular. "We decided to do it after a girl from a photography college showed us some photos, and we thought how nice it would be to do something like that," they say. Once they started, they liked the effect so much that they are happy to continue to brighten up their local area as well as people's lives. The celebration of the World Day for African and Afro-descendant Culture kicked off in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum today, the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported. Held under the slogan "I am Sudanese - I am African," the two-day celebrations are organized by the National Union for Folklore of Sudan. The celebrations held in one of Khartoum's parks includes folkloric arts exhibition, showcase of books, designs and traditional industries that express African culture. Sudan's event is aligned with World Day for African and Afro-descendant Culture, established by UNESCO in 2019 and held every year on 24 January. The celebrations aim at highlighting African cultures to the continent and diaspora. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Short link: This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions At the end of another long stint in the Galle furnace, England were taking comfort in old truths and fighting the urge to fret about new ones. While James Anderson and Joe Root underlined their claims to greatness on the second day of the second Test, not everyone was preparing for next months four-match series in India quite so adeptly. On the evidence of six and a bit days Test cricket in Sri Lanka, Englands problem is twofold: their openers are struggling to bat against spin, and their spinners are struggling to bowl it. Joe Root passed 50 as the England captain led the rebuild after the loss of two early wickets England lost openers Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley in a nightmare response to Sri Lanka's 381 James Anderson took six fine wickets as Sri Lanka battled against England in the second Test There is time for improvement, of course, and winter tours tend to throw up an unexpected hero or two. But another pair of failures for openers Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley, who between them have been dismissed in single figures six times out of six by left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, does not bode well. Of equal concern was the fact that all 10 Sri Lankan wickets fell to the seamers, leaving Jack Leach and Dom Bess with a combined analysis of 64-7-195-0. By contrast, seven overs and one ball into Englands reply to 381, Embuldeniya had figures of 3.1-3-0-2. At stumps, with Root sweeping as expertly and relentlessly as he did during his double-hundred in the first Test, England had at least recovered to 98 for two. He had a sparkling 67 from 77 balls, and dominated a stand with Jonny Bairstow, who survived a convincing lbw shout from off-spinner Dilruwan Perera on 23. But there is work ahead if the tourists are to translate last weeks victory into a series win. Earlier, Anderson had turned his overnight three for 24 heroic enough in these conditions into a magnificent six for 40 from 29 world-class overs. There are some who still bleat about his record away from home. They can be safely ignored. Typically, Anderson began with the wicket England craved: Angelo Mathews caught behind for 110 in the mornings second over after Root did well to ask for a review. Later, he had wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella caught at wide mid-off by Leach for a fighting 92, and immediately added Suranga Lakmal for a duck. It all added up to the best figures by an England seamer in Asia for more than 30 years, going back to Ian Bothams seven for 48 in the Golden Jubilee Test against India at Bombay in 1979-80. And it was Andersons 30th Test haul of five or more, passing Australias Glenn McGrath. There were times, though, when Englands plans seemed to amount to little more than throwing their attack leader the ball at the start of each session, and hoping for the best. Zak Crawley was forced to walk after pushing weakly at Lasith Embuldeniya superb delivery Captain Joe Root helped steady the tourists and soon raced to 38 from 46 balls with aplomb Mark Wood plugged away to finish with three for 84, and Sam Curran burgled the final wicket. But England must be tempted to play both Anderson and Stuart Broad in the first Test at Chennai on February 5. Their combined analysis in this series is 55-27-74-9. As for their combined age of 72, who frankly cares? With Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer set to return for the India series, that risks leaving England with a surfeit of seam. But it is plainly their strength right now, even on the subcontinent, and they could still play two spinners without weakening the batting if they replace Bess with Moeen Ali. Besss cheap five-for on the opening day of the series has looked increasingly like the aberration it seemed at the time. Two maidens in 26 wicketless overs here summed up the malaise: a lack of control. Leach, who can plea rustiness after health and selection issues in 2020, was little better, but he worked hard for his second-innings five-for last week, and his left-arm spin ought to be more dangerous against an Indian top five made up of right-handers. Even so, Root will need more from him than none for 119. Three times in the Sri Lanka innings, England felt one wicket away from taking control: at seven for two, then 76 for three, and finally 243 for six. Instead, their attack simply didnt have enough wicket-takers. The last time they played at Chennai, in late 2016, they conceded the biggest total in their history 759 for seven. More toil will lie in store if nothing changes. And what of Englands openers? In the first Test, Embuldeniya had Sibley caught at slip for four, then bowled him playing no shot for two. Here, he trapped him leg-before for a duck as Sibley stayed back an error compounded by wasting a review. Crawley has looked all at sea as well, winkled out for nine, eight and five. Unless Sibley scores runs in the second innings, it is hard to see how England avoid replacing him in Chennai with Rory Burns, back from paternity leave. Crawley is another matter, since he keeps being moved around the order, and deserves a chance to prove that his momentous 267 against Pakistan in August was more than a one-off. Mark Wood had also struck for England with debutant Ramesh Mendis clipping to Jos Buttler Wood celebrated wildly after his sharp delivery at Lasith Embuldeniya was hooked to Joe Root And what of Englands openers? In the first Test, Embuldeniya had Sibley caught at slip for four, then bowled him playing no shot for two. Here, he trapped him leg-before for a duck as Sibley stayed back an error compounded by wasting a review. Crawley has looked all at sea as well, winkled out for nine, eight and five. Unless Sibley scores runs in the second innings, it is hard to see how England avoid replacing him in Chennai with Rory Burns, back from paternity leave. Crawley is another matter, since he keeps being moved around the order, and deserves a chance to prove that his momentous 267 against Pakistan in August was more than a one-off. But England have already decided that Bairstow, among their best players of spin, will miss the first two Tests against India as part of their rest and rotation policy, leaving them with precious few top-order options. Niroshan Dickwella raises his bat after reaching a fine half-century but was caught out for 92 Dickwella and Dilruwan Perera helped steady Sri Lanka with the hosts reaching a useful score But England have already decided that Bairstow, among their best players of spin, will miss the first two Tests against India as part of their rest and rotation policy, leaving them with precious few top-order options. As if oblivious to it all, Root spent the second evening of this game batting like an old master, and even overtaking one, too: while hitting three fours in an over from Embuldeniya, he moved past Geoff Boycotts Test tally of 8,114 runs and became Englands sixth-highest runscorer, not to mention their leading Yorkshireman. One of the fours, a distinctly un-Boycottian reverse sweep as stumps approached, said everything about Roots determination to take the fight back to Sri Lankas spinners, and Embuldeniya in particular. By the close, though, Englands path to salvation seemed to have narrowed to one man. At some point, Root will not be able to do everything by himself. Australians who forget to 'check out' of venues may be unwillingly setting themselves up for 14 days of isolation. From the start of the year, all businesses in New South Wales have made it mandatory for customers to 'check in' via a QR code and register their details with the venue upon arrival. But the large majority of residents are often forgetting to then hit 'check out' when they leave the premises, meaning that on the Service NSW app they have been in the venue for an extended period of time. If a positive Covid-19 case visits the same business, those who were also there but didn't specify what time they left may then have to isolate for two weeks to ensure they don't spread the virus. From the start of the year, all businesses in New South Wales have made it mandatory for customers to 'check in' upon arriving at a venue but many are forgetting to 'check out' (Sydney shopper checks into business) Residents are encouraged to check in and out of venues so contact tracers can specify exactly what time any positive cases had attended the business The 'check out' feature was added in November last year to help health authorities narrow down the exact time venues may have been exposed to Covid-19. According to the NSW Health website, 'checking out' is optional but is strongly encouraged. 'When leaving the business location, you're encouraged to "check out now" using the Covid Safe Check-in tool in the Service NSW app. Checking out is optional but does help with contact tracing,' the website says. Only around 35 per cent of NSW residents have reportedly been checking out of venues. It comes as the state recorded its sixth day with no local cases on Saturday. Victoria relaxed its border closures to Sydney at 6pm on Friday, with just one LGA - Cumberland in Sydney's west - still classed as a red zone. With the exception of the Blue Mountains and Wollongong, the rest of regional NSW will now be a designated green zone. According to the NSW Health website, 'checking out' is optional but is strongly encouraged (woman wears a mask while using her phone in Sydney) Durban, Jan 23 : South Africa produced a fighting performance with the ball to edge out Pakistan women by 14 runs in a nail-biting second One-Day International (ODI) at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium here on Saturday to earn an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Marizanne Kapp scored her ninth ODI half-century and took three wickets to help the Proteas beat Pakistan and jolt their Black Day ODI on a positive note in what promises to be a thrilling marque event for the side. Pakistan captain Javeria Khan won the toss and elected to field and South African batters reacted with a score of 252/7, with Kapp sparkling with a well-played 68 off 45 balls. The other Proteas batters managed to get starts, however, failed to convert after a reasonable start for the openers who managed a partnership of 52 runs. Laura Wolvaardt was the first to fall cheaply for 27 off 34 balls with a run out after a miscommunication with her opening partner Lizelle Lee. The third wicket partnership of Lara Goodall and Lee managed to add 37 until Lee was caught behind off the bowling of Sadia Iqbal. After Lee's dismissal, Goodall and Sune Luus went on a rebuilding mission and they put together a partnership of 52 that left a foundation for the resolute Kapp. The all-rounder arrived at the crease with the score on 141/4 after 34 overs and was instrumental in the Proteas posting an imposing 252/7 batting first on a rather slow Kingsmead wicket. Pakistan Women could only muster 239/8 with the duo of Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz with a record fifth wicket stand of 111 runs. Unfortunately for the visitors the stand between Dar and Riaz was not enough to secure victory as the hosts fought back with the ball. Ayabonga Khaka made a welcome return as she was the standout bowler with figures of 4/43 while Kapp came through with the ball as she picked key three wickets. Apart from the middle order duo with the record stand and Omaima Sohail (41 off 33), no other batter was able to convert their knocks for the visitors. The hosts will take more positives from their two games given this was their fifth consecutive win and will want to continue on that winning streak. Pakistan on the other hand will be aware they have plenty of work to do in the 50-over format after being surpassed by the Proteas outfit missing captain Dane van Niekerk and Chloe Tryon. The last ODI match of the series will be played on Tuesday. House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy has tried to further walk back his comments blaming former President Trump for the violent riot on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of his supporters on January 6. In an interview with Gray Television's Greta Van Susteren airing on Sunday, McCarthy claims that 'everybody across this country has some responsibility' for inciting the riot. McCarthy had previously stated in a floor speech last week that he believed Trump 'bears responsibility' for the violence that resulted in the death of five people, including a Capitol police officer. In the same interview with Van Susteren, McCarthy also spoke out about efforts to move impeachment articles against newly inaugurated President Biden. The Californian Republican revealed he spoke to freshman Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and told her that he disagreed with her actions. House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy told Gray Television's Greta Van Susteren that he believed 'everybody across this country has some responsibility' for the January 6 riot He has previously said that Trump bears responsibility for inciting the storming of the U.S. capitol through his claims of voter fraud. Pictured, Trump speaks to the crowd ahead of the riot Yet McCarthy now claims that those who broke into Capitol buildings, as pictured above, were encouraged to do so not only by Trump. He claimed that law enforcement who didn't prepare for the attack and Democrats who are rude to Trump on social media also hold responsibility However, he added that she had the right to pursue impeachment if she wished. 'I called her. I disagree with that. That's exactly what the Democrats did with President Trump, and why we disagreed with when they wanted to come after him for purely political reasons,' McCarthy said. 'I think Republicans are better than that. That this is one of the arguments we used against the Democrats, and I don't think we should use it either.' 'She has a right to, as an elected member of Congress to submit those,' he added. 'I just don't think the timing and the case is right at this time, in this moment.' Greene claimed on Thursday that she had filed articles of impeachment against Biden on the first full day of his administration. She did not reveal the text of the articles and what she gave as cause for believing he should be impeached but hinted at an abuse of power while he served as Obama's Vice President. The Georgia lawmaker claimed Biden had allowed his son Hunter to serve on the board of a Ukrainian energy company and make money from the fact that his father was Vice President by swaying his opinion on policy making related to Ukraine. 'President Joe Biden is unfit to hold the office of the presidency. His pattern of abuse of power as President Obama's Vice President is lengthy and disturbing,' Greene said in a statement. 'President Biden has demonstrated that he will do whatever it takes to bail out his son, Hunter, and line his family's pockets with cash from corrupt foreign energy companies.' Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed this week she has filed articles of impeachment against Joe Biden but McCarthy has said he disagrees with her decision Greene claimed Biden abused power as the timeline for Trump's impeachment became clear 'I filed Articles of Impeachment on Joe Biden yesterday for abuse of power,' she added in a tweet Friday, as she shared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's comment that articles of impeachment for Trump will be delivered to the Senate on Monday. 'Biden has a history of corruption and abusing his elected position of power in order to help his son Hunter with deals with foreign country's energy companies like in Ukraine and China.' Biden has continuously denied that Hunter's business dealings in the Ukraine ever swayed his policy making and a probe by Senate Republicans found no evidence of wrongdoing on his behalf or by his son. It comes as Greene continues to make a controversial entrance to her new role on Capitol Hill, showing defiance against mask wearing and continuing to promote baseless claims that Biden did not win the election due to widespread voter fraud. She wears a mask reading 'Stop the Steal', referencing the unfounded allegations, as she carries out her tasks as a congresswoman. She attracted national headlines during her campaign for her outspoken comments on the QAnon conspiracy theories, that some supporters are now abandoning after Biden's win failed to line up with its outlandish claims. McCarthy had said on the House floor Trump 'bears responsibility' for the riot, pictured Yet since, he has twice tried to walk back the comments. McCarthy voted against the articles of impeachment that accuse Trump of inciting an insurrection. Pictured, the MAGA riot The riot on the Capitol came just after Trump spoke to thousands of his supporters at a 'Stop the Steal' Rally nearby, urging them to fight against the result. It delayed Congress for six hours from certifying the Electoral College for Joe Biden. As a result, Trump became the first U.S. President to be impeached for the second time after a House vote last week found that he incited an insurrection. House Minority Leader McCarthy had initially stood by suggestions that Trump was guilty of causing the violence. 'The President bears responsibility for Wednesday's attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding,' he said on the House floor. Yet his interview with Van Susteren was the second attempt in the past week to try and make a U-turn on the comments. While saying that some of the fault still lays with Trump, McCarthy claimed that the former president was not the only one to blame. 'No, I have not changed in that,' he said of his opinion on Trump's responsibility. 'I think this is what we have to get to the bottom of, and when you start talking about who has responsibilities, I think there's going to be a lot more questions, a lot more answers we have to have in the coming future,' he added, claiming that law enforcement authorities who didn't prepare for the attack and Democrats who are rude to Trump on social media also hold responsibility. On Thursday, McCarthy, who voted against impeachment, had also told reporters that he now did not believe Trump was guilty of inciting the crowds to move against the Capitol. 'I don't believe he provoked, if you listen to what he said at the rally,' McCarthy said at a press conference. McCarthy's comments stand in contrast to those of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who said on Wednesday that the Capitol mob had been 'fed lies' about the election result. 'They were provoked by the president and other powerful people, and they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the federal government which they did not like,' he added. Yet McCarthy has stood in support of GOP lawmakers who voted for impeachment, even after he voted against. He voiced his support for Representative Liz Cheney on Thursday after a petition began to circulate calling for her removal as GOP conference chairwoman for supporting the impeachment articles. The impeachment trial has now been delayed with arguments scheduled to start on February 9. Jammu: The Border Security Force on Saturday busted a terrorist hideout and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, the security forces received specific inputs about the presence of a terrorist hideout in a forested area in Mandi. A joint team of the Border Security Force, J&K police and the Indian Army carried out an operation during which the hideout was busted and a large quantum of arms and ammunition was recovered. According to the BSF officials, one AK-47 rifle, three AK-magazines, 82 AK rounds, three Chinese pistols, five pistol magazines, 33 rounds of pistol ammunition, four hand grenades and one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) were recovered during the joint operation. Searches were undergoing in the area. In another development, the BSF today detected yet another underground tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. A spokesperson of the border force said, that the tunnel was constructed by Pakistan along the International Border (IB) to facilitate the infiltration of terrorists into the J&K region. The tunnel was discovered during an anti-tunneling operation at the border outpost in Pansar area of Hiranagar sector. In a press statement, the BSF said, "On specific intelligence inputs BSF detects another tunnel in the area of Pansar, Jammu in the series of anti tunneling drive in the wee hours of today (Saturday). The tunnel has been detected between BP number 14 and 15 . Pakistan BOPs are Abhiyal Dogra and Kingre-de-kothe (Distt Sakargarh). The tunnel is approx 150 Mtrs long and 30 Ft deep." Notably, during the past 10 days, two underground tunnels have been detected by BSF personnel in Hiranagar sector. Live TV Faced with data showing that federal jury pools in the New Orleans area steeply underrepresent its Black population, the judges of the Eastern District of Louisiana last month changed their rules for gathering those names for the first time in seven years. The court dispensed with its reliance on voter registration data as the only source for its juror lists. The new rules allow the clerk to pull names from drivers license records as well. Another change calls for swapping out the court's master jury wheel every two years, rather than four. The wheel is a grouping of 60,000 people from the district that the clerk has deemed qualified to serve on a jury. U.S. Supreme Court abolishes split jury verdicts in Louisiana case; dozens of convictions voided The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that juries across the nation must be unanimous to convict or acquit a criminal defendant, outlawing th But an attorney for a New Orleans man accused of a murder-for-hire plot argues that those changes, while promising, cant excuse the court's failure for years to assemble juror lists that reasonably reflect the community. Appellate lawyer Richard Bourke is asking a federal judge to toss the 2017 indictment against Louis Age Jr., based on jury race data that court officials in each of 94 federal districts across the U.S. are required to track by law. Similar challenges in other courts have mostly failed, though Bourke who has filed similar challenges in several Louisiana state courts argues that the New Orleans district stands apart in its failures. Among the 40 courts that responded to his data requests, the 13-parish Eastern District ranked worst in the racial bias found in its current wheel of 60,000 qualified jurors, he wrote Monday in a legal filing. The district stretches from Tangipahoa and Washington parishes south to Terrebonne, Lafourche and Plaquemines parishes; and from St. Bernard Parish west to Assumption Parish. The population is 64% White and 31% Black. The jury wheel, created four years ago, is only 19% Black, the data show. White jurors make up that 12-point gap the largest absolute disparity in any of the 40 districts, according to Bourke. The figures mean Black people are under-represented by more than a third in the jury wheel, also the biggest relative disparity among districts with significant Black populations, he found. Jarvis DeBerry: Fairness in unanimous jury cases won't come without pain Margaret Washington said recently that she wishes she could have listened in as an Orleans Parish jury decided in 2015 the fate of the two men The district consistently and predictably underrepresents black jurors more than any other district in the country for which data is available, he wrote. The data show Louisianas Middle District, based in Baton Rouge, also recorded significant racial disparities, though not as glaring as in New Orleans. The middle districts population is 34.5% Black; its jury wheel is 26.7% Black, the court found. The states third federal district, the Lafayette-based Western District, was among 37 that ignored Bourkes data requests over a year, he said. He added that three districts refused outright to provide data, while 14 others said they are preparing responses. A lack of diversity in jury pools is hardly unique to Louisiana or the South. A 1968 law, the Jury Selection and Service Act, aimed to address it, spelling out a defendants right to a jury chosen from a fair cross-section of the community in the district or division wherein the court convenes. But courts nationally have struggled to achieve it. Experts point to struggles delivering juror questionnaires or summonses to poor people, who tend to move more frequently. Some studies have shown dramatically lower response rates to juror summonses from Black residents who live in low-income ZIP codes. The exclusion of people with felony convictions from voter rolls is cited as another obstacle to diversity on jury wheels. Carol Michel, who took over the job as clerk of court for the Eastern District this month, said the changes followed a review of the districts plan by the administrative office of the U.S. court system beginning in late 2019. Michel said the court's master jury wheel was due to be emptied and refilled after the November election. An appeals court review body approved the new plan on Dec. 18. Any further response to your questions could possibly touch on issues currently being litigated, she wrote. Louisianas Middle District last changed its jury plan in 2015. It stuck with voter registration as the sole source of jurors, while swapping out jury lists every two years. The Western District updated its plan in 2019, still replacing the master jury every four years while using only voter rolls. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The 1968 law requires districts to supplement their voter registration lists when they fail to generate a representative jury wheel. Will Snowden, an advocate for jury diversity who directs the New Orleans office of the Vera Institute of Justice, argued that the court should expand its source lists further, such as with tax or utility records. +6 Bernette Johnson, Louisiana's first Black chief justice, leaves office speaking her mind As she winds down a legal career spanning half a century -- the last 26 years of it as the only Black jurist on the Louisiana Supreme Court -- When the 6th Amendment says you have the right to a jury of your peers, the government has a responsibility to ensure theyre utilizing lists that accurately summon that jury of peers, Snowden said. Casting the net is half the battle. What youre pulling in is important. Courts have set the bar high for when racial disparities in jury pools grow intolerable, while rejecting challenges in districts from Southern California to Massachusetts. But one jury expert, University of Texas at Austin law professor Jeffrey Abramson, described the race figures cited for the New Orleans district as "a real wake-up call." Abramson noted that the disparity eclipsed the 10-point spread that courts have loosely allowed as wiggle room. That kind of double-digit disparity is rare, Abramson said. This is a very telling case. If his figures bear out as he alleges, this is precisely the kind of case federal judges should be drawing attention to, he said. The court seems to be aware of these problems. This challenge sort of tells us why. But Abramson added that courts have usually required defendants to show that a disparity was the result of systematic exclusion, intentional or not. It turns out different groups respond to summonses at different rates. Sometimes courts want to see, is it really the system thats the problem? Similar concerns prompted federal courts in Illinois and Kansas to weight mailings to ZIP codes that generate the most non-responses. Panel: Here's what is often misunderstood about racism in Louisiana, the U.S. What's often misunderstood about racism in the United States is that it is not simply someone using a slur, or systemic issues that make it ha The Massachusetts district court now allows oversampling of summonses by ZIP code, according to a report last year by Connecticut researchers. Bourke applauded the New Orleans-based district for the recent changes but called it only further evidence they recognize theres a problem and they could have been doing this all along. Hes asked District Judge Barry Ashe, a nominee of President Trump, to toss the indictment against Age and four others, while downplaying the impact such a move would have. You quash the indictment, fix your jury selection method, pick a new grand jury and keep going, he argued. Now is the time to do it. Nothing can move because of COVID anyway. Trials in the district are postponed until at least March. U.S. Attorney Peter Strassers office hasnt yet responded to the motion, which could affect other pending indictments against Black defendants. Age, 71, remains in prison while he awaits trial with four others in an alleged conspiracy to kill a federal witness, Milton Womack, who was 60 when he was fatally shot as he sat in his van in Gentilly in 2012. A guitar player and grandfather of 13, Womack had just agreed to plead guilty and cooperate with the government in a $17 million Medicare billing fraud case targeting Age and others. A year later, Age was convicted in the fraud case. Hes now about halfway through a 15-year federal prison term. A trial date was set for last April in Womack's killing before the pandemic hit. Ashe may set a new trial date next week. If you took a man in their 60s, the average risk is that for every 1000 people who got infected roughly 10 would be expected to unfortunately die with the virus, Britains Dr Vallance said. With the new variant, for 1000 people infected roughly 13 or 14 people might be expected to die. So thats the sort of change for that sort of age group and you will see a similar sort of relative increase across the age groups as well. But I want to stress that theres a lot of uncertainty around these numbers and we need more work to get a precise handle on it. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson during Friday evenings Downing Street press conference. Credit:Getty Images "But it is obviously of concern that this has an increase in mortality as well as an increase in transmissibility." Australian Labors health spokesman Chris Bowen expressed concern the new variant could lead to greater disease and suffering. Mr Bowen demanded Prime Minister Scott Morrison actually work with the [state] premiers and get Australians home safely, ensure that the quarantine is strong enough for this new strain B117 and other strains which are emerging and give Australians overseas the support they deserve. Scientific paper prompted announcement The UK governments New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) asked different groups of experts to examine data about the new variant and whether it was killing more people. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine reported the strain could be 1.35 times more deadly, while scientists from Imperial College London produced a similar figure of between 1.29 and 1.36. The University of Exeter found the risk of death could 1.91 times higher. A Public Health England analysis initially found no link between the new strain and higher mortality but now also believes it has found new evidence supporting the theory. At the moment what they have said is there could be an increase in mortality, Vallance said of the different findings. But theres a lot of uncertainty and a lot more work that needs to go on. I really urge against just picking the highest number and assuming thats correct. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video NERVTAG said while there was likely an increased risk of death compared to the original virus, it should be noted that the absolute risk of death per infection remains low. Other variants could prompt UK border closure UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would not toughen lockdown measures in response to the new mortality information, but flagged extra border controls over concern about variants first detected in South Africa and Brazil. Scientists believe those two strains are no more transmissible than the UK variant but are increasingly worried they may not respond to the newly-approved vaccines. We are more concerned that they have certain features which means they might be less susceptible to vaccines, Dr Vallance said of the South African and Brazilian variants. Loading Its very difficult to compare between laboratories on this data and we need to get more clinical information to understand how much of an effect, if any, there is on the vaccine, but they are definitely of more concern than the one in the UK at the moment. Experts remain confident the UK strain will respond well to vaccines. Between 44 and 71 cases of the South African variant have already been found in the UK. There will be cases here. There will be cases all over the world of these variants, Dr Vallance said. The key thing is to identify, contact trace and try and make sure we contain. Pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and AstraZeneca have said existing products can be tweaked to respond to new variants but more resistant strains could be a problem for the millions of people who have already been given a jab. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Credit:PA In a leaked video, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told travel agents that the South African variant might reduce vaccine efficacy by about 50 per cent and risk taking the UK back to square one. We are not sure of this data so I wouldnt say this in public, Mr Hancock told the meeting. He also praised Australias border controls as a way of fighting the virus, stoking speculation Britain might block the entry of non-citizens. Mr Johnson said arrivals from South Africa had already been banned from December 24 and all other travellers must produce a negative test and self-quarantine upon arrival. I really dont rule out that we may need to take further measures still, Mr Johnson said. We may need to go further to protect our borders because we do not want, after all the effort we are going to in this country, the massive success that the NHS and others are vaccinating ... put at risk by having a new variant come back in. Asked about Mr Hancocks comments, Vallance said there was no consensus on the degree to which the South African strain could get around vaccines. It is the case that both the South African and Brazilian variants have more differences in shape, which might mean they are recognised differently by antibodies and therefore laboratory studies are suggesting a decreased binding, he said. But I think its too early to know the effect that will have on the vaccination in people. Vaccine program hits new record Nearly 5.4 million people in the UK have received their first of two jabs. A record 410,000 were vaccinated on Thursday alone. New cases and hospitalisations are falling or flatlining in most parts of the UK but deaths are still climbing. Another 1404 deaths were registered on Friday, putting the UK on course to eclipse 100,000 by early next week. MOSCOW: Police detained over 1,000 people across Russia on Saturday and used force to break up rallies around the country as tens of thousands of protesters demanded the release of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, whose wife was among those detained. Navalny had called on his supporters to protest after being arrested last weekend as he returned to Russia from Germany for the first time since being poisoned with a nerve agent he says was applied to his underpants by state security agents in August. The authorities had warned people to stay away from Saturday's protests, saying they risked catching COVID-19 as well as prosecution and possible jail time for attending an unauthorised event. But protesters defied the ban and bitter cold, and turned out in force. In central Moscow, where Reuters reporters estimated at least 40,000 people had gathered in one of the biggest unauthorised rallies for years, police were seen roughly detaining people, bundling them into nearby vans. The authorities said just some 4,000 people had shown up. Some protesters chanted "Putin is a thief", and "Disgrace" and "Freedom to Navalny!" Navalny's wife Yulia said on social media she had been detained at the rally. Navalny's mother Ludmila was also at the protest. Some of Navalny's political allies were detained in the days before the protest; others on the day itself. The OVD-Info protest monitor group said that at least 1,090 people, including 300 in Moscow and 162 in St Petersburg, had been detained across Russia, a number likely to rise. It reported arrests at rallies in nearly 70 towns and cities. Navalny, a 44-year-old lawyer, is in a Moscow prison pending the outcome of four legal matters he describes as trumped up. He accuses President Vladimir Putin of ordering his attempted murder. Putin has dismissed that, alleging Navalny is part of a U.S.-backed dirty tricks campaign to discredit him. One Moscow protester, Sergei Radchenko, 53, said: "I'm tired of being afraid. I haven't just turned up for myself and Navalny, but for my son because there is no future in this country." He added that he was frightened but felt strongly about what he called an out of control judicial system. 'PUTIN PALACE' There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin, which had previously called the protests illegal and the work of "provocateurs". Video footage from the Russian far east showed riot police in Vladivostok chasing a group of protesters down the street, while demonstrators in Khabarovsk, braving temperatures of around -14 Celsius (7 degrees Fahrenheit), chanted "Bandits!" Police in Siberia's Yakutsk, one of the coldest cities in the world, where the temperature was -52 Celsius on Saturday, grabbed a protester by his arms and legs and dragged him into a van, video footage showed. Opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov said the scale of the protests in the regions was unusual. "Everyone must be really fed up with the stealing and lies if the regions have risen up like this," he wrote on Twitter. Mobile phone and internet services suffered outages on Saturday, the monitoring site downdetector.ru showed, a tactic sometimes used by authorities to make it harder for protesters to communicate among themselves and share video footage online. In a push to galvanise support ahead of the protests, Navalny's team released a video about an opulent palace on the Black Sea they alleged belonged to Putin, something the Kremlin denied. As of Saturday the clip had been viewed more than 68 million times. Navalny's allies hope to tap into what polls say are pent-up frustrations among the public over years of falling wages and economic fallout from the pandemic. But Putin's grip on power looks unassailable for now and the 68-year-old president regularly records an approval rating of over 60%, much higher than that of Navalny. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Do you have a news tip? Want to share good news story, or do you have information that should see the light of day? Then we want to hear from you. More here Division of Viral Diseases Leadership Bios Minus Related Pages Dr. Stephanie Bialek, MD, MPH Division Director Dr. Stephanie R. Bialek, MD, MPH, is the director of the Division of Viral Diseases in CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), since 2020. Dr. Bialek, a captain in the United States Public Health Service, leads a division with 4 branches, 27 programs, and over 300 staff, fellows, and contractors. During her career, Dr. Bialek has worked on a wide range of domestic and international public health programs. She joined CDC as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer in 1999 and worked in the Division of Viral Hepatitis. After completing the practicum year of her residency in Preventive Medicine at the Georgia Department of Public Health in 2003, Dr. Bialek returned to the Division of Viral Hepatitis as a medical epidemiologist working on hepatitis B vaccine effectiveness and chronic hepatitis B and C. During 2007-2008, Dr. Bialek worked in the Global Immunization Division on hepatitis B elimination. In 2008, Dr. Bialek became lead of the Herpesvirus Team in the Division of Viral Diseases. In 2015, Dr. Bialek became chief of the Parasitic Diseases Branch in the Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria in CDCs Center for Global Health. Dr. Bialek has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on various infectious diseases topics. She has participated in CDCs responses to SARS, H1N1, MERS, Ebola, and COVID-19. Dr. Bialek received an undergraduate degree from Wellesley College, a Doctor of Medicine from New York University, and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine. Thomas Clark, MD Deputy Division Director Dr. Thomas Clark obtained his bachelors and medical degrees at Tulane University. He trained in pediatrics at Emory University and in public health and preventive medicine at Oregon Health and Science University. He joined CDC as an EIS Officer in 2001, working in the Mycotic Diseases Branch on endemic mycoses and opportunistic fungal infections. Following EIS, he worked on bacterial zoonoses in the Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch. Following the agency reorganization in 2006, he served as Epidemiology Team Lead and ultimately as Acting Chief for the Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch (MVPDB) in NCIRD. During his nine years in MVPDB, Dr. Clark led laboratory and epidemiologic investigations and vaccine policy development for pertussis, meningitis, and other bacterial vaccine-preventable diseases in the Division of Bacterial Diseases. He played a key role in the successful implementation and evaluation of MenAfriVaca novel vaccine developed to end the devastating problem of epidemic meningitis in sub-Saharan Africaand in investigating and responding to the re-emergence of pertussis. He has also led several emergency response efforts, including the first implementation of a new meningitis B vaccine during two outbreaks on college campuses, CDCs investigation of unexplained neurologic phenomena among US Embassy staff and families in Cuba, and as the Acute Flaccid Myelitis Response incident manager. Dr. Clark joined DVD in 2018. April Allman Associate Director for Program Management April Allman began her career with CDC in 1991 as a Public Health Advisor Disease Investigative Specialist in Lauderhill, FL with the STD and HIV programs. This involved front-line work with state and local health departments and public health clinics. In 1993 she was stationed to Memphis, TN with the Shelby County Health Department working in hospital infections and correctional facility health. Upon accepting a position in Atlanta with the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Special Pathogens Branch in 1996, Ms. Allman gained outbreak logistic field experience in several East African countries. She later joined the Division of Parasitic Diseases where she worked on the lymphatic filariasis elimination demonstration projects in Haiti and American Samoa. In 2003 she returned to Special Pathogens as the Branch Program Management Officer (PMO) to focus on budget, operations, and policy while continuing to provide logistics for various outbreaks and public health emergencies (Hurricane Katrina, Tulsa measles outbreak, etc.). In 2006, Ms. Allman joined DVD as Senior Advisor to the Director and attained the ADPM role in 2019. Umesh Parashar, MD Chief, Viral Gastroenteritis Branch Dr. Umesh Parashar is the Chief of Viral Gastroenteritis Branch (VGB) in DVD. After completing medical training in India and the United States, Dr. Parashar joined the CDC as an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer in 1996 and has spent more than 20 years at CDC researching the epidemiology of viral gastroenteritis and methods for its prevention and control, including vaccination strategies against rotavirus gastroenteritis. He was the CDC co-lead of the working group that developed the recommendations for use of the new rotavirus vaccines in the United States. VGB also works with global partners to help accelerate introduction of rotavirus vaccines in developing countries with the greatest burden of rotavirus disease. Dr. Parashar has published more than 500 scientific papers and book chapters. He has also served as guest editor on 8 supplements in scientific journals and on advisory committees to the World Health Organization. He has received several awards, including 1) the Philip R. Horne award in 2014National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases highest form of recognition for accomplishments and work performance that have had a significant impact on achieving the mission of the Center, 2) Emory Universitys Sheth Distinguished International Alumni Award in 2014to recognize Emory Universitys international alumni who have distinguished themselves in service to universities, governments, private sector firms, and nongovernmental organizations, 3) the Oswald Avery Award for Early Achievement from the Infectious Disease Society of America in 2011, 4) the Shepard Award for Best Scientific Paper in the Prevention and Control Category from CDC in 2009, and 5) six awards for Distinguished Service from the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Steve Oberste, PhD Chief, Polio and Picornavirus Laboratory Branch Dr. Steve Oberste is Chief of the Polio and Picornavirus Laboratory Branch (PPLB) in DVD. He received a B.S. in Genetics from the University of California, Davis, in 1982, and a Ph.D. in Immunology and Medical Microbiology from the University of Florida College of Medicine, on the biochemistry of poliovirus replication in vitro. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Cancer Institute Frederick Cancer Research Facility in Frederick, Maryland, working on animal models for HIV and AIDS. He then spent two years at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, also in Frederick, developing vaccines and molecular epidemiological methods for Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus. In 1996, Dr. Oberste joined the Enterovirus Laboratory at CDC to lead the reference diagnostics team. He and his team developed molecular typing methods for enteroviruses and other picornaviruses that supplanted the traditional antigenic serotyping methods that were the gold standard at the time. Dr. Oberste became Branch Chief in 2012 and is responsible for overall direction and supervision of CDCs laboratory activities in support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, acute flaccid myelitis, and diseases caused by non-polio human picornaviruses (other than hepatitis A virus and rhinovirus). The branchs activities include assay development, reference diagnostics, laboratory surveillance, genomics, molecular epidemiology, population immunity, new vaccine research, vaccine clinical trials, antivirals, and virus discovery. Aron Hall, DVM, MSPH Chief, Respiratory Viruses Branch Dr. Aron Hall is Chief of the Respiratory Viruses Branch (RVB) DVD. Dr. Hall earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from North Carolina State University. Following completion of academic and clinical training, Dr. Hall joined the CDC as an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer and was assigned to the state health department of West Virginia. Dr. Hall joined DVD in 2008 to lead and expand the norovirus epidemiology program and has also led efforts to respond to emerging respiratory viruses, including MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. He is a recognized expert in the field, providing consultation within CDC, to state and local health departments, federal regulatory agencies, advisory committees, and international partners. Dr. Hall has authored over 150 journal articles and book chapters, has an adjunct faculty appointment at the Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, and is board certified as a diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (ACVPM). Paul Rota, PhD Chief, Viral Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch Dr. Paul Rota is the Chief for the Viral Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch (VVPDB) in the Division of Viral Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Microbiology at Emory University, Atlanta, GA and at the University of Georgia, Athens, GA. He is a member of American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Society for Microbiology, and American Society for Virology. VVPDB provides laboratory and epidemiologic support for measles mumps, rubella, and varicella/zoster control programs in the US, and laboratory support for international measles and rubella control programs. Dr. Rota is a subject matter expert for measles, mumps, and rubella and has been working in the CDC Measles Laboratory since 1991. One of his major responsibilities is to support laboratory-based surveillance for measles and rubella on a global scale. Dr. Rota works closely with WHO Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network and is a member of the WHO Measles and Rubella SAGE Working Group and the Regional Verification Commission for the Western Pacific Region. Dr. Rotas main research interest is development of a microneedle patch vaccine for measles and rubella. This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 09:14:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MONTEVIDEO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Uruguayan defender Maxi Pereira will return to his homeland to play for Penarol after 14 years in Portugal, his agent said on Friday. The 36-year-old right-back joins the five-time Copa Libertadores champions as a free agent after agreeing to a six-month contract. "Maximiliano Pereira will be a new player at Penarol," his long-time representative Paco Casal said on Twitter. Penarol director Alvaro Queijo later confirmed the deal, telling the Sport 890 radio station that it was "economically favorable" for the Montevideo club. Pereira has not played since parting ways with Porto in July 2019. He has been capped 125 times for Uruguay in a career that has also included spells at Benfica and Defensor. Enditem The New Patriotic Party's National Youth Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B has asked lawyers of former President John Mahama to show some level of 'seriousness'. "...as a serious lawyer, you should have everything ready. The petitioners must show seriousness; Justices of the Supreme Court are in court and as a petitioner, your lawyers are not there, you must be worried..." he said on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' Listen to him in the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The man killed Wednesday in a house fire in Woodbridge was identified Friday as a 21-year-old township resident, according to a joint release from the Woodbridge Police and the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office. Chadly Julien was found dead in the basement of the home at 88 South Inman Ave. after firefighters and police rescued multiple other family members, authorities said. His cause of death of remained undetermined pending the completion of an autopsy by the Middlesex County Regional Medical Examiners Office, police said. The fire, which also remained under investigation Friday night, broke out shortly after 9 a.m, but was brought under control in under an hour with no other injuries reported, the office said. Anyone with information about the blaze was asked to call Detective Jorge Quesada of the Woodbridge Police Department at (732) 634-7700 or Detective Kevin Schroeck of the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office at (732) 745-4194 or Avenel Fire Official Cory Spillar of the Avenel Fire Prevention Bureau at (732) 855-974. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. China on Saturday adopted a law that gives the country's coast guard a free hand to open fire on any foreign vessel deemed a threat to national sovereignty. According to Bloomberg, the Chinese coast guard has been given the freedom to open fire on foreign vessels, who either refuse to heed warnings or are deemed a threat to national security. This comes months after the National People's Congress of China revealed a draft bill regarding the same. Read: 'Stop Any Form Of Meddling': China Slams 'gross Interference' By EU Lawmakers On Hong Kong Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency reported that the law states coast guard personnel would be allowed to take all necessary action, including the use of handheld guns to prevent foreign ships from violating "national sovereignty, security and maritime rights". According to the text, the Chinese coast guard would also be allowed to board foreign vessels operating in the country's jurisdictional waters in order to conduct checks. China refers to areas in sea claimed by other countries as "jurisdictional waters". Read: Swine Fever Spreading Across China May Have Origin In Illicit Vaccines: Report China's neighbours concerned The move raises concerns for nations operating vessels in China-claimed waters, including Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. For instance, China and Japan both claim the disputed Senkaku islands as their own territory and have engaged in serious confrontations over the same in the recent past. Now, that China has given a free hand to its coast guard to open fire, it will concern Japanese self-defence forces in the area, who face huge internal restrictions on the usage of weapons. Read: Outgoing US Envoy To UN Berates China, Says 'world Must End Taiwan's Exclusion' The new law would also allow the Chinese coast guard to detain, and tow vessels. The law is meant to protect the marine resources of China, including the indigenous fishing industry. China has the world's largest coast guard fleet with more than 130 vessels currently in service. Read: China Imposes Sanctions On Pompeo And Other Trump Officials New Delhi, Jan 23 : Justice N.V. Ramana of the Supreme Court, the judge who is due to become the next Chief Justice of India (CJI), said on Saturday that emergencies have a long-lasting impact on generations. Ramana was speaking at the launch of a book titled "The Law of Emergency Powers: Comparative Common Law Perspectives", authored by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi and professor Khagesh Gautam. Before beginning his speech as a judge, Ramana said he has to place a caveat that he is required to be a little more circumspect while discussing thoughts on a legal subject where the law is not so well settled, and it is contestable. He opened his speech citing his personal experience during the Emergency. "At the outset, the book brought back memories of the 1975 Emergency. In June 25, 1975, a public meeting was organised in my hometown on civil liberties. I was the presiding officer of this meeting, and I was about to step out of the house when my father told me to pack an extra pair of clothes, as he was convinced that I will be arrested during the function," he said. Later, when he reached the venue, a friend informed him that police were arresting people, and took him to the outskirts and told him that the government will proclaim Emergency. Ramana said they took a lorry and travelled for two-three hours, and then walked all night to reach his maternal aunt's house. "I had Rs 10 in my pocket. In the hindsight maybe, my father should have given some more extra money," he said. Ramana added: "Emergencies have long lasting impact on generations. In my case, a year of academic and mental suffering attributed to Emergency, I have no regrets." He added that during that year, he learnt about human tragedy, hunger, pain and suffering. He said questions such as when Emergency can be legally proclaimed, and what are the permissible actions etc., are some of the issues that the book tries to address while doing cross jurisdictional studies. Ramana said it is telling that only our Constitution explicitly provides for the situation of Emergency. "One has to keep in mind the historical conditions for which the Indian Constitution was being framed as well as the foresight and understanding of the framers of our Constitution. They took into account the teachings of the past and the uncertainties of the future in drafting the part of the Constitution which deals with Emergency provisions," added Ramana. He cited that some members of the Constituent Assembly observed that such provisions are necessary evils aimed at resolving crisis identified under the Constitution. In such circumstances, when the very state is at risk, some ideas may have to be sacrificed but only in line with the Constitution, he said. "The Supreme Court has been at the centre of this discussion, from A.K. Gopalan to ADM Jabalpur. From Maneka Gandhi to Puttaswamy, it is a complicated journey which this book explains in a simple manner. From the opinions of ADM Jabalpur to Justice D.Y. Chandrachud's opinion in the Puttaswamy case, the growth of jurisprudence is historic," said Ramana. (Sumit Saxena can be contacted at sumit.s@ians.in) [January 22, 2021] Delaware Investments Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. Appoints Benjamin Leung and Scot Thompson as Co-managers Today, Delaware Investments Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: DDF) (the "Fund"), a New York Stock Exchange-listed closed-end fund trading under the symbol "DDF," announced that, effective January 22, 2021, Benjamin Leung and Scot Thompson will be appointed as co-managers for the Fund. Mr. Leung and Mr. Thompson will join Kristen E. Bartholdson, Adam H. Brown, Chris Gowlland, Erin Ksenak, Nikhil G. Lalvani, Stefan Lowenthal, John P. McCarthy, Robert A. Vogel, Michael G. Wildstein and Jurgen Wurzer in making day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. Benjamin Leung is the co-head of the Macquarie Systematic Investments ( MSI (News - Alert) ) team, a role he assumed in August 2014. In addition to the day-to-day management of the global portfolios, he is also the head of research, responsible for driving the continual evolution of the systematic investment process. Leung joined the MSI team in May 2005 as a quantitative analyst, where his responsibilities included the development and maintenance of various quantitative models. Following his successful efforts to expand the quantitative capability to international markets, he formed the foundation of the current systematic investment approach. Prior to joining the MSI team, he worked as a software engineer for Macquarie's Investment Banking Group Information Services Division in Sydney. Leung received a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and a Masters in Commerce from the University of New South Wales. Scot Thompson is the co-head of the Macquarie Systematic Investments (MSI) team, a role he assumed in August 2014. His responsibilities include the day-to-day management of the global portfolios, oversight of the trading function, development of new strategies, and client engagement. From June 2003 to August 2014, Thompson was the equities head of prodct, responsible for product design, development, and client relationships for the firm's Australian and global equities product range. Before that, he was a member of the firm's private equity fund-of-fund and performance analytics teams. Prior to joining Macquarie in November 2001 as a quantitative performance analyst, he worked on the performance analytics team for Cogent Investment Administration, where he was responsible for investment performance and attribution reporting for a variety of clients over all asset classes. Thompson also work in civil engineering before moving to finance, working for several Australian companies as a project manager focusing on underground installations, quarrying, and mining. He received a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Sydney and a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University. The Fund is a diversified closed-end fund. The primary investment objective is to seek high current income; capital appreciation is a secondary objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its objectives by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in income-generating equity securities, including dividend-paying common stocks, convertible securities, preferred stocks, and other equity-related securities, which may include up to 25% in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and real estate industry operating companies. Up to 35% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in nonconvertible debt securities consisting primarily of high-yield, high-risk corporate bonds. In addition, the Fund utilizes leveraging techniques in an attempt to obtain a higher return for the Fund. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. About Macquarie Investment Management Macquarie Investment Management, a member of Macquarie Group, is a global asset manager with offices in United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. As active managers, we prioritize autonomy and accountability at the team level in pursuit of opportunities that matter for clients. Macquarie Investment Management is supported by the resources of Macquarie Group (ASX: MQG; ADR: MQBKY), a global provider of asset management, investment, banking, financial and advisory services. Advisory services are provided by Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust, a registered investment advisor. Macquarie Group refers to Macquarie Group Limited and its subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For more information about Delaware Funds by Macquarie, visit delawarefunds.com or call 800 523-1918. Other than Macquarie Bank Limited (MBL), none of the entities referred to in this document are authorized deposit-taking institutions for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of MBL, a subsidiary of Macquarie Group Limited and an affiliate of Macquarie Investment Management. MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these entities, unless noted otherwise. 2021 Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210122005467/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Against the backdrop of a rapidly deteriorating security situation in Mali and the wider Sahel region, the UN peacekeeping chief has concluded a visit to the restive northwest African nation Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 06:46:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A woman holds an alcohol gel tube while walking in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Jan. 22, 2021. The Brazilian state of Sao Paulo announced on Friday a return to the strictest phase of quarantine starting on Monday, with the closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential businesses during nights and weekends due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. Governor of Sao Paulo Joao Doria said at a press conference that these measures, which will be in force until Feb. 7, are taken to avoid a collapse in the hospital system of the richest and most populated state, but also the epicenter of COVID-19 infections in Brazil. (Xinhua/Rahel Patrasso) SAO PAULO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian state of Sao Paulo announced on Friday a return to the strictest phase of quarantine starting on Monday, with the closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential businesses during nights and weekends due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. Governor of Sao Paulo Joao Doria said at a press conference that these measures, which will be in force until Feb. 7, are taken to avoid a collapse in the hospital system of the richest and most populated state, but also the epicenter of COVID-19 infections in Brazil. "We are falling victim to a second wave of coronavirus in Sao Paulo and Brazil. The speed of the increase in cases, hospitalizations and deaths is concerning. Before all Brazilians are vaccinated we must face the pandemic with these types of measures," he said. For two weeks starting on Monday, only supermarkets, gas stations and pharmacies will be allowed to operate after 8 p.m. and on weekends and holidays. According to the weekly epidemiological data published on Friday, the state average per 100,000 inhabitants rose from 287.9 to 348.6 new COVID-19 cases, while the rate of new hospitalizations increased from 49.3 to 54.1, and deaths rose from 5.8 to 7.1. So far, Sao Paulo has accumulated 1,670,754 COVID-19 cases and 50,938 deaths, while nationally the latest figures are 8,697,368 infections and 214,147 deaths. Enditem Brazil's government has received 2 million doses of coronavirus vaccine from India, but experts warned the shipment will do little to shore up an insufficient supply in South America's biggest nation. Brazil's Health Ministry announced that the vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca NSE -2.24 % and the University of Oxford, landed in Sao Paulo on Friday before being flown to Rio de Janeiro, where Brazil's state-run Fiocruz Institute is based. Fiocruz has an agreement to produce and distribute the vaccine. The 2 million doses from India only scratch the surface of the shortfall, Brazilian public health experts told The Associated Press, as far more doses will be needed to cover priority groups in the nation of 210 million people, and shipments of raw materials from Asia have been delayed. "Counting doses from Butantan (a Sao Paulo state research institute) and those from India, there isn't enough vaccine and there is no certainty about when Brazil will have more, or how much," said Mario Scheffer, professor of preventive medicine at the University of Sao Paulo. That shortage "will interfere with our capacity in the near-term to reach collective immunity." A flight from India planned for last week was postponed, derailing the federal government's plan to begin immunization with the AstraZeneca shot. Instead, vaccination began using the CoronaVac shot in Sao Paulo, where Butantan has a deal with its producer, Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac. Countries around the world, particularly developing nations, are struggling to source sufficient vaccines for their populations. Neither Fiocruz nor Butantan has yet received the technology from their partners to produce vaccines domestically, and instead must import the active ingredients. India's foreign ministry said Friday evening at a press briefing in New Delhi that vaccines had been dispatched to Brazil and Morocco. "As you can see, the supply of Indian-made vaccines is underway, both as gifts as well as on commercial basis," ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. Fiocruz said in a statement on Thursday the Health Ministry could begin distribution of the imported AstraZeneca shots Saturday afternoon, following a quality control inspection. Butantan made available 6 million CoronaVac doses it imported from China in order to kick off Brazil's immunization, and it used materials imported from China to bottle an additional 4.8 million shots. The health regulator on Friday approved use of the latter batch for distribution to states and municipalities across Brazil. Scheffer estimated in a report he published Monday that the government will need 10 million doses just to cover front-line health workers, leaving the elderly and other at-risk Brazilians without any vaccines. The government's own immunization plan doesn't specify how many Brazilians are included in priority groups. "We are doing what is possible to get the vaccine," President Jair Bolsonaro said Thursday night in his weekly Facebook live broadcast, adding that his government will make free, non-mandatory vaccination available to all Brazilians. Brazil has recorded 2,14,000 deaths related to COVID-19, the second-highest total in the world after the United States, and infections and deaths surging again. While Brazil has a proud history of decades of immunization campaigns, in this pandemic it has struggled to cobble together a complete plan and suffered multiple logistical pitfalls. "The vaccination plan is badly done in general," said Domingos Alves, adjunct professor of social medicine at the University of Sao Paulo. "It's important that the information be transparent and clear for the population to know how this vaccination process will be done." There has been some speculation on social media that diplomatic snafus - stemming from allies of Bolsonaro who criticised the Chinese government -might explain the delay in getting the required inputs. Oliver Stuenkel, an international relations professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a university, told AP that such a reading is overly simplistic amid heightened global demand. "Of course, since Bolsonaro isn't on good terms with the Chinese government, he doesn't really have the direct access," Stuenkel said from Sao Paulo. "There is a chance that the bad relationship does wind up putting Brazil further down the line of recipients, but not because the Chinese are saying actively, 'Let's punish Brazil,' but perhaps because other presidents have a better relationship." The newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported Wednesday that Brazilian Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello met with China's ambassador in Brasilia and that Bolsonaro had requested a call with China's leader Xi Jinping. Filipe Martins, an adviser to Bolsonaro on international relations, said in a television interview the same day that Brazil is seeking suppliers from other countries. "Negotiations are well advanced," Martins told RedeTV!. He added that there is "a big fuss over nothing." Lawmakers including House Speaker Rodrigo Maia and the president of the Brazil-China parliamentary group, Senator Roberto Rocha, also met with the Chinese ambassador. Butantan had planned to supply Brazil's Health Ministry with 46 million doses by April. It is awaiting the import of 5,400 liters of the active ingredient before the end of the month to make about 5.5 million doses, and new shipments from China depend on authorisation from the Chinese government, according to a statement from its press office. Fiocruz had initially scheduled the delivery of 100 million doses to begin in February and 110 million more in the second half of the year. As of December 30, its plan was down to delivering 30 million doses by the end of February, but the first delivery has been postponed to March, the institute said. "Brazil doesn't have vaccines available for its population," Margareth Dalcolmo, a prominent pulmonologist at Fiocruz who has treated COVID-19 patients, said this week. Also read: New COVID-19 variant more deadly than original, warns UK PM Also read: Thousands under compulsory lockdown in Hong Kong for COVID-19 testing Storm-battered communities are facing the prospects of more floods next week with torrential downpours forecast once again. Hundreds of residents across the north west of England and north of Wales have been evacuated from homes over the last three days amid fears of deluge brought by Storm Christoph. Scores of properties mainly in Cheshire and Neath Port Talbot were left under water. Residents in one hard-hit village, Lymm near Warrington, told The Independent how water had poured into their homes relentlessly after the River Bollin burst its banks and drains failed. Now, those same communities are being warned they may face more problems when heavy rains return. Other areas, including along large swathes of the River Severn in Worcestershire and the River Don in South Yorkshire, have been told they could also face flooding. Recommended How Storm Christoph brought a night of trauma to a flooded village The Environment Agency has warned of "exceptionally high river levels" and said more rain either this weekend or more likely next week could easily lead to overtopping. As of Saturday morning, 105 flood warnings were in place including one severe warning in the Cheshire village of Farndon. Another 103 flood also remain active. On a visit to nearby Northwich on Friday, environment secretary George Eustice said authorities were "watching closely" as water moves through the river system. He told reporters: "The thing that concerns us most is that late next week we are expecting more rainfall, that falls on wet, soggy ground. It is possible that we therefore could have some additional challenges in a week's time." To complicate matters further, a yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been activated across much of the UK until shortly before midday on Saturday. Steve Willington, the Met Offices chief forecaster, said cold air from Iceland and the Arctic was bringing a "a mix of wintry hazards across the UK". He said: "In clearer conditions, overnight ice will remain a hazard, while a band of snow is likely to bring falls of 1-3cm quite widely across central areas of the UK, particularly the Cotswolds and higher ground in the East Midlands on Sunday. "But snow outside these areas is also a potential hazard." A crowd of 80 people gathered in Luxembourg on Saturday in support of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Protestors held banners reading '#FreeNavalny' outside the Russian embassy in the historic Chateau de Beggen. Demonstrations across Russia were met with force on Saturday, after Navalny was arrested on his return to the country following his suspected poisoning. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The pin prick in the arm of state Sen. Borris Miles looked painless Saturday as the Houston lawmaker received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in front of news cameras. Not that bad, said Miles as he pumped his fist in the air after receiving the Moderna vaccine at a health clinic in the Jensen area, one of Houstons hardest hit neighborhoods for coronavirus infections. Not that bad at all. Hey man, you didnt even cry, joked state Rep. Harold Dutton Jr., who was sitting nearby waiting his turn. But while getting the shot looked easy for the state officials, the hard part is persuading skeptical constituents to follow their footsteps. Miles and Dutton joined a group of other Black community leaders state Reps. Senfronia Thompson, Alma Allen and Garnet Coleman and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis to get vaccinated and set an example for people of color who are bearing the brunt of COVID-19. Despite the risks from the disease, surveys show minorities are less likely to get vaccinated because of poor access to health care and a mistrust of the medical establishment thats deeply rooted in past abuses. On HoustonChronicle.com: Researchers: Houston's dirty toilets detect decline in coronavirus About a quarter of the American public are doubtful about the vaccines and 35 percent of Black adults say they definitely or probably would not get vaccinated, according to a December survey by Kaiser Family Foundation. We need to make sure we target vulnerable populations, said U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, who attended the event but has already received two doses of the vaccine, which is necessary for full immunity. The first one was so easy, she said of the shot. The second shot caused her to feel a slight headache and some body aches that passed after 48 hours, she said. Its easy, and its safe and we should do it, Garcia said. Health officials say the vaccination program is being closely monitored for serious risks, such as anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can occur with any type of vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that 10 cases of anaphylaxis have been documented out of more than 4 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine about 2.5 cases per million doses administered. No one died from the allergic reactions. Headaches, fatigue and soreness are among the most common reported side effects. Vaccine Tracker: How many Texans are vaccinated? Check our interactive map. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston held Saturdays vaccination event at its UT Physicians Multispecialty Clinic on the 2600 block of Crosstimbers Street a poverty-stricken area thats at higher risk for COVID-19, according to a May 2020 UTHealth report. David Smith, pastor of New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, said the neighborhood had no access to health care until the clinic opened several years ago and finally gave residents options. If you drive around in this area, you wont find a place where they can come get their vaccines and come get their health care, Smith said. Texas lawmakers are eligible for coronavirus vaccinations, even if they dont meet the current age requirements of 65 years or older. The group who gathered Saturday received their second dose of the Moderna vaccine and stayed under medical observation for half an hour to ensure no side effects occurred. Coleman, who said he has diabetes, was ushered inside the clinic after he paused during a speech and appeared to suffer a dizzy spell. He had his vital signs checked before receiving his dose and was in good spirits as he waited. He said it was important for him to be there to set an example for his constituents. There truly is a good reason to get this vaccine for everybody, Coleman said. john.tedesco@chron.com Please, people of Trinidad and Tobago, I beg you to take Covid-19 very seriously. I dont want anyone of you to feel the pain I feel. The weight of that tearful plea from Indian restaurateur Gautam Khanna ripped the heartstrings from the body in one forceful pull, on a quiet Wednesday morning in Arima. Members of Maynooth/Kilcock Lions Club recently bought and installed defibrillators on shop fronts in the centre of nine Kildare towns and villages. The new AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) are located at Allenwood, Celbridge, Coill Dubh, Derrinturn, Donadea, Johnstownbridge, Kilcock, Maynooth, and Prosperous. A further device will be installed in Leixlip. The lifesaving equipment is housed in a weatherproof and vandal resistant cabinet. A keycode for access in an emergency can be given by shop staff or the emergency services. The automated devices, when switched on, complete a diagnostic check of the patients heart, and will inform the user by voice command of what procedure to follow. The devices are safe, and designed to be used by anyone regardless of their medical skill. Maynooth/Kilcock Lions Club wants to thank the owners of the premises where the new AEDs are located, and Kildare County Councils Leader Programme for part funding the defibrillator project. Maynooth/Kilcock Lions Club was founded in 1981. It provides services and resources to a large number of deserving causes and environmental projects. It supports a range of services to the less well-off, and in cooperation with other charity organisations such as St Vincent de Paul, assists with fundraisers such as the annual food appeal at Christmas. Every year the club sends about 40 people on holiday to Trabolgan in Cork. Other projects supported by the club include Kildare Hospice; Clane Riding for the Disabled; St John of Gods and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. The club has also built and manages 21 sheltered houses in Maynooth, Celbridge and Clane, which provide safe and secure housing for residents to live independently into ripe old age. According to Peter OSullivan of the Lions Club, Maynooth/Kilcock Lions Club is always seeking new members to ensure the continuence of 40 years of We Serve, which is the motto of all Lions Clubs. Interested people should contact www.maynoothkilcocklionsclub.org. If you took a man in their 60s, the average risk is that for every 1000 people who got infected roughly 10 would be expected to unfortunately die with the virus, Britains Dr Vallance said. With the new variant, for 1000 people infected roughly 13 or 14 people might be expected to die. So thats the sort of change for that sort of age group and you will see a similar sort of relative increase across the age groups as well. But I want to stress that theres a lot of uncertainty around these numbers and we need more work to get a precise handle on it. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson during Friday evenings Downing Street press conference. Credit:Getty Images "But it is obviously of concern that this has an increase in mortality as well as an increase in transmissibility." Australian Labors health spokesman Chris Bowen expressed concern the new variant could lead to greater disease and suffering. Mr Bowen demanded Prime Minister Scott Morrison actually work with the [state] premiers and get Australians home safely, ensure that the quarantine is strong enough for this new strain B117 and other strains which are emerging and give Australians overseas the support they deserve. Scientific paper prompted announcement The UK governments New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) asked different groups of experts to examine data about the new variant and whether it was killing more people. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine reported the strain could be 1.35 times more deadly, while scientists from Imperial College London produced a similar figure of between 1.29 and 1.36. The University of Exeter found the risk of death could 1.91 times higher. A Public Health England analysis initially found no link between the new strain and higher mortality but now also believes it has found new evidence supporting the theory. At the moment what they have said is there could be an increase in mortality, Vallance said of the different findings. But theres a lot of uncertainty and a lot more work that needs to go on. I really urge against just picking the highest number and assuming thats correct. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video NERVTAG said while there was likely an increased risk of death compared to the original virus, it should be noted that the absolute risk of death per infection remains low. Other variants could prompt UK border closure UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would not toughen lockdown measures in response to the new mortality information, but flagged extra border controls over concern about variants first detected in South Africa and Brazil. Scientists believe those two strains are no more transmissible than the UK variant but are increasingly worried they may not respond to the newly-approved vaccines. We are more concerned that they have certain features which means they might be less susceptible to vaccines, Dr Vallance said of the South African and Brazilian variants. Loading Its very difficult to compare between laboratories on this data and we need to get more clinical information to understand how much of an effect, if any, there is on the vaccine, but they are definitely of more concern than the one in the UK at the moment. Experts remain confident the UK strain will respond well to vaccines. Between 44 and 71 cases of the South African variant have already been found in the UK. There will be cases here. There will be cases all over the world of these variants, Dr Vallance said. The key thing is to identify, contact trace and try and make sure we contain. Pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and AstraZeneca have said existing products can be tweaked to respond to new variants but more resistant strains could be a problem for the millions of people who have already been given a jab. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Credit:PA In a leaked video, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told travel agents that the South African variant might reduce vaccine efficacy by about 50 per cent and risk taking the UK back to square one. We are not sure of this data so I wouldnt say this in public, Mr Hancock told the meeting. He also praised Australias border controls as a way of fighting the virus, stoking speculation Britain might block the entry of non-citizens. Mr Johnson said arrivals from South Africa had already been banned from December 24 and all other travellers must produce a negative test and self-quarantine upon arrival. I really dont rule out that we may need to take further measures still, Mr Johnson said. We may need to go further to protect our borders because we do not want, after all the effort we are going to in this country, the massive success that the NHS and others are vaccinating ... put at risk by having a new variant come back in. Asked about Mr Hancocks comments, Vallance said there was no consensus on the degree to which the South African strain could get around vaccines. It is the case that both the South African and Brazilian variants have more differences in shape, which might mean they are recognised differently by antibodies and therefore laboratory studies are suggesting a decreased binding, he said. But I think its too early to know the effect that will have on the vaccination in people. Vaccine program hits new record Nearly 5.4 million people in the UK have received their first of two jabs. A record 410,000 were vaccinated on Thursday alone. New cases and hospitalisations are falling or flatlining in most parts of the UK but deaths are still climbing. Another 1404 deaths were registered on Friday, putting the UK on course to eclipse 100,000 by early next week. MANILA Security forces killed 12 people during a drug raid in the southern Philippines on Saturday, officials said. It was the bloodiest episode in years in President Rodrigo Dutertes war on narcotics. A police officer was also killed in the gun battle, which took place in Sultan Kudarat, a small town in the province of Maguindanao. Two other officers were wounded, officials said. Members of the national police, accompanied by Philippine Marines, had tried to serve a warrant before dawn at a residential compound tied to Pendatun Adsis Talusan, a former village chief who was suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade, officials said. We were supposed to serve the search warrant, but upon arrival in the area the suspects fired upon the operating troops, Maj. Esmael Madin of the Philippine National Police said. Climate Action Tracker, independent analysts supported in part by the German government, rate Australias current target of cutting 2005-level emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2030 as insufficient, with a lack of climate policy across all sectors. The Australian government has initiated a gas-led recovery [from COVID-19] rather than a green recovery, and has continued to signal its support for the coal industry, it said. The government has shown no intention of updating its Paris Agreement target nor adopting a net-zero emissions target, with the Prime Minister [Scott Morrison] specifically ruling this out. Prime Minister Scott Morrison wears a hard hat and face mask during a visit to South32s Cannington coal mine in McKinlay, Queensland last week. Credit:AAP Howard Bamsey, Australias former top climate diplomat, says the Biden teams ambitions are likely to make Australia even more exceptional than it was on international climate diplomacy. Countries that account for more than 70 per cent of Australias trade, such as China, have already set carbon-neutrality goals. One result is that the Morrison governments refusal to offer one for Australia means the countrys international reputation is worse than it needs to be. Loading Its very puzzling why Australia would allow its position to be compromised so unnecessarily. Why dont we just say it and get on with it? says Bamsey, now a professor at the Australian National University. Bamsay lays blame on members within the government who have halted climate action in the past: Theres no other explanation for these missteps than some peculiar party room problem and were paying a very high price for it, which is about to increase. One area of interest will be to see if Australias decision in 2018 to halt new contributions to the United Nations Green Climate Fund after its initial foray of $200 million gets fresh scrutiny from the US or others. The Biden administration has committed to restart US funding after President Donald Trump blocked contributions after the first $US1 billion of the $US3 billion promised by his predecessor, Barack Obama. Bamsey, who served on the secretariat of the fund when it was set up, says Australias money translated into $600 million being invested into the Pacific. It was a terrific result for Australia, he says, adding that other nations will certainly encourage Australia to do more. Dont be afraid: Prime Minister Scott Morrison holding a lump of coal during question time in 2017 when he was Treasurer. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Bill Hare, a director of Climate Analytics and a climate summit veteran, says: Australia is going to be under a fair bit of pressure, internationally. The most recent formal summit, in Madrid in late 2019, already had Australia lining up with the likes of Saudi Arabia, Russia and Brazil to slow progress. Hare says the European Union and Britain both of which had lifted their 2030 climate ambitions at the end of last year are among those already scrutinising the Morrison governments stance. In particular will be how Australia negotiates on the Paris Rulebook, which will determine whether or not any so-called carry-over credits for overachievement during the previous Kyoto Protocol (2008-20) could be counted towards the Paris Agreement (2021-30). After stating such credits should be used, the Morrison government has lately said they wont be needed because Australias emissions are falling faster than forecast, although it has not yet committed to formally extinguishing them. Alan Pears, an energy expert at RMIT University, says Australia would be better off buying international carbon credits to offset any shortfall of its 2030 targets. Such offsets are cheap compared with creating a real global view that they are cheats, Pears says. Thats not worth it. Among Bidens policies is achieving net-zero emissions from US electricity industry by 2035. Credit:Bloomberg The Morrison government, of course, has had a lot of time to get its lines straight. Not only was Biden elected more than 11 weeks ago, officials were well versed in his views on the campaign trail and from his time serving as vice-president during Barack Obamas two presidential terms (2009-17). The President has made it clear, [climate change is] an existential threat that has to be addressed, Australias ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos, told ABCs Radio National on Friday. Setting climate targets is obviously something the Australian government will have to look at, he said. Targets are important, but whats also important is to have plans. Picking up where Barack Obama left off: Joe Biden (left) visits rooftop solar panels in Denver, Colorado in 2009, when he was US Vice-President. Credit:Getty A spokesman for Angus Taylor, the Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister, echoed that sentiment, adding that we welcome the Biden administrations return to the Paris Agreement and focus on investing in new and emerging technologies that will lower global emissions. Among Australias commitment is $300 million to fund the development of hydrogen technology, including both gas and renewable energy sources. The spokesman said the US stance aligns with Australias Technology Investment Roadmap, which was discussed between President Biden and PM Morrison in November last year, without elaborating. Sinodinos went further, saying were looking to actually enter into a low-emissions technology partnership with the US and theres a lot of commonality in our programs. The Trump Administration promised to boost coal but in fact many coal-fired power plants and mines closed during his term. Credit:Andrew Harrer Just how much commonality remains to be seen, especially if John Kerrys urgent wish-list is realised. Describing the potential bonanza as the economic opportunity of many lifetimes, the climate envoy said the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050 needs to happen much faster than it is. The phase-out of coal, for instance, will need to be five times faster than has happened during the 2013-18 period; tree-cover increases must also quicken five-fold; while the ramp-up of renewable energy must rise six times; and, the transition to electric vehicles 22 times faster, Kerry says. In this decade through 2030, the world will need more than $US1 trillion in annual investment in clean power systems to speed the energy transition [alone], he says. For a comparison, figures out last week from Bloomberg New Energy Finance tallied a record $US501.3 billion in decarbonisation efforts in 2020, a 9 per cent rise on the previous year, even with the COVID-19 pandemic. RMITs Pears expects the Morrison government will surprise many by setting a 2050 net-zero target and may even lift its 2030 target. For one thing, the states and territories have already set mid-century carbon neutrality goals and many companies are following suit. He points to the little-known federal government-backed Climate Active website, where organisations can have their achievements certified. For the cost of $170,000 in offsets, for instance, the Bayside Council in Melbourne (where Pears resides) achieved net-zero emissions last year. Its all going on under the radar, he says. Similarly, the government is basing Australias emissions projections on unrealistically conservative modelling, particularly for the electricity sector. It uses the central forecast for emissions used by the Australian Energy Market Operator, when the much lower step change trajectory is actually being implemented as ever cheaper renewable energy enters the industry. That leaves the Morrison government with the opportunity to confound critics and deflect diplomatic urgings from wherever they come. They will miraculously meet and beat their targets without much effort at all, Pears predicts. Kilian McGreal of McGreals Pharmacy Group is in late stage discussions with the office of the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly about establishing a drive-through Covid 19 vaccination centre at McGreals Primary Care Centre car park in Blessington. The Minister for Health is set to ask the Cabinet to approve an agreement with doctors and pharmacists to administer Covid-19 vaccines. Talking about the proposed drive- through vaccination centre, Kilian McGreal, Managing Director McGreals Pharmacy Group said: 'It is an ideal way of administering the vaccine safely to large numbers. We have a pharmacy co-located on the grounds of the Primary Care Centre in Blessington, so a drive-through vaccination centre could be coordinated through the pharmacy. 'We have the traffic flow management and physical infrastructure already in place. There are two car parks in the Primary Care Centre and one of them could be converted into a drive-through vaccination centre. There is no reason why we can't set up on the vaccination centre in conjunction with the HSE and local GPs. We already have the perfect physical set-up.' A change in vaccination legislation means people can remain in their cars to receive the vaccination during the cold winter months. An observation area would be established so those who have just received the vaccination can park for 15 minutes and remain inside their vehicles while being observed. 'We believe Pharmacists can play a key role in the nationwide Covid 19 vaccination roll out and we look forward to being a part of it,' added Kilian. 'It would help increase the rate of vaccinations. We would also be operating at extended hours. It also creates a safer environment. The vaccinations will be administered from outside while people remain in their vehicles. It would certainly help reduce the people on the list waiting for vaccines. 'Our staff were very much involved in the community response to Covid and have been working on the frontline. A Covid Community Response Group was established here in Blessington very early on during the pandemic. McGreals Pharmacy also brought the Novaerus air disinfection product to the Irish market, which decontaminates the air and kills any airborne viruses and bacteria. I think it is a credit to the local community and our front-line staff on how they have worked through what is the greatest health crisis of our life-time.' GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 22, 2021 /CNW/ - As the Government of Canada continues to address the health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19, it is also working toward a strong economic recovery that will create new jobs and opportunities for workers and businesses alike. The Government is working to address current and future skills shortages by making targeted investments in sectors that will be key to Canada's plan to build back better. Today, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced that the Government is investing $72 million over three years as part of the Sectoral Initiatives Program's existing funding. Distributed through a call for proposals, which will remain open for six weeks, this investment will fund sector-specific projects to help Canadian workers gain skills and access resources. It will also help businesses and networks scale up strategies to drive job growth and create standards for education and certification purposes. With the support of industry and labour partners, the Government will build on its work to help key sectors address their current and future workforce needs through at least one of three approaches. The first approach focuses on ensuring Canadians have access to job tools and resources so that they can make informed decisions about their career path. Projects that receive funding under this approach will have the goal of helping employers, Canadians looking for work, students and educators make informed decisions about hiring, skills training and career choices. The second approach is the development of projects that offer training to workers looking to upgrade their skills or start a new career. The third approach focuses on helping small and medium-sized businesses meet their hiring needs through the development of new strategies, or the scaling-up of proven workforce development strategies. This announcement builds on the Government's commitment to creating one million jobs and making the largest investment in training for workers in Canadian history. An inclusive approach to Canada's recovery from the pandemic that takes into account the various challenges workers have faced during this crisis, will enable Canadians to find and keep good jobs and support our economy for years to come. Quote "Canadian workers and employers are facing new and evolving challenges, brought on and exacerbated by the pandemic. With some sectors experiencing the impacts more than others, we are taking additional steps to help Canadians get back on their feet. We have an opportunity not just to support Canadians and businesses, but also to grow their potential. With a comprehensive and bold approach to job creation, we will build back better." Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough Quick Facts The call for proposals will remain open for six weeks , with a closing date of March 4, 2021 . , with a closing date of . Eligible recipients include: not-for-profit organizations for-profit organizations Indigenous organizations provincial, territorial and municipal governments, institutions, agencies or Crown corporations Eligible organizations may submit more than one application to the call for proposals. Additional consideration will be given to projects that help reduce barriers to entry into the labour market for persons with disabilities, women, youth, Indigenous people, newcomers or visible minorities. Associated Links Funding: Sectoral Initiatives Program Sectoral Initiatives Program Follow us on Twitter Backgrounder Sectoral Initiatives Program The Sectoral Initiatives Program is a grants and contributions program with a mandate to help key sectors of the Canadian economy identify, forecast and address their human resources and skills issues. The Program provides funding to stakeholders to develop and distribute sector-specific labour market intelligence, national occupational standards, skills certification and accreditation systems, and innovative workforce development approaches while also promoting the participation of under-represented groups. The Program funds multi-year stakeholder-based projects in key economic sectors to advance the Canadian labour market. Taking into account the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Sectoral Initiatives Program call for proposals is considering a wider variety of projects compared to past years. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to: researching labour market information to provide insights to help economic recovery; developing and implementing stakeholder and employer networks; creating skills matching, job search and recruitment tools to support the transition of displaced workers to in-demand occupations within or across sectors; scaling up proven or promising workforce development strategies to assist employers with recruitment, skills development, diversity inclusion, retention and productivity; researching and forecasting labour market trends and emerging requirements by sector; developing or updating national occupational standards for education or certification purposes; and, developing or updating certification or accreditation regimes that are industry validated. Each sector is experiencing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic differently. By making investments in sector-specific projects, through the Sectoral Initiatives Program, the Government is helping key sectors to address challenges that are unique to their businesses and workers, helping them through the recovery stage. SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada For further information: For media enquiries, please contact: Marielle Hossack, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected] Related Links www.hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca Subhas Chandra Bose Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in 'Parakram Diwas' celebrations in Kolkata, West Bengal on January 23, organised to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, one of India's most celebrated freedom fighters who hailed from the state. The central government had recently announced that Bose's birth anniversary would be marked as 'Parakram Diwas' every year, to honour and remember his indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation. "This will also help inspire people of the country, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as the celebrated freedom fighter did and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervour," the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said. An 85-member high-level committee chaired by PM Modi has been formed to plan year-round programmes to mark Bose's 125th birth anniversary. Heres how PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in the Parakram Diwas celebrations: > PM Modi will visit the National Library in Kolkata, where an international conference on "Revisiting the legacy of Netaji Subhas in the 21st century" and an artists' camp are being organised. He will interact with the artists and other participants, according to the PMO. > The prime minister will preside over the inaugural function of the celebrations at Victoria Memorial, Kolkata. > A permanent exhibition and a projection mapping show on Bose will be inaugurated on the occasion. > A commemorative coin and postage stamp will be released by the prime minister, and a cultural programme "Amra Nuton Jouboneri Doot" will also be held. (With inputs from PTI) You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Officials plan to vaccinate 600 Douglas County residents Saturday who fall within OHAs Phase 1A Vaccine Sequencing Guidelines. Aviva Health is holding a mass COVID-19 vaccination event for selected Douglas County citizens who fall within groups two and three of the Oregon Health Authoritys Phase 1A vaccine prioritization schedule. The event is from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. in Douglas Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. This is not a public event only pre-registered individuals who are in groups two and three of OHA vaccine distribution Phase 1A are eligible to receive the vaccination Saturday. In cooperation with Douglas Public Health Network, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Umpqua Health Alliance and other volunteers from across the county, Aviva Health intends to administer vaccinations to as many as 600 people. A mass vaccination of this size and scale in Douglas County requires broad support from organizations and individuals well beyond the walls of Aviva Health. Aviva Health acquired the supply of vaccines to be used Saturday from Mercy Medical Center and intends to hold similar events for the general public as more vaccine is available. Those who qualify have already been registered by DPHN. Individuals who arrive at the fairgrounds without proof of registration will not receive the vaccine. If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccine availability in Douglas County, please email vaccines@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org. The Texas attorney general has filed a lawsuit to block President Joe Biden's 100-day pause on deportations of certain undocumented immigrants, claiming the state will face 'irreparable harm'. Ken Paxton sued the Biden administration Friday, citing an 11th-hour agreement between Texas and the outgoing Trump administration earlier this month that requires the Department of Homeland Security to consult with the state before making changes to immigration rules. The suit is the first to be brought against one of the president's immigration actions, after he signed 17 executive orders within minutes of entering the Oval Office Wednesday - many of them reversing actions put in place by Donald Trump. One of the first was a moratorium on certain deportations for his first 100 days, citing a need for time to 'ensure we have a fair and effective immigration enforcement system focused on protecting national security, border security and public safety.' The Texas attorney general has filed a lawsuit to block President Joe Biden's 100-day pause on deportations of certain undocumented immigrants, claiming the state will face 'irreparable harm'. Migrants are detained by a US Border Patrol agent in El Paso Friday In Friday's suit, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Paxton said Texas would face 'irreparable harm' if the deportation moratorium was allowed to go into effect. Paxton, a Republican who spearheaded attempts to overturn the result of the presidential election, also argued that the deportation moratorium violated the president's constitutional duty to execute federal laws. He also said the temporary freeze violated an enforcement agreement the state brokered with the outgoing Trump administration earlier this month. 'On its first day in office, the Biden Administration cast aside congressionally enacted immigration laws and suspended the removal of illegal aliens whose removal is compelled by those very laws,' the complaint reads. 'In doing so, it ignored basic constitutional principles and violated its written pledge to work cooperatively with the State of Texas to address shared immigration enforcement concerns.' The Trump administration, Texas and the DHS signed a legal agreement in early January in an effort to slow down the new Biden administration's policy changes. But it is not clear if the 11th-hour moves are legal or enforceable. Ken Paxton (pictured) sued the Biden administration Friday, citing an 11th-hour agreement between Texas and the Trump administration earlier this month that requires the Department of Homeland Security to consult with the state before making changes to immigration rules Biden ordered a 100-day halt on deportations Wednesday as part of his first round of executive orders aimed at reversing the hardline policies of his predecessor. The Department of Homeland Security's acting chief David Pekoski issued a memorandum late on Wednesday saying that it would pause the removal of 'certain noncitizens ordered deported.' He said it would enable the department to better deal with 'operational challenges' at the US-Mexico border during the pandemic. The moratorium does not apply to any undocumented immigrant who 'has engaged in or is suspected of terrorism or espionage, or otherwise poses a danger to the national security of the United States.' Biden also signed other immigration-related executive actions Wednesday including immediately lifting a travel ban on 13 mostly Muslim-majority and African countries, halting construction of the US-Mexico border wall and reversing a Trump order preventing migrants who are in the US illegally from being counted for congressional districts. President Joe Biden is seen above at the Oval Office after signing several executive orders just hours after he was inaugurated He also signed a memorandum directing DHS and the US attorney general to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects migrants who came to the country as children from deportation. He also reversed Trump's executive order calling for stricter immigration enforcement away from the country's international borders. DHS also said it would end all enrollments in a controversial Trump program - known as the Migrant Protection Protocols - that forced more than 65,000 asylum seekers back to Mexico to wait for US court hearings. Biden had promised on his campaign trail to enact the 100-day deportation freeze if elected, a proposal that contrasted sharply with the immigration crackdown promoted by Trump. Paxton's suit is the first filed against the action and came just 50 hours after Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. The 100-day moratorium on certain deportations is to 'ensure we have a fair and effective immigration enforcement system focused on protecting national security, border security and public safety' Biden's order halts deportations but makes no mention of mass release. However, Fox News reported Friday night that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in Texas had been sent a memo telling them to release all undocumented migrants being held in their facilities. The memo stated: 'As of midnight tonight, stop all removals. 'This includes Mexican bus runs, charter flights and commercial removals (until further notice) ... all cases are to be considered [no significant likelihood of removal in foreseeable future].' The email continues: 'Release them all, immediately. No sponsor available is not acceptable any longer.' The author said they were just 'the messenger'. Paxton was a major figure in Trump's attempts to discredit the election and overturn the result. Paxton was a major figure in Trump's attempts to discredit the election and overturn the result. He led a suit calling for millions of votes to be thrown out in states Biden won He filed a lawsuit with the US Supreme Court in December against the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia - all of which Biden won - calling for millions of Americans' votes to be thrown out. The suit claimed the states made unconstitutional changes to their laws before the 2020 election by expanding mail-in voting amid the pandemic. The suit was based on unfounded claims of election fraud pushed by Trump after he lost to Biden - claims that were debunked by numerous courts and even by Trump's own administration. The Republican attorneys general for 17 other states supported Paxton's effort, which was then rejected by the Supreme Court. Paxton has previously filed a suit challenging the DACA program and is also challenging the Affordable Care Act. Both suits are ongoing. 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. FOIL DOCUMENTS HOW IT WORKS (TNS) The Legal Aid Society on Thursday denounced the Staten Island district attorney's use of a controversial facial recognition program, contending it infringes on civil liberties, particularly in communities of color, as well as on activists.The facial recognition technology developed by Clearview AI allows users to upload a photo of an unidentified person and search for potential matches from its massive database.The database consists of over three billion images culled from YouTube, Facebook, Venmo and millions of other web sites, as opposed to photos scoured merely from traditional governmental sources such as driver's licenses and mug shots.Critics contend Clearview AI treads on basic privacy and civil rights by collecting and storing data on individuals without their knowledge or consent."The relationship between the Staten Island D.A.'s office and Clearview, a for-profit company whose software's bias and unreliability has been the subject of criticism, is deeply troubling," said Diane Akerman, staff attorney with Legal Aid's Digital Forensics Unit, in a statement."Use of the technology threatens to increase surveillance of historically over-policed communities communities of color, Black and brown communities, and activists who have long disproportionately shouldered the harmful effects of surveillance by law enforcement," Akerman said.Critics warn the technology can potentially result in prosecution based on misidentification.Legal Aid, she said, is calling on District Attorney Michael E. McMahon "to disclose how his office has used Clearview AI on unsuspecting Staten Islanders and to cease any current use of facial surveillance technology."Legal Aid is a public defenders' organization.According to documents obtained by Legal Aid through the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), the D.A.'s office signed a one-year contract with Clearview AI in May 2019 to use the facial recognition technology. The cost was $10,000.The software is "an investigative tool that uses image-search technology across publicly displayed social media platforms to assist law enforcement in identifying or locating perpetrators and victims of crime," the D.A.'s office stated in a usage-guidance document obtained through the FOIL request.The technology "may also be used to exonerate the innocent or develop leads in cold-case matters," said the D.A.'s guidelines.At the time, 11 individuals in the office detective investigators, criminal analysts and computer programmers were listed as users of the software.In a statement, McMahon said his investigators use "the best technology safely and responsibly" to aid crime victims and help solve crimes."As such, we take our obligation to protect the public very seriously, and strict protocols are followed by my office to ensure privacy and civil rights are not violated when using new investigative methods and technology," said McMahon."While facial recognition software is a useful tool still used at times by my office, it is certainly not the only resource we depend on to investigate and prosecute crime," said McMahon. "Further, any suggestion that cases are prosecuted based only on the use of this software and without any other evidence is an entirely wrong and misleading statement."In light of the storming of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. two weeks ago, and the "widespread arrests" that quickly followed, McMahon said he believes "every American can see how such technology can be an effective tool for law enforcement when used properly and safely."Legal Aid contends the D.A.'s internal protocols didn't limit Clearview's use to specific cases. That means the software could have been used on the most minor of charges, Legal Aid maintains.McMahon is the only prosecutor in the city known to have contracted with Clearview AI, according to Legal Aid.On its Web site, Clearview AI says the company's technology is not a surveillance system and only searches the open Web. It does not and cannot search any private or protected information, including private social media accounts, the web site said.Critics, however, worry about a lack of scrutiny and oversight in the use of facial recognition technology.Last May, BuzzFeed News reported that Clearview AI was terminating its accounts for clients not associated with law enforcement or government departments and agencies.Numerous private companies such as Bank of America, Macy's, Walmart and Target had used Clearview's service, the report said.Many jurisdictions remain wary of the technology and the potential for misidentification.Boston, Portland and San Francisco are among those who have banned law enforcement's use of facial recognition technology, the Gothamist reported.New Jersey's attorney general has ordered all police departments in the state to stop using Clearview AI's program, the report said.Legal Aid believes the Staten Island D.A.'s office's use of the technology has generated materials subject to pretrial discovery. Such information, however, has not been turned over to the defense, Legal Aid said.In response to a FOIL request, Legal Aid said the D.A.'s office refused to provide copies of facial recognition searches run through the Clearview AI program."To disclose such records would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy," the D.A. replied, according to a Legal Aid spokesman.In addition, the D.A.'s office said it could not locate any Clearview contract documents after May 2019, the spokesman said.Akerman urged lawmakers to pass pending legislation prohibiting the use of facial recognition and other biometric surveillance technology.Mark J. Fonte, a St. George-based criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor, said the use of facial recognition technology sits on a slippery slope."As a society we are experiencing the steady erosion of our right to privacy," said Fonte. "There must be a distinction between voluntarily giving the government your likeness as opposed to unknowingly having your likeness captured through technology. There is a difference between posing for a driver's license photo as opposed to posting a picture on social media from the privacy of your home."He added: "Although our current district attorney is professional and will undoubtedly wield this technology responsibly, he will not be in office forever. This technology in the hands of an overzealous prosecutor is terrifying. Limits and controls must be in place as guardrails to prevent its abuse and limit the intrusion into citizens' privacy rights." STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. As one of his final acts as president, Donald J. Trump commuted the sentence of a Staten Islander who was serving 10 years in prison for running an international marijuana operation. Jonathan Braun, 37, of Meiers Corners, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $100,000 for spearheading an operation that illegally imported more than 110 tons of pot from Canada through a Native American reservation on the New York border, Brooklyn federal prosecutors said at the time. The drugs had a conservative retail value of more than $1.7 billion, prosecutors said. Braun was one of 70 people to have their sentence commuted by Trump before he left the White House this week. He also pardoned 73 others. Braun had already served five years in prison, and Upon his release, Mr. Braun will seek employment to support his wife and children, the White House said. Marc Fernich, who is currently representing Braun, did not respond to the Advance/SILive.com to an email seeking comment Saturday, but previously told the New York Times Trump had the courage in correcting what was a grave injustice. Mr. Brauns 10-year sentence was grossly unreasonable an extreme statistical outlier on the facts and circumstances of his case, Fernich told the Times. PROSECUTORS: TIES TO ORGANIZED CRIME IN CANADA In May 2010, Braun was indicted in Brooklyn federal court on marijuana conspiracy, marijuana distribution and money laundering charges. Federal prosecutors said he operated the ring between November 2007 and mid-2010. Braun was supplied by a consortium with ties to the three most powerful organized crime groups in Canada, including the Hells Angels, said prosecutors. Those groups control virtually all of Montreals drug trade, court filings said. The contraband was concealed in vehicles entering New York from Canada through the Akwesasne Native American reservation in upstate Franklin County, said authorities. Prosecutors said the weekly shipments of pot were delivered to stash houses on Staten Island and in Queens. Street-level dealers then distributed the marijuana in the metropolitan area, including the Island, court documents stated. In November 2011, Braun pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court to conspiracy to import 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of marijuana or more and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds, said prosecutors. Afterward, he was released on $8 million bond, pending sentence. In a pre-sentencing memorandum, defense lawyer John C. Meringolo asked that his client be sentenced to 10 years, the mandatory minimum. Meringolo said Braun had turned his life around after his arrest, getting married, becoming a father and maintaining gainful employment. OTHER LEGAL WOES In December 2019, New Jersey resident Matias Fortgang sued Braun alleging the defendant vicious(ly) attacked and shoved him off a deck outside another Meiers Corners home in July 2018. Both men were attending an engagement party. Fortgang suffered severe injuries, including multiple fractures requiring surgery, his civil complaint alleges. Meanwhile, in a federal lawsuit filed last summer, Attorney General Leticia James accused Braun of leading merchant cash advance operations and threatening small business owners, including a rabbi in Brooklyn. Braun allegedly called business owners and has insulted, sworn at, and bullied them, demanding payment and making threats such as, You have no idea what Im going to do, and I will take your daughters from you, James said. Braun allegedly threatened a business owner and told him to be thankful youre not in New York, because your family would find you floating in the Hudson, James further stated. When photos emerged of former Home and Away actress Kate Ritchie walking hand in hand with a younger man during her Byron Bay getaway earlier this month tongues began wagging about who her new suitor might be. Little is known about John Bell, who operates cybersecurity solutions business Vireoss. Kate Ritchie has been spotted holding hands with new man, John Bell in Byron Bay, after splitting from her husband in late 2019. Emerald City can reveal that prior to his high profile romance with Ritchie, 42, the 25-year-old from Portland in Victoria has had a couple of minor brushes with the law including careless driving and possession of cannabis. Court extracts show no conviction was recorded for either charge. A friend of Bell described him as a messed up teenager from little old Portland in a gushing birthday post on Instagram last year. The new romance for the fiercely private Ritchie appears to confirm she has split for good from her husband, retired rugby league player Stuart Webb. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 TOKYO - Record-setting snowfalls along the Sea of Japan coast have left thousands of vehicles stranded for hours on expressways and other roads in a series of incidents this winter. Even in areas regarded as well-prepared to handle snow, sudden and heavy blizzards made driving impossible for vehicles lacking proper equipment, and the turmoil was exacerbated by slow responses by expressway operators and local governments. In Toyama Prefecture, a total of up to about 260 vehicles were left stuck overnight in the snow in both directions on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway on Jan. 9-10. The gridlock started when a large truck was stranded on a southbound lane between the Fukumitsu Interchange and the Oyabe-Tonami Junction just past 3 p.m. on Jan. 9. The truck had snow tires but not tire chains, and was unable to get enough traction to escape from the snow. Central Nippon Expressway Co., or Nexco Central, was unable to move the truck and a long line of vehicles formed. As more vehicles became stuck on the expressway, the operator finally closed the section to traffic at 7 p.m. "These incidents greatly affected other drivers," Nexco Central said. "We will investigate what happened so that we can improve operations in the future." The Toyama prefectural government was also slow in responding. It was not until 4 a.m. on Jan. 10 that it requested the dispatch of Self-Defense Forces to rescue the stranded vehicles. The snowfall had already passed its peak, but the prefectural government also set up a task force at that time. Many drivers spent the night in their cars, and it would not be until 10 p.m. that all of the stranded vehicles were cleared. "It's difficult to determine the timing for setting up a task force," a prefectural government official said. "In hindsight, we should have made a different decision." Conversely, Niigata Prefecture has had no snow-related incidents this month despite heavy snowfalls, as it seeks to avoid a repeat from December last year, when up to 2,100 vehicles were left stranded on the Kanetsu Expressway for three days. East Nippon Expressway Co., or Nexco East, now proactively closes expressways before any vehicles get stuck, having learned its lesson from the previous debacle when it was late in closing the road. During recent snowfalls, Nexco East shut a total of five sections on four expressways running through the prefecture as a precaution. In addition, the operator deployed tow trucks and small snow blowers near interchanges with the aim of freeing stranded vehicles as quickly as possible. The main causes of such snow-related gridlock are when large vehicles get stuck and when vehicles can't stop and have an accident. The Japan Trucking Association on Monday called on all transport companies to ensure that all drivers use snow tires. However, snow tires alone are not enough. Chains are more effective, especially for driving on slopes. According to a survey conducted by the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry in 2015, 75% of cars stranded in snow had snow tires, but 90% of those were not equipped with chains. Bengaluru, Jan 23 : In order to raise awareness on blood stem cell registration and donation, Bollywood actor Sonu Sood, known for his exemplary dedication towards society, has joined hands with DKMS BMST Foundation India, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders such as Thalassemia and Aplastic Anemia. The Bollywood actor has started an initiative to get 10 thousand Indians registered as potential blood stem cell donors. Watch the actor's pledge here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crhKMVPLmlc&feature=youtu.be India ranks third highest in reported cases of hematological cancers in the world and it remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death among children as well. With this blood cancer burden in the country, the need of the hour is to support blood cancer patients in the fight against such life-threatening disease. After renowned celebrities like Vidya Balan and Rahul Dravid, Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has shared a video appeal to raise awareness about the cause. In the video, the actor emphasized the importance of family and citing his own example, mentioned that he would do anything for their happiness and appealed to the people of India to support patients suffering from blood cancer and blood disorders by registering as potential blood stem cell donors. He is known for his contributions towards the society especially during the pandemic. He has helped many people reach their home during the lockdown, provided many students with internet facilities so that they can pursue online education. Now, he has taken another major step to support blood cancer and blood disorder patients. Talking about the initiative, Bollywood actor Sonu Sood said: "I have dedicated myself to working towards the society. Not just any particular cause, but I reach out to individuals in need whether it is for a migrant labor, student or a patient. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone's life, and we should not forget that there are still lakhs of patients in India who are suffering from blood cancer or blood disorders and they need our urgent support. The easiest way you can raise hope in their lives is by registering as a potential blood stem cell donor. With this in mind, I have taken it as my duty and pledged to increase the blood stem cell donor pool of India by adding 10,000 potential stem cell donors. I thank NGOs like DKMS-BMST for working towards such a noble cause, the pain these patients go through is unimaginable and if I could bring hope to them there's nothing better than that during such difficult times." Patrick Paul, CEO, DKMS-BMST said: "Each new registration creates a new possibility of second chance at life to blood cancer and blood disorder patients and this increase in the number of potential blood stem cell donors will give a hope to many patients looking for a match. We salute the contribution of Mr. Sonu Sood and wish that more Indians come forward to register as potential lifesavers!" "All our lives we admire superheroes from movies and rarely get a chance to become a real one, but by registering as a potential blood stem cell donor you can get an opportunity to be someone's hero -- to literally save someone's life", added Sonu Sood. Only about 30 per cent of the patients in need of a blood stem cell transplant can find a sibling match. The rest 70 per cent depend on finding a matching unrelated donor. Due to the lack of awareness about the treatment possibilities in India, it becomes difficult for Indian patients to find a matching blood stem cell donor. So, if you're between 18 and 50 and in general good health, take the first step to register as a blood stem cell donor by ordering your home swab kit at www.dkms-bmst.org/register About DKMS BMST Foundation India: A non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders, such as thalassemia and aplastic anemia. We aim to improve the situation of patients suffering from blood cancer and other blood disorders in India and throughout the world, by raising awareness about blood stem cell transplantation and registering potential blood stem cell donors. By doing this DKMS-BMST provides patients in need of a blood stem cell transplant with a second chance at life. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Guwahati, Jan 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that with the all-round development of the northeastern region, "Atmanirbhar Bharat" would be achieved. Addressing a massive gathering at Jerenga Pothar in Sivasagar in eastern Assam, Modi said that since the central government was led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the present NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government has been according top priority to the development of Assam and other northeastern states. "From infrastructure and connectivity development to growth in health, education, employment generation, the double engine governments at the centre and the state are taking forward Assam's all round progress." The government has taken simultaneous modern projects for the development and expansion of road, rail, air, water connectivities of Assam and other northeastern states. "In these multi dimensional water connectivity projects, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar are also involved," he said referring to the "Act-East Policy". The Prime Minister said Assam is a significant part of "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" where 11,000 km road and several important bridges have been constructed and the way to "Atmanirbhar Assam" is through "Atmavishwaas" among the people of Assam. In the public gathering at the historical Sivasagar district, the Prime Minister launched the Assam government's mega programme to distribute land "patta" (land allotment permit) to 1,06,940 landless indigenous people. "Nearly 70 tribes of Assam have been provided social security. The BJP government in Assam also took many schemes for their speedy development. These would ensure a life of dignity for many and protect Assam's unique culture. "Love of the people of Assam brings me back again and again. I have had the privilege to visit various parts of the state over the years. I have come to celebrate with the people of the state on a major achievement of the state's indigenous people," the Prime Minister added. He said that for the development of the gas and oil based infrastructures, Rs 40, 000 crore are being invested since the past few years. Modi's Saturday's public address can be termed as the first big election rally as Assembly polls are scheduled to take place in Assam along with West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry in April-May. He said that when the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP government came to power in Assam (in 2016), more than six lakh indigenous families had no legal rights over their land. "In the past four years more than two lakh such families have been allotted "patta" or the land ownership document and more than one lakh famiies added today (Saturday). The government has fulfilled its commitment in protecting the rights of the indigeneous people, A"The land pattas would guarantee their 'Swabhiman' (pride), Swadheenta (freedom) and Suraksha (protection)," Modi pointed out in his half-an-hour speech. Criticising the previous government for depriving indigenous people, he reiterated that the BJP-led government is devoted to protecting the traditional culture, language besides land of the indigenous people. Highlighting various flagship schemes, the Prime Minister said that more than 35 lakh women including over four lakhs people belonging to scheduled caste and scheduled tribes have been benefited by Ujjwala Yojana in Assam while the numbers of LPG distributors were increased to 575 from 330 distributors in 2014."Over 90 per cent households in Assam now have cooking gas facilities." He said that at least 40 per cent population benefited in Ayushman Bharat health scheme with over 1.5 lakh people have received free treatment. "Over 2.5 lakh people have received water connection in the last two years. In the next three years, every household would get water connection and electricity already available in almost all households." He said that in the last six years, from 38 per cent toilets, Assam now has toilets in 100 per cent households. The Prime Minister said that over 2.5 crores Jan Dhan bank accounts were opened and due to which during the pandemic women and farmers received government allocated funds directly in their bank accounts. Referring to the new land policy adopted in 2019, Modi said that through the PM KISAN, Fasal Bima Yojana and through other pro-farmers schemes lakhs of farmers in Assam would be benefited and they are getting easy bank loan for the cultivation of their crops and their marketing. Saying about the historic Bodo peace accord, signed in January last year, the Prime Minister said that Assam is now in the path of peace and progress. Referring to the celebration of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as "Parakram Divas", Modi said that the day "inspires hope and national pride". He also lauded the state government for having freed the internationally famous Kaziranga National Park from the illegal encroachers.He said he was confident that Assam will take forward the vaccination drive now and appealed to all to get vaccinated. Before leaving for Kolkata, Modi also tweeted : "We are working towards Assam's development based on the requirements and aspirations of the state's dynamic people." Sonowal and Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also spoke in the gatherings. It might seem challenging to get out and see our beautiful city on a budget, but if you're looking to explore downtown Houston on the cheap, have no fear: There are a myriad of affordable activities available in and around downtown. From multiple museums and green spaces like Discovery Green to drive-in movie theaters and popular eateries, downtown is overflowing with affordable possibilities. MORE THINGS TO DO: What you should do in Houston this weekend The following are a few places offering great deals, day-of-week discounts or free activities. Keep reading for a guide to downtown's best attractions under $25. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff Photographer Every Thursday, the Houston Museum of Natural Science offers free admission to its permanent exhibit halls from 2 to 5 p.m. If you can't make it out on Thursday, you can still take advantage of a good deal by paying $25 to see the museum's permanent exhibits. College students, military, seniors over 62 and members can take advantage of even deeper discounts. Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Another fun outdoor attraction near downtown is the Houston Zoo, where online reservations are currently required for all guests. Tickets are not sold on-site. You can enjoy a day at the zoo for $22.95 for adults. Children and seniors' tickets are $17.95. Hot tip: you can plan a trip to see some of the zoo's newest residents, such as a howler monkey named Marlie, for free on certain Tuesdays. Free Tuesdays happen once a month, with the next opportunity on Feb. 2. Courtesy of Discovery Green If there's one place in downtown Houston with a huge deal of activities all for less than $25 or free, it's Discovery Green. From state-of-the-art installations such as "Monuments" by Craig Walsh, to stunning, eye-catching art displays and murals from local artists, Discovery Green has something for everyone. You can even come out to enjoy free yoga and Tai Chi classes on the big lawn. There's ice-skating underneath the stars with the lights of downtown as your backdrop until Jan. 31 for $15. Check out its website for weekday and weekend activities you and your family can enjoy. James Nielsen, Staff / Houston Chronicle Houston's Downtown Aquarium is another wonderful place to enjoy a variety of exhibits. An all-day adventure pass is $22.99 for adults and $21.99 for children. "A 500-gallon aquatic wonderland" awaits you, according to the aquarium's Facebook page. The location offers everything from catching a glimpse of divers in an Underground Rig to a Discovery Zone where you can get up close and personal with exotic animals and have the opportunity to touch and feed an actual Stingray. It even hosts Super Saturdays where you buy one pass and get one free with a coupon. Yelp/John L. If you're looking to try one of the best burgers not just around downtown but across the city, hit up Champ Burger after your day of exploration. Champ Burger is not only a long-standing family-owned joint reminiscent of the 1950s, it's a rite of passage in the East End. An original Champ Burger is just $5.29, and it's worth every bite. When I'm in the area, I always try to stop by and pick up a Champ Burger with cheese for $5.69 to go with a medium chocolate shake that costs $3.49. They joint is home to the original "Texas Size Steak Sandwich," according to its website, which costs $5.79. Located between Harrisburg and Canal at 304 Sampson St., Champ Burger has been serving mouthwatering burgers at the same location for over 50 years. Carla Buerkle If there's one restaurant in downtown Houston that makes you feel right at home, it's Irma's Original. Houston Chef Irma Galvan has been feeding Houstonians authentic homemade meals for decades. This 2008 James Beard award winner serves up some of the finest Latin cuisine for under $25. It has everything you can imagine from enchiladas, fajitas, sopa de fideo (which I highly recommend) and a variety of other dishes and desserts. You could just load up on their famous fresh guacamole and strawberry lemonade and walk out content. Located at 22 N. Chenevert St. is your next favorite Mexican restaurant. Don't be surprised if Irma stops by your table for a quick chat to get to know you a bit. Next time you're in downtown, take a second to explore your surroundings. You might be surprised by the deals you find. In his inaugural address, President Biden focused on a message of unity as the nation confronts overwhelming challenges, including the COVID-19 crisis, economically devastating lockdowns, and cultural unrest. Biden sought to diffuse the nations combustible mood, presenting a theme of recovery rather than an ambitious policy agenda. Now, as a new Washington dynamic begins, Biden along with members of Congress should remember what Americans signaled in the 2020 election. Voters undoubtedly issued a pandemic-era rejection of Donald Trump, but in down-ballot races, they reminded Democrats that the political lefts radical ideas do not reflect their values. Following this months runoffs in Georgia, voters opted for moderation and effectively divided government, with an evenly split Senate West Virginias blue dog Democrat, Joe Manchin, represents a swing vote and a narrow Democratic majority in the House (the closest margin in decades). There was no blue wave, including in state legislatures, which Democrats failed to flip to control redistricting . Instead, Republicans won two more state legislative bodies, now holding 61 of 99 state chambers. This moderation trend support for Biden, not down-ballot progressives was particularly evident in Pennsylvania, once again a presidential bellwether. The Keystone States suburban regions, especially Philadelphias collar counties, overwhelmingly favored Biden, fueling his statewide victory. The suburbs swing-voting contingent, though, rejected leftist candidates in down-ballot races. Republicans gained seats in the state House, retained their state Senate majority, and, for the first time in decades, picked up the auditor general and treasurer offices. The GOP prevailed despite Democrats and progressive groups outspending Republicans by a wide margin at the national and state level s . Pennsylvanias suburban voters viewed Biden as a centrist figure, one who didnt embrace his partys leftward direction. In fact, during last years campaign, Biden distanced himself from Democrats more radical proposals. For example, he disavowed Medicare for All during the primary. Meantime, while denouncing Trump-era tax cuts, Biden promised to only raise taxes on annual incomes of more than $400,000 (though the 2017 reform cut taxes for all income earners ). He even opposed the defund the police rhetoric while cities erupted last summer. Confronting energy policy, a major issue in Pennsylvania, Bidens campaign consistently denied in response to gaffes to appease progressive audiences that he would ban fracking. At the same time, Biden distanced himself from the Green New Deal, saying he had his own plan to address climate change. In other words, Biden won a swing state like Pennsylvania by appealing to suburban voters sensibilities, not by going hard left. After all, socialist ideas are unpopular. This was true, too, in off-year races during Trumps presidency, when moderate Democrats such as western Pennsylvanias Conor Lamb prevailed in competitive congressional districts. From suburban Pittsburgh to the southeasts Chester County, voters have consistently turned against the Democratic Partys extremist wing while also rejecting Trump. After the 2020 election, moderate Democrats, including Lamb , criticized the partys left for their losses. In Pennsylvania , Democrats blamed progressive rhetoric for their poor down-ballot showing. In response, democratic socialists lashed out at their fellow party members, blaming the establishment and racism. The reality, though, is that socialist policies are toxic to voters. Polling shows that while voters, especially the young, are more open to the word socialism, they dont support the policies that come with it . In fact, voters overwhelmingly prefer a free-market system to a government-run economy especially suburbanites. This was the case in Greater Philadelphia, where free-market candidates won despite the regions Democratic direction. This trend, too, is consistent with polling commissioned by the Commonwealth Foundation, which found that Pennsylvanians prefer free-market policies. In the last two years, for example, surveys showed that more than 70% of voters in suburban Philadelphia support giving parents more control over their childs education through tax-credit scholarships or education scholarship accounts. In addition, nearly three-fourths support reforms that limit the growth of state spending . Seventy percent also favor work or work-search expectations for healthy adults receiving Medicaid. And, during Democratic Gov. Tom Wolfs economic lockdown, 74% of suburban Philadelphia voters supported allowing businesses that follow CDC guidelines to reopen. In other words, suburban voters favor moderation as the election results showed. But despite his campaign persona, Biden may already be inching closer to leftist economic policies. As Axios reported last week, Bidens economic policy team has signaled that it will be the first administration ever to construct economic policy around issues like race, gender equality, and climate change, rather than around traditional indicators like gross domestic product or deficit ratios. Economic policies based on identity and progressive politics, rather than free-market ideas, could once again make the suburbs a battleground in the 2022 midterms. After all, voters didnt reject free-market ideas in 2020. Instead, it was leftist, even socialist, policies that frightened the electorate. As the Biden administration begins, look to Pennsylvanias suburban voters as a gauge on the electoral mood. They eschewed Trump throughout his presidency, but they also understand that radical progressivism isnt the answer to our nations many challenges. People are tense. Everyone is tense. It seems that conversations have an edge to them. The simplest of tasks are more challenging and, as a result, everyone is fried and tempers are fraying. And what is worse, there is no clear sign of an end to all of this. A further four to six weeks of level 5 Covid-19 restrictions are expected to be announced on Tuesday it's sadly predictable but no less devastating to a weary nation. The Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 will meet on Monday ahead of the full Cabinet meeting on Tuesday when the formal decision will be taken. It's somewhat of a done deal but what is not certain is the publics willingness to stay the course. Since Leo Varadkar, the then Taoiseach made the announcement to commence the first lockdown on the steps of Blair House in a Washington DC last March, public support for extremely restrictive domestic limitations on our personal freedoms have been exceptional in the main. As month after month rolled by, as we bounced in and out of various levels of lockdowns people have stayed the course generally. Yes, there have been infringements from rogue publicans to meat factory owners but they have been a small minority. But since the imposition of the latest level 5 lockdown, after the major spike in case numbers over Christmas, the publics appetite to continue to adhere to the letter of the law is showing clear signs of strain. Gardai issued more than 300 fines to motorists found in breach of the Covid-19 travel restrictions last weekend, as part of a crackdown on people engaging in non-essential travel. Fines worth well in excess of 30,000 were issued in various parts of the country while hundreds more drivers received a caution and were told to return to their homes. In Co Wicklow, members of the Roads Policing Unit issued 170 fixed charge penalty notices (FCPNs) to people who had travelled up the mountains. About 100 of these were issued on Saturday and the remainder on Sunday. Read More Daniel McConnell: Questions to be answered about appointment of top civil servant Another 200 drivers avoided a fine but were instructed to return to their homes on Sunday. The Governments decision to open up the country in December, after a six-week severe lockdown, was largely welcomed but the wisdom of it has since come under the microscope. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, on Pat Kennys Newstalk show on Thursday morning, was pressed by the broadcaster about that decision and where it has left the country. Mr Donohoe said he accepted that the government's deviation from public health advice at Christmas "had a clear effect" on where Ireland is now. "Let there be no doubt about this, I of course accept responsibility as a member of the government for decisions I've made, and the impact they've had and for all the other things I've had to do in the 10 to 11 months that I've been trying to lead and work on behalf of our country to deal with Covid-19, he said. "I do accept that the decisions that we made was one of the factors in where we are now, but also we've made many other decisions that have helped our country deal with this disease, and help our citizens, deal with the consequences of this disease, he added. Defending the decision, Donohoe said: "We were making those decisions with hundreds of 1000s of people not having a job or trying to get them back to work and seeing if it was possible. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said he accepted that the government's deviation from public health advice at Christmas "had a clear effect" on where Ireland is now. File Picture: Moya Nolan "It's clear, does that, in conjunction with the new variant, and in conjunction with the amount of additional contact that happened across the Christmas period has now been one of the factors that has had an effect on where we are now, he said. Donohoe said the government would reflect on their mistakes. "Regarding the history, of course, we do need to debate it, and I, of course, need to be held to account for decisions that I've made," he said. This week, much frustration has been raised about the continued harshness of restrictions being inflicted upon the population when large numbers of people have continued to be allowed enter the country, with less than robust testing and tracing by the State. Indeed, many in recent days have looked to the experience of Australia and New Zealand whereby inbound passengers are escorted off planes by security and forced to quarantine for 14 days in hotel rooms at their own expense. They have asked why cant we deploy such a regime here. While the Government can take some legitimate flack for opening the country up in December, it is more open to criticism for its failure to stem the tide of incoming passengers into Ireland, particularly from the UK and South Africa in light of new variant strains of the virus. As Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats pointed out, between 11 December and 3 January, 118,000 passengers arrived by air and a further 20,000 arrived by sea, however, 49%, or one in two people who came in, did not confirm properly fill out the passenger location form or confirm where they were staying. Yet, we are currently seeing people being fined for travelling beyond 5 km if they do not have a good reason to do so, she said, pointing out the gaping hole in the Governments approach. Varadkar in his response to her said introducing a quarantine system would be disproportionate and unworkable, however it is clear there is not unanimity in Government as to that view. Others, speaking to me said such measures cannot be ruled out. But even at that, whether or not we move to a quarantine system in the coming weeks, the truth is this conversation is happening way too late. A classic case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. But all the while, our schools remain closed and the patience of parents and students is being tested daily. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. File Picture: Julien Behal Warnings that it could be another four weeks before schools open is a hammer blow, especially when we have had repeated assurances from our leading public health doctors that the classroom is safe. For the lockdown to be adhered to, the public must see that the limitations to our personal freedoms are making a difference, that they are just and that they will end soon. On all three fronts, the Government is flunking its lines. After a month of increased restrictions, we are still seeing case and death numbers at record highs, the inconsistency in relation to air travel is unforgivable and the prospect of another four to six weeks of lockdown is heart-breaking. It is as if the light at the end of the tunnel always just out of reach. Even the roll-out of the various vaccines has been mired in controversy and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is once again facing criticism from within his own party, from the opposition and the public. While lockdown fatigue is understandable if we are to get out of this, can it be tolerated? Are even stiffer penalties and sanctions answer? I dont think so. The country appears ready to accept stiffer restrictions for those coming in here from abroad, if it allows us end this nightmare. News that the UK is thinking about instigating such a move only makes it more likely in this State. The Government must regain control of the narrative. More than ten years after the last census, it is time to find out precisely how many people live in the Grand Duchy and how much housing there is in the country. The census starts on 1 June. At the last census in 2011, approximately 521,300 people were counted in the country. According to Statec data, one year ago the country had 626,108 inhabitants. How many are there now? And how many homes and buildings have been built in the last ten years? These are questions to which Statec should find an answer on 21 June. This Friday, the government council adopted the draft Grand-Ducal regulation which sets the general census of the population, housing and buildings of the Grand Duchy for 1 June 2021. The data will be collected over three weeks, via online forms on guichet.lu. In addition, 3,500 surveyors will go directly to the households with the questionnaire. The questionnaires are written in five languages: Luxembourgish, French, German, Portuguese and English. The ten-year review put forward by Statec was initially scheduled to take place in February 2021. Not only does it reveal the number of residents, but it also provides detailed data on the socio-economic situation and housing conditions of the population living in the Grand Duchy. Results will not be available until early 2023. This is the 37th time since 1839 that this large-scale census will be conducted. About This Page This "Under Construction" page is an automatically generated placeholder Web page for a domain that is not yet attached to an active Web site. This page replaces the "Not Found" error pages and notifies visitors that a Web site is coming soon. How Do I Replace This Page? Publishing your Web site, updating the name servers, or forwarding to another domain name will automatically replace this default page. If you do not have an existing Web site hosting package or web forwarding, further information to get your Web site online can be found by clicking the following links. If your Web site is not ready to be published and you would like to replace this page, you may do so by configuring your under construction page. The addition of the two stores brings Jollibee's Canada store count to 16 and the brand's North American store count to 62. The new Mississauga and West Edmonton stores arrive on the heels of Jollibee opening a location on downtown Toronto's historic Yonge Street just last month. As previously announced , the brand plans to add 28 stores to its North American network in 2021, nine in Canada and 19 in the U.S. The expansion will mark the largest addition to Jollibee's North American store network in company history. The latest Mississauga store is located at 100 City Centre Drive, situated within the popular Square One Shopping Centre. Square One is Canada's second largest mall in terms of retail space and fifth busiest mall in the country, seeing 23 million visitors in 2019. The store is conveniently near the main entrance of the mall and across from the Mississauga City Centre Transit Terminal. The store will be open for call & pick-up, to-go, and delivery via DoorDash. Store hours are 11AM 7PM, seven days a week. The new West Edmonton store is primely situated across from West Edmonton Mall, the largest shopping mall in North America and the most visited mall in Canada. Located at 17136 90th Avenue, Jollibee invites hungry shoppers to satisfy their fried chicken cravings with the brand's Jolly Crispy Chicken. The store will be open for call & pick-up, to-go, drive-thru and delivery via DoorDash. Store hours are 9AM 10PM, seven days a week. To provide a safe environment for customers and store team members in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dining rooms for both of these stores will remain closed until further notice. "During these times, we are humbled by the role our food plays in bringing a spark of joy to those who visit us," said Maribeth Dela Cruz, President of Jollibee Group North America, Philippine Brands. "We know Canadians love their chicken so we have set very aggressive expansion goals to bring our unique take on fried chicken to every corner of the country. Our hope is to continue spreading joy by increasing easy and safe access to our great tasting food, headlined by our beloved Jolly Crispy Chicken and other Jolly favorites." Jollibee openings have been known around the world to inspire multi-day camp-outs and generating huge numbers of enthusiastic fans. With the onset of the pandemic and safety measures in place, Jollibee's fans and curious new customers cannot pack into stores, but they are still showing their support by coming out in droves, and engaging in socially distanced line-ups to welcome Jollibee to their neighborhood and get a taste of joy. Both stores' offerings will include: Jolly Crispy Chicken : Jollibee's fried chicken is delicately hand-breaded to create a crispy and crunchy exterior, pressure fried for maximum juiciness and marinated to the bone to provide next level flavor. Jolly Crispy Chicken is often complemented with a side of silky, savory gravy for dipping each and every bite. : Jollibee's fried chicken is delicately hand-breaded to create a crispy and crunchy exterior, pressure fried for maximum juiciness and marinated to the bone to provide next level flavor. Jolly Crispy Chicken is often complemented with a side of silky, savory gravy for dipping each and every bite. Jolly Spaghetti : Spaghetti? At a fast-food restaurant?! You heard that right. This dish, beloved by adults and kids alike, features a signature sweet-style sauce loaded with chunky slices of savory ham and hotdog and is topped with a generous sprinkle of cheese. : Spaghetti? At a fast-food restaurant?! You heard that right. This dish, beloved by adults and kids alike, features a signature sweet-style sauce loaded with chunky slices of savory ham and hotdog and is topped with a generous sprinkle of cheese. Peach Mango Pie: This easy-to-enjoy dessert is delivered in a hand-held sleeve, so you'll never lose the delicious filling made with real sweet Philippine mangoes or its light crispy crust. Though the pandemic has delivered challenges across the restaurant industry, Jollibee's North American business has remained strong with 2020 previously being the brand's most aggressive year yet. Last year, the brand opened 16 stores across Canada and the U.S. and has been able to persevere by focusing on off-premise channels including call & pick-up, to-go, drive-thru and delivery via DoorDash. For more information on these and Jollibee's other upcoming 2021 store openings, stay tuned to Jollibee Canada Facebook and Instagram pages. About Jollibee Jollibee is the largest fast food chain brand in the Philippines, operating a Philippine network of more than 1,400 stores. A dominant market leader in the Philippines, Jollibee has embarked on an aggressive international expansion plan. Jollibee has more than 240 international branches including in the United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Brunei, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Italy, and in the United Kingdom. In North America, Jollibee opened its first store in 1998 in Daly City, California. It now operates 60 stores across the region, with 46 stores in the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington, and Virginia of the United States, and 14 stores across Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. Technomic has consistently cited Jollibee among its Top 500 ranking restaurants in the United States. It was also awarded as Multinational Corporation of the Year by the Asian Business League of Southern California in 2017 and Corporation of the Year by the Asian Business Association in 2019. About Jollibee Group Jollibee Group is one of the fastest-growing Asian restaurant companies in the world. It operates in 36 countries, with over 5,800 stores globally with branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), United Kingdom, Italy, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, Panama, and Malaysia. It has 8 wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger), 3 franchised brands (Burger King and Panda Express in the Philippines, Dunkin' Donuts in certain territories in China), 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee and PHO24 brands. Jollibee Group has investments in Titan Dining LP, the ultimate holding entity of Tim Ho Wan Pte. Ltd. (the Master Franchisee of Tim Ho Wan in the Asia Pacific region excluding Hong Kong), and a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless to build Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States. Jollibee Group has been named the Philippines' most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for eight years and was honored as one of 'Asia's Fab 50 Companies' by Forbes Asia Magazine. Jollibee Group has grown brands that bring delightful dining experiences to its customers worldwide, in line with its mission of serving great tasting food and spreading the joy of eating to everyone. SOURCE Jollibee For further information: Francesca Lee, Ogilvy, [email protected] New Delhi: The recent report of Pakistan transferring nuclear missile technology to Turkey sent shockwaves around the globe. Concurrently, it exposed the nexus between Ankara and Islamabad, which in turn has far-reaching ramifications for regional stability and security. The growing threat of terrorism as a result of this nexus is of serious concern to India and Greece. As a result of this, both nations have been looking towards deepening their strategic partnership as a way to counter Turkey and Pakistans sinister designs in the region. Speaking in a webinar titled Indo-Greek Cooperation: Countering the Turkey-Pakistan Nexus. organized by Red Lantern Analytica, Andreas Mountzouroulias Editor-in-Chief, Pentapostagma, Greece called for an Indo-Greek alliance in the wake of Turkey supplying nuclear missile technology to Pakistan. He argued that to counter this alliance, India and Greece should consider joint production of weapons. While pointing out the dynamics of this nexus, Andreas highlighted Ankaras support for Pakistani terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir; Turkeys interference in Greece; and Turkeys actions to lure Indian students into terrorism via scholarships and NGOs. In closing, he urged India and Greece to formulate a new dogma of cooperation that could counter the Turkish Presidents Caliphate dreams, which pose a threat to the entire world. Dr Vandana Mishra, Assistant Professor of JNU referred to the recent beheading of a teacher in Paris as the watershed moment that expanded the divide between Turkey and France. By mentioning this incident, Dr Mishra further highlighted the Turkey-Pakistan-China nexus that has led to Ankara going against the European Union and the United States. She pointed out that despite both Turkey and Pakistan being Islamic nations, neither of them have stood up to China for their ethnic cleansing of Uyghurs. Dr Mishra then went on to underline the room available for an Indo-Greek alliance based on cultural exchanges of varied kinds. She stated that such an alliance can become the foundation for a deeper strategic partnership because it is a partnership of principles. Emmanouil Fragkos, Member of European Parliament started by underscoring the religious intolerance against minorities at the behest of Turkey and Pakistan. By referring to various such incidents of religion-based violence, Fragkos accentuated Turkeys disputes with countries like Greece, Cyprus, Armenia, and Syria. Calling Turkey and Pakistan fanatic regimes, he argues that such countries should not possess nuclear weapons as they pose a threat to world peace. In this regard, Fragkos highlighted his own efforts to create a lobby against Turkeys nuclear ambitions. He further stated that Erdogans Caliphate Dreams wont materialize because of three reasons- Turkey having reached its maximum; loss of allies in the Arab world; and the possibility of Kurds being in majority by 2050. In closing, Fragkos observed that Turkey is investing in the radicalization of Indian Muslims for the benefit of Pakistan, which should ring alarm bells. Live TV Professor John Nomikos of Director, RIEAS, Greece unfurled his remarks by underpinning that the Turkey-Pakistan nexus is an immediate terrorist threat to both India and Greece. He stated that Turkish, Pakistani, and Chinese intelligence are working together to destabilize Jammu and Kashmir as well as Greece. As the Biden administration takes over, Professor Nomikos called for an enhanced role for the European community and the United States to stop Turkeys nuclear dreams. While highlighting various platforms of bilateral cooperation between India and Greece, he asserted that India must be there in the Mediterranean to counter this nexus. Sonam Mahajan, Geopolitical Analyst opined that while shes not surprised by the growing Turkey-Pakistan nexus, the leaders of both nations are possessed with a diseased idea of expansionism. With Turkey undertaking drilling and hydrocarbon projects in the Mediterranean, India, and Greece should take on a more enhanced approach along with the European Union, she said. She further argued that both Turkey and Pakistan are using religion as a means to fuel terrorism in India and that it offers India an opportunity to ally with Turkeys foes. The webinar closed with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr While thanking all the panellists for their thought-provoking remarks, Paul Antonopoulos, Bureau Chief, Greek City Times reiterated the 2300 years long Indo-Greek legacy which has stood the test of time. He suggested that deeper relations in the fields of education, technology, and most importantly, security, is the need of the hour in wake of Erdogans Ottoman Dreams. Declaring the recent agreement of Turkey, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan as a collective threat, The Founder of Red Lantern Analytica, Abhishek Ranjan, opened the webinar by introducing the topic. Union Home Minister will be the chief guest in the presence of BJP President J.P. Nadda at the golden jubilee function of Himachal Pradesh's statehood here on January 25, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Saturday. He told the media that the function would be held on the Ridge in the presence of 2,000 people owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The journey of the state's 50 years would be depicted in an exhibition where various departments of the state government would showcase their achievements. Governor Bandaru Dattatreya will preside over the function that will also be attended by Union Minister Anurag Thakur. The Chief Minister said that a special postal stamp would be released to mark the occasion. A total of 51 events would be organised round the year to commemorate the golden jubilee of Himachal's statehood, he added. --IANS vg/arm (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ruling revives lawsuit over toddlers death A lawsuit by the parents of a toddler accidentally shot to death while in the care of an unlicensed daycare home has been revived by a state Supreme Court ruling. The states highest court last month upheld an N.C. Court of Appeals decision that had reversed a trial court decision in favor of the defendants. The defendants had argued in Henderson County Superior Court that the plaintiffs lawsuit made claims that were barred by a state Supreme Court precedent limiting similar claims of emotional harm from a wrongful death. In this tragic case, the facts are undisputed, the Supreme Court said in the opening line of a 19-page opinion supporting the case brought by the childs parents. On Oct. 26, 2015, Angel Newman dropped off her 2-year-old daughter, Abby, at the Crab Creek home of James and Heather Stepp, who operated an unlicensed daycare where Heather regularly cared for Abby and other children in addition to her own. Around 8 that morning, Abby and several other children wandered into the kitchen, where a loaded 12-gauge shotgun that James Bo Stepp had used for hunting the day before had been left on a table. One of the Stepps children under the age of 5 somehow discharged the shotgun, striking Abby in the chest at close range. After Heather Stepp called 911, Abbys father, Jeromy Newman, heard the emergency dispatch on his radio. A volunteer firefighter, Newman was shocked to hear the report that a young female child had been critically wounded at an address that he recognized. As he raced toward the Stepps home, he spotted the ambulance carrying Abby and followed it to Mission Hospital. Angel, who had been taking an ultrasound certification at A-B Tech, got the call from her husband and reached the Mission ER shortly after Abby arrived. At that point, Angel Newman was informed of Abbys death and was allowed to hold Abbys body for an extended period of time, the justices said in the 6-1 opinion. The Newmans sued in 2018, asserting that the negligence of the Stepps was to blame for their daughters death. Represented by Frank B. Jackson and James L. Palmer of F.B. Jackson & Associates, the couple argued that the Stepps failed to unload the shotgun, failed to check to make sure it was unloaded or use a safety or trigger lock, failed to teach the young children in the home about the danger firearms pose and failed to properly supervise the children in their home. As a result of their daughters death, the Newmans have suffered severe emotional distress, the lawsuit said. Angel Newman has required constant psychiatric care because etched in her memory is the experience of holding her lifeless daughter in her arms at Mission Hospital. She has convinced herself that she, too, is going to die because God would not allow her to suffer as she has suffered without taking her life also. Angel dropped out of A-B Tech, is unable to tend to regular household chores and often cannot leave her home at all. The couple has lost normal husband and wife companionship and consortium, Jackson argued in the lawsuit. The case never reached trial. In January 2019, Superior Court Judge Gregory Horne granted the defendants motion to dismiss the case. Jackson appealed, winning at 2-1 before the N.C. Court of Appeals and 6-1 at the N.C. Supreme Court filed on Dec. 18. This only allows me to try the case, Jackson said in an interview. There have been three or four cases in the last 20 years or so that says basically you had to be present at the time of the incident (of wrongful death) and see the incident, which makes no sense at all. He said he didnt know how soon the case might be scheduled for a jury trial in Henderson County Superior Court, although its possible it could take a couple of years. That could depend, too, on whether the defendants succeed in an effort for a rehearing before the states highest court. We do plan to file a petition for a rehearing, defense attorney J. Boone Tarlton said. Were working on that right now. The motion to dismiss by the defense pivoted on the question of foreseeability and on precedents in similar cases claiming negligent infliction of emotional distress, or NIED. The main grounds (for a rehearing) is the prior Supreme Court precedent wasnt followed, so theres a conflict between that one and this one, Tarlton said. My main focus is just getting the court to really address this conflict. Its important to understand that the foreseeability question is absolutely pivotal in the NIED claim. The wrongful death claim isnt involved in this at all. In fact, the Jackson law firm has filed a separate wrongful death lawsuit, which is pending in the Henderson County court and could go forward even if the separate NIED case falls. The 6-1 state Supreme Court majority acknowledged its previous orders forming the boundaries for an NIED case but said the question of reasonable foreseeability must be determined under all of the facts presented and resolved on a case-case basis In his dissent, Justice Paul Newby, who was elected chief justice on Nov. 3, acknowledged that the heartbreak of a parent from the loss of a child cannot be overstated, underscoring that with the plaintiffs own assertion: The shock and anguish suffered by plaintiffs upon learning of the wholly unexpected death of their young daughter is unfathomable to anyone not experiencing a similar loss. Were we writing on a blank slate, Newby wrote, he would side with plaintiffs, where my sympathies lie. But he warned that the court majority strays from our jurisprudence in a controlling precedent (Johnson v. Ruark Obstetrics and Gynecology) in order to fashion a different legal remedy to address this tragedy. The Johnson factors have worked well for 30 years, concluded Newby, who now leads a state Supreme Court that where the Democratic majority dropped from 6-1 to 4-3 after the November election. The majority assures that these new considerations will not open a floodgate of new NIED claims only time will tell Because I believe the trial court faithfully applied our NIED jurisprudence, I would affirm its decision. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Both the leaders took part in multiple events in West Bengal's Kolkata in a bid to host the biggest celebration of Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary even as a clash between BJP and TMC workers earlier in the day left several injured in Howrah The BJP and the TMC sought to outdo each other in celebrating Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary in poll-bound West Bengal on Saturday. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in several events in Kolkata, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee held a march to honour the freedom fighter. The ruling TMC dismissed Modi's visit as a political gimmick, as the race for power heats up ahead of the state's Assembly polls. On Saturday evening, Modi addressed the 'Prakram Diwas' celebrations in Kolkata and lauded Bose for his "steely resolve" while the TMC celebrated the day as "Desh Nayak Diwas". "On this day, that brave son was born in the lap of Mother Bharati, who gave a new direction to the dream of independent India. From LAC to LOC, the world is witnessing the powerful avatar of India that was once envisioned by Netaji. India today is giving a befitting reply wherever attempts are made to challenge its sovereignty," Modi said. "Netaji reached Andaman and unfurled the Tricolour with his own soldiers. The declaration which he had made was the first government of 'Akhand Bharat' He was the first head of the Azad Hind Government," he added. The prime minister also said that Bose would have also been "proud that the government he dreamt of is fighting a pandemic with vaccines developed indigenously". "Netaji's life, work and decisions are an inspiration for all of us. Nothing was impossible for a person with such steely resolve," he said. Modi also said that the Howrah-Kalka Mail, the train that begins at Howrah, will be renamed as 'Netaji Express'. Modi had a packed itinerary in Kolkata on Saturday, where, apart from visiting the National Library, he also inaugurated a "permanent exhibition" on Netaji at the Victoria Memorial. Mamata and Modi shared the stage during the event at Victoria Memorial, however, Mamata refused to give her speech after some people raised 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans. Banerjee had not yet started her speech when the slogan was raised by a section of the audience, PTI reported. She said such "insult" was unacceptable. "This is a government programme and not a political programme. There has to be dignity. It doesn't behove anybody to invite people and insult. I won't speak. Jai Bangla, Jai Hind," she said, wrapping up. Earlier on Saturday, the PMO tweeted that the Centre had recently decided to celebrate Netaji's birthday on 23 January every year as 'Parakram Diwas' to honour his "indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation". We don't pay tribute to Netaji only before polls: Mamata Ahead of Modi's visit to the state capital, Mamata held a massive rally or padayatra from Shyam Bazaar to Red Road to mark the occasion. Addressing a programme at Netaji Bhavan, Mamata described Bose as an icon who had advocated unity among all communities in the country. #WATCH | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee leads a march from Shyam Bazaar to Red Road in Kolkata, on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of #NetajiSubhashChandraBose pic.twitter.com/s9VpoUqPSa ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2021 She also demanded that Netaji's birthday on 23 January be declared a national holiday. In a veiled attack on the Modi government, Mamta pointed out that Netaji was not given his due respect by the Centre until the upcoming elections in the state scheduled in April-May. "We don't remember Netaji before the elections. He is in our hearts for 365 days. We are in touch with his family," she added. Banerjee also alleged that there is a "game" going on to change the country's national anthem "Jana Gana Mana". "There is a game going on to change our national anthem. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had endorsed 'Jana Gana Mana' as the national anthem. We will not allow to change it," she said. Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore wrote "Jana Gana Mana" in 1911 in Bengali and it was adopted as the national anthem in 1950. However, the national anthem is only a part of the poem penned and composed by Tagore. She also criticised the Centre for abolishing the Planning Commission, which she claimed was conceptualised by Bose and said that the Niti Aayog (which is the organisation constituted in place of the Planning Commission) can co-exist. "He (Netaji) had also spoken about the Planning Commission and several other things. I do not have any idea why the Planning Commission was abolished. Niti Aayog and the Planning Commission can co-exist. You will have to bring back the national Planning Commission," she added. "Why the national Planning Commission, which was conceptualised by Netaji in independent India, was dissolved? Why the demand for a holiday on Netaji's birthday by our government not yet met?" The chief minister also criticised Centre's decision to celebrate the birth anniversary as "Parakram Diwas Programme". She said, "I don't understand Parakram. Subhas Chandra Bose was a desh premi, he was a desh nayak," she said, adding that all the people of Bengal know this. "He worked for all castes and communities. INA symbolised that," said Mamata. "We will celebrate the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as 'Desh Nayak Diwas'. It is based on a great history. Rabindranath Tagore addressed Netaji as Desha Nayak. We formed a committee for Netaji's 125th birth anniversary celebration. Amartya Sen, Abhijeet Banerjee and eminent personalities are part of the committee for the year-long celebration," the chief minister said. She also announced to introduce Netaji Subhas University and Jai Hind Vahini. "We know about the birthday but do not know about his death. This is very painful," she added. While there is controversy over Bose's death in a plane crash in Taipei on 18 August, 1945, the central government had in an RTI in 2017 confirmed that he had died in the incident. TMC MP Saugata Roy claimed that the Central Government has declared Netaji's birthday as 'Parakram Diwas' with the aim to reap political benefits ahead of Assembly polls. He was quoted by reports as saying, "We do not appreciate politics in Netaji's name. If the prime minister wanted to do it, he could have done it six months ago. Why is he doing this on the eve of Netaji's birthday and ahead of Assembly elections in the state?" Meanwhile, speaking about Modi's programme a Congress leader said, "There is no doubt that Subhash Chandra Bose ji is the pride of the nation, especially for West Bengal but why both TMC and BJP are remembering him when elections are inching closer? Soon Congress-Left alliance will come up with the Development Agenda of West Bengal and give an alternative to the people of the state." Several injured in BJP-TMC clash at Howrah Meanwhile, political tensions between the BJP and TMC boiled over in Howrah on Saturday as Modi and Mamata presided over separate events to honour Bose. Several people were injured and many vehicles vandalised as BJP and Trinamool Congress supporters clashed, PTI reported. BJP alleged that a party member was shot at, while some were beaten with rods and sticks. Crude bombs were also allegedly hurled during the street fight at Bally, triggering panic in the area. Besides, a few bikes and a police vehicle were vandalised, officials said. On Friday, Bally MLA Baishaki Dalmia was suspended by the Trinamool Congress for alleged anti-party activities, hours after Domjur MLA Rajib Banerjee resigned as a minister in the Mamata Banerjee government. Police were yet to confirm the firing but the BJP claimed that party member Promod Dubey, who allegedly received a bullet injury in a firing at Abhra Sen Street, was rushed to the Howrah hospital. Police said that a huge contingent has been deployed in the area to control the situation and prevent any further flare-ups. Local TMC leaders said that some BJP members were allegedly extorting money from shops in the area, following which people of the area protested and roughed them up. As the BJP men blocked the GT Road in protest, some TMC supporters tried to remove them, triggering the violence. TMC claimed that BJP supporters hurled crude bombs and set on fire some vehicles to foment trouble in the peaceful locality. With inputs from agencies The pin prick in the arm of state Sen. Borris Miles looked painless Saturday as the Houston lawmaker received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in front of news cameras. Not that bad, said Miles as he pumped his fist in the air after receiving the Moderna vaccine at a health clinic in the Jensen area, one of Houstons hardest hit neighborhoods for coronavirus infections. Not that bad at all. Hey man, you didnt even cry, joked state Rep. Harold Dutton Jr., who was sitting nearby waiting his turn. But while getting the shot looked easy for the state officials, the hard part is persuading skeptical constituents to follow their footsteps. Miles and Dutton joined a group of other Black community leaders state Reps. Senfronia Thompson, Alma Allen and Garnet Coleman and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis to get vaccinated and set an example for people of color who are bearing the brunt of COVID-19. Despite the risks from the disease, surveys show minorities are less likely to get vaccinated because of poor access to health care and a mistrust of the medical establishment thats deeply rooted in past abuses. On HoustonChronicle.com: Researchers: Houston's dirty toilets detect decline in coronavirus About a quarter of the American public are doubtful about the vaccines and 35 percent of Black adults say they definitely or probably would not get vaccinated, according to a December survey by Kaiser Family Foundation. We need to make sure we target vulnerable populations, said U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, who attended the event but has already received two doses of the vaccine, which is necessary for full immunity. The first one was so easy, she said of the shot. The second shot caused her to feel a slight headache and some body aches that passed after 48 hours, she said. Its easy, and its safe and we should do it, Garcia said. Health officials say the vaccination program is being closely monitored for serious risks, such as anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can occur with any type of vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that 10 cases of anaphylaxis have been documented out of more than 4 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine about 2.5 cases per million doses administered. No one died from the allergic reactions. Headaches, fatigue and soreness are among the most common reported side effects. Vaccine Tracker: How many Texans are vaccinated? Check our interactive map. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston held Saturdays vaccination event at its UT Physicians Multispecialty Clinic on the 2600 block of Crosstimbers Street a poverty-stricken area thats at higher risk for COVID-19, according to a May 2020 UTHealth report. David Smith, pastor of New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, said the neighborhood had no access to health care until the clinic opened several years ago and finally gave residents options. If you drive around in this area, you wont find a place where they can come get their vaccines and come get their health care, Smith said. Texas lawmakers are eligible for coronavirus vaccinations, even if they dont meet the current age requirements of 65 years or older. The group who gathered Saturday received their second dose of the Moderna vaccine and stayed under medical observation for half an hour to ensure no side effects occurred. Coleman, who said he has diabetes, was ushered inside the clinic after he paused during a speech and appeared to suffer a dizzy spell. He had his vital signs checked before receiving his dose and was in good spirits as he waited. He said it was important for him to be there to set an example for his constituents. There truly is a good reason to get this vaccine for everybody, Coleman said. john.tedesco@chron.com New Delhi, Jan 23 : How you look, and feel are two key instigators to going about your daily life, says Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan. The actor has featured in a new digital campaign 'Arrival of Don Beardo', launched by men's grooming brand Beardo. The campaign aims to inspire men to "hone their sexiness and irresistibility". Hrithik says: "How you look and how you feel are two key instigators to going about your daily life." "What I like the most about the campaign is that it promotes being your true self. The campaign, in line with the core purpose of the products is to enhance confidence and seize the day, for yourself. I believe, it is a means for selfcare and Beardo as a brand is all about you, the person standing in front of the mirror. So, feel good, look good and set out to have a good day!" Sujot Malhotra, CEO, Beardo says: "Conceptualising DON Beardo's character was a very personal journey to us. We imagined him to be an epitome of everything we stand for - Alpha, intense, charismatic, suave, worthy, sexy, someone you look up to, yet are in awe of his power and he is always styled to kill (well not literally!). In simple words Don Beardo is a man; every man wants to be. Casting Hrithik in this campaign was a conscious decision as we felt he could imbibe all these qualitiesand portray them effortlessly on screen - and we are overwhelmed by the results. We at Beardo are committed to celebrating men's attractiveness & style.with the Arrival of Don Beardo, we make visualising it, a real possibility." The International Committee of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (IFRC), on Friday, welcomed the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), a joint statement they issued from Geneva and New York has said. The statement quoted the President of ICRC, Peter Maurer, as saying Today is a victory for humanity. This Treaty the result of more than 75 years of work sends a clear signal that nuclear weapons are unacceptable from a moral, humanitarian and now, a legal point of view. It sets in motion even higher legal barriers and even greater stigmatisation of nuclear warheads than already exists. It allows us to imagine a world free from these inhumane weapons as an achievable goal, it said. Similarly, the statement also quoted IFRC President, Francesco Rocca, as saying, The entry into force of this instrument of international humanitarian law comes as a welcome development. It comes as a powerful reminder that despite current global tensions, we can overcome even our biggest and most entrenched challenges, in the true spirit of multilateralism. This capacity to effectively unite and coordinate our action should be called upon as we grapple with other global, deadly challenges, it said. According to the statement, TPNW is the first instrument of international humanitarian law to include provisions to help address the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of using and testing nuclear weapons. TPNW explicitly and unequivocally prohibits the use, threat of use, development, production, testing and stockpiling of nuclear weapons. It also obliges all States Parties to not assist, encourage or induce anyone in any way to engage in any activity prohibited by the Treaty, it said. The statement cited Nigeria as one of the first 50 states worldwide, to ratify the Treaty on Aug. 6, 2020. It signed the treaty on 20 Sept. 2017, joining the global ban on Nuclear Weapons and then submitted its instrument of ratification in Aug. 2020. Nigeria has been in the forefront of campaigning, promoting, sensitising, on the importance and necessity of banning Nuclear Weapons, by encouraging other nations, especially African nations, to follow its lead, it said. The statement further stated that Red Cross and Red Crescent leaders celebrated the entry into force of the TPNW and saluted all 51 states, whose backing of the Treaty made clear their refusal to accept nuclear weapons as an inevitable part of the international security architecture. They invite other world leaders, including those of nuclear-armed states, to follow suit and join the path toward a world free of nuclear weapons, in line with long-standing international obligations, notably those under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it said. According to the statement, the Treaty obliges states to provide assistance, including medical care, rehabilitation and psychological support, to victims under their jurisdiction without discrimination, and ensure their socio-economic inclusion. In addition, it stated that it also required states to clear areas contaminated by nuclear use or testing. The statement further quoted Maurer, as saying the Treaty is a ground-breaking step to address the legacy of destruction caused by these weapons. The compelling evidence of the suffering and devastation caused by nuclear weapons, and the threat their use may pose to humanitys survival, makes attempts to justify their use or mere existence increasingly indefensible. ADVERTISEMENT It is extremely doubtful that these weapons could ever be used in line with international humanitarian law. It added: Treaty enters into force as the world witnesses what happens when a public health system is overwhelmed by patients. The needs created by a nuclear detonation would render any meaningful health response impossible. No health system, no government, and no aid organisation are capable of adequately responding to the health and other assistance needs that a nuclear blast will bring. The adoption by nuclear-armed states of more aggressive nuclear weapons policies, and the continued modernisation of nuclear weapons, all worryingly point toward an increasing risk of use of nuclear weapons. Thats why it is imperative that we act now to prevent a nuclear detonation from happening in the first place, by removing any use and testing of nuclear weapons from the realm of possibility, it said. The statement further quoted Rocca, as saying, the Treaty presents each of us with a really simple question: Do we want nuclear weapons to be banned or not? We are ready, together with our Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies, to intensify our efforts to achieve the broadest possible adherence to the Treaty and insist on its vision of collective security. The entry into force of the Nuclear Ban Treaty is the beginning, not the end, of our efforts, it said The statement added that state parties, which would have their first meeting in the course of 2021, must now ensure that the Treatys provisions are faithfully implemented and its adherence promoted. (NAN) SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Credit today announced the launch of a new online platform that offers affordable credit to consumers. Universal Credit provides customers with access to personal loans up to $25,000 with fixed rates, predictable payments, and no prepayment penalties. The platform is designed to make getting a loan simple. "Our mission is to provide customers with easy online access to the money they need, quickly. We know life can be unpredictable and we want to help people access credit when they need it most," said Eugene Hsu, Head of Product Management for Universal Credit. Universal Credit uses best-in-class technology to help customers get personal loans quickly and securely. The entire process from checking their rate to receiving the funds is entirely online and can be done from any smartphone, tablet, or computer. Funds are sent directly to the customer's account within a day of clearing any verifications, which means the personal loan can be put to work quickly. A personal loan through Universal Credit can be used for almost anything -- paying off high-interest credit cards, consolidating debt into one easy monthly payment, making a large purchase, improving a home, and more. Universal Credit began offering access to personal loans in late 2020. Personal loans are now available through the Universal Credit website for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 years old. Universal Credit does not facilitate loans to residents of the District of Columbia, Iowa, or West Virginia. About Universal Credit Universal Credit is a new online platform that helps consumers access personal loans with fixed rates, predictable payments, and no prepayment penalties. Universal Credit is based in San Francisco, California. Personal loans are issued by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, and Blue Ridge Bank, a Nationally Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. SOURCE Universal Credit Over 500 reporters and technicians from more than 200 media outlets, including 191 domestic and 26 foreign ones, will cover the 13th National Party Congress at the scene, according to organizers. Close to 100 reporters from 84 international news agencies and media outlets will also cover Vietnams biggest political event remotely. The 13th National Party Congress will take place at Hanois National Convention Centre from January 25 to February 2. The events press centre was launched the on January 22 by the Party Central Committees Commission for Information and Education. Le Manh Hung, deputy head of the commission and director of the press centre, said the centre offers the best conditions possible for the media coverage of the event. It arranges venues and provides technical assistance for participating press agencies, including key agencies such as Vietnam Television, Radio the Voice of Vietnam, the Vietnam News Agency, the Nhan dan (People) Newspaper, and the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper. Meanwhile, the standing board of the centre together with a health sub-committee serving the congress have conducted COVID-19 tests for Vietnamese and foreign reporters and technicians, as well as staff serving the congress. Regulations on interviews of delegates and news coverage have already been issued. Over 500 reporters and technicians from more than 200 domestic and foreign media outlets will cover the 13th National Party Congress at the scene. (Photo: VNA) A press centre is set up, providing the best conditions possible for the media coverage of the congress. (Photo: VNA) A group of reporters and technicians from the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) at the press centre. (Photo: VNA) The press centre provides modern facilities to facilitate the reporters' jobs. (Photo: VNA) A foreign reporter covers the press conference on the 13th National Party Congress on January 22. (Photo: VNA) A foreign reporter covers the press conference on the 13th National Party Congress on January 22. (Photo: VNA) Reporters at the press conference on the 13th National Party Congress. (Photo: VNA) A reporter of the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: VNA) Security forces deployed in capital to protect 13th National Party Congress Thousands of Hanoi police officers were deployed on January 20 in a long campaign to ensure security and safety in the buildup to the 13th National Party Congress. Advertisement Britain's top schools have unveiled a bold plan to vaccinate the country's entire teaching staff and get pupils back into the classroom within weeks. Headteachers have drawn up a detailed blueprint to get the educational workforce, including support staff, inoculated over the February half-term week. The ambitious scheme could prove a political lifeline to Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he faces mounting calls to put teachers at the front of the queue for jabs and prevent more catastrophic damage to the prospects of millions of locked-down children. Under the emergency scheme, 150 independent schools and state academies would become vaccination hubs with medically trained staff inoculating school workers for 16 hours a day. The plan's architects claim that 'most or even all' of England's one million school and nursery teachers, teaching assistants and support staff, including dinner ladies and caretakers, could be vaccinated within the week. It comes as Ministers have been downplaying expectations schools could reopen after half-term, as originally envisaged. Last week, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson could only say he 'hoped' children would be back in classrooms by Easter, let alone February. However, England's Children's Commissioner, Anne Longfield, said primary schools must begin to re-open after half-term or children in deprived areas 'will fall even further behind' their peers. The ambitious scheme could prove a political lifeline to Prime Minister Boris Johnson The new vaccination proposal, which would incur no cost for the Government, has been drawn up by two academy chains, a private school group and the respected Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, which represents nearly 300 independent schools, including the likes of Eton and Harrow. Ministers have yet to respond to their blueprint, which has been revealed as: A Mail on Sunday poll found 40 per cent of people believe their mood and state of mind have declined since the start of the pandemic, and 33 per cent of parents say the mental health of their children has worsened; A record 478,248 vaccine jabs were delivered on Friday, taking the total to 6,329,968, of which 5,861,351 were first doses; The number of reported positive Covid-19 cases fell by 18 per cent from 41,346 last Saturday to 33,552 yesterday, but there were 1,348 new deaths; Experts accused Mr Johnson of 'exploiting public fear' over the virus following disputed claims that the mutant Kent variant was 30 per cent more lethal than the original; The medical director of Public Health England rejected calls from the British Medical Association to halve the gap between the two doses of vaccine from 12 weeks to six; The Intensive Care Society said one in five nursing staff is suffering post-traumatic stress disorder more than the rate among war veterans as more than 4,000 patients are now on ventilators across the UK; An ambitious campaign by the Mail to deliver laptops to locked-down pupils struggling with lessons got under way; Tory MPs urged the Prime Minister to publish military-style 'multiple pathways' out of lockdown with one saying that people would not tolerate 'living like troglodytes' indefinitely; Practice nurse administers the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine at a temporary vaccination centre in Sheffield The Government was set to make visitors from some high-risk counties quarantine in hotels but stop short of a blanket rule; Chris Whitty's fury at Guardian for 'total nonsense' claim Pfizer vaccine might only be 33% effective amid fears it could threaten jab uptake Boris Johnson's medical chief was so infuriated by a newspaper story which claimed that a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine might only be 33 per cent effective that he threatened to report it to a press watchdog, The Mail on Sunday understands. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty normally one of the more mild-mannered figures at No 10 press conferences told colleagues The Guardian's report was 'total nonsense' which could threaten the uptake of the jab. The newspaper quoted 'Israeli experts' as saying only a third of people who have received one injection were protected. No 10's vaccine advisers say the real figure is 89 per cent, starting 14 days after the first jab. It was reported yesterday that a single shot of the Pfizer vaccine had led to a 'major presence' of antibodies in 91 per cent of doctors and nurses who received it in Israel within 21 days. A source said: 'It is not every day that a member of the liberal academic establishment is angered by The Guardian.' No 10's options were limited, however, because the newspaper has not signed up to the Independent Press Standards Organisation, which regulates newspapers and sanctions them for inaccuracies. The report quoted Israeli Covid commissioner Professor Nachman Ash as saying that a single dose of Pfizer appeared 'less effective than we had thought', once cases of asymptomatic infection were included, although those who had received their second dose had a six- to 12-fold increase in antibodies. Advertisement AstraZeneca warned EU countries it will cut deliveries of its Covid-19 vaccine in another blow to Europe's spluttering inoculation drive; A Mail on Sunday investigation reveals how foreign firms have handed billions of pounds to their wealthy investors after taking out cheap Covid loans backed by the British taxpayer. Downing Street has been increasingly pessimistic that infection rates will fall quickly enough for schools to reopen next month, with some officials warning parents should 'prepare to wait until May'. However, a chorus of eminent education experts last night urged the Prime Minister to intervene and back the schools vaccination plan to speed up that timetable. Sir Anthony Seldon, a leading historian and former master at Wellington College, said: 'It is desperately important to get all schools back fully open for the sake of parents, guardians and their children. This is a really magnificent plan. No 10 needs to start listening to and welcoming ideas like this.' Sir Michael Wilshaw, the chief inspector of schools and head of Ofsted between 2012 and 2016, said: 'I would strongly support the Government putting teachers and support staff in schools at the very top of the list in terms of vaccination. As soon as that happens, then we can get schools open again. I'm in full support of this.' Earlier this month, the Headmasters' and Headmistress' Conference and Cognita, a private education group with 40 independent schools, joined the Academies Enterprise Trust and Ormiston Academies Trust, which together run 98 state academies, to create their plan. Top private schools that have volunteered to be vaccination hubs include Shrewsbury School and Oswestry School in Shropshire, South Hampstead High School in London, Bootham School in York, Plymouth College and Ipswich School. In a letter sent to Mr Johnson, Mr Williamson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock on January 10, the schools said: 'The single initiative that could help families cope better with the lockdown, preserve our children's learning and mental health and help to encourage the economy to restart would be to ensure that schools can open safely after the February half term.' They said their sites have the refrigerators required to store the vaccine and a 'large force of medically trained members of staff' who would be able to administer the jabs. Last night, Chris McGovern, a former education policy adviser to Margaret Thatcher and chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, described the offer as a 'no brainer' He added: 'The Government needs to wake up, get a move on, get a grip and get this done.' Tory MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the Education Select Committee, said: 'The Government should be doing everything possible to get all schools open after half term.If you get all teachers and support staff vaccinated it means schools can reopen sooner.' A No 10 source said there were no current plans to change the priority order for vaccines. 'A magnificent plan... No 10 needs to listen' 'This will save learning and mental health' Britain's coronavirus cases fall again amid 'scaremongering' row: Scientists play down more deadly variant claim and admit it's 'not a game changer' as new infections drop by 18% in a week to 33,552 and deaths rise by 4% to 1,348 Don't blame the public for packed hospitals, urge top doctors after string of medics tell rule-breakers they have 'blood on their hands' - and number of Covid patients on ventilators hits 4,000 Top intensive care doctors told NHS staff not to blame people for breaking lockdown rules on Saturday, as the number of people on ventilators with Covid-19 surpassed 4,000 for the first time. Dr Alison Pittard and Dr Daniele Bryden, respectively the dean and vice dean of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, chided other healthcare workers for posting messages online which have been critical of lockdown rule breakers. In an article for the Observer, the pair said media was 'awash with comments' from 'exhausted and understandably frustrated' healthcare staff suggesting rule-breakers 'may have "blood on their hands" or need to "f**k off"'. Dr Pittard and Dr Bryden added criticising the public runs the risk of 'feeding the trolls who call us liars when we show the harsh realities of intensive care treatment'. Among other critical messages posted by medics, cardiology professor Richard Schilling recently said on Twitter that breaking the rules 'should have the same social stigma as drunk driving'. It came as the number of coronavirus patients on ventilators in UK hospitals passed 4,000 for the first time since the start of the pandemic. A total of 4,076 Covid patients were in hospital on ventilators as of Friday, according to official data. The highest number in the first wave was 3,301 on April 12. Advertisement Britain's daily Covid case total has plunged by 18 per cent in a week after experts played down the Government's 'scaremongering' claims that a UK variant of coronavirus is more deadly than the original strain. A further 33,552 people tested positive for coronavirus today - a nearly 10,000 drop on the 41,346 recorded last Saturday. It brings the total number of cases in the UK since the start of the pandemic to 3,617,459. Official figures also revealed 1,348 more people have died within 24 hours of testing positive for the virus - a rise of 4.1 per cent on last Saturday's 1,295. But, in a positive sign Britain's third wave of Covid fatalities could be slowing, last Saturday brought a 25 per cent week-on-week rise in daily cases, significantly higher than the increase seen today. Boris Johnson yesterday revealed that the Kent coronavirus strain - responsible for the soaring Covid cases recorded in the last month - could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus. However the PM has been accused of 'scaremongering' after failing to present any evidence to back up the terrifying development. And the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) - the body of scientists which has advised the Government throughout the pandemic - are only 50 per cent sure the new variant could be more fatal. Professor Robert Dingwall, who sits on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) - the subcommittee of Sage which discussed the deadliness of the new strain on Thursday - said the claim that the variant is 30 per cent more lethal is on a 'very fragile' base of evidence and accused the Government of 'exploiting public fear' over the virus. He told website Reaction: ' The 30 per cent more lethal claim about the virus rests on a very fragile and uncertain base of evidence. NERVTAG has expressed limited confidence in this figure, which should not be the basis for public alarm.' 'It is right not to hide possibly bad news but it is also quite wrong to exploit it to increase public fear and to try to shut down debates about the exit strategy from the current restrictions.' Chief Scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance said during the press conference that evidence the strain is indeed more deadly is still 'weak'. Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle today revealed it is not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous. Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it is an 'open question' but not a 'game changer' in terms of dealing with the pandemic. He said: ''The question about whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality I think is still open. There is evidence it is more dangerous but this is a very dangerous virus," he said. 'In terms of making the situation worse it is not a game changer. It is a very bad thing that is slightly worse.' And Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of Sage subgroup the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about the suggested increased mortality rate. He said he was quite surprised by the announcement and recommended waiting a week or two more... before we draw really strong conclusions. PHE's Dr Doyle said it is still not 'absolutely clear' the new variant coronavirus which emerged in the UK is more deadly than the original strain. She said more work was needed to determine whether it was true. The Sage paper cited three studies of the Kent strain: A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study (left) based on 2,583 deaths that said the hazard of death within 28 days of test for the mutant strain compared with non-mutant strains was 35% times higher An Imperial College London study (centre) of the Case Fatality Rate of the new mutant strain that found the risk of death was 36% times higher A University of Exeter study (right) that suggested the risk of death could be 91% higher. Both the Exeter and the Imperial studies were based on just 8% of deaths during the study period Nervtag concluded there was a 'realistic possibility' - detailed on the yardstick above as a probability between 40 and 50 per cent - that the variant resulted in an increased risk of death when compared with the original strain Boris Johnson and Sir Patrick Vallance said at a Downing Street press conference last night that the variant of the coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly than the previous version of the virus that it is competing with She told the Today programme: 'There are several investigations going on at the moment. It is not absolutely clear that that will be the case. It is too early to say. 'There is some evidence, but it is very early evidence. It is small numbers of cases and it is far too early to say this will actually happen.' Figures released today showed there were a further 1,079 cases of coronavirus in Wales and another 27 deaths. Meanwhile, a further 76 people have died from coronavirus in Scotland, while 1,307 more positive cases have been confirmed. There have been 12 more deaths due to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, while a further 670 positive cases of the virus were also confirmed there on Saturday. Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 113,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK. The Government also said that, as of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 33,552 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK. Government data up to January 22 shows of the 6,329,968 jabs given in the UK so far, 5,861,351 were first doses - a rise of 478,248 on the previous day's figures. Some 468,617 were second doses, an increase of 1,821 on figures released the previous day. The seven-day rolling average of first doses given in the UK is now 328,882. Based on the latest figures, an average of 397,333 first doses of vaccine would be needed each day in order to meet the Government's target of 15 million first doses by February 15. It comes after Sage's warning revealing scientists are only 50 per cent sure the variant could be more fatal was handed to ministers just hours before the official address to the public from Downing Street last night. Ministers were only informed about the development yesterday morning after members of Nervtag discussed the issue on Thursday. The group found there was a 'realistic possibility' the variant resulted in an increased risk of death when compared with the original strain. But evidence for increased mortality remains thin Nervtag papers reveal the term 'realistic possibility' is used when scientists are only 40 to 50 per cent confident something is true. The paper states 'it should be noted that the absolute risk of death per infection remains low'. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said if the evidence is correct it would mean three to four more deaths per 1,000 cases. The decision to reveal the new information just hours after learning of the development is a yardstick of how alarmed ministers are. Critics accused them of 'scaremongering' by announcing their fears the Kent strain is more deadly at short notice and without strong supporting evidence. Professor Dingwall told Reaction: 'The 30 per cent more lethal claim about the virus rests on a very fragile and uncertain base of evidence. Nervtag has expressed limited confidence in this figure, which should not be the basis for public alarm.' He continued: 'It is right not to hide possibly bad news but it is also quite wrong to exploit it to increase public fear and to try to shut down debates about the exit strategy from the current restrictions.' 'If, as seems likely, the vaccines are as effective against the Kent variant as the previous one, then any increase in risk, which is not proven, is only a temporary problem that will disappear as the vaccine programme rolls onward.' The gloomy Nervtag report followed positive news from Sage that the R rate was between 0.8 and 1 - down from last week when it was between 1.2 and 1.3. Covid Recovery Group of Tory backbenchers and business chiefs are growing increasingly alarmed at suggestions lockdown could stretch well into summer despite Britain's vaccination programme. The Sage paper released last night cited three studies of the risk of death associated with the new strain. They were all based on a study of 2,583 deaths among 1.2million tested individuals: Meanwhile professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Dr Medley said it is still an 'open question'. Prof Medley was co-author of a report by the Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group. But he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme it was not a 'game changer' for dealing with the pandemic. He said: 'The question about whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality I think is still open. There is evidence it is more dangerous but this is a very dangerous virus. In terms of making the situation worse it is not a game changer. It is a very bad thing that is slightly worse.' Dr Tildesley, a member of Spi-M, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about both the suggested increased mortality rates from the new Covid variant. He said: 'I was actually quite surprised the news had been announced at a new conference. It seems to have gone up a little bit from about 10 people per thousand to about 13 which is quite a small rise but it's based on a relatively small amount of data. 'I would be wanting to wait for a week or two more, monitoring a little bit more before we draw really strong conclusions about this.' Speaking on BBC Breakfast he added: 'I just worry that where we report things pre-emptively where the data are not really particularly strong.' Professor Peter Horby, who chairs Nervtag, said people needed to put data showing increased mortality rates from the new UK coronavirus variant 'in perspective'. He told BBC Breakfast: 'Initial data didn't suggest that this was any more serious than the old virus but now the data has started to come in there are a number of streams of data that are coming in that suggest there might be a small increase in risk of death. 'There are some limitations in the data so we need to be cautious with the interpretations but it is important that people understand that we are looking at this and this may be true. 'If you look at it as a relative change like 30 or 40% then it sounds really bad but a big change in a very small risk takes it from a very small number to a slightly bigger, but still very small number, so for most people the risk is very, very small. 'People need to put it into perspective. This is a risk for certain age groups and that risk may have increased but for most people it is still not a serious disease.' But Prof Horby acknowledged the new data should be taken 'very seriously'. He added: 'This is an unpleasant virus. It's throwing things at us that are unpleasant and we're going to have to manage them.' Passengers wait at Heathrow Airport yesterday as ministers mull even tighter rules The number of people developing Covid-19 every day appears to have halved in a fortnight from 70,000 on January 8 to 34,000 yesterday, according to the Covid Symptom Study, which uses self-reported symptoms through a mobile app used by around a million people His comments follow PHE doctor Susan Hopkins, who cautioned people from reading too much into the findings and suggested the evidence was still murky. She added: 'There is evidence from some but not all data sources which suggests that the variant of concern which was first detected in the UK may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. Evidence on this variant is still emerging and more work is underway to fully understand how it behaves.' Kit Yates, a mathematical biologist at the University of Bath, slammed the Government for causing confusion and panic about the variant. He tweeted: 'I really dislike the way the news about the increased lethality of B1.1.7 was leaked out and then discussed in a press briefing. Where is the data? We want to be able to scrutinise it and to understand the detail, not just the summary.' But the long time lag from infection to hospitalisation means there is not a huge amount of data available on the variant, with Nervtag saying analyses will become more definitive over the coming weeks. One theory as to why it may be more lethal is the stickiness of the mutation and the way it gets into cells and replicates - a behaviour that also makes the variant more transmissible the Telegraph reports. Boris Johnson told the Downing Street briefing on Friday : 'We've been informed that in addition to spreading more quickly it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant first identified in London and the Kent may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.' Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said during the address that even now the science is still at an early stage. He said: 'These data are currently uncertain and we don't have a very good estimate of the precise nature or indeed whether it is an overall increase, but it looks like it is.' He said for men in their 60s, the average risk was that for every 1,000 who got infected, ten would be expected to die. But with the new variant it might be 13 or 14. That equates to an increased relative risk of 30 to 40 per cent. Sir Patrick noted estimates vary and stressed some concluded there was no additional risk. But he said his best guess was that deaths increase by about 30 to 40 per cent. He added: 'The death rate is awful and it's going to stay, I'm afraid, high for a little while before it starts coming down that was always what was predicted from the shape of this.' Nervtag concluded death rates have not increased among those in hospital. But evidence suggests it raises the risk of being hospitalised in the first place. We're sadder, poorer... and fatter: Mail on Sunday survey finds Britain is suffering under lockdown - but majority say government did the RIGHT thing with Covid response 40 per cent say mental health hit during lockdown and third suffer fall in income as firms are forced to close Half have piled on weight and our diet has got worse, exclusive Mail On Sunday survey reveals Concern over crisis is growing 84% who say they are 'worried' about it is highest figure since end of April Life in lockdown is leading to a significant deterioration in the nation's mental health, according to an exclusive poll. Some 41 per cent have suffered a decline in their state of mind since the start of the pandemic, the Deltapoll survey for The Mail on Sunday found. Concern over the crisis is growing rather than abating the 84 per cent who say they are 'worried' about it is the highest figure since the end of April. More than half of respondents (54 per cent) say they have become more anxious, while 44 per cent are more tired. Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) say lockdown has made things more difficult for them, with a bleak 9 per cent saying they feel as if they can no longer cope. While 48 per cent say they feel the same way now as they did during the last lockdown, nearly a third (30 per cent) say they are finding it more difficult to cope in this one. Life in lockdown is leading to a significant deterioration in the nation's mental health, says the Mail on Sunday survey Psychologists are particularly concerned about the effect on children who are facing separation from friends and interruption to their education, and those fears are borne out by the poll: a third of parents say that the mental health of their children has become worse. A similar proportion say their children's quality of life is now poorer 42 per cent. The survey also found the crisis has impacted physical health and diet. People are eating more (42 per cent against 9 per cent eating less) and drinking more alcohol (29 per cent versus 24 per cent). The knock-on effect is that 49 per cent have gained weight, and only 16 per cent have shed the pounds. Despite partners spending more time together at home, their sex lives have been affected: 30 per cent report less intimacy, while 16 per cent are more sexually active. In terms of household finances, 34 per cent say their income has dropped since the crisis started, while 10 per cent say it has increased. The poll picks up concerns about the lasting damage to children, with 38 per cent saying the quality of their eduction has got worse and 37 per cent saying it has damaged their future prospects (9 per cent disagree). A total of 42 per cent believe home schooling puts too much pressure on parents, and four out of ten of those parents who feel their children's education is getting worse believe they will not be able to catch up once the crisis is over. The burden of trying to make up for the closure of classrooms with home schooling is falling on mothers, according to the findings, with 39 per cent saying that women have taken on the most responsibility. Some aspects of family life have, however, improved, with 19 per cent saying that they now have a better relationship with their children, compared to 10 per cent who say it is worse. A total of 28 per cent found the outbreak made them want to spend more time with their partners and 22 per cent were arguing less with their family. Boris Johnson's approach to the crisis is broadly supported, with 47 per cent saying his Government is doing the right thing against 41 per cent who say it is doing the wrong thing. The public backs tough measures: 86 per cent think masks should be worn indoors in public places, and 72 per cent think they should be worn in all public places. Half of voters do not think lockdown rules go far enough, and nearly three quarters (73 per cent) think they were introduced too late. The survey also finds support by a small margin for people who have received the vaccination to be allowed to enjoy greater freedoms, such as a return to restaurants, while a larger margin back travel bans for the unvaccinated. A large majority of respondents (71 per cent) indicate they are very likely to want to be vaccinated, but one in ten are still reluctant about a jab. A majority (62 per cent) feels it is important that some receive the vaccine before others, with fewer than a third (28 per cent) believing that 'all lives are of equal value' when it comes to vaccinating. Meeting up with family, friends and eating in bars and restaurants top the list of things people miss being able to do the most. To fill the void, they are spending more time browsing the internet (the most popular choice), followed, in order, by watching television, using social media, cooking, video-calling family, cleaning, eating, walking, day-dreaming, doing the laundry, tackling DIY tasks and reading. The uncertainty over travel restrictions means that fewer than a third of people (29 per cent) are planning a summer holiday. Despite policy U-turns during the crisis, Mr Johnson records a positive approval rating for the first time since last summer, moving to a net score of plus one although he still lags behind Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (plus 14) and Chancellor Rishi Sunak (plus 26). Joe Twyman, the co-founder and director of Deltapoll, said: 'The results show that millions are feeling significantly more anxious, more tired and less hopeful as a result of the outbreak While the rollout of a vaccine is celebrated by many, British society generally, and the Government specifically, will have to find many more effective and lasting ways of dealing with this 'feel bad factor' in the months and years to come.' l Deltapoll interviewed 1,632 British adults online between January 21 23. The data has been weighted to be representative of the British adult population as a whole. Where percentages don't add up to 100, this excludes 'others' and 'don't knows' Children's tsar: primary pupils must go back after half-term The children's tsar has said that primary school pupils must be allowed back in class after the February half-term and last night backed calls to prioritise Covid jabs for teachers. Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner, spoke out as an exclusive poll for The Mail on Sunday found almost two-thirds of parents want children to return to school next month. The poll of 1,002 parents by Mumsnet also found that 75 per cent of parents believed that the school closures had been harmful to children's education. Forty per cent of parents of private school pupils said youngsters are actively engaged in five or more hours per day in school work, compared with just 12 per cent of those at state schools. Nine out of ten parents said children's social lives had suffered, with 78 per cent saying school closures have been harmful for pupils' mental health. Sixty-two per cent said that they wanted Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to reopen all primary schools and Year 11 and 13 classes after the February half-term break. Almost half said they wanted children back in school due to concerns over the impact the lockdown is having on their mental health. Ms Longfield told this newspaper: 'The evidence is now overwhelming that closing schools is bad for children's wellbeing and attainment. That is why I don't want schools closed for a day longer than necessary and why, since the start of the pandemic, I have urged the Government to do all it can to make sure schools are the last to close and the first to open.' She warned many vulnerable children 'slip out of sight during lockdown,' adding: 'Reopening schools must be a priority and Gavin Williamson was right to say he hoped to have all children back in the classroom before Easter. Nine out of ten parents said children's social lives had suffered, with 78 per cent saying school closures have been harmful for pupils' mental health 'For this to happen, Government need to start planning now so that this can be done safely. If all schools are to be open before Easter, primary schools will need to start going back after the next half-term. 'Teachers need to be a higher priority for vaccines and we need testing regimes that schools have confidence in, alongside a rocket boost for catch-up funding, and an urgent acceleration of providing all schools with an NHS-funded counsellor.' Liz Cole, co-founder of the Us For Them parent campaign group, said: 'Most schools are doing their absolute best to do things remotely but nothing can replace the classroom learning experience. 'I don't think that we can justify the harm that we are doing to our children by keeping them out of school for so long.' Ella Medina, a mother of three children, aged 11, 13 and 15, said her children were struggling to keep up with online lessons. 'The delivery can be incredibly one-dimensional. It's hard for the children to engage. I'm constantly having to hover over them to make sure they're not switching to games or WhatsApping their friends. I think it is an absolute necessity that schools go back after the half-term, regardless of the Covid-19 situation. It is an essential service.' Another mother, from Cambridge, who has a 12-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son, said: 'My son is having no live lessons just one assembly on Zoom each week. He is expected to log on and complete worksheets and watch videos from the Government's Oak Academy which drones on. 'He loses interest in minutes. My daughter is really struggling with it. We are trying to get her to submit one thing a day. She is really demotivated. She misses her friends. I'm worried about her ever being able to re-engage and catch up on what she has missed.' Click here to visit Mumsnet I help with classes but can't replace friends With a full-time job to hold down, and three children trying to learn from home each day, Jennifer Gray worries that her children may never catch up on the schooling they have lost. She fears for the mental health of her two eldest children, Isabella, 16, and Calum, 15, who sit in front of laptops all day, watching their teachers giving live video lessons. But her daughter Delilah, seven, is not receiving any live learning, which means that the exhausted mother-of-three has to sit with her and play the role of teacher. Jennifer and her husband, Jonathan Bates, worry about the mental health impact the latest lockdown is having on their children She said: 'We get a list of to-do tasks each day and are told it will take three hours but it never takes less than six. There are no interactive lessons. I've organised an interactive assembly with other parents, just so the kids can have some inter-action.' Jennifer and her husband, Jonathan Bates, worry about the mental health impact the latest lockdown is having on their children. She said: 'I want them to get back to school as soon as possible. I am so surprised by the reaction of people who just say 'close the schools', forgetting about the kids. That passion for education and its importance seems to have gone out the window during this pandemic. I can't tell you how worried I am about their long-term future because of all this. 'My children are privileged. They've got me at home, they've got laptops and space. But the kids that don't have that... I worry about the future, I really do.' Jennifer, 40, who works in training and events, said there was no way of her children's secondary school teachers knowing whether they were actually paying attention in class. She said: 'Many of the children have their mikes and cameras off and it's hard to get them to speak in live lessons. I'm not sure teachers can be entirely sure who is there. 'I'm sure there are cases of kids just turning the lesson on and going off and doing their own thing. 'The pressure that is being put on them to keep up with learning as usual is completely unrealistic. I put the blame on the Government, not the teachers. 'Pressure on teachers is also intense and the expectation that children will simply learn as normal is completely unrealistic.' Jennifer, from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, added: 'Interaction has been missing entirely from the Government's strategy. 'The thing I want most actually is anything that would give them some interaction with others. 'We can cope with the learning here just about what I can't be is a teenage boy for my 15-year-old.' 'I'm not sure if teachers can be sure who's there' Seven-day jab blitz for all teachers It is an audacious plan that a coalition of top private and state schools say could get pupils back into classrooms and prevent the lockdown wreaking lasting damage on a generation of children. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that four groups representing more than 400 leading state and private schools have offered to vaccinate all of England's teachers and education staff during a seven-day half-term blitz next month. Elite fee-paying schools, including Shrewsbury, a 12,000-a-year boarding school in Shropshire, and Woldingham, a Roman Catholic girls' school in Surrey, have joined forces with dozens of state-funded academies and offered to open a network of 150 vaccination hubs in an extraordinary bid to restart education. The plan last night won the backing of a string of leading education figures, including Sir Michael Wilshaw, a former chief inspector of schools; historian Sir Anthony Seldon, the former master of Wellington College; and former Education Secretary David Blunkett. Boris Johnson was last night facing calls to step in and approve the plan. In a letter to Mr Johnson and copied to Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, the coalition of schools wrote: 'Our plan is to establish local 'hub' schools dedicated to administering the vaccine to teachers, childcare workers and support staff, starting with nurseries and special schools so that these can remain open over the coming weeks.' The schools outlined the plan in more detail in another letter to Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi. They proposed vaccinating all of the 453,000 teachers employed in England's state-funded schools and nurseries, along with 493,000 teaching assistants and support staff, including dinner ladies and caretakers, plus more than 50,000 teachers and other staff employed in the private sector. Astonishingly, the schools said they could achieve this in seven days during the half-term break. 'We can establish a network of 150 school sites, ready from mid-February we would be able to deliver a programme to vaccinate most (or even all) of the 1 million teachers, and childcare workers in England in the week of the February half-term, while no schooling is taking place,' the schools wrote. They said the hubs would carry out vaccinations between 6am and 10pm. The scheme would require 1,500 vaccinators, which the schools would provide from among their medically-trained staff and parents. They would also recruit 2,200 support staff for patient management, cleaning and catering. 'We are certain that we have more than enough physical space to manage this rollout safely, and we are confident that we could recruit lay volunteers from our own communities to act as support staff. 'We propose to work in close partnership with local authorities,' the letter said, adding that it would be 'an elegant and very practical solution to the problem of ensuring that teachers can be vaccinated, and all schools can fully open, safely and sustainably, as soon as possible'. The plan has been masterminded by the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, which represents nearly 300 private schools; Cognita, a group of 40 private schools; the Academy Enterprise Trust, which sponsors 58 state-funded schools; and Ormiston Academies Trust, a network of 40 state schools. Leo Winkley, headmaster of Shrewsbury School, said it could be one of the vaccination centres. 'We have offered to act as a vaccination hub to help speed the process of reopening schools safely,' he wrote on Twitter. 'School teaching and support staff across the country should be high up the list for vaccinations.' Elite girls' schools offering to open as vaccination centres include Woldingham and South Hampstead High School in North London. The Ormiston trust, whose highest-performing secondary school is Ormiston Venture Academy in Great Yarmouth, said: 'By standing together our voices are louder and can be heard by many. 'It is vital for our children's futures that our teachers and support staff get vaccinated, so our schools can start to open again.' Another of the proposed hubs would be at Ipswich School, a private school with annual fees of up to 16,300, where vaccinations would be carried out in its Rushmere sports complex. Tom Hunt, Tory MP for Ipswich and a member of the Education Select Committee, urged the Government to 'think outside the box'. He said: 'This is not a pie-in-the-sky idea about how to vaccinate people this is a proper plan and I think we should be snapping their hands off and saying, 'brilliant, how can we make it work?' ' Mr Hunt raised the proposal with Dr Jenny Harries, England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, during a select committee hearing last week. Dr Harries cautioned that 'the big problem... is the supply of vaccine'. The schools urged the Government to consider their plan 'in the event that vaccine supply is no longer a significant issue by mid-February'. Former Ofsted head Sir Michael said last night: 'It's a good idea. What is absolutely essential is that we get schools back open as soon as possible.' Sir Anthony added: 'No 10 and the Department for Education should embrace it enthusiastically.' HANDS UP IF YOU THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA: The schools say that they can vaccinate more than a million education staff during the half-term break Top schools tell PM: We have got 1,500 trained staff ready to give injections at 150 sites across the country from 6am to 10pm. Now all we need is the vaccine 'This is an elegant and very practical solution' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'While more than 5 million people have had their first dose of the vaccine, supply is the limiting factor and as the public would expect were prioritising those most at risk from this disease across the country. 'As the Health Secretary said this week, after the completion of the priority group vaccinations by clinical need, key workers including teachers should have their case for early vaccination considered.' Fearful staff turn away children of key workers Teachers are asking key workers to keep their children off school if they can. School staff who are worried about catching the virus if classes are too full have challenged parents who are still sending their children in because they work in essential jobs. Key workers as designated by the Government are permitted to send their children to school as normal during lockdown. But some schools have been asking key workers whether they could keep their children at home. Early-years schools are operating as normal. One father from Cheshire said: 'My partner and I are both key workers and I'm having to look after a six and three-year-old at home whilst working because the school won't take them.' A human rights solicitor from Newcastle, who has key-worker status, said her children's school refused to take them because her husband was not a key worker. It comes after teaching unions expressed concern that the official definition of a key worker had become too broad, letting more people send their children to class than during the first lockdown. Figures from Teacher Tapp an app that conducts teacher surveys reveal that a third of primary schools had at least 20 per cent of pupils in school this month. One in six primary schools still have 30 per cent of pupils attending school. Last March, in the first lockdown, only 1 in 100 schools had more than 20 per cent on any given day. Some businesses like Aldi and Dollar General have announced incentives for workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Aldi, which has stores in Pottsville and Tilden Township, announced it will provide employees with two hours of pay for each dose they receive, up to four hours total, as well as scheduling flexibility for salaried employees. Aldi said it would continue to work with government and health care officials to do its part to reduce exposure to COVID-19 and will continue exploring ways to enhance vaccine accessibility. The company will implement on-site vaccination clinics at its warehouse and office locations to ensure its employees have easy access to the vaccine. Since the onset of the pandemic, our entire Aldi team has worked to keep stores safe and stocked and serve communities without interruption, Jason Hart, CEO of Aldi, said in a statement. Providing accommodations so employees can receive this critical vaccine is one more way we can support them and eliminate the need to choose between earning their wages and protecting their well-being. Dollar General, which doesnt have an on-site pharmacy or systems in place for employees to receive a vaccine at their work site, announced it also will provide workers four hours of pay after they receive the vaccine if they choose to get it and salaried team members would receive additional labor hours to accommodate their time away from the store. We do not want our employees to have to choose between receiving a vaccine or coming to work, so we are working to remove barriers, Dollar General said in a news release. We understand the decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is a personal choice, and although we are encouraging employees to take it, we are not requiring them to do so. Online grocery provider Instacart announced it will give its workers a $25 stipend if they take time off to get the vaccine once it becomes available to them. With initial supplies limited, the COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed in four phases in Pennsylvania The vaccine is currently being administered to those in Phase 1A, which includes health care workers, residents of long-term care facilities, people age 65 and older and those ages 16-64 with high-risk conditions. Grocery workers are among those in Phase 1B who can be vaccinated next. Some residents of Cape Coast, on Friday, expressed delight about the Presidents Ministerial nominee for the Central Region, expressing high hopes that she will perform well. Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, Agona West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), was, on Thursday, named by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to replace Mr Kwamena Duncan, who served for four years. Mrs. Assan was appointed as the Municipal Chief Executive for Agona West Municipal Assembly on 5th May. 2017. Prior to her appointment, she had taught for about 18 years and rose to the position of Head of Home Economics Department of Obrachire Senior High Technical School. She held various positions in the New Patriotic Party at both the constituency and regional levels in the Central Region. They include a Polling Station Women's Organizer, Deputy Constituency Organizer for the Party in the Agona West Constituency and a Deputy Regional Womens Organizer in the Central Region. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, a trader, Madam Gloria Afful said women were better leaders and she believed Mrs Assan would make a great impact and a huge difference. Ms Leticia Agbo, a fishmonger, said she was expecting some positive changes where she plied her business and expressed the hope that when approved by Parliament, the Minister would champion the cause of women and also be a minister for all citizens. The visibly elated residents said they would throw their weight behind the new Minister to succeed because women had more passion for development when it came to governance. The Agona West Municipal Assembly, which she presided, swept five awards at the Regional Ministers Maiden Excellence Awards in Education, Environmental Health and Sanitation, for 2018. The district triumphed over 20 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to become the best performing MMDA in the three categories. It also won the overall Best Student in Basic Education Certificate Education, among others. Ms Hannah Asomaning, a trader, said she was very happy with the Governments decision to engage a new person for the Region, explaining that Oguaa needed fresh ideas and energy to move it forward. Mrs. Henrietta Blankson, a hairdresser on the other hand, said she least expected that Mr. Kwamena Duncan would not be reengaged because he had been diligent and competent. She, however, noted that there was time for everything, and now that Mr Duncans ministerial role was over there should be a united front to support the nominated Minister to succeed. We are all aware of the great development projects the outgoing Minister brought into Cape Coast, so definitely his replacement may only be for the further interest of the Region, she added. Mr. Isaac Ansong, a boutique owner, however, said the President should have considered the outgoing Minister for continuity. But I cannot say much more when the changes have already been made and all we all can do now is to support the new one so that she can also give of her best to benefit us all, he added. A businesswoman, Mrs. Celestine Saka, said all she cared about was to see the progress of the Region, particularly its ancient capital Cape Coast, and she expected nothing less from Mrs Assan. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 15:39:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A resident receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, Jan. 15, 2021. (Xinhua) The delivery delays, production issues and logistical problems not only put the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 behind schedule, but also raised fears about how soon the affected countries will be able to tame the pandemic. BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- While the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging across the world and the new coronavirus variant causing even more challenges, vaccination campaigns against the virus in the European Union (EU) and the United States have been lagging behind as a result of delivery and distribution delays, according to media reports. A medical worker prepares a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the San Filippo Neri Hospital in Rome, Italy, Dec. 28, 2020. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua) PEOPLE IN NEED OF SECOND SHOT Italian authorities said on Thursday that delays in the delivery of one of the two authorized vaccines would continue affecting Italy's vaccination campaign in the short term, with a 20-percent shortfall expected next week. Up to Thursday, the vaccines had been administered to over 1.28 million people in Italy, and the shots accounted for 82.3 percent of the 1,558,635 doses delivered so far. However, the U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer, the major provider of those doses, recently announced it would slow down its deliveries to EU countries. "We have been told (by Pfizer) that we will receive 20 percent fewer doses next week," Italy's Extraordinary Commissioner for the Coronavirus Emergency Domenico Arcuri told a press conference, adding that such delays, including the 29-percent cut last week, would make a visible impact on the vaccination plan when some people were in need of the second mandatory shot. The Pfizer vaccine has to be administered in two shots 21 days apart. File photo taken on May 18, 2020 shows a logo in front of AstraZeneca's building in Luton, Britain. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua) SUPPLY ISSUES FRUSTRATE DISTRIBUTERS Following Pfizer, British drugmaker AstraZeneca is to cut deliveries of its COVID-19 vaccine to the EU by 60 percent in the first quarter of 2021 due to "production problems," an unnamed senior EU official told media Friday. AstraZeneca, which developed its vaccine with the University of Oxford, disclosed the situation in a statement giving few details. "Initial volumes will be lower than originally anticipated due to reduced yields at a manufacturing site within our European supply chain," the statement was quoted by BBC as saying. Photo taken on Jan. 18, 2021 shows doses of COVID-19 vaccines at a temporary vaccination centre on the first day of its opening, in Clichy, France. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) The company signed a deal with the EU to provide "at least 300 million doses of its vaccine," according to BBC, but was unlikely to meet that promise in the first quarter, nor able to indicate delivery targets for the second quarter due to production issues. To date, EU countries have administered over 5 million doses to their citizens. The aim was to inoculate 70 percent of adults by the end of August, the newspaper The Guardian reported. Under the current situation, Austrian Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said that a delay would be "completely unacceptable." Sandra Lindsay (L), an ICU nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, is inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine in New York, the United States, on Dec. 14, 2020. (Scott heins/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo/Handout via Xinhua) VACCINE PUZZLE FOR NEW U.S. ADMINISTRATION As the United States endures records of COVID-19 infections and deaths, U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday unveiled his national strategy for addressing the pandemic, which starts with a national vaccination campaign aiming to administer 100 million doses of two-stage coronavirus vaccines within 100 days. The Biden administration is trying to "figure out exactly what's holding up the national COVID-19 vaccine rollout, searching for any hiccups in the manufacturing processes, suppliers and distribution networks," CNBC on Thursday quoted Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as saying. As of Saturday, nearly 40 million doses of vaccine have been distributed to states in the country, but only around 19 million have actually been administered, according to data provided by the CDC. Undated photo shows a vial of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (BioNTech/Handout via Xinhua) The New York Times reported that it was health officials and hospitals "struggling with a lack of resources" that explained why vaccine distribution was taking longer than expected. Holiday staffing also contributed to delays, the newspaper noted. "The holiday season has meant that people are off work and clinics have reduced hours, slowing the pace of vaccine administration," it said. The delivery delays, production issues and those sorts of logistical problems not only put the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 behind schedule, but also raised fears about how soon the affected countries will be able to tame the pandemic. Italy has planned to take legal action against Pfizer because of the delays, Arcuri said in a statement on Tuesday. Boris Johnson is set to compel visitors from high-risk Covid countries to quarantine for ten days, The Mail on Sunday understands. Sources said the Prime Minister favoured a more targeted approach rather than making all air passengers quarantine. Travellers from Brazil and South Africa, plus their neighbouring countries, will be met on arrival and escorted to hotels to quarantine for ten days under plans being discussed by Ministers. Mr Johnson is expected to chair a Covid-O committee to finalise the measures tomorrow. Passengers will have to pay for the mandatory hotel stays. Boris Johnson is set to compel visitors from high-risk Covid countries to quarantine for ten days, The Mail on Sunday understands. Pictured: Crowds at London's Heathrow Airport Meanwhile, spot checks for quarantining travellers from all countries will be ramped up this week with visits to make sure they are home. The checks would be carried out by the police or Public Health England officials, a Government source said last night. Home Secretary Priti Patel is among Cabinet Ministers who favour ramping up the checks. At the moment they only made after three missed or suspicious phone calls. People found not to be quarantining where they said they would will be fined. Ministers are understood to have rejected proposals for GPS tracking of all arrivals on civil liberty grounds. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said there was no such thing as closing the border entirely, adding: You always have to ensure you have a system where nationals can return. EU leaders are reportedly drawing up plans to ban flights from the UK to all member states. German chancellor Angela Merkel has called on the bloc to act in unison to prevent a new wave of the virus. Portugal and the Netherlands have already suspended flights to and from Britain amid concerns over the new Covid variant. Meanwhile, photos of crowds at Heathrow Airport sparked concerns over poor social distancing and super spreading the virus. Former British ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott posted a photo on social media captioned: T2 Heathrow Friday afternoon. No ventilation. Long delays. Super-spreading. Yesterday, a Home Office source said: Airports are massive. We are encouraging them to snake people around the airports in more socially distanced ways. A five-year extension to the New START arms control treaty with Russia will be one of the first major foreign policy decisions of the new US administration before the treaty expires early next month. The president [Joe Biden] has long been clear that the New START [Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty] is in the national security interests of the United States, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. "This extension makes even more sense when the relationship with Russia is adversarial as it is at this time. She also said Mr Biden had tasked Americas intelligence community for its full assessment of the Solar Winds cyber breach, Russian interference in the 2020 election, Russias use of chemical weapons against opposition leader Alexei Navalny and alleged bounties on US soldiers in Afghanistan. Read More Even as we work with Russia to advance US interests, so too we work to hold Russia to account for its reckless and adversarial actions, Ms Psaki said. The arms control treaty, due to expire on February 5, limits the United States and Russia to deploying no more than 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads each. In addition to restricting the number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons to its lowest level in decades, New START also limits the land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers that deliver them. In a statement, the Pentagon said that Americans were much safer with the treaty intact and extended. The Kremlin said earlier this week it remained committed to extending New START and would welcome efforts promised by the Biden administration to reach agreement. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Businesses yesterday called for tougher lockdown measures, with some going as far as proposing a long curfew spanning from 6 p.m to 6 a.m. The curfew now starts at 9 p.m. and goes till 5 a.m. Businesses also called on the Government to free up the importation of Covid-19 vaccines to allow private sector participation and to allow people to travel overseas to get vaccinated. In the three days that included Trumps last day in office, the inauguration, and Bidens first full day as the 46th president of the United States, over 11,000 Americans perished from complications of their COVID-19 infection. The seat of power has changed hands, but the suffering remains the same. Jan. 21, 2021, President Joe Biden reacts to a reporters question after signing executive orders in the State Dinning Room of the White House, in Washington [Credit: AP Photo Alex Brandon, File] Biden has predicted that the national death toll from COVID-19 will exceed more than a half-million by next month. Refusing to call for a nationwide lockdown to stem the continuing surge in infections and death, he and his administration will bear the responsibility for a significant proportion of this misery. Biden declared yesterday that there is nothing we can do to change the trajectory of the pandemic in the next several months. This is a blatant lie and an assertion that would meet with even Donald Trumps approval. While his 200-page pandemic response strategy is touted as a roadmap to exiting the crisis, the proposals main objective is to deceive the public with the claim that, by employing science and federal initiatives, lives can be saved while at the same time restoring full economic activity. In this regard, the reopening of schools is foremost on the agenda. The immediate goal is to ensure that most K-8 schools reopen in the next 100 days. Additionally, an executive order issued by Biden seeks to appropriate funding from Congress to assist federal and state institutions with the necessary resources to see the complete reopening of all secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities. Top Biden officials have made clear that their drive to reopen schools is aimed at making it possible for them to force workers back to work. The ruling elites see this as the price of doing business in a pandemic. However, the most recent science demonstrates the critical role children and students have played as vectors for community transmission. Despite the rosy tone of the proposal, President Biden offered his own sober assessment of the situation. The brutal truth is its going to take months before we can get the majority of Americans vaccinated, he said, even though he has promised that 100 million vaccines will be administered in his first 100 days in office. According to Bloombergs vaccination tracker, the US has been averaging approximately 940,000 doses per day, which means Biden has to do little more than wait to see his promise come true. Only 49 percent of all the vaccines that have been distributed to the states have actually been administered. Even the New York Times has taken Biden to task on this issue. But that is actually aiming low, it wrote. Over that period, the number of available doses should be enough for 200 million injections. Still, vaccine manufacturing capacity remains relatively limited in the immediate future. As the Times noted, even after the Trump administration invoked the Defense Production Act to increase the production of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines domestically and globally, there was little space left to secure more production. Global demand for these lifesaving therapeutics is further escalating geopolitical tensions, as vaccine nationalismrather than international coordinationdetermines who receives them. Presently, approximately 5.6 doses have been administered for every 100 people in the United States. However, less than one per 100 have completed the two-dose vaccine regimen. Only Israel, the Arab Emirates, the UK and Bahrain are having some success in the vaccine rollout. Europes initiatives have proceeded at a snails pace. In South Africa, outside of clinical trials, the population has yet to see the vaccine. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization, in his opening remarks to the Executive Board on pandemic preparedness, recently warned that the world was on the brink of catastrophic moral failure. He stated, The price of this failing will be paid with lives and livelihood in the worlds poorest countries. Its not right that younger, healthier adults in rich countries are vaccinated before health workers and older people in poorer countries. The uncontrolled spread of the virus is driving a slew of new worrisome mutations. Already a California variant of the virus, CAL.20C, has been identified as having become the dominant strain, accounting for half of the virus sequenced in Los Angeles. Jasmine Plummer, a research scientist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, told the New York Times, We had our own problem that didnt cross over from Europe. It really originated here, and it had the chance to start to emerge and surge over the holiday. The rapid resurgence of several more transmissible variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in multiple countries has raised deep concerns in scientific communities. Even more troubling has been evidence that some of these mutations, such as seen in the South African variant known as 501Y.v2 and the Manaus, Brazil, strain named P.1, can evade immune responses triggered by vaccines and previous infections. Even epidemiologist Dr. Anthony Fauci has had to acknowledge these findings, despite putting an optimistic spin on developments, implicitly indicating his agreement with Biden and the Democratic Partys efforts to see the US open for business. In a just released study from the UK-based New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) on the severity of the B.1.1.7 version of the virus (UK variant), revised estimates found that those infected with this variant have increased disease severity compared to those infected with the original variant. The relative hazard of death within 28 days was 1.35, which translates to an average 35 percent increased risk of death. Though the absolute risk of death remains low, as the article notes, the authors write that based on these analyses, there is a realistic probability that infection with B.1.1.7 is associated with an increased risk of death compared to infection with non-VOC (non-variant of concern). Last week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remarked that B.1.1.7 could become the dominant strain in the US. In contrast to the musings provided by the Biden administration and the media to lull the population to sleep in the face of the pandemic, Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and appointed coronavirus adviser to President Biden, offered his harsh assessment: Were going to suddenly see these variants come to play that, based on the experience weve seen in Europe, in particular, South Africa, these variants can substantially increase the number of cases. I worry desperately in the next six to 12 weeks were going to see a situation with this pandemic unlike anything weve seen yet to date. And that is really a challenge that I dont think most people realize yet The difference is going to be, are we going to react now or later? The question is how soon will we do it? Do we put the brakes on after the car's wrapped around the tree, or do we try to put the brakes on before we leave the intersection? Thats the challenge. I just dont know if were really prepared to even have that discussion yet. To halt the spread of the virus, workers must intervene to enforce emergency action. This includes the immediate shutdown of all nonessential production, along with schools and universities, with full income to all workers. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Ive been meaning to share some big news about a small Philadelphia nonprofit, Beyond the Bars. Earlier this month, the music education program, based out of West Philly, won the Lewis Prize for Music: a game-changing grant to the tune of $500,000. To borrow an old phrase from our new president, thats a big effing deal for a five-year-old grassroots organization thats mostly been run by volunteers. I was excited to report the win. Who didnt need to read about good guys finishing first, right? But then, like many things these last four years, I had to put off the column to focus on the latest dumpster fire raging in Washington. The first time, it was for an insurrection at the Capitol, and then again when we held our breaths to see if we could get past Wednesday without incident. After the inauguration , I promised codirector Matthew Kerr, who was beyond gracious every time I delayed writing about the program. But what else have we missed out on while distracted by the national blaze? Weve only just begun to deal with all the damage done by the Trump presidency, but this was part of it: already underrepresented people and communities increasingly neglected while we were held hostage by an air-sucking aspiring autocrat. So many times, while trying to balance the stories that needed to be amplified in our own backyard with the daily national disasters that couldnt be ignored, I was struck by the unfairness. Imagine if we had put even a portion of the collective energy and effort into our communities? Imagine where we might be in four years if we do that now? Maybe, just maybe, we might do more than shrug off the deaths of 500 Philadelphians last year and more than 30 so far in 2021, a homicide rate already higher than this time last year. Even with new leadership, were not done with the distractions. But maybe they will be less urgent as we inch ever so slowly to relief from the pandemic. I tried to keep up, but I know I missed a lot. This is where you come in: Call me: 215-854-5943. Email me at hubinas@inquirer.com. Find me on Twitter. Tell me what we missed. For now, let me tell you more about Beyond the Bars. The program is co-directed by two super passionate guys, Kerr and Christopher Thornton, and based out of the Community Education Center. (Theyve gone virtual since COVID.) It started after Kerr, a Philly teacher who is currently at Belmont Charter School, was invited in 2015 by the mother of a former student to teach music inside the prison where she worked. The experience was enriching but eye-opening, and only magnified for both men how little access talented young people behind and beyond bars have to music education. The organization now runs a handful of programs throughout Philly that are open to middle and high school students and include a variety of musical and career planning opportunities: instrument lessons and audio, engineering and songwriting instruction that regularly culminate in performances. And yet, both Kerr and Thornton are clear about one thing: The program, in prisons and in the community, is less about churning out musicians and more about using music to help young people impacted by violence to express themselves. They plan to use the prize, which they won alongside three other organizations across the country that also received $500,000 each, to grow and expand with more programs and paid teachers. It is going to allow us to essentially pass this down to our students someday, Thornton said. Aquil Shakur, 18, is one of those students. I caught up with Shakur between classes at Northern Vermont University. He conceded that initially he wasnt sold on a music program, but now hes one of Beyond the Bars student teachers and thinking of switching his major from business to education because of his experience. It really made me realize how important it is for so many young people in Philadelphia to have an outlet, no matter what it is. To put them in one room where everyone might be doing their own thing, but then come together to create something bigger. Godesh Morales, 21, was introduced to Beyond the Bars in 2018 while at Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, a city jail. They found me at the worst time of my life, he recalled. Morales is back home and working on his own music career now, but he shared a story that illustrated the power of the program. While Morales was incarcerated, Kerr taught him how to play Black Sabbaths Iron Man. Morales would studiously practice the song on a guitar during class, but back in his cell he had to get creative. He noticed a bleach stain on his prison jumpsuit resembled the strings on a guitar, so he began strumming the fabric between lessons. It struck me as both inspiring and heartbreaking, a stark reminder of how people confined in one manner or another can creatively find a way to push beyond their circumstances. But it was a reminder, too, of all the stories still out there that reveal so much more about who we really are, and what were capable of. Stories that more than ever deserve to be told. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Fears of a health crisis at a military barracks housing asylum seekers in Kent have escalated after 120 people are believed to have tested positive for coronavirus. Around 400 people are living at Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent, where a Covid outbreak has added to concerns over conditions. Residents, many of whom have crossed the English Channel in small boats, have described it as 'unbearable' and say social distancing is impossible. An open letter to 'all British citizens' from an asylum seeker living at Napier Barracks and reportedly signed by more than 200 other residents has been shared by refugee charity Choose Love. The undated letter says that at least 120 cases of coronavirus have been identified at the barracks with more test results pending. The Home Office has confirmed to MailOnline that a 'number' of people at the site have tested positive for the virus, but did not give an exact figur Fears of a health crisis at a military barracks housing asylum seekers in Kent have escalated after 120 people are believed to have tested positive for coronavirus (pictured: a peaceful protest outside the barracks' entrance on January 12 People in hazmat suits seen by the disused army barracks in Kent on January 19. Around 400 people are living at the site, where a virus outbreak has added to concerns over conditions Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp said: 'Despite our best efforts a number of those accommodated at the site have tested positive for coronavirus and are self-isolating. 'It is incredibly disappointing that prior to this a number of individuals refused tests and have been either refusing to self-isolate or follow social distancing rules, despite repeated requests to do so and these being national guidelines to protect the NHS and save lives. 'These individuals could face enforcement action and are not only risking their own health but the health of staff looking after them and the communities who are accommodating them. Asylum seekers are subject to the same laws and protections as any other member of society.' The open letter also calls out Home Secretary Priti Patel and immigration minister Chris Philp over conditions at the site. It says: 'We came to this country to save our lives. Lives which were mostly in danger because of war and prosecution. Yet we found ourselves in an army camp and we are surrounded by fences and security guards.' There have been reports of suicide attempts and earlier this month many residents went on hunger strike in protest at the conditions, which reportedly include 34 people sharing one shower. A view of two people wearing face masks inside Napier Barracks in Folkestone, which is being used by the Government to house people seeking asylum in the UK A view of Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent. Emergency use of the site was secured for six months in September last year Several dozen people stood outside the gates of the military facility earlier this month to demonstrate over conditions inside and social distancing concerns Handout photo issued by Care4Calais of asylum seekers at the barracks conducting a sleep out overnight in protest of the reported cramped conditions The controversial facility features barbed-wire topped fences and hosted Canadian troops in the Second World War. A petition to shut down the site, along with a similar facility at a barracks in Wales, has amassed more than 10,000 signatures. The Home Office, which commandeered the site last year, insists the accommodation in Kent is 'safe, suitable, (and) Covid-compliant'. A petition by Freedom from Torture to empty the barracks in Kent and Wales and close them down has racked up more than 10,000 signatures in less than two days. Kolbassia Haoussou, lead survivor advocate at the charity, said: 'A major crisis is unfolding in these unsanitary and dangerous places. Many asylum seekers gathered outside the barbed wire-topped fence at Napier Barracks in Folkestone earlier this month chanting 'freedom!' and waving banners One man attempted to take his own life as he was 'unable to cope with the conditions there any more', according to migrant charity Care4Calais A row of beds at the former disused barracks in Folkestone, Kent, that houses asylum seekers Handout photo issued by Care4Calais of asylum seekers conducting a sleep out overnight 'Many of the people trapped here have low immune systems and mental health issues linked to the abuse they have fled. 'The Government has the power to end this nightmare now. Empty the barracks, close the camps, save lives.' Bella Sankey, director of charity Detention Action, echoed calls to shut the barracks 'before they are engulfed by tragedy'. Immigration minister Chris Philp said: 'We take the welfare of those in our care extremely seriously and asylum seekers can contact the 24/7 helpline run by Migrant Help if they have any issues.' Use of Napier Barracks to house asylum seekers was initially authorised for six months under emergency provisions but the Home Office has said it is considering extending its use beyond the current deadline in around March. Loyalists have held talks with the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) about the Irish Sea border and any threat it may represent to the Union. The 90-minute meeting was described as "forthright and hard-hitting", with four NIO officials told of the "anger on the streets" in loyalist areas. The delegation from the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) included Winston Irvine, Jimmy Birch, Robert Williamson and David Campbell. The LCC is an umbrella organisation representing loyalist groups including the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando, It said it was "briefed on the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol" by NIO permanent secretary Madeleine Alessandri and three other officials. The NIO did not respond to a request for comment about the meeting, which took place via Zoom because of the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Williamson said: "It was forthright and hard-hitting. People spoke their minds. It was important for the NIO to be told the feeling in loyalist working-class estates. There is a lot of fear that our identity is being diluted. There are concerns about empty supermarket shelves and lorries queued at ferry ports." Expand Close Concerns: Winston Irvine was part of the delegation that met with NIO officials / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Concerns: Winston Irvine was part of the delegation that met with NIO officials The LCC said the Government must act "to ensure there would be no actual or perceived diminution in Northern Ireland's constitutional position". The delegation said their rights must be protected under the Good Friday Agreement. "Unionist politicians have been slow to do that. The Good Friday Agreement should not be a green document. There are a million unionists in Northern Ireland and the agreement is there to protect us too," Mr Williamson explained. On the issue of the Irish Sea border, the LCC urged loyalists to "remain calm during this transition phase". But it also warned the NIO that it would be "monitoring" the treatment of Northern Ireland citizens under the new dispensation and, "if necessary", would "consider sponsoring legal action to protect the position of unionists". The LCC also asked the NIO to ensure that new US President Joe Biden "was briefed on the need for impartiality and respect for the majority position in Northern Ireland when it comes to dealing with NI-US issues". Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. The customary halwa ceremony which marks the process of printing documents of the Budget is to be held today. This ceremony officially kick-starts the budget process.However this time there will be no printing of the Budget due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There will also be no printing of the economic survey. The Indian dessert is prepared in a big kadhai and served to the entire staff involved in budget preparation. The significance of serving Halwa to the officials is to mark the secrecy of the whole project. It also intends to laud the efforts of the staff involved in the budget-making process.Soon after the halwa ceremony, the officials who are involved in making the Union Budget have to stay at the North Block, cut off from their families till the presentation of the Budget in the Lok Sabha. They are not allowed to contact their families through phone or any other form of communication, such as e-mail, texts. Only very senior officials in the finance ministry are permitted to go home. Mobile phone jammers are installed to block phone calls. Internet connections of staff and senior officials are cut. Phone calls made through landlines installed are closely monitored.On Tuesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the first part of the Budget Session will start on January 29 and continue till February 15, and the second part of the session will be from March 8 to April 8. Birla said Rajya Sabha will function from 9 am to 2 pm and Lok Sabha from 4 pm to 9 pm with Zero Hour and Question Hour. Members of Parliament have been requested to undergo an RT-PCR test against COVID-19 ahead of the session, he said. Also read: 'Honour is ours': PM Modi replies to Brazilian President Bolsonaro on vaccine export Also read: 'India a true friend,' says US; lauds move to gift COVID-19 vaccine to several countries FLINT, MI - After a nearly 40-year career in law enforcement, Bishop Airport Police Chief Christopher Miller said its finally time to hang em up. Its time for me to take the badge off, take the uniform off and just become a regular citizen, Miller told MLive/The Flint Journal. Throughout my career weve policed the airport, followed security measures from Homeland Security and made sure we kept the airport safe for the flying public. Loved ones held a surprise sendoff parade for Miller, Friday, Jan. 22, as he left the airport on his last day. Millers daughter Tymyra Agee-Brown, flew in from Atlanta to see her father in this moment. Agee-Brown, 45, said she never saw her father cry. That was, until he did seeing her on his final shift when she surprised him in his final minutes before retirement. Tears welled up as they embraced on a day she couldnt miss. It was something I knew I couldnt miss, Agee-Brown said. Im just overwhelmed by so much that he has accomplished, and all the love that he had and all the peoples lives that hes touched. Its bittersweet. Seeing alll that my daddy has accomplished, Im just so proud of him. Looking ahead, Miller, 64, said he plans to spend quality time with family, especially his wife Kim Miller. When he was younger, Miller said never thought he would go into law enforcement. Miller played the bass guitar and sang at local venues. He was going to be a rock star. However, one of his mentors, Levester Crosslin, told him in the late 1970s he would make a good cop, Miller said. He talked me into it and its been a wonderful career, Miller said. But thats why I tell people I didnt get here myself. People were put in my path and whispered in my ear and said, Hey, heres something you can do. And thank God I listened. In the 1980s Miller said he was hired as a part time police officer for the Genesee County Sheriffs Department. But he always wanted a chance to work at the airport. He was hired as police chief at Bishop Airport in 2000, shortly before 9/11, when he said airport security changed forever. Miller can remember the chaos of that day. The airport was shut down. No planes coming in. No planes coming out, he said. The whole airport had to be searched and evacuated. That was a tough day, not knowing if you were going to be attacked or what the case may be. This was not the only time Miller and the Bishop Airport security team faced threats of violence. Millers time at Bishop included managing the aftermath of a knife attack on one of his officers, Lt. Jeff Neville in 2017. It was Miller who handcuffed attacker Amor M. Ftouhi after his apprehension. Fortunately, I wasnt very far when the attack happened and I was able to jump in the fray with the help of a lieutenant and major, we got Mr. Ftouhi under control. We got him handcuffed and arrested him and brought him to justice. Ftouhi was found guilty in November 2018 on single counts of committing an act of violence at an international airport, interference with airport security and committing an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries. He is serving a life sentence for the crimes. Read more: Flint airport stabber sentenced to life in prison, says he doesnt regret actions That was a tough day. That was a tough day, Miller said. We didnt know if we were going to be under attack from just this one person or a group. In his time as chief, Miller said the airport has hosted former presidents George Bush Sr., Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and, before he was sworn in as president, Joe Biden. Airport security made sure officials who visited were safe. Weve been the security for each and every one of those visits, along with the Secret Service, Miller said. The Secret Service looks to us during the visits because we know the info more than anybody because were there every day. Its our airport. Just in the last year, Miller said is also proud to have helped Bishop Airport become one of the first airports in the United States to equip police officers with Smart Helmets that can read peoples temperatures using thermal imaging and identify wanted criminals through facial recognition technology. Miller was awarded a key to the city of Flint Friday, Jan. 15, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It has been an honor to serve, Miller said. Read more: Flint mayor grants key to the city to 6 city leaders in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Smart Helmets get their U.S. test flight at Flints Bishop Airport scanning temps, recognizing faces Bishop Airport Police Chief Christopher Miller retiring after 20 years on the job Bishop Airport board lauds employees quick response after officer stabbing Advertisement An Israeli healthcare group on Friday said coronavirus infections had plunged among people aged over 60 who had been vaccinated with the Pfizer Biontech vaccine. Israel is currently leading the global vaccination drive, with around 30 per cent of its citizens having had at least a single dose of a jab so far. But concern had risen globally over infection, death and hospitalisation rates in the country, which remained stubbornly high. Out of 82,930 active cases on Thursday, 1,918 were hospitalized. Last week, the hospitalisation figure was just over 1,000. Officials had hoped that the vaccine drive - which began on December 19 - would start to show an effect by mid-February. But KSM Maccabi Research and Innovation Center claimed on Friday there had been a 'significant decrease' in the number of coronavirus infections among people aged over 60 who were vaccinated between December 19 and 24. After analysing data of more than 50,000 patients aged over 60, they also found that hospitalisations in the same group had plunged by more than 60 per cent. Israel secured access to large amounts of Pfizer's jab by agreeing to provide data about its citizens for the company to track how well the jab works. The new figures are a sign of hope that nationwide infections, deaths and hospitalisations could soon start to see a sustained fall. It came amid reports that England's chief medical officer was so infuriated by a newspaper story which claimed that a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine might only be 33 per cent effective that he threatened to report it to a press watchdog. Chris Whitty told colleagues The Guardian's report was 'total nonsense' which could threaten the uptake of the jab. Israeli healthcare group KSM Maccabi Research and Innovation Centeron on Friday said coronavirus infections had plunged among people aged over 60 who had been vaccinated Pictured: KSM's graph showing the fall in infections and hospitalisations. The blue line represents the rate of infection in the general population; the green the rate of infection among those who had been vaccinated in December, and the yellow line showed the hospitalisation ate among those who had been vaccinated KSM Maccabi Research and Innovation Center's report was based on data 50,777 members of Maccabi who were aged over 60 and were vaccinated 23 days ago. KSM, which is part of Israeli healthcare provider Maccabi, noted that there was a 'significant decrease within the vaccinated members aged 60+', reaching a decrease of around 60 per cent in new infections. They added that there was also a 'decrease of slightly more than 60 per cent in the number of new hospitalised patients.' However, KSM cautioned that 'on this level of efficiency, there should be no exemption from performing Corona tests, isolation, or the enablement of crowded gatherings, until additional convincing data is obtained. 'And of course continue to wear masks and keep social distancing, as recommended'. In their story about the effectiveness of a single dose of the Pfizer jab, The Guardian had quoted 'Israeli experts' as saying only a third of people who have received one injection were protected. No 10's vaccine advisers say the real figure is 89 per cent, starting 14 days after the first jab. It was reported yesterday that a single shot of the Pfizer vaccine had led to a 'major presence' of antibodies in 91 per cent of doctors and nurses who received it in Israel within 21 days. A source told the Mail On Sunday: 'It is not every day that a member of the liberal academic establishment is angered by The Guardian.' On Friday, Israel announced a further 6,159 new cases, an 18 per cent increase on the figure of 5,235 announced seven days ago, but down from Wednesdays and Thursdays totals, of 10,213 and 7,027 respectively. Since the rollout of vaccinations one month ago, more than 2.5 million of Israel's nine-million-strong population have been vaccinated already, the health ministry said on Friday. It came as the Israeli health ministry on Thursday announced it was allowing the inoculation of high school students aged 16-18, subject to parental approval. The health ministry had on Thursday announced it was allowing the inoculation of high school students aged 16-18, subject to parental approval. Expanding the campaign to include teens came days after Israel extended on Tuesday till the end of the month its third national coronavirus lockdown due to a surge in coronavirus infections despite the vaccinations. It is a sign of hope that nationwide infections, deaths and hospitalisations could soon start to see a sustained fall. Pictured: An Israeli healthworker vaccinates an older resident KSM noted that there was a 'significant decrease within the vaccinated members aged 60+', reaching a decrease of around 60 per cent in new infections. They added that there was also a 'decrease of slightly more than 60 per cent in the number of new hospitalised patients' The country's largest health fund, Clalit, was already giving teens shots as of Saturday morning, its website said, while the three smaller funds were due to kick off their campaign later. Israel began administering vaccines on December 20, beginning with health professionals and quickly proceeding to the elderly, sick and at-risk groups, continuously lowering the minimum age of those entitled to the shot. From Saturday, people aged 40 and up are also allowed to get the vaccine. Israeli prime minister Bejamin Netanyahu previously bragged that the Pfizer vaccine is being supplied in such large quantities because of 17 telephone conversations he conducted with Albert Bourla, the CEO of Pfizer. According to the health ministry, as of Friday nearly 2.5million people had received the first of two doses, with 900,000 of them getting the second as well. Israel has given 38.8 per 100 people in the country at least one dose of the vaccine, well ahead of other countries, with some people already receiving the second. In comparison, the UK has administered 8.9 first doses per 100 people, the US has given 5.8, with France giving just 1.4. It came as the Israeli health ministry on Thursday announced it was allowing the inoculation of high school students aged 16-18, subject to parental approval Israel is currently leading the global vaccination drive, with nearly 39 per cent of its citizens having had at least a single dose of a jab so far. In comparison, the UK has administered 8.9 first doses per 100 people, the US has given 5.8, with France giving just 1.4 The country secured a huge stock of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and has pledged to share the impact data quickly with the US-German manufacturer. On Thursday, the estimated COVID-19 reproduction number in Israel dipped below 1 for the first time since the country launched its vaccination campaign, the government announced. An 'R' number above 1 indicates infections will grow at an exponential rate, while below 1 points to their eventual halt. Israel's 'R' number hit 1.3 on Dec. 11. It began vaccinating citizens the following week. With contagion surging, on Dec. 27 it imposed a third national lockdown - which is still in effect. 'Are we seeing the light? We see a chink in the blinds,' Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch told Channel 13 TV after Israel logged an 'R' number of 0.99. 'We have achieved a halt, but we have achieved a halt at high levels of morbidity.' A health worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine at Clalit Health Services, in Israel's Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv on January 23 He credited the lockdown and the vaccines - now administered to more than a quarter of Israel's 9 million population - but added that vaccines had 'mainly reduced serious morbidity, not necessarily the number of carriers'. The reduction would have been more significant were it not for the presence of the especially contagious British variant of the coronavirus, Kisch said. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the swift vaccination campaign 'will afford us the possibility of overcoming the coronavirus, of emerging from it, of opening the economy and getting life back to routine'. But while Israel is currently leading the global vaccination drive infection and death rates, as well as the numbers of people in hospital, have shown little sign of falling. Wednesday saw the country recorded its highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in a single day, with 10,213 cases and 101 deaths - the first time Israel has seen over both 10,000 cases and 100 deaths since the start of the pandemic. On Thursday, out of 82,930 active cases, 1,918 were hospitalized. Last week, the hospitalisation figure was just over 1,000. On Friday, the UK's Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said it was too early too draw conclusions from Israel's vaccination drive after alarm that hospitalisations have not yet dropped. Addressing the apparent failure of the jab regime in cutting infection rates, Israel's top coronavirus medic said on Wednesday that the Pfizer vaccine was less effective than expected. Real-world data from Israel's world-beating rollout showed the first dose led to a 33 per cent reduction in cases of coronavirus between 14 and 21 days afterwards in people who got the jab. The figure is lower than the British regulator's estimate, which said it may prevent 89 per cent of recipients from getting Covid-19 symptoms. Dr Nachman Ash, Israel's top coronavirus medic, said on Wednesday that the Pfizer vaccine was less effective than expected But Sir Patrick, the UK's chief scientific adviser, told the Downing Street press conference on Friday that the Israeli data was 'very preliminary'. He said: 'In terms of the Israeli data, I think that was information from one of the organisations that organises health in Israel, I think there are four, and it was preliminary data that came out on the numbers. 'I think the Israeli health ministry has said they're not entirely sure those are the final data and they're expecting the effects to increase so I think it's very preliminary. 'These are preliminary information from a subset of people, they haven't followed people for long enough. 'We had a discussion with the Israeli advisers yesterday and they are expecting to get more information over the next few weeks. 'And I think we are going to have to monitor this very carefully, we're going to have to keep looking at data and understanding the performance of vaccines in the real world.' Dr Nachman Ash, one of the medics leading the Covid-19 response in Israel, had told local media Army Radio earlier this week: 'Many people have been infected between the first and second injections of the vaccine.' It can take 10 days or more for the immunity to kick in. Chris Whitty's fury at Guardian for 'total nonsense' claim Pfizer vaccine might only be 33% effective amid fears it could threaten jab uptake By Glen Owen and Brendan Carlin for the Mail on Sunday Boris Johnson's medical chief was so infuriated by a newspaper story which claimed that a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine might only be 33 per cent effective that he threatened to report it to a press watchdog, The Mail on Sunday understands. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty normally one of the more mild-mannered figures at No 10 press conferences told colleagues The Guardian's report was 'total nonsense' which could threaten the uptake of the jab. The newspaper quoted 'Israeli experts' as saying only a third of people who have received one injection were protected. No 10's vaccine advisers say the real figure is 89 per cent, starting 14 days after the first jab. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty normally one of the more mild-mannered figures at No 10 press conferences told colleagues The Guardian's report was 'total nonsense' which could threaten the uptake of the jab It was reported yesterday that a single shot of the Pfizer vaccine had led to a 'major presence' of antibodies in 91 per cent of doctors and nurses who received it in Israel within 21 days. A source said: 'It is not every day that a member of the liberal academic establishment is angered by The Guardian.' No 10's options were limited, however, because the newspaper has not signed up to the Independent Press Standards Organisation, which regulates newspapers and sanctions them for inaccuracies. The report quoted Israeli Covid commissioner Professor Nachman Ash as saying that a single dose of Pfizer appeared 'less effective than we had thought', once cases of asymptomatic infection were included, although those who had received their second dose had a six- to 12-fold increase in antibodies. Later in the week, the paper reported that Israel's health ministry had 'moved to row back on comments' by Professor Ash's suggestion that single doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine had not given as much protection against the disease as had been hoped. It quoted the Israeli Ministry of Health as saying that the 'full protective impact of the vaccine' had not yet been seen. The Guardian said last night that it had reported both Professor Ash's 'initial comments' and subsequent comments from Israel's health ministry: 'The Guardian's independent readers' editor has not received any complaints about either article.' South Africa: Officials visit late Minister's family home Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Director-General, Phumla Williams, could not hold back her tears when she arrived at the residence of the late Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, in Ackerville, Witbank. Williams led a drive-by visit by the management of departments and entities led by the late Mthembu on Friday afternoon in line with strict Covid-19 protocols. The departments and entities which reported to the late Minister included The Presidency, GCIS, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Brand South Africa, Media Development and Diversity Agency, National Planning Commission, and Statistics South Africa. Paying tribute to the late Mthembu, an emotional Williams said government was greatly saddened by the news of his passing. Struggling to hold back tears, Williams thanked Mthembus family for allowing him to work for the nation. Mthembu worked very hard in everything he did. He gave us direction and didnt have pride. He gave us the opportunity to voice our views on how we can make government work better for the people. Where we made mistakes, he pointed them and guided us accordingly, Williams said. A senior official from National Planning Commission said he had never had a leader like Mthembu. He was the peoples person, even before he became a leader. The loss of a leader with such rare qualities is a loss to the country. His neighbours should be proud because Mthembu was a leader who did good things for the people. Rest in Peace Mvelase, he said. Officials laid wreaths at Mthembus residence and recorded their messages of condolence in the condolences book placed on the table outside the house. The Presidency has meanwhile confirmed that Mthembu will be honoured with an Official Funeral Category 1 on Sunday, 24 January 2021. Proceedings will commence at 09:00. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Covid-19 victim Dr Shival Sieunarine was yesterday remembered at his funeral service as a gentle giant. Sieunarine, 33, died at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), Mt Hope, on May 8. He was said to have rapidly deteriorated after experiencing respiratory distress. He did not work at the EWMSC. However, his passing was confirmed by the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) chief executive, Davlin Thomas. A group of final-year Luxembourg students designed a creative and informative campaign as part of their project on public health. The coronavirus crisis has once again demonstrated the lack of health professionals in Luxembourg. The students of the Lycee Technique pour Professions de Sante (LTPS), a secondary school with a specific focus on health professions, therefore decided to take it upon themselves to carry out a campaign to promote careers in nursing in Luxembourg. In this context, the young filmmakers presented their ten video clips to the Ministry of Health and other health actors on Friday afternoon. The aim of the campaign is to counter prejudices and to offer citizens an overview of the profession. The pupils were divided into ten groups in order to work in a coordinated way on this huge project. They also created ten posters with different messages and a QR code that redirects the viewer to the video corresponding to the subject of the poster. The work groups choreographed and staged the different situations with a good dose of humour. Overall, this was a novel way of submitting a slightly different graduation project while supporting the sector in recruiting new candidates. You can watch the full report in Luxembourgish below. Paxton, IL (60957) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. Thunder possible. High 51F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 43F. Winds NNE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Statistic after statistic points to the debilitating state of commerce in Canada. But what exactly do all those pandemic-fuelled business closures mean for cities like Winnipeg, Vancouver or Toronto? Statistic after statistic points to the debilitating state of commerce in Canada. But what exactly do all those pandemic-fuelled business closures mean for cities like Winnipeg, Vancouver or Toronto? Data released this week by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business shows the situation is dire. More than one in six businesses at least 239,000 across Canada and 5,601 in Manitoba are at the risk of permanently disappearing because of COVID-19, or have already closed. Economists, public policy stakeholders and municipal planners are split on how exactly this will affect the future of downtown cores and surrounding areas. In interviews with the Free Press, experts described how jarring shifts in local economies will cause hypercompetition in some sectors, while others might completely disappear. It could also cause fewer jobs overall, less walkable areas, limited shopping options, and a rapid loss of the "biz village" concept, they said, along with severe population declines. One in six businesses at risk at least 239,000 across Canada and 5,601 in Manitoba Click to Expand 2.4 MILLION PEOPLE likely be out of work a staggering 20 per cent of private sector jobs, or just about ONE IN SEVEN of all employment in Canada 47% of businesses are fully open, as of Jan. 22 down from 62 per cent at the end of November 36% fully staffed, as of Jan. 22 down from 41 per cent at the end of November 22% businesses currently making normal sales, as of Jan. 22 down from 29 per cent at the end of November Source: Canadian Federation of Independent Business If theres one thing they can all agree on, however, its that Canadians cities will likely never look the same again. And if governments plan on bringing things back to a sustainable "new normal," analysts believe preparation for it should begin as soon as possible. "I think theres an implicit assumption that were in a sort of snow globe right now and that everythings suspended so that one day soon well all go back to normal," said Vass Bednar, a policy expert whos held several public and private sector leadership roles, including at Airbnb and Queens Park in Toronto. "Those assumptions are almost certainly wrong," she said. "The fact is, everyone will quickly notice how different things already are when they go on a walk around their cities to see not just closed signs, but also the larger store or restaurant signs taken off to indicate permanent closures for so many of their favourite places. And it will only get more severe." CFIBs latest figures suggest that at least 58,000 businesses have already permanently closed their doors following pandemic-related lockdowns and restrictions in 2020. Sylvain Charlebois, a leading supply chain expert, said shifts toward more consolidation and amalgamation will cause city demographics themselves to change. (Supplied) Based on a survey of its members done between Jan. 12 and Jan. 16, the organization now says a mid-range of at least 181,000 small business owners are also considering to close down or declare bankruptcy on top of last years numbers, adding up to 239,000 in total. But should things remain unchanged, by the end of this year, closures could rise up to 280,117 across Canada. In Manitoba, thats roughly 6,645 storefronts with even the lowest estimates suggesting at least six per cent (5,601 businesses) will be lost. That means more than 2.4 million people will likely be out of work a staggering 20 per cent of private sector jobs, or just about one in seven of all employment in Canada. "Theyre all very scary figures," said Jonathan Alward, Prairies director for CFIB. "I really, truly hope were wrong on this. But it just doesnt seem like we are, at least not right now. "In an ordinary time, businesses would never want to be rescued with help from the government. But right now, I think creating pathways for safe openings by tax breaks, subsidies and other strategies to provide easier access is just as important for communities themselves than the business owners." Fletcher Baragar is an economics professor at the University of Manitoba whos extensively researched how bankruptcies and bailouts affect societies and communities. He said hes never seen more closures than this past year not during the 2008-09 financial crisis, or even in his studies of recessions that occurred before the turn of the millennium. "Its a common thing to see exits and entries all the time in the market healthy changes are the whole point of an entrepreneurial marketplace," said Baragar. "But when that business change happens so rapidly, it certainly affects everything else... and its incredibly uneven in the type of areas and sectors it affects when some benefit from it and others die out of it." Hospitality and arts are two of the hardest-hit sectors, CFIB data indicates, with 33 per cent and 28 per cent of businesses in those sectors expected to close up shop. In the retail sector, its 15 per cent of companies. At the other end of the spectrum, agriculture and natural resources are the lowest-impacted of any sector still, with six per cent of businesses expected to close. Next is construction, at nine per cent, and manufacturing, at 12 per cent. Provincial breakdowns show Newfoundland and Labrador will see the most severe impact, with a high-end estimate of 28 per cent of all businesses to close. Thats followed by Alberta at 25 per cent and Ontario at 24. Manitoba is right in the middle at 18 per cent, and Nova Scotia is least-impacted at 14 per cent. Retail locations, including those in Winnipeg's Osborne Village, are either closed or have only offered curb-side pick-up and delivery since province-wide code red restrictions were declared in mid-November. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) Thats why business owners have begun to ask themselves tough questions, said Baragar, about whether its even worth opening up when theyre allowed to and if its something they can afford financially. "Of the ones remaining, I think theres going to be a lot more consolidation and amalgamation internationally and from one side of the country to the next," he said. "And that means fewer buying and service options for quite literally everything restaurants, clothing, you name it." Sylvain Charlebois, a leading supply chain expert, said these shifts will also cause city demographics themselves to change. Pointing to recent Starbucks coffee shop closures, he said food companies are making note of this, and will "always go where the money is" which he doesnt believe is in urban centres anymore. "Of course, the cost of city dwelling is a cruel barrier anyway," said Charlebois, whos a professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax. "More than that, theres other reasons that are also important. When businesses close in areas where they were supposed to be forming villages or walkable communities, it impacts the kind of people that want to live in those cities and how much they actually spend. Its a cycle." Loren Remillard, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, said thats something hes already seen with Osborne Village in Winnipeg before, when storefronts began to abruptly shut down a few years ago. "We realized during that time, just how much businesses are more than businesses for livable communities theyre really the fabric of what binds them together," he said. "You couldnt have Little Italy or Little India or even Sage Creek without the actual biz village concept thriving for those ethnographic neighbourhoods." Remillard said a continuous push is being made to get larger companies to headquarter in Winnipeg, "so that if and when acquisitions or mergers happen during devastating economic periods, we risk little when their main office is here." But as a policy expert, Bednar believes messaging from government has been a crucial part of what makes the future for urban business so frazzled. "It was so much easier just to tell everyone to move online and give them some subsidies to string along," she said. "Eventually, when this is finally over, what happens when were offline again? Can you actually market or promote tourism if you dont have physical stores? It might be time to start changing how were thinking and talking about these things." Twitter: @temurdur Temur.Durrani@freepress.mb.ca Kickstarting his party's campaign for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday focussed on Tamil language and culture to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to connect with the people. In essence, Gandhi said his party stood for plural values and showed respect for Tamil language and culture, while the BJP and Prime Minister Modi tried to impose their 'ideology of one culture. In April or early May assembly elections are likely in Tamil Nadu and AIADMK, a BJP partner, is in power since 2011. The top Congress leader also brought in the family angle to bond with the people. The Tamil people showered their love on his grandmother Indira Gandhi and his father Rajiv Gandhi and he was indebted to them for their love, he said. Seeking to emotionally connect with the people, he repeated that he only wanted the self-respecting Tamil people's love and affection and his ties with them were pure, honest and straight forward. "My relationship with the people of Tamil Nadu is not a political relationship, it is a family relationship," he said and asserted he had no interest in visiting the state. He had a 'blood relationship' with the state and he visited Tamil Nadu as a family member. Rahul targeted Modi over a range of issues like the farm laws, demonetisation, GST and economy and did not spare the Saffron party's parent body, RSS too. "I am very proud to see that the farmers are sitting outside Delhi and not allowing Narendra Modi to implement the farm laws. Demonetisation was an attack on the Indian worker, GST on workers and small and medium businesses and the three new farm laws are the 'demonetisation for the kisan (farmer) and this is what we have to fight in an organised way," he said. Accusing Modi of 'arrogance', Gandhi said the Prime Minister "does not understand the power of the poor people and our job is to make him understand the power of the poor people, workers and farmers". Gandhi's campaign included roadshows and interaction with representatives of industry and workers and it visibly enthused cadres. Unlike the past, it was an out and out Congress show and workers of the DMK or other allies did not attend his campaign. Attacking the BJP, he said his party was involved in a fight against a 'particular' ideology that believed that 'only one culture, one language and one idea should rule India' Prime Minister Narendra Modi has 'no respect' for the culture, language and people of Tamil Nadu, he alleged. "Modi thinks that the Tamil people, Tamil language and Tamil culture should be subservient to his ideas, his culture," Gandhi claimed. In Prime Minister's perception of India, people of Tamil Nadu should be second class citizens, he alleged, adding whereas his party valued pluralism providing a space for all languages and cultures including Tamil. His visit to the state was to make people realise that their culture, language and history was under attack, he said. "I will work with the people of Tamil Nadu to help you get a government that you deserve," he said and refrained from mentioning ally DMK, the ruling AIADMK's archrival and a key contender for power in Tamil Nadu. The Congress party's ties with the DMK appeared strained after the Dravidian party days ago said it had plans to contest all the 30 seats in neighbouring Puducherry as part of efforts to strengthen the party. "I want to help bring a government in Tamil Nadu that truly respects poor people, farmers, labourers and small and medium business owners," Gandhi said. Throughout his day-long campaign, Gandhi addressed the people by wearing a mask. Miracle Baby Survives Both COVID-19 and Liver Transplant Before His First Birthday An infant who survived both COVID-19 and a liver transplant and celebrated his first birthday in hospital is being hailed a miracle baby by his proud mom. Baby Kasens mom, Mitayah Donerlson, took to social media to praise her little warrior son on his first birthday, on Jan. 14, surrounded by balloons and dressed in a cute bow-tie and birthday crown. Words cant explain your Strength, Courage, and Determination. I am HONORED to be your Mother, she wrote, adding that her son is the instructor to the life lessons that she could only learn from him. Baby Kasen celebrating his first birthday on Jan. 14 after undergoing a life-saving liver transplant surgery on Jan. 2, 2021. (Courtesy of Mitayah Donerlson) Born in Syracuse, New York, Kasen weighed 8 pounds (approx. 4 kg) at birth, but he was transferred to the NICU due to jaundice and some breathing difficulties. Despite doctors assertions that his health would improve, Kasen only got worse. At the age of 2 months, he was diagnosed with biliary atresiaa severe liver condition that causes scarring and blockage of the bile ducts. The rare disease necessitated emergency surgery; however, the operation was unsuccessful. Kasen had a feeding tube fitted and was placed on the waiting list for a liver transplant at UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh, a five-hour drive from the family home. Mitayah Donerlson with her baby son, Kasen. (Courtesy of Mitayah Donerlson) We had endless hospital visits He would have fevers that wouldnt come down, Donerlson told Good Morning America (GMA). Complications meant some visits would last up to 10 days, an emotional rollercoaster that took its toll on the entire family. In November 2020, a further complication struck. Donerlson, her partner, Kasen, and a 5-year-old niece in their care all contracted COVID-19. The exhausted mom, who also has a 4-year-old son, Cameron, described Kasens feverish body as like touching a stove, fearing he wouldnt pull through, reported GMA. Yet the whole family, including Kasen, recovered, and in mid-December 2020, Donerlson received a call that Kasens new liver was ready. All I could do was cry, Donerlson said. I always knew he was going to get a transplant, that was my faith, but to finally get that call to have that relief from the burden on my shoulders dropped, it felt so good. Kasen had surgery on Jan. 2, weighing just 18 pounds (approx. 8 kg). Despite his frailty, Kasens health was positively transformed after receiving the left portion of a liver from a young adult who passed away, reported GMA. His eyes have always been greenish and yellowish, his entire life, and he woke up from surgery with clear eyes, Donerlson said. I was overjoyed. While looking back on the journey as very, very stressful, the proud mom described Kasens recovery thus far as so sweet and so smooth that I cant ask for anything more. Donerlson thanked all volunteers, living and dead, who come forward to donate their vital life-saving organs. They made a way for Kasen, a way for my baby, to have a second chance at life, a life that he was not promised to see, she said. Donerlsons family is renting an apartment in the Pittsburgh area to be close to Kasen throughout his months-long inpatient recovery, with help from a GoFundMe page. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us here: emg.inspired@epochtimes.com Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Despite repeated warnings, the US Navy Donald Cook destroyer, armed with cruise missiles, once again entered the Black Sea waters today, the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defense Control Center informed. "The forces and means of the Black Sea Fleet have begun to monitor the actions of the destroyer that entered the water area," the Center noted, RIA Novosti reports. As Florida struggles to meet demand for COVID-19 vaccinations while grappling with a slowdown in federal vaccine supplies, state records show more than 40,000 people are overdue for their second dose. The data was stripped from Floridas daily vaccination report Wednesday and will no longer be included to avoid confusion with federal guidance on when people need to complete their two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. People should get their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine after the recommended window three weeks for Pfizer, one month for Moderna but the timing doesnt have to be exact for you to get protection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While this means the 44,470 people Florida labeled as overdue are still eligible to get their booster shot, the data also shows that theres an issue with the vaccine rollout, said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. DeSantis says Florida can vaccinate many more, but supply isnt there And the problem isnt just in the Sunshine State. The slow rollout of COVID-19 vaccines including delayed deliveries, states receiving fewer doses than expected and seniors struggling to schedule appointments has some worrying about their second dose. The fact that states have people who are overdue is just reflective of the fact that we have supply constraints across the country, and not just supply constraints, but logistical constraints of getting people in to get their vaccine, said Adalja. And much of this was all predicted, and preventable, if there would have been funding and dedication to this issue early on rather than just on Christmas weekend, finally getting the funding. How long can you wait for your second COVID-19 vaccine dose? Currently, the two vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States Pfizer and Moderna require two doses, 21 and 28 days apart, respectively. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the drugmakers behind the vaccines said the booster shot is needed after this prescribed time frame for maximum protection. Story continues The first shot starts building protection. Your second injection completes the protection, even if its up to six weeks (42 days) after the first dose, according to new guidance issued Thursday by the CDC. While there is limited data on how well the vaccines would work after this window, the CDC says there is no evidence to suggest anyone would need to restart the two-dose series. You still need to get the two doses for full protection. A CDC spokeswoman told the Miami Herald on Thursday that the agency was not trying to promote delays of the second dose as a strategy to get more people vaccinated with the first dose but to give jurisdictions more flexibility in their vaccination distribution. On Tuesday, the last day Floridas daily COVID-19 vaccine report included an overdue count, 44,470 people had passed the recommended time frame to receive their booster shot since the state began administering vaccines last month. The Florida Division of Emergency Management, which is tasked with the states vaccine distribution, did not respond to the Miami Heralds inquiry until late Wednesday, when the data was removed. The division said the overdue count was removed to match CDC guidance and that the states health department is working directly with counties and local providers to make sure individuals are being proactively scheduled to receive their second dose. It did not answer questions on whether limited vaccine availability or logistic issues in appointment scheduling played a role in why some individuals did not get their second dose in the recommended period. The datas removal also comes several days after top state health officials acknowledged that Florida is in a supply-limited situation. DeSantis: Most of the second COVID-19 vaccine doses will arrive soon In South Florida, seniors are still struggling to book vaccination appointments. And for some, the process of confirming their second dose appointment through county- and state-run sites has also been filled with mixed signals. At least two hospitals Baptist Health of South Florida and Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach have had to cancel first-dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments because of supply constraints. Both hospitals say second-dose appointments will not be affected. Florida is also in the process of shifting its vaccination efforts away from hospital-run sites toward pharmacies and county-run vaccination sites, the Miami Herald previously reported. But, if the state wants people to feel confident about getting the vaccine, it needs to be more transparent about whats happening with the second doses, said Adalja, the senior scholar from Johns Hopkins. He said officials need to be clear on whether their priority is first or second doses. They also need to give a clear explanation on how people will get their second dose. Otherwise, folks might get discouraged. On Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a news conference in Key Largo that the state is vaccinating people at a faster pace than what the supply coming in is. For those who received their first dose, many of the second shots have not arrived yet, but DeSantis said they should soon. What I would tell seniors is, Florida is committed to the two-dose regimen for Pfizer and Moderna, DeSantis said. Why did some seniors get COVID-19 vaccines at Holiday Park without an appointment? Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 11:45:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) Commission on Friday commended Kenya after the country launched its Trusted Travel platform and became the first country to adopt the AU-initiated platform for managing travels during the COVID-19 pandemic. "As our economies, schools and borders re-open, Africa needs a harmonized approach to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission," an AU statement quoted AU Commissioner for Social Affairs Amira Elfadil as saying on Friday. "This is why we launched the COVID-19 trusted travel portal as an innovative digital tool to help member states upload and verify test results and to harmonize entry and exit requirements to prevent cross-border transmission on the continent," said Elfadil. In October 2020, the 55-member pan-African bloc officially launched the Trusted Travel platform as part of the overall Trusted Travel Initiative during a joint meeting of the ministers of health, transport, and information and communication of African Union Member States. The platform provides information on travel requirements at the departure and destination ports and access to a list of government-approved laboratories for COVID-19 testing in African countries. It allows travelers to upload their COVID-19 test results online for easy verification by port health and travel officials and helps with the detection of forged certificates. According to the AU, the initiative will help establish trust and confidence in test results among government authorities, airlines, transport services operators and other stakeholders in the transport sector across the continent. Enditem WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus The World Health Organisation (WHO) has thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continued support to the global COVID-19 pandemic response that has killed more than two million people and infected over 96 million across the world. Thank you #India and Prime Minister @narendramodi for your continued support to the global #COVID19 response. Only if we #ACTogether, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 23, 2021 WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took to Twitter on January 23 and said: Thank you India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for your continued support to the global COVID-19 response. Only if we act together, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods. India started sending COVID-19 vaccines to other countries starting January 20, including to Brazil and Brazilian President Jair M Bolsonaro has also thanked India for the help in combating the pandemic. He tweeted: Namaskar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccine exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad! The Government of India has dispatched 2 million doses of Oxford-AstraZenecas Covishield COVID-19 vaccines to Brazil. Covishield is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives have got over 3.2 million doses in total from India. Donations to Mauritius, Myanmar and Seychelles will follow and Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are next on the list. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show Follow our coverage of the coronavirus crisis here Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The immune response to novel coronavirus is not developed earlier than 32-45 days after the vaccination, or 52 days later maximum, Alexander Gorelov, the deputy director for science of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology at the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, said on Friday, TASS reports. "We know that [antibodies are not produced] earlier than after 32-45 days, whereas the maximum amount is developed after four incubation periods, or 56 days later, when we all can adequately breathe freely. However, it does not mean that we can stop wearing masks," he said on the Doctor television channel. Gorelov pointed out that people should not worry if they miss the date of their second shot for some reason. "Actually, it is not so critical, as the world has information that certain countries use vaccination within six weeks. So I think time might be chosen within this lapse. In fact, we are already aware that a classic example - 30-45 days between the vaccinations - is an acceptable timeframe," the expert said. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Collecting public feedback on the draft documents to be submitted to the upcoming 13th National Party Congress is a vivid illustration for the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)s efforts to ensure democracy in the Party, said Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committees Commission for Mass Mobilisation Nguyen Phuoc Loc. Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committees Commission for Mass Mobilisation Nguyen Phuoc Loc. (Photo: VNA) In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agencys reporter on the threshold of the 13th National Party Congress, Loc said that the Party Central Committee's Commission for Mass Mobilisation had joined hands with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organisations at the central level to hold 24 meetings to collect public feedback on the draft documents, with a view to engaging the whole people in the outlining of policies to develop and protect the nation in the new situation. This showed the close relationship between the Party with the people as well as the nations solidarity, he stressed. The draft documents to be submitted to the 13th National Party Congress focus on the central role of the Vietnamese people in the cause of national construction and development, he said, adding the peoples ownership right is promoted in various fields, from Party building and rectification, economic development to all-people national defence building. Promoting democracy and the peoples ownership right will make significant contributions to consolidating the peoples complete faith in the Party, State and socialist regime, Loc said. The draft Political Report pointed out several missions and solutions to improve democracy and ensure the peoples ownership right, including the effective implementation of representative democracy and direct democracy, Party members example setting in democracy implementation and compliance of the current regulations, and promotion of the peoples central role in the national development strategies. He said the public has special interests in measures to ensure the smooth implementation of the Partys guidelines and policies, speak highly of the countrys corruption prevention and control, while recommending specific and practical solutions to the fight against corruption to build a strong and pure Party and State. People also contributed various measures to the countrys three breakthrough programmes for the sustainable development of the country, he said. Touching on the Partys mass mobilisation work, Loc stressed that it must be operated in a new form with a view to encourage people from all walks of life to contribute more to the nationals development goals. Besides, the mass mobilisation commission will work to promote the role of the Fatherland Front and socio-political organisations, strengthen patriotic emulation campaigns, and exercise democracy./. VNA Image: Unsplash If the QAnon slogan Where we go one, we go all is to be believed, it appears that the all are fading into history. In a stunning turn of events, Joe Biden was sworn in as President of the United States. Well, for most people this was not surprising but simply the natural result of the November election. However, for those who bought into the conspiracy theories surrounding QAnon, this was not supposed to happen. As a result, multiple news platforms are reporting that QAnon is beginning to fracture as many former influential figures are voicing their doubt or outright rejection of the movement. Typical of this broader dissatisfaction, one leader quoted in the BBC noted, "Today's inauguration makes no sense to the Christian patriots and we thought 'the plan' was the way we would take this country back." While the potential demise of QAnon and other conspiracy theories should be relief to many, considerable work remains in addressing the destruction theyve caused. Countless numbers were fooled, resulting in untold damage to relationships, institutions, and families. What now remains is significant amounts of anger, distrust, and shame. And, many of these were Christiansevangelical ones at that. As QAnon and other conspiracy theories begin to lose traction, pastors and church leaders face a decision. We can pretend that conspiracy theories were never really a threat to their congregation and simply move on unchanged. Or we can ridicule the foolishness of those in our congregations who were deceived by conspiracy, driving them out of the church and perhaps into the arms of whatever movement steps into the vacuum of QAnon. Or, we can engage our people refocusing their attention back to the gospel and learn how we need to disciple better. This last option will be difficult, requiring honest reflection, repentance where needed, and a call to return to Jesus. In this respect, let me suggest two starting points for pastors and church leaders as they enter into this task. Where did this come from? Our immediate response must be to love them. As weve written before, conspiracy theories proved attractive because of the ways they played to latent fears, loneliness, and purposelessness. Pastors and church leaders need to start by helping their people understand the why and how the gospel meets these needs. Only after this first step can we begin to address their actions. For years a segment of Christianity has sought to reclaim the United States of America as a Christian nationor at the very least a nation founded upon Judeo-Christian values. However, they have, at the same time, witnessed the American culture (and, yes, what they see as American elitesmedia giants, big tech, politicians, and Hollywood) adopt a more secular and progressive agenda. This movement made many Christians uncomfortable, and drove many of them into news sources and chat rooms detached from reality. In their discomfort they sought to try and make sense of what they were experiencing, and not always in the best places. Enter QAnon and the fascination with conspiracy theories. How Do We Correct Them? The second thing we must do is correct them. Yes, thats what churches and their pastorstheir shepherdsdo. The question is how to do that. Here it is wise for church leaders to distinguish between those attracted to conspiracy theories from those who aggressively advocated and disseminated them within the community. To the former, church leaders need to warn of the dangers in their actions while offering encouragement and support. Members who subscribed to QAnon and other conspiracy theories need to understand the damage they have caused not only to their local church but the broader Christian witness. Online behavior does not cease to exist simply because we delete our posts. The more challenging cases are those who have amplified conspiracy theories. In doing so, they served as validation to others in your community. Some of those still wont listen to reason. To these members, church leaders need to rebuke them and, if necessary, make this a church wide conversation. In the absence of repentance for those who seek to lead others astray, elders and churches may need to walk through a Matthew 18 like process. While this may seem excessive to some, Christians need to understand how this foolishness not only hurts relationships in the local church and community but diminishes our witness. In such situations, our gospel witness is at stake and we cannot afford to be passive. Beyond addressing individuals in the congregation, pastors need to reflect on how they can address the challenge of digital discipleship, media consumption, and politicization. Whether through sermons or weekly teaching, pastors have to provide their people with the tools needed to discern truth from lie in a world that often blurs the two. Our Own Leadership and Ministry Beyond dealing with those who have been deceived, Christian leaders need to reflect on how these conspiracy theories were able to gain traction in our churches and institutions. What was it about our discipleship that made us vulnerable to lies so appallingly false? What needs, fears, or ambitions did we foster or fail to confront that QAnon was able to seize upon? What habits have we ignored or potentially even promoted that opened the door for these voices to have platforms within our church? Even as we engage conspiracy theorists in our midst, pastors and church leaders need to be asking these questions with the humility to own our part in this problem. Before QAnon had risen to popularity, we warned against the susceptibility of Christians and the need for churches to take active steps in discipling their people towards truth. We cant just believe everything we hear the media shouting in our ears; instead, we must think both carefully and critically about what we read at news sites, watch on the news, and hear our peers discussing. We need to consider our sources and, when situations like this arise, be careful to seek out answers from people who actually know what theyre talking about. It is fair to suggest that Christians have failed in this task. We have not properly modeled or taught godly media habits, helping our people understand how these behaviors are shaping their souls for good or ill. Moreover, we have failed to confront those in our congregations who disseminate falsehoods or slander through social media. A good place to start in addressing this need is to recognize that pastors must embrace their role as truth-tellers in the church. When Paul exhorts the Ephesian elders to guard against threats to the church, its highly unlikely he was thinking of Facebook. Yet this is the challenge of our generation and pastors need to encourage, rebuke, and exhort their people to be careful who they give a platform in their lives. Our attention is one of our most valuable resources. With it we can learn, grow, worship, and love. But we can also be led into foolishness. As the church looks to sort through the wreckage of QAnon within our pews, we must maintain the tension of empathy and conviction, shepherding and correction. The reality is, the presence of conspiracy theories, peddled by evangelical Christians, have damaged our credibility in a culture that was already inclined to dismiss the gospel. Part of the evangelical reckoning is to deal with this QAnon problemand its source. ALBANY Moneique Ballou has been a SNAP recipient for over ten years, but never has her monthly payment increased as much as it did this January. An additional $30 was deposited into her account, thanks to the Covid-19 relief bill passed at the end of 2020. I was so happy, Ballou said about the moment she first saw the increase. Where did this come from? I didnt get a notice, I didnt know anything about it, it just appeared. Ballou has lived in Arbor Hills her whole life, is 54 years old, and is currently on Social Security Disability Benefits. She receives SNAP money for just herself, but this year her grandchildren are learning remotely and she often finds herself feeding them when babysitting. It will help me get more meat because at this point now every type of meat is very expensive, Ballou said. There was a time where you could get like pork or something kind of cheap, but everything is up due to the pandemic. Ballou will be getting $30 extra every month until July, and so will every other SNAP household, minus or plus a couple dollars. This across-the-board 15 percent increase is the first time there has been food money help for all SNAP families since the pandemic began. In March, the federal government passed an emergency allotment, which brought every household up to the maximum amount of money they could receive for their household tier, but because almost half of the households in the state were already at their max, the lowest income households didnt get any extra food money until now, according to Sherry Tomasky, the director of communications for Hunger Solutions of New York. When you add up every SNAP household's increase in the state it will bring approximately $462 million into the states economy over the next six months, according to estimates by Hunger Solutions New York. Snap benefits are spent quickly and spent locally, said Tomasky, This is a tremendous infusion of food dollars for food retailers and farmers markets. During the Great Recession, a similar SNAP increase helped lessen food insecurity and helped make families feel stable enough to spend on other items beyond food. Every SNAP dollar could increase gross domestic product by about $1.50 during a weak economy, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The program has a multiplier effect, boosting local businesses and economies, said Susan Lintner, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New Yorks community impact director. The $462 million is not a huge amount of stimulus, said Adrian Masters, an economist at the University of Albany, given the population and size of New York. That being said SNAP recipients are low income individuals that spend it all right away. So in terms of bang for your buck for stimulus dollar, things like SNAP benefits are a good thing to spend money on. The Regional Food Bank has seen a 35 percent increase in demand for their services since the pandemic began. We are thrilled to support our communities but certainly increasing SNAP is going to alleviate" some of that pressure on the Food Bank and the agencies its supports "that are out on the front lines, Lintner said. Food banks will also be helped indirectly because the stimulus package included money for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodities Program and for administrative services and supports, Lintner said. There will also be some additional funds for the state administrative offices that are working to enroll new SNAP recipients and answer questions, Tomasky said. Given the tight turnaround between when the bill was passed and signed into law and when the January 2021 SNAP money was distributed, not everyone has received the 15% increase yet, according to multiple posts in a SNAP benefits community Facebook group. Anything that's missed will be applied retroactively, Lintner said about additional money being delayed. But if you're a family waiting for additional money for food, that does make it difficult. Hunger Solutions New York and other advocates hope that the increase will become permanent, and not end after July, as the relief measure currently stands. For the longest time the SNAP budget has not followed the increasing cost of food, Tomasky said. Keeping the 15% increase intact long-term really respects and acknowledges the fact that the cost of food has gone up pretty significantly during the pandemic. But even before the pandemic, this is sort of SNAP catching up to that. U.S. Senator Charles E. Shumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also want a SNAP increase to be permanent. Let me be clear, no New Yorker should ever have to go to bed hungry or have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, which is why I pushed so hard in the latest Covid relief deal to get a $6 billion increase in SNAP benefits and will continue to push for this lifeline to be extended as long as possible," Shumer wrote in an email. I think the anticipation is that the economy will be getting back on its feet again by July and so it wont be so necessary, said Masters, the economist at the University of Albany. And hoping that a lot of those SNAP recipients by then will have other sources of income. SNAP recipients like Ballou are not so convinced much will change between now and July. Why give it and then take it away? Ballou said. The prices are not going down so why would you do that? I hope that they dont take it away. We really need this. I cant see anything changing from now to July. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 21:24:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LUSAKA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Had it not been for the support she received from her peers, Catherine Chanda would not have recovered from the deep depression that resulted from learning about her HIV status. "I had gone for a check-up at a hospital where I was advised to among other things undergo an HIV test. The results of that test left me shattered to a point where I contemplated taking my life," recounts 44-year-old Chanda. It has been six years since she tested positive for HIV, and Chanda has lived to become one of the most sought-after HIV counselors in the Makeni area of Lusaka, Zambia's capital. "It is all because I was encouraged to join a support group under Circle of Hope where I underwent extensive counseling. I later received training in psychosocial counseling, so I could help others," she revealed. Support groups have continued to play an important role in the lives of individuals living with HIV in Zambia, particularly those from low-income settings. Through education and sensitization programs, these groups have contributed immensely to reducing stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV in many Zambian communities. According to Mphaso Phiri, a member of a support group at Sekelela Project, an initiative that aims to empower HIV positive individuals in Lusaka's Ng'ombe compound, support groups have been instrumental in ensuring that HIV-positive persons are not discriminated against by their families or the wider community. "It is because of these groups that communities have come to appreciate the fact that individuals living with HIV are normal human beings capable of contributing to society greatly," said Mphaso, 21, who is HIV positive. And Bertha Gamela, programs manager at Sekelela project, explained that the emotional support that support groups provided to members also ensures that they adhere to medication, thereby enabling them live longer. "It is good to note that many more individuals are seeking help from HIV support groups. What we need to work on now is to encourage more HIV positive individuals to openly talk about their status so that others that test positive can freely seek help," Gamela said. Enditem Four leading banks may apply again to the competition watchdog to launch an instant payment app to rival Revolut. The plans were knocked back by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) this week. It said it was unable to determine if the banks were planning a merger or an acquisition. The application was deemed invalid as the banks had not provided full details of the proposed joint venture plans under competition law. Competition experts said the mistake was a very basic one. Questions have been raised about the bungle as a number of top legal experts and a leading consultancy were involved in preparing the submission to the CCPC. Confidence is their ability to deliver the new app has now been seriously dented. Some experts have suggested the banks had intentionally scuttled their own plans, aware that the coming together of rival banks would breach competition law. Expand Close Brian Hayes of the Banking Payments Federation Ireland. Photo: Leon/RollingNews.ie / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brian Hayes of the Banking Payments Federation Ireland. Photo: Leon/RollingNews.ie It is the first time in more than 20 years that rival banks have joined forces to take on such a project. Calling the venture Project Pegasus, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Permanent TSB and KBC formed a company called Synch Payments to deliver a multi-bank payment app. The Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) is co-ordinating the joint venture. Read More Questions have been asked as to why the banks would not adapt their systems to use the European Unions Sepa Instant payment system rather than developing their own payment app. Sepa Instant can transfer of up to 15,000 in less than ten seconds. BPFI, headed by Brian Hayes, was asked if the real agenda was about blocking new entrants into the Irish market. An BPFI spokesperson said: The new multi-banking app which Synch Payments DAC aims to launch this year, subject to approval by the CCPC, will allow customers to carry out instant payments in real time. It has been designed and built around the classic Sepa infrastructure (Sepa Credit Transfer system), however it can transfer over to the Sepa Instant infrastructure as banks and other financial institutions migrate over to that system with time. The launch of this new multi-banking app will give customers the benefit of an instant payments experience in a shorter timeframe rather than waiting until a future date when banks have joined the Sepa Instant payment scheme. The banks have insisted that if they go ahead with their new Synch system it will be open to all banks and financial institutions here. Banking analyst at Goodbody Stockbrokers Eamonn Hughes said the initial rejection by the competition watchdog was a procedural issue, and the banks are likely to reapply for competition clearance. Suspected Israeli airstrikes hit Syria on Friday. Israel struck Syrian targets a number of times in 2020. The Syrian state-run SANA news outlet reported Israeli airstrikes near the central city of Hama early Friday. SANA did not specify the targets and said Syrian air defense forces struck most of the missiles down. The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israeli missiles destroyed the positions of Iran-backed militia and Lebanese Hezbollah positions near Hama. Israel does not comment on its military operations abroad, but is suspected of carrying out regular airstrikes in Syria against Syrian and Iranian military targets. Iran and its ally Hezbollah support the Syrian government in the civil war against rebel forces and Israel views their presence in neighboring Syria as a threat. Iranian forces repositioned themselves in eastern Syria in response to suspected Israeli airstrikes Jan. 13. There were numerous reports of Israeli airstrikes in Syria in 2020, including a Dec. 30 strike on a Syrian air defense unit. Fridays airstrikes apparently mark the first time Israel has carried out a military operation in Syria since US President Joe Biden took office Wednesday. Amy Zill said that she and her husband Joe were already working on a whats-next plan when they visited Thunder Ridge Vineyards near Spring Grove, York County, over Labor Day weekend to share some wine and pizza. She was about to end a 10-year career as a behavioral health technician in September 2020 and her husband already was thinking about the future after he would leave the United Parcel Service at the end of July 2021. He envisioned going to work at a winery and applying at a creamery near the South Hanover Township home they have occupied for more than the past 20 years. We talked about traveling to find some property to call our last forever home someday, she said. We had plans to both find part-time fun jobs upon his retirement. Then came the revelation that Jeff Gormley and his daughter Alex had put their Thunder Ridge winery up for sale, one they opened in Heidelberg Township between Hanover and Spring Grove, in May 2015. Numerous times between ourselves and friends, we joked about owning a winery though, Zill said, and after finding out about the winerys availability they spent time considering it. A few months later, we decided why not try to see if we could make it happen, she said. We saw that it had been taken off the market, so we contacted the owners to find out they were still interested in selling it if someone were interested. Of course, we needed a preapproval and such. That day we started the process of pursuing just that. After many applications, business plans, emails, meetings and sleepless nights we had ourselves everything we needed to move forward with the purchase. The Thunder Ridge Vineyards tasting room, in Spring Grove, York County, It's open Saturdays and Sundays. What they will take over is one of the more interesting wineries in the state, with an eclectic wine list and what Marty Cook, the Pennsylvania Wine Societys president and a former classmate of Gormleys in HACCs enology & viticulture tech program, called a fascinating study in viticulture. Gormley grows more than 40 varieties, including such things as Pinotage, Albarino, Tempranillo and Dornfelder. As a result, Cook said, Jeff makes a lot of small-batch, unique wines, to say the least. Dill said that she and her husband plan to maintain the vines, getting instruction from Jeff and Alex, who will remain around this year to answer questions and offer suggestions. The two new owners also have been enrolling in webinars offered by Penn State, which they plan to continue to do. The father-daughter duo has created such a wonderful business from the ground up, Zill said. We want nothing more than to continue growing what they started with much success. Obviously, they are restricted for now in how many people can occupy the tasting room, which is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 pm. Sundays. There is a limited food menu. To-go orders also are available, as are wine and cider bottles, for pickup any day of the week. Arrangements can be made by calling 717.688.1897. The winerys address is 932 Hilltop Dr. S. Looking ahead, Zill said theyve talked about eventually expanding the parking area along with the tasting and processing rooms. But their aim is more to maintain than change, she said. We plan to keep this a family-run business with a family-friendly atmosphere, she said, noting that their daughter and her fiance, and their son and his girlfriend, have offered their support by jumping in to learn aspects of the operation. An overview of Thunder Ridge, its vineyards and the surrounding area. More than 40 varieties of grapes of planted there. We first heard about Thunder Ridge back in 2013 when we met Alex through a gathering at our home for some kids at the local high school our children attended as well, Zill said. During that introduction, Alex and Joe found wine as a common interest; he has been making wine for years in his basement. We love entertaining and serving his wine or giving it as gifts, [which is] why so many joked we should own a winery, she said. We had tasted Thunder Ridge wine at wine tastings and at local restaurants since meeting Alex. We truly believe it was fate that brought us to Thunder Ridge that day, as we rarely get a chance to go out and just happened to find out it was for sale. ALSO READ: Lucie Morton: Enthusiasm and an Eye for Deep Insights with Viticultural Impact ALSO READ: The Vineyard at Hersheys wait for 2nd Governors Cup a lot shorter than for the first one Scientists have recently found out that the UK variant B 1.1.7 of the Coronavirus not only has a faster transmission rate, but is also likely more deadly. This is after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has declared that the B 1.1.7 variant originated from the UK last fall has already been widely-spread in other areas and countries. Although these findings are still in the preliminary stage, scientists are worried that it is likely the case. According to Gizmodo, the data was acquired from the UK's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group otherwise known as NERVTAG. It is a group of scientists that has worked their way through helping curb the pandemic. UK Variant Not Only More Transmissible but Also More Deadly As BBC News reports, it was only last December that they made conclusions of the UK variant being more transmissible as compared to previous strains of the virus. They did not initially find out that the variant was more deadly or harmful. However, things have changed recently with the last data analysis reports. The independent research group has released in their new paper last friday that there is a surge of people dying from the UK variant as compared to people that have been infected with other strains of the virus. Furthermore, they added that the UK variant is 30% more deadly than other strains. For many experts, this is worrying since 30% is not something that we should take lightly. Read more: More 'Super-Covid' Variants are Coming: Will the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines Work Against Them? Jason Kindrachuk, a virologist at the University of Manitoba in Canada said in an interview via Gizmodo his sentiments about the new findings. "This is of course quite concerning, given the speed at which this variant has overtaken circulating strains across different regions and our inability to control general transmission in many parts of the world." Limitations to the UK variant B 1.1.7 Study However, the findings are still in the preliminary phase, since more studies need to be conducted to confirm the results. The authors of the study emphasized that there are indeed some limitations to their study. The data has been acquired only from a small portion amongst the total cases and deaths in the country at a specific point in time. Moreover, some of the data takes longer to collect than others. This is why the data released when patients are diagnosed with the B.1.1.7 doesn't exactly say that the UK variant is deadlier. More research and work needs to be done in order to confirm the findings of this study. Nonetheless, experts advise to be more cautious and to exercise safety measures at all times since the new variant can be far more precarious as compared to previous strains of the virus. Related Article: Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine: Israel Says First Dose is 'Less Effective Than We Hoped' This article is owned by Techtimes Written by Nikki D 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Each day the calendar ticks closer to January 27, the grand re-entry to the city for the summer holiday hordes, the question looms larger: what will our work life actually look like in 2021, and more importantly, Can I handle that? Its been nearly a year since many of my office-working comrades set foot into air-conditioning and proper shoes, and theres more than a touch of trepidation about returning to the old space and ways. Only five per cent of workers said in an Australian survey released last Wednesday that they wished to return to the office full time. Credit:Joe Armao The feedback from those who have gone back, even a few days a week, has been: Its so exhausting. After the freedom to let your inner introvert run (very quietly) wild while still being gainfully employed, all those random conversations and all that quality eye-contact is proving surprisingly draining. Let alone the draggy commute and avoiding all that eye-contact. Larry King, known worldwide for his conversational interviews, his deep baritone voice and of course, his signature suspenders, has died at age 87. His production company, Ora Media, confirmed the news in a statement Saturday. Prior to his death, King had been hospitalized due to COVID-19. Fans and viewers of King know that he was often seen wearing his suspenders on air in the latter half of his six-decade career and in an interview for the Television Academy Foundation's Archive of American Television conducted on two separate days in 2009 and 2010 he revealed the story behind his iconic look. Watch TODAY All Day! Get the best news, information and inspiration from TODAY, all day long. "When I started doing television in Miami in 1959, I wore the traditional jacket, tie," he said. "Then as time evolved, I started wearing a half sweater. I was more comfortable in it. I'm not a suit kind of guy," he said, describing the sweater vest look he initially took to wearing, even on his early CNN shows. But after he had heart surgery and lost a lot of weight, King's ex-wife Sharon had an idea over dinner. "'You know, you're much trimmer, you look good, you ever tried suspenders?' I had never worn suspenders in my life," recalled King. "'You ought to try it. It might be a nice look.' I tried it and one night, put suspenders on. Some people called in and said, 'Boy that looks good' and that's all you had to hear. And I've worn them ever since." Talk Show Host Larry King Dies At 87 (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images) When asked where he acquired the wide variety of suspenders he wore on air, King said that people sent them to him and that he picked out some styles himself and that his producers also helped select others. "We have a whole bunch of shirts in the L.A. office and the Washington office and the New York office with braces (another term for suspenders) so when I travel, it's made very easy," he explained at the time. King said that each night, they would select which combination he would wear on air and occasionally coordinated with a theme. Story continues "Sometimes they'll try to say, if you're doing a show on Valentine's Day, you're going to wear red, that kind of thing. We try to keep it all thought. It's all informed so that the colors match," he said, describing his shirt-suspender combinations. CNN talk show host Larry King speaks at ceremonies unveiling comedian Bill Maher's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood (Fred Prouser / Reuters) King also recalled a moving moment when he spoke in front of an audience with over 10,000 people in Syracuse, New York. "I got up to speak and as they introduced me, the whole audience males took their jackets off and they were all wearing suspenders," he said with a smile. Sometimes, King, along with his producers, would coordinate or match his suspenders to a particular theme. (Samuel Kubani / AFP - Getty Images) In another interview, King said didn't mind being parodied, with many actors donning his recognizable suspenders to play him over the years, and took it as a sign that people knew who he was. King said his favorite impression that anyone did of him was by comedian Norm MacDonald on "Saturday Night Live." "Norm MacDonald ... he did me the best. He had me down," King observed. "It's a compliment to be parodied," he said, though he did note that he didn't like to be kidded about his age. King at times even took to social media to share his different suspender looks. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "I love my new holdup suspenders check 'em out!" he tweeted in 2013. "Pretty sweet Mr king!" one commenter posted at the time. "You stylin LK" wrote another fan. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) An encounter between local authorities and an armed group resulted in the death of 13 people, Maguindanao police said. In a statement, local police said the firefight occurred in an attempt to arrest Datu Pendatun Talusan, the former captain of Brgy. Limbo in the municipality of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, at 3:30 a.m. on Saturday. Talusan and 11 of his men were killed while one police operative died. Four others were injured and were brought to the Notre Dame Hospital in Cotabato City. The former barangay captain was issued a warrant of arrest for robbery with homicide and illegal possession of firearms. Authorities also recovered assorted weapons, including five M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, and two .45-caliber pistols from the suspects. Earlier this week, 88-year-old Oscar Goggans received a call from a staff member at the Veterans Affairs clinic asking to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. But the clinic is 41 miles away from rural Coosa County, where Googans lives. So he opted instead to schedule an appointment at a pop-up clinic Friday less than eight miles from his home. It saved the Korean War veteran, who has a service-connected disability, a long car trip for a quick jab. Im not nervous, Goggans said. I feel good. Im relieved. Coosa is the only county in Alabama without a health department, which are operating as hubs of vaccine distribution elsewhere. But the Alabama Department of Public Health organized a vaccine clinic in Coosa to ensure residents would not be left behind. Coosa County may be the only county in the state without a health department, but many others have shortages of healthcare providers. Dr. Bill Curry, an expert in rural health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said some areas have part-time and understaffed health departments tasked with everything from inspecting restaurants to providing childhood vaccinations. Some of those departments may not have enough resources to provide COVID-19 vaccines on top of their other tasks, Curry said. He and other experts have been working on a plan to ease the burden and get more shots to more residents. Rural areas are really where a lot of the gaps are in terms of medical care in Alabama, Curry said. Its where some of the worst health outcomes and worst COVID outcomes have occurred. Coosa County is one of the more rural counties in Alabama. The county seat of Rockford only has about 500 residents and a single storefront holding its police department, fire department, library and town hall. The Coosa County Sheriffs Department occupies a larger building near the center of town, across the street from the Old Rock Jail that closed in 1938. The Coosa County Health Department closed in 2016. Coosa County does not have a hospital, although there are pharmacies and clinics in Rockford and Goodwater. Alabamas initial vaccine rollout sent most doses to hospitals and county health departments, and before the pop-up clinic, Coosa County risked being overlooked. Alabama has come under fire for the slow start of its vaccination campaign, and ADPH recently announced a shift in policy to move vaccine supplies to areas that can distribute it quickly. Thats more easily accomplished in urban and suburban sites, Curry said. Large counties are already planning mass vaccination sites, which will play key roles in quickly distributing large numbers of shots to Alabamians. Curry said Alabama also plans to implement a series of smaller satellite clinics in rural locations. Large health departments and hospital systems have the resources to set up and run sites that can vaccinate thousands of people every day. Although private providers and health departments in small communities may play some role in vaccinations, Curry said many are already overworked. The smaller, rural clinics may operate out of churches and inoculate 200 to 300 people a day. When you are working at a smaller scale, you have less of a margin to work with, Curry said. It is hard to keep the business going if you are doing vaccines as well. Curry said the Alabama plan is modeled on a similar program in Texas, which built mass vaccination sites in major cities and smaller hubs in rural areas. Curry said he has already spoken to church leaders in several denominations to work on church-based hubs. Rural areas also have strengths to help build vaccination efforts. Close personal connections can help build confidence in the vaccine and reinforce its importance. Just one person can make a large difference. The people in rural areas are so personally connected to the neighbors who have died from COVID, Curry said. I believe theres more momentum for getting vaccinated there. Curry said it has been difficult to transport and store ultra-cold vaccines to places without much medical infrastructure. State officials are still working out the details, but plans are in place to bring more vaccines to areas like Rockford. We need not dozens, but hundreds of places where people can get vaccinated, Curry said. There are larger cities and hospitals about 20 to 30 minutes from Rockford. Residents without transportation and those with health issues may still struggle to make the trip. Others may be able to rely on family and friends. Peggie Sue Ott, 78, of Nixsburg, had already traveled to Alexander City with her husband to get her first vaccine. But on Friday she brought her 82-year-old brother the much shorter distance to the small town of Rockford. Ott stood under an umbrella in a light rain while waiting for her brothers turn in the clinic. A steady stream of her neighbors, many using wheelchairs and canes, trickled into the emergency management building, where a woman screened for fevers and ushered them to a waiting area. Im just thrilled, Ott said. Everyone here just stepped up to put this together. One in eight people in the country are now on an outpatient waiting list as Covid-19 has severely disrupted health services. There are now 610,000 people waiting for outpatient appointments and a further 72,000 people waiting on inpatient or day case procedures, the Oireachtas Health Committee has been told. The number of people on hospital waiting lists has ballooned to an "unacceptable number", a senior HSE manager admitted. The Health Committee also heard that there are now 6,000 hospital staff are out of work for Covid-related reasons. Questioned about the impact of Covid on the delivery of other health services, Angela Fitzgerald, deputy national director, Acute Operations, said the decision to curtail non-urgent elective care last March was "appropriate" but it has had "a significant impact" on waiting lists. Ms Fitzgerald said there had been a "very challenging number" on the outpatient list even before the pandemic but this has now increased by around 45,000 people from the 565,000 patients who were waiting at the end of 2019. "They are people that need to be seen," she said. The committee also heard that there are now 120 open outbreaks of Covid in hospitals, with 442 hospital-acquired cases reported last week alone, Dr Ronan Glynn said the pressure currently being seen in hospitals and ICUs is reflective of the numbers of cases that have been growing in the community since Christmas. Dr Ronan Glynn said the pressure currently being seen in hospitals and ICUs is reflective of the numbers of cases that have been growing in the community since Christmas. Picture: Julien Behal It emerged last night that one of the country's busiest hospitals has exceeded its critical care capacity. Cork University Hospital (CUH) is now planning to open additional critical care beds on-site and has appealed for staff to volunteer for shifts. The hospitals CEO, Ger OCallaghan, told staff that there is now an urgent need for volunteers to man 12-hour shifts over the coming week. He said critical care experience is not necessary but familiarity with the intensive care unit environment would be welcome. A spokesman for the South-South West Hospital Group said there has been a good response to the call from staff so far. The latest HSE figures show that as of Thursday night, CUH was treating 158 people with Covid-19 the highest number of Covid patients of any Irish hospital, with 16 in the critical care unit. Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Gibraltar to Remain in Lockdown for a Further 7 Days Chief Minister Fabian Picardo announced in his latest press conference that lockdown may be lifted on 31st January if we continue to see the downward trend. Schools may therefore re-open as from 1st Feb. Catering establishments however will likely not be permitted to re-open until the 1st March. "Good afternoon. Welcome to another information press conference from No6 Convent Place. Today is another sad day. Since I last addressed you on Monday, there have been 14 more confirmed deaths from COVID-19. Of these, 7 were residents of Elderly Residential Services. Today, we suspect another death in the Community which is being investigated by the Coroner as likely also being from COVID-19. This disease is undoubtedly taking a tragic toll in our Community. For that reason we must ensure that we suppress the curve of new infections as quickly and as effectively as possible. Today, the total number of persons still infected with COVID-19 at Elderly Residential Services, is presently 92. We have enjoyed 31 full recoveries at ERS. Happily, the vast majority of those infected at ERS have recovered or will recover. That is not to say however, that we will not yet see more deaths in those facilities. In the last 24hours, we have seen one additional admission to the Critical Care Unit at St Bernards Hospital. There have been 3 admissions to Victoria Ward and 1 admission to John Ward. The overall picture presents us with 11 patients in the CCU, of whom 9 are ventilated. The age ranges in CCU go from people in their 70s to a person in their 50s. Today, there are 26 patients in Victoria Ward, of whom 21 are stable or improving. There are an additional 15 patients in total in John Ward of which all are stable. The age ranges in these Wards are from the early 90s to the mid 30s. That is important for people to note. There are all ages in our hospital, not just elderly people. Please do realise that. We are all at risk. Please do not forget that. More generally in Gibraltar, we yesterday carried out a total of 1,250 tests for COVID-19. Of those, 24 showed positive for the virus. Of which 18 are resident in Gibraltar An additional 64 persons have now recovered from the virus. The R rate is now in the region of 0.6 to 0.7. The number of active cases in Gibraltar is now down to 605. That is is frankly excellent progress. We should not expect to see zero new infections before we start to unlock. With an R below 1, we are moving in exactly the right direction. But we need R to be below 0.5 for two cases of COVID to lead to 1, that is to say, to see a consistent reduction. Unfortunately, it is not yet clear that we are seeing those results with the consistency necessary to be able to confidently lift our lockdown. Indeed, we must be careful not to unlock prematurely and give rise to a bigger spike in the future. In that respect, this morning I chaired meetings of both COVID PLATINUM and of the CABINET to analyse this information. I considered these issues yesterday also with the Leader of the Opposition. The recommendation of PLATINUM COMMAND is that we should continue in exactly the same posture of lockdown for a further week. That recommendation has this morning been accepted by the CABINET. As a result, Gibraltar will remain in LOCKDOWN for a further seven days. That means that every person in Gibraltar is under a STAY AT HOME ORDER. You may leave your home only for work or essential purposes, including exercise. BUT PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HOME UNLESS IT IS ESSENTIAL. As I indicated in Parliament last Friday, we do not believe that we are able to release the lockdown this week. We do believe however, that we WILL be able to start to release the lockdown next week. I think we owe it to all of you to not just review the current posture constantly, as we must in order to demonstrate our respect for your fundamental rights. We also owe it to you, to try to give you a view of what the direction of travel is, subject of course, to the data that comes in. And so, if we continue to see the downward trend that we are seeing up to now, then, we do expect to lift the lockdown next SUNDAY 31st JANUARY. As a result, we will permit non-essential shops to open from MONDAY 1st FEBRUARY, but with restrictions to ensure safety of staff and patrons. We will also permit the opening of hairdressers from that date, with the same restrictions we have had to date on staff wearing masks, patrons wearing masks whilst in waiting areas etc. Gyms, subject to permits being granted for safe operation, should also be able to open then on a restricted basis. We will, however, nonetheless, maintain a curfew from 10pm to 6am. That decision will also be reviewed every 7 days. I also need to be clear in setting out our thinking on catering establishments. Platinum Command and the Cabinet agree it will not be advisable to permit the opening of catering establishments on the 1st of February. We will continue to review that decision also every 7 days. But our view at the moment is that catering establishments will likely not be permitted to re-open until the 1st March. Additionally, we expect that we will reopen schools from the 1st of February. John Cortes has been working closely with the Department of Education and our teachers union in this respect. Our teachers for St Martins School have had the chance to have their vaccinations already today. All our teachers will have had appointments offered for the next 48 hours. Our inoculation programme for teachers will have delivered a first dose by the end of this weekend. I want to thank the committee of the Teachers Union for their diligence and support in respect of these arrangements. Our school buildings will be ready to reopen by the 1st February. I can give parents the comfort that we are now planning firmly to open on that date, subject only to a major increase in the infection rate, which we do not now expect. I know that the parents of pupils of St Martins and its nursery, Early Birds, are particularly in need of the return of formal education. We have tried as hard as possible to return St Martins and Early Birds as soon as possible, and I want to thank the parents for their engagement with Minister Cortes to try and work through the issues relevant to them. If the schools were not to open on 1st February, we are already prepared to make alternative arrangements for the children of St Martins and Early Birds. On vaccinations generally, I am very pleased to be able to tell you that we have resumed inoculations on receipt of the new batch from the United Kingdom. Once again, we cannot thank enough the FCDO, the Convent, the Department of Health and Social Care and the UKs Strategic Command, the MOD / RAF and the Royal Gibraltar Regiment enough for their help in delivering the vaccine to Gibraltar. The RGP is acting as escort to the vials for the GHAs incredible work in getting the vaccine into our people. I thank all involved in this magnificently organised inoculation exercise. Our size really does run in our favour in this respect. So, for the next seven days, we must continue in the same posture as we have since the beginning of this year. I know we are all seeing how the pandemic is developing around the world. We can see that Governments around the world are having to take similar measures. And here, as we continue these restrictions, we do so not to dominate, but to deliver against our first obligation to our people. To ensure the preservation of life above all else. And to do so in a manner that respects our sacred obligation to protect also the liberty of each of us in keeping with our constitutional rights. We will curtail those rights only and for as long as is necessary to deliver the primary aim of preservation of life. Since I addressed you on Monday, we have received more expressions of condolences from around the world. Very specifically, we have received condolences from the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands and from the Isle of Man, which I have gratefully acknowledged on behalf of our people. You have heard me say before, and I repeat, how proud I am of our GHA and ERS staff and of all our frontliners in law enforcement and every other frontline body in Gibraltar. I want to just also say that I am very proud of those Gibraltarians outside of Gibraltar who are providing care health services in the NHS in the United Kingdom, in Australia, in Canada, in the Gulf and elsewhere. Those are just the ones I know about. Wherever you are in the world, we from Gibraltar are proud to see you beyond our shores involved in the provision of care in face of this pandemic. Finally, I know that repeatedly appearing before you to talk about death is not uplifting. But the fact that we have suffered another 14, probably 15 deaths since my statement on Monday to COVID-19 cannot be something we avoid. In Gibraltar, no one is a statistic. Every life is precious to us all. Our last casualty from COVID-19 will be as important to us as our first. We are working to get beyond this, but we are not yet beyond this. We will be. Of that, I have no doubt." Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Another anniversary of Roe v. Wade is upon us. And in recent days, the pro-life movement has suffered some serious political setbacks. Outgoing President Donald Trump was surprisingly pro-life. In contrast, incoming President Joe Biden, although he is a Catholic, has become so pro-abortion that he believes in abortion for any reason up to the very moment of birth and that you and I should pay for it. Vice President Kamala Harris is just a heartbeat away from the presidency. She is so pro-abortion that when she was Californias Attorney General, she threw the book (and then some) at video-whistleblowers David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt who shot some undercover videos documenting the grisly practice of Planned Parenthood trafficking in baby body parts. A major reason controversy over abortion will not die is because it was imposed on the American people by judicial fiat. January 22, 1973 brought us one of the worst decisions of the Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade (allowing abortions in the first trimester, and its companion decision of that same day, Doe v. Bolton allowing abortions in second and third trimesters, if doctors approve). Since that dark day, more than 60 million babies have been killed in their mothers womb. Wheres the most dangerous place to be in America today? In your mothers womb. It should be the safest. The Court has unleashed this nightmare, provoking the wrath of Almighty God against the nation that sheds innocent blood and so much of it too. We the people did not get to decide this. The Court did. Perhaps the biggest reason abortion will never die as an issue is because the truth and science are against the pro-choice position. It is a baby being killed. And everyone knows it. Ultrasound images reveal the humanity of the unborn more and more. Generally, the abortion industry tries to keep pregnant women, would-be-clients, from seeing these moving images. Why? Because when the women realize the humanity of the unborn, they tend to not go through with the procedure. Some of the strongest voices against abortion come from those who used to engage in abortion in some way or another. One of those is Carol Everett, a former part-owner of abortion facilities in the Dallas area. She was on her way to becoming a millionaire by selling abortions, until Jesus changed her heart and opened her eyes. Carol compiled the following statements from others who used to work in that field: Former abortionist, Anthony Levatino, M.D.: I want the general public to know that the doctors know that this is a person, this is a baby. That this is not some kind of blob of tissue. Former abortion counselor, Nita Whitten: Its a lie when they tell you theyre doing it to help women, because theyre not. Theyre doing it for the money. Former abortion counselor, Debra Henry: We were told to find the womans weakness and work on it. The women were never given any alternatives. They were told how much trouble it was to have a baby. Former abortionist, Joseph Randall, M.D.: The picture of the baby on the ultrasound bothered me more than anything else. The staff couldnt take it. Women who were having abortions were never allowed to see the ultrasound. Former abortionist, David Brewer, M.D.: My heart got callous against the fact that I was a murderer, but that baby lying in a cold bowl educated me to what abortion really was. In the last year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the contrast between tyranny and liberty from our various governors, mayors, and politicians. There is a direct link between those magistrates who are pro-abortion and who are tyrannical in their governance. Take the governors of California, New York, and Michigan. In the case of those first two states, people are voting with their feet. They are moving out. U-Haul trucks are in great demand right now in New York City and hard to get. Of course, in New York City, they have the double whammy of a pro-abortion governor and mayor. Meanwhile, Florida and Texas and Tennessee (with pro-life governors) are enjoying a great level of freedom compared to these other states, and people are fleeing from other states to live there. Where a politician stands on the issue of abortion represents where they stand on virtually everything else freedom, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and so on. Our founders said in our nations birth certificate, the Declaration of Independence (upon which the Constitution is predicated), that the Creator has endowed us with certain inalienable rights. The first one listed is the right to life. If you take away the right to life, as they do in abortion, you effectively remove all the other rights. May God help America to repent from abortion and put this bloody mess behind us. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. In December, Serum Institute of India's chief executive officer, Adar Poonawalla had said that his company is eying to make the Covishield vaccine available in the open market in a couple of months and had set a timeframe of March-April for it. This means that the life-saving vaccine would be available in the market and anyone who is willing to pay for it can buy them. AFP But now it appears that the plan may not be that easy as the government is yet to clear them for open markets. According to Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, the two Covid-19 vaccines were given approval for restricted use. He told The Times of India that the vaccines won't be available in the open market until the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), approved the data sought from their manufacturers. REUTERS A market authorisation is a pre-requisite to sell the vaccines in the open market, but Bhushan said no market authorisation has been given to any of the emergency-approved vaccines currently in use in India and abroad. Earlier this month Poonawala had said that the vaccine will be priced at double that rate in the private. "We want the vaccine to be affordable and accessible to all. The government of India will receive it at a far more affordable price of $3-4, since they will be buying in a larger volume," he said. market ones such sales open up. afp However, as India is set for Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout in a couple of months, where some 270 million people above the age of 50 and those in the high-risk category will be inoculated, it is unlikely that the government will be keen on making the vaccine available in the open market around the same time that could disrupt the supply chain. Similarly, Bharat Biotech's Covaxin was given clearance even before it completed phase-3 clinical trials. BCCL However, on Friday the Lancet Infectious Diseases said the vaccine produced tolerable safety outcomes and enhanced immune responses in its Phase 1 trials. With this, Covaxin has become the first Covid-19 vaccine from India to have its data published in Lancet, said Suchitra Ella, joint managing director of Bharat Biotech. Two men charged with burglary at a North Kilkenny supermarket and with stealing a car in a nearby village were refused bail at a special court sitting this evening. Lazar Zlate, Coolree, Ballindaggin, Co Wexford and Gigi Dumitrache, 12 Ardmine Grove, Courtown, Co Wexford are charged with burglary at The Spar, Main Street, Johnstown and the authorised taking of a MPV at Ballineen, Freshford in the early hours of Thursday morning. Inspector Paul Donohoe told the court that it would be alleged that a burglary took place in the early hours of Thursday morning and approximately 5,000 worth of alcohol and cigarettes were stolen. It is alleged that a number of people are seen on CCTV in the premises and are masked and escaped by car. It is further alleged that gardai pursued the car but lost sight of the vehicle and it was found crashed a short time later in the village of Freshford and that the occupants fled. Inspector Donohoe told the court that it is also alleged that the stolen property was recovered in the boot of the car. At 5.20am on Thursday morning a burglary was reported to gardai and it is alleged that a house was entered at Ballineen, Freshford and keys were taken and that a car was stolen. Investigating gardai obtained a number of search warrants and went to Wexford where they searched a property at Ballinadaggin. It is alleged that the car which was stolen in Freshford was located 400 metres from the property. Gardai objected to bail in relation to both men on a number of grounds including the seriousness of the alleged offences and that the men may leave the jurisdiction if they were granted bail. Judge Brian O'Shea refused bail in respect of both men. "I have no doubt that the charges are serious," he said and added that neither men had 'any substantial ties to Ireland' and that he was satisified that the accused men were 'unlikely to attend due to the seriousness nature of the charges' if granted bail. Judge 0'Shea remanded both men in custody to Cloverhill Prison and adjourned matters to Cloverhill District Court on January 28. Turbulence model could help design aircraft capable of handling extreme scenarios WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- In 2018, passengers onboard a flight to Australia experienced a terrifying 10-second nosedive when a vortex trailing their plane crossed into the wake of another flight. The collision of these vortices, the airline suspected, created violent turbulence that led to a free fall. To help design aircraft that can better maneuver in extreme situations, Purdue University researchers have developed a modeling approach that simulates the entire process of a vortex collision at a reduced computational time. This physics knowledge could then be incorporated into engineering design codes so that the aircraft responds appropriately. The simulations that aircraft designers currently use capture only a portion of vortex collision events and require extensive data processing on a supercomputer. Not being able to easily simulate everything that happens when vortices collide has limited aircraft designs. With more realistic and complete simulations, engineers could design aircraft such as fighter jets capable of more abrupt maneuvers or helicopters that can land more safely on aircraft carriers, the researchers said. "Aircraft in extreme conditions cannot rely on simple modeling," said Carlo Scalo, a Purdue associate professor of mechanical engineering with a courtesy appointment in aeronautics and astronautics. "Just to troubleshoot some of these calculations can take running them on a thousand processors for a month. You need faster computation to do aircraft design." Engineers would still need a supercomputer to run the model that Scalo's team developed, but they would be able to simulate a vortex collision in about a tenth to a hundredth of the time using far less computational resources than those typically required for large-scale calculations. The researchers call the model a "Coherent-vorticity-Preserving (CvP) Large-Eddy Simulation (LES)." The four-year development of this model is summarized in a paper published in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics. "The CvP-LES model is capable of capturing super complex physics without having to wait a month on a supercomputer because it already incorporates knowledge of the physics that extreme-scale computations would have to meticulously reproduce," Scalo said. Former Purdue postdoctoral researcher Jean-Baptiste Chapelier led the two-year process of building the model. Xinran Zhao, another Purdue postdoctoral researcher on the project, conducted complex, large-scale computations to prove that the model is accurate. These computations allowed the researchers to create a more detailed representation of the problem, using more than a billion points. For comparison, a 4K ultra high definition TV uses approximately 8 million points to display an image. Building off of this groundwork, the researchers applied the CvP-LES model to the collision events of two vortex tubes called trefoil knotted vortices that are known to trail the wings of a plane and "dance" when they reconnect. This dance is extremely difficult to capture. "When vortices collide, there's a clash that creates a lot of turbulence. It's very hard computationally to simulate because you have an intense localized event that happens between two structures that look pretty innocent and uneventful until they collide," Scalo said. Using the Brown supercomputer at Purdue for mid-size computations and Department of Defense facilities for large-scale computations, the team processed data on the thousands of events that take place when these vortices dance and built that physics knowledge into the model. They then used their turbulence model to simulate the entire collision dance. Engineers could simply run the ready-made model to simulate vortices over any length of time to best resemble what happens around an aircraft, Scalo said. Physicists could also shrink the model down for fluid dynamics experiments. "The thing that's really clever about Dr. Scalo's approach is that it uses information about the flow physics to decide the best tactic for computing the flow physics," said Matthew Munson, program manager for Fluid Dynamics at the Army Research Office, an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory. "It's a smart strategy because it makes the solution method applicable to a wider variety of regimes than many other approaches. There is enormous potential for this to have a real impact on the design of vehicle platforms and weapons systems that will allow our soldiers to successfully accomplish their missions." Scalo's team will use Purdue's newest community cluster supercomputer, Bell, to continue its investigation of complex vortical flows. The team also is working with the Department of Defense to apply the CvP-LES model to large-scale test cases pertaining to rotorcrafts such as helicopters. "If you're able to accurately simulate the thousands of events in flow like those coming from a helicopter blade, you could engineer much more complex systems," Scalo said. ### This work was supported by the Army Research Office's Young Investigator Program under award W911NF-18-1-0045. The researchers also acknowledge the support of the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing at Purdue, and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Department of Defense Supercomputing Resource Center, via allocation under the subproject ARONC00723015. ABSTRACT Direct-Numerical and Large-Eddy Simulation of Trefoil Knotted Vortices Xinran Zhao, Zongxin Yu, Jean-Baptiste Chapelier, and Carlo Scalo DOI: 10.1017/jfm.2020.943 This paper investigates pre- and post-reconnection dynamics of an unperturbed trefoil knotted vortex for circulation-based Reynolds numbers ReG = 2 x 103 and 6 x 103 by means of direct numerical simulations (DNS) based on an AMR framework. Companion coherent-vorticity preserving (CvP) large-eddy simulations (LES) are also carried out on a uniform Cartesian grid. The complete vortex structure and flow evolution are simulated, including reconnection and subsequent separation into a smaller and a larger vortex ring, and the resulting helicity dynamics. The self-advection velocity before reconnection is found to scale with inviscid parameters. The reconnection process, however, occurs earlier (and more rapidly) in the higher Reynolds-number case due to higher induced velocities associated with a thinner vortex core. The vortex propagation velocities after reconnection and separation are also affected by viscous effects, more prominently for the smaller vortex ring; the larger one is shown to carry the bulk of the helicity and enstrophy after reconnection. The domain-integrated, or total helicity, H(t), does not significantly change up until reconnection, at which point it varies abruptly due to the rapid dissipation of helicity caused by super-helicity hotspots localized at the reconnection sites. The total helicity dissipation rate predicted by the LES agrees reasonably well with the DNS results, with a significant contribution from the modeled subgrid-scale stresses. On the other hand, variations in the vortex-centerline helicity, HC(t), and the vortex-tube-integrated helicity HV(t) are less sensitive to the reconnection process. Periodic vortex bursting events are also observed and are shown to be due to converging axial flow velocities in the detached vortex rings at later stages of evolution. This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Birthday wishes Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun. Happy Birthday Wishes * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Sponsored content Joe Mallon Motors is fully open for servicing, maintenance and repair work and although the showroom is closed, we are open for business virtually under the revised Level 5 restrictions announced by the Government. Customers can continue to access the range of cars via the Virtual Showroom from the safety of home and talk to product experts who will answer questions and demonstrate the latest cars via live one-to-one video chat. Customers can take live 360-degree tours of Renault Clio, All-New Captur, Kadjar, and the 100% electric New Renault Zoe and well as Dacia Duster and thanks to a one-way connection, theres no need to be shy, as they cant see you, just hear you! The Virtual Showroom is open 7 days a week between 10am and 8pm. See www.renault.ie/ virtual-showroom, www.dacia.ie/ virtual-showroom To help customers choose their new car safely there is also a suite of tools on www.renault.ie and www.dacia.ie including a Car Configurator, Finance Calculator and customers can also contact Naas : 045 897 675 or Portlaoise 057 8665800 Under Government Guidelines existing customers can still collect their new January car orders and Click & Deliver is also available where we will drop a customers new car to their home, in accordance with HSE & HSA COVID-19 guidelines. Our Service Department will remain open for normal aftersales work for servicing and repair work, and we will provide proof of need for travel by text or email to customers. January offers Renaults 211 offers continue across all models until January 31 and include on Clio and All-New Captur 1,000 Cashback; 3.9% APR and 3 Months Deferred Payments. On the New Megane range, customers will receive 1,250 cashback, 3.9% APR HP or PCP and 3 months deferred payments, while KADJAR customers can take 1,500 cashback on top of the low APR offer and deferred payments. Dacias 211 offers on Duster and Sandero range have been extended to 31st January with Duster Prestige available at 0% APR with 3 Months Deferred Payments and on new New Sandero and Sandero Stepway Alternative dCi there is 500 Cashback; 4.9% APR + and 3 Months Deferred Payments. Renault continues to maintain its status as No. 1 EV Manufacturer in Ireland with 862 electric vehicle registrations in 2020 and 18.2% of the combined car and LCV EV market. As leaders in electrification, Renault Group benefits from over a decades experience in the design, manufacturing and sales of electric vehicles. Zoe is the car thats turning Europe on to electric cars, with over 100,000 sold in 2020 alone. ZOE is the first and only electric car to achieve a six-figure sales volume in a single year in Europe, a testament to ZOEs excellent value, long range, space and practicality. New Zoe Z.E. 50, Kangoo Z.E., and New Zoe Commercial are all available to order from Joe Mallon Motors virtually, as are the new range of E-TECH hybrids and Plug-in Hybrids including All-New Clio Hybrid, All-New Captur PHEV and New Megane Sport Tourer PHEV. We will continue to offer the 1,000 Green Grant, on top of the Government subsidy for all new EV, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars purchased before 31st January 2021. The 1,000 Green Grant and ultra-low 2.11% APR offer delivers real value and real savings to customers, who can choose to defer the first three months payments, making the switch to electric easier. Renault continued to maintain third position in LCV sales in 2020 and the award-winning Pro+ LCV range including Master, Trafic and Kangoo is available to order at Joe Mallon Motors with a continued offer saving at least 3,000 vs high-street banks - 3.9 % APR HP; 3 Months Deferred Payments and 5 Years Warranty + 5 Years Roadside Assistance. Philip Mallon, director of Joe Mallon Motors, said: While entering 2021 in a level 5 lockdown is hard for everyone, customers can still buy cars and vans in new and different ways to the traditional sales routes and managing sales remotely through phone, email and online will become a much bigger part of all our businesses. We want to assure customers that they can still collect their existing ordered cars safely and we will offer click and deliver and deliver to their homes safely, and that although it may not be business as normal, we are open virtually for business. Maintaining the No 1 EV Manufacturer status in Ireland is hugely important to Renault as pioneers and leaders of electric vehicles in Europe, and with our electric range of cars and vans and our new hybrid and plug-in hybrid offerings, we hope to see many more customers make the switch in 2021. www.renault.ie www.dacia.ie www.joemallonmotors.ie LOS ANGELESFrom universal to highly specialized adult products, the last two seminars of the 2021 Adult Novelty Expo (ANE) emphasized the necessity of well-educated retailers. Friday mornings Do You Want Lube with That? gently glided viewers into ANEs final day and, but for each panelist Zooming in from his or her home, could easily have been its informal but informative counterpart from last January in Las Vegas, immediately pre-COVID. Regardless, in a lockdown quickly approaching its second year, the slick and polished lube vendors spoke very little of the pandemic but instead got right down to business. Lube is almost guaranteed with every sale, said moderator John Marinello from Pjur. Its not necessarily needed, but its an enhancement. Panelists weighed in, sometimes passionately, about the merits or shortfalls of certain kinds of lube. Cheryl Sloane of Uberlube,a 20-year veteran of adult boutiques, came down pretty hard on glycerin-based lube, which, from her experience, she doesnt recommend to women who are prone to yeast infections. Echoing this, JB of System Jo explained that glycerin once came from animal fat and its different than it was. Later, he provided a helpful visual aid for objection handling vis a vis the question Will my silicone lube melt my silicone toy?he produced a massive pink silicone dildo immersed for two weeks in a cocktail of silicone lube, demonstrating by both stretching the dildo and then whacking it on a table that silicone lube does not destroy silicone toys. That said, each panelist stressed, retailers and their employees should be experts on their products, especially lube, which is a Class 2 medical device. Cassie Pendleton of Wicked Sensual Care Products agreed that lube, as a consumablea product that needs to be restocked in a customers home more frequently than, say, a $200 toyis what gets customers in the door, but added that lube is for everybody but not every lube is for every body, so retailers have the opportunity to educate customers and give thoughtful recommendations of, for example, toys to pair with that bottle of lube. If youre looking for ice cream, you can be sure theres going to be an endcap for chocolate syrup, Pendleton said. Noting that customers remember about 25 percent of what you say, JB said it was imperative for sales staff to have their facts straight regarding ingredients in lube and possible contraindications. Because it takes (just) one bad experience to keep your customer from coming back to your store. Both of the days panels were notable for featuring industry veteransmany of whom had worked on the novelty side of the adult business for decades and who not only knew the ever-tightening safety standards of lube but who also knew how to reassure jittery customers. Briana Watkins of Swiss Navy said she told customers to listen to (their) bodies, adding, in re: the other veterans in the group, at our age we should know our bodies by now. The final afternoon session turned the telescope around to the niche market. Moderated by Kim Airs (whod also curated the panels and co-hosted the O Awards two nights before), Niche Products That Fill A Niche Hole again seemed as much a raucous reunion of old colleagues as it did a business seminar. Transman and porn-star-turned product pitchman Buck Angel (wearing a Tranpa hat) talked about T-Wash, a hygiene product specifically for transmale vaginal health. People still dont understand trans bodies, especially trans male bodies, he said, amplifying the theme that retailers need to be educators, especially in an emerging but underserved market. My community doesnt have a lot of money, Angel said. Theyre struggling on so many levels (so at least give them appropriate sex products). Rob Reimer of Boneyard Toys joined other panelists in advising purveyors of niche productswhich are usually small businessesto work smart. If something doesnt sell, he said, we take it out of our lineup. Removing dead weight from the inventory allows room for innovation. Reimers example of this was his discovery of sounding, a urological procedure involving inserting a metal rod into the urethra to gain access to the bladder. Appropriated for recreational use by the gay community, sounding was something Reimer hadnt been familiar with, but he later developed specialized sounding rods (The Pissholer) for Boneyard, which Airs was quick to point out were not tiny anal beads. Shellie Martin of Crystal Delights (We didnt start out expecting to be butt plug experts, but it just sort of worked out that way) said that niche manufacturers/retailers, as a rule, improve on what large manufacturers cant, or wont. Further, she said, Small manufacturers are more willing to bust their backsides to provide quality service to retailers. Cathy Ziegler of Kheper Games was the only panelist who wasnt from a company that made products to insert in oneself, but who nevertheless saw adult novelties not as games or devices but as foreplay vehicles. While a generation in the porn performing world might last for five years, colleagues in the adult novelty business mark their friendships in multiple decades, and as such, panelists in the Niche seminar talked about businesses that had lasted 20 or 30 years, from a time when a sex shop might carry just one brand of lube, and now stores have whole Trans sections. And just as the previous panel had addressed fears of silicone lube eating silicone toys, the Niche panel dispelled a myth about the safety of glass (What if it breaks?) dildos No one puts a drink glass up to their teeth in a restaurant and asks what if it breaks? Airs said. Maybe if youre fucking on the hood of your dads Porsche and the dildo falls out, it might breakI mean, Im a vagina owner and, last time I checked, I dont have teeth down there. Members of both panels seemed keen on emphasizing a command of available data, years of personal experience, and sober, non-hysterical education in making adult products accessible and fun. Its all part of normalizing sex, Airs said. India stood up Chinas disruptive use of technology and my way or no way attitude: CDS Chinese personnel straying into Indian side not normal: Intel India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 23: The Chinese have stepped up activity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in a bid to gather information about the movement of the Indian Army. The Intelligence agencies have picked up information about the heightened activity by the Chinese intelligence who are trying to gather information about the movement of the Indian Army and also the border infrastructure upgrade carried out by India. The spotting by the intelligence comes amidst the ongoing standoff between India and China along the LAC at eastern Ladakh for the past 8 months. There have been 8 rounds of talks, but both sides have not been able to work out a solution as yet. March-April will be crucial for the Indo-China standoff Intercepts have revealed the presence of Chinese spies at Pangong Tso, Daulat Beg Oldi and across the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. The agencies say that the arrest of a Chinese soldier on January 8 in the area of South Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh was not a case of a PLA trooper straying across the undefined border. "Due to darkness and complicated geography, a solider of the Chinese PLA defence force went astray on the China-India border early Friday (January 8) morning." The China Military Online, an official website of the PLA had claimed. The trooper was handed over by the Indian Army to the Chinese on January 11. A similar incident had taken place in October when a Chinese soldier was picked up by the Indian Army in the Demchok Sector of East Ladakh. He was handed back to the PLA on October 11. The soldier, Wang Ya Long had claimed that he was trying to help local herders locate a lost yak. Indian Militarys Kavach is a message to Beijing that Indian Ocean Region isnt South China Sea Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News The Indian Intelligence is worried about the movement of the Chinese personnel in the sensitive areas of Eastern Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal. An Intelligence Bureau official tells OneIndia that the intercepts have revealed that the Chinese personnel come into our side and remain there for days. Hence, to say that these are normal instances of straying is not right, the official also said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 9:02 [IST] France's top health authority is recommending doubling the time between the two required covid-19 vaccine shots as a way to stretch supplies and inoculate as many people as possible amid a resurgence in the spread of the coronavirus. Giving a second injection six weeks after the first would allow at least 700,000 more people to be protected with a first shot during the first month, the country's Haute Autorite de Sante said in a statement Saturday. The advice is for the vaccine made by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE as well as another supplied by Moderna Inc., it said. "The risk of a loss of efficacy appears limited," the health body said, noting that the regime recommended by the companies is for a lag of three or four weeks between shots, but that protection from the virus actually begins between 12 and 14 days after the first jab. Surging covid infections from the spread of a new virulent strain and supply issues have increased pressure on some governments to experiment with dosing regimens. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week said that said follow-up doses could be given up to six weeks later. The U.K. has already pushed the maximum wait time from three weeks to 12 weeks as Boris Johnson's government seeks to vaccinate 15 million people by Feb. 15. That strategy is now facing some resistance. A group of senior doctors called on England's chief medical officer to cut the gap between the first and second doses of the Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech vaccine by half, according to the BBC. The British Medical Association on Saturday urged Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, to "urgently review the U.K.'s current position of second doses after 12 weeks," the AP reported. The association said there was "growing concern from the medical profession regarding the delay of the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as Britain's strategy has become increasingly isolated from many other countries." "No other nation has adopted the U.K.'s approach," Dr. Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the BMA council, told the BBC, the AP said. He noted the World Health Organization recommended that the second Pfizer vaccine could be given six weeks after the first but only in "exceptional circumstances." "I do understand the trade-off and the rationale, but if that was the right thing to do then we would see other nations following suit," Nagpaul said, according to the AP. The BBC cited a private letter sent from the association to Whitty. The government's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation says unpublished data shows that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is still effective with doses 12 weeks apart, but Pfizer has said it has tested its vaccine's efficacy only when the two doses were given up to 21 days apart, the BBC said. The French health authority said it based its new recommendation on models carried out by France's Institut Pasteur and U.S. and Canadian studies. In its recommendation released on Jan. 21, the U.S. CDC said that if it's impossible to get the follow-up shot on time, people may schedule it as long as six weeks, or 42 days, after their initial dose. There is "limited data on efficacy" of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines beyond that interval, according to the guidance, but if the second dose is administered later, "there is no need to restart the series." Both those vaccines are authorized for emergency use in the U.S. and were cleared based on trials of two doses weeks apart. A grace period of four days ahead of schedule would be considered valid for a second dose, but people shouldn't receive the second dose earlier than that. Finance Minister Scott Fielding says Manitoba is waiting to hear how much funding Ottawa will give to the restaurant, tourism and the accommodations industries so they survive the pandemic. Finance Minister Scott Fielding says Manitoba is waiting to hear how much funding Ottawa will give to the restaurant, tourism and the accommodations industries so they survive the pandemic. He spoke to reporters Friday after meeting virtually with his federal and provincial counterparts. "Quite frankly, we do want to see what the federal government has to offer," Fielding said. The finance ministers discussed health funding, which is Manitoba's top priority, followed by infrastructure funding and the federal government's promise of sector-specific support for restaurants and other businesses hit hard by public health orders that have forced them to close to prevent the spread of COVID-19. "Some of their programs have been very good, like the wage subsidy and others," Fielding said of the federal supports Manitobans have received. He expects the federal government to announce details of funding for the restaurant and hospitality sector "very soon," and that Manitoba business owners are anxiously awaiting the news from Ottawa. "We have heard specifically from restaurant and individuals like that. They do want to hear about the commitment that was made by the federal government," he said. "We do need need further answers in terms of what that will look like." The province has already promised $400 million to help Manitoba businesses, said Fielding, who didn't rule out providing more financial help. The PC government shouldn't wait until it finds out how much money it will get from Ottawa before it helps struggling Manitoba businesses, said Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont. "They're doing what they've done for the last few months: they're going to sit and wait for the federal government to do something, which is not how you act in an pandemic, and that's not how you act in an emergency," Lamont told reporters Friday. "If your house is burning down, you don't wait to see if your neighbours are going to call 911 for you." He pointed to a Canadian Federation of Independent Business survey this week that warns 5,601 businesses, or 15 per cent of businesses in Manitoba, are at risk of closing. The province needs to provide more help to save them, Lamont said. "This government isn't doing what it takes." Manitobans will have an opportunity to share their priorities for the provincial budget, which normally is released in March but will be "a little bit later this year," said Fielding. Pre-budget consultations that begin Tuesday include four online meetings and four telephone town halls. The government's priority is to "protect and support all Manitobans through the unprecedented fiscal and economic impacts of COVID-19," Fielding said in a statement Friday. The province hasn't shown it can do either, Lamont said. "When Scott Fielding says the two major focuses of this government are on protecting businesses and keeping people safe, they've completely failed on both those counts," Lamont said. "We have the second-highest mortality rate (due to the pandemic) and we had the highest number of businesses applying for insolvency protection in August and September." carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Now that the Keystone XL pipeline is canceled by President Joe Biden, the world is supposedly greener. Really? Fact is, it's the opposite. Instead of getting more environmentally friendly, the carbon footprint from that oil will be increased substantially because it will be shipped by trucks and trains above ground instead of through underground pipe. It is also much less safe and efficient: shipping by trucks and trains means more accidents and an increased human cost. What sheer brilliance! I thought all of Biden's decisions were going to be based on facts and science. I read the other day in the WSJ that demand for ships that specialize in building and servicing wind farms is growing. What is the carbon footprint of these ships that will be powered by oil? The oil will clearly have to come from sources other than the U.S. such as Russia or Iran, since we are eventually going to stop producing oil over here if Biden has his way, intentionally destroying millions of jobs. How will Biden maintain the current Trump vaccination level of one million per day without using planes, trucks, cars, and trains powered by oil? I hope the Biden administration calculates the carbon footprint of all this, since that is its main concern. But truth? Not so much. Here's another illustration: it is phenomenal that so many COVID vaccines were developed in less than a year and around 40 million vaccines have been distributed, since CNN and the Biden administration say the Trump administration had no plan. After all, we have been told that these sources always tell the truth. To update this a bit, it turns out that Biden now seems to be saying he's the one with no plan. So much for truth. I also read in the WSJ that China implemented a 30% resource tax cut for shale gas and a subsidy for drillers. In China, this led to a 25.5% increase on oil and gas exploration and development in 2019 and another 9% in the first eleven months of 2020. It seems that the Chinese are more worried about providing their people with energy than with their carbon footprint. Biden, on the other hand, is excited to rejoin the Paris climate accord. We can trust that China and India will start to pretend to comply in 2030. China would never lie, you see. The Chinese and the WHO were so truthful and helpful when they spread the propaganda to the world that COVID-19, which originated in China, would not spread human to human. The media and NIH bureaucrat Dr. Anthony Fauci are enthused that Biden has decided that U.S taxpayers will again give hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to the dishonest propaganda tool of China. And still, not one question to Biden, or his sidekick Kamala Harris, for one piece of scientific data that shows a link among oil consumption and temperatures, sea levels, and storm activity. Everyone should remember that computer model projections are not factual, nor is continually repeating that there is a consensus or that "the science is settled" is factual. Those statements are just talking points pushing an agenda. The reason Democrat campaign workers, posing as journalists, never ask for factual data is that they haven't cared about facts or science for a long time. All they care about is pushing a leftist agenda to remake America and take freedom from Americans to give more power to greedy politicians, if they have a "D" behind their names. The media participate greatly in indoctrinating the public, especially children, when they don't have actual data to support what they report. There is an easy way to reduce the carbon footprint in the U.S. Thousands of supposed reporters who travel in oil-powered transportation equipment could be replaced by a single puppet repeating leftist talking points. The rest could get coding jobs, which is the suggestion Biden gave to coal-miners. Or maybe they could get jobs weather-stripping, like the jobs that Obama and Biden lied about in 2009. Image: Pax Ahimsa Gethen via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A man and a woman were shot on Bourbon Street early Saturday after two men opened fire on each other, according to New Orleans police. Gunfire rang out just after 2 a.m. in the 100 block of Bourbon, the NOPD said, and an 18-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man who were in the area were struck by bullets and taken by EMS to an area hospital for treatment. An NOPD spokesperson said Saturday morning that the two were in stable condition and their injuries were not life-threatening. The victims were not believed to have been involved in the argument that precipitated the shooting, but police said the investigation is ongoing and they urged anyone with information to contact the Eighth District at (504) 658-6080. The shooting in the French Quarter was the second on or near Bourbon Street in less than a week and the third in less than a month. A French Quarter tourist from Oklahoma allegedly shot a homeless man during an argument near Bourbon and Governor Nicholls streets on the night of Jan. 18, then tried to flee with his mother from their hotel before police arrested him, authorities said. Austin Harrison, 28, was booked with aggravated battery, illegal carrying of a weapon and illegal use of a weapon after he was accused of shooting the victim with his fathers .25-caliber pistol, the NOPD wrote in Criminal District Court records. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to his foot. Harrisons mother was not booked with a crime. Early Dec. 27 a shooting occurred in the 300 block of Bourbon Street when a victim trying to break up a bar fight was shot in the leg. In Metairie, a man was found dead of a gunshot wound in a car in the 3100 block of Houma Boulevard on Saturday afternoon. The Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office said deputies responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle in the back parking lot of a business at about 12:30 p.m. and found the man inside with at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The NOPD reported number of other incidents on Saturday. At 11:21 a.m. on Friday, a man was cut on his left side after a man he was arguing with lunged at him with a box cutter in the 3600 Block of Macarthur Blvd. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Beginning Friday afternoon, there were three carjackings. The first was at 4:22 p.m. in the 900 Block of Wilson Drive, when a woman was sitting inside of her 2018 White Toyota Rav4 when two suspects approached the vehicle. One jumped into passenger seat, while the other armed with a firearm demanded the victim exit the from the vehicle. Suspects fled without further incident. Then at 5:24 p.m., two men approached a woman sitting at gas pumps in a 2019 blue Infinity QX6 in the 1100 Block of Franklin Avenue. They were armed with handguns and demanded the woman get out of the vehicle and she complied and they drove off westbound on St. Claude toward Elysian Fields. And at 8:13 p.m., three men approached a 2001 beige Ford Expedition parked in the 9400 Block of Hayne Boulevard and demanded the property of the man and woman inside. They complied and the men sped off in the victims vehicle headed east on Hayne. At about 5:43 p.m. on Friday, a man was shot in the 4500 block of Francis Drive and was taken to the hospital. Then at 10:17 p.m., a woman cut the face of a juvenile with an unknown object at Treasure Street and Oliver White Avenue during a physical altercation. At 2:02 a.m. on Saturday, a woman had her purse snatched in the 2100 Block of Cobblestone Lane. Police later located and arrested Christopher Horton, 49, police said. In the hours that followed, there were two more stabbings, police said. At 4:03 a.m. Saturday there was a stabbing in the 10100 block of Dwyer Road, though no other details were released. At 4:54 a.m. a woman was approached by an unknown assailant in the 9300 Block of Chef Menteur Highway and stabbed multiple times. The suspect fled in an unknown direction and the victim was taken to the hospital by EMS. At 6:10 a.m. Saturday, there was an armed robbery in the 500 block of Rampart Street, though the NOPD released no other information. YEREVAN. The ghost of a great war is circulating in the region; but if it starts, it is not clear yet which countriesRussia or Iranwill be the targets. In any case, Armenia is in danger of becoming a stage for hostilities, turkologist Ruben Melkonyan told a press conference on Saturday. According to him, the military exercises of Azerbaijan and Turkey in Kars, Turkey, amid the belligerent statements are a threat not only to Armenia but to the whole region. He explained that the announcements on the unblocking of communication links in the region are important from that point of view and do not pursue an economic goal; otherwise, the Kars-Gyumri railway, as well as the motorways through Kazakh, Azerbaijan, would be reopened, too. Besides, as per Melkonyan, there are no guarantees for the safe movement of Armenian goods via Azerbaijan. "Yes, Armenia has always stated its readiness to normalize relations with Turkey without preconditions, but in the past it assumed resolving the issue through diplomatic work, whereas now it is just a continuation of inimical actions. This process is not based on our [Armenian] national dignity, but is a continuation of the capitulation," Melkonyan added. The turkologist noted that both Baku and Ankara are working against Armenia on all international platforms, and Azerbaijan is preparing multibillion-dollar lawsuits against Armenia. "The current [Armenian] authorities are not able to withstand it, and a part of the [Armenian] society has not yet come out from under the influence of propaganda. But the [Armenian] people will not tolerate the loss of our historical lands, cultural and educational centers," said Ruben Melkonyan. Calls to eliminate Winnipeg councils most powerful committee are echoing at city hall. Calls to eliminate Winnipeg councils most powerful committee are echoing at city hall. A preliminary governance review by advisory firm MNP finds city councils mayor-appointed executive policy committee has extra votes and more power to vet public service reports than counterparts in nine other Canadian cities it studied. Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) deems the findings proof EPC members have far more power and information than other councillors who dont sit on the committee. "Probably the two top things I want to see is equal access to information for all councillors. That would only happen with the removal of the executive policy committee," Lukes, who is not an EPC member, said Friday. "I would (also) like to see the elimination of agenda management. If we eliminate EPC, we also eliminate the ability to tinker with reports." The preliminary MNP report highlights EPCs ability to vote on lower committee decisions before they reach full council, noting most other cities dont include that step. It deems this as one area "where change may create greater alignment with criteria for effective municipal governance." "None of the other executive committee mandates in the cities reviewed have a similar provision as the Winnipeg EPCs authority to receive all reports that require a council vote from the standing committees and forward them to council with their recommendations," the report notes. MNP also explored council practices in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Montreal, and Halifax. The report notes allowing public service reports to be vetted by the mayor, and often also EPC, was also something none of the other cities do. Lukes said the process is a clear example of how EPC members get more time, information and influence on policy decisions. "Its a divisive model. It (involves) those who have information and those who dont." While most cities let council as a whole appoint all committee members, Winnipegs mayor appoints six councillors to join him on EPC, the report says. Lukes said the power of EPC members grew when the mayor began naming a deputy mayor and acting deputy mayor who dont sit on EPC. Since those councillors are also invited to informal report briefings with EPC members, as the report notes, Lukes said it creates a voting block of nine who can control key final votes of councils 16 members. Coun. Kevin Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) has also criticized the so-called "EPC-plus-two" scenario, and is also calling to get rid of EPC entirely. "I would eliminate it, absolutely. Theres a better way to do it We (non-EPC members) are not given the same access to information as other members of council," said Klein. By contrast, some say the current decision-making model has merit. Coun. Brian Mayes, a member of EPC, said an inner circle helps each mayor make good on election promises. "(Mayors) are elected city-wide, (so) they should have more of a leadership role," said Mayes (St. Vital). Since EPC members are each assigned to lead a standing policy committee, that helps ensure elected officials can gain expertise on complex topics and make informed decisions, said Mayes. "If there isnt somebody in charge of that, I think it becomes much more of rubber-stamping whatever the public service puts forward and I think thats dangerous It should matter who gets elected." Mayor Brian Bowman wasnt available for an interview Friday. In an email, his office said the mayor has not reviewed the preliminary governance report yet and "will reserve substantive comment" until he has. The city will begin hosting virtual public workshops on the governance review next week. joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga The inauguration of President Joe Biden has brought a new day in America, and Texans who advocate for immigrant communities are among those waking up refreshed. I slept so well last night! said Antonio Arellano, the executive director of JOLT Texas, a Latino progressive organization, on Thursday. Its been a really great moment for many of us that have been pushing for something like this for a very long time, said Nabila Mansoor, the executive director of Emgage Texas, a Muslim American organizing group. She added a note of caution: We dont think its over, though. We think theres much more work to be done. Hours after being sworn in, Biden signed a slew of executive orders, to the chagrin of some Republicans who feel that the new presidents pursuit of unity is contingent on him coddling them. Most of these executive orders targeted executive actions taken by then-President Donald Trump, with a number addressing Trumps actions on immigration. Trump, who notoriously launched his bid for the White House with a speech slurring migrants from Mexico and who later called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States, often resorted to executive action in pursuit of his restrictionist goals and draconian enforcement policies. And what can be done by the pen can be scribbled over just as easily. To wit: Biden reversed Trumps Muslim ban, which in the version that the Supreme Court allowed to stand restricted travel from seven majority-Muslim countries. He directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to review and reset immigration enforcement priorities, meaning a moratorium on most deportations for the first 100 days of his presidency, at least. He revoked an executive order that would have excluded unauthorized immigrants from being counted in the 2020 Census. Biden also issued a proclamation ending construction on Trumps border wall, and a memorandum directing the homeland security secretary to preserve and fortify DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program established by then-President Barack Obama by executive order in 2012. The order shields Dreamers brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. The new president further announced an ambitious immigration reform plan that would, if passed, provide a pathway to citizenship for immigrants living in the country without legal permission. Not bad for a days work. His actions, like Trumps, are going to have an outsized impact on states such as Texas with a large population of immigrants. The state is home, for example, to more than 100,000 DACA recipients who have been in legal limbo for the past four years as the Trump administration and Republicans such as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton moved repeatedly to scuttle the program. For Texans its a huge win, said Arellano. These young men and women who are contributing economically to our state, who are contributing culturally and in so many other ways to the brilliance of Texas, can rest easier now knowing that this administration will prioritize their safety and embrace their contributions. The call for comprehensive immigration reform was perhaps most surprising. It indicates that Biden considers the issue a priority worth pursuing even as he tackles the monumental task of getting COVID-19 vaccines to the American public. Since Ronald Reagan we havent seen something as ambitious in terms of immigration reform in this country, Arellano said, noting that such a push will mark a key early test of Bidens ability to leverage his personal relationships with members of the Senate in pursuit of meaningful legislative change. Mansoor, for her part, hopes that Biden pushes aggressively for immigration reform as well as for the passage of legislation such as the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act, which passed the Democratic-controlled House last year but stalled in the GOP-led Senate. The latter is now evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, but Democrats control the chamber thanks to Vice President Kamala Harris tie-breaking vote. When we tried to push the NO BAN act, we went to Republican congressional leaders, and we found some tepid support but no one willing to put their name on the act, she said. Its important to note that things have changed now in Congress. We know that the trauma that is felt when policies such as the Muslim ban act or the (family) separations at the border happen. People are still suffering from that, Mansoor added, noting that many families in the Houston area have been unable to visit relatives abroad for years, due to concerns about whether they would be able to return. You cant get that time back. To her point, some Republican leaders have sharply criticized Bidens executive actions on immigration, and, true to form, Paxton on Thursday filed suit against the administration over the moratorium on most deportations. I wont tolerate unlawful acts from Joe Bidens administration, tweeted Paxton, who remains under indictment for state securities fraud and faces a federal investigation into claims by former aides that he abused his office. But it would be wise, Arellano reckoned, for Republican leaders in Texas including U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to return to a course set by their predecessors If you go back to George W. Bush and (the elder) George Bush both of them ran on very inclusive immigration platforms. Immigration reform was something that they discussed; both of them embraced immigration and talked about treating immigrants as our neighbors, Arellano continued. The departure that the Republican Party has embarked upon since then due to Trumpism is really sad. Sad indeed and if last years election results are any indication not the brilliant electoral strategy that Trump may have thought. erica.grieder@chron.com Lena Headey showed off her old-school musical taste on Friday when she was spotted out in West Hollywood after finishing up a workout. The 47-year-old Game Of Thrones star looked ultra casual while rocking a white Run-DMC T-shirt with the hip hop group shown on the front. She was joined for some recreation by her fellow actor boyfriend Marc Menchaca, 45. Working up a sweat: Lena Heady, 47, looked cool in a Run-DMC T-shirt after a workout in West Hollywood with her actor boyfriend Marc Menchaca on Friday Lena seemed to be focused on comfort, so she paired her low-key T-shirt with some eggshell-colored sweatpants and white-and-mauve trainers with tall multicolored socks. She was prepared for a breezy day with a thick cream-colored sweater tied around her midriff. The 300 actress accessorized with a green handbag slung over her shoulder, which she matched to her green patterned mask. Marc was dressed similarly low-key in a gray T-shirt reading 'East Austin' over the chest and black track pants. Casual: Lena seemed to be focused on comfort, so she paired her low-key T-shirt with some eggshell-colored sweatpants and white-and-mauve trainers with tall multicolored socks Rugged: Her boyfriend Marc sported a thick red-and-white beard, which was reminiscent of his beard on the hit Netflix crime series Ozark, even though he's no longer a regular; still from Ozark He carried a thick black jacket over his arm and blocked out the sun with a black trucker hat. The actor sported a thick red-and-white beard, which closely resembled his look on the hit Netflix crime series Ozark, though his character was written off the series late in the first season. Lena and Marc confirmed their relationship back in November, though the two were seen spending time together in January 2020 for the premiere of HBO's Stephen King adaptation The Outsider, which Marc played a major role in. Although the British actress has appeared in numerous American and UK-based films, she seems to be favoring living in Los Angeles to keep her options open. Late last year, a source close to Lena told The Sun: 'Lena now sees herself living in the States for the foreseeable future. Its where the parts are for her and shes got a blossoming relationship with Marc so she sees no point in her living in the UK.' New romance: Lena and Marc confirmed their relationship back in November Good friends: However, the two were seen spending time together in January 2020 for the premiere of HBO's Stephen King adaptation The Outsider, which Marc played a major role in Headey is the mother of two children, including her eldest son Wylie, 10, whom she shares with her ex-husband, musician Peter Loughran, whom she divorced in 2013. Later, she was in a relationship with director Dan Cadan from 2015 to 2019; the two share a daughter Teddy, five. Although the pandemic has slowed down much of Hollywood, Lena already has several mostly completed projects in the pipeline. Her crime film Twist, inspired by Oliver Twist, is set to be released later this year, as well as her thriller Gunpowder Milkshake, which also stars Avengers: Endgame's Karen Gillan and Angela Bassett. Herreid Legion to remember 400 Campbell County area veterans Monday The Herreid American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion work together to recognize veterans on Memorial Day. With an aim to empower, enlighten, and entertain the novel viewer of today, ABP Studios is all set to add a slew of new services to ABP Networks rich portfolio. Through innumerable awe-inspiring stories as well as unique content, it will add meaning to the lives of the discerning, new-age viewers of this era. ABP Studios is a content and production company based in Mumbai which combines a collective experience of knowledge on India with a team full of experts in their own domain. The studio offers a diversity of services such as IP Creation, production, co-production of fiction & non-fiction content across various platforms, Licensing & Syndication services, Brand Solutions, Second Screen and Interactive content. Driven by a team of multilingual, platform agnostic storytellers, the studio will offer path-breaking content, to help reimagine the stories of the nation through a vision that transcends black and white. It will delve deeper into the grey areas of every narrative, with a tremendous focus on the Indian context. The Studios will identify, curate, and nurture stories from different regions that connect & unify a country as diverse as India. From mythological to historical feats, from popular fiction to the avant-garde & quirky stories of local heroes - the new content production arm is on the quest to find every untold story from the depths of this diverse country and share them with global audiences. The creators of ABP Studios believe that stories with heart have no language. Their vision is for local Indian stories to become world stories and not remain limited in their appeal. Aligned with the networks overarching vision, the production companys content promises to have a purpose. It will allow Indian and international audiences to engage with, rather than escape from their realities. And most importantly, it will hold up a mirror for today, to inspire a better tomorrow. The new productions are already underway and will soon make its way onto various OTT platforms. Speaking on this announcement, Mr. Avinash Pandey, CEO, ABP Network said, We are taking an important step towards engaging with the new-age content consumers of this era. With the introduction of a more focused segment on content production, we will be able to effectively build upon our competitive advantages to create greater value for our customers and stakeholders alike. I am confident that our new venture is well-positioned to lead the ABP brand - to the next phase of its development. Expressing her thoughts on the same, Ms. Zulfia Waris, Business Head, ABP Studios said, ABP Studios is a very special division that offers something unique to the viewers of today. It goes beyond black-and-white, to find hidden perspectives and underlying meanings that lie within the grey areas. We have been dedicatedly working towards turning this dream into a reality and are absolutely elated to announce that we will soon be sharing the many inspiring, empowering, and distinct tales of our nation with diverse set of audiences worldwide. Sharing his experience with the Brand, Jacob Benbunan, Co-Founder and CEO at Saffron Brand Consultants said, We were thrilled to be involved in this new venture with ABP Network, being a part of the entrepreneurial drive that is so ubiquitous at ABP. Having worked closely with Avinash and his team on the evolution of the Network brand we already had a good understanding of the ambition for ABP Studios. Our team took on the challenge and built something which could only come from this organization, I truly believe that the boldness of the design typifies the culture and motivation of ABP. This is a brand that seeks to do things above and beyond conventions and we're glad to have played a part in it. We wish Zulfia and her team the best of luck in building this wonderful new business venture. Taking through his thought, Sumanto Chattopadhyay, Chairman & CCO 82.5 Communications said, When you shine the light on the greys of life, youre rewarded with stories of startling color, clarity and truth. It is with this focus that ABP Studios is born todaywith this new light in which the world will now get to see India afresh. Herreid Legion to remember 400 Campbell County area veterans Monday The Herreid American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion work together to recognize veterans on Memorial Day. Thousands of Sydneysiders have raced down to Bondi to cool off at the beach as Australia's south-east battles through an 'extreme heatwave' over the Australia Day long weekend. Sydney was set to reach 30C on Saturday and by midday most of the city's beaches were completely packed. Bondi Beach looked to be as busy as it was before the Covid-19 pandemic with families, friends and scantily clad swimmers filling up the sand. The heatwave in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania is expected to last until Wednesday with residents being warned of heat exhaustion and fire dangers. 'We have a large high pressure system sitting out in the Tasman and inland trough and together they're acting to funnel in a hot northerly air mass,' the Bureau of Meteorology's Alexander Majchrowski said. Beachgoers at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach. Australia's southeast will sweat through temperatures as high as 45C for the next four days as an 'extreme heatwave' sweeps through Bondi Beach was crawling with Sydneysiders trying to escape the heat on Saturday Sydney was set to reach 30C on Saturday and by midday most of the city's beaches were completely packed (pictured Bondi Beach) A model is snapped by several photographers during a beach photoshoot in Bondi on Saturday A Sydney couple head down to Coogee Beach on Saturday to take advantage of the perfect weather Beaches around Sydney filled up quickly on Saturday as thousands flocked to the water (pictured in Coogee) BoM meteorologist Jonathan How said conditions in southeast Australia over the weekend would be the warmest since January 2020. 'Temperatures will rise from Friday, especially across southern NSW and towards South Australia,' he said. 'Western Sydney will begin a run of five days above 35 degrees. 'On Saturday, maximums will climb into the 40s inland and up to 39C in Adelaide. 'Sunday will be the peak day of heat in South Australia, climbing as high as 45C along the Murray. 'On Monday, Victoria and Tasmania will see the most intense heat, reaching 41C in Melbourne and 33C in Hobart.' Beachgoers at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach. Residents of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT have been warned of heat exhaustion and fire dangers from Saturday to Wednesday, including the Australia Day public holiday People are seen diving into the water at Bondi Beach on Saturday as temperatures soar A mother is seen swimming with her baby at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Saturday Sydneysiders can expect to sweat through the next four days as temperatures soar (pictured in Bondi on Saturday) Beachgoers pictured at Bondi Beach on a hot summers day Sydneysiders race across the hot sand while visiting Coogee Beach on Saturday Friends dive into the water at Coogee Beach to celebrate the start of the long weekend The air mass will bring severe to extreme heatwave conditions, with temperatures expected to reach 16 degrees above average in some areas. As a result, fire danger will be elevated on Sunday and Monday, with the NSW RFS warning people should use the next few days to prepare. 'People need to take this seriously,' director Peter McKechnie told reporters on Thursday. The heatwave also has lifesavers on high alert, with Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce saying this is 'probably the weekend we've been looking out for'. Sydney will reach a maximum of 29C on Saturday, 33C on Sunday, 31C on Monday and back to 33C for Tuesday's public holiday - with sunny weather persisting through all four days Swimmers were treated to crystal clear blue waters while visiting Bondi Beach on Saturday A man and a woman head into the surf at Bondi Beach as a heatwave sweeps across Australia's south-east Bondi Beach filled out quickly on Saturday with temperatures set to soar to 30C Similar scenes were capured at Coogee with thousands heading down to the beach One Sydneysider is captured bombing into the water while swimming down at Coogee A couple escape the sun and lie under an umbrella while down at Coogee on Saturday A severe to extreme heatwave is already besetting southwest Western Australia and western South Australia. Adelaide will reach a maximum of 38C on Saturday before jumping to 41C on Sunday and tapering off to 34C on Monday. A low intensity heatwave is expected to persist in SA until next week. Sydney will reach a maximum of 29C on Saturday, 33C on Sunday, 31C on Monday and back to 33C for Tuesday's public holiday - with sunny weather persisting through all four days. The temperature will drop to 28C on Wednesday as clouds begin to form with showers expected on Thursday and Friday. A heat map of southeast Australia at 4pm on Saturday. Maximums will climb into the 40s inland and up to 39C in Adelaide on this day Bikini clad women are seen at Bondi Beach with thousands cooling off from a scorching day Residents living in Australia's south east have been warned about a heat wave that's expected to last over the next four days (pictured Bondi Beach on Saturday) Beachgoers head into the water to cool off from sweltering conditions in Sydney on Saturday Beachgoers take a break from the water at Bondi and relax on the sand Some friends enjoyed the start to the long weekend with a day at Bondi beach with eskies in tow Some beach goers tried to avoid the heat by lying under umbrellas while at Coogee on Saturday One beachgoer heads back to the sand after taking a dip in the water at Bondi Beach Bikini clad women head back to the shore after cooling down in the waves at Bondi on Saturday Bega, on the state's south coast, is expected to reach at least 39 degrees on Monday, and western Sydney will be in the same range on Sunday and Monday. NSW-Victoria border towns could endure temperatures up to 44 degrees. Victoria will also see temperatures building to a peak on Monday, with most major centres in the state's north surpassing 40 degrees. Melbourne will reach a high of 27C on Saturday, which will increase to 34C on Sunday and 41C on Monday. In typical Melbourne fashion, the maximum temperature will plunge by 17C to just 24C on Tuesday with showers set to replace sunny skies. Further south in Hobart, the maximum will be 25C on Saturday, 26C on Sunday and peak at 34C on Monday. Like Melbourne, Hobart's maximum temperature will significantly drop to 21C on Tuesday with a possible shower. The sun proved too much for some Sydneysiders who took shade under umbrellas One man cools down a woman with a bottle of water while at Bondi Beach on Saturday There were thousands of beachgoers lounging around in Bondi on Saturday while temperatures soared A father and son enjoy a day surfing while down at Bondi Beach on Saturday Sydney siders flocked to Bondi to welcome the Australia Day long weekend Bondi Beach will likely be packed for the rest of the long weekend with temperatures to remain in the 30s Canberra will face temperatures of 30C and above from Saturday to Wednesday. The maximum will be 37C on Saturday, 38C on Sunday and Monday, 35C on Tuesday and 30C on Wednesday - with sunny skies persisting the whole time, although there is the chance of a possible shower on Wednesday. Mr How said the high temperatures will create 'uncomfortably warm nights, making it difficult to recover from hot days'. 'Heatwaves are normal for summer but they effect everyone differently, it's important to look out for the more vulnerable, including pets and local wildlife,' he said. 'This weekend, remember to factor in the heat and any fire weather warnings, stay up to day with the forecast, stay up to date, stay hydrated and stay safe.' Temperatures in Brisbane will be much more mild with a maximum 30C on Saturday, which will drop to 29C on Sunday and continue until Tuesday. Meanwhile on the west coast, Perth will reach a maximum of 28C on Saturday, 26C on Sunday and Monday, and back up to 28C for Tuesday. In the Top End, Darwin will reach a maximum of 31C on Saturday, which is expected to stay the same until Wednesday, when it will increase to 32C. Showers and storms are expected from Saturday until Friday as the Northern Territory is currently going through its Wet Season. One swimmer prepares to set up for a day at the beach in Bondi on Saturday The scorching temperatures are expected to last well into the night across NSW A packed Bondi Beach is seen on Saturday as temperatures reached 30C Surfers take advantage of the warm weather as they hit the waves in Bondi GUWAHATI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Guwahati in the early hours of Saturday. Shah, on January 24, will hold two public meetings in Assam, which is scheduled to go to the polls later this year. In Assam's Kokrajhar, he will hold a meeting of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). Later, he will address a public meeting organised by the BJP in Nalbari. BJP Vice President and party in-charge of Assam, Baijayant Jay Panda, is currently camping in Assam and looking after the preparations for Shah's rally. "The Home Minister will be visiting Assam for the second time in less than a month. Besides government programmes, including a meeting of the Bodoland Tribal Council area, he will also be reviewing the political situation and addressing a public rally organised by BJP at Nalbari," Panda told ANI. During Amit Shah's last visit to Assam, several Congress MLAs joined the BJP. The term of the 126-member Assam Assembly is ending on 31 May 2021. Live TV American sitcoms use government incompetence as a punching bag more often than Rocky whales on slabs of meat. It's a tradition that dates back to even before television when early settlers would put on one-act plays mocking John Smith for his tiny balls. (citation needed) So with a new administration in place, I decided to revisit one of the goofiest gags at the expense of Uncle Sam, and it comes to us, like so many others, courtesy of 30 Rock: Continue Reading Below Advertisement It's the "Gay Bomb" clip. Again, it's a good bit, highlighting the military-industrial complex's need to spend frivolously on convoluted solutions while also poking fun at the level of unease so many government officials have with homosexuality. Still, outside of it being funny, there's nothing seemingly remarkable about it. 30 Rock is packed with so many absurdist jokes that you'd be forgiven for not having given this one another thought. I know I didn't, at least upon first viewing, but ... the "Gay Bomb" was a totally real thing. The newspaper clipping that Matthew Broderick was reading from is pretty much spot-on. In 1994, a laboratory commissioned by the U.S. Air force experimented with the use of pheromones and aphrodisiacs as a weapon. The idea was to douse enemy combatants en masse with female pheromones in the hopes that it would cause a biological reaction among the troops and basically, as Broderick put it, make them "totally gay-bones" for each other. The project, unsurprisingly, never received the required funding and the "gay bomb" never got off the ground. Continue Reading Below Advertisement I guess what's incredible to me about this isn't so much that there's someone stupid enough to think a "gay bomb" would somehow be an effective military strategy. (Although, if someone could explain to me how a gay bomb would be better for war than say, I don't know, a regular bomb, I'd be much obliged. Did whoever commission this really think no one gay ever fought in the military before? Or that soldiers being attracted to each other somehow makes them less competent? History says otherwise. But I digress) The guns are now silent in Nagorno-Karabakh [(Artsakh)]. Armenia has released its prisoners-of-war and diplomats pressure Azerbaijan to do the same. Michael Rubin, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, noted this in an article published in The National Interest. He added as follows in particular: The Minsk Group, which the United States co-chairs alongside Russia and France, seeks to restore its diplomatic relevance as Azerbaijan blindsided it and the State Department with its September 2020 military offensive on the disputed territory. That action contradicted the basis of its waiver under Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act that enabled the United States to provide Azerbaijan with military assistance. Rep. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, highlighted the challenge that both Turkey and its alliance with Azerbaijan will pose to U.S. foreign policy during his committees confirmation hearing for Anthony Blinken, President Joe Bidens nominee to lead the State Department. Blinken criticized Turkey but did not signal any substantive change in policy. While the Armenian lobby vocally promotes U.S. recognition of Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijani diplomats and lobbyists have long maintained a lower but equally effective profile in Congress where they both paint Azerbaijan as both an ally in the war against terror and as a regional bulwark willing to stand up to Russia and Iran. As important, Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijans skilled and extremely effective ambassador in Washington, and a bevy of unregistered agents of influence argue to senators and congressmen that Armenia is beholden both to both Iran and Russia. It is true that Armenia has ties to both Iran and Russia. Turkey and Azerbaijans economic blockade on Armenia makes Iran an economic lifeline to which Armenia can export is agricultural and some manufactured goods. Russia maintains a military base in Gyumri. Troops stationed at the base largely remain confined to it and do not appear active elsewhere in Armenia or the Caucasus. Armenians I interviewedincluding those more oriented philosophically toward the Westsay that the Russian presence largely serves more as a deterrent to Turkish or Azeri aggression than as an endorsement of Russias foreign policy. In reality, however, Azerbaijans ties to both Iran and Russia in recent years have become deeper and more strategically significant than Armenias. Azerbaijans relationship with Iran was not always positive. While the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992, Baku accused Iran in 1999 of both spying for Armenia and training militant Islamists to undermine the Azerbaijani government. In 2001, an Iranian warship ordered an Azerbaijani exploration ship hired by British Petroleum to withdraw from exploration operations in a disputed zone within the Caspian Sea. Iranian officials also clashed with their Azeri counterparts over Azerbaijans security cooperation with Israel. Iranian resentment toward Azerbaijani secularism kept mutual suspicion high. In recent years, however, the relationship between Tehran and Baku has grown steadily warmer. In August 2004, for example, the two countries agreed to a twenty-five-year gas swap contract in which Iran would supply Azerbaijans landlocked Nakhchivan region and Azerbaijan would deliver has to Irans northeastern provinces. Such cooperation has accelerated with alacrity in recent years. On April 9, 2014, Aliyev traveled to Tehran. At his audience with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, he stressed the importance of broadening Azerbaijan-Iran ties even further. In 2015, the rapprochement deepened. Iran announced its support for the Azeri position in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the two countries formed a joint defense commission. Six months later, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to construct a north-south railway, part of the growing linkage between Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia. Baku and Tehran reached agreements to link the two countries power grids shortly after. On Feb. 23, 2016, Aliyev returned to Iran to sign eleven documents, including an agreement for the construction of hydroelectric plants on the Aras River. Subsequent announcements showed these agreements were not only aspirational but real as the two countries fulfilled their agreements. Over the past decade, Azerbaijani imports to Iran have quadrupled to almost $500 million. As the Trump administration implemented a Maximum Pressure campaign on Iran, Azerbaijan became a major lifeline for the Islamic Republic. Consider: Between January and August 2020, Iranian exports to Russia via Azerbaijan amounted to $1.5 billion; over the same period the year before, the total was just $4.3 million. Other aspects of the bilateral relationship should have raised alarm bells in Washington. On a June 8, 2016, visit to Germany, Aliyev reportedly admitted that Azerbaijan had been buying weaponry from Iran. Iran-Azerbaijan military cooperation picked up pace over the following year and, in 2018, the two countries reached an agreement to jointly produce military equipment. This means that U.S. arms sales to Azerbaijan risk bettering Irans own domestic armament industry. Tehran and Baku also signed a memorandum of understanding to extend media cooperation. Aliyev told Khamenei during a meeting on March 5, 2017, in Tehran that both countries actively supported each others positions in international organizations. In 2016, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia began holding trilateral summits to advance their strategic axis, the first of many. Of equal importance has been the further development of the north-south transport corridor. In order to implement the corridor, Aliyev loaned Iran $500 million. Iran and Azerbaijan continue to develop facilities and protocols to further the project. Aliyev now brags openly about how Azerbaijans cooperation with Iran and Russia comes at Armenias expense. In his 2021 New Years address, the Azerbaijani president declared that there is a trilateral format involving Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia. Does Armenia have such a format with any other countries? No! This is a clear example of how correct our policy has been. Azerbaijans turn to Russia has been just as striking. Indeed, Aliyev is quickly defining himself as Azerbaijans most pro-Russian president since Ayaz Mutalibav, a former communist official who ruled Azerbaijan from 19911992. While the two countries enjoyed cordial relations in subsequent years, the 2008 Georgian War appears to have been a turning point as the conflict weakened Bakus faith in the Wests capacity to oppose Moscows revanchism and power projection. Aliyev traveled to Moscow just one month after the cessation of hostilities in Georgia to lay the groundwork for a new relationship between Russia and Azerbaijan. Moscow and Bakus formal delineation of their border in 2010 removed the chief impediment to economic cooperation. Whereas in 2001, Azerbaijan imports from Russia totaled perhaps $100 million, today, they surpass $2 billion. Aliyev, meanwhile, allowed Russia to expand cultural and educational programs in Azerbaijan. Indeed, the last decade has witnessed numerous economic agreements, especially in the energy sector. Military trade also increased. In 2017, for example, the Azerbaijani Army reportedly received a new batch of Khrizantema-S anti-tank missile systems from the Russian Federation. In 2018, Azerbaijan hosted a conference for senior Azeri and Russian officials in Jojug Marjanli, a town transferred from Armenian control in the April 2016 Four-Day War. Significantly, the conference was titled Baku-Moscow Geopolitical Axis: Azerbaijan is Russias Only Ally in the South Caucasus. The feeling is mutual. On April 4, 2020, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared Azerbaijan to be Russias major strategic partner. Russia and Azerbaijan are now openly discussing nuclear cooperation. The United States strategic posture suffered because both the George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump administrations wished to see in Vladimir Putin a willingness to cooperate productively which, simply, was never there. The same pattern has been true with Turkey and China where, for too long, American officials have been deceived or in denial about the malign intents of their leaders. Alas, Azerbaijan too must now be included on such a list. The Azerbaijani embassy and its lobbyists might paint Azerbaijan as a country that stood by America in the dark days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks but that is not the Azerbaijan of today. Instead, Azerbaijan has become a strategic ally of both Iran and Russia, maintaining its pro-Western facade only to avoid accountability in Washington for its strategic turn. Simply put, to arm or support Azerbaijan today is to empower the Kremlin and Khamenei, not to bring security or further American interests in the region. 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Sorry! This content is not available in your region Gatwick Airport increased its Government borrowing by 75million over the last week to shore up its finances during the extended travel shutdown. According to documents seen by The Mail on Sunday, the latest financing means Gatwick has borrowed 250million under the Bank of England's Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) scheme. Gatwick applied to access the CCFF in August, saying at the time it was a contingency measure and hoped not to touch the money. However, the lockdowns and travel restrictions have led to a situation where Gatwick has now accessed a total of 250million and has 12 months to repay it. Grounded: Gatwick, owned by France's VINCI Airports and $71billion fund GIP, still has the option of accessing a further 50 million under its 300million CCFF facility Gatwick, owned by France's VINCI Airports and $71billion fund GIP, still has the option of accessing a further 50million under its 300million CCFF facility. A spokeswoman confirmed the loan had been drawn down 'to preserve liquidity and protect the business while there is ongoing uncertainty regarding the length of time' of the current air travel restrictions. She added: 'This loan gives the business some flexibility in case the state of affairs regarding international travel deteriorates further.' Gatwick, Britain's second biggest airport, cut 600 jobs last year. It posted a 344million pre-tax loss for the six months to June as passenger numbers fell by two-thirds. The airport is currently operating from just the North Terminal, last week running just 20 to 30 flights a day, for around 1,000 passengers. Before the pandemic, it was the world's biggest single-runway airport. But last year, passengers were down 80 per cent on average compared with 2019, as airlines scaled back or suspended flights. And this month, Norwegian Air said it was closing its long-haul base at Gatwick, making 1,100 staff redundant. The Mail on Sunday understands Norwegian is now dismantling its fleet of 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliner transatlantic jets, which will be sold or returned to leasing firms. Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, warned last week airports could have to shut temporarily. There is speculation UK borders could be shut completely as soon as this week. Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said the restrictions could lead to several airlines going bust. Gatwick last night urged the Government to announce 'a comprehensive support package for aviation'. It added: 'It is vital that critical national infrastructure such as airports are able to thrive and provide the international connectivity required to ensure Britain remains open for trade and business.' Guwahati: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday (January 23) lambasted those who have been criticising the efficacies of COVID-19 vaccines, saying that there should be no politics on public health. At a function in Guwahati to extend the benefit of the central health insurance programme to all the armed police forces in India by launching 'Ayushman CAPF', Shah urged the personnel to get inoculated when their turn comes. "There are some people who are spreading misinformation on vaccine. Come to another platform and let's have a duel. But why are you creating doubt over people's health and doing politics? There are other issues for that," he said. Shah said the vaccines developed by Indian scientists are fully safe and the personnel from all forces will be vaccinated after health workers are covered. "I appeal to all of you to go for the vaccine when your turn comes. Do not have any doubt over its efficacy. We've already launched the world's biggest vaccination drive," he said. Shah ceremoniously distributed the 'Ayushman CAPF' health cards among some personnel from the seven Central Armed Police Forces here. He said that the personnel of the CAPFs had three prime concerns -- the existing health coverage was not comprehensive, the satisfaction of housing was not there and long duty hours without leaves. "Our government is addressing all three concerns. For the health issue, we've launched the Ayushman CAPF today. This will give health insurance to around 50 lakh people in 24,000 hospitals, including 14,000 private ones, across the country," Shah said. By May 1, the Ayushman CAPF process will be completed by offering health cards to all the personnel of the seven Central police forces, he added. The Union minister said that the government and authorities of forces are trying to increase the satisfaction ratio of the personnel to 55 per cent by 2022 from 36 per cent two years ago, and further take it to 65 per cent by 2024. "We've completed the examination process for 50,000 recruitments. Now, we'll start the process again to hire another 50,000 persons in the CAPFs. Our target is one hiring against one departure in five years. With this, everyone will be able to stay at home for 100 days in a year," he added. An MoU was signed between the National Health Authority (NHA) and Union Home Ministry in presence of Shah, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at the CRPF Group Centre in Guwahati. Shah said that launching the ambitious scheme on the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose is a matter of big satisfaction for him and the union government. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided that we'll celebrate Netaji's birthday as 'Parakram Diwas' every year. And today, we're launching a new scheme for the 'parakrami' jawans of the CAPFs. We can't have a better day than this," he said. Under the initiative 'Ayushman CAPF', around 28 lakh personnel from Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), Assam Rifles and NSG and their families will be covered by 'Ayushman Bharat: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana' (AB PM-JAY). CRPF Director General A P Maheshwari expressed his gratitude for bringing the CAPFs under AB PM-JAY scheme. The Union home minister also virtually inaugurated Sashastra Seema Bal's (SSB) 168 quarters, a 10-bedded hospital and an administrative building located at different places of Assam. Live TV The heartbroken wife of a man who died with Covid-19 just days ago has pleaded with people to wear face masks to help save lives. Jeni Pim, whose husband Nigel, 51, died in Waterford on January 14 from complications linked to Covid-19, said she wanted to speak out so soon after his death to encourage people to follow public health guidelines. Nigel was a great man, he was kind and he was generous, he wore his mask from the word go because he wanted to protect everybody else because that was the type of guy he was, she told Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show. He was such a selfless person. By wearing his mask, which is what we have been asked to do from the start, he reckoned he was doing his part in saving somebody elses life. And that's what I'm here for, I just want somebody to look at this and go do you know what, I am going for a walk with my friend tomorrow, maybe I'll wear my mask when I'm doing that, because I don't want to see that friend in two weeks time and get a message to say they are on a ventilator in hospital. This virus kills people we love. In 2010, Nigel donated one of his kidneys to his father, Alan, who spent Christmas Day with him and Jeni, and with her parents. Jeni, a teacher at the Ballymaloe Cookery School, said it was a wonderful occasion. We had been so careful, specifically coming up to Christmas because we wanted to have Christmas Day with our family... we did everything to make sure we got to that day safely and we had the loveliest Christmas Day, she said. Nigel felt unwell and wore his mask when he wasnt eating, but on St Stephen's Day, he felt worse and they contacted the doctor who advised that he be tested for Covid-19. Jeni said: He kind of went downhill. He still was part of the family, doing everything we were doing, he was just very tired. He never outwardly showed that he was really feeling quite sick, but I knew by him, I knew him since I'm 16... I knew he wasn't right. We were going towards the test centre and I squeezed his hand and said 'you're not very well at all, I'm really worried about you'." Nigel was later admitted to hospital and Jeni recalled squeezing his hand before he walked in and saying: 'I love you, it's going to be OK. You are going to the right place.' She said she expected to see him in a few days but on New Year's Day, Jeni was told that Nigel was being admitted to intensive care, and then he was placed on a ventilator. He never got to send a message to his family. Jeni praised the frontline healthcare workers who cared for her husband, but on January 14, a consultant phoned her and said: Im terribly sorry, there was a complication...it is catastrophic. She said: To hear those words, about somebody who you had spent most of your life with, and who, even though you knew they were sick, you expected to be able to see them again. They said there's nothing they can do and that if you and your kids would like to come in and be with him when we turn off the ventilator, we will help you do that'." Nigel died later that day. He was buried last Saturday. Jeni got a clear Covid-19 test and got clearance from her doctor to travel to Dublin for the interview. Nigel donated one of his kidney's to his father, Alan, in 2011, after his kidney function had deteriorated to just 16%. Picture: Waterford News & Star Nigel donated one of his kidney's to his father, Alan, in 2011, after his kidney function had deteriorated to just 16%. He said that while it was a huge undertaking, both psychically and mentally, he had no hesitation. I tried not to think too much about it until all the pre-tests were done, he said. Our lives were put on hold for a year before the operation. But he would have done anything for me, so... Nigel had to shed 20% of his bodyweight before he was deemed ready for the operation. Sydney Dorawa and Abby Aden, like many students at the University of Georgia, work part-time while in school, but with the COVID-19 pandemic still prevalent in Athens, on-campus work comes with a risk. Despite this, the two are returning to work out of financial necessity. As of Jan. 22, there were 6,515 reported COVID-19 cases in a single day in Georgia while Athens-Clarke County reached a total of 10,455 reported COVID-19 cases, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Dorawa and Aden said returning to work this semester is concerning because of increased COVID-19 cases and UGAs increase of in-person classes, ultimately leading to more students on campus at a time. Dorawa, a graduate student in the international policy program, works as a bus driver for UGAs Transportation and Parking Services while Aden, a senior history major, works at Einstein Bros. Coffee and Bagels in the UGA Main Library. Its pretty imperative that I return to work, Dorawa said. Its been kind of rough the last month because [UGA] Transit stopped letting student drivers work since a week after Thanksgiving break. There werent enough students to ride the buses to warrant having everybody work. Because she went home for the holidays, Dorawa said she could luckily save money on groceries and utilities, but with the new semester starting, she needed to return to work despite risks. Dorawa said she suspects students will break public safety guidelines, despite clear rules outlined on the buses. New semester, same issues Last fall, Dorawa said students would frequently ride the buses without wearing face coverings or masks, and would not follow social distancing guidelines. As a bus driver, Dorawa is not allowed to tell anyone to put their masks on, she said. The only thing were allowed to enforce is social distancing, Dorawa said. UGA buses have marked off seats to encourage social distancing. However, the only way bus drivers can limit people on their buses is when there are too many people standing without an available seat. Then, bus drivers are allowed to ask people to wait for another bus, Dorawa said. Aden said her biggest concern is the customers who come into Einstein Bros. without masks. Customers will often come into the cafe not wearing their masks properly, or customers will pull their masks down when they come up to the register to order, Aden said. Theyll pull it down when they order, and that completely defeats the purpose of the mask, Aden said. Like, why did you wait until you were close to me to pull your mask down? Despite risks and concerns, Aden and Dorawa returned to their jobs at the beginning of the spring semester, joining a myriad of UGA student workers, faculty and staff also returning to their jobs out of necessity. Joseph Fu, a UGA mathematics professor and a United Campus Workers of Georgia member, said he feels like professors, who have more privileges than student workers and staff, also have the responsibility to speak out in order to protect the entire community. Before the rise in COVID-19 cases at the start of the fall 2020 semester, Fu participated in a few organized UCWGA protests and a die-in to demonstrate outcry against UGAs handling of coronavirus precautions. Going into the spring semester, Fu said UCWGA called for the university to make classes online for the first two weeks to help mitigate the spread of the virus upon students' arrival back to campus after traveling for the holidays. The university continued with its plan to increase in-person classes this spring. Continued frustrations Justin Simpson, former co-chair of UGAs UCWGA chapter, said UCWGA was concerned about the spring semester well before COVID-19 cases started to increase ahead of Thanksgiving break. With the spring, the only way to return is if there are necessary safety procedures, which we didnt feel like there were enough in the fall, Simpson said. So we were calling on President [Jere] Morehead to implement mandatory testing in the first two weeks of the spring semester while being online. Simpson said these are two reasonable safety measures to ensure the safety of university employees and the entire Athens community. Instead of implementing mandatory COVID-19 testing for students or going online for the two weeks, UGA brought students, faculty and staff back to begin the semester on Jan. 13 while pushing an effort to maximize in-person instruction. Simpson said maximizing in-person instruction is not only delusional, but reckless. If the university wants to eventually increase in-person instruction, then mandatory testing and online classes for the first two weeks are bare minimum safety conditions, in addition to the university promising no layoffs and providing hazard pay, he said. As the spring semester starts, Simpson said an important action for student workers, staff and faculty members to do is come together and stand up for one another against the unfair and unjust labor practices from UGA. We're in a terrible situation. We, the [UCWGA] and other organizations around town, are doing the best that we can to repair a ship that is being intentionally sabotaged, Simpson said. The ship is taking on more and more water by the decisions of the university and its showing the need for more organized labor. The latest status assessment says the population of monarch butterflies will continue to decline unless action is taken to protect it - and the probability for extinction of the western population is high. (Icewall42/Pixabay) The Telegraph The list of Donald Trump associates who have attempted to bring down the former president is as long as it is varied: from his lawyer, to his closest advisor, his ex-wife and his alleged lover. But like many powerful figures before him, it may well be his accountant that would be his undergoing. Allen Weisselberg, the little-known 73-year-old chief financial officer for the Trump Organisation, has worked for the Trump family as far back as the early 1970s under Donalds father Fred. Some say he is closer to Mr Trump than he is to his own children. As one former employee put it, he knows where the bodies are buried". In recent weeks New York prosecutors investigating Mr Trumps tax affairs have been turning the screws on Mr Weisselberg in the hope of flipping him to testify against his boss. Cyrus Vance, the Manhattan District Attorney, is looking into everything from hush-money payments paid to women on Mr Trump's behalf, to property valuations and employee compensation. Speculation is mounting that his office may be able to turn Mr Weisselberg, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, as it pulls together a grand jury to decide whether to indict. Flash The Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) on Friday condemned and opposed to a resolution adopted by the European Parliament, noting that "such a move grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs." Some MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) have confounded right and wrong by pushing for the adoption of the so-called resolution, a spokesperson for the Chinese mission said, adding that China strongly condemns and is firmly opposed to the move. Denouncing claims of the resolution that the Hong Kong National Security Law contravenes the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the spokesperson underlined that the Chinese government governs Hong Kong in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. "No country or organization has any right to meddle in Hong Kong affairs under the pretext of the Joint Declaration," added the spokesperson. The Hong Kong National Security Law only targets criminal activities that seriously undermine national security, and has closed the legislative loopholes in terms of upholding national security in Hong Kong, noted the envoy, adding that the law represents a major step to improve the "One Country, Two Systems." With the implementation of the law, peace and stability have been restored and justice upheld in the Hong Kong society, and the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents have been better protected in a safer environment, said the spokesperson. "These are undeniable facts," the spokesperson stressed. "What I want to reiterate is that China is a country under the rule of law and that Hong Kong is a law-based society where all are equal before law. Laws must be observed and offences must be held accountable. This is basically what the rule of law is all about," stated the diplomat. The spokesperson said the competent Chinese and HKSAR authorities penalize criminal activities in accordance with law, uphold the rule of law, fairness and justice, and safeguard China's sovereignty and security. "This is beyond reproach and should not be discredited." Hong Kong affairs, including individual judicial cases and local elections, are entirely China's internal affairs. No foreign government, organization or individual has any right to interfere, according to the spokesperson. "We urge the European Parliament to recognize the fact that Hong Kong has returned to China, abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, reject double standards, earnestly respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and immediately stop interfering in any format in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs," stressed the envoy. This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong! Cementing its credentials as the pharmacy to the world, India on Friday began the first commercial shipments of covid-19 vaccines to developing countries like Morocco and Brazil. They come on top of shipments to neighbouring countries that buttress Indias position as the first responder in times of crises in South Asia. Foreign ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava told reporters in New Delhi that contractual supplies are being shipped to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil and Morocco. Additional vaccines will also be exported to Bangladesh and Myanmar besides the consignments already sent to them as grants or gifts. Keeping in view the domestic requirements of the phased rollout, India will continue to supply covid-19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner. It will be ensured that domestic manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements while supplying abroad," he said. The consignments for Morocco and Brazilthe latter is one of the worst affected in by the pandemiccontained 2 million doses each with flights carrying the vaccines leaving early Friday. In the coming days, India will be exporting vaccines to Mongolia and Nicaragua. All the consignments despatched so far have been of Covishield, manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India and developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. A second Indian company, Bharat Biotech, has applied for permission to regulators in the Philippines to sell their vaccine besides having signed a pact with authorities in Brazil. These were preliminary steps ahead of starting commercial sales, a person familiar with the matter said, adding that the company could clinch more such deals with other countries in the coming days. The foray by an Indian vaccine maker into South-East Asia could be seen as competition to China whose vaccine makers are looking at markets in the region. China has been making a concerted push to sell its vaccines around the globe for months, according to news reports. But only recently did Beijing announce donations to Myanmar, Cambodia and the Philippines. On Friday, Indian aircraft ferried vaccines to two Indian Ocean island nations Mauritius and Seychelles. The shipments are under a grant or as gifts by from government of India. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. [January 22, 2021] Self Storage India to launch first of four new NCR facilities on 1st February 2021 Self Storage India (www.selfstorageindia.com) will open the doors to its latest storage warehouse located on NH8 in the vicinity of Hero Honda Chowk in Gurugram NEW DELHI, Jan. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Self Storage India, India's first self-storage company operating since 2013, is making a strong start in 2021 with a rollout plan which would see the launch of four new facilities within the National Capital Region before the end of the year. As a data and customer driven organization, the company interacted with customers and studied years of customer data to identify optimal locations for its expansion warehouses. The new warehouse is located directly on NH8 near Hero Honda Chowk. The facility offers smooth and easy access to customers from across Delhi and Gurgaon. The new facility will be called 'SelfStorage - Honda Chowk' and will complement the company's existing facility SelfStorage - Udyog Vihar, which has been operating at full capacity for the last several months. Phase one of the new facility will offer 100 brand new, state of the art, private storage rooms and will expand to 400 rooms over the course of the year. The strategically located storage facility will allow the company to better serve its rapidly growing customer demand. Dr. Manjali Khosla, Co-Founder and CEO, Self Storage India, said, "While demand has grown steadily over the last few years, the COVID-19 era seems to have acutely raised awareness about quality of living & working spaces, as a result, interest in our services exploded in Q2 2020. In response, we expanded our Self Storage - Udyog Vihar facility by 1.5x, the additional capacity was sold out within just 30 days of launch, leaving us with a long waiting list, which will partially be fulfilled with our new Honda Chowk facility online. Our operating plan for 2021 includes the launch of two additional expansions within the NCR region, effectively doubling our total capacity. At the end of 2021, we would have doubled capacity each year, for the last three consecutive years." Self Storage India now boasts of three massive self-storage warehouses in Delhi, NCR, two in Gurugram and one in Noida. Its 2021 plan envisions making 1000+ private storage rooms available to clients from all parts of NCR via five strategically located facilities - Gurugram (2 facilities), South East Delhi, North West Delhi. Self Storage India is a unique provider amongst various self-storage options in the market - the company has focussed on becoming the undisputed leader in the area of dedicated storage rooms, allowing clients to have their own private storage spaces during the course of their rental. While the company does offer box storage, and shared storage, the company has found a product market fit in provisioning of private storage rooms. Customers may access the room(s) at their convenience, retaining access keys with which they may control entry to the space. The company's team is available to answer questions, meet clients and assist with their warehouse visits. The location of Self Storage - Honda Chowk is easily accessible to residents of Gurugram, Manesar, New Delhi and Faridabad. We focussed on finding a facility with direct frontage on NH8, based on interactions with our customers, a feature that cuts access time by 15-20 minutes as compared to a facility off the highway. All Self Storage India warehouses are well-equipped to offer customers the security they seek when storing their goods. 24/7 CCTV surveillance, physical security guards patrolling around the clock, secure controlled access to the facility, regular cleaning regiments (particularly following COVID-19 outbreak), easy onboarding and move in process, insurance coverage, adequate lighting, pest control, assistant staff, etc. are all standard parts of the company's service. "After the shutdown in Q1 2020, it became evident that the pandemic was enforcing a change on people's lifestyles, more time at home meant increased space requirements, particularly for home offices and for schooling for home, and heightened awareness about space utilization. We quickly realised that we could play a role in increasing people's quality of life and wellbeing by helping them reorganize their living spaces to better suit their needs, reducing clutter and increasing available space. By the time the spike in customer demand began to register on our system we had already expanded our flagship facility Self Storage - Udyog Vihar by 50%. We are very hopeful that after this pandemic subsides, our customers will continue to enjoy the additional space they created in their living and work spaces," added Dr. Manjali Khosla. Customers around Delhi NCR who require self-storage services can head to Hero Honda Chowk and assess our warehouse. Self Storage India serves individuals and corporates alike and caters to all sizes of storage needs The new warehouse is approximately 200 meters south of Honda Chowk, on the NH8 Highway. A google maps location is available off the company's website www.selfstorageindia.com or contact +91-9090206090 for additional information. About Self Storage India: Self Storage India India's first Self Storage provider, is a subsidiary of the four-decade-old Dynamic Group and provides multiple self-storage solutions for modern-day living. Since 2013, Self Storage India has been solving the challenge of clutter by providing safe and clean self-storage warehouses across Delhi NCR. We are your one-stop solution for all household and business storage requirements. Our services are open to a range of customers, including individuals and businesses alike. Self Storage India manages and operates all our warehouses and does not outsource to third-party companies. You are still editing. For the previous one - version - I suggest: The new facility will be called "SelfStorage - Hero Honda Chowk" and will complement its existing facility, SelfStorage - Udyog Vihar. The new facility's first phase will offer 100 brand new, state of the art, private storage rooms. The two Gurugram warehouses will help us facilitate the growing demand for self-storage space. Media Contact : Archit Aggarwal aa@selfstorageindia.com +91-9818661308 Self Storage India [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Iran on Friday called on the new US administration to "unconditionally" lift sanctions imposed by Donald Trump on the Islamic republic to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal, warning against any concessions, NDTV reports. Just two days after US President Joe Biden took office, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif published an op-ed in the US foreign policy magazine Foreign Affairs on Tehran's view towards saving the deal. The agreement has been largely in tatters since former president Donald Trump withdrew from it unilaterally in 2018 and reimposed harsh sanctions as part of a policy of "maximum pressure" on Iran. Known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the deal was agreed between Iran, the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany. It offered sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on Tehran's nuclear ambitions and guarantees it would not seek an atomic bomb. Iran has maintained it has only pursued a civilian nuclear energy programme. "The new administration in Washington has a fundamental choice to make," Zarif, who is considered one of the architects of the 2015 nuclear deal, wrote in the op-ed. "It can embrace the failed policies of the Trump administration," or Biden "can choose a better path by ending Trump's failed policy of 'maximum pressure' and returning to the deal his predecessor abandoned," he added. "But if Washington instead insists on extracting concessions, then this opportunity will be lost." A West Virginia mom shot her three sons and two stepchildren before she burned down their home and committed suicide in December, police said on Thursday. According to police, Oreanna Myers, 25, shot all five children in the head with a shotgun on Dec. 8. Greenbrier County Sheriff Bruce Sloan said the children were found inside the home while Myers was found outside. Investigators believed that Oreanna Myers shot the children inside the house, then walked outside before shooting herself. It left Myers' three children and two stepsons from her husband's previous marriage dead, New York Post reported. The children were identified as Haiken Jirachi Myers, 1; Aarikyle Nova Myers, 3; Kian Myers, 4; Riley James Bumgarner, 6; and Shaun Dawson Bumgarner, 7. New York Daily News reported that Oreanna Myers left three separate notes beside her body. In one note, she admitted that she shot all the children "in the head" before she "set house on fire" and shot herself "in the head." She said that her "demons" won over her because she was not strong enough. She also said sorry for the "evil crime" she committed. Oreanna Myers' Husband Was Absent on Fatal Day Myers' husband, Brian Bumgarner, lived in Williamsburg, West Virginia, about 30 miles from the Virginia state line. At the time, Bumgarner was staying with relatives for that workweek because their car broke down, and he needed a means of transportation, said a report from CBS Pittsburgh. Authorities noted that based on text exchanges between Oreanna Myers and Bumgarner, the absence became "a tremendous source of contention." Read also: Toddler Allegedly Abused, Killed by Long-Time Family Friend During Sleepover In one message found by the police, Oreanna Myers said: "You'll have nothing to come back to but [a] corpse. No one cares why should I?" She added that money would "come and go," but "once I go there's no replacing me." It appeared she was upset in the past weeks as her husband had to stay away from them while she was left alone with the children. Sloan said they are unaware if the woman was under treatment for any kind of mental illness at the time of the horrific massacre. But Oreanna Myers said in a text that her mental health "needs tending to," and she asked for help. She appeared to have no history of mental health issues, as per the police's investigation. Neither Bumgarner nor Myers was in contact with Child Protective Services. Oreanna Myers Left Grim Note Regarding Murder-Suicuide According to the New York Post, Oreanna Myers picked up her two sons from the bus stop at the end of the school day with a red line drawn across her face. When the boys asked her if she was bleeding, she said she drew it. About an hour later, a 911 call reported that the family's home was engulfed in flames. The three separate notes left beside Myers' body included the graphic description of what she did to the children and herself. Read also: 'Traitors Get Shot': Texas Man in Capitol Riot Threatens to Shoot Children If They Turn Him In She also wrote about mental health in one of the notes, saying it was serious and hoping that "people like her" would get help from others. "Mental health is not to joke about or taken lightly. When someone begs, pleads, cries out for help, please help them," she implored. She didn't place blame on anyone else but herself, noted ABC 4 WOAY. Sloan confirmed that the physical evidence found at the crime scene matched the things written on Myers' notes. He also encouraged anyone with mental health problems to seek help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline hotline is 800-273-8255. SACRAMENTO Heightened security measures around the state Capitol this month over feared unrest related to the presidential transition cost at least $19 million, largely for additional staffing by the California Highway Patrol. The state is winding down those operations after a peaceful two weeks that saw no mass demonstrations or violence. Brian Ferguson, a spokesperson for the Governors Office of Emergency Services, said the state has released 1,000 California National Guard troops who were assigned to protect the Capitol and other state buildings in downtown Sacramento. Other state and local law enforcement will maintain a heightened posture over the coming days, Ferguson said. The weeklong deployment of the National Guard, which ended Thursday, cost $3.4 million for staffing, fuel and travel, according to the state Department of Finance. The bill will be paid for through an emergency fund in the state budget. The CHP, which provides regular security for the state Capitol through its Capitol Protection Section, has tallied a preliminary cost of $15.4 million for overtime as well as installation of lighting and a 6-foot chain-link fence around the buildings perimeter. A spokesperson for the CHP said the agency could not immediately provide a breakdown of the expenses. H.D. Palmer, a spokesperson for the Department of Finance, said the CHP would cover its costs through contingency funds in the agencys annual budget appropriation. Although some additional security measures remain in place, Palmer said he did not expect the final cost to rise significantly. State and local law enforcement agencies ramped up their presence around the state Capitol last week after the deadly insurrection by supporters of Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The FBI warned that there could be further armed protests at state capitals across the country, but none materialized. With the CHP denying a permit for a protest against the election results planned for Sacramento, only a handful of disappointed Trump supporters showed up at the state Capitol throughout the weekend and as President Biden was inaugurated Wednesday. The quiet atmosphere was broken momentarily Wednesday afternoon, when a few dozen counter-protesters in black marched to the Capitol, yelled expletives at police, cursed both Trump and Biden, and banged on the fence before leaving without incident. The enhanced security posture that was established in and around the Capitol for inauguration day was an effective deterrent to vandalism and other potentially unlawful activity, Ferguson said in a statement. As always, we remain vigilant and well positioned to support safety and security of the public, while also safeguarding the First Amendment rights of those who wish to peacefully protest. Gov. Gavin Newsom previously mobilized the National Guard and CHP around the Capitol and in seven cities last summer during protests against police violence and institutional racism. That response, which involved 8,000 National Guard troops and more than 5,000 CHP officers, cost at least $63 million. Alexei Koseff is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Jan. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The CEO of InterMed Resources TN, Roger Biles, adjusted his company's business structure in order to meet the exponential demands of personal protective equipment (PPE). Biles's company primarily distribute and sell Medical lasers, Urology supplies, spinal implants, hernia mesh, and lead wires & cable to more than 2500 hospitals and surgery centers nationwide through his team of Sales and customer service. Roger Biles Biles has vast experience working with Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO's), sourcing medical and non-medical products as well as exporting in the global market. Biles has negotiated several contracts with all of the major GPO's in the United States and has been published in several magazines. InterMed was posed with the challenge of supplying PPE during the culmination of coronavirus in the United States. Biles reports that InterMed continually received orders and requests non-stop from March of 2020 until July of 2020 for face masks and disinfectant products from customers in the United States and throughout the world. "We just sent out a million and a half masks to Malaysia just yesterday," InterMed CEO Roger Biles told News 2 back in March of 2020. There were requests for more equipment and personal equipment, which the CEO allowed his company to meet. Biles adds that the company was domestically supplied with essential equipment and made a supply of more than two and a half million mask units to Singapore. Biles and his team worked, round the clock, to steer InterMed's supply chain to meet the endless demand. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a significant challenge and logistic disaster halting the supply lines to many companies. Biles understood his Brentwood based company might also be crippled due to the halt in operations and rapid number of infected cases. However, Biles had developed a strategy combined with his 20-year relationship with one of China's largest trading groups to avoid the pitfall other companies experienced which was the key to the success of InterMed's PPE project. "We've never been in that business until now." In InterMed's 15 years of existence, they primarily specialized in providing Med-surge equipment and supplies to hospitals; but disinfectants and masks continued to remain the most significant commodity in demand for most of 2020. "I hadn't sold a mask in almost four years, and since last Tuesday, we have sold more than 60 million masks," Biles said in March. Biles' company also brought an Ozone technology water system, 80 times more potent than bleach without any toxins and 100% water based. The water used with a fogger can cover everything and disinfect any surface in less than one minute. Biles also explains the product has remarkably proven in the market and continues to draw investor's interest. Media Contact: Bianca Leon Rodrigues +1 (469) 815-7866 [email protected] Related Images intermed-resources-tn.jpg InterMed Resources TN Related Links Official Website LinkedIn SOURCE Roger Biles The United States appears to have avoided the worst-case coronavirus scenarios that officials feared would overwhelm hospitals in the aftermath of Christmas and New Year's gatherings. But experts caution that the threat from the virus has not diminished and could intensify with the emergence of new variants. Even as hospitalizations begin to stabilize, they do so from record heights. The country's hospitals averaged more than 130,000 covid-19 patients a day over seven days this month, far exceeding summer and spring surges. The death toll from cases contracted before and after the holidays will stretch into February. Authorities reported nearly 4,500 deaths Wednesday, a new single-day record. Cases skyrocketed at the start of 2021, approaching a seven-day daily average of 250,000 around Jan. 10 before declining. But the toll on the health-care system was softer than expected. Hospitals had braced for enormous spikes in patients that could have forced rationing care, exhausted already limited beds and sparked a nationwide shortage of health-care workers. But officials across the country said those dire predictions - a wave of severe Christmas cases weeks after a rapid increase from Thanksgiving - did not materialize in most places. "The surge on top of a surge that could have happened didn't really happen," said Erin Bromage, a biology professor at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. "We dodged a bullet, and we've done better than we could have, but we are still in a pretty terrible spot." Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious-disease expert, said at a White House briefing Thursday that cases appeared to be plateauing, but he warned it could be a temporary slowdown. Hospital leaders and experts are still on edge. Variants of the coronavirus, including the B.1.1.7 strain that originated in Great Britain and is believed to be 50 to 70% more contagious, could result in further case spikes in cold weather months when people are more likely to be indoors. And the availability of the vaccine, while offering lifesaving protection to millions, could also lead to a false sense of complacency, particularly as it can be difficult to obtain. "It's like a pot of boiling water, so the temperature may have been turned down some, but it's still dangerously hot," said Carmela Coyle, chief executive of the California Hospital Association. "Plateauing is not a good thing." Infections soared in the aftermath of Thanksgiving, leading some to fear an even greater surge after back-to-back Christmas and New Year's celebrations where people would gather with family and friends and then travel back home, potentially spreading the virus with each step. The Transportation Security Administration recorded its highest number of airline travelers since the pandemic began around Christmas, exceeding 1 million daily. Experts have floated several theories for why the holiday season dealt less damage than expected. Some people may have changed their behavior after seeing the Thanksgiving spike, such as by celebrating outdoors, limiting gatherings to immediate family or quarantining before Christmas. More people who have contracted the virus could be receiving treatment at home while the sickest patients are hospitalized. Robert Kaplan, a medical professor at Stanford University who was among those raising alarms about a holiday surge, said hospitalizations appear to be dipping in states that already had high caseloads and rising in those that had lower caseloads. "There may be some places in the country where there are fewer people eligible to get sick because they've already been infected," Kaplan said. Los Angeles County faces one of the worst crises, with officials taking steps to conserve oxygen needed to treat covid-19 patients struggling to breathe and 11% of intensive care beds still available. Researchers and county health officials released new projections Wednesday offering some good news: Hospitalizations have leveled off with enough ventilators to treat patients, and declines in admissions are projected, even under conservative estimates. The bad news: Even with declining caseloads, the stress on hospitals will be so high that bed shortages will continue. Those who have been admitted are coming in with more severe cases of covid-19 and are more likely to die. About one in eight covid patients in Los Angeles died from September to November - a figure that doubled to one in four after Nov. 3. Roger Lewis, who leads the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services modeling team, said the figures suggest hospitals are being more selective in whom they admit. "With that level of hospital demand, clinicians are forced to be very careful to reserve hospital resources for patients who clearly need it to ensure that resource is available to those whose life depends on it," Lewis said. "Decisions are being made now to send people home with instructions to come back rather than admitting as a precaution." Nicholas Testa, chief medical officer of Dignity Health, which operates four hospitals in Los Angeles County and two in neighboring San Bernardino County, said the hospitals experienced a Christmas surge with admissions peaking 15 days after the holiday. He said the health system managed the increase in part because length of stays have been shorter and county and state officials have offered additional resources. Still, hospitals teetered on the brink of rationing care. "We got as close to the edge of care as I ever want to be," Testa said. "When you get to what's called crisis care is when you have to start making decisions about (who gets) ICU beds and ventilators. We did not get to that point thank God. It came pretty darn close." The American Hospital Association says others reported similar experiences. "No one should be fooled that we are in an easy period right now," said Nancy Foster, the group's vice president for quality and patient safety policy. "The cold hard data says we were on the brink in many places, many communities across the country." California appears to be in a stronger position statewide as Northern California avoids the brunt of crisis. Mark Ghaly, the state's top health official, on Tuesday hailed a 8.5% decline in hospitalizations and 2.8% decline in ICU admissions over two weeks as a sign that the post-holiday surge was "not as bad" as projected. Arizona has been another major coronavirus hotspot, reporting the nation's highest per capita rates of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths through January. The hospitalization rate now stands at 65 per 100,000 residents, a slight decline from the start of the month. Marjorie Bessel, chief clinical officer for Banner health, Arizona's largest health system, said the Jan. 11 peak, even if lower than expected, left hospital workers toiling in crowded conditions under enormous stress. Hospitals forced patients to share their rooms and repurposed labs and other areas, while corporate office staff were redeployed to the front lines. "Yes it could have been worse and yes it could have been better if there was more mitigation and more enforcement of mitigation," said Bessel, who has criticized Republican Gov. Doug Ducey for declining to implement new restrictions to slow the virus' spread. "Let's just hope the worst is truly behind us, and we can continue to spend the next many, many months recovering from what we just went through." Parts of the country that weren't as hard hit as the southwest heading into Christmas season avoided a new crisis. "We're past the surge that could have come from Christmas and New Year's," Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker said last week after lifting restrictions. "I say that with some trepidation, because you know, there's always the possibility that we'll see an upsurge from that. But I think with one incubation period past New Year's Day, New Year's Eve, our numbers look like good news." Louisville Democratic Mayor Greg Fischer told residents at a town hall last week that hospitals avoided "extreme stress" in the holiday aftermath. In an interview, he said weekly cases hit 4,100 last week, a slight increase from a previous high, but the newly infected were disproportionately young and less likely to be hospitalized. "We are seeing case counts spike, but we are not seeing a massive run to the hospitals," Fischer said. In Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center system prepared for hospitalizations across all its facilities to approach 3,000 in January, more than twice the 1,200 mid-December peak. Instead, they have been declining to about 600 this week - a potential sign that residents learned lessons after a Thanksgiving spike. "We prepared for the worst, but we deal with what exactly the realities are today," said Donald Yealy, senior medical director at the system. "I would not be surprised if there was one final increase left. I don't expect covid-19 infection and illness to just evaporate." Nearly 3,900 deaths were reported Friday, suggesting Wednesday's peak may not be an anomaly. The seven-day average of deaths in the weeks after Thanksgiving hovered around 2,500. "We are getting in some way numb to the numbers," said John Brownstein, chief innovation officer at Boston Children's Hospital. "The numbers of hospitalizations, cases and death are still incredibly high. Even if we see a pullback, those numbers are still incredibly scary." ALBANY, Ore. -- More details are coming to light after a former Linn County office manager was charged with 10 counts of first-degree aggravated theft and two counts of first-degree theft in an embezzlement case that spans over eight years. According to police, 48-year-old Angela Adams allegedly stole $235,000 from the Linn County Planning and Building Department in Albany. RELATED: LINN COUNTY EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLING $235K Police arrested Adams on Tuesday and held her in the Linn County Jail until she was released a short time later. A Linn County employee told a supervisor last March he suspected Adams was stealing from the department. That employee then requested a financial audit of the department. The audit was completed last November and revealed some financial discrepancies which led to a criminal investigation conducted by the Lane County Sheriffs Office. During the investigation, detectives discovered receipts for cash payments had been deleted from the departments permit software, but the Linn County Information Technology Department had backed up versions of those files in their archives. "I've never seen anything like this in Linn County," Linn County Administrative Officer Darrin Lane said. Lane said the department is taking steps to prevent similar crimes from happening in the future. We have a number of policies and procedures in place to significantly reduce the chances of something like this happening," Lane said. But unfortunately, those particular policies were not being followed. Lane said an investigation into what happened is currently ongoing. He expects to recover all of the stolen funds after the investigation concludes. He said he understands the publics worries. As a taxpayer and a member of the public, it's very reasonable for people to be concerned about stuff like this, Lane said. We do want to assure members of the public and citizens of Linn County that we take this extremely seriously. We've done everything we can to make sure that this investigation is completed thoughtfully, cautiously and in accordance with all the best practices to ensure that if something wrong was done -- we are able to take the appropriate actions. KEZI 9 News went to Adams residence to ask for a comment but were told by a man that no comment would be made at this time. Adams is expected in court for arraignment on Feb. 3 The investigation is still ongoing at this time. The Linn County Sheriffs Office is asking anyone with information to contact Detective Matt Wilcox at 541-967-3950. KARIMNAGAR: BC welfare minister Gangula Kamalakar on Saturday announced that with Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Raos intervention, Food Corporation of India (FCI) has agreed to procure Custom Milled Rice (CMR) of the Rabi season till February 28. Of the 43 lakh metric tonnes of CMR procured, rice millers have already handed over to FCI about 37 lakh metric tonnes till December 31. Subsequently, FCI officials were requested to extend the date for procurement of remaining CMR from rice millers. But there was no clear response. The issue was thus brought to the notice of Chief Minister, who immediately took up the issue with FCI authorities. Following this, FCI has decided to continue procuring CMR from rice millers until February 28, Kamalakar stated. He asked rice millers to hand over the remaining six lakh metric tonnes of CMR to FCI as early as possible without waiting until the last minute. As land under cultivation is increasing year after year, farmers are getting good profits. About 48.42 lakh metric tonnes of paddy worth Rs. 9,138 crore has been purchased from around 10.92 lakh farmers. Further, about Rs. 8,696 crore of minimum statutory price has already been deposited into the bank accounts of farmers. Following the procurement, 6,139 purchasing centres of the total 6,505 have already been shut down. With constant efforts put in by CM KCR since past six years, agricultural scenario has changed in its entirety with enormous growth, BC welfare minister underlined. Moving to a different country can be an exciting, life-changing decision. But it is not a straight forward affair, and it takes a lot of evaluation, thought, and a concrete plan of action to make the big call. There are various factors that play a part in your decision making. Safe, economical, livable these are only a few aspects one has to keep a check on, when looking to immigrate. It also involves understanding which country offers a secure route to a better life. In many cases, this can be a daunting task - getting the necessary paperwork together, conforming to rules, regulations, and bureaucracy, sometimes takes considerable time. However, some countries do make it more convenient than others. Here's a list of 7 countries that are the easiest to immigrate to. 1. Canada For those who want to immigrate to an English-speaking country, and prize comfort and safety above all else, then Canada might be the right place. The country is amongst one of the most immigration-friendly nations in the world. It boasts of being rated amongst one of the best countries to live in, by the United Nations. The country has a liberal immigration policy and has offered immigrants a safe passage to its shores over the years. AP Canada plans to continue its policy of welcoming immigrants to the country while acknowledging their contribution to the countrys economic growth. Under its immigration plan for 2019-21, Canada plans to increase its targets for admission of immigrants to reach one million migrants by 2022. Canada is facing a shortage of skilled workers because the Canadian population has not grown at the required pace, to foster the presence of skilled workers to replace those who are retiring. Hence the country is looking at foreign workers for replacement. Canada also has some of the best universities in the world. The country has low crime and violence rate and a high standard of living. All these points make it one of the most preferred destinations for immigration. Also read: From Paris Climate Agreement To Immigration Reforms: Joe Biden To Reverse Trump Policies 2. Germany Germany is among the best economies in the world and boasts the lowest levels of unemployment in the European Union. With a choice of great cities, like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg, as well as beautiful scenery and fairy-tale castles, Germany has a strong draw for immigrants. iStock Today, more than 9 million foreigners live in Germany. Every year thousands of migrants come to Germany for a better life. People with different nationalities, religions, educations, professions, have made Germany the cultural mosaic. Why this country is so popular migration destination? Germany is well known for its comprehensive welfare system. The principle of the welfare system is enshrined in the law. In this way Germany commits to protect in addition to their freedom, the natural bases of life of its citizens. In case, a person can not take care of himself, the state will do it. In case, a person can take care by himself but it is not enough to live with dignity, the state will help as well. In Germany those who do not work can claim support. Anyone who is unemployed is entitled to unemployment benefit: 60 % of last net income for those who do not have children and 67 % for those who do. Economic migrants often avail allowance system, because benefits in this country are paid even for those who have never worked in Germany. They just need to register as 'unemployed'. The fundamental equality law ensures the immigrants avail the same privileges as any other German citizen. Commonly approved visas go to family reunification, business investment, employment offers, and study. In all cases, financial stability proof is required. Once again, skilled workers are preferred. 3. New Zealand What is there not to love about New Zealand? One of the most admired countries in the world, New Zealand has become incredibly multicultural, with many foreign born citizens calling it their home. Tourism New Zealand Despite their economic prosperity, New Zealand has been experiencing the problem of skills shortage and are actively looking to attract qualified, knowledgeable people from all parts of the globe. Job opportunities are diverse and, in some areas, are better paid than in Europe. Skilled Migrant/Business/Entrepreneur visas are a popular choice for people wanting to move to New Zealand. The quality of life is much better than many Western countries, but that isn't the only reason New Zealand attracts immigrants. The country is within the top ten of the World Human Development Index, which describes a superior life expectancy, literacy, education and standards of living. New Zealand seems to be one of the easiest places to do business, so is ideal for entrepreneurs. The country also has an excellent public healthcare system, offering free or heavily-subsidized medical care, making it popular for families and placing it among the easy countries to immigrate to. 4. Singapore Singapore is known to be as one of the most developed countries in Asia and offers reasonably liberal immigration and citizenship rules. It ranks very highly on human development index, and has been a preferred destination for immigration amongst people from Malaysia, China, India and Indonesia. AP But it is also one of the most expensive countries to live in. Having small land mass with a dense population, Singapore housing prices are on par with those of Hong Kong or New York City. If youre on a budget, you might find yourself sharing a room. To apply for residency, you must be the spouse or child of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, the aged parent of a Singapore citizen, the holder of an employment pass or "S" pass for mid-range skilled workers, a student studying in Singapore, or a foreign investor. In most cases, permanent residents can apply for Singapore citizenship after two years. Students applying for citizenship must have been living in Singapore for over three years at least one year as a Permanent Resident and have passed a national exam, such as PSLE, GCE, N/O/A levels, or are in the Integrated Programme or IP. However, there is one major caveat. Under Singapore law, all male citizens and permanent residents are required to enlist in the military and fulfill two years of active duty. Afterward, requirements include 40 days of service per year for officers up to the age of 50, and 40 days of service per year up to the age of 40 for other ranks. 5. Australia Australia is the beautiful land of kangaroos and koalas, an excellent place to relocate and settle down. The country offers an easy set of regulations for permanent residency to applicants. This country not only has a high standard of education and living, but also the job prospects are good in Australia. The Straits Times Despite being a relatively expensive place to live, the average salary makes up for this. All this combined makes Australia the best and easiest country to immigrate to. Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth are three of the worlds most livable cities; but Australia is also popular for its wide-open spaces, great weather, and remarkable beaches. However, note that the country seldom issues residence visas to people aged over 45. Plus, fluency in English helps a lot. Skilled applicants likely get preferential acceptance. However, much like New Zealand, another way in is via job offers in hard-to-fill positions in the agricultural sector. You wont start at the top of the rung, but its a good option if you dont mind manual labor. Also read: Satya Nadella Warns Countries To Support Immigration Or They Won't Excel In Tech 6. Denmark The best thing about immigrating to Denmark is, that it offers immediate work and resident permits to applicants through the Positive List Scheme, which lists the jobs with a shortage of workers in various industries, including engineering, academia, education, information technology, healthcare, and medicine. NYT Other categories include other jobs such as land surveyors, pharmacists, auditors, pharmacologists, business analysts, legal counselors, attorneys, and psychologists. Initial stay under this scheme is four years, which can be extended if the person remains in the same job. Another work-related immigration program is the Pay Limit Scheme for people with job offers from Danish companies, with salaries under the specified rates. The initial residence and work permit is valid for four years, which can be extended if the employment in the same job is continuous. In both schemes, family members, such as spouses or partners and children under 18 years who still live with the applicant, are eligible for residence permits. Likewise, the spouse is allowed to work during the same period. 7. Paraguay If you are planning on shifting your bases to South America, the Paraguay is your gateway to enjoying a relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of natural sceneries. The taxes are low, the economy is stable, and the cost of living is relatively low. Twitter The immigration policies of Paraguay are simpler. A person can become a permanent resident within three years and wait another three years to become a citizen. Purchasing a 10-hectare agricultural land or depositing $4,500 in the Paraguay Central Bank qualifies an immigrant for permanent residency. The best way into the country is to set up a company or purchase agricultural land for business. If your application gets granted you may not remain outside the country for more than three years. Also read: Here's How A Canadian Sikh Immigrant's Love For Basketball Helped Him Deal With Racism Sputnik V to be available at Rs 1,195 a shot in Apollo hospitals How many parents want the COVID vaccine for their kids? AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine: Is the blood clots rare? Side effects and how worried should you be? COVID-19 vaccine: Brazil says dhanyawad, the honour is ours says PM Modi India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 23: Brazil today received 2 million doses of the India made vaccines against coronavirus. Brazil President Jair M Bolsonaro said that the country feels honoured to have a great partner in India to overcome the global obstacle. Brazil gets 'Sanjeevani Booti', Bolsonaro thanks Modi | Oneindia News Namaskar, Prime Minister @narendramodi. Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad! , Brazil's president said in a tweet. US lauds 'true friend' India for gifting COVID-19 vaccine to several countries The honour is ours, President @jairbolsonaro to be a trusted partner of Brazil in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic together. We will continue to strengthen our cooperation on healthcare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet while replying to the Brazilian President. India dispatched two million doses of Covishield to Brazil on Friday. External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar confirmed the arrival of the vaccines and also tweeted the images of the consignment. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 11:16 [IST] To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! ADVERTISEMENT Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has promised additional security for communities recently attacked by bandits. According to a press release from Government House, Gusau on Saturday, the governor made the promise when he led top officials of his government on a visit to the communities. Read below the press release. ZAMFARA STATE GOVT HOUSE (PRESS RELEASE) GOVERNOR MATAWALLE COMMISERATE WITH MARU AND MARADUN EMIRATES, ASSURES OF MORE SUPPORT Governor Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun) has visited communities recently attacked by bandits in the state to commiserate with them and assure them of more Government support in terms of additional security in their areas. Governor Matawalle who was in company of his Cabinet and Principal Officers visited Asha Lafiya village in Maru Local Government area, Jan Bako village in Maradun Local Government area and Kauran Namda. Governor Matawalle urged them to be more resilient and determined in protecting their communities by exposing any bad eggs amongst them especially suspected informants and those banned Yan Sa Kai who are prone to creating conflicts with the bandits. Governor Matawalle ordered for the release of foodstuff and other essential items to the victims of the attack and also assured that the Military will be stationed in those affected villages until peace is totally restored to the areas. In their separate responses all the three Emirs of Maru Maradun and kauran Namoda commended the swift response of the Governor to the plights of their subjects and assured him of their continued support to the peace process of his administration in the state. Zailani Bappa Special Adviser Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications 23/1/2021 Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the restricted area in Jordan was set up for the purpose of conducting compulsory COVID-19 testing and that there is a difference between what the Government is doing and what people normally refer to as a city lockdown in other parts of the world. Speaking to the media after inspecting the restricted area today, Mrs Lam explained the scope of the Governments operation there. On many occasions, any public health measures - especially in terms of mandating people to be subject to COVID-19 tests and requiring shops and premises to close - require the full co-operation of the citizens and also the businesses, but the Government is obliged to provide all the needed assistance. In this case, for example, we know that the residents being affected are not allowed to leave their home for up to 48 hours. So what the Government has done is we provided them with food packs which we believe should be able to support them for the next two days. And if there are other necessary requirements, they could always call our hotline and we will try to help. So thats the approach that we have taken in supporting this type of operation. Mrs Lam also explained why the Jordan restricted area operation should not be regarded as a lockdown. I must make it very clear, that what we are doing is not what people see in other places as a lockdown. Because a lockdown normally means that you are not allowed to go out for a period. But in our case, this prohibition is linked to the test, so thats why in English we call this a restriction-testing declaration. It is for the purpose of the compulsory testing. Once the compulsory testing for the entire area has been completed, then the order will be lifted and people will be allowed to go out. I would say that there is a difference between what we are doing in Hong Kong and what people normally refer to as a city lockdown in other parts of the world. Brood X is here Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield. The University of Calabar COVID-19 Task Force Committee has commenced the fumigation of the campus ahead of the February 5 resumption date for academic activities. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Florence Obi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Calabar that the fumigation was part of the institutions preparation and readiness for resumption of academic activities. Mrs Obi, a professor, said that the fumigation of the administrative buildings and other sections within the campus was being carried out by a charitable individual in the state. We are very grateful to Mr Andrew Onukansi for what he has done to the university. I want to use this opportunity to plead with the private sector, major stakeholders and friends of Unical to come to our aid. Outside fumigation, we need a lot of items for our COVID-19 Taskforce Committee to effectively manage and implement the protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on campus. The Committee has been going round and soliciting for support from corporate bodies, friends and well-wishers of Unical. This is the time we want our friends to identify with us. We want people to come to our aid; dont just identify with us when your wards are looking for admission and employment, also identify with us at the time of our need. This is the time of our need, and we want to make sure that our students and staff are safe as school resume, she said. The VC explained that some gates leading into the university would be closed, adding that adequate measures have been put in place to provide washing hand buckets, sanitisers and liquid soap in all the blocks and classrooms. We are going to have sanitisers and automatic dispenser for students and staff. Also, we are going to have an enforcement taskforce that will enforce the compulsory use of face mask for students, staff and visitors on campus. We expect students to resume school with enough face mask for use. We have received some materials from the state government and private organisations, we are going to distribute them on the basis of first come first served, she said. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the COVID-19 Taskforce Committee, Kingsley Akaba, told NAN that the Committee had commenced a sustainable advocacy for students and staff on what is expected of them on campus. Mr Akaba said that the advocacy was to instil the guidelines of NCDC and the Presidential Task Force with a view to ensuring that the guidelines were been complied with by students and staff. We want to ensure that students are not scared of COVID-19 psychologically. We also want to ensure that every suspected case of COVID-19 is handled at the best standard level. We want to ensure a seamless academic session and adequate use of face mask on campus by all students, staff and visitors, he said. Responding, the Managing Director of Eshore Global Concept, who volunteered to fumigate the campus, said that the gesture was to help the institution to prepare adequately for school resumption. We are residents in Calabar and our children are schooling here. ADVERTISEMENT We want to showcase the services we render so that as school is resuming, students and staff will have a safe environment for teaching and learning, he said. (NAN) A Belfast business serving people forced to isolate during the Covid-19 crisis has hit out after one of its vehicles was given a parking ticket. Leading delicatessen Sawers criticised the tough parking enforcement in Belfast, even while the city remains in lockdown. Outraged shop owner Kieran Sloan took to Twitter to post pictures of the penalty notice that was slapped on his sons car outside the city centre deli as it was being loaded with deliveries for locked-down customers. A furious Kieran told the Belfast Telegraph that the penalty was ridiculous. He explained: My son was loading his car up at 3pm with grocery deliveries for people in Glengormley and the Antrim Road. He told the traffic warden: Ill just be two wee seconds, Im just getting the last box here. But when he came out of the shop hed had a ticket slapped on him. Kieran also posted a picture of the street outside the shop deserted except for his sons car. Expand Close Picture posted on Twitter by @sawersltd / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Picture posted on Twitter by @sawersltd Were a family-run business, not a big corporate organisation. All the places that are being targeted are small family-run businesses just trying to survive. Customers were delighted that Sawers was doing deliveries during lockdown, Mr Sloan said. He added: All were trying to do is stay open, keep people in work. Why is all this money being wasted here on these guys? Its like a ghost town, and these guys are trying their best to ticket people. Its unreal. Were delivering to people who are stuck in the house, cannot get out. Its not as if were making any money on this its just to keep us afloat, keep the doors open, pay the electricity and the rent. Were just trying to keep the lights on. Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said he was puzzled by the level of enforcement. Our high streets are virtual ghost towns and you really have to question why we have the redcoats out, because theres no foot-fall, there is nobody out, so why are the redcoats there? I think that this issue is something that the Department for Infrastructure needs to re-examine. Mr Roberts urged Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon to consider the matter. Ms Mallon told the Belfast Telegraph she would be scaling back the level of parking enforcement during what she called these difficult trading conditions. During the first lockdown it was evident that some drivers took advantage of the absence of Traffic Attendants, as there were instances of hazardous and irresponsible parking, some of which compromised road safety and impacted on traffic progression, the SDLP Minister said. I am, however, well aware of the difficult trading conditions being encountered by businesses along with the reduced traffic volumes using our roads, so I have taken the decision to scale back the parking enforcement service during this difficult time. Parking restrictions will remain in place and a small team of Traffic Attendants will continue to be deployed on a priority basis to locations where they can contribute most to road safety and traffic progression. It is understood the Department for Infrastructure will now be engaging with its parking services provider NSL on the appropriate level of provision during the Covid lockdown. NORWALK The coronavirus has ravaged communities across America, but people of color have seen especially high levels of devastation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black people account for 1.4 times as many coronavirus cases as white people, 3.7 times as many hospitalizations and 2.8 times as many deaths. Hispanic and Indigenous people are seeing similarly increased infection and death rates and four times as many hospitalizations as white people. Asians are seeing increased rates as well. In an effort to mitigate this, Connecticut organizations are working to arm communities of color with information about COVID-19 and getting the vaccine. The hope is to help people make informed choices and lessen the impact of the pandemic on these communities. Tiffany Donelson, president and CEO of Connecticut Health Foundation, said a number of historical events made people of color distrustful of the health care system. Black men told they were receiving free health care instead were given syphilis as part of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. The government sterilized Puerto Rican women without their full consent between the 1930s and 1970s, and Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman, had her cells used for research without her consent. Those are major events and issues that were familiar with, but theres so many others that show when people of color enter the health care system, theyre not treated equally, Donelson said. Theres a huge distrust of the health care system overall. You have a vaccine that seems like its created quickly and people are concerned. Theres a huge amount of hesitancy within the Black and brown community to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The Connecticut Health Foundation is one of many groups working to address these concerns in a way thats perceived by people of color. Along with 4-CT, they launched a grant to bring community health workers to local health departments so people can learn about the virus from people they know and trust. URU The Right To Be, Inc., a nonprofit content production company tackling social justice issues via arts-based initiatives, launched a campaign called Our Humanity to supply Black, Latino and Indigenous communities with accurate information and interventions against COVID-19. URU is partnering with over 300 local and national organizations and taking a multipronged approach incorporating training series for collaborators, virtual town halls with doctors who speak English and Spanish, workshops, newsletters, fliers and social media campaigns to educate not just on the vaccine, but on the coronavirus as a whole. Hartford-based organization, Health Equity Solutions, Inc., is in the process of executing a plan that helps faith-based and educational based networks to address vaccine hesitancy. Our goal is not to force people to take the vaccine, said Executive Director Tekisha Everette. Our goal is to ensure people have knowledge...so they can make the right decisions for themselves and their family. Similar efforts are being made at the state and local level. Communities like Norwalk and Danbury are including faith and community leaders as part of their vaccine outreach, understanding they are trusted voices for many people of color. The state Department of Public Health is scaling up a large, inclusive community outreach program, per Maura Fitzgerald, who heads communications for the state DPH. This program will talk to faith-based leaders, nonprofit organizations and other community leaders to provide them with materials and support needed to reach their communities. COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted communities of color here in Connecticut and across the country, Fitzgerald said. Outreach to those communities to discuss the COVID vaccine ... and encourage those community members to get the vaccine when they are eligible is a high priority for DPH. Its critical to our efforts to meet these communities where they are at and work in partnership with trusted community leaders to encourage community members to get the vaccine. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Cloudy with showers. High 54F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Rain. Low around 40F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. A man accused of ramming a Portland police officer while driving a stolen pickup on Christmas Eve then later escaping custody has been indicted on attempted murder and other charges. David Dahlen III, 24, escaped a holding cell on the Portland Police Bureaus detective floor in the downtown Multnomah County Justice Center, raced down a stairwell and headed out a door on the south side of the building Jan. 2. He was apprehended Jan. 8 in Southeast Portland. Dahlen was indicted Tuesday on six felony charges and one misdemeanor, and he pleaded not guilty to the charges the next day. He remains jailed in the Multnomah County Detention Center. He initially fled police on Dec. 24 after officers boxed in a stolen pickup hes accused of driving in the lot of a 76 gas station in Southeast Portland. Dahlen is accused of ramming the pickup into Officer Jennifer Pierce, who had stepped out of a patrol car that she left in front of the truck, a witness said. The stolen pickup then backed up and went forward again, striking Pierces patrol car and pushing it forward as it peeled out of the lot. Pierce fired at Dahlen and the truck, witnesses said. A gas station attendant said he heard two gunshots. Pierce, a 15-year bureau veteran assigned to Central Precinct, was hospitalized for a pelvic fracture and has since been released from the hospital. -- Jim Ryan jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. 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. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 : Despite living in the 21st century, a shocking incident of untouchability has come to light in Palakkad district in Kerala where a public crematorium refused to let the family perform the last rites of a Dalit woman. The incident came to light after the sister-in-law of the dead woman Vasantha, filed a complaint in the state SC/ST commission on Wednesday following which the Palakkad district collector was directed to look into the matter and file a report in a couple of days. Vasantha passed away after a brief illness at Puthur. The family took the body to the forest area adjoining their home to perform the last rites. However, of late the forest department has banned funerals in the forest land so the family had no option but to go to the public crematorium. Veluchamy, the crematorium keeper employed by the Puthur panchayat, refused to let the family perform the last rights of Vasantha as he feared that people from the upper caste will become angry. He told mediapersons, "I can't allow the funeral of a Dalit woman at this place as other caste people will turn violent." The Puthur panchayat is under the progressive Left Democratic Front (LDF) and a Communist Party of India (CPI) leader is the panchayat president. Jyothi Anilkumar, the panchayat president while speaking to media persons said, "This is not a panchayat crematorium. Instead we have constructed the side wall and provided funds for the maintenance of the crematorium but the land is owned by Goundar community and they will not allow cremation of Dalits here." The statement by the panchayat president is surprising as the party which she belongs to claims to follow a progressive ideology. State minister for SC/ST AK Balan told IANS, "I got to know about the unfortunate incident. The SC/ST commission has already directed the Palakkad district collector to look into the matter and submit a report on it. We will take necessary action once we receive the report." The Palakkad district collector was not available for comment. A clash between Australia and the two biggest online tech giants Google and Facebook looks set to define the next era of online news and information. Google has threatened to make its search engine unavailable in Australia if the government goes ahead with plans to make tech giants pay for news content. Facebook has similarly said that it will disallow news links in its news feed should the controversial new code go ahead. However, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says that the two tech giants are attempting to hold a gun to Australias head, telling reporters that we dont respond to threats. At stake is a perennial sore point that traditional media companies have the decline of online advertising to the two ad giants, Google and Facebook. Australia, home to Rupert Murdoch and other media magnates, says that the solution is to make online giants pay publishers whenever they link to content produced by traditional news companies. This, the government and its media supporters hope, may stem the decline of a newspaper industry that has seen its overall advertising revenue fall by three quarters since 2005. Read More It is also seen as an attempt to check the power of Google and Facebook, which now take 80pc of all western online advertising, sharing annual advertising revenues of over 200bn between them. But Google says that the new rules would be unworkable to the point of having to pull its Search service from the Australian market entirely. If this version of the code were to become law, it would give us no real choice but to stop making Google search available in Australia, said Mel Silva, the managing director of Google Australia and New Zealand, in remarks to an Australian parliamentary committee. And that would be a bad outcome not only for us, but also for the Australian people, media diversity, and the small businesses who use our products every day. Ms Silva added that Google is willing to pay a wide and diverse group of news publishers for the value they added, but not under the rules as proposed, which included payments for links and snippets. The standoff comes at the same time that Google reached an agreement to pay some 300 French news publishers for online content under new a copyright framework. The move paves the way for individual licensing agreements for French publications and was described by Google as a sustainable way to pay publishers. In a joint statement, Google and the French publishers said that the framework included criteria such as the daily volume of publications, monthly internet traffic and contribution to political and general information. However, the agreement does not contain an obligation for Google to pay whenever a link to a story is returned in a Google search, as the proposed Australian law mandates. Asked about the Australian rules, Facebook said that it would oppose them and would remove news stories from its site in Australia if the legislation passes into effect. Simon Milner, a Facebook vice president, said the sheer volume of deals it would have to strike would be unworkable. Both responses were met with anger by Scott Morrison. Australia makes our rules for things you can do in Australia, he told reporters in Brisbane. Thats done in our parliament. Its done by our government. And thats how things work here in Australia. While a number of traditional media companies are cheering on the Australian attempt at introducing a new law to make links chargeable, some critics of the proposed law say that the Australian move is little more than an arbitrary tax. If you want to tax a company to subsidise another industry, you should be honest and call it a tax, not invent a totally imaginary value exchange, said Benedict Evans, a venture partner with Mosaic Ventures and a former partner with Andreesen Horowitz. Local news is not fundable because it does not have a competitive value proposition for local advertisers. It has no connection to any of this, he added. Other critics have sought to draw attention to the strong influence of Rupert Murdoch in Australian politics, a long-time advocate of taxing online tech companies to support traditional media firms. This isnt the first time that the issue of a search engine paying for news links and snippets has come about. In 2014, Spain sought to introduce a law that would force Google and other search engines to pay publishers for links through Google News. When Google said that it would discontinue Google News as a service in Spain, local publishers begged it not to and the Spanish law was effectively overturned. WASHINGTON President Biden on Friday ordered the director of national intelligence to work with the F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the threat from domestic violent extremism, a sign of how seriously the new administration is taking the issue in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. The request comes only days after Avril D. Haines, the newly installed director of national intelligence, pledged to members of Congress during her confirmation hearing that she would help with just such an assessment. The new intelligence work began as people charged in the mob attack on the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald J. Trump continued to appear in court. On Friday, a federal magistrate judge in Dayton, Ohio ordered Donovan Crowl, an accused rioter linked to the far-right group the Oath Keepers, detained until his trial, citing the safety of the community. Domestic terrorism and violent groups are a thorny issue for intelligence agencies like the C.I.A., which are limited to tracking attempts by foreign governments or organizations to influence extremist groups in America. The F.B.I. and Department of Homeland Security have more leeway to investigate domestic groups and homegrown terrorism. A Mayor was rushed out of a City Hall in Washington state after protesters ripped down an American flag before storming the building during a rally against plans to clean-up a homeless encampment. Mayor Seth Fleetwood of Bellingham was escorted out of the building to safety Friday morning when a group of around 20 people entered the main lobby, according to KIRO7. Bellingham Police arrived and asked the protesters to leave. Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald the demonstrators left when they were told to, no one was injured and nothing was damaged inside the building. Protesters had gathered outside City Hall to protest against the city's plans to move a temporary homeless encampment, known as Camp 210, off the lawns of the hall and the Bellingham Public Library. Officials planned to clean up the site Friday morning and move the homeless campers 25 feet away. The encampment was first erected in the area in November to draw attention to the lack of shelter for homeless people in the city, located around 88 miles north of Seattle. Mayor Seth Fleetwood of Bellingham was rushed out of City Hall in the Washington state city Friday after protesters ripped down an American flag before storming the building during a rally against plans to clean-up a homeless encampment. Pictured the protest above #BREAKING: Protestors broke into a locked city hall in Bellingham today. Mayor had to be escorted out for safety. They also tore down the American flag outside. Stole a KGMI journalists mic and threw a hot drink on him. Theyre supposed to be here advocating for the homeless. pic.twitter.com/uIMbRVRwBl Deedee Sun (@DeedeeKIRO7) January 23, 2021 Fleetwood told KIRO7 he was taken out of City Hall through a back door and driven from the building. He told the outlet the sudden evacuation was 'unsettling' and compared it to the January 6 riot on the US Capitol in DC that left five people dead. 'They banged on the door and we got word they had somehow broken it open and were entering, and I was advised to leave,' he said. Fleetwood said the protesters had broken a lock to get inside the locked building. Footage shared online by a KIRO7 journalist shows a group of demonstrators outside the building tearing down an American flag and stamping on it before a man made off with it. Protesters also confronted members of the media to try to stop them from filming the scene, Fleetwood said. No arrests were made during Friday's incident. Mayor Seth Fleetwood of Bellingham was escorted out of the building to safety Friday morning when a group of around 20 people entered the main lobby, according to KIRO7 It is not clear if the 20 who stormed the building were part of the rally opposing the removal of the encampment. City officials announced Tuesday that Camp 210 residents had to move 25 feet away from the buildings and move all their belongings from the area by 9 a.m. Friday. They cited a number of issues, including several fires in the area and county employees reporting being harassed. None of the wooden structures or roughly 100 large tents were moved by Friday morning, the Herald reported. Activist groups urged people to gather in the area Friday morning to stop the city tearing down the encampment. People formed a human shield and blocked the road in front of the courthouse while others held up signs reading 'Services now', 'Do not sweep' and 'Provide an actual solution for the homeless', the Herald reported. By around 5p.m., most protesters had cleared the area, according to a KIRO7 video. In a statement, Fleetwood called the morning's events a 'disservice' to homeless people. In a statement, Fleetwood called the morning's events a 'disservice' to homeless people 'Their actions are a disservice to people who are experiencing homelessness and putting them at increased risk,' he said. He said the city wants 'a peaceful end to the encampment'. 'If there is confrontation, we are not the aggressors. Most campers have not complied with our request to create a 25-foot fire and safety area,' he said. Eve Smason-Marcus, a Whatcom Human Rights Task Force board member and volunteer with Camp 210, told the Herald between 90 and 120 people sleep there each night. She said advocates for the homeless population had been in discussions with the city for over a month and had called on officials to provide 100 units to house people. She said negotiations fell apart when the city offered only 25. 'They will not leave city hall unless there is housing for everyone,' she told the Herald. Fleetwood said the city 'offered reasonable conditions for working together and were eager to do so.' He has directed people at Camp 210 to a homeless shelter on Cornwall Avenue operated by Lighthouse Mission Ministries, known as Base Camp. Mamata refuses to speak at Victoria Memorial event amid 'Jai Shri Ram' chants, says 'insulted' India oi-Deepika S Kolkata, Jan 23: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday refused to speak at the event being organised at the Victoria Memorial after she was faced with chants of "Jai Shri Ram" in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Banerjee had not started her speech when the slogan was raised by a section of the crowd at the Victoria Memorial event to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of the legendary freedom fighter. She said such "insult" was unacceptable. "I think there should be some dignity when a government programme is being held. This is not the programme of a political party. This is a programme of all parties and people," she said. "If you invite someone to a govt programme, you should not insult them," Banerjee admonished the crowd before wrapping up her speech. Dignity cannot be taught, TMC spokesperson Derek O'Brien said Saturday, flaying those who raised the "Jai Shree Ram" slogan at a Kolkata event to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose which irked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Derek tweeted, "Dignity (noun). The state or quality of being worthy of honour and respect. You can't teach 'dignity'. Nor can you teach lumpens to be dignified. Here is a one-min video of what exactly happened today. Including the dignified response by @MamataOfficial." A man who poisoned an Irish dancer with a date-rape drug known as Devil's Breath in order to rob him has been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 32 years. Joel Osei (26) killed 43-year-old Kilkenny man Adrian Murphy in June 2019 with an overdose of scopolamine. Mr Murphy had worked as a dance teacher and choreo- grapher at the Royal Academy of Dance in London, but was on a year-long sabbatical at the time of his murder. Osei and his ex-girlfriend and co-defendant Diana Cristea (19) targeted gay men on Grindr in order to rob them of their valuables and drain their bank accounts. Diamonds After killing Mr Murphy, the pair tried to buy $80,000 (66,000) worth of diamonds from a jeweller in New York. They were further convicted of poisoning a second man with the same drug two days earlier. That victim, who cannot be named due to a reporting restriction, survived but was taken to hospital after being found by a neighbour, almost naked, agitated and confused. Mr Murphy is thought to have died some time between meeting Osei on June 1 and his body being discovered by his best friend and former partner on June 4. His phone had been thrown down the toilet, while a can of Coca-Cola was found to contain traces of scopolamine. Osei's fingerprints were discovered on a bottle of whiskey left at the scene. Toxicology tests revealed the concentration of scopolamine in Mr Murphy's body was many times the level consistent with a fatal overdose. Cristea and Osei were both convicted of murder following a trial at Croydon Crown Court. Jailing Osei for life, Mr Justice William Davis said: "You left him either dying or dead and set about using his debit and credit cards. "You gave Mr Murphy, quite deliberately, a significant dose of a drug which you know could cause death." Alex Salmond (pictured on Wednesday) was told if he wants to give spoken evidence it must be during the first week of February The Holyrood probe into the handling of complaints about Alex Salmond has taken steps to compel the Crown Office to hand over key documents. MSPs on the inquiry committee have invoked special powers which can force the release of correspondence. It comes as Mr Salmond was told that if he wants to give spoken evidence it must be during the first week of February. He previously refused to attend Holyrood to be questioned on February 2, citing concerns on travel during lockdown. The notice to the Crown Office says it 'may hold documents relevant and necessary for the committee to fulfil its remit'. The committee wants WhatsApp messages between a senior SNP official, Susan Ruddick, and Scottish ministers, special advisers or civil servants sent between August 2018 and January 2019 that may be relevant to the inquiry to be released. It also wants to see any documents linked to the leaking of complaints to the Daily Record newspaper in August 2018. The Holyrood (pictured) probe into the handling of complaints about Mr Salmond has taken steps to compel the Crown Office to hand over key documents Regarding the Crown Office notice, committee convener Linda Fabiani said: 'This is a step that hasn't been taken lightly, and is a first for this parliament, but which the committee felt was needed.' The Crown Office was given until 5pm on January 29 to respond to the notice. Miss Fabiani also wrote to Mr Salmond telling him if he does not agree to an alternative date of February 3 for a physical appearance, or February 1 or 4 in a virtual format, the 'committee regrets it will not be able to take oral evidence from you'. In these circumstances, she said that Mr Salmond would be 'free to submit further written evidence'. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. The United States returns to a unified government this week as Joe Biden becomes the 46th president and Democrats take control of the Senate. With the U.S. House continuing under the Democratic party leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Biden has an opportunity to enact big legislative changes. Halonoviny.cz, an e-newspaper of the Czech Republic, has recently run an article highlighting Vietnams outstanding achievements over the past years, particularly in the fight against COVID-19 and economic growth. As one of the ASEAN member nations, Vietnam is developing rapidly and boasts an improved position on the international area. (Photo: VNA) The article said as one of the ASEAN member nations, Vietnam is developing rapidly and boasts an improved position in the international area. In recent years, the country has gained impressive successes in economic development, external affairs and the pandemic combat, according to the article. Vietnam has become a bright spot in the pandemic battle, the article said, noting COVID-19 infections and fatalities in the country have remained very low given a population of nearly 100 million. Vietnam is one of the few countries that can contain the epidemic well. (Photo: VNA) The author cited the World Health Organization (WHO) as saying that Vietnam is one of the few countries that can contain the epidemic well. Thanks to those successes, Vietnam has provided timely assistance such as face masks and medical supplies for many countries. Vietnam is also one of the economies with the highest growth over the past five years, with an annual average growth rate of 6.8 percent during 2016-2019 and nearly 3.0 percent in 2020 when the majority of countries worldwide experienced minus growth. The article lauded Vietnams efforts in international economic integration to attract resources for national development, as marked by the signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) agreement, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. With its policy of multilateralising and diversifying international relations, Vietnam has enhanced external affairs, both bilateral and multilateral, it continued. Over the past five years, the country has successfully organised many major international events like the 2017 APEC Summit and the summit between the US and the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 2019. Last year, the country successfully performed its role as ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Such achievements have created a firm foundation for Vietnam to grow strongly in the future, while reflecting that the country has become a more important partner in international cooperation, it concluded./. VNA Major Ruslan Agibalov, the district commissioner of the North-West Police Department of the Russian MIA Administration for the Kursk Region was dismissed from his position. The officer posted a video of him spiking out in support of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in his official uniform, the Kommersant newspaper reports. According to the department, Agibalov was fired on negative grounds "for an act defaming the honor of an employee of the internal affairs bodies" as violating the law on service in the internal affairs bodies. Prior to that, the district police officer had committed systematic violations while on service, the newspaper informs. The digital currency, which has soared to all-time highs of around $42,000 in January, is now trading at $32,000 per coin as of Saturday afternoon. Photo: Getty Bitcoin (BTC-USD) has suffered its worst week in months, dipping to below $30,000 (21,900), before recovering slightly, amid rising fears of tighter regulation. The digital currency, which has soared to all-time highs of around $42,000 in January, is now trading at $32,000 per coin as of Saturday afternoon. Earlier this month, the City watchdog warned consumers that they should be prepared to lose all their money if they invest in products promising higher returns from virtual currencies such as Bitcoin. The comment kick-started Bitcoins recent fall from grace. The FCA is aware that some firms are offering investments in cryptoassets, or lending or investments linked to cryptoassets, that promise high returns, the regulator said. Investing in cryptoassets, or investments and lending linked to them, generally involves taking very high risks with investors money. If consumers invest in these types of products, they should be prepared to lose all their money. This week, incoming US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also expressed scepticism over Bitcoin, and concern has emerged over a "double spend" phenomenon that would display a flaw in the cryptocurrency's software. The digital currency, which has soared to all-time highs of around $42,000 in January, is now trading at around $33,000 per coin as of Saturday afternoon. Chart: Yahoo Finance It comes after the combined value of all Bitcoin tokens in circulation reached half a trillion dollars for the first time ever last month, putting it ahead of Visa and making it the worlds largest financial service. Bitcoin started 2020 at around $7,000 per coin. Despite its rise in the last year, the cryptocurrency remains extremely volatile and experts continue to remain sceptical about using it as an investment. According to industry data, around 13% of all Bitcoin in the world, some $80bn out of $600bn, belongs to just over 100 individual accounts, the Telegraph reported. The top 40% of all Bitcoin, roughly $240bn, is held by just under 2,500 known accounts out of roughly 100m overall. This has stoked fears that Bitcoin whales who hold vast sums of the cryptocurrency could crash the market, according to experts. Story continues "The Bitcoin trading market is very thin," crypto-sceptic David Gerard told the newspaper. "There is not a lot of available volume to trade.The big players can easily move the price. And there are all kinds of trading shenanigans, which would not happen on a regulated market. READ MORE: Bitcoin resumes slide after brief pause However, there have been major moves toward the mass adoption of digital currencies in recent months. In October, PayPal (PYPL) announced that it would allow the cryptocurrencies on its platform. The California-based payments platform said the launch of its new service would allow customers to buy, hold and sell cryptocurrency directly from their PayPal account. US account holders will be able to deal in digital coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Litcoin in the coming weeks and plans to expand to Venmo and some countries in the first half of 2021. Customers will be able to use their cryptocurrency holdings to pay for goods and services at PayPals 26 million merchants worldwide from early next year. However, merchants will not receive virtual coin payments, with cryptocurrency payments being settled using fiat currencies, such as the US dollar, the company said. PayPal has partnered with Paxos, a New York chartered trust company, to provide cryptocurrency trading and custodial services. WATCH: What is bitcoin? A bus drives past an advertising board reading "Stay Home Save Lives" in London, Britain, Jan. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan) The variant of COVID-19 first discovered in the UK is up to 30 percent more deadly than the original strain, the government's chief scientific advisor Patrick Vallance revealed on Friday. At a press conference, alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Vallance also told reporters that it transmits up to 70 percent more easily than the first variant. "There is evidence that there's an increased risk for those who have the new variant, compared with the old virus," he said. Vallance said the death rate among COVID-19 sufferers aged in their 60s was 1.3 percent, compared with 1 percent for the first variant. "Out of 1,000 people aged in their 60s you would expect 10 (patients with COVID-19) to die. With the new variant 13 or 14 would be expected to die," he explained. "You will see across the different age groups as well a similar sort of relative increase in the risk," he added. Data on patients in hospitals, though, showed the outcomes for those with the old and new variants is roughly the same. Johnson warned that, despite the efficacy of the vaccines "we will have to live with coronavirus in one way or another for a long time to come." He said easing of lockdown restrictions would not be rushed: "It's an open question as to when and in what way we can start to relax any of the measures." Both men and chief medical officer Chris Whitty, insisted there is room for optimism, despite what Johnson called "forbiddingly high rates of infection." According to Vallance: "The vaccines are being rolled out at an unprecedented pace, we have more vaccines than we could ever have dreamt of a year ago including ones we can alter as needs be and we have new medicines coming along, including specific anti-virals." Vallance insisted there was "increasing evidence that the UK variant will be susceptible to vaccines" and that Public Health England data showed only a maximum of 71 individual cases of the variant first discovered in South Africa had been found in the UK. A total of 5.4 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of the vaccine, but Whitty said mortality rates would increase for probably a week. The average daily death rate has been more than 1,000 for at least a week. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese premier Xi Jinping will be among the top world leaders who will participate in the six-day online Davos Agenda Summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF), beginning on Sunday. In what could be the first major global summit of the year, the event will see more than 1,000 global leaders, including heads of state and government, CEOs and chairmen of big companies, heads of multilateral organisations as also members of academia and civil society, discuss economic, environmental, social and technological challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic. The WEF said there would be 15 special addresses from G20 heads of state and government and international organisations during the summit from January 24-29. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his address on Thursday. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, as also business leaders such as Anand Mahindra, Salil Parekh and Shobana Kamineni would be among other speakers from India. While the WEF will host its physical annual meeting in May in Singapore, as against the regular venue of the Swiss ski resort town of Davos, the Geneva-based organisation is hosting this online event, named 'Davos Agenda' around the same time it generally hosts its yearly congregation of the rich and powerful of the world. The event has been billed as a platform that will see top world leaders deliver special addresses and engage in dialogue with business leaders at the start of a "crucial year to rebuild trust". The opening ceremony on Sunday evening will begin with a welcome address by WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, followed by a special address by Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin, presentation of the annual Crystal Awards and the world premiere of "See Me: A Global Concert." The concert will be presented as a shared expression of trust, connection and hope and it features orchestras and choirs in Beijing, Drakensberg, Florence, Kabul, Philadelphia, Vienna and Sao Paulo, with the cellist Yo-Yo Ma and music director Marin Alsop. The concert was filmed on location despite the COVID-19 challenges. Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a special address on Monday, while the day will also see several sessions including on the COVID-19 crisis, restoring economic growth and stakeholder capitalism. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also address a session. On Tuesday, the speakers would include South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, as also IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva. Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in, Italy Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are among the listed speakers for Wednesday. On Thursday, in addition to Modi, Jordan King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and Argentina President Alberto Fernandez will also deliver their special addresses. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will speak on Friday, the last day of the summit. On Monday, Schwab will also release his latest book, titled 'Stakeholder Capitalism: A Global Economy that Works for Progress, People and Planet.' It explores how societies can build the future post-COVID and builds on the WEF's 50-year-old advocacy of the stakeholder approach. Other major speakers would include Christine Lagarde, and Bill Gates, Punit Renjen of Deloitte, Brian T Moynihan of Bank of America, Al Gore, Ishaan Tharoor, Mark Carney, Angel Gurria of OECD, Ajay Banga, K T Rama Rao, Masayoshi Son of Softbank and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of WHO. The list of registered participants also includes union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani and Piyush Goyal, along with top business leaders such as Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Ravi Ruia, Rishad Premji, Pawan Munjal, Rajan Mittal, Sunil Mittal, Ajay Khanna, Ajit Gulabchand, Hari S Bhartia and Sanjiv Bajaj. Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, Tata Steel CEO T Narendran and Walmart CEO Doug McMillon are also among registered participants. The WEF's Davos 2020 summit was the last major global event that took place before almost the entire world got locked down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 'Davos Agenda' will also mark the launch of WEF's "Great Reset Initiative'' and begin the preparation of the special Annual Meeting in the spring, said the Geneva-based entity, which describes itself as an international organisation for public-private cooperation. Industry leaders and public figures will discuss how to advance and accelerate public-private collaboration on critical issues such as COVID-19 vaccination, job creation and climate change, among others, according to the WEF. While the WEF annual meeting for 2021 will be held during May 13-16 in Singapore, the high-profile summit will return to Davos in 2022. The conclusions from the Davos Agenda week will feed into task forces working on global issues for the upcoming Special Annual Meeting in Singapore, the WEF said. . President Joe Biden signs an executive order as Vice President Kamala Harris looks on during an event on economic crisis in the State Dining Room of the White House on Jan. 22, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) The Reason Biden Is Already Failing as President Commentary Presidents have two jobs. The first, and most visible, is being the head of the executive branch, and the second is being the head of his political party. Successful presidents usually have working control over their political party. Joe Biden, however, has barely taken office and his presidency is already in jeopardyfrom members of his own party. Most people, when they view the presidency, focus on the more visible aspects of that job. Presidents have very high profiles, live in the White House, hold press conferences, meet with foreign officials, and sign legislationamong many, many other duties. So many duties, in fact, that many believe its a younger mans job. Recent history has featured energetic presidents. From Bill Clinton, to George W. Bush to Barack Obama, in recent memory, the White House has been occupied by much younger men. Its true that Donald Trump is in his 70s but there is little question he had more energy than most anyone. Many have questioned whether Biden, because of his age and condition, will be up to that job. How little he campaigned and how few times he spoke, and how little he now speaks to the press, has fed into those doubts. Meanwhile, his gaffes give rise to different concerns. All in all, many suppose that there will be a someone or perhaps several behind the Biden throne. The possibilities include Bidens wife Jill; Susan Rice, who is head of the White House Domestic Policy Council; Ron Klain, who is Bidens chief of staff; or even John Podesta, who has been a Democratic power broker for years. Others believe it will be Vice President Kamala Harris, who some believe will be president within four years, and will be the last person in the room with Biden after meetings. Speculation aside, the period in between the election and when a president takes office is known as the interregnum. Normally during that period, theres a transition process and also, importantly, a process by which the incoming party comes together, gets on the same page, and plans for the first 100 days. Newly elected presidents often have the greatest say in that process. By all accounts, Biden is already proving not to be up to the second aspect of his jobrunning his political party. Some of that is his fault and some of it is the nature of what I call The Divided Erathe period from the mid-1990s to now, which features ever-growing division. The stakes in American politics are growing with every increase in government spending. The federal government spent nearly $2 trillion more in 2020 than it did in 2019even more if you consider Federal Reserve policies. As Americans, we compete intensely to get those dollars, intensely to hand out those dollars (in the form of elections), and nearly as intensely not to be taxed for those dollars. That competition is, by its nature, divisive. The more money spent, the greater our division. Not satisfied with record spending, many Democrats in Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have huge spending plans. The most liberal wing of the party wants outright socialist policies and programs. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders want full speed ahead on those socialist plans; Biden likely wants a slower pace. With Sanders in charge of the Senate Budget Committee, who will win that battle is open to question. More immediately, however, is the issue of the impeachment. Never in our history has such a divisive measure been pushed by the party of an incoming president. For those who voted for Trump, the start of the Biden presidency, if it ultimately includes a Senate impeachment trial, couldnt be starting more divisively. They will be lost to Biden forever. For independents who want to see Washington actually fix existing problems, it will be viewed as a partisanand possibly quite uglydiversion from the important business at hand. Many Democrats in Congress deem impeachment essential either because they fear a return of Trump or because they hate him that much. Altogether, impeachment spells more division and the likely derailing of any honeymoon period Biden could have. It will signal that unity wont be on the agendasomething many Biden voters wanted. Biden wants a honeymoon period, but he knows he cant stop impeachment. In other words, the Democratic Party didnt come together after Election Day on a single agenda. That also means that Biden simply isnt in control of his own partyand that means hes already failing as president. Thomas Del Beccaro is an acclaimed author, speaker, Fox News, Fox Business, and Epoch Times opinion writer, and former chairman of the California Republican Party. He is the author of the historical perspectives The Divided Era and The New Conservative Paradigm. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. President Bidens promise to administer 100 million vaccines by his 100th day in office is no longer a lofty goal; it is attainable at the current pace at which shots are going into arms. In fact, some experts have suggested that the presidents ambition is far too modest. Federal data shows that the United States is already administering about one million doses a day, and even doubling that rate would not cause the country to fall short of distribution capacity or supply. Heres how the vaccination campaign could play out if the United States maintains the current pace, assuming that the vaccine makers Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna meet their supply agreements and vaccines continue to be distributed at the same rate they have been over the last two weeks. If vaccinations in the U.S. continue at the current rate Dec. 14 Jan. 22 Feb. 1 March 1 April 1 April 30 50 100 million doses Biden 100-day goal 150 200 250 million doses Estimated supply (Pfizer and Moderna) Doses distributed Doses administered Note: Data is as of Jan. 22. Projections are based on the average increase in the number of doses administered in the past two weeks. | Sources: C.D.C. (vaccine distribution and administration); company press releases and news reports (vaccine supply). Mr. Biden made the 100-day pledge in early December, before any vaccine had been authorized for use in the United States. At the time, experts called the goal optimistic given their concerns about manufacturing and distribution capacity. Since then, two vaccines have been approved and the United States has secured contracts for deliveries of doses through July. And while some jurisdictions have said that they are running out of doses, states and U.S. territories are using only about half of the shots that the federal government has shipped to them, on average. Some experts have suggested that Mr. Biden increase his goal to match the supply promised by manufacturers. Pfizer and Moderna have pledged to deliver a combined 200 million doses by the end of March, with an additional 200 million doses to be delivered by the end of July. Under those circumstances, it is feasible that up to two million doses could be given per day, and Mr. Bidens goal of 100 million shots could be reached by early March. If vaccinations in the U.S. increased to a rate of two million per day Dec. 14 Jan. 22 Feb. 1 March 1 April 1 April 30 50 100 million doses Biden 100-day goal 150 200 250 million doses Estimated supply (Pfizer and Moderna) Doses distributed Doses administered Note: Data is as of Jan. 22. Projections are based on an immediate increase in vaccine administration rates and do not account for the approval and rollout of new vaccines. | Sources: C.D.C. (vaccine distribution and administration); company press releases and news reports (vaccine supply). But ramping up vaccinations will not be easy. And national supply and distribution figures do not reflect the often complicated local realities. The complexity of administering vaccines may grow over the coming weeks as we open up a lot of new provider sites, said Dr. Julie Swann, an industrial and systems engineering professor at North Carolina State University who was an adviser to the C.D.C. during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Getting shots in arms has already been hard, Dr. Swann noted. Providers get little notice of how much vaccine they will receive, making it difficult to plan and set up appointments. Estimating demand can be tricky too, which means that vaccines may be used more quickly in some locations than others, leading to wasted doses. The administration needs to be both fighting immediate fires and putting in the infrastructure to make this work better, too, Dr. Swann said. A Connecticut couple faces charges of trafficking cocaine after police said they tried to outrun a Massachusetts state trooper on Interstate 91 Thursday night, then crashed their car. State police said Raphael Cruz-Crespo and Izabella Martin, both 25 years old and both from New Britain, were arrested by Bernardston police after their car was found crashed into trees not far from I-91 and drugs were found inside. The two were found running barefoot from the crash site, police said. Authorities said at about 7 p.m. Thursday night a state trooper noticed their car speeding and weaving between lanes on I-91 northbound. The trooper tried to pull the car over but Cruz-Crespo failed to stop. The chase was terminated and state police dispatchers supplied local police along the highway with a description of the vehicle. A short time later, Bernardston officials notified state police that the suspect vehicle was found. As officers searched for the occupants of the vehicle, troopers searched the car itself and located two bags. One contained what authorities said was 33 grams of powder cocaine and a second had approximately 47 grams of crack cocaine. Cruz-Crespo and Martin were booked on two counts of trafficking in cocaine and a single count of conspiracy to violate drug laws. In addition, Cruz-Crespo faces numerous motor vehicle charges and a charge of being a fugitive from justice after it was discovered he was the subject of an arrest warrant in Connecticut. Vintage Rolls Royce cars of Nizam of Hyderabad now. Why invest in a vintage car? For one, because a well-preserved heritage car is an object of beauty. There is some sort of visceral appeal to uncomplicated engines and the work you put in to bring them back to life. 1914 Wolsley 30 40 HP. And no, your vintage cars wont just lie around in a garage, only to be driven out for adoring friends and family to admire. They are a serious investment. Vintage and classic cars occupy an esoteric, secretive world in the books of a true-blue collector. Prices of vintage (produced before 1929) and classic cars (up to 1965) are escalating at the rate of 15-20 per cent every year. Vintage cars are rather rare to come by. Experts estimate that not more than 1,000 to 3,000 vintage cars exist in India today and their total value could touch a staggering Rs 450 crore (Rs 4.5 billion). Cartier Travel With Style Concours d'Elegance, Curator- Rana Manvendra Singh of Barwani. What is the difference between a classic and a vintage car? Cars produced before WW-II are classified as vintage and those built after it is called classics. There is a rarer category, the veteran, or cars built in an era when the very concept of an automobile was nebulous. They were made between 1905 and 1915 and they are so rare that you need to be a billionaire several times over to acquire one. Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe 1951. Which vintage cars should I buy? India is obsessed with the small yellow car, the Volkswagen Beetle. VW never did sell them directly in the country, but it isnt very difficult to source one from other collectors and owners. Among luxury marques up there on the much-vaunted vintage list: Rolls Royce always attracts a passionate buyer. Cars such as Ford, Chrysler, DeSoto and Dodge are the rage and boast of Bollywood stars such as Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor and Dev Anand as their first owners. Man in a racing car, Bombay, Photo by Pablo Barthlomew. A 1960s Chevrolet Bel Air is hugely in demand because of its architecture that was inspired by the jet age. Then there are the Fiats, 1960s Fords, Mercedes-Benzes and Chevrolets. You could buy a Beetle at Rs 3 to 4 lakh, and the American cars at Rs 5 to 7 lakh. A vintage Jaguar costs far more. The top dogs are classic Bentleys, Jaguars and Rolls-Royces from the post-war years, which go upward of Rs 30 lakh, and pre-war cars from the same brands are priced at Rs 60 lakh. Many of the pre-war cars were customised for the maharajahs. Maharaja Gaj Singh. Vintage and classic cars cannot be imported into India, nor can collectors who buy one internationally bring it to India, which means there are just a handful of vintage beauties being passed around among the Indian collectors, making them highly-priced. What is Concours? A parade of vintage or classic motor cars in which prizes are awarded for those in the best original condition or those beautifully restored. Internationally, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, in the Monterey Peninsula in the USA is considered the most prestigious and has very precise rules on how a car should be restored to meet the Concours standards. These standards are now applied to all Concours events across the world, including the Cartier Concours in India. You go to a Concours to flaunt your curved beauties and win a few awards that will up their value in the collectors market, getting a better price on your investment. Sir Michael Kadoorie and passengers exhibit his 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I, built for the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Attend as many classic and vintage car rallies as possible. The most glamorous, of course, is the Cartier Concourse and you can enter the sprawling palatial grounds of hotels such as Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad or Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, where they are normally hosted, only by invite. But there are several small rallies in different cities throughout the year. Avoid brokers. Instead, speak to the owner and then make your choice. Subscribe to auto magazines and websites to stay updated on the news of cars that may be going up for sale. Research, research, research. Research the brand you are planning to buy, the era, what you can expect and how you can care for your precious vintage acquisition. Check on the provenance, the cars condition and its mileage so you know how much work will go into re-hauling it. Morris 8 1937. Who are Indias biggest heritage car collectors? There are several, from businessmen to small collectors with one or two cars, but among the most influential: Sharad Shanghi of Indore, businessman and philanthropist Sudhir Choudhrie, Maharaja Gaj Singh, who own over 350-odd vintage and classic cars between them. Their collection includes a rare Mercedes 540 K and the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, which are valued at over Rs 1.5 crore. Kaizad and Nekzad Engineer. Brothers Kaizad and Nekzad Engineer are not just collectors but also restorers of repute. They researched different eras and culture, specifically American and European culture before they restored some amazing cars in their collection such as the Chevrolet (1928 model), Beetles, Austin (1930 model), Fiat (1954 model). We began restoring because we did not find good restorers who understood the car or its heritage, says Kaizad. Nizam's 1912 40 50 HP Silver Ghost at Cartier Concours. There are collectors as young as 17-year-old Arihant Talera, who owns a clutch of 20 cars, among them a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, a passion he has inherited from his father and grandfather. Driving a vintage Rolls feels like you are navigating a luxury yacht. The feeling of exhilaration is the same. Fiat 1100 1963. A collector of note is Vivek Goenka, Managing Director and Chairman of Indian Express. He received his first heritage car at a callow age of eight a 1961 Fiat. He is passionate about vintage Land Rovers from the 1900s as well as Rolls Royce. His 1951 Standard-Vanguard Phase 1 is a classic. Then there are descendants of erstwhile royalty, the pioneers in vintage car collecting in India. Rana Manvendra Singh Barwani, from Barwani royalty in Madhya Pradesh, owns a car workshop. He has helped restore several stars from Indias automotive history, including the stunning yellow 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Dome Roof Limousine, known as the Throne Car of the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad. Rana Barwani is also the host of Cartiers vintage car rally in India, the Cartier Concours. Vivek Goenka. Right now, most Indian collectors concentrate on acquiring global car brands. I would consider the Indian classic car truly evolved the day I find beautifully restored vintage Maruti or Ambassador cars in the possession of collectors and can finally include them as segments in the Cartier Concours dElegance, he says. Maharaja Gaj Singh, the scion of the erstwhile royal family of Jodhpur, has over a dozen cars in his collection, dating back to the 1920s, which are displayed in the Umaid Bhawan grounds. My favourite is a 1948 red and white Convertible Buick. That is the car I drove the most in my childhood and it was a gift from my father to my mother. My grandmothers Cadillac, which I inherited after her demise, was restored a few years ago for the Cartier show in Delhi. The special car in the collection is the Rolls Royce Phantom II. It has an aluminium body and once, its windows were covered by a purdah. It was gifted by my grandfather to my aunt, the Maharani of Dhrangadhara. The car, however, remained in Jodhpur and after a while, we found it in a garage in dilapidated condition due to lack of use and maintenance. I got it restored and it now occupies a prestigious place in our car museum in the palace grounds. Rolls Royce Silver Wraith 1947. Indias royal elite began buying European and American cars in the first half of the 20th century, while, in the western world, collectors gained prominence only after World War II. Simon Kidston, a British collector of flamboyant Lamborghinis who was chief judge at one of the Cartier Concours, says, Increasingly, I see the presence of industrialists, businessmen, even well-established professionals among collectors. New money is Indias new royalty. And they have taken a shine to vintage cars that stand right at the top of the list of beautiful objects you can possess. How do I restore my vintage car? There is a growing army of vintage car restorers in India. While some work as part of a larger umbrella, others began life as small set-ups. The biggest restoration workshops are in Mumbai. The Engineer Brothers, Kaizad and Nekzad, are among the biggest and run their family workshop, set up by their grandfather, from the chaos of Lamington Road. Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur. The brothers credit 45-year-old Marespand Dadachanji, an unlikely restorer, for teaching them the ropes. A priest at a Parsi fire temple in Mumbai, he restored the Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental, which won both at the Cartier Concours 2019 and the international Pebble Beach Concours 2018. Goenka also owns a restoration workshop in Mumbai, which is run by master craftsman Allan Almeida. He has been restoring classic cars since he was 24. Kolkata-based Pallab Roy is known for the restoration of German Wanderer W24, in which Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose escaped the city. Bangalore restorer Christopher Rodricks specialises in restoring Rolls-Royces and Jaguars. In Coimbatore, GEDEE Car Museum has its in-house workshop for classic cars. Vintage Chevrolet. What will it cost me to restore a car? Restoring a seven-figure car to Concours condition generally considered bringing an older car to showroom-new condition using original or exact recreations of parts, paint, and bodywork can cost another seven figures. There is maintenance costs, storage expenses, and insurance to consider. Profits from the eventual sale of the car will also likely incur commissions/consignment fees, transaction fees, and transportation costs. Will the investment in a vintage car pay off, monetarily? Of course, you can sell the car to another collector. The value would depend on its provenance, the original owner and the condition of the car. Your collection of vintage cars can also be leveraged to earn some good money. For instance, lend it to Bollywood for a shoot. Studebaker Commander 1957. It may not always work out in your favour, though. Car collector Nitin Dossa recalls the time he was approached by a Bollywood director a few years ago. He offered him Rs 100,000 to rent his 1947 Cadillac for a shoot. Dossa had to refuse the generous offer (for those days). "The director wanted to lift the car in mid-air with a crane for an action scene," he says, indignant that someone would even consider that. There are filmmakers who may want to rent it for far gentler use, though. The team of Rang De Basanti had hired Buick convertibles and 1947 Chryslers for shooting the pre-independence era portions of the movie. Rolls Royces and Cadillacs are often hired for high-profile weddings. "We get at least one request a week for cars," says Dossa, who is a member of the Vintage and Classic Cars Club of India, an association of several car owners. Rental prices could vary anywhere between Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 a day for a Rolls Royce and Rs 15,000 a day for Cadillac. VW Beetle vintage. Becoming a collector of high-end cars can take pretty significant investment and not-insignificant carrying costs. But if restored and preserved in the right condition, and the right way, the benefits and returns are immense. (Alliance News) - Ireland's lockdown restrictions will not be eased at the end of this month, the Taoiseach has confirmed. Micheal Martin also said Level 5 restrictions would continue into February given the high level of community transmission that still exists. The government's Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 is due to meet on Monday to discuss the extension of the current restrictions, which are due to remain in place until January 31. A final decision will be made on Tuesday following a Cabinet meeting. Friday saw a further 52 deaths and 2,371 new cases of Covid-19 reported by the Department of Health. Fifty of the deaths occurred this month, two of which are still under investigation. As of Friday night there were 1,969 people with the disease in hospital, including 218 in ICU. The country's 14-day incidence rate now stands 1,017 per 100,000 population. Speaking at Government Buildings on Friday Martin said: "There is no talk at the moment in terms of any relaxation or reversing of restrictions at the end of this month. "We are looking at a continuation of restrictions into February. "You can take it that we'll take stock every four weeks of the situation." He added: "Given the high level of community transmission out there still, and it is very high out there, I don't think one can envisage any significant relaxation of restrictions at this particular point in time." Martin said Cabinet is considering introducing mandatory quarantining for people who come into the country without proof of a negative PCR test. It is also looking into suspending visa-free travel for some countries. He added that talks were ongoing between the UK and Ireland to find a "two-island" solution to mandatory quarantining. But he said there were complications about potentially introducing a wider quarantine because of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic and that the border would not be sealed. "Obviously there are complications, always have been, because of our relationship with the UK; with the border, with the North, and also the fact that we're integrated into the European economic system," he said. "I suppose, it's more easy to call for a quarantine than to deliver it comprehensively. "And a lot of people coming back are Irish people coming back into the country." Martin indicated that the schools would not reopen on February 1 and that the government was focusing its attention on trying to resume classes for special educational needs pupils as soon as possible. Asked about when schools were likely to reopen Martin said: "I really don't want to pre-empt the Cabinet committee meeting on Monday, but clearly community transmission levels are very high. "The focus right now and the attention of the Minister for Education is on special schools and special education, working with the partners in education to see if we can develop a proposal around special education provision." He said Education Minister Norma Foley was continuing to engage with teachers' unions and other educational partners, adding that they "still share a combined objective, to make provision for children with special needs as soon as that's possible". "That work is ongoing," he said. The government had to abandon plans to resume classes for pupils with special educational needs on Thursday after unions the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (Into) and Forsa said they had not received sufficient reassurances from the Department of Education that a return to schools was safe. source: PA Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. On Friday President Joe Biden signed two executive orders aimed at offering economic relief to those who are suffering the most during the pandemic. Amongst the provisions included in this new burst of federal funding was a significant increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly referred to as 'food stamps'. The move comes as census data suggests that 30 million households struggled to get food on the table in the last month, a drastic increase on pre-pandemic levels. Upon announcing the boost, Biden warned that the crisis is only deepening and that providing food for those in need was an economic imperative. We have the tools to help people. So lets use the tools. All of them. Now, he said. How much is the food stamp increase worth? The headline figure from this announcement is that SNAP benefits will now be increased by 15-20% to help support those who are struggling to make ends meet. The weekly payment is based on age and gender with the amount supposed to be enough to cover a thrifty meal plan. For context, before Bidens increase women between the ages of 19 and 50 were budgeted just $38.50 a week for food. Taken on its own a 15% increase may not seem too significant but it is just one element of an executive package aimed at supporting those unable to cover the basics. There is also a boost to the Pandemic-EBT scheme which provides debit card for students who would usually receive free school meals, but whose schools are closed due to the pandemic. Together, the New York Times estimates that this package would contribute an extra $50 a month for a family of three; potentially the difference between being able to afford a meal and going hungry. How to apply for food stamps Although Bidens executive orders have changed the amount of financial support on offer there are not yet any plans to change the administrative process underpinning it. The President is eager to work with Congress to pass his agenda but is using executive power in this instance to get much-needed support to the people who need it. While food stamps are federally funded, SNAP is organised on a state-by-state basis so you will need check with your local SNAP office if you think you may be eligible. You can find local offices and each State's application on the USDA national map. Each local office is also listed in the state or local government pages of the telephone book, just look for "Food Stamps," "Social Services," "Human Services," "Public Assistance," or a something similar. Finally you can also contact officials by telephone using your states SNAP hotline number, most of which are toll-free. For full details on how to apply for food stamps the US Department of Health and Human Services website has all the information you need, as well as a link to the form required to submit your application. (Newser) The Boston Globe has decided to let people it has covered in the past request a review of stories about themwith an eye toward possibly updating the stories, taking the names out, or ensuring they no longer show up in Google search results. Other publications have reconsidered old coverage, given the effect that committing minor crimes, or just being embarrassed, can have on someone's life when the information lives on in digital archives forever, the Globe reports. "It was never our intent to have a short and relatively inconsequential Globe story affect the futures of the ordinary people who might be the subjects, said Brian McGrory, the paper's editor. "Our sense, given the criminal justice system, is that this has had a disproportionate impact on people of color. The idea behind the program is to start addressing it." story continues below The newspaper is reviewing the effects on communities of color of its criminal justice coverage in general, and the "Fresh Start" experiment is part of that. The Globe said it will be more reluctant to alter coverage of major crimes or public figures. A committee of 10 employees will consider cases individually; requests from organizations won't be accepted. A fellow at the Missouri School of Journalism raised a couple of concerns about changing past coverage. "I caution people that just because it's old doesnt mean it's not valuable," Deborah Dwyer said. She cited possibly inequity on who applies for the review, per the Globe, saying a white lawyer might be more likely to contact the paper than a Black teenager who committed the same crime but may not read the Globe. "Is it fair that only the people who raise their hand get a fresh start?" she asked. (Read more Boston Globe stories.) Indore: Prominent radio personality Neelesh Misra on Saturday expressed strong reservations about the violent and abusive content on OTT platforms. Speaking on the sidelines of the Indore Literature Festival, Misra said that he strongly advocates for freedom of expression but people must also realise that these rights come with certain responsibilities. I cannot be specific on a particular web series but I strongly object to violence and abuses hurled in them. As a viewer of OTT content, I get scared of the violent scenes. I have to stop the programme immediately. The moment my five-year-old daughter comes into the room as I fear that any of the characters might use an offending word, he told reporters at the local press club. These web series producers are doing so due to the freedom of expression in the country. I am a staunch votary of freedom of expression, which comes with a lot of responsibilities, he added. Misra said the argument that people should not watch a particular content if they have a problem with it does not hold water now. First of all, the question arises how come an offensive programme is produced? he asked. Misra said mechanisms should be evolved to report the offensive content immediately to a particular platform and the government should take necessary measures for it. He dubbed the current cinema censorship system as an absolute failure. Recently, Ali Abbas Zafars web series Tandav was in news after it was accused of depicting Hindu deities in an objectionable manner and hurting religious sentiments. The makers have since apologised and deleted the objectionable scenes from the show. In November last year, the central government had brought OTT platforms under the Information and Broadcasting ministry, giving it the powers to regulate policies related to news, audiovisual content and films available on online platforms. New York is running out of vaccines, Cuomo says To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Tadipatri : , Jan 23 (IANS) For the first time, bananas have been transported by train in freezer containers from Tadipatri station in Guntakal division of the South Central Railway (SCR) zone to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai for onward export to Middle Eastern countries. "For the first time, bananas' loading has commenced from Tadipatri station as a total of 43 reefer containers were loaded from the nearby cold storage units and warehouses for transporting by rail," said a railway zone official. Shipping bananas via railways comes as a major relief for horticultural hubs in Anantapur and Kadapa districts, where farmers generally prefer road transportation and suffer losses en route, considering their shipments go as far as the Middle Eastern countries. Likewise, places such as Pulivendula, Tadipatri and their surrounding areas are famous for cultivation of good quality bananas and internationally renowned. "To mitigate this problem and to assist the farmers with hassle-free transport facility, SCR in coordination with the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has come up with the solution of reefer container transportation," said the official. She said that transportation of bananas through refrigerated containers through the railways provides faster freight transportation facility to customers. "Further, it drastically reduces en route damage and the quality of the product will be maintained till it reaches its destination. In addition, the same containers can be shipped further for exporting to other countries," the official observed. To handle freight at Tadipatri, CONCOR has set up full fledged facilities such as reach stacker for container handling, reefer plug points, genset mounted trailers, diesel generator sets and other equipment. Each train is also equipped with two power packs to provide uninterrupted power supply to the reefer containers during transit. The first reefer container rake with 43 refrigerated containers has been loaded with 977 tonnes of bananas and dispatched from Tadipatri to JNPT on Friday for onward export to Middle Eastern countries. Incidentally, freight customers evinced good interest in the new initiative and facilities while CONCOR and the business development unit established at Guntakal division played a key role in conducting extensive meetings with the local merchants, traders and cargo operators to capture traffic. SCR railway zone general manager Gajanan Mallya appealed to all the traders, merchants and rail users to utilise the reefer container facility to transport perishable consignments by rail. Loyalists have held talks with the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) about the Irish Sea border and any threat it may represent to the Union. The 90-minute meeting was described as "forthright and hard-hitting", with four NIO officials told of the "anger on the streets" in loyalist areas. The delegation from the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) included Winston Irvine, Jimmy Birch, Robert Williamson and David Campbell. The LCC is an umbrella organisation representing loyalist groups including the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando, It said it was "briefed on the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol" by NIO permanent secretary Madeleine Alessandri and three other officials. The NIO did not respond to a request for comment about the meeting, which took place via Zoom because of the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Williamson said: "It was forthright and hard-hitting. People spoke their minds. It was important for the NIO to be told the feeling in loyalist working-class estates. There is a lot of fear that our identity is being diluted. There are concerns about empty supermarket shelves and lorries queued at ferry ports." Expand Close Concerns: Winston Irvine was part of the delegation that met with NIO officials / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Concerns: Winston Irvine was part of the delegation that met with NIO officials The LCC said the Government must act "to ensure there would be no actual or perceived diminution in Northern Ireland's constitutional position". The delegation said their rights must be protected under the Good Friday Agreement. "Unionist politicians have been slow to do that. The Good Friday Agreement should not be a green document. There are a million unionists in Northern Ireland and the agreement is there to protect us too," Mr Williamson explained. On the issue of the Irish Sea border, the LCC urged loyalists to "remain calm during this transition phase". But it also warned the NIO that it would be "monitoring" the treatment of Northern Ireland citizens under the new dispensation and, "if necessary", would "consider sponsoring legal action to protect the position of unionists". The LCC also asked the NIO to ensure that new US President Joe Biden "was briefed on the need for impartiality and respect for the majority position in Northern Ireland when it comes to dealing with NI-US issues". The first art galleries network in the world: Benefit from the expertise of our gallery owners next to your home ! A long-time Kingspan shareholder reduced its stake on concerns about the Irish giant's insulation business raised by an inquiry into Englands deadliest fire in 75 years. Liontrust Asset Management lowered its sustainability rating of Kingspan last month, triggering the sale of some stock held by its funds, the company said. The London-based asset manager owned 1.2% of Kingspan at the end of last year after shrinking its holding to about 2.2 million shares from 2.6 million at the end of the second quarter. Kingspans shares ended over 2.5% lower. Kingspan last month acknowledged unacceptable conduct at its UK insulation business after revelations at the public investigation into the deaths of 72 people in the 2017 Grenfell Tower blaze in London. The company was unaware its product was used on the tower until after the fire, chief executive Gene Murtagh told staff after the inquiry unearthed messages between employees in which they joked about general product safety. The Grenfell inquiry has raised serious concerns about the culture and controls within the insulation business at Kingspan, Liontrust said. The rating downgrade means we view a company as higher risk and its weighting in our portfolios should be smaller, it said. Kingspan has long been a top pick for fund managers looking to buy into environmental stocks. Its appeal to green investors is simple: buildings are responsible for about 40% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions from energy use, and insulation can help cut carbon emissions. Read More Ladbrokes takes Covid hit Liontrust said Kingspans statement last month on the inquiry showed the company will learn from their mistakes and are taking appropriate actions to ensure that such conduct never happens again. Still, the asset manager said it would reserve judgment until the inquiry concludes, and would maintain its stake as it engages with Kingspans management. About 5% of the insulation boards sold for use in Grenfell Tower were from Kingspan, Kingspan has said. Last month, shares in Kingspan also fell sharply, helping strip billions of euro from Kingspan's stock market value since the company started giving evidence to the inquiry. The company makes insulated panels and boards for world markets and some of that product, Kooltherm K15, was used in the refurbishment of the Grenfell Tower block. Most of the insulation came from another firm, Celotex. Kingspan had said on its website it condemned "any actions that do not demonstrate a proper commitment to fire safety". Bloomberg and Irish Examiner State-owned Ltd on Saturday said that it is well geared to meet any surge in demand for coal from the The statement follows power demand touching an all-time high of 187.3 GW on Friday. "CIL (Coal India) is well geared to meet any surge in demand for the dry fuel from the especially on the back of close to 63 million tonnes stock at its pitheads," the PSU said in a statement. The company is also pushing ahead for increased production, committed to shoring up the supplies to coal-fuelled power plants. In this backdrop, close to 67 per cent of the total coal-fired in the country is fuelled through CIL's supplies. Of the 199 GW of coal-based power programmed for generation per day during the ongoing fiscal, 133 GW is scheduled from CIL linked coal. Average coal-based of power per day which was 2.795 BU till Friday spurted up to 3.072 BU, a jump of nearly 10 per cent on the morning of the record making day. Coal-based remains consistently high among all other categories. "This increase in coal-based power generation bodes well for us. If this continues, we could expect our supplies to go up in near future," the company said adding that the power plants need to submit adequate programme at the coal to avoid any shortage of dry fuel as the demand started peaking. is focusing on ramping up its supplies to pithead based power plants to higher levels. This would influence in cost per unit of power generated coming down. Coal transportation cost to pithead power plants is comparably lower than long distanced based ones, making the landed cost of coal lower. This in turn makes the generation cost economical. Coal-based power generation accounted for 78.6 per cent of the country's total generation on Friday when all India peak power demand, which is the highest supply in a day, surged to a new record of 187.3 GW in the morning eclipsing the previous high of 185.82 GW recorded on January 20. Of the total 3.906 billion units (BU) generated on Friday, coal-fired generation chipped in the bulk with 3.072 BU. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! A judge has invited defence lawyers in the latest Covid-19 regulation breaches to Judicially Review him, after rejecting an insistence that bail conditions cannot be imposed as the matters are fine-only offences. Just days after stating a significant error was made when drafting legislation, District Judge Michael Ranaghan repeated his concerns when presented with two Strabane women charged with the same offences. Sinead Corrigan (47) of Dillon Court now on her third Covid charge and Tammi-Lee Diver (24) of Casement Place are accused of breaching regulations in the early hours of January 21. Corrigan was the first person to be charged under the legislation, which she repeated just over a week later, ending up with fines totalling 1000. A police officer told Dungannon Magistrates Court he could connect both accused to the charges. He explained police were alerted to persons gathered in a property and after repeatedly trying to have the door answered, forced entry and discovered four people inside. Corrigan was located hiding in a cupboard while Diver was in a bedroom. Police opposed bail in both instances but accepted this was problematic given the legislation. He highlighted the risk posed to the public and police officers dealing with these situations. Corrigans previous fines and convictions were pointed out and the officer added: She has total disregard for regulations and no respect for anyone else. Judge Ranaghan remarked: I view these breaches very seriously. It surprises me the legislation did not include a term of imprisonment. Proper thought hasnt been given to bail in any fine-only case when custody is not an option, on the basis or hope somebody wont pay a fine and serve time in lieu. This defendants attitude is disgusting. Corrigans defence argued she should be released without bail conditions as the legislation states: The Public Health Regulations may not create an offence which is triable on indictment or punishable by imprisonment. It goes further than being fine-only by specifically excluding any possibility of imprisonment, because of the intrusive and extreme nature of the regulations. He cautioned against bail conditions which: If breached, may lead to imprisonment by default, and questioned police powers to enter properties to enforce regulations. Rejecting the contention bail terms could not be attached, Judge Ranaghan said: I disagree with her attitude entirely and I invite the defence to Judicially Review me. Given the current situation, that may bring about some change or thought into the whole process, which is abundantly lacking. In respect of Diver, it was agreed she previously breached regulations but of a lesser nature than her co-accused. Her lawyer asked for her to be treated in the same manner as Corrigan and released on bail. Judge Ranaghan responded: You can join the Judicial Review as well. He set bail at 500 and ordered the pair not to be intoxicated in public, abide by a 10pm to 8am curfew and notify police of those within their contact bubble. The judge stopped short of ordering electronic tagging as he felt: That may be pushing it. Having invited a Judicial Review, Judge Ranaghan concluded: I believe somebody in a higher judicial bracket needs to take a proper look at this. Both matters are due for mention at Strabane Magistrates Court next month. President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that COVID-19 vaccinations will begin in the coming weeks in Iran, the Middle Easts worst hit country. Foreign vaccines are a necessity until local vaccines are available, Rouhani said in televised remarks, without giving details of what foreign vaccines would be used. Earlier this month Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans highest authority, banned the government from importing vaccines from the United States and Britain, which he said were possibly seeking to spread the infection to other countries. Rouhani himself, in compliance with Khameneis ban, said at the time that his government would purchase safe foreign vaccines. Iran launched human trials of its first domestic vaccine candidate late last month, saying this could help it defeat the pandemic despite US sanctions that affect its ability to import vaccines. There have been good movements in the field of local and foreign vaccines, Rouhani said, adding that three domestic vaccines - Barekat, Pasteur and Razi, some of which have been developed with foreign collaboration - could begin in the spring and summer. Cuba said earlier this month that it had signed an accord with Tehran to transfer the technology for its most advanced coronavirus vaccine candidate and carry out last-stage clinical trials of the shot in Iran. Tehran and Havana are under tough US sanctions that while they exempt medicine often deter foreign pharmaceutical companies from trading with them. In addition to developing its own vaccine, Iran is participating in the COVAX scheme which aims to secure fair access to COVID-19 vaccines for poorer countries. The country has recorded 1,150,000 cases and 57,000 deaths, according to government data. There has been a decline in recent weeks of new infections and deaths. Short link: Has the pandemic reached its peak? Its possible, though researchers have differing views on the subject. On Friday, Connecticut reported a decrease in coronavirus-related hospitalizations and that 4.93 percent of all COVID-19 tests in the state had come back positive, continuing a downward trend Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday was the case in many states. Some public health officials and researchers are hopeful that the United States may have seen the worst of COVID-19. Yes, we have peaked in terms of cases, Ali Mokdad, of the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, told NPR. We are coming down, slowly. This is very good news very good news. Caitlin Rivers, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, expressed a similar sentiment. Based on current trends, the worst appears to be over, she said. We are headed to a better place. Other researchers warn not to count any chickens before they are hatched. Yes, I agree that we are currently in a downward trend; here in Connecticut the peak appears to have happened at the end of December, said Pedro Mendes, who models disease trends for the UConn Health Center. And though there have only been four confirmed cases in Connecticut so far of the COVID-19 variant originally found in the United Kingdom known as B.1.1.7 it is a subject of concern for Mendes. We know that the new strain B.1.1.7 is already spreading in the U.S. and at some point in the future it will cause another peak because of its higher infectivity, he said. Researchers estimate that the B.1.1.7 variant is 50 percent more contagious than the original form of coronavirus, and Mendes said places like California and Portugal may already be seeing the effect of that increased transmissibility. This is happening in other countries that quickly became overwhelmed, he said. To me, the question is when it will happen, rather than if it will happen. There are a total of 195 confirmed cases caused by the B.1.1.7 variant in the United States, according to the CDC, including 72 in California. Simultaneously, President Joe Biden has said he hopes to distribute 100 million vaccine doses in the next 100 days. Demand for vaccines in Connecticut, as in other states, is far outstripping supply. Though Lamont said he was told that Pfizer could double vaccine production by the end of February and double it again by the end of March, there are, at present, not enough vaccine doses to go around. We are in a position of scarcity in Connecticut at the moment, Josh Geballe, Lamonts chief operating officer, said Thursday. Better access to vaccines, Mendes said, is essential to head off the B.1.1.7 variant before it causes another spike in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. That is why speeding up vaccination is so important, as that would at least partially compensate for the high infectivity of this strain, he said. Amanda Holden celebrated her daughter Hollie's ninth birthday on Saturday as she took to Instagram to share a collection of sweet throwback snaps. The Britain's Got Talent judge, 49, took to Instagram to celebrate her 'sassy, hilarious and charming little fairy' who she shares with husband Chris Hughes. Posting a sweet snap of Hollie drinking a mocktail, Amanda penned: 'Our rainbow is 9 today. We love love love you #HRH our sassy, hilarious charming little fairy .' Birthday girl: Amanda Holden celebrated her daughter Hollie's ninth birthday on Saturday as she took to Instagram to share a collection of sweet throwback snaps Amanda, who celebrated her eldest daughter Lexi turning 15 earlier this week, also took to her Instagram Story to comment on how fast her children are growing up. She wrote: 'My babies are growing up #sisters' followed by a heart emoji. Amanda shared a slew of sweet throwback snaps of her two daughters ranging from when they were babies to more recent days. It comes after the presenter wished her daughter Lexi a happy birthday as she turned 15 on Wednesday. Sweet: The Britain's Got Talent judge, 49, took to Instagram to celebrate her 'sassy, hilarious and charming little fairy', she also shares daughter Lexi, 15, with husband Chris Hughes Reflective: Amanda, who celebrated her eldest daughter Lexi turning 15 earlier this week, also took to her Instagram Story to comment on how fast her children are growing up The Britain's Got Talent judge took to Instagram and shared a snap of her eldest child who she praised as a 'funny, hardworking girl'. Alongside the photo, Amanda wrote: 'I cannot believe our baby is 15 today. Mummy and Daddy love you so much Lexi - you kind, funny, hardworking girl. We couldn't be more proud ..'. It comes after Amanda set herself the challenge of completing Dry January during the UK's national lockdown. However, the former Wild At Heart actress revealed she 'fell off the wagon majorly' 19 days into it, joking that it's 'all over.' Adorable: Amanda shared a slew of sweet throwback snaps of her two daughters ranging from when they were babies to young children Sisters: Amanda has had a busy week celebrating both of her daughters' birthdays Growing up: Amanda finished her post by sharing a recent snap of Hollie and Lexi Speaking on Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston on Wednesday, Jamie asked her how she was getting on. She replied: 'Let me just say, as the middle of the week, I fell off the wagon quite majorly last night' 'You didn't only fall off the wagon, it was a spectacular pile-up', Jamie teased. Amanda replied: 'It fell off, the wheel came off, I didn't have a spare one' Proud: It comes after the presenter wished her daughter Lexi a happy birthday as she turned 15 on Wednesday Amanda wrote: 'I cannot believe our baby is 15 today. Mummy and Daddy love you so much Lexi - you kind, funny, hardworking girl' 'You got so close!' Jamie teased. 'It's the 20th, you were within touching distance.' She replied: 'I know! And to anyone doing it, good on you! It was an interesting exercise. It felt great till the 19th and now it's all over.' Amanda had said it was her first (and perhaps last) attempt at doing Dry January. Lookalike: The Britain's Got Talent judge took to Instagram and shared a snap of her eldest child who she praised as a 'funny, hardworking girl' It comes after the ITV star had joked with Jamie earlier in the year about how she would 'crawl up the stairs after' drinking wine at home. Last year, Amanda posted about having her own fully-stocked bar in her Surrey home and posted a picture of herself enjoying a large Gin and Tonic on Instagram. She captioned the image: 'It's #G&T in my #PJ's! Thrilled with my bar renovation! #interiordesign #bubble #lights and #barstools @sweetpeaandwillow my new obsession !!!' Amanda also said: 'It's very nice, it's more relaxing at home. You don't have to think about where you've got to get to after.' By now, everyones heard the horror stories. As more than 4 million New Jerseyans clamor for vaccine appointments, residents have complained for weeks about the near impossibility of booking a spot. But once they snag that sought-after appointment, attitudes can flip 180 degrees. It turns out, for recipients at two vaccine sites, by the time they arrived for their appointments and rolled up their sleeves, the hard part was long over. The center was perfect, actually. Everything was so smooth, Smitha Nair, 40, of Cherry Hill, told NJ Advance Media, describing the Camden County Vaccination Center in Blackwood. Thursday, January 14, 2021 - Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations are given at Camden County College. Camden County employee Imani Fussell, foreground, checks in former new Jersey Governor Jim Florio and his wife Lucinda, left.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com There, officials directed traffic at the Camden County College, ensuring that each driver had an appointment before waving them into the parking lot. Residents strolled into the college, checked-in, received their shot and then sat in a waiting area before walking up to a computer to schedule their next dose. They sit you here for about 15 minutes to make sure you have no adverse reactions and then theres a timer on the back of my chair and then its going to buzz and when it does, I schedule my second appointment, Mark Wolkoff, 76, of Marlton, told NJ Adavnce Media, while sitting after his inoculation. Thursday, January 14, 2021 - Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations are given at Camden County College. After vaccination, each person waits for 15 minutes in an observation area.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Recipients were largely in good spirits, expressing trust in the vaccine site and positivity in their experience, with few of the gripes that have become commonplace statewide when the words vaccine or appointment are uttered within earshot of an eligible resident. Most had registered online through Cooper University Health Care, who helped administer Camden Countys vaccine program. At the college, Camden County has the capacity to vaccinate about 2,000 a day, though supply is limited. On Friday, officials expected to inoculate 700 people and have administered 3,200 shots since the site opened last Wednesday. Though a county spokesperson said the site is intended for Camden County residents, enforcement doesnt seem strict. One resident had traveled from as far as Toms River, while most came from within a half hour radius. Thursday, January 14, 2021 - Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations are given at Camden County College. Volunteer Rachel Derr, center, a faculty member at Rutgers School of Nursing in Camden, goes over information with former New Jersey Governor Jim Florio waiting in the post-vaccine observation area with his wife, Lucinda, left, who was also vaccinated.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The dispatch from Union Countys vaccine site at Kean University was similar as residents streamed out of the building following their 15-minute wait, they reported a seamless and professional operation. It all went very smoothly, Joanne McCormick of Westfield told NJ Advance Media. Everybody was very nice, and everyones just trying to help and be respectful. The most challenging part appeared to be finding their way back to the parking lot in Keans labyrinthian campus. Keans capacity is lower than at the Blackwood site, and hours will likely change depending on the number of doses the county can get its hands on. On Friday, Union county vaccinated 325 people at Kean and had been averaging around 300 shots a day, a county spokesperson told NJ Advance Media. Thursday, January 14, 2021 - Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations are given at Camden County College.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Though logging on to dozens of provider sites to find an appointment has proved head-scratching for New Jersey seniors, Ray Zirpolo, 75, a retired Woodbridge resident found the vaccination itself as straightforward as could be. [No confusion] at all, Zirpolo told NJ Advance Media. And I can confuse easy. And while getting the first shot is only half the battle, with some residents already worried about availability when the time comes for their second shot, almost everyone at the two sites said they had no concerns. Residents were likely placated by the fact that they exit the center with an appointment for the second dose already made or sent to their phone. By the time I sat down in the observation area, I had gotten an email with the [appointment for my] second dose Barbara McGuire, 75, of Union told NJ Advance Media. This is so well run. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Josh Axelrod may be reached at jaxelrod@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. It is clear now that whatever the government might do, the protesters are adamant A singularly odd thing happened on Friday at the Singhu border. The farmers protesting three new laws brought by the Narendra Modi government produced before the media a masked man. He claimed that he and a few accomplices were sent by an unknown outfit to pose as policemen. They were apparently tasked with beating up farmers with batons on Republic Day if they tried to proceed to the heart of Delhi. But it does not stop there. The man said they were told to kill four farmers' leaders as well. The protesting farmers have handed them over to the Haryana Police. A day later, he claimed he was accosted by some people who abducted him, stripped him, and beat him up with belts for telling the media what he did. Meanwhile, many Indians including this columnist kept receiving voice-recorded calls supporting the creation of Khalistan from US and Canada numbers. These have been for a couple of months urging all to make the 26 January mobilisation as largescale and disruptive as possible. This is despite the Supreme Court suspending the implementation of the laws, the government agreeing to discuss and work alternatives to all the demands, and even offering to put the legislation on hold for one-and-a-half years. Are you wondering why the farmers are being so stubborn? Because this is not just a farmer protest. Farmers are just cannon fodder in this political attempt to wage an insurrection against the popularly elected government. The Left faces an existential threat in India. It faces another wipeout in Bengal and may do poorly in Kerala in elections due this year. Kerala is the only state where it has any chance of electorally get power in the foreseeable future. Emboldened by the farmers protest, the Left trade unions are also trying to stir themselves up to create trouble for the government. But why is the Left getting so desperate to create trouble? Where is it getting hundreds of crores to sustain the movement? How is it aligning globally with small and shadowy forces like Khalistanis? Who is funding the Khalistanis? And most importantly, who is the master puppeteer that stands to gain the most if violent anarchy is let loose on Indias streets? In my previous column, I tried to analyse this string of pressing questions. If violence happens on 26 January and people get killed in retaliatory police firing, it will hurt Modi. It will create a ground to provoke further flare-up, and he can then be branded as the man who ordered the killing of farmers. This is why these forces do not want any compromise. If the farmers issue gets sorted and the BJP does well in the Assembly elections this year, Modi will get a massive boost to his political capital for the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election and 2024 General Election to Lok Sabha. Modi is the first BJP leader who could create a rock-solid voter base of the poor, Dalits, farmers, and generally the underdog. He succeeded in overwriting the perception of the BJP as a Brahmin-Bania party, which had stuck on for decades. He will not let that be wasted in a fit of unthinking toughness. This is exactly why the government has uncharacteristically bent backward to placate the farmers. It has, under full media glare, been at its accommodative best with the farmers' leaders. It is getting increasingly clear to the common public now that whatever the government might do, the protesters are tone-deaf. They seem to be puppets whose strings are with dark, invisible forces playing in the deep background. There is one miscalculation on their part though: their charade of a moral struggle is slipping. Like a petulant childs COVID-19 mask. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 20:48:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KABUL, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- In the conflict-battered Afghanistan fighting continues as more than 50 fighters mostly militants have been killed over the past 24 hours in the country amid progress in the ongoing peace efforts made in Doha, officials said Saturday. In the latest wave of violent incidents, the armed insurgents attacked police in Kocha-e-Dash area of Police District 11 of Herat city, the capital of the western Herat province, on Saturday killing one police constable and wounding two others, provincial police spokesman Abdul Ahad Walizada said. According to the official, two attackers have been arrested. The ongoing insurgency and conflicts, according to security officials, have left more than 50 dead with majority of them Taliban militants over the past 24 hours in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's 20 out of 34 provinces, according to media, have been the scene of fighting over the past two days. Increase in fighting has been seen amid progress in the ongoing Afghan peace talks in Qatar's capital Doha. The Afghan peace talks which begun on Sept. 12 following the U.S.-Taliban so-called peace deal inked in late February last year to end the U.S. longest war, pave the way for the pull out of thousands of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and facilitate the intra-Afghan dialogue has made little progress to achieve the goals. However, the second round of talks between Afghan government negotiating team and Taliban representatives started on Jan. 5 in Doha but no significant progress has been reported. Contrary to expectations, the peace talks have failed to reduce violence and security incidents in Afghanistan. Expressing concerns over increase in violent incidents, Chairman of High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah on Saturday said that the security incidents have increased, while Afghans need the ceasefire to make the peace talks succeed. In the meantime, the U.S. new administration has reportedly vowed to review the February 2020 peace deal with Taliban. Welcoming the decision, Afghan government presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqi, according to local media, said Saturday that the U.S.-Taliban peace deal inked during Trump's administration had failed to control violence nor to pave the way for ceasefire in Afghanistan. Enditem BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed the importance of leveraging the guiding and safeguarding roles of strict Party governance in every respect to ensure the development goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) are fulfilled. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Friday when addressing the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). The year 2020 was extraordinary in the history of the People's Republic of China, Xi said as he summarized the year's achievements in Party construction. "People feel deeply that in stormy times the strong leadership of the Party and the authority of the CPC Central Committee are what they can always count on," Xi said. The CPC Central Committee is satisfied with the progress made in improving Party conduct, building a clean government and combating corruption, he added. Xi underscored the importance of improving political judgment, understanding and execution in implementing full and strict governance over the Party. NO ALTERNATIVE On fighting corruption, historic achievements have been made but the situation remains challenging and complex, Xi said. "Corruption, as the biggest risk to the Party's governance, still exists," Xi said, adding that old and new types of corruption have become intertwined and corruption is increasingly covert and complex. In 2020, 18 centrally-administrated officials were investigated. Also, 1,229 fugitives were brought back and 2.45 billion yuan (378 million U.S. dollars) retrieved from overseas in the first 11 months of 2020. In the first 11 days of 2021, China's top anti-graft body announced punishments for seven centrally-administrated officials who were accused of taking bribes, signifying that the country's war on corruption is taking steady steps in the new year. "The struggle between corruption and anti-corruption efforts will continue to exist for a long period to come," Xi said. "There is no alternative but to forge ahead in the anti-corruption fight against all odds." HIGHLIGHTED REQUIREMENTS Xi stressed constantly improving Party conduct, building clean government and combating corruption. The governance over the Party must always be strict, so that the CPC can lead and ensure the smooth sailing of the great ship of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said. Xi demanded strong political oversight to ensure the implementation of the CPC Central Committee's major decisions and plans. "We must resolutely continue the fight against corruption," Xi said, stressing the need to build the systems and measures to ensure that officials do not dare to be, are not able to be, and do not want to be corrupt. Xi demanded efforts to resolutely curb the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism. Continuous efforts must be made to address corruption and misconduct that affect people's immediate interests, to boost their sense of gaining, he added. Xi stressed the need to improve the Party and state supervisory systems, and integrate supervision into the country's development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Discipline inspection and supervision agencies should take the lead in strengthening the Party's political building. They must also be subject to the strictest constraint and oversight, Xi said. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting. Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI, presided over the meeting. Xi's important speech serves as the major guidance for advancing strict Party governance in every respect, Zhao said while presiding over the meeting. Zhao called on Party organizations at all levels and Party members and officials to study and implement the guiding principles of Xi's speech, and earnestly implement the plans made at the CCDI session. Zhao also delivered a work report to the session on behalf of the standing committee of the CCDI. Representation/ PTI A health worker in Haryanas Gurugram died on Friday, six days after she was given the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine. Rajwanti, a 55-year-old health worker posted at the PHC Center in Bhangraula, was among the first to get the COVID-19 vaccine shot on Saturday, January 16. She was given Covishield coronavirus vaccine and died in the early hours today, taking the number of such fatalities to five. Read more Wild Elephant Killed In TN After Resort Staff Threw Burning Tyre At It Screengrab Last year, the country was left shocked by the death of a pregnant elephant in Kerala after it bit off a booby-trapped fruit that was meant for wild boars. While the elephant was the unintentional casualty, in that case, another disturbing incident has now surfaced, where a jumbo died after a burning tyre was hurled at it. The shocking incident was reported from Masinagudi in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. Read more 4 Killed In Jharkhand As Roof Of Illegal Mine Collapses PTI/ Representational Four persons were killed and two injured when the roof of an illegal mica mine caved in Jharkhands Koderma district, a senior official said. The accident happened at the Foolwariya jungle, following which two bodies have been recovered from the mine this afternoon, the police said. This comes a day after six migrant workers from Assam were found dead after they fell into a 150-feet pit in a forest in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills. Read more Five Held In Kerala For Killing A Leopard, Eating Its Meat Forests and Wildlife Protection Society - FAWPS In a rather bizarre incident, five men were arrested in Kerala by the Forest Department, after they allegedly killed and ate the meat of a leopard. The incident was reported from Mankulam, a small town in Idukki District, which shares its boundaries with forested areas. According to the forest officials, the five men trapped a leopard and killed it. Read more Ahead Of R-Day, Bomb Hoaxes Keep UP Cops On Their Toes PTI In the run-up to Republic Day, at least six hoax bomb threats have been reported in Uttar Pradeshs Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur and Allahabad this week. The miscreants behind these hoax threats, which even prompted evacuations in hospitals and shopping malls, are yet to be identified. FIRs have been lodged in connection with some of the incidents, according to officials. Read more Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The big release this Republic Day weekend is the screen adaptation of Aravind Adigas book, The White Tiger. The film starring Rajkummar Rao, Priyanka Chopra and Adarsh Gourav explore the class divide and economic discrimination in India, and how one man changes his own fate. Amit Sadh-starrer series Jeet Ki Zid will make for the perfect patriotic watch this weekend. Its based on the life of Major Deependra Singh Sengar, a real-life Kargil war hero. Heres more on the new titles streaming on OTT platforms now. The White Tiger (Netflix) Balram Halwai (Adarsh Gourav) narrates his epic and darkly humorous rise from poor villager to successful entrepreneur in modern India. Cunning and ambitious, he jockeys his way into becoming a driver for Ashok (Rajkummar Rao) and Pinky (Priyanka Chopra-Jonas), who have just returned from America. Society has trained Balram to be one thing a servant so he makes himself indispensable to his rich masters. But after a night of betrayal, he realizes the corrupt lengths they will go to trap him and save themselves. On the verge of losing everything, Balram rebels against a rigged and unequal system to rise up and become a new kind of master. Jeet Ki Zid (ZEE5) Jeet Ki Zid is an original series inspired by the life of Major Deependra Singh Sengar. A true story of a real-life Kargil hero with a wilful journey that celebrates his conviction and his ups and downs, the series stars Amit Sadh as the protagonist. Major Deependra Singh Sengar fought against all odds in different walks of life, be it the war or personal life. The series captures all of Major Deep Singhs turning points in life. The life of a soldier is depicted in the series with high octane action sequences and various army missions. Aapkey Kamrey Mein Koi Rehta Hai (MX Player) This MX Original Series sees four friends Nikhil, Subbu, Kavi and Sanki rejoice as they find a 4 B.H.K for a measly rent, in a city like Mumbai. Their joy is short lived when they find out that they would be sharing their amazing new flat with a newly acquired roommate who is a ghost. The comedy of horror begins when the beautiful Mausam comes for their housewarming party. The 5-episodic series stars Swara Bhasker, Sumeet Vyas, Naveen Kasturia, Amol Parashar & Ashish Verma in key roles and is directed by Gaurav Sinha. 55 km/sec (Disney + Hotstar) Shot on an iPhone amidst a global lockdown, sci-fi expert Arati Kadav, delivered a fine film in her newest outing. Best known for last years Cargo that wowed everyone upon dropping on Netflix in September last year, the filmmaker seems to have upped her game this time around shooting an entire film locked at home. The film that rides on its high concept idea stars Richa Chadha in the lead part. Floored by Kadav's script, this was Chadhas first project that she shot during lockdown. The film takes forward the idea of living in a world stricken with fear as it narrates the story of an asteroid that's about to hit earth. Romulus (Lionsgate Play) Written by Guido Iuculano and directed by Matteo Rovere, the show stars famous Italian actors Andrea Arcangeli, Francesco Di Napoli, and Marianna Fontana. A historical-drama released in 2020 that tells us the story of the birth of the city of Rome founded by the twin brothers Romulus and Remus. The ten episode series, with each episode being approximately 50 minutes, makes it the perfect weekend binge. Set in the eighth century BC, it is narrated through the eyes of three characters, Yermos, Wiros and Ilia; as they grapple with gut-wrenching loss, loneliness and violence. What sets the show apart is the shows historical retelling and marvelously created with cinematography, costumes, action sequence that also marks Matteo Roveres debut as a TV director. AstraZeneca has warned EU countries it will cut deliveries of its Covid-19 vaccine by 60 per cent to 31 million doses in the first quarter due to production problems. The decrease deals another blow to Europe's Covid-19 vaccination drive after Pfizer Inc and partner BioNTech SE slowed supplies of their vaccine to the bloc this week, saying the move was needed because of work to ramp up production. AstraZeneca was expected to deliver about 80 million doses to the 27 EU countries by the end of March, a senior official who was involved in the talks said. The official said AstraZeneca planned to begin deliveries to the EU from February 15, in line with original plans. AstraZeneca has warned EU countries it will cut deliveries of its Covid-19 vaccine by 60 per cent to 31 million doses in the first quarter of the year due to production problems. Pictured: Fatima Negrini, 108, becomes one of the oldest people in the world to get a Covid-19 vaccine in Milan, Italy FRANCE: Medical staff receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Emile Muller hospital in Mulhouse The company confirmed the drop in deliveries without giving specific details on the magnitude of the shortfall. An AstraZeneca spokesman said: 'Initial volumes will be lower than originally anticipated due to reduced yields at a manufacturing site within our European supply chain. 'We will be supplying tens of millions of doses in February and March to the European Union, as we continue to ramp up production volumes.' The Britain-based drugmaker had also agreed to deliver more than 80 million doses in the second quarter. On Friday, the EU official, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said the company was not able to provide updated delivery targets for the April to June period due to the production issues. GERMANY: A medical assistant vaccinates a resident of a nursing home with an injection of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Froendenberg, western Germany, on Friday NETHERLANDS: A general practitioner gets the first injection of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, in the Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, on Friday AstraZeneca told EU officials at a meeting that the cut was due to production problems at a vaccine factory in Belgium run by its partner Novasep, the EU official said. Novasep was not immediately available to comment. EU governments 'expressed deep dissatisfaction with this,' EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said on Twitter after the announcement. She said: 'We insisted on a precise delivery schedule on the basis of which Member States should be planning their vaccination programs, subject to the granting of a conditional marketing authorisation. 'The EU Commission will continue to insist with AstraZeneca on measures to increase predictability and stability of deliveries, and acceleration of the distribution of doses.' The EU drug regulator is due to decide on approval of AstraZeneca's vaccine on January 29. AstraZeneca was expected to deliver about 80 million doses to the 27 EU countries by the end of March, a senior official who was involved in the talks said Regulators in Britain and several other countries have already given the vaccine the green light. It was not clear how many doses AstraZeneca had initially been expected to deliver to the 27-country bloc. The firm said last year it had agreed with the European Commission to supply up to 400 million doses. The EU has said it has secured contracts for more than two billion doses, more than enough for its total population of 450 million, provided that all the vaccines are approved. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is considered key to the global vaccination effort because it is cheaper to produce and can be stored at fridge temperature. The EU has so far has approved vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. While the coronavirus vaccines have been developed and approved at record-breaking speed, deliveries of the first batches have been smaller than many EU members had hoped. Pfizer has announced delays in shipments of its vaccine in the next few weeks owing to works at its main processing plant in Belgium. EU countries have administered more than five million doses to citizens to date. The aim is to inoculate 70 percent of adults by the end of August. The EU has a deal to purchase at least 300 million doses from AstraZeneca, with an option for an additional 100 million, part of the company's global commitments to supply more than 3 billion doses. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan continues the work of the Commission for the reception and consideration of appeals of persons dismissed from military service in connection with mobilization, created by the corresponding order of the head of the defence department. To date, 4,214 citizens have applied to the commission operating in the city of Baku, and appropriate measures have been taken to resolve their appeals, the ministry reported. Applications of 1,084 citizens were considered by the mobile groups of the commission operating in the city of Ganja, Fizuli region and the village of Pirekeshkul. The appropriate measures were taken to resolve the issues. HIGHLAND Sarah A. Delashmit, 36, of Highland, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for fraud related to false claims of cancer. She also must serve three years of court supervision after her release. In October, Delashmit pleaded guilty to multiple fraud charges after spending years defrauding nonprofit organizations by falsely posing as person with muscular dystrophy and a breast cancer survivor to receive money, donated items and other benefits. The charged offenses took place between 2015 and 2019, but evidence presented at sentencing established that Delashmit had engaged in similar scams going back as far as 2006. Miss Delashmit deceived and manipulated individuals and families facing terminal illness and debilitating disorders, and nonprofit organizations and volunteers who serve those individuals, U.S. District Court Judge Staci M. Yandle said at Delashmits sentencing hearing this week. She preyed on these communities by posing as someone with muscular dystrophy or a mother who was diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal breast cancer, Yandle said. She exploited peoples trust, their kindness, their sympathy and their generosity for her own benefit. She accepted donations and allowed volunteers to care for her when she did not need or deserve that care, Yandle said. She took resources from those who did. At the hearing, the court heard statements from two victims, one who befriended Delashmit while believing she was dying of cancer and another who cared for Delashmit while she pretended to be wheelchair bound at a camp for people with disabilities. As part of the sentence, Yandle ordered Delashmit to pay a $1,250 fine, forfeitseveral items she received through her scheme, and make full restitution of $7,629 to the nonprofitorganizations and others she defrauded. The investigation was conducted by the Highland Police Department, the FBI, and theUnited States Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke J. Weissler. A community member inquired with Walgreens, and then (Walgreens) reached out to us just this week about setting up this clinic, Steckling said Friday. It was an opportunity we could not pass up. We are honored that Walgreens has offered to work with our district and are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our staff. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. BELLINGHAM, Wash. Protesters and advocates for dozens of people living in a temporary tent encampment on the lawn of Bellingham City Hall on Friday created a human barrier and some later broke into the building in an effort to stop city officials from trying to clean up the site. The city notified campers earlier this week that the encampment needed to move a short distance away from City Hall for fire and other safety reasons, The Bellingham Herald reported. People have been living there since November to protest the lack of shelter in the area. Mayor Seth Fleetwood was escorted out of the building Friday when protesters broke a lock at City Hall, KIRO-TV reported. Fleetwood said he wasnt certain if protestors caused any damage, other than a broken lock. Several protesters held signs saying, Do not sweep and Provide an actual solution for the homeless. Journalists with The Bellingham Herald left the area after a confrontation with protesters who had asked the journalists not to film or document the protest on public property. In a statement Fleetwood said the city seeks a peaceful end to the encampment. Circumstances at City Hall and the Library lawn are entirely untenable, escalated largely by protesters and outside agitators who are not residents of the encampment. Their actions are a disservice to people who are experiencing homelessness and putting them at increased risk, Fleetwood said. Eve Smason-Marcus, a Whatcom Human Rights Task Force board member and volunteer with the camp, said the encampment has had roughly 90 to 120 campers per night, with others coming daily to get supplies and food. After negotiating with city officials, Smason-Marcus said the city was unwilling to meet their demands for 100 housing units, such as tiny homes, and said the city offered 25. Fleetwood said the city offered to provide funding an additional winter shelter option and in collaboration with the Port of Bellingham and Whatcom County, offered a site and additional tiny homes. Advocates, volunteers and city officials met more than 10 times, including on Thursday, Fleetwood said. We will continue our collaboration with Whatcom County officials and service providers on short- and long-term solutions to providing safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness, Fleetwood said. The Associated Press Dramatic changes were seen in the delivery of radiotherapy treatments for cancer during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic in England. Much shorter radiotherapy courses were delivered, treatments were delayed where it was safe to do so and some increases were seen in order to compensate for reduced surgical capacity. Experts believe the changes reflect an impressive adaption of services by the NHS, and that the overall impact on cancer outcomes is likely to be modest. The new research, led by the University of Leeds, with Public Health England and the Royal College of Radiologists, reveals that there was a decrease in radiotherapy treatment courses of 19.9% in April, 6.2% in May, and 11.6% in June 2020, compared with the same months the previous year. These decreases equated to more than 3,000 fewer courses of radiotherapy between 23 March and 28 June 2020, than would have been expected*. However, the missed courses were likely to be due to postponement, where the risk of doing so was deemed low. In June though, it appears that the reduced number of courses may reflect a worrying fall in the number of patients being diagnosed with cancer. The new study is the first to assess the impact of the pandemic on radiotherapy services in England and is published today in The Lancet Oncology. A rapid change in practice occurred for breast cancer treatments, enabled in part by the results of a UK trial published just as the pandemic struck, which showed a one-week course to be just as effective as a three-week course for many patients**. Strikingly, the use of the shorter course of treatment went from just 0.2% of all breast cancer radiotherapy courses in April 2019, up to 60.0% of all courses in April 2020. The switch to shorter courses of treatment was also seen in other types of cancer, and will have helped to keep patients safe and services running during the pandemic. For some cancer types there was a significant increase in the use of radiotherapy courses compared to the previous year. There was an increase of 143.3% in curative radiotherapy for bladder cancer and 71.3% for oesophageal cancer in May, and 36.3% for bowel cancer in April. These types of cancer are often treated with surgery. Radiotherapy offers an alternative curative treatment or means to safely delay, and it is likely these timely increases were delivered to keep patients safe when surgery was not possible due to the pandemic. Radiotherapy guidance during pandemic Around one in three people with cancer in the UK will receive radiotherapy as part of their treatment***. Radiotherapy can be used to try and cure a patient of their cancer, or to treat pain and other symptoms when curative treatment is not possible. Treatments are often given using daily targeted doses of radiotherapy over a number of weeks. Every cancer is different, and radiotherapy courses vary depending on the type of cancer and the aim of treatment. In March and April 2020, national and international recommendations were quickly published to ensure the safe and effective use of radiotherapy, as the first wave of COVID-19 hit the UK. The Royal College of Radiologists helped coordinate the writing and publication of many of these guidelines, with researchers from the University of Leeds contributing to many of these. Lead author of the new study Dr Katie Spencer, University Academic Clinical Fellow at the University of Leeds and Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Radiotherapy is a very important treatment option for cancer, and our study shows that across the English NHS there was a rapid shift in how radiotherapy was used. "It is impressive to see that the data closely follows the guidelines published at the start of the pandemic. For cancers such as breast and bowel, shorter, more intensive treatments were delivered to provide similar outcomes for patients. "Where treatment delay is safe, like in prostate cancer, delays were used to reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure. This was particularly important for older patients, who are more vulnerable to the virus. "In other cases, such as head and neck, and anal cancers, we saw that the number of radiotherapy treatments hardly changed during the first wave. This was really reassuring, as we know that it is vital that these treatments are not delayed." Treatments during the first wave The researchers looked at the number of radiotherapy treatments taking place between February and June 2020 within the English NHS, taken from Public Health England's National Radiotherapy Dataset. They compared the number of radiotherapy courses, and their length, with the same time period in 2019, to look at the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. The largest reduction in treatments was seen for patients aged 70 and above (34.4% reduction in April 2020). This likely reflects concern where patient vulnerability to the risks of coronavirus outweighed the low risk expected from delaying treatment in some settings. For example, treatment for prostate cancer fell 77.0% in April 2020 compared to the previous year, and treatments for non-melanoma skin cancer fell 72.4% the same month. Co-author Dr Tom Roques, Medical Director, Professional Practice for Clinical Oncology at the Royal College of Radiologists, said: "This research shows the incredible speed with which radiotherapy services within the NHS were able to adapt their treatment patterns to help protect patients with cancer, whilst coping with reduced surgical capacity due to the global pandemic. "Despite the intense pressures on the NHS, it was able to effectively adapt radiotherapy treatments, finding alternative treatment options where possible, and continuing its world-leading standards of patient care. "In the midst of the current COVID-19 surge, NHS capacity is under even greater stress. However, cancer teams are using all of the clinical experience and innovations from last year to ensure radiotherapy services continue to operate and provide the best care possible for patients." The research team hope their findings will help healthcare providers to understand the indirect consequences of the pandemic and the role of radiotherapy services in minimising those effects. This research involved contributions from University of Oxford, Velindre University NHS Trust, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and NHS England. Fewer patients presenting Dr Spencer, from the University of Leeds' Institute for Health Sciences and the Leeds CRUK Radiotherapy Centre of Excellence, said: "As the country emerged from the first lockdown in June, we saw that the number of patients receiving radiotherapy was still reduced compared to last year. "The pandemic continues to cause severe disruption for cancer diagnosis and some national screening programmes. This has meant that fewer patients were diagnosed with cancer during the first wave of the pandemic and this is likely to have led to the persistent fall in treatments we see. We know that patients who have their cancer diagnosed early have a better chance of being cured so this is really worrying. "If people have concerns about their health it is really important that they go and seek help. Radiotherapy services remain up and running and are ready to look after people, as always." ### Notes to editors For interview requests please contact press officer Ian Rosser from the University of Leeds on i.rosser@leeds.ac.uk or on 07712 389448. The paper, titled 'The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiotherapy services in England, UK: a population-based study from the National Radiotherapy Dataset', is published in The Lancet Oncology and will be available online once the embargo lifts: please follow this link: https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1016/ S1470-2045(20)30743-9 * As part of this study, the research team created a model to forecast the expected number of radiotherapy courses in 2020. Comparing the actual data with the model showed there were 3,263 fewer courses of radiotherapy given between 23 March and 28 June 2020 than expected had the pandemic not occurred. ** The changes to the breast cancer radiotherapy treatments followed the publication of new guidelines and the results of a UK trial published just as the pandemic struck, which showed a one-week course to be just as effective as a three-week course for many patients. The guidelines are available on the Royal College of Radiologists website: https:/ / www. rcr. ac. uk/ sites/ default/ files/ breast-cancer-treatment-covid19. pdf The paper, by Brunt et al., is available online in The Lancet: https:/ / www. thelancet. com/ journals/ lancet/ article/ PIIS0140-6736 (20)30932-6/fulltext *** One in three cancer patients in the UK receiving radiotherapy comes from data published by Borras et al. in 2015: https:/ / pubmed. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/ 25981052/ University of Leeds The University of Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK, with more than 38,000 students from more than 150 different countries, and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. The University plays a significant role in the Turing, Rosalind Franklin and Royce Institutes. We are a top ten university for research and impact power in the UK, according to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, and are in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings 2021. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Dalton native, Lonnie Durfee was in Berkshire Superior Court on Friday accused of violating his bail agreement from the burning of political signs and property in the lead up to the presidential elections, according to court documents. The 41-year-old Durfee had his conditions extended because of an escalating pattern of behavior, according to the Berkshire District Attorneys office. The conditions were initially in place until Jan. 20. An hour after Biden was sworn into office. The Superior Court required that the GPS/curfew provision remains in effect until one hour after the inauguration of the new president, court documents read. The presumption at the time was that the political climate, including the rise in violent extremism, would have dissipated by the Presidential Inauguration. Durfee got into trouble when on Oct. 9 he set hay bales at the Holiday Brook Farm on fire. The reason for his act of arson was due to a disagreement with the property owners sign supporting the Biden and Harris campaign. He was arrested the next day. However, the Superior Court order also stated that this could be revised if a judge deems Durfee to still be a danger to the community. Lonnie Durfee, 41, burning a Biden/Harris sign. Image from Durfee's phone. We will hold Mr. Durfee accountable and I hope the community uses this incident as a rallying cry to reject fervent divisiveness and hate, Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington said at Durfees arraignment on Oct. 13. Durfee pleaded not guilty. The presumption at the time was that the political climate, including the rise in violent extremism, would have dissipated by the Presidential Inauguration, Fridays court documents read. As part of the order, Durfee has to refrain from alcohol and stay at his parents home on a curfew in Dalton. Court records show Durfee failed to refrain from alcohol, showing a positive SCRAM at 6:47 a.m. on Nov. 21. After Durfees arraignment, officials discovered more images on his phone which Harrington said established that the burning of the first sign was not an isolated event. She argued that it was not an isolated act of politically motivated arson, but rather an escalating pattern. Lonnie Durfee, 41, burning a Black Lives Matter sign. Image from Durfee's phone. Images of Durfee in the court documents show him standing next to a black sign with white words reading Black Lives Matter. Around the sign, flames lapped up from a metal drum near Durfees feet. Such an extension is warranted in light of the new facts learned regarding the Defendants pattern of political arson and the escalation of violent extremism in our community and country, the motion said. After inventing a biological mask with outstanding features, Dr Nguyen Duc Thanh, winner of many prestigious awards, and his co-workers are working on vaccine patches. Dr Nguyen Duc Thanh Thanh said Nguyen Lab, his research team at University of Connecticut, in 2018 was the first team announcing the creation of autolytic piezoelectric polymer sheet used in organ transplantation. The research team made public its studies about nano film, including use to create sensors, ultrasonic vibration heads, and artificial tissues. Protective mask In 2020, as the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, Thanh and his research team thought about using nano film for a kind of special protective mask. When Covid-19 broke out, Americans rushed to buy and store medical equipment, especially protective masks, which led to a mask shortage for medical workers. Many people complained they could not buy protective masks for themselves and family members. When the mask supply improved, millions of medical masks were thrown away just after one use. Most medical masks are made of synthetic polymer similar to plastic bags. So, disposed medical masks create billions of tons of waste that cannot decompose. Medical masks are helpful, but they cannot prevent bacteria, viruses and fine dust as well as KN95 or N95 masks. But N95 masks are expensive and do not decompose. Thanh and his co-workers decided to use autolytic polymer film to make masks with the filtration capability nearly the same as N95, but can be reused after sterilization with simple methods (autoclave or ultrasound). More importantly, they decompose after several years. The nano film has been used in many medical products, but this is the first time it has been used to filter dust, bacteria and viruses. According to Thanh, autolytic biological masks' piezoelectric effect of the nano film is the major difference from other masks. Thanh has received a number of prestigious awards, including NIH Trailblazer Award for Young and Early Investigator 2017, 2018 SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award, MIT top innovators under 35 at Asia Pacific in 2019. He was named one of 10 outstanding Vietnamese young faces in 2019. Thanks to the effect, the nano film inside the masks can create a small voltage layer when there is air flow (from breathing, sneezing of coughing). The voltage creates an invisible protection layer, preventing the penetration of charged droplets of water bringing viruses and bacteria. Nguyen Lab is still in the stage of researching and product packaging. It is also working to prepare for the establishment of a startup for product commercialization. Thanh hopes the masks will be used widely in one or two years. The advantage of the product is that the nano polymer film allows a filtration capability nearly as high as N95 and higher than other medical masks. Researchers said that the piezoelectric effect wont be lost after sterilization or disinfection by using high temperature, high pressure or ultrasonic vibrations. The masks can used many times. The special protective mask Vaccine patch Nguyen Lab has recently set to work on patches which can easily deliver the Covid-19 vaccine into the human body without injections by medical workers. The technology promises a new method of distributing Covid-19 vaccine and other vaccines to the community quickly, without the need to go to medical centers. The research on the vaccine patch has been published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, a prestigious journal, and has caught the attention of scientists. With these great medical achievements, including the Covid-19 vaccine, and the awareness of wearing protective masks regularly, I think the pandemic will be contained soon all over the world. And I hope I can contribute to the global efforts, Thanh said. Associate Prof Nguyen Duc Thanh was born in 1984. He was a student at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology. He won a scholarship from the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) in 2008 and obtained a doctorate in 2013 from Princeton University. After that, he followed postdoc research at MIT. Later, he was appointed by University of Connecticut to the post of Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering Faculties. Thanh is now leading a research team in biomedical engineering and biomedical materials at the university. The team conducts multidisciplinary research, with focus on applications in medicine, related to a wide range of fields including biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, nanotechnology, regenerative medicine and medical electronics. Thanh has received a number of prestigious awards, including NIH Trailblazer Award for Young and Early Investigator 2017, 2018 SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award, MIT top innovators under 35 at Asia Pacific in 2019. He was named one of 10 outstanding Vietnamese young faces in 2019. Ngan Anh STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries Saturday afternoon while battling a blaze at a Pleasant Plains home. Twelve units, consisting of 60 firefighters, began responding to 67 Idaho Ave. at 12:46 p.m., according to a spokesperson. Firefighters could be seen on the roof of the home, using tools and occasionally spraying water. They also were observed entering and exiting the home with axe and crowbar-like tools. Wisps of smoke sporadically emanated from the roof. One side of the roof appeared to be burned. According to the FDNY, the fire was placed under control at 1:54 p.m. The two firefighters who were injured were evaluated and treated on-site, according to the spokesperson. No other injuries were reported. For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. Journey to the Mountain of Worshipers in Southern Turkey The house of an Assyrian in the village of Arkah, designed to resemble an Assyrian palace from the ancient period. ( Athra Kado) ALQOSH -- In November, I traveled to the beautiful Assyrian villages situated in TurAbdin in southern Turkey. Located a few hundred kilometers northwest of my home in the Nineveh Plains in northern Iraq, TurAbdin is accessible using the Ibrahim Al-Khalil port. It took me five hours to reach TurAbdin's city of Midyat (Akkadian: Matiate). I was welcomed by my friends Eliyo Eliyo, an archeologist, Adem Cosken, a Syriac language teacher in Mardin University, and his brother Sharo. They all speak a western-dialect of the Syriac language, which any eastern-dialect speaker can understand with some concentration or word comparison. Many of the TurAbdin-area families returned from Europe to rebuild and renovate their homes. They have also reclaimed many areas, properties and villages from the government after being forced to abandon them in the 1980s and 1990s due to Kurdish and Turkish clashes. The inhabitants fled over safety concerns and were forced to leave or were killed if they refused to welcome the fighters. The situation is currently more stable as the Turkish army increased control. My trip began in the village of Anhil. Together with Eliyo, Adem and Sharo, we met a couple who were cleaning pistachios and offered us some of their local natural products to eat. We then travelled to the Arkah village, passing by Kafro Tahtayto (the lower Kafro). There, we met Moris, an Assyrian that returned from Europe to renovate his house in the village. The design of the house was beautiful; it resembled an Assyrian palace from the ancient Assyrian period. We finished our day by spending time in the beautiful Mor* Malke monastery followed by an evening gathering in Kafro. Our second day of the trip began with a visit to the Mor Eliyo monastery in the village of Zergal, Batman province. The village is empty of its inhabitants as they were forced to abandon it, leaving only the shadows of the monastery as a standing memory. Later, we headed to Mor Qeryaqos, a monastery near Mor Eliyo. The state has begun renovating the historic building to serve as a touristic site. After visiting the village of Zergal, we took a break on a Tigris River bridge while on our way to the village of HasanKeyf / HasnoKifo (Akkadian: Kepaneh). Hasankeyf is one of the ancient cities that dates back to the 18th century BC and is situated on the Tigris river. The area was once guarded by Assyrian armies to prevent enemies from sailing to the capital of Nineveh from the north. The Mor Qeryaqos monastery in the village of Zergal in the Batman province. The village is empty of inhabitants, leaving only shadows of what once stood here. ( Athra Kado) As we traveled from Hasankeyf back to Midyat, we visited Mor Aho monastery. One of five monasteries built by Saint Aho, it was constructed and named after a piece of the True Cross that he brought back from Constantinople. I then headed alone to the beautiful city of Mardin to meet with two individuals: Dr. Nicholas Al-Jeloo, a returnee from Australia who works as a teacher in Kadir Has University in Istanbul, and Malfono Yusuf Begtas, a classical Syriac language expert. We spent the night in the Mar Hurmizd Chaldean church. The next morning, we visited the Zerzevan ancient fortress. It was built between the 2nd and 7th century AD and is currently a part of an archaeological excavation project. The fortress holds two churches and a Mithraeum temple. The first church was built between the 3rd and 7th century. The second was built in the 6th century. The temple dates back as far as the 2nd century. Aramaic and Syriac scripts have been found at the site despite it being described as an ancient Roman fortress. A small cafe in the city of Mardin. ( Athra Kado) While travelling to Amed (DiyarBakir), we passed near a big bridge called, "Gishru Da'sar Aynotheh" (the bridge of 10 eyes), as there are 10 open arches beneath it. It is built on the Tigris river and is thousands of years old. It was renovated three times: first in 90 AD during Edessa's\Urhay kingdom, a second time in the 5th century AD by Amed's metropolitan, and a third time in the 11th century AD to allow access to those travelling to the 40 martyr's monastery on the other side. In Amed, we met with the DiyarBakir Association for Syriac Culture. The organization's objectives are to educate Assyrians who converted to Islam about their identity as Assyrians. The talk focused on how the Assyrian identity was lost or altered to a Kurdish one as a result of the genocide that was perpetrated by the Kurdish tribes with the support of the Ottoman empire against the Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks during World War I. A student at the DiyarBakir Association for Syriac Culture shows off his studies. The organization strives to educate Assyrians who had converted to Islam about their identity. ( Athra Kado) It is worth mentioning that prior to the formation of the organization, thousands of these families secretly taught their children about their real identity as not being Kurds but actually as being Assyrian/Syriacs of the Christian faith who converted to Islam. Since the formation of the organization (also registered within the government and supported by diaspora Assyrians), these families openly and proudly are able to identify as Assyrians of the Islamic faith. During our time there, we met with the children of those families. They had gathered at the organization's building to learn their ancestor's Syriac language, as previously they couldn't learn or speak it because of the fear that was instilled from genocidal trauma. On the last day of our stay in Mardin, prior to returning to Midyat, we visited the official museum of Mardin. The museum contains artifacts of the area, of which most are from the ancient Assyrian period and after Christianity, including inscriptions, stones and other kinds of collections belonging to our ancient people. Upon traveling back to Midyat, we passed by a village named BneyBeel, meaning, "sons of the god Beel." The village was a target of Ahmad Sulayman Jaziri and his army of thousands of men during the genocide. When he attacked, twenty local Assyrian men resisted and fought from a cave on the village's mountain named "Habis". Ahmad's men couldn't reach the locals, and he was faced with defeat. The local Assyrian men managed to run to Za'faran monastery before their food finished, where they defended the monastery as well. Assyrian men resisted attacks by Ahmad Sulayman Jaziri during the genocide by hiding in these caves on the BneyBeel village's mountain named Habis. ( Athra Kado) The people of the village are originally from the city of Mosul, Iraq and they used to speak Syriac; however about 4 centuries ago, the mayor of Mardin at that time forced everyone to speak Arabic. Their church sermons are in Syriac, and the people continue to maintain their beautiful village. We passed by the ancient Mor Gabriel monastery, built at the end of the 4th century. Inside the building walls, one can find science, knowledge, Syriac language students, monks, nuns and flocks of tourists from surrounding areas and around the world, despite the restrictions due to pandemic as it could not prevent them from visiting this site to enjoy its breathtaking beauty, design and spiritual energy. Next, we passed by the village of Midin to Mor Yaqoub church, where we attended a Syriac language class held for the children of the village. I was truly impressed with their sense of energy, passion for learning and fluency in reading the Syriac language. We drank coffee with their teacher and then set out to Mor Dodo, a 7th century church in the Bisorino village. Father Saliba Erden greeted our group after he finished mass. Father taught us about the history of the village and how its men protected the people and the surrounding villages from their neighbors' violence during WWI genocide. Behind the walls of the church, many Assyrians survived the attacks. After a couple of years and a peace deal, however, Assyrian villagers attempted to return to their villages and were attacked and their villages were demolished. A Syriac language lesson for children at Mor Yaqoub church in the village of Midin. ( Athra Kado) Father Saliba also spoke about Saint Dodo, a bishop in Tekrit, Iraq. A dream by Saint Dodo's cousin told him to bring Saint Dodo to the village. When they arrived near the cemetery, there was a funeral of a young man from the village. The people prayed to Mor Dodo and the young man suddenly resurrected from death. We finished our day in the church of Mor Malke in Ister village. The name of the village is derived from Ishtar (the ancient Assyrian goddess) and many people from Europe returned to renovate their homes for use during summer. On my last day in TurAbdin, we visited the church of Mor Demet in Zaz village. The church is protected by a nun named Maryam, who works alone after the monk Yaqoub passed away in 2014. She is now the guard of the church, despite facing many difficulties from the Kurdish mukhtar of the area. Maryam, a nun in Zaz village, works alone to protect the Mor Demet church. ( Athra Kado) At the end of my trip summary, I would like to share an image of what remains of some Assyrian victims of Seyfo, the genocide committed by the hands of Kurdish tribes and leaders by the support of the Ottoman empire against the Christian Assyrians in those areas. I apologize for the disturbing image and for security reasons, I will not mention the location where I took the photo. Last but not least, my message to my people in the homeland, especially in Iraq, as well as to those in diaspora is that it is very vital that we increase our relationships, strengthen the bridges between ourselves, and avoid the barriers of borders from separating us from one another. Mardin is only about two hours from Zakho. The Hakkari center is one hour from Barwar region in Iraq. While in Nisibin, Turkey you can see Beth-Zalin (Qamishli) in Syria with the naked eye with it being about three hours from Nohadra (Dohuk). Urmia in Iran is only about four hours from Erbil. Let's strengthen ourselves, because we don't have anyone but each other, and we are better when we support each other.' Note: There are so many villages, monasteries and churches with lots of stories, many of which I visited but that I did not include in this article. Each family in the villages also had stories to share. Through this text, my goal is that you, a respected reader, will consider doing some research about the areas in TurAbdin and perhaps even try visiting for a great learning experience. *Mor is a western Syriac dialect term for "Mar" in eastern dialect, and it means "my master" or "my teacher" and it is also used for the saints and for Jesus Christ. *The details about the areas were obtained from Eliyo Eliyo and Dr. Nicholas Al-Jeloo who accompanied me on my trip. I'm grateful for the priceless information they provided. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the cruise lines that call Galveston home. But the expected rebound in cruise traffic when the ships return in spring could provide a boon to a business focused on the skies. Island Jet Center, a fixed-base operator at the historic Scholes International Airport, provides refueling, maintenance and other services for the pilots and passengers of the small general aviation aircraft that visit the island. Jon Tucker, the jet centers general manager, is reaching out to the major air carriers that fly into Houston airports carrying passengers bound for Galveston cruise ships, to establish an air shuttle service to the island. The way it works is you have people from all over the country that are flying into Houston on the major airlines, he said. The cruise terminals from the Port of Galveston send out shuttle buses to the airport and each passenger flying into Houston pays from $60 to $80 to shuttle from airport to Galveston. Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox It would really benefit every party, during peak cruise season if they could route flights directly into Galveston, Tucker said. If Tuckers proposal is successful it would return major air carriers to the island for the first time in decades. There were commercial flights that flew into Galveston before Southwest, United or Continental even existed, Tucker said. Colorful history Owned and operated by the city of Galveston, Scholes Airport is categorized by the Federal Aviation Administration as a general aviation reliever airport for private aviation, corporate travel and air taxi operations. The former Galveston Municipal Airport opened in 1931 and handled Army air operations during World War II. For a time, it was named Corrigan Airport for aviation pioneer Douglas Wrong Way Corrigan, a Galveston native who in 1938 was scheduled to fly from New York to California and instead flew to Ireland. Today, Island Jet Center provides fuel and services for passengers and pilots, and can arrange auto rentals, hotel reservations on the island and in-flight catering. We also offer aircraft handling, hangar space and lavatory servicing, Tucker said. If they need air put in their tires, we provide that. If they need to borrow a crew car, we have a couple of loaners. For pilots traveling to destinations beyond Galveston, Island Jet Center offers a flight room, where aviators can check the weather and plan the next leg of their flights, a meeting room and pilots lounge. Landing for lunch In addition to cruise ship passengers, the jet center caters to the areas private pilots. The average weekend visitors are a family of three or four flying into Galveston, Tucker said. Some private pilots from South Texas just fly in to eat lunch and fly back. The fixed-base operator handles 50 to 100 of such flights a day, he said. Island Jet Center also transports medical patients, such as children suffering from severe burns, from medical facilities in Mexico, and Central and South America for treatment at Galvestons Shriners Burns Hospital for Children or the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. These flights, which used to arrive about every three to four days, have been curtailed during the pandemic. For planes traveling from the Southeast to the Southwest, Island Jet Center provides a convenient fueling stop outside of Houstons more crowded airspace, Tucker said. We probably get two of those a week, but Im trying to increase that number, he said. Like most small businesses, the jet center has suffered major losses during the pandemic, especially when cruise lines shut down. That was a big part of our business, in the summertime mostly, but really as long as the cruises were running, Tucker said. When some cruises resume in April, he said, jet center air traffic will begin to rebound. I think it will be way better than 2020, he said Tucker foresees a number of events in 2021 that could boost or continue to hamper his business. The cruise lines start running again, he said, positive. There is another shutdown: Negative. The vaccine gets distributed more: Positive. Houstons Customs and Border Patrol office allows us to start receiving international flights: Positive. Iron Man race isnt canceled: Positive. Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 5:01 pm Thurston Countys health officer on Thursday gave the OK for public schools to again begin slowly transitioning to a hybrid learning model that includes in-person instruction, starting first with younger students. The decision by Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek comes just weeks after the state began reconfiguring goals for metrics to begin the process of reopening businesses and bringing kids back into physical classrooms. School districts throughout Thurston County have been busy planning for the return to partial in-person learning, with some expecting to begin returning students in the coming days. The countys testing capacities, contact tracing capacities, rate of diagnoses and case trends in recent weeks have all been looking favorable to begin the reopening process, according to county public health officials. As of Thursday afternoon, Thurston County was reporting a rate of 304.4 cases per 100,000 people over the last 14 days. The countys test-positive rate stood at 7.8%, with the trend of new cases declining. I am recommending schools use the Washington State Department of Health decision-making framework and cautiously phase in in-person learning for K-5 and middle school students, Abdelmalek wrote. Once Thurston Countys rates are below 200 cases per 100,000, I will recommend phasing in high school students. In late September, amid a downturn in new COVID-19 cases, Abdelmalek recommended public schools begin a slow, careful, phased approach to return students to in-person learning. Many districts began diligently returning students, but recommendations changed about a month later as officials with the county Department of Public Health and Social Services began seeing a surge in new cases and hospitalizations from COVID-19. Weekly caseloads more than quadrupled from September to early November, and it was on Oct. 14 that Abdelmalek recommended a pause on returning students to in-person learning. Campus activity since then has remained fairly minimal, with some small study groups and districts highest-needs students being allowed on campus. The COVID-19 situation in our county is dynamic, Abdelmalek wrote in her Thursday letter. I will continue to make recommendations based on the best available data and state guidance. We have many challenges ahead as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic in Thurston County. I commend you for your efforts to create safe learning environments for our children and educational professionals. New data released last month showed that COVID-19 transmission was limited in schools that implemented state health and safety protocols. News editor's pick centerpiece featured Body cameras only as good as department policy, experts say STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Lupe Vasquez, a detective with the Dickinson Police Department, displays one of the departments body-worn cameras Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Lupe Vasquez, a detective with the Dickinson Police Department, demonstrates how a body-worn camera is synchronized to equipment in a police vehicle Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Lupe Vasquez, a detective with the Dickinson Police Department, plugs a body-worn camera into a charging dock at the department headquarters in Dickinson on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. LA MARQUE Police department policy stipulates that officers must activate body cameras to record all self-initiated contacts with citizens as well as any in-progress calls for service. Yet, when Jose Santos shot and killed Joshua Feast, 22, during a chaotic exchange on Dec. 9, the veteran law enforcement officer already had fired the fatal shot before activating his body camera. Although body cameras are highly regarded among the public and police as a tool to resolve disputes and build trust, the devices are only as good as the policies governing their use, one authority argues. And the Feast shooting shows a lapse in the proper use or a gap in the recording can raise their own questions and become fuel for mistrust. La Marque city officials didnt respond to a request for comment about why Santos waited so long to activate his camera or whether they viewed the delay as violation of the department policy. The attorney representing Santos, however, said the delay was a simple matter of self defense by an officer confronting an armed suspect sought in connection with violent crimes. He chose to draw his own weapon first rather than activate the camera, said Gregory Cagle, Santos attorney who works with the Texas Municipal Police Association. I would surmise when faced with the choice if you actually had time to consider the BWC activation as a choice at that second I would choose to prepare to defend myself with my firearm over activating my BWC, Cagle said, referring to Body Worn Camera. I would be more inclined to think that it was simply the trained response of defending himself, he said. I think it is commendable that Santos did activate it when he did and captured the event. GOOD TOOL Galveston County residents and law enforcement officials all seem to agree on at least one thing body cameras are a useful tool for documenting interactions between police and the public. But new technology like body cameras is only as useful as the policies put in place to ensure accountability, said Howard Henderson, a professor in the Administration of Justice at Texas Southern University. Thats one of the major challenges of body camera policy, Henderson said. There seem to be limited penalties for not applying or following the rules. Body camera policies at police departments across Galveston County look largely the same. They all contain language echoing that of La Marque, that officers are required to activate cameras to document essentially all interactions with the public. To me, every incident is important and needs to be recorded, Hitchcock Police Chief Wilmon Smith said. Thats my position on it. The fact is, not having it on creates problems not only for the officer, but for the public and agency. Its not situational. Its for the defense and protection of all parties involved. THE RULES La Marques body camera policy provides some exceptions, such as for officers engaged in undercover operations. But it requires officers to begin recording all self-initiated contacts, which it defines as included but not limited to traffic stops, off-duty work and interactions with pedestrians, according to the written policy. If an officer fails to activate the BWC, fails to record the entire contact or interrupts the recording, the officer shall document why a recording was not made, was interrupted or was terminated, the policy said. The police report for Feasts death, however, does not include a description of why Santos didnt begin the recording earlier. IMPERFECT RECORD Residents and activists who have watched the body-camera video of Feasts death found the seconds during which Santos made the decision to shoot hard to decipher. The series of events was made even more complicated by a lack of audio at the beginning of the video. A central question in the shooting is what Santos said to Feast as the officer stepped from his patrol car on the night of the shooting. The body camera Santos was wearing made no record of that initial contact. The reason is Axon body cameras initially only record video, city officials explained when they released the video. But the reality is a little more complicated, according to officials at the Arizona-based security company. The companys explanation and a close review of the video show Santos turned his body camera on after hed fired at Feast. Essentially, the 30-second buffering period occurs before an officer actually turns on a camera, officials said in a written statement. When an officer turns on an Axon body camera, the camera immediately begins recording audio and video but also grabs the previous 30 seconds of video to provide context for the event, officials said. Company officials used the example of someone running a red light and an officer turning on a body camera immediately afterward the camera would capture the previous 30 seconds as well. Axons body cameras can support up to two minutes of pre-event buffer and could be configured to include audio, but most agencies opt to use 30 seconds without audio because its the most battery-efficient option, officials said. TECHNICAL DIFFERENCES Dickinsons body camera policy is fairly similar to La Marques, but the camera technology works differently, said Lt. Frank Price, who oversees body cameras for the Dickinson Police Department. Rather than Axon, Dickinson has contracted with WatchGuard to provide dash and body cameras, Price said. With WatchGuards technology, dash and body cameras are synced together at the beginning of each shift, and immediately begin recording whenever an officer activates the emergency lights on a patrol car, Price said. Like Axons cameras, WatchGuards cameras record about three minutes before being turned on, Price said. Since the technology relies less on officers remembering to turn the cameras on before an interaction, the department has had few infractions, Price said. We do have the rare case where an officer might be having lunch and someone comes up to talk to them, Price said. The policy says youre supposed to have that camera on. That, in part, is why the departments policy, like La Marques and most others, lacks a specific set of disciplinary actions for infractions, Price said. If youre responding to a homicide and dont have it on, you might get that suspension; versus if a citizen walks up and asks you questions when you werent expecting it, Price said. We use logic. The technical details and the human context make crafting effective camera policies and enforcing them complicated, Henderson said. These are difficult questions to answer, Henderson said. Theres no simple yes or no. And where you stand on the situation depends largely on where you sit. The community might feel one way, the police another. It requires continued conversation. EXPECTING TOO MUCH? While police officers and residents across Galveston County praised the possibilities of body cameras, evidence of their positive effects is divided, Henderson said. A study published in 2020 by George Mason Universitys Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy examined 70 body-camera studies and found they have not had much effect on officer and resident behavior or what residents think of police. Body cameras are, ultimately, a tool like any other, Henderson argues. Their usefulness depends on departments using them in conjunction with transparent policies and accountability measures. Henderson recommends law enforcement agencies trend toward transparency with the public releasing body camera video as soon as practical, he said. But he also cautioned the public to understand that departments will need to take violations in their context, he said. Its very simple, Henderson said of writing policy. You can say that you expect all officers to turn on their body cameras unless theres a reasonable explanation for why thats not possible. This is a case where review boards might be useful, as it would give the community and opportunity to assess each situation independent of the police department, Henderson said. Body cameras are a relatively new technology, and the goal of policies is to over time teach officers its unacceptable to not turn them on, Henderson said. COMMUNITY QUESTIONS Mandalyn Salazar, a member of the NAACP Bay Area Unit, said the events surrounding Feasts death in December have raised many questions in the community about body cameras, about officer training and about why Santos didnt call for backup before confronting Feast, she said. When the city does get to do an administrative investigation, they need to look into that, she said. Cagle said Santos had been patrolling to look for Feast and that, at the moment he saw him, he also noticed a firearm. Santos knew that Feast was a dangerous felon and a suspect in multiple recent shooting incidents, Cagle said. Although the video shows Feast leaping from the passenger side of a parked car with a gun in his left hand, the grainy, wobbly image is less clear about whether he pointed it directly at Santos before he turned to flee. The video shows that for a fraction of a second, an armed Feast and Santos faced each other a few feet apart. Some residents believe the video is evidence of police wrongdoing. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. TROY City detectives are asking for the publics assistance in identifying a car seen in the vicinity of Sixth Avenue and Swift Street at about 10:45 p.m. June 5, 2020 when an 18-year-old man was killed by a stray bullet from a nearby shooting. Police released two pictures of a vehicle Wednesday as they seek clues in the fatal shooting of Donnovan Clayton, who was walking in the North Central neighborhood when he was hit by the bullet. This was the second such structure found beneath the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector in 10 days, fourth in Jammu region within six months and 10th in the past decade. (Representational Photo: PTI) Jammu: Days ahead of Republic Day, the Border Security Force (BSF) achieved a major success when it detected a 150-meter-long underground tunnel constructed by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district to facilitate the infiltration of terrorists for subversive activities, a top official said. This was the second such structure found beneath the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector in 10 days, fourth in Jammu region within six months and 10th in the past decade. Inspector General of BSF, Jammu frontier, N S Jamwal said the secret tunnel was detected during an anti-tunnelling operation in the border outpost (BOP) Pansar area of Hiranagar, opposite Abhiyal-Dogra and Kingre-de-Kothe in Shakargarh (Pakistan). "There were inputs from intelligence agencies about existence of a tunnel in Pansar area and possibility of infiltration attempt ahead of Republic Day. Accordingly, our anti-tunnelling campaign was intensified, which led to the detection of the tunnel," Jamwal, who rushed to the spot, told reporters there. He said Pakistan has constructed this tunnel from the zero line and it is about 150-meter-long with 25 to 30 feet depth and two to three feet diameter so that one can crawl easily to pass through this tunnel. "It is a big achievement and full credit goes to the troops on the ground and the intelligence agencies who are providing regular inputs to us," he said, highlighting the role of Pakistan in the construction of tunnels to facilitate infiltration of terrorists into India. "The whole Pakistani establishment is involved as nobody can come close to zero line without the knowledge of Pakistani Army, Rangers and ISI. The tunnel was constructed with an engineering effort and its construction demonstrates that a thought process was involved wherein the experts were involved to study and check the soil so that the tunnel can sustain and do not collapse," Jamwal said. The Jammu BSF chief said such type of a construction is not possible without the support of the administration. "This is a difficult and sensitive area. This is the same area where we shot down a hexacopter in June last year. Two years earlier, there was a sniping incident from Pakistan and four to five years back, a fire assault also took place on BSF troops. It seems they have started the construction of the tunnel during that time," the IG BSF said, adding that in November 2019, the force fired after noticing movement of terrorists and neutralised their bid and forced them to flee back. Jamwal said there was no specific input with regard to December 26 but the BSF is always alert and fully prepared to safeguard the borders of the country, especially during the National Days. "Border is always challenging and there is regular firing (from Pakistan). Our effort is to improve our security gird as much as we can," he said, adding that "we have full government support". Responding to a question about intelligence inputs suggesting presence of three to four terrorists in a launching pad opposite Shakargarh to sneak into this side and carry out a strike on Republic Day, he said "the launch pad you are talking is about 3 to 4 km from this BOP and we have information and we are alert (to the threat)". "There are five to six launch pads on the Pakistani side between Shakargarh and Sialkote which are both notorious. This area (Hiranagar sector) is very sensitive because the (Jammu-Pathakot) highway is very close and so the vital installations dotting the road, which usually are terror targets," the BSF official said. He said the Pakistani side has deliberately kept their side of the border unattended and are not even allowing their farmers to come closer, which are part of a "well thought our strategy to push infiltrators". Asked about the growing threat of infiltration attempts along the IB after snowfall led closure of passes on the Line of Control (LoC), Jamwal said the BSF is not taking any chances and is fully alert as attempts of infiltration were detected along the LoC despite snowfall. Responding to another question about possibility of more tunnels, the IG said the alertness of the BSF and stepped up anti-tunnelling operation led to the detection of two tunnels this month, besides foiling attempts by Pakistan to smuggle weapons through drones. "This tunnel seems like an old one, which was evident from the recovery of gunny bags with Pakistani markings. The special drive will continue," he said. On January 13, a 150-metre-long tunnel was detected in Bobiyaan village in the same sector. NEW DELHI: While the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains high despite serving the country for nearly seven years, speculations have begun as to who can replace him after he demits office in 2024. Though a large number of Indians still want PM Narendra Modi to continue even after his second term in office, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath are the other two names that are being considered as a possible replacement for the iconic leader. According to a recent survey conducted by a leading news channel, a large number of respondents think that both Shah and Adityanath have the potential and the charisma to lead the country in case PM Modi refuses to run for the top job due to health and age issues. According to the survey, PM Narendra Modi's popularity remains intact even today despite several controversial issues like demonetisation, CAA, NRC, and most recently the farmers' protest etc. Nearly 38 per cent of the people still prefer him as the next Prime Minister. No other name from the BJP comes anywhere close to PM Modi. Among all the top names doing the rounds, UP CM Yogi Adityanath is the next top choice for the PMs post. Nearly 10 percent of people have expressed faith in Yogi Adityanath and preferred him as their top choice for the post of Prime Minister. At the same time, around eight per cent of people would like to see the country's Home Minister Amit Shah as the next Prime Minister. Another interesting aspect of this survey is that Yogi Adityanath has been named the ''most trusted CM'' of the country. Adityanath is closely followed by Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who is just next to him in popularity. During the survey, the respondents were also asked to rate their top favourites who can replace Prime Minister Narendra Modi in BJP. 30 per cent of them chose Home Minister Amit Shah, who is considered very close to PM Modi and known for his strong organisational skills and political acumen At the same time, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, who is very famous for his Hindutva image, came second with the support of 21 per cent of people. The finding of this survey is likely to raise an alarm in the Congress party. During the survey, names of top Congress leaders were also suggested to the respondents as a possible replacement for PM Modi. However, no one from the Congress camp came in the top three slots, which went to the BJP. While PM Modi remained the most preferred PM, he was followed by Yogi Adityanath and Amit Shah. Only seven percent of the people, who were surveyed, approved Rahul Gandhi's name as the next Prime Minister of the country. At the same time, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal received the support of five per cent people for the post of the PM. Live TV More than 70 Texas organizations are calling for the resignations of Sen. Ted Cruz, Attorney General Ken Paxton and the 16 Texas representatives who voted on Jan. 6 against certifying election results that formalized President Joe Biden's win. The grassroots coalition is led by civic engagement group Indivisible TX Lege and includes organizations determined to hold Texas' elected officials accountable for their role in inspiring and encouraging the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former president Donald Trump. More than 850 individuals have also signed a letter in support of the effort to expel the Texas officials. "They have made a mockery of democracy by embracing the fascist rhetoric of a far-right figurehead with a far-right movement behind him," the group's statement reads. "They have suppressed votes while lying about the nature of our election system, sullying our elections while opposing their legally legitimate losses. They have proven themselves entirely unfit for office. They must resign." Paxton gave a speech at the "March to Save America" rally on Jan. 6 in D.C., telling the crowd that "we will not quit fighting." In December, Paxton filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to overturn election results in four states, despite no evidence of voter fraud. Last week, the attorney general declined to sign a joint letter condemning the violent mob, saying he has already made his position clear. On HoustonChronicle.com: Ted Cruz, Texas Republicans face backlash after mob storms Capitol Seven Democratic senators are calling for an ethics investigation into Cruz, who raised objections to Arizona's electoral votes in the Senate chamber shortly before pro-Trump rioters stormed the building. The senator repeatedly touted falsehoods of election fraud leading up to the certification vote. Many Houston-area groups are among the coalition, including Black Lives Matter Houston, CAIR Houston, Harris County Young Democrats, FIEL Houston, Say Her Name HTX and Sunrise Houston. Texas House Reps. Ron Reynolds and Vikki Goodwin also signed on as supporters of the call for resignations. "They were perpetuating a fraud," Reynolds said. "They knew the electoral process was sound, it had already been vetted, it had already been validated, and they were simply attempting to overthrow the will of the American people." Candice Matthews of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats said the situation goes "beyond politics." "This is about the foundation of our democracy," she said. "If we sanction these traitors to go back to work and normalize this behavior, we will never get past what happened on Jan. 6." New Delhi, Jan 23 : Subhas Chandra Bose struck out at the Congress holy trinity of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru like a terminal velocity in 1938 and 1939 at two successive Congress sessions. His entry as Congress President was akin to a ripcord as he posed not just a challenge to the heavy hitters but ushered in a new thinking and ideal for the Party. At the Haripura Congress, Subhas Chandra Bose became president of the Congress and a year later in Tripuri, he forced the issue again despite strident opposition from the trio and won the Presidency by 95 votes more than Gandhiji's candidate Pattabhi Sitaramayya. After Bose won convincingly, Gandhi said Pattabhi's defeat was "more mine than his". At Tripuri in March 1939, G B Pant moved a resolution asking Bose to appoint a Working Committee in line with Gandhi's ideas. Bose in a passionate presidential address on March 10, 1939, where very specifically focusing on the Princely States, his opinion coalesced with Nehru, stated, "But since Haripura much has happened. Today we find that the Paramount Power is in league with the State authorities in most places. In such circumstances, should we of the Congress not draw closer to the people of the States? I have no doubt in my own mind as to what our duty is today. Besides lifting the above ban, the work of guiding the popular movements in the States for Civil Liberty and Responsible Government should be conducted by the Working Committee on a comprehensive and systematic basis. The work so far done has been of a piecemeal nature and there has hardly been any system or plan behind it. But the time has come when the Working Committee should assume this responsibility and discharge it in a comprehensive and systematic way and, if necessary, appoint a special sub-committee for the purpose. " At the session proper, Bose fell very ill and was bed ridden. The Presidential election was dramatic and certainly unlike previous humdrum ones. The election was followed by sensational developments culminating in the resignation of twelve out of fifteen members of the Working Committee, headed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Dr Rajendra Prasad. Another distinguished member of the Working Committee, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, though he did not formally resign, issued a statement which led everybody to believe that he had also resigned. On the eve of the Tripuri Congress, events at Rajkot forced Mahatma Gandhi to undertake a vow of fast unto death. Gandhi chose not to travel to Tripuri and instead deliberately went to Rajkot. The Congress closed ranks against Bose and the best description of what transpired at the fabled session came from Bose's brother Sarat Bose's sharply written letter to Gandhiji on March 21, 1939. It was a scathing fulmination: What I saw and heard at Tripuri during the seven days I was there, was an eye opener to me. The exhibition of truth and non violence that I saw in persons whom the public look upon as your disciples (targeting Nehru, Patel, Azad and company) and representatives has to use your own words, "stunk in my nostrils". The election of Subhas was not a defeat for yourself, but of the high command of which Sardar Patel is the shining light. The propaganda that was carried on by them against the Rashtrapati and those who happen to share his political views was thoroughly mean, malicious and indicative and utterly devoid of even the semblance of truth and non-violence. At Tripuri, those who swear by you in public offered nothing but obstruction and for gaining their end, took the fullest and meanest advantage of Subhas's illness. Some ex members of the Working Committee went to the length of carrying on an insidious and incessant propaganda that the Rashtrapati's illness was a "fake", and was only a political illness. The letter was a denouement of the Congress and the way it had treated Subhas Bose. At Gandhiji's insistence, Patel responded to Sarat Bose's letter where he went onto politely dismiss all the charges levelled by Sarat Bose. All this finally culminated over time in Subhas Bose being disqualified by the Working Committee as the president of the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee. Bose split from the Congress and started the Forward Bloc in opposition to the Congress. Narahari D. Parikh in Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel writes that, "Although throughout this period the dispute was between the Working Committee and Subhas Bose, he and his followers blamed the Sardar for everything who was the main target of their wrath. For this the real reason was the Sardar's forthright manner...for he spoke frankly and bluntly and never learnt the art of pleasing anyone by sweet words." In his letter to Jawaharlal Nehru on 28 August 1939 Netaji complained, "If the old guard wanted to fight why did they not do so in a straightforward manner? Why did they bring Mahatma Gandhi between us?" On April 4, 1939 Sarat Chandra Bose had written to Nehru along the same lines, "I believe I shall not be unjust if I say that the members of the Working Committee would have shown greater courage and straightforwardness if they had decided to act on their own and not used Mahatmaji as their cover. Their plain duty was to keep Mahatmaji above all controversy as he should be in our political life." Both missives slammed Gandhi's followers like Sardar Patel, Bhulabhai Desai etc. Bose wrote about this painful experience in his essay "My strange Illness." Patel was the focus of his wrath in his letter of 28 March too. Bose wrote to Nehru, "Was there nothing wrong in Sardar Patel making full use of the name and authority of Mahatma Gandhi for electioneering purposes?" The Bose brothers targeted Patel, but realised equally that Patel was a stalking horse and proxy for Gandhiji himself. The tricky relationship between the closed group controlled by Gandhiji in the Congress Working Committee those days was patently unhappy with the entry of a powerful and popular outsider in Netaji. Though Nehru privately and often publicly remained for most part on Netaji's right side in this tussle. This proxy war resulted in Netaji leaving the Congress and taking up the path of freeing his country from the yoke of British rule by raising an army through a war time collaboration with the help of Axis powers inimical to the British Empire. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the facts: CLAIM: Troops in Washington turned their backs on President Joe Bidens motorcade as it passed on its way to his inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. THE FACTS: In accordance with safety protocols, some National Guard members were positioned with their backs to Bidens motorcade as it made its way through Washington to the U.S. Capitol. But social media users are falsely suggesting a video shot by an ABC reporter shows Guard members turning their backs on Biden in a show of disrespect. Many in the military turned their backs to Bidens motorcade, claimed one tweet with more than 3,000 likes that shared the footage. Another video making the false claim had more than 100,000 views on YouTube. Taking it a step further, some social media users captured a still from the video and showed it in posts alongside photos of Guard members enthusiastically greeting former President Donald Trump at an unspecified event. The video with the false claim was amplified by accounts that have supported Trump and promoted misinformation in the past. ABC reporter Ines de La Cuetara uploaded the video to Twitter on Wednesday at about 10:30 a.m. The view from Bidens motorcade as it made its way up to the Capitol, she said in her caption. In the video, some Guard members can be seen facing the cars passing on the street while others have their backs turned near Robert A. Taft Memorial on Constitution Avenue. More than 26,000 Guard members from around the country were brought in to beef up security for the inauguration in the wake of the violent riots at the Capitol. The AP confirmed with the National Guard Bureau that Guard members had their backs turned to monitor all possible threats, in keeping with safety protocol. During Trumps inauguration, authorities could be seen both with their backs facing and turned away from his motorcade. These National Guardsmen were on duty with a mission to protect the president against potential threats. Some are facing out to ensure the safety of all, said Darla Torres, a spokeswoman for the National Guard Bureau. Kamala Harris rested hand on Bibles, not a purse, during oath CLAIM: When Vice President Kamala Harris was sworn into office on Wednesday, she placed a black clutch purse on top of the Bible so she wouldnt have to touch the holy book. THE FACTS: Harris rested her hand on a Bible stacked on another Bible as she was sworn into office. But on Thursday, social media users were sharing a photo from Wednesdays inauguration ceremony along with false claims that Harris avoided touching the Bible during her oath of office. The photo showed Harris with her right hand up and her left hand resting on an unidentified black item, reciting her oath of office. The black item rested on top of a thick Bible, both held by Harris husband, Doug Emhoff. She couldnt even bring herself to touch that Bible, read one Facebook post viewed more than 35,000 times. Do you all need it spelled out for you? read another widely shared post. A believer in Christ couldnt wait to hold that Bible..A Satanist Cannot Touch It! Notice he has gloves... She has her clutch bag on top of it! But the black item on top of the larger Bible was another Bible, as photos from a different angle confirmed. The Associated Press reported that Harris used two Bibles during her oath. One belonged to Regina Shelton, a family friend whose Bible Harris swore on when becoming attorney general of California and later senator. The other belonged to Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court justice. Joint Chiefs of Staff vice chairman did not create Telegram channel CLAIM: Air Force Gen. John Hyten, the vice chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, created a channel on the popular messaging app Telegram and posted several dozen times there, sharing videos, images and phrases such as nothing can stop what is coming and THE TRUTH WILL SHOCK THE WORLD. THE FACTS: Hytens spokeswoman, Maj. Trisha Guillebeau, confirmed to the AP that the general does not have a Telegram account and that the creator of the channel is impersonating him. The Telegram channel titled General Hyten was created on Monday. By the next day, it had dozens of posts and well over 200,000 subscribers. Posts appearing to come from Hyten in the channel urged users not to give up hope and to have faith. Some posts included videos or images of former President Donald Trump. The posts hinted at impending breaking news and the potential use of an emergency broadcasting system, mirroring a false theory that President Joe Bidens Jan. 20 inauguration would be interrupted by emergency broadcasts or Trump invoking the Insurrection Act. Multiple posts in the channel also included terms like great awakening, storm and nothing can stop what is coming, which are frequently used by supporters of QAnon, a false conspiracy theory rooted in the baseless belief that Trump is fighting deep state enemies and a cabal of Satan-worshipping cannibals operating a child sex trafficking ring. The individual sharing the posts used an image of Hyten and claimed to be him, even writing, The account is maintained by me. -genhyten. However, Guillebeau confirmed to the AP that an impersonator was behind the account. This Telegram account is fake, Guillebeau said in a phone interview. General Hyten doesnt have any professional or personal social media accounts across the board. By Tuesday, the channel had been mentioned in hundreds of other Telegram channels populated by QAnon supporters, according to Marc-Andre Argentino, a doctoral candidate at Concordia University who studies the QAnon movement. Telegram did not respond to a request for comment from the AP, but it did appear to affix a warning label to the channel on Tuesday. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The petition #ZeroCovid: For a European Shutdown in Solidarity received its original target of 75,000 signatures within a few days and is now moving towards 100,000. The large support is an expression of the growing opposition to official government policy that puts the profits of big business above saving human lives. The petition is modelled on the call for the consistent containment of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe published in December by several hundred renowned scientists in the medical journal The Lancet and complements it with proposals to cushion the social consequences. Coffins with bodies of coronavirus victims at the Collserola mortuary in Barcelona, Spain. (AP / Creator: Emilio Morenatti) At the heart of the petition is the goal of reducing infections to zero. The strategy to control the pandemic (flatten the curve) has failed, it says in explanation. It has restricted life permanently and has still brought about millions of infections and tens of thousands of deaths. We now need a radical change of strategy: not a controlled continuation of the pandemic but its end. To this end, all European countries have to act fast and in parallel. What is needed is a consistent shutdown of several weeks: Measures cannot be effective if they are only focussed on leisure and exclude work, the petition says. We have to shut down those parts of the economy which are not urgently needed for society. Factories, offices, companies, construction sites, schools have to be closed and the duty to work must be put on hold. To provide financial security for people who stay at home, the petition calls for a comprehensive aid package for all. Particular support should be given to people with a low income, people living in cramped conditions, in a violent environment, or people who are homeless. Collective accommodation should be ended; refugees should be housed individually; people who have to undertake a lot of care work during the shutdown should be relieved by communal organisation; and children should be taught online. The petition also calls for an immediate and sustainable expansion of the entire health care sector and the reversal of previous privatisations and closures. Vaccines should be withdrawn from private profit-making. The measures are to be financed by the introduction of a European Covid-solidarity tax on high wealth, company profits, financial transactions and the highest incomes. The petition was launched by around 400 initial signatories, including scientists, doctors, care workers, journalists and artists. The petition does not contain any proposals on how to realise the demands made. It is addressed to the governments of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, as well as to European decision-makers and can be signed by anyone on the campaign platform Campact . However, neither these governments nor the European Union are willing to even begin to meet the demands of the petition. Only on Tuesday, the meeting between state and federal leaders in Merkels chancellery decided to continue the previous, completely insufficient measures until mid-February. The meeting strictly rejected closing nonessential businesses, a binding obligation to home-working and a complete closure of schools, even though infection rates remain high and over 1,000 people are dying every day in Germany from COVID-19. The reason for this adherence to a barely embellished policy of herd immunity is not lack of insight. The chancellor and the heads of the state governments know very well that the virus is spreading rapidly in workplaces, schools, day care centres and on public transport. For example, the most comprehensive study of the spread of the virus to date, conducted by the US universities of Princeton, Johns Hopkins and UC Berkeley of more than half a million people in India, concluded as early as the end of September that children and young adults, who account for one-third of COVID cases, are particularly important for the transmission of the virus in the populations studied. The pandemic, as the World Socialist Web Site has long pointed out, is not a purely medical crisis. The reactionary nature of world capitalismthe pursuit of profit without regard for social cost, the accumulation of billions in wealth by a few and their inhuman indifference to the lives and well-being of the worlds populationhas caused it to grow into a global social catastrophe. The demands raised in the petition can only be realised based on a socialist programme directed against capitalist private property, something all the parties represented in the federal and state governments categorically reject. They all insist that the measures against the pandemic be subordinated to the interests of the economy. That is why they shower the corporations and banks with billions, while schools and hospitals lack the simplest of resources. It is no coincidence that the DAX stock index has reached a new record high in the middle of the deepest crisis. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) and its sister organisations in the International Committee of the Fourth International call for the building of action committees in the factories and the schools, to take protective measures against the virus into their own hands and to prepare a general strike. Only through the independent mobilisation of the working class can the pandemic be stopped. Such an offensive requires a political break with the elements in the #ZeroCovid campaign who are working specifically to divert the growing opposition to government policy to let it fizzle out ineffectively. The Zero-Covid campaign was originally launched in Britain by pseudoleft supporters of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and senior trade union leaders. All are experts at stifling any social movement under the guise of left phrases. Corbyn, as opposition leader, was informed that Boris Johnsons government was pursuing a deliberate policy of herd immunity but warned no one. And the Trades Union Congress (TUC) ensured that dangerous workplaces remain open. It used the pandemic to strengthen its collaboration with the employers associations. Similar political operators can also be found among the authors of the German appealincluding Green Party politician Luisa Neubauer, Left Party executive committee member Thies Gleiss, and several trade union secretaries. They call on the trade unions to take a determined stand for the health of workers, to support the activism of workers for their health, and to organise the necessary large collective break together [lockdown]. But the unions, like the establishment parties, have long since made clear where they stand. As corporate stooges, they pressure their members to go to work despite the coronavirus threat and categorically reject a lockdown. The head of Germanys largest industrial union IG Metall, Jorg Hofmann, confirmed this only three days ago in an interview with the Augsburger Allgemeine. He rejected the demand for a hard lockdown, saying, Then, our economic power would collapse. In March, the Left Party and the Greens supported the billion-dollar coronavirus packages of the grand coalition of the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats, which mainly benefited large corporations and banks. Since then, they have been at the forefront of the policy of opening up the economy. It is no accident that Thuringia, the only federal state governed by a Left Party premier, is the frontrunner when it comes to the incidence level. State Premier Bodo Ramelow has played a leading role throughout the year in downplaying the pandemic and undermining protective measures against it. The Green Party State Premier of Baden-Wurttemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, announced Thursday that schools and day care centres would be fully reopened as early as February 1. More than 48 hours after President Joe Biden was sworn in, U.S. Rep. John Katko thinks he needs to do more to unify the country. Katko, R-Camillus, released a statement Friday evening in response to the 30 executive orders issued by Biden actions the congressman says "codify far-left priorities which run counter to central New York's interests." A review of Biden's executive orders found that a majority of them focused on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The orders include a mask mandate for federal buildings and properties, speeding up vaccine production and reversing former President Donald Trump's push to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization. But there were other orders that drew criticism from Katko, mainly those that focused on immigration policies adopted under Trump. Biden issued executive orders to preserve the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals program, which began under former President Barack Obama. Trump sought to end the program during his term. Katko supports keeping DACA in some form but believes that it should be part of a broader immigration reform package that includes border security measures. Three west-central Illinois students have been named to the fall semester presidents list at McKendree University in Lebanon. To be named to the presidents list, a student must earn a perfect grade point average. Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Houston Police Department officers are investigating a fatal shooting Friday night just south of downtown Houston. A man was found shot dead around 7 p.m. in the 2600 block of Hadley Street near Live Oak Street, according to police. A possible suspect in the killing is being detained, police said. The identity of the suspect has not yet been released to the public. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-22 23:46:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- A mainland spokesperson on Friday lashed out at the collusion between Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his ilk, saying they undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the comment when answering a query about the remarks by Taiwan's mainland affairs council regarding the mainland's sanctions against 28 U.S. individuals, including Pompeo. Zhu pointed out that the DPP authorities have sought to forge ties with U.S. anti-China politicians in the previous administration and cement the result of their collusion in their own interest, as proved by facts. They even greenlit U.S. pork imports containing ractopamine, which is harmful to people's health. It triggered indignation among the Taiwan public, Zhu said. Zhu noted that Pompeo and the others had themselves to blame for the sanctions. The DPP authorities only showed that they are of the same kind as Pompeo and his ilk by colluding with them, and they will be tried and punished by history, she added. Enditem DEAR ABBY: I have been a nurse for 10 years and love taking care of my patients. I have worked at a midsize hospital for 2 1/2 years. Since I started working here, we have been assigned six or seven patients at a time, although I was told when I was hired they were going to hire enough nurses to have a 4-to-1 ratio. It not only hasnt happened, but the administration keeps piling on paperwork for the nurses to complete. I have anxiety, and this is about to cause me to break. I love my job, and I dont want to leave. I just wish they would be more considerate of their nurses instead of making them feel like I do right now, which is wanting to find something else. Should I say something to my charge nurse about how Im feeling? Im afraid if I do, Ill be pushed out of this job. Adding to my anxiety is that my daughter now works at the same facility, and Im afraid if I say anything they will punish her. Please offer me your advice. -- ANXIOUS R.N. IN ALABAMA DEAR ANXIOUS R.N.: Because you feel the stress is becoming too much, I do think you should address it with your charge nurse. Its the truth. Because the pandemic has increased the workload on all medical caregivers, you are far from alone in feeling overwhelmed. When you speak up, do not couch it in terms of the fact that your employers havent followed through on their promises. Do it strictly in terms of the effect it is having on you. I doubt you will be fired, because experienced nurses are in such high demand right now. However, if you are let go and your daughter is questioned about it, all she should say is that the workload and the stress became too much for YOU. Speaking your truth should be no reflection on her. DEAR ABBY: New neighbors moved into my apartment building about a month ago. I dont mind that sometimes I hear their kids. I dont mind that sometimes I hear the adults. BUT! Their alarm clock wakes me up every morning at 6 a.m. Its loud, and Im guessing its up against the adjoining wall. Normally, I sleep until 8. I work from home, and Im usually up until 1 a.m. or so. Im a night owl, and I simply cant go to sleep any earlier. Its impossible to sleep through their alarm. It has been weeks. I am afraid if I complain they will call me a racist since I am white, and they are black. But its NOT a race thing; its a SLEEP thing. What should I do? -- SLEEPLESS IN BALTIMORE DEAR SLEEPLESS: Write a polite note to the new neighbors and introduce yourself. Explain the problem you are experiencing and ask if they can help you by either moving their alarm clock to a different part of their bedroom or adjusting the ring to make it softer. (It could be as simple as placing their clock on a soft surface like a towel.) If they are unwilling to cooperate, as a last resort try earplugs and talk to the building manager about the noise problem. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. WASHINGTON The Justice Departments top leaders listened in stunned silence this month: One of their peers, they were told, had devised a plan with President Donald J. Trump to oust Jeffrey A. Rosen as acting attorney general and wield the departments power to force Georgia state lawmakers to overturn its presidential election results. The unassuming lawyer who worked on the plan, Jeffrey Clark, had been devising ways to cast doubt on the election results and to bolster Mr. Trumps continuing legal battles and the pressure on Georgia politicians. Because Mr. Rosen had refused the presidents entreaties to carry out those plans, Mr. Trump was about to decide whether to fire Mr. Rosen and replace him with Mr. Clark. The department officials, convened on a conference call, then asked each other: What will you do if Mr. Rosen is dismissed? The answer was unanimous. They would resign. Their informal pact ultimately helped persuade Mr. Trump to keep Mr. Rosen in place, calculating that a furor over mass resignations at the top of the Justice Department would eclipse any attention on his baseless accusations of voter fraud. Mr. Trumps decision came only after Mr. Rosen and Mr. Clark made their competing cases to him in a bizarre White House meeting that two officials compared with an episode of Mr. Trumps reality show The Apprentice, albeit one that could prompt a constitutional crisis. German President Steinmeier to run for 2nd term 28 May 2021 | 3:35 PM Berlin, May 28 (UNI) German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday announced that he intends to run for the second term. see more.. Japan to deliver $14 8mln worth of extra medical equipment to India 28 May 2021 | 2:50 PM Tokyo, May 28 (UNI) Japan will send additional 2,000 oxygen concentrators and 1,000 lung ventilators, worth $14.8 million, to India, as part of the $50 million aid package to fight the Coronavirus pandemic, the country's foreign ministry said on Friday. see more.. Bdesh playback singer Billal Hossain Jewel to perform with Haimanti Sukla 27 May 2021 | 5:31 PM Dhaka, May 27(UNI) Bangladeshi playback singer Billal Hossain Jewel will perform with renowned Indian Bengali singer Haimanti Sukla for listeners of two Bengals. see more.. Chinese, US officials discuss bilateral trade, agree to maintain contacts: Ministry 27 May 2021 | 9:52 AM Beijing, May 27 (UNI) Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and US trade representative Katherine Tai discussed on Thursday the development of the bilateral trade and agreed to maintain further contacts, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said. see more.. China passed a new law Friday granting the China Coast Guard (CCG) more leeway in asserting the nations claims in the contested South China Sea and authorizing the use of force against foreign vessels. The National Peoples Congress passed the Coast Guard Law of the Peoples Republic of China to help the CCG defend Chinas national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests. Since it was founded in 2013, the CCG has operated across the South China Sea, which is the site of overlapping maritime and territorial claims between China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. In 2018, the CCG was transferred from the State Oceanic Administration to the Peoples Armed Police, making it part of Chinas military. The CCG already has a reputation for confronting and sometimes clashing with fishing boats and other vessels of neighboring countries in contested waters in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually all for itself. Analysts see the new law as an attempt to provide grounds for escalating CCGs assertive behavior in the South China Sea. University of New South Wales Emeritus Professor Carl Thayer told Radio Free Asia that China is just trying to dress up whatever it does and say Our laws cover it. Article 22 of the new law authorizes the CCG to take all necessary measures including the use of weapons to stop infringements and eliminate dangers when foreign organizations and individuals infringe upon Chinas national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. Article 47 permits CCG personnel to use hand-held weapons when foreign vessels resist orders from the CCG and other stopping measures fall short. Article 20 allows the CCG to stop foreign countries from constructing buildings, structures, and setting up all kinds of fixed or floating installations in Chinas jurisdictional waters or on islands and reefs claimed by China. It also authorizes the CCG to demolish these structures. Other articles in the law give the CCG the right to track and monitor foreign vessels in Chinas jurisdictional waters, detain or forcibly remove foreign vessels operating in Chinas territorial seas, and forcibly evict foreign military or government vessels from jurisdictional waters. Another section allows CCG personnel to use shipborne weapons, airborne weapons, and hand-held weapons in anti-terrorism operations, during serious violent incidents, and when CCG ships and aircraft are attacked with weapons or other violent means. Data from the China Power Project, a program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington D.C., shows that CCG ships and other Chinese maritime law enforcement vessels are involved in the majority of major incidents in the South China Sea. A previous Radio Free Asia investigation found that CCG vessels work with Chinas maritime militia to maintain a continuous presence in contested areas. The Coast Guard Law will come into effect on February 1, 2021. There was no immediate reaction from neighboring governments to the passage of the law on Friday. But it is likely to intensify concerns that China could use force in disputed waters. Coastal nations fish the South China Sea intensively and conduct exploration for oil and gas there. Earlier this week, Uttar Pradesh police officials landed in Mumbai to investigate the case filed against the makers of Tandav. The special team on Friday, (January 22) recorded the statements of director Ali Abbas Zafar, writer Gaurav Solanki and producer Himanshu Mehra in Mumbai's Andheri area. According to reports, UP police had visited Ali Abbas Zafar and Solanki's residence but the statements could not be recorded. Amazon Prime India Original head Aparna Purohit reportedly is also supposed to record her statement but she is currently in Delhi. A notice has been sent to all four, asking them to come to Hazratganj police station in Lucknow, UP, on January 27. A police officer from the UP police told reports, "We have taken statements of three accused in the case. From Amazon, Aparna Purohit is in Delhi, we have contacted her. We will now go back to UP, discuss with our seniors and submit our investigations report." The statements were reportedly recorded for over four hours at two different locations in Mumbai's Andheri and Juhu area. The FIR was registered at Lucknow's Hazratganj Kotwali against the four for allegedly hurting religious sentiments on January 18. According to reports, some of the lead cast including Saif Ali Khan and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub have also been named in the FIR and will be called for further questioning. For the unversed, several cases have been filed against the makers of the political drama across the country, including cities like Mumbai, Greater Noida, Lucknow and more. After the heavy backlash and legal cases, the makers agreed to drop the controversial scenes from the show. Zafar on Tuesday (January 19) revealed in a statement that the cast and crew of the show have decided to implement changes as it has hurt religious sentiments of many viewers. "We have the utmost respect for the sentiments of the people of our country. We did not intend to hurt or offend the sentiments of any individual, caste, community, race, religion or religious beliefs or insult or outrage any institution, political party or person, living or dead," the statement was shared on the director's Twitter account. "The cast and crew of Tandav have made the decision to implement changes to the web series to address the concerns raised towards the same. We thank the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for guidance and support in the matter. We once again apologise if the series has unintentionally hurt anybody's sentiments," the statement further read. ALSO READ: Tandav Controversy: Bombay HC Grants Relief From Immediate Arrest To Director Ali Abbas Zafar ALSO READ: Tandav Controversy: Political Drama Faces Another FIR In Greater Noida An adult speech and language therapist is being recruited for north Wicklow, after years without one in the area, and following a three-year battle by local woman Bernadette McGrath. Deputy Steven Matthews received a letter from the HSE last week confirming that recruitment process is under way. 'This is an issue that I have been pushing for since the start of the summer after meeting with the wife of a man who had suffered an acquired brain injury and required speech and language therapy,' said Deputy Matthews. 'She outlined in detail the lack of services for those broadly in Wicklow but highlighted north Wicklow in particular due to the complete lack of public services,' he said. 'This lady deserves enormous credit for the tireless work she has done on this issue, lobbying the HSE, local TDs and various ministers to advocate for the need of this service in north Wicklow. I've had the opportunity to speak with her regularly since our first meeting and her tenacity and determination is incredible despite the hardships that she and her husband have faced.' That woman is Bernadette McGrath from Parnell Road in Bray. Her husband Peter suffered a brain injury due to cardiac arrest over three years ago. He was in hospital for several months before she brought him home. 'It's not until a family suffers the consequences of what a brain injury can do to a person, and you have no access to services, that you realise the dire situation you face,' said Bernadette. She welcomed the news that a speech and language therapist is being recruited, but said it should not have taken three years. 'For the person and the family you have to fight for access to rehabilitation,' she said. 'Peter was discharged into my care in January 2018. He was on a waiting list for the National Rehabilitation Hospital.' She said that their choice was to have him come home, or leave him waiting in hospital for months. Home to Bray he came, and Bernadette was told to contact her GP and take it from there. 'I soon realised there were no services in North Wicklow,' said Bernadette. 'The family is left to try and resource services for the person.' She said that family members were his rehabilitation. 'We had to try to help him with speech, re-adjust to living at home, and even teach him how to make a cup of tea,' she said. Peter is a man of huge intellect, who was a master carpenter and has two degrees. 'He had to get used to doing everyday things again,' said his wife. 'He couldn't remember our marriage. He couldn't remember the boys being born, or his parents dying. I had to break that news to him again.' She had heard that the first two years in a person's recovery is of the utmost importance, that being when the brain is most open to rehabilitation. 'God, it was just awful,' she said. 'We were left with no services.' Some months later Peter was allocated two hours per week at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire. Bernadette feels that this was insufficient for his needs to help him achieve as beneficial a recovery as possible. She said that they were desperate for help while waiting. 'He can't go on like this,' she thought at the time. 'I got on to the HSE and there was nothing here. 'There was no adult speech and language therapy, and a nine month waiting list for an occupational therapist,' said Bernadette. 'There was one visit and they arranged a hand rail at the front door and the shower, I didn't hear from them since.' Peter went to the NRH for two hours weekly for 15 months. Bernadette said that he needs follow-up services as his recovery continues. 'A chance for a meaningful recovery is a right, not a request,' she said. 'This is happening to thousands of people throughout the country.' She said that 19,000 people a year suffer brain injury in Ireland. 'In March 2018 I said to myself I have to do something about this.' She contacted then Minister for Health Simon Harris and subsequently Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, as well as Wicklow's TDs. 'At one stage there were revolving letters from the HSE all saying the same thing,' she said. Being in Bray, close to the town, has been good for Peter's recovery, Bernadette said, with access to the town, and excellent neighbours. She fears that Covid-19 restrictions will mean a step back in that respect. 'He is reading again and enjoys it,' she said. 'He's doing things he previously couldn't. He had to learn how to use a mobile phone again, and the controls for the television.' While his speech has improved, she said that they will require the local speech and language therapy services when they are available. Bernadette said that Acquired Brain Injury Ireland in Dun Laoghaire have been a huge support during the past years. 'They are looking for funding for a base in Wicklow,' she said. They continue to provide classes online during the pandemic. 'He is making the best recovery that he can but Covid hasn't helped,' said Bernadette. 'The reason I did all this is to make sure people are able to access services when they suffer a stroke or brain injury, or need services for any other reason. To make sure they have a decent, dignified and timely recovery. 'Personally I would have preferred not to have to fight. It takes up a lot of energy, when you use a lot of energy caring for someone. In a so-called first world country you shouldn't have to fight to access services. They were done away with when the country was nearly bankrupt but that's 10 or 12 years ago.' She hopes that the service will be more than assessment and include therapy. 'Even in a time of Covid assessment and therapy can still be done through Zoom as they're doing it in other organisations,' said Bernadette. Complacency and its costs The next phase of the pandemic in the United States will most likely be determined by two factors: the new virus variants and the vaccine rollout. Public health experts have likened the situation to a race. If the more contagious variants are able to spread faster than the country can distribute vaccines, experts fear the nation may see another powerful surge of the virus as happened in Britain, Ireland and elsewhere. And yet there are things Americans can do right now to help get the virus under control and save lives. Those measures include wearing masks, avoiding large gatherings, and staying home as much as possible. Experts have been asking these things of the public for nearly a year. Tragically, large swaths of the country still refuse to follow this simple advice. Our colleague David Leonhardt, who writes The Morning newsletter, recently took a road trip across the country to help his mother get vaccinated, and said that almost everywhere he stopped including gas stations, rest stops and hotels in half a dozen states people ignored mask restrictions. A Texas man who posted numerous comments and images on social media showing him participating in the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6, including a tweet calling for the assassination of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has been arrested, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Garret Miller, 34, was arrested Wednesday and was held in the Dallas County jail before he was transferred to federal custody early Friday morning. Miller is now facing charges in U.S. District Court related to the storming of the Capitol. Image: Garret Miller (Dept. of Justice) His charges include knowingly entering and remaining in restricted buildings without lawful authority, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, obstructing and impeding an official proceeding, and performing acts of civil disorder. Miller is one of at least 119 people facing federal charges in connection to crimes committed during the Capitol riots. The FBI first received a "referral from law enforcement" on Jan. 8 indicating that Miller posted a video from inside the U.S. Capitol on his Twitter account. The 14-second video posted on Jan. 6 captioned "From inside congress pans across a crowd inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as people wave pro-Trump and U.S. flags. Upon further investigation, authorities found that Miller's Facebook account had "many posts relating to his involvement in criminal activities at the Capitol," according to the criminal complaint. Five days after storming in the Capitol, Miller posted photos of himself inside the building's rotunda while wearing a pro-Trump hat. The images seem to match some of the rotunda surveillance video obtained by law enforcement. In responding to comments left on his Facebook page, Miller acknowledged his participation in the pro-Trump riots to multiple individuals. In one tweet, Miller threatened to "bring the guns" next time, according to the criminal complaint. In a string of tweets responding to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Miller asserted that rioters acted with honor and we where [sic] not armed. We where [sic] gentle with the police, the criminal complaint reads. He then tweeted, Assassinate AOC. Story continues Image: Garret Miller (Dept. of Justice) In addition to posting his own actions at the Capitol on social media, Miller also discussed the shooting of a woman by a U.S. Capitol Police Officer during the pro-Trump riots saying, We going to get a hold of [the USCP officer] and hug his neck with a nice rope, the criminal complaint reads. A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Advertisement Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is offering to host National Guard service members in her Capitol Hill office during breaks amidst outrage over images of the soldiers, who were summoned to the nation's capital to protect lawmakers during inauguration week, being made to spend their downtime in a frigid, smog-filled parking garage. 'Yeah this is not okay,' the Democratic congresswoman from New York tweeted on Thursday in reaction to an image showing soldiers lying on the cold pavement inside the Senate garage after they were told to clear out of the US Capitol building. 'My office is free this week to any service members who'd like to use it for a break or take nap on the couch. We'll stock up on snacks for you all too.' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is offering to host National Guard service members in her Capitol Hill office during breaks amidst outrage over images of the soldiers, who were summoned to the nation's capital to protect lawmakers during inauguration week, being made to spend their downtime in a frigid, smog-filled parking garage. Guardsmen are seen above inside the Senate garage on Thursday The Democratic congresswoman from New York (seen above on the floor of the House chamber on January 3) offered to host National Guard service members in her office for snacks and a nap AOC added in parenthesis: 'We're in the middle of moving offices and it's a bit messy so don't judge, but make yourself at home!' 'Yeah this is not okay,' the Democratic congresswoman from New York tweeted on Thursday in reaction to an image showing soldiers lying on the cold pavement inside the Senate garage after they were told to clear out of the US Capitol building Her generous offer was made just before thousands of National Guardsmen were allowed to return to the US Capitol after images of them sleeping outside and in a nearby parking garage overnight sparked outrage 24 hours after the inauguration. In a follow-up tweet, AOC wrote: 'Update: looks like they're letting them back into the Capitol. The offer on snacks, etc still stands!' AOC later tweeted: 'Update Part 2: The snacks have been delivered!' Capitol Police apologized late on Thursday after it emerged they had asked the troops brought in to protect Washington DC to leave the Capitol building and take their rest breaks in a nearby designated parking lot instead. Photos showed up to 5,000 Guardsmen sleeping on the floor of the packed Thurgood Marshall Building parking lot and in a park outside as temperatures hit a low of 40 degrees. The scenes sparked immediate outrage among lawmakers as some Guardsmen revealed they felt 'incredibly betrayed' given they had just spent more than a week helping to fortify and protect the capital. It has prompted the governors of some states, including New Hampshire and Florida, to order the immediate return of their Guardsmen from DC. 'I've ordered the immediate return of all New Hampshire National Guard from Washington DC. They did an outstanding job serving our nation's capital in a time of strife and should be graciously praised, not subject to substandard conditions,' New Hampshire Gov Chris Sununu tweeted on Friday morning. Footage obtained by NBC News showed the Guardsmen filing out of the parking lot overnight after they were permitted around midnight to return to the Capitol building in the wake of the fierce backlash. It followed reports that the troops had been kicked out of the Capitol, with some Guardsmen saying the parking lot they were relocated to had a single power outlet, no internet and just one bathroom with two stalls, according to Politico. Thousands of National Guardsmen have now been allowed to return to the US Capitol after images of them sleeping outside and in a nearby parking garage overnight sparked outrage 24 hours after the inauguration. Troops are pictured above leaving the Thurgood Marshall Building parking lot just after dawn on Friday The troops, pictured leaving the parking garage, will now take their breaks near the Emancipation Hall inside the Capitol building going forward Footage obtained by NBC News showed the Guardsmen filing out of the Thurgood Marshall Building parking lot in Washington DC overnight after they were permitted around midnight to return to the Capitol building in the wake of the fierce backlash Guard spokesman Maj. Matt Murphy said Capitol Police had asked the troops to move their rest area given the increased foot traffic in the Capitol building given Congress is in session. 'They were temporarily relocated to the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Center garage with heat and restroom facilities. We remain an agile and flexible force to provide for the safety and security of the Capitol and its surrounding areas,' he said. The scenes prompted governors of some states, including New Hampshire and Florida, to order the immediate return of their Guardsmen from DC Capitol Police apologized in the wake of the outrage but Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman clarified in a statement on Friday morning that police did not tell Guardsmen they had to vacate. 'It was brought to our attention early today that facility management with the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Office Building reached out directly to the National Guard to offer use of its facilities,' Pittman said. 'As of this morning, all Guardsmen and women have been relocated to space within the Capitol Complex. The Department is also working with the Guard to reduce the need for sleeping accommodations by establishing shorter shifts, and will ensure they have access to the comfortable accommodations they absolutely deserve when the need arises.' Both the Guard and Capitol Police issued a joint statement Friday afternoon saying they have now coordinated to establish 'appropriate spaces' within Congressional buildings for on-duty breaks. The statement noted that off-duty troops have hotel rooms or 'other comfortable accommodations.' The troops will take their breaks near the Emancipation Hall inside the Capitol building going forward. The soldiers do have hotel rooms but their 12 hour shift pattern means they cannot easily return to their rooms during rest breaks. Before being located to the parking lot, the troops had been allowed to take rest breaks inside the Capitol building. Once they finish their shift, the Guardsmen then return to their hotel rooms. National Guard soldiers are pictured sleeping inside the Capitol Visitors Center of the US Capitol on Friday after being allowed back in Members of the National Guard rest in the Capitol Visitor Center on Friday morning Members of the National Guard from South Dakota stood guard outside the Capitol building on Friday. It's not clear how long they will remain Members of the National Guard from South Dakota were still on patrol in Washington DC on Friday following the inauguration One unnamed soldier had earlier said the forced move to the parking lot had left troops 'feeling incredibly betrayed'. 'Yesterday dozens of senators and congressmen walked down our lines taking photos, shaking our hands and thanking us for our service. Within 24 hours, they had no further use for us and banished us to the corner of a parking garage. We feel incredibly betrayed,' he said. Another guardsman told CNN: 'After everything went seamlessly, we were deemed useless and banished to a corner of a parking garage.' One more told Task & Purpose: 'Leaving our families for the last two weeks to come down here. It's certainly important and historic, but the day after inauguration you kick us literally to the curb? Come on, man.' Amid concerns about COVID-19 one soldier told The Washington Post : 'We are on top of each other all day, every day. We've given up.' Another added: 'Our guidance is if you're not eating or drinking, you need to be wearing a mask. We've already had just some in my unit alone test positive for Covid, and they're just keeping us packed together with caution tape in small areas. And that's the only authorized rest area.' The images of the Guardsmen sparked fierce reaction from politicians on both sides of the aisle, with Democrats and Republicans demanding answers as to why the men and women were told to leave the Capitol complex. Some offered their offices to the troops. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said the soldiers 'deserve to be treated with respect'; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the move was 'outrageous'. Idaho National Guard troops sleep and eat on the eastern lawn of the US Capitol building on Capitol Hill on Thursday New Hampshire National Guard posted this image Wednesday with the caption: 'NH guardsmen slumber last night in a Washington, D.C. parking garage. Beginning a 36-hour security mission in support of the presidential inauguration, they staged in the garage overnight before standing security posts along the National Capital Region this morning' Up to 5,000 troops have been kept without internet, with one electrical outlet, and one bathroom with two stalls, reports say Pictures show Guardsmen sleeping on the floor of the packed parking lot Thursday, just 24 hours after the inauguration Congressman Madison Cawthorn posted to Instagram: 'I just visited the soldiers who have been abandoned & insulted by our leaders. I brought them pizza and told them that they can sleep in my office. No soldier will ever, ever sleep on a garage floor in the US Capitol while I work in Congress Our Troops deserve better' Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Army veteran who served in Iraq, said Capitol Police had apologized to the troops. 'Just made a number of calls and have been informed Capitol Police have apologized to the Guardsmen and they will be allowed back into the complex tonight. I'll keep checking to make sure they are,' she tweeted. She had earlier said: 'Unreal. I can't believe that the same brave servicemembers we've been asking to protect our Capitol and our Constitution these last two weeks would be unceremoniously ordered to vacate the building. Following fierce reaction online from politicians on both sides of the aisle Senator Tammy Duckworth tweeted: 'Just made a number of calls and have been informed Capitol Police have apologized to the Guardsmen and they will be allowed back into the complex tonight' 'I am demanding answers ASAP. They can use my office.' Shortly after midnight Duckworth confirmed the 'troops are now all out of the garage'. The National Guard Bureau said on Thursday that of the nearly 26,000 Guard troops deployed to DC for the inauguration, just 10,600 remain on duty. The bureau said the Guard is helping states with coordination and logistics so that troops can get home. But following reports of the guardsmen sleeping in parking lots House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted: 'Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer -why are American troops who are tasked with keeping security at the Capitol being forced to sleep in a parking lot? 'They deserve to be treated with respect, and we deserve answers.' Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: 'If this is true, it's outrageous. I will get to the bottom of this.' President Joe Biden expressed his 'dismay' on Friday morning to General Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard, about how the troops had been treated, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. About 25,000 Guard members from across the country deployed to help secure Biden's inauguration, which went off with only a handful of minor arrests. Psaki said the president thanked Hokanson and the Guard for their help the last few weeks and offered his assistance if Hokanson needed anything. Officials said Thursday that of the nearly 26,000 Guard troops deployed to D.C. for the inaugural, just 10,600 remain on duty Guard spokesperson Maj. Matt Murphy had said: 'As Congress is in session and increased foot traffic and business is being conducted, Capitol Police asked the troops to move their rest area. They were temporarily relocated to the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Center garage with heat and restroom facilities' First Lady Jill Biden visited Guard troops outside the Capitol on Friday, bringing them cookies and thanking them for protecting her family. She noted that the Bidens' late son, Beau, served in the Delaware Army National Guard. Thousands of Guard troops from all across the country poured into DC by the planeload and busload late last week in response to escalating security threats and fears of more rioting. Military aircraft crowded the runways at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, carrying Guard members into the region in the wake of the deadly January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. Guard forces were scattered around the city, helping to secure the Capitol, monuments, Metro entrances and the perimeter of central DC, which was largely locked down for several days leading up to Wednesday's inaugural ceremony. After images of the men and women forced to sleep in the parking lot were shared Republican Sen. Mike Lee said: 'Very upset by this story but I have been in touch with the Utah National Guard and they are taken care of. My staff and I are investigating what happened here and will continue working to fix this situation.' Democrat Sen. Krysten Sinema tweeted: 'This is outrageous, shameful, and incredibly disrespectful to the men and women keeping the U.S. Capitol safe and secure. We need it fixed and we need answers on how it happened.' Congressman Madison Cawthorn posted to Instagram: 'I just visited the soldiers who have been abandoned & insulted by our leaders. I brought them pizza and told them that they can sleep in my office. No soldier will ever, ever sleep on a garage floor in the US Capitol while I work in Congress Our Troops deserve better.' Rep. Elise Stefanik tweeted: 'Every member of Congress should be appalled by this despicable treatment of the men and women of the National Guard, who answered the call to protect our nation's capital. Speaker Pelosi is in charge of the Capitol complex. She must provide answers immediately.' The Secret Service announced that the special security event for the inauguration officially ended at noon Thursday. The Guard said that it may take several days to make all the arrangements to return the 15,000 home, but it should be complete in five to 10 days. Guard members will have to turn in equipment, make travel plans and go through COVID-19 screening. Some local law enforcement agencies have asked for continued assistance from the Guard, so roughly 7,000 troops are expected to stay in the region through the end of the month. Pictures of the armed camouflage-clad troops resting on the marble floors of the Capitol building and patrolling the grounds had already been widely shared in the wake of the January 6 siege. It is believed to be the first time troops have set up camp in the Capitol since the Civil War. Throngs of guardsmen were seen cradling their guns as they slept in the open on the floor and took turns making rounds of the Capitol grounds. Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed some of the troops outside the Capitol building to thank them for their service just hours before the House of Representatives started debating impeaching President Trump for a second time. Members of the National Guard play cards in the Capitol Visitors Center the day after the inauguration of President Joe Biden Members of the National Guard sleep in the Capitol Visitors Center Thursday. The U.S. Secret Service announced that the special security event for the inauguration officially ended at noon Thursday Thousands of Guard troops from all across the country poured into D.C. by the planeload and busload late last week, in response to escalating security threats and fears of more rioting A hilarious turn of events has made The Greek Prime Minister an overnight sensation on social media. Let's take you through the events that quickly made his name enter the list of heartthrobs in the country. Reuters Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the 52-year-old Greek Prime Minister had gone to receive his second dose of the vaccine at the Attikon hospital, on Monday. In order to seamlessly complete the procedure, he had to take off his shirt rather than rolling his sleeves up. When he took off his shirt to reveal his bare shirt, a couple of photos were taken which were later posted on social media. A photo from the moment is making rounds on social media which left people admiring the Greek Prime Minister's bare chest. Reuters The Greek Prime Minister has now become an instant sex symbol after he receiving his COVID-19 vaccine shot. Underneath his shirt, the Prime Minister has a toned and ripped physique that people on the internet clearly noticed. In fact, internet users started downright thirsting after the PM, calling him things like, daddy and hella sexy. British folks on Twitter wondered if their PM Boris Johnson would follow the Greek PM's footsteps, while others compared the Greek PM to 'doing a Putin', in reference to the famous photo of the Russian president half-naked on horseback. Reuters Another Twitter user called the PM a 'sexy daddy' for his ripped physique and chest hair. Our prime minister is a sexy daddy pic.twitter.com/4ggBiGYpLV Doomed (@profilepicnotme) January 18, 2021 The fact that we're moving away from a clean bare chest to appreciate a chest with hair on it is also worth noticing. Damn the Greece prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis surely has a sexy gorgeous hairy chest love it , but sure love Croatian Prime Minister Zdravko Maric Captain Croatia pic.twitter.com/E2AVYaUxIh Alin Campan (@GURBEDIU1987) January 20, 2021 One can be well-groomed without having to remove chest hair contrary to some popular misconceptions out there. The Greek Prime Minister, Mr Mitsotakis received his first shot first on December 27, this was when the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had first rolled out across different countries in the European Union. The PM had pointed out how the rollout was a great day for science and the European Union. We hope that, with time, even those of our fellow citizens who are suspicious of vaccination will be convinced it is the right thing to do. He was one of the first people in Greece to get the first dose of the vaccine back in December. Following the rounds of vaccination of healthcare workers and vulnerable people, Greece has begun vaccinating the 'general population' earlier this month. It might seem challenging to get out and see our beautiful city on a budget, but if you're looking to explore downtown Houston on the cheap, have no fear: There are a myriad of affordable activities available in and around downtown. From multiple museums and green spaces like Discovery Green to drive-in movie theaters and popular eateries, downtown is overflowing with affordable possibilities. MORE THINGS TO DO: What you should do in Houston this weekend The following are a few places offering great deals, day-of-week discounts or free activities. Keep reading for a guide to downtown's best attractions under $25. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff Photographer Every Thursday, the Houston Museum of Natural Science offers free admission to its permanent exhibit halls from 2 to 5 p.m. If you can't make it out on Thursday, you can still take advantage of a good deal by paying $25 to see the museum's permanent exhibits. College students, military, seniors over 62 and members can take advantage of even deeper discounts. Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Another fun outdoor attraction near downtown is the Houston Zoo, where online reservations are currently required for all guests. Tickets are not sold on-site. You can enjoy a day at the zoo for $22.95 for adults. Children and seniors' tickets are $17.95. Hot tip: you can plan a trip to see some of the zoo's newest residents, such as a howler monkey named Marlie, for free on certain Tuesdays. Free Tuesdays happen once a month, with the next opportunity on Feb. 2. Courtesy of Discovery Green If there's one place in downtown Houston with a huge deal of activities all for less than $25 or free, it's Discovery Green. From state-of-the-art installations such as "Monuments" by Craig Walsh, to stunning, eye-catching art displays and murals from local artists, Discovery Green has something for everyone. You can even come out to enjoy free yoga and Tai Chi classes on the big lawn. There's ice-skating underneath the stars with the lights of downtown as your backdrop until Jan. 31 for $15. Check out its website for weekday and weekend activities you and your family can enjoy. James Nielsen, Staff / Houston Chronicle Houston's Downtown Aquarium is another wonderful place to enjoy a variety of exhibits. An all-day adventure pass is $22.99 for adults and $21.99 for children. "A 500-gallon aquatic wonderland" awaits you, according to the aquarium's Facebook page. The location offers everything from catching a glimpse of divers in an Underground Rig to a Discovery Zone where you can get up close and personal with exotic animals and have the opportunity to touch and feed an actual Stingray. It even hosts Super Saturdays where you buy one pass and get one free with a coupon. Yelp/John L. If you're looking to try one of the best burgers not just around downtown but across the city, hit up Champ Burger after your day of exploration. Champ Burger is not only a long-standing family-owned joint reminiscent of the 1950s, it's a rite of passage in the East End. An original Champ Burger is just $5.29, and it's worth every bite. When I'm in the area, I always try to stop by and pick up a Champ Burger with cheese for $5.69 to go with a medium chocolate shake that costs $3.49. They joint is home to the original "Texas Size Steak Sandwich," according to its website, which costs $5.79. Located between Harrisburg and Canal at 304 Sampson St., Champ Burger has been serving mouthwatering burgers at the same location for over 50 years. Carla Buerkle If there's one restaurant in downtown Houston that makes you feel right at home, it's Irma's Original. Houston Chef Irma Galvan has been feeding Houstonians authentic homemade meals for decades. This 2008 James Beard award winner serves up some of the finest Latin cuisine for under $25. It has everything you can imagine from enchiladas, fajitas, sopa de fideo (which I highly recommend) and a variety of other dishes and desserts. You could just load up on their famous fresh guacamole and strawberry lemonade and walk out content. Located at 22 N. Chenevert St. is your next favorite Mexican restaurant. Don't be surprised if Irma stops by your table for a quick chat to get to know you a bit. Next time you're in downtown, take a second to explore your surroundings. You might be surprised by the deals you find. The American multinational technology company is soon going to roll out a new design for its mobile search results. The tech giant is redesigning the search engine interface on mobile devices. The changes are intended to simplify how search results look. According to The Verge, Aileen Cheng, who led the redesign, in an official release announced on Friday, "We wanted to take a step back to simplify a bit so people could find what they're looking for faster and more easily." The redesign will focus on having larger and bolder texts which will help to scan the data easily. The results of the search will also be occupying more width of the user's screen. Not only this, but will also be modifying the colours of the interface to help highlight important information without being distracting. Additionally, the upcoming design will put more data on the top of the page and reduce the visual clutter. This will help the users in easily searching the required data without scrolling down too far for the same. As per The Verge, the upgrade will roll out in the coming days. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) I can only say probably, because it was an American strain so it wasnt community spread, it had to come from somewhere, Professor McLaws said. Since March 29, as a measure to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, all international arrivals in Australia have been required to quarantine in a hotel for 14 days unless they have an automatic exemption or they successfully apply for a personal exemption to isolate at home instead. In NSW and other states, this also applied to Victorians during the height of that states COVID-19 crisis. NSW Health guidelines offer exemptions for a number of reasons, including compassionate, medical, mental health and disability grounds. Ms Pearce said there were quite a lot of cases where the exemption was only granted for a few hours, such as to visit a dying relative in palliative care before returning to hotel quarantine. Professor McLaws said if the government is going to give exemptions, they should use an electronic locator such as an anklet or bracelet to ensure compliance, and that needs to apply to all members of the household, not just the incoming passenger. In an outbreak that has a deadly potential, you cant rely on the goodwill and the compliance, Professor McLaws said. Every single person that is given an exemption must carry a locator on them to ensure that they are not leaving their home or embassy, or wherever theyve been agreed to be housed. And everybody in that household has to also be under that electronic supervision. She said home isolation could also be made safer by using rapid point of care testing before the passengers board the flight and upon arrival at Sydney Airport, as well as the regular PCR testing a few days in. With these measures, Professor McLaws said it might be possible to issue more exemptions. Loading Anyone given permission to isolate at home saves the cost of hotel quarantine, which is $3000 for the first adult with lower rates for additional adults and children. Hotel quarantine was originally paid by the government and it remains free for anyone who booked an international flight back to Australia before July 13, even if the date of travel has changed. The bulk of exemptions revealed by the FOI request were 5166 international transit cases. This includes passengers flying between two overseas destinations via Sydney, interstate residents with permission to take a connecting flight and quarantine in their home state, and air crew arriving as passengers to be in position to work the next flight. Transit exemptions fell dramatically from a peak of 1589 in July to less than half that in August and just 194 in October. Ms Pearce said the Victorian outbreak prompted other states to tighten their borders and require in-bound passengers to complete quarantine at their first port of arrival into Australia. The second biggest category was the compassionate category with 911 approvals, which Ms Pearce said was deliberately broad but was mainly cases where people were visiting dying relatives. There were also 179 family member palliative and 50 end of life approvals listed separately. In May one person was approved for home isolation on the basis of immunity to infection and this was never repeated; a NSW Health spokesperson said this was a recovered COVID-19 patient and the category was quickly revoked because of evidence of the possibility of reinfection. During the time period, there were 449 exemptions given for medical reasons, 10 life-threatening cases, 30 mental health exemptions, five cases of urgent specialist surgery and four disability cases. NSW Health has faced accusations it is ignoring its own criteria for quarantine exemptions because it is granting so few on mental health and disability grounds. Ms Pearce said these cases could mostly be handled in special health accommodation, a category of quarantine hotel staffed by professional medical and nursing staff. We absolutely understand hotel quarantine is a difficult process for people to go through but obviously, weve had to balance keeping the community safe, she said. We cant have this both ways; we cant have a situation where were criticised for allowing people to have exemptions and then criticised for not allowing people to have exemptions. The special health accommodation is also where the COVID-19 patients are segregated, which has caused concern among heart patients, cancer survivors and other people with underlying conditions that make them vulnerable. Ms Pearce said special health accommodation had been running since day one and was demonstrably safe; COVID-19 patients were on a different floor and there were strict infection prevention protocols. NSW Health has an appeal process for rejected exemption applications and considered 547 appeals between August 24 and November 9. People can also appeal to Mr Hazzard separately. Real-life exemptions The flight attendant Sydneysider Michelle Parker says she has been left functionally homeless by the hotel quarantine rules. Ms Parker, a flight attendant for United Airlines, lives in Manly and works on the Sydney-San Francisco route. When she lands in Sydney on a layover for 24-48 hours she is permitted to self-isolate at home, without requiring an exemption. But because her routes begin and end in San Francisco, when she returns home once a month for a longer break, she arrives as a passenger rather than working crew. This means she either has to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days and pay $3000 or secure an exemption from NSW Health or NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard. Flight attendant Michelle Parker at home with her husband Lincoln and children Jackson, 12, Henry, 12, and Ava, 15. Credit:Renee Nowytarger Most people are just trying to get home once and Im trying to get back home every month, Ms Parker said. Her counterparts at Qantas working the same or similar routes are permitted to self-isolate at home whether they are on layover or an extended break because their routes begin and end in Australia. Ms Parker has secured an exemption from Mr Hazzard once and was told she would need to reapply each time but it wouldnt be a problem. However, 30 days later, her request was denied. She then spent several months in the Bay Area, couchsurfing with friends with only limited health insurance. Then in November she returned to Australia for an extended break to spend time with her family. Loading She is married with a 15-year-old daughter and 12-year-old twin sons on the autism spectrum and one with ADHD, who need their mother in their life but also the income she brings in. My husband, weve been divorced by the government, pretty effectively and we dont want to be divorced, she said. We all want to be with each other. Until December, air and marine crew were automatically exempt from hotel quarantine and permitted to isolate at home instead if they were working. However, they required an exemption if they were entering as passengers to be in position to work or returning home for respite as in Ms Parkers case. After the Avalon and Berala clusters, the rules were tightened. Now foreign air crew must go into hotel quarantine for a layover, while those who live in Australia can choose to either go into hotel quarantine or have a swab at the airport and then isolate at home. However, those returning as passengers like Ms Parker must still apply for an exemption. NSW Health deputy secretary Susan Pearce said the change in rules was about balancing and managing risk. These people are flying and working for a living and if they were in permanent quarantine, obviously, that would be a very challenging scenario, Ms Pearce said. Marine crew are similarly exempt when working but require an exemption when arriving as a passenger to commence work. NSW Health also granted 449 exemptions to marine crew from March 29 to November 9. Disability exemption NSW Health has only granted four exemptions from hotel quarantine on the basis of disability, preferring to accommodate people with additional needs in special health accommodation. But Colleen and Paul Sommerin were successfully able to secure an exemption from Mr Hazzard on the basis that they had an empty flat in Sutherland to isolate in and they were travelling with their son Mitchell, who is severely autistic. Colleen and Mitchell Sommerin who recently visited from Dubai. However, their case seemed to slip through the bureaucratic cracks because they received no follow-up and she had to ring and organise their own swabs before ending isolation, which they did. Ms Sommerin said hearing about the experiences of other families suffering through hotel quarantine with autistic children made her realise it was not an option, especially since Mitchell is 19 and cannot be physically restrained. Loading Being in a confined space for 14 days with no fresh air or no outdoor break would have been absolutely impossible, Ms Sommerin said. He suffers from insomnia, claustrophobia and routine changes, anything like that has a very detrimental effect to his behaviour. It would have been borderline dangerous, because if he gets in a situation where hes very uncomfortable, he might try and run away. Mitchell will also only eat specific foods and being in their own flat and self-catering made that easier to accommodate. The Sommerin family live in Dubai and have now returned but are grateful they could spend six weeks in Sydney, which allowed them to visit their adult daughter and other relatives. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form There are 3.5 million people in Pennsylvania now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. But health systems dont have enough to treat everyone in that group. At least not yet. In addition to medical workers and residents of skilled nursing facilities, the states expanded first phase now includes adults 65 and older, smokers, pregnant women, clinically obese people and those under 65 with serious medical conditions. But with the expansion, and the reported rush around the state to get a shot, it can be difficult to explain to people why they now have to wait. Its nice on the surface to open things up to those groups (but) when you do that, you also have to take into account how you can service that group, how much vaccine is available, said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, an administrator and infectious disease expert at St. Lukes University Health Network, based in the Lehigh Valley. Jahre and Colleen Sprissler, the St. Lukes operations director, spoke to reporters via a conference call Friday about how the network is conducting its own vaccine rollout and addressing the array of challenges facing hospitals statewide and beyond. Here are some of the issues addressed in the call. Syringes with the COVID-19 vaccine wait to be injected during a clinic on Jan. 16 at Bangor Area High School. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com 1. Limited supply Jahre and Sprissler were asked what state and federal governments can do to make the distribution process easier. Sprisslers response: Give us more vaccine! Thats easier said than done. More than 450,000 people in Pennsylvania have received at least one dose of the vaccine so far. But far more are eligible to get one. Problems with the federal rollout have trickled down to the local level how much the state receives in a given week, and therefore how much it distributes to hospitals, can vary, making planning difficult on the local level, Jahre said. (He did not make it political, however: When you embark on something as massive as this, I dont care who you are, having this work flawlessly is an impossibility.) (Cant see the map? Click here.) Pennsylvanias eligibility expansion gives hospitals more leeway in distributing vaccinations, but Jahre said the change made it seem like everyone would be able to get vaccinated immediately: Were having a hard time convincing people thats not the case, and its not because of us. Health systems like St. Lukes and Lehigh Valley Health Network just do not have adequate supply of the vaccine to begin inoculating all the patients whom the state made eligible this week, though they are allowing them to register. The ability to offer the shot to that larger group depends on us getting the vaccine supply, and we do not know when or how much we are going to receive, LVHN spokesperson Brian Downs told the Associated Press. LVHN on Friday night released a video from Dr. Brian Nester, network president and CEO, regarding the plan for continuing to administer COVID-19 vaccine to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. At LVHN there is nothing we want more than to vaccinate everyone, Nester said. However, we have a very limited supply of vaccine, continuing on to say the supply comes from the federal government through the state. For the moment, Jahre said, were in a temporary choke point where demand far exceeds supply. Manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna are ramping up production, and more drug-makers have vaccines nearing approval and rollout, which will ease the supply crunch. But that may be months away. (Cant see the chart? Click here.) What all this means is that health networks have to decide how best to distribute the shots they do get. LVHN, for instance, is launching a mass vaccination clinic in the Dorney Park parking lot next week, open to eligible patients who make an appointment ahead of time, and where, when fully stocked, it expects to vaccinate up to 5,000 people a day. St. Lukes is going a different direction, using its app and hotline to notify eligible patients and booking appointments at its hospitals about a week out. This, Jahre and Sprissler said, helps account for variability in supply and more closely monitor patients for any side effects in the 15 to 30 minutes after they are injected. At the moment, St. Lukes is distributing 3,000 doses daily, with the capability for up to 5,000 a day. More plans are in the works for later phases. It is not a system that is going to satisfy everyone, Jahre said. But you have to start from someplace. (To preregister, you can sign up for an LVHN account here and St. Lukes here.) Tents are set up Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, in the parking areas of Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in South Whitehall Township, as preparations are being made to begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine to qualified recipients. It will start Jan. 27 with people 75 and older who have set appointments.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com 2. Line-jumping liars (and altruists offering their spot) If youre not a smoker, would you say you are just to claim eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine? Please dont. In all likelihood, some of the people signing up for the vaccine are falsifying information to move up into the current phase, Jahre and Sprissler said. And realistically, there is no practical way for a nurse or other staffer to vet that information. All health care workers can do is ask people to be honest. Most are, Jahre said. On the other hand, he said its amazing the number of people who offer to give up their spot in the queue for someone they feel is more deserving or who may fall just outside of eligibility. Thats very thoughtful, but please dont do that either. It is not possible to designate someone to get a vaccine in your place, and Sprissler said enough doses will eventually be available for everyone. If youre eligible now, she said, take it. We do have as many people who are that way as we have people who are dishonest, Jahre said. Christy Taylor, a pharmacist at Wind Gap Community pharmacy, prepares syringes with the COVID-19 vaccine, to administer to first responders on Jan. 16, at Bangor Area High School. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com 3. Side effects, the 2nd shot and convincing people theyre worth it The vaccines currently available require two doses, weeks apart, to achieve the 90-95% protection as advertised. Not only does it afford more protection, but it helps prevent more resistant strains of the coronavirus from emerging, Jahre said. Unfortunately, the second shot is also when most people seem to feel the worst side effects, he said. The first injection usually results in some tenderness or redness in the arm that got it; the second may come with fevers and chills for a day or so. Jahre said its important to be upfront about the side effects so that people get that second shot. Asked how many on the St. Lukes staff have refused the vaccine, he said there are about 25% we continue to work on. Some may have reasons for not getting one yet, like having had COVID-19 within the last 90 days. But the goal is to get at least 90% of the staff vaccinated. We know there is at least 10% we know well never be able to convince, Jahre said. Stickers were given to each LVHN worker who received some of the first COVID-19 vaccines in the Lehigh Valley on Dec. 17, 2020. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. All the soldiers who went for Inauguration Day were volunteers, and some were already slotted to go that day before the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol, he said. Extra security for the inaugural was added in the wake of the riot, he said. The recent shameful anarchic events in Washington, D.C., have put a permanent bloody stain on the sacrosanct image of the United States as a fortress of democratic constitutional order and a beacon of hope for international stability. The scenes on televisions across the globe were repulsive and disquieting. They spoke of a country in chaos. Even more appalling and damaging was that the mob of insurrectionists storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 were appreciably incited by the then-president of the United States, seeking to upend the duly certified results of a democratic election through intimidation or force. Lives were put in danger. Lives were lost. This was never, ever, supposed to happen in the United States of America. In a military career spanning 28 years, including assignments in Spain, Chile, Korea and Italy, as well as executive management responsibilities for military assistance programs in Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina and Uruguay, I had my share of exposure to fragile democracies and banana republics. As commandant of the Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Lackland AFB, it was my responsibility to educate and train military and civilian government personnel from Latin American countries, including Mexico, in technical and professional disciplines. Throughout all those experiences, it was my pride and joy to be a guardian of and advocate for the democratic values system that has made the U.S. the worlds bastion of freedom, and the prickly thorn of totalitarian and undemocratic regimes. My family and I experienced tense and unsettling moments in Spain and Chile when force and intimidation became the means by which disgruntled military, backed by civilian fanatics in positions of power, tried to achieve what democratic processes and institutions legitimately denied them. In Spain, the military feared the country was heading in the wrong direction under its new parliamentary democracy after 36 years of the military dictatorship of Francisco Franco. A military coup detat was launched in February 1981 with the storming of the legislative building, the historic Palacio de las Cortes, which was in session to elect a new prime minister. It failed thanks to the firm hand and prompt intervention of King Juan Carlos, who put a decisive stop to it a courageous stand absent Jan. 6. The coup attempt was short-lived, but it caused panic among the civilian population across Spain, including us. In May 1993, Chilean Army Special Forces (Black Berets) units, armed and dressed in combat gear, entered the capital city of Santiago in personnel carriers on a Friday afternoon and positioned themselves as a security detail surrounding the armys headquarters building. It was a show of military strength intended to intimidate the countrys president into abandoning his governments investigation of alleged corruption activities by the son of the former dictator-president (1973-1990) and, at the moment, commander of the army, Gen. Augusto Pinochet. That was followed three days later by the announcement of military maneuvers at the armys infantry school, attended by Pinochet dressed in combat uniform. It was all part of an intimidation plot to shield himself and his family from public exposure of fraudulent schemes. Indeed, years later, it was discovered the former dictator had stashed away millions of dollars in Caribbean banks. But justice prevailed. He was arrested in England on an international warrant, and most of his family faced legal charges, including his wife. His legacy as an anti-communist crusader and savior of the Chilean economy was permanently shattered. He spent his last years of life powerless under house arrest as he, through his team of lawyers, dodged prosecution for crimes against humanity amply documented. Both of these attempts to usurp the will of the people ultimately failed. The rule of law and order were subsequently restored, and both countries prospered. Yet even as despicable as these events I witnessed in foreign countries were, they didnt embody the vandalism and vindictive vitriol our nation witnessed Jan. 6. The desecration of our temple of civil legislative discourse was abominable. It pained me to watch it unfold. Saddened by the images, my daughter texted me, I know it was exponentially difficult for you to see such destruction in our democracy which you protected and proudly represented for years. I can only hope and pray the worst is behind us. And so do I. Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Jaime Vazquez served as the U.S. air attache at the U.S. Embassy in Chile and was commandant of the InterAmerican Air Forces Academy at JBSA-Lackland. He also held a diplomatic assignment in Spain. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... NEW YORK New York Citys main bus terminal, long ridiculed for leaky ceilings, dirty bathrooms and frequent delays, could be in for a major overhaul. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unveiled a proposal Thursday to rebuild and expand the embattled midtown Manhattan bus terminal. Everyone knows the bus terminal. Very few have anything good to say about it, Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said. It is way past time that this building be replaced. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The new station would be built on top of the existing one, with sleek, glass-walled entrances and added infrastructure to accommodate more buses. Ramps that stretch across several blocks would be moved, and a storage building would be built to keep empty buses off the streets. Construction could begin in 2024 and finish by 2031, the Port Authority said. Previous estimates have put the cost of a new bus terminal at as much as $10 billion. In addition to about $3 billion already included in the agencys capital plan, funding would come from multiple sources, including federal dollars and the sale of rights to build up to four new commercial towers in the area. The Port Authority Bus Terminal opened in 1950 at Eighth Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets near Times Square. A statue of Ralph Kramden, the fictional bus driver from The Honeymooners, stands outside its main entrance. It also provided an apt backdrop for Midnight Cowboy, the 1969 film that illuminated New Yorks seedy underworld. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the terminal handled more than 250,000 passenger trips on weekdays, many commuting from New Jersey. A Port Authority-commissioned study projected that number would increase to more than 330,000 by 2040. Tom Wright, president of the Regional Plan Association, an urban planning think tank, called the new plan a creative approach to a complicated problem. Fixing the Port Authority Bus Terminal for the 260,000 people who rely on it every weekday is one of the highest infrastructure priorities for our region, he said. The prosperity of our tri-state area will depend on our ability to provide access across the region and connect people to jobs. Officials have debated replacing or overhauling the bus terminal, the countrys busiest, for years. But political squabbling between lawmakers and Port Authority officials from both states left the project stalled while other major infrastructure projects advanced, including a new World Trade Center transit hub and multibillion-dollar makeovers of LaGuardia, JFK and Newark Liberty airports. The bus terminal wasnt included in the Port Authoritys 10-year capital plan in 2014, raising the ire of commuters and New Jersey lawmakers. ___ This story has been corrected to remove a reference to $3 billion in funding coming from the sale of rights to build up to four commercial towers; the $3 billion is contained in the Port Authoritys capital plan. ___ Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report. Washington: Amid soaring tensions over Kim Jong-Uns nuclear weapons program, North Korea has tested a rocket engine that could potentially be fitted to an intercontinental ballistic missile, a US official told AFP. A rocket engine was tested today, the US official said yesterday on condition of anonymity, without providing any details. News of the test came one day after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged China, Pyongyangs sole ally, to put more pressure on the North to rein in its atomic weapons and ballistic missile programs. Calling North Korea the top security threat to the United States, Tillerson said China has a diplomatic responsibility to exert much greater economic and diplomatic pressure on the regime if they want to prevent further escalation in the region. ALSO READ | US Prez Donald Trump talks to Duterte, calls Kim Jong-Un a 'madman with nuclear powers' President Donald Trump has made halting the North Korean nuclear threat his number one foreign policy priority. We watch North Koreas actions closely. But we will not comment on intelligence, Navy commander Gary Ross said in a emailed statement, declining to confirm the rocket engine test. We call on the DPRK to refrain from provocative, destabilizing actions and rhetoric, and to make the strategic choice to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and return to serious talks. ALSO READ | UN asks North Korea to stop ballistic missile tests For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. (Photo : Pexels/Nataliya Vaitkevich) COVID-19 vaccine on new strain In the past few months, new variants of the coronavirus have sparked waves of concerns about whether the existing vaccines will still be able to perform well against the evolving virus. The three preprints that was posed on bioRxiv on January 19 showed that the serum from people who had been vaccinated can neutralize the virus with some of the same mutations as the now-widespread variant called B117, but it was less effective in neutralizing the strains, making another variant that is now called 501YV2. COVID-19 mutation challenges scientists The first study investigated the effects of the new variant that emerged in South Africa called 501YV2 by using the serum samples from 44 people who had COVID-19. When these serum was exposed to the new variant, 48% were not able to neutralize the virus. Liam Smeeth, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that the data do raise the possibility that the protection gained from the previous infection with COVID-19 may be lowered for re-infection with the variant found in South Africa. Also Read: First Long-Acting HIV Two-Shot Combo Gets FDA Approval Aimed to Help Patients Track Medication Better Smeeth told Reuters that the data also showed that the existing vaccines could be less effective against the variant called 501YV2. In a second study, the serum samples from 16 people who had the vaccine from Pfizer were exposed to a virus with 10 mutations found in the spike protein of B117, also called the UK variant. The synthesized pseudovirus was neutralized easily by the antibodies in the samples. This made them hopeful that the vaccine could be effective against the variant. The third study used the serum samples from 20 people who had the vaccine from either Moderna or Pfizer in order to explore how vaccine-induced immunity stood up to specific mutations that affect the spike protein. Scientists' test on vaccine Even though the antibodies against the COVID-19 wane as time goes on after the infection, B cells still has the ability to target the spike proteins and the receptor binding domains which is part of the spike that allows the virus to attach to cells for infection. The efficacy of the serum decreased against the pseudoviruses that were carrying the mutations compared with those that has the dominant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the samples neutralized the viral threat with a one to threefold increase in antibodies. However, the small portion of samples do not have enough diversity in race and age, which are the crucial factors in the outcomes of COVID-19 data, according to the interview of the Associated Press with Drew Weissman, an infectious disease expert who worked on the development of the vaccine. James Naismith, a biologist from Oxford University, neutralization is not the only marker to measure a successful immune response on patients. Naismith told The Guardian that the real world human immune response is more than serum-based neutralization. He said that neutralization is better to have occurred but this does not mean that the new virus will infect, spread and sicken those who have been infected with the original strain. In the United Kingdom and other countries, the B117 variant is causing outbreaks that are more severe than the first wave in 2020. The mutation could be 50% more infectious than the earlier strains, and some researchers also believe that it might have happened among those with immune diseases like Aids or it could emerge under the pressure of massive use of antiviral drugs. Related Article: UK Variant of Coronavirus May be More Deadly than Previously Thought, Data Analysis Show This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sieeka Khan 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pip Edwards was enjoying Sydney's heat wave on Saturday. The P.E. Nation founder headed out to Chinamans Beach on Sydney Harbour with her son Justice Single, 14, her boyfriend Michael Clarke, 39, as well as Michael's daughter Kelsey Lee, 5. The 40-year-old showed off her incredible figure in a skimpy black and white bikini with a checked pattern on one side as she posed for a number of Instagram images aboard a boat. Out and about: Pip Edwards (pictured) was enjoying Sydney's heat wave on Saturday. The P.E. Nation founder headed out to Chinamans Beach on Sydney Harbour with her son Justice Single, 14, her boyfriend Michael Clarke, 39, as well as Michael's daughter Kelsey Lee, 5 She stayed sun safe with a hat and sunglasses, as well as wearing a flannel shirt around her waist. In a second photo, the designer showed off her muscular, toned tummy as she posed on a beach towel. In other photos taken on the day, Pip and Michael played in the water on a slippery flotation device. Wow! The 40-year-old showed off her incredible figure in a skimpy black and white bikini with a checked pattern on one side as she posed for a number of Instagram images aboard a boat Woah! The designer showed off her muscular, toned tummy as she posed on a beach towel Wet and wild: In other photos taken on the day, Pip and Michael played in the water on a slippery flotation device Yet more images showed someone helping little Kelsey Lee grab some treats from the spread on the table. Later, the foursome headed off to a park, with Justice and Kelsey Lee bonding as they sat on a picnic blanket. Pip also posed alongside her son, who she shared with clothing designer Dan Single, in a sunset snap. Treats: Yet more images showed someone helping little Kelsey Lee grab some treats from the spread on the table Cute! Later, the foursome headed off to a park, with Justice and Kelsey Lee bonding as they sat on a picnic blanket The blonde looked stunning in a floral, sleeveless top and shredded jeans and looked freshly tanned. Her son, resembling his famous father, posed proudly alongside his mother in stunning photo. Pip captioned the photograph 'It happens all too quickly. Way too fast. If only I could press pause, even for a minute. Thank god I can now lean on you'. The FBI has launched an investigation after a bomb was thrown at an anti-LGBT church in California just weeks after the pastor received an arson attack threat. Police and fire crews were called to the First Works Baptist Church at 2600 Tyler Avenue in El Monte in the early hours of Saturday morning to reports of an explosion. The FBI said an improvised explosive device had been thrown at the building and it had also been covered in graffiti. No one was injured in the attack, authorities said. The church has been the center of controversy in the local area due to its stance against same-sex relationships and its teachings that residents have described as hate speech. FBI and local police are investigating after a bobmb exploded at First Works Baptist Church on Saturday The church has been the center of controversy in the local area due to its stance against same-sex relationships and its teachings that residents have described as hate speech The FBI has launched an investigation after a bomb was thrown at anti-LGBT church First Works Baptist Church in California just weeks after the pastor received an arson attack threat. Pictured smoke coming out of the building El Monte Police Lt. Christopher Cano said officers responded to the area at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday after hearing an explosion. They arrived on the scene and noticed the windows were smashed before later realizing they had been blown out by the force of the blast. 'When our units arrived at the scene they found that (the church) was having some smoke come out of the windows,' said Cano, per the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. 'It appeared that the walls to the church had been vandalized as well as all the windows. '[The windows] appeared at first to be smashed, then we realized that the windows were not smashed, that they had actually blown out from some type of explosion.' Smartphone footage taken in the aftermath of the blast shows smoke coming out of the single-story building which was also vandalized with graffiti. A voice is heard saying 'they threw like a bomb or something'. 'The whole f**ing earth shook. This is crazy,' they say. Earlier this month, Pastor Bruce Meija (pictured) said he had contacted the police after receiving a threat on social media of an arson attack The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled the church a hate group Sirens are heard in the distance and multiple police cars are seen racing to the scene. A bomb squad was called in to check for any secondary devices. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the agency is investigating the 'IED attack' as a possible hate crime. 'Anytime a house of worship is attacked, we will respond,' Eimiller said. 'If it was motivated in any way by hate, that's always a working theory when a house of worship is attacked, although that has not been confirmed.' The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has set up a command post close to the church following the attack, reported the Tribune. The bombing comes just two weeks after Pastor Bruce Meija said he had contacted the police after receiving a threat on social media of an arson attack. Smartphone footage taken in the aftermath of the blast shows smoke coming out of the single-story building which was also vandalized with graffiti Sirens are heard in the distance and multiple police cars are seen racing to the scene UPDATE: Someone threw a bomb at the First Works Baptist Church in El Monte. Its currently on fire right now. #keepelmontefriendly pic.twitter.com/IGVU0GviAT Jay Tea (@Josh_TheBoss2) January 23, 2021 The motive for the attack is not known but it comes amid growing outrage toward Mejia and First Works due to the church's anti-LGBT teachings. A protest was held outside the church last Sunday while residents blasted the church's teachings as hate speech at a recent El Monte City Council meeting. A Change.org petition to remove the place of worship from the community had reached almost 15,000 signatures Saturday. The group that organized the protests, Keep El Monte Friendly, issued a statement expressing 'profound shock' at Saturday's attack and announcing a protest planned for Sunday would be canceled. 'We understand that what they preach can make people upset. However, we would never promote, encourage or condone any violence or acts of harm,' the group wrote. El Monte Police Chief David Reynoso and another officer stand outside the First Works Baptist Church tagged with graffiti Saturday in the aftermath of the blast Outrage has been mounting in the community over Mejia's teachings condemning same-sex relationships. A protest was held outside the church last Sunday while residents blasted the church's teachings as hate speech at a recent El Monte City Council meeting 'Our intent is to unite the community and keep El Monte a safe place for all regardless of gender identity, race or sexual orientation.' LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis said in a statement following Saturday's attack that she was aware of the pastor's 'anti-LGBTQ+ and misogynistic sermons' but said that 'violence is never the answer.' Since Mejia launched the church three years ago it has condemned same-sex relationships and the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled it a hate group. In his sermons, Mejia has cited Bible verses that he says justify executing LGBT people and has said it is justifiable to murder a thief or pedophile. He has also condemned the arrest of Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenage shooter who traveled to Kenosha and shot dead two Black Lives Matter protesters and injured a third last year. The controversial pastor has also told followers not to follow coronavirus safety measures or get vaccinated. Lanka tightlipped over Indian protest over deaths of fishermen View(s): Colombo has not responded, and is unlikely to respond, to New Delhis strong demarche earlier this week over the death of four fishermen on board an Indian poaching vessel which sank off Sri Lankas northern Delft Island after a mid-sea collision with a Sri Lanka Navy boat. The Foreign Ministry said it had no statement and that the matter would be under the Attorney Generals (AGs) Department, the Defence Ministry or the Fisheries Ministry. The AGs Department also had no response. The Defence Ministry said its position was contained in Navy media statements which largely offered details of the incident. The death of the fishermen is a very tragic incident, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda told the Sunday Times. We need to resolve this urgently to ensure the livelihood and safety of the fisher communities of the two countries without aggravating the issue with incidents like this. He was assigned his portfolio to bring about a solution to the longstanding dispute, the Minister pointed out. But despite several attempts and discussions, there has been no finality. The matter was even raised during the visit to Colombo earlier this month of Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Minister Devananda, too, had no specific reply to Indias demarche. But his office this week appointed a three-member committee headed by the Ministry Secretary to look into illegal fishing activities by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankas territorial waters and to suggest measures to protect the fish stock from harmful fishing methodsmainly bottom trawling, a fishing method designated as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU). The contents of the demarche, which is a petition or protest presented through diplomatic channels, were identical to the statement subsequently released by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), authoritative sources said. It was delivered via Sri Lankas Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi while the Indian mission in Colombo also lodged a protest with the Foreign Ministry in Colombo. The Indian statement expressed shock at the unfortunate loss of lives of three Indian fishermen and one Sri Lankan national following a collision between their vessel and a Sri Lanka naval craft. (The Sri Lankan national was a refugee resident in South India who was working on the Indian boat). Our strong protest in regard to this incident was conveyed by our High Commissioner to the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister today, it continued. A strong demarche was also made to the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi. It expressed deep anguish over the incident and called for issues pertaining to fishermen to be dealt with in a humanitarian manner. Existing understandings between the two governments in that regard must be strictly observed. Utmost efforts should be made to ensure that there is no recurrence, it said. The Navy earlier said there were around 50 trawlers in Sri Lankan waters that night. One of these with aggressive manoeuvres resisting the arrest collided with the Navy craft, lost stability and sank. The Navy vessel was also damaged. The clash occurred just 15km North-East of Delft Island. It is quite evident that Indian fishing trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters are making aggressive manoeuvres resisting their arrest by SLN [Sri Lanka Navy] units time and again, the Navy said. In such backdrop, Sri Lanka Navy on a number of early occasions had informed Indian authorities to make the Indian fishermen aware of the vulnerability attached to such acts performing with scant regard. Meanwhile, agitating Indian fisher groups in Rameswaram have cancelled a planned march to Katchchativu Island yesterday after an Indian Union Minister, Dairying Giriraj Singh, assured them there would be no recurrence of such incidents. He told fisher leaders that India took up the issue with the Sri Lankan Government in strong terms and assured safety in the future. Fishermen were to go towards the island with black flags, protesting the continuing arrests of Indians by the Sri Lankan Navy and claiming they had a traditional right to fish around that area. Rameswaram Fishermens Association President P. Sesuraja told the Sunday Times: This is totally unacceptable. We have strong suspicions on the death of our fishermen. Thats why we have requested that those bodies should be subjected to re-post-mortem here in India after we saw their condition. The Sri Lankan refugee who died is 28-year-old Samson Darvin from Gurunagar in Jaffna. His family was displaced to India during the final phases of the war in 2009 and lived at the Mandapam refugee camp in Rameswaram. They have requested Indian authorities to have his body repatriated to India. Jaffna Magistrate A. Peter Paul issued a directive to conduct post-mortem examinations on all the deceased before the bodies were sent back to India through the Indian Coastguard yesterday morning. Wuhan, the Chinese city which was once the epicentre of coronavirus pandemic, marked the anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdown that was imposed during this month, last year. The restrictions, that clamped down 11 million residents in the central Chinese city within the home confinement, lasted almost 76 days to curb the spread of the SARS-CoV-2. The entire world continues to battle the pandemic, China marked the anniversary with the triumph over the virus and denial that it came from somewhere - anywhere - but here according to sources BBC, despite the reports that the first infection was detected at Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and pneumonia-like illness sickened the leading scientist Shi Zhenglis after the outbreak emanated from the Chinese laboratory. However, the director of the WIV has since denied the claims in Chinas state-run press. Life in Wuhan, on Friday, was seen almost restored to the pre-pandemic normal as Chinese residents walked in a fog-shrouded park beside the mighty Yangtze River. Coronavirus, which claimed more than 2 million lives worldwide was first reported in the city last year and accounted for 4,635 fatalities in communist China. As the citys streets bustled with shoppers, traffic sped by, and people carried on to their day-to-day lives with no sign of pathogen wreaking havoc on the Chinese lives, several European countries, the UK and the UK are now reported struggling to work containment strategies to suppress new mutants of the deadly virus as they imposed restrictive measures and emergency lockdowns due to alarming surge in the death toll. As Wuhan, Hubei province marks the first anniversary of the extreme step that the government took on recommendations of Chinas National Health Commission, it looked back on a year when the lockdown brought life on a standstill, shuttered businesses, and ripped the economy apart. The air travel was grounded and citizens were issued orders, prohibiting them from leaving the city and spreading the virus around China. Homes of those that had been exposed to the malignant pathogen were marked by Chinese law enforcement with a cross as Wuhan hospitals flooded with patients that were then identified reporting pneumonia-like symptomssymptoms such as high temperature, cough, and respiratory distress with breathing difficulties. Read: Swine Fever Spreading Across China May Have Origin In Illicit Vaccines: Report Read: 'Stop Any Form Of Meddling': China Slams 'gross Interference' By EU Lawmakers On Hong Kong 'A little too late': World now in deep crisis While Wuhan lab alerted the Chinese health authorities of coronavirus similar to the 2002-03 SARS outbreak, journalists, doctors, and Xi Jinpings critic whistleblowers were held under detention for leaking information. Chinese ophthalmologist Dr Li Wenliang who succumbed to the coronavirus last year, posted an initial warning about the deadly coronavirus outbreak that had spread worldwidea little too late when the Chinese government sprang to action. Police were reported threatening him to stop "making false comments. In January 2020, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention obtained a full sequence of the virus but abstained from publishing the full report. By January 13, 2020, the first confirmed COVID-19 case was reported outside China in Thailand. Top Chinese medical expert, Dr Zhong Nanshan, made an appearance on state TV warning that the newly detected virus was dangerously transmissible. At 2 am on January 23, 2020, the Chinese government bombarded text messages on smartphones announcing the worlds first-ever Wuhan lockdown, locking the entire city sharp at 10 am in the morning. 56 million people later that week were shut at homes with threats of police detention in the rest of Hubei province. A walkthrough in pics from Wuhan lockdown 2020: [Shuttered Wuhan Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market.] [Air travel advisory issued at airport] [Tempertaure checks started for the first time via digital thermometers] [Patients admitted intensive care unit at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan with 'pneumonia-like' symptoms] [Chinese shoppers empty shelves due to panic buying.] [Ambulance drives on an empty Wuhan bridge] [Workers in protective gears called PPE appeared on Wuhan streets doing sanitization] [Ambulances answer emergency calls to carry SARS-CoV-2 patients reporting breathing problems] Read: China Law Empowers Coast Guard To Use Force Amid Disputes Read: Diplomats Contact Canadian Held For Over 2 Years In China GLENN COUNTY, CALIF. - The Glenn County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team braved freezing after dark temperatures to rescue three people stuck in the snow. It happened Wednesday night at Well's Campground in the Mendocino National Forest. The Sheriff's Office said a call came in just before 6:30 p.m. reporting the trio stranded without food or water, and that they were not prepared to spend the night in inclement weather. Dispatchers lost contact with the stranded party and could not re-establish contact because of the remote area and poor cell phone reception. Searchers were able to locate and rescue Amanda Polit, Cody Polit, and Alondra Reyes, all of Maxwell. They were all reunited with their families on the valley floor. The Glenn County Sheriff's Office is warning people mountain roads being especially hazardous this winter because of a lack of vegetation from area forest fires. And they remind everyone headed to the higher elevations or remote areas to tell friends or family of your planned route when you expect to return, dress appropriately for weather conditions and pack an emergency bag in case you become stranded. Firms should hike their pension contribution rate to help low earners save enough to have a decent standard of life when they retire, a leading think-tank has suggested. The Resolution Foundation has called for a 'living pension' as it found that even a lifetime of minimum pension contributions under the auto-enrolment scheme will not be enough for an adequate retirement. Moulded on the Living Wage campaign - which encourages companies to pay their staff wages which are 'based on living costs' - a 'living pension' would see firms help employees saving enough for retirement. This would include firms setting clear minimum targets needed for a comfortable retirement as well as hiking their contributions. Saving for retirement: The current minimum 8% contribution to workplace pension is not enough for an adequate retirement income, according to the Resolution Foundation Currently, under auto-enrolment the minimum pension contribution is 8 per cent: 3 per cent of free cash from the employer, 1 per cent from Government tax relief and the other 4 per cent taken from a worker's paycheck. Some employers go above and beyond those requirements, particularly larger companies. Although 8 per cent is the auto enrolment minimum, the Resolution Foundation said this falls short of what is required for an adequate retirement income. Its new report entitled Building A Living Pension looks at how much income is needed for a decent standard of living in retirement for low and middle earners. It found that a worker aged 25 today would need an overall pension contribution rate of 11.2 per cent - equivalent to saving 2,100 a year if earning the Living Wage - in order to have reach a 'living pension' target on retirement. That is in line with general advice from financial experts, who tend to recommend people to try to save a total of 12 per cent of one's salary for a comfortable retirement. A worker aged 35 today would need an even higher contribution rate of 15.1 per cent or 2,800 a year if earning the Living Wage to have an adequate retirement income. A worker aged 25 today would need an overall pension contribution rate of 11.2 per cent in order to have reach a 'living pension', the Resolution Foundation said A 'living pension' ranges from a weekly income of 209 for a single home-owner, to 445 for a couple in private rented accommodation, according to the Resolution Foundation. It said that achieving these retirement income levels would, on average, require a final pension pot of around 70,000. The figures are calculated taking into consideration a range of factors, from the basket of goods deemed necessary to enjoy basic living standards, to the growth in a pensioner living costs over time, changes in earnings as well as mortgage costs and life expectancy. David Finch, senior research fellow at the Resolution Foundation, said: 'The rollout of auto-enrolment has got millions more workers saving into a pension, and our proposal would build on its success. 'By setting minimum contribution rates or cash targets, a living pension would mean that firms can offer their staff decent living standards when working today, and in retirement tomorrow.' Under the proposals, firms should help clarify to low and middle income workers who are saving into a company pension how much they actually need for a comfortable retirement. A 'living pension' ranges from a weekly income of 209 for a single home-owner, to 445 for a couple in private rented accommodation, the RF said Phil Brown, director of policy at the People's Pension, said: 'Setting out the minimum income needed for a decent retirement will simplify pensions for the masses. 'The challenge for the pensions industry is to ensure that people understand clearly how much they need to save to reach that minimum standard.' Lindsey Rix, chief executive of UK savings and retirement at Aviva - which supported the RF report - said: 'Aviva has been working with the Living Wage Foundation who will now use this report to develop and pilot a living pension accreditation standard that is equivalent to the highly successful living wage campaign. 'We believe this would help low to middle income employees focus on how they can reach a decent standard of living in retirement.' The Living Wage - which is 9.50 per hour across the UK (10.85 in London) - is voluntarily paid by 7,000 UK businesses. It's higher than the Government's national minimum wage of 8.75 for over 25s. The Living Wage is calculated according to what 'employees and their families need to live'. Laura Gardiner, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said the 'success' of the living wage campaign could be replicated for pensions. 'Despite the success of auto-enrolment in spurring a basic level of saving across the workforce, many lower income workers aren't building up the pensions necessary to cover essential costs in retirement,' she said. 'Responsible employers have a role to play in addressing that challenge, and a new "living pension" standard is a vital tool for supporting and encouraging them to do so.' Andrew Tully of Canada Life UK has welcomed the proposal from the Resolution Foundation for a living pension. 'Anything which helps people understand how much income they are likely to need in retirement will be very useful,' he said. 'Many are in the dark around how much to save and what size of pension pot they need. This may help them picture their future retirement and what it may cost to meet those aspirations.' Separate research from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association has also identified three levels of living standard in retirement for a single person: a minimum of 10,000 per year, a 'moderate' level of about 20,000 per year, while a 'comfortable' retirement income is about 30,000 per year. Nigel Peaple, director of policy and advocacy at PLSA told This is Money: 'These are based on lifestyle factors like how much people spend on furniture, clothes, food and holidays. 'The new standard proposed by the Resolution Foundation is more or less the same as the Minimum level used by the Retirement Living Standards but more is added to take account of people who pay rent or a mortgage in retirement.' Automatic enrolment has seen over 10million workers enrolled into a workplace pension to date, according to the Department for Work and Pensions. 'Our ambition remains to enable people to save more and to start saving earlier. This Government is taking clear steps - such as the ongoing development of pension dashboards - to achieve this,' the DWP said. 'However, helping workers secure greater financial security in retirement must always be a collective effort - with individuals, employers, the pensions industry and Government each playing their part. In the waning days of an Administration whose depth of horrors and crimes remain undiscovered, Mr. Donald Trump finally achieved two prized goals as president of the U.S.A. First, crowd size on the Mall. Turnout at the Rally for America on Jan. 6 rivaled, maybe exceeded, the number who attended Obamas first inauguration. Different outcome, of course, but thats irrelevant: the big crowd loved him, and he loved the big crowd. He said so. His crowd will be remembered, forever. Second, the wall got built. No, not the great, great big beautiful one on the southern border that he lied about being almost complete a few days earlier. The ugly-with-razor-wire wall erected around the Capitol the wall thats reinforced by 25,000 National Guard troops who would rather be home with their families. America pays for this wall, not Mexico (as if Mexico paid for that other wall, as he promised). U.S.A! U.S.A! U.S.A! Uh-huh. Larry E Arnold, Harrisburg Pa. The years-long renovation of the New Jersey Statehouse, initiated by former Gov. Chris Christie to restore the two-century-old structure, remains on budget and on track for completion in January 2023, Treasury Department officials said. The historic, golden-domed capitol is in the midst of a $300 million renovation, which displaced the governors office and members of Gov. Phil Murphys administration, who now work out of an office building down State Street. The Statehouse, which dates 1792, is the second-oldest continuous state capitol in the U.S., after Maryland. Christie announced the controversial renovation in late 2016, saying sections of the executive wing were in danger of catastrophic failure. Lawmakers balked at the massive price tag and criticized Christies decision to finance the project through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which they criticized as an end-run around the Legislature. A lawsuit lawmakers filed to block the renovation was dismissed. Murphys administration then took over management of the project after he took office in 2018. Murphy officials have since said Christies assessment of the buildings hazards no fire suppression system, skylights held together with duct tape, windows about to fall out and widespread water damage were true. Demolition and construction began in 2017 and was expected to take four years. Included in the work are new electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. On a tour with reporters in 2018, state officials set a new 2022 target completion date. But a bid protest and subsequent appeal from a general contracting losing bidder pushed the timeline back further. News12.com reported in 2019 the lawsuit made it unlikely construction would be wrapped up before 2023. Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio, speaking at a construction forecasting seminar late last year, said the project shifted from demolition and historical preservation to general contracting in December 2019 and that work is expected to take about three years, with construction wrapping up in January 2023. During the early phases, architects and preservationists employed cutting-edge techniques to preserve the historical character of what is the second oldest Statehouse in continuous use in the country, she said, adding that construction crews are now undertaking masonry restoration, excavation for utilities and elevator construction and window replacement, among other projects. State employees arent expected to move back into the executive wing until mid-year in 2023, after the offices are outfitting with furniture, IT and other equipment, said Treasury spokeswoman Jennifer Sciortino. At present, she said, it is still within budget and on time. The comprehensive nature of this project means that virtually every mistake that has ever been perpetrated on this building will be corrected so that things finally work properly and efficiently, Sciortino said. There will now be a road map, so to speak, on what needs to be done in terms of maintenance moving forward so that future administrations are fully aware of the steps needed to preserve taxpayers investment and prolong the life of these improvements. The building will be renovated and restored to mirror its 1910 likeness while functioning as a modern facility designed to serve the needs of the executive branch of the state, she added. Crews now are digging and pouring underpinnings to support the structure, as the foundations under the oldest section of the building did not provide enough support for the structural load, she said. This massive undertaking is being done largely by hand one small section at a time because of the fragile conditions, Sciortino said. Construction of heating, cooling and ventilation shafts is underway, as is reconstruction of lay lights, she said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Mr John-Peter Amewu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe Constituency, has said government could only deliver on its mandate when people work hard. "Government can only deliver on its mandate when hardworking people are sent to the most difficult places to work," he said. Mr Amewu, who is the Minister-designate for Railway Development in a statement on his new portfolio and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said "a new appointment, a new Ministry, a new challenge with its many opportunities." "I am happy to announce that I am the Railway Development Minister designate. My appreciation and gratitude goes to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his confidence in me." He said it was an "honour and privilege" to serve at the Lands and Natural Resources and Energy Ministries and expressed gratitude to his colleagues at the Ministries for their support. Mr Amewu, who also expressed gratitude to constituents of Hohoe for their support, urged those who wished he was maintained at the Energy Ministry to "be guided that the President appoints based on competence of the appointee." "All Ministries are equal with similar opportunities. It depends on what one can do to make it successful," he added. He noted that the Railway Development Ministry was a good place for him to continue to serve the country and would be counting on the support of all to deliver on the Presidents mandate for the benefit of Ghanaians. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Known for her hits Scar and The Special Two, beloved Aussie singer-songwriter Missy Higgins performs live with duo Busby Marou. Higgins recently released When The Machine Starts, an uplifting song documenting her thoughts post-lockdown. Wed, 6.15pm, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Kings Domain Gardens, Linlithgow Avenue, city, $89-$599, liveatthebowl.com.au Multi-arts space Missing Persons opens to the public with group exhibition materialiZm, presented by Musee du Strip. Contemplating the philosophical theory of materialism, the show revolves around a ready-to-assemble walk-in greenhouse. Today, noon-3pm, Missing Persons, Level 4, Nicholas Building, corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane, city, free, missingpersons.me MaterialiZm Credit: STAGE Contemporary dance company Chunky Move undertakes a one-week residency at MPavilion Monash. Watch the dancers respond to the surrounding architecture, as they climb on and over the site, and each other, in highly physical improvised movement sequences. Jan 25-30, various times, Monash University, 26 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton, free (registrations required), mpavilion.org Bringing atoms to a standstill: NIST miniaturizes laser cooling It's cool to be small. Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have miniaturized the optical components required to cool atoms down to a few thousandths of a degree above absolute zero, the first step in employing them on microchips to drive a new generation of super-accurate atomic clocks, enable navigation without GPS, and simulate quantum systems. Cooling atoms is equivalent to slowing them down, which makes them a lot easier to study. At room temperature, atoms whiz through the air at nearly the speed of sound, some 343 meters per second. The rapid, randomly moving atoms have only fleeting interactions with other particles, and their motion can make it difficult to measure transitions between atomic energy levels. When atoms slow to a crawl -- about 0.1 meters per second -- researchers can measure the particles' energy transitions and other quantum properties accurately enough to use as reference standards in a myriad of navigation and other devices. For more than two decades, scientists have cooled atoms by bombarding them with laser light, a feat for which NIST physicist Bill Phillips shared the 1997 Nobel Prize in physics. Although laser light would ordinarily energize atoms, causing them to move faster, if the frequency and other properties of the light are chosen carefully, the opposite happens. Upon striking the atoms, the laser photons reduce the atoms' momentum until they are moving slowly enough to be trapped by a magnetic field. But to prepare the laser light so that it has the properties to cool atoms typically requires an optical assembly as big as a dining-room table. That's a problem because it limits the use of these ultracold atoms outside the laboratory, where they could become a key element of highly accurate navigation sensors, magnetometers and quantum simulations. Now NIST researcher William McGehee and his colleagues have devised a compact optical platform, only about 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) long, that cools and traps gaseous atoms in a 1-centimeter-wide region. Although other miniature cooling systems have been built, this is the first one that relies solely on flat, or planar, optics, which are easy to mass produce. "This is important as it demonstrates a pathway for making real devices and not just small versions of laboratory experiments," said McGehee. The new optical system, while still about 10 times too big to fit on a microchip, is a key step toward employing ultracold atoms in a host of compact, chip-based navigation and quantum devices outside a laboratory setting. Researchers from the Joint Quantum Institute, a collaboration between NIST and the University of Maryland in College Park, along with scientists from the University of Maryland's Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, also contributed to the study. The apparatus, described online in the New Journal of Physics, consists of three optical elements. First, light is launched from an optical integrated circuit using a device called an extreme mode converter. The converter enlarges the narrow laser beam, initially about 500 nanometers (nm) in diameter (about five thousandths the thickness of a human hair), to 280 times that width. The enlarged beam then strikes a carefully engineered, ultrathin film known as a "metasurface" that's studded with tiny pillars, about 600 nm in length and 100 nm wide. The nanopillars act to further widen the laser beam by another factor of 100. The dramatic widening is necessary for the beam to efficiently interact with and cool a large collection of atoms. Moreover, by accomplishing that feat within a small region of space, the metasurface miniaturizes the cooling process. The metasurface reshapes the light in two other important ways, simultaneously altering the intensity and polarization (direction of vibration) of the light waves. Ordinarily, the intensity follows a bell-shaped curve, in which the light is brightest at the center of the beam, with a gradual falloff on either side. The NIST researchers designed the nanopillars so that the tiny structures modify the intensity, creating a beam that has a uniform brightness across its entire width. The uniform brightness allows more efficient use of the available light. Polarization of the light is also critical for laser cooling. The expanding, reshaped beam then strikes a diffraction grating that splits the single beam into three pairs of equal and oppositely directed beams. Combined with an applied magnetic field, the four beams, pushing on the atoms in opposing directions, serve to trap the cooled atoms. Each component of the optical system -- the converter, the metasurface and the grating -- had been developed at NIST but was in operation at separate laboratories on the two NIST campuses, in Gaithersburg, Maryland and Boulder, Colorado. McGehee and his team brought the disparate components together to build the new system. "That's the fun part of this story," he said. "I knew all the NIST scientists who had independently worked on these different components, and I realized the elements could be put together to create a miniaturized laser cooling system." Although the optical system will have to be 10 times smaller to laser-cool atoms on a chip, the experiment "is proof of principle that it can be done," McGehee added. "Ultimately, making the light preparation smaller and less complicated will enable laser-cooling based technologies to exist outside of laboratories," he said. ### This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Brood X is here Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A large number of gray whales are starving and dying in the eastern North Pacific It's mid-January 2021, and the first gray whales from the eastern North Pacific population have started to arrive in the breeding lagoons in Baja California, Mexico. Since the start of their southbound migration from their high latitude feeding grounds, several sightings of emaciated gray whales have already been reported along their migration route. This has raised concern among scientists that the unusual mortality event (UME, an unexpected phenomenon during which a significant number of a marine mammal population dies), that started in January 2019, and which so far has resulted in 378 confirmed gray whale deaths, and possibly many more unrecorded, is entering its third year. The gray whale - the longest migrating mammal The gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is the only living species in the family Eschrichtiidae, in honour of the Danish zoologist Daniel Frederik Eschricht. Gray whales undertake annual migrations between feeding grounds in the Bering, Chukchi, and Arctic Seas, and breeding grounds from the Southern California Bight to lagoons along the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico. During the summer feeding season, between May and October, the whales build up large amount of energy reserves, mainly in the form of blubber, to support the energetic costs of migration and while residing on the breeding grounds. Sufficient energy reserves is crucial for the reproduction and survival of gray whales, which do not feed during the migration and breeding season. Mary Lou Jones and Steven Swartz, co-author on the current paper, conducted the first research and monitoring of the gray whales from 1977 to 1982 in Laguna San Ignacio (LSI) in Baja California Sur, Mexico. In 2006 with their colleague Dr Jorge Urban, co-author on the current paper, they initiated the Laguna San Ignacio Ecosystem Science Program (LSIESP), a project of the Ocean Foundation, which is a partnership with the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS) and international collaborators. Drones - the bathroom scales of the whales In 2017, Dr Fredrik Christiansen from the Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies and the Dept. of Zoology at Aarhus University, and Professor Lars Bejder from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, joined LSIESP to study the body condition of gray whales with the use of drone photogrammetry. The technique involves measuring the body length and width of gray whales from vertical photographs taken by drones above the whales, from which a measure of relative body condition (or fatness) of individual whales can be obtained. Already in the second year of sampling, the researchers found a marked decline in the body condition of juvenile and adult gray whales visiting Laguna San Ignacio. The decline was also visible in 2019, at the start of the current UME. The decline in body condition also coincided with a drop in the number of mother-calf pairs sighted in Laguna San Ignacio, which indicated a reduction in the reproductive rate of female gray whales. A similar UME occurred in 1999-2000, when 651 gray whales were recorded dead along the west coast of North America. During that two-year event, the gray whale population declined with about 25% from about 21,000 animals in 1998 to about 16,000 in 2002. It is yet unknown what effects the current UME is having on the eastern North Pacific population. Starvation, decline in prey availability and warming of the Arctic While the study by Dr Fredrik Christiansen and colleagues suggests that the decline in survival and reproductive rates of gray whale during the current UME was caused by starvation, the underlying factors that caused this reduction in body condition has not yet been determined. The fact that gray whales in 2018 and 2019 arrived on their Mexican breeding grounds already in significantly poorer body condition, indicates that this decline must have occurred either during the previous feeding season and/or during the southbound migration. "It appears that a large number of gray whales are leaving their feeding grounds already in a poor nutritional state and by the time they have completed the breeding season in Mexico they have depleted their energy reserves and starve to death", says Dr Fredrik Christiansen. A decline in prey availability on the main feeding grounds is hence the most probably explanation for the current UME. Since the late 1980s, there has been a decline in the abundance and biomass of amphipods, the main prey for gray whales, in the central Chirikov Basin, the main feeding area for gray whales in the Bering Sea. This in turn is believed to be caused by warming of Arctic waters as a result of natural and/or human-induced climate change. If that is the case, UMEs like this one might become more frequent, which could result in a decline in gray whale numbers in coming decades. As the world keeps struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic, LSIESP researchers are preparing for the 2021 field season in Laguna San Ignacio to hopefully get one step closer to understanding the full extent of the current gray whale UME. ### This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! On the evening of 31 December, as the hours ticked down to the New Year, 40-year-old Aguiratou Diallo was at home with her four children in their village near the town of Koumbri in northern Burkina Faso, when a group of armed men burst into the courtyard outside. They threatened to hurt us if we were still there when they returned the next day. Then they fired into the air to scare us, said Aguiratou, whose husband was away at work at the time. I was so frightened. The whole family including my grandmother, aunt, and my husbands brothers and sisters met up and left the village. We set off on foot without any belongings. There were about 40 of us, and it took us 20 hours to reach Ouahigouya. After rejoining her husband, the family were moved to a site hosting other families who had fled their homes, where UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its partners provided them with shelter, blankets, mattresses and other essential items. Our biggest concern now is water, because the wells are nearly empty, Aguiratou explained. Our wish is for peace to return so that we can go home. Our biggest concern now is water, because the wells are nearly empty." Aguiratou and her family are among some 11,400 people mostly women and children who fled their homes during the first few weeks of January, following continuous attacks by armed groups on the town of Koumbri and its neighbouring villages. This latest wave of displacement in Africas Sahel region which includes Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger has pushed the total number of people forced to flee within their own country in the region to beyond two million for the first time. The countries that make up the Sahel are among the worlds least developed and are now the epicentre of the fastest-growing displacement crisis globally, driven by years of violent attacks by armed insurgent groups and criminal gangs. See also: Grim milestone as Sahel violence displaces 2 million inside their countries More than one million of those uprooted are from Burkina Faso, where the numbers forced to flee to other parts of the country in search of safety nearly doubled in 2020 alone. Another of those who fled the area around Koumbri in early January was 81-year-old Salamata, who together with her three sons and their families left the land they farm after armed men swept into their village, killing several inhabitants. One of the victims was the son of my neighbour, who Ive watched growing up, Salamata said. During the attack we heard gunfire, bullets were flying everywhere and even falling in our courtyard. I was very scared for my children, who were still outside. "Bullets were flying everywhere and even falling in our courtyard." The next day, even though we didnt want to leave our village, we left in order to save our lives, she added. Like most of the new arrivals in Ouahigouya and nearby Barga, Salamata and her family are being hosted by local residents, in her case a nephew who is currently sheltering 78 people. Another Ouahigouya resident who moved there from Koumbri two decades ago is 72-year-old Micailou, who opened up his large courtyard and stores of rice to accommodate and feed nearly 400 of those who fled for several days until local partners found alternative shelter for them. When I lived in Koumbri I was a kind of local leader, so when they arrived, I didnt hesitate to welcome them. As a human being, its a moral duty, Micailou said. Unfortunately, due to the lack of shelter, they had to spend three nights sleeping on the ground, he added. My greatest wish is that understanding can be established between communities so that peace can return. Then everyone will be able to return home undisturbed. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In . Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In. The Cite Midtown project will feature 11 buildings totalling 800 housing units on Boulevard Marcel-Laurin, redesigning the entrance to Saint- Laurent. Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 4:46 pm After public testimony for a bill to rapidly reopen businesses, co-sponsor Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, commended the staggering number of people largely business owners who signed up to speak in support. Todays testimony spoke to the desperation people are feeling, he said. Thousands of restaurants and other small family businesses statewide have been lost for good decimated by rules that are not supported by data and science and are enforced by state employees who have not had to skip a single paycheck. The bill will not easily pass either Democratically-controlled chambers, with the Department of Health (DOH) and Gov. Jay Inslee firmly opposing the measure, which would allow businesses to reopen in the next phase of Washingtons current reopening plan. State data shows that restaurants and food service locations have been the most common source of documented outbreaks, according to the state Department of Health. On Wednesday, supporters included Brian McMenamin, owner of 56 McMenamins locations, including Centralias Olympic Club, as well as Dannielle Knutson of Olympia Oyster House. The frustrations voiced by dozens of business owners of emotional layoffs, missed rent payments and a feeling of being singled out are similar to those heard locally in Lewis County, as evident by protests in recent weeks and some restaurants flouting COVID-19 restrictions. Also represented in testimony was the Washington Hospitality Association, which has been pushing against Inslees COVID-19 restrictions for months, calling his phased reopening plan a roadmap to a near-complete collapse of main street neighborhood restaurants and hospitality business in a press release this month. The hospitality industry is ready. Were ready to enact and continue strong safety standards. The strongest in the country, spokeswoman Julia Gorton told lawmakers. One chef and restaurant consultant near the Idaho border described residents crossing state lines to dine indoors while other restaurant owners argued that closing indoor dining hasnt stopped residents from holding private gatherings. Others demurred the research some conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that links COVID-19 transmission to indoor dining. The stream of testimony from business owners was broken up by health care workers describing packed facilities pushed to their brink. One nurse who opposed the bill was Jane Hopkins, executive vice president of the health care union SEIU 1199NW. We oppose this bill because our union of 32,000 health care workers are exhausted, Hopkins said. We have seen how quickly a surge can overrun our capacity. There is no way to reopen our economy without first getting this virus under control. We have no economy if were all sick or dead. We will not have a pandemic response if we ask our health care responders to bear all the risks. Union member Teresa DeLeon, a patient registration coordinator at Swedish Medical Center, brought up the racially disparate impact of the virus. Currently, white Washingtonians are underrepresented in COVID-19 hospitalizations, with Hispanic, Native, Black and other people of color overrepresented, according to Department of Health data. People of color, like me, are the essential workers in our community. People who look like me are the healthcare workers, the delivery driver, the grocery workers, we are also the people who are most likely to get sick from COVID, she said. People like me are going to work every day knowing we are targeted by this disease, targeted by structural racism. Although frustrations and COVID fatigue continue to grow locally and around the state, the bill is unlikely to get the approval of either Democratically-controlled chambers, or the governor, whose reopening plan sets out a much slower reopening of establishments. Its not the time to move the whole state forward, said Lacy Fehrenbach, Department of Health deputy secretary for COVID Response. The bill goes too fast without any health data to support such movement, and doesnt put out a transparent process for how we would balance the risk of COVID disease on our residents with the opening of our economy and schools in our state. IN order to determine your homes value, first look up your particular micro market using the select an area dropdown menu above. Areas are listed alphabetically, with Dublin sub-divided by postcode, north county, south county and west county. We have listed the most common property types first. These usually include (but not always) three- and four-bed semis in cities, and usually three- and four-bed bungalows in the counties. Trace down through the table to find your property type. You will see our valuers estimate of how much an average property in the area will sell for today. Here you will also find last years valuation estimate for this property type and a predictive figure based on how the local auctioneer believes this type will be priced a year from now, subject to conditions prevalent in your local market. Although we list the better-known locations or biggest population centres at the top of each market, all locales in the county/postcode are included in the research. In some cases, like Terenure or Portarlington, locations span more than one postcode or county. Theres an in-depth analysis on every single micro market based on our experts views and local factors. You will find an average price overall listed for your local market. This figure is based on an average value of a group of the most typical property types in the area. Where there are too few property types to warrant a listing in our tables, we have left these out for example, there are no period two storey-over-basement properties listed in Dublin 10 (Ballyfermot). Read More How Much Is Your House Worth? 2021 is an opinion-based survey built on the local experts professional, informed view of what an average version of each type of property listed will sell for today. It is not compiled scientifically. But because How Much Is Your House Worth? 2021 has had its valuations carried out in a period during which prices tend not to move (the weeks immediately before Christmas to early January), it is right up to date and these values are current, unlike surveys based on asking prices or those based on out-of-date mortgage data. All figures shown are based on average of the averages of the entire stock types in the geographic locations outlined. So if your home is located in a better or less salubrious part of your postcode or county, you will have to factor in those differences. Some property types and markets exhibit trends which defy the norms. Where possible, we have explained these irregularities. For example, in D10 two-bed former Corpo homes are similarly priced to three-beds because the latter have downstairs bathrooms. Where a market is too large geographically to be covered by the expertise of one agent (Donegal, for example), we have sought the help of two. Where highly-priced enclaves skew prices too radically, we have spliced them out and analysed them separately (Killarney is split from the rest of Kerry). Where imbalances or mistakes have arisen historically, we have readjusted our data retrospectively to bring it into line. Each market report is accompanied by a picture of a property which has been sold in the last 12 months and had its price listed on the national price register. You can use your guide not only to value your own home but properties all over Ireland making it perfect for those who want to buy, sell, invest or, indeed, just nose into the value of homes owned by others. How much is your house worth in 2021? How much is theirs worth? Only the Irish Independent has the answers. Bengaluru, Jan 24 : Keeping up the tempo by filing FIRs against the makers of "Tandav", a political thriller starring Saif Ali Khan, another FIR was registered in Krisna Raja Pura (K.R. Pura) Police limits of Eastern Bengaluru on Friday. According to the FIR, Kiran Aradhya, social worker lodged complaint against web series "Tandav" starring Saif Ali Khan. Aradhya in his complaint demanded legal action against "Tandav" makers and telecasters who according to him have tried to hurt Hindu religious sentiments by making an actor portraying Lord Ishwar using abusive language in a college function. Aradhya has named web series director Ali Abbas Zafar, producer Farahan Akhtar, actors Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Saif Ali Khan and Amazon Prime's India head of original content Aparna Purohit in his complaint but he has neither furnished their occupation nor address of Bengaluru or Mumbai. Though "Tandava" makers have rendered public apology last week itself when the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry had intervened and called Amazon Prime to respond to complaints against the web series, makers of the show issued a public apology if it "unintentionally hurts anybody's sentiments". Despite issuing public apology, social activists are still registering FIRs in various police stations across the country and the complaint registered in Bengaluru is the latest one. One of the scenes in "Tandav", in which a student leader talks about 'azadi' (freedom) from 'Manuvad, jaatiwad and atyachar', is being cited as offensive. A student leader called Bholenath takes on 'Ram bhakts' whose social media reach is threatening his popularity. This is seen as a metaphorical conflict between Shiva, known for his free, non-conformist ways, and Rama, who treads a more traditional path. Hindutva groups see the scenes as a veiled attack on their brand of politics. "Tandav" is a political drama, and tells the story of how politicians go to any extent to cling to power. Student protests in the series actually bring to mind the Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi era, some critics say. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) informed about the detention of a current employee of the security agency, who tried to kill an officer of the security services. "The Security Service of Ukraine pays special attention to systemic counteraction against violations of the law and manifestations of corruption, including when it concerns current or former SBU employees regardless of their rank, position or seniority. Impunity is only temporary. As part of this work, yesterday investigative and operational measures were carried out to prevent the crime, namely, the murder of a security service officer was prevented. Now one current employee of the SBU has been detained," the security agency wrote on Facebook. The SBU also wrote that official information regarding will be provided later, after the completion of all investigative and operational activities. Earlier on Saturday, the media reported on the arrest of Colonel of the special unit Alpha Andriy Rasiuk on suspicion of plotting the murder of Head of the SBU Internal Security Department Andriy Naumov. An Ethiopian woman who fled the ongoing fighting in the Tigray region of the country, carries her child near the Setit River on the Sudan-Ethiopia border, in Hamdayet village in eastern Kassala State, Sudan, Nov. 22, 2020. Reuters The young coffee seller said she was split from family and friends by an Ethiopian soldier at the Tekeze River, taken down a path, and given a harrowing choice. "He said: 'Choose, either I kill you or rape you'," the 25-year-old told Reuters at the Hamdayet refugee camp in Sudan where she had fled from conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region. The doctor who treated her when she arrived at the camp in December, Tewadrous Tefera Limeuh, confirmed to Reuters that he provided pills to stop pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases, and guided her to a psychotherapist. "The soldier ... forced a gun on her and raped her," Limeuh, who was volunteering with the Sudanese Red Crescent, said the woman told him. "She asked him if he had a condom and he said, 'Why would I need a condom?'" Five aid workers for international and Ethiopian aid groups said they had received multiple reports of similar abuse in Tigray. The United Nations appealed this week for an end to sexual assaults in the region. Among a "high number" of allegations, particularly disturbing reports have emerged of people being forced to rape relatives or have sex in exchange for basic supplies, the U.N. Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict said in a statement on Thursday. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and the military did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters about the reports of rape. The Ethiopian authorities have previously denied rights abuses, pointing the finger instead at the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the region's former ruling party whose forces they accuse of insurrection. "I call on all parties involved in the hostilities in the Tigray region to commit to a zero-tolerance policy for crimes of sexual violence," U.N. special representative Pramila Patten said in the statement. Women and girls in refugee camps within Ethiopia appear to have been particularly targeted, and medical centers are under pressure for emergency contraception and tests for sexually-transmitted infections, the statement said. Reuters could not independently verify the accounts of rape. The media have largely been banned from Tigray, aid agencies have struggled for access, and communications were down for weeks. Abusers in uniform The 25-year-old woman who spoke with Reuters said her abuser wore an Ethiopian federal army uniform. The five aid workers said other women described their alleged assailants as being militia fighters from Ethiopia's Amhara region or Eritrean soldiers, both allied with Abiy's troops. Reuters was unable to determine the identity of the woman's assailant. Abiy's spokeswoman, Tigray's interim governor, the mayor of the regional capital Mekelle, Eritrea's foreign minister and Ethiopia's army spokesman did not immediately reply to requests for comment on rape allegations. Reuters could not reach TPLF representatives. "I don't have any information about that," Amhara regional spokesman Gizachew Muluneh told Reuters by phone. Ethiopia and Eritrea have both denied that Eritrean troops are in Ethiopia, contradicting dozens of eyewitness interviews, diplomats and an Ethiopian general. 'Why is a woman raped?' At a meeting of security officials in Mekelle broadcast on Ethiopian state TV earlier this month, one soldier spoke of abuses even after the city had been captured by federal forces. "I was angry yesterday. Why does a woman get raped in Mekelle city? It wouldn't be shocking if it happened during the war ... But women were raped yesterday and today when the local police and federal police are around," said the soldier, who was not identified. Local authorities did not immediately respond to efforts to seek comment on whether any soldiers might be investigated or brought to justice. Tewadrous, the refugee camp doctor, described two other rape cases he had handled. One woman, who said she had escaped from Rawyan town in Tigray, told of three soldiers she identified as Amhara special forces knocking at her door, the doctor said. When she refused them entry, they broke in and assaulted her. An aid worker in the town of Wukro told Reuters victims had recounted how a husband was forced to kneel and watch while his wife was raped by soldiers they identified as Eritrean. A medical worker in Adigrat said he treated six women who had been raped by a group of soldiers and told not to seek help afterwards. They found courage to come forward days later, but there were no medicines to treat them, the medic said. In Mekelle, one man was beaten up after begging soldiers to stop raping a 19-year-old, according to a medical worker who treated both victims. Mekelle charity Elshadai said it has prepared 50 beds for rape victims. (Reuters) Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Shonah Grant and her husband just returned from a Thursday stroll through their Jefferson Park neighborhood when they noticed something in their yard. It was totally bizarre, Grant said of the incident, which happened about 6:45 p.m. in the 5500 block of West Leland Avenue. I saw something in the yard. I thought, well, thats weird, I never saw that before. It looked like a (tire) rim. They walked closer and saw more debris in the yard. Then, there was a tire by our front porch! Grant said. She and her husband assumed it was garbage someone had dumped, so they lugged the heavy wreckage into their alley, thinking scrappers would take it. I just felt puzzled by the whole thing, she said. A little later, while in her kitchen making dinner, it dawned on her. Oh my God, I think its an airplane tire, Grant said. She called a friend, a retired airplane mechanic, who came right over. Thats definitely from a plane tire. It looks like a smaller plane, he confirmed. The couples four children were all home at the time. Two of them heard a very loud bang, Grant said. After speaking to her neighbors, she learned the wheel likely hit her neighbors yard first, just on the edge of her sidewalk, going into her backyard, Grant said. Then, as it broke apart, it fell into our yard. It was crazy it fell literally between the two houses, Grant said. As they were moving the debris back to where they found it, Chicago police officers got there. Police came up and so then we just dropped them, and they didnt want us to move them again, Grant said. The officers also told the Grants a plane had reported it lost a wheel. As of about 7:45 p.m., several houses in the area had been cordoned off and multiple police officers were on the scene as well as at least two television stations. Were waiting for the FAA to get here, Grant said. Grant is grateful it did not hit their home or injure anyone. It would have gone through the roof if it hit the roof, she said. It is a little freaky because, where we live, were right in a flight path to OHare. We have massive planes that fly over, Grant said. Thank God it was a small plane, but its really surreal. Nimole Christopher, a Fishery Observer, who allegedly threatened a New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency Chairman with death, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court. The accused charged with threat of death, pleaded not guilty and has been granted bail in the sum of GH50,000 with three sureties. The Court presided over by Ms Evelyn Asamoah adjourned the matter to February 15, 2021. Chief Inspector Emmanuel Agyei told the Court that the complainant, Mr Joseph Atta Gyimah was a businessman as well as the Krowor constituency Chairman of NPP and resided at Nungua while the accused was a Fishery observer at the Ministries of Fisheries and also resided at Nungua. Prosecution said both parties were NPP sympathisers. It happened that the accused belonged to a whatapp platform named Krowor Agenda but the complainant, Mr Gyimah, was not on the platform. He said on the December 14, 2020 at 1:48am, a witness who was a member of the Whatapp group forwarded an audio messages uttered by the accused. Prosecution said in the audio, accused threatened to kill the complainant as well as taunted him to wit foolish man, stupid chairman, useless man who cause the MP to lose will die among others. The Prosecutor informed the Court that immediately the complainant received the said audio, he observed that his life was under threat and reported the case to the Nungua Police. He said the Police invited the accused person to the station but some party members together with the accused person besieged the police station. Chief Inspector Agyei said the Police spoke to some leaders to ward off the party members and allow the accused go through police formalities at the station. The leaders complied. Chief Inspector Agyei told the Court that the audio was transferred to a pen drive as an exhibit and after investigation, accused was charged. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) Jordan Schakel had 18 points to lead five San Diego State players in double figures as the Aztecs easily defeated Air Force 98-61 on Friday night. Aguek Arop and Adam Seiko added 14 points apiece for the Aztecs. Keith Dinwiddie Jr. and Nathan Mensah chipped in 13 points each. The 98 points were a season best for San Diego State (10-4, 4-3 Mountain West Conference), which also achieved a season-high 27 assists. Meanwhile, the Aztecs forced a season-high 27 turnovers. San Diego State dominated the first half and led 52-16 at halftime. The Falcons 16 first-half points were a season low for the team. A.J. Walker had 17 points for the Falcons (4-9, 2-7). Ameka Akaya added 12 points. ___ For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25 ___ This was generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 4:48 pm A person who unlawfully summons the police on someone could face a civil action lawsuit under a proposed law that is gaining traction in the Legislature. Senate Bill 5135 would allow an individual to pursue civil action against a person who called the police without having evidence of a public safety risk. Senators voted along party lines with Democrats in favor in a 5-4 decision Jan. 21 to give SB 5135 a do-pass recommendation, and it was sent to the House Rules Committee. Democratic Sen. Mona Das, one of the bills sponsors, said in a Jan. 21 interview she pursued this bill after she noticed how often police are weaponized against people of color. Das said she saw many viral videos over the summer depict a common pattern: two people cross paths in a public place, some sort of verbal altercation starts and escalates, and the police are called to a scene that never posed a risk to public safety. Das said this happens more when the perceived threat of an individual is evaluated not through their actions, but racial bias. Racial equity and equality is no longer a fringe concept, Das said. This is the time to pass bills like this. Sakara Rammu, a member of the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance, told the Senate Law & Justice Committee on Jan. 19 she supported the bill because it offers options for people to protect themselves after being unfairly targeted. We need to be empowered to seek our own remedies of accountability from the individuals who harm us, Rammu said. Republican Sen. Mike Padden said he wanted to clarify the language of the bill, saying people may avoid calling police even in an appropriate situation because they think they will face a lawsuit for it. We dont want to make the situation worse, Padden said. One of the things law enforcement says helps them solve crimes is citizens making reports. Das said she wanted to pursue this bill in part because of Christian Cooper, a Harvard University graduate who had New York police officers called on him by Amy Cooper when he asked her to leash her dog at Central Park in May 2020. Christian Cooper, a Black man, was accused by Amy Cooper, a white woman, of physically assaulting her. As he filmed from several feet away, she made the claim to police over the phone: There is an African American man. I am in Central Park. He is recording me and threatening myself and my dog. The threat was clear: because you are Black, the police will believe me, Rammu said. Its not just that law enforcement officers are likely to believe a Black person is breaking the law or is an imminent threat to the safety of others. Its that Amy knows that most, if not all, Black people are terrified of law enforcement in this day and age because they tend to respond with unnecessary, excessive or lethal force. Sydney Brown writes for The Washington State Journal, a nonprofit news website managed by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. Learn more at wastatejournal.org. Dateline Can Myanmars Armed Ethnic Groups Find a Path Toward Becoming Responsible Businesses? -- Ye Ni; Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! This week, well discuss the issues surrounding the Border Guard Force (BGF) in Myawady of Karen State, the peace process and disarmament and the rights of ethnic armed groups to do business. Nan Paw Gay, editor-in-chief of Karen Information Center, and U Banyar Aung, editor-in-chief of Mon News Agency, join me to discuss this. Im The Irrawaddy Burmese editor Ye Ni. Myanmars military put pressure on top leaders of the BGFColonel Saw Chit Thu, Major Mote Thone and Major Saw Tin Winto resign. Then, not only BGF leaders but also its members submitted resignations, forcing Myanmars military to hold talks with the armed group in Myaing Gyi Ngu. These were a result of disputes over the controversial China-backed Shwe Kokko new city project in Myawady, which is alleged to have ties with Chinese criminal gangs. The BGF said it would not accept pressure from Myanmars military because the BGF also contributes to peace and development of Karen State. Nan Paw Gay, what is your assessment of the BGFs contribution to development of Karen State over the past ten years since it was formed in 2010? Nan Paw Gay: There are two things to considerpeace and development. Though the BGF is not involved in peace talks, it does play a role in settling armed conflicts in respective areas. While they are subdivision of Myanmars military, they grew out of the DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist Army), a splinter group of the KNU (Karen National Union). The BGF acts as an intermediary between Myanmars military and Karen armed organizations. And as to development, though they dont play a major role in the state economy, there are companies that have been established by the BGF. Those companies play a role in regional development work and are also involved in work like road construction in towns. But the work does not always go smoothly. Shwe Kokko, the new city project, faces serious challenges, and not only from locals of Myawady but also from the residents of the entire state, who have concerns about it. The BGF has participated in peace and development work over the past ten years, and they are facing considerable challenges in some issues. There are many armed organizations in Karen. There are the KNU, which has signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army and KNU/KNLA (Peace Council). The BGF cooperated with them on the Unity Committee for Karen Armed Groups. Though it might not be a big deal, the BGF does play a role there. And the BGF also takes part in [celebrating] significant days of Karen people. YN: Security sector reform (SSR) is an important aspect of the peace process. The Tatmadaw maintains a policy of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) in security sector reform. It is fair to say that BGF is a model of that policy. But then, the Tatmadaw is finding it difficult even to disarm the BGF. The BGF is not included in the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference or NCA of the National League for Democracy (NLD) government. But it is under the control of the Tatmadaw. U Banyar Aung, how do you think the BGF can participate in the peace process? Banyar Aung: The DDR or SSR is the process all the ethnic armed organizations must ultimately go through as part of the peace process. First of all, we need to assess if we have reached the DDR stage. In the case of the Kaungkha peoples militia in northern Shan State, action was taken against the entire group in connection with drug charges. The BGF and peoples militias are under the control of the Tatmadaw. They are the groups outside NCA path. Seventeen armed groups signed the ceasefire with the then military regime between 1989 and 1997. After the Tatmadaw applied pressure under 2008 Constitution, some of them transformed to BGFs and peoples militias. They became BGFs and peoples militias as it was not convenient to implement DDR at the time. However, large ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) opted against BGF scheme, and they are now engaged in the NCA path. At first, it was hoped that some 20 EAOs would sign the NCA, but so far only ten have signed it. There are hundreds of organizations outside the NCA, and there are tens of thousands of members in those organizations. As far as Im concerned, the government and the Tatmadaw are not on the same page. In my opinion, there should be only two sidesthe government and the Tatmadaw on one side and EAOs on the other. But in reality, it appears that the process has become more complicated. There are political parties, NCA signatories and the Tatmadaw. And I dont know what role the government is playing. The process is lengthy and has no definite timeframe. It is important that the government and the Tatmadaw be in accord, if the peace process is to be implemented effectively. YN: Every armed group needs to make money to arm and equip and feed its members and their families. For many years, they have been dependent on border trade and resources. But as the political landscape has changed and focus has been shifted to stability and development of the country, the government is pushing to legalize the illegal border trade. This has had a serious impact upon the income of the BGF. We heard that 20 vehicles [illegally] imported by the BGF were confiscated ahead of latest tensions over Shwe Kokko project. The government always promotes an ideal in its reform processto make businesses in conflict-affected areas responsible enterprises, which focus not only on profits but also guarantee labor rights, human rights, and take responsibility for community development and environmental conservation. The government always calls for switching to a responsible business model. Do you think the EAOs will be able to transform their operations into responsible businesses? NPG: Not only the EAOs, whether NCA signatories or non-signatories, but also the BGF are struggling to support their members and families. Not only are those groups struggling, but also the lower-ranking soldiers of Myanmars military cant survive on their salaries. They have to look for additional sources of income. Neither side is perfect. Setting aside the businesses operated by EAOs, even the operations of leading businessmen are not perfect. The same is true of the government. Without stability, no business will be able to operate properly. There are too many challenges and risks to do business in unstable environment. NCA signatories are given certain business permits either by the National Reconciliation and Peace Center or relevant state governments to feed their armies. In some cases, business permits granted by the Union-level government do not harmonize with regional requirements. In that case, NCA signatories have to spend a lot of time on negotiations. The concept of responsible business cant be materialized by a single organization or in a single place. The process calls for a strong overall policy. But before adopting such a policy, comprehensive surveys must be conducted to examine the negative impacts of businesses in respective regions. It will be difficult even in the next five year to ensure that businesses minimize their social and environmental impacts. If the government adopts a plan or policy, there will be some improvement over time. But it calls for collaboration between people, civil society organizations (CSOs), political parties and armed organizations including Myanmars military and government. If there is collaboration, there will be changes over time. But there wont be changes overnight. YN: Taking a look at the peace process, you can see that EAOs were granted business permits in exchange for a ceasefire. And those businesses mostly became illegal businesses, for example the Shwe Kokko project. Then, the Tatmadaw tried to retake control. What is your view of that circle? BA: As peace is being built, the government has been able to spread its authority to ethnic and border areas. The government started to collect taxes while the existing EAOs continue to collect taxes. And people suffer as a result, having to pay double taxes. But then, EAOs have limited options to feed their armies. Some businesses make profits, but some dont. The burden on the people has increased. The government failed to provide assistance to NCA signatories through a specific aid program. The leaders of New Mon State Party told me that the government had not given them any assistance and that they have to do business by themselves. Only when a federal country is built will these problems be solved. For the time being, it is not an easy task to turn smuggling into a responsible business. They all are connected with the peace process. They all are dependent on the peace process. YN: Thank you for your contributions! You may also like these stories: Will Glimmers of Good News Continue as Myanmar Moves Into a New Year? How Are Myanmar Migrants in Thailand Faring in the Face of COVID-19? Will the Centenary of Myanmars Yangon University Lead to Re-Establishing the University Student Union Building? Dubai, Jan 23 : A Dubai-based 14-year-old boy from Kerala has made a six-layered stencil portrait of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a gift to him on the occasion of the country's Republic Day (January 26), a media report said. Saran Sasikumar, a grade nine student of New Indian Model School in Dubai, presented the 90cmx60cm portrait, to Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan, who wrapped up a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday night, Gulf News reported. Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, the Minister said: "Happy to meet in Dubai the talented young artist Saran Sasi Kumar from Kerala, now a resident in UAE. He presented this beautiful portrait, a six layered stencil painting, to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a Republic Day gift. Truly inspiring! My best wishes to him." Saran's portrait features Modi receiving a guard of honour during the 50th year celebration of the foundation of India's Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in 2019. He is seen wearing a wide-brimmed cavalry hat with the CISF logo. Last October, Saran, who has drawn 92 portraits including those of top UAE leaders during the Covid-19 pandemic, bagged the a grandmaster certification from Asia Book of Records and another certificate from India Book of Records for another five-layered stencil portrait of the Indian leader. Speaking to Gulf News on Friday, he said that Muraleedharan has promised to present the portrait to Modi. Saran added that he is "planning to finish the portraits of rulers of all the Emirates in one month and I wish to hold an exhibition". Besides Modi and rulers of the UAE, the teenager has also drawn portraits Mahatma Gandhi and former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Rachel Dyas, Drogheda, who was conferred as a Member of Accounting Technicians Ireland, as well as receiving her Diploma for Accounting Technicians A Drogheda student was honoured as Accounting Technicians Ireland conferred membership to graduates in its first virtual conferring ceremony. School-leavers, those changing career or looking to get back to work, can avail of Accounting Technicians Ireland's recognised and respected qualifications, which open the door to a rewarding career in accounting. Rachel Dyas was among those conferred as a Member of Accounting Technicians Ireland, as well as receiving her Diploma for Accounting Technicians. Qualifications combine professional exams and assessments with practical work experience. ATI delivers its programmes via a network of partner colleges all over the island of Ireland, and online, and its syllabus is tailored to suit students in both jurisdictions. Students can study full-time, part-time, online and as apprentices. Graduates were conferred across three programmes, the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship, the Higher-Level Apprenticeship and the Diploma for Accounting Technicians. Also, 40 Fellowships were awarded to experienced Accounting Technicians Ireland members in recognition of their contribution and expertise. Contributors to the virtual event included Minister of State for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins TD; Chief Executive of the UK Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, Justin Edwards; Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland, Cathriona Hallahan and Director of Outsourcing and Accounting Services at Mazars Ireland, Jennifer Kelly. "A true artist is not one who is inspired but one who inspires others". The speaker of these wondrous words is none other than the legend, the master painter, Salvador Dali. The marvel that he was, and still continues to be even years after his death. His quotes seemed to cover a wide array of subjects and evidently stemmed from profound understanding and extremely thorough observations on various spheres of life. He was known for his outbursts, eccentricities, bizarre ways of being. Nevertheless, this Spanish talent never ceased to be touted as the world's one of the most creative, passionate, renowned artists. An artist whose outlook, interpretation was beyond the ordinary. On his death anniversary let's revive the genius' memories by recounting his quotes: 1. Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings. 2. Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision. 3. Begin by learning to draw and paint like the old masters. After that, you can do as you like; everyone will respect you. 4. "Every morning when I wake up, I experience an exquisite joy the joy of being Salvador Dali and I ask myself in rapture: What wonderful things is this Salvador Dali going to accomplish today?- Dali on being Dali 5. I don't do drugs. I am drugs. 6. Everything alters me, but nothing changes me. 7. Have no fear of perfection- youll never reach it. 8. You have to systematically create confusion, it sets creativity free. Everything that is contradictory creates life. 9. The thermometer of success is merely the jealousy of the malcontents. 10. The secret of my influence has always been that it remained secret. Just like his renowned surrealist painting The Persistence of Memory, his quotes continue to persist in our mindscape. New Delhi: Amid the ongoing border row at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India and China will hold the 9th round of corps commander level military talks on Sunday (January 24, 2021) to yield concrete outcome to resolve the standoff in Eastern Ladakh. The military talks between the two nuclear-powered countries will likely begin at around 9.30 AM in Moldo, which is opposite the Chushul sector on the Indian side of the border. The latest round of talks will take place after more than two months as the last time they had met to resolve the dispute was in November 2020. The border standoff that started in April/May in 2020, intensified after the Galwan valley incident in June where 20 Indian soldiers were killed in action and an undisclosed number of China's People Liberation Army troops also died in the man-to-man combat. Back in November 2020, the last corps commander level talks witnessed 'both sides agreeing to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and to ensure their frontline troops to exercise restraint and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said, "India and China agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels and taking forward the discussions at this meeting, push for the settlement of other outstanding issues, so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. India and China also agreed to have another round of meeting soon." This is to be noted that along with the military round of talks, both sides are also continuing to engage themselves through diplomatic channels - Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC). The last round of WMCC took place in December 2020, during which, the two sides had agreed to hold the next round of Senior Commanders' meeting. Meanwhile, the 'Exercise Desert Knight-21' held in Jodhpur by the air forces of India and France concluded, following which, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on Saturday said that eight Rafale aircraft have already arrived in India and three more are expected by the end of this month. Bhadauria also said that the IAF has initiated a fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme with the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and plans to incorporate some sixth-generation capabilities in it as well. The IAF chief said, "Our present vision is to incorporate all the latest technologies and sensors in our fifth-generation aircraft. We started work on fifth-generation aircraft a little late. So technologies and sensors contemporary to that period of development would be added into fifth-generation fighters." Earlier on January 12, the Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane had said that Pakistan and China together form a 'potent' threat, and the 'threat of collusivity' cannot be wished away. General Naravane had said, "Pakistan and China together form a potent threat and the threat of collusivity cannot be wished away. Pakistan continues to embrace terrorism. We have zero-tolerance for terror. We reserve our right to respond at a time and place of our own choosing and with precision. This is a clear message we have sent across." Talking about increasing security challenges at the LAC, Naravane stated that a need was felt about 'rebalancing' of troops along the northern borders, adding 'that is what we have put in place now'. The Chief of Army staff said he was hopeful that India and China will be able to reach an agreement for disengagement and de-escalation based on an approach of mutual and equal security. He added, "I am confident of finding a solution to the issue on the basis of mutual and equal security." The same day, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and RKS Bhadauria had also visited Ladakh sector and reviewed the operational preparedness at LAC. As per a report, over 50,000 Indian Army troops are currently deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero temperatures. Live TV A warning from AstraZeneca that initial supplies of its Covid vaccinations to Europe will be lower than expected has sparked new concern over the rollout of inoculations, with some countries planning for a sharp drop in deliveries. Friday's announcement by the British pharmaceutical firm followed another last week by Pfizer, which said it would delay shipments of its vaccine for up to a month due to works at its key plant in Belgium. The companies' warnings come with worry deepening over new Covid-19 variants, particularly one that emerged in Britain and which is more infectious than the original strain. Overall, Europe has now recorded more than 692,000 deaths and nearly 32 million infections. The European Union has so far approved vaccines from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech as well as from US company Moderna. It has not yet approved the vaccine from AstraZeneca and its partner the University of Oxford, but is expected to make a decision by January 29. AstraZeneca said in its statement that if EU approval is granted, the "initial volumes will be lower than anticipated", although the start would not be delayed. The company blamed "reduced yields at a manufacturing site within our European supply chain." It said it would in any case supply the EU with "millions of doses" while ramping up production in February and March. The announcement led to "deep dissatisfaction" from EU member states, which "insisted on a precise delivery schedule," said European health commissioner Stella Kyriakides. 'Very, very bad news' Austrian health minister Rudolf Anschober called it "very, very bad news" and said his country would receive in February only slightly more than half of the 650,000 AstraZeneca doses it had anticipated. Lithuania said it was expecting an 80 percent reduction in AstraZeneca doses in the first quarter. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said "it certainly does have the potential to impact on the wider vaccination programme ... It will disrupt our plans." Some government officials however sought to reassure their countries -- weary and battered by months of the pandemic and already on edge over slow vaccination rollouts. "We have new vaccines on the way. We have Pfizer, which is increasing its production capacities," French industry minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told French radio. The EU had initially ordered up to 400 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. In total, the EU has secured contracts for more than two billion vaccine doses for a total population of 450 million. The AstraZeneca vaccine has the advantage of being cheaper to produce than that of its rivals as well as being simpler to store and transport. 'Disappointment' German health minister Jens Spahn also sought to downplay the announcement's effect, saying that after the jab's expected approval in a week's time "there will be AstraZeneca deliveries in February." Though he added: "How much, we must still clarify with AstraZeneca and the European Union in the days ahead." Sweden's national vaccination coordinator Richard Bergstrom said he expects his country to receive around 700,000 doses in the first month after the vaccine is authorised compared to one million expected initially. Norway, which is not an EU member but which follows decisions made by the bloc's EMA regulator, expressed "disappointment." The country's FHI health authority now plans to receive only 200,000 AstraZeneca doses in February -- far less than the 1.12 million initially expected. Meanwhile, the Pfizer delay announced last week was continuing to cause criticism. Pfizer said on January 15 that modifications at its Puurs factory were necessary to ramp up vaccine production capacity from mid-February. "We believe that Pfizer is currently at fault," Domenico Arcuri, Italy's special commissioner for the pandemic, said in La Stampa newspaper on Saturday, confirming the country planned to pursue legal action against the company. "The 20-percent reduction in Pfizer vaccine supplies is not an estimation, but a sad certainty," he said, adding that Italians' health was not "negotiable". French European affairs minister Clement Beaune on Friday called on Pfizer to "honour its commitments." This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. BRUSSELS: Belgium will receive less than half the number of COVID-19 vaccines it had expected from AstraZeneca in the first quarter, the countrys vaccine taskforce said on Saturday. Belgium had been expecting 1.5 million doses of the vaccine, which has still to be approved, by March, but would instead get around 650,000 doses. Reuters reported on Friday that AstraZeneca had informed European Union officials it would cut deliveries of the vaccine by 60% to a total 31 million doses in the first quarter due to production problems. The EU has a deal to purchase at least 300 million doses from AstraZeneca, with an option for an additional 100 million. The EU drug regulator is due to decide on approving the vaccine on Jan. 29. EU countries are already suffering from reduced supplies of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, which the companies say is due to work to ramp up production. Belgium received 7% fewer doses of this vaccine than planned last week and was set to get 78,390, or 13% fewer than planned, in the week to come. Health officials told a conference call they were hopeful they had access to needles capable of drawing six doses per vial, from the five initially envisaged. Pfizer, which is committed to delivering a set number of doses, now plans to deliver on the basis of six doses per vial. Belgian health officials said they were hopeful that a compromise could be found, whereby the delivery of vials would not be cut. Its on ongoing process but we are hopeful, based on the discussion we had yesterday, that next week we will have good news on the volumes, as well as the speed of deliveries," vaccine taskforce member Xavier De Cuyper said. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Nine PSNI officers have been sanctioned for breaches of Covid-19 regulations, the PSNI has revealed. None of the officers has faced a court over the breaches, and none have been fined. However, the force has not ruled out internal misconduct investigations. One officer has received a COV2 Prohibition Notice and a Community Resolution Notice and one further officer has received a Community Resolution Notice. Seven officers "received engagement" by local police. According to the PSNI's website, a COV2 prohibition notice "in effect amounts to a 'warning' for the purposes of stopping a person from continuing to breach the regulations." They may be issued to commercial premises, or to private dwellings, usually in relation to restricting the number of people gathering inside. A Community Resolution Notice does not involve a fine, but is "just a warning", the PSNI website explains. These sanctions are at the lowest end of the possible penalties for breach of Covid-19 restrictions. Fixed penalties start at 200, and can run to thousands of pounds. Superintendent Claire McGuigan from the PSNI's Professional Standards Branch said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland expect all our officers to behave ethically and with the utmost integrity at all times both on and off duty. "We expect the highest standards of professionalism, as do members of the public. "It is for this reason that our Professional Standards Branch review all incidents where an officer has breached the Covid regulations and officers may be subject to internal misconduct investigation. "We expect everyone to take personal responsibility to follow the government guidance to help suppress the transmission of this virus so it is disappointing that any officer has had to be given a notice for breach of the health protection regulations. "We will fully investigate any report made to us of any officer who fails to abide by the high standards of behaviour and professionalism expected as laid out in our Code of Ethics" A spokesperson for the Police Federation for Northern Ireland said: "There is an onus and responsibility on all officers to adhere to the regulations. "The PSNI is charged with enforcing the lockdown regulations and any breach by an officer serves to make that task more onerous. "In this case, 'engagement' means advice without sanction which means the issue was minor. That said, officers must realise that their behaviour is under intense scrutiny where they are expected to lead by example for the sake of their colleagues and the greater good." Alliance MLA John Blair, who sits on the Policing Board, said: "The public, understandably, expect police officers to set a good example and follow the law. "This shows nobody is exempt from the regulations implemented in the interests of public health." Policing Board colleague Dolores Kelly of the SDLP said that while the numbers were small in proportion, the breaches of regulations were "regrettable". Express your opinion! Fill out this form to submit a Letter to the Editor. Submit Jailed Rashtriya Janata Dal president and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad is likely to be shifted to New Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for treatment on Saturday evening. "Lalu Prasad is likely to be shifted to AIIMS. At the directive of the jail administration, an eight-member team was constituted by the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) to look into the health condition of Lalu Prasad. After reviewing the condition, the team has decided to shift him to AIIMS, New Delhi for better treatment," a source in RIMS told IANS. The Jharkhand jail administration has also given its nod to shift Prasad to AIIMS. Sources in RIMS said he could be shifted to AIIMS as soon as the air ambulance is available, on Saturday evening. Several diagnostic tests -- including ECO, ECG, ultrasound, KUBP and HRCT -- were conducted on Prasad on Friday. Except pneumonia, the other test reports are normal, added the source. RIMS sources said the extent of pneumonia and lung infection will be ascertained after two other test reports that are awaited. On Friday evening, Rabri Devi and Lalu's sons Tej Pratap and Tejashwi Yadav arrived in Ranchi and met Lalu Yadav for more than six hours. "There is swelling on face of Lalu Yadav. I will stay in Ranchi till all test reports come. He has become weak," said Tejaswhi had told reporters on Friday. Yadav was convicted and awarded up to 14 years jail in four fodder scam cases. He has been staying in the paying ward of RIMS for the last 29 months. He was shifted to the RIMS director's bungalow on August 5 owing to fears of a Covid-19 infection. Subsequently, he was shifted back to the ward after an audio in which he was allegedly enticing a BJP legislator went viral. Saturday, January 23, 2021 In early 1968, someone wrote Jim Garrison's office with information about a Reverend Raymond Broshears. Here is a William Turner memo: Turner knew of Garrison's interest in 'odd' churches. I don't know if Burton, a west coast investigator for Garrison, followed up on this. What happened next is that Raymond Broshears was on the Stan Bohrman television show in early July 1968. Bohrman's claim to fame was to bring talk radio to television. Stephen Jaffe, another west coast investigator, was watching that night. Reverend Raymond Broshears claimed to have been a roommate of David Ferrie in 1965, and guess what? Yup, Ferrie told Broshears all about the assassination plot to kill JFK. Reverend Raymond Broshears Jaffe wrote this up for an article in the LA Free Press. The article appears in the August 9th edition, but there is a date of August 5th on Jaffe's typed up document. There you go, now we know the truth! We are indeed fortunate that the guest who was going to talk about psychic phenomenon cancelled. And, what a conspiracy! David Ferrie was a getaway pilot in Houston who was going to fly the assassins to South Africa. The two assassins unfortunately died in an airplane crash near Corpus Christi. And I loved this part of the interview: Stephen Jaffe then went with Mark Lane to interview the good reverend. Here is the start of a memo Jaffe wrote to Jim Garrison: Unfortunately, I don't have that memo from July 10, 1968. Broshears was interviewed once more in Long Beach and Garrison then subpoenaed him to testify in New Orleans. Broshears was interviewed twice in New Orleans and there are four lengthy memos on covering these interviews in his file. I will be posting the first memo tomorrow. Just who was Reverend Raymond Broshears? He was a controversial gay rights activists in the late 1960s and 1970s, and he founded the Lavender Panthers to help patrol gay areas in San Francisco. You can read more about Raymond Broshears in this fairly recent Newsweek article. What is perhaps important to note that Broshears was discharged from the Navy in 1955. He claimed he received a "serious injury to the head causing what was then thought to be a minor brain dysfunction." Markowitz writes that one of Broshears' friends thought he was schizophrenic. He quotes from Broshears' FBI file which says that in 1969 that he was diagnosed with "schizophrenic reaction" and was "paranoid [and] incompetent." In the 1970s he was increasingly paranoid and "believed the CIA and FBI were poisoning him." In one FBI report, Broshears "insinuated that the federal government intended to arrest and shoot all homosexuals." Markowitz writes: "Indeed, Broshears had a reputation for exaggeration and lies. "He was a little like Donald Trump," says Sievert. "He couldn't take criticism. He would blow up at the oddest thing. And you're never quite sure what to believe. Ray would tell you something, and you wouldn't take it for gospel because Ray said it." But, was Raymond Broshears really David Ferrie's roommate? Stephen Roy, the foremost expert and biographer of David Ferrie, was skeptical. None of Ferrie's other friends or roommates remember Raymond Broshears. Roy spoke to Broshears for an hour and Broshears got many facts about Ferrie totally wrong. Here is what he wrote about Broshears. There's one other small thing. Broshears was arrested in 1965 in Belleville, Illinois for groping a 17-year-old boy. He spent six months in county jail - at exactly the same time he was supposed to be in New Orleans. So did Jim Garrison believe Broshears? Do conspiracy theorists believe his stories? What about Oliver Stone? And, what did Broshears tell the HSCA? All this, and more, coming up in future blog posts! For further information: WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd January, 2021) US House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff on Friday called on the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Avril Haines to declassify a report regarding Saudi Arabia's alleged culpability for journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing. The columnist for the Washington Post went missing in 2018 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The kingdom initially denied any knowledge of Khashoggi's whereabouts but eventually admitted that he was killed and dismembered inside the mission. "The importance of speaking the truth and confronting the powerful over their misconduct is at the heart of bipartisan concerns over the year-long delay in ODNI's production of an unclassified report to Congress regarding Saudi Arabia's culpability for the brutal, premeditated murder of Washington Post journalist and US resident Jamal Khashoggi," Schiff wrote to Haines. Schiff criticized former President Donald Trump's administration for refusing for a year to make the report public. Saudi Arabia sentenced eight suspects for their role in Khashoggi's death and repeatedly denied allegations that any members of the royal family were involved. Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Saturday said the forensic report into the January 9 Bhandara hospital fire, in which 10 infants were killed, is expected soon and if anybody is found guilty of negligence in the incident, a case would be filed against them. Ten newborn babies, admitted in the Special Newborn Care Unit of the Bhandara district hospital had died while seven others were rescued. Addressing a press conference here, Deshmukh said, "The forensic laboratary report in the Bhandara hospital fire will come today. If the report finding says that the incident was caused due to negligence, then a case will be filed by Bhandara police." Replying to a query on the charges of rape against NCP leader Dhananjay Munde, the minister said, "The complainant woman has filed an affidavit and withdrawn her complaint. She claimed that there was political pressure to file the false complaint. Hence, this issue is over nowthe allegations were politically motivated." The woman had approached the police with the complaint against the Social Justice Minister (45) on January 11, accusing him of rape and sexual assault on pretext of marriage in 2006. However, she has withdrawn the complaint. On the recruitment in the state police department, Deshmukh said that 5,300 of the 12,500 posts will be filled in the firstphase. "The recruitment got delayed due to the stay to Maratha reservation. We held discussions with Maratha leaders on the issue and told them how important the recruitment process is and sought their support. They are cooperating," he said. The Ho Chi Minh City Brand Award is organized by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to honour enterprises with excellent results in building and developing brands for products and services. The profiles of participating enterprises are scored by the judging panel based on 10 criteria, including transparency and legal compliance; performance efficiency; business ethics; social activities; human resources and personnel policy; research and development (R&D), innovation; generation transfer vision; promotion and brand development; brand coverage and management; quality and safety. The Ho Chi Minh City Brand Award is a great motivation for Thien Long Group to reach farther in 2021, its 40-year milestone The judging panel has selected 30 enterprises having product and service brands that meet the criteria. Thien Long Group was honoured to receive this prestigious award. Growing from a small pen factory established in 1981 into a famous brand in the stationery industry Thien Long Group is looking back on four decades of continuous improvement down to the smallest detail. Throughout this journey, Thien Long has created powerful internal forces to form its "core", which are R&D, research and production of chemistry, mold, and automation. The group has expanded its scale, not only providing popular writing pens to the market but also offering a variety of new, diverse, and innovative product lines targeting a wider market. Currently, Thien Long's product portfolio across its five brands TL, FLEXOFFICE, DIEM10, COLOKIT, and premium stationery brand BIZNER now features more than 10,000 products marketed not only domestically but in more than 65 countries and regions. Thien Long Group wins Ho Chi Minh City Brand Award 2020 Tran Minh Hung, editor-in-chief of Saigon Economic Times group and chairman of the judging panel, commented that the awardees of the Ho Chi Minh City Brand Award 2020 have all given an excellent account of themselves in community development, reflected through economic and social contributions; investment in environmental protection and sustainable development strategies; as well as consumer care. To rise into the ranks of this distinct group of enterprises, Thien Long has been uncompromisingly implementing the motto "Knowledge is power" by developing education through four major programmes that have a great impact on the community, including Exam Season Support (Tiep Suc Mua Thi), Sharing with Teachers (Chia Se Cung Thay Co), Young Intellectuals for Education (Tri Thuc Tre Vi Giao Duc), and Green School Programme (Vi Mai Truong Xanh). These programmes aim to convey the value of "gratitude" to stakeholders in education such as students, teachers, and young intellectuals. In the 2020-2021 school year, the DIEM10 A school supplies brand of Thien Long Group will coordinate with the Central Team Council to launch the second season of the Green School Program in big cities such as Danang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City with the goal of helping the youth understand how garbage is sorted at the source, thereby raising their awareness of fighting against climate change. Winning the Ho Chi Minh City Brand Award is a great motivation, especially on the dawn of the year of Thien Longs 40th anniversary. With this award, Thien Long will continue to thrive and reaffirm its international reputation while maintaining the pride of being a brand from Ho Chi Minh City. A GAMEKEEPER fears he will have to shoot dogs if owners keep failing to control them on his land. Chris Goodman, who manages the 1,400-acre Elvendon Priory estate between Goring and Woodcote, says there have been several recent incidents where livestock could have been killed or injured. He can legally shoot any dog which worries his animals, or which causes harm due to high stress levels, but says he is desperate to avoid a situation where there is no alternative. Thirteen public footpaths and bridleways cross the estate off Elvendon Road but owners often veer off into the private fields and woodland and let dogs off the lead so they cant prevent them attacking other creatures. Recently, Mr Goodman found the remains of a muntjac deer whose hind quarters had been savaged, indicating it had been chased and killed. This was near a public area so he moved the carcass deeper into the woods, out of walkers view. A few days later, while a colleague was shooting deer from a high seat to manage the population, a German shepherd dog came flying out of the trees and tried to get into a pen where a flock of pheasants was being kept. The birds panicked and bunched together in a corner while frantically flapping about before the owner stepped in. The estates five landowners, who are farmers, also keep sheep and ponies which Mr Goodman has seen being chased around their field by loose dogs. The landowners could lose income if ewes are worried in the lambing season as they may abort their pregnancies as a survival mechanism. Mr Goodman said: The law says any landowner, farmer or their agent can shoot a dog simply for worrying livestock it doesnt necessarily have to get into their pen. I never want to have to shoot a dog but its my right and there are people and, frustratingly, I think they know who they are who behave like the law doesnt apply to them. They dont seem to understand how the countryside works. They see their dog having a lovely time running free but they dont think about the consequences or the fact that its a criminal offence. Im pleading with people to understand because if I have to save a sheep or horse from being mauled, I wont have any choice but to shoot. Put yourself in my shoes Ive got six dogs myself and would hate to see them killed but this has the potential to get out of hand. It amazes me that people arent more concerned when their dog disappears from view. Ive seen what can happen when they grab a Shetland pony by the throat and when theyve chased ours, the owner wasnt even around to help get them under control. I would emphasise that the majority of owners are respectful and in the 20 years Ive worked here, Ive only had about half a dozen run-ins. Most dont realise theyve gone off the path and apologise when we ask them to turn around. However, there has been a lot more dog walking since the coronavirus outbreak began and more people are straying into our woods to avoid bumping into others. Mr Goodman has repeatedly aired his concerns on social media and has warned members of the Wonderful Woodcote Facebook group that he would not ask again if there was a serious incident. Dozens of members, including a number of dog owners, responded with supportive comments but a minority were critical, saying he and his colleagues shoot other animals for a living. Mr Goodman said: Despite what some people think, gamekeepers arent going round with a gun under their arm shooting everything in sight. Our job is to carefully maintain the balance between predators and prey, which keeps the land as diverse as possible. It has been shown that nature doesnt just manage itself managed land is healthier in the long run. Were overrun with muntjac at the moment and theres loads of roe deer because the two most recent lockdowns have interrupted the shooting season. They can do a huge amount of damage to planting and have to be kept under control. We do raise pheasants for sport but its not for profit and if it ever does make money, it goes back into the estates upkeep. I appreciate that some people are against it but its not fair to criticise how I earn a living. It is a crime to let a dog become dangerously out of control, which includes making someone fear that they or an animal they own will be attacked. Offenders face an unlimited fine or prison sentence of up to six months. The Henley Standard has reported on numerous dog attacks on livestock, including two in 2019 and last year in which farmer Tracey Betteridge, from Medmenham, lost a total of six ewes while three others were mauled. She lost two lambs to a similar incident in 2015. She blamed inexperienced professional dog walkers and said the industry should be regulated. This coming Tuesday marks the 10-year anniversary of Micheal Martins leadership of Fianna Fail. The long-serving Cork South Central TD landed the job on January 26, 2011, when Fianna Fail was in free-fall and facing into a general election which would be the worst in the partys history. The public had turned on it after the collapse of the economy following the implosion of the property market and banking sector. There wasnt many in the party who wanted the job and even if they did take it, it was unclear if they would even be returned to the Dail after the election. Brian Lenihan made some moves about going for the leadership but ultimately it fell to Martin. The Fianna Fail TD led his party to the expected slaughter of the 2011 General Election after which he and just 19 other colleagues returned to the Dail. Over the next decade, Martin rebuilt the party election by election. Last Januarys vote was supposed to be his crowning achievement, but the momentum he built over the previous years hit a major roadbump in the shape of Sinn Fein. Despite the election upset, Martin still has his feat firmly under the desk in the Taoiseachs office having done the once unthinkable in ending the so-called civil war divide in Irish politics and joining forces with the arch enemy Fine Gael to form a government. With a little help from the Green Party, Martin is now seven months into overseeing a majority coalition. Sitting between framed paintings of Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins, Martin is in a reflective mood about his achievements and failings. He is reluctant to distinguish between national and party politics. With me you cant do that, he says. Its not about ending up here (the Taoiseachs office), its about having an impact on polices and on the country itself, he adds. Martin says he tried to show leadership in opposition by supporting Government, especially during Brexit talks and most noticeably by propping up Fine Gael under the confidence and supply deal. He also dragged Fianna Fail kicking and screaming into the 21st century by supporting marriage equality and 8th amendment referendums. The simpler and easier thing to do is attack the government in opposition, but I tried to strike a different note, he says. He concedes he has regrets about the most recent general election. The most notable being the decision to take part in the first televised election debate between himself and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar which excluded Sinn Fein Mary Lou McDonald. Although he claims he was not responsible for McDonalds exclusion. I think what happened is that first debate, which we didnt engineer, was just Leo and myself debating each, and I think that didnt play well with the public and created a narrative for the subsequent two weeks, he says. Martin also blames a ridiculous opinion poll in the Sunday Times which had Fianna Fail soaring ahead of the competition. We were never that high and it created a narrative that we were the ones to get, he says. Interestingly, after years of ruling out Sinn Fein as a government partner, Martin now says he expects Fianna Fails stance on the main opposition party to evolve in the coming years and says he wont pre-empt the next election. Our stance will evolve. Its early days yet and its the first year in this government and my focus is not on the next election right now, he says. I havent changed my stance in terms of my view is that their policies are anathema to ours. They may change over time, well see. At the moment I see them doubling down on the issues that I think are problematic, he adds. Martin also reaffirms his ambition to lead Fianna Fail into the next general election and insists it is important he remains in situ during the transition of power between himself and Leo Varadkar in December 2022. Parallel to that is that Fianna Fail headquarters are already looking towards the next local elections and looking at potential new people coming so that work continues and I havent lost my appetite for that, he says. Martin also admits Fianna Fail has been behind their rivals when it comes to campaigning on social media but says he does not want to get involved in the dark arts of online electioneering. Its more than just putting up posts, its the groups that get formed, its the various movements that are kind of under the radar for quite a while and then once the election happened, they emerge as a political movement, he says. He has serious concerns about the power of social media bosses and points to the recent suspension of former US president Donald Trumps accounts on Twitter and Facebook. Look at what happened recently in America where two people decided whether the president of America, like him or not, would have a platform or not, he says. Its a powerful position for two unelected people to be in. Im not so sure they want to be in that position, to be fair to them, but you have to think about it, he says. Read More One of his bugbears with modern politics is the lack of new talent from across society running in elections. He wants to see people from tech and financial services companies running for elections. He says it is disappointing that employers are actively discouraging employees from getting involved in politics. If you were a person coming out of college and you say to your employer Id like to pursue an interest in politics, youd probably be shunned, he says. Controversial former Fianna Fail leader Bertie Ahern gave Martin his first taste of high office when he appointed him as Education Minister in 1997. He remained in Aherns Cabinets right up until the Dublin TDs resignation in 2008. Four years later, following the damning findings of the Mahon Tribunal into political corruption, Martin tabled a motion to expel his mentor from Fianna Fail. Ahern jumped before he could be pushed and has officially remained outside the party ever since and he has not been shy about offering his critique on Martins leadership, which at one stage he described as brutal. However, there has been a coming together between the two men in recent months over their mutual interest in Northern Ireland and specifically Martins Shared Island Initiative. Ahern has been advising Martin on how to progress the project and is even working behind the scenes to get the unionist communities on board with the plan to find more commonality between the North and South. Martin was pleasantly surprised when he learned Ahern tuned into the online launch of Shared Island Dialogues. Hes offered his advice to me and I have spoken to him and I will talk to him again because he maintains a continued interest in the area and works behind the scenes to advance the overall agenda, Martin says. But does he envisage welcoming Ahern back into the party? We havent discussed that and I dont think its a burning issue for him, but in the fullness of time, I get a sense people do appreciate what contribution he made to the country in respect to the peace process. The Welsh Conservative leader has bowed to pressure to quit after he had drinks with colleagues, triggering allegations he broke an alcohol ban. Paul Davies who had claimed the backing of his party to stay on in the job admitted he had damaged trust and respect with the people of Wales. Mr Davies drank alcohol with Tory chief whip Darren Millar, the partys chief of staff Paul Smith, and former Labour Welsh government minister Alun Davies last month. An investigation by the Welsh parliaments chief executive concluded a possible breach of regulations occurred and referred the controversy to Cardiff Council. Recommended Doctors attack making people wait 12 weeks for second Pfizer dose On Friday one day after Priti Patel, threatened partygoers in England with 800 fines Mr Davies had insisted he had the backing of colleagues to continue in his post. The resignation comes at a bad time, meaning the Conservatives have lost their leader little more than three months before the Senedd elections in May. Mr Millar has also quit as chief whip, but both men continued to insist they had not broken any rules, four days after a pub alcohol ban was brought in last month. In his statement, Mr Davies said: I am truly sorry for my actions on December 8 and 9. They have damaged the trust and respect that I have built up over 14 years in the Welsh Parliament with my colleagues and the wider Conservative Party, but more importantly with the people of Wales. But he added: What we did was to have some alcohol with a meal we heated up in a microwave, which was a couple of glasses of wine on the Tuesday and a beer on the Wednesday. I broke no actual Covid-19 regulations. Plaid Cymru criticised the delay before the pair resigned, saying it was obvious to everyone else that their positions were untenable. Everyone will be asking what took them so long, said Senedd member Helen Mary Jones. The Conservatives are expected to move quickly to find a replacement for Mr Davies, prompting suggestions they will turn back to former leader Andrew RT Davies. However, earlier this month, he was sharply criticised for likening the attack on the US Capitol building incited by Donald Trump to the anti-Brexit campaign. Paul Davies resignation statement continued: Yesterday I indicated to the Conservative group in the Welsh Parliament that I wished to resign, but they urged me to reflect further, and we agreed to meet again on Monday. However, for the sake of my party, my health and my own conscience, I simply cannot continue in post. Therefore, I am stepping down as leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Welsh Parliament with immediate effect. Mr Davies was suspended from Welsh Labours Senedd group on Monday by Mark Drakeford, the First Minister, after the allegations emerged. The Presidency says the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the arrest of Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, for giving ... The Presidency says the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the arrest of Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, for giving Fulani in Oyo State an ultimatum to exit the state. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, was quoted as saying this during an interview with BBC Hausa. According to the BBC report, Shehu said he had just got off the phone with the IGP who told him that an order had been given to the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Ngozi Onadeko, to arrest Igboho immediately and transfer him to Abuja. Part of the report read, Garba said he just got off the telephone with the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police, who confirmed to him that he had ordered the arrest of Igboho, who is to be brought to Abuja. Igboho is among topics that have generated public discuss on social media in Nigeria on Friday since he visited Igangan in Ibarapa Local Government (of Oyo State) where he insisted that all Fulani residents in Oyo State, must leave as long as kidnapping continues. Mallam Garba Shehu said government was having a hard time punishing (such) offenders because of the activities of human rights organisations. Garba Shehu said the order given by the Inspector General of Police, for now, is that Igboho should be arrested and brought to Abuja to be taken to court to face prosecution. Igboho, who is the Akoni Oodua of Yoruba land and a grassroots politician, had asked herdsmen in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State to leave within seven days, blaming the leadership of the Fulani of being behind the rising insecurity in the state. Last week, the Presidency had criticised Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State for asking Fulani herders to vacate forest reserves because the place was being used by bandits and kidnappers. It was reported that violence erupted in Igangan in the Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State on Friday when Sunday Igboho and his supporters reportedly stormed the Fulani settlement in the town to eject the Seriki Fulani, Salihu Abdukadir, and some other herdsmen accused of fuelling security problems in the area. Unconfirmed reports claimed that some persons were killed while properties worth several millions of naira were set ablaze during the clash which occurred in the evening. Although Igboho could not be reached as calls to his telephone line indicated that he was out of reach, residents of Igangan however said that at least one youth from Igboora was killed by Fulani fighters while two others sustained injuries from gunshots. The Seriki also told our correspondent that one Fulani woman was killed. He said he had fled the town before Igboho returned on Friday. The claims from both sides could not be independently verified as of press time on Friday. Igboho had last week issued a seven-day quit notice to the Seriki and his associates. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State had in a broadcast warned people fuelling ethic crisis in the state to desist from such act. Despite this, Igboho and his supporters stormed Igangan on Friday afternoon. Addressing the youths, Igboho said, They started deploying soldiers here since yesterday (Thursday). When our people were being kidnapped and killed, there was not soldier to be deployed to secure them. Reacting, the Oyo State PPRO, Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, said, Tactical police teams with Operation Burst are on ground to give maximum security protection while efforts are on to ascertain the situation there. The Telegraph The list of Donald Trump associates who have attempted to bring down the former president is as long as it is varied: from his lawyer, to his closest advisor, his ex-wife and his alleged lover. But like many powerful figures before him, it may well be his accountant that would be his undergoing. Allen Weisselberg, the little-known 73-year-old chief financial officer for the Trump Organisation, has worked for the Trump family as far back as the early 1970s under Donalds father Fred. Some say he is closer to Mr Trump than he is to his own children. As one former employee put it, he knows where the bodies are buried". In recent weeks New York prosecutors investigating Mr Trumps tax affairs have been turning the screws on Mr Weisselberg in the hope of flipping him to testify against his boss. Cyrus Vance, the Manhattan District Attorney, is looking into everything from hush-money payments paid to women on Mr Trump's behalf, to property valuations and employee compensation. Speculation is mounting that his office may be able to turn Mr Weisselberg, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, as it pulls together a grand jury to decide whether to indict. Source: Reuters Crude oil futures slipped to settle at Rs 3,838 per barrel on January 22 as participants increased their short positions as seen by the open interest. The prices fell on new restriction imposed by China to contain the spread of COVID-19 and surprise build-up in US crude stockpiles. However, it ended the week with a gain of Rs 13 or 0.34 percent on the domestic bourse. Crude prices declined in three out of the five trading sessions on the MCX. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined 2.15 percent to settle at $51.99 per barrel, while Brent crude, the London-based international benchmark, edged lower 1.80 percent to close at $55.09 per barrel. International oil remained range-bound this week with WTI ending marginally in the red, while Brent ending marginally in the green. However, after the initial uptick, prices gave up most of its gains amid concerns that oil demand in the worlds top oil importer, China, could weaken amid rising COVID-19 cases and expanding lockdowns. The US dollar dropped after Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen told the Senate Finance Committee this week that the US should act big in the upcoming stimulus package. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that US crude inventories rose 4.4 million barrels for the week to January 15. This compared with an inventory decline of 3.2 million barrels estimated by the EIA for the previous week. The number of rigs drilling crude oil in the US increased by 2 to 289 rigs for the week to January 22, highest since May 2020, said Baker Hughes in a weekly report. The rigs count rose for the ninth straight week. Iran has started ramping up its crude oil production eyeing a return to pre-sanction levels in a month or two somewhere between 3.9 million and 4 million barrel per day (bpd) amid hopes that the new US administration would lift sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on the country. On the demand side of things, the International Energy Agency revised down its oil demand outlook for this year by 300,000 bpd. The authority said it expected demand to average 96.6 million bpd in 2021, after crashing by an all-time high of 8.8 million bpd in 2020 under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic. Crude prices could continue to remain range-bound as Saudis pledge to cut output in February and March could offset weak demand concerns due to rise in COVID-19 cases in China. Inventory data next week could also interest investors as another rise could keep upside limited. Just like gold, US GDP data could impact markets as well, said Sriram Iyer, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities. Sunand Subramaniam, Senior Research Associate at Choice Broking said, For the week ahead, we are expecting Global and MCX Crude prices to witness downtrend with a rise in US crude inventories along with American stockpiles. Moreover, rising coronavirus cases in China has added worries regarding the demand in the industrial sector from top oil importer in the world. There is a possibility of the bigger stimulus package in the week ahead, COVID-19 worries continue to linger in the US, Europe and China even though OPEC member countries have reduced the supply cuts and still optimistic regarding the demand in the global market, he said. MCX iCOMDEX Crude Oil Index inched lowered 67.04 points, or 1.52 percent, to close at 4,357.78. In the futures market, crude oil for February delivery touched an intraday high of Rs 3,865 and an intraday low of Rs 3,769 per barrel on MCX. So far in the current series, black gold has touched a low of Rs 3,486 and a high of Rs 3,958. Crude oil delivery for February fell Rs 56, or 1.44 percent, to end at Rs 3,838 per barrel with a business turnover of 1,394 lots. Crude oil delivery for March slipped Rs 122, or 3.11 percent, to close at Rs 3,800 per barrel with a business volume of 12 lots. The value of February and Marchs contracts traded on January 22 was Rs 1,073.36 crore and Rs 0.38 crore, respectively. Technical view Technically, WTI Crude Oil holds a strong resistance near $53.20 levels which could be a hurdle for further upside movement below which prices could consolidate in a range of $48.50-$53.20 levels in the coming sessions. Support is placed at $50.30-$48.50 levels while resistance is at $52.40-$53.20 levels, said Iyer. He stated that MCX Crude Oil February is exhausting its strong upside momentum near the resistance zone of Rs 3,950-3,975 levels below it which could see a marginal fall of up to Rs 3,725-3,690 levels. Kshtij Purohit, Product Manager Currency & Commodities, CapitalVia Global Research Limited, said The candlestick is a shooting star for the week, just as it was the week before. The crude oil market is almost definitely running out of steam, and it's just a matter of time before we could head down to the $50 stage. The market could go slightly lower after that, maybe hitting the level of $47.50 before finding substantial support from the weekly chart. Recommendation Reliance Securities advises its clients to sell February Crude oil at Rs 3,955-3,975 with a stop loss at Rs 4,050 and a target of Rs 3,690. For all commodities-related news, click here : The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Bengaluru, Jan 23 : With the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch police busting the question paper leak racket on Saturday night, Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has cancelled competitive examinations for First Division Assistant scheduled on Sunday. The Bengaluru Joint Police Commissioner, (Crime), Sandeep Patil said in his tweet that the question paper of - First Division Assistant - examination that was scheduled on Sunday (January 24) has been leaked and the police has arrested six persons in this connection. "We have seized question papers, Rs 24 lakh cash and three stolen vehicles from them," his tweet further read. A senior police officer from Central Crime Branch (CCB) said that acting on a tip off, a CCB special team conducted raids in Ullal in Jnanabharati police station limits and arrested Chandru and Rachappa red handed along with four others. The police added that the gang was using the stolen vehicles to circulate the question papers to job aspirants who had approached them a few days ago and paid some money in advance. All of them were taken into custody for questioning to ascertain their network and informed the KPSC. At present the CCB officials are verifying the background of the arrested to ascertain whether they have any connection with Shivakumar, a kingpin of PU question paper leak. He was arrested in 2016 by the Karnataka CID police and in 2018 he was arrested by the CCB police in connection with police constable recruitment question paper leak. As the news broke, the KPSC immediately announced the cancellation of examinations scheduled on Sunday (January 24). The KPSC had conducted this examination for 1,112 vacancies for the post of First Division Assistant, out of which 975 are reserved for Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and 137 for Hyderabad Karnataka Local Cadre (HK) and cumulative about 3.75 lakh job aspirants had applied for these posts across the state. The union representing corrections officers working in Pennsylvania prisons wants the state to move jail and prison staff up on the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility list. Pennsylvania is in the 1A phase of its vaccination plan, and corrections officers and inmates are in the 1B category. Medical staff at the state prisons are included in the 1A phase, and have begun receiving the vaccine. After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended high-risk populations, being moved up in vaccination plans, Gov. Tom Wolfs administration this week moved people with high-risk conditions, including smokers, to the 1A phase. Now, the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association wants the state Department of Health to bump up prison staff to 1A, too. John Eckenrod, the associations western region vice president, said in a news release that the recent move equates to the state putting smokers ahead of corrections officers. He called the change repugnant and said the state needs to use common sense in its vaccination plan. Our state prison system has been overcome by COVID, but for some reason the Wolf administration has decided to ignore its own corrections officers, who are risking their lives every day in some of the worst conditions of this pandemic, Eckenrod said. Our members are overworked, exhausted and are working massive amounts of overtime due to COVID-19 illnesses within their ranks. The mental anguish of passing the virus to their loved ones also takes a tremendous toll. If the move was made, it would include correction officers and inmates at county facilities as well. This week, Lehigh County reported the first death of one of its correction officers from COVID-19 complications. Gary Dean, 30, of Upper Nazareth Township, was pronounced dead on Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, the Lehigh County coroners office confirmed. The state Department of Corrections reported that as of Friday it had 1,739 inmate COVID-19 cases and 237 staff COVID-19 cases. During the pandemic, 9,012 inmates and 3,506 staffers have tested positive for the virus, according to the state dashboard. In Lehigh County, the county jail reported that as of Thursday 301 inmates and 97 staffers total have tested positive for the virus during the pandemic. The federal Bureau of Prisons has started giving the vaccine to its staff and inmates. The bureau reported this week that the COVID-19 vaccine has been delivered to more than half of the BOPs facilities across the country. The unions request comes as a new leader steps in at the Pennsylvania Department of Health. On Friday, Wolf named Alison Beam the acting secretary of the state Department of Health Secretary. Beam is replacing outgoing Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, who was nominated by President Joe Biden to be his assistant health secretary. Today DOH released the latest revised #COVID19 vaccination plan that includes people who are 65 and older + those 16-64... Posted by Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Trust in traditional media has declined to an all-time low, and many news professionals are determined to do something about it. Why it matters: Faith in society's central institutions, especially in government and the media, is the glue that holds society together. That glue was visibly dissolving a decade ago, and has now, for many millions of Americans, disappeared entirely. By the numbers: For the first time ever, fewer than half of all Americans have trust in traditional media, according to data from Edelman's annual trust barometer shared exclusively with Axios. Trust in social media has hit an all-time low of 27%. 56% of Americans agree with the statement that "Journalists and reporters are purposely trying to mislead people by saying things they know are false or gross exaggerations." agree with the statement that "Journalists and reporters are purposely trying to mislead people by saying things they know are false or gross exaggerations." 58% think that "most news organizations are more concerned with supporting an ideology or political position than with informing the public." that "most news organizations are more concerned with supporting an ideology or political position than with informing the public." When Edelman re-polled Americans after the election, the figures had deteriorated even further, with 57% of Democrats trusting the media and only 18% of Republicans. Source: Edelman; Chart: Axios Visuals The big picture: These numbers are echoed across the rest of the world: They're mostly not a function of Donald Trump's war on "fake news". As vaccine rumor hunter Heidi Larson puts it, "we dont have a misinformation problem, we have a trust problem. Heidi Larson puts it, "we dont have a misinformation problem, we have a trust problem. News organizations have historically relied mainly on advertising income, and as those dollars flow increasingly to Google and Facebook, that has created institutional weakness that shows up in trust data. Reversing the decline is a monster task and one that some journalists and news organizations have taken upon themselves. They're going to need help perhaps from America's CEOs. The catch: Mistrust of media is now a central part of many Americans' personal identity an article of faith that they weren't argued into and can't be argued out of. What they're saying: Former Financial Times editor Lionel Barber talks of factual reporting as a means of "regaining the trust of the reading public". Lionel Barber talks of factual reporting as a means of "regaining the trust of the reading public". Axios has a stated mission to "help restore trust in fact-based news". has a stated mission to "help restore trust in fact-based news". Washington Post media columnist Margaret Sullivan writes that "our goal should go beyond merely putting truthful information in front of the public. We should also do our best to make sure its widely accepted." How it works: Media outlets can continue to report reliable facts, but that won't turn the trend around on its own. What's needed is for trusted institutions to visibly embrace the news media. CEOs (a/k/a the fourth branch of government) are at or near the top of Edelman's list of trusted institutions. (a/k/a the fourth branch of government) are at or near the top of Edelman's list of trusted institutions. By the numbers: 61% of Trump voters say that they trust their employer's CEO. That compares to just 28% who trust government leaders, and a mere 21% who trust journalists. The bottom line: CEOs have long put themselves forward as the people able to upgrade America's physical infrastructure. Now it's time for them to use the trust they've built up to help rebuild our civic infrastructure. Hundred years ago, the Soviet regime reigned in Dagestan, an analyst of Vestnik Kavkaza, Murad Ustarov told Natsvopros Program on Vesti.FM today. Natsvopros is a weekly program on Vesti.FM, during which various aspects of ethnic relations, primarily in Russia, are discussed. Today's program was dedicated to the centenary of the Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics creation within Russias borders. "The acquisition of statehood as part of Russia became a powerful basis of economic and cultural development of the republic. The Dagestanis themselves were enthusiastic about the news of the Dagestan ASSRs creation, expressing their loyalty to Russia. The inhabitants of the Republic confirmed their loyalty during the 90s when the country was threatened by international gangs. The peoples of Dagestan showed an example of courage and friendship. Dagestanis, together with the troops of the Russian Defense Ministry, gave a worthy rebuff to the terrorists. This was repeatedly confirmed by the Russian president, the expert noted. However, the republic entered the new century with social contradictions that increase tensions in society. The growth of socio-economic problems, corruption, everyday terrorist attacks, problems with the education of young people, ecology- all this negatively affected the external appearance of Dagestan. But the republic was able to go through the crisis. The Dagestanis managed to reduce the level of terrorism in the republic, that was the main victory of the people. Today's, compared to the 90s and 00s, the situation in Dagestan has noticeably improved, "Murad Ustarov emphasized. "Tourism began to develop rapidly. Now the republic is experiencing a tourist boom, attracting more and more guests all year round. The government of the republic defined tourism as a strategic budget-forming sector of the economy. The climatic conditions and historical heritage of Dagestan provide unique opportunities for the development of different tourism sectors: beach, water, ski, ethnic, ecological and health-tourism, the expert said. "The situation with Covid-19 in the republic is currently changing for the better, but in the first half of 2020, Dagestan appeared not to be ready for a new global threat. The pandemic hit the republic almost as bad as Italy. In fact, the main problem of 2020 in Dagestan was a fight against coronavirus, which, by the middle of the year, started to bring positive results. Thus, despite all the socio-economic problems in the republic and the disagreements that exist in society, Dagestan is ready to confidently move into the future. The Dagestanis themselves, having a glorious past, were able to preserve their mentality, culture and languages, Murad Ustarov concluded. The 13 Stings ensemble, curated by David Whitla, will, this coming Saturday evening, perform the first in a series of free monthly online concerts to be streamed live by the Cork Orchestral Society on their website With no sign, as yet, of live music returning to Cork's venues, the Cork Orchestral Society has decided to 'bring the mountain to Mohammed' though a series of exciting free monthly online concerts. Featuring performances by some of Ireland's foremost classical musicians, the concerts will be streamed live on the society's website between January and June. The first of these will take place this coming Saturday at 6pm and feature a performance by the newly formed Cork ensemble 13 Strings, with a programme featuring Telemann's 'Don Quixote Suite', Mozart's 'Divertimento in B flat', (K. 125b), Grieg's 'Two Elegiac Melodie's and Mendelssohn's 'String Sinfonia no.2 in D'. 13 Strings is curated by internationally acclaimed musician David Whitla, the full time double bass instructor at the CIT Cork School of Music and a former member of the RTE National Symphony Orchestra. In addition to featuring on numerous albums and soundtracks, Whitla also regularly records and performs with the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Joining Whitla at the ensemble's core will be the leader of 13 Strings violin section Sebastien Petiet. Born in France, Petiet grew up in west Kerry, where he learned traditional Irish music from local musicians, evolving into a talented multi-instrumentalist playing most acoustic string instruments, both bowed and plucked. Petiet also spent 21-years as a violinist with the RTE Concert Orchestra. Founded by Aloys Fleischmann in 1938, Cork Orchestral Society has spent more than eight decades continuing his legacy, presenting top-quality classical music from spellbinding chamber music to spectacular orchestras at venues across Cork. Society chair Tom Crowley said it was with unbridled delight they would be continuing that tradition into 2021, albeit through the programme of online concerts. "It is with great joy that today we can announce our return and to start 2021 on a bright note, we are delighted to present this programme of six non-ticketed concerts. It is a great source of pride to us at the Cork Orchestral Society that these concerts will be a celebration of the talent and mastery found locally, from within our own music community," said Mr Crowley. "There are yet more treats in store, with a solo piano recital, wind quintet, piano trio and a trio of sopranos all waiting in the wings to delight our audience in the coming months," he added. Further details on the upcoming Cork Orchestral Society's 2021 programme and viewing information can be found on its website www.corkorchestralsociety.ie. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned Friday his government could impose stricter restrictions on travelers at any moment in response to new, likely more contagious variants of the coronaviruspossibly making it mandatory to quarantine in a hotel at their own expense when they arrive in Canada. Trudeau said at a news conference that such measures could be imposed suddenly and bluntly warned against nonessential trips abroad. "No one should be taking a vacation abroad right now. If you've still got one planned, cancel it. And don't book a trip for spring break," Trudeau said. Canada already requires those entering the country to self-isolate for 14 days and to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days before arrival. The suggested measure would require isolating at a hotel rather than at home. Recent variants of the virus that emerged in the U.K., South Africa and Brazil seem to spread more easily and scientists say that will lead to more cases, deaths and hospitalizations. They are also concerned about any potential ability to eventually reduce the effectiveness of vaccines. There is also some evidence that the new variant first identified in southeast England carries a higher risk of death than the original strain, the British government's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, told a news conference Friday. Dr. Andrew Morris, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Toronto and the medical director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at Sinai-University Health Network, said he favored making it mandatory for travelers to quarantine in a hotel at their own expense. "It's inconvenient for the travelers, but we're in a pandemic," Morris said. "If you want to protect the borders and do as much as you can to avoid importation of further problematic strains, and you want your cases to go down, then that's what you have to do. In my mind it's good. It's late. It's months late." Morris said the measure would discourage vacations abroad as people would not want to have to quarantine at a hotel at their own expense upon return. He said more and more governments are thinking about ways to be more aggressive because of the new variants, delays in vaccines, the challenges with getting the population vaccinated and the strains on health care systems. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. People clash with police during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in St Petersburg (AP) More than 2,600 people have been arrested after protests erupted in at least 60 Russian cities to demand the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Kremlins most prominent foe. The protests, which took place in temperatures as low as minus 50C in some place, highlighted how Navalnys influence stretches far beyond the political and cultural centres of Moscow and St Petersburg. In Moscow, an estimated 15,000 protesters gathered in and around Pushkin Square in the city centre, where clashes with police broke out and demonstrators were dragged off by riot officers to police buses and detention trucks. Some activists were beaten with police batons. Navalnys wife Yulia was among those arrested. Police eventually pushed demonstrators out of the square. Thousands then regrouped along a wide boulevard about half a mile away, many of them throwing snowballs at the police before dispersing. Expand Close Police stand guard during a protest in the Siberian city of Omsk (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police stand guard during a protest in the Siberian city of Omsk (AP) Some demonstrators later went to protest near the jail where Navalny is being held. Police made an undetermined number of arrests there. The protests stretched across Russias vast territory, from the island city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk north of Japan and the eastern Siberian city of Yakutsk, where temperatures plunged to minus 50C, to the more populous European cities. The range demonstrated how Navalny and his anti-corruption campaign have built an extensive network of support despite official government repression and being routinely ignored by state media. The OVD-Info group, which monitors political arrests, said at least 1,045 people were detained in Moscow and more than 375 at another large demonstration in St Petersburg. Overall, it said 2,662 people had been arrested in some 90 cities, revising the count downward from its earlier report of 3,445. The group, which conducts its count through regional associates and runs a hotline for information, did not give an explanation for its revision, and Russian police did not provide arrest figures. Expand Close Thousands of people have taken to the streets across Russia (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Thousands of people have taken to the streets across Russia (AP) Undeterred, Navalnys supporters have called for fresh protests next weekend. Navalny was arrested on January 17 when he returned to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a severe nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin, and which Russian authorities deny. Authorities say his stay in Germany violated terms of a suspended sentence in a 2014 criminal conviction, while Navalny says the conviction was for made-up charges. Expand Close Hundreds were arrested in a show of support for the opposition leader, who could face more than three years in jail (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hundreds were arrested in a show of support for the opposition leader, who could face more than three years in jail (AP) The 44-year-old activist is well known nationally for his reports on the corruption that has flourished under President Vladimir Putins government. His wide support puts the Kremlin in a strategic bind risking more protests and criticism from the West if it keeps him in custody, but apparently unwilling to back down by letting him go free. In a statement, the US state department condemned the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists this weekend in cities throughout Russia and called on Russian authorities to immediately release Navalny and all those detained at protests. Navalny faces a court hearing in early February to determine whether his sentence in the criminal case for fraud and money-laundering which Navalny says was politically motivated is converted to three and a half years behind bars. On Thursday, Moscow police arrested three top Navalny associates, two of whom were later jailed for periods of nine and 10 days. Expand Close Alexei Navalny was arrested after returning to Moscow from Germany (Mstyslav Chernov/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alexei Navalny was arrested after returning to Moscow from Germany (Mstyslav Chernov/AP) Navalny fell into a coma while aboard a domestic flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20. He was transferred from a hospital in Siberia to a Berlin hospital two days later. Labs in Germany, France and Sweden, and tests by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, established that he was exposed to a Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent. Russian authorities insisted that the doctors who treated Navalny in Siberia before he was airlifted to Germany found no traces of poison and have challenged German officials to provide proof of his poisoning. Expand Close Police detain a man in Moscow during pro-Navalny protests (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police detain a man in Moscow during pro-Navalny protests (AP) Russia refused to open a full-fledged criminal inquiry, citing a lack of evidence that Navalny was poisoned. Last month, Navalny released the recording of a phone call he said he made to a man he described as an alleged member of a group of officers of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, who purportedly poisoned him in August and then tried to cover it up. The FSB dismissed the recording as fake. Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlins side for a decade, unusually durable in an opposition movement often demoralised by repressions. He has been jailed repeatedly in connection with protests and twice was convicted of financial misdeeds in cases that he said were politically motivated. He suffered significant eye damage when an assailant threw disinfectant into his face. He was taken from jail to a hospital in 2019 with an illness that authorities said was an allergic reaction but which many suspected was a poisoning. New Delhi, Jan 23 : Pre-buying of vehicles before OEMs' price hikes lifted demand in December, said India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). The domestic automobile industry's growth momentum had continued in December 2020, even after the festive season. "This was mainly due to the increased demand as customers chose to pre-buy vehicles anticipating price hikes by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) since January 2021," the ratings agency said in its 'Auto Monitor' report for December. "Continued consumer preference for personal mobility coupled with the festive season demand had seen the domestic automobile industry's volumes increase by 11 per cent YoY in 3QFY21 with PV and 2W sales volume up 14 per cent and 13 per cent YoY, respectively." Accordingly, continuing to lead the growth trend were sales of PVs and 2Ws which went up 14 per cent and 7 per cent YoY, respectively. However, CV sales volume fell 1 per cent YoY while 3W continued the downward trend and plummeted 59 per cent YoY during 3QFY21. "For 9MFY21, the domestic auto industry reported a 24 per cent YoY decline in sales volumes, with PVs, CVs, 3Ws, and 2Ws sales volumes falling 16 per cent, 37 per cent, 74 per cent and 23 per cent YoY, respectively." As per the report, retail sales volume also rebounded in December 2020, with PV and 2W retail sales up by 24 per cent and 12 per cent YoY, respectively. This sales momentum was better than the growth recorded in wholesale sales, and was aided by the festival spill-over demand coupled with the pre-buying. On the other hand, over April-December 2020, retail sales continued to lag behind the wholesale dispatches by OEMs. "During 3QFY21, the total retail sales volume declined by 13 per cent YoY compared to the 11 per cent YoY increase in wholesale volumes, suggesting that while consumer sentiments are improving, consumer demand is yet to catch up to the wholesale level despite the festive season tailwind." Pro-life groups said they are forever grateful to the Trump administration in its efforts to protect human life. Pro-life groups expressed their gratitude to the Trump administration for boldly standing in its efforts to support pro-life advocacies. Through press releases and blogs, pro-life advocates mentioned the programs that the previous administration implemented to promote the protection of human life even at its earliest stage. In a blog post published on Jan. 19, Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a socially conservative organization, commended the Trump administration for paving the way to advance the pro-life movement cause and religious liberty, Christian Post reported. "When Marine One carries Donald Trump away from the White House, America won't just be losing a president," Perkins said. "They'll be losing an army of tireless pro-lifers, freedom fighters, and deeply committed patriots too," he added. He specially mentioned the signing of the proclamation to honor the National Sanctity of Human Life Day to be observed every 22nd of January. He thanked the Trump administration for issuing proclamations and policy changes that solidified the standing of their advocacy. He praised the team who worked behind the scene to strengthen the policies that will be hard for the next administration to change. Perkins also mentioned some of the rules that the Trump administration approved that protect religious liberty in the country. He specified the Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs released in December. "This rule will help ensure that religious organizations can fully participate in federal procurement consistent with the First Amendment and other applicable federal laws," said OFCCP Director Craig E. Leen. The president of the Family Research Council thanked the Office of the Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services for issuing a proposed rule to address the "Special Responsibilities of Medicare Hospitals in Emergency Cases and Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Critical Health and Human Services Programs and Activities," according to CP. The rule that Trump signed during his final days in the office would require the protection of the infants who survived botched abortion and had disabilities. The rule will require fair treatment to both normally born infants as well as those born with disabilities. The order further aims to implement a presidential executive order saying that any hospital denying the treatment of an extremely premature infant or children with disabilities violates the Federal law. "So while the media and far-left drone on about how ashamed Americans should be for supporting this president, I refuse to be," Perkins said. In a press release on Jan. 19, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List commended how the Trump-Pence administration prioritized the protection of innocent human life from the first day up to the last day of its term. The human life advocate also mentioned how the administration set the standard for future pro-life administrations. Dannenfelser reminded the readers about the clear " contrast to pro-abortion radicals." She mentioned that the Biden-Harris administration together with abortion extremist Xavier Becerra, the attorney general of California whom Biden chose to be HHS Secretary, are in favor of abortion on demand through birth. She added that the administration is capable of forcing their fellow Americans to be complicit in abortion. Glass Animals have topped this years Hottest 100 countdown with their pared-back single Heat Waves. The British psychedelic pop group were the favourites in the lead-up to the annual music countdown thanks to their hit songs simplicity and the fact it has become something of an anthem for young people during lockdown. Glass Animals frontman Dave Bayley previously promised to get a tattoo in the shape of Australia on his buttock if his band took out the top spot. Calling Triple j from the UK, he said he still intended to get the tattoo - which will be his first. Dave Bayley of Glass Animals performing in Florida last year. Credit:Tim Mosenfelder We thought about doing it on each other, he said. I just dont have any faith in the other guys. Its not going to be the whole cheek - I was thinking squirrels head size. Critic, Femi Fani-Kayode has described Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho and some others as heroes that have emerged from the Southwest to st... Critic, Femi Fani-Kayode has described Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho and some others as heroes that have emerged from the Southwest to stop invasion of the zone by Fulani herdsmen. Igboho singlehandedly issued seven-day ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa, Oyo State to leave the area. At the expiration of the ultimatum on Friday, he went to Ibarapa to address thousands of supporters and insisted that Fulani herdsmen must leave. Fani-Kayode has described such boldness and bravery from Igboho as the making of a champion. He said with the likes of Igboho and Olayomi Koiki, new leaders were rising up in the Southwest. According to him, Igboho and others are strong, fearless, radical and young, saying that the zone has finally gotten a new set of champions. New leaders are rising up in the SW. They are strong, fearless, radical & young. Names like Sunday Igboho, Olayomi Koiki and others come to mind. The SW has finally got a new set of champions & heroes.They believe in Oduduwa Republic. None can stand against them. I commend them, he tweeted. Igboho is the chairman of Adeson International Business Concept Ltd and the Akoni Oodua of Yoruba. He gained social media tractions in January 2021 when he gave a week ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa to vacate the land after the killing of Dr. Aborode. He became famous after the part he played in the Modakeke/Ife war between 1997 and 1998, where he was a defendant of Modakeke people. An alleged drug lord dubbed 'Asia's El Chapo' Tse Chi Lop (pictured) has been arrested in the Netherlands An accused drug lord dubbed 'Asia's El Chapo' has been arrested following a two-year manhunt led by Australian investigators. Tse Chi Lop, 57, was dragged off a plane in the Netherlands on Friday after Australian Federal Police issued a request for his arrest through international law-enforcement agency Interpol. The Chinese-born Canadian national is accused of being one of the world's biggest meth dealers whose syndicate known as The Company or Sam Gor - Cantonese for Brother Number 2 - is allegedly responsible for up to 70 per cent of all narcotics entering Australia. Tse is now facing possible extradition to Australia, where he could face trial on charges of drug trafficking. He allegedly oversees an alliance of five Chinese Triads that distribute everything from heroin and MDMA to ketamine via its 'Golden Triangle' super-labs in Asia. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates Tse's alleged network rakes in between $10billion and $23billion a year from organised crime. Law enforcement agencies from about 20 countries - including the US, Canada, Myanmar, China, Thailand and Japan - have been hunting Mr Tse as part of Operation Kungur since 2019. The Chinese-born Canadian national is suspected of being one of the world's biggest meth dealers and thought to be responsible for up to 70 per cent of all narcotics entering Australia Finding Tse has been complicated by him living largely in secret and being constantly guarded by a rotating crew of Thai kickboxers. But despite his low profile, he is also known for his outlandish spending and wild parties. He once gambled away $85million in a single night at a Macau casino, would fly in private jets and host lavish parties at five-star hotels and resorts. His arrest this week is believed to have come as he was being deported by Taiwanese officials to Canada via a layover in Europe, The Sunday Mail reported. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission in 2012 described The Company's members as having a 'well-established network of contacts across many governments as well as legitimate business and company structures, that enables them to mask and support their criminal activities'. One of Tse's closest associate's is a Triad boss known as 'Broken Tooth' Wan Kuok Koi. WHO IS ASIA'S EL CHAPO? Tse Chi Lop was born in Southern China's Guangdong Province in 1964 and in his youth became a low-ranking member of the Big Circle Triad gang. He moved to Canada during the 1980s. In 1996, Tse was arrested in the US by the FBI for his role in a drug smuggling operation bringing in heroin from Asia's Golden Triangle. He served nine years in prison were he made connections with a notorious 14K Triad boss Wan Kuok Ko - who goes by the name 'Broken Tooth'. Police in up to 20 countries accuse Tse of being the kingpin of The Company - an association of five Chinese Triads that traffic billions of dollars in drugs including meth, heroin, MDMA and Ketamine every year. A record 1.2 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized on the west coast of Australia with eight men charged. The deal is alleged to be linked to The Company He owns private jets and once gambled away $85million in a single night at a Macau casino. Despite his jet-setting lifestyle, the pudgy 57-year-old looks more like an office worker than a cartel boss. Australian Federal Police ordered an INTERPOL red notice for his arrest on Friday in relation to a number of drug trafficking offences alleged to have been carried out in Australia. The AFP plan to extradite the accused drug kingpin back to Australia to face trial. He is thought to be responsible for 70 per cent of all narcotics entering Australia. Advertisement AFP officers display bundles of cash confiscated from a drug syndicate operating across South East Asia The alleged gangster reportedly has ties to the top of the Chinese government and was involved in funding and promoting the Communist Party's global Belt and Road global infrastructure initiative, The Age reported. The Company has been known to smuggle drugs in shipments hidden in tea, rice and other consumer goods. 'Tse Chi Lop is in the league of El Chapo or maybe Pablo Escobar,' Jeremy Douglas, Southeast Asia and Pacific representative for UNODC told Reuters in 2018. 'The word kingpin often gets thrown around, but there is no doubt it applies here.' Mexican cartel boss El Chapo was one of the world's most notorious gang leaders who was sentenced to life in prison by a New York federal court February 2019. Police say The Company operates in several countries, moving drugs throughout Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Europe and other parts of the world. The multinational cartel also develops and maintains relationships with local criminal groups including Japan's Yakuza and Australian outlaw bikie gangs. Tse has been on the Australian Federal Police's radar for about eight years, after a major drug bust in Melbourne seized 2kg of heroin and meth, $4million in cash, $5million worth of residential properties, $10,000 in jewellery, 99 designer handbags and wallets, a Lamborghini and $600,000 in casino chips. Since then the mysterious Tse has been of 'significant interest' to the AFP. Tse has been on the AFP's radar for about eight years, after a major drug bust in Melbourne seized a haul including $5million worth of residential properties, a Lamborghini (pictured) and $600,000 in casino chips. A major international crime syndicate has been smashed with the seizure of 42kg of drugs and the arrests of 27 people, police say as part of Volante in 2013 Police alleged 'shore parties' working for The Company unloaded the drugs (pictured) from a mothership, 500km off the coast of Western Australia AFP officers are pictured after seizing the record quantity of meth in Western Australia in 2017 'In 2013, the AFP announced that Op Volante had resulted in the arrest of 27 people for importing and trafficking substantial quantities of heroin and methamphetamine into Australia,' the AFP said in a statement. 'The syndicate targeted Australia over a number of years, importing and distributing large amounts of illicit narcotics, laundering the profits overseas and living off the wealth obtained from crime.' 'The AFP will work with the Attorney-General's Department to prepare a formal extradition request.' In 2016, a Taiwanese national was arrested at Yangon Airport in Myanmar strapped with bags of ketamine. He refused to talk but when local investigators searched his phone they uncovered two torture videos showing a man bound and crying while getting his feet blowtorched and electrocuted with a cattle prod. The same phone also revealed pictures of Tse, which were handed on to the AFP. The breakthrough arrest led to 622kg of ketamine and 1.1tonnes of meth getting seized in Myanmar. Information on the phone also culminated in 1.2 tonnes of meth being nabbed in Geraldton, Western Australia, the following year. Police alleged 'shore parties' working for The Company unloaded the drugs from the mothership, 500km off the coast. MASON CITY, Iowa The first annual Light Up the Night event is being called a resounding success. 30 creative displays utilizing thousands of lights too over the North Iowa Event Center for eight nights in December. Organizer Alpha Media says over 3,500 vehicles drove through the illuminated exhibit and proceeds from the vent were split between Crisis Intervention Center, Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank, and Toys for Tots. I am very proud of our Alpha Media Mason City staff for giving their time and talents to create and work this event, says Market Manager Dalena Barz. The power of our radio stations and the generosity of our sponsors and community is overwhelming. Plans are already underway for Alpha Medias 2021 Light Up the Night event! Alpha Media operates rations KGLO-AM, KIAI-FM, KLSS-FM, KRIB AM-FM, and KYTC-FM in the Mason City area. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Heritage NSW has blasted the Berejiklian governments preparations for raising the Warragamba Dam wall, saying consultation with traditional owners was inadequate and modelling was needed to determine the likely impacts on cultural heritage from inundation. The criticism, contained in a briefing note to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Harwin and leaked to The Sun-Herald, also said the government had set up a weekly high-level co-ordinating group including Jim Betts, secretary of the Planning Department, to address Indigenous and other issues in the project. Gundungurra Traditional Owners Kazan Brown (right) and her daughter Taylor Clarke, on land that will be inundated by floodwater at Burnt Flat by the raising of the Warragamba Dam Wall. Credit:Wolter Peeters The note said Heritage NSW had found shortcomings of the cultural heritage assessment, including inadequate consultation with the Aboriginal community and inadequate assessment of cultural values (tangible and intangible) of the area that would face flooding if the wall were raised. Issues also included the absence of analysis of the features recorded, and no extrapolation of data to indicate potential site extent, as well as a need for clear modelling of what the inundation likelihood is at various levels. Editors Note: This is the 15th in a series of stories about local nonprofits and how they have dealt with the challenges of the pandemic and their plans for 2021. ALTON Operating a day care center under the best of circumstances is a difficult task, but even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kreative Kids Learning Center continues to provide essential services to the community. Kreative Kids Learning Center, located at 121 W. Elm St. in Alton, is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to early childhood care and education. This is our 51st year. We were founded in 1970 which was the beginning of the child care subsidy program in Illinois, said Keith Neuber, CEO of Kreative Kids Learning Center. Like many not-for-profits, we have facility issues since we are in an older building, but another challenge right now is finding staff and finding people who want to go into the profession. Child care is an essential service, but its really been a challenge with the licensing restrictions associated with COVID. Weve been at about 50 percent of our capacity and the impact on the community is overwhelming. There are not enough places for people to take their children for care. Kreative Kids offers children between the ages of six weeks and 12 years in an age-appropriate education and day care as well as before- and after-school care. In the summer, it typically hosts a full-day program for school-aged children. Were licensed for 169 kids and pre-COVID, our enrollment was running around 110 to 120 and we were serving about 90 kids a day, Neuber said. Now were down to an enrollment of 70 and we have about 45 to 50 kids a day. When you have an expense budget that is based upon attendance of 75 to 80 kids a day, we needed to have some other financial support come our way, including funding from the state to help maintain us at this time. The smaller enrollment has added to the financial challenges for Kreative Kids during the pandemic. About 65 to 70 percent of the families we serve participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program. These are people that are working or going to school full-time and they pay a co-payment and the state pays the other portion based on income and family size, Neuber said. We get money from parent fees for all of our regular fee-paying families. We also serve children from the Department of Children and Family Services that are in protected custody or foster care. We are a United Way agency, so we get money from them. We also do fundraising on the side and weve had to do more of that in recent years. As with many other nonprofits throughout the nation, the pandemic effectively shut down most of the fundraising events that Kreative Kids had scheduled for 2020. We had our 50th anniversary last year and all of our great plans to have some major events all went south because of not being able to have any in-person contact, Neuber said. We dont do any of the little things anymore like candy sales because we found that the effort that was put out wasnt really generating the return. Weve gone more towards trying to identify loyal donors that will support us. Were talking about trying to do a professional promotional video not only about the center and our mission but also the whole plight of child care altogether. The change in licensing regulations for day care center has been among the adjustments for Kreative Kids over the past 10 months. That forced the center to rethink how it could best accommodate a smaller group of children. One of the regulations was that you could not regroup children, which meant that every classroom entered at 6 a.m. in the morning has to be the same classroom that closes at 6 p.m., Neuber said. That means that all the staff we had, instead of starting in one classroom in the morning and expanding out, we had to have all of our rooms open, which is the reason were serving so few kids at this juncture. We get lots of inquiries (from parents), but we dont have the capacity. When the schools went to remote learning, we had to redo our operation to be able to support remote learning. Alton is back on hybrid learning as of Tuesday this week, so there a little bit of relief, but you dont know how long that is going to last. Another challenge for Kreative Kids, and other day care centers, is finding new employees. People just arent applying for jobs in the child care industry, Neuber said. We have 22 staff members and I have the benefit of an experienced staff, and the average number of years a teacher has been with us is 15-plus. I have seven people with more than 20 years of experience. The bad news is that when you have an experienced staff, they begin to age out and if youre not getting new people going into the profession, you end up not having enough people to replace them. In the past six months, we have put out applications that nobody who is qualified has applied for. We provide health insurance and dental and a raft of benefits that many other child care providers cant offer, but there is a very limited pool out there. Neuber is on a mission to spread the word that child care can be a great career opportunity for young people. Its important to get people excited about what child care does because its not babysitting, Neuber said. The significance is in recognizing how important early childhood is. Eighty percent of everything you need to know to be a human being is learned by the age of 2, and after that age, everything is kind of refinement of basic skills. While not a lot of significance is put into childhood care, thats a foundation for creating the developmental experiences of learning that is going to make kids be functional going forward. This is a very important industry and it needs to be encouraged and developed. For more information about Kreative Kids Learning Center, go to http://kreativekidslearning.com/, call 618-467-0630 or visit the Kreative Kids Learning Center page on Facebook. New first lady took an unannounced detour to the US Capitol to deliver a basket of chocolate chip cookies to National Guard members, thanking them for keeping me and my family safe during President Joe Biden's inauguration. I just want to say thank you from President Biden and the whole, the entire Biden family, she told a group of Guard members at the Capitol. The White House baked you some chocolate chip cookies," she said, before joking that she couldn't say she had baked them herself. was sworn into office on Wednesday, exactly two weeks after Donald Trump supporters rioted at the Capitol in a futile attempt to keep Congress from certifying Biden as the winner of November's presidential election. Extensive security measures were then taken for the inauguration, which went off without any major incidents. told the group that her late son, Beau, was a Delaware Army National Guard member who spent a year deployed in Iraq in 2008-09. Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015 at the age of 46. So I'm a National Guard mom, she said, adding that the basket was a small thank you for leaving their home states and coming to the nation's capital. President Biden offered his thanks to the chief of the National Guard Bureau in a phone call Friday. I truly appreciate all that you do, the first lady said. The National Guard will always hold a special place in the heart of all the Bidens. Jill Biden's unannounced troop visit came after her first public outing as first lady. She highlighted services for cancer patients at Whitman-Walker Health, a Washington institution with a history of serving HIV/AIDS patients and the LGBTQ community. The clinic receives federal money to help provide primary care services in underserved areas. Staff told the first lady that cancer screenings had fallen since last March because patients didn't want to come in because of the coronavirus pandemic. More and more patients are taking advantage of options to see a doctor online. When the issue of universal access to broadband internet was raised, Jill Biden, who is a teacher, said she hears from teachers around the country who can't get in touch with their students because of the spotty access in some areas. We just have to work together and address some of these things," she said. The first thing we have to do is address this pandemic and get everybody vaccinated and back to work and back to their schools and get things back to the new normal. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the decisions by Russia and the United States to seek a five-year extension of the New START treaty, his spokesman said. Guterres spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, who disclosed this at his daily news briefing in New York, on Friday, quoted Guterres as saying that a five-year extension would maintain verifiable caps on the arsenals of the worlds two largest nuclear states. He added that it would also provide time to negotiate new nuclear arms control agreements to grapple with our increasingly complex international environment. The New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is a 2011 nuclear arms reduction agreement between the U.S. and Russia due to expire on February 5. It limits the number of both countries deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550, while requiring them to halve the number of their nuclear missile launchers. Under the agreement, the two countries also committed to allowing satellite and remote monitoring, and 18 on-site inspections per year, to verify limits. Call for action Guterres urged both countries to expedite action towards completing the necessary procedures for the extension, before the February 5 expiration. He also encouraged them to move as soon as possible to negotiations on new arms control measures. On Thursday, White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, told reporters that the New STARTs extension would be one of President Joe Bidens first major foreign policy decisions. The President has long been clear that the New START treaty is in the national security interests of the United States. And this extension makes even more sense when the relationship with Russia is adversarial as it is at this time, Psaki said. Kremlin Reacting to the news on Friday, the Kremlin welcomed Bidens political will to extend the document. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that this development comes on the heels of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which came into force on Friday. Among other provisions, TPNW forbids ratifying countries from developing, testing, producing manufacturing, possessing or stockpiling nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. It also bans any transfer or use of nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices, and the threat to use such weapons, and requires parties to promote the treaty to other countries. When the treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly in July, 2017, more than 122 countries, including Nigeria, approved it. But the United States, Russia, Britain, China, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel, which are known or believed to possess nuclear weapons opposed it. Surprisingly, Japan, the only country in the world to have suffered nuclear attacks, opposed the TPNW too on the ground that a ban was unrealistic, without the support of the nuclear states. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Telegraph The list of Donald Trump associates who have attempted to bring down the former president is as long as it is varied: from his lawyer, to his closest advisor, his ex-wife and his alleged lover. But like many powerful figures before him, it may well be his accountant that would be his undergoing. Allen Weisselberg, the little-known 73-year-old chief financial officer for the Trump Organisation, has worked for the Trump family as far back as the early 1970s under Donalds father Fred. Some say he is closer to Mr Trump than he is to his own children. As one former employee put it, he knows where the bodies are buried". In recent weeks New York prosecutors investigating Mr Trumps tax affairs have been turning the screws on Mr Weisselberg in the hope of flipping him to testify against his boss. Cyrus Vance, the Manhattan District Attorney, is looking into everything from hush-money payments paid to women on Mr Trump's behalf, to property valuations and employee compensation. Speculation is mounting that his office may be able to turn Mr Weisselberg, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, as it pulls together a grand jury to decide whether to indict. BarcelonaWith 2020 now behind us and uncertainties about the duration of the pandemic well in place, the question arises: is the current crisis worse than the one that swept through Europe from 2008 to almost 2014? Then, toxic real estate assets infected the financial sector just as Spain's housing bubble was bursting, and before the sovereign debt crisis threatened to break up the European Union. With the outbreak of Covid-19, the shock has been more intense and presumably of a shorter duration, but equally devastating for the economy. Here are some of the differences and similarities between the two crises. It's not often we see the central character of a TV drama get a completely fresh start. But that's exactly what happens in the long-awaited series three of ITV thriller Marcella. After the explosive end of the second series, which saw the eponymous character - played by Anna Friel - at rock bottom, writer Hans Rosenfeldt (known for Scandi-noir drama The Bridge) wasn't sure where to go next with the storyline. The unflinching and unrelenting detective had discovered she was to blame for the death of her own daughter and essentially wanted to erase herself. So, the eight new episodes see her with a new persona - as an undercover detective called Keira Devlin who has been given the mission of infiltrating a crime family in Belfast. As the series progresses, the lines between Marcella and Keira blur; how much of the past has really been left behind? "We watch her mental health deteriorate more, to a certain degree, because the more and more she tries to suppress it, the more and more her subconscious gets louder and Marcella is basically saying, 'I'm still here'," says Rochdale-born Friel (44), whose first professional acting job came aged 13, in Channel 4's GBH. "She fights with herself, preferring her undercover life to her real-life which, I didn't realise, can actually be a danger with undercover cops." There isn't a "whodunnit" in this series; "it's more about her getting in the underbody of this family who's not particularly good," adds Friel. That family in question is the Maguires. And with their eyes across all their operations is matriarch Katherine, played by Northern Irish star Amanda Burton. "She's proud of the success the family has had since her husband died," Burton (64) notes of her character. "Whilst in the early 90s her husband may have run a wholly criminal enterprise with paramilitary links, Katherine was responsible for steering it towards a legitimate operation, leaning on the contacts she and her husband developed in the underworld to power the expansion whilst maintaining a legitimate veneer." So, what is the relationship between Katherine and Keira, aka Marcella? Expand Close Amanda Burton as Katherine, Aaron McCusker as Finn and Michael Colgan as Rory. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Amanda Burton as Katherine, Aaron McCusker as Finn and Michael Colgan as Rory. "Keira is brought into the Maguire family by someone who works for them and Katherine is very suspicious of her when they first meet," explains Burton, known for her roles in Silent Witness, Peak Practice, and Brookside (which Friel also memorably starred in). "As time goes on, Keira seems to be around the family a lot more, but she doesn't really accept her as anything other than an intruder at the beginning; she's incredibly vigilant and protective of her family." Burton, who was born in Londonderry, says it had been about 17 years since she last filmed in Belfast. She found it "fascinating" to go back and to see the immense change in the city. "This time, we were filming in places where it just wouldn't have been possible to film back then.It was quite extraordinary and evoked a lot of emotional memories for me being there." Asked how she found it shooting in Northern Ireland, Friel - whose profile soared after starring in American mystery-comedy drama series Pushing Daisies - gushes that it was "the best". "The best crew - so hardworking," she elaborates. "And I was with all my family; it's where I spent most of my childhood, Belfast and Donegal. So, family who had never been able to visit me on set before could do, on a regular basis." The captivating actress, who has a daughter, Gracie, with her former partner, Harry Potter star David Thewlis, adds: "Belfast is a great city. And has some of the best educational systems I've ever seen in the world. "Gracie moved school, to Strathearn, which is an all-girls school, and she loved it so much that, when she came back to England, she wanted to change her school here because she wanted more of a sense of a community." The only downside of the location for series three was the weather; Friel admits they got "rained out a lot". "We'd been shooting inside in this mansion, where a lot of the scenes take place, and we were desperately trying to get outside on this one day. It had been so sunny and beautiful and, of course, the one day we went out, it lashed it down. I think it's on my Instagram somewhere because it wasn't like a normal regular rain downpour; it was like something you see in the rainforest." Another challenging part of filming was when Friel got an eye infection. "We couldn't shoot for one day because of that - I had to go to the hospital," she confides. "That was entertaining. It wasn't fantastic. But we coped, we managed. I think they shot the side of my face or something. There are ways to get around everything." When it comes to answering what her favourite part of playing Keira was, as opposed to Marcella, Friel has no hesitation. "Obviously being blonde. That just gave it a whole different feel and swagger to her costumes from series one and two, which had to change, because Marcella dresses for the family, not for herself. "I wouldn't say Marcella is an incredibly sexualised person; she doesn't sexualise herself or things. But Keira does." Would she up for doing a fourth series? "I love Marcella; I'm very attached to her," muses Friel, considering her answer carefully. "I think it would take lots of discussions to say, 'Right, what can we do with her now?' "It's better to have three really strong series than a fourth weaker one, but if someone came up with a really good idea as to where it could go... " She pauses. "I can see her in South America. I think you could take her anywhere." The first two episodes of Marcella series three will air on ITV on Tuesday (9pm) Sixteen trains scheduled to New Delhi on Saturday, including Howrah-New Delhi Special and Saharsa-New Delhi Special, are running late due low visibility conditions and other operational reasons, said Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Northern Railway. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), visibility recorded in Palam at half-past six in the morning was 300 meters. Cities across north India witnessed very low visibility due to dense fog situations. Recorded at half-past six in the morning, Lucknow recorded the visibility of 150 metres, Gorakhpur saw it dipping further to 0-25 metres. Gauhati, Agartala, Kolkata, Gaya, and Gwalior recorded the visibility of 50 metres each. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi remains in the middle-end of the 'Very Poor' category, however, it is likely to improve by tomorrow due to surface winds under the influence of a fresh Western disturbance, predicted the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)-India. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2021) Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences over the passing of iconic US talk show personality Larry King, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday. "They met several times. King repeatedly interviewed Putin. The president has always appreciated his highest professionalism and unquestioned journalistic authority," Peskov told reporters. Minutes earlier, King's company Ora Media broke the news that the talk show host died aged 87 at the Cedar -Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. It seems easy to divide the nation between those chomping at the bit to take to the skies, rails and roads and others who baulk at the prospect of going beyond their newsagent. So where do you stand? Ruthless Air Miles Accumulator (RAMA) It seems easy to divide the nation between those chomping at the bit to take to the skies, rails and roads - and others who baulk at the prospect of going beyond their newsagent A typical conversation between a RAMA and his or her partner runs: Darling, Ive always wanted to see Victoria Falls. The reply: Absolutely. I promise that when all this is over, we will cruise the Zambezi. After checking their air miles situation, the talk is different. BA no longer flies to Zambia and the miles dont stretch that far. Instead, its two return economy flights to Kosovo. Romance is dead but, with just another 17 years of constant flying, the RAMAs might be able to bump themselves up to an economy plus flight to Gdansk. Perpetual Grumbler (PG) This is a golden age for the PG traveller. The cost of travel insurance is sky-high, flights are ludicrously expensive and private Covid tests arent cheap. For PG tourists, who have spent 20 years complaining about having to remove their belts at security and the cost of a beer in Prague now compared with 1991, this is a time of hollering to all who will listen. Holiday planning is reduced to snarling at emails from cruise lines and reminiscing about when you could go out in Bangkok with 25p, enjoy a three-course meal and still have enough money left for a tailor-made suit. Budget Obsessive (BO) The days of 1p Ryanair flights are gone - but that doesn't stop Budget Obsessives from conducting forensic research if it means they can book the cheapest mini-break possible The days of 1p Ryanair flights are gone but that doesnt stop BOs taking the same attitude to holidays that nuclear scientists do to solving cold fusion. Forensic research means a mini-break can never be booked until currency exchange rates, metro fare carnets, flight transfer bus costs and prix fixe lunch-price averages in town squares have been explored on a laptop loaded with a calculator app so powerful it is coveted by NASA. The result is two weeks in Moldova once restrictions allow, haggling over the price of polenta before taking a 4am flight back to Luton without a suntan. Over-Optimistic Adventurer (OOA) Oh, of course, Uzbekistan used to be fantastic until they relaxed the visa policy. Now its awfully touristy. Such is the dinner party lament of the OOA, who cant complete a sentence about their holiday plans without uttering the words authentic and un-touristy. Never mind that on their last trip to an insanely obscure destination (probably Honduras), they had their bags stolen by cute beggar children and slept in a hotel with more cockroaches than fellow guests. They still steadfastly refuse to go anywhere touristy and are researching flight options for a fortnight in Nauru. Lovely at this time of year, they will assure you. Spontaneity Guru (SG) One couple of Spontaneity Gurus who should have gone to St Petersburg, Florida, for a concert ended up in St Petersburg, Russia, pictured, instead - but they still had a great time A few years ago, a friend booked a surprise trip for him and his partner to watch Eminem (a rapper) in St Petersburg. When they arrived and couldnt find the venue, it took two minutes of Google searching to find that the gig was taking place in St Petersburg, Florida. Undeterred, the SG couple spent the next three days imbibing Russian culture and vodka in equal measure and had one of the greatest travel anecdotes of all time. So, salute the non-planning planner. They simply dont care if Cluj-Napoca is in Romania or Rwanda; if Ararat is a brandy or a mountain. They will find the nearest bar regardless and refuse ever to buy a Lonely Planet guidebook, check the time difference or bring their own sandwiches to eat on the plane. We love them. Escapist Dreamer (ED) Every winter morning, there will be a satisfying thud when the post drops through the letterbox. For EDs sign up to every glossy holiday brochure they can find. The most satisfying way to spend an evening for ED is to browse glossy mags promising holidays of a lifetime to Belize with no intention of booking any of them. Because with travel insurance as it is, the threat of future lockdowns and the thought of the state of the lawn if its left unmown for two weeks, the solution is obvious. Take the weekend spa break in Bath and leave the Cook Islands to hasty types who dont care what happens to their brassicas while theyre away. Safety Net Traveller (SNT) Safety Net Travellers like tried and tested holidays - they know their days of reckless adventure are over If it aint broke, dont fix it. The SNT holiday planner couple just needs to email Amanda who owns the villa in Tuscany to ask if they can have their usual two-week stay. They know their own days of reckless adventure are over. But they also know that, for every day of their holiday, they are guaranteed to be able to open a bottle of Prosecco on the stroke of noon while looking out over undulating hills from their terrace. Smug? No, just tried, tested and always tipsy before lunch. Mumbai: At least six persons, including five women, were killed and 18 others injured when their vehicle fell into a 400-feet deep gorge in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra on Saturday, a police official said. The accident took place around 10.30 am on the hilly stretch of Khadki ghat, located approximately 10 kms from Toranmal hill station, he said. Road accident Around 24 persons, most of them labourers, were going to Danduka in Ahmedabad from Khadki and neighbouring villages in Nandurbar in north Maharashtra in the ill-fated Mahindra Max vehicle, he said. "While passing through the ghat section (winding hill route), the driver lost control of the vehicle, following which it went backwards and fell into the gorge," Nandurbar Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit said. He said six people were killed, and 18 injured, of which the condition of seven is serious. Accident Nine of the injured have been discharged after first aid, the SP added. The injured are being treated in the civil hospital in Nandurbar and Toranmal rural hospital, police said. A further 12 deaths due to Covid-19 have been reported (Victoria Jones/PA) A further 12 deaths and 670 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported by the Department of Health. It brings the department's death toll to 1,716. There are 810 people in hospital with the virus, including 66 who are in intensive care units. 46 patients are on ventilators. To date, 999,886 people have tested positive for the virus here. 5,335 people have tested positive here in the past seven days. There are currently 129 care home outbreaks and hospital occupancy is at 92%. Data from the Department of Health shows the number of hospital patients hit a record high on January 13, when 997 people were being treated for Covid-19. Meanwhile, it's been warned that up to 90% of pubs in Belfast could be at risk as tenants face rent demands and landlords in turn come under pressure from banks. The hospitality sector will be shut until at least early March due to the extension of restrictions. It's after drink-only bars had less than four weeks to trade during coronavirus lockdowns since last March. One Belfast publican said he had been paying on average 40% of normal rent for most of last year after negotiations with his landlord. His business was due to pay full rent again in April this year but he was concerned about how he would make payments with no date set for reopening. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. Farmer unions claim Delhi police nod for 100-km tractor rally on Republic day India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 23: Farmers protesting the central government's new agricultural laws claimed that they had got the permission to enter Delhi for their tractor rally that is slated to be staged on Republic Day. Farmers have been allowed to enter Delhi and travel up to 100km distance on each route, farmer leader Darshan Pal said. Over two lakh tractors will be part of the January 26 ''kisan parade'' in the national capital and around 2,500 volunteers will be deployed to facilitate the movement of the vehicles. The number of volunteers can be increased, depending on the crowd, and a control room has been set up to look into the arrangements. The tractor parade will start from the Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri border points of Delhi, but the final details of routes are yet to be finalised. Each volunteer will be given badges, jackets and identity cards. They will follow the tractors on jeeps. Some of them might even join farmers on tractors if required. Dhudike, who presided over a meeting of Punjab farmers'' unions, said that more than one lakh tractors are expected to arrive from the state on Sunday. The main focus of the meeting was to discuss about the tractor parade to be taken on Republic Day, Singh said after the over three-hour-long meeting at Singhu. "Farmers will take out 'Kisan Gantantra Parade' on January 26. Barricades will be opened and we will enter Delhi. We (farmers and Delhi Police) have reached an agreement on the route, final details are to be worked out tonight," Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj India told reporters. "We will take out a historical and peaceful parade and it will have no effect on the Republic Day parade or the security arrangements," he added. The mystery behind the masked man at the farmers protest The tractor parades will start from the Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri border points of Delhi, but details will be finalised tonight, farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said after attending a meeting between the unions and the police. Kohar claimed that the Delhi Police has given its nod to the farmers'' tractor parade on Republic Day in the national capital. Talking to reporters, another farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said that as thousands of farmers will participate in the parade, there will be no single route. Farmer leader Darshan Pal said that barricades set up at Delhi border points, will be removed on January 26 and farmers will take out tractor rallies after entering the national capital. Since November 28 last year, farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting against the laws at several Delhi border points, including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, and demanding the legislations be repealed. Arrivals, including foreign diplomats and transit passengers, now need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test at check-in prior to departure. But 25,000 overseas passengers have been granted travel exemptions since the pandemic began, while a similar number have been rejected. People allowed into Australia include those wishing to attend a funeral of a close relative, those needing urgent medical care or key workers with critical skills. Australia has had a fortress-like approach to COVID-19. It closed its borders to most foreign travelers in March to try to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Beginning Friday, foreign nationals granted special permission to fly to Australia take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their departure. Masks will also be compulsory on all international flights. There are some exemptions. They include international air crew, children under the age of 4, and travelers flying from New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. All passengers face 14 days' mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival in Australia. Masks will also be compulsory on international flights into the country. "These are difficult and will be challenging for many people, and I am apologetic that we need to put in place these restrictions," said Greg Hunt, Australia's federal health minister. "The fact that we have new, more virulent strains that are emerging around the world -- these remind us of precisely why we have been able to keep Australians safe, but we have to be ever-vigilant and responding to international events as they occur." Australian citizens and permanent residents have been allowed to return to Australia. They, too, must go into quarantine in a hotel at their own expense, but they do not need to take a COVID-19 test before their flight home. Along with border closures, mass screenings for the coronavirus have been a key part in Australia's strategy to contain the virus. More than 12.5 million tests -- an average of one for every two people -- have been carried out. Strict lockdowns have also been important, and there are signs the economic harm inflicted by the pandemic is beginning to ease. Official government figures show that nine out of 10 of the jobs lost during the coronavirus crisis were recovered before Christmas, with the Australian economy rebounding as outbreaks were brought under control. The health department estimates there are 170 active COVID-19 infections in Australia. Nearly 29,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in Australia since the pandemic began, and 909 people have died, according to the department of health. How much is your House worth in 2021? At the start of last year, we had no idea that two parents would end up working from home for long periods, with the kids also locked in with them full time. For this reason, it looks like its going to be busy year for estate agents in Dublin 6W. Homeowners who saw their values remain static through the long Covid months are now keen to trade up, once the right house is available. There is movement at the 800,000 to 1m high end with homes that wouldnt sell a year previous, now changing hands without difficulty. COLUMBIA For more than a decade when Republican politicians in South Carolina faced a daunting legal threat, there's been one name at the top of their list of people to call: Butch Bowers. The Columbia-based attorney has defended governors, top lawmakers, state party leaders and other household names all over the Palmetto State, scoring victory after victory in a wide array of high-stakes situations. Now, Bowers, 55, is set to take on by far the most high-profile case of his career: The Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. At the suggestion of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Trump added Bowers to his legal team this week as he prepares to defend himself from charges he incited an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, when supporters of his stormed the building over unfounded claims that the presidential election was "stolen." Lawyers and political figures from across Bowers' home state, including both longtime allies and regular courtroom foes, say Trump could hardly find a more capable attorney to make his case. "Ive been litigating for 40 years and hes one of the best lawyers I've ever been up against," said state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Columbia. Longtime ethics watchdog John Crangle, who's often taken the opposing view of Bowers in high-profile disputes involving S.C. politicians, said Bowers' clients "have gotten the best quality person they can get for that line of work in South Carolina and the most experienced in doing it and the most successful." Robert Goings, a top trial lawyer in Columbia, has worked both with and against Bowers on cases over the years. Now, whenever possible, Goings said he always tries to stay on the same side as Bowers because he finds him to be "a winner." Bowers will have two weeks to prepare for the impeachment trial set to start Feb. 9 where he is expected to provide a steady hand to a former president often surrounded by turmoil. "If Donald Trump would have hired Butch Bowers four years ago," Goings said, "our country would not be in the mess we are in today." 'A real lawyer' Bowers' hiring marks a stark contrast to some of the more bombastic legal advisers Trump appeared to surround himself with in the aftermath of his 2020 election defeat. Cable television fixtures like former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell aired a wide array of outlandish conspiracy theories in the months since the election but found little success advancing Trump's case in any real court of law. In Bowers, by contrast, Trump will be getting "a real lawyer who's been in real cases, made real arguments, knows how to examine witnesses all the sorts of things you'd want to see in a real lawyer," Harpootlian said. Tim Pearson, a close friend of Bowers and the chief political strategist for S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster, said Trump "is obviously taking this seriously because he's no longer listening to the nutcase brigade of legal wannabes that is out there feeding him nonsense and he's now got a serious lawyer." Bowers declined requests to be interviewed for this story. Approached by a reporter outside his office Thursday shortly after the news of his hire came out, all Bowers would say was that he looked forward to representing the president. That reluctance to milk this moment in the national spotlight, allies said, shows precisely the type of professionalism that has been lacking in some of Trump's prior legal advisers. "Butch focuses on defending his client more than he focuses on his own TV profile or his own bottom line," veteran S.C. GOP operative Rob Godfrey said. "That has to be a welcome change in an orbit that has been filled with a cast of characters that sometimes resembles the worst cartoon you could imagine." Military background Bowers was born in Estill, a small Hampton County town about two hours west of Charleston. His father, Karl, was a magistrate who became chairman of the state highway commission in mid-1970s and served as federal highway administrator under President Jimmy Carter. Months after his tenure in Washington, D.C., ended, Karl Bowers was convicted on tax evasion charges soon in 1980, according to an Associated Press report. He lost his final appeal in 1983 when McMaster was the U.S. attorney in South Carolina. Karl Bowers spent less than a year in federal prison. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Bowers was in high school when his father went to prison. He received a political science degree from the University of South Carolina in 1988, a masters degree in public administration from the College of Charleston and a law degree from Tulane University. Now a married father of four, Bowers is a colonel in the S.C. Air National Guard. He enlisted at age 17 after his father would take him to national guard weekend drills as a child, Bowers wrote in an online column for the unit. He was a medical service and transportation officer before joining the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) corps after graduating from law school and became a top legal officer in the Guard. That experience is part of what distinguishes Bowers, said S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, who has worked closely with Bowers on the Guards legal team. "Being a military leader teaches you how to make tough decisions while under immense stress and a lot of public scrutiny," Wilson said. "A JAG officer doesnt just have to be a good lawyer, theyve got to be able to be dropped into a war zone and be able to carry their weight just like every other soldier." High-profile cases One of Bowers' first law jobs in the 1990s was at McMaster's family firm. He now works as campaign counsel for McMaster, a Trump ally who shared office space with Bowers at a building around the corner from the S.C. Statehouse. He has previously represented three other governors, two in South Carolina and one in North Carolina, as well as the S.C. Republican Party and S.C. Election Commission, which he chaired in the mid 2000s. He was special counsel on voting matters at the U.S. Department of Justice under President George W. Bush. He helped then-Gov. Mark Sanford escape a brewing impeachment effort in 2009 after Sanford secretly left the state to visit his mistress in Argentina, and a few years later then-Gov. Nikki Haley win a House ethics hearing after she was accused of using her office for personal gain when she was in the Legislature. "Butch is a good friend and a fine lawyer," said Haley, who was the United Nations ambassador under Trump for two years and considered a likely presidential contender in 2024. "President Trump is fortunate to have him on his team." Sanford said Bowers "would be an asset to anyone for whom he's arguing." "He doesnt have a bombastic or loud style, but in keeping with what youd expect of a Southerner and military officer, he is lucid, clear, to the point, and is very thorough in his recollection and search of details," Sanford said. Former S.C. GOP chairwoman Karen Floyd said Bowers was so good at breaking down complicated legal matters while working at the party that she hired him for some corporate work after she left her leadership post. She called the soft-spoken, 6-foot-4 Bowers a "gentle giant" but said his calm demeanor can fool some people. "If you pick up a rock, he'll pick up an atomic bomb," Floyd said. "When you meet him, you have no idea that there's a fire in there. But there is a tremendous ability to fight and advocate, so much so that its almost surprising when you see him in battle mode." As a vocal Trump critic, Sanford expressed surprise when he learned Bowers would be taking on the case, saying he did not expect that from "the caliber of person I've known Butch to be." But Sanford also said he could understand the calculation. At least 17 Republican senators would need to vote to convict Trump in order for him to lose the case, which currently appears unlikely, barring the emergence of new evidence. "Its a smart, measured move by Butch in that the near-certain outcome is that Trump will win based on the vote count in the Senate," Sanford said. "And in doing so, hell be able to put another feather in his cap where he can say that he's successfully defended the impeachment of a president." A disgruntled employee brought a gun Friday into the office of an electrical construction company in Hillsboro but was arrested without hurting anyone, police said. Hillsboro police were called to a disturbance with a weapon at Oregon Electric Group and encountered the employee with a gun, said spokesperson Clint Chrz. Oregon Electric Group spokesperson Andrea Blessum confirmed the man was an employee. She said he was fired after Fridays incident but declined to provide further details. Blessum said company policy prohibits bringing firearms into the workplace. Police identified the man as Adam Jolley, 39, and booked him into the Washington County Jail on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, menacing, disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment. -- Jaimie Ding Also in the Impala was a 21-year-old woman who had severe stomach injuries. She was taken to Advocate Christ in critical condition, police said. A 19-year-old woman, who was also in the Impala, had face injuries and was taken to Advocate Christ in serious condition. A 40-year-old male driver of the RAV4 did not appear to have any injuries and refused treatment at the scene, police said. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In . Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In. Tehran, Jan 24 : Iran's health ministry reported 6,207 daily Covid-19 cases on Saturday, raising the total nationwide infections to 13,67,032. The pandemic has so far claimed 57,294 lives in Iran, up by 69 in the past 24 hours, said Sima Sadat Lari, the spokeswoman for Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, during her daily briefing. Of the newly infected, 495 were hospitalised, said Lari. A total of 11,58,475 people have recovered from the disease and been discharged from hospitals, while 4,106 remain in intensive care units, the Xinhua news agency reported. According to the spokeswoman, 88,50,281 tests for the virus have been carried out in Iran as of Saturday. Iran announced its first cases of Covid-19 on February 19 last year. Iran and China have been offering mutual help in combating the Covid-19 pandemic. In mid-February 2020, at the early stage of the coronavirus outbreak in China, Iran lit up the Tehran Azadi (Liberty) Tower to show its solidarity with China, and donated three million masks to China. In return, China has delivered several shipments of medical supplies to Iran. On February 29, 2020, a Chinese medical team visited Iran for a month-long mission to help Iran fight the pandemic. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Alabamas superintendents in Mobile and Baldwin counties are now the states two highest paid public school administrators. The Baldwin County Commission on Thursday, with a 5-1 vote, increased Superintendent Eddie Tylers base salary by 14% from $212,940 to $242,500. The new contract also extends Tylers term of employment an additional two years from its prior expiration date of June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2024. I feel like we have the best, said board president JaNay Dawson. We should let him know we feel that way. Tylers salary is second in Alabama only to the $266,000 annual salary for Mobile County School Superintendent Chresal Threadgill. His salary was increased in May by 13%, up from $235,586. Before Threadgills pay increase, the highest paid superintendent in Alabama was Wayne Vickers, the superintendent at Alabaster city schools, at $235,707. An AL.com analysis about one year ago showed that about dozen superintendents in Alabama earn over $200,000 a year. Mobile County, with over 53,000 students, is the largest school system in Alabama. Baldwin County, which has over 33,000 students, ranks third. The pay raise and contract extension offered to Tyler coincided with the school boards agreement to support a countywide comprehensive Career Tech High School. The new high school building, with a preliminary budget of $50 million, will provide career-ready diploma programs in partnership with industries in South Alabama. Tyler will lead the efforts in moving the new high school forward. It will take several years to do that and that is why, I believe in my heart, we need Eddie Tyler to blow the train whistle and run the engine throughout the process, said board member Cecil Christenberry. Tyler, who arrived to Baldwin County with a 4-3 vote in 2015, has overseen the school systems comprehensive building program called Pay as you go. That program surfaced in the aftermath of a 2015 special election defeat for the school system, which preceded Tylers arrival, which would have raised property taxes to pay for a $350 million building expansion. The current building program in Baldwin County has occurred without a tax referendum. Why has the Lankan MPs links to Kasargod come under the ambit of the Indian agencies Shahdat is our Goal: NIA picks up key terrorist from Tamil Nadu India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 23: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a terrorist belonging to a Jihadi gang called Shahdat is our Goal. The NIA picked up Mohammad Rashid aged 25, who is a resident of Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu. The case was originally registered at the Keelakarai Police Station in Ramnathapuram district of Tamil Nadu after the arrest of accused Mohamed Rifas, Muparish Ahamed and Abupakkar Sithik from Keelakarai. Killing of Hindu: NIA charges arms suppliers of Khalistan Liberation Front Lethal weapons including swords along with pamphlets pertaining to the terrorist gang were seized from the possession of the accused persons. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News Searches were conducted by NIA at the premises of the accused persons in May, 2019 and Mohammed Rashid was identified as an active member of the terrorist gang. Scrutiny of forensically retrieved data from the seized digital devices and their e-mail and social media accounts, has revealed that the accused persons including Mohammed Rashid, had conducted multiple conspiracy meetings under leadership of Sheik Dawood and Mohamed Rifas with the intention of waging violent jihad in Tamil Nadu, as part of their efforts to establish Islamic rule (Shariah). The accused, in pursuance of the conspiracy, had also attempted to procure illegal fire arms. Further investigations are on. Its no secret that rural and urban people have grown apart culturally and economically in recent years. A quick glance at the media especially social media confirms an ideological gap has also widened. City folks have long been detached from rural conditions. Even in the 1700s, urbanites labeled rural people as backward or different. And lately, urban views of rural people have deteriorated. Those who study and advocate intervention to assist distressed rural communities most often hear, You expect me to care about those far-off places, especially given the way the people there vote? The answer is yes. Rural communities provide much of the food and energy that fuel our lives. They are made up of people who, after decades of exploitative resource extraction and neglect, need strong connective infrastructure and opportunities to pursue regional prosperity. A lack of investment in broadband, schools, jobs, sustainable farms, hospitals, roads and even the U.S. Postal Service has increasingly driven rural voters to seek change from national politics. And this sharp hunger for change gave Trumps promises to disrupt the status quo particular appeal in rural areas. Metropolitan stakeholders often complain that the Electoral College and U.S. Senate give less populous states disproportionate power nationally. Yet that power has not steered enough resources, infrastructure investment and jobs to rural America for communities to survive and thrive. So, how can the federal government help? Based on our years of research into rural issues, here are five federal initiatives that would go a long way toward empowering distressed rural communities to improve their destinies, while also helping bridge the urban/rural divide. Get high-speed internet to rural America The COVID-19 era has made more acute something rural communities were already familiar with: High-speed internet is the gateway to everything. Education, work, health care, information access and even a social life depend directly on broadband. Yet 22.3% of rural residents and 27.7% of tribal lands residents lacked access to high-speed internet as of 2018, compared with 1.5% of urban residents. The Trump administration undermined progress on the digital divide in 2018 by reversing an Obama-era rule that categorized broadband as a public utility, like electricity. When broadband was regulated as a utility, the government could ensure fairer access even in regions that were less profitable for service providers. The reversal left rural communities more vulnerable to the whims of competitive markets. Although President Joe Biden has signaled support for rural broadband expansion, its not yet clear what the Federal Communications Commission might do under his leadership. Recategorizing broadband as a public utility could help close the digital divide. Help local governments avoid going broke Its easy to take for granted the everyday things local governments do, like trash pickup, building code enforcement and overseeing public health. So, what happens when a local government goes broke? A lot of rural local governments are dealing with an invisible crisis of fiscal collapse. Regions that have lost traditional livelihoods in manufacturing, mining, timber and agriculture are stuck in a downward cycle: Jobs loss and population decline mean less tax revenue to keep local government running. Federal institutions could help by expanding capacity-building programs, like Community Development Block Grants and Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants that let communities invest in long-term assets like main street improvements and housing. Rural activists are also calling for a federal office of rural prosperity or economic transitions that could provide leadership on the widespread need to reverse declining rural communities fates. Rein in big agriculture Only 6% of rural people still live in counties with economies that are farming dependent. Decades of policies favoring consolidation of agriculture have emptied out large swaths of rural landscapes. The largest 8% of farms in America now control more than 70% of American farmland, and the rural people who remain increasingly bear the brunt of decisions made in urban agribusiness boardrooms. Rural communities get less and less of the wealth. Those in counties with industrialized agricultural are more likely to have unsafe drinking water, lower incomes and greater economic inequality. What many rural people want from agricultural policy is increased antitrust enforcement to break up agricultural monopolies, improved conditions for agricultural workers, conservation policies that actually protect rural health, and a food policy that addresses rural hunger, which outpaces food insecurity in urban areas. Access to affordable land is another huge issue. Beginning farmers cite that as their biggest obstacle. Federal support for these new farmers, like that imagined in the proposed Justice for Black Farmers Act or in other property-law reforms, could help rebuild an agriculture system that is diversified, sustainable and rooted in close connections to rural communities. Bidens plan to bring former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack back in the same role he held in the Obama administration has cast doubt on whether Biden is really committed to change. Vilsack built a suspect record on racial equity and has spent the past four years as a marketing executive for big dairy, leading many to worry his leadership will result in agribusiness as usual. Pursue broad racial justice One in five rural residents are people of color, and they are two to three times more likely to be poor than rural whites. Diverse rural residents are also significantly more likely to live in impoverished areas that have been described as rural ghettos. More than 98% of U.S. agricultural land is owned by white people, while over 83% of farmworkers are Hispanic. Criminal justice and law enforcement reforms occurring in cities are less likely to reach small or remote communities, leaving rural minorities vulnerable to discrimination and vigilantism, with limited avenues for redress. At a minimum, the federal government can enhance workplace protections for farm laborers, strengthen protections of ancestral lands and tribal sovereignty and provide leadership for improving rural access to justice. Focus on the basics People who live in distressed rural communities have important place-based connections. In many cases, the idea of just move someplace else is a myth. The greatest historic progress on rural poverty followed large-scale federal intervention via Franklin Roosevelts New Deal and Lyndon Johnsons War on Poverty. Although these reforms were implemented in ways that were racially unjust, they offer models for ameliorating rural poverty. They created public jobs programs that addressed important social needs like conservation and school building repair; established relationships between universities and communities for agricultural and economic progress; provided federal funding for K-12 schools and made higher education more affordable; and expanded the social safety net to address hunger and other health needs. A new federal antipoverty program which urban communities also need could go a long way to improving rural quality of life. The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act targeted many of these issues. But urban communities quicker and stronger recovery from the Great Recession than rural ones shows that this program neglected key rural challenges. Some of these steps will also require Congresss involvement. So the question is, will federal leadership take the bold steps necessary to address rural marginalization and start mending these divisions? Or will it pay lip service to those steps while continuing the patterns of neglect and exploitation that have gotten the U.S. to where it is today: facing an untenable stalemate shaped by inequality and mutual distrust. Guwahati, Jan 23 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday paid tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary in Guwahati. Paying floral tributes at the portrait of Bose in Guwahati, the Home Minister said that Netaji was a brilliant student, born patriot, skilled administrator and organiser and a leader with unmatched fighting spirit. "His courage and valour gave new strength to Indian freedom struggle. He organised the youth power of the country with his charismatic leadership under adverse circumstances. Committed to the Independence movement, he travelled from Kolkata to Germany, which is a reflection of his indomitable courage," said Shah, who is on a two-day visit to Assam and Meghalaya. He said the entire nation would always remain indebted to Netaji's valour and unceasing struggle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, has paid an unprecedented tribute to Netaji by celebrating his birth anniversary as "Parakram Diwas". Shah also said that with this inspiration, millions of children would be able to contribute to the development of the country and make the nation 'Aatmanirbhar' (self-reliant) in the coming days. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Wednesday commended the African Export-Import Bank for filling the financial gap in accessing COVID-19 vaccine across Africa. The remarks were made by John Nkengasong, director of the Africa CDC, after the announcement that the African Export-Import Bank will facilitate payments by providing advance procurement commitment guarantees of up to 2 billion U.S. dollars to the manufacturers on behalf of the African Union (AU) members. The biggest challenges to COVID-19 vaccine access in Africa have been financing of the vaccines and the logistics of vaccinating at scale, but we are glad that this gap is being filled by the African Export-Import Bank financing facility, said John Nkengasong, Director of Africa CDC. The critical decision now is how to get started so that once we start there will be no disruptions, and this is where the Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) will play a very big role, the Africa CDC Director said. On Tuesday, the Africa CDC had announced the commencement of a COVID-19 vaccines pre-order program for all the AU members. The move by the AMSP, on behalf of the Africa CDC, came a week after the announcement by the South African President and African Union (AU) Chairperson, Cyril Ramaphosa, on January 14 that the AU has secured a provisional 270 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for Africa through its COVID-19 African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT). The AMSP, in order to support vaccination operations, has also launched a new category of vaccine accessories which will help member states to procure products such as ultra-low temperature freezers, personal protective equipment, cotton wool rolls, syringes and needles. While AVATT has secured a provisional 270 million COVID-19 vaccines doses from Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca, AMSP the single-source platform enabling faster, more transparent and cost-effective access to COVID-19 supplies has opened the pre-orders program. According to the Africa CDC, the initiative offers equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine doses for the AU members. President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank, Benedict Oramah, also stressed that the Afrexim Bank is proud to expand its support to African economies in their bid to contain the pandemic. Source: The Ghanaian Times Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video RAMALLAH, West Bank As soon as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued Jan. 15 the presidential decree setting the date for the general elections a clash erupted between Fatah and the movement led by dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan. A day after the presidential decree was issued, Sufian Abu Zaida, a leader in Dahlans Democratic Reformist Current, expressed his currents intent to participate, alongside the Fatah movement, in the elections with a unified list. In a Facebook post Jan. 16, Abu Zaida said that should a unified list for the Fatah movement prove impossible, the Democratic Reformist Current will run in the legislative elections with an independent list of leaders and cadres of the current, adding that candidacy will be open for national social figures. Abu Zaidas call was rejected by the Fatah movement, which reiterated its commitment to the decisions of its leadership, referring to the movements decision to dismiss from its ranks members of the Democratic Reformist Current. Majed al-Fityani, secretary of Fatah's Revolutionary Council, told Al-Monitor that the decision to participate in the elections will be approved by the movements leadership in the coming days. An agreement will be reached to shape the alliances that the movement may form to run in the elections, Fityani said. The so-called Democratic Reformist Current has nothing to do with the Fatah movement. Its members decided to be outside the Fatah framework. They are the cause of all the internal ills in Fatah, which is not bound by any talks or dialogue with anyone outside the movement in any way. Regarding the Democratic Reformist Currents intention to run in elections with an independent list, Fityani said, These are independent Palestinian elections. No one can take away the democratic right of a party that is subject to the law to run for office. But the [elections] law prohibits anyone charged with offense or misdemeanor or slapped with a sentence to be a candidate in elections. Dahlan, who has been in exile in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 2011, was investigated by the Palestinian Authority (PA) and charged for several offenses, including alleged corruption. In 2016, he was convicted in absentia for embezzling $16 million and sentenced to three years in prison. Fatah believes it can block the way for Dahlan and some of his currents leaders by preventing them from running in either the presidential or legislative elections, based on the Palestinian Elections Law of 2007, and the amendments thereto in accordance with the decree law issued by Abbas on Jan. 11. Article 39 (5) of the law was amended to stipulate that a candidate for the presidency must attach to the candidacy application a non-conviction certificate from the court. Thus Dahlan, who faces charges, cannot run in the elections. Article 68 of the law prohibits any electoral list or candidate who participates in the elections from obtaining funds for the election campaign from any foreign or external source other than Palestinian sources, directly or indirectly. This constitutes another roadblock to the Democratic Reformist Current that enjoys great financial support from the UAE. Abdel Hamid al-Masri, a leader in the Democratic Reformist Current, confirmed his movements intention to run in the legislative and presidential elections and the National Council elections. On the judicial decision against Dahlan that may hinder his candidacy, Masri told Al-Monitor, For us, Dahlan is not convicted in any case and we would yield to any ruling issued by a fair justice and an independent judiciary. But if the law is politicized, we will reach out to all parties that sponsor the elections to solve this issue. Dahlans current is counting on the elections to return to the Palestinian political arena, especially since the currents leaders have either been dismissed from the Fatah movement, or lost their immunity or political position after the dissolution of the Palestinian Legislative Council. If these leaders are prevented from participating in the elections according to the law, the movement will tap into its strong relations with some Arab countries, such as Egypt, Jordan and the UAE, to exert pressure on Abbas to overcome the dispute with Dahlan and allow his current to run in the elections under a unified list with Fatah. On Jan. 17, head of Egyptian intelligence Abbas Kamel and his Jordanian counterpart, Ahmed Hosni, paid a surprise visit to Ramallah, where they met with Abbas. The meeting was also attended by Palestinian intelligence chief Majid Faraj. Israels public channel Kan 11 reported Jan. 19 that during the meeting Jordan and Egypt called on Abbas to unify Fatah's ranks before the legislative elections and to run in the elections with a unified and undivided list to confront Hamas. The media outlet said Jordan and Egypt did not directly demand to include Dahlan on the list of the Fatah movement. Masri said that failing to unify Fatahs ranks and running the elections with multiple lists will weaken the movement against Hamas and reduce its chances of winning. We called for a unified Fatah electoral list to keep it from losing to Hamas, he added. Asked about whether there was a decision in the Democratic Reformist Current to nominate Dahlan for the position of president, Masri noted, There is no decision yet to do so. The movement will make its decision democratically within its framework and institutions. However, he did not rule out the possibility of the movement supporting a national figure outside the movement. The Democratic Reformist Current poses a new challenge to Fatah, in addition to the challenge already posed by Hamas, which raises many scenarios for the relationship between both Fatah and Dahlans current. Writer and political analyst Jihad Harb told Al-Monitor, The first scenario is the emergence of two electoral lists and perhaps more, within the Fatah movement. The other scenario is to accelerate the reconciliation within the Fatah movement through the mediation of the Egyptian and Jordanian security services, which could pave the way for Fatah to run in the elections with one list. Harb explained, Dahlan will not be able to run in the presidential and legislative elections because of a court ruling against him. But his movement may support a candidate for the presidential elections other than Fatahs official candidate. The movement may run in the legislative elections with a list of figures against whom no judicial decision has been issued in the Palestinian courts. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Preschool enrolments have dropped for the first time in years in NSW, causing concern children may be missing out on the benefits of early education as parents working from home opt to mind them themselves. Enrolments for all preschool-eligible children for 2021 fell 2 per cent last year, a reversal of the steady growth that has been recorded since 2016. Chris and Odette Grabinski and their children George, 4, who is starting preschool, and Elliott. 2. Credit:Steven Siewert It comes after attendance and enrolments across preschools and childcare facilities declined sharply in the first half of last year, with 71 per cent reporting decreased enrolments for at least one month between March and June. As families moved to working from home during the initial months of the pandemic, 95 per cent of services saw attendance decrease during the same period. They hail from vastly different parts of the world, drawn to Australia by love, career opportunities and, in the midst of a deadly pandemic, safety and security. This Tuesday, on January 26, they will pledge their loyalty to Australia and its people at the Sydney Opera House before joining Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore for a glass of Australian sparkling wine and canapes made with Australian produce such as macadamia and wattleseed. Gabriele Tedesco, Hayat Horma, Duhita Khadepau and Abhijeet Gandhi will become Australian citizens on Australia Day at a ceremony at the Sydney Opera House. Credit:Edwina Pickles For Hayat Horma, Australian citizenship will be the culmination of a journey that began in 2014 when she met her Australian husband Ben in Singapore. Ms Horma was born in Morocco and studied, lived and worked in France, the United States, United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates before her first visit to Australia. Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 5:15 pm Centralia Police Department K9 Pax has received a donated bullet and stab protective vest from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Each vest has a value of $1,744 to $2,283, weighs an average of 4 to 5 pounds and comes with a five-year warranty. Paxs vest was embroidered with the words, in memory of K9 Ziva, Seattle Police Department, in honor of the first female police dog at the Seattle Police Department. Ziva retired in 2015 after eight years of service. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a nonprofit charity with a mission to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided more than 4,100 vests to K9s in all 50 states since the organizations inception in 2009, at a total value of $6.9 million. The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. The donation comes one week after the Thurston County Sheriffs Offices K9 Arlo was shot during a pursuit that ended in Grand Mound. Arlo underwent surgery at Oregon State University and is currently home recovering. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s provides information, lists events and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you can mail a contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA, 02718. A 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with a knife attack that led to an office cleaner needing life-saving surgery after she was stabbed in the neck. The teenager had been in garda custody since his arrest on Thursday night. The 48-year-old victim remained yesterday in a critical condition in the Mater Hospital following the attack on Wednesday night. A garda spokesman said the teen will appear in court later this morning. "The juvenile arrested in relation to the serious assault that occurred on the pedestrian walkway, between Georges Dock and Custom House Quay, IFSC, Dublin 1 on Wednesday night 20th January, 2021 has been charged. "He is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice this morning, Saturday 23rd January 2021." Gardai believe the attack happened near the CHQ building. A lone male on a bicycle approached the woman, who was walking home from work, and demanded money. He then stabbed her without warning before fleeing empty-handed. Despite her injuries, which resulted in considerable loss of blood, the woman was able to call emergency services from her mobile phone. Gardai and ambulance personnel were quickly on the scene, and she was rushed to the Mater Hospital where she underwent life-saving surgery. The area has "excellent quality CCTV", and detectives were able to make rapid progress in their investigations. "This lady is very, very lucky to be alive," a source said. "The area was deserted at the time because of all the travel restrictions." Jake Angeli, the "Q Shaman," was one of several protestors to confront Capitol police officers at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images A man known as the "Q Shaman" who stormed the Capitol says he feels "duped" after Trump didn't pardon him. Jacob A. Chansley was arrested and charged earlier this month in connection with the Capitol riots. His lawyer blamed Trump for "motivating" the mob to march on the Capitol building. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Related: What it was like in the middle of the pro-Trump mob at the Capitol A far-right Arizona conspiracy theorist known as "QAnon Shaman," who stormed the Capitol in a fur headdress with horns, says he feels "duped" by Trump after the former president didn't pardon him, his lawyer has said. Jake Angeli, whose real name is Jacob A. Chansley, was arrested and charged earlier this month in connection with the Capitol riots, which resulted in the deaths of five people, including a police officer. Speaking to local television station KSDK on Thursday, Chansley's lawyer Al Watkins said that his client had expected to be pardoned by Trump but that he has now realized he'd been "duped." "He regrets very, very much having not just been duped by the president, but by being in a position where he allowed that duping to put him in a position to make decisions he should not have made," Watkins said, according to Law & Crime. Read more: The right-wing conspiracy theories that fueled the Capitol siege are going to instigate more violence "As to my client, the guy with the horns and the fur, the meditation, and organic food...I'm telling you that we cannot simply wave a magic wand and label all these people on January 6 the same," he added. Watkins' comment about organic food is a reference to a statement made by Chansley's mother at his first federal court hearing, where she said that her son had refused to eat while in custody because he "gets very sick if he doesn't eat organic food." It is not known whether Chansley has stopped his hunger strike or not. Watkins also seemed to blame Trump for what he said were "months of lies" and "misrepresentations" that were "designed to inflame, enrage, and motivate" the mob on January 6, according to Law & Crime. Story continues Trump told his supporters before the deadly events unfolded that "we're going to walk down, and I'll be there with you," with reference made to the Capitol building immediately following those remarks. "What's really curious is the reality that our president, as a matter of public record, invited these individuals, as President, to walk down to the Capitol with him," Watkins said. "We're talking about not - not just the guy with the horns and the hair, the tattoos and the bare chest - the Shaman - we're talking about thousands of people. They felt - they heard - the message to them, from their president, was: 'we're going to walk down to the Capitol,'" he added. Chansley, who is from Phoenix, Arizona, served in the US Navy between 2005 and 2007. Known for wearing red, white, and blue face paint and a horned helmet, the veteran become a notable figure in the QAnon conspiracy-theory movement. On the day of the Capitol riot, Chansley took photos on the Senate dais and marched around with a megaphone, confronting police officers. The FBI was able to identify him by his distinct tattoos and arrested him three days later. Angeli told NBC News that he felt he had done nothing wrong in the immediate aftermath of the riots. "I walked through an open door, dude," Angeli said, according to NBC News. Chansey remains in federal custody in Arizona and is being held in a quarantine section of a detention facility. He has been charged with disorderly conduct, violent entry, and illegally being on restricted spaces within the Capitol grounds. Read the original article on Business Insider Washington: The retired Army general Lloyd Austin made history by becoming Americas first black defence secretary, arriving at the Pentagon minutes after his Senate confirmation to a busy schedule that included a call with NATOs secretary general. See you around campus, the 67-year-old Austin said on Friday as he greeted reporters on the steps of the Pentagon. After being sworn in, Austin received his first intelligence briefing as Pentagon chief. He later chaired a meeting on the coronavirus pandemic with top Defence Department leaders, many joining virtually, the Pentagon said. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, right, is saluted by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley as he arrives at the Pentagon. Credit:AP The pandemic -- and its death toll of more than 400,000 Americans -- was the theme of Austins first message to members of the armed forces. He noted the militarys support to Americas health care professionals, and said, You can expect that mission to continue. Ben Affleck has joked about his on-screen nudity in a conversation with Sacha Baron Cohen. The actors traded gags about baring all for the camera in a conversation for trade magazine Varietys Actors on Actors series. Affleck famously stripped off for a shower scene at the end of the 2014 thriller Gone Girl, the adaptation of Gillian Flynns bestselling book, which also starred Rosamund Pike. Cohen is also no stranger to taking his clothes off on camera, and caused a stir with the luminous green mankini he wears in his film Borat. He said to Affleck: So, obviously, youre a two-time Academy Award winner, a multiple Golden Globe winner, you were nominated for best depiction of nudity, sexuality or seduction by the Alliance of Women Film Journalists in Gone Girl. What did that mean to you? Affleck replied: Wow. Everyone dreams of that. Cohen then asked: Were you furious when you didnt win? to which Affleck replied: Were you angry? I mean you do so much frontal, youve been so naked, and yet you were overlooked. Yeah, the Alliance of Women Film Journalists never saw what I saw in the mirror, the Ali G star said. Expand Close Sacha Baron Cohen (Ian West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sacha Baron Cohen (Ian West/PA) Affleck then turned the tables on Cohen, asking him: I noticed in the past, when you blacked out your penis, it was 14 inches. Now, how close to the truth was that really? Cohen quickly changed the subject, joking: I feel like were veering away. Tell me about your Batman! Affleck, who previously starred in blockbusters Pearl Harbor and Armageddon, also discussed how he decides which projects he wants to take on, saying: At this point in my career, Im a little old. Im 48, so I dont know how much longer Im going to be the not-25-year-old guy. But there are more interesting roles. People with whom you can identify are more interesting to me because I no longer have the ability to do something when Im bored halfway through it and hate it. I just cant do it. Its not worth it to be away from my kids. Im just looking to do stuff that is personally rewarding. I think my Armageddon days are behind me Ben Affleck If Im going to travel, there had better be something really satisfying that I think theyll see at some point, hopefully. Although my kids are like Dad, we dont want to watch your movies. With this movie (The Way Back), what happened was, we were released on the week that Covid became pervasive and they shut everything down. And I thought This is a disaster. My movie comes out that I really want people to see and they closed movie theatres. But then they moved it right to streaming. There was this captive audience of people who are all of a sudden at home, and I think more people saw it than would have gone out to the theatre. I think you have to weigh that. So now the line is blurred, and Im just looking to do stuff that is personally rewarding. I think my Armageddon days are behind me. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Facing federal charges that could land them in prison, some of the defendants charged with participating in the attack at the U.S. Capitol are preparing to shift the blame onto other participants or to former President Donald Trump. More than 100 people have been charged preliminarily in federal court in the District of Columbia in connection with the riot, according to a list provided by the Department of Justice. The charges range from knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority to assaulting a federal officer. The most serious offenses carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison, but federal officials have said that more severe charges could be filed. In many cases, their presence at the Capitol is well-documented in online photos and videos, which prosecutors are using to build their cases. Its hard to rebut roughly 10,000 miles worth of video footage reflecting and depicting my client at the Capitol on Jan. 6, Albert Watkins, a St. Louis-based attorney whos representing Jacob Chansley, the shirtless, horned-helmet-wearing man known as the QAnon shaman, told Yahoo News. Pro-Trump protesters at the Capitol, Jan. 6. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images) The presence at the scene of Chansley, who faces charges of civil disorder and entering a restricted building, is not the issue, Watkins said; the issue is that a group that included his client felt a special bond with Trump and were willing to do whatever he asked. And on Jan. 6 my client, who had been fueled by an ongoing dialogue with other like-minded individuals, appeared to heed the call of the president to help him save our country, Watkins said. Watkins was indirectly citing Trumps remarks at a rally before the riot on Jan. 6, during which he urged them to fight like hell to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which he falsely claims was stolen from him. The Capitol attack happened while Congress was counting the Electoral College votes to certify President Bidens victory. Story continues They listened to [Trump] and his cohorts speak to them in a fashion that is akin to a high school football coach on a Friday evening talking to his team and getting them all hyped up in the locker room before he runs out to the football field with them, Watkins said. But Trump did not run onto the metaphorical field, returning instead to the White House to watch the mayhem on television. After tweeting out his love for the rioters (youre very special, he added), he eventually after it became apparent that the effort to overthrow the government had failed denounced the riot, if not explicitly the rioters. Mob violence goes against everything I believe in, Trump said in a video, and everything our movement stands for. No true supporter of mine could ever endorse political violence. Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives on Jan. 13 over his role in encouraging the attack and is expected to stand trial in the Senate. Trump supporter Richard Barnett occupies the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Jan. 6. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Mike Scibetta, a Rochester, N.Y., attorney who represents Dominic Pezzola, charged with obstruction of an official proceeding and destruction of government property, said his defense team is mindful of how Trumps involvement may affect the case against his client. We have one arm of the prosecutorial government, apparently going to prosecute a president for inciting and inviting these individuals to come down there, Scibetta told Yahoo News. That begs the question. How, on the other hand, can you not say that they weren't invited to come down there? Were they invited to break things? Probably not. But certainly trespass begs the question: Am I trespassing when the highest power in the country invited me down to come on down to the Capitol? The Capitol, for the record, is the seat of Congress, a separate and co-equal branch of government over which the president has no direct authority. Lori Ulrich, a federal public defender in Harrisburg, Pa., said at a hearing in Pennsylvania for her client Riley June Williams that its regrettable that Ms.Williams took the president's bait and went inside the Capitol, NBC Philadelphia reported. Williams is accused of stealing House Speaker Nancy Pelosis laptop from her office with the intent to sell it to Russian intelligence, according to the criminal complaint against Williams. Ulrich declined to comment further on her statement in an interview with Yahoo News. We are at the very early stages of the proceeding, she said, so there is a lot we dont know. A pro-Trump protester carries the lectern of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi through the Roturnda of the U.S. Capitol Building after a pro-Trump mob stormed the building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Of the attorneys who have spoken publicly, Watkins is perhaps the most willing to put the blame squarely on Trump, but other attorneys have at least tacitly acknowledged that they are considering what is known as a public authority defense, namely, that their clients believed they were acting at the direction of the president. I can't say whether Trump has any responsibility, James Whalen, a Frisco, Texas, attorney for Troy Smocks, told Yahoo News. Smocks is charged with making threats related to the riot on the now defunct conservative social media app Parler. According to the criminal complaint, Smocks allegedly wrote: Today, January 6 , 2021, We Patriots by the millions have arrived in Washington, DC, carrying banners of support for the greatest President the World has ever known. But if we must...Many of us will return on January 19 , 2021, carrying our weapons in support of Our nations resolve, to which the world will never forget. We will come in numbers that no standing army or police agency can match. However, the police are NOT our enemy, unless they choose to be! All who will not stand with the American Patriots...or cannot stand with us, then, that would be a good time for you to take a few vacation days. Militant supporters of former President Donald Trump inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images) There was more, Whalen said, adding when you look at the entire post in its context, there is reference to what President Trump said in his [Jan. 6] speech. Whalen, along with every other attorney who spoke to Yahoo News, denied the allegations on behalf of their clients but acknowledged that they were at the Capitol during the riot. Scibetta said Trumps perceived role is something to explore as a legal argument. Its a legitimate, rational basis for these people, [who] in most instances would've been home, going about their daily lives, had the most powerful man, arguably in the world but certainly the country, not said, Come on down, make your voice heard, come to the Capitol. Pro-Trump rioters breaking into the Capitol. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) With dozens of defendants from across the country, and a chaotic scene to parse through, some attorneys are distancing their clients from what they describe as bad actors who appeared to spur the violence and destruction at the Capitol. Hes being lumped in with certain individuals that may have acted violently, defense attorney Jason DiPasquale said of his client, Peter Harding, whos from a town near Buffalo, N.Y. Harding is charged with entering a restricted building as well as violent and disorderly conduct, which DiPasquale notes are misdemeanors. He in no way, shape or form gained entry [to the Capitol] through violence, DiPasquale said, or partook in any of the violent acts that have been displayed [by] the media, that others may have engaged in. Watkins said theres footage of his client being let into the building. Some [people] had no intentions of ever walking to the Capitol, much less going into it, he said. [And] you had some that were bad apples. Some legal experts are doubtful that these arguments will gain traction before a judge or a jury. For the most part, these claims dont amount to serious legal defenses, Daniel Richman, a former federal prosecutor and professor at Columbia Law School, told Yahoo News via email. Jacob Chansley, the so-called QAnon shaman, at the Capitol on Jan. 6. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) They still might get before juries, if the cases go to trial, and potentially affect assessments of intent and knowledge, he said. But since so few cases go to trial, and the ones that do will go before DC jurors who I suspect won't incline toward sympathy, I would be surprised if the claims made headway. Maneka Sinha, a criminal defense expert and professor at the University of Maryland Law School, told Yahoo News that some of these defenses may be better served for mitigation purposes, specifically during the sentencing phase or when theyre arguing for pretrial release. If these cases go to trial, juries are going to have to decide whether claims like that are credible. But as an initial matter, the information thats already available to the public seems to somewhat belie the idea that it would be easy to believe that you werent doing anything wrong. Weve got fencing, we've got barricades, police officers pushing people back, orders to stop. And then on top of that, the pretty basic facts that theyre entering federal property while Congress was in session, many with this explicit purpose of overturning the election. Sinha noted that its too early to speculate on the outcome of the cases. While many criminal cases are resolved with a plea agreement, the Capitol riot cases many not have that option. Its not every day that the Capitol is breached, she said. So we dont know if prosecutors are going to treat these cases the way they treat ordinary cases, and they may not. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Two Donald Trump supporters arrested in November on weapons charges near the Pennsylvania Convention Center, while votes from the presidential election were being counted inside, were back in custody Friday after a Philadelphia judge increased their bail for attending the Jan. 6 deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. During a combative hearing at the Stout Center for Criminal Justice in Center City, which included contempt charges against defense attorney William J. Brennan, no evidence was presented that the defendants, Joshua Macias and Antonio LaMotta, entered the Capitol building along with thousands who battled with law enforcement and ransacked offices. But Assistant District Attorney Andrew Wellbrock presented video evidence that the two Virginia men were on the Capitol grounds that Wednesday, and argued they violated their previous bail conditions in Philadelphia. Macias, 42, was shown comparing then-Vice President Mike Pence to an 18th-century traitor, as LaMotta, 61, served as his bodyguard, the prosecutor said. Common Pleas Court Judge Crystal Bryant-Powell increased Macias original $750,000 bail by $100,000, and LaMottas $750,000 bail by $15,000. She then ordered the men jailed until they pay 10% of the new increases $10,000 for Macias, $1,500 for LaMotta. Brennan, who represents Macias, and defense attorney Lauren A. Wimmer, who represents LaMotta, argued that their clients broke no laws just by being on the Capitol grounds, have not been arrested by federal authorities, and therefore their bail in connection with the Philadelphia weapons cases should not be increased. But Wellbrock, who sought to have both defendants bail revoked, argued that they had traveled to Washington to help incite the riot, during which five people died, including a Capitol Police officer. To support that claim, Wellbrock cited Macias calling Pence a Benedict Arnold, and saying the Insurrection Act is now and The domestic enemies are here, as he pointed to the Capitol. The argument I said in court is that condition of bail is not to commit additional crime, and my argument is that they were down there inciting a riot, Wellbrock said after the hearing. Wimmer and Brennan disagreed. There is no crime committed here by Mr. LaMotta. He is clearly just standing there, said Wimmer, who told the judge her client is a law-abiding citizen who has been married 19 years, and has two teenage children and an elderly mother for whom he is the primary caregiver. The government is basically asking your honor to deprive my client of liberty for going to the nations capital and speaking at an assembly, said Brennan, whose verbal sparring with Bryant-Powell resulted in her scheduling a Feb. 4 hearing during which Brennan will have to show why he should not be held in contempt of court. Bryant-Powell, who was sworn in as a judge on the day of the Capitol riot, repeatedly accused Brennan of being disrespectful. Mr. Brennan, youre raising your voice, and youre pointing at the court. I think we have a problem, the judge said. Brennan, a prominent Philadelphia attorney whos often animated in the courtroom,, denied he was being disrespectful. I think Ive been restrained, he said. Im advocating, your honor. Ive been doing this for 33 years. During an interview after the hearing, Brennan reiterated that he meant no disrespect to Bryant-Powell, whom he said he had never met. He said while he disagrees with the things his client said at the Capitol, he believes he had the right to say them. Its a scary day when we lose our liberty over words or exercising our right to assemble, Brennan said. Prosecutors allege that on Nov. 5, Macias and LaMotta, both of Chesapeake, Va., drove to Philadelphia in a Hummer SUV displaying the insignia of the QAnon conspiracy movement, with handguns, an AR-15-style rifle, 160 rounds of ammunition, and a samurai sword to interfere in the vote-counting process. Last week, another Philadelphia judge dropped two gun-possession charges against Macias, a cofounder of Vets for Trump, because he has a gun permit in Virginia. The District Attorneys Office has said it will refile those charges during a Feb. 8 hearing. Macias is currently charged with interfering with an election, conspiracy, and hindering performance of duty. LaMotta faces the same charges as Macias, as well as two gun-possession charges. At last weeks hearing, the judge barred both defendants from attending rallies or using social media while their cases are pending. The United States intends to review an agreement reached with the Taliban last year in order to determine if the militant group is meeting its commitments under the Afghan peace accord. President Joe Biden's national-security adviser, Jake Sullivan, spoke with his Afghan counterpart, Hamdullah Mohib, the White House said in a January 22 statement. Under a U.S.-Taliban deal reached last February, all foreign forces are to leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for security guarantees from the militant group, including severing ties with Al-Qaeda. Afghan government and Taliban negotiators have made halting progress since direct talks began in Qatar in the autumn against the backdrop of rising violence and calls for a cease-fire. Sullivan underscored that the new Biden administration will support the peace process with a robust and regional diplomatic effort, which will aim to help the two sides achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent cease-fire, according to the statement. The United States would also review the agreement reached under former President Donald Trumps administration, including to assess whether the Taliban was living up to its commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence in Afghanistan, and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government and other stakeholders. Sullivan and his Afghan counterpart also discussed the United States support for protecting the extraordinary gains made by Afghan women, girls, and minority groups as part of the peace process. The United States is also committed to working with the Afghan government, NATO allies, and regional partners "to support a stable, sovereign, and secure future for Afghanistan." More than 110 Americans have donated more than US$28,000 so far in a charity campaign organised by Ronald L. Haeberle, whose photographs of the My Lai Massacre turned American public opinion against the war. He was assisted by Chuck Searcy who co-founded Project RENEW with Hoang Nam in 2001. Chuck Searcy (second left), co-founder of Project RENEW, presents funds to flood-affected victims in Vietnam. More than 110 Americans donated more than US$28,000 in a charity campaign. Photo courtesy Ron Carver, co-editor with David Cortright and Barbara Doherty They were aided by Ron Carver the curator of the exhibit Waging Peace in Vietnam: US Soldiers and Veterans Who Opposed the War, now on exhibit at Vietnams War Remnants Museum in HCM City. The funds will be distributed in Quang Tri Province by the staff of Project RENEW and in Quang Ngai Province by the Quang Ngai Red Cross. Up to $10,000 was for aid directly to the Red Cross for distribution to victims of the flooding disasters and damage caused by the typhoons in Quang Ngai, and more relief funds will be raised from others in the US. The donation given to Vo Bam Secondary School as part of the flood relief donation to Quang Ngai consists of four desktop computers. Photo courtesy Ron Carver; Co-editor with David Cortright and Barbara Doherty The donation to Vo Bam Secondary School as part of the flood relief to Quang Ngai consists of four desktop computers. We were moved by the images of mud slides, and water trapping villagers on the roofs of their houses and water roaring through village streets carrying away trees, furniture, animals and villagers themselves, Haeberle said, explaining the motivation to begin the campaign. I have been committed to doing all I can to help the people of Vietnam ever since I personally witnessed American war crimes at My Lai. I was horrified to learn that central Vietnam was battered by six typhoons in three weeks, stated Ron Carver. When I received photos and videos from the War Remnants Museum, I knew I had to share these with the American people and seek donations to help with the recovery. Chuck Searcy at the Son My Memorial Site on the 50th Anniversary of the My Lai Massacre. Photo courtesy Ron Carver; Co-editor with David Cortright and Barbara Doherty The Project RENEW staff have firsthand knowledge of victims of these typhoons and are in contact with these families, Chuck Searcy stated. People already struggling with the legacies of Agent Orange and injuries from wartime explosive accidents years after the war ended had a particularly hard time coping with the flood damage. We are fortunate that Project RENEW is in a position to help. Aid to those in Quang Tri Province will be distributed beginning on January 25, while representatives of Project RENEW delivered a cheque to the Quang Ngai Red Cross on January 15. In 1968, former US Army photographer Ronald L. Haeberle documented the tragic My Lai massacre on March 16, 1968, when 504 unarmed villagers 182 women, and 173 children and infants in the centre of now Tinh Khe Commune, in Son Tinh District, were killed by soldiers of Charlie Company, under the command of Lieutenant Calley. Ronald was not known by local villagers until 2011 when he returned to the village to identify a person in a photo that he took that day. The photo was of a man sheltering his younger brother in a paddy field to avoid enemy gunfire. The villagers knew him as the photographer behind the photos of the infamous massacre. At the time, Ronald carried two cameras; one was assigned by the US Army with two rolls of black and white film, to follow the action. He returned these rolls of film to the commander of Charlie Company, but kept his own camera, with which he took 18 colour photos that were published in Life magazine, exposing the true story. Ronalds iconic black and white photographs become all the more visceral when displayed at the My Lai vestige museum. The killings that occurred on March 16, 1968 prompted widespread outrage around the world. The incident is credited with advancing the end of the American War because of how it undermined public support for the war in the US. VNS American veteran finds peace in his new life in Vietnam Every day from 4 to 6pm, an elderly foreign man and his Vietnamese wife can be seen sticking reflective tape onto the bicycles of any passersby for free in Da Nang City. Few changes were reported among area care facilities, according to the latest numbers provided by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, which reflect those reported through Jan. 7. The Plainview Healthcare Center had no active cases of the latest report. A total of 34 cases 18 employees, 16 residents have been reported with two deaths and 14 recoveries among residents. Prairie House Living Center in Plainview had seven active cases of Jan. 7 five employees and two residents. Twenty-two deaths, 57 recoveries and 84 total cases have been reported among residents and 50 employee cases have also been reported. The Lockney Health and Rehabilitation Centers Jan. 7 report shows 57 total cases among residents and 11 among employees. Eight resident deaths and 49 resident recoveries have also been reported. One resident case was considered active. Country View Living in Dimmitt reported 15 active cases 10 residents, five employees with 56 total cases reported and one resident death. Cambridge LTC Partners Inc. remained at 29 active cases among residents and 19 among employees. A total of 37 employees and 30 residents have tested positive for the virus with one resident death. The Tulia Health and Rehabilitation Center had no active cases and 23 total cases reported 13 among employees and 10 among residents. Beehive Homes at Shepherds Meadow had no active cases with six total cases and one death reported among residents. No employee cases have been reported. Among assisted living facilities, Beehive Homes of Plainview and Santa Fe Place each had active cases reported. Beehive Homes had six active cases three each among residents and employees. Six employee and five resident cases have been reported in the facility. Santa Fe Place had one active case of its three total resident cases with one death and one recovery. One reported employee case was not considered active as of Jan. 7. Swisher Memorial Hospital Residential Living Center in Tulia has reported four total resident and three total employee cases. One resident case was considered active. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Governments failure to deliver New Years calendars on time expose the folly of autarchy, sources say. An employee works at a cosmetic factory during a government organised visit for foreign reporters ahead of 70th anniversary of North Korea's foundation in Pyongyang, North Korea, September 8, 2018. North Korea has instructed state-run factories and organizations to be more self-sufficient and shake off what it calls the import disease that has made production during the COVID-19 pandemic nearly impossible, local government officials told RFA. Since the onset of the pandemic in January 2020, North Korea and China have locked down their border and suspended all trade, leaving government enterprises wanting for raw materials and equipment imported from China. Sources said that the government wants the factories running again and has tasked executives with finding ways to scrounge up resources to get back to work. Until now equipment and materials have been imported from other countries, and the officials who were assigned to lead economic development plans after the eighth party congress have been discussing ways to eliminate the import disease, an official in North Pyongan province, in the countrys northeast told RFAs Korean Service Monday. North Koreas eighth party congress, a rare meeting of the 75-year-old Workers Party of Koreas leaders, ran from Jan. 5 to 12. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un admitted during the congress that the country fell a long way short of objectives set during the last congress in 2016, and called for more self-reliance, citing the countrys founding Juche ideology. The term Juche is often used in political writings and speeches as an expression of nationalism, and it is the countrys stated goal for the people to become self-reliant and strong so that true socialism can be achieved. The North Pyongan official said that eliminating the countrys reliance on imports is now seen as part of each agency and factorys efforts to defend socialism. The officials of each agency held meetings for each department to carry out the economic mission. The import disease was defined as an act of sympathizing with hostile forces as they maneuver to undermine the foundation of our countrys socialist self-reliance economy, suffocating us through economic sanctions, the source said, referring to U.S. and UN sanctions aimed at depriving Pyongyang of resources that could be funneled into its nuclear and missile programs. The party insisted that the import disease should be eliminated from among the officials, and they should increase localized sourcing of equipment and materials in all fields, said the source. Another official, based in the countrys central northern Ryanggang province, told RFA the same day that even once the border with China reopens, reliance on imports will still be discouraged. They expect that the imports of equipment and materials from abroad will still be strictly controlled. Factory and company officials are perplexed by this decision, because they say it is impossible to carry out the states economic plans with only domestic equipment and materials, the second source said. Calendars delayed Underscoring the countrys dilemma, the cash and resource-strapped central government was late on supplying the public with 2021 calendars, an item usually given for a nominal fee to each citizen to ring in the New Year. No explanation has been given for the delay, but sources suspect that an inability to import paper from China is preventing the government from producing calendars out on time. There has never been a new year without a calendar like this year, a resident from North Hamgyong province in the countrys northeast told RFA on Jan. 15. Every year, from the end of November to the end of December, a single-page calendar with 12 months has been distributed to every household. Its already been 15 days since the beginning of the New Year, and most of the residents are spending January without a calendar, the third source said. The source said that 2020 calendars were distributed to each person through government agencies and organizations, factories and government offices in Dec. 2019. They were sold to the public for the low price of about 2,000 to 3,000 won (U.S. $0.25 to 0.37.) On the other hand, the government this year did distribute 12-page calendars with landscape images and special photos, printed on high-quality art paper for 10,000 to 30,000 won ($1.25 to 3.75), but these were for major municipal agencies and officials of special-class enterprises, the third source said, referring to companies with thousands of employees. The government is only suppling very few of these calendars to major government agencies and special recipients. They are telling the public to wait a little longer, the third source said. A resident of Ryanggang told RFA Jan. 17, Some say that the closed border with China is preventing the government from importing paper needed to make calendars. Residents are protesting, saying that the government had no trouble printing publications or promotional leaflets for the eighth party congress, so it should be easy for them to put out the New Years calendar, the fourth source said. The fourth source said that the governments failure to distribute calendars in a timely manner have exposed serious flaws in its economic strategy. Weve had many difficult times in the past, but this is the first time that we are celebrating the New Year with no calendar, the fourth source said. This may seem like a trivial matter, but just by this example, it is obvious that the authorities five-year strategy for self-reliant economic development is bound to fail. Reported by Myungchul Lee and Jieun Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. WESTLAKE, Ohio Suspects nabbed in SUV: Crocker Road Westlake police officers on Jan. 21 spotted a white GMC Yukon in the parking lot of the PNC bank on Crocker Road near Detroit. Police received information that the van was suspected of being involved in thefts from parked vehicles throughout Northeast Ohio. As officers pulled up to the parked SUV, a nearby back Volvo drove over a lawn and a curb to flee police, who did not pursue it. Police approached the Yukon, which had four occupants inside, and the driver backed into a Westlake Police Department vehicle several times while attempting to flee. It eventually drove headfirst into the PNC Bank building, causing non-structural damage to the building. Police took the four occupants of the Yukon into custody. One additional suspect was arrested inside the bank. The five suspects, ranging in age from 29 to 39, listed addresses in Florida and Texas. Several law enforcement agencies are investigating the group for break-ins of vehicles, using stolen credit cards and passing fraudulent checks. Westlake police filed charges for felony receiving stolen property against the five individuals: two women and three men. A 38-year-old Fort Lauderdale, Fla., man, one of the five, was also charged with felony assault, as he was the driver of the SUV that struck the police car and the bank building. Other law enforcement agencies are expected to file additional charges. The Volvo that fled, a rental car from Florida, was recovered Jan. 22 where it had been abandoned in Rocky River. Gun and wallet stolen: Queens Court A Queens Court resident called police at 10 a.m. Jan. 17 to report that their unlocked car had been entered overnight. The victim discovered that their firearm and wallet were missing. Credit cards in the wallet had not been used before being canceled, and the gun was entered into police databases as stolen. Read more news from the West Shore Sun. Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). A Korean woman in a palanquin in the late 19th century. Robert Neff Collection By Robert Neff Japanese military officers in Korea in the early 20th century. Robert Neff Collection A corpse wrapped in straw in the late 19th century. Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection On January 22, 1904, a palanquin stopped in front of the gates of Deoksu Palace and a young woman got out and approached the guards. She declared that she was "the daughter of Heaven" and had come to advise Emperor Gojong as to what steps to take in the coming year. She was promptly arrested and taken away. What became of her is unclear but there were some including Homer Hulbert who thought it was "rather a pity she was not given a chance." Within months, following the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War in early February, the Korean Peninsula was awash with foreign troops and displaced refugees. Political unrest was rampant and in Seoul there were several assassination attempts some even made with incendiary bombs. Adding to the misery of the people was the bitter cold and the shortage of food. On January 6, eight Korean soldiers on duty in Seoul, unable to endure the excessively cold temperatures, deserted their posts. In an effort to boost the soldiers' morale, additional money was provided to the soldiers of the twelve regiments of Seoul apparently, at least for a short time, it worked. The common people, however, were suffering as much if not more than the soldiers. One night three citizens froze to death in the streets. A couple of days later, a dead woman was discovered with a baby at her breast both were frozen stiff. Conditions in the countryside were even worse. The Korea Review an English-language magazine published in Seoul reported: "Great suffering is being caused in [Gongju] by the failure of the semi-annual fair. People are afraid of highwayman and war rumors are rife; so neither buyers nor sellers came up to the fair and the people of the town find it extremely difficult to get rice at any price. A foreigner recently offered to pay any reasonable figure for a few bags of rice but found it impossible to buy. No one would even name a figure." William B. McGill, an American Methodist missionary-doctor in Gongju, recalled that while walking through the city he encountered a group of beggar boys huddled around a small fire of straw and sticks. The boys had discovered a dead dog in the sewer and were attempting to burn off the hair and cook the frozen carcass they succeeded in only singeing the flesh. McGill recalled that "it was a very sad sight to see the little fellows fight for the possession of the only knife in order to cut off a piece of the meat." One young lad managed to secure the dog's head as his share of the carcass and triumphantly declared to the American doctor that it was the best part of the dog. According to another missionary who heard the tale from McGill the beggar boys' "clothes are black & filthy. Some are orphans, some of their mothers married again & abandoned their children. They get used to begging & will not work." To escape the bitter cold, the boys often went to the local butcher shop and slept in front of its fireplace. At the end of the day, the butcher would apparently allow the fire to die and the eight or ten boys in an effort to stay warm would crawl into the furnace and huddle together. Sometimes they entered too soon and were badly burned by the contact with the hot stones on the sides of the fireplace. These children were then forced to seek medical attention from Dr. McGill. Some children were beyond help. Gongju in the early 20th century. Robert Neff Collection Australia-based Global Energy Ventures (GEV) and Pacific Hydro Australia Developments Pty Ltd (Pacific Hydro) have executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities regarding the production, storage, loading, ground and marine transportation of green hydrogen produced by Pacific Hydros Ord Hydrogen Project. Both parties will work collaboratively on developing an export market and associated marine transport solution for green hydrogen utilizing GEVs proprietary compressed hydrogen ship (C-H 2 ship) and supply chain. Pacific Hydro operates the Ord Hydro Plant, located at Lake Argyle, Western Australia, which has the capacity to supply 30MW of renewable power to the local market. Pacific Hydro completed a feasibility study utilizing electricity generated by the Ord Hydro Plant to produce green hydrogen via electrolysis, and assessed market offtake to domestic and future export markets. Location of the Ord Hydrogen Project & proximity to export markets. The location provides a suitable opportunity for hydrogen production, utilizing low-cost, high-availability, dispatchable renewable generation and abundant access to water. The Ord Hydrogen Project is also located near two ports in northern Australia with export potential for green hydrogen to Asian markets. The Ord Hydrogen Project has received funding support from the Western Australia Renewable Hydrogen Fund. Under the MoU, the two companies will also explore terms for an offtake and/or transportation agreement or similar contract in respect of the marine transportation of green hydrogen produced by the Ord Hydrogen Project and work towards developing a business plan and identifying relevant stakeholder approvals and endorsements. The MOU has a term of four years. Global Energy Ventures Ltd was founded in late 2016 with its primary focus being the development of integrated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) marine transport solutions with the companys construction ready CNG Optimum ship. GEV has also introduced the worlds first large-scale compressed hydrogen ship (C-H 2 Ship) design that will support the transport of hydrogen. The proprietary design for the containment system is made up of two large (20 meter diameter) tanks, contained within the hull of the ship, that will store ambient temperature hydrogen at an operating pressure of 3,600 psi (250 bar) and will have a combined storage capacity of 2,000 tonnes of hydrogen. The design of the C-H 2 ship will also allow for the evaluation of smaller capacity ships for demonstration or pilot scale export projects. One of the key considerations in designing a steel tank for storing hydrogen, is that the hydrogen molecule is so small it can enter the steels molecular structure and over time can cause the steel to suffer from embrittlement. A practical way to avoid hydrogen embrittlement is to provide a liner that prevents migration of hydrogen into the steel. Technical requirements for such a large tank mean that it needs to be constructed in layers. Stainless steel will be used as the innermost layer, being resistant to hydrogen embrittlement, with six surrounding layers of ductile high-strength alloy steel to meet strength and fatigue requirements. One significant advantage of a tank made from multiple discrete layers is that should a crack form in one layer it will not naturally proceed through to the adjacent layer. This greatly improves the safety of the tank. With the rapid advancements in both marinized fuel cells and hydrogen internal combustion engines, GEV intends to fuel the ship with hydrogen available from the containment systems, providing a zero-carbon shipping solution. GEV says that it remains on track with the first stage of class approvals with ABS to achieve Approval in Principle (AIP) anticipated for the first half of 2021. The achievement of AIP will be a major step to advancing the technical feasibility of the proposed C-H 2 Ship. The successful outcome of the AIP will demonstrate that there are no identified showstoppers that would prevent construction and operation of the ship. The program will include a preliminary Hazard Identification (HAZID) analysis to identify any significant potential hazards and the future design work to mitigate these risks. WASHINGTON The Justice Departments top leaders listened in stunned silence this month: One of their peers, they were told, had devised a plan with President Donald Trump to oust Jeffrey Rosen as acting attorney general and wield the departments power to force Georgia state lawmakers to overturn its presidential election results. The unassuming lawyer who worked on the plan, Jeffrey Clark, had been devising ways to cast doubt on the election results and to bolster Trumps continuing legal battles and the pressure on Georgia politicians. Because Rosen had refused the presidents entreaties to carry out those plans, Trump was about to decide whether to fire Rosen and replace him with Clark. The department officials, convened on a conference call, then asked one another: What will you do if Rosen is dismissed? The answer was unanimous. They would resign. Their informal pact ultimately helped persuade Trump to keep Rosen in place, calculating that a furor over mass resignations at the top of the Justice Department would eclipse any attention on his baseless accusations of voter fraud. Trumps decision came only after Rosen and Clark made their competing cases to him in a bizarre White House meeting that two officials compared with an episode of Trumps reality show The Apprentice, albeit one that could prompt a constitutional crisis. The previously unknown chapter was the culmination of the presidents long-running effort to batter the Justice Department into advancing his personal agenda. He also pressed Rosen to appoint special counsels, including one who would look into Dominion Voting Systems, a maker of election equipment that Trumps allies had falsely said was working with Venezuela to flip votes from Trump to Joe Biden. This account of the departments final days under Trumps leadership is based on interviews with four former Trump administration officials who asked not to be named because of fear of retaliation. Clark said that this account contained inaccuracies but did not specify, adding that he could not discuss any conversations with Trump or Justice Department lawyers. Senior Justice Department lawyers, not uncommonly, provide legal advice to the White House as part of our duties, he said. All my official communications were consistent with law. Clark also noted that he was the lead signatory on a Justice Department request last month asking a federal judge to reject a lawsuit that sought to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the results of the election. Trump declined to comment. An adviser said that Trump has consistently argued that the justice system should investigate rampant election fraud that has plagued our system for years. The adviser added that any assertion to the contrary is false and being driven by those who wish to keep the system broken. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment, as did Rosen. When Trump said on Dec. 14 that Attorney General William Barr was leaving the department, some officials thought that he might allow Rosen a short reprieve before pressing him about voter fraud. After all, Barr would be around for another week. Instead, Trump summoned Rosen to the Oval Office the next day. He wanted the Justice Department to file legal briefs supporting his allies lawsuits seeking to overturn his election loss. And he urged Rosen to appoint special counsels to investigate not only unfounded accusations of widespread voter fraud but also Dominion, the voting machines firm. Even as Clarks pronouncement was sinking in, stunning news broke out of Georgia: State officials had recorded an hourlong call, published by The Washington Post, during which Trump pressured them to manufacture enough votes to declare him the victor. As the fallout from the recording ricocheted through Washington, the presidents desperate bid to change the outcome in Georgia came into sharp focus. Rosen and Donoghue pressed ahead, informing Steven Engel, the head of the Justice Departments office of legal counsel, about Clarks latest maneuver. Donoghue convened a late-afternoon call with the departments remaining senior leaders, laying out Clarks efforts to replace Rosen. Rosen planned to soon head to the White House to discuss his fate, Donoghue told the group. Should Rosen be fired, they all agreed to resign en masse. For some, the plan brought to mind the so-called Saturday Night Massacre of the Nixon era, where Attorney General Elliot Richardson and his deputy resigned rather than carry out the presidents order to fire the special prosecutor investigating him. The Clark plan, the officials concluded, would seriously harm the department, the government and the rule of law. For hours, they anxiously messaged and called one another as they awaited Rosens fate. Around 6 p.m., Rosen, Donoghue and Clark met at the White House with Trump, Cipollone, his deputy Patrick Philbin and other lawyers. Trump had Rosen and Clark present their arguments to him. Cipollone advised the president not to fire Rosen and he reiterated, as he had for days, that he did not recommend sending the letter to Georgia lawmakers. Engel advised Trump that he and the departments remaining top officials would resign if he fired Rosen, leaving Clark alone at the department. Trump seemed somewhat swayed by the idea that firing Rosen would trigger not only chaos at the Justice Department but also congressional investigations and possibly recriminations from other Republicans and distract attention from his efforts to overturn the election results. After nearly three hours, Trump ultimately decided that Clarks plan would fail, and he allowed Rosen to stay. Rosen and his deputies concluded they had weathered the turmoil. Once Congress certified Bidens victory, there would be little for them to do until they left along with Trump in two weeks. They began to exhale days later as the Electoral College certification at the Capitol got underway. And then they received word: The building had been breached. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. With a five-year deal extension worth nearly $100 million, Tyler Technologies has secured the biggest single contract in its long corporate history The contract is a renewal and enhancement of the eFileTexas system, which the Texas Office of Court Administration (OCA) uses for both criminal and non-criminal case filing across all 254 of the states counties. The initial contract with Tylers home state ran until August 2022, and the renewal will last until 2027 with options to extend another five years.David Slayton, OCAs administrative director, said in a press release that the system has been a success as the state has expanded it since first using Tyler for e-filing in 2012, the state has mandated e-filing for criminal cases. It now has more than 425,000 users and is integrated with 15 different electronic filing service providers as well as 10 case management systems.Electronic filing has been key to the Texas Judiciarys ability to overcome disasters from hurricanes, to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to a ransomware attack, Slayton said in the statement. Through all of these disasters, our courts have remained open and operational, and that is due in large part to eFileTexas. It is a crucial function of our judicial system, and I am excited to continue to improve the system with new upgrades and features for our court community.The upgrades to the system will include self-service tools for administration as well as reporting functionality for program administrators and local court clerks.The move follows an up-and-down year for Tyler. In February 2020 it announced that it had passed $1 billion in revenue for the first time, and then four months later it was listed on the S&P 500 . Then, in September, it was the victim of a ransomware attack on its internal systems. An 18-year-old Illinois teen charged with fatally shooting two people during a protest in southeastern Wisconsin last year is prohibited from associating with known white supremacists under a judge's recently modified bail conditions. Kyle Rittenhouse was 17 during the Aug. 25 demonstration in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as hundreds were protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man. Rittenhouse has been charged with multiple counts, including reckless and intentional homicide, endangerment and being a minor in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors allege Rittenhouse, who is white, left his home in Antioch, Illinois, and traveled to Kenosha to answer a call for militia to protect businesses. Kenosha was in the throes of several nights of chaotic street demonstrations after a white officer shot Blake in the back during a domestic disturbance, leaving Blake paralyzed. Rittenhouse opened fire with an assault-style rifle during the protest, killing Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz, authorities said. Rittenhouse has pleaded not guilty to all counts and argued he fired in self-defense. Conservatives have rallied around him, generating enough money to make his $2 million cash bail. According to online court records, a Wisconsin judge modified Rittenhouse's conditions of release on Friday to note Rittenhouse shall not knowingly have conduct with any person or group of persons known to harm, threaten, harass or menace others on the basis of their race, beliefs on the subject of religion, color, national origin, or gender." He is also barred from possessing and consuming alcohol and from having firearms. Prosecutors had requested the modifications after Rittenhouse was seen drinking at a bar in the southeastern Wisconsin city of Mount Pleasant, about 25 miles south of Milwaukee, earlier this month. The legal drinking age is 21, but in Wisconsin, Rittenhouse could legally drink alcohol because he was with his mother. The Kenosha County District Attorney's Office has modified Kyle Rittenhouse's bond requirements, and a court document says Rittenhouse: Shall neither possess nor consume alcoholic beverages. Shall not knowingly have contact with any person or group of persons known to harm, threaten, harass or menace others on the basis of their race, beliefs on the subject of religion, color, national origin or gender. Shall have no weapons, especially firearms. The 18-year-old is free on $2 million cash bond, awaiting trial charged with killing two protesters in the aftermath of the Jacob Blake police shooting. The bond modification was requested because prosecutors said when Rittenhouse went to a Mount Pleasant bar after his arraignment on Jan. 5, he flashed "white power" signs while posing for photos and was serenaded with the Proud Boys' anthem. Rittenhouse's next court appearance was scheduled for March 10. A jury trial was scheduled to begin March 29. If convicted, Rittenhouse faces up to life in prison. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Japanese restaurant burglar arrested PHUKET: Police have arrested a 23-year-old man who broke into a Japanese restaurant in Phuket Town Wednesday night (Jan 20) and stole B7,500. crimepoliceCOVID-19economics By The Phuket News Saturday 23 January 2021, 12:18PM Somwang Phonpradit, 23, confessed to three other break-and-enters, to get money as he was unemployed, said police. Photo: Phuket City Police Somwang Phonpradit, 23, confessed to three other break-and-enters, to get money as he was unemployed, said police. Photo: Phuket City Police Somwang Phonpradit, 23, confessed to three other break-and-enters, to get money as he was unemployed, said police. Photo: Phuket City Police Somwang Phonpradit, 23, confessed to three other break-and-enters, to get money as he was unemployed, said police. Photo: Phuket City Police Phuket Native Somwang Phonpradit, 23, was arrested at a house in Rassada yesterday (Jan 22), confirmed Phuket City Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Sathit Noorit. Somwang confessed to breaking into the Hatori restaurant on Yaowarat Rd and forcing open a desk drawer to steal B7,500 cash, before fleeing the scene on his motorbike, Lt Col Sathit said. Police tracked down the motorbike through CCTV footage and eventually found Somwang at the house in Rassada, he added. In placing Somwang under arrest, police seized as evidence a white Phuket-registered Honda Click motorbike used to flee the scene and other items of evidence, including the clothes he wore while committing the break-and-enter, an iron bar and a mobile phone. During questioning, Somwang told police that he had committed three other break-and-enters for money because he was unemployed, Lt Col Sathit noted. Lt Col Sathit confirmed that Somwang was taken to Phuket City Police Station and charged with committing theft in the nighttime by using a vehicle to flee. Chitrasenas Mudra Natya: Embodying the form By Mirak Raheem View(s): View(s): January 26th, 2021 marks the 100th birth anniversary of the traditional dance maestro Chitrasena. While he had a far-reaching cultural impact, including in representing the tri-traditional dance forms viewed as indigenous to the island (Kandyan, Low Country and Sabaragamuwa) on stage, this article focuses on one element, the mudra natya also referred to as the Sinhala ballet. In 1957, Chitrasena was invited to perform at the World Festival of Youth and Students, held from July 28th to August 11th in Moscow. This was his first international tour. Chitrasena and other Sri Lankan dancers were to perform the mudra natya Sama Vijaya or Triumph of Peace. The production was commissioned by the Ceylon Peace Council, an affiliate of the World Peace Council, which was a global peace movement backed by the Soviet Government. Prior to its presentation in Moscow, the ballet premiered at the Ladies College Hall in Colombo on June 13th that same year. A local review of the production in a newspaper of the time, The Tribune, drew attention to the novelty of the choreography: It was a show which was different from anything I had seen before in Ceylon. The dance technique was Kandyan moulded by the influence of Santiniketan, but that was not the most important thing about the show. It was not an exposition of dance forms. The Kandyan dance forms and the reapers dance from Sinhalese folk art were utilised with great artistic restraint to fit into the theme. A brief, three-minute segment of the performance in Moscow remains publicly accessible, providing us with a snapshot of the production. As captured in the video, Chitrasena and Vajira his partner in dance and life -portray mankind in a duet of contrasting styles. Chitrasenas undulating and expressive hand gestures stand out, while he approximates the overall movement of the step yet gives weight to the dance. Vajira draws attention to the full line of each step and is more delicate in how she traces the movement. The short ballet was a collaboration with other leading artists including Vasanthakumar and Panibharatha, who portrayed the elements. In addition to the Kandyan drum, vocals and violin were used to provide an emotive soundtrack for the tragic ballet. The overall narrative for the short piece had been conceived by Teja Gunawardena, who worked with Chitrasena to develop the plot of the ballet. Sama Vijaya was an overtly political piece portraying a nuclear Armageddon and was an indictment of the nuclear arms race. That this protest piece was showcased in Moscow at that time is remarkable. It was the height of the Cold War and the two superpowers the USSR and USA were pitted against each other in various parts of the globe and in space, as they flexed their muscles and triggered a series of crises resulting from actions such as the declaration of the Eisenhower Doctrine and the launching of Sputnik, thereby intensifying the nuclear arms race. The confidence with which Chitrasena presented this and other ballets, or mudra natya as they are referred to in Sinhala, and the positive response with which they were received in the USSR and other centres of classical dance, demonstrated how successful he was in creating productions in a format that was still novel to the Sri Lankan stage. Chitrasena played an influential role in the emergence of the Sinhala ballet in the period around independence. While the identity of the first mudra natya is contested, Chitrasena was clearly at the helm of a set of leading performing artists, who were experimenting with this medium. Its precursor was the dance drama that relied on a variety of narrative tools and proved popular among theatre practitioners and audiences in the pre-independence era. The distinct feature of mudra natya was the use of dance as a primary narrative tool. As the tri-traditional dance forms of the island, despite the emotions they could evoke, had limited narrative scope, this set of artists developed a new movement language. In the case of Chitrasena, while drawing elements from both Western and Eastern (primarily Indian) narrative dance productions, such as to devise scenes, he used Kandyan and Low Country dance forms as the foundation for the movement. It is important to note that in the different productions staged by the Chitrasena Dance Company, he explicitly sought to make a distinction between his mudra natya and his work that was devoted to representing and celebrating the tri-traditional dance forms. Although a relatively recent phenomenon, the Sinhala ballet or mudra natya is viewed as a key component of modern Sri Lankan art and culture. It represents two inter-linked strands critical to the revival of culture around independence. While there was a concerted effort to re-discover desheeya (indigenous) art forms, there was also a desire to innovate and respond to the contemporary world, thereby asserting the distinct voice and identity of a decolonised and independent culture, people(s) and state. It is in this highly-charged context that Chitrasena created and performed. In highlighting the contribution that Chitrasena made, the Sinhala paper Peramuna (1949) talks of Nala Damayanthi giving national culture a new lease of life. Chitrasenas work was thus absorbed into the narrative that sought to present mudra natya and the tri-traditional dances as integral components of Sri Lankan culture during the decades following independence, which saw tremendous activity and growth in the fields of visual arts, music, literature, theatre, film and dance. Beyond his role in the development of this genre of dance theatre, Chitrasenas full length ballets are considered to be the embodiment of the mudra natya. As the cultural commentator and critic Neville Weereratne (2003) noted: When Chitrasena opened the doors of the Lionel Wendt Theatre in 1961 with Karadiya, he did something quite wonderful. He created a dance-theatre unique to the traditions of Sri Lanka, and indeed, to the experience of many parts of the world Karadiya was the first complete ballet, combining elements of the dance as known and recognisably Sri Lankan in character and a highly articulate language of mime and gesture, wrought and subject to the needs of the narrative. Even while some of his contemporaries also experimented with the form and staged their own productions, Chitrasenas productions had a singular and distinctive impact on audiences. As Dr. Marianne Nurnbergers documents in her publication, Dance is the Language of the Gods (1998) the press reviews of the ballet festival organised by the Arts Council of Ceylon in 1961 singled out Chitrasenas production as the only one fit for praise and thought to fit the definition of a ballet, while the pieces presented by others were slated. His ability to conceive and present masterpieces that successfully melded different elements and entranced audiences presented unique theatre experiences for audiences. Despite premiering more than four decades ago, his three full-length ballets, Karadiya, Nala Damayanthi and Kinkini Kolama, retain their status as the most renowned mudra natya. A classical ballet can be broken down into four major building blocks: plot, choreography, music and design. It is through the successful marriage of these four elements that ballets are elevated to a masterpiece and enter the realm of the classical. In its most complete form, a ballet can become a gesamtkunstwerk or a comprehensive artwork resulting from uniting multiple art forms. The process of creation usually involves collaborations between master-craftsmen/craftswomen from each of these four areas. In the process of creating these productions and their staging, Chitrasena was able to bring together leading artists from different fields, including Amaradeva, Somabandu, Ananda Samarakoon, Edwin Samaradiwakara, Lionel Algama, Somadasa Elvitagala and many more, in addition to several generations of dancers who were members of his dance company, ranging from the ritual dance practioners, the gurunnanses, to stage dancers. Chitrasenas impact on his collaborators is most clearly seen with Vajira: she would not only emerge as the principal female lead but took on the role of choreographer, in addition to devising a series of childrens ballets with the younger students at the Kalayathanaya. However, there is a fifth element: the creator-director, who provides the vision, drives the collaboration and ensures a complete, final product. Each dance tradition has its own pioneering genius who is generally credited, not necessarily for producing the first ballet of each tradition, but for creating productions that are widely seen as epitomising it: Marius Petipa for the three-act classical ballet, Tagore for pre-independence Indian dance dramas, Rukmini Devi for Bharata natyam dance dramas and Chitrasena for mudra natya. Even his staunchest critics who contest Chitrasenas contribution to bringing the Sri Lankan traditional dances from ritual to stage and setting the standard for dance theatre, concede his role in the development of mudra natya. For others such as Ravibandu, he is seen as playing a crucial role in both areas, including as father of Sri Lankan ballet: This epithet was given to him not because he was the first, but because he set the standards, creating Sri Lanka ballets in a more artistic and sophisticated manner. Many professionals, amateurs and school-level teachers all followed the form that he showed. That is why he is called the Father of Sri Lankan ballet. Investigating the process through which these ballets were crafted and staged, highlights the unique underlying collaborations, but also draws attention to the highly distinctive influence that Chitrasena had in conceptualising and executing these masterpieces. (Mirak Raheem is a researcher currently working on a soon to be published book about Chitrasena) Ireland is set to spend some 50m in support of global health in 2021, a figure which will see many low-income countries access the Covid-19 vaccine. This is according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, with its spend this year set to include funding for the the COVAX Facility, which will support 92 low and middle income countries. COVAX is one of three parts of the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, which was launched last April by the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Commission, and France. It aims to ensure that people in all corners of the world will get access to Covid-19 vaccines once they are available, regardless of their wealth. Ireland is playing its full part as a member of the global health community to establish facilities and oversight mechanisms to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said, adding that Ireland had quadrupled support to WHO in 2020. Irish Aid - Ireland's official international development aid programme - has made an additional funds allocation to support global equitable access to vaccines, the department confirmed. Ireland has increased its support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in part to assist its Covid response, the spokesperson said. Equitable distribution It comes after WHOs director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called for equitable distribution of the vaccine, after it was revealed that in one low-income country just 25 people had been vaccinated. The price of this failure will be paid with lives and livelihoods in the worlds poorest countries, he added. Senator Alice-Mary Higgins Irelands increased financial contribution but said the country needs to show further leadership by addressing other obstacles to equitable access. A global pandemic requires a global response, both in terms of human solidarity and because until the virus is suppressed everywhere, new strains can emerge anywhere. "In particular, we need to ensure that health workers in every part of the world are given urgent access to vaccination because robust public health systems are our shared international frontline, she said. The senator also said that distribution of vaccines could be greatly accelerated if pharmaceutical companies, many of whom have received huge public funding for research, were encouraged to share information. Access to vaccination is a global public good and it must not be limited by profit-seeking market dynamics, she stated. RINO House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has come out in support of embattled GOP Caucus chairwoman Liz Cheney. That may not be enough to save Cheney, and it is raising questions about McCarthy's own suitability for his own office. Cheney came under fire when she blasted President Trump, blaming him for something he did not do, and then voted to impeach him. She did that while holding the #3 GOP leadership position in the House. Now she is under assault by more loyal Republicans on two fronts, a move to replace her in her leadership position in the caucus and a move to replace her as Wyoming's Congresswoman in the state's GOP primary. Congressman Matt Rosendale (R-Montana) circulated a petition to force a vote on removing Cheney from her leadership position. He needed 50 signatures of GOP Congressmen to force the vote but ended up with 115. a solid majority of the caucus. That is when McCarthy decided to try to intervene on Cheney's behalf. Cheney is also under fire in the 2022 primary for her Congressional seat. The state Republican Party issued a strongly worded statement denouncing her actions. Motions of censure against Cheney have begun passing at the county level beginning with the Carbon County GOP. Conservative State Senator Anthony Brouchard has filed paperwork to mount a primary challenge to Cheney in 2022. In spite of McCarthy trying to save her, it sure looks like Cheney defecated in her mess kit. As the writer in the RedState article linked above pointed out, this also raises serious questions about Kevin McCarthy's own fitness to lead the GOP in the House. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. National Park Service Donald Vanneman III was not the first to perish at Saline Valley Warm Springs, an extremely remote collection of thermal pools and camping areas that were settled by hippies, survivalists and rock hounds in the 1960s then annexed by Death Valley National Park in 1994. But regardless of whether there have been others, Vannemans is unusual, and has created a stir among the sizeable community that still holds these hot springs sacred. For long, the western world, much caught up with problems of their own making, scarcely paid any heed to Indian warnings on Tibet. New Delhi, which gave refuge to the Himalayan kingdoms spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, and his followers, helped to preserve Tibetan language and culture. In keeping the spirit of Tibetan independence alive, it did so at its own peril, braving Chinese fury - and paid a price for it. The pandemic seems to have changed that status quo. Suddenly the world read the US - seems to have had second thoughts about its earlier bonhomie with Beijing and New Delhis exhortations on Chinese designs in the Himalayas, are now being seen in a new light. USAs Tibetan Policy and Support Act (TPSA), which became law recently, was passed with bipartisan support. It establishes an American policy that makes selection of Tibetan religious leaders, including the Dalai Lamas successor, a decision to be made only by Tibetans, free from Beijings interference. In the process, it also mandates sanctions against Chinese officials interfering in such processes. Environmental protection The TPSA also seeks to introduce key provisions aimed at protecting the environment and water resources on the Tibetan Plateau. It recognises the importance of traditional Tibetan grassland stewardship in mitigating the negative effects of climate change in the region as opposed to the Chinese governments forced resettlement of the nomads from grasslands. Its two other significant clauses include the establishment of a US Consulate in Tibets capital Lhasa and a mechanism to initiate a dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama. Historically, the Indo-Tibetan border was largely peaceful considered for most part as the land of the lamas, given the close ties between Hinduism and Buddhism, both of which have common origins in north Indias Gangetic culture. Both religious systems have shared parallel beliefs that have existed side by side, but also pronounced differences, acknowledged in equal measure by the two sides. In 1951, when China occupied the buffer Tibet, it imposed itself as Indias neighbour, the upshot of which was the border war in 1962. Even a badly divided US Senate is united on the benefits of containing China, and India is their principal collateral in this geo-political gamesmanship. The central question, therefore, is this: Will Americas new law serve as a wake-up call for India followed by Chinas land grab in Ladakh in April-May 2020 - to begin the process of substantiating its claim on Tibet, that existed in ample measure before Beijing decided to acquire it by force. Says former Indian diplomat Deepak Vohra, Associate to the Government of Tibet in Exile, based in Dharamshala: ``India has what it takes to be an agent of that change. For many years, the issue of Tibet had been swept under the carpet following the 1972 US-China detente. Now the West knows better, and it is only a question of time before the noose is drawn around Beijings neck. The TPSA has been hailed by Tibetans concerned over the possibility of the Chinese government making an attempt to install someone loyal to it as the 15th Dalai Lama after the death of the incumbent and use him as a puppet to put the muzzle on the global campaign against its occupation of Tibet. China had arbitrarily installed a young boy as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995. US bipartisanship on China There are clear indications that US bipartisanship on China is here to stay. On January 13, 2021, the Dalai Lama had a virtual audience with Robert Destro, US Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and US Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues. Destro expressed his strong opposition to Chinese interference in the religious affairs of Tibetans, saying that America ``rejects attempts by any government to limit the freedom of religious communities to select their own leaders. Indian foreign policy wonks like ex-diplomat Rakesh Sood, a former Ambassador to Nepal who was also Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation in 2013, however, believe in a wait and watch policy. "TPSA has happened in a period of government transition in the US and much will depend on how the new (Biden) administration chooses to interpret and implement it and how much of it is politics, he told this writer. Tibets importance assumes significance, considering that in the new situation, it is the epicentre of the China-India divide. Beijings claims on Indian areas being sought to be reasserted today is not based on any Han Chinese connection but on supposed Tibetan links. In other words, Chinas territorial claims in Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are an extension of its claim over Tibet, which India, paradoxically, has acknowledged. To pressure India, China has been citing the agreement signed in 2003 during Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayees visit to Beijing that mentions the One China policy - recognising Tibet as part of China. But that pact has been nullified by Chinas open violation of its key provisions, including that neither side shall use or threaten to use force against the other. Geostrategist Brahma Chellaney, writing in The Times of India notes that ``India must realise that, by aligning its Tibet position with Beijings wishes, it has emboldened Chinas designs against it. This is apparent from Chinas latest aggression, which has triggered an ongoing, months-long standoff between more than one lakh Indian and Chinese troops in icy Himalayan conditions. While New Delhi has not commented on the TPSA, the spokesman of the Chinese embassy in New Delhi has. In a somewhat in-the-face statement, it has cautioned India on `an objective and fair stance on the `highly sensitive nature of Tibet-related issues and Chinas territorial integrity. Some observers believe that China is emboldened by India confining itself to banning its mobile apps and restrict Chinese investment, but not daring to inflict costs that seriously hurt China despite their aggression in Ladakh. Happymon Jacob, Associate Professor of Disarmament and Diplomacy at JNU, believes that the TPSA is an indication that the US might increase its confrontationist approach towards China in the region should the Biden administration follow the course set up by Trump. "If Biden refuses to appease China, American free pass for Chinese hegemony would be a thing of the past. While TPSAs material impact on Tibet might be negligible, it would prove a major boost to the political, spiritual, and symbolic cause of Tibet, he told this writer. For New Delhi, this is a much-needed signal from Washington that it would support New Delhis efforts to meet the China challenge in more ways than one, adds Jacob. Crucially, TPSAs impact on China remains an unknown proposition. Will China permit the US to open a consulate in Lhasa and if it does, will this consulate know what China is up to? China can be hurt most by economic de-coupling, but does the world have the mettle to combine and stand up to China? BREXIT apart, the European Union (EU) has lost no time in concluding in principle negotiations for a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) with China. Nonetheless, Ambassador Vohra believes that there is more American action in the works. This could include an Independence of Tibet bill in the US Congress, which could significantly up the ante for the Chinese. In 1949, the Economist, which was advocating Indian lead support for Tibetan Independence, followed by recognition by the USA and the UK, admitted that if India preferred to abandon Tibet to its fate, the Western Powers were in no position to object to a Chinese reconquest of Tibet. In 2021-2022, the geostrategic situation remains much the same, even if the dramatis personae in this Asian drama have changed. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... In the brand new year ahead, get ready for some brand new moves to change the criminal justice system as we know it. In some states its already happening. Youll hear about several proposals in the coming months. Among them: cut the U.S. prison population by more than half; close all private prisons; shutter all private immigration detention centers; eliminate cash bail for arrestees awaiting trial; cancel the death penalty; and stop judges from handing out mandatory minimum sentences. In addition, youll hear about reestablishing federal monitoring of police departments for civil rights violations and forbidding officers from using chokeholds or no-knock raids to round up those suspected of serious crimes. The Biden administration has endorsed all these criminal justice reform proposals. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Some citizens will consider these fine ideas. Others will not. And therein lies the great debate ahead for all of us. Pages could be filled with the pros and cons on each of these suggestions. The question as I see it is exactly how will some, or all, of these ideas be put into practice? Will there be thoughtful discussion of each proposal, or will they be hastily crammed down citizens throats by political fiat? U.S. presidents have the power to simply issue an executive order or memorandum to put their desires into effect, provided the order is not out of step with either the Constitution or laws already on the books. Such a presidents decree carries the same weight as any law passed by Congress. Naturally, critics can and do challenge executive orders in court. Case in point: President Donald Trumps Executive Order 13768, which withheld federal criminal justice funds from defiant sanctuary cities that refused to uphold U.S. immigration laws. That 2017 order faced several legal trials and has been see-sawing through the courts ever since. President Trumps bottom line was clear cities and states should not be allowed to ignore established laws. Yet, currently, in Los Angeles, California, that is exactly what the union representing some 800 prosecutors claims is happening at the directive of the newly elected district attorney, George Gascon. The union filed a lawsuit. Californias penal code has long-instructed prosecutors to seek extra prison time for defendants who have a prior criminal record, those found in possession of a firearm or those with known gang ties. Other long-standing sentencing enhancements include defendants convicted of crimes against children or the elderly or so-called hate crimes. Shortly after Gascon took office he issued a directive instructing his vast team of prosecutors to lay off the extra enhancements. The unions lawsuit claims Gascons directive placed line prosecutors in an ethical dilemma follow the law, their oath, and their ethical obligations, or follow their superiors orders. Gascon, a progressive who campaigned for a kinder criminal justice system, is fighting the lawsuit and says he is simply doing what the voters elected him to do. In response to the lawsuit Gascon said, Over-incarceration the practice of sending people to jails and prisons for too long does not enhance safety. Gascon is not the only DA to take office and suddenly change the rules. Same thing has happened in Philadelphia, Portland, Chicago, Boston, Dallas and other cities. Is this what we want? Should elected officials be allowed to ignore the laws they dont like and order underlings to follow their lead? Seems like a gamble when it comes to public safety. As these matters play out in lengthy and expensive court battles, all taxpayers can do is sit back, watch and realize that the only current winners are the lawyers. What will happen then if President Biden uses his executive power to sidestep debate and enact the progressive proposals listed above? There will surely be more divisiveness and more court fights. Many in the criminal justice system think this scenario is a real possibility. They worry that police departments will be further crippled and judges will be forced to release dangerous defendants with no bail and the unrealistic hope that they will return for trial. We have entered a phase of politics where leading by partisan edict is becoming more frequent. No debate of issues, just politicians who feel emboldened to ram through their ideas. Is this OK with you? www.DianeDimond.com; email to Diane@DianeDimond.com.

Russian police detained Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny, during a protest in Moscow on January 23. Her lawyer was not allowed to accompany her to a police van as she was taken away. Navalnaya was released after several hours in custody. Navalny called on his supporters to protest after being arrested last weekend when he returned to Moscow for the first time since being poisoned in August with a military-grade nerve agent. Navalny had been treated in Germany. Police have declared the rallies in Moscow and dozens of other cities illegal and have arrested over 1,900 people. Monastic order founded by United Methodist pastor seeing growth amid pandemic Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An ecumenical monastic order founded a few years ago with the aim of creating a space for contemplative life and fellowship for clergy and laity is seeing growth even with the pandemic restricting their activities. The Order of St. Patrick, which was founded in 2015 by a United Methodist Church pastor and has a membership of 40, is continuing to grow as it presently is holding classes for 23 Novitiates, or those experiencing a call to monastic life. Pastor Matthew Scraper, founder and abbot of the Order, told The Christian Post that their current class of 23 novitiates is about twice the size of their previous class, most of whom took the vows to join the Order last year. We dont open the application process until the fall, but were already starting to get emails about the next membership class, he said. And so, I expect we will probably have quite a few applicants from what I am seeing now. Named after the patron saint of Ireland, the Order assumes attributes from early Celtic Christianity and the influences it had on monastic and devotional life in overall Christianity. Scraper told CP that it was technically the relaunching of an earlier order founded in 1979 by his father, a retired United Methodist minister. It was originally founded as a secularly cloistered order for clergy and lay contemplatives, Scraper added. The two parts of that being that it is an order not intended to be cloistered within a monastery. One of our ethics is that our cloister is our local church or our local community of faith. Also, something that is within the Christian tradition, but not identified with a particular denomination. And we have continued to maintain that ethic as we reconstituted it. In addition to being nondenominational and not based in a monastery, the Order also does not require members to take vows of poverty or celibacy, but gives them as options. It also does not view itself as a partisan or advocacy group. Scraper told CP that the Order begins its novitiate classes in the fall, with those involved having class conversations and being paired with an Anam Cara, which is Old Gaelic for soul friend. Reading materials for the course include Scrapers book, The Mystic Way of Salvation and The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter III, with an Anam Cara picking others as they see fit. When it comes to its influence, Scraper hopes that the Order of St. Patrick will create a space for fellowship of like-minded Christians, lay and clergy to advance the contemplative life. In recent years, many non-Catholic Christian groups have looked toward the monastic model for creating faith communities, with a notable example being the New Monasticism practiced by writers like Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. In an interview with The Anglican Journal last year, Wilson-Hartgrove explained that he was inspired to pursue the New Monasticism after meeting figures like progressive Christian leader Shane Claiborne. I began to realize that there was actually a longer history of this kind of intentional discipleship, that I had been cut off from, as a Baptist, in the religious orders of the Catholic Church. So I met the Benedictines and began to think about that in terms of a monastic way of life, said Wilson-Hartgrove. I think its critical to the witness of the Church in the 21st century that we have ways of unlearning the habits of a very distorted Gospel and learning to live and be good news in the communities where we are. Farmers' Protest: Punjab, Haryana farmers to set out for tractor parade in Delhi today India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Jan 23: Several farmers from Punjab and Haryana will on Saturday set out to participate in proposed tractor parade on January 26 in Delhi. Farmers unions protesting the Centre's three farm laws had said they would go ahead with their tractor parade in Delhi on the Republic Day. "We all are geared up for participation in a tractor parade. Our first batch will move from Khanauri (in Sangrur) and another from Dabwali (in Sirsa district)," Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said on Friday. India, a true friend, using its pharma to help global community flight coronavirus: US "Considering the kind of enthusiasm among people, more than 30,000 tractors owing allegiance to our union will be part of the parade," he said. Tractors will carry flags of the union and posters with slogans of "Kisan Ekta Zindabad", "No Farmer No Food" and "Kaale Kannon Radd Karo", said Kokrikalan. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News Kokrikalan said they will also take some trolleys to accommodate women during the tractor parade. Several women will drive tractors as part of the parade. Many batches of farmers owing allegiance to different farm bodies will also leave for Delhi on January 24, farmer leaders said on Friday. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 9:03 [IST] In the race to the bottom for the title of worst American president, the same few sorry names appear at the end of almost every list, jockeying for last place. Theres Andrew Johnson, whose abysmal behavior during Reconstruction led to the first presidential impeachment. Theres Warren G. Harding, responsible for the Teapot Dome scandal. Theres hapless, hated Franklin Pierce; doomed, dead-after-32-days William Henry Harrison; and inevitably, James Buchanan, often considered worst of all because of how badly he bungled the lead-up to the Civil War. But as historians consider the legacy of Donald J. Trump, it appears that even the woefully inadequate Buchanan has some serious competition for the spot at the bottom. Trump was the first president to be impeached twice and the first to stir up a mob to try to attack the Capitol and disrupt his successor from becoming president, said Eric Rauchway, professor of history at the University of California, Davis. These will definitely go down in history books, and they are not good. I already feel that he is the worst, said Ted Widmer, professor of history at the City University of New York, noting that as bad as Buchanan was and he was very bad indeed he was not as aggressively bad as Trump. After being sold by Huawei, its parent company, Honor launched its first-ever smartphone device. As CNBC noted, Huawei sold the budget smartphone company to a group of 30 owners called Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology last year. It wasn't an easy decision for the tech giant, but the deal was necessary to keep its budget smartphone lineup afloat. "This move has been made by Honor's industry chain to ensure its own survival," says Huawei in a statement. Read Also: iPhone 13 Rumor: Size, Specification, Release Date, Price- Are Future Apple Phones Portless?. Honor V40 Price, Specification Honor V40 is a budget smartphone that assembles a massive HD + OLED 6.72-inch display with three color variants: rose gold, silver, and titanium black. Supporting the next-gen 5G technology, Honor V40 uses Taiwan's MediaTek chip and is supported by 8 GB RAM. Besides its superior screen and gaming performance, Honor V40 also holds a no-brainer specification for its optics. Moving to its camera, Honor V40 is supported by triple cameras with a 50-megapixel primary sensor and RYYB ultra-light-sensing technology. Besides, it also has an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2 MP macro sensor for close shots. For the best selfie and video chat experience, V40 offers a 16MP dual-camera is on the front. Honor V40 packs a 4,000 mAh batt for excellent battery life, which supports 66W fast wired charging and 50W wireless charging. Besides 5G, V40 also includes 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, and GPS connectivity options. As previously mentioned, since Honor is no longer associated with Huawei, an Android operating system and Google Play Store will be pre-installed within the devices. Speaking of its price, Honor V40 starts from $556 (3,599 yuan) for the 128 GB edition and $617 for the 256 GB version. The company is set to release the product for the Chinese market, although it's yet to announce whether V40 will see an international release or not. Huawei Ban Huawei was thrown into hot water after the Trump administration put the company among the laundry-list called "Entity List" of US export blacklist in 2019, as Android Authority summarizes. The Entity List is a trade blacklist from the US Department of Commerce. Besides Huawei, the Entity List enlists several other software and manufacturing companies from China as the tension between Washington and Beijing arises. The decision came as a shocker for many because Huawei previously managed to obtain several impressive milestones, including overthrowing Apple as the world's second most popular smartphone company behind Samsung in 2018. However, the success was not a smooth ride, as Huawei has been subjected to several controversial issues and accusations, including the use of video surveillance technology to spot Uighur minorities in its homeland. As Trump's reign at the White House has ended, it's interesting to find out if the current president is eyeing to extend its ban on the company. Related Article: Huawei Mate X2: Unofficial Leaks of Upcoming Foldable Phone, Includes Alleged Kirin 9000 Chipset. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 16:27:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Taliban key commander Mullah Ghafar has been killed in Pachiragam district of the eastern Nangarhar province, a statement of the provincial government said here Saturday. The security forces launched a special operation Friday night in Pachiragam district to capture Taliban's notorious commander Mullah Ghafar alive but he resisted and was killed in a cross fire, the statement added. Describing Mullah Ghafar as a notorious commander and in charge of recruitment of fighters for the Taliban outfit, the statement said that Ghafar's physical elimination could prove a major setback to the armed insurgents in Nangarhar and its vicinity. The Taliban group has yet to make comments. Enditem Healthcare workers were the first in New Jersey to start getting vaccinated Dec. 15, prioritized because they are among the most likely to be exposed to the coronavirus. But five weeks later, even after eligibility for the vaccine was expanded to over 4 million residents, some healthcare workers say they still have not been able to even make an appointment for the vaccine theyre desperate to get. What about your healthcare workers that work for small businesses? A lot of the ones that work for corporations, the hospitals, the big groups, they were able to get it done, said Paula Adamo, a registered dental assistant in a dentists office in Morris County. I feel like Im left to my own devices to try and get this. Like thousands of other frustrated New Jerseyans, she has registered with the state and various health systems. She was notified she was eligible but that just makes her one of possibly hundreds of thousands who are and can still not get appointments. I just feel like Im thrown into a pot that nobody opens the lid of, she said. New Jerseys vaccine rollout was criticized as slow from the start. Public health experts said eligibility should have been expanded somewhat when vaccines were sitting in freezers because some healthcare workers were reluctant to get vaccinated first or around the holidays. But when Gov. Phil Murphy did announce that anyone over 65, smokers, or people with specific chronic health conditions could get the vaccine based on federal guidance and promises that more vaccine would soon become available it meant that over 4 million people became eligible overnight. Any healthcare worker or first responder still trying to get an appointment was now competing with a vastly larger pool. Granted, many in healthcare had already been vaccinated at that point because hospitals were running their own vaccination clinics and some had opened them up to workers in their communities. At least 277,118 people had been vaccinated when the eligibility changed Jan. 14, according to the state. But for those in the field who dont work at a hospital, nursing home or pharmacy, getting the vaccine was not as simple as just going to the clinic at their workplace. They are stuck in the scrum of New Jerseyans spending hours checking websites and making calls, only to find that there are no appointments available. Gov. Phil Murphy, center, applauds as a COVID-19 vaccination is given at the Bergen New Bridge Medical Center vaccination site in Paramus.Donna Brennan | Bergen County Executive's Office Things arent likely to improve soon. State officials said that despite their earlier belief that the federal government would be sending much more vaccine, the state is now expected to get about the same amount about 100,000 doses a week for the next month. Adamo and several others in the healthcare industry said they understand the enormous and complex problem the state faces as it tries to meet its ambitious goal of vaccinating 70% of the adult population 4.7 million in six months. But she cant help but resent the fact that the state opened up eligibility to that degree when there were still healthcare workers who needed the shot. She said the state keeps emailing her telling her she can make an appointment, but the list of possible sites, including the so-called megasites, never have any appointments available. ShopRite said they were booked through April, she said. RWJBarnabas Health told her theyd email her when appointments were available there, so shes hoping that works eventually. I feel like Ive done what I can here, she said. Others said they faced similar problems. A psychologist from Ocean County who works in a psychiatric facility said she and her coworkers have been getting mixed messages from the start about whether vaccines would be provided to them. NJ Advance Media is not naming her or her employer to protect her from possible consequences of speaking out. Basically, everybodys left on their own right now, she said. And anybody that works there thats gotten the vaccine has gotten it on their own. Some of them have second jobs at other hospitals so theyve gotten it there. Some of them have traveled across the state when they find an open appointment. Like Adamo, she keeps getting emails that she should make an appointment but she cant find one, even if she expands the search to anything within 100 miles. It says, You are phase 1A, its time to make your appointment, click here. And I click there every day and theres never any appointments. I check at least once in the morning, in the afternoon, at night, in the middle of the night, she said. I just keep striking out over and over. Edward Bognacki, a certified substance abuse counselor at a treatment center in Freehold, ran into a roadblock even earlier in the process. He pre-registered on the states site as advised Jan. 4, but when he finished the process he got an error message. When he tried to redo it, it said he was already registered. But he never got a confirmation email as everyone is supposed to. He also never received notification that hes eligible for vaccination and can make an appointment, even though he qualifies for 1A, and now, even 1B, because hes 65 and has health conditions. Bognacki, of Toms River, said he has reached out to the Department of Health twice via its website and was told he is in the system despite getting no confirmation email. But he still hasnt been notified that he can make an appointment, though he qualifies and his coworkers all have. He tried the governors office but hasnt heard back. I read online or see on television that theyre concerned that people are not going to take the vaccine. Even some healthcare workers are refusing, Bognacki said. Im a guy who has no problem taking the vaccine. Its important for my health and the health of my neighbors and everybody else that I get this vaccine. I really wanted to get it. But at this point, Im not sure where to go next. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday urged the youth to derive inspiration from the life of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and lead from the front in building a 'New India' - a happy and prosperous nation where every citizen gets equal opportunities and where there is no discrimination. Noting that about 65 per cent of the population is below the age of 35, he said it is time for the youth to be in the forefront in eradicating poverty, illiteracy, social and gender discrimination, casteism and communalism. Naidu was addressing the officer-trainees attending the Foundation Course at MCR HRD Institute in Hyderabad on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of Bose which is being celebrated as 'Parakram Diwas.' Terming 'Parakram' or courage as the most defining feature of Netajis persona, the Vice-President lauded the governments decision to celebrate Netaji's birthday as 'Parakram Diwas' to inspire people of the country. Referring to the role played by Subhas Chandra Bose and several freedom fighters, social reformers, including unsung heroes from different regions, he said many people were not aware of their greatness as the contributions made by them were not properly projected in history books. We have to celebrate the lives of many of our great leaders. We have to come out of the colonial mindset, he said. It is said that the increasing loyalty of the Indian Armed Forces towards their motherland hastened the process of the British departure from India," he said. Observing that different leaders approached the freedom movement in different ways, the Vice-President said the ultimate goal of all them was to achieve Indias freedom from colonial rule. He said what is important is to remember Netajis vision and legacy for building a strong India. Highlighting that Netaji wanted abolition of the caste system in the country, Naidu said that as far back as in the 1940s, soldiers of all castes, creeds and religions lived together, ate together in common kitchens and fought as Indians first and last. Netaji always used to stress that the progress of India would be possible only with the uplift of the down-trodden and the marginalised sections, he said. Saying that Netajis democratic ideals were based on the principles of sacrifice and renunciation, the Vice-President said Bose wanted the citizens to imbibe the values of discipline, responsibility, service and patriotism for democracy to thrive in free India. The true spirit of nationalism is about working for the welfare of all the citizens in the country, he said. Naidu also said Bose always took pride in India's civilisational values and rich cultural heritage, which he felt formed the bedrock of national pride and collective self-confidence. Bose not only wanted emancipation from political bondage but also believed in equal distribution of wealth, abolition of caste barriers and social inequalities, he said. Progressiveness of Netajis ideas can be gauged from his decision to form a womens corps in INA named Rani of Jhansi Regiment, he said and appreciated the governments decision to provide Permanent Commission for the women in the Armed Forces. Russian police are arresting protesters demanding the release of top Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at demonstrations in the countrys east and larger unsanctioned rallies are expected later Saturday in Moscow and other major cities. Navalny, who is President Vladimir Putins most prominent and durable foe, was arrested on Jan. 17 when he returned to Moscow from Germany where he had spent five months recovering from a severe nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. Authorities say his stay in Germany violated terms of a suspended sentence in a criminal conviction in a case that Navalny says was illegitimate. He is to appear in court in early February to determine if he will serve the 3 1/2-year sentence in prison. The OVD-Info organization that monitors political detentions said at least 48 people were detained in cities including Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. Organizers in Vladivostok said about 3,000 people turned out for the protest there. Turnout is likely to be much larger for the afternoon protest planned in Moscow, which the city's mayor and other authorities have warned people against attending. Moscow police on Thursday arrested three top Navalny associates, two of whom were later jailed for periods of nine and 10 days. Representative image: AP As many as 13,90,592 beneficiaries were vaccinated against COVID-19 through 24,408 sessions conducted till 8 am on January 23, according to a provisional report of the Union Health Ministry. More than 3.47 lakh (3,47,058) people were vaccinated in 24 hours, the ministry said. Many of these beneficiaries have so far only received their first dose and thus cannot be considered fully vaccinated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide vaccination drive with healthcare workers at the frontline of India's COVID-19 battle getting their first jabs on January 16. Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates of the coronavirus pandemic Indias drug regulator has approved two vaccinesCovaxin developed by Bharat Biotech and Covishield from the Oxford/AstraZeneca stable being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII)for emergency use in the country. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker: All you need to know about manufacturing and pricing According to the government, the shots will be offered first to an estimated one crore healthcare workers and around two crore frontline workers, and then to persons above 50 years followed by younger persons with comorbidities. India, one of the world's biggest drugmakers, has been approached by numerous countries for its anti-coronavirus doses. The country has delivered two million vaccine doses to Bangladesh under the grants assistance programme on January 21. The country sent 1.50 lakh doses of Covishield vaccines to Bhutan, 1 lakh doses to the Maldives on January 20 and 10 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine to Nepal. Embedded counseling services can improve accessibility for students, MU study finds COLUMBIA, Mo. - Kerry Karaffa is the first MU Counseling Center psychologist to be embedded specifically within the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, where he provides tailored counseling services for professional students training to become veterinarians. He is also aware that veterinarians are at increased risk for mental health concerns and suicidality compared to the general public due to the stressful demands of the job. To help universities better serve students dealing with high levels of stress and anxiety, Karaffa conducted a research study in which he developed and distributed a survey to other counselors specifically embedded in veterinary medical programs at universities throughout the country. He hoped to better understand the benefits they provide to their students and create a blueprint for practicing counselors and college administrators considering embedded counseling services in specific programs or colleges on campus. He concluded that embedded counseling services offer a convenient way to increase accessibility to mental health services for students with demanding schedules and made several suggestions for developing and sustaining these services. "The benefit of being embedded specifically within the MU College of Veterinary Medicine is that I have a greater understanding of the challenges veterinary medical students have, and I am better prepared to tailor services to meet the needs of the students I work with," Karaffa said. "Veterinary medical students may work very long hours in their courses and clinical training, so the fact that my office is located just down the hall from them means they don't have to go all the way across campus to the Counseling Center if their schedule doesn't allow that flexibility." Karaffa added that as more universities start to consider embedding counselors in specific programs or colleges on campus, several factors should be considered. These include logistical factors such as office space and information technology resources, ethical and practice challenges, as well as the need to hire licensed, well-qualified counselors. In addition, providing the embedded counselors with mentorship and professional development support can ensure a smoother transition. "While this particular study focuses on counselors embedded within colleges of veterinary medicine, I also want to help counseling center directors and university administrators who are truly just trying their best to serve their students in a variety of ways," Karaffa said. "Medical schools and law schools are other areas where graduate and professional students are often under a lot of stress, so those could be areas where embedded counseling services could offer tremendous benefits to students going forward." In addition to improving mental health on college campuses, Karaffa believes improving accessibility to counseling services will benefit students even after they graduate from school and enter their various professions in society. "People who are psychologically healthy tend to be happier with their jobs and do better work," Karaffa said. "They also tend to have happier relationships, so early intervention and prevention work is always better than waiting until a small problem turns into a big one." ### "Embedded student counseling services: Insights from veterinary mental health practitioners" was recently published in the Journal of College Counseling. This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Nine Program Director, Hamish Turner, said: Were honoured to be able to team up with Mushroom Group and Visit Victoria to broadcast this incredible initiative. Live music is such an important part of Australian culture. It gives a platform to so many talented musicians and brings joy to the audience. I hope by broadcasting 2021 Sounds Better Together on Nine, we can remind audiences of their love for live music and that we have hope for a better year for all ahead. Wed also encourage our viewers to get out and explore all thats great about Victoria, especially after the particularly tough year the state endured. Chairman and Founder of the Mushroom Group, Michael Gudinski, said: Musicians have been busting to get back on stage before real live audiences and its fantastic that we can stage these concerts at such amazing locations and iconic venues across Victoria. The phenomenal success of last years Music From The Home Front highlighted a huge appetite from the public for live music on television and Im thrilled that with this Nine broadcast everyone across Australia has an opportunity to experience the 2021 Sounds Better Together shows, even if they cant be at them in person. 7:30pm Saturday January 30 on Nine. Related An Idaho man has been sentenced to up to 21 years in prison in the 2007 killing of a mother-of-three engaged to be married to his brother. Kenneth Jones, 32, was given the sentence of 10 to 21 years by District Judge Joel Tingey after confessing to killing Stephanie Eldredge. In October 2020, Jones pleaded guilty to felony voluntary manslaughter, felony concealment, and alteration or destruction of evidence, and misdemeanor resisting and obstruction. His plea agreement saw the charges amended down from second degree murder, East Idaho News reports. Kenneth Jones, 32, was given the sentence of 10 to 21 years by District Judge Joel Tingey after confessing to killing Stephanie Eldredge. Kenneth Jones listens to victims' statements at the Bonneville County Courthouse on Thursday, January 21 'She was taken from me, one of the things I have a right to my mom,' one of Eldredge's daughters read from her victim impact statement. ' No matter how much time you serve, just know you've ruined the lives of so many but most of all you ruined your own.' Eldredge disappeared from her apartment on Holbrook Drive in Idaho Falls on August 20, 2007. Authorities feared the worse when they arrived on the scene and found Eldredge's baby daughter, cell phone, car keys, purse and shoes. 'I would do anything to go back and change that day,' Jones said, prior to his sentencing. 'I'm sorry for what happened. I'm sorry for what happened afterward and I'm even more sorry for the three little girls who grew up without their mom. It was a very cowardly act holding this in for all these years.' Eldredge was living with her fiance, Michael Jimenez, his mother and Jones - Jimenez's half brother - at the time of her killing. Both Jimenez and his mother cooperated with authorities during their investigation, documents indicate. Eldredge disappeared from her apartment on Holbrook Drive in Idaho Falls on August 20, 2007. Authorities feared the worse when they arrived on the scene and found Eldredge's baby daughter, cell phone, car keys, purse and shoes Kenneth Jones enters the courtroom at the Bonneville County Courthouse on Thursday, January 21 Defense attorney Curtis Smith addresses the court during the sentencing of Kenneth Jones at the Bonneville County Courthouse on Thursday 'However, it became immediately apparent that Kenneth R. Jones was not being truthful, and the investigation focused on Jones as a potential suspect,' police said in a probable cause affidavit. In 2009, Jones was behind bars for an unrelated crime, and is said to have told his cellmate that he had violently killed Eldredge. The cellmate - Eddie Arellano - later told investigators that Jones had violently killed Eldredge, Local 8 News reports. Eldredge's decomposed body was found bound in electrical tape by investigators on April 23, 2010, buried in a shallow grave just outside Idaho Falls. The case went cold, however, as investigators did not believe the jailhouse confession was enough to charge Jones with murder. Eldredge was living with her fiance, Michael Jimenez, his mother and Jones - Jimenez's half brother - at the time of her killing. Both Jimenez and his mother cooperated with authorities during their investigation, documents indicate In 2009, Jones was behind bars for an unrelated crime, and is said to have told his cellmate that he had violently killed Eldredge. The cellmate - Eddie Arellano - later told investigators that Jones had violently killed Eldredge Then-Idaho Falls police detective Jessica Marley was assigned to the case in 2014, and things began turning around for the investigation. She was placed on the case full time in November 2018 and began working with 'Cold Justice,' a true-crime T.V. series that assisted in funding the testing of evidence with newer technology. The Idaho Falls Police Department announced on March 23, 2019, that Jones was charged with second-degree murder in the mother's death. Jones is currently serving time for a felony third-degree arson case, and is being held at the Bonneville County Jail. During the change of plea hearing, Jones shared that he and Eldredge had been in a fight on the day she was killed. He said that when he pushed her, Eldredge hit her head, causing her death. Jones said that to his 'great shame,' he 'panicked' while not knowing what to do, which led to him hiding her body. 'This has been an open wound for 13 years without any resolution and to an extent without any hope of resolution,' Tingey said. 'Hopefully this can bring some conclusion, some closure to what has been again an open wound for so long. In new TN assembly DMK has most MLAs with pending criminal background, crorepatis Tamil Nadu assembly elections 2021: Rahul Gandhi in Tamil Nadu today on three-day visit India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P Chennai, Jan 23: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to arrive in Tamil Nadu today for a three-day visit (January 23-25) ahead of the state assembly polls which are likely to be held in April-May 2021. According to reports, the Congress leader is expected to kickstart the party's campaign for the assembly polls. He will also interact with farmers, representatives of the MSME sector, trade unions, labourers, and weavers in the state. Farmers' Protest: Punjab, Haryana farmers to set out for tractor parade in Delhi today "Farmers' issue is a burning issue throughout the country and Congress has been at the forefront from the beginning. Rahulji has taken leadership on that issue. Across the country, Congress has done programmes and dharnas. He will be interacting with farmers and will address a farmers' convention in Karur," news agency quoted party leader Dinesh Gundu Rao as saying. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News "He (Gandhi) will be interacting with representatives of the MSME sector, trade unions, labourers, weavers. He'll be having many interactions during the visit," he added. The former Congress president will also attend election meetings in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts along with visiting Erode for a party meeting. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 9:25 [IST] A police sergeant who allegedly accessed child abuse material online has been charged and suspended from duty. The male NSW police officer, 48, is attached to a specialist command and was arrested during a vehicle stop in Bossley Park in Sydney's west at 1.30pm on Friday. He was taken to Fairfield Police Station and charged with using a carriage service to access child abuse material and not keeping his firearm safely. The officer was suspended from duty. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday. A Conservative MP has stated that the Government is still excluding people from the communications that are going out due to lack of British Sign Language (BSL) interpretations. In October, after deaf campaigners fought since March for signing at the televised Covid-19 briefings, the Government stated that one was not available due to the size constraints of Number 10. Caroline Nokes, MP spoke to The Independent and asked How long does it take to find a bigger room? How many more campaigners are going to have to walk to Downing Street to get their message across? How long will it take before the message about clear face masks sinks in and they become commonplace in our schools?" "I think we have seen a real tick-box attitude to equality impact assessments and the public sector equality duty, which gives an impression of a Government not interested in equality. Speaking about her participation in the Disability Rights Advice webinar on 21 January, Ms Nokes said doing the webinar last night really rammed it home to me that disabled people are still being excluded from the communications that are going out, that Government has to stop excluding and start including, right at the top. The Government is currently facing legal battles for their lack of BSL interpretations. The Women and Equality Committee, of which MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Ms Nokes, is chair, published a report in December 2020 on the unequal impact of covid-19 on the disabled community, and on access to services. It calls for a full inquiry into the treatment of disabled people during the pandemic. The report states The government has been far too slow to address concerns about inaccessible communications during the pandemic, notably about the lack of British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation of government television briefings", as well as citing issues of blanket do not resucistate orders, lack of support for those marked Clincally Extremely Vulnerable, and extra funding needed for special educational needs schools. ONS data found that disabled people are less likely to feel that they have enough information about the government plans to manage the coronavirus pandemic (40%) than non-disabled people (48%). Snow and ice are set to bring travel disruption across the UK on Sunday in the wake of the severe flooding caused by Storm Christoph. The Met Office has issued five yellow weather warnings covering southern England, the Midlands, Wales, Northern Ireland and western and northern Scotland. A band of snow will move east across the country from the early hours of the morning until late in the evening, with up to 3cm at low levels and up to 10cm on higher ground. Some areas such as Dartmoor and Exmoor could see up to 15cm. Temperatures are expected to plummet overnight to around -3C in London, Manchester, Bristol, Belfast and Glasgow. The Scottish Highlands could see an icy -10C. Frosts are expected overnight on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, but further heavy rain is not expected until Wednesday. Met Office meteorologist Martin Bowles said: "We're hopeful that the river levels will fall quite significantly before that so we're not expecting any significant flooding problems over the next few days, apart from in areas where the warnings are already in place." The Environment Agency had warned of "exceptionally high river levels" following days of heavy rainfall in the wake of Storm Christoph, with hundreds of properties across the country flooded. A total of 71 flood warnings and 88 flood alerts were still in force across England on Saturday night. Mr Bowles added: "The biggest hazard over the next couple of days is going to be ice because we're getting these snow showers which will all freeze overnight. "Obviously roads tend to be quite well gritted, especially main roads, but I would warn people to be careful on pavements, minor roads that don't get gritted or city roads." Mr Bowles said the cold spell would continue until about Wednesday before being replaced with milder temperatures in the final days of the month. "That's not to say that that's the end of all cold weather for winter, it isn't, we've just got a mild spell coming up," he said. Additional reporting by Press Association. It wasnt until all of the 8,000-meter peaks were climbed that anyone seriously attempted one in the brutal cold of winter. While mountaineers from wealthy Western nations were busy planting their flags on the worlds highest peaks, hardscrabble Polish alpinists were locked behind the Iron Curtain. Then, in the 1980s, as Poland began to open up, a cadre of tough and talented climbers coalesced to climb Everest and six other 8,000ers in that harshest season. But K2 eluded them and everyone else. Like the Poles, the Nepali mountaineering community has dealt with more than its fair share of hardship. The last few years have been no exception. In 2014, an avalanche killed 16 Sherpa on Everest, and then a 2015 earthquake decimated base camp, killing some 20 people, about half of them Sherpa, and prompting a general evacuation. In 2020 the mountain was closed because of Covid-19 meaning that Everest, the financial lifeblood of the Nepali guiding community, has been open for business only in four of the last seven years. There have also been emotional losses, as when the Austrian-Sherpa superstar David Lama died climbing in the Canadian Rockies in 2019. Enter Nirmal Purja. Like Lama and Tenzing Norgay, who with Edmund Hillary was the first to reach the top of Everest in 1953, Purja is a bit of an outsider. He is not Sherpa but Magar, another of Nepals ethnic groups. Born near Dhaulagiri, the worlds seventh-highest mountain, he grew up in Nepals flatlands. He left his native country at 18 to join the Gurkhas, the elite British Army brigade, and rose into the British special forces. After quitting the military in 2018, he masterminded a record-setting mountaineering binge he undertook the next year, climbing all 8,000ers in six months, six days. The previous record was nearly eight years set by a South Korean, Kim Chang-ho. To accomplish the feat, Purja organized and funded a small cadre of Sherpa who took turns partnering with him on different mountains. Some of them formed the nucleus of his K2 team. Fingal Chamber is now inviting groups to apply for a share of its new Community Fund Fingal Chamber has issued an invite to groups to apply for funding under their new 'Fingal Chamber Community Fund' for community-led projects and activities in the region. This new fund totalling over 25,000 is financed by supporters and contributions from the Chamber and aims to support the community projects and activities which benefit the citizens of Fingal. The scheme is operated by Fingal Chamber's Community Committee who are encouraging citizens to promote this new opportunity within their local areas. The funding is targeted at supporting communities on developing initiatives in a variety of categories such as environmental and sustainability, health and wellbeing, and social inclusion and community development. Those who can apply include, but are not limited to voluntary community groups, established clubs, local charities, companies limited by guarantee, residents associations, schools and colleges. The programme can fully fund projects and will typically award grants between 1,000 and 5,000.Some of the kinds of projects that could be funded under the scheme are clean up days, sustainability initiatives, mental health initiatives, the promotion of 'get active; initiatives or projects that connect young and old. The fund could also be used for digital inclusion projects, the purchase of educational equipment or the development of amenities. Fingal Chamber President, Andrea Molloy said 'Fingal Chamber is committed to promoting local economic development and enhancing the economic prosperity and quality of life across the region, and the Chamber's Community Committee seeks to create a Fingal which is sustainably developed for the benefit of the people who currently live and work here, and for future generations who will inherit the region. 'This new Community Fund will provide an ongoing structured programme to award grants to approved projects in the Fingal region, and I would like to encourage more businesses to consider getting involved with this initiative and becoming Fund supporters so the positive impact escalates. 'Funding from the Fingal Chamber Community Fund will be allocated yearly, and applications will be assessed by the Community Committee. Consideration will be given to social, cultural, environmental, governance and economic factors when evaluating projects.' Fingal Chamber Chief Executive, Anthony Cooney said: 'This year, I am pleased to say that Fingal Chamber also contributed a little over 6,000 to the Community Fund. The Community Fund is also supporter-funded, and I would like to thank the patrons who contributed over the past number of years including Dublin Airport, Paypal, Fingal County Council and the Blanchardstown Centre. This fund operates under the Fingal Chamber Community Committee, which is composed of representatives of the Chamber Council, Patron Supporters, people working with community organisations, and member representatives are chosen for their independence, experience and understanding of corporate social responsibility dimensions. I would like to thank all of them for their continued support and commitment in creating this programme. We encourage the citizens of Fingal to share the information about this great new opportunity within their networks and with people and groups who they feel may be interested in applying.' The closing date for entries to the Fingal Chamber Community Fund is Monday, the 1st of February 2021. The online application form, along with an application guide and the terms and conditions are available at www.fingalchamber.ie/community Ahmedabad, Jan 22 (PTI) The coronavirus case count rose by 451 in Gujarat, where two patients died due to the infection on Friday, the state health department said. As many as 700 such patients recovered and got discharge in the last 24 hours, it said in a statement. The death toll due to coronavirus now stands at 4,374. The coronavirus caseload in the state increased to 2,58,264 with the addition of 451 cases, it added. Gujarat's coronavirus figures are as follows: Positive cases 2,58,264, new cases 451, deaths 4,374, recovered 2,48,650 and active cases 5,240. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Southern Pines, NC (28387) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 68F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. 37 Democratic member of Congress call on Prez Biden to "commute the sentences of all those" on federal death row | Main | Why not a clemency push focused on the (more lethal) new death penalty that is COVID in federal prisons? The title of this post is the title of this new Cato commentary by Clark Neily. I recommend the whole piece, and here are some excerpts: Inauguration Week seems like an opportune time to think how much more just the Department of Justice could be if President Biden took the bold step of putting a libertarian in charge of it. As I've written before, our criminal justice system is fundamentally rotten it punishes vast amounts of morally blameless conduct, uses coercion-fueled mass adjudication to perpetuate mass incarceration, and insists upon a policy of near-zero accountability for its own transgressions. Indeed, it is doubtful whether any American institution inflicts more injustice than our so-called criminal "justice" system. One might argue that because the vast majority of criminal enforcement occurs at the state level there's not much point in focusing on the federal system. I disagree. The U.S. Department of Justice looms large over the entire criminal-justice landscape by establishing norms, setting examples, providing oversight, and offering or withholding financial incentives to other agencies and jurisdictions. For better or worse, DOJ represents a kind of industry gold standard for criminal justice. And that's disturbing because, as discussed below, many of DOJ's standard practices are astonishingly unjust. DOJ is a sprawling, $30 billion-a-year agency that wears many hats. Accordingly, it would be impossible to provide a comprehensive list of proposed reforms in a single blog post. But one of the most consequential things DOJ does and an area in particular need of fundamental reform is the enforcement of federal criminal laws. On that front, a libertarian attorney general would be well-advised to address three specific issues: accountability, prosecutorial tactics, and institutional culture. 1. Accountability. The lack of accountability among federal prosecutors is simply astonishing. Perhaps the most stark but by no means isolated illustration is the Ted Stevens case, in which prosecutors systematically cheated their way through the prosecution of a sitting U.S. senator, got caught, and were subjected to no meaningful discipline of any kind.... 2. Prosecutorial tactics. Many of the tactics used by DOJ prosecutors especially to induce people to waive their constitutional right to a jury trial and plead guilty, which more than 90 percent of federal defendants end up doingare simply shocking.... 3. Institutional culture. A major part of the problem is that people who work within the criminal justice system come to accept as perfectly normal and unobjectionable the kinds of policies and tactics described above, such as letting misbehaving prosecutors off with a slap on the wrist (if that) and applying such extraordinary pressure on defendants to plead guilty that almost no one chooses to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to a trial anymore.... The bad news is that our criminal justice system is fundamentally broken and unjust. The good news is that criminal justice reform represents a vast orchard of low-hanging fruitpolicies that could be adopted overnight and would ameliorate some of the system's worst pathologies and realign many of its most perverse incentives. Maybe putting someone whose core value is liberty in charge of an agency whose core mission is depriving people of it isn't such a crazy idea after all. (Newser) The Coast Guard has given up the search for a 12-year-old boy who was swept out to sea earlier this week, but his family is now offering a $50,000 reward for anyone who can find Arunay Pruthi, reports People. The Fremont boy was at Cowell Ranch State Beach on Monday afternoon with his father and younger brother when a "sneaker" wave caught them by surprise near the surf and pulled them into the water, reports KTVU. His father and brother were able to make it back to shore, but not Arunay, who apparently got caught in a rip current. It was just very big waves, I guess," the boy's father, Tarun, tells KPIX. "We didnt expect it. ... It threw me around for a while. I just managed to barely make it. story continues below The Coast Guard searched through Monday night but called off the operation the following morning. The Coast Guards object when it searches is for a rescue, says USCG Capt. Howard Wright. When were no longer confident that were able to rescue a victim alive, we will suspend the search. Friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help in the private search, and it had raised more than $180,000 as of Friday afternoon. People were scouring beaches on foot and by drone, and a private helicopter was making sweeps of the water. (In Florida, the story of this missing swimmer had a happy ending.) Unannounced inspections to check that Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) positive animals are being isolated will soon start, the NI government has confirmed. Herds which retain a BVD positive animal will be visited by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) inspectors in 'the coming weeks'. They are seeking to confirm compliance with the 2016 BVD Order, which requires isolation within housing to prevent direct or indirect contact with other susceptible animals. DAERA has warned that those farmers or herd keepers who have not isolated BVD positive animals may be prosecuted. If convicted, this may lead up to a fine of up to 5,000 for a single animal, or up to 1,000 per animal if more than 5 animals are involved. Infected animals present a very high risk of further infection to the rest of their herd, to neighbouring herds and to herds purchasing pregnant stock from BVD infected farms. Industry stakeholders in the NI BVD Programme are keen to see an acceleration of progress towards eradication and have asked for enforcement measures to be implemented. A DAERA spokesperson said: Herd keepers are initially informed of the requirement to isolate BVD positives by Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI) when test results are reported. "The Department will now be issuing an isolation warning letter if the animal is still in the herd for a significant period after the positive test date. "This will be followed up by an isolation inspection visit if the animal remains in the herd." The number of BVD positives in Northern Ireland has fallen significantly in recent months, government figures show. However, DAERA said progress towards the complete eradication of BVD was being delayed by the retention of BVD positive animals by a minority of herd keepers. Dr Sam Strain, chief executive of Animal Health and Welfare NI, called on farmers to take notice of the new measures. These actions should help to reinforce the veterinary advice that farmers who own BVD Positive cattle must urgently take steps to deal with the virus in their herds and cull Persistently Infected cattle promptly. The proposed expansion at the site is marked in blue The Ornua Co-Operative has unveiled details of a major expansion project at its Kerrygold Park site in Mitchelstown, with the company saying the development will bring a significant financial boost to the town and the wider north Cork region. A planning application for the development is due to be lodged with Cork County Council next month, with the company hoping to start and complete work on the 40 million project, which will take approximately a year to complete, during the summer. The proposal makes provision for a new butter churn and cream processing infrastructure, two new packaging lines, additional cold storage capacity, extended office space and extra car parking space on existing grounds within the campus. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) is currently being prepared for submission with the planning application, which is being prepared in conjunction with Cork-based company KMPC. An Ornua spokesperson said the expansion project would create 120 temporary local jobs during construction and a further 30 additional permanent jobs when finished, bringing the total workforce at Kerrygold Park to more than 150. They said the expansion project underscored Ornua's commitment to the Mitchelstown area and focussed on the long-term growth of the Kerrygold brand, which in turn helps to "support the livelihoods of more than 14,000 family farms across Ireland". "Ornua Co-Operative has been producing and packing the Kerrygold butter brand at Kerrygold Park since opening in 2016. Since then Ornua has been a proud part of the Mitchelstown community," said the spokesperson. "Today, Kerrygold Park employs more than 120 people, supporting local economic activity for the Mitchelstown area through local services and businesses." The spokesperson said that in addition to bringing new jobs to the region, the development would help stimulate economic growth at what is a "challenging time for many rural communities" and enhance the existing benefits that Kerrygold Park brings to the local area. "In addition to supporting local farming families and important local community initiatives, the facility increases economic activity for the area and showcases Mitchelstown as a great location for other businesses," said the spokesperson. "Ornua and Kerrygold greatly appreciate the ongoing support of the Mitchelstown community and our valued employees from the local area. We sincerely hope that, with your support, we can continue to grow and flourish in the years ahead." Once submitted, the planning application will be available to view at Cork County Council's local offices (Covid restrictions permitting) or through the planning link at www.corkcoco.ie. "In the meantime, should people wish to learn more about the project, please feel free to contact KMPC by post at Ballinora, Waterfall, Cork; by email at lmccoy@kmpc.ie or by phone on 021 421 4349", said the spokesperson. News of the development was welcomed by North Cork Labour TD Sean Sherlock who urged the public to 'buy-in' to the expansion plan. "Given the state of the economy, such investment in north Cork and Mitchelstown is a vote of confidence. I welcome the fact that the planning application will be submitted this February and would urge everyone to engage in the planning process, whatever your concerns. Ensuring robust public engagement is the only way to ensure success," he said. Tibetan monk Tenzin Nyima, also called Tamey, is shown in an undated photo. A 19 year-old Tibetan monk has died of injuries sustained from beatings and torture in a Chinese prison in Sichuans Kardze prefecture after being released in a comatose state by his jailers, Tibetan sources say. Tenzin Nyima, also called Tamey, was detained in August 2020 after distributing leaflets and shouting slogans calling for Tibetan independence, and died on Tuesday in Kardzes (in Chinese, Ganzis) Dartsedo (Kangding) county, a Tibetan living in India told RFA on Friday. On Nov. 12, 2020 we learned that he had been admitted to a hospital in Dartsedo for treatment, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity and citing source in the Kardze area. Then, on Jan. 19, he returned home from the hospital in a weak physical condition, he said. But he had been tortured and mistreated inside the prison, which led to his paralyzed state and critical condition of health, RFAs source said. Because of bans in India now on Chinese social media apps, which were our usual means of getting information out of Tibet, were not able to get more information now about Tamey following his death, he said. Tenzin Nyima, a monk in Kardzes Dza Wonpo monastery, was arrested with four other monks on Nov. 7, 2019 after they held a peaceful protest outside a local police station in which they threw leaflets in the air, calling for Tibets independence, the London-based Free Tibet advocacy group said in a Jan. 22 press release. Tenzin Nyima was released in May 2020 but arrested again on 11 August 2020 for sharing the news of his arrest and contacting Tibetans in exile in India, Free Tibet said. Tenzins killing is emblematic of the brutality of Chinas occupation of Tibet and flagrant disregard for human life, Free Tibets Campaign and Advocacy Manager John Jones said. The moment Tenzin Nyima was detained he was placed at the mercy of the police. It was effectively a death sentence." In a statement Friday, the Washington D.C.-based advocacy group International Campaign for Tibet called for an independent investigation into Tenzin Nyimas death, calling it part of a pattern of torture and mistreatment in Tibet. Those responsible in the Chinese state and party apparatus must be held accountable for the pattern of torture and mistreatment of Tibetans," ICT Interim President Bhuchung Tsering said. Tibetans need justice, and torture must stop in Tibet, Tsering said. The international community has an obligation to act. Reported by Pema Ngodup. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Richard Finney. Posted Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:34 am In Seattle University's Campion Ballroom, which in non-pandemic times is used as a large conference room and event space, more than 2,000 people a day are being vaccinated against COVID-19 through a clinic operated by Swedish Health Services. The actual jabbing of the needle is only a small part of a multi-person operation needed to get one person vaccinated. Someone has to input the recipient's health information, another has to look over charts for contraindications, a third must monitor the person for at least 15 minutes post-injection. Meanwhile, a group is sanitizing every pen, clipboard and bin that comes through, a team in the kitchen is prepping injections, greeters at the door and near the parking garage are directing people in the snaking line. As the state begins its unprecedented push to vaccinate millions of its residents, an army is being assembled to help get the job done. Depending on the site, the people helping the vaccination effort may be any of the following: a nurse, a pharmacist on a day off, a physician who came out of retirement, a first responder, a student, a high-powered company executive, a dental hygienist, a stay-at-home dad. The Swedish clinic at Seattle University and its corps of health workers and volunteers offers a blueprint for mass-vaccination sites, and shows firsthand the staffing required as the state works toward an ambitious goal of vaccinating residents at a much larger scale. Representatives from the state health department have stopped by to observe the process, as have officials from Amazon and Starbucks. This week, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that the state hopes to soon administer 45,000 vaccines a day three times the state's currently daily average, according to the state Department of Health (DOH). Officials say 45,000 doses a day would cover about 70% of the population eligible for vaccines by June 2021. Mass-vaccination sites will require thousands of people in a patchwork of labor with help from all pockets of the health community and beyond, health officials say, as the state moves into additional phases of people who are qualified to receive the vaccine. "One could argue this is the biggest logistical problem to solve in the world," said Kevin Brooks, chief operating officer for Swedish Health Services. "This is an amazing effort." It's unclear how many workers will be needed across the various vaccine sites, from small pharmacies to clinics set up at stadiums, over the many months as more people become eligible based on age and health risks, but the number is easily in the thousands. Local health agencies and other providers have largely been on their own when it comes to staffing, but the new state plan includes staffing and volunteer coordination from unions that met this week. "Our goal is to get vaccine to all in Washington as quickly as possible, and we are identifying challenges along the way and adjusting to address them," said Franji Mayes of DOH, in an email. "We've identified many factors that needed to be attended to, and we know we need increased capacity as we open up to larger groups who are eligible for the vaccine." At the Swedish clinic, about 160 volunteers work at each of the two daily shifts and a smaller group is employed by Swedish as leads and support staff. The clinic began this month with 120 volunteers, but organizers soon realized they would need more to make sure everything ran smoothly as people took breaks, according to Renee Rassilyer-Bomers, administrative director of clinical education and practice. Providers are relying heavily on volunteers, who have been turning out in droves. The wait list for the Swedish clinic has 8,200 volunteers. When UW Medicine posted in December that it was asking for volunteers, more than 700 people signed up in the first week, said Dr. Shireesha Dhanireddy, medical director of the Infectious Disease Clinic at Harborview Medical Center. "We were doing over 2,000 vaccines a day across our four hospital systems, and that is a lot of people to put a shot in the arm," she said. "Without volunteers it would be really challenging to mobilize that workforce when we are already stretched out." Dr. Greg Roeben, a retired psychiatrist, signed up to volunteer at clinics through WAserv (Washington State Emergency Registry of Volunteers), and first worked at immunization clinics for children over the summer, then worked at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for people in phase 1a. He spent a lot of time as "IT support," helping people with scheduling their second dose through their phones as they waited the mandatory 15 minutes after their shot. He also did a four-hour online training to learn the data entry system. "Administering a vaccine, that is the least time-consuming, least labor intensive of the entire process," said Roeben, who lives in Kirkland. "When I read the newspaper, when I watch press conferences, it seems as if the emphasis is on getting the vaccine to sites and putting needles in arms. There's a whole part that people just aren't seemingly paying attention to." Other providers have gone on hiring sprees to meet the need. Walgreens, which operates 135 drugstores in Washington, is part of a federal partnership with CVS to vaccinate residents of long-term care facilities. The company has 30,000 employees across the U.S. and plans to hire an additional 15,000 over the next three months, according to spokesperson Jessica Masuga. A Google search for "COVID-19 vaccine jobs" in Washington brings up a plethora of open positions for medical assistants and registered nurses, along with customer service consultants and data entry. Meanwhile, pharmacies are ramping up hiring to handle both vaccinations and to fill in other responsibilities like filling prescriptions, said Jenny Arnold, CEO of the Washington State Pharmacy Association. "It's twofold, pharmacies are staffing appropriately and thinking through workflows to balance getting out medications on a day-to-day basis," Arnold said. "Without those, you're going to have a whole different crisis." More than 100 people responded to a job opening posted by the Seattle Visiting Nurse Association, which is staffing two Snohomish County sites, one at Paine Field in Everett and one at Edmonds College. Nurses are "coming out of the woodwork left and right," to help, said Jake Scherf, CEO of SVNA, which employs about 50 registered nurses. Each site needs five or six nurses at a time, and, as other health professionals have noted, requires more work than a traditional flu clinic. "You are introducing a novel vaccine," Scherf said. "There's the 15 minute waiting period, and the educational process. People have a lot of questions for our nurses they might not have for their annual flu shot." At Public Health Seattle & King County, officials are still figuring out staffing for the high-volume vaccination sites that it plans to open in South King County, which has been hit hard by COVID-19, next month, said spokeswoman Kate Cole. At the four clinics for first responders, long-term care facility staff and residents and health care providers starting in late December, 100 Public Health staff worked at the sites alongside 231 volunteer vaccinators, traffic and flow monitors, screeners and post-vaccine monitors. Over 20 clinic days, more than 2,800 people received vaccines. The National Guard will send 30-person teams to the four vaccination sites in Spokane, Kennewick, Wenatchee and the Clark County Fairgrounds in Ridgefield, along with a medic to work as the vaccinator at each site. A fifth team will go to independent-living facilities to assist with vaccination clinics there, spokeswoman Karina Shagren said. Health system officials have said that staffing isn't an issue as much as the vaccine supply, which is unpredictable from week to week. MultiCare Health System has about 700 volunteers deployed throughout the region, said June Altaras, a senior vice president, in a Washington State Hospital Association briefing Tuesday. "It's the supply issue that is holding us back," said Mandee Olsen, chief quality officer of Kittitas Valley Health in Ellensburg said in the briefing, noting that volunteers have included Central Washington University students, paramedics and staff from the county's fire districts. But, she added, they were always happy to accept more volunteers. Staff reporter Sandi Doughton contributed to this report. ___ (c)2021 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. It's a proven political strategy: Underpromise and overdeliver. President Joe Biden in his first three days in office, has painted a bleak picture of the country's immediate future, warning Americans that it will take months, not weeks, to reorient a nation facing a historic convergence of crises. The dire language is meant as a call to action, but it's also a deliberate effort to temper expectations. In addition, it is an explicit rejection of President Donald Trumps tack of talking down the coronavirus pandemic and its economic toll. Chris Lu, a longtime Obama administration official, said the grim tone is aimed at restoring trust in government that eroded during the Trump administration. If youre trying to get people to believe in this whole system of vaccinations, and if you want people to take seriously mask mandates, your leaders have to level with the American people, he said. Biden said Thursday that things are going to continue to get worse before they get better and offered the brutal truth that it will take eight months before a majority of Americans will be vaccinated. On Friday, he declared outright: Theres nothing we can do to change the trajectory of the pandemic in the next several months. It's all part of Biden's pledge that his administration will "always be honest and transparent with you, about both the good news and the bad. That approach, aides say, explains Bidens decision to set clear and achievable goals for his new administration. The measured approach is drawing praise in some corners for being realistic - but criticism from others for its caution. Trump often dismissed the seriousness of the virus and even acknowledged to journalist Bob Woodward that he deliberately played down the threat to the U.S. to prop up the economy. Even as death tolls and infection rates soared, Trump insisted the country was already rounding the turn. Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said Bidens pledge for 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days in office might fall short of whats needed to turn the tide on the virus. Maybe theyre picking a number thats easier to achieve, rather than the number that we need to achieve. I would urge people to be bolder than that, he said. Adalja argued that the goal theyve set should be the bare minimum that we accept. But he also acknowledged that theres a major political risk in overpromising. You dont want people to be discouraged or feel like the government is incompetent if they fail to meet a goal, he said. Its a disappointingly low bar, said Dr. Leana Wen, a public health expert and emergency physician. Biden on Friday acknowledged the criticism, saying he was hopeful for more vaccinations, but he avoided putting down a marker that could potentially fall out of reach. I found it fascinating that yesterday the press asked the question, Is 100 million enough?'" he said in the State Dining Room. "A week before, they were saying, Biden, are you crazy? You cant do 100 million in 100 days. Well, were God willing not only going to 100 million. Were going to do more than that. In fact, while there was some skepticism when Biden first announced the goal on Dec. 8, it was generally seen as optimistic but within reach. The Biden administration might be taking lessons from the earliest days of the Obama administration, when there was constant pressure to show real progress in turning around the economy during the financial crisis. One former Obama administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak freely about internal conversations, said there was a fevered effort during the first few months of Obama's first term to play down the focus on evaluating the presidents success within his first 100 days because aides knew the financial recovery would take far longer than that. In one notable misstep, Obamas National Economic Council chair, Christina Romer, predicted that unemployment wouldnt top 8% if Congress passed the administrations stimulus package to address the financial crisis. It was signed into law a month into Obama's first term, but by the end of that year, unemployment nevertheless hit 10%. The risk in setting too rosy expectations is that an administration might become defined by its failure to meet them. President George W. Bushs Mission Accomplished speech in 2003 at a time when the Iraq War was far from over became a defining blunder of his presidency. Trump provided an overreach of his own in May 2020, when he said the nation had prevailed over the virus. At the time, the country had seen about 80,000 deaths from the virus. This week, the U.S. death toll topped 412,000. Trumps lax approach and lack of credibility contributed to poor adherence to public safety rules among the American public. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Trumps handling of the virus caused so much damage to public perceptions of its severity that its important for Biden to set a contrasting tone. I think it is really important to start telling the American people the truth. And that has not happened in a year, since we found the first case of coronavirus, so hes got a lot of damage to undo, she said. This is a very serious, very contagious, deadly disease, and anything other than that message delivered over and over again is, unfortunately, adding to the willingness of lots of people to pay no attention to how to stop the spread of the disease. Nearly half of all people in some areas with a large population of ethnic minorities are refusing the Covid vaccine when offered it due to fears about what it contains. In Birmingham, 50 per cent of those living in areas with high populations of Asian and African-Caribbean people turned down the vaccine when offered it. In Ealing, west London, between 10 and 15 per cent of black people are refusing the vaccine - compared to just 5 per cent of other groups. Meanwhile in Stoke-on-Trent, medics say between 20 and 30 per cent of black and ethnic minority people didn't show up to get their vaccine. In other groups, this figure stood at between 2 and 3 per cent. Fake information about what goes in it or concerns about potential side effects are the main deterrents, local clinical director Lenin Vellaturi claimed. A health worker administers a Covid-19 vaccine inside a former nightclub that has been turned into a NHS vaccine centre in St Albans earlier this month SAGE earlier blamed 'structural and institutional racism and discrimination' for vaccine scepticism among BAME communities - as a survey found 72 per cent of black people were unlikely to have the Covid jab. A report from the Government's scientific advisory committee said historical issues of unethical healthcare research and systemic racism are key factors for lower levels of trust in Britain's mass vaccination programme. This justification was echoed by equality campaigner Trevor Phillips - the former head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission - who said it was 'absurd' to claim hesitancy was down to a language barrier or misconceptions. He told The Times: 'The NHS and government have to realise that what they are seeing is probably a sincere rejection of the vaccine on religious or cultural grounds and quite probably a deep suspicion of anything proposed by white authorities. He added: 'The underlying suggestion that we are all just a bit backward or don't understand the arguments for the jab is just belittling people of colour.' NHS England's regional medical director for London said 'concerns that go back generations' in certain communities due to historic vaccine experiments, as he insisted the vaccine is safe.' In Birmingham, 50 per cent of people living in areas with high populations of Asian and African-Caribbean people turned down the vaccine when offered it (file photo) Earlier this month, doctors expressed fears over 'fake news' causing South Asian people to reject the Covid vaccine over false claims that the jabs contain alcohol or meat and can alter patients' DNA. Dr Harpreet Sood, a Global Digital Health Advisor, said language and cultural boundaries are partly responsible for the false material spread via social media and WhatsApp. The practising doctor is working on an NHS anti-disinformation campaign with South Asian influencers and religious leaders to disprove myths about the jab. Much of the false information appears to be targeted at Muslims, who do not drink alcohol or eat pork, and Hindus, who consider cows to be sacred. An undated document released by Sage on Friday found 'marked difference existed by ethnicity, with black ethnic groups the most likely to be Covid-19 hesitant, followed by Pakistani/Bangladeshi groups'. Joanmes de-Gallerie receiving a vaccine at the Nightingale facility at the Excel Centre, London Dr Sood told the BBC: 'We need to be clear and make people realise there is no meat in the vaccine, there is no pork in the vaccine, it has been accepted and endorsed by all the religious leaders and councils and faith communities.' He added: 'We're trying to find role models and influencers and also thinking about ordinary citizens who need to be quick with this information so that they can all support one another because ultimately everyone is a role model to everyone.' Around 100 mosques are using Friday prayers to raise coronavirus awareness and dispel myths around vaccinations, and Imams have agreed to be filmed being vaccinated in a bid to 'inspire confidence' in their communities and show that jabs are permissible and halal. An earlier poll - conducted by the UK Household Longitudinal Study - which found that vaccine scepticism among black, Asian and ethnic minority groups in the UK is high. Though the study, conducted in November with 12,000 respondents, found overall high levels of willingness to be vaccinated - at 82 per cent - 72 per cent of black people said they were unlikely or very unlikely to be vaccinated. Around 100 mosques are using Friday prayers to raise coronavirus awareness and dispel myths around vaccinations. Pictured: The congregation at the Makka Mosque in Leeds Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Eastern European groups also said they were unwilling to take the Covid jab, while women, younger people and those with lower levels of education were also more hesitant than others. A SAGE report responding to the study: 'Trust is particularly important for black communities that have low trust in healthcare organisations and research findings due to historical issues of unethical healthcare research. 'Trust is also undermined by structural and institutional racism and discrimination. Minority ethnic groups have historically been underrepresented within health research, including vaccines trials, which can influence trust in a particular vaccine being perceived as appropriate and safe, and concerns that immunisation research is not ethnically heterogenous.' The findings have sparked concern among GPs who are now calling on No10 to begin a public health campaign that encourages black people in particular to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Prof Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'We are concerned that recent reports show that people within BAME communities are not only more likely to be adversely affected by the virus but also less likely to accept the Covid vaccine, when offered it. Imam Qari Asim, chairman of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, said some people who were initially hesitant about getting a vaccine have decided to get one since the site opened at Al-Abbas Islamic Centre. Leeds-based Mr Asim, who is leading the initiative to get imams and mosques to address challenges posed by so-called anti-vaxxers, said: 'We are urging places of worship and community hubs to be used as vaccination centres to inspire confidence in communities. 'As an Imam, my message is simple - do not trust 'fake news', verify before you amplify. 'Taking the vaccine is currently the only available solution to defeating coronavirus, to save thousands of precious lives and be with our loved ones again.' Mr Jenrick said he hoped to see more vaccination centres open up in cathedrals, synagogues and mosques. 'Faith leaders are helping build trust in the community and saving lives by encouraging take-up of the vaccine,' he said. 'The more that we are able to do that, the quicker we will be able to lift these restrictions.' A total of 5,526,071 Covid-19 vaccinations had taken place in England between December 8 and January 22, according to NHS England. Soaring temperatures across Sydney have sent crowds flocking to the coast, with the unofficial long weekends heatwave conditions expected to continue to intensify before reaching a peak on Australia Day. Western Sydney bore the brunt of the heat on Saturday afternoon, while a sea breeze kept conditions milder along the coastline. Crowds flocked to the coast on Saturday, including Ramsgate Beach, to make the most of burst of summer heat. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The highest temperature recorded was 38.1 degrees at Penrith at 3.30pm, while the Badgerys Creek weather station clocked 37.3 degrees and it reached 37.1 degrees at Richmond. The highest temperature at Sydneys Observatory Hill was a more pleasant 31.9 degrees at midday. The Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu has hit out at ongoing racism and intimidation after a group of far-right protestors showed up at her home and challenged her for wearing a face mask. A female member of the protestors was arrested and later fined for breaching public health laws. Ms Chu, who was born in Dublin to Chinese parents, has come under sustained and unrelenting abuse online from racist and far-right accounts since becoming lord mayor of Dublin. She was on the forecourt of the Mansion House when she was approached by five people holding placards and posters. One read "our lives matter" a play on the Black Lives Matter movement of which Ms Chu has been vocally supportive. "I didn't think my life was in danger but it was deeply uncomfortable," Ms Chu said. "They've been calling for my resignation since I spoke about the shooting of George Nkencho. A woman stopped me and stuck her hand out, touching my body, and said: ''pleased to meet you'. "I said I couldn't shake her hand because of Covid, and then I realised someone was filming me. "I kept thinking, 'just get back to the door', when two of her mates surrounded me on either side and started questioning why I was wearing a mask. "I edged towards the door and when I got there one shouted: 'Hazel Chu, you're going to turn into a shapeshifting dragon someday and we're going to catch it on camera'. It was bizarre. "The guards arrived and there were more people, around 30, and a lot of shouts and screaming." Gardai have confirmed they arrested one woman (40s) for breaching public health regulations and she was issued with a Fixed Payment Notice. Read More Dublin Starbucks ordered to compensate customer for 'slanty' eyes drawing on her cup Ms Chu's young daughter, Alex, was at a creche at the time of the incident. "I'm in a weird in-between place because everyone knows where I live," she said. "Not being able to leave my house for lunch is inconvenient, worrying about my child is more than inconvenient. Your job shouldn't make you worried about your family's safety. "It's not about my policies because no other Green Party rep is being protested. If it comes down to one thing you don't like a woman of colour in this office then we have a huge problem. We have a vocal minority in this country we have to tackle. "Is it going to be that we wait for something really bad to happen and we say, 'okay, we'll address it' and then it's too late? Look at Jo Cox, there has to be more done." The incident happened after far-right protestors hijacked an annual event to mark the role of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). The IRB event had been cleared with gardai but the event was circulated on far-right message boards, urging others, not involved with the IRB, to show up and protest against Ms Chu. With a war-mongering president gone, is the world safe from nuclear brinkmanship? By Thalif Deen View(s): View(s): UNITED NATIONS (IPS) A war-mongering president, with his finger on the nuclear trigger and who threatened to attack North Korea and Iran was unceremoniously drummed out of office on January 20. And two days later, the world rejoiced the historic entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) a landmark event greeted by peace activists and anti-nuclear campaigners worldwide. But still there are two lingering questions: Does the TPNW, along with the inglorious departure of an irrational Donald Trump from the White House, make chances of a nuclear war only a remote possibility? Or do the 14,000 nuclear weapons in the hands of nine nuclear-armed States the US, the UK, France, China, Russia, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel still pose an existential threat to humankind? Lets be clear, there are no safe hands for these unsafe weapons of mass annihilation, Dr Rebecca Johnson, former president of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), told IPS. Thats why so many governments decided to ban and eliminate nuclear weapons in 2017, along with all the activities that enable or assist anyone to possess, deploy and use them, she pointed out. Its not just about the competence of leaders and sizes of arsenals, though both are worrying. Until all nuclear weapons are eliminated, humanity will continue to face extinction level threats, Dr Johnson added. She said one nuclear detonation can escalate into nuclear war. Thats a terrible but feasible scenario that could be triggered by intention, miscalculation or accident. And lets remember that the resources squandered on nuclear weapons mean these governments are putting less money and attention into what we need to meet our real human security needs, from Covid to Climate destruction, she argued. As of now, neither the United States nor the eight other nuclear armed nations have joined the Treaty, which prohibits the development, testing, production, manufacture, acquisition, possession, deployment, along with the use or threatened use of nuclear weapons, as well as providing assistance for, or encouraging such acts. But just because they havent signed on to the Treaty doesnt mean it wont affect them, said Ralph Hutchison, coordinator of the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance. Every nation will feel the moral force of the Treaty. All nuclear weapons, including the 3,900 in the US stockpile, have been declared unlawful by the international community. Addressing the UN General Assembly in September 2017, Trump warned that the United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy (nuclear-armed) North Korea. And following a drone strike which killed an Iranian military general, a belligerent Trump vowed in early 2020 the U.S. would respond to any Iranian strikes on any Americans or American assets by striking 52 preselected sites in Iran, including some that have cultural importance to Iranians. Of the nine nuclear armed states, four are in Asia and embroiled in ongoing conflicts India vs. China and Pakistan vs. India while North Korea has continued its war of words with neighbouring non-nuclear South Korea. Meanwhile, nuclear-armed Israel is in an ongoing military confrontation not only with Iran but also with Palestinians for decades. Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute, told IPS the existential threat of the deployed ready arsenals of nuclear weapons in the thousands in the hands of fallible human beings in nine states remains. By accident, miscalculation, unforeseen, unpredictable circumstances, design by fools, or even actual madness the unspeakable could be unleashed. Trumps leaving the White House diminishes this hazard, but it does not end it, he noted. The TPNW is a clarion call to the states with these devices to fulfill their legal obligation to commence good faith negotiations to achieve their verifiable, enforceable, legal, universal elimination. There are real threats before us that weaponry cannot solve climate change, ending poverty and pandemics, said Granoff. He argued the more the weapons are perfected the less security is obtained. The TPNW is a codification of the reality that these devices of death are deployed in an illegal manner that cannot distinguish between civilians and combatants and certainly causes immeasurable unnecessary suffering in contravention of international humanitarian law. The states with the weapons, for the sake of humanity, should either join the treaty with protocols they have negotiated, work on adjusting the Model Nuclear Weapons Convention to their liking, or immediately begin another process to achieve the same end the security of a nuclear weapons-free world, he said. It is time for new paradigm Human Security!, declared Granoff, recipient of the Rutgers University School of Laws Arthur E. Armitage Distinguished Alumni Award and a 2014 nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. The TPNW reached its 50th ratification last October, fulfilling the conditions of its entry into force. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Treaty represents a meaningful commitment towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons, which remains the highest disarmament priority of the United Nations. The 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), with 183 States Parties, has abolished biological weapons, and the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), with 193 States Parties, has abolished chemical weapons, says Paul Walker (USA), Vice Chair of the Arms Control Association and Right Livelihood Laureate in 2013. It is now time to abolish the third class of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons. Dr Johnson told IPS there are thousands of weapons in nine nuclear arsenals, with many kept on high alert in accordance with nuclear deterrence policies that fly in the face of facts, evidence and human psychology. While it is to be hoped that the Biden-Harris administration will move quickly to extend New START and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty at last, the only way we can prevent nuclear war is by persuading all our governments to join the TPNW and contribute to its full implementation, she said. Ive been working on nuclear treaties for four decades so I know that wont happen overnight. But they should at least engage constructively, attend TPNW meetings as observers, and contribute to collective steps to establish effective compliance, monitoring and verification capacities. Thats what were calling on the British government to do this year, and we hope others will too, Dr Johnson declared. (@FahadShabbir) Austria has banned incoming flights from Brazil, South Africa and the United Kingdom until February 8 to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Foreign Ministry announced Saturday VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2021) Austria has banned incoming flights from Brazil, South Africa and the United Kingdom until February 8 to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Foreign Ministry announced Saturday. "To prevent the spread of a dangerous COVID-19 mutation in Austria, passenger flights from Brazil will be banned from 00:00 on January 25. The landing ban will stay in effect until after 24:00 on February 7," it tweeted. A similar ban on arrivals from the UK and South Africa was due to expire on January 24. The ministry said it would be prolonged "until after 24:00 on February 7." Concerns have been that more contagious strains emerging worldwide will drive infection numbers upward, overloading national heath systems. Early evidence suggests that the UK variant, in particular, could be more deadly than the common strains. Despite the hype and expectations for "a storm," Jan. 20 marked another relatively peaceful transition of power, from one presidential administration to the next. Yes, there were more law enforcement than spectators at this strange inauguration, reminiscent of a Soviet May Day parade, but it was anticlimactic, at least to the many expecting a long-awaited storm, unleashed by Trump supporters, supposedly on the deep state, during former (I hate to use that word) President Trumps final days in office. YouTube screen grab This past week, in any case, rumors swirled of something big and stormy happening. An unprecedented number of military and National Guard descended on Washington D.C. There were fences around the Capitol and adjacent buildings. The razor wire atop the fences was facing inwards, supposedly to keep those inside from escaping. This, a conspiracy theory went, was a giant trap for the deep state, President Bidens inauguration luring the deep state into the witchs oven, ready to be arrested by thousands of National Guard members recently deputized as U.S. Marshals, yet all secretly disloyal. In this soup of nuttiness we also heard that major Democrat players were already arrested, awaiting trial or execution. This would make for a great Robert Ludlum or Tom Clancy novel but was nothing more than fanciful delusion for Trump supporters disillusioned at the president's loss. The only storm on inauguration day was in the Oval Office as Biden signed 17 (a poke at Q followers?) executive orders or actions, promptly reversing much of what Trump accomplished during his presidency. We will be treated to a storm instead of 100 days of mask-wearing, a reentry into the corrupt World Health Organization, and a rejoining of the nonsensical Paris climate agreement. The Keystone XL pipeline and energy independence will be destroyed, going the way of Trump. Non-citizens will be counted in the U.S. Census, padding congressional seat counts for Democrats, and making election rigging unnecessary. Border wall construction will cease, and aspiring terrorists will once again be able to travel to the U.S. During the height of a global COVID pandemic, we are opening our borders to anyone and everyone. But dont worry, the masks will keep us safe and healthy. What happened to Trumps claim against his Spygate conspirators of: We caught them all and We have it all? Whatever anyone has will blow away in the flurry of wind, never to be seen again, from Joes workout of the week, signing his name 17 times. Federal prosecutors quietly closed the General Flynn leak investigation, finding no wrongdoing. This sounds familiar, just like the 2020 presidential election, where former Attorney General Bill Barr found nothing amiss. This was echoed by state and federal legislators as well as a slew of courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. The kraken remained as elusive as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, and JFK Jr, the latter rumored to magically appear as Trumps running mate before the November election. There were white hats and black hats, although in reality most wore one of the fifty shades of gray, some days looking like good guys, other days like bad guys. Who really knows? None have been indicted and none are heading to prison. Declassification of Spygate documents is a day late and a dollar short. Mark Meadows, when he was still in the House in 2019, not yet Trumps chief-of-staff, said the declassified documents will curl your hair. Sorry but my hair is still straight, as is the hair (or lack of) on the heads of conspirators John Brennan, James Clapper, James Comey, and others. In the waning days of his presidency, Trump finally declassified and released more than a foot-high stack of documents related to Spygate. So what? If a declassified document falls in the D.C. forest but no one hears it, did it make a sound? Those documents might have been more useful a couple of years ago, when Trumps DOJ could have (but probably would not have) done something about it. Does anyone think the media will devote a second to these documents now that they are busy gushing over historic Kamala Harris, soon to be President Harris once Joe resigns or meets the 25th Amendment? Not surprisingly, just after Biden was safely inaugurated, the DNC media now feels free to discuss Bidens cognitive decline. Biden will reclassify everything, from Spygate to Ukraine, including his son Hunters laptop, all under the guise of national security, burying everything as deep as Anthony Weiners laptop, never to be seen or spoken of again. Those daring to raise these issues will be banned from social media and ostracized from their jobs and life in general. Although the year is 2021, it is actually 1984. DNC media propagandists are resurrecting the Russian collusion narrative to distract from actual China collusion via Rep. Eric Swalwell, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and the Biden family. How soon until Bidens DOJ fires John Durham, special counsel to supposedly investigate Spygate, and replace him with an Eric Holder or a Loretta Lynch as a new special counsel to hound Trump and his family to the ends of the earth? Biden, or his puppet-masters, will go after Trump in a way that makes Inspector Javert, of Les Miserables, look like a piker in his pursuit of Jean Valjean. So much for the best is yet to come, the parting words from Trump and Pence. Many of us were waiting for those words to come true over the past four years. But the party is over, and the lights are out. Nothing is left but cleaning up the post-party mess. Trump knew what was done to him and his administration, beginning before he was even elected, then at the end of his term a stolen election, and a second impeachment based on a staged surge on the U.S. Capitol for which he was blamed. Conveniently after inauguration, the Washington Post acknowledged that Trump did not incite the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, that it was planned in advance. Trump knows what a threat he is to the deep state and the Pelosi-McCarthy-Schumer-McConnell uniparty. Trump had to realize much of what he accomplished in four years would be undone by the stroke of a pen on day one, which is exactly what happened. Electoral fraud has been institutionalized, making talk of Well get em next time pure folly. There will not be a next time, for Trump or any serious MAGA-type Republicans. The ruling class Republicans will remain in minority power, useful idiots for Democrats to use as they enact their far-left agenda and rewrite of the Constitution. Was Trump compromised or did he simply realize that the only storm was the one he was spitting into, fighting his battles alone, without assistance or support from his own party? He was the boss for four years, the executive branch of government under his command. I hate to say it, but he lost, at least for now and in the most important battle. Trump picked a fight against the global deep state. He had them on the ropes but didnt deliver the knockout punch. The deep state is like cancer, unless you eliminate it completely, it returns, sometimes with a vengeance. Does he have a plan? Who knows? It is not in Trumps nature to lose. He did the improbable by winning in 2016 and he will not want his blood, sweat, and tears shed for the America he loves and reveres to all be for naught. Thats the lifeline of hope for his 75 million-plus supporters. Perhaps a storm is coming, but we have been waiting for four years and thus far its only been a breeze. When a storm eventually arrives, it will not likely be what we have been hoping for, but perhaps instead a Hurricane Bernie or a Hurricane AOC. Buckle up and pray for Trump and America. Brian C. Joondeph, M.D., is a physician and freelance writer. He is on sabbatical from social media. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Representative image | Source: Pixabay The S&P BSE Sensex climbed mount 50k and the Nifty50 breached 14,750 in the week gone by but profit-taking towards the end pushed the indices in the red. The S&P BSE Sensex fell 0.3 percent and the Nifty50 0.4 percent but it were the small and midcap that took a hard knock. The BSE midcap index fell 0.7 percent and the smallcap index was down 1.3 percent for the week ended January 22. During the week, top market voices shared their wisdom on markets, areas of opportunities and sectors. Here are some of them: Pramod Gubbi, Co-Founder, Marcellus Investment Managers (to CNBC-TV18) The new regulatory framework for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) was much needed for the sector. An overarching view around governance was much required for this sector, given the events of the last two years, where we had situations around IL&FS and Dewan Housing Finance Corporation. These were not really small NBFCs, given how much they were borrowing from the wholesale market, they were systemically important. It was time that the rules around governance for some of the larger NBFCs were tightened. Vaibhav Sanghavi, coCEO, Avendus Capital Alternate Strategies (to CNBC-TV18) We want to continue investing in large private banks and avoid the other kind of weaker institutions. We wont be keen on NBFCs at this point in time. We would probably be a little more cautious there and would have our hedges in place, especially on those NBFCs. We always believed that consumer discretionaries would do well and also the pandemic has given that tailwind to vehicle sales. Pent-up demand has always been there. Apart from pent-up demand, the follow-up demand also has been pretty robust. Nischal Maheshwari, CEO, Institutional Equities and Advisory at Centrum Broking (to CNBC-TV18) Ecommerce is going to be one of the biggest wealth creators on the Indian bourses as and when they get listed. If you are invested in Info Edge, remain invested. The paint sector seems to be coming off on the back of strong demand coming back into the residential sector or real estate. I think this is just a start, I dont see this demand going away in a hurry. Asian Paints has been able to deliver a double-digit volume growth for a long and I continue to believe that they will be able to do it. It is best to remain invested in the paint stocks. Vallabh Bhanshali, Chairman, Enam Securities (to CNBC-TV18) A lesson to learn always or to remind ourselves is that it is never as bad as we think, it is never as good as we think. At the bottom of the markets around the pandemic and all the gloomy days, we could not foresee that how other changes were taking place, so it is a moment to be humbled and to be optimistic. We should look forward to 75,000 level for Sensex from here maybe a bit of up and down but that is where I see us going. Nilesh Shah, MD at Kotak Mahindra AMC (to CNBC-TV18) Today we are at 50,000 and I am sure we will eventually cross much higher numbers in the years to come. Part of this rally is driven by liquidity but when we look at September quarterly results, they were the highest ever quarterly profit in India Incs history. The market is looking at the future positively but December quarterly results will determine whether this is a liquidity-driven rally or backed by fundamentals. Madhu Kela, market veteran (to CNBC-TV18) Longer-term, medium-term India journey continues. We have had a very steep rise in the Niftyfrom 7,500 in March to 15,000 now. So it will suffice to say that there will be correction and people who were waiting for the market to rise are the people desperately waiting for a correction now. The market is not obliging at all. So, this is clearly climbing the wall of worry. Even if there is a correction, which will happen at some time, I dont see any crash in the market. So, there could be a correction of 10-15 percent but looking at the liquidity and the way corporate results are, they have beaten the most optimistic numbers which were there on the street. The above report is compiled from information available on public platforms. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. If you read the New York Post, you may be aware that Antifa/BLM rioters continue their assault on Portland. Andy Ngo, for example, brings the news in the New York Post column Biden wont stop them, and neither will cops, until Portland is burned down. Ngo reports: In Portland, Black Lives Matter-Antifa made good on their pre-announced J20 (January 20) riot. Around 150 Antifa dressed in black shut down traffic as they marched unimpeded to the headquarters of the Democratic Party of Oregon. They held a large banner showing a Kalashnikov and the text, WE DONT WANT BIDEN WE WANT REVENGE! They destroyed the offices by smashing its windows one by one using hammers and metal batons. They dragged dumpsters onto the street and started a fire. Their comrades shielded them from cameras with large black umbrellas. When Portland police responded, they confiscated knives, batons, a crowbar, pepper spray and homemade firebombs from Antifa. However, most of them quickly dispersed into the neighborhood in small groups. Police only made eight arrests. Four of them had been arrested at Antifa riots in 2020. Later that night, Antifa regrouped in southwest Portland, where they chanted, F Joe Biden while marching to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Dressed in riot gear, they brandished shields, batons and rocks. Federal officers used flash bangs and tear gas to disperse the rioters. Portland police arrested seven, three of whom were also charged over riots last year. Ngo adds that the proceedings extended to Seattle, where hundreds of Antifa shut down traffic downtown as they trashed roads and started street fires. They smashed up numerous businesses and the William Kenzo Nakamura Court House. The Post includes the mugshots below to illustrate Ngos column. To see how the proceedings are represented in outlets friendlier to the erection, as Senator Schumer called the Capitol riots, check out CNNs Heres why protesters say theyre gathering in Portland (emphasis on protesteres) and the New York Timess Theyre Breaking Glass and Criticizing Biden. From the Left (it has something to do with divisions stoked by Donald J. Trump during his presidency and, to the left, exacerbated by years of inaction over climate change, economic disparity and systemic racism while Antifa remains unmentioned). So far as I can tell from a search on its site, MSNBC has taken the more expedient approach of ignoring the whole damn thing. Vietnams first carmaker, VinFast, is launching three electric crossovers: VF31, VF32, VF33. All three offer a range of steering and self-driving assistance features and are equipped with safety and intelligence features. VinFast VF31, a C-segment SUV, features a 150 kW permanent magnet motor with maximum torque of 320 Nm (premium version) or an 85 kW motor with maximum torque of 190 Nm (standard version). Battery capacity is 42kWh, with a range of up to 300 km (186 miles). The VinFast VF32, a D-segment SUV, features two permanent magnet motors, with 300 kW and maximum torque of 640 Nm (premium version). The standard version uses one 150 kW electric motor with 320 Nm. The VF32 has 90kWh capacity battery and full-time 4-wheel drive. The VinFast VF33, an E-segment SUV, uses two 150 kW electric motors, with battery capacity of up to 106 kWh and range of up to 550 km (342 miles). The VF31 offers basic self-driving and steering assistance features such as lane departure warning, blind spot warning, vehicle cross-section warning when reversing, vehicle warning from behind when opening. door, reverse camera, 360 camera, front-back parking assist sensor and automatic headlights. The VF32 and VF33 feature self-driving capabilities at SAE Level 2-3, with 30 intelligent features divided into 7 groups including: driver assistance, lane control, speed control, scene collision warning and mitigation, parking assistance and driver monitoring. In particular, the full-option versions of VF33, VF32 and VF31 have high-performance sensor systems including lidars; 14 cameras are capable of detecting objects up to 687m away; 19 360 sensors allow warning and handling at high speeds (above 100km/h). The self-driving system, controlled by the NVIDIA Orin-X chip, can process up to 200 GB of data per second, allowing control and navigation up to eight times faster than current generations. In addition, the full-option versions of all 3 models are equipped with some level 4 autopilot features such as automatic 3-dimensional map setting; auto-detect parking slot and auto-parking; summoning vehicles; and the ability to connect with the transport system and smart cities. VinFast is investing in smart features (virtual cockpit) with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence technology (AI), deep learning, facial recognition, and multi-lingual virtual assistant. All 3 models meet the worlds highest safety standards such as NHTSA 5-Star, Euro NCAP 5-Star; with automatic detection, warning and notification systems to medical centers when users have accident. The batteries are arranged under the floor of the car, with heat resistance from 400 C to 800 C to ensure safety when driving. In addition, all vehicles have automatic updating software and detecting faults and contacting service stations. The order book on the VF31 is expected to open in Vietnam from May 2021, with deliveries from November 2021. VF32 and VF33 will receive orders from September 2021 in Vietnam, delivery from February 2022. In the US and Canadian, European market, VinFast will take orders from November 2021 with delivery from June 2022. In addition to the most modern factory complex in Southeast Asia in Vietnam, VinFast currently owns a network of R&D centers in Australia, Germany and the US; and a world-class vehicle testing center in Australia. In April 2019, VinFast and LG Chem announced the establishment of a battery manufacturing and packaging joint venture to produce batteries for VinFasts electric motorcycles and electric cars. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye and new UN envoy Tor Wennesland discussed reviving the stalled peace process. In a statement, Ishtaye said that he held a telephone conversation with Wennesland, the Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace Process, and expressed the Palestinian side's openness to any political process sponsored by the Quartet, reports Xinhua news agency. The Quartet comprises the US, the UN, Russia and the European Union. Ishtaye said that he discussed with Wennesland moving a political path based on legitimacy and law under the Quartet's auspices and with the participation of various powers in a multi- framework. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that he briefed Wennesland on the preparations for holding the general elections in the Palestinian territories starting from May 22. He called on the UN to exert every possible effort to facilitate holding the Palestinian elections and pressure to allow holding them in East Jerusalem. The Israeli-Palestinian peace process has stalled since 2014, after rounds of US-sponsored talks failed to produce a breakthrough. has cut off ties with the US government which under formrt President Donald Trump, who recognized the disputed holy city of Jerusalem as Israeli capital in 2017, and relocated the American embassy in to the city in May 2018. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on Jan. 21, 2021. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) Biden Still Against Ending Filibuster, Says Press Secretary President Joe Biden remains opposed to ending the filibuster rule, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki. When asked at a press briefing on Friday on whether Bidens position on the rule had changed, Psaki replied bluntly: He has spoken to this many times. His position has not changed. Last year Biden went on the record as being against nuking the filibuster. The filibuster is a procedure that can be used to delay or block legislative action and it has a long history. It first became popular in the 1850s when it was used to hold the Senate floor in order to prevent a vote on a bill. It quickly became a tool employed by minority factions to halt legislation that had majority support. Then, around the start of World War I, the cloture rule was added, making it possible to end a debate with a two-thirds majority vote. The modern filibuster rules essentially require a super-majority threshold, now at 60 votes, to cut off debate in the Senate and bring legislative bills or other measures to a vote. On Thursday, Psaki was asked to clarify what Bidens position was on the filibuster. At that briefing Psaki did not offer a direct response. The President has been clear: He wants to work with members of both parties and find bipartisan paths forward, Psaki said in response to the question. And I dont have any more conversations to read out for you at this point in time. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell had recently urged Democrats to keep the filibuster. Liberals and progressives are eager to to do away with the rule so Bidens legislative priorities can be approved with little to no GOP support. McConnell has told Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer that retaining the legislative filibuster is important and should be part of their negotiations for a power-sharing agreement in the narrowly divided Senate. Schumer, however, said on Friday that he wont accept McConnells request to protect the filibuster. Leader McConnell expressed his long-held view that the crucial, longstanding and bipartisan Senate rules concerning the legislative filibuster remain intact, specifically during the power share for the next two years, McConnell spokesman Doug Andres said. Its unclear the Democrats would even have support from their ranks to undo the legislative filibuster, which would require a vote in the Senate. The Associated Press contributed to this report The Covid-19 death toll now stands at 440, with the deaths of 15 more people yesterday. The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening. One of the new deaths occurred in Tobago. The Tobago Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development disclosed that the patient was a 38-year-old male with co-morbidities. Aircraft without pilots could be flying commuters to UK regional airports within a decade - possibly using hydrogen as fuel making them environmentally friendly. British aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman is working alongside technology company Bear Blue to first develop a semi-autonomous plane with just one pilot, followed by an aircraft with no humans on the flight deck. The government has pledged 1.8 million to the project, which could see the first aircraft carrying passengers by the mid 2020s. Aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman is working with several high-tech companies to produce an autonomous version of its Islander aircraft as part of a government-funded scheme Britten-Norman are working with British company Blue Bear who are experts in autonomous flight systems The Civil Aviation Authority, who regulate Britain's skies are currently working on guidelines for 'operations that present an equivalent risk to that of manned aviation'. Aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman will use their twin-engine Islander aircraft - which is renowned throughout the industry for its reliability and ability to operate from remote airstrips. The aircraft, which are all built of the Isle of Wight, first flew in 1965 and entered service two years later. They have been modified to carry passengers, cargo, drop parachutists, and even act as surveillance platforms used by the police and the military. According to The Times, several regional airports are being prepared to allow semi-autonomous and zero-emissions aircraft to operate within the next five years. During the scheme's first stage, the aircraft's pilot will be supported by an 'autonomous co-pilot'. The hydrogen fuel will power the aircraft's twin engines and will only emit water from the exhaust. The scheme is designed to dramatically reduce the cos of flying to remote regions of the UK, including the Scottish islands. Experts believe that if semi-autonomous aircraft are successful, fully automated aircraft could be in the skies carrying passengers within ten years. By eliminating the pilot and co-pilot, the cost of operating short commuter flights would drop dramatically. But research suggests that passengers may be reluctant to board an aircraft they know is being flown by a computer with no human input in the cockpit. Some 20 regional airports are being considered to join the scheme, which will require new legislation. The Britten-Norman Islander first entered service in 1967 and is renowned for its ability to operate from remote and inhospitable airstrips across the globe It is understood that fully autonomous aircraft would require additional satellite capacity to allow them to operate safely in busy airspace. According to CAA regulations, one of the primary rules of flight operations is the obligation on pilots to 'see and avoid' other aircraft as 'a person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property'. It is claimed the scheme will 'revolutionise the future of UK regional air travel'. The government has committed to fund the project for 18 months and expects industry players to also invest in the plans. As well as Blue Bear and Britten-Norman, Loganair - who operate flights to the Scottish islands - as well as firms dealing with green energy, satellite technology and architects are all participating. The first semi-autonomous zero emission aircraft are due to enter service in 2025. Researcher at Edinburgh Napier University will assess the flying public's willingness to use an aircraft flown by a computer. The British Airline Pilots Association said passengers have the 'confidence of knowing that the controlling pilot is on board with them facing the same risks'. Blue Bear and Britten-Norman will first demonstrate 'single pilot operations with an autonomous co-pilot providing assistance'. The military also use the Islander for surveillance and even parachute training According to Britten Norman: 'Critical to the UKs levelling up agenda will be improving transport links between the UKs regions and cities. 'Currently regional air transport is underdeveloped and often forced to rely on subsidy. 'This is because regional air transport can struggle to be economically sustainable due to high operating and maintenance costs. 'Regional air transport will have to incorporate zero carbon and autonomous technology to make operations affordable and scalable. 'Utilising these technologies could make air transport faster, greener and easier than road and rail journeys by the 2030s.' William Hynett, CEO of Britten-Norman, said: 'We have become used to the "car of the future" incorporating green and autonomous technology, the future of aviation will undergo a similar revolution.' CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. The question posed at the Cape May County commissioners meeting Jan. 12 over Zoom by a lone member of the public took Commissioner Gerald Thornton by surprise. Was the Jersey Shore county allowing a local chapter of the extremist group the Oath Keepers, a group whose members from Ohio and Virginia have been tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, to meet at its historic Court House on Route 9? Can you say for certain the acts of terrorism that took place in Capitol Hill were not partially planned in our own County Court House by the Oath Keepers? read the question posed via email by Benjamin Saracco, a Cape May native who now lives in Camden. The insurrection has made it tougher to dismiss these sorts of questions, even in the heart of Cape May County a swath of conservative New Jersey both small town and Shore, with Second Amendment enthusiasts and second-home owners, and now home to one of the first people arrested on Jan. 6: Leonard Guthrie Jr., 48, a self-described chaplain with a group known as the Light Foot Militia. Officials found themselves backtracking. The only response I can give right now is we have many, many groups we allow to use the county facilities when they want to hold a public meeting, said Thornton, head of what used to be called the Board of Chosen Freeholders, a term the state tossed aside this year as being racist in origin. I am not familiar with this group and quite frankly have never heard of them until I got an email from this individual, Thornton said. He said the county would look into it. First attempt at recruiting A week later, Thornton was more familiar with the Oath Keepers, as the FBI charged the three members from Ohio and Virginia with conspiring to storm the Capitol. Thornton said Thursday the Cape May chapters last meeting at the Court House was in December 2018. In 2016, the New Jersey Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness classified the Oath Keepers and Three Percenters as extremist militia groups, actively recruiting in New Jersey since 2012. The group, which rejects the extremist, antigovernment label, claims tens of thousands of members nationwide, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The New Jersey Oath Keepers website lists coordinators in six counties, including Burlington and Cape May. A recurring monthly meeting listed for Jan. 21 at the Court House on the New Jersey chapters website had not actually been scheduled, Thornton said. The union representing county employees, he said, had reserved the space. At the commissioners meeting, Thornton promised: Well look into it and check this group and see what their philosophy is. I dont know who attended these things, I know I never did, he added. But one person who did attend a meeting was also at the Jan. 12 commissioners meeting: Michael John Donohue, a former Superior Court judge and acting county administrator now advising the county on reopening. Donohue is head of Cape GOP. A 2014 Cape May County Herald story reported that Donohue and Michael Clark, a Middle Township Democratic committeeman, attended the first meeting of the Oath Keepers chapter. This was the first attempt at recruiting in Cape May County, the Herald reporter wrote. About two dozen, mostly men, sat for two hours, listened and discussed the most pressing issues facing the country. Donohue rejects any insinuation that he, or the county, is somehow extremist-group adjacent, or tolerant. In an interview, Donohue said he barely remembered the meeting, was not an Oath Keeper, and had been asked to speak about the Constitution. He bristled at the idea that attending one meeting was now being brought up in connection with Jan. 6, which he condemned as a black day in our history and disgusting. I think its legitimate to say, hey this guy was at a meeting, he said. It was seven years ago. It was me and a Democratic colleague. It was a productive discussion about the Constitution. Its an extraordinarily tenuous connection, not a connection at all. Still, Donohue says hes reflected on language hes used, how heated rhetoric on the left and right builds to this unfortunate moment in our history. The morning of Jan. 6, he posted on the Cape GOP Facebook page #RESISTANCE with a link to the Beatles Revolution. Asked about the post, Donohue noted the hashtag was a reference to Left slogans, and Revolutions lyrics, But when you talk about destruction, dont you know that you can count me out. The post was since deleted. Im trying to after this horrible day assess the language that we use and how we move forward, Donohue said. On the morning of the 6th, my thing was, we should be able to protest, and voice our opinions. Those people following the Constitution should be able to object. Alexander Bland, former head of the Cape May NAACP, said the reaction from the commissioners left him cold. They do these soft disapprovals, he said. If it was Black Lives Matter, and if they formed a chapter in Cape May County, they would finesse a way to say, hell no you cannot have a meeting at our county building. They act so oblivious. Thornton said the county would continue examining its policy for vetting groups using the Court House, a white clapboard building dating to 1850. Its mostly a legal issue, he said. Top notch medical training, bushcraft, firearms, hand to hand, comms... As for Guthrie, the arrested preacher, he was listed as participating on a social media/You Tube commentator team for a state Oath Keepers tour in 2018, On Fire, aimed at fellow Black American citizens who have been kept in bondage by progressive politics. Guthrie was representing the Lightfoot Militia, which he describes elsewhere as middle extreme, dedicated to the Constitution. In an Oct. 2018 post on mymilitia, he reported: Weve grown in a very secure and healthy way with some of the most amazing Patriots! At present we have a private range/training and meeting place that weve had some excellent meets at. Top notch medical training, bushcraft, firearms, hand to hand, comms.... Also listed for the tours social media was attorney Seth Grossman, head of Liberty and Prosperity, a former Republican congressional candidate who lost to then-Democrat Jeff Van Drew, whose district includes Cape May County. Van Drew voted against accepting Pennsylvania and Arizonas electoral results. Grossman said the mission of groups like Oath Keepers has been distorted. Members are current and former first responders or military dedicated to the Constitution, not plotting insurrections, he said. The feeling of the Oath Keepers is a very positive one, Grossman said. They were reminding officers and people who serve on jury duty to understand the fundamental rights of Americans, and if they were ordered to violate those rights, their duty to the Constitution came first. In 17 years of Liberty and Prosperity breakfasts, he said, almost every Conservative, right-leaning activist, has shown up, and only one or two were dangerous, fit the right wing extremist or bigot definition. They were not welcome, he said. Guthries father, Leonard Guthrie Sr., a local taxidermist and former county health inspector (whose union meets at the Court House), said his sons mission in D.C. was simply to pray. Guthrie Jr. has acknowledged crossing a police line behind the Capitol, before anyone had entered. He spent hours in lockup, then drove home. Ten miles from home, he hit a deer and totaled his car. He has condemned the violence. On Twitter, Guthrie calls himself threeperLen: Living a life that requires the Whole Armor of God. CO of NewJerseyLightFootMilitia. His first tweet linked to a video of Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers. While officials, from the commissioners to Rep. Van Drew, say they did not know the younger Guthrie, his father is a familiar figure in county government (and taxidermy) circles. Guthrie Sr. said he too would have gone to D.C., but its his busy season. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is ready to take on any challenges from Leh to Kanyakumari, said IAF Rafale fighter jet pilot and Squadron Leader Sarthak Kumar. Calling the IAF and the French Air & Space Force's bilateral exercise-- Desert Knight-21 'a great learning experience', Sarthak while speaking to news agency ANI stated that the Rafale fleet was now ready to undertake 'any operation' not just within India but across the world. "IAF is ready to undertake any challenge from Leh to Kanyakumari. The Rafale fleet is ready to undertake any operation. Rafale is not only able to operate in different parts of the county but across the world. It is able to complete all the tasks that any fourth-generation or fifth-generation fighter can do. The Rafales we (IAF) have are the fastest and most advanced as of now," said the Rafale pilot. Moreover, the IAF Pilot also opined that Desert Knight-21 was very necessary for the integration of Rafale in the operations of the IAF, adding that the drills covered basics from learning cooperation to understanding operations in different terrains. "The basics of all these exercises were all about cooperation, learning from each other's experiences while operating in different terrains, spectrum and thereafter applying it to enhance our operational capability. So this has been a really successful exercise," he said. "We have flown with their (France) pilots in Rafale cockpits. We learned from them what they do in different situations and similarly, they have also learned from us. Both of us learned great lessons," he added. Read: Rafale Jets Set To Feature In Republic Day Parade, Will Culminate The Flypast Read: Indian, French Air Forces To Conduct 5-day Joint Military Drill Around Jodhpur From Wednesday India & France's 'Exercise Desert Knight-21 On January 21, India and France commenced the first edition of the joint 'Exercise Desert Knight-21' involving their respective Rafale fighter jets. Under the exercise, four French Rafale fighters landed in Jodhpur after flying directly from the Djibouti airbase using their A-330 multirole tanker transport aircraft. Manned by approximately 175 personnel French aviators, four Rafale combat jets, two Atlas A400M military transport aircraft, and a Phenix A330 multirole tanker transport aircraft are taking part in joint drills. For the exercise, the IAF has deployed newly-inducted Rafales, as well as Mirage 2000s, Su-30 MKI, IL-78 Flight Refuelling Aircraft, AWACS and AEW&C aircraft. It is important to note that the Rafale procured by the Indian Air Force is fitted with 14 hardpoints and 13 India-specific enhancements. Read: French Air Force's Rafales Join IAF Counterparts For Desert Knight-21; 'powerful Symbol' Read: China Downgrades Its '5th Generation' Chengdu J-20 Fighter Jet; Hyperventilates At Rafale (With Agency Inputs) Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Praying for President Joe Biden is not an option to be considered by Christians; it is a biblical instruction that should be obeyed. I sincerely want to bring to the cognizance of genuine believers in Christ that the biblical mandate for us to pray for our leaders and those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2) is not an appeal, it is a command which must be obeyed so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives marked by godliness and dignity. It is an instruction that every disciple of Christ is expected to obey. Offering prayers for the president of America is not optional for anyone who is mature in Christ and who has the spirit of discernment in him. If we do not build a hedge around him and his team with prayers, the serpent will bite and the consequences of venomous poison will not be palatable for Americans in particular and the world in general. His position is too delicate to be allowed unprotected. Warfare and intercessory prayers on his behalf are capable of bringing him out of the bondage of the evil one. Whether we like it or not, Joe Biden is the president of the United States. Rejecting his presidency will do us no good. Experience has thought me that little acts of kindness, love and prayers can influence an enemy to become a friend. In the last three years, a group of boys came to attack us in our mission field but I was inspired to pray for them and show them little act of kindness and love. They reciprocated and confessed to us that they came to kill us but because of our kind gestures, they have decided to spare us and they would like to become Christians. Many Christians are bitter and have vowed not to pray for Joe Biden. Some call him a thief, some say that he is the anti-christ, while others call him children killer. One thing that we have refused to acknowledge is that you cannot be "a Paul" unless you were a "Saul". Joe Biden is not as bad as Apostle Paul yet God used Paul the way he never used those who were Apostles of the Lamb. The heart of kings and queens are in the hand of God. l am convinced that God will turn the heart of Joe Biden to do His will and nothing but His will. Even in my country of Nigeria, many people are afraid that the government of Joe Biden will aide and abate the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to persecute Christians. People are of the opinion that the international religious freedom that America championed under President Donald Trump will turn into international religious bondage under President Joe Biden. Why can't we lift all these fears unto God and decree for excellent spirit to envelope Joe Biden so that all decision of his administration will be guided by the Spirit of God. All these suspicious projections are major reasons why intensive intercession should be made for Joe Biden by all Christians all over the world. We are afraid because of hatred, animosity and massive distrust across the divides. My prayer is that God should not allow what we fear to befall us. If we embrace Joe Biden, all these fears must go away because perfect love cast away fears. We cannot pray for him if we hate him. Let the wound be healed through forgiveness and let there be one love that will keep America together. When the scripture enjoins us to pray for those in authority, there was no conditional clause attached to the instruction. We are not to pray for Joe Biden because he is a good man. The only reason why we must pray for him is that he is the president of United States of America. We constituted a prayer team for Donald Trump since 2016 in Nigeria and we pray for America, Donald Trump and his administration every Wednesday. We always ask God to protect and use him as the president of the most powerful nation on earth to protect Christians and enforce religious freedom of people of faith round the globe. We will continue to pray for Trump to live peaceably as he returns to his private life but our prayers from now on will intensively go for Joe Biden because he is now the president of America. MOSCOW Protests erupted in over 60 Russian cities on Saturday to demand the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin's most prominent foe. Russian police arrested more than 850 protesters, some of whom took to the streets in temperatures as frigid as minus-58 Fahrenheit. In Moscow, about 5,000 demonstrators filled Pushkin Square in the city center, where clashes with police broke out and demonstrators were roughly dragged off by helmeted riot officers to police buses and detention trucks. Navalnys wife Yulia was among those arrested. The protests stretched across Russias vast territory, from the island city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk north of Japan and the eastern Siberian city of Yakutsk to the Russias more populous European cities. The range demonstrated how Navalny and his anti-corruption campaign have built an extensive network of support despite official government repression and being routinely ignored by state media. The OVD-Info group that monitors political arrests said at least 191 people were detained in Moscow on Saturday and more than 100 at another large demonstration in St. Petersburg. Overall, it said 863 people had been arrested by late afternoon in Moscow. Navalny was arrested on Jan. 17 when he returned to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a severe nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin and which Russian authorities deny. Authorities say his stay in Germany violated terms of a suspended sentence in a 2014 criminal conviction, while Navalny says the conviction was for made-up charges. The 44-year-old activist is well known nationally for his reports on the corruption that has flourished under President Vladimir Putin's government. His wide support puts the Kremlin in a strategic bind risking more protests and criticism from the West if it keeps him in custody but apparently unwilling to back down by letting him go free. Navalny faces a court hearing in early February to determine whether his sentence in the criminal case for fraud and money-laundering which Navalny says was politically motivated is converted to 3 1/2 years behind bars. Story continues Moscow police on Thursday arrested three top Navalny associates, two of whom were later jailed for periods of nine and 10 days. Navalny fell into a coma while aboard a domestic flight from Siberia to Moscow on Aug. 20. He was transferred from a hospital in Siberia to a Berlin hospital two days later. Labs in Germany, France and Sweden, and tests by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, established that he was exposed to a Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent. Russian authorities insisted that the doctors who treated Navalny in Siberia before he was airlifted to Germany found no traces of poison and have challenged German officials to provide proof of his poisoning. Russia refused to open a full-fledged criminal inquiry, citing a lack of evidence that Navalny was poisoned. Last month, Navalny released the recording of a phone call he said he made to a man he described as an alleged member of a group of officers of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, who purportedly poisoned him in August and then tried to cover it up. The FSB dismissed the recording as fake. Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlins side for a decade, unusually durable in an opposition movement often demoralized by repressions. He has been jailed repeatedly in connection with protests and twice was convicted of financial misdeeds in cases that he said were politically motivated. He suffered significant eye damage when an assailant threw disinfectant into his face. He was taken from jail to a hospital in 2019 with an illness that authorities said was an allergic reaction but which many suspected was a poisoning. Cyclone Yaas: Amit Shah to hold review meeting with Chief Ministers of states to be affected Shah pays tributes to Netaji Bose India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 23: Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary on Saturday and said the youngsters of the country were united under his charismatic leadership, which gave new strength to India's freedom struggle. "The courage and valour of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave new strength to the Indian freedom struggle. He organised the youngsters of the country with his charismatic leadership under adverse circumstances. On the 125th birth anniversary of such a great hero of the freedom movement, I pay my heartfelt tributes," Shah tweeted in Hindi. PM Modi pays tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News The government has decided to observe January 23 as "Parakram Diwas" to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bose. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday refused to speak during the 125th birth anniversary celebration of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose after a section of audience raised Jai Shri Ram slogans at Victoria Memorial Hall, saying she felt "insulted". Banerjee refused to speak at the event after slogans raised were against her in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Kolkata on Saturday evening to take part in the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Netaji. I am honoured to be invited here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre. But this is not the way to welcome your guest and that too in a government event. This is not a political event and you must maintain the sanctity of Netajis birth anniversary event, said a visibly angry Mamata. I am not going to deliver my speech except Jai Hind and Jai Bangla. The audience once again raised the Jai Sri Ram slogan when Modi unveiled coins dedicated to Bose. Banerjee earlier in the day demanded the country should have four national capitals instead of just one in Delhi. Modi's aircraft landed at the NSC Bose International Airport around 3 pm, from where he took a helicopter for the city. State minister Purnendu Basu received him at the airport. He was later greeted by Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and state minister Firhad Hakim at the RCTC Ground in the heart of the city. Modi earlier also visited Netaji Bhavan, Bose's residence. Wilson Among 50 Notable KY Women in Public Affairs By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - A Paducah woman has been featured in a statewide article about women in public affairs.City Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson is one of 50 women mentioned in the December 2020 edition of The Kentucky Gazette's 2020 Notable Women in Kentucky Politics and Government. This is the second annual special publication, and features 50 powerful Kentucky women who "transform the world of public affairs."Wilson said, "I am very honored to have been included in this prestigious list of women from across the state. I enjoy serving our community and am proud to do so every day."Mayor George Bray expressed his gratitude for Wilson's commitment to the city. saying, "The City of Paducah and the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce are both fortunate to have Sandra Wilson leading and advocating for our community. As a five-time City Commissioner and long-time leader of our Chamber, Sandra has impacted our community in a variety of ways. I am proud to work alongside her to help move our community forward."The Kentucky Gazette Editor and Publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock said the publication contains short biographies of some of the commonwealth's most dedicated, talented, and power people. These women hold advanced degrees and vast ranges of experiences, and they share their decades of experience to make Kentucky a better place."Wilson serves as the President of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that, she worked 26 years at Westvaco with 22 of those years as Public Affairs Manager. On a statewide level, she served as Chairman of the Kentucky Manufacturers Association and currently serves on the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board and as Chairman of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executive Association. She is a graduate of Murray State University.Wilson has served as chairman of the Board for Paducah Economic Development, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Paducah-McCracken County Industrial Development Authority. She has served on the board of the Carson Center since before it was built and currently serves on the Executive Committee. She is a member of the Paducah Rotary Club where she received the Paul Harris Award.Wilson is a graduate of Murray State University. Local public radio shares an interesting and horrible idea: COVID-19 vaccination pay for play. I've heard the bidding starts at around $1500. Taking the shot 3 or 4 times might actually help out a few families. Here's the "journalism" funded by the government & donations because it would be laughed out of anywhere else . . . The Congress was responsible for India being "dependent", while Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the country self-reliant, BJP president J P Nadda said here on Friday. Addressing a "prabuddhjan sammelan" (meeting of the intellectuals) organised by the BJP's Lucknow unit at the Indira Gandhi Pratisthaan, Nadda cited a survey by a news channel, which showed Modi as the most popular prime minister and Yogi Adityanath as the most popular chief minister. Nadda also took a jibe at former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, whose name figured at the bottom of the list. "The Congress always ridiculed schemes of Modi but these schemes had impact on lives of the ordinary citizens," he said. Nadda said the Congress made a "nirbhar Bharat" (dependent India), while Modi made an "aatmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India). "Congress has raised questions on Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan also. They had forced the country to stay dependent. Do they know what self-reliance is?" he asked. Referring to the "poor" law and order in the state during the earlier regimes, Nadda said: "By the efforts of the Adityanath government, not only the goons, even the leaders have understood what is law and order." Earlier, addressing party workers during a 'booth president conference', Nadda said his party had a leader and the intention to take it forward, unlike other political outfits, which he accused of being dynastic. He claimed that dynastic politics could be found in all political parties, except the Bharatiya Janata Party, in which an ordinary person could become a prime minister, defence minister or the home minister. The BJP president had arrived in Lucknow on Thursday to hold discussions with party office-bearers in Uttar Pradesh, where the assembly polls will be held next year. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attended the event. "We have leader, intention, policy, workers and programme. We have no reason to stop," Nadda told party workers. "In the country, there are around 1,500 political parties. Of these, some are of national level, while some are of regional level. But, I always say that a person should consider himself/herself the most fortunate from the political point of view if he/she gets an opportunity to work as a worker of the BJP," he said Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nadda said even the US could not decide between the options of economy and health. As a result, he added, it was a political and an electoral issue, and there was an electoral loss. Nadda said the US, Spain and Italy, which have better healthcare system, collapsed because the leadership did not take the decision at the appropriate time. "Here, Modiji took the decision at the right time, imposed a lockdown with timely intervention and bold decision and saved the country," Nadda said. He added that at the time of the imposition of the lockdown, the testing capacity was 150 samples per day and it is 10 lakh per day today and over 1.5 lakh per day in the state. "At the onset of the lockdown, PPE kits were imported and today over five lakh PPE kits are being made per day," he said. "India has the best recovery rate and lowest mortality rate. Today, our recovery rate is above 97 per cent and it is increasing every day." "UP's population is 24 crore and the population of the US is 33 crore. There, the number of people who have died is four lakh. Every life is important. Here, it is 8,000. We have to understand this difference," the BJP chief said. Nadda said the image of India had changed due to the 'swachhta abhiyan' and the toilets constructed in various households were not merely toilets, they are "izzat ghar" (homes of honour) for women". "The Ujjawla Yojana was not merely a scheme, it empowered the women," he said, adding that Uttar Pradesh bothered about every migrant labourer who passed through the state during the nationwide lockdown. Nadda also mentioned the benefits of various schemes of the Centre and achievement of the BJP-led government, including anti-triple talaq law. He urged the party workers to link every farmer with the farmer producer organisation and told them to implement social harmony in letter and spirit. Nadda also interacted with party workers on Friday. Later in the day, Nadda viewed a statue of Lord Ram at the headquarters of the state unit of the BJP. Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, BJP's UP incharge Radha Mohan Singh, BJP state president Swatantra Dev Singh and state BJP general secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal were present. Adityanath said the BJP had set new standards for political parties. Dynastic politics, casteism, regionalism and linguistic divisions weaken democracy and challenge the unity and integrity of the country, Adityanath said. Also read: Congress Working Committee decides to delay party internal elections again by four months Also read: PM-KISAN sees higher spend, but all welfare schemes aren't as lucky Seniors who live in Newark Housing Authority properties can avoid the long lines many New Jerseyans have experienced to get the coronavirus vaccine. The Newark Housing Authority is working with the citys health department to bring the Moderna vaccine directly to seniors in their apartments. Vaccinations at Newark Housing Authoritys senior buildings are set to begin on Monday. The issue of transportation came up in conversation, Newark Housing Authority Director Victor Cirilo told NJ Advance Media on Friday. That became a barrier for a lot of elderly, especially fragile individuals. So far, Cirilo said, 90 seniors have registered for the service. More than 2,500 Newark Housing Authority residents are 65 or older, the director added. The housing authority began calling those who were eligible to see if they wanted to register and fliers were put around the agencys properties with phone numbers residents could call to schedule a delivery. The phone numbers are (973) 273-6597 and (973) 273-6598. Seniors at Newark Housing Authority properties can also register online at http://newarkha.org/covidvaccine. The website automatically directs residents to the City of Newarks online registration portal. The vaccine delivery is not available to those who use a Section 8 voucher to help pay rent in a private dwelling not operated by the citys housing authority, Cirilo explained. But the city is expanding its outreach soon and Essex County has set up two vaccination sites in Newark already. The city additionally plans to begin setting up rotating pop-up vaccination sites in February across all five of Newarks wards, and residents may begin to sign up now. The tentative schedule, locations, and operation times will be announced closer to the start date. Rotating vaccination sites will make it easier for anyone who wants a vaccine to get one, similar to how the city has pop-up COVID-19 testing sites throughout Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement. The vaccine is being extended to those 65 and older and those who have the underlying health conditions laid out by the state, Cirilo said. The city housing authority director said 95% of the agencys senior building population fits one of those criteria. The Department of Public Safety will escort the vaccines directly to seniors. Availability is dependent on how many are given by the state, Cirilo added. The city housing authority also hosted an informational session with Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness Director Mark Wade on Friday ahead of the vaccination rollout. It may be viewed below: Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. When city officials cleared a sprawling homeless encampment at Southeast Portlands Laurelhurst Park in November, they offered the 100 people living there a safe place indoors to sleep. Most declined shelter at Mt. Scott Community Center, opting instead to remain in the streets. Scott M., 50, was one of about two dozen to give the shelter a try. He ditched the refurbished bicycle parts and assorted camping gear he sometimes sold to earn a few extra dollars, as well as his large tent. I gave up everything to go there, said Scott, who provided only the first initial of his last name. Scott lasted about two weeks at the shelter, he said, during which time he was twice expelled for multiple infractions such as having a broken piece of drug paraphernalia under his bed and not adequately cleaning up a common space. He left and joined a growing group living outside Sunnyside Environmental School, many of them former residents of the Laurelhurst encampment seven blocks away. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler opposes such camps and has intensified the citys efforts to break them up following a sudden pivot he made four months ago. In September, as polls suggested his reelection bid was on shaky ground, Wheeler announced a re-write of his homelessness priorities and threatened to pull money from the years-long joint effort with Multnomah County to get homeless or near-homeless residents into permanent affordable housing, sometimes with wrap-around mental health care or other social services. His new mandate: Create far more beds in temporary shelters and fast to get people camping outdoors under roofs and behind walls. Members of the public want a humane solution to the folks camped outside on our streets. And I agree with them, he said. But for Scott, his stay at Mt. Scott, one of the citys newly opened indoor sleeping options, didnt feel humane. He is better off in the Sunnyside homeless camp, he said. Sure, Scott would love an apartment of his own. But during his 10 years on the street, he said, no one has shown him a pathway to that. Camping, he said, is his best option. And hes not alone. City outreach workers told the four dozen or so campers hunkered down at Sunnyside this week to pack up and leave and offered them spots in a shelter. Most say theyre heading back to Laurelhurst instead. Ive been like a rat on a wheel this whole time, Scott said. WE NEED A FEMA-LIKE RESPONSE That reality complicates Wheelers drive to dramatically reduce street homelessness. He has touted the shelter-and-sweep at Laurelhurst as a model he aims to replicate across the city. But many experiencing homelessness and their advocates believe the mayor is just trying to sweep them out of view with a shallow solution. And the numbers show its not working. Only 26, or about a quarter, of the Laurelhurst campers set foot in a shelter after they were cleared from the park, figures from the Joint Office of Homeless Services show. Just one-fifth of those at Sunnyside expressed interest in going to one, according to city officials. Wheeler acknowledged in a recent interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive that his and the countys focus for years has been about the long-term strategies of getting people into housing. But he said the conspicuous prevalence of those braving the elements nightly, and the livability issues they engender, prompted his change in tactic. We need a FEMA-like response to the emergency on the streets right now, he said. We need to get as many people off the sidewalks as quickly and as humanely as possible. That forceful, urgent demand is not brand new for the mayor. Wheeler launched his first City Hall run in 2015 with a pledge to provide a safe place to sleep for every person living on Portlands streets by his second year in office, calling the task a moral imperative. But as mayor, he walked back that promise, acknowledging the homelessness crisis had more complex causes than simply a lack of indoor cots to sleep on ones that needed more expensive, harder-to-build solutions including subsidized housing, vastly expanded mental health and addiction services and ongoing case management for those toughest to house. Meanwhile, Portlands homeless population grew under his watch. According to the most recent one-night tally from February 2019, 2,037 people slept outside in Multnomah County more than a 20% increase from two years prior. An additional 1,459 were sleeping in emergency shelters. During his tough reelection battle last fall, as business leaders and some neighborhood groups who supported his campaign grew increasingly vocal about the sight of more people inhabiting sidewalks, parks and public right of ways, Wheeler renewed his focus on sweeping campers off the street. Thats where we need to put our resources, thats where the problem is, and overwhelmingly, this is what were hearing from the public that they want us to address, Wheeler told The Oregonian/OregonLive at the time. The Joint Office of Homeless Services proceeded to open several new shelter spaces by the end of the year, including in the Mt. Scott and Charles Jordan community centers as well as the former Greyhound bus station downtown. Other spaces designed to temporarily house the homeless, such as a tiny-home village in St. Johns and a former Rite Aid pharmacy in the Arbor Lodge neighborhood, will open later this year. STREET ENCAMPMENTS REMAIN City and county officials are currently operating 1,330 24-hour, year-round emergency shelter beds for adults, families, youths and domestic violence survivors, with an additional 275 beds for the winter, said Denis Theriault, a spokesman for the homeless services office. The sites include a mix of traditional congregant shelters, outdoor villages and city-run campsites outfitted with weatherized pods that contain beds, heat and electricity. Street encampments, however, remain an enduring fiber in the fabric of the city. They dot downtown blocks, crop up beneath bridges and run along parks and transit thoroughfares. Portland residents in the last week reported 240 active campsites citywide, according to figures provided by the citys Homelessness and Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program. A recent count by city staff found 44 encampments with eight or more tents and other makeshift dwellings making them eligible for removal under city rules and 25 had eight or more vehicles with people living inside them, said Heather Hafer, a spokeswoman for the program. Among those large encampments was the one at Sunnyside, which swelled to about 50 people. Amid reports of open drug use, nearby housed peoples complaints and what the city judged to be inadequate hygiene and social distancing, the city began clearing it out this week. Hafer said outreach workers had referred eight campers to shelters or the Hooper Detoxification Stabilization Center. City and county officials could not say how many ultimately showed up at one. A FAILED POLICY Scott Rupp, 58, who had relocated to Sunnyside after being displaced from Laurelhurst, said he declined multiple offers to stay in a shelter because he was told that staff could not guarantee theyd be able assist him with his mental health disorders or help him find permanent housing. Rupp, a Portland native, said hes been homeless since 1994 and that his wife of more than three decades died while they were living on the streets together in 2019. But he added that the lack of privacy, the sometimes stringent rules and the limits on personal possessions at most shelters always made them a poor fit for him. You have to live out of a plastic bag, he said. Thats not the way I want to live. Instead, Rupp said, he planned to join some of the other people who had already returned to Laurelhurst Park. To me, this feels like a slow-motion movie of a failed policy, said John Mayer, the director of Beacon PDX, a homeless service organization thats worked closely with those camped at Sunnyside and Laurelhurst. We were doing this exact same thing six weeks ago. Scott Rupp, 58, relocated to a homeless encampment outside Sunnyside Environmental School in Southeast Portland after being displaced from nearby Laurelhurst Park. To live with the idea that your one modicum of stability is always under threat is such a drain on the psyche, Mayer said. Without stability, were never going to see progress on an individual level. Portland business officials arent uniformly fans of the way Wheelers change in tactics is playing out. Pamela Pelett, the owner of City Liquidators in Portlands Central Eastside, said she knows most of the people living in tents outside her Southeast Third Avenue furniture store by name and offers them food and other help when she can. But the unsanitary conditions of the camps, coupled with fights and other troubling behavior, has strained business and left some of her employees concerned for their personal safety, she said. Theres a real health issue going on, Pelett said. Id like to see the city find a reasonable solution that actually works, but Im not hopeful. There are folks who dont want to be anywhere but on the street. IM GOING TO DIE OUT HERE Meanwhile, the city of Portland plans to continue pushing for more alternatives. The mayor and commissioners will decide this spring whether to make permanent changes to municipal codes and regulations to allow large indoor and outdoor shelters in all parts of the city. City and county officials also plan to seek formal proposals soon from community organizations and the public for several alternative shelter and safe parking pilot programs, Theriault said. But even with eased zoning restrictions and a willingness to rethink shelter spaces, finding places suitable to house people remains difficult and time-consuming, he said. They can also come with a steep price tag. Portlands three emergency outdoor shelters, which provide just 100 beds, currently cost about $175,000 a month for staffing, utilities and food for residents, city and county officials said. The city spent about another $1 million to build 19 tiny homes and a large communal space at the site of soon-to-open St. Johns Village. We need to have an honest conversation with our community about what role shelters should play and whether shelters are appropriate solutions for everyone currently unhoused, said Andy Miller, the executive director for Human Solutions, a non-profit that develops affordable housing and provides emergency shelter and assistance to homeless families. It is an expensive intervention and not a good fit for everyone especially shelters with a lot of rules and little privacy. Part of the challenge, Miller said, has arisen from larger systemic failures and federal disinvestment that increased how long people have to stay in shelters. The affordable housing crunch and lack of money available for rent assistance have made transitioning to permanent housing a more elusive option. I think theres a mistaken narrative that if we build enough shelter beds, we can get everyone off the sidewalk and no one will have to experience the negative impacts of urban camping but that is just not accurate, he said. Further, doing so would lock up resources that are desperately needed to move people already in shelter out of shelter into permanent housing. Are you going to spend the next million to add shelter beds? Or spend it to get people in existing shelter beds into a real home? Advocates, as well as city and county officials, do see an historic opportunity to get more people off the streets and into permanent housing in the next few years. In May, Portland-area residents approved a new tax to fund homeless services that is expected to raise $250 million a year for Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties. Much of the funding, which will start to become available this summer, must be dedicated to support those who are deemed chronically homeless. Rupp said he hopes that the help he needs to become housed comes soon. Otherwise, Im going to die out here in the streets, just like my wife, he said. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632 Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Labours Lisa Nandy is at the centre of a new row over wokery after praising a report which suggested replacing Britains Armed Forces with a gender-balanced human security corps. The Shadow Foreign Secretary faced ridicule after helping to launch a report by the Open Labour group which said the main job of the forces should be to dampen down violence rather than intervene on one side or the other. Ms Nandy, 41, said she was inspired by the pamphlet, which included the argument that that the UK is no longer a great power and cited countries like [the] Scandinavians as a model for the UKs role in the world. She told last months launch: I hear it a lot on the Tory benches, this idea of a country that ruled the waves. 'Rule Britannia I think thats given way to a nostalgia rooted in the history of the Second World War that somehow says that were a small island nation that goes out punching above its weight, without ever really stopping to ask why on earth it is that were punching at all. Labours Lisa Nandy (pictured) is at the centre of a new row over wokery after praising a report which suggested replacing Britains Armed Forces with a gender-balanced human security corps But last night, Ms Nandy faced a furious backlash from her own MPs. Former Defence Minister and Durham MP Kevan Jones led the charge by branding the report naive rubbish worthy of refined middle-class dinner parties but which has no place in reality. Ms Nandy is already embroiled in a row over war leader Winston Churchill after she accused Boris Johnson of stoking a culture war for criticising vandals who defaced his statue in Parliament Square. Labours foreign affairs chief has also declared that Labour was seeking to emulate Biden and his woke agenda. In an email to party members, she said: Were looking across the water and were optimistic about what lies ahead. Thats where you come in We want you with us, fighting for our future and for the moral force for good we know we can be in government. The Open Labour report, entitled A Progressive Foreign Policy for New Times, suggested there was a need to look at a radical transformation in the role of the British Army, Royal Navy and RAF. The recommendations included: Consider a real shift in the nature of our services from classic armed forces to what one might call human security services which would include the military but would also include police, engineers, aid workers, or health workers and would be gender balanced and ethnically diverse. 'Their central task would be to protect human security and in cases of war to dampen down violence rather than intervene on one side or the other. Ms Nandy, 41, said she was inspired by the pamphlet, which included the argument that that the UK is no longer a great power. Picture: Stock of British Armed Forces The document continued: Human security is about the security of individuals and the communities in which they live rather than about the security of states and borders. Ms Nandy told the launch: One of the things that I found really inspirational about this pamphlet is that I think its based on the beliefs that I also share. She added: It feels to me this is exactly the right time when we are making the start of a new chapter with the election as well of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the US, this is the moment where the world is starting to look forward and we must look forwards too. Ms Nandy went on to tell the meeting that Labour had to not just oppose the Tories but show how Labour represented an alternative in foreign policy. She said Labour should have the courage to fly the pride flag at our embassies in countries where simply loving who we love is a crime, punishable often by death as well as to stand with democracy protesters in Hong Kong and the Black Lives Matter activists in the US. Former Defence Minister and Durham MP Kevan Jones (pictured) led the charge by branding the report naive rubbish Labour MPs in the North privately reminded Ms Nandy, MP for Wigan, that traditional Labour voters needed to hear a stronger signal of the partys patriotism. North Durham MP Mr Jones told The Mail on Sunday: Our Armed Forces are there to defend us, sometimes in very challenging circumstances. 'As a party, Labour should be proud of them and defend them not seek to turn them into some sort of peace corps that dampens down violence. Before we start talking this nonsense, we should remember that many of the recruits come from northern, working-class roots in constituencies that are or used to be Labour strongholds. Labour sought to defuse the row by saying Ms Nandy had not endorsed the report and stressing the report was not party policy. A spokesman said: We are immensely proud of the role our Armed Forces play in keeping our country safe, in upholding our values and in defending the rights of people around the world. Your browser does not support the video tag. Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 5:26 pm In the countys largest one-off COVID-19 vaccination event yet, public health officials will partner with Providence in a drive-through clinic at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds this Sunday. The hope is to vaccinate over 1,200 people, hopefully capturing the last of the 1A category and moving into the 1B phase. To vaccinate 1,200-plus people on Sunday, its going to be an exciting time, Providence spokesman Chris Thomas said Thursday. The county worked last week to prepare the fairgrounds, and all appointments for the event have been claimed after a mass call to health care providers went out Wednesday. That email went out, I believe, at 8:30. And all the slots were filled by that afternoon, he said. So that shows the need. According to the states data dashboard, only 2,376 doses have been administered in Lewis County, with only 1.67% of residents having received their first dose. Thats compared to 3.74% of residents statewide. But the dashboard lags by several days, according to Public Health Director J.P. Anderson. According to Thomas, Providence alone has vaccinated 2400 1A residents so far, and hasnt had to throw away a single dose. Lewis County Public Health and Social Services is still receiving calls from residents, employers and health care workers looking to make an appointment to get vaccinated. But the limiting factor is still the number of doses given to the county and state. According to Thomas, Providence hasnt had to waste a single dose. Providence will have given out virtually all the doses theyve been allotted after Sundays event. That will be true countywide, Anderson said. I think thats good for people to know, that although there are challenges around logistics and really the last mile logistics to get those clinics established and get the actual shot in the arm, our providers have been doing a really good job, Anderson said. And now with the fairgrounds ready to host, we do have the capacity to dramatically increase vaccine as that vaccine comes into our community. The county is taking on a supporting role, rather than a hands-on approach, to distribution. Anderson said public health officials will not compile any centralized list of eligible or vaccinated residents, and will leave much of coordination to health care providers. We just want to make sure were not the vaccine police, he said. And in that supporting role, its unclear how often the county will have to help set up mass vaccination events like Sundays. As of last week, a dozen health care providers were still waiting to be approved to receive and administer the vaccine. Even when that happens, its unclear how much capacity those smaller clinics will add to the countys overall vaccination efforts. How many can they process that way? And to what extent will we have to support larger events to make sure were using all the vaccine that can be available for us, Anderson said. Thats going to be an ongoing conversation with our providers. The race to identify residents in the 1B category is slow-going, he said. Its a little bit clunky right now. And I know theres a lot of providers working to respond to all the messages theyve received. But its going to work. More information on where eligible residents can get vaccinated can be found on the state Department of Healths website. While acknowledging that obviously there are difficulties with the China relationship, Mr Tehan said he was prepared to play the long game. I wrote to Minister Wang last week. Obviously hes new to his portfolio like Im new to my portfolio. Im obviously very keen to begin a dialogue with Minister Wang but its something Im happy to be patient [about], Mr Tehan said. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Out of respect to the new minister, Im not going to go into the specific details that Ive raised in my letter. Needless to say it was a detailed letter setting out a strong willingness from Australia to engage with China on many issues. Asked what his ultimate objective was in the Australia-China relationship, the former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade mandarin said: The end game is that we want very constructive engagement with China across the board and that is what I am seeking to achieve. With more than 60 ships carrying Australian coal being unable to unload in China since October, Mr Tehan labelled the trade dispute incredibly disappointing and committed to doing everything I can to seek to engage constructively with China so we can address them. Loading He didnt rule out Australia taking China to the World Trade Organisation over the coal ban, as it has over barley, but said at the moment we are seeking to resolve this issue bilaterally. While wanting to re-open a dialogue with China, Mr Tehan also highlighted India and Vietnam as significant opportunities for Australia to diversify its export markets and said he hoped to conclude free-trade agreements with the United Kingdom and the European Union before the end of the year. He also revealed one of his major priorities would be pushing the US to join the worlds biggest free-trade deal, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). One of the very positive things, and I think this creates an opportunity for us here in Australia, of the Biden administration is there will be a return to a greater emphasis on multilateralism and, I think, using regional organisations as well, Mr Tehan said. That gives us an opportunity to engage with the US on the World Trade Organisation when it comes to APEC [the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum] and importantly when it comes to the CPTPP. Tehan in his electorate of Hamilton in regional Victoria this week. Credit:Billy-Jay Robins With that type of engagement, hopefully that will also enable us to work constructively, and within our economic interests, with China as well. Although Australia has signed the Paris Agreement on climate change, there have been concerns from the business community and the Opposition that Canberra could be isolated on the issue on the international stage with the election of Mr Biden. The EU has committed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and proposed a carbon border tax that will see high-emissions exports hit with an import levy, while Mr Biden has announced a Clean Energy Revolution commitment with a 2050 deadline. Loading Mr Tehan said Australia would look to engage with the Biden administration on climate change action but he did not want to see carbon tariffs used as a new form of protectionism. We want to make sure that the engagement on climate change and meeting emissions reduction targets is done in a way which is constructive for global free trade, which is constructive for the trade investment relationships between nations, Mr Tehan said. He said carbon tariffs had not been an issue in Australias negotiations with Europe over a free-trade agreement. The first art galleries network in the world: Benefit from the expertise of our gallery owners next to your home ! Advertisement Dr. Anthony Fauci says that the United States is 'real close' to approving a third COVID-19 vaccine - and the first single-dose jab - as the latest coronavirus data shows declining rates of hospitalizations as well as lower rates of infection in 44 states. According to the most recent figures released on Saturday by John Hopkins University, there were 186,891 new cases of COVID-19 nationwide on Friday. Encouragingly, Friday saw 3,685 fewer hospitalizations compared to the day before. Latest data from The COVID Tracking Project on Friday shows a decline in the number of daily COVID-19 cases as well as hospitalizations in the United States, though the daily fatality count remains high Encouragingly, Friday saw 3,685 fewer hospitalizations compared to the day before. As of Friday evening, there were 116,264 Americans hospitalized nationwide with COVID-19. According to The COVID Tracking Project, hospitalizations are falling in about half of the country - 24 states The COVID-19 case counts have fallen in 43 states and the District of Columbia, according to the latest figures As of Friday evening, there were 116,264 Americans hospitalized nationwide with COVID-19. Despite the bit of good news, the death count remains high as the number of fatalities recorded on Friday was 3,655. Since the start of the pandemic, 414,117 Americans have died of COVID-19. As of Friday night, more than 24.8 million people were infected. According to The COVID Tracking Project, hospitalizations are falling in about half of the country - 24 states. The sharpest declines in hospitalizations were reported in Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Mississippi, South Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Arizona and California - two states that in recent weeks were hit with record-high levels of infections - have seen their case counts drop as well. Public health experts believe that the lockdowns combined with human behavior including social distancing, the wearing of face coverings, and vaccinations have led to the falling case counts, though they caution that it can be reversed if people let their guard down as certain sectors of the economy come back online. Gretchen Musicant, the Minneapolis commissioner of health, told The New York Times that state officials were 'encouraged, but wary.' Minnesota is slowly lifting restrictions on indoor dining and other businesses where people gather. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government's top infectious disease expert, told MSNBC on Friday that he believes a third coronavirus vaccine - and the first single-dose shot - will be approved in about two weeks 'We're watching to make sure that those reopenings don't escalate our rates again,' Musicant said. Infectious disease experts say these next three months will be a critical phase in the trajectory of the pandemic. They say it is a race between the vaccine and the newly discovered mutations of the coronavirus. 'We're definitely on a downward slope, but I'm worried that the new variants will throw us a curve ball in late February or March,' said Caitlin M. Rivers, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Health experts fear that the US could see similar spikes to those experienced in Britain, Ireland, South Africa and Brazil, where new variants of the coronavirus were discovered. 'I think the next three months could be the worst part of the pandemic,' said Michael T. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. 'I hope I'm dead wrong.' During an appearance with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow on Friday, Fauci said he believes that a third COVID-19 vaccine - a single-dose shot developed by New Jersey-based pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson - is just two weeks away from being approved. 'No more than two weeks from now the data will be analyzed in a similar fashion the way we analyzed it with the Moderna and the Pfizer candidate,' Fauci said. 'That is an independent data and safety monitoring board. 'We'll look at the data, determine if it's ready to be given to the company so that they can go to the FDA and ask to see if they can get an emergency use authorization.' He added: 'I don't want to get ahead of them but I have to tell you I would be surprised if it was any more than two weeks from now that the data will be analyzed and decisions would be made.' Fauci said that the new vaccine presents 'really good news' because once approved it will make it easier for the public to get inoculated since it's a single-dose shot. 'That's really important because you can expect to start to see results 10, 14 days or so right after,' he said. 'But it has a less stringent cold chain requirement, which is really good.' Fauci's comments come a day after Dr. Mark McClellen, a Johnson & Johnson board member, told CNBC on Thursday that the nation's COVID-19 vaccine supply will receive a huge boost in the coming weeks 'if the clinical trial works out.' 'I do know that J&J is making a very large supply, going all out with its production, both here in the US and elsewhere around the world, with the goal of having perhaps enough vaccines for 100 million Americans by spring, by this April or so,' McClellan, the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said on Thursday. McClellan told CNBC that the company is currently conducting a large scale clinical trial. 'The independent scientists who are overseeing that study should be taking a close look in the very near future based on those results, and we'll see how fast the vaccine could go forward,' McClellan said. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single-dose shot, which would mean the rollout would be faster and people who receive the jab would likely be protected from coronavirus in a matter of weeks after the injection. The two vaccines that have been granted emergency use authorization - Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech - require two doses. Health officials said that the US is expected to approve the low-cost AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine in April. McClellan told CNBC that 'the supply will be increasing, but not probably enough to keep up with the large number of Americans who really want to get vaccinated now.' McClellan, a health policy expert at Duke University, believes the Biden administration will implement policies that will speed up vaccine distribution. 'It's going to be challenging, but I think the supply will be there over the next couple of months to vaccinate even more than 100 million Americans,' he said. The CDC this week quietly updated its guidance on how late the second dose of a coronavirus vaccine can be administered after insisting it would not allow delays in shots. Currently, the two vaccines approved by the FDA, one by Pfizer-BioNTech and the other by Moderna, are given three weeks and four weeks apart, respectively. Dr. Mark McClellen, a board member with New Jersey-based pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson, believes that the single-shot vaccine that is expected to be approved by the company within weeks will enable 100 million Americans to be inoculated by the spring The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single-dose shot, which would mean the rollout would be faster and people who receive the jab would likely be protected from coronavirus in a matter of weeks after the injection. The above image is a file photo illustration showing vials with stickers reading 'COVID-19 / Coronavirus vaccine' But in a new advisory posted to its website on Thursday, the CDC said the shots can be given up to six weeks apart. 'The second dose should be administered as close to the recommended interval as possible,' the CDC wrote. 'However, if it is not feasible to adhere to the recommended interval, the second dose... may be scheduled for administration up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose.' It comes as several states report a shortage of shots, leading to concerns the the federal government is attempting to stretch the national vaccine supply. New York State was expected to completely exhaust its supply of coronavirus vaccines before the end of Friday, Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters. We will - by the end of today fully - utilize all of the dosages that have been delivered, Cuomo said on Friday. According to Cuomo, the state has used up 97 per cent of its vaccine inventory that was amassed over the past five weeks. A total of just 28,000 first doses were remaining in inventory as of Friday morning, The New York Times reported. Cuomo said that the state vaccines residents at a clip of about 80,000 per day. So far, a total of 39.8 million doses have been distributed across the country but just 19.1 million have been administered. The CDC says it cannot recommend giving doses any later than six weeks because there is no enough data on doses administered after that time. The agency says a person may only receive a second shot for different vaccine in 'exceptional situations.' 'These mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable with each other or with other COVID-19 vaccine products,' the CDC wrote. 'The safety and efficacy of a mixed-product series have not been evaluated. Both doses of the series should be completed with the same product. Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are meant to be administered in two doses given three or four weeks apart, respectively, but the CDC updates its guidance, saying the second dose can be given up to six weeks after the initial dose. Pictured: A pharmacist prepares a syringe of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine Friday, January 9 The CDC warned Americans not to get one dose from Pfizer and the other from Moderna except in 'exceptional situations.' Pictured: Jackie Barry, a resident of The Open Hearth mens shelter, receives the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Hartford, Connecticut, January 22 A total of 39.8 million doses have been distributed but just 19.1 million have been administered 'In exceptional situations in which the first-dose vaccine product cannot be determined or is no longer available, any available mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may be administered at a minimum interval of 28 days between doses.' Delaying the administration of the second vaccine dose is a strategy that the UK implemented when it began its mass vaccination campaign Health advisors in Britain said they were recommending a gap of up to 12 weeks between the two shots in an effort to provide more people with a first dose and with some protection against COVID-19. Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, was he did not believe the U.S. should delay administering second doses like the UK 'We know from the clinical trials that the optimal time is to give it on one day and for [the Moderna vaccine] wait 28 days and for Pfizer 21 days later,' he told CNN. Fauci said that one could 'make the argument' for stretching out the doses, he is not in favor of doing so. Pfizer and BioNTech also said here is no evidence to suggest its vaccine works if given more than 21 days after the first dose. President Biden signed executive orders on Friday aimed at providing assistance for those facing food insecurity, protecting American workers and providing economic relief to struggling families FAST WORK JOE... 1M SHOTS A DAY AHEAD OF TARGET - SO WAS IT TOO EASY? More than one million COVID-19 vaccines were given out in the United States Thursday as Joe Biden - just two days into his presidency - laid out his 'full scale war-time' plan to reach that exact goal. Biden has been touting for several weeks now how he will aim to have 100 million Americans inoculated within his first 100 days in office. Yet just one day after his inauguration, the US recorded 1.3 million COVID-19 vaccines. The seven-day rolling average for new COVID-19 vaccines being administered is already at 940,000 a day. The US recorded 1.3 million COVID-19 vaccines yesterday. The seven-day rolling average for new COVID-19 vaccines being administered is already at 940,000 a day It came as Biden signed a new executive order on Thursday to speed up vaccine delivery and doubled-down on his plan to hand out one million doses per day. He did not address that the Trump administration had already been on that trajectory to boost the number of shots closer to the one million mark. Shots per day jumped more than 800,000 in the days before Biden's inauguration. Biden snapped when questioned whether his 100 million shot goal was ambitious enough, saying: 'When I announced it, you all said it's not possible. Come on, gimme a break man.' Meanwhile, some health experts have said even the 100 million goal may not be sufficient to the challenge. Currently, the US has handed out 18.4 million vaccine doses of the 37.9 million distributed nationwide. So far, 5.6 percent of the US population has been vaccinated. Dr Anthony Fauci, who is now Biden's top COVID adviser, has been saying for weeks that the US would soon be giving at least a million vaccinations a day despite the sluggish start. Fauci on Thursday said Biden's plan to speed up COVID-19 inoculations, including setting up community vaccination centers and involving more local pharmacies, improves on the Trump administration's rollout. He added that Biden is deploying the Defense Production Act to help vaccine manufacturers, including Pfizer Inc, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna Inc, scale their production. Most Americans will likely be vaccinated by the middle of this year, Fauci said, though he added he remains concerned about the amount of people who are hesitant to get a vaccine. Advertisement 'Pfizer and BioNTech's Phase 3 study for the COVID-19 vaccine was designed to evaluate the vaccine's safety and efficacy following a 2-dose schedule, separated by 21 days,' the companies said in a statement to CNBC. 'There is no data to demonstrate that protection after the first dose is sustained after 21 days.' There are also worried that delayed a dose gives more opportunity for virus to 'learn' how to defeat - or skirt around - protection given by the vaccines. 'My concern, as a virologist, is that if you wanted to make a vaccine-resistant strain, what you would do is to build a cohort of partially immunized individuals in the teeth of a highly prevalent viral infection,' Dr Paul Bieniasz, of Rockefeller University. told STAT News. 'You are essentially maximizing the opportunity for the virus to learn about the human immune system. Learn about antibodies. Learn how to evade them.' Despite reasons for optimism, the nation's leaders warn the road ahead will be difficult. President Joe Biden warned on Friday that the US faces more than 600,000 COVID deaths as he signed executive orders aimed at helping deal with its impact. They included measures aimed at providing assistance for those facing food insecurity, protecting American workers and providing economic relief to struggling families. 'I'm going to close and summarize this way,' Biden said at an event Friday in the state dining room of the White House. 'A lot of America is hurting. The virus is surging. We're 400,000 dead, expected to reach well over 600,000. 'Families are going hungry. People are at risk of being evicted. Job losses are mounting again. We need to act. No matter how you look at it we need to act.' The president did not indicate when he thought that total would be reached. The nearest official forecast to 600,000 is from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which projected this week that the country will have recorded up to 508,000 COVID-19 deaths by mid-February. New strains of the virus are emerging. And scientists are concerned the mutant coronavirus strain which emerged in south east England may be more deadly than the original. Biden said urgent action was needed to help the millions of Americans suffering as part of the economic fallout from the pandemic. The government needs to act 'decisively and boldly' to help Americans who are seeing their paychecks reduced and are 'barely hanging on,' the president said. 'Sometimes the anxiety about what's going to happen next is more consequential than what actually happened, but this is happening today in America, and this cannot be who we are as a country. These are not the values of our nation. We cannot, will not let people go hungry,' he said. Biden kicked off his presidency with a series of orders aimed at undoing much of President Donald Trump's legacy and helping those devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. On Friday he signed executive orders aimed at speeding up delivery of stimulus checks to families who haven't received them and increasing food aid for children who normally rely on school meals as a main source of food. He also directed his administration to start the work that would allow him to issue an executive order to require federal contractors to pay a $15 minimum wage to their employees. The federal minimum wage has been at $7.25 an hour since 2009. The pandemic has hit the American economy hard. More than 10 million Americans are unemployed, 14 million renters are behind on payments, and 29 million adults and at least 8 million children are struggling with food insecurity. NEW DELHI : Due to COVID-19 safety norms gravity-defying stunts by motorcycle-borne men, a major attraction for the crowd at Republic Day celebrations on the Rajpath, will be missing this year, while the spectator size too has been reduced to 25,000, officials said on Friday. Besides this, the parade of gallantry awardees and children who have earned bravery awards will also not be there at the 72nd Republic Day event, on account of social distancing, they said. Also, there will be no chief guest at the event this year. "This year's Republic Day is very different as it is happening amid the coronavirus pandemic. Like in Independence Day, all chairs in enclosures will be placed following social distancing norms. So the crowd size has come down to 25,000 this time from around 1.25 lakh last year or some of the previous years. "The number of enclosures has also been halved to just 19," said a senior official who is privy to the arrangements. Due to the same reason, the popular motorcycle stunts performed by army or paramilitary personnel, which draw loud cheers from the crowd every year, will not be happening this year, he said. "These decisions have been taken because it is not possible to maintain social distancing while performing group stunts or awardees riding a jeep together during the parade," the official said. The number of mediapersons invited to the ceremonial event has also been reduced, he added. A total of 32 tableaux -- 17 of various states and UTs, nine of ministries and six from defence arm -- will roll down Rajpath. The contingents will stop at National Stadium this year instead of following the regular route all the way to the Red Fort, officials said. "Also, the size of marching contingents has been reduced from regular 144 to 96 so that they can maintain social distancing," the senior official said. Members of the tableaux contingents from various states, ministries and government departments underwent COVID-19 test at a cultural camp in Delhi Cantonment on Friday, officials said. COVID-19 safety norms will be strictly in place throughout the event. A military band from the Bangladesh Army will also take part in the parade. This year, Bangladesh marks the 50th anniversary of its Independence. Tableau from a total of 17 states and UTs, including, Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh and Delhi will be part of the parade. The Gujarat contingent is lead by Pankaj Modi, who is the Deputy Director in the Gujarat government's Information Department and also the younger brother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The young union territory of Ladakh is all set to make its debut in the extravaganza on Rajpath with a beautiful tableau depicting the iconic Thikse Monastery and its rich cultural heritage. "There will be nine tableau from ministries, including Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Electronics and IT, Ministry of Ayush, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; and six from the defence arm, including of IAF, Navy, Indian Naval Coast Guard, two from the DRDO and one from BRO (Border Roads Organisation)," the official said. The tableau of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will showcase the efforts made by scientists to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine indigenously. The tableau would depict various stages of pre-trial and trial phases of vaccine, a scientist from the DBT said during a media preview held at a camp at Delhi Cantonment. The Ministry of Information and Biotechnology will depict the 'Vocal for Local' initiative of the government. The tableau of Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), under the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities of the ministry of social justice and empowerment, will showcase the unifying nature of the sign language. The heritage of the Ayodhya, a replica of the Ram temple being built, a glimpse of 'Deepotsav' and various stories from Ramayana epic will be showcased in the tableau of Uttar Pradesh. Punjab tableau will depict the 400th anniversary of Sikh Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur while and Gujarat tableau will showcase the ancient Sun temple of Modhera in Mehsans district near Gandhinagar. Delhi tableau will depict the pedestrianisation work carried out under a project of the Shahjehnabad Redevelopment Corporation. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Hong Kong's government locked down an area of Kowloon peninsula, saying its 10,000 residents must stay home until all of them have been tested for the new coronavirus and results largely determined. This is the first time the government has imposed a lockdown, albeit on a small scale, since the pandemic began. AFP The government said there are 70 buildings in the "restricted area" of Jordan and that it aims to finish the process within about 48 hours, so that people can start getting to work on Monday. When you'll have to be tested? Anyone who has been to the restricted area for more than two hours in the past two weeks must also go for testing by the end of Saturday (Jan 23). Hong Kong authorities have taken aggressive measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the Asian financial and airline hub, but Saturday's move is the first lockdown in the Chinese-ruled city. Reuters Which are the restricted areas? People in the specified restricted area in Jordan, bounded by Woosung Street to its east, Nanking Street to its south, Battery Street to its west and Kansu Street to its north, have to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Many buildings are old and poorly maintained in the small, densely populated area, where subdivided units are common, said health secretary Sophia Chan. Additionally, arrangements have been made for people who were affected by the lockdown and who do not live in the area to rest in a dedicated place, she said. Image For Representation/Reuters "The infection risk in the community is quite high," she told a news conference. "After assessment, we think it's necessary to make a restriction-testing declaration in the restricted area to achieve the goal of zero cases." The restricted area has confirmed 162 confirmed cases of COVID-19 this month, and the ratio of virus detected in sewage samples from buildings there was higher than that of other areas. TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has warned tight restrictions are likely to stay in place for the next six months because of the more infectious variants of the Covid-19 virus. He said the current level of infection could not have been foreseen when the country went back to level 3 before Christmas. A delay in delivery of the as-yet unapproved Astra Zeneca virus could also hit Irelands vaccination programme. Read More Speaking on RTE's Brendan O'Connor show the Taoiseach said they were waiting on this vaccine and that its delay will "put us in a problem", but added they are going to have to deal with it. "AstraZeneca was going to be the catalyst to be allowed to move from low level to mass vaccination," he said. Despite the set-back it is still the Government's plan to be at the point of mass vaccination by the end of June. Expressing his concern over the new variants of Covid and if vaccines would still be effective, he said that the issue was discussed at the meeting of EU leaders earlier this week. Mr Martin said it is a race against time between the vaccination roll-out and on the other the variants and if they will "undermine the efficacy of vaccines". The Taoiseach also said case numbers have to be much lower before the current restrictions are eased. "It will become the dominant variant. It is at 62pc of all cases," he said. "By the summer we will be in a changed environment because of the large scale vaccination that will have been achieved by then." The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission lists Tse as a Priority Organisation Target, a designation the criminal intelligence commission chief Mick Phelan has previously said is reserved for those entities suspected of causing significant harm to the nation. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Tses arrest will be heralded not just in Australia but by the US government and authorities in New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and across Europe, places which have all served as markets or supply hubs for Tses organisation. Policing authorities say that, more than any other alleged Asia Pacific drug trafficker, Tse represents the modernisation and corporatisation of organised crime. The syndicate he allegedly helps control is an amalgam of once competing Chinese Triad groups that have variously worked with Australian bikies, South American cartels and European crime bosses. The Company mostly avoided generating media headlines and viewed violence as bad for business as it industrialised drug production via super laboratories in Myanmars lawless Shan State and accessed massive stockpiles of precursor chemicals in southern China. The syndicate is alleged to have dispatched expendable shore parties to its most profitable market in Australia to handle wholesale distribution to local drug bosses. When these shore party drug runners or domestic distributors were occasionally busted by the AFP or state agencies, Tse allegedly shrugged it off as a business expense. He also had inside help. A police intelligence report circulated among overseas agencies warned The Company had corrupted policing and security agencies across Asia. A former investigator told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that Tse had boasted Macau in my pocket. In 2019, Tse even obtained the contents of a highly confidential Australian Federal Police document circulated among partner forces which alerted him to the fact that he was a high value police target. That fact makes the story of his investigation and planned extradition pieced together by The Age and Herald over two years and conversations with more than a dozen Australian and Hong Kong serving and former investigators even more remarkable. Tracking a drug boss In 2011, the Australian Federal Police began monitoring a millionaire Melbourne greengrocer with an unusual profile. Vietnamese born Australian national Suky Lieu was under surveillance as he met well established Italian mafia clan bosses in Melbourne. He also dined with Asian organised crime figures and he knew bikies. Intelligence suggested he was a man in demand because of his access to a seemingly endless supply of imported narcotics being distributed in Sydney and Melbourne. A quietly spoken and determined federal police drugs investigator, Roland Singor, along with a small team of AFP investigators and analysts began closely tracking Lieu as part of probe codenamed Volante. Media and press releases surrounding Lieus eventual arrest in 2013 depicted him as a Mr Big on par with Tony Mokbel. But phone taps later aired in Lieus court case revealed he was more akin to a logistics manager who was following orders from afar. Last year, AFP deputy commissioner Karl Kent described the organisation as being a huge threat to Australia not only in terms of illicit drugs but in terms of people smuggling, in terms of firearms. Credit: We were seeing a lot of offshore conversations where they were talking about supply and demand price, concealments, projects that they were undertaking, recalled Singor when he was interviewed last year by 60 Minutes and The Age and Herald. Singor was guarded about the precise content of the phone interceptions and classified intelligence captured in 2012. But Victorian court records reveal Lieu appeared most deferential when dealing with a man in Hong Kong with the Cantonese nickname Sam Gor or Brother Three. He was based offshore, a very, very cautious individual. He didn't directly deal with people here in the nuts and bolts, Singor said. If something went wrong for example, or a seizure occurred, or money was intercepted here, his broker and his managers would interact and then refer to the fact that the big boss wasn't happy, that they had to answer for these seizures. Following offshore leads can take years and cost millions and infuriate budget-conscious senior police in Canberra. Even so, Singors federal police crew in Melbourne pushed for more time and money. Their lobbying paid off. We started to hear about a reference to a very high-ranking member of this organisation who had global reach, had global control, and had a serious ranking globally as an international trafficker, says Singor. He was referred to as Sam Gor, the Brother Three in Cantonese. Adding to Singors intelligence picture was a classified and highly controversial probe codenamed Dayu and run between 2008 and 2012 by the Australian Crime Commission (later renamed the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission). In an operation still mostly hidden behind court suppression orders and secrecy classifications, the ACC had allowed and even facilitated the movement of drug money from Australian to Asia in the hope it would help identify offshore crime bosses who had taken over the drug trade from traditional domestic crime groups. Letting dirty money cross international borders rather than seizing it pushed the risk appetite of Australian law enforcement chiefs to breaking point and despite impressive results, Dayu would ultimately fizzle out amid bitter inter-agency turf wars and allegations of rogue conduct. But before it did, investigators believed they had identified a Chinese triad-led international organisation whose members whispered about a boss they called Grandfather. The ACC named it The Grandfather Syndicate but as investigators eavesdropped on more conversations involving the group's members, they chose the name used by the group itself: The Company. The Company A 2012 ACC intelligence briefing claimed the multinational organisation was made up of about two dozen "seats" or executive management positions held by formerly warring triad bosses across Asia, who shifted in seniority and location according to demand and supply. It claimed money from drug ventures was laundered in Australia and poured into a range of ventures including "high-profile internet gambling facilities across south-east Asia, Asian hotel chains and resorts, commercial construction companies, property companies in Hong Kong and Vietnam", as well as casinos. Among The Company 's most valuable assets was its infiltration" of governments and police and security agencies across Asia. According to the ACC briefing, "the pooling of resources of the main triad groups has allowed them to merge their contacts, assets and holdings. These contacts, intelligence briefings warned, included high-ranking Asian government officials and their relatives, including figures with close ties to Hun Sen regime in Cambodia, a top politician in Vietnam and a Chinese government official who had worked with Interpol. Singor and the AFPs Operation Volante picked up where the crime commissions Operation Dayu left off, filling in a still-emerging intelligence picture about the operations of The Company. Court records reveal Singor and his fellow AFP detectives tracked millions in cash back to Crown Casino in Melbourne. The cash, generated by Suky Lieu's drug sales, was given to a high-roller tour business known as a junket operator. Crown licensed and paid that business to attract wealthy gamblers to come to its Southbank casino. Millions laundered through Crown's casinos in Melbourne and Perth. Credit:Scott McNaughton The court records detail how this junket in turn wired millions of drug dollars to Hong Kong. Some of the alleged orders to do so were issued by Brother Three and were recorded on phone taps aired during the prosecutions of Suky Lieus associates. At Crowns Perth casino, another high-roller tour junket closely linked to Brother Three was turning over even more money hundreds of millions of dollars in cash via gamblers who arrived on private jets from Macau in 2015. The still-ongoing Bergin inquiry in NSW into Crowns organised crime dealings recently heard how this Perth junket was owned by a business also running a chain of Hot Pot restaurants in Macau. The Bergin inquiry heard how a Crown manager had warned back in 2015 that this junket was linked to Macaus underground network. The Macau police provided Australian authorities a further sliver of intelligence about the Hot Pot junket. A suspected silent partner in the Hot Pot business was an extremely discrete but obscenely wealthy businessman. His name was Tse Chi Lop but some of his associates referred to him in Cantonese as Sam Gor. Tse Chi Lop was Brother Three. Closing in on Tse By 2015, Tse, a short, middle-aged and pudgy faced man who looked more accountant than crime boss, was firmly on the radar of drug enforcement agencies across the globe. Police believe Tse, a Canadian national born in Guangdong Province in Southern China in 1964, became a low ranking member of a Triad crime syndicate known as the Big Circle Gang before migrating to Canada in the 1980s. In 1996, the FBI arrested him in connection to a drug importation ring in the US that was sourcing heroin from the Golden Triangle in Asia. Police intelligence suggests that, after serving nine years in jail, Tse re-established his Triad connections, including to the notorious head of the 14K triad organisation, Wan Kuok Koi, a gangster more commonly known as Broken Tooth. While the ostentatious Broken Tooth was busy generating news headlines, including by launching a crypto-currency, investing in Myanmars casino industry and promoting the Chinese Communist Party's enormous Belt and Road global infrastructure agenda, Tse was suspected by police to be easing quietly into one of The Companys top "seats" or executive positions. Critical to The Companys success was its supply hubs in corruption-prone Asian countries and regions like Shan State in Myanmar, which is governed by ethnic warlords. An International Crisis Group report last year noted that the drugs trade would not be possible without high-level corruption in those countries including China, Laos and Thailand through which large consignments of drugs or their precursors are smuggled. The other key to The Companys success was corrupting logistics and shipping companies in drug-hungry markets like Australia, where voracious consumers are prepared to pay a premium for ice, cocaine and other drugs. The AFPs Operation Volante had shut down Lieu and 35 others, the key alleged Australian distribution hub for Tse, but it was quickly replaced. In April 2017, the AFPs Operation Jacaranda seized a record 903 kilograms of methamphetamine also linked to Tse. At the time, it was Australias largest ice bust. Six months later, the federal police and Taiwanese authorities intercepted another huge drug shipment that had arrived in Western Australia. The syndicate was also implicated in the seizure of 600 kilograms of methamphetamine from a yacht moored at Naha port in Okinawa. It was billed in the media as Japans largest drug bust. As months of investigations turned into years, the federal police patiently tracked Tse and his associates via a newly badged operation codenamed Kungar. Federal police liaison officers in Myanmar, Washington, Thailand, China and Hong Kong worked with trusted counterparts in local agencies to gather fresh intelligence on The Companys operations. Last year, Reuters reported that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime had estimated The Companys meth revenue in 2018 at $8 billion a year, but said it could be as high as $17.7 billion. In December 2019, the AFP intercepted yet another drug shipment from Bangkok: 1.6 tonnes of methamphetamine and 37 kilograms of heroin worth an estimated $1.2 billion. Police also arrested a couple running a shipping and freight logistics business, who are accused of helping smuggle the contraband past authorities. Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Karl Kent described the seizure last year in an interview with 60 Minutes as another record bust, bigger than any before it. But his comments also marked a decided shift in the AFPs rhetoric. Bigger busts were not indicative of success but the endless war of attrition against powerful and shadowy crime conglomerates. This has raised deep concerns in every jurisdiction in this country about the volume that we're seizing because it tells us that there is a significant volume, probably about the same, that we're missing, Kent said. Financial sanctions Kent hinted in his interview that Tse was still being hunted, but that police were also focussing on new strategies to disrupt and deter powerful international syndicates who could replace bosses almost as quickly as they could find fresh drug mules. The American government would move first. On December 9, the US Treasury Department blacklisted Tses close associate Wan Kuok Koi, aka Broken Tooth, using "Magnitsky Act" financial sanctions that were originally designed to crush corrupt Russian oligarchs. The listing of Broken Tooth was aimed at the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and more politically symbolic than practical. But it also prevented the triad boss from dealing with any US financial outlet or business. In its formal statement, the Treasury Department said Broken Tooth was a member of the CCPs Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, a Beijing advisory body. It also accused him of using the CCPs Belt and Road project to legitimise his criminal activities. This continues a pattern of overseas Chinese actors trying to paper over illegal criminal activities by framing their actions in terms of ... major initiatives of the CCP," the Treasury statement said. Australia has no equivalent financial sanctions regime. To catch Tse, the AFP would have to rely on an old and time consuming tool: a Mutual Assistance Request from Attorney-General Christian Porter to the Taiwanese government, where Tse was suspected to be hiding, or to any of the other countries where he travelled. Throughout 2019, lawyers from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions extracted evidence about Tse from the case against Suky Lieu as it finalised a brief of prosecution. Brother Three was finally to face justice in Australia. Who are the other Brothers? His arrest in the Netherlands and plans to extradite him, while undoubtedly a significant law enforcement success, leaves many questions. In his interview last year, Deputy Commissioner Karl Kent cautioned that locking up the next El Chapo or Brother Three was less a priority than finding ways to attack the infrastructure that organised crime groups need to prosper. It's not just about that individual. It's the whole network and how can we have an effect on their business mode, he said. There is evidence these strategies are already working. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission is dedicating resources to expelling from Australia all the casino junket operators linked to The Company. By the end of 2020 it had crippled the operations of the worlds biggest junket company. Policing agencies are lobbying the federal government to introduce an Australian version of the Magnitsky Act, allowing authorities to financially blacklist suspected crime bosses and corrupt officials. The greatest legacy of Brother Three may be to force policing agencies to rethink how they operate and measure success. Make no mistake, someone will take their place and they'll take their place very, very quickly, Kent said last year. Virus Hunters successfully grounds its storytelling in statistics that doesnt alienate its audience under the garb of educating them. But it also fumbles, taking refuge in repetition and a slight Western condescension. Can the next pandemic get significantly more contagious than the COVID-19 outbreak? Is investigating the origins of a potential pandemic before it has the chance to spread the best way to ward it off or would more knowledge cause more fear? Exactly how safe is the future from the threat of viruses that are equipped to upend lives overnight and wreak irreversible havoc? And more importantly, what is stopping us from learning from previous mistakes and ensuring that they arent repeated the next time theres a virus outbreak? These are some of the questions that James Longman, an award-winning ABC News foreign correspondent and Chris Golden, a Harvard ecologist and epidemiologist, set out to answer as they travel to hotspots across the world in Virus Hunters, a new documentary special premiering tonight on National Geographic channel. Part of Spotlight, an anthology of National Geographic documentaries, the 44-minute-long Virus Hunters essentially a film about the aftermath of deadly viruses was shot entirely during an actual global pandemic. How did they miss COVID?, Longman asks Golden at the beginning of the film. We just havent done a good enough job of preparing for this type of event, Goldman replies, his confession indicative of the dangers that potential pandemics and if history is any proof, these seem to be occurring every few years could hold for human civilisation. Golden and Longmans first stop during their fact-finding expedition to gauge how scientists and scientific experts across the world are working to prevent viruses in the future is Liberia, the West African nation where the lethal Ebola outbreak originated in 2014. As the duo glean in the film, its perhaps this history of disease that played an instrumental role behind Liberias diligence in containing coronavirus . The dichotomy is made amply clear the minute both of the masked men, who underwent rigorous testing at the airport, step out of the airport and realise that no one in Liberia is wearing a mask. Here, they travel into the rainforest, stopping at a bat cave where Ebola is said to have originated, accompanying a team of researchers dedicated to trapping bats and studying them for any diseases in the hope that they might be able to contain a future pandemic. The researches are prone to risk as well: If a bat bites any of them, it could lead to a disease transmission that could in turn, take the shape of a pandemic. It is in this section of the film, which also sees Longman and Golden travel to the markets where bushmeat is sold (bushmeat was believed to have been the origin of the Ebola outbreak), that Virus Hunters compellingly drives home its central message through a mix of piece-to-cameras by experts, voiceovers with troubling statistics, and on-ground evidence: global pandemics are sparked more easily than we can imagine, which also means that it is imperative that we, as a population, educate ourselves about the very many ways to prevent it. According to the film, the biggest obstacle stopping scientists from staying ahead of virus-carrying, diseased bats or animals is how seamlessly they find their way into the food supply chain, especially in countries where governments lack safety controls. As the documentary underlines, the three main touchpoints of transmission are all related to human consumption, like hunting, butchering, or cooking contaminated meats. Picture this: If an infected bat defecates on grapes, then that food item is a possible threat. Another troubling facet is the ease with which these viruses jump species: When Longman and Golden travel to Turkey next, they explore the outbreak of MERS, which jumped from bats to camels to humans. That a virus outbreak doesnt necessarily require humans to be eating bats directly, as was the case with COVID-19 , is chilling information. Their next stop is the United States of America where they explore the threats posed by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) which jumps from deers to humans and is known to cause brain tissue damage. Longman and Golden end the mission with a visit to an Iowa laboratory that daminsters nasal swabs to pigs in order to discover any unknown viruses. This stretch of Virus Hunters is especially riveting given that it shatters the myth that a pandemic of a large scale can only originate in developing or exotic countries. As Virus Hunters reveals, a virus outbreak can occur in any part of the world, even in America. Throughout the film, Longman and Golden also meticulously draw a parallel between the extent of man-made environmental damage and its corresponding effect of human health, astutely adding another layer to revealing the reason behind the rise in these viruses in the last few years. In that sense, as a documentary that seeks to make a strong case about the fact that COVID-19 is the wake-up call, Virus Hunters is informative and riveting. It does a solid job of grounding its storytelling in research and statistics that doesnt alienate the audience under the garb of educating them. That also makes up for the filmmaking that often fumbles, taking refuge in repetition and a slight Western condescension to the dismal quality of life in developing countries. Even then, that Virus Hunters remains a Dalmiyas daughter expelled from TMC for anti-party moves Kolkata: A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brief Kolkata visit, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee received yet another blow as one more rebel Trinamul Congress minister, Rajib Banerjee, quit her government, fuelling speculation of his defection to the BJP. Within hours of Rajib's move, the TMC expelled his loyalist and the daughter of former ICC chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, Baishali Dalmiya, from the party, accusing her of "anti-party activities" after she supported him and slammed the party leadership. Rajib and Dalmiya are MLAs from Howrah district. Rajib is a two-time legislator from Domjur with a clean image. He is the third TMC heavyweight minister to leave Mamata Banerjee's Cabinet in less than two months. He tendered his resignation after he visited the Trinamul Congress supremo's residence in Kalighat. After that he met Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar at Raj Bhavan on Friday and submitted his resignation letter which stated: "I regret to inform you that I hereby tender my resignation from my office as Cabinet Minister being in charge of forest department today, ie. on 22nd of January, 2021. It has been a great honour and privilege to serve the people of West Bengal. I heartily convey my gratitude for getting this opportunity." Rajib has neither quit as an MLA nor deserted his party. After meeting the Governor, he said in tears, "I never imagined I would have to take such a tough decision. If I have hurt anyone, I apologise with folded hands. Please do not misunderstand me. I was hurt within for a long time. That is why I had to take this decision with a lot of pain and pent-up anger." Lashing out at the chief minister, Rajib added, "I had almost taken this decision two-and-a-half years ago when I was removed as the state irrigation minister. Though portfolio allocation is the CM's prerogative, I had expected minimum courtesy from her as a Cabinet colleague. But I did not get that even. I got to know about my removal as irrigation minister from breaking news on TV when I was sitting with party workers at an office in North Bengal. I had wished to resign then but was stopped by the CM." Hit by his outburst, the CM, who was already furious at him for submitting his resignation letter to the governor also, recommended to Dhankhar to remove him from the Cabinet rather than accepting his resignation. Rajib was later excluded from the Cabinet by Dhankhar while the CM took over his portfolio. The TMC mocked Rajib for his step. But Dalmiya, who is an MLA of Bally, stood by him like she did when Laxmi Ratan Shukla, another MLA in Howrah, resigned as a minister and quit the party recently. She said, "Rajib's resignation will affect the party and public We are insulted in Howrah always. There are some who are silent killers and backstab us and common people. If leaves, like Rajib, start coming off a tree one after another, it is harmful for the tree." Stung by her allegations, the TMC disciplinary committee expelled her at a meeting. A 40-year-old Philadelphia police officer was arrested Friday for an alleged sexual assault on an underage female, the department said. Rahim Montgomery, who has been on the force for 20 years and most recently was assigned to Center City, has also been suspended for 30 days, and afterward will be dismissed, the department said. Montgomery was arrested following an Internal Affairs investigation of a complaint reported in July of an alleged sex assault that occurred about five years ago, when the female was a minor. He was charged with unlawful contact with a minor, indecent assault, indecent exposure, and corruption of minors. Montgomery could not be reached for comment. John McNesby, president of the police officers union in Philadelphia, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, declined to comment. Montgomerys name appeared on a list maintained by former District Attorney Seth Williams of problem cops. The list was published by the Inquirer in 2018. Montgomery, while off-duty, destroyed property inside his home and assaulted his spouse, according to the description that appeared on the list. It said Montgomery had been [f]ound guilty of unspecified conduct unbecoming and punished with a 10-day suspension. While some current and former officers on the list were flagged as problematic for testifying in court, Montgomery received no such designation. Early evidence suggests the variant of coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. However, there is still huge uncertainty around the numbers - and vaccines are expected to work. The data come from mathematicians comparing death rates in people infected with either the new or the old versions of the virus. The new more infectious variant has already spread widely across the UK. Mr Johnson told a Downing Street briefing: "In addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant - the variant that was first identified in London and the southeast - may be associated with a higher degree of mortality. "It's largely the impact of this new variant that means the NHS is under such intense pressure." The evidence has been assessed by scientists on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG), which has briefed government. Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific advisor, said described the data so far as "not yet strong". He said: "I want to stress that there's a lot of uncertainty around these numbers and we need more work to get a precise handle on it, but it obviously is a concern that this has an increase in mortality as well as an increase in transmissibility." Previous work suggests the new variant spreads between 30% and 70% faster than others, and there are hints it is around 30% more deadly. For example, with 1,000 60-year-olds infected with the old variant, 10 of them might be expected to die. But this rises to around 13 with the new variant. This difference is found when looking at everyone testing positive for Covid, but analyzing only hospital data has found no increase in the death rate. The new variant was first detected in Kent in September. It is the most common form of the virus in England and Northern Ireland, and has spread to more than 50 other countries. The Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are both expected to work against the variant that emerged in the UK. However, Sir Patrick said there was more concern about two other variants that had emerged in South Africa and Brazil. He said: "They have certain features which means they might be less susceptible to vaccines. "They are definitely of more concern than the one in the UK at the moment and we need to keep looking at it and studying this very carefully." Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Android 12 system will soon bring two new features to Google Pixel. These features were reportedly the ones that iPhone flagships offer. One of these features is expected to make loading up the Google Assistant much easier. According to Toms Guide's latest report, the double-tap feature, which is codenamed "Columbus," was first revealed in the current Android 11's early releases. Tech Advisor confirmed that the new Android system will make its first public appearance in May. It is also expected to be generally available in September. Android 12's Columbus feature The Columbus feature was removed on Android 11. This phone capability was based on Jessie Eisenberg's character from the popular comedy movie "Zombieland." Users can activate it to access the Google Assistant service, pause or resume playback for videos, open recent apps view, open the notification shade, and take screenshots from their Google Pixel smartphones. Also Read: Beeper, an All-in-One Chat App, Brings 15 Platforms into iMessage However, the previous Android 11 beta version finds this feature fat too sensitive for users. Google made some improvements to its Columbus feature so that the users can adjust their mobile devices to recognize harder taps. On the other hand, Apple device owners don't have to worry since iPhone already has the latest back-tap feature, thanks to iOS 14. Meanwhile, Android 12's developer hasn't confirmed if there will be a preview for the new smartphone system. App Pairs On the other hand, Android 12 will also offer the latest App Pairs feature. This smartphone capability allows the users to open two apps at once. The new feature is already available on LG and Samsung flagships. Although this is the case, Android 12 is expected to make it more widely available, allowing more fans to enjoy it. Android 11 is already offering App Pairs right now, but the system is not capable enough to make it work properly. Google confirmed that it will rectify the buggy feature in the upcoming Android 12 feature. The new system is expected to arrive in Google smartphones. These include Google Pixel 5, Pixel 4A, and Pixel 4A 5G. For more news updates about Google's upcoming Android 12 and other Android smartphone systems, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Apple Updates iOS 14.4 to Bring Improvements and Fixes For Some Bugs! Anti-Tracking Feature Could Also Go Live! This article is owned by TechTimes. Written by: Giuliano de Leon. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A quiet High Street in Shrewsbury during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. (PA Images via Getty Images) coronavirus latest news Coronavirus cases are still on the rise in at least 32 areas of England despite infections decreasing on average across the country. COVID-19 cases are going up in areas like Preston, Redditch, Dorset and Coventry, according to the latest data from PA. It comes as the country is battling with a devastating second wave fuelled by a new variant first discovered in the South East that could be 30% more deadly. A surge in infections and deaths has pushed the NHS to the brink of being overwhelmed and sparked a nationwide lockdown. Read: The 9 areas of England where 1 in 20 people could have had COVID last week This week the countrys average R rate has dropped below one and infection numbers are on average beginning to decrease with most areas seeing a decline. However, Englands chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned on Friday that the situation in the UK remained extremely precarious with the virus still on the increase in some parts of the country. Whitty said: In terms of the infection rate, if you took the country as a whole and just averaged it, then the number of infections is broadly going down but it is at a very high level, and it is extremely precarious I really want to stress this. Watch: COVID-19: Scientists warn against early easing of lockdown as PM warns of more deadly variant A very small change and it could start taking off again from an extremely high base, and there are some areas of the country and some age groups in which it does not appear to be going down for example in people (aged) 20-30, the evidence is that it may still be increasing in some parts of the country. It is not solidly going down and it is very, very high. Whitty said the peak of deaths may well be still in the future, before warning: If people took this moment and said, Right, it is over, it would get back into very deep trouble very fast and the NHS is absolutely at the top of what it can manage. If that happened again, we would be in really, really deep trouble. Story continues Of the 315 local areas in England, 32 (10%) have seen a rise in case rates while 281 (89%) have seen a fall and two are unchanged, according to the latest PA analysis. People walk along the pier in Bournemouth, Dorset, during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. The figures are from the seven days to January 18 and are based on tests carried out in laboratories and in the wider community. Data for the most recent four days (January 19-22) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases. The rate, expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people, is going up in these 32 areas, based on Public Health England data published on January 22 on the Governments coronavirus dashboard: Walsall, 741.6, (2117), 737.4, (2105) Redditch, 717.8, (612), 591.1, (504) Worcester, 687.6, (696), 676.7, (685) Dudley, 682.5, (2195), 647.4, (2082) South Staffordshire, 592.3, (666), 576.3, (648) Leicester, 569.1, (2016), 531.3, (1882) Coventry, 510.6, (1897), 506.8, (1883) Bolsover, 510.2, (411), 440.7, (355) Solihull, 508.8, (1101), 502.8, (1088) Preston, 503.0, (720), 484.9, (694) Middlesbrough, 501.5, (707), 471.7, (665) West Lancashire, 476.8, (545), 469.8, (537) Erewash, 475.9, (549), 392.6, (453) North Warwickshire, 426.0, (278), 366.2, (239) Shropshire, 417.5, (1349), 416.9, (1347) Redcar and Cleveland, 408.3, (560), 406.9, (558) Blaby, 406.8, (413), 385.1, (391) Chesterfield, 381.3, (400), 362.2, (380) Somerset West and Taunton, 372.6, (578), 361.0, (560) Broxtowe, 368.3, (420), 338.5, (386) North West Leicestershire, 365.8, (379), 326.2, (338) Hinckley and Bosworth, 358.0, (405), 313.8, (355) North East Derbyshire, 330.2, (335), 310.5, (315) Plymouth, 319.7, (838), 309.0, (810) Dorset, 311.2, (1178), 310.7, (1176) South Holland, 299.9, (285), 287.3, (273) Warwick, 292.9, (421), 269.9, (388) Mendip, 283.8, (328), 260.4, (301) Newcastle upon Tyne, 277.4, (840), 271.1, (821) Northumberland, 272.6, (879), 243.5, (785) Melton, 242.1, (124), 230.4, (118) West Devon, 179.2, (100), 127.2, (71) Knowsley in Merseyside continues to have the highest rate in England, with 1,531 new cases recorded in the seven days to January 18, the equivalent of 1,014.8 cases per 100,000 people. This is down from 1,331.7 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to January 11. Slough in Berkshire has the second-highest rate, down from 1,061.9 to 936.9, with 1,401 new cases. Sandwell in the West Midlands is in third place, down from 923.7 to 898.5, with 2,951 new cases. Read more Patrick Vallance warns UK death rate is 'awful' and COVID could be around forever China faces largest COVID outbreak since March Meanwhile, new infection rates per 100,000 people are increasing the fastest in Redditch and Erewash. Redditch saw 591.1 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to January 11 but this jumped 717.8 in the seven days to January 18. In Erewash, 392.6 cases per 100,000 were recorded in the week up to January 11 compared to 475.9 in the week up to January 18. Watch: COVID-19: New mutation in every park of UK except Northern Ireland. What we know More than 200 Guard members have been activated so far, and the governor plans to activate about 400 total to all regions of the state. The first soldiers arrived in Cook County on Tuesday and are now helping to administer vaccines at six suburban locations. The Guard members were not vaccinated before arriving, but can receive the shot at the end of the day if there are any leftover doses that would otherwise spoil. The White Tiger, the 2008 Man Booker Prizewinning debut novel by Indian Australian author Aravind Adiga, is a gripping tale of poverty and crime in modern-day India, following a poor Indian workers ascent from destitute villager to chauffeur to successful small-time entrepreneur. The book examines how lower-class people cope with or try to escape from the poverty, casteism, income inequality, corruption, globalization, and other systems that entrap themthe chicken coop, as the protagonist calls it. Advertisement Adiga dedicated The White Tiger to his close friend Ramin Bahrani, whom he met while attending Columbia University. Bahrani wrote and directed the film adaptation, which was released in theaters earlier this month and is now available to stream on Netflix. Fans of the book will likely be pleased to see that the movie hews rather closely to its source material, but it does make a few adjustments to the story (which some critics claim is the films weakness). We break down the similarities and differences between the two below. The Frame Story The novel is formatted as eight lengthy emails written over the course of a week by the protagonist, Balram Halwai, to thenChinese Premier Wen Jiabao. The catalyzing event is an All India Radio announcement of Wens upcoming trip to the Indian city of Bangaloreessentially the subcontinents Silicon Valleyto meet with local entrepreneurs. Balram, the founder and CEO of White Tiger Technology Drivers, is excited at the prospect and expresses the desire to meet with Wen and tell him his rags-to-riches story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The movie uses these emails as narration throughout, although it does not split that narration up into eight parts like the book does. Whereas the book does not date its events, the film opens in Delhi 2007, showing a teaser of a pivotal plot point before flashing forward to the modern day, where Balram (Adarsh Gourav) is a comfortable businessman. The movie also makes Wens visit a much less ambiguous event, showing TV news hits of Wen in India and meeting with thenIndian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Unlike in the book, the near end of the movie shows Balram waiting outside a building in order to meet the premier (played by Aaron Wan) and shake his hand, though Wen barely acknowledges him. The book never mentions whether Wen and Balram ever actually meet. Advertisement Sign up for the Slate Culture newsletter The best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered to your inbox three times a week. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Village Life Much of the genesis of Balrams story remains the same. In both novel and film, young Balram (played by Harshit Mahawar) hails from a remote village in the state of Bihar called Laxmangarh (a different town from the one of the same name in Rajasthan) and from a big family of a lower caste most often recognized as consisting of sweet-makers. Balrams family members include his grandma, Kusum (Kamlesh Gill), who serves as matriarch, since Balrams mother is dead; his father, a rickshaw puller named Vikram (Satish Kumar); and his brother, a tea shop worker named Kishan (played as a child by Sandeep Singh and later by Sanket Shanware). Advertisement In the book, Balrams parents didnt even bother to name him at first, so his name became Munna, meaning boy, until a teacher gave him the name Balram. That detail is omitted from the movie. Balram is a precocious child who reads voraciously and excels at school, impressing even the education inspector (Mahesh Pillai), who compares Balram to the rarest of animals that only comes along once in a generation, i.e., the white tiger. Throughout the book, other characters also refer to him as such; in the film, the person who calls Balram the white tiger the most is Balram himself. Advertisement Yet Balram is forbidden from pursuing higher education because of his fathers debts to Laxmangarhs cruel landlords, overseen by a man known as the Stork (Mahesh Manjrekar). Balram is forced to go work at the same tea shop as his brother in the village of Dhanbad, taking the duty of breaking coals for energy and heat. In the book, however, Balram is forced to drop out of college because his family needs money to pay off the dowry for the marriage of one of his cousin-sisters, though the financial pressure from the landlords also looms heavy. Driving Lessons In the book, Balram sets out to become a professional driver after learning how much money personal chauffeurs for Indias plutocrats make, getting Kusum to invest in driving classes. After his lessons, Balram goes around to various houses and begs for a driving job until he just happens to stumble upon the residence of the Stork. Coincidentally, the Storks youngest son, Ashok, happens to have just returned to India from the U.S. and needs a driver. In the movie, Balram only pursues driving lessons after hearing about the return of Ashok (Rajkummar Rao) to India, and deliberately seeks out the landlords residence. Advertisement Advertisement Balram goes on a drive with the Stork, Ashok, and the other son in the family, Mukesh, nicknamed the Mongoose (Vijay Maurya). In the book, this is the first occasion where Balram actually meets the Mongoose, but in the movie, the Mongoose comes along with the Stork for village visits. The other village landlords, also nicknamed after animals, make brief appearances in the book but dont all make it into the movie, besides one man known as the Buffalo. Family Business After Balram is hired, he gets a covered room in the Storks house, shared with the familys other driver, Ram Persad (Ram Naresh Diwakar). Ram Persad has a higher status than Balram as the No. 1 driver, meaning he gets to drive the familys nicest car, a Mitsubishi Pajero (in the book, a Honda City), while Balram is not allowed to even touch Rams car. Balram drives a lesser Mitsubishi (in the book, a Maruti Suzuki in bad shape) and also has to take on other menial chores around the house, such as cleaning, making tea, and giving foot massages to the Stork. Advertisement The Stork is soon visited by the areas ruling minister, known only as the Great Socialist (Swaroop Sampat)a woman in the movie but a man in the novel. The Great Socialist is one of the many politicians in the Stork familys pocket, but she now demands they pay their fair share of taxes instead of depending on the goodwill they buy using bribes. After she leaves, the family talks about paying off the opposition party and driving the Great Socialist out of office. Ashok, the Mongoose, and Ashoks wife, Pinky Madam (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), then decide to go to the Indian capital, Delhi, for three months in order to meet with other politiciansand hopefully pay their way out of the Storks new tax demands. The Delhi Trip In the movie, Balram spies on Rams solo ventures outside the house almost immediately and discovers Ram is secretly Muslimsecretly, because the Stork and his family are open Islamophobes. He later uses this to his advantage when he hears Ram has been assigned to drive Ashok and Pinky to Delhi, by threatening to reveal Rams secret unless he leaves the Storks house for good. In the book, however, Balram doesnt spy on Ram until the Delhi trip is announced and Balram needs extra leverage over him. Advertisement Advertisement Balram drives the three to Delhi, where they stay in a luxurious apartment while he stays in the dingy servants quarters in the basement along with other drivers who constantly razz him. The quarters depicted in the movie are much more opulent than those in the book, with the film version featuring a den of pleasures while the book version is mainly a den of roaches. (In the film, Balram eventually does move to an even more decrepit, roach-infested dorm room within the quarters.) Much of how the Delhi expedition goes otherwise matches the book: Balrams main job is to drive Ashok and the Mongoose around to various governmental officials, even making a stop at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Indian presidents official residence. The Mongoose eventually leaves, and Balram keeps driving Ashok and Pinky as they eventually start to argue more and more: about the true purpose of the trip, about Balrams manners (she is horrified when she catches him scratching his groin at one point), about their marriage and families, about living in India versus living in the U.S. Advertisement Where the movie really deviates is in developing Ashok and Balrams relationship: Unlike the book, the movie has them becoming something close to buddies, as Ashok tells Balram not to call him sir or master, and they are seen playing video games together and jamming to Feel Good Inc. in the car. In this way, the film more heavily highlights the homoerotic tones between the two that underlie the story (in both book and film, current-day Balram sometimes refers to Ashok as his ex). Advertisement Advertisement A horrifying turning point takes place on Pinkys birthday. Balram drives them to a restaurant to celebrate; after dinner, a drunken Pinky then demands to drive the car, which leads to her striking and killing a small child. (The movie makes the childs death explicit, but in the book, its never actually established whether a child was killed, though a piece of green cloth found stuck in the cars exterior implies that is the case.) Advertisement The immediate consequences are similar in both the book and movie: The Stork and Mongoose come to Delhi and coerce Balram into signing a confessionwhich will not be needed once the family confirms the police didnt receive any report of the accident. The Aftermath After all this, in both novel and film, Pinky walks out on Ashok and has Balram drive her to the airport. Ashok becomes extremely upset, falling into an alcoholic stupor, while Balram takes care of him. The overall nature of their post-Pinky relationship develops differently on page and screen: In the movie, Balram takes Ashok to a nice restaurant and lies to him, claiming that Pinky cried when he drove her to the airport and said Ashok would do great things. In the book, Balram and Ashok dont really have this warm relationship; even though Balram wants to be like a wife to Ashok, hes mostly just cleaning up after his emotional drinking binges. Advertisement Advertisement Once the Mongoose comes back to take care of business, any hope of a closer relationship between Balram and Ashok dissipates, and the former starts thinking more seriously about his exit plan. Pinky gave him some money before she leftin the book, 4,700 rupees, in the movie, 9,300, both amounts that Balram finds suspicious. He starts driving Ashok around to ministers houses again and notices both that Ashok carries a red bag with him everywhere and that hes getting more involved in upcoming elections. In the movie, Balram learns the Mongoose and Ashok are planning to pay off government ministers and that the Mongoose seems to want Ashok to hire a new driver to replace Balram. In the novel, the Mongoose importunes Ashok to remarry; it is actually Ms. Uma, a former lover whom Ashok reconnects with after his separation from Pinky, who appears to suggest that Balram be replaced. (Ms. Uma is nowhere in the movie.) Advertisement As Balram grows more paranoid, he starts to have hallucinations: His dad tells him to take his masters money, and he sees himself telling Ashok he wants to bash his skull in (neither vision appears in the book). When he does try to talk to Ashok, however, Ashok assumes that Balram wants to go see his family and gives him just enough money for a one-way ticket. In the book, Ashok actually assumes Balram wants to get married, takes out a lump of cash, and deliberately only gives a part of it to Balram, which the driver later throws away. The Election Meanwhile, the Great Socialist wins her election, and Balram and Ashok drive to a celebratory rally. Ashok worries about his own prospects but greets the Great Socialist warmly as she enters the car. He offers her 1 million rupees, but her aide says he knows Ashok paid the opposition party and demands four times that amount from him, making clear the familys financial entanglements arent over. This part, again, plays out differently in the book: After the Great Socialists victory, Ashok goes to the Imperial Hotel to meet two men, both of whom take Balrams car while Ashok takes a taxi. The men talk about shaking Ashok down for extra money and possibly roughing him up if he doesnt pay up. Advertisement Advertisement In both book and movie, Balram later comes across a boy named Dharam, who claims hes an extended family member and bears a letter from Kusum. The correspondence is a threat: Kusum complains that Balram has not sent money for months, that he needs to get married to the woman theyve picked out for him, and that shell tell the landlords about Balrams nonpayments if he doesnt comply. The Killing Balram decides to murder Ashok, steal the money, and begin a new life. This crime forms The White Tigers climax, though the timeline differs in the adaptation from the original story. In the film, Balram drives through a rainstorm to pick up Ashok, who says Pinky called and asked him to move to New York, though he doesnt want to. Balram pulls over the car, stating that something is wrong with the wheel. He takes a broken glass bottle he stored in the front of the car with him as he inspects the wheel, soon telling Ashok that he needs his help to fix it. Ashok gets out, crouches down against the wheel, and remarks that it seems fine; Balram says he should have found a replacement a long time ago, then stabs his master and slits his throat. He drives away screaming and laughing maniacally before fetching Dharam and taking him down to Bangalore. (Interestingly, the movie doesnt explore Balram and Dharams relationship as deeply as the book does, which may make Balrams decision to take Dharam along confusing for viewers.) Advertisement Advertisement In the book, Balram drives Ashok and his red bag to several banks, from which the businessman takes multiple ample stacks of bills. Balram tells the lie about the wheel and guilts Ashok out of the car by mentioning that the wheel hasnt been right since a drive they made to a hotel where Ashok had hired a prostitute. After Ashok looks at the wheel, Balram stabs him, hesitating slightly before finishing the murder. Knowing that the landlords will inevitably massacre his family after what he did, he considers this killing revenge in advance. Back to Business The endings of both the movie and film are more or less the same: Balram and Dharam make it to Bangalore, where they hide for a few weeks before resurfacing and exploring the city. Balram decides to get into the outsourcing business after noticing how many cars are needed to take workers to call centers and deciding he can provide that transportation service. Balram uses the money from Ashoks red bag to bribe local police into cracking down on taxi services that already contract with the call centers, opening up the market for himself and his new venture, White Tiger Technology Drivers. In a sinister signoff worthy of The Talented Mr. Ripley, Balram, now an accomplished executive, reveals his new, assumed name: Ashok Sharma. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 07:02:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BRUSSELS, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Friday welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden's newly announced intention to extend by five years a bilateral treaty with Russia on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which sets limits for both countries to deploy up to 1,550 nuclear warheads, is to expire in February, and the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals would be unchecked for the first time since 1972 if no extension is negotiated. "I welcome President Biden's announcement and his intention to seek an extension of the New START treaty," NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said at a news conference with President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili during her visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels. "I have stated repeatedly that we should not end up in a situation where we have no agreement, no limitation whatsoever on the number of nuclear warheads," Stoltenberg added. Also on Friday, the Kremlin said it welcomes the U.S. proposal, adding that everything will depend on the details of the proposal. "Russia stands in favor of the preservation of the New START and for the extension of this treaty, where a time lag could be used for conducting appropriate negotiations," the TASS news agency reported, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. It is significant to take each other's concerns into consideration, Peskov said. The New START, signed in 2010, remains the only nuclear arms control pact in force between the two nuclear superpowers. The two sides failed to reach an agreement last year as the former U.S. government under Donald Trump rejected a Russian proposal to extend the treaty for at least one year without conditions. Enditem One thing that the Internet cant seem to get enough of is a photo taken of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at President Bidens inauguration ceremony this week. The image, which shows Sanders hunched in his chair trying to stay warm and maintain social distancing, has become a viral meme NYU masters students Nick Sawhney, however, decided to take it to a whole new level. He built a website that allows visitors to take the image of the senator and place it anywhere on Google Maps Street View. All you have to do is enter the address and the site does the rest.Unfortunately, the site isnt free for Sawhney to maintain and has become very popular, so as of this writing he had to take it down. However, he is accepting donations to help him keep the site running, so hopefully the takedown will only be temporary. A church deacon was arrested in Queens this week after he attempted to meet up with a minor for sex, only to be nabbed by an undercover cop. Rogelio Vega, 50, is a deacon at Saint Sebastian Roman Catholic Church in Woodside, as well as a married father of four children. In July, however, he began communicating with a 14-year-old boy on Grindr, a mobile dating app for the gay and queer communities. The New York Post reports that it wasn't a minor child at all Vega was talking to, but an undercover detective. Rogelio Vega, 50, was arrested this week after allegedly trying to have sex with a minor boy Vega is a deacon at Saint Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, where he has been since 2015 Vega sent several photos of his genitals to the undercover cop and asked for nude photos in return. Vega also solicited oral sex several times, but was always met with with an excuse from the 'child,' like getting in trouble for going out. They finally agreed to meet on Tuesday for oral sex at a predetermined location. Vega flashed his headlights when arriving, only for the undercover cop to then get into the car and arrest Vega. 'This defendant by all outward appearances is a church-going family man,' Queens DA Melinda Katz said. 'Sadly, the real person under the sheeps clothing is an alleged sexual predator who sought out a teenage boy to fulfill his needs.' The staff section of the Saint Sebastian Roman Catholic Church website has a first-person bio from Vega. 'I was born in Brooklyn, NY on June 21st. 1970 and my parents are from Puerto Rico. I am married to Flor Vega which is from Mexico,' Vega writes. 'We have 4 children and a nice grandson. If convicted on the charges, Vega faces up to seven years in prison for his alleged crimes 'For many years my wife and I had work with the Evangelization and this is the way I had received the call to serve God thru the Diaconate Ministry. I was ordained as a permanent Deacon in May 28, 2011. I live in Maspeth. 'I was assigned to this beautiful parish since December 2015 and I am happy to be here serving this wonderful community and together to continue working with the evangelization in order for other to meet Jesus in their lives.' On Wednesday, Vega was arraigned on charges of attempted use of a child in a sexual performance, attempted disseminating indecent material to a minor, attempted criminal sexual act, and attempted endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted, Vega faces up to seven years in prison. Vega was released on a $50,000 bond. The Sunnyside Post reports Vega is due to return to court on Monday. New Delhi: The Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) counselling schedule will be announced anytime soon by the Higher education minister K P Anbazhagan as CBSE NEET results 2017 has been declared. There are several engineering candidates who are also eligible for medical seats on the TNEA list. The TNEA 2017 rank list for engineering admission counseling was announced on Thursday by the Anna University. TNEA counselling registration began on May 1 and ended on May 31. About 1.25 lakh candidates have applied for the admission this year. Out of the these, 88.77 are boys and 52.29 are girls. The admissions was scheduled to commence for June 27, across Tamil Nadu for June 27. As per Anbazhagan, among the 6,733 top scorers on the TNEA list whose cut-off scores were in the range of 200 to 197, there are 5,376 candidates who are also eligible for medical seats. Many of these students are also eligible for medical seats, there is a chance of them giving up the engineering seat if they opt for a medical one. This will result to difficulties later leading to vacancies in the top slots. So we will commence counselling once the medical results are out. The Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) is conducted by Anna University for all eligible applicants who wish to pursue engineering courses in the state of Tamil Nadu. The Border Security Force on Saturday found a 150-metre long tunnel, constructed by Pakistan at the International Border (IB) to facilitate infiltration of terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. The 30-feet deep tunnel was detected during an anti-tunnelling operation between Border Post number 14 and 15 near BSFs outpost Pansar area of Hiranagar sector. "It is pertinent to mention here that BSF had shot down a Pakistani Hexacopter carrying a load of weapons and ammunition in June 2020 in the same area," a spokesperson of the BSF said. "BSF troops had also foiled an infiltration bid in the same area in Nov 2019 wherein BSF troops had fired upon the party trying to infiltrate into India," he added. The tunnel appears to be at least 6 to 8 years old and would have been used for infiltration for a long time. "It is very important to detect all the tunnels built by the Pakistani military and its terrorists because the infiltration of terrorists through them practically nullifies the utility of deployment of soldiers along the Line of Control. When it becomes too difficult to cross the LoC, Pakistani terrorists use these tunnels," a senior counterterror official was quoted as saying. This is the second tunnel to be detected in the area within 10 days by the border guarding force, fourth in the past six months along the IB in Samba and Kathua districts and 10th in the past decade. A 150-metre long tunnel suspected to be used by four Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists for infiltration from Pakistan was detected by the BSF in November last year. The tunnel was unearthed following an investigation into the encounter near Nagrota on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Border Security Force director general Rakesh Asthana had ordered the force to step up efforts to detect tunnels after the encounter. The four Kashmir-bound Pakistani terrorists were killed in a gunfight when the truck, in which they were travelling, was stopped for checking at Ban toll plaza on the highway. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2021) Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that US diplomats will be summoned to the ministry following a publication of opposition protest maps. "The US colleagues will have to explain this at Smolenskaya Square [the location of the Russian Foreign Ministry]," Zakharova said. On Friday, the US embassy in Russia published an alert statement about the opposition demonstrations across Russia in support of Alexey Navalny. The embassy mentioned routes of the anticipated rallies and urged US nationals to avoid these locations. The embassy noted that in Moscow, "demonstrators plan to gather near Pushkin Square at approximately 1400 and march towards the Kremlin." The Russian Foreign Ministry said that such publications will be viewed as rude foreign interference in Russia's domestic affairs and there will be a relevant reaction. "What was it - a recommendation or an instruction? Even the organizers [of protests] did not announce such plans. One can imagine what could happen if the Russian embassy in Washington published a map of protest routes indicating Capitol Hill would be the final point. Such orientation on the ground would result in a global hysteria of US politicians, including anti-Russian slogans, threats of sanctions and the expulsion of Russian diplomats," Zakharova stressed. Earlier in the day, the Russian Foreign Ministry called on US diplomats in Moscow to deal with their own problems and not interfere in the internal affairs of other states. Nationwide protests in Russia were called after jailed opposition activist Alexey Navalny was detained last Sunday upon arrival from Germany, where he was treated for his alleged poisoning. The 44-year-old was placed in custody for 30 days for violating probation terms on an earlier embezzlement conviction. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Biden to rescind Mexico City Policy, Trump's pro-life actions Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Biden administration dodged questions about the president's policy priorities regarding abortion funding on his first day in office, but on Thursday Dr. Anthony Fauci confirmed that the president will be rescinding his predecessor's pro-life policies. According to Catholic News Agency, Fauci told board members of the World Health Organization that the administration will repeal the Mexico City Policy in the coming days. It will be our policy to support womens and girls sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights in the United States, as well as globally, Fauci said. To that end, President Biden will be revoking the Mexico City Policy in the coming days, as part of his broader commitment to protect womens health and advance gender equality at home and around the world, he added. Fielding questions from reporters Wednesday during her first press conference as Biden's White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki was asked about the Hyde Amendment, the Mexico City Policy and how the new president intends to proceed. "I think well have more to say on the Mexico City Policy in the coming days. But I will just take the opportunity to remind all of you that he is a devout Catholic and somebody who attends church regularly," Psaki replied to a reporter with the Catholic network EWTN. "He started his day attending church with his family this morning, but I dont have anything more for you on that," she added. The Hyde Amendment is a federal provision that bars tax dollars from being used to pay for the abortions of women on Medicaid. It once had considerable bipartisan support, including from Biden who reversed his stance during the 2020 presidential campaign. The Mexico City Policy prohibits U.S. tax dollars from being used by nongovernmental organizations and other entities that provide abortions, referrals for abortion or expand abortion services. Under the Trump administration, the policy was reinstituted and subsequently expanded. The Mexico City Policy, which critics call the "global gag rule," was first implemented by President Ronald Reagan. Ever since, Republican administrations have supported it and Democratic administrations have revoked it soon after entering office. Abortion rights activists have petitioned the Biden administration to rescind Trump's pro-life policies. Conservative pundits and journalists have expressed their dismay that Biden continues to be referred to as a "devout Catholic" given his views on abortion. "Reminder: the Catholic Church teaches that abortion is 'a crime against human life, constitutes a grave offense ... tweeted Mary Margaret Olohan of the Daily Caller. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Brood X is here Numerous cicadas and their exoskeletons can be found at Antietam National Cemetery and the nearby battlefield. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. After weeks of sizzling series of auditions, 15 beautiful ladies have been unveiled for the maiden 'Pose For Africa' modelling contest. The competition would start airing from February 6, 2021, on TV Africa as the beautiful ladies compete for honours and the chance to become a top Ghanaian model. The modeling contest first of its kind in Ghana is aimed at giving a platform for young female models to realize their dreams of becoming top models in the world. The 13-week Reality Show themed 'Representing the true image of Africa' would see these young beautiful ladies showcase their runway prowess, project shoots, interactive competitions among other various task shoots. The reality show would also promote tourism thus showcasing various Ghanaian arts to the outside world especially with participants across the African continent. Mrs. Afua Asantewaa O. Aduonum Chief Executive Officer of ASKOF Productions Limited said she was anticipating a keenly contested show considering the zeal of the young ladies. "If the high sense of enthusiasm of the contestants is anything to go by then, l can confidently say the stakes are high, Africa should brace itself for a real showdown," she said. The contestants for this year's reality show include Jacqueline, Roselyn, Kabukie, Marina, Racheal, Diamond, Cornelia, Regina Dzeagu, SweetBaby, Theresa, Ilse, Selma, Christiana, Russia, and Regina Amor. The winner for this year's Pose For Africa modeling show would sign a modeling contract with a top Modeling Agency, a trip abroad, cash prices, among others. The reality show is powered by ASKOF Productions Limited produced by Mcphillimages with support from Tee Bay Beauty, MJ Grand Hotel, Da Therapizts, Amelbeau, PMML, Eye 360 Security, Style by Ele, Vana Bites Chartma Herbal Center, Film God, Freddie Studios. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Hedge funds often measure their investments in minutes, not decades; but for Anchorage Capital Group, its long-held stake in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is proving that patience can also be profitable.The New York-based money manager stands to make roughly $2 billion on its investment in the film and TV producer, one that began almost 11 years ago with MGM in bankruptcy court. Amazon.com Inc. agreed to buy the company for $8.45 billion Wednesday, a price that includes just under $2 billion in debt.The deal is in many ways a vindication for Kevin Ulrich, the former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. trader who co-founded Anchorage in 2003 and was part of a group of distressed debt investors that took control of MGM as it went through the restructuring process. In recent years the stake looked to be an albatross for the fund, one that came with significant drama in its own right.Ulrich brought in and later fired a high-profile chief executive officer, resisted efforts by activist investor Carl Icahn to take control, and held out for a bigger payday after years of considering various exit strategies. By selling now, as demand for media content from entertainment and technology companies alike is booming, hes proving his long-held faith in the investment was justified.There was a lot of maneuvering, a lot of financial engineering, said Steven Azarbad, chief investment officer at New Yorks Maglan Capital, an MGM investor who sold his shares four years ago. But theyve done great.A representative for Anchorage declined to comment.When Ulrich first invested in MGM, he was new to Hollywood. He helped pick Gary Barber, a South African-born producer of films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective as chief executive officer of the storied but debt-laden studio. Barber brought to the table a shrewd business sense, and connections into a world Ulrich long admired from afar.Barber shepherded MGMs development of The Hobbit franchise, a co-production with Warner Bros., that became a global smash hit. He helmed the release of the James Bond film, Skyfall, which generated over $1 billion at the box office, and he revived the studios work in television. Barber also brokered a deal to bring on TV super producer Mark Burnett, which gave MGM access to reality show hits like Survivor and The Apprentice, but would ultimately become personally troublesome.In 2012 the company bought back Icahns stock for $590 million. It also filed paperwork for a possible public offering of shares, and considered other options, such as a sale.As Barber boosted MGMs film and TV pipeline, Ulrich was increasingly entranced by the allure of Hollywood. He became a regular at movie premieres in Los Angeles and New York, and frequented industry parties in the Hamptons and elsewhere. He became active in creative decisions after becoming chair of MGMs board -- somewhat unusual for a non-executive lacking Hollywood experience -- even getting involved with business granularities like casting.Growing RiftBut over the following years a rift began to open up between Barber and Ulrich. When it was time to renew Barbers contract in 2017, Ulrich conducted an extensive search for a new CEO. When it ended, he ultimately chose to sign Barber to a new five-year deal. Yet around the same time, the pair split on whether to sell the company, with Ulrich wanting to hang on to the studio and Barber saying it was time to find a buyer.The company would hold buyout talks with Apple Inc. as well as Chinese investors that would ultimately prove fruitless.Only months after renewing Barbers deal, Ulrich fired him. The shock departure meant the company had to pay Barber for five years of salary and buy out his equity, a package totaling $260 million. In the three years since Barber left, Ulrich hasnt replaced him, instead operating an office of the chief executive officer, comprised of various people that each have their personal vision for MGM.Barber declined to comment via his spokesperson.Bounce BackAfter the initial period of success following the restructuring, the gains became harder to come by, as they did in Anchorages overall credit-focused business. Two senior managers left the firm in January 2020, and another in November. Anchorages flagship strategy, with about $8.5 billion under management, returned just 0.6% in 2018, 1.5% in 2019 and 4.4% in 2020, according to people familiar with the matter.In December, MGM hired investment bankers for a potential sale.MGM only released one film in theaters in 2020. Its biggest potential hit, the latest Bond film, No Time to Die, was pushed from last year to this October as a result of the pandemic.Yet the value of MGMs library rose as everyone from media companies to technology giants have sought to build video streaming platforms that can compete with industry leader Netflix Inc. Earnings jumped 48% last year, to about $307 million, even as sales declined.Anchorage holds a roughly 30% stake in MGM, worth about $2.5 billion in the sale, said people with knowledge of the matter. Anchorage invested around $500 million in the company more than a decade ago. Including the MGM stake, Anchorages flagship fund is up 18% this year, the people added. The fund has gained about 8% in 2021 not counting the studio.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P. Technology companies will assert that none of their policies are mandatory if customers dont want to accept them, they can close their accounts or decline to sign up in the first place. But many companies have made their services so essential that opting out is not a feasible option, and customers are often presented with new terms at the moment they most need to use a service. Consider how difficult it would be to avoid signing up for a single Google product, let alone to retrieve saved emails or photos, if the account has to be closed quickly. The foundation of such online contracts dates to when software was sold in a box, and the terms of service inside were considered agreed to when a customer opened the shrink wrap. Ever since a 1996 ruling upholding this notion, companies have tested the limits of so-called shrink-wrap agreements through increasingly creative means, like hiding terms of service behind layers of hyperlinks, burying them in small print, forcing users to agree before they can get access to a previously downloaded app or making the terms binding when a customer simply opens a webpage. Lyft, for instance, informed many customers last month that its terms had changed a week after the fact. We have become so beaten down by this that we just accept it, said Woodrow Hartzog, a Northeastern University law professor. The idea that anyone should be expected to read these terms of service is preposterous they are written to discourage people from reading them. Contracts are, in theory, meant to be mutually agreeable. How can they be if theyre designed so consumers cannot understand them? There are signs of waning tolerance to all this. Early this month, a Massachusetts court found that Uber failed to make its terms clear because it had hidden them in a hyperlink on the third page for new customer registrations, with no click-to-agree requirement. Senator Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, has proposed legislation aimed at improving transparency around privacy policies that govern how consumer data is used. In 2016, Congress made it illegal to include clauses that prohibit consumers from posting negative reviews. But the burden remains far too great for average consumers. Because courts have largely sided with the tech industry on terms of service rules, Congress needs to act. Lawmakers should consider instituting rules that require greater transparency around changes to companies terms of service and clearer means by which customers agree to them. Burying them in novella-length documents is neither honest nor forthright. Another smart requirement would be to clearly highlight the changes in a new policy and to include a discussion in plain English about how they will affect regular users, particularly when they have a grievance. If a companys online service is open to 13-year-olds, as many are, then the terms of use need to be written so an eighth grader can understand them in fact, such a standard may be warranted for all such user agreements. That would be a step toward informed consent, allowing for the possibility that an eagle-eyed consumer catches something unconscionable. After months of high seas tensions with Turkish and Greek warships facing off against one another over territorial disputes, the two nations now are set to resume talks Monday, after a nearly five-year hiatus. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul. The Bhopal Police on Saturday lobbed tear gas shells, fired water cannons and even resorted to the use of brute force to disperse a protest by the Congress in support of farmers who are up in arms over the Centres three contentious farm laws. The Congress contingent, which included former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath, senior leader Digvijaya Singh, former assembly speaker NP Prajapati among others, was marching towards the Raj Bhavan in Bhopal when the police blocked them. The Congress leaders, workers and farmers gathered at Jawahar Chowk and as the procession approached Roshanpura square close to Raj Bhavan, the protesters broke through the barricading put up by police. According to the police, the workers, who also included women, pelted stones on security personnel, which prompted them to use mild force to disperse the agitators. As the demonstrators did not budge, the police used water cannons to disperse the crowd and lobbed tear gas shells at them. Nath, Digvijaya Singh, MLAs Jaivardhan Singh, Kunal Chaudhary and about 20 others were arrested and later released on bail. The Centre has approved draconian laws for the farm sector, alleged Nath before the protest, adding that he has personally fought for Minimum Support Price (MSP) in the past. Do the farmers protesting in Delhi have no understanding of this sector, he asked saying that corporates will take over the mandis once these agri laws are implemented. If this happens, farmers will end up being bonded labourer to the corporates, added the MPCC chief. The grand old party also affirmed that it would persist with the demonstration unless the Centre takes a call on the new agri laws. MLA Lakshman Singh claimed that the Centres offer to temporarily stay the implementation of the laws was a partial win for the agitating farmers. Later, the MPCC chief slammed the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government for using brute force on Congressmen and farmers who were agitating peacefully in the city. We wont be cowed down with such atrocities and the struggle will continue, added Nath. The Congress also claimed that many party workers were injured in the police action. It sent out pictures of wounded men and women to media outlets. In wake of the protest, Raj Bhavan had been kept under three-layered security with police using heavy barricading to foil any attempt to stage a gherao of the Governor House. All roads leading to Raj Bhavan were fortified with heavy police force and deployment of water cannons. The MP Congress had recently organised a Khat Panchayat in Morena district and formally extended support to the farmers agitation seeking a rollback of new agri marketing laws from Centre. Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 2:22 am Clark County Public Health is now accepting requests for COVID-19 vaccination for those eligible in Phase 1b, Tier 1 of Washington states vaccination plan. All requests for the vaccine must be made through a webform on the Public Health website at clark.wa.gov/public-health/covid-19-vaccine. Those who are eligible in Phase 1b, Tier 1 include all people over the age of 65 and people 50 years and older living in multigenerational households. According to Clark County Public Health, there are two categories of people eligible under the multigenerational' household definition. 1: People who are 50 and older and are not able to live independently and are either receiving long-term care from a paid or unpaid caregiver or are living with someone who works outside the home. 2: People who are 50 and older and are living with and caring for a grandchild. Nobody younger than 50 is eligible and nobody 50 and older who is caring for a partner, friend or child is eligible. Those who submit a request through the webform will be contacted by a local healthcare facility to set up a vaccination appointment. According to a news release from the county, the number of people eligible in Phase 1b, Tier 1 (B1) is greater than the countys vaccine supply and capacity of local healthcare facilities. We ask people to please be patient, Clark County Health Officer and Public Health Director Alan Melnick said in the release. Were working with local health care providers to get people vaccinated as quickly as possible, but the demand for vaccine in Phase 1b is far greater than our current supply. More information can be found online at doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/Vaccine. Le Phuoc Vu, president of Hoa Sen Group, a large steel sheet manufacturer, continues to lead a secluded life on a mountain. However, he continues to make important decisions for Hoa Sen, which had an impressive business performance in 2020. Hoa Sen Group's chair Le Phuoc Vu A Hoa Sen Group shareholders meeting recently approved the business results in 2020 and a business plan for 2021. The post-tax profit of the 2019-2020 fiscal year, which ended in September 2020, was 288 percent higher than planned, reaching VND1.153 trillion. Hoa Sen shares have seen the price increase by five times over the last year, from below VND5,000 per share to VND26,700 per share. The enterprises capitalization value increased by VND9 trillion during that time. Hoa Sen was able to make high profits because it stored input materials when the prices were low and sold finished products when the prices increased. The group has projected a 30 percent increase in post-tax profit in 2020-2021 to VND1.5 trillion. Le Phuoc Vu is a well-known businessman in Vietnam. Local newspapers have reported that he underwent a Buddhist ceremony and took refuge at Three Jewels in July 2020. However, the businessman continues to make important decisions on issues related to Hoa Sen, including input materials for production. He visits the office once a month to attend meetings to make important decisions. The ceremony, which is an important step for a person accepting Buddhism, does not require a person to stay full time at a pagoda. For many years, Vu has made many impressive deals that have brought high profits. Hoa Sen Investment Company recently sold 27 million HSG shares from December 4, 2020 to January 2, 2021 at VND23,000-24,000 per share in early January, a peak price in the history of the shares. It is still unclear to whom Vu sold shares or transferred shares, but the move was taken when the HSG price increased sharply by five times compared with earlier this year. It was noteworthy that Vus enterprise sold shares when Hoa Sen officially gave up the $10 billion Ca Na project. The project was initially listed in the steel industry development strategy by 2025. However, it was later excluded from the strategy, as the Prime Minister suspended the project to clarify issues related to the environment, industry and equipment. Prior to that, Hoa Sen had experienced many ups and downs. In 2018, the enterprise fell into an unprecedented difficult situation, incurring big losses and owing a lot of money. Vu plans to completely leave Hoa Sen by 2026 when he is expected to sell all of his shares. V. Ha Huge volume of new shares, record liquidity put HoSE system under pressure The HCM City Stock Exchange (HoSE)s technical system was under significant pressure with billions of new shares recently listed and to be listed on the bourse and huge cash inflow which boosted the market liquidity to record levels. A UC Santa Cruz graduate student is suing the university and its police for clubbing and badly injuring her during what she said was a peaceful picket last year. Sabrina Shirazi, a teaching assistant and Ph.D. candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, was one of several hundred students, faculty and staff who gathered outside the campus entrance in February to protest what they said was the universitys refusal to provide cost-of-living increases to graduate student employees faced with rising housing costs. Grad student teachers had called a strike that day, saying they could no longer afford food or rent. Shirazi said she was one of a group of picketers who approached a police car to protest officers arrest of a young woman who had delivered water to the protesters. Without warning, she said, police charged into the crowd from behind, and two or three male officers clubbed her repeatedly on the head, neck, shoulder and torso, then pushed her to the ground and stepped over her. She said a friend helped her to the grass, where she lay for an hour before being taken to a student health clinic. Shirazi said she suffered a concussion and extensive soft-tissue injuries, spent the next month in bed and could not work for weeks. She said she has been able to resume her research, but at a reduced pace, and still suffers the effects of her beating. I still dont have the strength to get through a full day of normal activity, Shirazi said in a statement released by her lawyers. I am physically small, and any single officer could have easily moved me aside. I believe the officers likely racially targeted me for this violence, as I was the only person in my immediate vicinity with relatively dark skin and features, and the only person injured. While studying for her doctorate, Shirazi also serves as the universitys lead scientist in a statewide program to survey and protect biodiversity in California, her lawyers said. Her suit, filed last week in federal court in San Jose, seeks compensation for her injuries and punitive damages. UC Santa Cruz issued a statement Friday disputing Shirazis allegations. Our initial review indicates that the account presented by the plaintiff is not an accurate description of the incident, the university said, without elaborating. We take seriously any allegations of harm to those in our campus community. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has urged the new US administration to remove, with full effect, all sanctions imposed during ex-President Donald Trumps tenure, saying that Tehran will in turn reverse all the remedial measures it has taken in the wake of Trumps withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Tasnim reported. In an article published in Foreign Affairs on Friday, Zarif elaborated on Irans stances on the 2015 nuclear deal and the incoming US administrations expected policies. The new administration in Washington has a fundamental choice to make. It can embrace the failed policies of the Trump administration and continue down the path of disdain for international cooperation and international lawa contempt powerfully evident in the United States decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, that had been signed by Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union just three years earlier. Or the new administration can shed the failed assumptions of the past and seek to promote peace and comity in the region The incoming [President Joe] Biden administration can still salvage the nuclear agreement, but only if it can muster the genuine political will in Washington to demonstrate that the United States is ready to be a real partner in collective efforts. The administration should begin by unconditionally removing, with full effect, all sanctions imposed, reimposed, or relabeled since Trump took office. In turn, Iran would reverse all the remedial measures it has taken in the wake of Trumps withdrawal from the nuclear deal. The remaining signatories to the deal would then decide whether the United States should be allowed to reclaim the seat at the table that it abandoned in 2018, Zarif stated, in particular, in the article. ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Four more Douglas County elected officials are speaking out against the controversial group, Citizens Against Tyranny. The county clerk, assessor, surveyor and treasurer said in a statement Thursday that they are not affiliated with, nor do they hold any bias toward, any political party. RELATED: ROSEBURG SENATOR SHARES SUPPORT FOR CITIZENS AGAINST TYRANNY, DENOUNCES 'FILTHY TRAITOR' LIST They say their purpose is to represent and work for all the citizens of Douglas County. Well continue to treat not just political parties but every citizen equally and provide them the same level of service we would anyone else, said clerk Dan Loomis. Group leaders said they created Citizens Against Tyranny because they believe the governor is infringing on their rights by forcing businesses to shut down during the pandemic. They hoped to gain support from local elected leaders. In recent weeks, the Douglas County commissioners, the sheriff and the district attorney have also spoken out against Citizens Against Tyranny. Roseburg Rep. Dallas Heard has spoken out in favor of the group, saying he's been with them from the beginning, but added he doesn't agree with the "filthy traitor" list that was temporarily posted on the group's website, identifying two people they say reported businesses for violating COVID-19 protocols. Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 24 Hour Access Following the strange inauguration of Joe Biden, some 25,000 to 65,000 National Guard troops brought in to guard the Capitol were in for a string of insults. First, their loyalty was questioned. Then their professionalism was questioned. And with no clear purpose for so many of them to protect the Capitol, it was clear they were being used for photo op props, not the service they were sworn to. They found themselves there not to chase off rioters, but to bolster Democrats in their political purpose of smearing Republicans as insurgents. The final insult came when someone ordered them to get lost from the Capitol. Like discarded props, or no longer welcome valets, more than a thousand were ordered into an icy underground parking garage to stay out of sight, out of mind. They had no heat, just one bathroom for 5,000 personnel, and only one outlet. They had no internet and no beds, forcing them to sleep on hard ground in 38-degree cold. COVID was present, making the harsh conditions a potential superspreader event. Upstairs the beautiful people in monochrome colors, heat, fancy bathrooms, and tons of snacks carried on as usual. It's good to be the elite. According to Politico, who asked a Guardsman what was going on: "Yesterday dozens of senators and congressmen walked down our lines taking photos, shaking our hands and thanking us for our service. Within 24 hours, they had no further use for us and banished us to the corner of a parking garage. We feel incredibly betrayed," the Guardsman said. Four governors called their National Guardsmen back, with Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis summing it up with this: "They are soldiers. They're not Nancy Pelosi's servants." Finally, someone on Team Biden told doddering old Joe there was a public relations problem, and Biden reportedly called the National Guard commander to apologize. We don't have a quote, so we don't know if he really apologized, but the press barreled ahead to claim it was that. Around the same time, wife Jill, whoops, that's Dr. Jill Biden, was dispatched to meet a few of the Guard on the outside grounds, to distribute a basket of cookies. Based on the size of her basket, it didn't look like enough to feed 65,000; it was just enough for the cameras. And no, she didn't take that basket into the garage; she just served the cookies to the Guards guarding, out on the Capitol lawn. What's vivid here is how many Democrats fell over themselves to claim they didn't like it and didn't do it. Besides a lot of Republicans, House leftist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted "yeah this is not okay" and offered the Guard the use of her office couch, along with a lot of snacks. President Trump, however, apparently got there first, offering the Guard the luxurious accommodations of the nearby Trump hotel for free. Nice try, Sandy. Meanwhile, another leftist, Rep. Bill Keating (D-Mass.) went out of his way to deny that he was the one who did it, as Breitbart News reported, having gone "Karen" by loudly confronting a National Guardsman in a Dunkin Donuts not wearing a mask, and at least appealing to the management he said Joe Biden signed a mask mandate, so it was very important to him to intervene. In any case, he said the Guards were just resting and never were sleeping on the floor, so nothing bad went on. According to the Boston Herald: Keating said he was in a coffee shop in the House with a large number of people on Thursday when he saw some not wearing masks. President Biden on Wednesday had signed an executive order mandating mask wearing on federal property. "I commented to no one in particular that this has the ingredients of a super-spreader event and we should all keep our masks on. A member of the National Guard chose to loudly refuse," said Keating, who makes at least $174,000 a year as a congressman and earns a state pension of nearly $114,000 as a former district attorney, according to the comptroller's office. "That is the totality of what took place," Keating said. "Over 400,000 people have already died in this country, roughly 4,000 a day, due to COVID, and if I were in the same situation today, I would say the exact same thing." Whoever it was who ordered the National Guard into the garage is not owning up to it. The media are incurious not a single reporter asked White House press secretary Jen Psaki about it but after so many indignities connected to the Biden inaugural, the Guard would surely have a right to know. What's known so far is that members of the Guard said the Capitol Police ordered it, but the Capitol Police chief explicitly denied it. Chief Yogananda Pittmann said she "temporarily" ordered them to a garage where there were heat and bathroom facilities, so nothing bad happened, but the Guard said there was neither. This, like Keating's qualifiers, doesn't quite sound like a denial. Whether Pittmann was acting on her own or at the behest of House speaker Nancy Pelosi is an interesting question, given Pelosi's role in controlling the Capitol Police. Pelosi hasn't said anything on her Twitter feed, or apparently anywhere else. She praised the Guard a few days ago, but she blasted them last summer when President Trump called them in to protect federal property. According to the Washington Examiner, a low-level Capitol police officer acting outside the chain of command is the goat who did it, and in any case, he was sending them to a nice place with heat, not what was really a freezing parking garage. This sounds like more spin, given that nobody knows who the little fellow is. Whatever happened, it sounds like the doings of the Democrats, who used the Guard and then tried to bury them underground, out of sight, out of mind. That sets a mighty interesting tone for the incoming Biden administration. It might just be the first thing it's remembered for. Image credit: CBS This Morning video screen shot via shareable YouTube. Legendary television host Larry King has died Saturday in a California hospital. He was 87. Ora Media, the television production studio and media network launched by King in 2012, announced the news on social media through Kings verified Twitter account. With profound sadness, Ora Media announces the death of our co-founder, host, and friend Larry King, who passed away this morning at 87 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, the statement read. For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television and digital media Larrys many thousands of interview awards and global acclaim, stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster. Additionally, while it was his name appearing in the shows titles, Larry always viewed his interview subjects as the true stars of his programs, and himself as merely an unbiased conduit between the guest and audience. Whether he was interviewing a U.S. president, foreign leader, celebrity, scandal-ridden personage, or an everyman, Larry liked to ask short, direct, and uncomplicated questions. He believed concise questions usually provided the best answers, and he was not wrong in that belief. Kings son, Chance, confirmed his fathers death on Saturday morning, reports CNN. King had been hospitalized at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after contracting COVID-19. Here are some reactions to the late TV hosts death: Thanks for the countless interviews and insights, Larry King. You understood human triumph and frailty equally well, and that is no easy feat. There was no one else like you, and you shall be missed. Rest with the heavens now. George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 23, 2021 RIP Larry King.. one of the only talk show hosts who let you talk. Lengendary Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) January 23, 2021 Larry King was a hero of mine until we fell out after I replaced him at CNN & he said my show was like watching your mother-in-law go over a cliff in your new Bentley. (He married 8 times so a mother-in-law expert) But he was a brilliant broadcaster & masterful TV interviewer. pic.twitter.com/1JsXeeZYEk Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 23, 2021 CNN president Jeff Zucker's statement on Larry King's passing: "From our CNN family to Larry's, we send our thoughts and prayers, and a promise to carry on his curiosity for the world in our work." pic.twitter.com/a5rGdSIWa0 Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 23, 2021 Larry King, the legendary interviewer and host of "Larry King Live," has died at the age of 87. Rest in peace. https://t.co/vsp86KBOGu pic.twitter.com/cjGZyIxsRl IMDb (@IMDb) January 23, 2021 Funeral regulations protect consumers with preneed contracts Although Thos. Shepherd & Son has been shut down since November, state funeral services regulators say North Carolina law protects consumers rights to transfer preneed contracts. Shut down since mid-November for violations of state regulations, Thos. Shepherd & Son has been unable to conduct funeral services, burials or cremations. But those who have preneed contracts with the more than 100-year-old business should be able to transfer any prepaid contract to another funeral home, state regulators say. The Board of Funeral Services ordered the Church Street funeral home to shut down after an inspection last summer turned up numerous violations of state regulations. In a series of regulatory actions dating to 2018, state board inspectors have investigated at least six consumer complaints against the funeral home and its crematory, which are owned by Thomas R. Tom Shepherd, the licensed funeral director, and his wife, Melody Shepherd. The state board issued a show-cause order on Oct. 29 alleging numerous violations. The funeral home responded five days later that Tom Shepherd had been experiencing health issues and was not currently competent to address violations spelled out in the show-cause order. The next day the state board issued the order for summary suspension of the funeral homes license, its crematory permit at Shepherd Memorial Park, Tom Shepherds funeral director license and Melody Shepherds crematory manager permit and ordered the business to stop performing funeral services immediately. The state board upheld the suspension on Nov. 18. A hearing on the violations alleged in the show-cause order is expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks. Families can purchase preneed contracts paying for obituary writing, visitations, funeral services, burials and cremations in advance through insurance policies or cash payments that are held in trust. Either one of those would make a preneed contract in the state of North Carolina and would be subject to regulation by our Board of Funeral Services, Brett Lisenbee, compliance officer for the board, said in an interview. A full funeral service with a burial can cost $5,000 or more and cremations generally run less than that. The enforcement team of the regulatory board investigates cases of everything from unlicensed services to missing money. There was a case in Cliffside in excess of $300,000 missing, Lisenbee said. The funeral home was shut down and the case was referred to the local district attorney in Rutherford and that licensee was sentenced to four years in prison. The Board of Funeral Services has made no criminal referral in the Shepherd case and Lisenbee said hes not aware of any allegations of missing money. Even if Thos. Shepherd & Son was not subject to a summary suspension, preneed contracts are 100 percent transferrable in North Carolina, which means that a consumer or beneficiary can transfer them to any funeral home they want to as many times as they want to prior to death, he said. The money follows the consumer. If it was an at-need situation and death had occurred, they would just select the alternative funeral home and the board would work with that funeral home to ensure they had the information they needed to make a claim on the policy or the trust account where the money has been paid for that persons services. Such transfers are not uncommon. If the consumer needs to change to a different company, funeral directors are pretty familiar with how things operate. Plus, safeguards are in place. When that preneed contract is first sold, whether its a trust or insurance, theyre required by law to file a copy of that contract with our board, Lisenbee said. So we have a copy of that contract as it was executed and the funding source. If a family that had paid in advance for services at Shepherd decided to switch to a different provider in Hendersonville, then that funeral home would most likely call our office to get a copy of that contract. The Board of Funeral Services also has a form on its website consumers can use to request a copy of a preneed contract even if theyre not going to go to a new funeral home. The money and their contracts are safe, Lisenbee said when asked what he would want consumers to know. The board has a preneed recovery fund thats in place to reimburse any person that would have actually lost money. I dont believe we have any evidence to suggest theres missing money right now, but if there were we do have that preneed recovery fund in place to assist consumers who find themselves in that situation. The main thing is if they have questions about their contract, make sure it was filed with our office. * * * * * For more information or to get a copy of a preneed contract visit ncbfs.org or call 919-733-9380. Streetwise - The Ties that Bind by Frank Dunnigan August 2012 San Franciscans have always been highly attuned to the fact that people here do not remain newcomers for very long, because once the processes of work, friendship, marriage, and birth begin to play out, all of us quickly become interrelated. In short, this means that you have to watch what you say around here, lest you make a nasty remark about someone to his sister-in-laws second cousins husbands mothers great-aunt. Oh, those meandering family ties! Going back to the original indigenous peoples, historians note that there was contact among various groups throughout the area. Those early Bay Area inhabitants exchanged information about water sources, weather conditions, and food supplies, and some eventually partnered with others outside their own group. Intermarriage continued during the rule of the Spanish and the Mexican governments. Once the Gold Rush began, the pattern continuedprospectors and merchants became intertwined, hotel owners, saloon keepers, and othersperhaps some with less-than-honorable professionsalso began to forge alliances. The great waves of European immigration further contributed to various family, business, and social connections. Even among those who arrived more recentlyduring 1967s Summer of Love or via last years JetBlue ride from Columbus, Ohiothere is some measure of assimilation. Among San Franciscos early Jewish families, going back to the time of the Gold Rush, intermarriage within the community was the norm, resulting in an incalculable philanthropic benefit to the City. The families of Zellerbach, Fleishhacker, Schwabacher, Ehrmann, Stern, Meyer, Steinhart, Heller, Haas, Lilienthal, and others are all inter-related through marriages and various family business enterprises. UC-Berkeleys Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life declares: Marriages within the extended family were extremely common and were encouraged, even to the point of regarding as outlaws those who chose to marry outside its accepted boundaries. Even the geographically distant Kay Graham, publisher of the Washington Post and DC area socialite until her untimely death in 2001, was a first cousin to many of these families. The seven brothers and one sister of Alioto Family began to arrive in San Francisco from Sant Elia, Sicily about 1896. Over the years, through a series of marriages, often to siblings in the Lazio Family (and sometimes to their own distant Alioto cousins), there are now hundreds of immediate descendants, many of whom continue to be active in the local fishing industry as well as in city politics. The Irish, as clannish and inter-married as any of the previous groups, used to stay within their own boundariesin fact, Rose Kennedys parents were second cousins to each other, and so, too, were one of my great-grandfathers brothers and his wife. By the dawn of the 20th century, though, some began to venture out from the herd. Two of my own grandparents, both born South of Market circa 1870-80, startled relations on both sides when they married in 1910 because his parents came from County Kerry and hers were from County Corkan all-Catholic mixed marriage! One can only imagine the exchanged glares among the relatives on both sides during the reception held at the home of the brides parents on 21st Street, following the wedding at St. James Church on Guerrero Street. A week later, the brides father, my great-grandfather, was dead from a massive coronaryso much for jolly Irish conviviality. My other grandmother, whose parents hailed from County Cavan, Ireland, really crossed ethnic boundaries when she married Grandpa, a local boy whose parents were originally from Germany. Given that their 1911 wedding was at a time when Kaiser Wilhelm was rattling his sabre toward the rest of the world, there was unhappiness among all their relativesat least until Moms oldest brother arrived a year later (exactly 100 years ago on July 24thhappy birthday, Uncle John!) and was named after Grandmas father, thus brokering a truce. During his half-century-long marriage, Grandpa became beloved by most of his in-laws, even though he had what might best be termed a chilly relationship with Grandmas older sister Maymethink of Redd Foxx in his role as Fred Sanford and LaWanda Page as his sister-in-law Esther who gave him the evil-eye look and her saucy retort, watch it, sucka! every time Fred opened his mouth. Even through my Streetwise columns I hear from people with whom I have some connectiongrammar school, high school, college classmates. Some have even turned out to be cousins of cousins or friends and neighbors of my own familys long-time friends. Everyone has a few memorable incidents involving such interpersonal connections, and the following are some of my own. In 1988, Mom and I were attending a funeral at St. Cecilias for a woman whose Irish-born parents were next-door neighbors of Dads parents in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake. Theresa relocated to the Sunset with her parents in 1939, and lived just three blocks up the hill from us at 18th Avenue at Santiago Street. She never married and outlived her parents and two childless siblings. Walking down 17th Avenue after her services at St. Cecilias, Mom spotted a lady who lived on Vicentesomeone who also happened to be the sister-in-law of one of Moms aunts-by-marriage. Mom recognized the lady immediately, and the three of us began chatting. This lady expressed some harsh remarks about the deceaseds distant relatives who were not in attendancethey came crawling out of the woodwork once she was dead, looking for money. The conversation went on as we strolled along, and the woman mentioned a small northern California town where these alleged money-grubbers lived. Nice placeI just visited some cousins there, I said innocently. She then mentioned a fairly common Irish surname. My cousins there have the same name, I replied, growing a bit curious. She then spoke the first and last name of the 74-year-old ringleader of this pack of mercenaries, along with a pretty nasty characterization. That is my fathers second cousin you are speaking of, I replied frostily, before Mom and I adjourned to the Gold Mirror on Taraval Street to repeat the story to others. Then, it hit me like a ton of bricks that based on this connection, I was also related to Theresa through a 1916 marriage of two cousins. Having always known her as a long-time family friend and then being told we were relatedwell, that takes some getting used to, but its not unheard of in San Francisco. In June of 1970, at the time of my graduation from St.Ignatius, two mothers of fellow graduates had a chance encounter on 37th Avenue. Ill quote from my classmate, Mike Pasini, who told their story a few years ago in Genesis, St.Ignatiuss alumni magazine: The beginning was the moment my mother came out of the Orradre Chapel in the summer of 1970 and heard, to her surprise, a familiar voice. Bernice? she asked. Barbara? Bernice laughed. They hadnt seen each other since they were girls, gathered at the Garbarino or Nassano home for one feast or another. They were, in fact, fourth cousins. And now that Bernices son Keith and I had just graduated from S.I. their paths had crossed again. Which is how, after four years at school together, Keith and I learned that we, too, were cousins. Cousins? we looked at our mothers. Then, without missing a beat, we turned to each other. Cugino! we laughed and embraced. Moms mother had eight brothers and sisters, and in 1928, Grandmas youngest brother married a girl from a large family in St. Anne of the Sunset Parishand she also had many siblings. Most of these young people married and then settled in the Outside Lands, raising children of their own. When I was in grammar school, it turned out that one classmates father was the younger brother of the wife of Grandmas youngest brotherNancy and I jokingly called ourselves half-cousins. We had no real relationship at all, even though she and my mother38 years apart in ageactually shared the very same aunt and uncle. And although many of the descendants of that original group eventually left the city limits in the late 20th Century diaspora of Irish-Catholics, each family retained a strong San Francisco identity. Fast forward to 2011, and two girls at St. Marys College in Moragagood friends since their freshman yeardecided to become roommates. In the course of conversation, each realized that their families knew some of the same people. A bit more conversation with their respective parents proved that the girls were actually third cousins to one another (their great-grandparents were siblings, each had a grandparent who was first cousin to one of others grandparents, and each had a parent who was second cousin to one of the others parents). And while one of them is no blood relation to me, the other is the daughter of one of my second cousins. And some people think Queen Victoria had a complicated family tree! Growing up, my parents always received a Christmas card from a Mr. and Mrs. Dieden, an older couple who lived on 43rd Avenue in the Richmond District. I once asked Mom who they were, and she replied that they were old friends of my fathers long-gone parents. Thats how I thought of them for years, until Dads 1980 funeral when Mrs. Dieden, then in her 90s and still a strong presence (retired schoolteacher from the San Francisco Unified School District), embraced me. I finally asked, Alice, exactly how do our families know each other? She replied sweetly, Why, dear, Im your fathers first cousinshe politely omitted adding, you idiot!and then explained to me that Dads father and her mother were brother and sister. I soon came to learn that Dads father, who died in 1934, long before my parents ever met, was a full decade younger than his sisters, was 38 when he married, and past 40 before having children. Hence, most of Dads first cousins, including Alice and others, were 25-30 years older, so Dad never had any of the usual family interactions. This contact with Alice rekindled a dormant connection, leading me to a far greater understanding of history, and drawing me into the family circle where I met many more wonderful relatives, before eventually serving as guardian for the last of Alices two elderly children nearly a quarter-century later, in 2001-2002. The ultimate story began in 1998. Armed with a new computer, back in the day when Yahoo! was mostly a search engine for email addresses, I received an inquiry from a lady in the East Bay, asking where my Dunnigan relations were from. I replied, naming the Irish town and county, and mentioning that they had come to California by way of Washington, DC. She responded that her own Dunnigan-born grandmother was from a different county, so we were probably not related, however, she had the email address of a man in suburban Washington, DC who was also searching for his own Dunnigan ancestors who had come from the same part of Ireland as mine, and who had also settled in DC. She suggested that I contact him. Just a few keystrokes later, I was in touch with a guy my age, whose mother turned out to be my third cousin (her great-grandfather and my great-grandfather were brothers, born in Ireland in the 1830s, who came to America in 1850). Our mutual great-great-grandmother was right there in the 1860 U.S. Census in DC! That December, I attended a family reunion in suburban Virginia where I met dozens of cousins and saw hundreds of old family photos of people who looked remarkably like Dad and his brother. I met my third cousin, DeeDee (a childhood nickname, based on her older brother Franks inability to pronounce Dunnigan). It was spine-tingling to hear the story of how her brotherwho, along with his father, my father, and myself all had the very same first and last namesand how her brother lost his life when his plane went down over the South Pacific in October, 1944, at age 26. I eventually came to know his widow, his son, his granddaughter, and his great-grandchildren, embracing them all as my own family. Continuing with family research at various libraries, I discovered additional branches of our family tree. It turned out that various cousins were neighbors in the same northwest Washington neighborhood in the 1920s, but as time progressed, the family tie became unknown to younger generations. By October 2000, I had enough information to pull together a family reunion, reuniting several branches that are still in touch today. Over the years, dozens of us, all some degree of cousin to one another, have continued to reconnect as family, sharing intimate matters, filling in the blanks of history, rejoicing at marriages and births, and consoling one another at times of sorrow, often in person, at wakes and funerals on an opposite coast. Someone asked me as I was headed off to the wedding of another remote cousin, What in the world do you talk about when you get together with strangers like that? Its really easyjust like my S.I. classmates who discovered their family connection by accident in 1970you simply know that you are a unique part of each others lives, and even after separation of a century or more, you literally pick up where the ancestors left off, as the ghosts of the past smile a collective approval on each and every reunion, right down to the warm smiles and the clinking of the wine glasses. LChaim, Slainte, Salute, Prost, Saludto all of us! Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places! Bhubaneswar, Jan 23 : Odisha on Saturday paid rich tributes to legendary freedom fighters Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary and Veer Surendra Sai on his 213th birth anniversary. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paid floral tribute to Netaji at his statue in Cuttack, the birthplace of the legendary leader. Several paintings depicting Netaji's life and his journey through the freedom struggle have been put on display at the Netaji Birth Place Museum. "Tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a great son of Odisha. His strong self-confidence, unique ideas and dedication to the country have always been inspiring," tweeted the Chief Minister. He also paid tribute to Veer Surendra Sai saying that his heroism and sacrifice in the fight against the British in Sambalpur to protect the interests of the tribals and the general public will always be remembered. Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal also paid tributes to both the freedom fighters. "Netaji was a champion of unity and equality who dedicated his life for India's freedom," remembered the Governor. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the birthplace of Netaji and paid floral tribute. "Paid tribute to one of India's greatest patriot Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Jankinath Bhawan, his birthplace in Cuttack. Celebrating this day as #ParakramDivas is a befitting tribute to Netaji and a just honour for his stellar contribution in the freedom struggle of our nation," tweeted Pradhan. On the occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT) in Cuttack. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Ask Dr. Land: Why is Trumps Advisory 1776 Commission so important? Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Myriad attempts are, and will be made to describe and evaluate the Trump legacy now that his presidential term has ended. I believe one of the most important parts of President Trumps legacy will be his establishment of the Presidents Advisory 1776 Commission last year to enable a rising generation to understand the history and principle of the founding of the United States in 1776 and to strive and form a more perfect Union. The Commission, consisting of 23 accomplished scholars and experts, went about their task very diligently and produced a scintillating and highly informative and inspiring report a few days ago, just before they were decommissioned and put out of business by President Bidens Executive Order. President Bidens action was extremely counterproductive to his stated goal of unifying the country. However, the report has now been published and is available online (at least for now), unless and until the high tech cartel (Facebook, Twitter, Google, Amazon, Apple etc.) decides it is too dangerous for the American public to read. My question is, dangerous to whom? The Commissions report is certainly dangerous to those touting The New York Times nefarious and fanciful 1619 Project, purporting to show that America was really founded in 1619, when some African slaves were brought ashore in British North America. The 1619 Project is revisionist historical fiction driven by Marxist cultural theory and political ideology attempting to show that America was an evil and racist society from the beginning. My goodness, even the Pilgrims did not begin to arrive until a year later with their City on a Hill mission to light the way for the Old World. Be advised that the 1776 Commission shreds the 1619 Project for the dangerous historical fantasy that it is. It is dangerous because it undermines our unity as Americans of differing ethnicities and perpetuates racial and ethnic division in perpetuity. As the late, great Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously observed you are entitled to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to your own facts regardless of what post-modernism may think. As our second president, the brilliant, but dour John Adams declared, Facts are stubborn things. And the 1776 Commission deals in facts lots and lots of them. See for yourself at: info.hillsdale.edu/1776-commission. The 1776 Commission report is a great document, summarizing the amazing history of the noble American experiment better than any document that I have read of similar size (41 pages), and I have read literally tens of thousands of pages over the last half century on precisely this subject. The Commissions report repeatedly focuses on both the ideals of the American Founding and the centuries-long quest to live up to them explains Victor Davis Hanson, a commissioned member, Thoughts on the 1776 Commission and its Report, (Real Clear Politics, 1/21/21). The following is just one example of the constant stream of priceless nuggets contained in the report: Americas principles are named at the outset to be both universal applying to everyone and eternal; existing for all time. The remarkable American story unfolds under and because of these great principles. Of course, neither America or any other nation has perfectly lived up to the universal truths of equality, liberty, justice and government by consent. But no nation before America ever dared state their truths as the formal basis of its politics, and none has strived harder, or done more, to achieve them. The Commission notes that President Lincoln (it does always seem to come back to Lincoln and his thorough and complete understanding of what the Founding Fathers were attempting to accomplish) described the American governments fundamental principles as a standard maxim for a free society, which should be familiar to all, and revered by all, constantly looked to, constantly labored for, and even though never perfectly attained, constantly approximated. But the very attempt to attain them every attempt to attain them would, Lincoln continued, constantly spread and deepened the influence of these principles and augment the happiness and value of life to all people of all colors everywhere. The story of America is the story of this ennobling struggle. The power of this story to inspire succeeding generations is perhaps best typified by the following quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: When the architects of our 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 unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The bottom line is this: read this report. Download it. Share it. Recommend it. Do everything you can to wallpaper the country with this critical report. Put the words of this report in your heart. Teach its truths to your children and grandchildren. Talk of this report when you are sitting in your house, and walking about town, and when you lie down and when you rise up and write these truths on the walls of your home and on yours gates (paraphrasing Deut. 6:1-9). And, you might, along the way, give some thought to thanking the Almighty that in His providence you are privileged to be a citizen of the noblest country yet devised by the mind of man on this planet At the start of 2020, Cristina Mas had big plans for the new year. She had picked out a dress, a venue, a DJ and planned to marry her fiance, David Adler, on Aug. 9 in front of their family and friends on a mountaintop in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. But, as for many people, the pandemic derailed those plans. "I always dreamt about what my wedding would feel like," she said. "And it was a feeling of a lot of love, a lot of hugs. I knew that if we tried to go forward with it, it wouldn't feel the way I wanted it to feel. There would be a lot of fear." Now, as 2021 begins, "I feel like I've mourned this loss like a death," she said. Kathy Wu, an assistant professor of psychology at Widener University and a licensed psychologist, says many of her clients have experienced similar heartaches. Early in the year, the pandemic disrupted all kinds of existing plans - weddings, graduation ceremonies, retirement parties, dream vacations, family reunions, holiday gatherings. "I went through a lot of sessions where we're just having to sort of acknowledge and validate the disappointment of having those plans fall through and be able to say, 'Now what? What is still within your reach, or what are some things you're willing to settle for?' " Wu said. With no definitive end in sight, the pandemic has made it difficult to make new plans - for gatherings, travel, big events. Even as coronavirus vaccines promise a return to something like normal by the end of 2021, this planning limbo is unsettling for many people, Wu said, because planning yields a sense of control over the future. "Plans sort of serve as a safety net for us, and without that we're left feeling anxious and stressed and uncertain, which itself can be very, very discomforting," she said. Another reason people may feel adrift without plans is that planning helps you reach your goals, said E.J. Masicampo, an associate professor of psychology at Wake Forest University. And when a goal or task lingers unfulfilled, it can create distracting mental chatter that makes it difficult to focus on other work. Masicampo's research shows that making plans quiets that noise. "When we set a specific plan, we're often lifting a heavy burden off of our minds, freeing up some mental space," he said. In addition, exciting plans, such as a wedding or a great summer trip, provide a reward to work toward, some future happiness to anticipate, which can buoy the planner for months. "People derive a lot of joy out of those positive experiences that they've planned for in the future," Masicampo said. "It just sprinkles our day with a little joy and hope and optimism, just having that thing to look forward to." A 2010 study by researchers in the Netherlands illustrates this effect. The study found that vacationers' biggest bump in happiness came during the eight weeks before the vacation, when they were anticipating their getaway. That helps explain why a calendar devoid of celebrations and social events doesn't just make life dull - the monotony can feel heavy and unending. So how can you cope with a lack of solid plans? Wu suggested to use this pause to reconsider your canceled or postponed plans, and get more intentional about those goals. With more time to think, question and dream, you may continue to love the idea or realize your original plan wasn't quite right. "It's an opportunity to really consider, what was this [plan] all about," she said. "It really does challenge us to consider our values and what our ultimate goals are." Missed milestones can be a particularly troubling loss, Wu said, but if you had to forgo a significant event, it may be helpful to look further down the road and set a new goal for a more distant date. Another strategy is to modify the original plan and replace it with something that's possible now, Masicampo said. When you consider what was driving your goal, you may find a compromise to satisfy some of those motivations. It can be as simple as swapping a daily gym habit for home workouts or choosing to go ahead with a virtual wedding ceremony and planning to hold a reception with friends and family later. "Underlying every sort of planned activity or goal is usually one or more values or desires that the person is trying to fulfill," he said. You can think about your original plan, he said, and ask, "Why did I want that? Or what was I getting out of that?' " Another strategy, Masicampo added, is to make a plan to plan later. You might feel distracted, for example, by the unknown of when you'll be able to travel to visit your family and enjoy spending time together indoors, without masks. In that case, you might mark your calendar to revisit the possibility in a couple of months. That can help quell nagging thoughts of your incomplete goal: a visit with loved ones. At that point, it may be possible to start making plans for that reunion. Many people have adapted to certain aspects of life in the time of covid-19, such as working from home, not going out to eat or wearing masks in public. But Brittney Morse, a San Diego licensed advanced alcohol and drug counselor at American Addiction Centers who is trained as a therapist, said it is important to remember the pandemic still adds stress to everyday life - and the lack of happy plans can only ratchet up the stress further. She said people could focus on practicing healthy coping skills, such as deep breathing, taking a walk or exercising, stretching, journaling or catching up with friends by phone or video. It may also be useful to reflect on the reason your plans are on hold, she said. "For myself, it's really helpful to kind of zoom out and look at the larger picture," she said. "Why are we not making plans? To protect ourselves, our family, friends, strangers, those with compromised immune systems." For Mas, who set a new wedding date in August, progress on the vaccine front brings a welcome jolt of hope - maybe her special day won't get canceled again. But her new vision is much more open-ended. She doesn't know how it will turn out, and she knows there's a possibility she'll need to settle for a small civil ceremony and once again postpone the larger reception. But she hasn't abandoned planning altogether. She has booked a trip to Nepal to hike to the Mount Everest base camp in spring 2022. "Maybe the wedding won't happen in 2021, but at least I can look forward to March 2022 and have something to train for," she said. And as for planning a honeymoon, originally they thought they'd go to Thailand. Now: "At this point we'll settle for anywhere we can drive and be safe." Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Heathrow Airport has said it 'isn't possible' for people to socially distance in its terminals as travellers blast the long queues at passport control. Shocking images shared to social media today showed hundreds of travellers -including children and the elderly - waiting in lines. Witnesses said the queues took at least an hour to clear as Border Force officers checked each passenger's proof of a negative PCR test and their locator form. The Home Office has insisted they have 'the necessary staff' needed to get through the hoards of passengers - and claim it is 'ultimately up to individual airports to ensure social distancing on site.' But Heathrow Airport said Border Force are responsible for the checks, and claim 'social distancing in an airport environment isn't really possible'. The chaos in arrivals come as ministers consider enforcing a mandatory 10-day 'hotel quarantine' system for all arrivals to stop Covid variants entering the UK. The plans - which could come into place as early as next week - may force travellers to pay out of pocket for a hotel stay, sparking fears the tough rules could spell the end for the hard-hit travel industry. In another day of coronavirus news: Top doctors demand the gap between the first and second doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine to be halved to six weeks; Countries around the world are considering tougher travel restrictions in a bid to keep out Britain's 'more deadly' Covid strain; Boris Johnson yesterday claimed there is evidence that the Kent Covid variant may be more deadly; But experts are playing down the concerns, saying its not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous; Nursing leaders are calling for higher-grade face masks to be given to staff to protect them against highly transmissible strains of Covid-19; Nearly 39 per cent of Israel's citizens have had at least a single dose of a Covid jab so far. Travellers returning to the UK have blasted long queues (pictured today) at Heathrow passport control as the airport claims it 'isn't possible' for people to socially distance in its terminals Shocking images shared to social media today showed hundreds of travellers - including children and the elderly - waiting in lines Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis shared a picture of the busy passport control area in Heathrow Airport (pictured) - which she later deleted The caption read: '200 plus British passport holders queuing to get home (in constricted space)' Sharing a picture of the queues at Heathrow Airport today, Rav wrote: 'I'm predicting a good hour to get through the UK Border at Heathrow this morning. E-gates offline, presumably for Covid tests and passenger locator form checks.' Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis shared a picture of the busy passport control area in Heathrow Airport- which she later deleted. The caption read: '200 plus British passport holders queuing to get home (in constricted space).' Former British ambassador to Turkey Peter Westmacott shared his own picture yesterday and wrote: 'T2 Heathrow Friday afternoon. No ventilation. Long delays. Superspreading.' Sajiv Mathew shared another image, adding: 'Surely there is a more efficient way to verify passenger documentation. Hundreds of passengers including children and the elderly, have been waiting in line for almost two hours.' Clare Rathsack shared a picture of a queue in Terminal 2, writing: 'Ridiculous. So few flights and complete chaos at T2 border control. Sort it out.' In response to mounting concern over the large queues, a Heathrow Airport spokesperson told Sky News: 'We've been clear since last May that social distancing in an airport environment isn't really possible. 'To put that in context, if you had one aircraft of let's say 300 people, you'd need a queue about 1km long to socially distance just one aircraft, which is why last summer we mandated face coverings in the airport.' Travellers returning to the UK have blasted long queues at Heathrow passport control (pictured yesterday) as the airport claims it 'isn't possible' for people to socially distance in its terminals Huge crowds of 'superspreading' travellers were spotted at Heathrow Airport in London yesterday evening as the UK was set to introduce tougher travel restrictions Shocking images shared on social media show passengers queuing at the UK border in the London airport with little social distancing in place A Government spokesperson yesterday said: 'We are in a national lockdown to protect the NHS and save lives. People should not be travelling unless absolutely necessary. 'You must have proof of a negative test and a completed passenger locator form before arriving. 'Border Force have been ramping up enforcement and those not complying could be fined 500. 'It's ultimately up to individual airports to ensure social distancing on site.' Heathrow said that 'Border Force is currently experiencing some delays' getting through the passenger checks, and the airport has measures to remind people of what rules are in place. A spokesperson told MailOnline today: 'We have extensive signage throughout the airport including in immigration halls reminding passengers to adhere to the Government's social distancing guidance, but there are points in the airport journey where social distancing is not always possible. People queue at terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport on Friday, as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues Heathrow said that 'Border Force is currently experiencing some delays' getting through the passenger checks (queues on Friday, pictured), and the airport has measures in place to remind people of what rules are in place Asked whether new border measures were coming, at the press conference, Mr Johnson said: 'I really don't rule it out, we may need to take further measures still' 'That is why face coverings are mandatory throughout the terminals, as they help to reduce the risk of transmission at the airport.' Long queues in airports come as Boris Johnson refused to rule out tough new measures including enforced quarantine in specially designated hotels. Currently travellers arriving in the UK are allowed to disembark and quarantine at their own homes or their destination accommodation. The self-isolation lasts 10 days, cut to five if they receive a negative test result. But this system relies on people following the rules and there are concerns over low levels of compliance that could allow the virus to spread. Instead the Government is believed to be examining plans to place arrivals in a hotel to quarantine after arriving, to ensure the rules are not broken. Arrivals would potentially have to pay for their stays while they self-isolate for 10 days, or even a fortnight. There are reports today that negotiations are already taking place with hotel chains, while London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was in favour. The powerful Covid O Cabinet sub-committee is due to discuss the ideas over the coming days - although a final decision is not likely until next week. This has been attempted here but not since the early days of the pandemic and that was only on a small scale. Using GPS tags to ensure compliance is also believed to have been considered. This would see arrivals slapped with electronic devices that show if they are staying at home as required. The measure is currently limited to use with convicted criminals on parole and those awaiting trial while on bail. It is likely it would lead to enormous civil liberties protests and complaints about the likely huge cost of such a plan, which would involve potentially monitoring thousands of people. Officials have also looked at the arrangements in Poland, where isolating individuals face 'enhanced monitoring'. It is likely it would lead to enormous civil liberties protests and complaints about the likely huge cost of such a plan, which would involve potentially monitoring thousands of people. That includes being contacted once a day and made to send a picture of themselves at the location where they are meant to be quarantining. The pictures are validated using facial-recognition technology and GPS data. However, the option is thought to have been rejected as too intrusive and difficult to implement on scale. Mr Johnson told the nation making it too easy for a strain of coronavirus that originated in South Africa - which may be more resistant to vaccines - to enter would under all the hard work put in by locked down Britons Desperate wrangling is going on within the Cabinet over the shape of the restrictions, set to be finalised at a meeting of the core Covid O sub-committee on Monday. A range of escalations are being considered to combat the global spread of variants, with a full border closure to foreign nationals still on the table. However, the most likely outcome is a version of the enforced isolation system used by countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Asked whether new border measures were coming, at last night's press conference, Mr Johnson said: 'I really don't rule it out, we may need to take further measures still. 'We may need to go further to protect our borders. 'We don't want to put that [all the effort to control the virus] at risk by having a new variant come back in.' It was yesterday revealed that Britain faces becoming a global pariah as countries around the world consider tougher travel restrictions in a bid to keep out the UK's 'more deadly' Covid strain. EU leaders are said to be drawing up a blue-print which could see travel banned from the UK to all of the union's member states. It come as the Netherlands is set to ban all passenger flights and ferry travel from the UK tonight. Portugal last night banned travel both to and from Britain due to fears over the new variant. How would 'quarantine hotels' and GPS tracking work? Ministers are scrambling to upgrade the border quarantine system amid fears the rules are being flouted. Civil servants have been ordered to study the 'managed isolation' arrangements used by countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Under those schemes, arrivals from abroad must stay in quarantine hotels for 14 days at their own expense. Passengers are transferred direct from airports to the hotels, and largely confined to their rooms - with the authorities monitoring to check no-one leaves. The systems have been credited with stopping Covid cases being imported. However, some airlines have stopped flying to Australia and New Zealand as the routes are not sustainable - with many citizens stranded abroad as a result. Officials have also looked at the arrangements in Poland, where isolating individuals face 'enhanced monitoring'. That includes being contacted once a day and made to send a picture of themselves at the location where they are meant to be quarantining. The pictures are validated using facial-recognition technology and GPS data. However, the option is thought to have been rejected as too intrusive and difficult to implement on scale. Advertisement And more countries could now follow suit after Boris Johnson and top scientific advisers warned the UK's mutant strain could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus. Meanwhile, cases of the UK variant have now been confirmed in both America and Canada. Officials in the Philippines, which had banned incoming UK flights over Christmas, said 16 cases of Britain's mutant strain had also been discovered. One case of the UK strain had previously been detected on the South East Asian islands, the country's Department of Health said. But officials say a further 12 cases have now been found in the Bontoc Mountain region, one case in the La Trinidad area and one case in Calamba City. Another two cases are said to have been brought in from Lebanon, health officials say. In Canada's Nova Scotia region health chiefs reported one confirmed case of the UK variant and another of the South African variant. And in New Jersey, US, officials reported their first two cases of the UK Covid strain. Meanwhile, EU leaders have reportedly drawn-up a travel blueprint that could lead to a ban on passengers from the UK. EU officials held discussions this week over border controls, including between member states, with new measures set to be announced on Monday. These could include bans on travel from countries outside the bloc, such as the UK. The European commission president Ursula von der Leyen said member states were 'free to impose further-reaching temporary bans on entry and on transporting passengers entering from third countries with virus variant areas'. The Netherlands are one country to impose tighter restrictions - banning passenger flights and ferries from the UK and Northern Ireland from tonight. Hawks led by Priti Patel and Matt Hancock are pushing for blanket mandatory 'hotel quarantine' plans in the UK, with sources insisting the policy will be 'worthless' unless it covers all travellers. But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Chancellor Rishi Sunak are said to be lobbying for a more nuanced approach. That could see measures targeted on arrivals from high-risk countries, or just foreign nationals who usually will not have homes in the UK where they can isolate safely. Tory MPs told MailOnline that the measures will 'kill' the travel industry, and urged the government to make sure they are 'highly targeted'. Environment Secretary George Eustice has refused to rule out even more drastic action, with foreigners barred from coming to the UK altogether. Asked about the possibility, Mr Eustice told Sky News: 'We always keep these things under review. And it has been considered. 'There is concern at the moment about the number of mutant strains.' The Environment Secretary told Sky News today a full border closure to all visitors from abroad has been considered, adding that there 'is concern at the moment about the number of mutant strains'. But later he told LBC: 'It's right that we are cautious about travel, but we don't think it's right at the moment to close it down altogether and close the border.' Ministers have long pushed against a total shutdown of all but essential foreign traffic, arguing that it would simply be too damaging for the economy as a whole and airlines in particular. However Home Secretary Priti Patel broke ranks this week to reveal she argued in favour of the move as early as last March. Ms Patel said on the question of whether British borders should have been closed earlier 'the answer is yes, I was an advocate of closing them last March'. The remarks, made during a Zoom call last night with the Conservative Friends of India group and first published by the Guido Fawkes website, will pile the pressure on Mr Johnson. Any new restrictions would be a further blow to the beleaguered travel industry and put the holiday plans of millions at risk. Mr Sunak and Mr Shapps are pushing against new travel measures over the 'severe' impact they would have on aviation, one of the hardest hit sectors during the pandemic, and the wider economy. But Ms Patel and Mr Hancock are eager to enforce harsher rules to stop mutant strains from entering the country, potentially undermining the vaccine operation. Passengers wait at Heathrow Airport yesterday as ministers mull even tighter rules Hawks led by Priti Patel (right) and Matt Hancock (left) are pushing for blanket action, with sources insisting the policy will be 'worthless' unless it covers all travellers Heathrow Airport is much quieter than usual but passengers face delays due to checks Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Chancellor Rishi Sunak are said to be lobbying for a more nuanced approach A Cabinet source among the hawks told MailOnline on the quarantine hotel idea: 'No-one should be going anywhere anyway. If it doesn't apply to everyone it makes it worthless.' They pointed out that tourism had stopped, so Britons were the main source of movement in and out of the country. 'It is Brits going and then returning,' they said. The source also insisted the travel industry had been treated far more gently than the arts and other sectors up to now. But one senior source told The Telegraph: 'Once in place, the restrictions would be difficult to exit, as Australia and New Zealand have found and their economies are suffering as a result. Nor have their quarantines and managed self-isolation proved watertight.' Another option for the Government would be to shut the UK's borders to all arrivals all together. Currently there is a ban on arrivals from South America and South Africa, where specific outbreaks of coronavirus variants have been found. Marriott yesterday denied that was in talks with the government about using its hotels for quarantine. A spokeswoman for IHG Hotels & Resorts, which runs Holiday Inn, said: 'IHG and our partners have worked closely with national and local government and the relevant health bodies to support the recovery effort during the pandemic. 'This has included providing accommodation for frontline healthcare workers and those needing to self-isolate. We have also worked with charities providing accommodation to some of society's most vulnerable, such as the homeless. 'Due to guest confidentiality we would not comment on individual bookings.' Huge queues prompted anger from passengers and questions over the number of staff at work Mr Khan voiced backing for the move, telling LBC radio: 'We have had until now, even now, people arriving in our country, getting off a plane, using Tubes to go to home or to a hotel in the centre of London, that doesn't make any sense to me.' He added: 'We should have much tighter controls at our borders... that includes not just tests before you arrive that are negative, tests when you arrive that are negative and staying in a hotel at the airport for at least a couple weeks until we know that you are ok to go about your business.' Mr Khan insisted ministers 'shouldn't be embarrassed of saying... those countries where there is a particularly dangerous strain of the virus, we shouldn't be allowing people from those countries to come to our country in this period.' Two weeks of Australia-style hotel quarantine (and YOU pay), electronic tags and closing the border to ALL foreign arrivals: Moves Government is considering to prevent highly infectious Covid strains being brought into Britain Ministers are examining a raft of measures to secure the UK's borders against highly transmissible strains of coronavirus from overseas. International travel has been slashed to a fraction of what it was before the pandemic struck, but different countries have used different measures to secure themselves against imported cases while fighting the home-grown spread. The UK has until recently taken a very soft-touch approach to policing both foreign arrivals and British citizens arriving home from overseas travel. But with the Covid death toll now at a pandemic high ministers are looking at a range of measures that could be introduced to make Britain and Northern Ireland more secure. Some island nations like Australia and New Zealand have long enforced stringent arrival rules, including blocking entry to some travellers, or forcing the rest into quarantine hotels - often at their own expense. Here we look at some of the measures that the UK could introduce and how they have been implemented elsewhere. Hotel quarantine Ministers are in talks with hotel chains over plans to force UK arrivals to quarantine at airports, it was claimed today Currently travellers arriving in the UK are allowed to disembark and quarantine at their own homes or their destination accommodation Ministers are in talks with hotel chains over plans to force UK arrivals to quarantine at airports, it was claimed today. Currently travellers arriving in the UK are allowed to disembark and quarantine at their own homes or their destination accommodation. The self-isolation lasts 10 days, cut to five if they receive a negative test result. But this system relies on people following the rules and there are concerns over low levels of compliance that could allow the virus to spread. Instead the Government is believed to be examining plans to place arrivals in a hotel to quarantine after arriving, to ensure the rules are not broken. Arrivals would potentially have to pay for their stays while they self-isolate for 10 days, or even a fortnight. There are reports today that negotiations are already taking place with hotel chains, while London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was in favour. The powerful Covid O Cabinet sub-committee is due to discuss the ideas over the coming days - although a final decision is not likely until next week. This has been attempted here but not since the early days of the pandemic and that was only on a small scale. A group of more than 80 people evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan - believed to be the epicenter of the pandemic - were flown into the UK and taken to former nurses accommodation at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral. Their accommodation was kitted out with bedding, games consoles and Barbies ahead of their 14 days in quarantine. But the scheme attracted negative headlines when the isolated Brits held staff to 'ransom', with one security guard alleging that the evacuees know they can threaten to leave the secure unit and 'get whatever they want'. One person tried to leave before completing the 14-day stay after his return from China, breaking the contract they signed before they were rescued. Photographs taken outside the hospital in Birkenhead appeared to show officials pulling up to the barrier outside the building with at least two crates of Budweiser beer in the boot of a car. Photographs taken outside the quarantine hospital in Birkenhead last January appeared to show officials pulling up to the barrier outside the building with at least two crates of Budweiser in the boot of a car A patient staying at the Arrowe Park Hospital tried to leave before completing the 14-day stay after his return from China, breaking the contract they signed before they were rescued It forced Health Secretary Matt Hancock to hurry in a new law to give police officers draconian powers to seize suspected patients and force them into isolation in handcuffs. The quarantine was not repeated in the UK, but it has been used more successfully abroad, including Australia and New Zealand. Australia has been quarantining all new arrivals both citizens and visitors in hotels since March 29 last year in order to stop cases of coronavirus being imported from overseas. Quarantine lasts for a minimum of 14 days and a maximum of 24, with limited exemptions for transiting passengers, foreign diplomats, government officials, and oil and gas workers. Individual states can also grant exemptions at their own discretion, as happened with some athletes arriving for the Australian Open who were allowed to quarantine at private residences instead of government-provided hotels sparking public outcry. Quarantine takes place in the city of arrival, regardless of the final destination within Australia, with travellers taken to a hotel directly from the airport. The government chooses the hotel, passengers are not routinely advised of its location in advance and they are be billed for their stay afterwards. Anyone arriving with symptoms will be tested at the airport and taken to the hotel to await the result, with their baggage brought separately. Those with no symptoms will be allowed to collect their bags before being put on a bus, which will then take them to the hotel. Those in quarantine will be tested at least twice on day 2 and day 12 of quarantine. Provided they test negative each time, they will be released after 14 days. Anyone who returns a positive test will be kept in quarantine until testing negative. Anyone who refuses a test may be kept in quarantine longer. Guests in the hotels are not allowed to leave their rooms, and have all food brought to them. While the government says that dietary requirements will be taken into account, travellers have frequently complained about the state of the food. The maximum penalty for breaching the rules is a 6,000 fine, six months in prison, or both with a further 3,000 fine applied for each day a person continues to break the rules. Australia has experienced two waves of Covid infections, but has kept both cases and deaths significantly lower than other westernised countries its highest daily toll of the pandemic was 721 cases, reported on July 30 last year. By comparison, the UK's worst daily total was 68,053. Currently, the country reports an average of 12 cases per day and has suffered just a handful of deaths since October last year. Its last death was on December 28. As a result, there are few restrictions within the country. Bars, restaurants, gyms, shopping centres and other leisure facilities are all open in most states, but a few high-risk locations have mask-wearing rules and limits on group sizes. The last wave of coronavirus infections the country suffered, between June and September, began in Melbourne amid 'security lapses' at the quarantine hotels. One whistleblower alleged that security guards were having sex with new arrivals quarantining at the hotel - infecting themselves with Covid which they then passed on to others. An inquiry into the scandal found the failings were to blame for Australia's second wave, including 768 deaths suffered as a result. Novak Djokovic, pictured on his hotel balcony in Adelaide, has reportedly issued a list of demands for stranded players including a shorter quarantine and access to tennis courts Doctors and infectious diseases experts have slammed special Covid rules for celebrities like Matt Damon. The Good Will Hunting star is wife Luciana Barroso, 45, and their daughters, Isabella, 14, Gia, 12, and Stella, 10, are among an elite group who have qualified for an exemption Tom Hanks (pictured with wife Rita Wilson) was given special permission to quarantine at a Gold Coast mansion so he could film a biopic in Australia about Elvis Presley, despite testing positive to Covid to Australia in March 2020 shortly after arriving from the United States Last week Australian Open tennis stars were told that they would get no 'special treatment' after world number one Novak Djokovic demanded that the 72 players isolating in hotels be allowed to move to private homes with tennis courts. The Serb's reported list of demands included a shorter quarantine period, permission for players to visit their coaches, and access to courts where they could train for the tournament in Melbourne. But state premier Daniel Andrews said authorities would not bend the rules, telling the players that 'there's no special treatment here... because the virus doesn't treat you specially, so neither do we.' However, other celebs have been given preferential treatment under the system. Matt Damon has been allowed to quarantine for 14 days at a large house at Byron Bay in New South Wales instead of having to endure two weeks in a cramped hotel as he prepares to work on a new Thor film with Chris Hemsworth. Damon, 50, his wife Luciana Barroso, 45, and their daughters, Isabella, 14, Gia, 12, and Stella, 10, are among an elite group who have qualified for an exemption. Immigration lawyer Rebekah O'Sullivan said the Good Will Hunting actor had 'privately arranged and funded' his two-week isolation with his wife and children so as not to create 'any burden to the Australian taxpayer whatsoever'. Singer Dannii Minogue in July last year was given special permission by Queensland Health to quarantine at a Gold Coast property with her son Ethan. And Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks two months later was given special permission to also quarantine at a Gold Coast mansion so he could film a biopic in Australia about Elvis Presley, despite testing positive to Covid in March 2020, shortly after arriving from the United States. Shut the border to foreigners Another option for the Government would be to shut the UK's borders to all arrivals. Currently there is a ban on arrivals from South America and South Africa, where specific outbreaks of coronavirus variants have been found. Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News today a full border closure to all visitors from abroad has been considered, adding that there 'is concern at the moment about the number of mutant strains'. But later he told LBC: 'It's right that we are cautious about travel, but we don't think it's right at the moment to close it down altogether and close the border.' Ministers have long pushed against a total shutdown of all but essential foreign traffic, arguing that it would simply be too damaging for the economy as a whole and airlines in particular. However Home Secretary Priti Patel broke ranks this week to reveal she argued in favour of the move as early as last March. Ms Patel said on the question of whether British borders should have been closed earlier 'the answer is yes, I was an advocate of closing them last March'. The remarks, made during a Zoom call last night with the Conservative Friends of India group and first published by the Guido Fawkes website, will pile the pressure on Boris Johnson. Home Secretary Priti Patel broke ranks this week to reveal she argued in favour of the move as early as last March. The Prime Minister has faced sustained criticism from Labour over why the Government failed to roll-out tougher border restrictions earlier in the Covid-19 crisis. A requirement for all arrivals in the UK to have a negative test came into force on Monday this week but critics have been calling for months for the Government to introduce the measure. Ms Patel told the meeting of Tory supporters: 'On 'should we have closed our borders earlier' the answer is yes, I was an advocate of closing them last March'' It prompted a political firestorm, with Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party - formerly the Brexit Party - immediately pouncing on them as he tweeted: 'What a pity Boris Johnson didn't listen to Priti Patel.' Nick Thomas-Symonds, Labour's shadow home secretary, said: 'This is a shocking admission from the Home Secretary about the Government's failure to secure the UK's borders against Covid. 'Priti Patel's admission, coupled with the complete lack of strategy for testing of travellers, means that the Government has left our doors open to the virus and worrying mutations. 'Ministers now need to - urgently - review and overhaul border policy, whilst taking responsibility for the huge damage their incompetence has done to our national safety and security.' Electronic tags and monitoring Using GPS tags to ensure compliance is also believed to have been considered. This would see arrivals slapped with electronic devices that show if they are staying at home as required. The measure is currently limited to use with convicted criminals on parole and those awaiting trial while on bail. It is likely it would lead to enormous civil liberties protests and complaints about the likely huge cost of such a plan, which would involve potentially monitoring thousands of people. Officials have also looked at the arrangements in Poland, where isolating individuals face 'enhanced monitoring'. That includes being contacted once a day and made to send a picture of themselves at the location where they are meant to be quarantining. The pictures are validated using facial-recognition technology and GPS data.However, the option is thought to have been rejected as too intrusive and difficult to implement on scale. Brazilian Ambassador to India Andre Aranha Correa do Lago has admired New Delhi's assistance in providing COVID-19 vaccines to Brazil and called for 'strengthening the Indo-Brazilian partnership'. "It is significant to see our leaders and our countries so close in these challenging moments. Let us all work together for strengthening the Indo-Brazilian partnership!" tweeted Lago. India dispatched two million doses of Covishield vaccines to Brazil on Friday. Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India. The flight landed in Brazil today. Elated with the Indian assistance, Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying "dhanyavaad" for supplying the vaccine against the coronavirus to the South American country, which has reported the second-highest death toll from the COVID-19 disease in the world. In a tweet on Friday, the Brazilian President said it was an honour to have India as a "great partner" against the "global obstacle." "Namaskar, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts," Bolsonaro wrote in a tweet. "Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad!," he added. In his tweet, Bolsonaro shared a depiction of Lord Hanuman carrying a mountain with vaccines from India to Brazil. The illustration is inspired from the Indian epic 'Ramayana' where Hanuman carried an entire mountain to deliver the Sanjeevani herb to save the life of Lakshmana, the brother of Lord Rama, when he was injured in a battle. Africa's confirmed Covid-19 cases cross 3.36 million 3rd Zimbabwean minister dies of corona within a week Ethiopia's confirmed corona cases to touch 133,000 mark After Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for exporting the Covid-19 vaccine, Director-General of World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus thanked India for its continued support to global Covid-19 response. "Thank you, India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for your continued support to global Covid-19 response. Only if we act together, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods," Tedros said on Saturday. Thank you #India and Prime Minister @narendramodi for your continued support to the global #COVID19 response. Only if we #ACTogether, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 23, 2021 Bolsonaro had thanked India by tweeting an image of the Hindu god Hanuman carrying the the vaccines to Brazil, in a reference to the Ramayana incident where the god carries the sanjeevni plant to save Lakshman's life. - Namaskar, Primeiro Ministro @narendramodi - O Brasil sente-se honrado em ter um grande parceiro para superar um obstaculo global. Obrigado por nos auxiliar com as exportacoes de vacinas da India para o Brasil.- Dhanyavaad! pic.twitter.com/OalUTnB5p8 Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) January 22, 2021 India shipped the first consignments of Oxford and AstraZeneca's Covishield vaccine which is being developed by the Serum Institute of India to Brazil and Morocco on Friday. Several countries across the world have requested for the jab which is being exported by India. The US State Department had also lauded India's efforts in distributing the shots. "We applaud Indias role in global health, sharing millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in South Asia. India's free shipments of vaccine began w/Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal and will extend to others. India's a true friend using its pharma to help the global community," it said in a tweet. India on Thursday officially handed over 2 million doses of domestically produced Covishield vaccine to Bangladesh free of cost. It is also exporting the shots to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles manufactured by SII, the world's biggest vaccine manufacturer. Prime Minister Modi has said India's vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used for the benefit of all humanity to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. He said last week India was ready to do everything possible for a healthy planet. On January 19, India announced its grant assistance of vaccines to the neighbouring countries. A day after, 1.5 lakh doses of vaccines were supplied to Bhutan and one lakh doses to the Maldives as grant assistance. Over 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were provided to Bangladesh and 1 million doses to Nepal. India, one of the world's biggest drugmakers, has already rolled out a massive coronavirus vaccination drive using two vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin. Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India. Covaxin is an indigenous vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research. India on Friday began commercial exports and sent two million doses of domestically manufactured Covishield vaccine to Brazil. India has undertaken contractual supplies of coronavirus vaccines to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh and Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi on Friday. Several countries have already approached India for procuring the coronavirus vaccines. Earlier, India had supplied hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and paracetamol tablets, as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies to a large number of countries to help them deal with the pandemic. According to Johns Hopkins University, the current global COVID-19 caseload and death toll stood at 98,129,394 and 2,105,056, respectively. The Telegraph The list of Donald Trump associates who have attempted to bring down the former president is as long as it is varied: from his lawyer, to his closest advisor, his ex-wife and his alleged lover. But like many powerful figures before him, it may well be his accountant that would be his undergoing. Allen Weisselberg, the little-known 73-year-old chief financial officer for the Trump Organisation, has worked for the Trump family as far back as the early 1970s under Donalds father Fred. Some say he is closer to Mr Trump than he is to his own children. As one former employee put it, he knows where the bodies are buried". In recent weeks New York prosecutors investigating Mr Trumps tax affairs have been turning the screws on Mr Weisselberg in the hope of flipping him to testify against his boss. Cyrus Vance, the Manhattan District Attorney, is looking into everything from hush-money payments paid to women on Mr Trump's behalf, to property valuations and employee compensation. Speculation is mounting that his office may be able to turn Mr Weisselberg, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, as it pulls together a grand jury to decide whether to indict. Cook County Essential Workers Hold One-Day Strike In Chicago Healthcare workers with Cook County Health picket outside of Stroger Hospital as they stage a one-day strike on December 22, 2020 in Chicago. Among other issues, the workers were demanding an additional $5-per-hour for those who work with COVID-19 patients, adequate PPE supplies for all workers, and the opportunity to work from home when possible. Credit - Scott Olson/Getty Images Labor unions in the United States havent had much good news in recent years, but this week may have provided some reasons for optimism. The rate of unionization in the U.S. increased in 2020 for the first time in over a decade, according to new data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Jan. 22, the same day as President Joe Biden announced two new executive orders aimed at increasing worker protections. In 2020, 10.8% of American workers belonged to a union, up from 10.3% in 2019, the new BLS report found. Still, the picture is far from rosy. As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country, the total number of workers in unions across the U.S. dropped by 321,000 to reach a low of 14.3 million last year. Union membership has been declining in the U.S. for decades, and the 2020 data doesnt fully reverse that trend. But it does show that workers belonging to a union saw fewer job losses amid the pandemic than nonunion workers. This is likely due in part to unions strong engagement amid the pandemic, labor experts say. In industries ranging from health care to retail to food service to tech, workers banded together and frequently demanded better working conditions last year as COVID-19 devastated the economy and forced millions of businesses to close or change their strategies. Union members could hold on to their jobs because they can negotiate more creative solutions to economic challengesfurloughs or reductions in hours or even early retirement or other programs to try to avoid mass layoffs, says Rebecca Givan, a professor of labor studies and employment relations at Rutgers University. Story continues Also impacting the statistics, however, is the fact that COVID-19 hit industries with smaller union presences, such as hospitality and leisure, especially hard. About half of the increase in the unionization rate in 2020 was the result of the pandemics concentrated impact on less-unionized job sectors, according to an analysis from the Economic Policy Institute. (The other half can be attributed to union workers faring better than nonunion workers in their same industries.) Union membership increased among state and local government workers in the past year, a particularly notable development following the 2018 Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Supreme Court decision that said government workers who choose not to join unions could not be required to pay fees to cover collective bargaining costs. Some occupations on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemicsuch as health care support workers, transportation workers and those in education also saw more workers join unions in 2020. But far more workers typically say they would like to join a union than are able to do so, Givan notes. Although the union membership numbers show some reasons for optimism, what they really show is how much work needs to be done, she says. Most workers dont have straightforward access to union representation. Read more: The Challenges Posed By COVID-19 Pushed Many Workers to Strike. Will the Labor Movement See Sustained Interest? This is part of what labor advocates are hoping the Biden Administration will address. Under former President Donald Trump, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the agency tasked with enforcing private sector labor laws, weakened many worker protections and was viewed by unions as hostile to their cause. Biden, who promised before he was elected to be the most pro-union president youve ever seen, has already taken action toward the goal of reversing the Trump Administrations policies. In a series of moves applauded by union groups, Biden nominated Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, a former union leader, to be his Secretary of Labor and, in his first two days in the White House, Biden fired Peter Robb, the Trump-appointed general counsel of the NLRB, as well as Robbs deputy Alice Stock, after each refused to resign. The move to fire Robb before his term officially ended broke with precedent, but White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Jan. 21 that Robb had not been upholding the NLRBs objectives. A union-busting lawyer by trade, Robb mounted an unrelenting attack for more than three years on workers right to organize and engage in collective bargaining, Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, said in a statement. His actions sought to stymie the tens of millions of workers who say they would vote to join a union today and violated the stated purpose of the National Labor Relations Actto encourage collective bargaining. Robbs removal is the first step toward giving workers a fair shot again. Biden also signed two executive orders on Jan. 22 intended to provide economic relief to families and workers. The first executive order will call on the Department of Labor to clarify guidelines that have forced Americans who refuse to return to work over concerns about COVID-19 to lose their unemployment benefits. The order also includes measures aimed at increasing food assistance benefits and economic stimulus checks. The second order, focused on federal workers and contractors, asks agencies to develop a plan to pay federal employees at least $15 an hour and revokes three Trump orders that weakened worker protections. It also eliminates the Schedule F classification which took away protections for some civil service employees. These orders add to Bidens $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan, but many of his ambitious goals will still need to make their way through Congress where Democrats hold a razor thin majority. Unions have expressed enthusiasm about Bidens initial stepsespecially the call to pay federal employees $15 per hour. Too often the Black and brown workers, especially women, who keep our government running behind the scenes have been ignored and their work devalued. These courageous workers have been speaking up and making their voices heard, SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry said in a statement. Its a breath of fresh air to have a president who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with them and we look forward to seeing what else comes from the Biden administration. NBC News announced the retirement of Tom Brokaw on Friday after 55 years with the network. ADVERTISEMENT The 80-year-old anchor said in a statement that he trusts the new generation of NBC News to cover current events. "During one of the most complex and consequential eras in American history, a new generation of NBC News journalists, producers and technicians is providing America with timely, insightful and critically important information, 24/7," the statement read. "I could not be more proud of them." Brokaw began his NBC career in the Los Angeles Bureau in 1966. He was White House correspondent from 1972-1976 and hosted Today from 1976-1983. Brokaw anchored NBC Nightly News from 1983-2004. He recurred as a special correspondent after vacating the anchor desk. He filled in as moderator of Meet the Press when Tim Russert died. This made him the only anchor to host Today, NBC Nightly News and Meet the Press. Highlights of Brokaw's news career include interviewing Mikhail Gorbachev, covering the fall of the Berlin Wall and reporting on the Robert F. Kennedy assassination and Watergate. Brokaw won Peabody, Dupont, Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards for his broadcasts. In 2014, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom for his 2000 book The Greatest Generation, a book about World War II. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! The anchor joined Twitter in 2009 and has 311,000 followers, whom he updates with commentary on real-time events. He survived a multiple myeloma cancer scare, reporting in 2014 it went into remission. According to NBC News' press release, Brokaw will continue to write books and articles after his retirement from broadcast. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! The Taoiseach Micheal Martin has called on the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to lift the ban on Irish beef, which has been in place for the past six months. In a letter seen by the Farming Independent, the Taoiseach calls for the temporary suspension (to) be lifted as a matter of urgency. Irish beef has been out of the Chinese market due to an atypical case of BSE in May and meat processors have called on the Taoiseach in recent days to intervene. The Taoiseachs letter is the latest in months of ongoing government and diplomatic contacts since May trying to resolve the issue. The letter outlines to Premier Li that there is no public health risk associated with this isolated and rare occurrence. It also states that Irish beef has proved very popular with Chinese consumers. Martin also draws on the visit of Premier Li in 2015 to Ireland, when he visited a farm in Co Mayo, allowing him to see first hand how our farming families through the generations have worked in harmony with nature. The ban on Irish beef exports to China last May has been described by processors as a major loss, just as sales to the new market were set to ramp up. CSO trade data shows that Irish monthly beef exports to China peaked in December 2019 at 1,300t worth 7.5m. However, by February of this year exports had fallen to just 413t worth 2m. Irish beef exports to China increased significantly in 2019 with the first year of full trading by Irish beef exporters seeing volumes reach 12,000t worth 31m, according to Bord Bia. At the same time, beef exports to Hong Kong more than trebled in value, to 27m. Official figures from China's General Administration of Customs released in recent weeks show its meat imports up 73.5pc on the same period a year ago. Last week a Bord Bia Meat Seminar that China's beef imports are expected to be 2.5m tonnes in 2020, up one 1m tonnes since 2018. The surge in Chinese meat imports is as a result of an acute pork shortage resulting from outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) across Asia in recent years. In no way can we say anyone related to the demonstrations is involved or responsible for this crime, Chief Reynoso said. We dont know the motive at this point. First Works Baptist Church was founded in 2017, according to its website. Mr. Mejia said the church had been at its current site for three years. The church, a low-slung building on a street corner, resembles a storefront, with restaurants and homes nearby. Its not going to really deter us from doing what we always do, Mr. Mejia said on Saturday. Were not afraid of this. Its just a little bump in the road, and were still planning to have church tomorrow, obviously not at this current location, but were still planning to have church and once this is all said and done, were going to go back. The church is part of the New Independent Fundamental Baptist Movement, a network of 22 American and eight international churches known for their hateful rhetoric and calls for the government to round up and execute gay people, the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit that analyzes hate groups, reported in 2019. Mr. Mejia is an outspoken acolyte of the networks leader, Steven Anderson, an Arizona pastor who has drawn widespread condemnation for celebrating the 2016 shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., where 49 people were killed, the Southern Poverty Law Center said. Mr. Anderson also gained notoriety in 2009 for saying in a sermon that he had prayed for the death of President Barack Obama, and was criticized by the Anti-Defamation League in 2014 for what it called his history of anti-Semitism. Mr. Mejia and Mr. Anderson were among a number of church leaders who spoke at a Make America Straight Again conference in Orlando in 2019, two days after the third anniversary of the massacre at Pulse, according to the law center. Beaumont ISD will hold a closed meeting Monday to consider placing a question to voters on the May ballot regarding the name of Memorial Stadium, along with candidates for several board positions. In an open meeting following the closed session, the board will vote and officially call for a May 1 election. The exact wording of how it might appear on the ballot was not present in the agenda published Friday afternoon. Mondays meeting follows a proposal by Denise Wallace-Spooner, who made the suggestion to place the stadium question to the voters at Thursdays regular board meeting where a proposal to rename the stadium was voted down 5-2. Related: Stadium question could go to voters I am going to say I believe that it should be put on the May ballot for the people to decide, Spooner said. This country was founded on We the people. If the renaming of the stadium does not meet approval to be put on the May ballot, I personally can not support the reversal of the name change. Spooner said she met with constituents from across Beaumont including parents, business leaders, school volunteers, and local stakeholders from all ethnic backgrounds, and that the consensus was to move forward without a name change. The majority of people are ready for a new beginning and restoration to the damaged reputation of their local school district, she said. Several board members, including Darell Antwine, said they would have voted differently if the question was not going to the ballot. He also said the district needed to move on from the issue. As long as this district keeps bringing up Carrol Thomas and that stadium, our kids will never get what they need, he said. If we are going to put a stadium before our kids, we are going to have a problem. Related: Stadium debate rekindles debate over Thomas' legacy Antwine cited the rancor and public outrage as one of the reasons he will not run for his seat again in May. Trustee Robert Dunn also supported putting the measure to the voters, citing what he called a longstanding culture of racism in Beaumont politics. Top hits: Get Beaumont Enterprise stories sent directly to your inbox I refuse to be a political football in Beaumonts mess, Dunn said. So I agree with Ms. Spooner. Seven people should not have made that decision to take that mans name off the stadium. Those seven people didnt pay for it. The citizens of Beaumont paid for that stadium, and I believe the citizens of Beaumont should decide what should be happening. isaac.windes@hearstnp.com twitter.com/isaacdwindes Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Did you hear? Shutting down indoor dining might not help stop the spread of COVID-19. In fact, it might actually make things worse. And, no, this isnt according to Trumpers on Staten Island. Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has called on fellow Dem Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reopen indoor dining, which has been shuttered in Chicago since Oct. 30. Lightfoot said that all that closing indoor dining did was send Chicagoans indoors to eat, drink and be merry, where theres no hope of ensuring that COVID protocols are observed. Too many people, she said, have been holding underground parties and likely spreading the virus. Lightfoot said that if indoor dining was reopened, city authorities would at least have some chance of regulating peoples behavior. Lets bring it out of the shadows, Lightfoot said, according to the Chicago Tribune, lets allow them to have some recreation in restaurants, in bars, where we can actually work with responsible owners and managers to regulate and protect people from COVID-19, so I feel very strongly that we are very close to a point where we should be talking about opening our bars and restaurants. You cant argue with the logic. Its part of the argument that New Yorkers have made since Gov. Andrew Cuomo again closed indoor dining in the five boroughs on Dec. 14. Cuomo had said that indoor dining was responsible for just 1.4 percent of infections from last September to November. The major problem with COVID, he said, was household spread. So, by definition, there was no logic in closing indoor dining and sending people back into their houses. Indoor dining with restrictions is expected to return to the Windy City next week. We hope that Cuomo is paying attention. Meanwhile, in California, another Democratic bastion, Gov. Gavin Newsom is getting slammed for closing outdoor dining. And the same question is being asked: Did the closure only serve to send people back indoors to spread COVID? Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at the University of California San Francisco, said it was highly likely, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. She said closing outdoor dining did not help and likely hindered efforts to avoid a surge. Gandhi said that after the shutdown things did not get better from there; things actually got worse. Gandhi said, Restrictions should be about understanding the human condition and keeping places that are safe open. Those of us who argue for a harm reduction approach have the same goal as the lockdownists: We want to reduce transmission, but we understand the human condition and the need to be with people. Exactly. The Chronicle also said that Newsom and state health officials had failed to provide any proof that outdoor dining drove infections. Outdoor dining was shuttered anyway. California remains a national coronavirus horror show. Again, these arent maskless officials in crazy, Trumper, red states saying this. These arent people who want to throw all caution to the wind. These are people who are actually following the science and the facts, something that Cuomo has thundered at us all to do. He should just reopen indoor dining in New York City. He was forced to at least temporarily relax restrictions in some areas after restaurant owners in Western New York won a court decision. Is the same going to be needed in New York City to make Cuomo relent here? If Cuomo needs more encouragement, he should look at Washington, D.C., where Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser ended the restriction on indoor dining on Friday. Hey, you didnt think that all those incoming Biden administration folks were going to spend the winter shivering on the sidewalk while eating, did you? Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. More than 2,000 excess deaths have been recorded in Northern Ireland since the start of the pandemic, it has been revealed. The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) has released its weekly Covid-19 bulletin which shows that of the 2,124 excess deaths, 195 were reported in the first two weeks of this year. They also revealed the number of deaths between January 9 and 15 was 44 more than the five-year average of 399. The statistics have been released amid growing concerns about the wellbeing of hundreds of cancer patients across Northern Ireland, with 400 red flag operations cancelled in the first 18 days of the year as hospitals braced themselves for an influx of seriously ill Covid-19 patients. A 72-year-old ovarian cancer patient was among the hundreds of people who were left in limbo after their treatments stalled as a result of the latest Covid-19 surge. Doctors told Flo McClements, a grandmother of nine from Ballymoney, that she needed surgery as soon as possible when she was diagnosed in December. Flo and her family were left devastated when the operation was cancelled at the last minute due to a surge in patients, with no idea when the surgery would be carried out. However, she has now been given a new date of February 2. Her daughter-in-law, Christine McClements, said: "We are massively relieved that she is getting her operation but we're still nervous about how it goes and what lies ahead. "We're waiting for the operation to assess whether the cancer has spread, I think when they remove the mass, they will be able to find out how much of it is cancerous and the next steps. "Initially she was told the cancer hadn't spread and they hoped the surgery alone would be sufficient, but I guess we will see." Earlier this week Dr Cathy Jack, the chief executive of the Belfast Trust, issued an emotional apology to everyone affected by the cancer operation crisis: "I need to be honest with you, we are offering some of those patients neoadjuvant chemotherapy, that is chemotherapy before surgery, to try and buy time or hold the cancer. "That is not optimal, we would not normally do that, and whilst the majority will be safe to do that, there will be a small but significant portion of people when they come to surgery, it will be too late and the disease will have spread. And that for us is something we never, ever, ever anticipated that we would do in our lifetime and I cannot apologise enough." Meanwhile, the Nisra figures have also highlighted the hardest hit council areas since Covid-19 arrived in Northern Ireland last March - there have been 460 deaths reported in Belfast, 210 in Antrim and Newtownabbey, 208 in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, and 205 in Mid & East Antrim. The council areas with the lowest Covid-19 death toll are Fermanagh and Omagh with 72, Newry, Mourne and Down with 128 and Derry City and Strabane with 146. According to the figures, Northern Ireland recorded its highest ever weekly Covid-19 death toll in the most recent available week - between January 9 and 15, with 156 deaths reported over the seven days, bringing to 2,186 the total number of Covid-19 related deaths. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. In a heartwarming incident, a dog sat outside a hospital for six days, where its owner was admitted after falling sick. According to the Associated Press, when a man named Cemal Senturk was taken to a hospital, his dog, Boncuk followed him to the facility and kept waiting for six days until he was finally released. The incident, which reportedly took place in Turkey on January 14, is melting the hearts of people on social media. Read: Police Dog For Thurston PD Gets 'hero Welcome' After He Survives Multiple Bullet Injuries According to the report, after the hospital staff noticed the dog outside the facility, they informed the family of Senturk, who came and took Boncuk from the spot. The dog somehow managed to escape and came to the hospital again. This happened multiple times and on each occasion, the dog just refused to leave the spot until its owner came out. Senturk also tried to comfort Boncuk into leaving the place as he communicated with the canine from his hospital window, but all in vain. Read: IN PICS | Dog Waits For Sick Owner Outside Hospital In Freezing Temperature In Turkey Murat Ercan, the hospital's international patient center director, while speaking to CNN, said that the hospital staff developed a special relationship with the dog as they fed it and took care of it till the time it stayed outside the hospital. Senturk reportedly met Boncuk after he was discharged from the hospital on January 20. Senturk met his dog, who has been with him for nine years, outside the hospital gate, where it had been waiting for six days. Read: Priyanka Chopra Shares A Hilarious Video Of Nick Jonas' Interaction With Their Pet Dog 'Man's best friend' Netizens were immediately reminded of the famous Japanese dog Hachiko as they hoped Boncuk is reunited with her owner soon. The internet celebrated as news of Boncuk reuniting with Senturk emerged. Heartwarming story..dog waited outside hospital in Turkey for almost a week until owner released after treatment for a brain condition Boncuk, the dog, followed the ambulance & kept vigil outside hospital entrance. Was overjoyed when reunited with owner. Man's best friend pic.twitter.com/1rBkdBzmdV Chris (@Chris08505199) January 23, 2021 This adorable dog walks to the hospital every day and sits outside, waiting to see his hospitalised owner. Look at his reaction when he gets the chance to see him. Credits -CBS News pic.twitter.com/wl3j1W0acR https://t.co/wl3j1W0acR Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) January 22, 2021 Reading about how a dog called Boncuk ran after the ambulance and kept vigil outside a hospital in Turkey for a week until his owner got released from hospital. Said the dog was overjoyed when his owner appeared after a week. A wee good news story. Jen (@tdunne888) January 23, 2021 On Jan. 20, Boncuk was finally reunited with Senturk, when he was pushed outside in a wheelchair for a brief meeting with his dog. Senturk was discharged from the hospital later on the day and returned home with Boncuk. https://t.co/EWCMRiUV6O ponta_fujii (@FujiiPonta) January 22, 2021 Read: The Big Bang Theory Actor Kaley Cuoco Writes A Heartbreaking Note As Her Dog Passes Away Biden vows to codify Roe v. Wade on 48th anniversary of abortion ruling Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment While more than 62 million lives have been lost to abortion since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the Biden administration announced on the judgments 48th anniversary Friday that it will back abortion with a codified federal law in the event the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the ruling. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe, the White House said in a statement Friday, the day after National Right to Life Committee said in its annual report that the total number of abortions since 1973 had exceeded 62 million. In the past four years, reproductive health, including the right to choose, has been under relentless and extreme attack, added Biden in the White House statement. We are deeply committed to making sure everyone has access to care including reproductive health care regardless of income, race, zip code, health insurance status, or immigration status. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reacted to Bidens support of abortion. We strongly urge the president to reject abortion and promote life-affirming aid to women and communities in need, the U.S. bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities head Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, said, according to Catholic News Agency. It is deeply disturbing and tragic that any president would praise and commit to codifying a Supreme Court ruling that denies unborn children their most basic human and civil right, the right to life under the euphemistic disguise of a health service, he said. March for Life President Jeanne Mancini also responded. Abortion isnt healthcare, she tweeted. It is heartbreaking but not surprising that on the day we commemorate the loss of 60+ million Americans to abortion the new administration is already aggressively leaning into abortion extremism. The Trump administration enacted many pro-life policies, including reinstituting and expanding the Mexico City Policy and implementing the Protect Life Rule, and was praised for nominating three judges to the Supreme Court. However, on Thursday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Biden will be rescinding his predecessor's pro-life policies. Fauci told board members of the World Health Organization that the administration will repeal the Mexico City Policy in the coming days. It will be our policy to support womens and girls sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights in the United States, as well as globally, Fauci said. To that end, President Biden will be revoking the Mexico City Policy in the coming days, as part of his broader commitment to protect womens health and advance gender equality at home and around the world, he added. In response to the National Right to Life Committee's release of its annual report, The State of Abortion in the United States, President Carol Tobias said: The tragic legacy of Roe is more than 62 million lives lost to abortion. Every unborn child should be welcomed in life and protected in law. No mother should ever feel like abortion is her only option and no unborn child should ever be considered expendable. Almost 10 years after raping a woman at knifepoint on Bethlehems tow path, Justo Garcia faced a judge Friday to learn his punishment for the 2011 crime. Garcia was arrested and charged in 2019, thanks in part to DNA collected from the victims clothing. Held in prison in lieu of $750,000 bail, Garcia last April pleaded guilty to rape in the case. On Friday, Northampton County Judge Paula Roscioli sentenced the 42-year-old Garcia to 10 to 20 years in state prison. The sentence was part of Garcias plea deal, and the maximum sentence he could have faced, said Assistant District Attorney Tatum Wilson. The victim was not in court Friday, but previously attended Garcias preliminary hearing and was cooperative with prosecutors, Wilson said. Prosecutors agreed to the plea deal, Wilson said, because they were guaranteed the maximum sentence and the victim did not have to participate in a trial. On May 19, 2011, the victim was running on the tow path near the Ice House in Bethlehem, and was listening to music on her phone, police previously said. The woman had slowed to a fast walk near the bridge when she felt a persons arms around her, as if they were hugging her, court papers state. The man, later identified as Garcia, had a knife and squeezed her, causing her headphones to fall out, police said. The attacker told the victim dont fight it and he didnt want to hurt her. Garcia held the woman at knifepoint and pulled her into some brush, where he raped her, police said. Later, Garcia told the victim to stay down, and put his foot on her back and then on the victims leg. The man asked the victim if she was going to tell anyone, and when she said no, he said Are you serious and I dont want to hurt you, according to police. The woman said she stayed down for about 10 to 15 minutes, then went home to go to the hospital and report the crime. Police recovered DNA from the victims sweatpants. In October 2012, a search of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) matched it to Garcias DNA, investigators said. Garcia was found a short time later in New Mexico being held on unrelated charges, including aggravated attempted battery with a deadly weapon and assault with attempt to commit a violent felony. Because Garcia was being held in New Mexico, and later started serving a five-year sentence in that case, Bethlehem police did not issue a search warrant for his DNA until 2018. In October 2018 results found his DNA matched the DNA on the victims clothing. Garcia was extradited to Northampton County in 2019 to face rape and related charges. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. India to gift 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Sri Lanka before Feb. 4 By Kumudini Hettiarachchi and Ruqyyaha Deane View(s): View(s): A gift of 500,000 doses of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine produced by Indias Serum Institute under the name Covishield is expected to be airlifted to Sri Lanka to be rolled out symbolically either as early as next week to mark Indias Republic Day (January 26) or later on Sri Lankas Independence Day (February 4). The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) granted permission on Friday following an application sent by the Pune-based Serum Institute through the Indian High Commission on Tuesday. NMRA Chairperson Prof. Asita de Silva said permission was granted on the basis of the emergency-use listing given by the drug regulatory authority of the UK (the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency MHRA), the pre-clinical and clinical trial data published in peer-reviewed journals and the evaluation of the dossier by two NMRA teams. Known in the United Kingdom (UK) as the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222), this vaccine has been developed by the Oxford University and is manufactured by the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. The same vaccine under the name of Covishield is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. This vaccine is under evaluation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for inclusion in its emergency-use listing. So far, only the Pfizer vaccine is on this list. The NMRA teams looked at the clinical efficacy and safety data and product manufacture including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), stability and whether the parameters of the lots produced in India match those of the products in the UK. We also took into account the fact that the UK has been administering the vaccine to its people, said Prof. de Silva. The vaccine is being manufactured on a large-scale at eight nodes (sites) across the world including the Serum Institute which is registered with the NMRA. The Serum Institute is expected to manufacture two billion doses of the vaccine this year. It produces 40 percent of the global requirements of other vaccines, it is learnt. In preparation for the arrival of the vaccine, the Health Ministry carried out a dry run yesterday at the Piliyandala Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office, the Piliyandala Divisional Hospital and the Colombo North (Ragama) Teaching Hospital. We planned the minutest detail and looked into every aspect during the dry-run to fine-tune the immunisation programme, said the Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services II, Dr. Susie Perera, adding that there might be another dry-run shortly. Frontline health workers are at the top of the priority list for vaccinations. The two-dose Covishield vaccine which has to be given 4-12 weeks apart as a muscular injection, has to be stored at a temperature of 2 to 8C. India has already gifted stocks of Covishield to Bhutan, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles, while more stocks are to be sent under commercial agreements signed between Serum Institute and these countries. Meanwhile, the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Forum of Sri Lanka has urged that it is essential that the NMRA follow due process in very carefully examining the data submitted. Different manufacturers have different claims about their vaccines. The most credible evidence about the safety and efficacy would be what they publish specially about their Phase 3 data in peer-reviewed journals, says the Forum. Pointing out that only a few vaccine manufacturers have provided their data to the WHO for evaluation for prequalification for human use, the Forum states that it is only Pfizer and AstraZeneca that have published the results of Phase 3 studies and forwarded them to the WHO. Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Re-Compete Can Propel DoDs Wheeled Fleet into this Decade Reuters recently broke the news that Apple is developing revolutionary battery technology for electric vehicles, with a source describing the new tech as like the first time you saw the iPhone. Subsequent reports were skepticalat a minimum, Apple has very little direct manufacturing expertise. Still, the tech giants decision to push forward in the electric vehicle market, despite established competitors like Tesla, is a reminder of how quickly electric vehicle technology is advancing. Despite a thriving commercial sector, the Department of Defense remains locked into a vehicle fleet with technology from the 1990s. The U.S. Army's wheeled vehicle fleet represents the best in manufacturing technology from nearly 30 years ago. Once again, the Pentagon has missed the transformation of automotive technology that has already occurred in the civilian sector. This presents a unique opportunitywith low risk, short timelines, and immediate impactto set a new direction for troops. Given President Biden's priorities to move to cleaner energy, the Army-Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is a natural program from which to launch a greener military. The Army should use the re-compete for its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) to begin bridging the tech gap for the Pentagons wheeled vehicle fleet. Use Combat Support Vehicles to Incorporate Technology Faster Earlier in 2020, Lt. Gen. Eric Wesley, head of the Futures & Concepts Center at Army Futures Command, in describing the Army's slow shift to electric power, said, Lets be clear. Were behind. Were late to meet on this thing. Back in April 2020, the Army's Future Command stated that for JLTVs, "If it [the technology] exists now, you can anticipate that we're going to have to transition some of this in the next 10 years." In the case of electric vehicles, it is looking at electric scouts by 2025. Given that it is now 2021 creating a new vehicle for production that can get to soldiers for a combat mission in four years does not seem credible. Starting with a support vehicle, such as Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, seems more believable. The Electric Light Reconnaissance Vehicle is an armored truck modeled after the MRAPs that became ubiquitous during the Iraq war. While JLTVs are engineered around the priorities of armor and diesel-powered propulsion, they are completely devoid of modern automotive functionssuch as driver-assisted technologies, rearview cameras, built-in diagnostics, and most importantly, electric power. For comparison, the Tesla S model and the GM Hummer are both commercial examples of vehicles brimming with features that could be adopted by the Army. Both are marvels of technology and electrification. Both are production-ready and available to consumers today. They have backup cameras, 360-degree cameras, automatic braking, driver assistance automation, diagnostics, and they are electric with 350-mile ranges. The GM Hummer, named after the military version that remains trapped in the 1980s, even has the capability to drive diagonally. To be fair, the Army is already working on making the new Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) electric, along with fielding the Electric Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (ELRV) by 2025. Until the Electric Light Reconnaissance Vehicle reaches the fleet, the JLTV will complete scouting missions for the Army. In addition to the JLTV serving as the catalyst for a much needed technological uplift of the Army wheeled fleet, it can also provide a leg-up for the services transition to more technologically-advanced combat vehicles. From Dumb to Military Smart Cars Of course, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle will probably not be able to incorporate every new feature that exists commercially. However, the potential comparative advantage from even minor progress cannot be understated. By making the JLTV just slightly smarter, for example, the Army will have the opportunity to begin gathering critical data that can inform its future vehicle designs. Right now, soldiers are driving tens of thousands of miles in dumb vehicles where information is not being collected. By procuring a new fleet of JLTVs with more advanced technologies, the Army can begin mapping and learning how servicemembers drive and potentially training new artificial intelligence systems on real information. Other new technology would provide immediate benefits. Suppose the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle was equipped with 360-degree sensors and videos, for example. In that case, it could provide real-time intelligence, giving new meaning to the concept Every Soldier is a Sensor. Wrenching the Armys vehicle fleet closer to the 2020s could also motivate the Department of Defense to jumpstart its information technology and artificial intelligence program for vehicles. Consider, for example, the potential benefits of connecting a technologically-enhanced Joint Light Tactical Vehicle with the Armys new Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) of high-tech goggles for soldiers. Ensuring such interoperability will cut a decade or more off integration efforts and provide enormous benefit to the warfighters today. The video and sensor feed on one IVAS set can feed others in their squad and platoon, while the new Tesla-like JLTVs could serve as the cloud-like data docking station for IVAS in austere environments, thus enabling a platoon to operate within a degraded communications environment and also with a lower electromagnetic signature profile. Lingering Questions About Incorporating New Tech Shouldnt Be Excuse to Wait Electric vehicles are not without their flaws. Perhaps most obviously, its not yet clear how to charge them in combat. However, these problems wont be solved without advancing smart car programs to create the appropriate incentives. The military does not have electric vehicles today, so innovative companies have little to gain from fixing a problem that currently exists in an uncertain future that might arrive in four years or ten. However, should President-elect Joe Bidens administration push the Defense Department toward being a leader for electric vehicle production, then companies such as Tesla, Apple, and others will be more motivated to become part of the solution. The US military is unlikely to run out of internal combustion engine wheeled vehicles in the meantime. For the new administration, there is a unique opportunity to stop talking about electric vehicles in the military and start building them instead. Beyond the Pentagon, its worth remembering that, given its scale, when the Pentagon enters the electric vehicle market, positive feedback loops are likely to dramatically decrease production costs and encourage further technology advancements. Today, most of the private sector is on board with the promising future of electric vehicles: Oshkosh recently acquired Pratt Miller signaling Oshkoshs desire to leverage Pratt Millers advances in dynamic growth areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous and connected systems and electrification. GMs CEO committed $25 billion to bring electronic vehicles to the market, and financial markets have tellingly raised Teslas market value to $780 billion, which is 5x the combined market value of Lockheed and Northrop combined. By using the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle to jumpstart the Pentagons incorporation of cutting edge commercial vehicle technologies, the Army can take an overdue step in the right direction. Mackenzie Eaglen is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where she works on defense strategy, defense budgets, and military readiness. John Ferrari is a visiting fellow at AEI. From 2013 - 2019, Ferrari was the U.S. Armys director of program analysis and evaluation. After 32 years of service, he retired with the rank of Major General. He is a member of the Board of Advisors for GM Defense, LLC. Antifa members prepare to clash with Patriot Prayer protesters during a rally in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 4, 2018. (John Rudoff/AP Photo) Andy Ngo: Twitter Did Nothing to Stop Antifa Planning, Promoting Riots in Portland, Seattle Twitter did nothing to stop Antifa planning and promoting riots in Portland and Seattle weeks in advance, according to Journalist Andy Ngo, an expert on the anarcho-communist group. At least 150 people gathered and participated in events punctuated by violence and destruction in the two states just hours after Joe Biden took the oath of office to become the 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20. Wednesdays riots saw agitators in Portland smashing windows and vandalizing the offices of the states Democratic Party, while in Seattle, the activists marched into the iconic Pike Place Market to smash up property, spray-paint buildings with an anarchist symbol, and smash windows, including at the William Kenzo Nakamura Courthouse, a federal building, according to KOMO. In Seattle and Portland, there were simultaneous riots that were pre-planned and organized, and also advertised weeks ahead of time on Twitter, Ngo said in an interview with The Epoch Times American Thought Leaders program, ahead of the Feb. 2 publication of his book, Unmasked: Inside Antifas Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy. Twitter did nothing to take down some of these accounts that were promoting these riots, he said. Twitter didnt immediately respond to a request for comment by The Epoch Times. Ngo noted that Rose City Antifa is the largest and oldest Antifa group and has a strong presence on Twitter with thousands of followers. The journalist said Antifa, which has a strong influence in the Northwest U.S., has a formal membership process that involves radicalization, going to training, [and] having extremist literature to read, which he noted is very similar to how Islamists radicalize regular Muslims into their worldview. Andy Ngo, a Portland-based journalist, is seen covered in an unknown substance after being attacked by Antifa in Portland, Ore., on June 29, 2019. (Moriah Ratner/Getty Images) Elsewhere in the interview, Ngo said Antifa took over the street and shut down traffic in Portland before marching unimpeded to the headquarters of the Democratic Party of Oregon. And they destroyed it, they smashed out every window. Some of them actually came with firebombs, but they were apprehended by police later, he said, adding that the group appeared to have intended to torch down the place. The journalist noted that several media outlets who were at the scene appeared to turn a blind eye to the destruction and essentially gave cover to Antifa. Officers have so far arrested eight people following Wednesdays events in Oregon, according to the Portland Police Bureau, while the Seattle Police Department said it has arrested two people during the unrest, one for property damage and another for assault. Mugshots of protesters arrested by Portland police on Jan. 20, 2021. (Portland Police Department) Officers made a third arrest later in the evening after the glass storefront was shattered at the Starbucks in Pike Place Market, according to KOMO. Both Seattle and Portland have been the scene of unrest for months, with civil rights activists, anarchists, Antifa, and other far-left groups protesting a number of grievances. The protests, which initially began last summer as part of nationwide demonstrations against racism and police brutality following the death of George Floyd, have at times become violent, with protestors clashing with police and damaging property. Former President Donald Trump earlier this month signed a memorandum to block the entry of individuals affiliated with the Antifa movement into the United States. The White House on Jan. 5 said that the violence spurred on by the group endangers the fabric of the nation. Struggling tenants, parents and unemployed workers in the New Orleans area welcomed a spate of pandemic relief this week, including a new extension on a federal eviction moratorium through March, and a boost in food aid that President Joe Biden signed in an executive order on Friday. Local advocates praised the measures as badly needed stopgaps as Congress starts to weigh Bidens $1.9 trillion aid proposal. The extension of the moratorium on residential evictions was announced Wednesday by the new director of the U.S. Center for Disease Control, Dr. Rochelle Walensky. It now stretches through March 31 and, like earlier iterations, still applies to tenants who make under $99,000. Walensky cited a historic threat to our nations health and a housing affordability crisis that disproportionately affects some communities in announcing the extension. It means a whole lot to me. It actually takes the heavy pressure off myself just a little, said Cordelia Rogers, 45, who shares a double with her two adult sons in New Orleans East. Rogers said she was furloughed last March from both of the jobs she was holding down, at the convention center and the airport, while she lay in a hospital bed sick from COVID-19, among the first Louisianans to fall ill. She was laid off a few months later. This week she found an eviction notice posted on her door. Now, Rogers says shes hoping the eviction moratorium and $300 weekly unemployment checks she began receiving a few weeks ago from the latest federal stimulus help her crawl back out of debt. This past year has been the roughest for me ever, said Rogers, who joined the advocacy group Step Up Louisiana after she recovered. Im praying Ill be able to get out of it. I dont like to owe people money, and I dont like anything derogatory under my name. Housing advocates praised the extended moratorium while cautioning that back rents will still be owed when the moratorium ends. Under the $900 billion stimulus passed last month, more than $300 million is slated for Louisiana in rental assistance funds. But that money has yet to flow to itchy landlords, who continue to file for evictions in local courthouses despite the freeze. The city recently received its $11.6 million share of that money from the federal government and plans to announce within a week how tenants or landlords can apply, said a spokeswoman for Mayor LaToya Cantrells administration. Just how far the money will stretch remains uncertain, say housing advocates. Austin Badon, the clerk of 1st City Court, which handles evictions on the east bank of New Orleans, said about 135 landlords are in a holding pattern, having filed to evict tenants and now awaiting hearings after the moratorium lifts. Evictions solely for failure to pay rent are on hold, although Badon said landlords are increasingly offering other reasons to evict that arent covered under the moratorium. Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Before the extension, with the moratorium set to expire Jan. 31, Badon said the judges debated opening on weekends and running a night court to wend through the backlog. But the figures Badon cited dont begin to describe a looming eviction crisis that awaits the city, said Loyola Law School professor Davida Finger. She said a recent analysis of eviction filings before and during the pandemic found that moratoriums have stalled nearly 2,500 of them in New Orleans. Those are just deferred eviction filings, and every month theres more. We have to be mindful about these debts accumulating, and this new renters debt out there, Finger said. The goal should be to keep New Orleans tenants housed. The two executive orders Biden signed would increase food aid, protect job seekers on unemployment and clear a path for federal workers and contractors to get a $15 hourly minimum wage. Biden said the virus could not be stopped in the next several months and predicted that more than 600,000 would die. The nation's death toll recently passed 400,000. "This can help tens of millions of families especially those who cannot provide meals for their kids," Biden said. "A lot of Americans are hurting. The virus is surging. ... No matter how you look at it, we need to act." One of the orders asks the U.S. Agriculture Department to consider adjusting the rules for food assistance. Children who cant get school meals because of remote learning could receive a 15% increase in food aid, according to a fact sheet provided by the White House. The lowest-income households could qualify for emergency benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The formula for calculating meal costs also could become more generous. It also would create a guarantee that workers could still collect unemployment benefits if they refuse to take a job that could jeopardize their health. Bidens other order pushes a $15 hourly minimum wage for all federal workers. Danny Mintz, director of safety net policy for the nonprofit Louisiana Budget Project, said the order could mean hundreds of dollars for families in what amounts to rebates for missed school meals. Mintz described a surge in children going hungry since the pandemic began, based on U.S. Census surveys. He said data from September showed 40% of Louisiana children were considered food insecure. Child hunger is exceptionally high right now. What this does is make sure hundreds of thousands of Louisianans are going to have an easier time keeping food on the table during a time a lot of them are facing unprecedented hardship, he said. Families are getting money thats closer to what a family needs to afford all their groceries. That money cant come soon enough. -The Associated Press contributed to this story. Freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose was born in Cuttack, Orissa, on January 23, 1897. He is one of the most dynamic and celebrated leaders in the history of Indias struggle for Independence. He was a charismatic leader, influencer of the youth and he also earned the name Netaji. Initially aligned with the Indian National Congress, he was ousted from the party due to his political differences. Netaji's slogan of 'Jai Hind' became the national slogan of India. He also gave the slogan 'Dilli Chalo' while addressing the army as the Supreme Commander, in front of the Town Hall of Singapore. Here are some inspirational and powerful quotes from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: Subhas Chandra Bose, popularly known as Netaji, was one of the tallest leaders of the Indian independence movement. A staunch nationalist, Bose is known for his brilliant strategic moves to garner support for his cause not just in India but abroad as well. He formed the Azad Hind Fauj or the Indian National Army to fight the Britishers who occupied India. On his 125th birth anniversary, we recall his life and contributions to Indias freedom struggle. Early life and Education Born on January 23, 1897 in Cuttack in the Bengal Province, he was ninth in a family of 14 children. His primary schooling was done at the Protestant European School in Cuttack, before being admitted to the Ravenshaw Collegiate School. After school, he joined the Presidency College, but later changed to the Scottish Church College at the University of Calcutta where he obtained his B.A degree in philosophy. To fulfill his fathers wish, he prepared for the Indian Civil Services examination, in which he bagged the fourth rank. But he did not want to serve the British and so he resigned from his job in April 1921 to join the independence movement. Bose joins independence movement Bose started the newspaper Swaraj, which stood for freedom. For his nationalist credentials, he was arrested by the government in 1925. After being released two years later, he became general secretary of the Congress party, where he worked with Jawaharlal Nehru. Bose was jailed again for participating in the civil disobedience movement. After his release in 1930, he became the Mayor of Calcutta. Bose quits Congress, forms Forward Bloc Bose was forced to quit the Congress party owing to his differences with Mahatma Gandhi and other senior party leaders. Consequently, Bose formed the All India Forward Bloc on June 22, 1939. Bose escapes to Germany Bose escaped from under house arrest imposed by the British to make way for Germany. He arrived in Germany in 1941, where he tried to garner support for the cause of India's independence. However, after realizing changing German priorities, Bose left for Japan in a German U-boat in February 1943. Formation of Indian National Army Bose formed the Indian National Army which comprised captured Indian soldiers of the British Indian army in the Battle of Singapore. The INA fought the British army at various places in the Burmese territory. However, Boses military effort was short-lived as the British army prevailed. Mystery of Bose death Bose is said to have died of third-degree burns when his plane crashed in Taiwan. However, there were many who believed he did not die in that crash and that he was in hiding, waiting for the right opportunity to strike again. His death has been surrounded by conspiracy theories ever since. Bose was a charismatic leader who was an icon for the youth who dreamed of an independent India. His famous quote: Give me blood and I will give you freedom had become the war cry for millions of Indians. The billionaire brothers buying supermarket Asda have gatecrashed a bidding battle for fashion chain Topshop, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Blackburn's Zuber and Mohsin Issa have been locked in top secret talks to buy the fashion brand for the past fortnight and launched a late bid last week. The Issas' arrival at the auction for Topshop puts them head to head with online fashion giant Asos, which has also emerged as a serious contender in the past few days. US fashion giant and Juicy Couture owner Authentic Brands, whose interest was first revealed in the MoS, also lodged a bid last week. Shake-up: Many Topshop stores could be closed if it is sold to an online retailer The Issas last week drafted in former Topshop boss Lord Rose to run part of their empire. They are understood to have already drawn up plans to put the fashion label into their Asda superstores next to its low price George At Asda clothing range. 'The brothers have big plans for Asda and Topshop would be a great way of attracting in new customers that aren't natural George shoppers or haven't been in Asda for a while,' said one source with knowledge of the auction process. Arcadia, which owns a host of other brands including Burtons, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge and Wallis which are also up for sale, collapsed last month after being ravaged by the pandemic. Administrators at Deloitte have been drafted in to sell the business by next month. It is understood they are hoping to top a sale price of 400million for the whole group, chiefly from selling Topshop. The intentions of mysterious Chinese bidders Shein are currently uncertain although they are understood to have been the fourth firm to put in a final bid for the chain. One source said some the bids are 'closely matched' but added that a preferred contender is likely to emerge in the coming days. Zuber and Mohsin's 6.8billion deal to buy Asda was agreed In October. But the complex deal will not be finalised until later this year. The Issas are understood to be financing any Topshop deal separately with their private equity partners TDR Capital rather than through Asda or their EG Group petrol forecourt empire, which is based in Jersey. Last week, the 18 billion turnover EG Group drafted in new chairman Lord Rose, former chief executive of Topshop owner Arcadia and who sold the group to Sir Philip Green and his family in 2002. Next dropped out of the auction last week. Boohoo has shown an interest but its offer for the business is understood to have so far been lower than rivals. Autobiographies and memoirs of Ashraf Muslims reveal that in their perception and presentation of the issues of Muslims vis-a-vis the state/democracy, secularism becomes a dominant concern, while the question of caste among Muslims is pushed to oblivion. Since 2014, a spree of redefining each aspect of Indias society, politics and culture has been launched by the Hindutva forces in India. In line with that, Muslims Tryst with Destiny in India is also getting redefined. Hindutva entities have nursed a long grudge against the Congress government who according to them left Muslims and their laws untouched while forcing its way against Hindus. Abolition of triple talaq, Uniform Civil Code (UCC), construction of Ram temple at the site of Babri mosque, change in Articles 370 and 35(A) and other such agenda were taken up to straighten up whatever odds accumulated under the functioning of pseudo-secular government. In the process, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to touch upon the caste issue among the Indian Muslims as well, albeit for a short moment. In Odisha in 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a two-day national meet of the BJP asked party workers to reach to poor and backward Muslims who have not benefited yet. Sabir Ali, former Janata Dal (United)JD(U)Member of Parliament (MP), was inducted into the BJP. He organised a Pasmanda (backwards) rally in favour of BJP. But, due to the apparent objection from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), his partys membership was cancelled. In 2016, Modi was the chief guest of the World Sufi Conference held in New Delhi. The major followers of Barelvi sect are backward and lower caste Muslims. A tendency among the Pasmanda activists to move towards right-wing political parties has been noticed. It is true that BJP is aggressively wooing the pasmanda communities ... Like all communities there are politically ambitious individuals and organisations within the Pasmanda communities as well who may align with right-wing forces, writes Ansari (2017). Welcome Guest! You Are Here: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks during a campaign event outside Gritz Family Restaurant in McDonough, Ga., on Jan. 3, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) South Dakota Governor Will Propose Bill to Ban Abortions of Down Syndrome Babies South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced on Jan. 23 that shell introduce a bill to her states legislature on Jan. 25 that would ban abortion of babies based solely on a diagnose of Down syndrome. The Republican governor made the decision on the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade, which ruled that the Constitution protects a pregnant womans liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. I look forward to the day when the Supreme Court recognizes that all preborn children inherently possess a right to life, Noem said on Twitter. To that end, on Monday I will introduce a bill that bans abortions based on a Down syndrome diagnosis. Statistics indicate that women with Down syndrome-related pregnancy have a high abortion rate. Though data is limited, the most recent data available released in a study by Obstetrics & Gynecology shows that about 67 percent of U.S. pregnancies where it is suggested the baby would be born with Down syndrome end in abortion. Today is the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. I look forward to the day when the Supreme Court recognizes that all preborn children inherently possess a right to life. To that end, on Monday I will introduce a bill that bans abortions based on a Down syndrome diagnosis. Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) January 23, 2021 Data from countries in Europe also show high Down syndrome termination rates, and in some cases they exceed 90 percent. In 2015, Denmark reported that 98 percent of people who received a positive test for Down syndrome terminated their pregnancy. South Dakota generally bans abortions at 20 weeks. People seeking abortions also need to wait a period of 72 hours and get counseling before having the procedure. Earlier this month, Noem was joined at the governors house for the state of the union address by Fox News contributor Rachel Campos-Duffy and her husband, former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy. The Duffys were invited by Noem to speak about their daughter Valentina, who was born with Down syndrome. Every single life is precious, regardless of what situation the family is facing, Noem said. I think Valentina, right here, her little face shows what a blessing that she is to this family, and theyre going to be here talking to the people of South Dakota and our legislators about how important that bill is. According to a social media post and her appearance on Fox News, abortion will be one of the key topics discussed during the 2021 South Dakota legislative session. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem gives a State of the State address in Pierre, S.D., on Jan. 8, 2019. (James Nord/AP Photo) Meanwhile, the BidenHarris administration released a statement on the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade stressing that the administration is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe. In the past four years, reproductive health, including the right to choose, has been under relentless and extreme attack, the statement reads. We are deeply committed to making sure everyone has access to careincluding reproductive health careregardless of income, race, zip code, health insurance status, or immigration status. The Trump administration over the past four years enacted policies and laws that were pro-life. As part of his administrations efforts, former President Donald Trump called for defunding Planned Parenthood and late-term abortions. Trump also nominated three pro-life judges to the Supreme Court. Roe v. Wade was the 1973 Supreme Court 72 decision ruling that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant womans liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. It struck down many U.S. federal and state abortion laws. Masooma Haq and Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Saturday thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "continued support" in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Taking to Twitter, the WHO chief said, "Thank you #India and Prime Minister @narendramodi for your continued support to the global #COVID19 response. Only if we #ACTogether, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods." Thank you #India and Prime Minister @narendramodi for your continued support to the global #COVID19 response. Only if we #ACTogether, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 23, 2021 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus's tweet comes hours after a similar tweet by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro today, who took to the micro-blogging site to thank India for the Covid-19 vaccines. "Namaskar, Prime Minister @narendramodi Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad!" tweeted Bolsonaro. The Brazilian President also tweeted a picture of Lord Hanuman carrying a vaccine from India to Brazil. Brazil has received 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from India. PM Modi had earlier said that India's vaccine production and delivery capacity would be used for the benefit of all humanity in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. India, one of the world's biggest drugmakers, has begun commercial exports and sent two million doses of Covishield, developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, to Brazil. The country has also undertaken contractual supplies of Covid-19 vaccines to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh and Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in the national capital on Friday. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. By Scott Shepherd As many in Korea now know, the adoptive mother of a baby named Jung-in, who died last October, has been in court charged with murder and child abuse. The mother, identified by her surname Jang, pleaded not guilty in her trial, which will continue next month. Korean society has rightly been shocked at the collective failure to protect the little girl, and questions are rightly being asked about whether social services or the police could have done anything to prevent her death. Public grief is so potent that at the beginning of the year the Korean and English versions of the hashtag #SorryJungin were simultaneously trending worldwide at first and fifth place respectively. This grief and rage will inevitably lead to serious reforms in children protection services in Korea. Indeed, President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun in their first meeting of the year. And rightly so. It's an unremittingly awful story which is galvanizing the country to make sure it doesn't happen again. Perhaps the only thing more awful than Jung-in's death is the fact that she is not the only child to have died in these circumstances. Two other heart-wrenching stories of babies dying last year received significantly less coverage. The Korea Times last year that a Vietnamese woman "jumped with her baby, from the eighth floor of an apartment building in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, at around 7 p.m., Jan. 2, 2020. The baby died from severe head injuries." The mother survived with severe injuries. The second story was equally horrific. The Korea Times that a Thai woman delivered a "baby at around 8 p.m., Mar. 29, in Gwanak District, Seoul, alone without medical assistance. The baby died around two hours later as she neglected the infant without giving it sufficient care including failing to clear amniotic fluid from the baby's nose and mouth." Aside from the gut-wrenching agony of a baby's death, there is another worrying linking factor. In the story of the Thai mother, the report states that "she had been staying in the country illegally, and therefore did not contact the police nor take the baby to the emergency room, out of concern that her illegal stay would be revealed." "She also said that she could not go to the hospital as she did not speak Korean." As for the Vietnamese woman, she "had visited a local hospital where she was diagnosed with postpartum depression and determined to be a suicide risk. However, she was just prescribed anti-depressants as staff decided hospitalization would be ineffective due to a lack of available interpreters at the hospital." This is inexcusable. Both mothers bear responsibility for their actions. There is no justification for infanticide and indeed both have been sentenced by the courts. Yet while we acknowledge the severity of the crime, how could we not feel sympathy for these poor women? Society failed these two women and their babies just as much as it failed Jung-in. We can argue all day about specific details and about the rights and wrongs of any person's situation and actions, but fundamentally, it is all of our responsibility to protect the babies born in our midst. Is it really possible that a hospital in South Korea could recognize a new mother as being at risk of suicide and still let her go because they didn't want the hassle of finding a translator? Is this something any society can accept? These tragedies were preventable. They shouldn't have happened and they can't be allowed to happen again. It's not a coincidence that both of these women were foreign; it points to a wider problem of discrimination in Korean society. Although Korea is in some ways a "Westernized" nation, it takes a very different approach to multiculturalism and migration compared to its European and American allies. Historically, Korea has been a closed country. While nowadays the term "hermit kingdom" usually refers only to North Korea, the term "hermit nation" originally referred to the whole kingdom of Joseon . Korea, of course, has no automatic obligation to become a multicultural society. It's up to Koreans whether to open the country's borders in the way that many Western countries have. I'm not going to try to dictate the direction Korea should take regarding immigration. If the people of Korea or of any country decide that they want to live in a hermit kingdom, that's completely within their rights. Yet while there's no need for any state to open its borders, there is a clear imperative for every country to protect its residents, whatever passport they hold. It is both morally and practically the right thing to do. The Korean government made a step in the right direction last year when it for anyone in the country illegally, but it needs to do more. I don't have all the answers no-one does. But we can't stop from keeping on trying. The two tragic cases of infanticide show that there is a pressing need for change in the way Korea treats its foreign residents. Clearly, as the case of Jung-in shows, babies born to two Korean parents may still be at risk. Researching this article, I've found far too many instances of babies dying unnecessarily, often at the hands of those who should have protected them. In the wake of Jung-in's death, as the lawmakers and bureaucrats inevitably reform the ways that babies are protected, they must consider ways to protect all the children of Korea, whether their parents are here legally or illegally, whether they only arrived last week or they can trace their ancestry all the way back to King Sejong himself. By many measures, Korea is a great country, and it continues to improve; the changes seen in the space of a few decades are really astounding. But a society is judged not only on statistics such as GDP or growth rate, but also on how it treats the weakest and most vulnerable in its midst. The protection of babies all babies needs to be stepped up. Dr. Scott Shepherd is a British-American academic. He has taught in universities in the U.K. and Korea, and is currently Assistant Professor of English at Chongshin University, Seoul. The views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial direction of The Korea Times. Here you have a Black dialect developed in the most oppressive conditions that somehow, in many respects, wound up to be more standard than the white counterpart, said Robert Bayley, a professor of linguistics at the University of California, Davis. As white deaf schools in the 1870s and 1880s moved toward oralism which places less emphasis on signing and more emphasis on teaching deaf students to speak and lip-read Black signers better retained the standards of American Sign Language, and some white sign language instructors ended up moving to Black deaf schools. According to Ceil Lucas, a sociolinguist and professor emerita at Gallaudet University, many white deaf schools were indifferent to Black deaf students education. The attitude was, We dont care about Black kids, she said. We dont care whether they get oralism or not they can do what they want. And so these children benefited by having white deaf teachers in the classroom. Some Black signers also tend to use a larger signing space and emote to a greater degree when signing when compared with white signers. Over time, Black ASL has also incorporated African-American English terms. For example, the Black ASL sign for tight meaning cool, which comes from Texas, is not the same as the conceptual sign for tight, meaning snug or form-fitting. There are also some signs for everyday words like bathroom, towel and chicken that are completely different in ASL and Black ASL, depending on where a signer lives or grew up. The same way Black hearing people adjust how they speak to meet the needs of their white counterparts, Black ASL users employ a similar mechanism depending on their environment, according to Joseph Hill, an associate professor at Rochester Institute of Technologys National Technical Institute for the Deaf. As one of the first Black students to attend the Alabama School for the Deaf, Dr. McCaskill said code switching allowed her to fit in with white students, while also preserving her Black ASL style. Apple has given the enormous Black Lives Matter mural covering its downtown store to Portland civil rights organization Dont Shoot PDX. The panels reflect the responses of so many that were witnesses to this summers uprisings and the joint call to action against institutionalized violence and white nationalism, Dont Shoot PDX wrote in its newsletter this week. Apples downtown Portland location is enclosed on three sides by floor-to-ceiling windows. Like many downtown merchants, the store has been boarded up since June amid nightly civil rights protests that lasted through the summer and sporadic acts of vandalism that continued through the fall. Portland artist Emma Berger started the mural June 1 on Apples black plywood with a painting of George Floyd and the phrase I cant breathe. That was joined soon afterwards by other artists who added images and names of other African Americans killed by police violence. Artists in the Portland community reimagined the blank canvas surrounding our Pioneer Place Apple Store and created a monumental art piece honoring the ongoing fight for justice and the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. Apple stands in support of the artists and all who are fighting for social and racial justice, Apple said in a statement Friday. We are honored to have hosted the murals and are very happy to entrust the artwork to Dont Shoot Portland in support of their advocacy for social change, the company said. The mural on Apple's downtown Portland store, as it appeared last summer. Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian The Portland mural took on historic significance last summer as it became a national symbol of the protests and unrest over police violence. Apples downtown store has been closed since May 31, when Portlands protests erupted. Many other downtown merchants are closed, too, as the coronavirus pandemic closed offices and pedestrians vacated the downtown core. Dont Shoot PDX features an image of the mural on its webpage. The organization, which opposes racism and police violence, did not immediately say how it plans to use the mural or if it anticipates displaying it publicly. -- Mike Rogoway The start of last years Tara Bishop Memorial Fun Run and walk in Ballymurn The organisers of the annual Tara Bishop Memorial Run in Ballymurn have decided to go down the virtual route for this year's event. Event organiser Bobby Redmond said that current circumstances obviously meant the race can't be staged like normal.However, people are being encouraged to participate in event, virtually, over the weekend of January 29 to 31. Bobby said there has been great interest in the event do-date with over 300 people already registered to take part. The time-frame for participation is anytime from 6 a.m. on Friday, January 29, to 10 p.m. on Sunday, January 31. People can register to take part through www.popupraces.ie and look for Tara Bishop under the virtual events tab. 'We are doing something different this year for the times we are in,' said Bobby, when commenting on the event to this newspaper. 'Unfortunately, we can't have our great 5k fun run and walk like we normally do,' he said. The event is very popular in the local community and that fact was underlined by the large number of people who participated in previous years. 'Our 5k fun run is renowned as a great social gathering and for its friendly atmosphere,' said Bobby. Delicious refreshments usually await the participants and supporters after the event and while this year will be different it's important to Bobby and all those associated with the event that it still takes place albeit in a different guise. 'This year to keep our event going we are doing something different to our normal tradition,' he said. 'Because the event will be virtual it means anyone, anywhere can register and participate while raising vital funds for Temple Street Hospital and Ballymurn National School,' he added. People from as far away as the USA and Scotland have already registered to participate this year along with people from all over Ireland. In an appeal to the public the organisers said: 'We ask now more than ever for the continued support that you have sincerely shown to us over the past number of years.' A little bit of history will also be created this year as, for the first time, the organisers are providing a quality technical t-shirt for all participants who register. As usual this year's event is being sponsored by KDK Scaffolding and the organisers are very grateful for their ongoing support. The organisers also worked hard to keep the cost to a minimum and the minimum entry fee this year is 10, however, if participants wish to donate more they can do so on the registration page. KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2021 - 05:40 | All, World The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden plans to start a "thorough" review of the country's policy on North Korea, in consultation with allies such as Japan, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Friday. Calling North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile activities a "serious threat" to international peace and security, she said at a press conference, "We obviously still have a vital interest in deterring North Korea." "We will adopt a new strategy to keep the American people and our allies safe. That approach will begin with a thorough policy review of the state of play in North Korea in close consultation with South Korea, Japan and other allies on ongoing pressure options and the potential for any future diplomacy," Psaki added. Biden's predecessor Donald Trump engaged in unprecedented summit diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, meeting him three times in 2018 and 2019 in hopes of convincing the secretive country to give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons. But negotiations made little progress, with the two countries at odds over issues such as the degree of sanctions relief Pyongyang should receive for denuclearization steps. During his election campaign, Biden, the 78-year-old former vice president under the Barack Obama administration, criticized Trump for legitimizing North Korea through the summit meetings. Biden has also called the North Korean leader a "thug" and said that Trump's diplomacy has resulted in North Korea having "much more capable missiles, able to reach U.S. territory much more easily than they ever did before." Meanwhile, asked whether Biden is considering rejoining a Pacific free trade pact originally known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Psaki signaled the administration's reluctance to prioritize the issue anytime soon. "President Biden knows TPP wasn't perfect and believes we need to make it stronger and better, but at this point...our focus and his focus as it relates to the economy is on doing everything we can to advance working families and the American middle class. And so that will be his focus in the coming months," she said. Trump withdrew from the trade deal shortly after taking office in 2017, citing concerns about U.S. job losses. Japan and the other 10 remaining members subsequently sealed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which kept most of the TPP deal intact. Flowers left on the railings outside Sligo Cathedral last Friday (15th) with the wording on a note attached saying, proper redress and apology for the survivors of Mother and Baby Homes' Ireland was described as a 'cold, harsh place' for the 56,000 women and 57,000 children in the mother and baby homes, from 1922 to 1998, who suffered serious discrimination, the Mother and Baby Homes Commission Report stated. The extensive report, almost 3,000 pages in length, covers a 76 year period and gives a harrowing, shameful look into the treatment of these mothers and their babies. The Commission found that a total of 9,000 children died in the institutions under investigation during that time, most under the age of one, 15% of all the children in the institutions. Although none of the mother and baby homes the Commission investigated were located in Sligo, statistics in the report reveal Sligo mothers were resident in these homes, including in Stranorlar and Tuam. The report also indicates the high volume of women who went to homes in Dublin such as Pelletstown, who came up from the country. Many more rural women also travelled to Britain. The report described the very high rate of infant mortality (first year of life) in Irish mother and baby homes as probably the most disquieting feature of those institutions. It found that the death rate in 1945/46 among infants in mother and baby homes was almost twice that of the national average for illegitimate children. A shocking statistic revealed that in Bessborough mother and baby home in Cork in 1943, 75% of the children died before their first birthday. There is no single explanation for the appalling level of infant mortality in Irish mother and baby homes. The children of unmarried mothers were at greater risk, because of stress, and a lack of ante-natal care. The report states that the 'very high' mortality rates were known to local and national authorities at the time and were recorded in official publications. It found there was no evidence that unmarried mothers were ever discussed at Cabinet during the first 50 years after independence. While some women went to England or to Dublin to prevent their families knowing of the pregnancy, others travelled with the advice and assistance of family members. A Sligo family sent their pregnant daughter to England, where she gave birth, 'to get child adopted' but she was returned and admitted to the Castlepollard mother and baby home. This was not an uncommon story. In the mid-1950s, 61% of the almost 800 expectant mothers that were referred to the English Catholic Rescue Society were from Ireland. The Liverpool Society for the Prevention of International Traffic in Women and Children said they had met a total of 1,947 Irish expectant mothers in the years 1926-30. The report bluntly states that the women in mother and baby homes should not have been there. They should have been at home with their families. However, the reality was that most had no choice - they were, or expected to be, rejected by their families and they needed a place to stay. Most were unable to provide for the baby. The Ireland during the early half of the period under remit (1922 to 1998) was hard for the majority of its residents, the Commission maintains, adding all women suffered serious discrimination. Women who gave birth outside marriage were subject to particularly harsh treatment. The report claims that the responsibility for that harsh treatment rested mainly with the fathers of their children and their immediate families. It was supported by, contributed to, and condoned by, the institutions of the State and the Churches. The report maintains that it must be acknowledged that the institutions under investigation provided a refuge - a harsh refuge in some cases - when the families of these women provided no refuge at all. While mother and baby homes were not a peculiarly Irish phenomenon, the proportion of Irish unmarried mothers who were admitted to mother and baby homes or county homes in the twentieth century was probably the highest in the world. It reveals that the greatest number of admissions were in the '60s and early seventies'. The Commission adds that there is likely a further 25,000 unmarried mothers and a larger number of children in the county homes throughout Ireland largely pre-1960, which were not investigated. There were county homes in every county except Louth, including St John's Hospital in Sligo and St Patrick's Home in Carrick-on-Shannon. By the late 1960s/early 1970s, they were being used exclusively for the care of older people and they later began to be described as public community nursing homes and many of them still operate as such. The report found that the majority, or 80% of the women in the mother and baby homes were between the ages of 18 and 29. It discovered that 5,616 were under the age of 18. Some pregnancies were the result of rape, some women had mental health problems, some had an intellectual disability. The only difference between the women in mother and baby homes and their sisters, classmates and work companions was that they became pregnant while unmarried. Their lives were blighted by pregnancy outside marriage, and the responses of the father of their child, their immediate families and the wider community. The profiles of the women changed over the decades, the report indicates, mirroring changes in Irish women's lives. In the early decades most women who were admitted were domestic servants or farm workers or they were carrying out unpaid domestic work in their family home. In later years, however, many of the women were clerical workers, civil servants, professional women and schoolgirls or third-level students. Many of the women in the mother and baby homes did suffer emotional abuse and were often subject to denigration and derogatory remarks. It appears there was little kindness shown to them and this was particularly the case when they were giving birth. There were no qualified social workers, or counsellors attached to these homes until at least the 1970s. Many of the women found childbirth to be a traumatic experience. The overwhelming majority were first-time mothers and they were probably uninformed about childbirth. The trauma of childbirth must have been especially difficult for the many women who had no prospect of keeping their child. There was no evidence of the sort of gross abuse that occurred in industrial schools, the report says, although there were a small number of complaints of physical abuse. The women worked, but they were generally doing the sort of work that they would have been doing at home, women in the county homes did arduous work for which they should have been paid and there are a few other examples where this is the case, the report alludes to. The vast majority of children in the institutions were 'illegitimate' and because of this, they suffered discrimination for most of their lives. Before the availability of legal adoption in Ireland (1953), children who left the mother and baby institutions usually ended up in other institutions such as industrial schools or were boarded out or nursed out. The report explains that Irish families were large; in 1960 the number of children born in a marriage, was the highest in the developed world despite the fact that couples married at a late age. Many families were poor and living in overcrowded homes so an additional child would have put them under pressure. Such a child would have been especially unwelcome in a farm house where the marriage of the inheriting son depended on clearing the home of non inheriting siblings. Many pregnant women fled to Britain, to protect this secrecy, only to face the prospect of being returned to Ireland against their wishes. British Catholic charities put considerable pressure on the Irish Hierarchy and on the government to repatriate the women. Some of the treatment meted out to these women, who were commonly described as PFIs, (pregnant from Ireland) was inhumane and occasionally it placed them at medical risk. British authorities also returned children born there to Irish women, sometimes approaching the woman's family who might be unaware of the child's existence, asking them to take the child. The Department of Health and local authorities appear to have co-operated with these practices. The main motivation behind the British and Irish Catholic charities who were involved in repatriating Irish women from Britain, either pregnant or with their new-born infant, was to prevent these children being 'lost' to Catholicism through adoption into Protestant families. The report states that several women were repatriated at a very late stage in pregnancy and in circumstances that presented a serious risk to health. One woman became extremely ill on the boat returning from England, and refused to travel beyond Dublin. When the Sligo health authority was asked to agree to maintain her in the Pelletstown mother and baby home, they contacted the department asking whether it was an approved institution. * Further coverage in the January 19th edition of The Sligo Champion Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 00:50:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate Finance Committee on Friday unanimously approved President Joe Biden's nomination of former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to be the next U.S. treasury secretary. The Senate panel approved Yellen's nomination by a vote of 26-0, sending it to the full Senate for final confirmation, which could come as soon as Friday afternoon. "I hope that President Biden realizes that the treatment of Dr. Yellen's nomination in this Committee signals interest by me and my Republican colleagues in working cooperatively and in a bipartisan way," Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said Friday. "We want to work on policy issues to help all Americans, and are not interested in cancerous culture wars that serve only to divide the country," Grassley said. Yellen, a 74-year-old well-regarded economist, is not expected to face any serious opposition from U.S. senators. "As I noted earlier, her nomination triggered the most favorable reaction to any I can remember -- economists, politicians and market participants," Mohamed A. El-Erian, chief economic advisor at Allianz, tweeted Friday. At a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Yellen urged U.S. Congress to "act big" with a new COVID-19 relief package as the economic recovery is losing momentum amid surging coronavirus cases. "Economists don't always agree, but I think there is a consensus now: Without further action, we risk a longer, more painful recession now -- and long-term scarring of the economy later," Yellen said. Biden last week unveiled a 1.9-trillion-U.S.-dollar COVID-19 relief proposal, which draws opposition from a growing number of congressional Republicans. It's unclear whether the Biden administration would secure enough votes for a new massive relief package. If confirmed by the full Senate, Yellen would be the first woman to serve as U.S. treasury secretary in the department's 231 years of history. She would also be the first person to have served as treasury secretary, chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, and chair of the Federal Reserve. Enditem Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a drive to distribute land 'pattas' to 1.06 lakh landless indigenous Assamese families. PM Modi visited Sivasagar in Assam on Saturday morning where he distributed land allotment certificates to the indigenous people. The PM said lakhs of adivasis, indigenous Assamese families were deprived of land ownership rights even decades after Independence. PM Modi said, "When BJP had formed the government in Assam, there were nearly 6 lakh landless people in Assam. But the Sonowal government will provide land pattas to those landless people. More than 2.25 lakh landless people have received land pattas and now 1 lakh people will be added." Giving a boost to the BJP's campaign in Assam which will go to polls in a few months, PM Modi said, "NDA government has always kept preservation of the Assamese culture as its foremost intention behind implementing policies, including protection of the Assamese language and promotion of its literature." PM Modi also praised the Sarbananda Sonowal government for effective handling of the COVID-19 crisis in Assam. "The way the Assam government handled COVID-19 is praiseworthy. I am confident that Assam will take forward the vaccination drive now. I appeal to all to get vaccinated," said PM Narendra Modi. CM Sonowal said, "Prime Minister Modi is the biggest well-wisher of Assam and its people. The development of Assam and the northeast region is due to his support." Also read: Amit Shah pays tribute to Subhas Chandra Bose on birth anniversary Also read: Budget 2021: Halwa ceremony to kickstart budget process to be held today Patong, Phuket Town join push for free COVID vaccinations for all residents PHUKET: The mayors of Patong and Phuket Town have both now confirmed that they have set aside their own budgets to vaccinate all registered residents Thai and foreign in their areas for COVID-19 without having to wait for the national government. COVID-19Coronavirushealth By Tanyaluk Sakoot Saturday 23 January 2021, 09:00AM Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The move follows Chalong Mayor Samran Jindapon earlier this week confirming to The Phuket News that foreigners living in Chalong will be freely vaccinated for COVID-19 once the national government has approved which vaccines may be used in Thailand. Mayor Samran explained on Monday (Jan 18) that Chalong Municipality had already set aside a budget of B20 million to source a vaccine once they become available. Chalong Municipality, like any other municipality in the country, must acquire any COVID-19 vaccine from the Ministry of Public Health, Mayor Samran admitted. However, he added that he wanted there to be no bureaucratic delays in getting the vaccines to people living in Chalong. People in Chalong getting fast access to good-quality vaccines is the main idea, so we have already set a budget of about B20mn, Mayor Samran said. Now we are waiting for the Ministry of Public Health to confirm and announce a safe vaccine for people, he said. Dr Thanit Sermkaew, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO), confirmed to The Phuket News on Tuesday (Jan 19) that at this stage his office had yet to receive any clear instructions from the central government on how many doses of a COVID vaccine will be made available to Phuket, or in which order of priority people on the island are to be vaccinated. That all depends on when health experts in Bangkok deem which vaccinations are safe to deploy throughout the country, Dr Thanit said. When that decision is made, we will be informed how many doses of the vaccine will be allocated to Phuket, and how the vaccine should be distributed, he added. Chalong Mayor Samran made his policy decision clear, despite going to the polls for re-election on Mar 28. I dont want to wait in the queue to get the vaccine budget. Chalong people deserve to receive vaccines. They do not need to pay, he said. Mayor Samran confirmed that COVID vaccines obtained by Chalong Municipality will be freely available to all people registered as living in Chalong Subdistrict, regardless whether the resident is Thai or foreign. There are about 20,000 to 30,000 people in Chalong. This includes everyone: Thais, migrant workers and other foreigners registered as living in Chalong, such as retirees and foreigners staying here for other reasons. They will all receive the vaccine, Mayor Samran said. Please do not be worried. Chalong Municipality already has the money in its budget. There is no need to ask for money from the Cabinet, Mayor Samran explained. We will start the buying process immediately after the Ministry of Public Health approves the vaccine, he said. Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana has also confirmed that Phuket City Municipality has already set aside more than B45 million to vaccinate the 79,000-odd people living in Phuket Town. "We dont want to wait for the government. If we wait for the government, we have no idea when we will have the vaccine, she told The Phuket News. Mayor Somjai confirmed that only people who were registered as living in Phuket City limits at the end of December would be eligible to receive the vaccine free from Phuket City Municipality. This does include Thais and foreigners registered as living in Phuket Town, she said. PATONG Chalermluck Kebsup, Mayor of Patong, is also not waiting for the central government to start drawing up plans to provide free vaccinations to residents in the once-bustling tourism town. Mayor Chlermluck sees free mass vaccination, of both Thais and foreigners registered as living in Patong, as a key step in reviving Patongs tourism industry, which has been devastated by the COVID-19 protection policies. The vaccine is being considered for approval right now, so we decided to take this chance. There is no need to wait for the government. We have already set a budget of about B30mn for about 20,000 people registered as living in Patong, Mayor Chalermluck told The Phuket News on Monday (Jan 18). We want people to get the vaccine as fast as possible, but the vaccine must be safe for our people. We will order the vaccine once they become available from the Ministry of Public Health, and that is only after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed the vaccine is safe. Then we will consider which people are to be vaccinated first, in accordance with whatever the Ministry of Public Health determines, she added. We deserve to get the vaccine quickly because Phuket is a tourism province, our people depend on tourism, Mayor Chalermluck said. RESTORING CONFIDENCE Fear of contracting COVID-19 amid the latest outbreak has stifled any economic recovery in tourism-dependent Patong, Mayor Chalermluck noted. The impact has been two-fold: tourists have decided against travel to avoid contracting the disease, and workers in the tourism industry in Phuket are fearful they might contract COVID-19 from a tourist who has just arrived in the province, she explained. Of note, as of Tuesday, the PPHO had marked that it had been 26 days since Phuket had any patients confirmed as infected with COVID-19. The fear is dominating Phuket people. They do not want to receive visitors from another province as they are worried about the risk of getting COVID-19. They dont want to be infected. So they are worried about taking care of tourists, and that leaves businesses stuck, unable to operate, Mayor Chalermluck said. The vaccine is our hope in stopping this fear. If local residents receive the vaccine as quickly as possible, I think people will be more confident in receiving domestic tourists. Then businesses can run, she added. Phuket Chamber of Commerce President Thanusak Phungdet praised the move by local municipalities to start making plans to mass vaccinate people in their areas for free. Provinces that rely on tourism should receive the vaccine before other provinces. For Phuket, it will create more confidence among tourists wanting to travel here. Then businesses can start operating again, and that will help local people earn incomes that they can live on, he said. VICTORIA - The federal economic development minister says business leaders in British Columbia want to work with a new development agency aiming to help them endure the COVID-19 pandemic and plan for the future. Economic Development and Official Languages Minister Melanie Joly responds to a question in the House of Commons Monday November 23, 2020 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld VICTORIA - The federal economic development minister says business leaders in British Columbia want to work with a new development agency aiming to help them endure the COVID-19 pandemic and plan for the future. Melanie Joly said she's heard from entrepreneurs and business owners across B.C. about the support for a home-based economic development agency, including during an online forum Friday with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. Joly said the promised B.C.-based agency will provide targeted economic support and relief in the form of loans, subsidies and advice about federal programs. "People want to be able to have access to levers to survive the economic crisis and the pandemic, but at the same time people want to talk about the future and want to be optimistic as the vaccinations roll out," she said in a phone interview. Joly said she's heard in panel discussions with business leaders that they're concerned about the distance between Ottawa and B.C. as entrepreneurs argue for an agency that is closer to home. "There's a feeling of disconnection towards the federal government," she said. "That has created sometimes frustration on the part of people in B.C. We need to increase our impact, our footprint. We need to make sure that people trust the fact that the federal government is there for them." Joly, who is also the minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, said B.C. entrepreneurs have told her the province's economy was growing before the COVID-19 pandemic and they need help now to get them through. Last December's federal economic update promised a stimulus package of about $100 billion this year, she said, adding the budget for the new B.C. agency has not been set and there's no date yet for an opening date. "I always have a sense of urgency in life," Joly said after her meeting with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. "I'm a very impatient person, so the team and I are working extremely hard to make sure we can launch this new B.C. agency but we need to make sure we do things right." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2021. Mothers murdering their own children is a crime that's hard to stomach. Society says these are crimes committed by men - jealous, cheats, cowards and cruel. It's seemingly easier to digest that a man is capable of such atrocities against his own flesh and blood than a woman. Katie Perinovic (right), 42, will face no justice for the murders of her children Claire, 7, Anna, 5, and Matthew, 3. Katie Perinovic, 42, murdered her children Claire, 7, Anna, 5, and Matthew, 3. Tom Perinovic (left) discovered their bodies last week On Tuesday, flowers remain outside the Perinovic home in Tullamarine When mothers kill their children - and they do with frightening regularity - the usual psychiatrists submit their reports outlining all of the ways the frazzled mums' tormented brains justified the unjustifiable. There have been numerous examples of mothers killing their own kids in Melbourne. Akon Guode, who drove a car load of her children into a dam in 2015, was arguably the worst up until last week. She, at least, will serve 18 years for the murders of four-year-old twins Hangar and Madit, and the infanticide of 17-month-old Bol, after driving her four-wheel-drive into a lake. Katie Perinovic, 42, will face no justice for the murders of her children Claire, 7, Anna, 5, and Matthew, 3. On Tuesday, the scent of flowers wafted through the air outside the Tullamarine home where she so cruelly dispatched her little ones. Melburnians have been dropping flowers outside the large fence of the Tullamarine property since news of the tragedy broke on Thursday. From behind the fence - no doubt erected to keep the children safe - a small plastic chair belonging to one of the little girls remains perched under the verandah. The large gates of the property remain shut, with no sign of their shattered father Tom Perinovic. 15-month-old Sanaya Sahib was killed by her mother Sofina Nikat. Tanja Ludwig jumped from a cliff in NSW with her toddler in 2019 Akon Guode (left) at the funeral of the children she murdered in cold blood Divers could not save the lives of Akon Guode's children after she drove them into a dam When reports surfaced of the murders last week, it was clear he had been the man 'helping police with their inquiries'. Revelations that he was completely innocent sent shockwaves across the nation. The scene had been described by police as 'gruesome', giving rise to suggestions the children may have been stabbed to death. Social media lit with comments from a public struggling for answers. 'How could a mother do that to her kids?' they asked. 'And why when a woman commits such an atrocity are people so quick to make excuses for them?' A month earlier Melburnians had been rattled at news that a young family had been killed in a horror fire in Melbourne's west. While fingers immediately pointed at the father, it was a woman who was charged with the crime. Over the past two decades Australians have been horrified by numerous child murders at the hands of their mothers. While many cannot be reported, killers such as Kathleen Folbigg, Tanja Ludwig, Ashlee Jean Polkinghorne and Keli Lane all made national news for killing their own. Folbigg killed her four children, Lane - a former Australian water polo player and teacher - was convicted of the 1996 murder of her newborn baby Tegan, and Ludwig died with her two-year-old daughter after jumping off a cliff in 2019. Katie Perinovic murdered her daughters Claire, 7, and Anna, 5 on Thursday Caleb Folbigg was killed by his mother Kathleen. He was the first of three of her own children she killed over a 10 year period Kathleen Folbigg continues to maintain her innocence years after she was convicted over multiple murders of her own children Laura Folbigg was just 18 months old when she was killed by her mum Parents That Kill Between 2000 and 2012, 284 children were killed during by a parent or a step-parent. The disturbing figure equates to about one child every two weeks. Of those, 133 were killed by their mothers. Another 81 were killed by their fathers, with the remaining killed by stepfathers. Advertisement Four-year-old Chloe Valentine died from at least 39 injuries to her body after being repeatedly forced to ride a 50kg motorbike by her mother, Ashlee Jean Polkinghorne. Polkinghorne served more than five years of a seven year jail sentence. In Melbourne, before Katie Perinovic and Akon Guode there was Donna Fitchett. The qualified nurse drugged and murdered sons Thomas, 11, and Matthew, 9, at their Balwyn North home in what she described as her 'greatest act of love'. In 2010, Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Curtain branded Fitchetts actions her 'greatest act of betrayal'. 'You were their mother. Your responsibility was to nurture, care for, love and protect them,' she said. Fitchett admitted she murdered her children but pleaded not guilty by reason of mental impairment. She had claimed her major depressive disorder had led to their deaths because she intended to take her own life and felt she could not leave the boys behind. Justice Curtain ordered her to serve 18 years before she is eligible for parole. More recently, Sofia Nikat smothered her infant daughter before dumping her body in a creek. Ashlee Jean Polkinghorne literally drove her four-year old child to death after making her repeatedly ride and crash a motorbike Chloe Valentine, aged 4, died when her mother Ashlee Jean Polkinghorne, aged 22, and her partner Benjamin Robert McPartland, 28 repeatedly put her on a 50-kilogram motorbike in the backyard of the family home The Supreme Court of Victoria heard she was suffering depression when she suffocated her 15-month-old, Sanaya Sahib, in a park in Heidelberg West in 2016. Nikat was initially charged with murder, but it was later downgraded to infanticide, which carries a maximum penalty of just five years in jail. Justice Lex Lasry sentenced her to a 12-month community corrections order and cut the killer loose. In 2017, on the steps of Victoria's Supreme Court, Sanaya's aunt, Zahraa Sahib, said they were disappointed and upset by the outcome. 'We had no justice for her death,' she said. Guode had been suffering post-traumatic stress and depression when she murdered her children, but gave no reason as to why she did it. She was originally sentenced to 26 years, but last year successfully argued the sentence was 'manifestly excessive' and was resentenced to 18 years. For Tom Perinovic, and the families of countless others, the sentence will last a lifetime and the questions will likely remain unanswered. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate phone calls with his counterparts from Denmark and Poland, calling for more efforts to cooperate in various areas such as climate, trade and investment. During the exchange with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod, Wang said that China welcomes the expansion of two-way trade and investment, adding that it hopes Denmark will continuously push the European Union (EU) to pursue a positive and constructive China policy as Denmark is an important member of the EU. Noting that the two sides have established diplomatic relations for 70 years, Wang said that both sides should seriously summarize these important experiences and lessons so as to carry forward bilateral relations in the next 70 years. Kofod said that Denmark, as one of the first European countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, highly values its relations with China. Denmark highly appreciates the announcement made by Chinese President Xi Jinping that China will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, which will vigorously advance international cooperation against climate change, Kofod said. In the telephone conversation with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, Wang stressed that China-Poland relations enjoy a strong momentum of development fueled by "three engines" bilateral cooperation, China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation and China-EU cooperation, and that should promote each other and form a joint force. Nothing that Poland is a big country in Central and Eastern Europe and an important EU member, Wang said China attaches great importance to Poland's key role in China's cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries and the EU, and expects more contributions from Poland. To achieve greater development of Poland-China and EU-China relations, Rau said Poland hopes to work with China to work out a blueprint for future high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation, and export more Polish products to China. (CGTN) U.S. Department of Justice A Texas man was arrested and charged Wednesday on allegations that he invaded the U.S. Capitol during the deadly Jan. 6 riot and made death threats on social media against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and a U.S. Capitol Police Officer. Garret A. Miller of Dallas County chronicled his participation in the deadly mob via Twitter and Facebook, posting one selfie from inside the Capitol rotunda wearing a Make America Great Again Hat. Other photos show Miller among a crowd of people pushing past police officers to gain entry to the building. 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. Hopes for a boost to the EUs ailing vaccine rollout have been dealt a heavy blow after AstraZeneca warned initial supplies of its jab would be lower than promised, as the blocs leaders largely at the mercy of pharmaceutical giants grapple with mounting delays and frustration. With neighbouring Israel and the UK among those pushing ahead with vaccination programmes, concerns over the lack of available doses in the EU were already acute on Friday when it emerged that deliveries of the British-Swedish pharmaceutical giants jab would fall well below the figure expected. EU leaders had been banking on arrivals of the AstraZeneca jab due to be approved by the blocs regulator next week to energise its stilted vaccination drive, having been forced just days earlier to halt supply of Pfizers vaccine to some member states after the firm said it was delaying shipments for several weeks in order to increase capacity at its Belgian factory. But now just 31 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are expected to arrive by the end of March, a senior official involved in the talks told Reuters amounting to a 60 per cent drop on the 80 million doses reportedly promised previously. Meanwhile, the continent is grappling with ways to counter the emergence of several more contagious variants and a surge of new infections. Following EU leaders first video summit of the year on Thursday evening, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced the creation of new dark red zones to designate hotspots which could face tougher travel restrictions, such as quarantines and mandatory negative test results. With the meeting dominated by worries over vaccine supply shortages, European Council president Charles Michel said he still believed the EU should still hit its target of inoculating 70 per cent of its adult population by summer. While the 27 member states appear largely prey to the whim and fortune of vaccine manufacturers, Italy and Poland have both raised the threat of legal challenges if Pfizer fails to deliver the number of agreed doses. Within the bloc, there have been calls to reduce bureaucracy in order to speed up the process, despite the leaders of multiple member states issuing messages of unity and continued support for the EUs broad vaccination strategy following Thursdays meeting. On Friday, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania amplified existing calls for the European Medicines Agency to expedite regulatory approval of AstraZenecas jab, with the leaders of all three Baltic nations writing on Twitter: Precision of procedures matters. But so does speed. The delays cost lives. And Politico reported that during the videoconference, Denmarks prime minister Mette Frederiksen had urged EU officials to consider distributing doses of AstraZenecas jab to member states ahead of regulatory approval, prompting warnings from fellow leaders of possible legal ramifications. Mr Michel was later quoted as saying: All possible means will be examined to ensure rapid supply, including early distribution to avoid delays. It came as Hungary threatened to undermine EU solidarity by inking a deal with Russia for two million doses of its Sputnik V vaccine, becoming the first European nation to buy Moscows jab. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 28 May 2021 Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis accompanied by his dog Peanut welcomes European Council President Charles Michel at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece REUTERS World news in pictures 27 May 2021 A man waits to receive a dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, in the rooms of the Claudia Comte exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Castello di Rivoli near Turin AFP/Getty World news in pictures 26 May 2021 A girl, with her face painted with the colours of the opposition flag, looks on during a demonstration against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and presidential elections, in the opposition-held Idlib, Syria Reuters World news in pictures 25 May 2021 A Buddhist monk climbs atop a giant statue of Buddha, to wash and decorate on the eve of Buddha Purnima, a holiday traditionally celebrated for Buddha's birthday also known as Vesak celebrations, in Bhopal AFP/Getty World news in pictures 24 May 2021 Lava from the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo cuts through Buhene north of Goma, Congo AP World news in pictures 23 May 2021 Cyclists at the start of the 15th stage of the Giro dItalia, a 147km race between Grado and Gorizia AFP/Getty World news in pictures 22 May 2021 Swiss Guards take their position prior to the arrival of the European Commission President at San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican for a private audience with the Pope AFP/Getty World news in pictures 21 May 2021 A dog that has been trained to sniff out the coronavirus disease, screens a sweat sample at Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters World news in pictures 20 May 2021 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr in action during a F1 practice session at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo Reuters World news in pictures 18 May 2021 Horse-drawn carriages drive through the mudflats near Cuxhaven, northern Germany dpa via AP World news in pictures 17 May 2021 Kanoya Onishi in action during the Cycling BMX Free Style of Tokyo 2020 Olympics test event at Ariake Urban Sports Park in Japan EPA World news in pictures 16 May 2021 Rescuers carry Suzy Eshkuntana, 6, as they pull her from the rubble of a building at the site of Israeli air strikes, in Gaza City Reuters World news in pictures 15 May 2021 A ball of fire erupts from the Jala Tower as it is destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza city AFP/Getty World news in pictures 14 May 2021 Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers inside the Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh AP World news in pictures 13 May 2021 Muslim girls ride on a mini train after attending the Eid Al-Fitr prayer that marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadan at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya AFP/Getty World news in pictures 12 May 2021 Israeli artillery fire as the escalation continues between Israeli army and Hamas at the Gaza Border EPA World news in pictures 11 May 2021 Maya Nakanishi competes in the womens long jump - T64 category during a para-athletics test event for the 2020 Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo AFP/Getty World news in pictures 10 May 2021 A Palestinian man helps a wounded fellow protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalems Al-Aqsa mosque compound, ahead of a planned march to commemorate Israels takeover of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War AFP/Getty World news in pictures 9 May 2021 Falconer Giovanna Piccolo performs with her Eurasian eagle-owl at 'Roma World' theme park, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Rome Reuters World news in pictures 8 May 2021 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) is introduced as a starter against the St. Louis Blues at T-Mobile Arena. USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 6 May 2021 Buddhist monks and believers attend a lantern parade in celebration of the upcoming birthday of Buddha at a temple in Seoul, South Korea Reuters World news in pictures 5 May 2021 Russian MiG-29 jet fighters of the Strizhi (Swifts) and Su-30SM jet fighters of the Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) aerobatic teams fly in formation over the Cathedral Square of the Kremlin in Moscow during a flypast rehearsal for the WWII Victory Parade AFP/Getty World news in pictures 4 May 2021 An elevated metro line collapsed in the Mexican capital on Monday, leaving at least 23 people dead and dozens injured as a train came plunging down, authorities said AFP/Getty World news in pictures 3 May 2021 Lightning bolts strike buildings during a thunderstorm in Bangkok AFP/Getty World news in pictures 2 May 2021 Samaritan worshippers arrive to take part in a Passover ceremony on top of Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus AFP/Getty World news in pictures 1 May 2021 A Gilet Jaune, or yellow vest, protestor stands in front of a burning barricade holding his hand up with an inscription calling for President Macron to resign as May Day Protest turn violent near Place de la Republique in Paris, France Getty World news in pictures 30 April 2021 A demonstrator from the Rio de Paz human rights activist group digs a symbolic grave in front of rows of bags symbolising bodybags on Copacabana beach, during a protest against the Brazilian governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic, in Rio de Janeiro AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 April 2021 An aerial picture shows dead carp fish flushed to the shores of al-Qaraoun reservoir in Lebanons Western Beqaa District in the countrys east. Tonnes of fish have washed up dead on the shoreline of the highly polluted artificial reservoir in eastern Lebanon in recent days AFP/Getty World news in pictures 28 April 2021 Health workers wearing PPE attends to coronavirus patients inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a covid care centre in New Delhi AFP/Getty World news in pictures 27 April 2021 The full moon, known as the Super Pink Moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City, Reuters World news in pictures 26 April 2021 Balinese people lay wreaths with names of the crew on board the sunk Indonesian Navy submarine KRI Nanggala during a prayer at the sea near Labuhan Lalang, Bali, Indonesia EPA World news in pictures 25 April 2021 An Ethiopian Orthodox Christian worshipper walks around the Edicule, the place believed to be where Jesus Christ was buried, during Palm Sunday celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem AFP/Getty World news in pictures 24 April 2021 Fans of Wuhan Three Towns FC cheer for their team during the 1st round match Wuhan Three Towns FC and Beijing Institute of Technology FC during Chinese Football League One in Wuhan, China Getty World news in pictures 23 April 2021 A girl prays in front of the Dome of the Rock, in the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalems Old City, on the second Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, as coronavirus restrictions ease around the country, in Jerusalem Reuters World news in pictures 22 April 2021 People walk through the art work 'THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS' by Yayoi Kusama, during the press preview of a retrospective exhibition of the Japanese artist at the Martin Gropius Bau museum in Berlin, Germany AP World news in pictures 21 April 2021 Hungary's Sara Peter competes in the Women's floor qualifications during European Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the St Jakobshalle, in Basel AFP/Getty World news in pictures 20 April 2021 South Korea university students gets their heads shaved during a protest against Japan's decision to release contaminated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, in front of the Japanese embassy, in Seoul Reuters World news in pictures 19 April 2021 A spectator wearing a football jersey of Argentina's forward Lionel Messi attends the ATP Barcelona Open tennis tournament singles match between Japan's Kei Nishikori and Argentina's Guido Pella at the Real Club de Tenis in Barcelona AFP/Getty World news in pictures 18 April 2021 People raise their fist during a demonstration near the George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis, Minnesota AFP/Getty World news in pictures 17 April 2021 Security personnel stand guard outside a polling station during the 5th phase of West Bengal's state legislative assembly elections in Kolkata AFP/Getty World news in pictures 16 April 2021 Palestinians take part in the first Friday prayers of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, in Jerusalem's Old City AFP/Getty World news in pictures 15 April 2021 A firefighter inspects the site of a car bomb attack in Sadr City district of Baghdad, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 14 April 2021 This picture shows the 100 days countdown till the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games displayed on the illuminated Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo on April 14, 2021 AFP/Getty World news in pictures 13 April 2021 This photo taken and received courtesy of an anonymous source shows Buddhist monks gesturing while taking part in a demonstration with protesters against the military coup in Mandalay during the Myanmar New Year festival of Thingyan AFP/Getty World news in pictures 12 April 2021 An Indian holi man during the Kumbh Mela royal bath (Sacred Hindu Pilgrimage) in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. Thousands of pilgrims are gathering and taking holy dip in Kumbh Mela that is a mass Hindu pilgrimage which occurs after every twelve years and rotates among four locations EPA World news in pictures 11 April 2021 Nasa released images of of sand dunes on Mars captured using infrared reflections NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU World news in pictures 10 April 2021 People watch devotees pulling a chariot in Biska Jatra Festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal AP World news in pictures 9 April 2021 Maintenance workers clean the monument of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in Moscow on April 9, 2021. - Sixty years ago Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space, marking it a new chapter in the history of space exploration. AFP/Getty World news in pictures 8 April 2021 Protesters hold a banner and burning red flares during a demonstration of called by unions of healthcare and social workers in support of their sector and to demand a bonus in their pay in Paris AFP/Getty World news in pictures 7 April 2021 Protesters laying on the street near the Election Commission office in Kolkata during a demonstration demanding the halt of the ongoing state legislative election and campaign rallies amidst the rising number of Covid-19 cases AFP/Getty Viktor Orbans government is also in talks with China over its Sinopharm jab, which is already being used in neighbouring Serbia, despite Beijings lack of transparency over late-stage trials. Meanwhile, the European Ombudsman announced on Friday that it is investigating the secrecy with which the EU executive is handling vaccine supply contracts. It follows a refusal by the Commission to share details of its contract with AstraZeneca with the Corporate Europe Observatory campaign group. Despite the bloc facing its own widespread shortages, Ms Von Der Leyen also proposed on Friday that the EU should set up its own system to help ailing international efforts such as the UN-backed COVAX scheme to ensure vaccinations reach the worlds poorest countries. As there is a global rush to vaccines, there is thus a shortage, Ms Von Der Leyen said. I have suggested an EU mechanism to share access to some of our vaccines until COVAX is able to deliver poor countries with large quantities of vaccines. In a couple of months in Europe we will have more doses than we can use, she added. Billionaire Gautam Adani's on Saturday said it is being targeted through false propaganda and a manufactured online campaign of malicious lies about its operations and will take actions such as filing court cases to protect its interests. Without referring to any particular allegation, the in a statement posted on its Twitter handle said some attacks had been mounted by vested interests to "sabotage India's strategic interests". " is impacted by the malicious campaigns by forces inimical to our interest," it said in a post titled 'An Open Letter on the need to act against false propaganda'. It went on to state that "accuracy, objectivity and impartiality" are core principles of fair and balanced journalism. "But on numerous occasions, Adani Group has been targeted through false propaganda. We have also been a victim of manufactured online media campaigns aimed at spreading malicious lies about our operations and inflicting harm to our shareholders," it said. Gujarat billionaire Adani and his group has often been accused of "unfairly" benefiting under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In recent weeks it has been said to be the beneficiary of the three controversial farm reform laws. The group has denied all allegations of favouritism and had on farm laws said it does not do contract farming and only operates grain silos on behalf of the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Last week, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy called Adani a "trapeze artist" and said his group owed Rs 4.5 lakh crore as NPA to banks, an allegation that the group vehemently denied saying it has never defaulted on any bank loan. This week doubts were raised about its Kattupalli Port in Tamil Nadu. Adani on Saturday said it had "great respect" towards the media and has accepted contrary opinions. "But if, under the pretext of free speech, we see damage to our strategic interests as well as impact on our shareholders that put their trust on us, we are left with no option but act to protect our interests," it said, adding it has filed cases in courts as a final resort. "We have complete faith in the Indian judiciary and total acceptance of the decision they make," it added. The energy to ports conglomerate opened the note saying freedom of speech is a fundamental right and the Adani Group believes in free speech that promotes truth and serves the interest. The Adani Group generates and distributes energy, operates seaports and airports, and runs many other critical assets. "We reach out across many remote parts of the country and we are proud that we are a source of direct and indirect employment to hundreds of thousands of people," it said the group has six listed entities. Stating that 'Satyamev Jayate' (Truth alone prevails) is the motto, it said the challenge before free societies is how to deal with falsehood. "In this context, our constitution prohibits speech that can cause damage to sovereignty and integrity of India, or is prejudicial to the public order, or amounts to defamation," Adani added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Somali officials and the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) claimed killing 189 al-Shabaab fighters late Friday and in the early hours of Saturday in an operation in southern Somalia. Talking to VOA Somali Service by phone, Lower Shabelle Governor Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Siidi said Ugandan soldiers under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), using attack helicopter gunships, have killed nearly 200 al-Shabab militants. Earlier, the Ugandan armys deputy spokesman, Lt. Col. Deo Akiki said, Their soldiers killed at least 189 al-Shabab fighters in the operation and destroyed two mounted weapons and motorbikes in separate fire strikes. Governor Siidii said the strikes, along with ground assaults by the joint troops, occurred Friday and in the early hours of Saturday in a string of villages between the Qoryoley and Janaale districts in the Southern Somali region of Lower Shabelle. The militias were struck in their hideouts in the villages of Sigaale, Adimole and Kayitoy, just over 100 kilometers southwest of the capital, Mogadishu, Nur said. A statement from the Ugandan Army said that during the operation a large number of military hardware and items used by the terrorist were also destroyed. The UPDF also disrupted an al-Shabaab meeting, injuring several terrorists in Donca-daafeedow, which is seven kilometers from the Janaale town, the statement added. Residents told VOA on the condition of anonymity they could see military helicopters striking key al-Shabab targets and hideouts in the thickets and farmlands around Janaale town. AMISOM has been in Somalia for more than 10 years, keeping the peace and supporting Somalias government to fend off attacks from al-Shabab militants, which aims to topple the government and impose its own harsh interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. The group controlled large swathes of south-central Somalia until 2011, when it was driven out of Mogadishu by African Union troops. Speaking of the latest operations, both Somali and Ugandan military officials say this was the largest number of al-Shabaab fighters killed in a military operation in a single day. Governor Siidii says AMISOM has introduced a new strategy and unveiled fresh military power. The Ugandan soldiers are using attack helicopter gunships in their operations for the first time, and also the Somali National Army, with the help of AMISOM, came up with a strategy of aggressive attacks against militants in their hideouts, rather than wait their attacks, he said. This operation comes a week after the United States military said it had completed the withdrawal of troops from Somalia. AFRICOM spokesperson Colonel Christopher Karns confirmed to VOA Somali earlier that repositioning of the troops was completed ahead of the deadline mandated by a presidential directive last December ordering the troop removal by mid-January. The number of U.S. military personnel in Somalia ranged from 650 to 800 service members. U.S. troops supported and mentored an elite Somali unit known as the Danab lightning brigade. In recent days, al-Shabab militants had intensified their attacks using improvised explosive devices and landmines targeting Somali security officials in Mogadishu and other major towns. The militant group claimed responsibility Saturday for a landmine explosion in Mogadishu that killed four people and injured two former lawmakers, Hussein Arale and Muhidin Afrah. On Tuesday, the militants claimed another blast that killed the deputy commissioner for security and politics in Garasbaale, Abdi-Rashid Dubad. Six others were injured in the blast. Security analysts say a day hardly passes in Somalia without reporting an incident involving al-Shabab attacks. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Credit: CC0 Public Domain The Chinese city of Wuhan marked one year since the start of its traumatic 76-day coronavirus lockdown Saturday while the pandemic continued to rage elsewhere, with US President Joe Biden warning America's death toll could pass 600,000. Traffic hummed, sidewalks bustled, and citizens packed parks and public transport in Wuhan, underscoring the scale of the recovery in the metropolis of 11 million where the pathogen first emerged before going global. The spread of the virus was accelerating elsewhere, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying a new strain that emerged in the UK could be more deadly and more transmissible than the one that menaced Wuhan a year ago. "In addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant... may be associated with a higher degree of mortality," Johnson told a news conference. The sobering news came as Britain reported record deaths from COVID-19, following a surge in cases and hospitalisations since the variant was first identified in southeast England in September. The nation's death toll95,981 as of Fridayis the highest in Europe. In the United States, the world's worst-hit country, the new president gave his highest estimate yet of its eventual toll, as he stepped up federal aid. "The virus is surging," President Biden told a news conference. "We're at 400,000 dead, expected to reach well over 600,000." Globally, the virus has killed more than two million people, infected tens of millions of others and hammered economies. There were new signs of the depth of damage dealt to the global economy, with the closely watched Purchasing Managers' Index showing that Europe was heading for a new recession, while Latin America suffered its steepest drop in foreign trade since the global financial crisis. Origins probe In Wuhan, a team of World Health Organization experts was still in hotel quarantine ahead of a mission to investigate the source of the virus, and the body said it was too early to conclude whether the pandemic actually started there. "All hypotheses are on the table," WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan told a press conference in Geneva. "And it is definitely too early to come to a conclusion of exactly where this virus started, either within or without China." Beijing is braced for the scrutiny the team will bring to its virus narrative, having drip-fed the idea that the pandemic started outside its borders. And while Wuhanites looked back on their confinement from the distance of a year, Hong Kong was introducing its first lockdown of the pandemic, the government ordering thousands of residents to stay home as authorities battled an outbreak in one of its poorest and most densely packed districts. The order bans anyone inside multiple housing blocks within the neighbourhood of Jordanabout 150 blocks and up to 9,000 people, according to local mediafrom leaving their apartment unless they can show a negative test. Countries across the world were bringing in new measures Saturday, including the Netherlands, which was set to introduce its first curfew since World War II. Until February 19, residents will have to stay home from 9 pm until 4:30 am, on pain of a 95-euro ($115) fine. And in the Colombian capital of Bogota, residents were under their third weekend quarantine in a row, meaning the closure of all non-essential shops in the city of eight million from Friday at 8:00 pm until Monday at 4:00 am. Vaccine scramble As vaccine rollouts gain pace around the world, Hungary announced it was going it alone and buying two million doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, frustrated by the European Union's unwieldy strategy of buying shots in bulk on behalf of members. "It doesn't matter if the cat is black or white, as long as it catches the mouse," Orban said of the different vaccines, despite wariness from some experts over Sputnik V being rolled out before large-scale clinical trials. Brazil was meanwhile due to receive two million doses of a different jab developed by British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca and Oxford University. The WHO has repeatedly warned that richer countries are hogging vaccines. But there was good news Friday for poorer nations, as the WHO and pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer announced a deal for up to 40 million initial doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be made available to them through the Covax global pool. "We can only end the pandemic anywhere if we end it everywhere," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. A separate deal, brokered by international agencies working with the WHO, will supply developing nations with tens of millions of rapid antigen tests at half the usual $5 price. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 AFP She recently enjoyed an extended stay in St. Barts for over two months amid the coronavirus pandemic. And Victoria Silvstedt had plenty more fun in the sun on Friday as she enjoyed a beach day in Miami, Florida. The Swedish model, 46, wowed as she highlighted her toned physique in a plunging, cropped pink cardigan and flowing white skirt. Beach babe: Victoria Silverstedt had plenty more fun in the sun on Friday as she enjoyed a beach day in Miami, Florida Victoria flashed a glimpse of her cleavage and midsection in the skimpy cardigan, while her high-split skirt flashed plenty of her slender pins. The beauty accessorised her beach look with barely-there sandals, brown-tinted sunglasses and a gold watch, while she carried her essentials in a large pink bag. Victoria left her blonde tresses loose for the outing, while she kept her make-up look simple, highlighting her lips with a simple sweep of gloss. Walk this way: The Swedish model, 46, wowed as she highlighted her toned physique in a plunging, cropped pink cardigan and flowing white skirt The catwalk star appeared in great spirits as she strutted her stuff across the sand. Victoria took some time out on the sun loungers, where she was seen catching some rays while chatting with friends. And she certainly seemed to be making the most of her time in the sunshine as she happily reclined on a lounger while staring off into the distance. Looking good: Victoria flashed a glimpse of her cleavage and midsection in the skimpy cardigan, while her high-split skirt flashed plenty of her slender pins Style: The beauty accessorised her beach look with barely-there sandals, brown-tinted sunglasses and a gold watch, while she carried her essentials in a large pink bag Radiant: Victoria left her blonde tresses loose for the outing, while she kept her make-up look simple, highlighting her lips with a simple sweep of gloss The beach is her catwalk: The catwalk star appeared in great spirits as she strutted her stuff across the sand Though her reverie was interrupted as she later took a phone call. The blonde had been soaking up the sun in St. Barts since November, with many other celebrities, including music mogul Simon Cowell, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, and musician Paul McCartney, also jetting to the Caribbean to ring in the New Year. As well as spending time in St Tropez and Italy, the media personality also spends a large part of her year in the tropical country. Victoria has enjoyed a lengthy stint in the spotlight after being chosen to represent her country in the Miss World pageant in 1993. Chill: Victoria took some time out on the sun loungers, where she was seen catching some rays while chatting with friends Fun in the sun: she certainly seemed to be making the most of her time in the sunshine as she happily reclined on a lounger while staring off into the distance Chit chat: Though her reverie was interrupted as she later took a phone call In conversation: Victoria wowed in her pink and white ensemble as she engaged in a conversation on her phone After her pageant days, the Scandinavian stunner was spotted by Hugh Hefner and went on to become a Playboy Playmate. Since her career rocketed, Victoria has modelled for some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses, including Chanel, Dior and Valentino. Despite the glamorous veneer to her lifestyle as a young model, she revealed there was a dark side in a recent interview with Female First. Victoria said: 'I started very young to model in Paris when I was 18, I remember like starving myself to fit into the clothes and it was an amazing experience but you know I did shows for Valentino, Chanel, so it was really prestigious.' Jake Gyllenhaal looked devilishly handsome in a grey suit as he prepared to film an intense bank robbery scene for his upcoming film, Ambulance, on Thursday. While plot details of the Michael Bay-directed action thriller have been kept largely under wraps, The Hollywood Reporter previously revealed the project will focus on two brothers stealing an ambulance with a 'female paramedic and a patient in critical condition inside.' The 40-year-old actor, who will star as the older brother, looked at ease as he got into character on set in downtown Los Angeles, in spite of the fact that he was handling a large gun. Bank heist: Jake Gyllenhaal looked devilishly handsome in a beige suit as he prepared to shoot an intense bank robbery scene for his upcoming film, Ambulance, on Thursday Suave actor: Jake looked at ease as he got into character on set at LA Federal Bank & Trust in downtown Los Angeles Moments before gearing up to get in front of the camera, Gyllenhaal could be seen smiling and wearing a gold name tag as he stood inside the LA Federal Bank & Trust. Part of his gear included a foreboding black semi-automatic weapon, and a large backpack. Until it was necessary for him to remove his face mask for a scene, the star kept his mouth and nose covered amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. His sighting came as news broke that actors Garret Dillahunt, A Martinez, Keir O'Donnell and Moses Ingram would be joining him, Eiza Gonzalez and Yahya Abdul-Mateen as part of the star-studded cast. Smiling while packing heat: This was in spite of the fact that he was handling a large gun Ready to film: The 40-year-old actor, will star as the older brother in the bank heist film While plot details of the Michael Bay-directed action thriller have been kept largely under wraps, The Hollywood Reporter previously revealed the project will focus on two brothers stealing an ambulance with a 'female paramedic and a patient in critical condition inside' In addition to the casting update, Deadline reported that the feature is 'expected to be in the spirit of such 1990s action pics Speed and Bad Boys.' It is based on a 2005 Danish film of the same name about siblings who steal an ambulance with a patient still in it as their getaway car from a heist. Bay is directing the remake from a screenplay by Chris Fedak, who has written on such shows as Chuck and DC's Legends Of Tomorrow. Geared up: Part of Gyllenhaal's gear included a foreboding black semi-automatic weapon, and a large backpack In addition to the casting update: Deadline has reported that Ambulance is 'expected to be in the spirit of such 1990s action pics Speed and Bad Boys' Staying safe: Until it was necessary for him to remove his face mask for a scene, the star kept his mouth and nose covered amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic This week, Gyllenhaal also celebrated the the 20th anniversary of the now classic sci-fi epic, Donnie Darko. 'Pulled out my script and some artifacts from Donnie Darko It was released 20 years ago today,' Jake captioned a gallery post showing images of a tattered binder containing his note-filled script from the movie. 'It's a film that changed my life and my career and it's been unreal to watch this story find afterlives with new audiences and new generations,' he continued. Bunch of robbers: Jake was joined by other actors, presumably playing his accomplices in the bank heist, as they also handled firearms Joe Biden has resolved to accept an offer from Russia to extend the current but fast-expiring nuclear arms control treaty between the two former Cold War foes for five years, as both sides explore fresh options for the future. The new US president already has his Resolute Desk in tray stacked high with other priorities, not least taming a rampant coronavirus, agreeing new economic stimulus measures and resetting relations with allies around the world following the chaotic and destructive reign of Donald Trump. Since his inauguration on Wednesday, Mr Biden has already moved to rejoin the Paris climate accord, repeal his predecessors anti-Muslim travel ban and to halt construction on Mr Trumps prized US-Mexico border wall. But bringing Covid-19 under control is clearly the most pressing concern for the new administration, the disease having cost well over 406,000 American lives to date, with Mr Biden already issuing 10 executive orders to tackle it as part of a plan he has called a wartime undertaking, pledging to move heaven and earth to get people vaccinated. All of which has forced him to place relations with Vladimir Putins Kremlin on ice by simply extending the existing New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) beyond its 5 February expiration date. The pact in question dates back to 2010 and limits Washington and Moscows nuclear weapons arsenals to 1,550 each and mandates site inspections. The United States intends to seek a five-year extension of New START as the treaty permits, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters in her Thursday briefing. The president has long been clear that the New START Treaty is in the national security interests of the United States. This extension makes even more sense when the relationship with Russia is as adversarial as it is at this time, she added. New START is the only remaining treaty constraining Russian nuclear forces and is an anchor of strategic stability between our two countries. Ms Psaki made clear, however, that her boss would not be afraid of standing up to his Russian counterpart, adding that the administration had asked the US intelligence community for its assessment of Moscows role in the SolarWinds cyber-attack, its interference in the 2020 US election, the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the alleged placement of bounties on the heads of US soldiers serving in Afghanistan. President Trump, by contrast, was long reluctant to criticise Mr Putin and hotly contested allegations that his campaign had colluded with Russian operatives to ensure his election victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016, the subject of FBI special counsel Robert Muellers long-running investigation. Notoriously, Mr Trump appeared alongside the ex-KGB officer at a summit in Helsinki, Finland, in July 2018 after meeting with him in private and publicly accepted Mr Putins denial of election meddling accusations, siding with him over his own director of national intelligence, Dan Coats. The Trump administration had intended to work out a new deal with Russia to prevent a new arms race but ran out of time when its leader failed to win a second term and became embroiled in the pandemic and contesting the facts of his defeat at the polls in November. Vladimir Putin with Donald Trump (AFP/Getty) President Bidens offer signals a welcome return to serious diplomacy that provides a path to a safer and more secure future for all, said Derek Johnson, CEO of disarmament group Global Zero, in a statement. Unless youre a defence contractor, this is good news for everyone. Less optimistic was Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, who warned Politico the extension could prove short-sighted. A copy and paste manoeuvre by the Biden administration that extends the treaty for five years risks undercutting Americas leverage with both Moscow and Beijing. Such a move would also make Americans less safe, he said. The treatys current formulation gives Putin a dangerous free pass to continue to develop and field a Strangelovian array of nuclear weapons not covered by the treaty. On the broader question of US-Russian relations post-Trump, Dr Steven Hurst, reader in politics at Manchester Metropolitan University, told The Independent: Biden needs to establish a coherent policy toward Russia after Trump's erratic approach, which combined a personal love-in with Putin with sanctions and other confrontational measures in Ukraine and elsewhere. Unlike with China, however, Biden can look to return to the Obama second-term approach, which essentially treated Russia as a hostile power to be contained. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. WASHINGTON : The coronavirus pandemic is expected to kill more than 600,000 people in the United States, President Joe Biden said on Friday. "A lot of America is hurting. The virus is surging. We are [at] 400,000 dead [and] expected to reach over 600,000," Biden said while addressing reporters about his administration's response to the economic crisis. Yesterday, Biden said The United States' death toll from COVID-19 is likely to top 5,00,000 next month. Biden has announced two executive orders on Friday, one focused on expanding food assistance and delivering stimulus checks to very low-income Americans, and the other on raising the minimum wage to $15 for the federal workforce. "Today I'm signing an executive order that directs the whole of government, a whole government effort to help millions of Americans who are badly hurting. It requires all federal agencies to do what they can do to provide relief to families, small business and communities, and in the days ahead I expect agencies to act," Biden said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. This image released by Baobab Studios shows avatars representing Jennifer Hudson, left, and Daisy Ridley at the VR premiere of their short film "Baba Yaga." It's being called the first ever VR movie premiere. And consumers can experience the premiere space and the film now through Oculus Quest.(Baobab Studios via AP) Last week Daisy Ridley and Jennifer Hudson went to a movie premiere together. They posed for photos and made remarks from a stage while an audience watched quietly. Or, more accurately, their avatars did. The actors were actually on different continents, brought together for a few minutes through virtual reality headsets to walk a red carpet, pose for photos in front of a step and repeat and to speak to a crowd of other avatars on behalf of their short film "Baba Yaga." It's being called the first ever VR movie premiere. "I truly feel like I went to a premiere," Hudson said later. "But I didn't leave home! I think it's a cool way to do it, especially right now." She especially liked seeing her team and how much their avatars looked like themselves. Virtual movie premieres have become standard in Hollywood since the pandemic started. The "events" typically just involve a start time for the film to broadcast on your home screen and, sometimes, a zoom-style Q&A with talent afterward. But Baobab Studios, the 6-year-old interactive animation studio behind a handful of cinematic VR experiences, decided to push the envelope for "Baba Yaga." "I really don't think we would have ever thought of this if it wasn't for COVID," said Eric Darnell, the man behind the "Madagascar" films and co-founder of Baobab. "We usually have our films premiere at festivals." This image released by Baobab Studios shows an avatar representing actress Daisy Ridley, left, with her character, Magda, at the virtual reality premiere of her short film "Baba Yaga." It's being called the first ever VR movie premiere. And consumers can experience the premiere space and the film now through Oculus Quest. (Baobab Studios via AP) "Baba Yaga" actually got a real festival premiere too as part of the Venice Film Festival last year. But as it became increasingly clear that there would not be an opportunity stateside, the company started working alongside the XR consultancy firm MESH to produce the ambitious event, which included designing a rainforest room inspired by the one in the film. The virtual reality movie premiere is not entirely dissimilar to an actual premiere. There are publicists, filmmakers and actors, things to look at and displays to take selfies with (really). At this particular event, there was also a roped off "restricted" area, although organizers said it was simply there to designate the end of space and not an exclusive side party. And not unlike at actual events, sometimes you find yourself without anyone to talk to and just awkwardly wander around eavesdropping. But at a virtual reality premiere you can't even pretend to send text messages or respond to emails. This reporter also had to take off her headset for a few minutes after getting VR dizzy. Darnell co-wrote and directed the film/experience alongside Mathias Chelebourg. It also features the voices of Kate Winslet and Glen Close. The film and the rainforest room are currently available to experience through Oculus Quest. Events like this may have been born out of necessity, but they could be the way of the future. "Even if we did go back to premiering at festivals, I still think this is an amazing way to bring people together and to say let's celebrate this medium by actually having a party inside of it," Darnell said. Explore further SXSW partners with Amazon to put its film festival online 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Awe-inspiring footage has captured the moment whale watchers got up close and personal with a group of humpback whales. Tammie Jaeger and her husband Dave were running a whale watching charter on the Gold Coast when they spotted three humpbacks far away in the distance. After turning off the motor the whales swam right up to the side of the boat while the group watched in amazement. Tammie Jaeger and her husband Dave were running a whale watching charter on the Gold Coast when a group of humpback whales swam up to the boat A pair of the humpbacks were even filmed playing together while swimming underneath the boat - just inches away from the tour group. 'Its beautiful when they expose their belly, it means they are comfortable to be near us,' Ms Jaeger told Caters. Humpback whales can grow up to 16 metres long and are found along the coasts of oceans across the world. Due to their size, they have few predators but killer whales are known to prey on humpback calves. The mothers will desperately try to fight off the orcas. After turning off the boat's motor the whales swam right up to the side of the boat while the group watched in awe. In August last year, a group of snorkelers had a dangerous encounter with a humpback who was swimming with her calf in Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. The 15-metre whale swam toward the group of swimmers and struck a 29-year-old woman, leaving her with broken ribs and internal bleeding. A male swimmer was flung out of the water by a fin, while another female suffered a torn hamstring in what was described as a freak accident. She's been soaking up the sunshine in Florida while the UK is in COVID-19 lockdown. And Kimberley Garner set pulses racing once again in a plunging lilac bikini as she cosied up to a mystery man during a beach day in Miami on Saturday. The former Made In Chelsea star, 29, posed at the beach bar in her revealing purple two-piece as she frolicked with her male companion. Sizzling: Kimberley Garner, 29,set pulses racing once again in a plunging lilac bikini as she enjoyed a sunny beach day in Miami on Saturday Kimberley sent temperatures soaring in the low-cut purple bikini top and matching skimpy bottoms as she posed for snaps at the beach bar. The star playfully cuddled with her male companion as they enjoyed the sunshine together. Kimberley finished her look with a matching bubblegum pink cover-up tied around her waist and white trainers as she headed back to the sunbed to top up her tan. Who's that? The former Made In Chelsea star put on a cosy display with a mysterious male companion as she posed at the beach bar Confident: Kimberley sent temperatures soaring in the low-cut purple bikini top and matching skimpy bottoms as she posed for snaps at the beach bar Look at me! The star exuded confidence as she posed at the beach bar in the sexy two-piece It comes after the star recently revealed that she has been turning down all invitations to socialise on a big scale while in Miami amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She took to Instagram to share snaps of herself looking tanned and taut in a pink crop top and grey shorts as she discussed her plans to stay safe while spending time across the pond. She wrote: 'I am here, but I am very very strict still. I see people in Tulum and all over going to parties and it doesn't feel right to me. 'I haven't been out to any parties and turned down invites from friends as feel it's just not right to be in a crowd - it's not OK at the moment. Cheeky: Kimberley was once again joined by her hunky male companion as they headed to the bar together Staying safe: It comes after the star recently revealed that she has been turning down all invitations to socialise on a big scale while in Miami amid the COVID-19 pandemic Keeping away: The star shared another stylish Instagram snap as she discussed her plans to stay safe while spending time across the pond 'I'm really lucky to be in the sun and outdoors, and am valuing that totally, but not going to live normally as it's not a normal world at the moment. 'I really think and feel for everyone home at the moment, it really sucks, please be brave, please be kind to each other. 'I did lots of little rounties when I was in lockdown and that helped keep me happy. Simple things like Praying, walking, working out, cooking and calling people who I like :).' [sic] Concluding her post, she advised her followers: '[B]e there for someone who might need you (even dancing round to loud music at home looking very silly but gosh it helped keep a smile) I hope your ok x.' [sic] Not for me! She wrote: 'I am here, but I am very very strict still. I see people in Tulum and all over going to parties and it doesn't feel right to me' Protecting herself: She added: 'I haven't been out to any parties and turned down invites from friends as feel it's just not right to be in a crowd - it's not OK at the moment' Rumours: Last year, the blonde beauty was pictured with former Made In Chelsea co-star Ollie Chambers Last year, the blonde beauty was pictured with former Made In Chelsea co-star Ollie Chambers. Although she recently revealed that she has been having a 'great' time dating, the TV star confirmed to MailOnline in July that her relationship with the hunk is purely platonic. The influencer recently surprised fans when she revealed she cancelled a secret wedding and ended a long-term relationship last summer. A Poseidon 8I aircraft of the transported 100,000 doses of vaccines to and 50,000 doses to Seychelles as part of India's grants assistance, officials said on Saturday. Both the countries were delivered the consignments on Friday. First the aircraft flew to Seychelles and after delivering the consignments to the island nation, it travelled to "The Indian crew, led by Captain Rahul Mehta, was accorded a warm welcome by diplomats from Seychelles, members of the Indian High Commission and medical crew who received the vaccine shipment at Seychelles international airport," an official said. The Indian crew was also accorded a warm welcome by a number of top ministers at the International airport. The Poseidon 8I is a maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. So far, India has sent consignments of vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Mauritius and Seychelles. On Friday, India began commercial exports and sent two million doses each to Brazil and Morocco. India is also sending vaccines as commercial supplies to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Bangladesh and Myanmar. In a major announcement, India on Tuesday had said it will send COVID-19 vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles from Wednesday and supplies to Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius will commence after confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances. India is one of the world's biggest drugmakers, and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring the coronavirus vaccines. India has already rolled out a massive coronavirus vaccination drive under which two vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin, are being administered to frontline health workers across the country. While Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield is being manufactured by the Serum Institute, Covaxin is being produced by Bharat Biotech. India had earlier supplied hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and paracetamol tablets, as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies to a large number of countries to help them deal with the pandemic. Ukrainian citizens travelled to 123 countries last year. In total, more than 11 million 250 thousand Ukrainians travelled abroad last year, Ukrinform reports with reference to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. "Three bordering countries were the most visited by Ukrainians. In particular, about 4 million Ukrainians visited the Republic of Poland, 1 million 635 thousand Ukrainians visited Hungary and 1 million Ukrainian citizens visited Russia. The leaders of last year were also Turkey visited by 965 thousand Ukrainians and Egypt - 730 thousand Ukrainians," the State Border Guard Service informs. A large number of Ukrainians travelled to Romania - more than 626 thousand, Belarus - 496 thousand, Slovakia - 336 thousand, Moldova - 328 thousand, Germany - 222 thousand and the UAE - 100 thousand people. Popular destinations for Ukrainians in 2020 were also Austria visited by 68 thousand Ukrainians, Italy - almost 60 thousand, Spain - 53.5 thousand, the UK - 44.5 thousand, Bulgaria - 42 thousand, Israel - 41 thousand, Georgia - 33.6 thousand, Greece - 26.5 thousand, Denmark - 24 thousand, Qatar - about 20 thousand, the Dominican Republic 14.5 thousand, Montenegro - 23 thousand, Croatia - 16.2 thousand, Albania - 12 thousand, Lithuania - 33 thousand, Latvia - 19.5 thousand, Finland - almost 10 thousand Ukrainians. About 3.4 million foreigners from 192 countries visited Ukraine in 2020. The vast majority of foreigners arrived in Ukraine for private and tourist purposes, while 70 thousand people were transiting through Ukraine. ol For industry observers, there was a feeling of deja vu on January 14 when a prominent class-action law firm announced it had filed suit over alleged price-fixing in the e-book marketthe second e-book price-fixing suit in a decade. What to make of this new lawsuit? PW has prepared an explainer. Who is bringing the suit, and why? The suit is being brought against Amazon on behalf of three named plaintiffs and a potential class of consumers who bought e-books published by the Big Five through a retail platform that competes with Amazon at a price inflated by Amazon and its Co-conspirator Publishers price restraint. The suit was filed by Seattle-based firm Hagens Berman, which filed the first e-book price-fixing lawsuit against Apple and five of the thenBig Six publishers in August 2011. And we remember how that turned out: with a federal antirust suit and claims from 33 states. The publishers ended up settling all claims for a total of $166 million in consumer credits. Apple lost at trial a year later and paid out a $450 million settlement. As to why this suit is happening now, suffice it to say that it feels like the Amazon antitrust train is getting ready to leave the station and Hagens Berman wants on. Last October, a congressional subcommittee released its long-awaited report on competition in the digital market that, among other things, details some of Amazons hardball practices in the e-book market. Not coincidentally, that report provides much of the factual foundation for the Hagens Berman complaint. Further, the state of Connecticut earlier this month revealed that it has opened its own investigation into the e-book market. Why are the Big Five publishers referred to as co-conspirators but not named as defendants? Most likely because of how federal antitrust law is written. The suit likely only names Amazon because of the so-called direct purchaser rule in antitrust, explained Cleveland Marshall professor of law Chris Sagers, author of the 2019 book United States v. Apple: Competition in America. Indeed, the Hagens Berman complaint refers to the plaintiffs as direct purchasers, and under federal antitrust law consumers dont sue suppliers but the direct sellers of allegedly price-inflated goods. Still, if the litigation progresses, the publishers will likely be drawn into it in some form, through discovery at least. And its possible they could become defendants at some point, Sagers addedperhaps in a separate suit in state court, for example. When asked by PW if that was a possibility, lawyers for the plaintiffs didnt rule it out. We look forward to continuing our investigation and reviewing our options as the case progresses, said Hagens Berman managing director Steve Berman. What does the suit allege? Broadly speaking, the complaint alleges that Amazon is wielding monopoly power in the trade e-book markethardly a contested view in the book business. In fact, Amazons market power was the very thing the publishers were attempting to counter when they coordinated a switch to the agency model for e-books with Apple in 2010. And though that scheme led to a price-fixing suit, it succeeded in securing for publishers the power to set prices for their consumer e-booksa move that checked Amazons power to underprice and foreclose potential competitors. The head-scratcher in this case is the allegation that the same major publishers who were found to have conspired with Apple in 2010 to blunt Amazons power in the e-book market are now somehow conspiring with Amazon. Specifically, the suit turns on Amazons use of most favored nation clauses in its contracts with publishers. Drawing from the aforementioned House report, the complaint details six separate forms of MFN clauses that effectively ensure Amazon cant be underpriced in the e-book marketa contractual stranglehold, the complaint alleges, that prevents existing retail competitors from expanding their market share and dissuades new competitors from entering the e-book market, thus forcing consumers to overpay for e-books. Notably, in the congressional report, book publishers lash out at Amazons practices, including the companys insistence on using MFNs. One publisher told the committee that Amazon uses its market power in print and e-book sales to force a price MFN on it and other book publishers, with the result that publishers are completely handcuffed from stimulating platform competition. That doesnt exactly sound like evidence of a price-fixing conspiracy, does it? But MFNs are legal, arent they? They usually areand in fact they can even be viewed as pro-competitive in some cases. But MFNs can also facilitate tacit collusion or other anticompetitive conduct. For example, MFNs can facilitate the exchange of pricing information among competitors or be used by firms in a certain market to signal that they do not intend to compete on price. In the Apple case, Judge Denise Cote found that an MFN was the mechanism used to force Amazon to accept the agency modeland higher e-book prices. And in her final order, Cote barred Apple from using MFNs in its e-book contracts for five years. Its certainly possible that the publishers hate the MFNs in their Amazon contracts and would avoid them if they could, Sagers said. But it is also possible they dont really mind them, he adds. Thats because Amazons MFNs could be viewed as a way for the publishers to coordinate e-book pricing across the industry without engaging in the kind of direct, horizontal coordination that would clearly be illegal. Im not saying thats what is happening, Sagers said. But a comfortably persuasive history of the market holds that the major publishers fear the effect of low e-book prices. So if Amazon is effectively imposing parallel restraints on all of the publishers, it helps ensure that all the publishers will sell their products in the same way. Okay, but the theory of this case just doesnt make sense: Amazon still wants low prices in the e-book market, and the publishers want to break Amazons monopoly power, not help sustain it, right? No question, the allegation in the complaint that Amazon and the publishers are conspiring seems counterintuitive. And Sagers agreed that untangling Amazons and the publishers motivations will be a challenge for the plaintiffs. Before a court is willing to find that they all agreed to a conspiracy that harms retail consumers, he said, the court will need to be persuaded that it makes sense for them to agree to such a thing. That may be a tough sell, but its not inconceivable. For example, given the market power Amazon wields over the publishers print and digital retail marketsand the companys history of hardball negotiations and alleged retaliationit is possible that the Big Five all agreed to let Amazon have its MFNs to avoid problems. After all, under their agency agreements the publishers still get to set their consumer e-book prices. But could that kind of acquiescence to Amazon's demands really be portrayed as a conspiracy to fix prices? Are you really a co-conspirator if you are coerced to join an alleged conspiracy with a market-dominating firms proverbial gun to your head? Yes, Sagers said. And this is important. You absolutely can be sued for joining a conspiracy that you were coerced to join. The more significant challenge facing the plaintiffs, however, will be showing there is any kind of joint agreement between Amazon and the publishers beyond the presence of parallel terms in their agreements. I presume the plaintiffs currently have no direct evidence of that kind, Sagers said. And you can count on Amazon and the publishers insisting that their agreements are, in fact, five completely independent, bilateral contracts that may have similar terms but are otherwise unrelated. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. With Republic Day approaching, India has been gearing up to display its military might. While there is palpable excitement among the citizens, the Republic Day celebration might undergo certain changes to safeguard its people from the onslaught of Covid-19. However, despite restrictions, Republic Day is set to celebrated with all its grandeur. Heres a list of what will be new and what will be missing from this years R-Day parade: 1. The Rafale fighter jets, purchased from France and inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September last year, will participate in the parade for the first time. The air force has thus far inducted 8 of the 36 Rafale jets ordered from France. 2. The parade will also witness its first participation by a woman fighter pilot. Flight lieutenant Bhawana Kanth, one of Indias first women fighter pilots, will be a part of the IAFs tableau that will showcase mock-ups of the light combat aircraft (LCA), light combat helicopter (LCH), and the Sukhoi-30 fighters. 3. Marking its debut, the Ladakh contingent will be displaying a beautiful tableau depicting the iconic Thikse Monastery and its cultural heritage. The tableau prominently depicts the historic Thikse Monastery located on top of a hill in Thikse in Leh district and is one of the most-visited tourist sites in the region. 4. A tableau on Lepakshi temple, representing Andhra Pradesh will be displayed for the Republic Day parade to be held in New Delhi. The tableau showcases the rich, monolithic rock architecture of Lepakshi temple. Besides the temple architecture, it also showcases the spectacular monolithic rock structure of Nandi, which is situated near the temple with 27ft in length and 15ft in height. 5. The Indian Navy's tableau at the Republic Day parade this year will showcase models of INS Vikrant and naval operations that were conducted during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The forward part of the tableau depicts the attack on Karachi harbour by the missile boats undertaken as part of Operation Trident and Python. 6. Uttar Pradeshs tableau will feature a replica of the Ram Temple, which is currently under construction in the temple town of Ayodhya. The Supreme Court had in November 2019 ended the decades-long land dispute case, paving the way for the construction of the temple. 7. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has brought two important tableaux to Republic Day parade 2021. Showcasing major achievements of the year are LCA Tejas Navy take-off and landing onboard the aircraft carrier and the complete family of Anti Tank Guided Missiles, says the DRDO. 8. Protesting farmers have said that they will be displaying tableaus from different states during the parade on Republic Day. The unions have announced that they would hold the parade on Delhis Outer Ring Road as part of the protest against the new agri-marketing laws enacted by the Centre. Also read: Smaller Contingents, No Red Fort: Republic Day Parade 2021 Undergoes Big Changes Due to Covid-19 However, in a bid to avoid overcrowding and ensure social distancing amid raging coronavirus pandemic, the central government made a number of changes in Republic Day parade in 2021. Those are: 1. This will be the first R-Day parade without a chief guest in more than five decades with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson not coming to India. Johnson, who had initially accepted Indias invitation, had to cancel his visit due to the rapid rise of Covid-19 cases in the United Kingdom. India didnt have a chief guest for the parade in 1952, 1953 and 1966 before this. 2. The number of spectators has been reduced to 25,000 from 150,000 allowed last year. The number of media persons, too, has been cut from 300 to 200. 3. The parade will go only till the National Stadium at the C-Hexagon of India Gate. Only the tableaux will go to the Red Fort. 4. The events that have been cancelled altogether include the veterans parade by ex-servicemen and women, as well as motorcycle stunts by troops of the army and the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel. 5. No children below the age of 15 will be allowed at the India Gate lawns. Also, there will be no enclosure for schoolchildren this year. Meanwhile, a source told CNN-News18 that for the first time ever, a 122-member strong contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces will participate at the historic Republic Day celebrations. The contingent will be led by contingent commander Lt Col Abu Mohammed Shahnoor Shawon and his deputies Lieutenant Farhan Ishraq and Flight Lieutenant Sibat Rahman. The contingent comprises of soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, sailors of the Bangladesh Navy and air warriors of the Bangladesh Air Force. This year India and Bangladesh celebrate 50 years of the establishment their ties and Bangladesh celebrates 50 years of its independence. Both sides have agreed to hold commemorative events in several other countries and also jointly organize events through out the year. Nigel Farage has condemned plans to close the City's last physical trading floor permanently, urging traders to fight for its future. The Brexiteer called on traders to 'stamp their feet' to save the London Metal Exchange's world-renowned trading ring and blamed its Hong Kong owners for its likely closure. Farage, who was a trader at the exchange in the 1980s and 1990s, told The Mail on Sunday that he was 'very, very sad' when he heard the 144-year-old market planned to make all trading electronic. The ring, where traders normally huddle around red sofas and shout orders to set the world's metal prices, is the last physical trading floor in Europe. Passion: Traders at the London Metal Exchange before the pandemic It has been closed since March because of the pandemic, with all pricing and trading done electronically. Now it may never reopen. Making an impassioned plea, Farage said saving the ring would preserve London's crown as the global centre of metals trading. 'It's going to change from something that's been dramatically human,' he said, 'into a series of battery hens trading on the screen. 'I know the world moves on, and the world changes. But I feel very, very sad about it. 'Something unique culturally is going, and it's been something that has dominated the world. It's been number one. All over the world, people have tried metal exchanges at different times to challenge the LME. And do you know what? None of them ever have.' Farage argued that 'physical meeting together' in the ring is a more accurate way of pricing and trading complex metals contracts, adding: 'That's something I'm not convinced works on a computer.' He said that his experience of working at the exchange also influenced his belief in Brexit. 'It was one of the things that made me a Eurosceptic, because it was a truly global marketplace,' said the Brexit Party founder and former MEP and Ukip leader. 'I thought to myself in the late 1980s and early 1990s 'why are we tying ourselves so closely to one market, when actually at the LME what we are proving is we can do things internationally?' 'So the two have always been very, very closely linked.' Farage argued that 'physical meeting together' in the ring is a more accurate way of pricing Farage's views set him at odds with Matthew Chamberlain, the chief executive of the LME. Chamberlain told The Mail on Sunday that he believed the future of the exchange was electronic, as trading volumes in the ring continue to fall. 'Even just before the pandemic closure, only about 10 per cent of our total business was being transacted on the ring,' he said. He argued that electronic pricing during the pandemic had been successful and had given more traders and brokers access. He added: 'We've been clear with what we as the management team think: electronic is the way of the future, and we think we should now move in that direction.' Hong Kong's stock exchange group snapped up the metals exchange in 2012 for 1.4billion, which Farage reckons set the trading ring on course for eventual closure. He said of bosses at the Hong Kong stock exchange: 'I had a suspicion right from the very start that once they owned the LME, they would first try and get their money back from it by increasing the fees, which they did. 'They would be more than happy for one of the markets in Shanghai or wherever to become the place that sets the daily price for metals transactions. 'So I'm less surprised by this, but still extremely disappointed.' Hong Kong's stock exchange group snapped up the metals exchange in 2012 for 1.4billion The exchange is asking for feed back on the plans before coming to a final decision in April. Farage is calling on trading members to rally against the move, saying: 'Do you really think computer systems can suit this? 'If you've got even the slightest concern, you better try and keep the floor open. You've got to lobby the exchange. I think the members should stamp their feet a bit.' Supporters of the ring's closure said it could be a chance for the exchange to clean up the image of its laddish culture. The LME came under fire when one of its commodity trading companies, Gerald Group, hosted an event at the Playboy Club in swanky Mayfair in 2018. The following year, the exchange released a code of conduct and issued a ban on daytime drinking. Farage admits that there was a boozy culture in the 1980s. He was reportedly told to leave the trading firm Credit Lyonnais Rouse after bringing a drunk friend on to the trading floor after a long lunch. He said: 'It was quite laddish, but then the City was in those days and things have changed a bit. It was of course very male dominated.' But he added: 'If anything, it was the epitome of Thatcher's Britain where, regardless of your accent, or where you went to school, you could prosper. I worked with old Etonians, I worked with titled people, and I worked with the lads who came up from Southend-on-Sea. 'The camaraderie between everyone that worked around the ring was extraordinary. 'And after 5 o'clock when the pubs opened, even though you'd been competing against each other all day, it was almost like you were all part of a great big club. There were terrific friendships, industrial scale socialising.' Though Farage did admit: 'Clearly the days of everyone coming back sloshed that probably had to change.' A Colorado geophysicist accused of dragging a police officer down steps to be beaten by an American flag outside the US Capitol on January 6 was ordered held without bail Friday after a prosecutor said the man afterward tried to flee to Switzerland and commit suicide. US Magistrate Judge Andrew Krause, based in White Plains, said during an electronic hearing that he found the alleged actions by Jeffrey Sabol, a 51-year-old born in Utica, New York, 'beyond the pale and it is troubling to a degree that is really ... shocking.' Krause said the allegations were 'very disturbing, deeply troubling' and that Sabol needed to remain behind bars as he was a danger to the community and there was a risk he could flee. Sabol was arrested Friday morning at the Westchester Medical Center. 'What we see is Mr. Sabol, part of a group of people dragging a law enforcement officer down the steps of a building at the Capitol, where that officer has been repeatedly assaulted by a number of people, apparently including Mr. Sabol,' Krause said. Federal authorities say that the man in the tan jacket and black helmet who was seen dragging a Washington, DC, police officer down the steps of the United States Capitol on January 6 before he was beaten with an American flag is Jeffrey Sabol, 51, a Colorado geophysicist The horrific beating of the police officer was captured on video. That officer has yet to be identified as of Friday The judge said he also saw video footage that showed Sabol going back up the stairs after the first officer was dragged down to possibly look for someone else to bring 'down those stairs into the teeth of that mob that was at the Capitol that day.' Assistant US Attorney Benjamin Gianforti said Sabol identified himself to law enforcement authorities as the black-gloved man in the video wearing a brown or tan jacket, a black or gray helmet and a green backpack. 'We see the defendant dragging a police officer down a set of stairs just outside the Capitol,' Gianforti said. 'This allows another man, who's standing nearby, to beat that police officer with an American flag ironically, as the officer is being dragged down the stairs.' That other man who beat the officer with the flag has been identified by authorities as Peter Francis Stager of Arkansas. Stager, who is alleged to have been filmed saying 'Death is the only remedy for whats in that building' was arrested last week and charged with obstructing, impeding, or interfering with a law enforcement officer. In a second video, shared on social media, Stager brazenly says, 'Everybody in there is a treasonous traitor. Death is the only remedy for whats in that building', referring to people in the Capitol. The FBI said a person recognized him in the videos and alerted authorities. A second person also identified the man in the videos as Stager, telling authorities he spoke to Stager after the riot and Stager allegedly told him he thought the person they were hitting was part of the Antifa movement. However, the police officer was in a police uniform with 'Metropolitan Police' clearly visible on the back of his clothing. MAGA rioter Peter Francis Stager, of Arkansas, was arrested Thursday for allegedly beating a police officer with a large American flag during the January 6 protest at the Capitol. He was identified after videos of him circulated on social media including one where he said: 'Everybody in there is a treasonous traitor. Death is the only remedy for whats in that building.' A screenshot of that video above The same informant told the FBI that Stager told him he planned to apologize to his children and turn himself in to police. Stager told the second informant he was 'wired up' from either pepper spray or tear gas and thats why he made his comments in the video about treason and death. The affidavit says Stager 'was able to clearly see the police markings on B.M.s uniform and was aware that the individual who he was striking was, in fact, law enforcement.' Stager lives in Conway, a city of 68,000 north of Little Rock in Arkansas. The federal prosecutor in White Plains said other images show Sabol holding a police baton across a police officer's neck, and 'we have reason to believe he may have assaulted another police officer to procure that baton.' Gianforti said Sabol had offered investigators 'self-serving statements' saying he was trying to protect the officer but had also 'admitted to being in a fit of rage that day and that the details of the day were quote, "cloudy".' Gianforti noted the video evidence and said: 'I would just submit that a picture is worth a thousand words.' After the attack, the prosecutor said, Sabol booked a flight from Boston Logan International Airport to Zurich, Switzerland, where he would not be able to be extradited to the United States. Sabol's lawyer, Jason Ser, argued for his client's release on $200,000 bail, saying the man had steady employment for decades. Ser said Sabol's job, in which he supervises other employees and contractors, involves removing unexploded ordnance from testing grounds for the military. The attorney said that Sabol still has the support of family that includes a longtime girlfriend, an ex-wife, three children and parents. Stager (with a red box around him) was identified after videos showing the moment a mob of Trump supporters attacked and repeatedly hit a police officer on the ground on the steps of the Capitol circulated online, the FBI said in a court affidavit The FBI shared footage of Stager, circled in red, striking the officer with the pole attached to an American flag he was carrying during the January 6 Capitol rampage The FBI shared this photo circling the area where the attack on the cop took place He said video of the actions by his client were not as clear cut as they had been described by a prosecutor and noted that Sabol was currently charged only with civil disobedience charges that carry a potential maximum penalty of five years in prison. He said his client was coherent, stable and cooperative with federal law enforcement authorities after he underwent treatment at a psychiatric facility for a week and spent several days at the Westchester Medical Center. Both the judge and the prosecutor referenced Sabol's suicide attempts in the wake of the attack, though Ser told pretrial services his client was no longer suicidal. 'I'm sorry for what Mr. Sabol has been through since he left the Capitol but I think, your honor, that his suicide attempts can be taken as consciousness of guilt and in some respect really the ultimate flight attempt,' Gianforti said. 'This is a man who just can't face the fact that he is facing a felony charge because of his actions on January 6.' Jailed RJD chief Lalu Prasad was admitted to AIIMS-Delhi on Saturday night after his health condition deteriorated while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ranchi, officials said. "He has been admitted in the coronary care unit (CCU) of the cardiothoracic centre of the AIIMS," an official in Delhi said. Prasad (72), convicted in fodder scam cases, was undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in the Jharkhand capital for multiple ailments. "Lalu Prasad was having trouble breathing for the last two days. On Friday, he was found to be having pneumonia. Considering his age, we decided to shift him to AIIMS-Delhi on the advice of doctors for better treatment," RIMS Director Dr Kameshwar Prasad had earlier said. Yadav was shifted to Delhi in an air ambulance on Saturday night. He was earlier undergoing treatment for a lung infection in Ranchi where he is serving a sentence after being convicted in the Bihar fodder scam. Preparations for his transfer to Delhi began as soon as the hospital got a go-ahead from the jail officials. An evening medical bulleting from RIMS stated that the former Bihar chief minister was stable. "His COVID test came out negative, blood report shows a normal infection, HRCT chest scan reflects pneumonia," the statement read, adding that he will be moved to AIIMS, Delhi, as advised. Lalu had complained of congestion in the chest on Thursday evening. On Friday, Lalus son Tejashwi Yadav had said that his condition is critical and he will meet Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to speak with him about his fathers health. "We want better treatment for him, but it is for doctors to analyse what treatment can be provided here, after all the test reports come. His situation is serious. I will meet the Chief Minister on Saturday," Tejashwi Yadav told reporters in Ranchi on Friday. Tejashwi, his mother Rabri Devi and brother Tej Pratap reached Ranchi on late Friday evening. My father is over 70 years of age and is suffering from diabetes, heart ailment and reduced kidney function. Due to his complaint of congestion in the chest, we were worried about coronavirus. We have come to know that water might have entered his lungs, which is a cause of worry," Tejashwi was quoted as saying. "Lalu Prasad is having trouble breathing for the last two days. On Friday, he was found to be having pneumonia. Considering his age, we have decided to shift him to AIIMS- Delhi on the advice of doctors for better treatment," RIMS Director Dr Kameshwar Prasad said. "He is likely to be shifted to AIIMS today. We have already spoken to the experts at AIIMS," he added. Dr Prasad further said that the authorities and his family are arranging for an air ambulance to shift him to AIIMS-Delhi. The Jharkhand High Court on Friday heard about the violation of the jail manual by Lalu Prasad while he was admitted at RIMS, pulling up the hospital authorities, the jail administration and the state government. The case will be next heard on February 5. The wife of Alexei Navalny, Yulia Navalnaya, was detained by law enforcement officers and taken to the police station in the Bogorodskoye district in a paddy wagon. The activists wife informed about her detention in Instagram, commenting on the corresponding photo. Navalnayas lawyer Veronika Polyakova said that Yulia is in the Sokol police station: So far, I am not allowed to see her ... the police officers are patrolling the perimeter," Polyakova said, RIA Novosti reports. The lawyer added that since Navalnaya has a minor child, she cannot be kept in the department for more than three hours. It is not yet clear whether a protocol on an administrative offence will be drawn up against Navalnaya. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-24 06:06:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN -- A senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official said Iran is "not interested" in direct contacts with the new U.S. administration "at the moment," official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday. "We have no interest in any direct contact (with the U.S.) and we think that the JCPOA (2015 nuclear deal) is the right format for the negotiations," Abbas Araqchi, the political deputy foreign minister, said in an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica. (Iran-US Talks-Nuke) - - - - ISTANBUL -- Turkey launched on Saturday its fifthindigenous frigate produced as part of the MILGEM project, a national warship program. Istanbul Frigate F-515 was designed with national resources, and over 75 percent of its systems are of indigenous manufacture, according to the Turkish Presidency of Defense Industries. (Turkey-Istanbul Frigate-Warship) - - - - TEHRAN -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that vaccination against the COVID-19 in the country will start in the next few days, official IRNA news agency reported. Rouhani said that the use of foreign vaccine is necessary before the domestic vaccine is produced. (Iran-COVID19-Vaccine) - - - - BEIRUT -- The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Saturday offered medical donations, including medical equipment, medicines, sterilizers and personal protection equipment, to people living in southeastern Lebanon. Nada Hamad, a physician as the representative of the Lebanese Ministry of Health in Hasbaya District in southeastern Lebanon, received the medical donations from the UN peacekeepers, a UNIFIL media source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Lebanon-UN Donations-COVID19) Enditem Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. During a phone conversation, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky invited newly elected leader of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU), Minister-President of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia Armin Laschet, to visit Ukraine. The new leader of the CDU stressed that Ukraine can rely on the continuity of German policy. Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his sincere gratitude for this and noted that it is very important for Ukrainians, especially in the issue of achieving peace in Donbas, the press service of the Head of State reports. "We highly appreciate that thanks to the CDU, the current coalition agreement with the Social Democrats enshrined an arrangement on strong support for Ukraine in carrying out reforms and achieving peace. We hope that with your support this tradition will be continued in the next coalition agreement following the results of the upcoming elections to the Bundestag," Zelensky noted. The parties also discussed the possibility of consolidating Ukraine's European prospects in the future coalition agreement. "We also hope that the wording on support for Ukraine and its European integration course will be even more ambitious, including consolidation of Ukraine's European prospects," Volodymyr Zelensky said. Zelensky and Laschet agreed to develop the potential for cooperation between Ukraine and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. "North Rhine-Westphalia is the most economically powerful federal state in Germany. Therefore, I am especially pleased with the active development of cooperation between Ukraine and the federal state headed by you," the President said. The President invited Armin Laschet to pay a visit to Ukraine. ol Sidney Powell Launches Super PAC to Fight Vigorously for Our Constitutional Rights Attorney Sidney Powell, who filed third-party election lawsuits on behalf of former President Donald Trump, has launched a Super PAC dedicated to a range of aims, including freedom of speech, Constitutional rights, and the sacred right of free and fair elections. In a statement on Saturday, Powell announced the launch of the Restore the Republic Super PAC, which is an independent expenditure-only political action committee that may receive unlimited contributions and may engage in unlimited political spending on initiatives, provided it does not coordinate directly with campaigns or candidates. A Jan. 22 filing with the Federal Elections Commission shows Powell as the entitys Custodian of Records, while former Trump campaign attorney Jesse Binnall serves as the Super PACs Treasurer. Powell said what prompted the move is that Americans are starved for truth, restoration of the Rule of Law, and even-handed accountability, and are fed up with government corruption and an elitist political class that views them with condescension and contempt. The American people deserve a voice that exposes and rejects the self-interest of political parties, the control of tech giants, and the lies of the fake news, she said. Vowing to be a voice for honesty, integrity, and a return to government by We the People, Powell said the Restore the Republic Super PAC will be dedicated to supporting candidates who will fight vigorously for our Constitutional rights, freedom of speech, and the sacred right of free and fair elections. The PAC will promote candidates who fight for truth and the Rule of Law, and we will strenuously oppose any candidate who discards the Constitution for his own short term or political gainregardless of her party, she said. Powell, who successfully defended retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, was introduced by the Trump legal team in November, although the team later distanced themselves from her and said she wasnt working on their behalf. She is known for filing a number of contest-of-election lawsuits in the wake of the November election, which claimed fraud and other irregularities. On the eve of President Joe Bidens inauguration, Powell withdrew her lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court challenging Georgias election results. She and other attorneys on the case filed an appeal with the high court after the case was struck down in district court for lack of standing and being brought too late. Of the dozens of post-election lawsuits filed by the Trump legal team and supporters, just one ended up netting a win, striking down a deadline extension to correct mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania that were missing proof of identification. Regarding McConnell seeks to postpone trial until February (Jan. 22): With continued Republican stonewalling in the Senate, now is the time to jettison the filibuster rule and allow majority rule. All it would take is a majority vote to do so. That any one senator can force a 60% approval requirement by simply threatening to filibuster neuters the Senate as a legislative body at a critical time when fast and decisive action is required. The original Senate rules allowed a simple majority to cut off debate, just as in the House, and it was Aaron Burr (soon after shooting Alexander Hamilton) we have the thank for eliminating this rule (apparently by mistake), giving birth to the filibuster. Tom Miller, Oakland Necessary conviction Regarding Trumps impeachment shouldnt be a priority (Letters, Jan. 22): I am writing in response to the letter writer who suggested we forgo the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. I disagree. Trump must pay for inciting the insurrection by losing the ability to ever again run for office. Also, it is not just liberals who feel this way. Every American who loves our country is outraged by the attack on our democracy. Trump must be brought to trial, convicted (as he should have been at the first trial), and banned from ever running for office again. Elizabeth Larson, San Francisco Passions of division In regards to President Joe Bidens inauguration address, as much as I agree with his call for unity and reconciliation, I fear it will largely fall on deaf ears. And after four years of being defined by their opponents as xenophobic, misogynistic and racist, as a basket full of deplorables, I doubt any of the tens of millions of Trump supporters will find Bidens sentiments to be little more than self-serving and disingenuous at best. Many Republicans and others may indeed heed the advice of a certain California senator who four years ago, called on her supporters to resist the new administration. Or another California congressperson who said people should confront members of the new cabinet. If President Biden and Democrats are serious of about bridging our perilous political divide, they will confront the rhetoric of their own members that have inflamed the passions of division. Otherwise, I hope we all enjoy these brief days of calm. For new storms are sure to be brewing on the horizon. Bernie Corace, San Francisco A long overdue bill As a homicide and robbery investigator for the Daly City Police Department, I was the investigating officer during numerous criminal trials. Expert witnesses were often employed by both the prosecution and defense in such proceedings. In each case, the testimony given by an expert benefited the case being presented by whichever side had employed that expert witness. In short, expert witnesses dance with the one who brung em. State Sen. Scott Wieners bill requiring judicial screening of expert witnesses prior to allowing their testimony is long overdue. William Thompson, San Francisco End the frame-ups Regarding Hold bad cops accountable (Letters, Jan. 21): The letter writer proposes the abolition of qualified immunity for bent cops. He is right, of course, but he is missing something more important: the unqualified civil immunity of criminal prosecutors who attempt frame-ups. This is codified in California Government Code Sec. 821.6 and confirmed by Imbler v. Pachtman, a federal case brought against a deputy district attorney who had knowingly elicited perjured testimony. Congress does not care: In the decades since Imbler was adjudicated, it has not altered the relevant United States Code article to cover bent prosecutors. The California Legislature does not care: It can at any time alter Sec. 821.6 to read, like the corresponding Canadian rule, No Servant of the People of the State of California may allege that the People ordered him to commit any tort. If district attorneys stopped doing frame-ups, we would also get more prosecutions of bent cops, because the frame-ups DAs do are often continuations of frame-ups by the police. We can drain a swamp nastier than that which Trump augmented. John Wills, Oakland Irresponsible GOP Sen. Dianne Feinstein urged Al Franken to resign for good reason. Intentional or not, Frankens behavior sent a message that hurt many victims of harassment and he may have incited others to engage in harassment. It makes sense that Feinstein would not want to hug Franken, the Senate would not tolerate his harmful behavior, but then why hug Sen. Lindsey Graham? Franken did not kill anybody or place our entire democracy at the edge of destruction, so how can the Senate not tolerate Franken but be OK with reprehensible behavior of Sens. Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz and others who fanned the flames of divisiveness, fear and hate? They were feeding doubt to America on our election security when there was nothing credible to doubt; when every state only certified after all threats to the election were examined, with help from federal agencies, and found this election to be the most secure in history as each state certified the results. They should have reassured their constituents by condemning the baseless conspiracy theories. Hawley, Cruz and Graham were part of the incitement, of the fear peddling, that lead to the anger and rebellion of the Jan. 6 violence that include five deaths. They all need to go. John Radogno, Rohnert Park Nation is in good hands We got our country back. If you took a man in their 60s, the average risk is that for every 1000 people who got infected roughly 10 would be expected to unfortunately die with the virus, Britains Dr Vallance said. With the new variant, for 1000 people infected roughly 13 or 14 people might be expected to die. So thats the sort of change for that sort of age group and you will see a similar sort of relative increase across the age groups as well. But I want to stress that theres a lot of uncertainty around these numbers and we need more work to get a precise handle on it. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson during Friday evenings Downing Street press conference. Credit:Getty Images "But it is obviously of concern that this has an increase in mortality as well as an increase in transmissibility." Australian Labors health spokesman Chris Bowen expressed concern the new variant could lead to greater disease and suffering. Mr Bowen demanded Prime Minister Scott Morrison actually work with the [state] premiers and get Australians home safely, ensure that the quarantine is strong enough for this new strain B117 and other strains which are emerging and give Australians overseas the support they deserve. Scientific paper prompted announcement The UK governments New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) asked different groups of experts to examine data about the new variant and whether it was killing more people. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine reported the strain could be 1.35 times more deadly, while scientists from Imperial College London produced a similar figure of between 1.29 and 1.36. The University of Exeter found the risk of death could 1.91 times higher. A Public Health England analysis initially found no link between the new strain and higher mortality but now also believes it has found new evidence supporting the theory. At the moment what they have said is there could be an increase in mortality, Vallance said of the different findings. But theres a lot of uncertainty and a lot more work that needs to go on. I really urge against just picking the highest number and assuming thats correct. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video NERVTAG said while there was likely an increased risk of death compared to the original virus, it should be noted that the absolute risk of death per infection remains low. Other variants could prompt UK border closure UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would not toughen lockdown measures in response to the new mortality information, but flagged extra border controls over concern about variants first detected in South Africa and Brazil. Scientists believe those two strains are no more transmissible than the UK variant but are increasingly worried they may not respond to the newly-approved vaccines. We are more concerned that they have certain features which means they might be less susceptible to vaccines, Dr Vallance said of the South African and Brazilian variants. Loading Its very difficult to compare between laboratories on this data and we need to get more clinical information to understand how much of an effect, if any, there is on the vaccine, but they are definitely of more concern than the one in the UK at the moment. Experts remain confident the UK strain will respond well to vaccines. Between 44 and 71 cases of the South African variant have already been found in the UK. There will be cases here. There will be cases all over the world of these variants, Dr Vallance said. The key thing is to identify, contact trace and try and make sure we contain. Pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and AstraZeneca have said existing products can be tweaked to respond to new variants but more resistant strains could be a problem for the millions of people who have already been given a jab. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Credit:PA In a leaked video, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told travel agents that the South African variant might reduce vaccine efficacy by about 50 per cent and risk taking the UK back to square one. We are not sure of this data so I wouldnt say this in public, Mr Hancock told the meeting. He also praised Australias border controls as a way of fighting the virus, stoking speculation Britain might block the entry of non-citizens. Mr Johnson said arrivals from South Africa had already been banned from December 24 and all other travellers must produce a negative test and self-quarantine upon arrival. I really dont rule out that we may need to take further measures still, Mr Johnson said. We may need to go further to protect our borders because we do not want, after all the effort we are going to in this country, the massive success that the NHS and others are vaccinating ... put at risk by having a new variant come back in. Asked about Mr Hancocks comments, Vallance said there was no consensus on the degree to which the South African strain could get around vaccines. It is the case that both the South African and Brazilian variants have more differences in shape, which might mean they are recognised differently by antibodies and therefore laboratory studies are suggesting a decreased binding, he said. But I think its too early to know the effect that will have on the vaccination in people. Vaccine program hits new record Nearly 5.4 million people in the UK have received their first of two jabs. A record 410,000 were vaccinated on Thursday alone. New cases and hospitalisations are falling or flatlining in most parts of the UK but deaths are still climbing. Another 1404 deaths were registered on Friday, putting the UK on course to eclipse 100,000 by early next week. Friday, January 22, 2021 by Tracy Shawn Reading, can indeed, reduce anxiety. But why? Stories provide an escape from our personal stressors and worries as well as a much-needed respite from world and local news. And reading not only offers an affordable and assessable break (its also a lot healthier than stress eating and binge drinking), it can also increase compassion. On a deeper level, too, reading a novel can provide a psychological shot of courage. Renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell explains that when readers follow the journey of a main character, theyre able to empathize with the protagonists struggles and rejoice in their triumphs. Journalist Bill Moyers also points out that everyday people (who may not be heroes in the grand sense of redeeming society) still relate to a main characters transformation, giving even the most fearful and anxiety ridden of us hope. The concept that reading can reduce anxiety and increase mental health is nothing new. Etched over the door of the ancient library in Thebes was the phrase: Healing place for the soul. And in 1916, Presbyterian minister Samuel M. Crothers coined the phrase bibliotherapy (a combination of the Greek words for therapy and books). Among the many examples of bibliotherapy practices, both Britain and the U.S. set up libraries in hospitals during the First World War, where librarians used reading to aid in the recovery of soldiers dealing with physical as well as mental trauma. Readers, too, intuitively feel the mental health benefits of stories. People are often tweeting, posting, and blogging about how reading helps them cope with anxiety, worry, and stressas well as providing a healthy escape from reality. I personally, too, have learned that reading eases my anxietyespecially when I wake up in the middle of the night with those awful what-ifs! Now science is proving mythologists, librarians, and readers right. A study at Emory University has shown that novel reading enhances connectivity in the brain as well as improving brain function. Lead author of the study and neuroscientist Professor Berns is quoted on the universitys eScienceCommons blog on December 17, 2013 as saying, The neural changes that we found associated with physical sensation and movement systems suggest that reading a novel can transport you into the body of the protagonist. Berns also noted that the neural changes werent just immediate reactions, but persisted mornings after the reading periods as well as for five days after the participants completed a novel. Looking at both scientific and anecdotal evidence, stories in which a reader cares about the protagonists struggles and triumphs may help more than books with characters that readers dont connect with (which, of course, is subjective). A psychologytoday.com piece titled Bibliotherapy: Using Books to Help and Heal (published on 10/01/19), also states that even though fiction is the traditional genre used in bibliotherapy, self-help books, biographies, memoirs, short stories, and even comic books can help people cope with difficult circumstances. As noted at the beginning of this piece, reading also provides a positiveand much-needed breakfrom the news. And, although its important to keep ourselves informed, its easy to obsess and re-listen to the same news we already digested. This obsession cycle can make us lose perspective, which can further cloud judgement while increasing anxiety and depression. Lastly, reading can also help one feel less alone and more connected. As author James Baldwin (1924-1987) wrote: You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive. Tracy Shawn, M.A. Author and speaker Tracy Shawn lives on the Central Coast of California. Her debut novel, The Grace of Crows (Cherokee McGhee, 2013), won awards for Indie fiction, including the 2013 Jack Eadon Award for Best Book in Contemporary Drama and Second Place for General Fiction from Reader Views. Shes written numerous articles for print and online publications and has had three short stories published in literary journals. Ms. Shawn is currently revising her second novel. You can visit her website at: www.tracyshawn.com and follow her on Twitter at @TracyShawn Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a symposium attended by experts, scholars and entrepreneurs in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 21, 2021. The symposium solicited opinions on a draft government work report and the draft 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035. Vice-Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has underscored the importance of precise and effective macro-control policies to address the development needs of market entities and further spur their vitality and social creativity. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks Thursday while presiding over a symposium attended by experts, scholars and entrepreneurs. The symposium solicited opinions on a draft government work report and the draft 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035. Vice-Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting. China made major strategic achievements in COVID-19 prevention and control and its economy recorded growth last year against a backdrop of global economic recession, said Li. Noting that COVID-19 continues to spread globally and the world economy is undergoing profound adjustment, Li said the risks and challenges facing China's economy should not be underestimated. He called for efforts to ensure that the economy runs within an appropriate range, and for greater steps to promote high-quality development. Li urged maintaining the continuity, stability and sustainability of macro policies, along with necessary and reasonable fiscal and monetary policies. He stressed supporting enterprises, especially medium, small, and micro-sized businesses to overcome difficulties and enhance their development capabilities, stabilizing market expectations, and promoting stable operation as well as the sustained and healthy development of the economy. The premier underscored continued efforts to streamline administration and delegate powers, improve regulation and upgrade services, and optimize the business environment. He also called for boosting scientific and technological innovation, utilizing new technologies such as the industrial internet to promote the upgrading of traditional industries, and expanding high-level opening-up. After another tunnel was detected in the Pansar area of Jammu and Kashmir by the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday, BSF Inspector-General (IG) NS Jamwal alleged Pakistan of digging the tunnel from the zero-line. "Pakistan has dug the tunnel from the zero-line. The tunnel was detected between the Border Outposts (BOPs) on Pakistan's side Abhiyal Dogra and Kingre-De-Kothe, Sakargarh. The tunnel is about 140-150 metres long. It is 10-12 feet deep, the downside from the entry point and 25-30 feet deep, entered in the Indian territory. The diameter of this tunnel is 2-3 feet so that a man can easily cross by crawling," NS Jamwal, Inspector General (IG) BSF, Jammu told reporters. IG Jamwal also said that Pakistani bags and some old bags were discovered in the tunnel. The tunnel detected today is the fourth one in the last six months in Samba, Hiranagar and Kathua areas and the tenth in total in Jammu region, according to a BSF press release. Talking about the operation, the BSF IG said, "Acting upon specific intelligence inputs for a while that there was the possible existence of a tunnel in the Pansar area. Our unit detected this tunnel under the ongoing anti-tunneling campaign. It is the fourth one in the last six months in Samba, Hiranagar and Kathua areas and the tenth in total in Jammu region," he said. "We consider this area a sensitive area because it is surrounded by dense forest. Some notorious incident like in June 2020, the BSF had shot down a Pakistani Hexacopter and terrorist activities are also seen in the area," he said. "Ahead of January 26, we are on high alert regarding border security. I want to give credit to the troops and the Intelligence agencies who has been provided inputs (to locate the tunnel)," he said. In November 2019, BSF had foiled an infiltration bid in the same area, wherein some troops had fired upon the party trying to infiltrate into India. (ANI) A historic week for Indian markets as both Sensex and Nifty50 climbed fresh peaks. The S&P BSE Sensex climbed Mount 50K while the Nifty50 also hit 14753, but profit-taking towards the close of the week pushed indices in the red. The S&P BSE Sensex fell 0.3 percent while the Nifty50 was down by 0.4 percent for the week gone by but a bigger cut was seen in the small & midcaps. The S&P BSE Midcap index fell 0.7 percent while the S&P BSE Smallcap index was down 1.3 percent for the week ended January 22. However, there are 21 stocks in the S&P BSE 500 index that bucked the trend that include names like DCM Shriram, Bajaj Auto, Ceat, Apollo Tyres, Gateway Distriparks, JK Tyre, Tata Motors, and Future Consumer etc. among others. The stock market cheered the smooth transition of the US President and strong December quarter results from India Inc. amid the ongoing pandemic. Vaccine rollout also helped the sentiment, but after a strong rally, some pullback was on the cards. Broader markets experienced profit booking by the close of the week along with larger indices. While the results have been supportive so far, the overall sentiment is to wait-and-watch as the budget is about to be the key trigger to assess the future direction of bourses in the short term, Umesh Mehta, Head of Research, Samco Group told Moneycontrol. Volatility is expected to remain high as bulls and bears continue to play tug-of-war given but in the end bears might win given the overbought nature of many stocks and the high expectations from the Budget. If expectations arent met then there could be a short-term correction, he said. The strong corporate performance of industry leaders such as Bajaj Auto, Asian Paints, as well as Reliance Industries give confidence to investors that the recovery is underway. The Chinese embassy in the United States said on Friday a Wall Street Journal article claiming China is pushing for a high-level meeting with the US was "false". The embassy asked the US media outlet to respect the facts and report responsibly. The Journal, without specifying the names of its sources, reported on its website on Friday that China is seeking a high-level meeting to ease tension with the United States, and that Ambassador Cui Tiankai has suggested through letters China's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, visiting the US. Yang is a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs. "This is not true. The Chinese side did not write any letters as mentioned in the report," a spokesperson of the embassy said on Friday when asked to confirm the news. "It is hoped that the media outlet carrying this report will respect the facts and cover China-US relations in an objective and responsible way," the spokesperson said in a statement. It noted that a sound China-US relationship serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and meets the general expectation of the international community. "It is hoped that the US side will work with the Chinese side to meet each other halfway, uphold the spirit of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, focus on cooperation, manage differences, and achieve the sound and stable development of their bilateral relations," said the spokesperson. Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 5:23 pm A new bill that supporters say would allow for greater voter participation in presidential primaries was introduced to the state Legislature last week, as announced in a Thursday press release from the Office of the Secretary of State. House Bill 1265, sponsored by State Rep. Skyler Rude, R-Walla Walla, gives voters an option on the presidential primary ballot to not declare a party affiliation. It allows unaffiliated voters those cast by voters who do not indicate their party preference to qualify for the presidential primary and be counted. Currently, state law requires voters to mark and sign the party declaration on their ballot envelope. A voters party declaration is public record in the voter registration database for 60 days after the election though their vote is not and currently they are bound to vote for a candidate according to their declared affiliation. Ballots left with a party declaration unmarked, or with a vote for a candidate opposite their declared party, are rejected and do not count. Nearly half of Washingtons registered voters participated in the 2020 presidential primary an all-time high however, the election drew criticism from voters who objected to affiliating with a political party in order to participate. In addition, ballot-rejection rates are higher for presidential primaries: 4% for last years presidential primary vs. 0.8% for the general election. Thats mainly due to voters refusing to disclose their party affiliation on their ballot. This option was available during the 1996 and 2000 presidential primaries yet was removed by the Legislature in 2007. All voters, including people who do not align with a political party, should have the right to make their voices heard, Secretary of State Kim Wyman said in the press release. HB 1265 gives unaffiliated voters more freedom of choice and peace of mind, which in turn will increase voter participation and ensure our election results more accurately reflect the will of the people. It is a win-win for voters, for our elections and for all Washingtonians. HB 1265 was introduced Jan. 18 and is sponsored by Reps. Rude, Mike Chapman, D-Port Angeles, Bob Chase, R-Liberty Lake, Carolyn Eslick, R-Sultan, Jenny Graham, R-Spokane, Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, Cyndy Jacobsen, R-Puyallup, Eric Robertson, R-Sumner, and Jim Walsh (R-Aberdeen). Considering our elections are paid for by all taxpayers, it seems only fitting that we find ways to make sure our elections are open and available to all voters, Rude said in the press release. The right to vote is a source of pride for so many people. Its imperative we remove barriers that discourage voters from participating in our democracy. HB 1265 is a step in the right direction, and I encourage my colleagues in the Legislature to pass it. A man appeared in court today accused of raping a 13-year-old girl and unlawful sexual touching. Josh Ford appeared before Belfast Magistrates Court on two charges over the alleged incident on Thursday. His lawyer said Ford denied the allegations. Objecting to the 22-year-old being released on bail, a police officer told the court that on Thursday afternoon the girl returned to the childrens home where she resides and told staff she had been raped. The officer explained that the girl said she was at an address with Ford and two others and was kissing the accused. She claimed he then grabbed her and threw her onto a couch. She said he then had sex with her and when she told him to stop he refused. The officer told the court that one witness who said they were in another room stated that when the girl came back in she typed out on her phone that she had been raped. Another witness said that they saw the girl bring Ford into another room carrying a pink blanket and that they didnt believe she had been raped. The officer said the girl needed to be looked after and protected as she is believed to be at risk of child sexual exploitation. Fords solicitor said that refusing bail could see him remanded in custody for months while forensic analysis and other evidence was gathered. He added that Ford denies all the allegations, claiming no sexual activity took place, and fully co-operated with police when asked to provide DNA samples. However, District Judge Rosalie Prytherch refused bail saying they were matters of huge concern. The case was adjourned to Newtownards Magistrates Court to be heard via video-link on February 17. The Supreme Courts intervention (Rakesh Vaishnav v Union of India 2021) in the ongoing protests and debate over the three controversial farm laws1 has been met with a storm of criticism (Hegde 2021; Yamunan 2021). It has stayed the implementation of the three farm laws until further orders and set up a committee of four members for the purpose of listening to the grievances of the farmers relating to the farm laws and the views of the Government and to make recommendations (Rakesh Vaishnav v Union of India 2021). To say that the order has attracted controversy would be putting it mildly. For a start, the committee it set upcomposed of four men recommended by the union government, Bhupinder Singh Mann, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Ashok Gulati, and Anil Ghanwathad already expressed their support for the farm laws in their present form (Alvi 2021). The farmers have understandably indicated that they would not appear before the committee in any capacity, with one of the members, Bhupinder Singh Mann, having already recused himself (Siwach et al 2021). Mumbai, Jan 23 : Filmmaker Arati Kadav says the uncertainty the world has been facing due to the global pandemic has affected her mind, too. Her recent release, the short film "55km/sec", is a reflection of her thoughts and a realisation of all that happened to her during that phase. The film is about an asteroid speeding towards Earth, the impact with which will cause the end of the planet. With minutes left for total destruction, the protagonist (played by Mrinal Dutt) joins a chat room of old college friends to spend his last moments with them. Then, in the final moments, a twist in the drama follows for him. "Lockdown was an ambiguous thing for all of us and I thought we were united in a very weird way. I thought what if something bigger than that happened to us -- an asteroid coming at us. We were still safe inside our houses, eating food and wearing clothes. Of course, people lost their jobs, (there was a) financial crisis, and lockdown showed the brutal face of reality in the form of the migrant workers. Those who lost their lives while trying to reach home by road, died under cars -- it was so brutal. So, in one scene when they say that 99 per cent people will die, I put the picture of migrants. That was an important sequence for me to convey my thought," she said. "Today we have empathy for them, tomorrow someone way richer than us will put us in their position! In a way, I have encapsulated all these thoughts in the story," said Kadav. On the shooting experience, she said: "We shot the film remotely via zoom calls and phone cameras, and I, along with my team, was virtually directing the actors. The process was taxing. Having said that, it really gave us a boost to start something in the form of a short film. We shot the film in June-July last year and at that point of time we were actually in a frustrated state of mind because of lockdown. The film somewhere diverted our minds." "55km/sec" also features Richa Chadha and streams on Disney+ Hotstar. (Arundhuti Banerjee can be contacted at arundhuti.b@ians.in) The deal is a boost to the global program known as COVAX. Pfizer on Friday committed to supply up to 40 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine this year to a World Health Organization-backed effort to get affordable shots to poor and middle-income countries. The deal is a boost to the global program known as COVAX, as wealthy nations have snapped up most of the millions of coming shots, the Associated Press reported. Pfizer's 40 million doses for a vaccine requiring two doses are a tiny sliver of what's needed for COVAX, which aims to vaccinate billions of people in 92 low- and middle-income countries. Read alsoWHO chief elaborates on COVAX Facility"Today, we are proud to have this opportunity to provide doses that will support COVAX efforts toward vaccinating healthcare workers at high risk of exposure in developing countries and other vulnerable populations," Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said. Pfizer and BioNTech said they would also help health systems handle the vaccine, which requires ultracold storage. Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech said they would provide their vaccine to COVAX at an undisclosed "not-for-profit price." The companies still must execute a supply agreement covering distribution, but the doses are to be delivered throughout 2021, starting in February. More news reports Reporting by UNIAN Laredos COVID-19 pandemic continues to be severe as it nears 600 total deaths due to the virus. City and Webb County officials confirmed five new coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday, bringing the area total to 597. Two males in their early 60s, a male in his early 70s, a female in her late 70s and a female in her late 80s comprised the new announced COVID-19 deaths. The five comes a day after Laredo had its first occurrence of back-to-back double-digit fatalities with 12 and 11, respectively. Additionally, officials confirmed 267 new positives, bringing the total to 38,028 since the pandemic emerged locally back in last March. The near-300 new cases comes after a week in which Laredo experienced 3,823 new positives, the second-highest weekly total behind only last weeks 5,217. January has already featured 11,061 positives and 92 deaths. Its already demolished Decembers record of 6,923 positives and is on track to set the fatalities record, which is held by August with 117. The new additions come a day after a New York Times report was released showing Laredo as the most affected area in the United States relative to population over the past two weeks. The report continues to back the assertion that the city is facing a surge unlike any it has faced yet. And officials spoke about the ever-worsening situation on Friday. Unfortunately, we will be facing more preventable deaths in the days ahead, Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino said Friday. Our ability to create space is being outpaced by the rate of spread of the virus in our community. Preservation of life should come before social gatherings. Laredo has 246 people currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 down from Fridays reported 247. An additional 79 people remain in the ICU. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported on Saturday that Laredos all-important COVID-19 hospitalization rate the amount of the areas total resources devoted to treating coronavirus patients was at 46% corresponding to Friday. That was up from 43.6% the day prior. Still, Laredo remains well above the rest of Texas, where it has been since Dec. 10. Some help is on the way, though, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday that the DSHS and Texas Division of Emergency Management have surged medical personnel, equipment, testing supplies and personal protective equipment to Laredo. Among the items sent include 470 staff as well as ventilators, infusers, oxygen concentrators, hospital beds, cardiac monitors, oxygen flowmeters, IV poles, BiPAP machines and more. Over 87,000 test kits and eight auxiliary medical units and ambulances were also supplied. Elderly people continue to be the most affected population in Laredos surge. Due to this, Trevino recommended Laredoans 65 years and older to cancel or limit any outings outside of their household. In addition, he also asked the group to avoid the use of thin gaiter masks, preferring they obtain N95 or double cloth masks and make use of face shields should an outing be necessary. As of 1 p.m. Saturday, Laredo has 2,492 active cases of the coronavirus. A total of 34,939 have been estimated to have recovered from a previous infection. There have been 252,151total tests for COVID-19 have been administered in the Laredo area. Criminal complaint, Reuters A Virginia police officer charged in the Jan. 6 sacking of the U.S. Capitol bragged to a friend on Facebook that he pissed in Nancy Ps toilet, referring to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to an FBI search warrant application obtained by The Daily Beast. The document, which seeks permission to search Jacob Frackers Rocky Mount, Virginia, home for further evidence, follows a prior warrant that gave the FBI permission to scour his Facebook account. Agents say they found photos, videos, and messages to others sent the day after the riot that directly incriminate Fracker, who is also a corporal in the VA National Guard. Fracker and his alleged wingman in the riot, Rocky Mount Officer Thomas Robertson, were the first cops to be arrested for participating in the insurrection that left five people, including a Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick, dead. Fracker and Robertson have been placed on administrative leave, according to the Rocky Mount Police Department. The FBI warrant application says Fracker sent a video to an unidentified friend on Jan. 7 that showed him wearing a gas mask inside the Capitol. Turning the camera towards himself, Fracker hits his chest multiple times, it explains. Fracker tells his Facebook friend, Shit was wild lol I pissed in Nancy Ps toilet. Two Cops, Including a Trained Sniper, Arrested for Taking Part in Capitol Insurrection During the siege, on the day the Senate was to confirm President-elect Joe Bidens Electoral College victory, rioters stormed Pelosis officeputting their feet up on her desk, swiping a laptop, and leaving a note. A second clip Fracker allegedly sent to the same Facebook friend begins outside the Capitol. A couple of minutes into the video, Fracker can be seen climbing the steps of the Capitol and moving past a barrier as he yells, Lets fucking go!, the warrant application says. A third video Fracker sent to his friend, according to the warrant application, was shot inside the Capitol. In the background, it says, someone in the crowd can be heard yelling, PELOSI! Story continues At that point, the FBI says, Fracker sent his friend a message about what he was doing. We did hahaha it was fucking amazing, he allegedly wrote. Flash bangs going off, CS gas, rubber bullets flying by. Felt so good to be back in the shit hahaha I was like 8th person inside the building, shit was fuckin LIT...I havent been that hyped up since fuckin Nowzad hahaha, apparently referring to his past deployment to Afghanistan with the U.S. Marine Corps. He also warned his friend not to share the footage with anyone else, but that Fracker just wanted him to know that he was out here trying to make a fucking difference at any cost. Freedom 2020, Fracker allegedly replied to a comment made by another Facebook friend. Fuck commies. Fuck tyranny. And fuck anyone in the way of a free America. The warrant says that Frackers alleged co-rioter, Robertson, also dug a deep hole for himself on social media. Safe at home, he allegedly wrote in a Jan.7 message to a relative. Bumps bruised and eyes sore from tear gas but good! Love you! Virginia Man Faked Inaugural Credentials, Drove to D.C. With Loaded Gun and 500 Rounds: Cops The next day, Robertson reportedly commented on a Facebook post, saying, Well.....Fuck you. Being nice, polite, writing letters and sending emails hasn't worked. Peaceful protests haven't worked. Millions of FB posts, tweets ,and other social media hasn't worked. All thats [sic] left is violence and YOU and your Friends on the other side of the isle [sic] have pushed Americans into that corner. The picture of Senators cowering on the floor with genuine fear on their faces is the most American thing I have seen in my life. Once....for real....you people ACTUALLY realized who you work for. He continued, remarking to others, Peace is done, and it is time for all the braggart Patriots to buckle armor or shut the fuck up. Facebook warriors time is done. The next revolution started 1/6/21 in case you Im [sic] ready" and standing by guys missed it. Robertson also allegedly insisted he would do whatever he could to disrupt President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration, posting a message on Facebook on Jan. 10 saying he would be going to fight the cocksuckers who stole our country, in DC on the 20th for sure. By bullet or ballot restoration of the republic is coming, he allegedly said in a follow-up message. Robertson had been particularly sloppy about keeping his plans quiet in the days and weeks leading up to Jan. 6, says the FBI. The week before Christmas, Robertson posted on Facebook: Civility has left me. Im [sic] tired of always taking the high road and being beat by those who cheat, lie, and steal to win and then allow their media to paint me as the bad guy. I wont be disenfranchised. Ill follow the path our founders gave us. Redress of grievances (already done) civil disobedience (here now) and then open armed rebellion. Ive spent the last 10 years fighting an insurgency in Iraq and then Afghanistan. Im [sic] prepared to start one here and know a bunch of like minded and trained individuals. To preempt any claims of their having been hacked, the FBI says it connected the Fracker and Robertson to the postings through their IP addresses. Fracker released a statement shortly after his Jan. 13 arrest claiming his behavior was an expression of grief against what very many Americans would consider tyranny. Both men are now free on $15,000 bond. The Daily Beast was unable to contact Fracker and Robertson, neither of whom has a lawyer listed in court records. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. When I was much younger, there used to be a TV variety show called The Art Linkletter Show. At the end of the show, Art would gather young children around him and ask them loaded questions. This segment was called "Kids Say the Darndest Things." The answers from the children were often funny and sometimes profound. During my teaching career, I heard the educrats I worked with say some of the darndest things as well. They didn't say profound things, but the words they said revealed disturbing things to me about American public education. The high school where I began my teaching career had a revolving door on the principal's office. Every two years or so, the Board of Education would change our principal. During one of these transitions, I spoke to another teacher about "the newest guy." After checking around for eavesdroppers, he said to me softly, "This new guy isn't like us." I asked him to explain, and he said, "He's gay." With this new information, I made my way to see one of the assistant principals at my school. He waved me in and I asked if I could close the door. I told him what the other teacher had said, and his countenance changed. He then told me he was teased recently at a meeting of educrats because he was now the only heterosexual member of our school's administrative staff. He told me how uncomfortable he was at social events mingling with the same-sex partners of the school's administrative team. The uncomfortable administrator who revealed these things to me warned me not to raise these issues publicly, because that would adversely impact my career. On one occasion, I sent a boy to the office with a referral for disrupting my class. After school, I went to see that student's administrator to follow up on the referral. I gave a narrative of the incident and asked what consequences the young man would receive. The administrator assured me that the young man understood his error and would not repeat it in my class. When the educrat understood that I was not satisfied with the consequences given to the disruptive young man, he added impatiently, "I am an educator, not a disciplinarian." Once, I attended a beginning-of-the-year faculty meeting where an educrat basically announced that expulsions of students would no longer occur in our county. I did not raise an objection in the large group, but I did speak privately with one of our administrators. I told him that I found this change outrageous. He did what he could to mollify me. I told the him that this change gave me a good idea: I would run for governor on the platform that I would end all crime in Maryland. He smiled and asked me how I would I would keep my promise. I told him I would make all behavior legal. When he heard my answer, he was no longer smiling. He simply said, "You can't say that." For several years, I sat on the Faculty Council at my high school. During one of the meetings, I raised a concern about dress code. I told the other teachers and administrators that my 12th- grade English classes were beginning to look like a job fair at Hooters. The other members of the Council, mostly female, said I was making too much of the issue. I then asked them if they found exposed cleavage distracting. The female principal chairing the meeting closed the discussion, stating that the situation was much worse at other high schools. I was not comforted. As the pushback to my non-conformist thinking increased, I got bolder and probably more annoying. I once spoke about my concerns about American public education to my union representative. He looked at me and said, "Let the politicians worry about that stuff. It is not for us to question the wisdom of the Board of Education." My principal called me in into her office for counseling during the last year of my teaching in 2016. I was having some conflict with my department chair, so she invited my assistant principal and the department chair to attend as well. As we tried to sort through the issues, I mentioned some of my criticisms of American public education to these three women, who were clearly not very happy with me. When I finished, my department chair told me to "worry about the kids and your class and not fret about the larger picture." Just before retiring, I began to teach Rahim Khameni's novel, The Kite Runner. Since much of the story involves Muslim culture, I spent some time teaching my students the its basic elements. Not long after I began this unit, my principal called me to her office. She informed me that the mother of one of my students objected to my pro-Islamic proselytizing. I explained to my principal that I was merely sharing the basics of Islam with my students and that I was not endorsing Muslim beliefs. My principal accepted my account but asked me to assign another novel to the student who had complained. I told my her I would and then she said something that I did not expect. "It's too bad," she said, "that we don't live in a communist system. In that case, we could assign the book, and that would be that." Image: Wokanadapix via Pixabay, Pixabay License. Auckland, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2021 ) :Ben Ainslie's INEOS Team UK overcame a pre-race gear failure to beat Luna Rossa on the final cross in a thriller on Auckland harbour on Saturday to qualify unbeaten for the final of the America's Cup challenger series. The lead changed nine times in the first fully competitive match-race in a series disrupted in the early rounds by weather vagaries and a spectacular crash involving American Magic. "That was one for the fans," British legend Ainslie said. Ainslie, the most successful sailor in Olympic history, is on record as saying he would willingly trade his Olympic medals -- four gold and one silver -- to be the first Briton to win the America's Cup. But he said there were some tense moments before the Luna Rossa race, which was delayed 80 minutes -- first by a wind change forcing a reset of the course, and then a hydraulic fault requiring makeshift repairs on INEOS. "We were on the back foot. We were missing one of the key settings for the power of the boat so the guys did an awesome job getting us around the track in one piece and getting the win," Ainslie said, describing the final cross as being "about as close as you want to get". With the finish line in sight and Italian entry Luna Rossa holding the right of way, Ainslie managed to keep INEOS in front. Luna Rossa protested but the race officials ruled Ainslie had maintained the legal distance between the two yachts. INEOS was written off as the yacht least likely to succeed after failing to win a race in a pre-Christmas shakedown regatta involving the high-tech yachts which fly above the water balanced on foil arms. But since the competition proper began, it has won all five of its races. Luna Rossa and American Magic, which is still undergoing repairs, will now race off in a best-of-seven semi-final series with the winner racing INEOS Team UK in a best-of-13 contest. The winner then faces defenders Team New Zealand from March 6 to 21 for the America's Cup. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The pharmaceutical company JSC Biolik (Kharkiv) filed an application on January 6 for registration of the Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) vaccine against coronavirus (COVID-19) disease produced by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology (Russia) through the Health Ministry, but the applicant did not provide materials for the examination as of January 22. The State Expert Center of the Health Ministry told Interfax-Ukraine about it. The State Expert Center said that after submitting an application to the Health Ministry, the applicant has 90 days to provide the materials of the registration file to the State Expert Center for examination, which will be carried out within five days, in accordance with the procedure provided for the registration of drugs to counteract the spread of COVID-19. "Thus, if the applicant submits materials of the registration file to the State Expert Center, their examination will be carried out within the time period established by the legislation," the State Expert Center told Interfax-Ukraine. The State Expert Center said that if the applicant fails to provide the registration file within 90 days from the date of submission of the application, it, according to the current legislation, will be automatically canceled. After that, the applicant can re-apply for registration. At the same time, the State Expert Center said that on December 29, 2020, the law of Ukraine on amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine aimed to prevent occurrence and spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) came into force, according to which the examination of any drugs against COVID-19, including vaccines, takes place at the State Expert Center for five days. Over 500 Gartmore Estate workers at Maskeliya in central Sri Lanka remain on strike after walking out on December 28 to defend their jobs and social rights. On Wednesday, the strikers rejected an attempt by the plantation unions to push them back to work. Gartmore workers are demanding a guarantee that their jobs and conditions, including provident fund and gratuity (pensions) payments will be continued by the new owner of the estate. The 290-hectare private estate was previously owned by the Soyza family. Line rooms at Gartmore Estate [Credit: WSWS Media] Workers decided to strike last month independently of the plantation trade unionsthe Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), National Unions of Workers (NUW) and Up Country Peoples Front (UPF)because these organisations are collaborating with management. The CWC is part of the Rajapakse government with the unions general secretary, Jeevan Thondaman, the current state minister of plantation infrastructure. The other plantation unions are associated with the right-wing opposition party, Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB). On December 14, the workers were told by the previous owner that he would pay the gratuity of workers and retirees who had reached 55 to 60 years of age. He also said that the new owner would pay all benefits when workers retired. The strikers did not trust these assurances, and the promised payments have still not been made. Four years ago, workers lost jobs when the Soyza family previously sold part of the estate. Three rounds of recent discussions between the new management, the unions and labour officials have failed because the new owner has categorically rejected workers demands. On January 17, the new owner told workers that they now faced new conditions. Gartmore worker Pushpawathy showing wall crack in line room home [Credit: WSWS Media] Any worker whose productivity had been low for the previous five years, he declared, would not receive the promised gratuity payments and would be registered as a new employee. There are 53 workers in this category. The new management also said that firewood for funeral houses would not be supplied because of the shortage of trees on the estate. Gartemore workers told the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) that the current owner plans to develop tourist facilities on the estate, instead of tea, which would drastically reduce the workforce. Some workers also fear that important personal documents, including birth and death certificates, health and other family papers, currently in the estate office would not be protected under the new management. Perumal said: We need a written guarantee, not to abolish our previous rights. We also face losing jobs in the future. The trade unions tried to discourage us, saying that if we remain on strike, our children will starve and their studies will be disrupted. We regularly pay a subscription to the unions but they do not defend our rights. Instead they are cooperating with management against us. [President Gotabhaya] Rajapakses government promised to increase our daily wage to 1,000 rupees in recent elections. This was just an election promise. R. Wijeluxmy explained the economic and social difficulties workers and their families now faced. We have to educate our children, repair our homes and manage other expenses from our meagre 700-rupee daily wage ($US3.50). Like other workers, I paid 10,000 rupees ($US51) to secure water supplies but we dont get enough water during the dry seasons, she said. The Gartmore Estate workers determined strike is an expression of broader unrest developing in the countrys plantations. COVID-19 infections have been discovered in some estates and workers fear that the deadly virus will rapidly spread through the dangerously overcrowded line-room accommodation on the plantations. A worker outside her line room at Gartmore Estate [Credit: WSWS Media] The pandemic has also drastically pushed up the price of daily essentials, making it difficult for plantation workers to survive on the inadequate 700-rupee daily wage. During the November 2019 presidential elections, Gotabhaya Rajapakse pledged to address workers long-standing demand for a 1,000-rupee daily wage. The promise was repeated again during last Augusts general election and is included this years budget and passed by the parliament last November. In December, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, hoping to deflect the growing anger among workers over their pay rise demand, began discussions with Regional Plantation Companies (RPC) representatives. While de Silva has had several rounds of negotiations with RPC and union representatives, employers have rejected outright the 1,000-rupee daily pay demand. Instead, the RPC has proposed two methods to increase wages. The first proposal is a so-called hybrid wage system in which employees work three days under the current daily wage system and three days on a contract basis, paid 50 rupees per kilo of tea leaves and receive their pension funds. Rubber plantation workers would be paid 125 rupees per kilo of latex. The second proposal is for a 1,105-rupee daily wage. This includes a 700-rupee basic daily wage, 300 rupees for allowances and 105 rupees for pension funds. In other words, both proposals fail to increase estate workers daily wage to 1,000 rupees and each is designed to drive up productivity. Confronted with the opposition of estate workers, the government and the trade unions have disagreed with the RPCs wage proposals. Labour Minister de Silva has said that he will submit a cabinet paper to establish a minimum daily wage through the government wages board. The government and the unions, however, will not do anything that undermines the RPCs profits. On December 5, de Silva told parliament that the wage issue should not be one sided and must protect the plantation industry and the estate companies. On the same day CWC leader Thondaman told the media that the wage issue should not be a reason for killing the industry. The RPCs so-called wage proposals are an attempt to overcome the plantation industry crisis that has deepened by the coronavirus pandemic and the associated fall in exports. Estate workers call for a meagre 1,000-rupee daily minimum wage, which was first made in 2015, is now insufficient. From the outset, the unions have systematically blocked or undermined workers fighting for this modest increase. At the end of 2018, hundreds of thousands of plantations workers held ongoing protests and an 11-day strike. These struggles were betrayed by the unions, with the CWC, which signed a collective agreement limiting workers daily wage to just 700 rupees, playing a major role. In 2018, 1,000 rupees was worth about $US7. This month the same amount is only $US5. Socialist Equality Party (SEP) members in the area have made several interventions into the Gartmore Estate dispute. At a meeting on December 31, leading SEP member M. Thevarajah addressed workers, reviewing the political issues confronting plantation workers. He urged the strikers to break from unions and form their own action committees to organise united action with other plantation workers and take forward the struggle for their demands. M. Thevarajah speaking to Gartmore workers [Credit: WSWS Media] Workers cannot defend their rights without the fight to nationalise the plantations and place them under the democratic control of the workers, Thevarajah said. These tasks, he added, can be only be achieved as a part of the broader struggle for a socialism and uniting with the working class in Sri Lanka and internationally to bring about a workers and peasants government. The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort has partnered with biosafety company R-Zero, incorporating the companys hospital-grade UV-C technology into its disinfection protocols to ensure a safe reopening for guests and staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Alisal has been using R-Zeros flagship product, Arc, to disinfect its 73 guest rooms between check-out and check-in, as well as common spaces in the resort. Though The Alisal is currently closed due to the COVID surge in California, it plans to resume use of Arc upon reopening. Arc is the first hospital-grade, germicidal UV-C system that is both financially and operationally accessible to the mass market. Scientists have known about UV-Cs power to disinfect for decades, but historically, industrial-strength UV-C solutions have been cost-prohibitive for most businesses. Thanks to the work of R-Zeros designers and engineers, Arc retails for a fraction of the price of traditional units and is available via subscription both direct and online. In addition to its affordability and efficacy, The Alisal selected Arc for its efficiency and ease of use. Operating the device requires no formal training the user simply pushes a button and leaves the space for 7 minutes while Arc runs. During that time period, Arc can destroy over 99.99% of pathogens in a standard room. For The Alisal and R-Zeros other customers across the nation, Arc helps supplement chemical disinfection, which is unreliable and doesnt address airborne pathogens. Whats more, Arc distinguishes itself from competitors through its built-in smart device connectivity, which enables businesses to track usage and compliance establishing credibility with staff and patrons alike. Arc has been a game-changer in helping us navigate a safe reopening for guests and staff, says Kathleen Cochran, general manager of The Alisal. Unlike chemical-disinfection, UV-C light is eco-friendly, fast, and kills pathogens in the air. But when I looked into purchasing UV-C units, every option was cost prohibitive until I found R-Zeros Arc. And uniquely, Arc allows us to track usage data, giving us added clarity and peace-of-mind around the disinfection process. Its more important than ever to rebuild trust with patrons and attract new ones. Arc helps us do both. For more on how The Alisal is using Arc, see this video testimony. R-Zeros partnership with The Alisal is just one example of the companys traction in the hospitality industry and beyond. R-Zeros work with Santa Barbara restaurant The Lark has been prominently featured in regional media, and Forbes recently published an article highlighting how R-Zero booked $5 million in sales in 90 days alone. About R-Zero: R-Zero is the first biosafety company dedicated to making all common spaces safer and clinically clean. Founded to help organizations protect what matters most, R-Zeros suite of hospital-grade technologies and science-backed protocols reduces the transmission of pathogens and the diseases they cause from the coronavirus to the common cold. http://www.rzero.com. OnSceneTV A pedestrian was killed early Saturday in a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 69 in Houston's Upper Kirby area, police said. Police responded shortly after 1 a.m. to the southbound lanes of the Southwest Freeway near Kirby Drive, where they found a man struck several times by a vehicle, said Sgt. P. Pham of the Houston Police Department. The man, who has not been identified, died. It was late afternoon and he was pulling up to the window to pay for his order when a black BMW sport utility vehicle pulled up alongside him, and two men with guns got out, one of whom opened the passenger door of the victims car and, gun pointed, ordered the driver to get out. The UK government's chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance warned on Friday the new virus variant discovered in the UK may contribute to a higher chance of mortality but the evidence "was not yet strong". (Image Credit: AP) (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) For the past 10 months, families have sacrificed their once-frequent in-person visits with older relatives to keep them safe. While many have used technology, including video calls and email to keep in touch, the strain of isolation is a growing concern. Three area families share their experiences and how theyve dealt with the pandemic. Visits cut short in frequency and duration Johnston Mitchell and his family in Leland, Michigan, were used to seeing his mother, Clara Mitchell at least six times a year, both parties visiting each other for days on end. Now Clara, 95, who lives in Sugar Springs Recreational Community just outside Gladwin, is lucky if she can see her family a couple times a year for half an hour each. For Christmas, the Leland Mitchells drove three hours to Gladwin to drop off a wreath, card and chocolates outside Claras house. Its not fulfilling, Johnston said. Theres not much connection at all, Clara stated. One of the biggest concerns is the travelling and the potential exposure the Mitchell family might encounter. Johnston recalled one time he was travelling with one of his daughters and stopped at a convenience store where no one was wearing masks and one individual was even smoking inside. How can you take her grandkids over there? Theyre pretty tight with their grandma, but it only takes one slip, Johnston stated. To alleviate the strain of isolation, Johnston and his family call Clara and use FaceTime. The video calls provide Johnston an opportunity to talk about current events and family history face-to-face and has helped his kids deal with the lack of social interaction. Its a lot of storytelling that makes for some good fulfillment, Johnston said. They call me quite often. Theyre quite attentive, Clara said. Its hard to not get together with them. In the meantime, Clara keeps busy by cleaning, doing chores around her house, reading and watching national news. Shell talk with friends over the phone and her neighbors have stopped by a couple of times to visit outside. Other than going out to pick up groceries and medicine, Clara remains at home with her daughter. (Mom) keeps going, Johnston said. Shes got to keep her wits about her and it helps her survive. Johnston is looking forward to the day when restrictions are lifted and its safe once more to visit and even travel abroad. Once he, his family and Clara can reunite in person, he hopes to renew interpersonal contact by sitting in the backyard with his mom, talking around the fire and watching his children cooking and baking with their grandma. With President Joe Bidens inauguration on Wednesday, Johnston is hopeful the vaccine will become more readily available and life can return to a semblance of normal in the coming months. Keep the hope. Things are going to change fast, Johnston said. Technology provides method to check in Technology is a lifesaver for Kathy Kinkema of Sanford. The hardest aspect of the pandemic is not being able to physically check in with her mom, Lois Nichols, 93, who lives in an assisted living facility in St. Johns, Michigan. Between Kinkema and her siblings, Nichols had visitors at least once a week before March, and Kinkema would call often. The visits allowed Kinkema and her family a sense of comfort as they were able to make sure Nichols was exercising and interacting well. Now Nichols facility has been locked down since March, each resident quarantined in their own units, even for meals. Without communal activities, connection with friends and exercise apart from walking around their units Kinkema is worried about her mom. The family was able to visit Nichols for her birthday, congregating outside on the lawn last summer. It was the first time that Nichols had felt the wind and enjoyed sticking her hand and face out her window. Shes been a real trooper. Im impressed about how shes handled this, Kinkema said. The residents were also able to schedule a video chat once a week with loved ones, but Nichols family decided to arrange their own video time, and in the summer purchased a GrandPad a tablet specifically designed for seniors. It has proved to be a godsend for both Kinkema and Nichols. Kinkema enjoys playing music and doing morning yoga stretches with her mom. Nichols children and grandchildren take turns having virtual breakfasts. Together, they have been able to bring joy back into each others lives. A lot of whats been lost are the activities, Kinkema said. Visually, we can see her and she can see us. That has made a big difference. Kinkema appreciates the situation and respects the staff at her moms facility for keeping the residents as safe as possible and containing any outbreaks. She encourages others to wear masks to protect nursing home staff and assisted living facility workers. The staff have been under an incredibly stressful situation. I believe they have done an amazing job protecting (residents), Kinkema stated. Losing a loved one Laura Atton of Midland used to see and speak to her grandmother, Mary Wilkins every day before the pandemic at Primrose Retirement Community. Attons frequent visits were cut short when COVID-19 came to Michigan in March. At first, no visitors were allowed in the building, but Atton would linger outside and call Wilkins on the phone so they could still visit face-to-face. I would still stop by there. Her window was right by the entrance on the second floor. She would sit by her window and wave to people, Atton said. Primrose provided the opportunity for outdoor visits in August, but Atton explained Wilkins was not a fan of them, as it was hard for her to hear and understand her loved ones through the masks they wore. In November, Wilkins fell and broke her femur, which required surgery and some rehab, and so was temporarily transferred to Brittany Manor. Although Atton didnt like to have her grandmother in the hospital, she was grateful for the chance to visit her face to face. I could still make her laugh, Atton said. Wilkins was quarantined for two weeks upon her arrival at Brittany Manor and was tested for COVID-19. On Friday, Nov. 27, the test came back positive. Atton explained that although Wilkins had been on oxygen since her surgery, she hadnt shown any of the virus regular symptoms. After a second test confirmed Wilkins positivity, Brittany Manor sent her to the closest available Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Designated Care and Recovery Center in Detroit. Atton asked why she couldnt go to the regional hub in Frankenmuth and was informed that all its beds were occupied. After spending a couple weeks in Detroit, Wilkins returned to Britany Manor in mid-December. She was so worn out, Atton said. Initially, the plan was to return Wilkins to Primrose on Monday, Dec. 21, but she became so sick over the weekend that she was admitted to MidMichigan Medical Center - Midland instead. The doctors diagnosed her with pneumonia and said she was still positive for COVID-19. They did all they could, but the treatments didnt work and Atton was left to decide whether to put her grandmother on a feeding tube. She visited Wilkins once more in the hospital, dressed from head to toe in medical grade personal protection equipment. She had said Let me die. It was sad to hear, but she didnt want it to be prolonged, Atton stated. Wilkins died Dec. 26 at the age of 98. Looking back, Atton regrets how the last 10 months unfolded, even though it was out of her control. She understands that the staff at Britany Manor and the doctors did all they could to help Wilkins, but feels that isolating seniors in nursing homes and assisted living is inhumane treatment, even if it is in the name of safety. Its frustrating when you have loved ones and you cant see them. The staff is coming and going, but you cant go in, Atton said. She was alone so much. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 22:56:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MUSCAT, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Oman recorded a 14 percent increase in the number of small and medium-sized enterprises in 2020, said the official Oman News Agency on Saturday. "SMEs registered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority during 2020 increased by 14 percent, to reach 48,669 by the end of December 2020, compared to 42,698 by the end of December 2019," the sultanate's National Center of Statistics and Information (NCSI) was quoted as saying. Oman is intensively working on reducing its dependency on hydrocarbons and looking for adequate economic diversification, aimed to create rapid growth in the economy, said the report. Enditem By John A. Tures Often in the world of Star Trek, a captain would call for a Full Stop after going War Speed. That seems to be whats happening in America, as Operation Warp Speed has been an end-of-the-year disaster while vaccine distribution has been woefully lagging, a fact that has generated bipartisan concern. Whats worse is that it didnt have to be this way for the USA. Supporters of Trump were quick to give credit to Operation Warp Speed. Michael Goodwin in the NY Post wrote This was a triumph of the first order made possible by the sheer force of his personality. But Pfizers vaccine development wasnt part of Operation Warp Speed. While other pharmaceutical companies did take federal funds to develop a vaccine, Pfizer declined to do so, the only one of the major prospective developers to go it alone, according to Yahoo News. This was confirmed by the companys vice-president in that same article. Yes, Operation Warp Speed did purchase the Pfizer vaccine, but that was botched too. MSN notes But this summer, the White House opted not to lock in an additional 100 million doses for delivery in the second quarter of 2021. Whether they didnt know it would take two doses, or whether they didnt know that Americans might need those doses to be safe in the 2nd Quarter of 2021, and that we needed economic recovery too, it was clear incompetence. But its unlikely, at the current pace of vaccine distribution, that well even see the vaccine by the spring of 2021, or even by the end of the decade at this rate. According to CNBC at the current rate of distribution, it will take 10 years for even an adequate number of Americans to get the vaccine. Our lives, our health, and our economy cant wait a decade. Some of this could have been avoided by Trump and the Senate Republicans, but stalling the COVID-19 aid to state and local governments, where the real distribution takes place, was yet another error. We really needed vaccine stimulation, not stimulus checks, to really get the economy going. With anti-maskers, anti-vaxxers, and those threatening rebellion, such disruptions could take longer. But instead, we got an avalanche of frivolous lawsuits, and threats to try and undermine the 2020 election on the floor of the House and Senate, at a time when cases and death rates are skyrocketing, and a new strain may have come to Americas shores. Not all Republicans are tolerating this ineffectiveness. Utah Senator Mitt Romney tweeted The vaccination program is falling woefully behind. With hundreds of thousands of lives at stake, urgent action is needed on a comprehensive vaccination plan that states can use as a model. President Joe Biden promised to accelerate the vaccine distribution. While hes more likely to focus on the issue than Trump, he could fall into a lot of the same traps. Years ago, I met Russ Sobel and Pete Leeson at some free-market economics conferences, where I learned that their research broke down the failures of FEMA during Hurricane Katrina, a combination of exclusive government control, playing politics, and restrictions on the private sector. Indeed, one of the reasons Pfizer did not develop the vaccine with Operation Warp Speed dealt with this same issues. According to Newsweek, Pfizer declined the R&D funding in order to liberate scientists from bureaucratic limitations as they worked to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, the pharmaceutical companys CEO, Dr. Albert Bourla, said in a September interview with CBS. President Biden needs to learn from former President Trumps failures, and not assume his plan will work because hes a different guy. John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. He can be reached at jtures@lagrange.edu. His Twitter account is JohnTures2. MOSCOW - The Kremlin announced Friday that it welcomes the proposal of the United States concerning the extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), adding that everything will depend on the details of the proposal. "Russia stands in favor of the preservation of the New START and for the extension of this treaty, where a time lag could be used for conducting appropriate negotiations," the TASS news agency reported, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. It is significant to take each other's concerns into consideration, Peskov said. When commenting on whether Moscow received a formal proposal from Washington on the extension of the treaty, Peskov noted that there are currently no details on this. He reiterated that Russia has yet to find out what the United States will propose, adding that Russia's position "is well-known and consistent." Citing US officials, multiple media outlets reported that the Joe Biden administration would seek a full five-year extension of the New START, which will expire on Feb 5. In 2010, Washington and Moscow signed the New START, which stipulates limits to the numbers of deployed nuclear warheads and strategic delivery systems by both. The New START, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty in force between the two nuclear superpowers, can be extended by a maximum of five years with the consent of the two countries. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Heres a look at the top criminal-justice-related headlines across the borough this week. Shocking video captures moments leading to brazen Stapleton studio slaying Friends and acquaintances of 23-year-old Jahade Chancey mourned his death Sunday on social media; some referencing Chancey as being the third young man from the Stapleton killed in recent months. (Facebook) Dramatic Ring doorbell surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to a fatal recording studio shooting in Stapleton Saturday night where two suspects one armed with an assault rifle shot and killed a 23-year-old man. Two men can be seen in a longer version of the video released by police Sunday night walking across Van Duzer Street toward the studio at around 7:48 p.m. before one man, who appears to have multiple face tattoos, rings the doorbell of the establishment. According to an initial written statement from the NYPD, a male perpetrator entered Demonlow Studios the space features a lobby area, and a second door into the actual studio and opened fire with an assault rifle. Investigators said they also are searching for a second male suspect. Police have since identified the victim as Jahade Chancey, 23, of Warren Street in Stapleton. Click here for more details Two arrested in an early morning police raid with guns and drugs A gun and Meth were allegedly found by police in an apartment on Van Tuyl Street in West Brighton on Jan. 21, 2021. (Courtesy of Google) Police arrested two men who allegedly were caught with a gun and drugs during an early morning raid of their New Brighton apartment. Alberto Reyes, 29, and Victor Guadalupe, 28, were taken into custody after police executed a search warrant at their home on Van Tuyl Street at around 6 a.m. Thursday, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Officers allegedly found 118 pills of methamphetamine inside two twist bags in a bedroom, according to the criminal complaint. A defaced, loaded .25-caliber Jennings semi-automatic handgun with five bullets in its magazine allegedly was recovered in a different bedroom, according to the criminal complaint. Click here for more details Man accused of stabbing dad, 84, found mentally incapable again Police investigate a stabbing at a Midland Beach home on April 13, 2017. Pavel Geller was accused of attacking his father. A man accused of stabbing his 84-year-old father inside his parents Midland Beach home four years ago has again been found mentally unfit for trial. Pavel Geller, who faces attempted murder, assault, and other charges stemming from the bloody April 13, 2017, incident was ordered placed in a secure psychiatric facility for treatment and periodic evaluation. According to a criminal complaint, Geller, then 33, stabbed his dad multiple times in the chest, arms, and neck with a knife at about 8:30 p.m. Click here for more details. A Brooklyn resident was found in possession of a trove of firearms while driving through Staten Island The New York State Police arrested Jose Tirado, 40, after he was found to be in possession of multiple firearms and ammunition. (New York State Police photo) A Brooklyn man driving through Staten Island was found to be in possession of a trove of firearms, authorities allege, after New York State Police conducted an investigation at a gun show in Pennsylvania. Jose Tirado, 40, was found to be in possession of a 9mm pistol and loaded 9mm magazine inside the cab of the vehicle on Jan. 17, according to a criminal complaint, along with a 12-gauge shotgun, a .223 caliber rifle, three loaded 30-round magazines and three loaded 9mm magazines found in a gun case in the trunk. Tirado said that his license was bad and that it was suspended. A subsequent investigation by New York State Police found Tirados license was suspended or revoked 23 times. Tirado, who was driving a 2011 Ford Expedition, had his 5-year-old and 17-year-old daughters in the car, authorities said. Click here for more story details. Man accused of raping an underage girl declared unfit for trial Zosayaz-Arellano is also accused of misdemeanor counts of sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, and endangering a childs welfare.(Staten Island Advance/Maura Grunlund) A Port Richmond man, charged with rape for allegedly subjecting an underage girl to sexual intercourse on at least three occasions, has been found mentally unfit for trial. Franco Zosayaz-Arellano, 47, doesnt understand the charges against him and cant aid in his defense, a recent psychiatric exam determined. The girl was under age 14 when Zosayaz-Arellano first sexually abused her, the indictment said. Zosayaz-Arellano is also accused of misdemeanor counts of sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, and endangering a childs welfare. Click here for more details. NYPD: Man, 86, dies from injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Stapleton An 86-year-old man who was struck by a vehicle while crossing a Stapleton intersection about one week ago has died from injuries sustained in the crash, police said Tuesday. (Staten Island Advance/Steve Zaffarano)Staten Island Advance An 86-year-old man who was struck by a vehicle while crossing a Stapleton intersection about one week ago has died from injuries sustained in the crash, police said Tuesday. Seung Choi, a resident of New Lane in Rosebank, was struck while crossing at the intersection of North Bay Street and Canal Street on Jan. 13, 2021, at 12:22 p.m., according to the NYPDs preliminary investigation into the incident. When officers arrived, they found Choi had suffered head trauma from the crash, said a written statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Click here for more details Woman, 28, arrested in drug sting; allegedly sold cocaine at locations across S.I. A Mariners Harbor woman sold cocaine to an undercover officer three times at various locations around Staten Island, authorities allege. Tamaya Thomas, 28, exchanged drugs for cash in October and November in the vicinity of South Avenue in Bloomfield, on a seemingly quiet residential street in Rossville, and also near her home on Holland Avenue, according to the criminal complaint, which was based on a Narcotics Borough Staten Island investigation. The suspect has been charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Click here for more details I saw a car by my crib and I took it: New Dorp theft suspects alleged admission A 30-year-old man stole a car around the corner from his New Dorp home that the owner was warming up, authorities allege. I saw the car by my crib and I took it, the criminal complaint quoted suspect Evgeny Barsukov of Cranford Court as saying to police. Thats me in the photo. Minutes after the owner started the 2011 gray Kia Sorrento on Wednesday at around 8 a.m., he looked outside and saw that the vehicle was gone. Barsukov drove away in the Sorrento, which was parked on Cranford Avenue just a few blocks from his home, according to the criminal complaint and police. Click here for more details. Washington: A bipartisan bill seeking to revoke Pakistans status as major non-NATO ally (MNNA) to the US has been introduced in the House of Representatives by two top lawmakers, claiming the country failed to effectively fight terrorism. Introduced by Republican Congressman Ted Poe and Democratic lawmaker Rick Nolan, the legislation calls for revoking MNNA status of Pakistan, which was granted to it in 2004 by the then president, George Bush, in an effort to get the country to help the US fight al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Pakistan must be held accountable for the American blood on its hands, said Poe, who is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and serves as chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Non-proliferation and Trade. ALSO READ: Modi-Trump meeting: H-1B, defence partnership to be India's priority For years, Pakistan has acted as a Benedict Arnold ally of the United States. From harbouring Osama bin laden to backing the Taliban, Pakistan has stubbornly refused to go after, in any meaningful way, terrorists that actively seek to harm opposing ideologies, he said. Benedict Arnold is a byword in the US for treason or betrayal. Benedict Arnold was a general during the American Revolutionary War who originally fought for the American Continental Army but defected to the British Army. We must make a clean break with Pakistan, but at the very least, we should stop providing them the eligibility to obtain our own sophisticated weaponry in an expedited process granting them a privileged status reserved for our closest allies, Poe said. Under MNNA, a country is eligible for priority delivery of defence materials, an expedited arms sale process and a US loan guarantee programme, which backs up loans issued by private banks to finance arms exports. It can also stockpile US military hardware, participate in defence research and development programmes and be sold more sophisticated weaponry. Last August, the then Secretary of Defence, Ash Carter, withheld USD 300 million in military reimbursements because he could not certify that Pakistan was taking adequate action against the Haqqani network, as required by the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA). Time and time again, Pakistan has taken advantage of Americas goodwill and demonstrated that they are no friend and ally of the United States, Nolan said. The fact is, the billions of dollars we have sent to Pakistan over the last 15 years has done nothing to effectively fight terrorism and make us safer. It is time to wake up to the fact that Pakistan has ties to the same terrorist organisations which they claim to be fighting, he said. The legislation will protect American taxpayer dollars and make the US and the world safer, Nolan said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The Covid-19 vaccine has finally arrived on our shores and people across the county are lining up to take it, to protect themselves from a virus which has changed each and every one of our lives. But while we wait our turn, wait for the jabs which will provide immunity from that dreaded illness, a fresh debate has arisen: namely, which vaccine should we take? There are currently two vaccinations available in Ireland, those made by Pfizer and Moderna, and they will soon be joined by the AstraZeneca (Oxford) vaccination - pending approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). And what makes this is interesting is that the AstraZeneca vaccine has, to date, been found to produce no allergic reactions. Padraig Murphy is a pharmacist at Haven Pharmacy Murphys, and he explains how the AstraZeneca vaccine could lead to more people being vaccinated both here and across the country at a rate unlike that which we've seen so far. 'The AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine has been found to produce no reaction. In terms of the Pfizer vaccine the only data we have seen is that eight people out of 1.5 million had a reaction, which is less than one in 100,000,' Padraig explains. 'But even though the probability of a reaction is low this means that every vaccinator (of the Pfizer vaccine) will have to monitor the recipient for 15 minutes afterwards. 'This potentially creates a large inconvenience when it's rolled out in the community, especially in terms of Covid-19 regulations and social distancing.' Yet when the AstraZeneca vaccine arrives in Ireland that wait time will potentially be eliminated. 'This is why the AstraZeneca vaccine could have a huge advantage as you will be able to leave immediately afterwards,' Padraig says. 'And it could be available here by the end of this month, it's just waiting to be approved. We would have large numbers of it in Ireland as we have orders placed already.' Despite the minor differences in terms of side-effects, Padraig is keen to stress that each vaccine essentially does the same job and no-one should be worried about taking one over the other. 'I can see the AstraZeneca being the one most of us get but in no way should anyone wait for that one to come around, I would emphasise that I would have no particular preference for one over the other,' he says. 'In terms of the three main vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca, they all work in the same way, they release what you might liken to a post-it note which gets inside a cell in your body, it adheres to the cell and causes you to produce a harmless protein which has been identified as a target of the virus. 'Our immune systems recognise that the protein doesn't belong there and build an immune response. At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection.' But what of the speed in which the vaccine is currently being rolled out, should more people have received their vaccines by this point? 'We should ensure we have a system in place to facilitate an expeditious rollout of the vaccine,' Padraig says. 'I would have liked to have seen a faster rollout but it is accelerating now that we have a more reliable supply. 'Denmark has 2 per cent of its population vaccinated and one of the main reasons for that is the robust personal identification number system they employ. It allows them to easily identify priority groups and notify them.' Staff at Haven Pharmacy Murphys have yet to receive their jabs, but Padraig says they are down as being in phase two because they are 'offering our services as vaccinators'. And he believes the list of priority groups compiled by the Government has been well-thought out. 'There's been a lot of thought put into that, the aim of the vaccine is to save lives and every bit of evidence surrounding this virus says it's best to protect the most vulnerable and the frontline workers who treat them. We have no current date on when staff will receive it here, but we're down as being in phase two.' Equally as important as ensuring staff are vaccinated, is the welfare of the pharmacy's customers, and Padraig says they are all looking forward to being able to provide those vital jabs when the time comes. 'We've been getting a lot of queries here, the majority of them positive, some people asking if they can be put on a list. But we can't make a list, the hope is the HSE inform people when they can receive it and when it's their turn we can facilitate it for them.' Professor Cliona O'Farrelly, who is an immunologist at Trinity College Dublin, says that, unlike some, she would be 'loath' to criticise the speed in which the vaccine is being rolled out. 'When you see how hard people are working to get this done it's very difficult to be critical,' she said. 'And, of course, this is impacting on other healthcare services, patients are more afraid of Covid than they are cancer, they're not going into the hospitals, putting surgeries back, it's really hard.' 'But in my experience people are overjoyed to receive the vaccine, I know someone in a nursing home who said there was a sense of celebration when the vaccine arrived, imagine that? The realisation that they were all going to be protected from this terrible illness was a cause for celebration.' The Professor reiterates Padraig's position on the different vaccines, urging patients to 'take whichever one becomes available'. But, referencing the Danish model, she says she would like to see a more fluid system introduced in the healthcare system to help alleviate this crisis. 'I would like to see a system introduced like that in Denmark, where you get pinged when it's your turn to be vaccinated,' she says. 'Our systems are so behind here, if a person is going to hospital they have to give their details each time they go to a different one.' A colleague of both Padraig's and Cliona's, and a fellow member of the Wexford Science Cafe (WSC), believes the time is right to 'think outside the box' when it comes to allaying the concerns of those hesitant about receiving the vaccine. Andrew Lloyd (66) is a former Senior Scientist in Comparative Immunology at St Vincent's University Hospital and he would like to see younger generations encouraged to take the vaccine by their peers. 'The people in my demographic would look up to someone entirely different from those my daughter would. She's not going to be influenced by the pop stars of my youth,' Andrew says. When asked about the possibility of paying social media influencers to promote the vaccine he is unequivocal in his response. 'What would be wrong with that? If we're bringing five million vaccines into the country, which have sell-by dates by the way, and a percentage of people choose not to take them up, what do we do? 'It's not a police state, we can't force them to take the vaccine. Maybe thinking outside the box is a good thing, let's pay the Instagram influencers 100,000 to promote it, and if that guarantees a rise in take-up from 40-80 per cent then that's a win. That's a tiny amount of money compared to what a TD earns in a year.' Andrew echoes the belief that those in a position to do so should take whichever vaccine is made available to them. 'There's people in England who have refused to take the Pfizer vaccine (made in Germany) because it's foreign,' he says. 'But I don't think the general public are in position to opt for one vaccine over the other, there's isn't enough data to have a solid opinion on any of them yet. 'If you think you should get the vaccine, whether that's because you're on the frontline, or doing so will give you a better quality of life, then you should do so.' However, Andrew admits that he wasn't always so enthusiastic about vaccines. 'We started a family quite young and then waited 18 years to have our two daughters, and during that time my own attitude to vaccines changed,' he explains. 'I'm trained in science but decided that my son shouldn't get the MMR vaccine; he ended up contracting measles. A few years later we went to the States and when we visited the doctor he was appalled my son had contracted measles, he thought we were like people from the Third World. Reflecting on his own change of view, Andrew says that public perception is everything when it comes to vaccinations. 'What happens is the negatives get emphasised, that's what happened with the MMR and autism for example, yet it rapidly turned out that the person behind that study had been fiddling the data. 'That study got a high profile, but the retraction didn't get nearly as much coverage.' Brian Trench is also a member of the WSC - which meets on the third Tuesday of every month - and he is part of the third cohort (people aged 70 or over) set to receive the vaccine. A science communication researcher and founder of the Masters in Science Communication course at Dublin City University (DCU), Brian is patiently awaiting the call which will confirm he is to be vaccinated. 'I am happy to wait my turn, I hope and expect to be contacted when a vaccine is available,' he says. 'I would be in the third cohort of people set to receive it. 'There seems to be a bit of panic about this, but that's to be expected when the supply isn't predictable. But I'd be inclined to give the Government some leeway, a lot of complaints that we're hearing now will hopefully be forgotten about when everyone is vaccinated.' 'I heard someone on the radio saying the communication of the vaccine roll-out hasn't been well-handled, this is true to an extent but I don't see it as being a major failure. 'It's very difficult to develop a completely new programme in such a short space of time.' As we cautiously begin to look to the future, Brian says the cost of the pandemic, in a financial sense, will eventually hit the nation hard. 'Clearly the cost of managing a pandemic is absolutely massive, and it's interesting that question hasn't been asked too much,' he says. 'People have accepted this high level of state spending, it's almost been a case of "we'll worry about the sums later". But the financial impact will be massive.' Moscow: Police detained over 1,000 people across Russia on Saturday and used force to break up rallies around the country as tens of thousands of protesters demanded the release of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, whose wife was among those detained. Navalny had called on his supporters to protest after being arrested last weekend as he returned to Russia from Germany for the first time since being poisoned with a nerve agent he says was applied to his underpants by state security agents in August. Police detain a man during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Credit: The authorities had warned people to stay away from Saturdays protests, saying they risked catching COVID-19 as well as prosecution and possible jail time for attending an unauthorised event. But protesters defied the ban and bitter cold, and turned out in force. According to a new report from China, Samsung's semiconductor manufacturing arm is looking to invest around $10 billion in a fab in Texas, which would presumably churn out 3nm chips. This would be its most advanced chip making plant globally, and the location is meant to help Samsung reach more US customers in its battle with Taiwanese chip making giant TSMC. Samsung's plans are apparently just preliminary at this point, with the goal being to start construction this year, then install the major equipment from 2022 onwards. As for the debut of operations, that's scheduled for 2023. We'll have to wait and see if this pans out. Source (in Chinese) | Via .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal The Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center began calling military veterans on Friday with a recorded message that the facility is now taking appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations. The announcement of the opportunity for veterans with health problems capped a week in which nearly 54,000 doses of the vaccine had been administered in New Mexico. But not everyone who expected to get a vaccination ended up doing so, and several hundred who could have been vaccinated at the University of New Mexico Pit arena skipped their appointments, the state Department of Health said. State health officials reiterated on Friday the eight categories of groups currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine after school officials in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque learned their scheduled vaccination events for this weekend had been canceled. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The state Department of Health on Friday said a DOH employee had mistakenly approved the events and a miscommunication occurred. At the same time, the state Department of Health reminded the public that the groups currently eligible under the states phased vaccination plan are: hospital personnel, long-term care facility residents and staff, medical first responders, congregate setting workers, those involved in direct medical care or other in-person services, home-based health care and hospice workers, people 75 and older, and those age 16 and older who are at risk of COVID-19 complications because of an underlying health condition. No other groups are eligible at this time, the news release stated. The DOH said about 100 people with appointments for vaccines at the newly opened Pit arena clinic failed to show up on Wednesday and the same number were no-shows on Thursday. But clinic staff was able to keep from wasting doses of the vaccine by quickly contacting others who had already been identified for potential appointments and vaccinating them. Doses are stored at very low temperatures and must be used within 6 hours of being thawed and diluted for vaccination. They cannot be refrozen. Meanwhile, on Friday, the state continued to see a drop in new cases of COVID-19, although the high number of virus-related deaths experienced in recent days hasnt abated. The state on Friday reported 921 new COVID-19 cases, with 33 additional deaths. The total number of COVID-19 deaths to date in New Mexico is 3,077. Of that number, 600 died in the first 22 days of January alone. Veterans with health problems who are interested in getting vaccinated are instructed to call 505-265-1711, ext. 3915 or 3916 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meanwhile, nearly a half million New Mexicans have registered with the state to receive a vaccine and 185,923 doses have been administered so far. The DOH on Friday reported 212,600 doses have been received by the state to date. State health officials continued to urge people, whether or not they are in the current priority groups, to register on the vaccine website. New Mexico is one of the only states in the country with a COVID-19 vaccine registration portal for the public to get an appointment for the vaccine, state officials said. You can register at vacccinenm.org. The idea is to streamline the process of getting people vaccinated so they dont have to shop around for a pharmacy or clinic with openings and make their own appointments. But about 20% of New Mexico providers signed on to administer the vaccines without getting their patients through the website. They may end up bypassing the state portal and allow patients to set their own appointments directly rather than having to go through the state website. The names of those clinics and pharmacies can be found as blue dots on a New Mexico map that appears on the states COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard at cvvaccine.nmhealth.org. No addresses or contact information is listed. However, a random check Friday by the Journal couldnt find a single blue site currently offering vaccines. Several advised going through the state website. One Santa Fe doctors office listed on the website said they were trying to get off the site. So Young: Dinh Dinh Binh was just 15 years old when he perished alongside 38 others On October 22, 2019, they were huddled in a sweltering, pitch black container as it waited at the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, lured there by the promise of a better life. They had travelled from Vietnam. Their lives would travel no further. Early next morning they arrived in the UK, never knowing they made it, their final destination the morgue at a Chelmsford hospital What followed was a tale of greed, cash and frantic text messages never sent. Those held to account will, eventually, have a chance to pick up the pieces of their lives. Thousands of miles away, bereaved families will try to pick up the pieces of theirs. One piece will always be missing. While those responsible have paid a price, the price paid by the families is much heavier, and the price paid by those who died "excruciatingly painful" deaths was the ultimate price of all. The lorry had the message "The Ultimate Dream" emblazoned across the windscreen. Nothing could have be further from the truth. Dinh Dinh Binh, just 15, had excitedly called his family to say he was going to England. He travelled with another 15-year-old, Nguyen Huy Hung, who planned to live with his parents after training as a hairdresser in Vietnam. Nguyen Van Hiep (24) had made five failed attempts to reach the UK. His father paid 10,000 for his latest bid. There are 36 further stories of hopes and dreams, not one with a happy ending. What went through those minds in the last desperate hours is best not thought about, but it is important the names are remembered. Karan Veer Mehra, who became popular with the show Pavitra Rishta is all set to tie the knot with Nidhi Seth tomorrow (January 24, 2021). The actor's wedding functions have already begun. The couple's mehendi ceremony was held yesterday January 22, and they looked adorable together. At the mehendi ceremony, the groom-to-be looked dapper in an off-white sherwani while Nidhi looked simple yet beautiful in a yellow chikankari suit. The Pavitra Rishta actor shared pictures on his Instagram account and captioned it as, "The begin of all beginnings, Mehndi with my @nidhivseth. Thank you @alayabystage3 for dressing me up in style ." Nidhi also shared a picture and wrote, " @karanveermehra." The couple's friends from the industry- Karan Tacker, Sehban Azim, Gautam Rode, Pooja Gor, Nisha Rawal, Poppy Jabbal, Donal Bisht, Karanvir Sharma and others congratulated the couple by commenting on their posts. The couple also shared a few pictures and videos on the Instagram videos in which they were seen having a blast at the ceremony. They were seen posing for cameras and dancing their heart out at their special day. About the wedding the actor said that it will be an intimate affair in a gurudwara, in his hometown Delhi, followed by dinner with close friends. In an interview with a leading daily, Karan Veer had revealed that they have invited only 30 guests, but plan to hold a reception in Mumbai for their friends, who won't be able to attend the wedding in Delhi. Also Read: Pavitra Rishta Fame Karan Veer Mehra Is All Set To Tie The Knot With Nidhi V Seth On January 24 Also Read: Disha Parmar Gives Befitting Reply To A Troll For Slamming Her Over BF Rahul Vaidya's Actions In Bigg Boss 14 The Prince William Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. It is going to be a daunting task for the government and the finance minister is expected to take some crucial steps to kickstart the economy and bring the demand back to the pre-COVID-19 levels. The pandemic has thrown many traditional fiscal management measures to the wind and challenged the regulators to the hilt. Never has there been more anticipation for the Union Budget as this year. It is going to be a daunting task for the government and the finance minister is expected to take some crucial steps to kickstart the economy and bring the demand back to the pre- COVID-19 levels. We have seen a series of measures to ease the burden on people and industry since the start of the pandemic. Now there is a better perspective on how we have fared, where we are heading and that should give the finance minister better manoeuvring capabilities to consolidate all the measures announced till now and go in for some big bang reforms. As India looks to recover from the devastating COVID-19 blow, the financial sector, the backbone of the economy that holds it all together, should get special attention. Here are some of the key suggestions which Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman could consider for giving a much-needed boost to the financial sector: Banking, NBFC sectors brace for delinquencies Under the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, the banking and Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) sectors are bracing for increased delinquencies resulting in cash flow problems and hit in profitability, potentially leading to significant increase in the provisions for bad and doubtful debt and actual bad debts. Considering the outlook, one-time accelerated deduction on account of provision for doubtful debts for banks and NBFCs would be a much-required relief. NBFCs have also requested that interest income on doubtful assets be made taxable only in the year of receipt and not on time basis as per IND-AS accounting system. Taxes deducted at source (TDS) on interest earned by banks are not applicable under section 194A. Tax on the income earned by such banking units is paid in the form of advance-tax, ensuring no revenue loss to the government. As the nature of lending business for banking units and NBFCs are almost similar, such TDS exemption should be made applicable to NBFCs as well, by notifying them under the recently introduced provisions of section 194A(5) of the Act. This will help NBFCs to manage the liquidity crisis in the current times. Banks and NBFCs have also been demanding relaxation from the applicability of tax collected at source (TCS) and the equalisation levy norms introduced in the last Budget. Another immediate change the NBFC sector has been asking is the exemption from the thin capitalisation norms. The cap on the interest expenses in such cases is harsh and not conducive for a better investment environment climate in India and is counter-productive to the excellent initiatives of the government in the form of Make in India, Start-up India and Financial Inclusion agenda. Since the thin capitalisation norms were introduced, the sector has been asking for it to be on par with banks and considering the overall economic situation. IFSC deserves special attention and care and IFSC being the first financial services centre deserves special attention and nurturing. While a unit in IFSC has rightly been given various tax relaxations, there is apprehension among the investors that General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR) provisions might be applicable and therefore to address such issues, it is suggested that the government should come out with some objective guidelines for substance requirement which if satisfied by the unit in IFSC, GAAR shall not be invoked. Banks incorporated in IFSC are allowed to obtain Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) license for making an investment into the domestic stock market. Further, being an FPI, the income earned by such banks shall be governed by the provisions of Section 115AD (tax regime for FPI). However, in order to encourage banks to set up in IFSC and to make it simpler for them to operate, the entire income of the banking unit, including income from FPI activity should be considered to be eligible for deduction under section 80LA. Similarly, aircraft leasing has been notified as a financial service for IFSC. In order to compete with mature global markets and given an impetus to grow it, a light touch tax and the regulatory regime should be put in place. Rollback tax on LTCG The Indian markets have been a favourite of the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) for a long time given the opportunity for good returns. However, one long-standing demand of the FPIs has been that tax on Long Term Capital Gain (LTCG) should be rolled back. In the current scenario, India needs even more investment, and this would be the welcome move to repose the trust in investors. Alternatively, the levy of STT should be abolished. The government should consider providing relaxation to the FPIs which are subjected to discriminative withholding taxes at 20 percent (plus applicable surcharge and cess) on the dividend income received from Indian companies. The FPIs may claim the lower rate of tax prescribed under the tax treaty, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions, at the time of filing the tax return in India. However, this leads to an increased compliance burden for the FPIs and the government should consider providing relaxation in this regard and allow companies to consider the beneficial treaty provisions while withholding taxes for FPIs. It will be interesting to see how many of these changes come through on 1 February 2021, and whether the changes proposed in the upcoming Budget will really put the financial sector back on track under the unprecedented COVID-19 status quo. The writer is Partner and Head, Financial Services Tax, KPMG in India. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. She and her fiance Charlie McDowell adopted their rescue dog Redford in late 2019. And Lily Collins was spotted on Friday as she and the cute pooch went out for a walk in Los Angeles. The 31-year-old actress kept her look casual but comfortable with a thick grayblue shirt jacket that she left unbuttoned. Blue mood: Lily Collins, 31, looked cozy in a thick grayblue shirt jacket as she took her dog Redford for a stroll in Los Angeles on Friday Lily's relaxed top featured thick tortoiseshell buttons that she left undone and prominent breast pockets. She stayed on theme with a blue top underneath and distressed jeans that were blown out at the knees. The Okja actress lightened up her look with a set of brilliant white Lacoste sneakers, and she accessorized with a slim black Yves Saint Laurent handbag. Her brunette locks fluttered about in the wind and framed her brown sunglasses. Low key: She stayed on theme with a blue top underneath and distressed jeans that were blown out at the knees Safety first: Lily practiced proper coronavirus safety measures by wearing a pale blue surgical mask and keeping her distance from others Lily practiced proper coronavirus safety measures by wearing a pale blue surgical mask and keeping her distance from others. The actress' engagement ring was just barely visible on her hand, even as she wrapped Redford's leash around it. Her filmmaker fiance Charlie McDowell, 37, collaborated with jewelry maker Irene Neuwirth to design the rose-cut diamond ring, which Lily revealed last year during a virtual appearance on Live With Kelly And Ryan. Charlie is the son of actors Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen and the director of the acclaimed science fiction film The One I Love. His sophomore feature, The Discovery, featured Robert Redford, who likely inspired their dog's name. He put a ring on it! The rose-cut diamond engagement ring that her fiancee Charlie McDowell designed for her was visible on her finger. She got engaged to the director in September Sparkler:'I was very surprised by it, but it's exactly what I would've wanted and he knew me so well, obviously,' she said on Live With Kelly And Ryan The two Hollywood offspring announced their engagement back in September. 'I was very surprised by it, but it's exactly what I would've wanted and he knew me so well, obviously,' she said on Live With Kelly And Ryan. She also admitted she knew they were destined for each other 'the second' she met Charlie. 'I can't believe I get to call myself a fiancee now. I was very surprised as to when and where it would happen. But it was kind of one of those situations where I knew the second that I met him, that I wanted to be his wife one day', she said. Fashionista: Lily was clearing in a casual mood for her walk with Redford, but she couldn't help but show off her fashion bonafides on Instagram with a Prada ensemble Stunner: The daughter of Phil Collins showed off an eye-catching Prada ensemble featuring a red, black and white patterned sleeveless top with a black tasseled skirt decorated with jeweled snowflakes Lily was clearing in a casual mood for her walk with Redford, but she couldn't help but show off her fashion bonafides on Instagram. The daughter of Phil Collins showed off an eye-catching Prada ensemble featuring a red, black and white patterned sleeveless top with a black tasseled skirt decorated with jeweled snowflakes. She rounded out the chic look thigh-high black suede boots. 'Please dont rain on my @prada parade...' she captioned the snaps. Advertisement Supporters of Putin critic Alexei Navalny continued to clash with police deep into the night as world leaders condemned officers' 'brutal tactics' which left crowds of activists bloodied and injured. Hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters took part in demonstrations across 70 cities on Saturday in a show of defiance against the jailing of Navalny, who was poisoned with a nerve agent he says was slipped to him by state security agents in August. His wife Yulia Navalnaya, 44, was among around 3,400 people detained by officers. She posted a selfie following her arrest, captioned: 'Apologies for the poor quality. Very bad light in the police van.' Demonstrators were dragged off by riot officers to police buses and detention trucks, while some activists were beaten with police batons. Authorities eventually pushed protesters out of Moscow's Pushkin Square, but thousands then regrouped along a wide boulevard about half a mile away, many of them throwing snowballs at the police before dispersing. The violent scenes from police drew condemnation from both the United States and the European Union, whose foreign policy chief said he deplored the 'widespread arrests' and the 'disproportionate use of force'. Similarly, the United States called on Russian authorities to release protesters and journalists detained, and condemned what it called 'harsh tactics' used against them. Throughout the day and into the early hours of Sunday morning, people were seen holding signs that read 'Russia will be free' and chanting 'Putin is a thief.' Some then marched towards the Kremlin, while others blocked Tverskaya Street, the capital's main thoroughfare. Reuters reporters estimated at least 40,000 people had gathered in central Moscow for one of the biggest unauthorised rallies for years, but authorities claimed a mere 4,000 people had shown up. The foreign ministry questioned Reuters' crowd estimate, using sarcasm to suggest it was too high. 'Why not just immediately say 4 million?,' it quipped on its official Telegram messenger channel. Riot police officers detain a participant in an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny by the Moscow Circus Russian policemen detain men during an unauthorized protest rally against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny Riot police officers guard the area during an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny People climb a monument during an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny A smoke bomb lies on the street as protesters were detained during rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, near Matrosskaya Tishina prison, in Moscow Riot police officers detain a participant in an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny by the Moscow Circus in Tsvetnoy Boulevard : People take part in an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Sochi, Russia A supporter's face is bandaged and covered in blood after attending the unauthorised rally in Moscow on Saturday Russian police watch a fire during an unauthorised protest rally against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny Riot police officers detain a participant in an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny Protesters clash with riot police during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow An injured participant reacts during an unauthorised protest rally against of jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny Riot police officers detain a participant in an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Tverskaya Street Riot police officers detain a participant in an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Tverskaya Street Riot police clash with supporters of Alexey Navalny, Russian opposition leader, during a demonstration in Moscow Police take a protester into custody during a protest demanding the release of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow The wife of Alexei Navalny has been detained at an anti-government demonstration in Moscow while major anti-Kremlin demonstrations broke out across Russia on Saturday in support of the jailed Putin-critic. Pictured: Yulia Navalnaya Supporters of Putin critic Alexei Navalny threw snowballs at police today after violent clashes resulted in more than 2,000 arrests and what the European Union called a 'disproportionate use of force' Riot police officers during an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny Law enforcement officers detain a man during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow Police block a street near Moscow's penal detention centre Number 1 (known as Matrosskaya Tishina), where opposition leader Alexei Navalny is being held Riot police officers in St Petersburg detain a participant in an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny Police take a protester into custody during a protest demanding the release of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow Law enforcement officers clash with participants during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow Police block the street during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia Police in Rostov-on-Don detain a participant in an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny Riot police officers line up during an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Oktyabrskaya Square Riot police officers line up during an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Senate Square, St Petersburg Russian policemen beat participants of an unauthorized protest rally against of jailing of oppositon leader Alexei Navalny A participant in an unauthorized rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in Yekaterinburg, Russia People march during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in St.Petersburg, Russia, on Saturday People attend a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow holding placards on Saturday Pictured: An injured man is helped by other protesters during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow on January 23. AFP journalists saw several protesters left badly injured after clashing with police in Moscow, which saw its largest gathering of anti-government protesters in two years Protesters clash with riot police during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow on January 23. The protests in Moscow were estimated to be the largest demonstrations since 2019 when Navalny supporters rallied to demand free local elections 'The United States strongly condemns the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists this weekend in cities throughout Russia,' State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said in a post on Twitter that he deplored the authorities 'disproportionate use of force', while Britain's foreign minister, Dominic Raab, condemned the 'use of violence against peaceful protesters and journalists'. Navalny being taken into custody and the arrests of his supporters were 'troubling indications of further restrictions on civil society and fundamental freedoms,' he added. 'We call on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights and for the immediate and unconditional release of Aleksey Navalny,' Price said, using an alternative spelling. 'We urge Russia to fully cooperate with the international community's investigation into the poisoning of Aleksey Navalny and credibly explain the use of a chemical weapon on its soil.' Protesters in the county's east defied bitter cold and a ban by authorities by also staging rallies to demand the release of Putin's nemesis, ahead of the larger cities in the west. Protests against Russia's President Vladimir Putin took place in temperatures as low as minus 60F (51C) as police forcibly detained supporters of Kremlin foe Navalny, who was arrested upon his return to Russia from Germany on January 17. Putin's most vocal domestic critic called for mass rallies after he was arrested upon his return to Moscow on Sunday. He did so knowing he would likely be arrested after surviving a near-fatal poisoning with a Novichok nerve agent in August and after months of treatment in Germany. He was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport and jailed. There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin, which had previously called the protests illegal and the work of 'provocateurs'. State prosecutors said they would look into alleged violence against police officers by protesters. Demonstrations in support of Navalny were also held in the Baltic states of Lithuania and Estonia on Saturday, as well as in Spain's Barcelona, with the protesters in Estonia being joined by environmental activist Yevgenia Chirikova, who fled from Russia in 2015 fearing a crackdown on the opposition. In Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, nearly 1,000 people also demonstrated against Navalny's arrest. Small demonstrations were also held in Bulgaria and some 200-300 people protested in Paris. Navalny, who accuses Putin of the plot to poison him last August, was locked up until mid-February as he waits to hear whether a suspended prison term will be converted into three-and-a-half years of jail time. Demonstrators shouted 'Shame, shame' in Pacific capital Vladivostok as heavily armed baton-wielding OMON special forces officers and national guards threw a protester in a police vehicle. The authorities told crowds that their action was unsanctioned and they faced detention unless they dispersed, with video footage from Vladivostok showing riot police chasing a group of protesters down the street. Demonstrators gathered at Moscow's central Pushkin Square and nearby streets despite a heavy police presence and detentions. Pictured: Yulia Navalnaya Thousands of Navalny supporters joined nationwide demonstrations against the Kremlin. Pictured: Yulia Navalnaya Yulia Navalnaya was detained at the anti-government demonstration in Moscow while major anti-Kremlin demonstrations broke out Police have detained around 1,200 people so far at protests against Russia's detention of Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia. Pictured: A large group of protesters in Moscow on January 23. Demonstrators gathered at Moscow's central Pushkin Square and nearby streets despite a heavy police presence and detentions The authorities had warned people to stay away from Saturday's protests, saying they risked catching COVID-19 as well as prosecution and possible jail time for attending an unauthorised event In central Moscow, where Reuters reporters estimated at least 40,000 people had gathered in one of the biggest unauthorised rallies for years, police were seen roughly detaining people, bundling them into nearby vans. Russian authorities said just some 4,000 people had shown up to the protest in Moscow on Saturday (pictured) Some protesters chanted 'Putin is a thief', and 'Disgrace' and 'Freedom to Navalny!' Pictured: People face off against police at a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow on January 23 Protesters hold a 'Free Navalny' banner as they march in Moscow on Saturday. Some of Navalny's political allies were detained in the days before the protest; others on the day itself The OVD-Info protest monitor group said that at least 1,614 people, including 513 in Moscow and 212 in St Petersburg, had been detained across Russia. It reported arrests at rallies in nearly 70 towns and cities Law enforcement officers stand guard in the snow during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia. There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin, which had previously called the protests illegal and the work of 'provocateurs' In Moscow, some journalists covering the protests were detained, drawing a rebuke from the U.S. Embassy. Pictured: A man gestures as he climbed up on New Year's decorations next to statue of Alexander Pushkin during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow With the protests continuing to unfold on Saturday, Russia accused the US embassy in Moscow of publishing routes of planned demonstrations in support of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and demanded an explanation from American diplomats. 'Yesterday the US embassy in Moscow published 'protest routes' in Russian cities and tossed around information about a 'march on the Kremlin,'' Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Facebook, adding: 'US colleagues will have to explain themselves.' The US embassy in Moscow said Saturday it was following the rallies, adding that Washington supported 'the right of all people to peaceful protest, freedom of expression.' 'Steps being taken by Russian authorities are suppressing those rights,' embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Ross said on Twitter. Pictured: Police detain a man during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Khabarovsk, 3,800 miles east of Moscow on Saturday, January 23. The protests are against Vladimir Putin and the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny last Sunday Police detain a boy during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in downtown Moscow on January 23 Police detain a man during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, January 23. Police detained more than 200 people in Russia's Far East and Siberia on Saturday as protesters defying bitter cold and a ban by authorities staged nationwide rallies to demand the release of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny Putin's most vocal domestic critic called for mass rallies after surviving a near-fatal poisoning with a Novichok nerve agent and returned to Moscow following months of treatment in Germany. He was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport and jailed. Pictured: Large crowds of anti-Putin demonstrators gathered on Saturday (pictured) in temperatures as low as minus 60F Pictured: Russian Law enforcement officers stand guard during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Yakutsk, Russia, January 23. Navalny called for protests after his arrest, telling his supporters to take to the streets Opposition leader Alexei Navalny is escorted out of a police station on January 18 in Khimki, outside Moscow, following the court ruling that ordered him jailed for 30 days. Following his arrest, he called for his supporters to take to the streets in protest Left: People take part in a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Omsk, Russia January 23. Law enforcement officers stand guard during a rally in support of Navalny in Vladivostok Ugly scene quickly developed at protests in several cities in the Russian Far East, with the OVD-Info monitoring group saying that 238 people, including 56 in Novosibirsk, had been detained so far at the rallies. In Moscow, police put up barricades around Pushkinskaya Square as workers were engaged in re-tiling it, an apparent attempt to thwart a demonstration that was scheduled to start at 1100 GMT. Police also detained a few people gathered on the square before the rally, including a lone picketer. A video reportedly showed a child being manhandled and detained by a Russian policeman at the main rally at Pushkinskaya Square. Law enforcement officers stand in front of participants during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Saint Petersburg, Russia January 23 Police stand guard during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in St. Petersburg, January 23 The demonstrations were called by Navalny after he was detained returning to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from being poisoned with a Soviet-designed nerve agent Pictured: A police officers grabs the hair of a protester in Moscow on January 23. Thousands of people gathered in cities across the country including in the Far East on the Pacific coast, Siberia and the Urals, despite police threats to use violence This followed repeated warnings by the authorities that school age students should not attend, and claims they were being used as 'human shields' by adults. The boy apparently detained, named Sasha, 14, told pro-Kremlin REN TV that he had come to the rally because 'I am just curious what is happening here'. Asked if he was afraid - after the authorities warned children could be hurt - he said: 'I run fast.' Asked if he was supporting the anti-Putin demonstrators, he said: 'I just came here to watch.' People attend a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Saint Petersburg, Russia January 23 OMOH officers push people during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, January 23 Pictured: A general view of a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia January 23 Hundreds of people were pictured at the demonstration in Moscow, Some 369 had been detained in by 2pm in the city In the Russian capital, which usually mobilises the largest rallies, protesters planned to meet on the central Pushkin Square at 2:00 pm (1100 GMT) and march towards the Kremlin But more than an hour before the planned rally police began detaining people, AFP journalists reported. Pictured: Police detain blogger Ilya Varlamov during the rally on Saturday One state TV news broadcast said 'most of the participants are young people, some of whom do not look 18 years old. 'The detainees were escorted to paddy wagons. 'Before that, the police warned activists several times that in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, mass gatherings of people are prohibited.' In Ufa, a video showed protesters throwing snowballs and scooping up snow to throw at police seeking to break their rally. Another shocking video reportedly showed protesters beaten by OMON riot police in Orenburg as rallies widened to cities all across Russia's 11 time zones. At some rallies, protesters shouted 'Aqua disco', and carried toilet brushes sprayed with gold paint mimicking the gold interior or Putin's alleged Black Sea palace. Another video showed shocking protesters in Krasnoyarsk being dragged on the ground by police in minus 15C. In Vladivostok, it was reported that 26 children had been detained. But Vladimir Putin's children's ombudsman angrily blamed adult protesters for using children as a 'human shield'. She said: 'Now I know everything about human baseness. Vladivostok - children are standing in a human chain. And adults behind their backs are throwing road cones at OMON [riot police] and hiding again. Who are these people? Are they people?' Protesters said mobile data was being disrupted around protest sites to stop communications between anti-Putin protesters. Pictured: Protesters run away from law enforcement officers during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Vladivostok, Russia January 23. Around 250 people have been reportedly arrested during the protests The Russian authorities told crowds that their action was unsanctioned and they faced detention unless they dispersed. Pictured: People take part in a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Vladivostok Law enforcement officers restrain a protester during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Vladivostok, Russia January 23 Pictured: Russian police are arresting protesters demanding the release of top Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at demonstrations in the country's east and larger unsanctioned rallies are expected later in Moscow and other major cities Key Navalny aides around Russia had been rounded up and detained ahead of the rallies. In far-eastern city Khabarovsk, crowds chanted 'Putin's Dogs' as law enforcement detained protesters. At one point crowds fought back with police seeking to release those being held. In Kamchatka, nine time zones east of Moscow, protesters carried placards reading 'Corruption is the cancer of our country' and 'I'm choosing Freedom'. While crowds were not huge, protests went ahead in all main cities in the Russian Far East including former GULAG staging post Magadan on the Sea of Okhotsk in a temperature of minus 30C. In Yakutsk - the world's coldest city - crowds gathered in minus 51C to support jailed Navalny, who was earlier allegedly poisoned with nerve agent Novichok by an FSB secret service hit squad. Navalny accuses Putin of a plot to poison him last August. The Kremlin critic was taken ill on a flight and was found by doctors in Germany to have been poisoned by Novichok nerve agent Pictured: Police officers detain a man during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in the far eastern city of Vladivostok on January 23 Demonstrators shouted 'Shame, shame' in Pacific capital Vladivostok as heavily armed baton-wielding OMON special forces officers and national guards threw a protester in a police vehicle. Pictured: Officers detain a man during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Pictured: Demonstrators clash with police during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in the far eastern city of Vladivostok on January 23 A video showed police pulling a protester on the snow into a law enforcement bus as cries directed to police are heard: 'What have they done? What are you doing? Are you out of your mind doing that?' Among the protesters in eastern cities were mothers carrying babies. In Siberia city Ulan-Ude extra Saturday classes were put on to prevent school students joining the unsanctioned protests which the authorities said were illegal. In Komsomolsk-on-Amur a squad of OMON detained a dozen people, as the crowd chanted: 'Freedom to political prisoners!' Navalny's supporters say his arrest when he returned from Germany on Sunday was politically motivated. Reports suggest he may be hit with new legal action that could see him remain behind bars for more than a decade. A participant holds a poster reading 'freedom to political prisoners' during an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny near Lenina Square, January 23 A participant holds a poster reading 'You are killing Navalny' during anti-Putin protests, Jan 23 A woman is surrounded by riot police during January 23 protests against the arrest of Alexei Navalny, who was been detained upon his return to Russia Pictured: Police bundle a protester into a riot van amid protests against Vladimir Putin The authorities told crowds that their action was unsanctioned and they faced detention unless they dispersed. Protests against Vladimir Putin took place in temperatures as low as minus 60F (51C) Navalny - a 44-year-old lawyer who has dedicated himself to toppling strongman Putin - styles himself an anti-corruption campaigner who despite being behind bars in recent days accused the Russian president of using state cash to enrich himself, his family and his cronies. Among the claims is that Putin has built himself a 1 billion palace at Gelendzhik on the Black Sea. Putin denies any wrongdoing. The Kremlin has denied being 'afraid' of Navalny and his pro-democracy campaigners but are concerned to act tough to prevent mass support growing for a Ukrainian-style revolution. However, it is unclear that Navalny has the mass support he would need to overthrow ex-KGB spy Putin who has been president or prime minister for 21 years. Bigger protests were expected later in Moscow and St Petersburg, led by Navalny's wife Yulia who announced she planned to take to the streets in support of her jailed husband. Moscow: Riot police officers in Pushkinskaya Square ahead of an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny on January 23 Bigger protests were expected later in Moscow and St Petersburg, led by Navalny's wife Yulia who announced she planned to take to the streets in support of her jailed husband Demonstrators clash with police during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in the far eastern city of Vladivostok on January 23 She would join the demonstration 'for myself, for him, for our children, for the values and the ideals that we share'. In Moscow, mayor Sergei Sobyanin had warned the rallies were 'unacceptable' during a pandemic, and police would take action to ensure public order. In Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, nearly 1,000 people demonstrated against Navalny's arrest. Small demonstrations were also held in Bulgaria and some 200-300 people protested in Paris. Police in Siberia's Yakutsk, one of the coldest cities in the world, where the temperature was -52 Celsius (-62 F) on Saturday, grabbed a protester by his arms and legs and dragged him into a van, video footage showed. In Moscow, some journalists covering the protests were detained, drawing a rebuke from the U.S. Embassy. "Russian authorities arresting peaceful protesters, journalists," spokesperson Rebecca Ross said on Twitter. "Appears to be a concerted campaign to suppress free speech, peaceful assembly." Navalny called for his supporters to take to the streets after a hastily organised court ordered him jailed for 30 days on Monday. The makeshift court - set up in a police station on the outskirts of Moscow where Navalny was being held - ruled he be held in custody until February 15 when he will appear in court on corruption charges. The 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner previously was handed a suspended sentence for the charges in 2014. Russia now accuses him of breaching the terms of that sentence by not checking in with police as often as he should have done. In a video released by his team shortly after the ruling, Navalny urged his supporters to take to the streets and protest as Western governments called for his immediate release. Russia's most prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny has called on Monday for his supporters to take to the streets after a hastily organised court ordered him jailed for 30 days Police officers stand outside a police station where detained Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is being held, in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia January 18 But Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russia's leaders did not fear mass protests - adding that they had heard the Western outrage but 'cannot and are not going to take these statements into account'. He also rejected the suggestion that Putin was afraid of Navalny, following claims by the Kremlin critic's supporters that putting him in prison could turn him into a Nelson Mandela-like symbol of resistance. The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said Friday it launched a criminal probe into the calls for unauthorised protests. It comes as Navalny released a statement from prison on Tuesday, saying he had no regrets about returning to Russia despite his arrest. A participant holds a poster reading 'Court, not circus' during an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny near Lenina Square, January 23 Pictured: A woman walks in front of a row of riot police amid anti-Putin protests on January 23 Pictured: Police escort an anti-Putin protester amid clashes during anti-Putin protests Pictured: Participants hold posters reading 'Freedom to Navalny!' during an unauthorised rally in support of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny on January 23 In a post on Instagram which he published from Moscow's Matrosskaya Tishina prison, Navalny said: 'I couldn't have done otherwise, and there's no pathos in this, nor sacrifice, nor fatalism. 'It's a completely rational choice. I refuse to put up with the lawlessness of the authorities [in] my country. I refuse to stay silent, listening to the shameless lies of Putin and his friends, mired in corruption.' On the eve of the rallies, Navalny, who is being held in Moscow's high-security Matrosskaya Tishina jail, thanked his supporters. 'I know perfectly well that there are lots of good people outside of my prison's walls and help will come,' he said on Friday. Navalny's wife Yulia said she would join the protest in Moscow. 'For myself, for him, for our children, for the values and the ideals that we share,' she said on Instagram. Ahead of the demonstrations several key Navalny aides were taken into police custody for violating protest laws and handed short jail sentences to keep them away from the rallies. Navalny and his wife sit on the tarmac in Berlin before flying back to Russia on Sunday, five months after he was airlifted to Germany in a coma following his Novichok poisoning Alexei Navalny with his wife Yulia at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on Sunday where he was arrested after returning to Russia from Germany Navalny's team this week released an investigation into an opulent Black Sea property allegedly owned by Putin. The 'Putin's palace' report alleges the Russian leader owns a 17,691 square metre mansion that sits on a property 39 times the size of Monaco and features a casino along with a theatre and a hookah lounge complete with a pole-dancing stage. The two-hour video report had been viewed more than 65 million times since Tuesday, becoming the Kremlin critic's most-watched YouTube investigation. The Kremlin has denied the property belongs to Putin. Many Russians took to social media - including video sharing app TikTok hugely popular with teens - to voice support and urge a large turnout on Saturday. A hashtag demanding freedom for Navalny was trending on TikTok as Russians flooded the Chinese app with thousands of videos. Russia's media watchdog warned online platforms against encouraging minors to participate in the rallies or risk hefty fines. The watchdog said on Friday that media platforms, including TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, removed content at its request. Russia's most popular social network VKontakte blocked groups created to coordinate the protests in different cities. But a number of public figures - including those who usually steer clear of politics - have spoken out in Navalny's support. Navalny (centre in a green jacket) was photographed being escorted from the police station in Khimski on Monday evening The opposition leader appeared to shout to hit supporters gathered outside the station as he was being escorted from the building Navalny, 44, flashed a peace sign to photographers and supporters as he was escorted from the police station where he has been detained into a van How Alexei Navalny has been punished for defying Putin 2011: Navalny is arrested and jailed for 15 days for 'defying an official' after leading protests in Moscow 2012: Jailed for 15 days after leading an anti-Putin protest in the wake of presidential elections. His apartment is subsequently raided, and some of his private emails posted online 2013: Put on trial for embezzlement, amid claims he tried to steal wood from a state-owned company. He is convicted and sentenced to five years, but allowed out on bail. The conviction is subsequently overturned 2014: Placed under house arrest, again charged with embezzlement alongside brother Oleg. Again, the conviction is overturned 2017: He is re-convicted in the first corruption case, and ordered to repay millions of rubles of compensation in the second While leaving his office, a pro-Kremlin activist throws green disinfectant dye in his face, partially blinding him 2018: Arrested twice for leading protests against presidential elections he was barred from running in. Jailed for a total of 50 days in jail 2019: Arrested and jailed for a total of 40 days for leading protests during Moscow Duma elections. While in jail he was rushed to hospital, suffering from what medics called an allergic reaction. Others believe he was poisoned 2020: Navalny is rushed unconscious to hospital and placed on a ventilator after falling ill on a flight. His allies say he was poisoned August 22, 2020: Navalny is transferred from a hospital in Siberia to another hospital in Berlin September 2020: German scientists revealed tests confirmed he was poisoned by Novichok nerve agent December 2020: Bellingcat investigation alleges Moscow's FSB agency began tracking Nevalny after he announced plans to run against Putin before launching an assassination attempt in August using Novichok December 2020: Navalny claimed he had tricked an FSB agent into admitting on a phone call Russian assassins tried to kill him using poisoned underpants and then tried to cover it up. The FSB dismissed the recording as fake January 2021: Navalny is arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport after Russia's prison service alleged he had violated parole terms from a suspended sentence on a 2014 embezzlement conviction Advertisement Navalny rose to prominence a decade ago and has become the central figure of Russia's opposition movement, leading large-scale street protests against corruption and electoral fraud. His arrest drew widespread Western condemnation, with the United States, the European Union, France and Canada all calling for his release. Navalny's anti-corruption foundation said that the 44-year-old was 'illegally detained' and that 'lawyers are not allowed to see him'. The opposition leader had joked with journalists on the plane from Berlin on Sunday. 'All the criminal cases against me are fabricated,' he added. After the plane landed, Navalny kissed his wife Yulia before four masked police officers escorted him away at passport control, before he had formally entered Russia. He reappeared on Monday morning at a Moscow police station where a court hearing to extend his detention was already underway. 'It is impossible what is happening over here,' Navalny said in a video from the improvised courtroom. 'It is lawlessness of the highest degree. 'One minute ago I was taken out of my cell to meet the lawyer, I came here, and here a hearing of the [court] is happening.' Navalny's lawyers said the immediate court hearing was an unexpected turn of events, saying they were only notified about it minutes earlier. According to a police notice distributed published Navalny's lawyer Vadim Kobzev, the legal process began at 12.30pm local time on Monday. The Moscow prison service had warned that it would arrest Navalny once he returned. It accused Navalny of flouting the terms of a three-and-a-half-year suspended prison sentence in a 2014 embezzlement case. Navalny's supporters had gathered at Moscow's Vnukovo airport despite bitterly cold weather and more than 4,500 new coronavirus cases a day in the Russian capital. But they were denied a glimpse of Navalny after the flight path was switched at the last minute and the plane landed at Sheremetyevo instead. OVD Info, which monitors detentions at political protests in Russia, said at least 55 people had been detained at the airport. Prominent Moscow activist Lyubov Sobol was among those arrested, saying later that they had been released and were facing administrative charges. The latest episode in the Navalny saga has led to calls for more sanctions against Russia, amid a wave of condemnation from Western countries. Donald Trump's outgoing secretary of state Mike Pompeo said on Twitter: 'Deeply troubled by Russia's decision to arrest Alexei Navalny. 'Confident political leaders do not fear competing voices, nor see the need to commit violence against or wrongfully detain, political opponents,' he said. France also called for Navalny's release and voiced its 'strong concern' over his arrest in Russia. Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, responded to a question about the arrest by saying 'Was he arrested in Germany? I'm not up to date,' according to Russian media. The Kremlin typically belittles Navalny by referring to him merely as the 'Berlin patient' and calling him a blogger rather than a politician. Navalny fell into a coma while aboard a domestic flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20. He was airlifted from a hospital in Siberia to Berlin two days later, where a military lab found evidence of Novichok. Russian authorities insisted that the doctors who treated Navalny in Siberia before he was airlifted to Germany found no traces of poison and have challenged German officials to provide proof of his poisoning. Navalny with his wife and children after waking from his coma at the Berlin hospital where doctors say his previous good health contributed to his recovery The Kremlin has rejected calls to open a full investigation into the poisoning, and denied Navalny's claims that the FSB security agency was behind the plot. Last month Navalny claimed he had duped an FSB agent into confessing details of the plot in a recorded phone call which the agency dismissed as fake. The alleged plotter, Konstantin Kudryavtsev, was one of a team of alleged chemical weapons experts named last month as suspects in Navalny's poisoning. The recording purported to reveal that Navalny's underpants had been sprinkled with the nerve agent while he was staying at a hotel in Siberia. Alexei Navalny kissed his wife goodbye in an emotional scene as he was arrested by Russian authorities just minutes after landing in Moscow Navalny hugged and kissed his wife Yulia before he was taken away by Russian police at Sheremetyevo airport last weekend Navalny's wife Yulia Navalnaya is seen surrounded by people as she leaves Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport following the arrest Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny landed back on Russian soil in Moscow and walks out of the plane after arriving at Sheremetyevo airport Nevalny's plane was diverted last minute from Vnukovo airport in Moscow to nearby Sheremetyevo How the 'FSB plot' unfolded August 12: Three FSB 'plotters' buy plane tickets to Siberia after Navalny's entourage books a flight there August 13: The alleged FSB team flies to Novosibirsk a day before Navalny arrives. Maria Pevchikh also flies to Siberia and is tailed as she leaves Moscow August 17: Navalny travels on to Tomsk, pursued by the alleged FSB operatives. When he books a flight back to Moscow, the 'plotters' do the same only minutes later August 19: Navalny has a drink at a hotel bar in Tomsk, leaving his room empty. There is a 'surge' in communication among members of the alleged FSB unit August 20: Navalny boards the flight in Tomsk and becomes critically ill on board, forcing an emergency landing August 22: The unconscious Navalny is airlifted to Berlin. A German military lab later finds evidence of Novichok Advertisement Navalny was initially treated at a hospital in Omsk before Russian authorities agreed to hand him over to a German air ambulance crew on August 22. In an article in The Lancet, doctors at Berlin's Charite hospital described how Navalny had to be ventilated and given drugs during his airlift to Germany. Medics described how he had become confused and sweaty before vomiting and collapsing on the domestic flight in Siberia, leaving him unconscious and drooling when the plane made an emergency landing. By the time he arrived at the Berlin hospital, more than two days after falling ill, his heart had slowed well below an adult's usual range of 60 to 100 beats per minute and his brain was starting to show signs of reduced responsiveness. When he arrived in intensive care, he was showing 'decreased brainstem reflexes' and suffering from hypothermia with a body temperature of just 33.5C (92.5F). Navalny was treated with atropine for 10 days and given other antibiotics by the hospital doctors, who said he started to breathe spontaneously within two weeks. As his condition improved, he was brought out of a coma, and doctors determined that difficulties understanding speech and speaking he had initially showed after waking up disappeared after three weeks. On the 24th day after falling ill, he was taken off mechanical ventilation, and two days later he was moved from intensive care into a normal hospital ward. Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlin's side for more than a decade, exposing what he says is high-level corruption and mobilising protests. He has been repeatedly detained for organising public meetings, sued over corruption investigations and was barred from running against Putin in the 2018 presidential election. The 44-year-old has also served several stints in jail in recent years for organising anti-Kremlin protests. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia's arrests and detention of Navalny in 2012 and 2014 were politically motivated. A League City woman says Apples racially diverse emoji line is substantially similar to those in an app she developed seven years ago. Now, shes suing the tech giant for damages. Katrina Parrott, who is Black, got the idea from her daughter in 2013 and founded Cub Club Investments to launch iDiversicons on the Apple App Store several months later, according to her complaint. Tech leaders in Silicon Valley saw its potential, the suit alleges, but after a back-and-forth between Parrott and Apple executives, Apple decided to create its own emojis rather than work with her. Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox The copyright infringement suit was filed Sept. 18 in the Waco Division of the U.S. District Courts Western District of Texas, which has developed expertise in the area of intellectual property, according to Parrotts attorney, Todd Patterson. Looking to bring the fight to its own turf, Apple has filed for a change of venue, he said, and hes awaiting the courts decision. Apple did not respond to requests for comment. Shortly after launching in the app store, Parrott joined the Unicode Consortium, a Silicon Valley nonprofit devoted to software standards, she said in her lawsuit. She said she worked to alert tech leaders to the issue of diversity and inclusion. Apple participated in consortium meetings and became interested in Parrotts work, the suit alleges. Parrott said she provided Apple a thumb drive containing her emoji creations in May 2014, and that September the two parties began discussing implementation. Parrott said in court papers that she learned the following month that Apple would use its own designers. Once Apple launched its diverse emoji line in April 2015, app sales at Parrotts company dropped off, the lawsuit states. Parrotts suit alleges that if unchecked, Apples actions could set a precedent that a big tech company could misappropriate the proprietary works of smaller companies rather than work with them directly. Parrott also alleges Apple harms the minority communities the emojis were supposed to support. This could have been something really magnanimous, to see a giant embrace a Black-woman-owned small business. To help her succeed, she said in an interview. And instead it was the exact opposite. Fuel Fix: Get energy news sent directly to your inbox Parrotts lightbulb moment came in 2013 when her daughter, then a junior at University of Texas in Austin, turned to her during a weekend visit home and said, It sure would be nice to be able to send an emjoi to my friends that looks like me. Parrott, 55 at the time, had previously managed logistics and procurement teams at NASA, and she decided to deploy her skills toward building a new kind of team. She hired a software developer, an illustrator and got to work, investing her lifes savings in the startup. When she started talking about the concept in Silicon Valley boardrooms full of older white men, she said, racially diverse emojis were something people had started talking about, but not very seriously. They didnt move as fast as I did, she said. Apple engineers and executives wanted to know how shed done it, what color palettes she used, she said in an interview. She recalled the moment when she pulled an Apple executive aside and suggested the company provide iPhone users five skin tone options they can select for themselves rather than the company choose for them. They benefited tremendously from me but I was not able to capitalize, she said, noting sales at her company now are barely enough to keep her gas tank full. Once they came on the scene, mine took a backseat. amanda.drane@chron.com twitter.com/amandadrane Covax has announced the signing of an advance purchase agreement with Pfizer for up to 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine candidate, which has already received WHO emergency use listing. Rollout will commence with the successful negotiation and execution of supply agreements, it stated. Covax is a global initiative coordinated by World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), to ensure equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines for all countries, regardless of income levels. It includes an Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) financial mechanism that aims to ensure that 92 low- and lower-middle-income countries will be able to secure access to Covid-19 vaccines at the same time as higher-income countries. In further support of its mission to expedite early availability of vaccines to lower-income countries and help bring a rapid end to the acute stage of the pandemic, Covax also confirmed yesterday (January 23) that it will exercise an option via an existing agreement with Serum Institute of India (SII) to receive its first 100 million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford University-developed vaccine manufactured by SII. Of these first 100 million doses, the majority are earmarked for delivery in the first quarter of the year, pending WHO Emergency Use Listing. The WHO review process, which is currently underway, follows approval for restricted use in emergency situations by the Drugs Controller General of India earlier this month, and is a critical aspect of ensuring that any vaccine procured through Covax is fully quality assured for international use. According to the latest WHO update, a decision on this vaccine candidate is anticipated by the middle of February. Covax also anticipates that, via an existing agreement with AstraZeneca, at least 50 million further doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine will be available for delivery to Covax participants in Q1 2021, pending emergency use listing by WHO of the Covax-specific manufacturing network for these doses. A decision on this candidate is also anticipated by WHO in February. "Today marks another milestone for Covax: pending regulatory approval for the AstraZeneca/Oxford candidate and pending the successful conclusion of the supply agreement for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, we anticipate being able to begin deliveries of life-saving Covid-19 vaccines by the end of February," said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which leads Covax procurement and delivery. "This is not just significant for Covax, it is a major step forward for equitable access to vaccines, and an essential part of the global effort to beat this pandemic. We will only be safe anywhere if we are safe everywhere," noted Berkley. Preparations, led by WHO, UNICEF and Gavi, are already well under way for Covax to deliver vaccines to economies eligible for support via the Covax AMC, with Gavi making $150 million available from its core funding as initial, catalytic support for preparedness and delivery. The urgent and equitable rollout of vaccines is not just a moral imperative, its also a health security, strategic and economic imperative, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO. This agreement with Pfizer will help to enable Covax to save lives, stabilize health systems and drive the global economic recovery, he added.-TradeArabia News Service File image: A visitor looks at a picture of Subhas Chandra Bose at a museum in Kolkata, India. (Image: Reuters/Rupak De Chowdhuri) Exactly two years ago, on January 23, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Subhas Chandra Bose museum at Red Fort. This was to mark the 122nd birth anniversary of Bose, aka Netaji as he is popularly called. Days later, the Republic Day parade in New Delhi witnessed veterans of Bose's Indian National Army (INA) participating in it. PM Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has time and again attacked the Indian National Congress of ignoring and sidelining icons from the independence struggle such as Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and BR Ambedkar. Boses association with the Congress ended bitterly when he was ousted from the partys leadership, following differences with Mahatma Gandhi and other senior leaders. In the last six years, the BJP has actively given more attention to Bose. Observers suggest that the BJP has been trying to appropriate Boses legacy. Speaking to party workers via video conference in 2018, PM Modi had said: History is witness to the fact that they (Congress) had only disrespect for Sardar Patel in their minds. The same happened with Netaji, Acharya (JB) Kripalani and BR Ambedkar. This list is so long, that I will need the entire night to complete. I am honoured to participate in the programme. I know some people will criticize it. Let them do it. Everyone is aware of how Netaji gave a challenge to British rulers when he formed his Azad Hind force. One party had ruled Indian for more than 70 years, but it did not bother to make the files public, PM Modi added. On January 23, 2016, the Centre had declassified the first set of 100 files pertaining to Bose. This came after PM Modi met Boses family members. The National Archives of India placed the documents in the public domain after digitisation. Declassification of the files was a long-standing demand of those seeking to know more about the circumstances of Boses demise. In October 2018, PM Modi joined INA veterans in hoisting the national flag at the Red Fort to mark the 75th anniversary of the Azad Hind government which was headed by Bose. The same year, the Centre announced the renaming of three islands of Andaman and Nicobar archipelago as a tribute to Bose. The Ross Island was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, the Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep and the Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep. It was reportedly Boses suggestion in 1943 to rename Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Shahid and Swaraj Dweep, respectively. Boses grandnephew, Chandra Kumar Bose, is a member of BJP and was the vice president of its West Bengal unit. until June 2020 -- when he was reportedly dropped from the position for speaking against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Chandra Kumar Bose is the grandson of Sarat Chandra Bose, an independence activist and Congress leader. Chandra Kumar Boses father Amiyanath Bose was a Forward Bloc Member of Parliament (MP) from Arambagh in West Bengal. In the 2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, Chandra Kumar Bose contested from the Bhabanipur Vidhan Sabha constituency on a BJP ticket against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Kolkata Dakshin constituency but lost to a Trinamool Congress candidate. Through all this, he had emerged as a popular face of the Bengal BJP unit. Boses legacy and Bengal politics Subhas Chandra Bose remains one of the greatest icons to emerge from Bengal. This makes it even more important for the BJP to have a piece of his legacy in a state where it has not been a strong force traditionally. But, many within West Bengals ruling party are now convinced that their key opponent now is the BJP, not the traditional rival Left Front. The saffron party has been growing its grassroots-level base in the state by trying to implement its tried-and-tested panna pramukhs system in West Bengal. It has been systematically making in-roads into the state. BJPs efforts on the ground helped win 18 of Bengals 42 parliamentary seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, up from just two in 2014. This rise came at the cost of not just the Trinamool, which saw its tally fall from 34 to 22, but also the Congress and the Left Front. BJPs vote share in the state soared to 40.6 percent in the 2019 general election from about 17 percent in 2014. This brought the saffron partys share close to TMCs 43.6 percent. The state will head for assembly election in April-May this year and many in the BJP state unit have expressed confidence about their chances. Taking note, the Trinamool Congress also started preparing early and took actions such as roping in political strategist Prashant Kishor to help it with the campaign. Trinamools vote share grew from 39.8 percent to 43.3 percent between 2014 and 2019. However, BJPs vote share jumped from 17 percent to 40.3 percent during the same period. The BJP share came largely at the expense of the Left and Congress votes. Ramping up its campaign, the BJP-led central government has announced that January 23 will be celebrated as a national holiday. The day will be celebrated as Parakram Diwas starting this year, to mark Bose' 125th birth anniversary. However, it remains unclear if the BJP has successfully taken over Boses legacy and if it will help the party politically in the months to come, especially in Bengal. Members of the National Guard patrol the streets in Washington on Jan. 19, 2021. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) 4 Governors Order National Guard Troops Out of DC Four governors have ordered their local National Guard troops to return to their respective states following accounts of thousands of them saying they had been banished to the parking garage of the U.S. Capitol. Republican Govs. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Greg Abbott of Texas, and Greg Gianforte of Montana have said theyre calling their Guard members home. More than 20,000 Guard troops were sent to Washington following the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and ahead of President Joe Bidens inauguration. Abbott wrote on Jan. 22 on Twitter that he had instructed General Norris to order the return of the Texas National Guard to our state. I have instructed General Norris to order the return of the Texas National Guard to our state. @TexasGuard Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 22, 2021 DeSantis also announced on Twitter that he ordered the Florida National Guard to return from Washington. Last night, I ordered our Adjutant General to bring Florida National Guard soldiers home from the National Capital Region, he wrote. Last night, I ordered our Adjutant General to bring Florida National Guard soldiers home from the National Capital Region. Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 22, 2021 Sununu also proceeded to do the same, mentioning that they were treated with substandard conditions. Ive ordered the immediate return of all New Hampshire National Guard from Washington D.C., Sununu wrote on Twitter. They did an outstanding job serving our nations capital in a time of strife and should be graciously praised, not subject to substandard conditions. Ive ordered the immediate return of all New Hampshire National Guard from Washington D.C. They did an outstanding job serving our nations capital in a time of strife and should be graciously praised, not subject to substandard conditions. @NHNationalGuard Chris Sununu (@GovChrisSununu) January 22, 2021 DeSantis said on Fox&Friends that the assignment was a half-cocked mission at this point. He added that the Guard troops werent there as House Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) servants, referring to the 600 Texans who were deployed to Washington. The National Guard released a statement saying that it will coordinate the return of around 15,000 troops during a five- to 10-day period, leaving about 7,000 Guard troops in Washington until the end of the month. On Jan. 21, photos showing the thousands of troops holed up in the parking garage circulated on the internet. The troops were later allowed to return to the Capitol. Yesterday, dozens of senators and congressmen walked down our lines taking photos, shaking our hands, and thanking us for our service. Within 24 hours, they had no further use for us and banished us to the corner of a parking garage. We feel incredibly betrayed, a Guardsman told Politico. Five thousand troops were reportedly suddenly ordered to vacate the Capitol to take their rest during their shifts in a nearby parking lot with no internet reception, a single electrical outlet, and one bathroom, with the temperature dropping low to the 40s at night. The move provoked widespread criticism from lawmakers of both parties. Pretoria (South Africa) 23 January 2021 (SPS) South African Minister for International relations, Naledi Pandor, considers that US President, Joe Biden, should reverse position of his country on Western Sahara as an urgent move towards Africa. In a Zoom briefing hosted by Chatham House on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. Pandor considered that US President Joe Biden should urgently reverse his countrys recognition of Morocco as having sovereignty over Western Sahara. She further identified this move as the most urgent part of US policy towards Africa that needed to be addressed by the New President. The South African Minister estimated that the early policy statements and positions adopted by President Biden these few past days were encouraging. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) It was another shocking day in the history of our State with the publication of the report in the Mother and Baby Homes. I certainly felt an unease when Taoiseach Micheal Martin stood to apologise to those sent there on behalf of the State when he also included the Irish people. The facts are the State and Church authorities were jointly responsible for this appalling chapter of Irish history and what needs to be done now and quickly is a proper and just redress scheme to which there must be sizeable contributions from the Catholic Church. Also, footing the bill for its shameful part are the pharmaceutical companies who carried out vaccine trials on the young babies and children in these homes. The report is quite harrowing to read but well worth it to get a feel for the unjust treatment meted out to our fellow citizens who had got pregnant outside of marriage. One surprising aspect of the report was the finding that adoptions were not forced on those detained in the homes which was completely at odds with the heartbreaking testimonies of those who found themselves living there. Conditions were terrible with the infant mortality rate far worse in the homes than in the general population. In the Tuam Mother and Baby Home on average, a child died every two weeks between 1925 and 1961. President Michael D Higgins summed it up well when he said his thoughts "must be, as they have been so often before, of the mothers and of the infants who died; of those children who survived and who continue to carry the trauma of their early lives, and beyond that the burden of being deprived of information about their birth parents; of all of those women, alive and dead, who have borne the scars of their experiences, the shame and secrecy imposed upon them, and the life-long burden for so many arising from trauma, bereavement or separation from their children." No one can imagine what it was like to be shunned in the manner in which those sent to Mother and Baby Homes, many of whom subsequently were sent to work in the Magdalene laundries. Mothers worked from early morning to the late evening, before being allowed a hour to be with their babies until the day arrived when they were told it was being taken for adoption. A TikTok user is saying that if you live in Houston, don't worry about what's in the COVID-19 vaccine. Abe Bahranipoor uploaded a video titled "Don't Worry About What's in the COVID vaccine: Texas edition." He's already garnered nearly 4,000 views for the video, in which he had some pretty shady things to say about the Bayou City. TODAY ON TIKTOK: If George Strait sang 'WAP', it would probably sound a lot like this "First off, if you live or have spent any amount of time in this toxic city of Houston, you're good," he began. "Don't worry about what's in the COVID vaccine." Bahranipoor went on to say that if you've ever been to certain locations in Austin or San Antonio, you have bigger things to worry about than the vaccine. Not to mention if you've ever stepped foot on a beach in Texas. Yes, Galveston, that includes you. "If you've been to any of the dirty beaches in Texas, congratulations, you're actually immune to COVID-19," he said. I mean, is that a bad thing? When asked who in Houston could've broken his heart so badly he would say such horrible things about our great city, Bahranipoor jokingly replied, "Lol a burger place put onions on my burger when I said not to." Oh, if you live in one of Texas' red cities, this video shouldn't concern you, because you probably still believe COVID-19 is a hoax, he said. That includes you, Fort Worth. Speaking with supporters during a "virtual" town hall recently, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) blamed rioting at the U.S. Capitol and most everything else on white supremacy. She stated: "The white supremacist cause is futile, it's nihilist it will never be realized. The path forward for all of us is a multiracial democracy that fights for the economic and civil rights of every American." That is stating the obvious. Virtually no one disagrees with that sentiment. Ocasio-Cortez said of the elusive white supremacists, "Their world will never exist. That's why we're seeing violence right now." (Note to Ocasio-Cortez: "Their world" hasn't existed for a great many years, and that has nothing to do with "violence right now." Quite the opposite. Everyone agrees that "Black Lives Matter," but if one states that "White Lives Matter," too, one is likely to be called a racist hate-monger.) Then the ridiculous rep went completely off the rails, saying taxpayer funds should be used to "deradicalize" those whom she considers "white supremacists." In her mind, "white supremacist" refers to anyone who supports Trump, believes in America's founding principles, thinks white lives matter, too...or disagrees with her on a wide range of political issues. Just last week, she suggested that the entire Republican Party may be guilty of harboring dreams of white supremacy. Occasional-Cortex then opined, "We need to double, triple or quadruple ... funding for these deradicalization programs en masse." That seems wise. Yes, let's use taxpayers' own money to tell roughly half of them they are scum and must be brainwashed and indoctrinated for their own good. Hello, Third Reich. Hello, Soviet Union/Gulag Archipelago. This is the opposite of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and natural law. This violates property rights...and most every other right long held sacrosanct in this nation. It is, in fact, the vilest form of tyranny imaginable. Leftists are brilliant at hurling the words "extremist" and "radical" at those whose only qualification for the epithets are that they disagree with leftists, usually in that they think things are pretty good as they are. Here are a few dictionary definitions of "radical:" ADJECTIVE (especially of change or action) relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something. advocating or based on thorough or complete political or social change; representing or supporting an extreme or progressive section of a political party. NOUN a person who advocates thorough or complete political or social reform; a member of a political party or part of a party pursuing such aims. SYNONYMS: revolutionary, progressive, reformer, revisionist, leftist, left-winger, socialist, militant, zealot, extremist, fanatic, diehard, ultra, red. Of whom do you think this is a more accurate description: Trump-supporters, strict constructionists, those who believe that all lives matter (up to and including those of the unborn), those who disagree with Ocasio-Cortez...or Ocasio-Cortez herself? Progressives are always on the offensive, conservatives always on the defensive. Progressives routinely propose the most preposterously radical plans, such as the Green New Deal, plans that will obviously be enormously detrimental to America and most of its citizens, and then blast those who dare to question them as "radical," "far-right," "extremist," "white supremacists," "haters," etc., etc., who must be "deradicalized." It is a sad commentary on our society that they routinely get away with this. Image: nrkbeta via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. In Mexico, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a leftist, also tends to exploit the emotional bond with his followers to incite them against his critics and to discredit the press. Charismatic populist leaders like Mr. Lopez Obrador and Mr. Bolsonaro like, of course, Mr. Trump rely on a politics of affect. They remove reason from public debate, reducing it to pure emotional reaction, fanaticism and radical loyalties. Behind this strategy lies an ill-concealed effort to instigate polarization. Its purpose is to discredit the facts and destroy the idea of truth to prevent a collective consensus on reality and to make power even more inscrutable. For example, Mr. Lopez Obrador has attacked the independence of autonomous institutions that protect transparency in Mexico, such as the announced elimination of the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information, and Personal Data Protection. In the United States, the electoral authorities did not succumb to Mr. Trumps threats, Congress withstood the authoritarian onslaught, and democracy, at least for now, lives to see another day. Mr. Trump, described by Americans as one of the worst presidents in the countrys history, left the White House through the back door, marking the end of his revolting reality show and hopefully the beginning of his descent into oblivion. Yet the shadow that he cast over democracy in the United States is a warning sign for countries with weaker institutions and more obsequious congresses, like Brazil, Mexico and El Salvador, where the formula of nationalist populism maintains appeal: a mixture of disgust with corruption in the political and business classes, economic and social stagnation, and anti-immigrant sentiment. As democracy breaks down, disappointed majorities continue to succumb to the populist spell, electing leaders who invariably promise to put an end to rotten and corrupt leadership, as Mr. Chavez promised, or root out the corrupt regime, as Mr. Lopez Obrador said he would do, or, in Mr. Trumps famous words, drain the swamp. And they are not the only ones, of course. There is no shortage of aspiring caudillos in Latin America. To promote democracy south of the Rio Grande, Mr. Biden must first lead by example by re-establishing a functional democracy at home. Bridging the opportunity gap is an important step toward tackling rising social and racial gaps in the United States. Aside from the critical need to strengthen institutions, another important step to set an example in a region torn by polarization would be the restoration of civic values by encouraging social responsibility, from top to bottom, in public discourse. This is what Mr. Biden said he wants to do, which is good, because the world is watching. He has put forth an immigration reform proposal that would legalize millions of migrants, in large part Latin Americans, many of whom work in some of the most demanding and essential sectors of the economy. He has also said that he will allocate substantial economic aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to prevent the most vulnerable from having to migrate from their countries; grant Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelans who fled the dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro; and promote broad collaboration on climate change. Meanwhile, the number of people who have tested positive for the UK variant of COVID-19 in India climbed up to 150 while the country reported 1.85 lakh active cases On Saturday the number of Indians inoculated with the first dose of coronavirus vaccine crossed 15 lakh, with 3,47,058 vaccinated within the last 24 hours, the health ministry said. Meanwhile, the number of people who have tested positive for the UK variant of COVID-19 in India climbed up to 150 while the total number of active cases stood at 1.85 lakh. India also received praise and words of gratitude from world leaders for supplying coronavirus vaccines to other countries, despite having a large population to cater to at home. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued support to the global COVID-19 response, saying acting together, including sharing of knowledge, will help in combating the novel coronavirus . Nearly 14 lakh beneficiaries inoculated; active caseload around 1,85,000 According to data released by the Union Health Ministry, the highest number of 1,84,699 vaccinations in the country has been reported from Karnataka, followed by Andhra Pradesh (1,33,298), Odisha (1,30,007), and Uttar Pradesh (1,23,761). As many as 1,10,031 beneficiaries were inoculated in Telangana, 74,960 in Maharashtra, 63,620 in Bihar, 62,142 in Haryana, 47,293 in Kerala, and 38,278 in Madhya Pradesh, according to the data. In a statement, the ministry said in the last 24 hours, 3,47,058 people were vaccinated in 6,241 sessions and 27,776 such sessions have been conducted across the country so far. "As on 23 January, 2021, till 8 am, nearly 14 lakh (13,90,592) beneficiaries have received the vaccination under the countrywide COVID19 vaccination exercise," it said. India's active COVID-19 caseload continued to manifest a downward movement and dropped to 1,85,662 on Saturday. "India's present active caseload now consists of just 1.74 percent of India's total positive cases," the ministry said. It added that 28 states and Union territories in the country have less than 5,000 active coronavirus cases each and their recovery rate is above the national average. The country's total caseload has mounted to 1,06,39,684 and the death toll due to the viral disease has climbed to 1,53,184 with 152 people succumbing to it in a span of 24 hours, the data showed. 150 people infected with UK variant of COVID-19 in India The number of people who have tested positive for the UK variant of COVID-19 in India has climbed to 150, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday. All of them have been kept in single room isolation in designated health care facilities by the respective state governments, the ministry had said earlier. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts, and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on, the ministry said. The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the states for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of samples to INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium) labs. WHO chief, Brazil president thank Modi; US praises India for vaccine supply "Thank you, India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for your continued support to global COVID-19 response. Only if we act together, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods," tweeted Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation. Prime Minister Modi has said India's vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used for the benefit of all humanity to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, he had said that India was ready to do everything possible for a healthy planet. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro also thanked India after his country received a consignment of 20 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Tweeting an image of Hindu god Hanuman carrying a mountain of coronavirus vaccine to Brazil, Bolsonaro thanked India for helping his country with the jabs. - Namaskar, Primeiro Ministro @narendramodi - O Brasil sente-se honrado em ter um grande parceiro para superar um obstaculo global. Obrigado por nos auxiliar com as exportacoes de vacinas da India para o Brasil. - Dhanyavaad! pic.twitter.com/OalUTnB5p8 Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) January 22, 2021 Terming India a "true friend" which is using its pharmaceutical sector to help the global community, the US has applauded New Delhi for gifting COVID-19 vaccines to several countries. In the last few days, India has sent consignments of domestically produced coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Mauritius, and Seychelles. It is also undertaking commercial supplies of the doses to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil, and Morocco. "We applaud India's role in global health, sharing millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in South Asia. India's free shipments of the vaccine began with Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal and will extend to others," the South and Central Asia Bureau of the US State Department tweeted on Friday. "India's a true friend using its pharma to help the global community," it said. Known as the 'pharmacy of the world', India produces 60 percent of vaccines globally. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks also commended India's support to its neighbouring countries to fight the pandemic. "I commend India's efforts to help its neighbours by providing them with free COVID-19 vaccines. Global challenges like the pandemic require both regional and global solutions," Meeks said. The US media also praised India's support to the global community in this health crisis. According to a Washington Post report, India is giving away millions of coronavirus vaccine doses as a tool of diplomacy. "The Indian government has sent free doses to Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives more than 3.2 million in total. Donations to Mauritius, Myanmar, and Seychelles are set to follow. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are next on the list," it noted. "The shipments reflect one of India's unique strengths: It is home to a robust vaccine industry, including Serum Institute of India, one of the world's largest vaccine makers," the report said. With inputs from PTI President Bidens quick but cautious moves to undo the more draconian immigration policies of his predecessor spawn both trepidation and expectation in the lower Rio Grande Valley. I just pray Mr. Biden will be prudent and keep America safe, said Debbie Schuster, whose familys modern farm house sits within sight of where ex-President Donald Trump signed what could be a final fragment of his far-from-finished wall. I am very frightened. Fifty miles downriver, hundreds of migrant adults and children have huddled for more than a year on a fenced and forlorn Mexican field near a border bridge, awaiting a chance to plead for U.S. asylum. Lets see if he keeps his word, Luis Calix, 25, a former law student and social worker from the Caribbean coast of Honduras, said of Biden. This has to be orderly. If there is chaos everything will be ruined. On his first day in office Wednesday, Biden signed orders pausing construction of Trumps wall, suspending the deportations of most immigrants and canceling orders that have sent tens of thousands of asylum-seekers back to Mexico to await court hearings. Biden also granted protections for DACA recipients, covering hundreds of thousands of people brought illegally to the U.S. as children. And he proposed to Congress an eight-year path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants already living across the country. My administration is committed to ensuring that the United States has a comprehensive and humane immigration system that operates consistently with our nations values, Biden said as he put the temporary hold on border ramparts. Scott Strazzante, Staff Photographer / The Chronicle Still, leery of sparking a fresh surge to the border by desperate migrants from Central America, Biden and his aides have signaled that not all of Trumps policies will be revoked quickly, and probably not entirely. Those fears were punctuated last week as Guatemalan security forces turned back a thousands-strong caravan of walking and hitch-hiking Honduran migrants intent on reaching the U.S. Theyre trying to split the difference for changes in policy as soon as possible, but doing it in a way that wont create a rush to the border, said Andrew Selee, president of the non-partisan Migration Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. Im not sure how they do that. I dont think any of us know what is going to happen at the border, Selee said. Now the rubber meets the road. While they welcome short-term fixes, Selee and other experts say a more lasting solution depends on somehow bolstering the failed economic, public security and political systems driving many Central Americans northward. To that end, Biden has proposed an initial $4 billion aid program for Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, from which most migrants are fleeing. Biden also has named Roberta Jacobson, a State Department veteran with extensive experience in Latin America, to coordinate border policy on the National Security Council. Jacobson resigned as U.S. ambassador to Mexico three years ago, amid widespread frustration with Trumps harsh policies among U.S. career diplomats. Mexico never paid for the construction of the wall, as Trump had long vowed it would do. But under pressure from Washington and his own citizens, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has in recent years become a firm ally in turning back the Central American migrants. Trump similarly forced cooperation from Central American leaders by threatening to cut off aid unless tougher enforcement was applied to the migrations. The fact that there is already a relationship on migration will help, said Shannon ONeil, a Mexico analyst at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. There is room for cooperation. Carrot and stick Sandra Sebastian, STR / Associated Press Biden is well familiar with the fraught dynamics in play. As vice president under Barack Obama who won the derisive title of deporter in chief by expelling some 3 million people during his two terms he was dispatched to Central America in 2014 in an attempt to stop a surge of immigrants. Some critics accuse both Obama and Biden of abetting the 2009 removal of an elected leftist president in Honduras, which they say spurred much of the recent migration. New leaders have taken power in the region, but little else has changed. U.S. strategy may have to. Trump was all stick and a big one, ONeil says. Biden will be both carrot and stick. Cooperation will have to be won as well with Congress. An indication of the challenge is Sen. Josh Hawleys quashing last week of a rapid confirmation of Bidens pick for homeland security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas. Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, said in a statement that Mayorkas has not adequately explained how he will enforce federal law and secure the southern border given President-elect Biden's promise to roll back major enforcement and security measures. Al Seib, MBR / TNS Among those measures was Trumps Great Wall, which Biden on Inauguration Day called not a serious policy solution and a waste of money. The 450 miles built by the Trump administration was largely replacement of old fencing with more formidable structures. While pausing construction now, Biden administration is reviewing existing contracts with an eye on canceling many of them. Its important to absolutely, completely and immediately halt construction, said Scott Nichol, an environmental activist who has been a leading opponent of the wall in far South Texas. But until contracts are canceled and we start to see wall torn down, I am not going to feel confident. Stopping new construction is an important first step. But those walls do need to come down, Nichol said. They are tremendously destructive. The bit of recently finished barrier that Trump visited days before leaving office high concrete walls topped by tightly packed 18-foot steel bollards hugs or tops a flood-control levee more than a mile from the Rio Grande. Its part of a few miles of wall whose construction was rushed to completion in recent months, residents say. Gates have yet to be installed and huge gaps in the barrier remain. The wall is mostly built on levees far from the border river, cutting off huge swaths of farmland and several small communities from the U.S. interior. Among them is Jackson Ranch, homestead of an extended family descended from an Alabama farmer and his former slave wife who settled 5,550 acres before the Civil War and helped other slaves escape to Mexico. Family members so far have succeeded in keeping the walls construction from destroying a small cemetery where the communitys founders and many of their descendants are buried. But the new wall Trump visited is a short distance away and construction machine engines grind nearby. This is part of our history. What is this wall doing here? asks Paul Pablo Villarreal Jr., the Hidalgo County tax assessor-collector who is a Jackson family member. Youd think this is a war zone. Meanwhile, unknown thousands of asylum-seekers most from Central America and Mexico, but others from Cuba, Africa and Asia remain snared in precarious and often dangerous parts of Mexico. Asylum applications at border crossings were curtailed sharply in mid-2018 and suspended altogether last spring as COVID-19 flared. Some 70,000 asylum seekers were returned to Mexico since the policy kicked in. A study published in November by the Strauss Center at the University of Texas at Austin found nearly 16,000 migrants registered for asylum hearings in nine Mexican border cities. The report notes that many asylum petitioners have returned home, crossed the border illegally or melted into Mexican communities. Running the gantlet Jeoffrey Guillemard / Bloomberg The nearly 600 adults and children stubbornly holding out in Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, are the remnants of 3,000 camped here a few years ago. Their tent camp is now surrounded by a high fence, with access in and out restricted. The local crime gangs prey upon them, some migrants say. But Team Brownsville and other private volunteer groups continue supplying the camp with basic food, water, firewood and medical care. Some migrants have found jobs in local shopping centers, construction sites or factories. Sandra, a 44-year-old single mother and street vendor from El Salvador who asked that her last name not be used, sobbed as she described fleeing gang extortion with her two daughters, aged 8 and 11, and paying smugglers $5,000 a head to get them to waiting relatives in New England. After being forcibly held in a smugglers safe house, the family instead was shuttled to the U.S. riverbank and advised to turn themselves in to the Border Patrol. They were quickly put back across the river in late 2019. Jeoffrey Guillemard / Bloomberg Last fall, she used more borrowed money to have her children smuggled across the river, Sandra said. Many others in the camp have used the same strategy, she and other migrants said. Like others interviewed through the compound fence the day after Trump toured the border wall, Sandra said other migrants, many traveling by the thousands in caravans, are certain to come. Life is simply too untenable in their home countries. But she said, the new travelers cant fathom the gantlet they will run. I have suffered more on this journey than I suffered in my own country, she said. I dont recommend anyone to leave their country. If we tell the truth, no one will choose to make this trip. Still, Sandra said, there is no going back for me. I am going to wait for President Biden. We are waiting for the change. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Thousands of foreign nationals reuniting with Canadian spouses Canadas commitment to keeping families together shines through. Mohanad Moetaz Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Many Canadians are reuniting with their foreign spouses in Canada after being separated because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Toronto Star. The pandemic has resulted in a slowdown in the processing of applications for immigration to Canada. In September, however, the federal government announced that it would speed up the processing of spousal sponsorship applications. To this end, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) increased staff responsible for spousal sponsorships by 66 per cent, seeking to process and finalize 6,000 applications every month between October and December 2020. Canada made considerable progress in making that happen. As reported in the Toronto Star, a total of 15,999 files were finalized throughout that period 14,816 applications were approved, 837 refused and 346 withdrawn. Two-thirds of the applications were from people outside Canada. See if youre eligible to sponsor your spouse Despite these positive developments, processing times still need to be improved. Prior to the pandemic, average processing times were around 12 months. However, processing times of 17 months for overseas applications and 15 months for domestic applications are currently being reported. IRCC seeks to address this issue by implementing new technologies through such initiatives as a recently implemented pilot project to digitize paper-based applications. That projects goal is to enable staff working remotely to quickly process applications. The immigration department also started conducting interviews with applicants remotely. These initiatives are aimed at accelerating, prioritizing and finalizing more applications something Canada is on course to achieve. How to sponsor your spouse to come to Canada The first step you need to take is to find out if you are eligible to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner to join you in Canada. You must be a Canadian citizen, First Nation or permanent resident to be eligible. You must also be at least 18 years old, and prove that you do not receive social assistance for any reason other than a disability. In addition, you must be able to prove that you have a financial plan in place that will allow you to meet your partners basic needs. If you are overseas, you must prove that you plan to return to Canada to live with the person you wish to sponsor. Your spouse must be legally married to you and be at least 18 years of age. Common-law partners must be at least 18 years old and have lived with you for a minimum of 12 consecutive months. Conjugal partners must be 18 years old at least, have been in a relationship with you for a minimum of 12 consecutive months, reside outside of Canada, and are unable to live with you in their country or marry you due to significant obstacles. For example, if same-sex marriage is not allowed in your home country. When you established that you are eligible, you will be required to submit two different applications: a sponsorship application, and a permanent residence application. To get started, you can download the application package from IRCCs website. The next steps will be to pay the required administrative fees and send your final application to IRCC by mail. See if youre eligible to sponsor your spouse CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. For example, if voice commands are broken down in the car, theres a chance the Google app is the one to blame, as its powering the experience with Google Assistant on Android Auto too.One of the prerequisites for Android Auto is having Google Play Services fully up-to-date, as in some cases, you could miss out on a specific improvement that depends on the latest version. So in other words, you are recommended to keep everything updated on your device to make sure Android Auto is working correctly (we all know this isnt always the case, but this is a completely different story).One of the errors users sometimes come across concerns Google Play Services, and it typically shows up during the first run or after installing an update that reset your settings.For a beginner who expects a straightforward experience from Android Auto, fixing a Google Play Services error sounds like rocket science, so before anything else, its important to understand why this is happening.First and foremost, when the Google Play Services error shows up on the screen, this is likely the result of Android Auto not being able to connect to Google Play Services. Contrary to what youd expect, this isnt necessarily something caused by the lack of an Internet connection (as a matter of fact, you can also set up Android Auto offline) but a technical problem that is encountered when setting the app.So in theory, the Google Play Services integration in Android Auto is not working properly, and this is why you need to turn to the workaround detailed below for the whole thing.It doesnt take more than a few seconds, and once you do it, everything should be up and running without the Google Play Services appearing again until you reset the app.First and foremost, make sure you dont open the Android Auto app on your smartphone. The best way to make sure its closed is to fully reboot your mobile device so that you can then start from scratch.When youre done, connect your smartphone to the head unit in the car, but even if the Android Auto app shows up on the screen, dont tap it. Next, while you are parked and the phone is plugged in, unlock the mobile device and look for any notification Android Auto might show.Even if you dont see a warning on the screen, look in the notification center you should see a prompt asking you to set up Android Auto. Next, you need to complete the setup wizard and provide permissions for the app Google says you are recommended to accept all permissions in Android Auto, as the app needs access to read information like phone calls, contacts, and calendar entries to be able to display such data in your car.When youre done, just unplug and reconnect your phone and everything should work correctly, with Android Auto launching just fine.If Android Auto doesnt start, make sure you are running the latest version of Google Play Services. To do this, launch the Google Play Store, search for Google Play Services and then check if the listing provides you with an update button. If it does, install the latest version, reboot your phone, and then run the aforementioned steps once again. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Ukraine and China praise the level of dialogue between the two capitals - Kyiv and Beijing - and plan to intensify regional cooperation. The Embassy of Ukraine in China released a corresponding statement following a meeting between Ambassador of Ukraine to China Serhiy Kamyshev and the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality. It is noted that the parties praised the level of dialogue between the two capitals - Kyiv and Beijing - which cooperate on the basis of a twinning agreement of 1993. "During the meeting, the parties exchanged proposals on intensifying regional cooperation between the capitals of Ukraine and China, expanding economic cooperation through joint investment and trade forums, scientific and educational exchanges of higher education and research institutions, as well as strengthening cultural and humanitarian cooperation," reads the statement. The Embassy praised the experience of local authorities in overcoming COVID-19 and conducting mass vaccinations, which is especially valuable in the context of anti-epidemic measures in Ukraine. In turn, Chinese officials announced the plans of the local government to turn Beijing into a global center of scientific and technological innovation by 2035. ol Results are almost instant with a far less likelihood of side effects. Surrey physician, Dr. Sachit Shah, of Beautiful Canadian Laser and Skincare Clinic, has been approved as the first doctor in B.C. to offer non-surgical facelifts using a newer, Health Canada approved thread material. This is a very fast and effective way to get a facelift without downtime. But, its not like anyone can do this procedure, says Dr. Shah. You are vetted for your reputation and years in business. Then you are tested by the company to make sure you have a good hand, before they allow you to offer it. The one-hour procedure, called a Silhouette InstaLift, uses an improved, thread lifting material made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). PLLA gives the pull needed to flatten wrinkles, while also volumizing cheeks by boosting collagen production in the skin. Eventually, the material is absorbed by the body, leaving behind its bolstering effects, without signs of threads. Results begin within a week, and can last up to two years. Downtime is minimal, requiring about a week for mild bruising to heal. The product has been in great demand since we launched this service in the summer of 2020, says Dr. Shah. It is a very good product; results are almost instant with a far less likelihood of side effects. Traditionally, thread lifts are performed as an off-label treatment using surgical sutures, made of polydioxanone (PDO). PDO threads can pull, but they cant kickstart collagen production the way these new threads can. The new threads are made of the same substance as Sculptra filler, explains Dr. Shah. They volumize and create new collagen, too. They are much more effective. Dr. Shah explains that these bio-absorbable threads must be only placed in the fat layer of the skin. Any deeper, and they can affect muscle movement. Any higher, and they wont work properly. Hence, the need for approval before performing the procedure. The product, created by Sinclair Pharma out of London, UK, is also FDA-cleared, and is popularly used in Europe. It uses a bidirectional, barbed suture that lifts better and lasts longer than other types of threads. The way they hold on to skin has been labelled as Micro-Suspension Technology. PDO sutures are not officially approved for face thread lifting procedures, which has led to misleading claims. They are Health Canada approved for closing surgical wounds. Though, it is not illegal, nor necessarily unsafe to use them for aesthetic, thread lifting procedures. Both PDO and PLLA have been used in medicine for decades. -30 - About Beautiful Canadian Laser and Skincare Clinic in Metro Vancouver (Surrey, B.C.) Beautiful Canadian Laser and Skincare Clinic is a pioneering, highly reputable, doctor-led medical spa, operating since the year 2000, in a 5000 sq. ft. facility in downtown Surrey. It is run by Dr. Sachit Shah, who is qualified to administer over 50 medically-researched cosmetic and skin care treatments. The clinic has frequently been the first to introduce new medical aesthetic science to the Metro Vancouver region. With over 20 up-to-date lasers and devices, safe injectables and science-backed aesthetic products, the clinic is able to customize treatments with a combination of solutions, giving clients the optimal results they want, all without invasive surgery. Visit our website: https://www.bclaserandskincare.com/ What sets us apart: https://www.bclaserandskincare.com/about-us/what-sets-us-apart/ Dr. Shahs biography: https://www.bclaserandskincare.com/about-us/our-doctors/ About the clinic: https://www.bclaserandskincare.com/about-us/ About Silhouette InstaLift See more here: https://instalift.com/ Learn more about the procedure, here: https://www.bclaserandskincare.com/treatments/vancouver-surrey-thread-lift-procedure-non-surgical-face-lift/ About Sinclair Pharma Sinclair Pharma is a global aesthetic company located in London, UK, and wholly owned by the Chinese company Huadong Medicine Limited. See more here: https://www.sinclairpharma.com/ In the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, the United States welcomed just 11,814 refugees, compared with 85,000 in 2016, the last year of the Obama administration, and the lowest since the modern U.S. resettlement scheme was created in 1980. When I traveled to Dadaab in June 2019, the pall cast by Mr. Trumps refugee policies was inescapable. Everywhere I went, people told me how they or their loved ones had given up on ever being resettled. They were either steeling themselves to spend the rest of their lives in Dadaab or weighing the possibility of going back to Somalia. Since Trump, resettlement is over, Elias Ndonga, the principal at Mr. Ahmeds school, told me. The refugees have nowhere to go now. No resettlement, no work. In the Kakuma refugee camp near Kenyas western border, which houses roughly a quarter of a million mainly South Sudanese refugees, nine refugees took their own lives in 16 months after the travel ban. The spate of suicides so unnerved aid workers there that they reportedly began confiscating wire, battery acid and other potentially deadly objects. With the link to the United States all but severed, the few alternative routes out of refugee camps like Kakuma and Dadaab became even more important. For Mr. Ahmad, the Trump ban meant striving for an academic scholarship to study in Canada. People who knew him said Mr. Ahmed worked feverishly in pursuit of his goal. His parents had returned to Somalia but he had stayed behind in the camp to repeat his final year of high school to better his exam score. The year before, Mr. Ahmed had scored poorly on the national high school exam, far below his expectations. He lived alone and dedicated nearly every waking hour to his studies. Mr. Ndonga, the principal, said that Mr. Ahmed often reported to school as early as 5:30 a.m. and didnt leave until late in the evening. Ramadan Ibrahim, a business manager at the school, told me, Most of the time, he talked about resettlement, about leaving the camp for a better life. When a Canadian scholarship did not materialize, Mr. Ahmed ended his life, speaking of falling short of his aspirations in a suicide note. HARTFORD Speaking behind a podium on the steps outside Connecticuts Old State House, newly inaugurated kid governor Reese Naughton detailed her vision for her year-long term in office. Naughton, a fifth grade student at Oshana Elementary School in Southington, had run her campaign on spreading positivity and improving the mental health of state residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kid Governor program, now in its sixth year, is sponsored by the Connecticut Democracy Center. Naughton, who was joined Friday morning by her parents and sworn in by Secretary of State Denise Merrill, explained in her inaugural address she was inspired to spread positivity when the pandemic struck last March. Her peers were able to watch her address remotely in classrooms throughout the state. Like so many of you, I couldnt see my friends. I had to stay at home and had to get used to wearing a mask, Naughton said. This made me have so many feelings that I realized other kids might be having: sadness, loneliness and isolation. When I had the opportunity to run for kid governor I did it to help others not feel this way. Positivity is so important for our mental health. And I believe my platform Be Positive Pandemic Perseverance will help improve the mental health of Connecticut residents. Naughton said she will need the help of her fifth grade peers to obtain her objectives, including spreading inspirational and uplifting messages across the state. She outlined plans to brighten the lives of nursing home residents by making cards to mail or share virtually. She unveiled plans for a poster contest, urging her fellow fifth graders to participate. The new Kid Governor also encouraged students to take care of their mental well being through safe outdoor activities. Naughton was chosen from a pool of seven finalists, in an election that saw more than 6,000 ballots cast by fellow fifth graders. Houda Jaouad, a fifth grader at Casimir Pulaski Elementary School in Meriden, was also sworn in as a member of the Kids Governor cabinet. Jaouad had run a campaign to end body shaming. Congressional leaders and other officials congratulated the incoming cabinet as well as the outgoing Kid Governor Myra Stanfield and her peers. State Commission of Education Miguel Cardona, who is President Joe Bidens nominee for U.S. Secretary of Education, congratulated Naughton in a video message. ... your issue of social emotional well being and safety during this pandemic is awesome. I know youre going to do great work for Connecticut, Cardona said. Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz also congratulated Naughton. Its great to see another smart and talented young lady elected kid governor of Connecticut, Bysiewicz said, adding each of the six kid governors elected to date have been girls. Ladies, youre on a roll. Bysiewicz told the new Kid Governor hers and the voices of other students are so important. We need your great ideas to keep moving our state forward, Bysiewicz said. mgagne@record-journal.com203-317-2231Twitter:@MikeGagneRJ West Bengal elections 2021: Zero tolerance towards money and muscle power says EC India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 23: With political parties apprehending violence and unrest in poll-bound West Bengal, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on Friday said the commission has zero-tolerance to money and muscle power and misuse of the government machinery. The CEC also said no civic police volunteers will be deployed for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. "The commission has zero-tolerance to money and muscle power or misuse of government machinery," the CEC told reporters here. West Bengal Elections 2021: AIMM exposed after Bihar polls says Mamata He said the EC''s expenditure observer will take steps to prevent misuse of money power. The full bench of the ECI, which is currently in the state to review preparedness for the assembly polls due in April-May, held meetings with representatives of political parties, senior government officials and police officers. Asked about incidents of violence ahead of the assembly elections in the state, Arora said, "We would like to review events of serious crimes which have political overtones and examine them on a case-to-case basis." To a related question about the EC taking action against those involved in incidents of hurling stones at political meetings and processions, the CEC said, "The commission can act only after the election dates are announced. We will take a series of measures and not allow bike rallies after the model code of conduct comes into force." About the possibility of early deployment of central security personnel in the state ahead of the elections, Arora said, "I don''t know who gave you the idea that we are going to deploy forces two-three months before the polls. We will go by our standard operating procedure and deploy them as and when necessary. "We take into account all the issues. Forces will be deployed in advance as per our final assessment." Claiming that West Bengal is witnessing political violence in the run-up to the elections, opposition parties have urged the full bench of the ECI to ensure that free and fair polls are held in the state. The ruling Trinamool Congress alleged that the BSF is threatening people in the border areas of the state to cast their votes in favour of a particular political party. The Border Security Force, however, denied the TMC''s allegation, saying that it was "baseless" and "far from the truth". West Bengal elections 2021: Another exodus from TMC to BJP Describing the allegation against the BSF as "unfortunate", Arora said it is one of the finest forces in the country. He said the political party concerned should come up with facts to support its allegation. West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh had said that names of Rohingya Muslims have been included in voters'' list in the state and urged the ECI to facilitate scrutiny of it. The EC has been requested to look into allegations of irregularities in the process of updating the list, he said. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News Asked about the BJP''s demand to facilitate scrutiny of the voters'' roll, the CEC said, "We are giving you (media) the complete list. Now you check yourself. Not just in Bengal, our officers take a closer look at the list. If there is an issue, we take it up." Several parties voiced concerns over law and order situation in the state, while issues like fake news on social media and provocative slogans with communal overtone have also been flagged by them, the CEC said. Asked about allegations that a large number of electors were not allowed to cast their votes in the 2018 Panchayat polls, Arora said the State Election Commission conducts the polls to the local bodies. "The ECI will ensure that there is no irregularity and every voter is allowed to cast vote in a free and fair manner in the assembly polls. We know how to get it done," he said. The ECI on Friday met Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Home Secretary HK Dwivedi, DGP Virendra and other senior officials, the CEC said. Arora said the full bench of the ECI asked the chief secretary and home secretary to look into the issues of fake information in the social media raised by political parties. According to the CEC, the chief secretary and the home secretary of the state said that they are following the EC''s guidelines in letter and spirit. The ECI asked the senior officials and police officers of West Bengal to expedite the process of executing pending non-bailable warrants (NBWs), sources said. Arora said there will be 1,01,790 polling stations for the 2021 assembly elections in the state and every booth should be made accessible to all persons with disabilities. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 12:52 [IST] Virus beats dodgy spice juice and ensnares politicians By Chris Kamalendran View(s): View(s): A local potion promoted by senior politicians, ranking officials, and some media, as a cure for the deadly new coronavirus, is still in demand among some in Sri Lanka, despite findings that doubt its medicinal use. Once again, this week, hundreds converged at the residence of Dhammika Bandara, the self-styled holy man in Udukumbura at Nelundeniya in Kegalle to get a bottle free, while Warakapola police struggled to restore order. In the underground market, the potion, popularly mocked as the paniya, was selling at Rs 2,500 for a quarter bottle (175 millilitres). Indigenous Medicine State Minister Sisira Jayakody, this week disclosed the herbal preparation was definitely not a remedy to prevent COVID-19, but could boost immunity. The formula committee has studied the Ayurvedha aspects of the potion and sent its report to the Health Ministry two weeks ago for its decision. The Health Ministry should take a final decision and inform the public of the correct position, Mr. Jayakody said. But, he said, people could not be discouraged or encouraged, from taking the potion. He said the state cannot take responsibility for any medical complications. Mr. Jayakody, said he was among those who drank the potion when it was presented to Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena last month. He said he did not experience side effects. The experts committee made its observations and sent a report to the Industrial Technology Institute for chemical analysis, earlier. A committee member, who did not want to be named, said the potion had not been made according to traditional Ayurvedic practices. We visited the site where the potion was prepared. We were not shown all the ingredients. It was a mixture of spices and nutmeg and ginger juice, the member said. He did not produce a formula for the preparation and told it was given to him by the spiritual power of Kali Mani. State Minister Piyal Nishantha, drank the potion in public, and is now a COVID infected person. He was not the only person who drank the syrup. Kegalle Pradeshiya Sabha member Shirantha Wijeypala was among them. His family has been diagnosed with the disease. Dhammika Bandaras house is just three kilometres from my place. I took the potion on December 8, but one month later I tested positive for COVID-19. My appeal to people is not to keep false hopes in this myth, Mr. Wijeypala told the Sunday Times. Potion creator Bandara told the Sunday Times that he was still puzzled as to how Mr. Nishantha and the local politician became infected. He claimed that three million have taken it. I make this potion with divine help from Kali Mani. My advice to the people who take this is to refrain from eating meat for two days. Even if you eat sausages it has the same effect on the medicine which has been made through spiritual powers. These powers came to me from Kali Mani involved in only distributing it, he said. Kegalle District Secretary Mahinda Weerasuriya had made several attempts to stop the distribution of the potion from Bandaras home, because of the risk of COVID spreading among crowds. Mr. Weerasuriya told the Sunday Times the health authorities had so far not authorised such a distribution. The situation is beyond my control. I have told the police about the crowds, he said. The potion has become a commodity as well. A resident said it was being sold through various agents. In one such instance, the Progressive Workers Union Commercial and Industrial Services of the Airport Aviation Ltd., was marketing what it called Dhammika Bandaras Hela Osuwa (Dammika Peniya). Union President P. Wijeratne told the Sunday Times arrangements were made to distribute the Dammika Peniya following a circular they received and a quarter bottle sells for Rs 2,500. We did not force the people to buy it. We have asked persons to register, he said. A Samagi Jana Balawegaya Kurunegala District lawmaker Ashok Abeysinghe produced in Parliament a circular issued by the Airport Aviation to all heads of divisions and unit managers on the distribution of the Dammika Peniya and said state patronage for the distribution was evident. Bust up with visiting physicians over secret recording Two doctors have filed police complaints at Peradeniya police against Dhammika Bandara the maker of the Dammika Peniya, alleging assault and damage to two telephones after they visited him in Kegalle. They had claimed they were among a team of five from the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital who came to get the peniya for their staff. They had taken along with them Rs 87,500 cash and purchased 35 bottles (175ml each). One doctor was also suspected to have recorded the conversation with the potion maker, while they chatted about the formula. An assistant had noticed and informed Bandara, who then allegedly assaulted one doctor and smashed his phone. He had forced a doctor to apologise and recorded a video, which was posted on Bandaras Facebook page. The doctors and three others were released only three hours after the incident. I was forced to make a statement as we had no other way of escaping, Dr. A. R. Maddumabandara said. The Sunday Times learned that the complaint had been referred to the Kegalle Superintendent of Police Division. A team was sent to Bandaras house, but they were turned back on the instructions of a senior official. It has now been referred to the Warakapola police, but until Friday, action had not been taken. (Additional reporting by Pradeep Kumara Dharmaratna) The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has called for the arrest of a Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho. Ibrahim Jiji, the chairman of the Oyo State chapter, who addressed journalists in Ibadan on Saturday, maintained that the Fulanis are not criminals. We are all Nigerians. We appreciate and love the governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for saying the truth. We need to join hands together to ensure we have a peaceful society. Our people are not happy and many of them are living in fear. Some had fled their homes. We want justice for Seriki Fulani. All those that perpetrated the evil must face the wrath of the law. They are not powerful than the government. Who is Sunday Igboho and why is he more powerful than the government? I have said time without number that we have criminals among all the tribes and not peculiar to Fulani. Those who are suffering the injustice now are not the criminals they are hunting for. These are good people and not criminals. The government should do the needful to ensure peace returns to the Ibarapa axis. Mr Igboho had reportedly led some Ibarapa youth to attack a Fulani settlement in the area. Meanwhile, BBC Hausa quoted the President Muhammadu Buharis senior special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, to have said the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered Mr Igbohos arrest. The police force spokesperson, Frank Mba and also the Oyo State Police spokesperson, Olugbenga Fadeyi, did not respond to calls and text messages for confirmation. Arrest will lead to crisis The National President of Yoruba Youth Socio-Cultural Association, Olalekan Hammed, however, said that Mr Igbohos arrest will lead to a crisis in Oyo State. Ibarapa youths may react violently if Sunday Igboho is arrested. They will also lose hope in both the federal and the state government. Ibarapa and other communities across Yoruba land seriously need to be guaranteed safety. So, any attempt to arrest Igboho will make the people think the government wants the menace of bandits in their communities to continue. PREMIUM TIMES has on several occasions reported how killings and kidnappings for ransom have become rampant on most farms in South-west Nigeria. It has also been worrisome lately in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State. The matter, however, triggered confrontation between some Yoruba youth led by Mr Igboho and some Fulani at Igangan community, leading to the destruction of houses and cars. Mr Igboho had earlier issued an ultimatum on the Fulani herders to vacate the community before Fridays raid. Mr Makinde, on his part, condemned the eviction notice, saying all Nigerians have the right to live in any place of their choice in the country. ADVERTISEMENT Convene meeting Meanwhile, on Saturday, a former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, urged Governor Seyi Makinde to convene a Council of State meeting to discuss the security challenges affecting the state. Mr Alao-Akala, who is the current chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Advisory Council in Oyo State, said this in an interview with journalists at his Awosika, Ibadan residence. Mr Alao-Akala said the Council of State meeting, comprising of all former governors of the state, both military and civilian was where matters on policies are made. Governor Seyi Makinde needs help in the area of maintaining law and order in the polity. Hence, he should not shy away from that fact. He needs to sit down and brainstorm with people who have been there before him to share from their wealth of experience on how certain things are done especially in the area of security. Take for instance, at the national level, the president meets periodically with former heads of state and former presidents and all former chief justices, among others, at the Nigerian Council of State meeting to review activities of government and seek for advise and interventions where need be. This is exactly what Governor Makinde needs in Oyo State at the moment. The peace and stability of the state is a collective responsibility of all. We are all stakeholders in the Oyo State project. Though the vast majority of students will use remote learning, Rouse said some small group in-person services will be offered to students with special needs. The district also will make its in-school Wi-Fi available to students with connectivity issues. The district has provided hot spot devices to families who do not have Internet, but Rouse said some students continue to have connectivity issues and will be allowed to use the districts Wi-Fi. Laos says it plans to inspect all existing dams for safety every five years. An undated photo showing the the future site of the Sanakham Dam in Xayaburi province, Laos. Thailand has rejected a new technical report on Laos Sanakham dam project, one of nine large-scale Mekong River mainstream dams integral to Vientianes controversial economic strategy of becoming the Battery of Southeast Asia. The 684-megawatt Sanakham dam is one of seven future dams in various stages of planning. At a cost of about U.S. $2 billion, it would take eight years to complete once construction starts in Laos northwestern Xayaburi province. Thailands Office of National Water Resources told RFAs Lao Service Tuesday that it does not accept the revisions submitted Jan. 15 to the Thai National Mekong River Committee by the Chinese dam developer, Datang Corporation Limited. Both our office and the Mekong committee concluded that the information in the new report is still not sufficient. More study is required, said Somkiat Prajamwong, the offices secretary general. Somkiat Prajamwong said the new report did not include data on the impact on the environment or how it would affect people who live below the proposed dam. He called on the developer to conduct an extensive environmental impact assessment and again revise the report before the next prior consultation. RFA contacted the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines but nobody there would answer questions about the Sanakham dam project. However, the ministry told Thai media in December that it would comply with all requirements to get the project started and it was waiting for comments from other members of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), an intergovernmental agency that works with the governments of Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, to manage the 2,703-mile rivers resources. The Sanakham dam is slated to be built on Mekong River North of Veunkham Village, in Xayaburis Kenthao district. The project is expected to displace 3,000 residents of 13 villages. Residents living close to the proposed construction site told RFA that they were worried that they might be forced to relocate, and they were concerned that the dam would harm local fish stocks. The dam will have a serious impact on the fish population, and we dont know how were going to be compensated, a resident of Kenthao told RFA under condition of anonymity. Another resident of the district expressed concerns about the property his home and farm sit on, saying, We dont know where well have to move to, nor do we know how well be compensated. The dam developer has been here, and they did some surveys and collected information. RFA Inspections planned Laos plans to conduct safety inspections of 79 existing dams on the Mekong and its tributaries. Were planning to inspect the dams before and after the rainy season once every five years, an official from Ministry of Energy and Mines Energy Management Department told RFA Thursday. If defects are found, the dam developers have to make the necessary repairs. Then the repaired dam must be passed the ministrys inspection again, the official said. According to the official, the ministry has inspected 55 dams since 2019, finding that 10 smaller dams were not built to official standards. The ministry also conducted safety drills and tested the emergency warning systems of some of these dams. The series of inspections included the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoi dam, which collapsed in July 2018, causing a disaster that has been described as Laos worst flooding in decades. Surging water and mud killed 71 people and wiped out all or part of 19 villages, sweeping away homes and causing severe flooding in villages downstream in Attapeu province and beyond into Cambodia. The National Investigation Committee in May 2019 held a press conference to explain the cause of the dams collapse, saying that the main culprits were the high absorbency of the saddle dams foundation, and the surrounding porous and easily eroded soil. Besides the dozens of hydropower dams on the Mekong and its tributaries, Laos has plans to build scores more in hopes of exporting the electricity they generate to other countries in the region. Though the Lao government sees power generation as a way to boost the countrys economy, the projects are controversial because of their environmental impact, displacement of villagers without adequate compensation, and questionable financial and power demand arrangements. Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Eugene Whong. 7 day print subscribers enjoy unlimited access to yakimaherald.com Enter the LAST NAME and the 7 DIGIT phone number on your print subscription account to connect your print subscription to your yakimaherald.com account. Boston Police Department homicide detectives are investigating the Friday afternoon death of a woman near the intersection of Washington Street and Bowdoin Avenue, authorities said in a press release. According to police, officers responded to a report of a person shot and wounded at about 12:40 p.m. First responders located a female victim suffering multiple gunshot wounds and transported her to a nearby hospital. She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Police did not identify or describe the victim. Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470. A group of 12 Hampden County state legislators is afraid there will not be enough vaccination sites in Hampden County to meet the needs of the states bulked-up Phase Two vaccine program which starts next month. While 15 new sites are being created by state health officials in eastern counties, none are planned for Hampden County. Led by State Senator Eric Lesser, the group wrote to Gov. Charlie Baker Friday calling on him to increase vaccination sites in Hampden County as he has in Essex and Bristol counties in the eastern part of the state as the program accepts more people in its Phase Two. We are very concerned that there is a significant disconnect between upcoming vaccination eligibility in future phases and the capacity for widespread vaccine distribution in Hampden County, the legislators wrote. We feel strongly that there is an urgent need for increased coordination and preparation in Hampden County if we are to successfully meet the needs of our constituents during Phase Two and beyond. Lesser and his colleagues said Hampden County has a pressing need for more sites as the third-hardest-hit by the effects of the pandemic, it is one of the poorest regions in the state and nearly one-third of its population is made up of people of color one of the groups most susceptible to the virus. Additionally, the group said Springfield is considered the Asthma Capital of the United States by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American. Asthma negatively complicates the treatment of COVID-19. The state has adopted the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendation that individuals over the age of 75 years old be considered at particular risk and should be included in Phase Two of the states vaccination plan. State health officials said including residents over the age of 75 would increase the Phase Two vaccination totals by approximately 170,000 people. People of all ages with two or more comorbid health conditions are also being added to the Phase Two rollout which starts February 1. The state has already administered some 78,000 doses of either Pfizer-BioNTech for Moderna vaccines to front-line workers as of December 31 and has started offering the vaccine to police officers and emergency personnel as of January 11. Signing on to the letter with Lesser are state senators Anne M. Gobi, Adam Gomez, Adam G. Hinds, and John Velis, and state representatives Brian M. Ashe, Nicholas Boldyga, Patricia A. Duffy, Carlos Gonzales, Jacob R. Oliveira, Kelly W. Pease and Todd M. Smola. UPPER THUMB Too little too late is Tuscola County commissioners stance toward the company that previously provided medical examiner services now being willing to work on a solution, as the county is moving to a new service. During the last county meeting, Michigan Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine was once again at the forefront of discussion for more than an hour as the company pitched the county reasons to stay with it. Both Doctors David Stockman and Russell Bush have weighed in on how they feel MIFSM provides superior service, has better credentials, and they said they are willing to work with the county to keep it as a customer. Tuscola has been with MIFSM for about a year and was the first county to sign up for its service. The cost for that service is $75,000 a year, rather than operating its own medical examiners office. However, over the last six months, the county has been at odds with MIFSM over the company increasing cremation fees without notice from $10 to $63. That is the key sticking point, and the possibility the company could increase other fees outside of the scope of the $75,000 that was supposed to be the cap. The information on the increase was not provided to the commissioners or the funeral homes ahead of independently raising the cremation permit fee, and there was no transition or explanation until the funeral homes addressed commissioners back in August, county Chairman Thom Bardwell said about why the county is changing medical examiner services. MIFSM would not concede even though statute provided that the commissioners have the sole authority to set the cremation fees, and they continued on charging the higher fees to the funeral homes who passed the increase to the deceased families," Bardwell said. "MIFSM refused to reimburse the funeral homes back to the original $10 cremation permit fee. Because of that, commissioners started exploring the cost and benefits of contracting with Dr. William Morrone O.D., or his medical group, Capitol Toxicology, to provide medical examiner services to the county back in November. Tuscola County Commissioners officials decided to cancel its agreement with MIFSM. We have taken a long serious look at what we believe the people of Tuscola County need," Bardwell said. "It has not been a quick decision." With that, commissioners approved contracting with Morrone in a vote of 4-1 with Commissioner Kim Vaughn being the lone no vote. Emergency Dispatch Director Sandra Nielsen had questions on how the change to another medical examiner would work. We will continue to operate as is until the new contract is officially approved," Bardwell said. "MIFSM has not been terminated yet. There will be a transition period that could take between 30 to 90 days. Until then, it is business as usual. Nielsen asked to be kept informed of what is happening. Back when we transitioned from the health department to them, we were not kept in the loop, said Nielsen. This is the moment a woman hosting an illegal house party in Wales tried to stop police entering her home before claiming all three households were in a bubble. Gwent Police received a call about a house party in Rhymney, Caerphilly, on Saturday 16 January. A woman is seen answering the door to police before asking the officer: 'Are you going to fine me for this?' Gwent Police received a call about a house party involving three people in Rhymney, Caerphilly, on Saturday 16 January 'If there is no breaches then no and if there is then maybe,' the officer replies. However the woman responds: 'Well I am not going to pay it.' 'Why are you asking for a fine? Surely if there is no one in there then you wouldn't be considering it,' the officer replies. The woman attempts to stop police coming inside her house before the officer tells her to 'get your hand off me'. At one point the exasperated officer tells her: 'I've tried to be tidy with you.' She then refuses to give her name and tries to explain the gathering, which involved three people, by describing the three households as a bubble. The situation ends after the woman shouts over the police officer who goes on to explain that a fine will be posted to the house Gwent Police captioned the footage on their YouTube: 'Body-worn footage from officers who attended a house party in Rhymney, Caerphilly. 'One woman was issued with a fixed penalty notice and another woman was given a warning.' Under Welsh Government rules, a person living on their own can create a support bubble with only one other household. The situation ends after the woman shouts over the police officer who goes on to explain that a fine will be posted to the house. Under Welsh Government rules, a person living on their own can create a support bubble with only one other household Last weekend a total of 54 people were fined by Gwent Police for breaching coronavirus regulations, including holding house parties. Officers attended house parties in Pontypool, Newport, and Rhymney behaviour which has been described by the force as 'dangerous, selfish, and totally unacceptable'. Chief superintendent Mark Hobrough said: 'Alert level four restrictions are still in place in Wales which means that people should remain in their own household and only travel when necessary. 'House parties and any mixing of households, both indoors and outdoors, is prohibited by Welsh Government regulations. 'Organising parties and gatherings is dangerous, selfish, and is totally unacceptable in light of the current threat we face. 'Please don't risk the lives of your loved ones and the wider community by having house parties or gatherings. 'We would like to thank the majority of Gwent residents who are adhering to Covid regulations and we will continue to engage, explain, and encourage our communities to work together with us to keep everyone safe. 'For those who blatantly go against the restrictions we will take enforcement action. Coronavirus levels remain high across much of Gwent and by following Welsh Government advice we are all saving lives and protecting the NHS.' MUSKEGON, MI Goobers Bakery, a Norton Shores classic, has been extremely busy since opening a second location in Whitehall, said owner Kevin Simons. Its been unreal, he said. The Whitehall shop, located at 3311 Colby St. Suites A and B, launched on Jan. 14. Simons said in his wildest dreams he never expected the response from customers. Its a wonderful experience to see that outpouring from the community, Simons said. Goobers Bakery, a place where a small cup of coffee and a donut cost $2.80, first opened in 1992 at 4165 Grand Haven Road. Simons took the helm as the new owner in 2014. The original donut recipe stayed the same, offering customers a selection of dozens of cake donuts, cinnamon rolls, long johns and fritters each made unique by their toppings. Related: Local Eats: Ponchos Tacos offers authentic Mexican street food with local flavor Over the past eight years, Goobers has gone from a donut shop to a full-fledged bakery, Simons said, with muffins, cookies, Danish pastries, breads and cakes added to the roster. The most eye-catching addition introduced to the bakery last year and replicated in Whitehall is a colorful craft soda wall. The more than 230 flavors range from traditional types, like root beer and ginger ale, to more intriguing recipes, like bacon soda and ranch dressing. Simons has more plans for the new location to eventually add barista-served coffee and offer floats, in which customers can pick an ice cream flavor and a soda from the wall. If you wanted a chocolate banana float, you could pick chocolate ice cream with banana soda, he said. More than 230 unique craft sodas are available at both locations of Goobers Bakery (Photo by Rose White | MLive) Goobers has also gone beyond its bakery offerings to a full cafe menu with soup and sandwiches. A standard ham sandwich is enhanced with smoked ham, cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, paprika mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato on Goobers homemade sourdough bread for $8. Under current dining restrictions, Goobers has been able to focus on takeout orders, but a lunch counter and seating area at the new location are ready for customers. Were really looking forward to the restaurant sit-down service opening up, Simons said. The bakery also stocks shelves of Michigan-made grocery items, like La Fiesta tortilla chips, McClures pickles and Naturally Nutty peanut butter. Here is the official welcome to Whitehall Ribbon Cutting. We were truly honored by the community support we've recieved. Thank you all so much! Posted by Goobers Bakery on Friday, January 15, 2021 In the first week since opening, Simons said the bakery has been selling out of trays of baked goods every day. There was just an excitement around Goobers opening in Whitehall. White Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amy VanLoon said they are thrilled to welcome Goobers to the area. What a wonderful addition to our community, she said in an email to MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. Facebook posts about the Whitehall location were shared more than 500 times. We wouldnt be here, and we wouldnt be there if we didnt have the community support, said Simons. More on MLive: 10 marijuana shops get initial approval from the city of Muskegon Heights Muskegon school board fills vacancy with candidate who came close in Nov. 3 board race Celebrate Black History Month with Hackley Public Librarys virtual events To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! New Delhi: Two days after the Indian team arrived on the home soil following the historic Australian tour, the Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra on Saturday (January 23, 2021) announced to gift the THAR-SUV to six players. The Test debutants Mohammed Siraj, T Natarajan, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini along with Shardul Thakur were the ones to receive the gift by the automobile giant. Anand Mahindra took to his official Twitter account and said, "Six young men made their debuts in the recent historic series #INDvAUS (Sharduls 1 earlier appearance was short-lived due to injury). Theyve made it possible for future generations of youth in India to dream & Explore the Impossible." He added, "Theirs are true Rise stories; overcoming daunting odds in the pursuit of excellence. They serve as an inspiration in all arenas of life. It gives me great personal pleasure to gift each of these debutants an All New THAR SUV on my own accountat no expense to the company." He said that the reason for this gift is to exhort young people to believe in themselves and 'Take the road less traveled'. "Bravo Mohammed, Shardul, Shubhman, Natarajan, Navdeep & Washington! I now plead with Mahindra Auto to get them their THARS on priority," Anand tweeted. The reason for this gift is to exhort young people to believe in themselves & Take the road less traveled. Bravo Mohammed, Shardul, Shubhman,Natarajan,Navdeep & Washington! I now plead with @Mahindra_Auto to get them their THARS on priority. (3/3) anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 23, 2021 In the just-concluded Australia tour, the fourth and the final Test witnessed Australia's fortress -- The Gabba -- being breached after over 32 years by the injury-ravaged young Indian team. The historic tour ended with the Indians winning the Test series 2-1 and retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Gill, Siraj, Saini, Sundar, and Natarajan made their debuts during the Test series and impressed everyone with their performances. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases for January 23 in Uzbekistan increased to 78,317, Trend reports with reference to the statistics of the Uzbek Ministry of Health. To date, 76,778 patients have fully recovered in the country, while 621 have died. At the moment, 918 patients are treated in medical institutions in Uzbekistan in accordance with the standards. According to the Ministry of Health, all new cases were identified among those who were in contact with patients. According to the Ministry of Health, all new cases were identified among those who were in contact with patients. In particular, 28 cases were revealed in Tashkent, six cases in the Khorezm region, three cases each in Syrdarya, Samarkand regions, and one case each was revealed in Namangan, Navoi, Bukhara, Kashkadarya regions, and in the Karakalpakstan Republic. From October 1, all border crossing points in Uzbekistan are opened for road, rail, and air transport. Under the instructions of the President of Uzbekistan, unlimited movement of vehicles, as well as local air and rail travel in Uzbekistan, was resumed since August 15, 2020. Also, from August 17, 2020, Tashkent resumed public transportation. The activities of preschool educational organizations and general education schools in a traditional and remote form is allowed from September 2020 in accordance with the opinions of parents and proposals of local councils of deputies. Citizens are required to wear masks when entering public transportation. (Natural News) The illusion of freedom will continue as long as its profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater. Frank Zappa (Article republished from TheBurningPlatform.com) The choice for mankind lies between freedom and happiness and for the great bulk of mankind, happiness is better. ? George Orwell, 1984 The quote from Frank Zappa has truly come to fruition during the first two weeks of 2021. We have been living in a Surveillance State since the introduction of the Patriot Act in 2001 (Biden has boasted that he wrote the bill years before). Until Snowden and Assange revealed the depth and depravity of this un-Constitutional intrusion into our lives only the Deep State cabal knew the truth. Most Americans ignored these revelations, as they continued to be distracted and entertained by their iGadgets and new social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and others. These social media companies parlayed peoples narcissist need for affirmation, likes and followers into multi-billion-dollar conglomerates with near monopolistic control over the distribution of news, opinions, and on-line communication of the masses. They have gathered personal data on hundreds of millions, used that data to create an addiction to their platforms, created algorithms to maximize their monetization of you, and colluded with government surveillance agencies to spy on you. The illusion of free speech provided by these Silicon Valley billionaires was extremely profitable for the last couple decades, so now with virtually total control of internet communication, these left-wing oligarchs have conspired with the Deep State traitors, the Democrat party, and the Davos crowd to pull back the curtain and reveal the brick wall at the back of the theater. They began moving the tables and chairs with the manufactured global pandemic for the Chinese bio-weapon lab virus in March. The psychopaths, who wield the real power, have no concern for humanity. They seized upon this crisis to implement a plan to remove Trump through using Covid as an excuse to roll-out a mail-in ballot scheme (supplemented with Dominion voting machine rigging) to commit just enough fraudulent votes to throw the election to basement Biden, a senile bumbling clown who drew tens of tens to his massive rallies. The social media autocrats gave the first inklings of extinguishing the illusion of freedom as they needed to ramp up the fear and panic from a flu with a 99.7% survival rate, so they began censoring doctors and other dissenters who dared to question the approved narrative of a deadly pandemic requiring mass lockdowns, small business closures (not Wal-Mart or Target) and mandatory masking. When the effectiveness of Hydroxychloquine + zinc + zpack and Ivermectin were scorned, ridiculed and censored by the social media titans, you knew they were in cahoots with Gates, Fauci and Big Pharma to generate billions in profits rather than save lives. Despite unequivocal proof lockdowns and masks do nothing to stop the spread of a flu that has negligible impact on people under 70, the corporate mainstream media and social media companies promoted falsehoods and censored the truth. They needed to destroy the economy to remove Trump. The scenery was taken down when the media conglomerates colluded to completely bury the Hunter Biden laptop story and the proof of influence peddling by the Biden crime family with China, Ukraine and Russia, and the Big guy creepy, sleepy Joe taking his 10% cut. Anyone presenting the facts of these criminal activities was immediately banned, including the NY Post and dozens of other real journalists. The curtain was inched back on the night of the election and in the weeks thereafter, when their master plan of fraudulent mail-in votes was failing and they needed to stop the counting in all swing states to manufacture more votes to put the senile kid groper over the top. The Silicon Valley authoritarian censorship police went into overdrive, suppressing documented proof of mass fraud, covering up video evidence and hundreds of written affidavits documenting fraud, banning dissenters from their platforms, promoting the false narrative of the fairest election ever, shadow banning opposing viewpoints, placing warnings on the accounts of anyone who presented facts about election fraud, and deleting tweets and Facebook posts of the president. Biden should have been moving back to his basement, where DOCTOR Jill Biden could feed him oatmeal and wipe the drool off his chin, waiting for dementia to finally consume one of the most corrupt politicians in the history of this country. But instead, on January 20, he will be propped up on stage to be sworn in as president, until his handlers decide to use the 25th Amendment and install the new BJ in Chief Kamala. The Trojan horse has entered the gates. The curtain has been torn down and the tables and chairs tossed aside in the last week, as the social media tyrants have shown their true colors and the four-year collusion cavalcade has reached its illusory climax, with a solid brick wall blocking the exits. The enemies of the people (aka billionaire oligarchs, Silicon Valley conspirators, corporate fake news media, traitorous Deep State spooks, and corrupt politicians) took advantage of Trumps failure to comprehend the risk of drawing a few hundred thousand of his most inflamed devotees into Washington on the same day Congress was meeting to confirm the electoral college vote counts, by infiltrating the rally with ANTIFA operatives. Their intent was to paint Trump followers as dangerous domestic terrorists, and the narrative has been propagandized unceasingly by the left. Trump delivered the standard speech he gave many times during the campaign and specifically told his followers to peacefully protest at the Capital to let our representatives know how they felt about the fraudulent election steal which took place on November 4. There is absolutely nothing he said or did during that speech which can possibly construed as a call for mob violence. He urged the crowd to make their voices heard by the corrupt corporate bought politicians meeting to confirm the stolen election. Based upon the hundreds of videos documenting the supposed insurrectionist attack mob, it is clear most of the idiots were let into the Capital by the police, there were numerous ANTIFA thugs creating havoc, none of the insurrectionists had guns, taking selfies, and posing in congressional offices for Facebook posts was the main accomplishment, and one unarmed woman was shot to death by a policeman after being urged to go through a window by BLM leader John Sullivan. There were a few hundred thousand Trump supporters at the rally and maybe a few hundred who meandered into the Capital building, broke a few windows, took selfies with policemen, and had five hundred or so corrupt politicians pissing their pants because their constituents are angry about asinine lockdowns and stealing an election through blatant fraud. Nothing was burned, there was 99% less violence than any BLM peaceful protest over the summer, and the only things looted were Pelosis podium and her laptop. Shes probably angry because it had nude selfies, she sent to Fartman Swalwell and Cryin Chuck. This was a perfect setup by those wielding the true power in this country to destroy Trump and brand his 75 million followers with a Scarlet T. They never let an opportunity like this go to waste. AOC and the rest of her squad took to social media to describe the terror of almost dying in this armed insurrection without arms. Maybe they thought they might be gored to death by this paid actor goofball. Every moment since January 6 has been used by the Big Tech/Big Gov/Big Corp oligarchy to promote the fake news insurrection against a government that absconds with your money at gunpoint, uses the U.S. Constitution like toilet paper, is spending future generations into unpayable debt servitude, has as much vision as Ray Charles and the morality of a $2 whore. I apologize to all $2 whores, who at least provide a service. The compliant media mouthpieces were given the script to propagandize the terms insurrection, sedition, coup, and armed rebellion for the last two weeks, beating it to death like a clubbed seal. The Big Lie method is being used by the Goebbels/Bernays acolytes at CNN, MSNBC, and even Fox, as they perpetuate the falsehood of an armed rebellion, when absolutely no one used firearms as they were ushered into the Capital by police. They have unleashed the rabid dogs in a blatant search and destroy mission to decapitate Trump and force his supporters into submission by threat of job loss, pariah social status, and inability to freely associate with other like-minded individuals on social platforms. As this second impeachment farce plays out, and the nation is engrossed and entertained by bloviating cretins disguised as elected representatives, spewing white supremacy gibberish, confirming Menckens belief those we elect prove voters are as moronic as the imbeciles they elect, the real economy remains in a government mandated depression, foodbanks are overwhelmed, small businesses continue to be purposely destroyed by despot governors, while Big Corp and Big Tech prosper, thrive and vacuum up more wealth. Nancy Pelosi and her team of diverse mouth breather swamp scum have now impeached Trump for a phone call about the truthful accusation that Joe Biden used undue influence to have a Ukrainian prosecutor investigating Hunter Bidens blatant peddling of Biden influence for millions, and now for the incitement of an insurrection by giving a speech in which he told a crowd to peacefully protest an election racked by online computer vote switching schemes and counterfeit mail-in ballot fraud. In both cases there was zero chance of Trump being convicted and in the current instance these feckless troglodytes spent a couple hours of vacuous race posturing before voting to impeach and would have to conduct a Senate trial after Trump has moved back to Florida. This is nothing but pure putrid politics in an attempt to make Republican politicians grovel and cower, while attempting to shame Trump voters into seclusion. The cowardly RINOs showed their true colors by voting with Pelosis posse, led by neo-con establishment warmonger Liz Cheney. Within a week the FBI supposedly determined the storming (aka being let in by the police) of the Capital was coordinated and planned weeks before using Facebook groups and other social media means. That poses the question, how could Trumps speech incite an insurrection that was already planned and being executed while he was still speaking? Is Facebook being shutdown for the good of the country? For over a week the Big Tech/Big Media/Big Gov oligarchs jammed the insurrection bullshit down our throats with their pontificating and painting of all Trump supporters as white supremacists conducting an armed uprising against our noble government swamp creatures slithering around the halls of congress. The FBI has done their part by hyperventilating about potential armed protests in every state capital on January 20. The FBI, along with CIA, DOJ, and military, have been in on the plot to unseat Trump before he took office, and they continue to do their part in the never-ending coup to discredit him and insure he cant run again in 2024. This is nothing but fearmongering to further discredit Trump supporters and force them to cancel themselves under the threat of being canceled by the woke leftist mob. The only armed attacks on state capitals would be planned, funded, and equipped by the FBI after convincing some dupe to go along with their plan, creating their needed false flag for gun confiscation or acting like they foiled their own plan at the last second to the accolades of the leftist media. CNN and the rest of the fake news media, along with the mini-despots Dorsey, Zuckerberg, and Bezos, are doing their totalitarian censorship damnedest to bury the John Sullivan (BLM terrorist) and ANTIFA videos proving they provoked, initiated, and took part in the violence in the Capital. CNN even interviewed this lowlife scumbag on air after the Capital kerfuffle as if he was a journalist, rather than radical leftist criminal. The First Amendment is so inconvenient for these tyrants and their communist cohorts AOC and her squad of Maoists. Anyone not in agreement with their warped psychopathic narrative must be sent to re-education camps, and if that fails, to the gulag. This is the mindset of those now in control of all the levers of our government. Next, we will be segmented into districts and subjected to Hunger Games level subjugation and tyranny. They are not satisfied with beating Trump and his 75 million followers, they must re-educate and change them to achieve everlasting victory. We do not merely destroy our enemies; we change them. ? George Orwell, 1984 The incomprehensibly cosmic degree of duplicitous hypocrisy from Pelosi, Schumer, their radical extremist brethren, and their lapdogs in the fake news media knows no bounds. As the terms insurrection and armed revolt are ejected from their pieholes like diarrhea after eating gas station sushi, these myopic deceitful weasels suffer from lack of self-awareness or willfully ignorant amnesia regarding the events of this past summer. CNN, MSNBC and the rest of the far-left media complex cheered on the riots, beatings of innocent bystanders, looting, burning of government buildings and police vehicles, assaults on police, destruction of small businesses, and skyrocketing murder rates, all in the name of social justice, because a couple felons and drug addicts died while resisting arrest. The smarmy double standard applied when reporting actual violent uprisings by BLM and ANTIFA terrorists versus a Trump rally where 99% were peaceful and 1% were paid actors to incite violence, reveals the duplicity of these faux journalists. Trump always had them pegged perfectly with his Fake News moniker, and that accurate portrayal has driven them insane with rage to destroy him. The Silicon Valley ministers of propaganda and censorship not only allowed these planned riots to be coordinated on their social platforms, but openly supported and encouraged the violence and mayhem. Burning downtown districts, police under siege, murder, and anarchy gripped dozens of Democrat run cities for months, but they were reported as fiery but mostly peaceful protests by the irresponsible media. Kamala and Hollywood elites bailed out killers and anarchists. Not a peep out of Pelosi, Schumer or basement Biden about insurrection, armed mobs, or violent revolt. So, Twitter and Facebook allowed violent criminals to coordinate and carry out hundreds of uprisings and violent mob attacks attempting to overthrow the authorities in dozens of cities with zero consequences or moral outrage. Did Amazon shut down their servers? Normal law-abiding citizens of this country were provided a glimpse into a future controlled by Big Tech/Big Media/Big Democrat Gov and should have resisted this left-wing surge of anarchy. Instead they sat back and watched it on their boob tubes while passively accepting the lockdowns imposed by their governors. Now it is too late. I realized the oligarchy no longer even feigned to believe in the rule of law or freedom of speech with the coordinated snuff film episode of Get Parler. This was a coordinated takedown of a website which was inconveniencing the Big Tech oligarchy of Twitter, Facebook, Google, Apple and Amazon. If ever a clearer example of anti-trust collusion was exhibited, this was it. But these amoral tyrants know they have sleepy Joe in their pocket because they went all in on the Hunter Biden laptop story suppression and pale face Zuckerberg donated $400 million towards helping swing state election officials commit fraud to guarantee a Biden victory. The banning of Trump by Twitter and Facebook and the purge of those unwilling to go along with their Marxist ideological narrative caused hundreds of thousands to head for the exits towards Parler & Gab, where freedom of speech still existed. Freedom of speech is no longer allowed on Facebook, Twitter or Youtube. As conservatives flocked towards Parler, the Big Tech oligarchs pulled back the curtain to reveal the brick wall. They all simultaneously began peddling the provably false narrative the dreadful assault on freedom, with no weapons, at the Capital was solely coordinated and planned on Parler. It is absolutely provable and factual that any planning was done using Facebook private groups. Read more at: TheBurningPlatform.com Baghdad, Jan 23 : Iraqi security forces have launched a new operation to hunt down Islamic State (IS) militants from all across the country after 32 people were killed in the twin suicide bombings in Baghdad earlier this week. In a statement on Friday, the country's Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) said that acting on intelligence reports, the security forces arrested "some wanted suspected terrorists" in Baghdad, Anbar province and Kirkuk province, Xinhua news agency reported. The captured suspects are believed to have links to the IS and have information about the group's leaders in the country, the statement added. It also said that the CTS troops would continue operations in the next few days to hunt down the IS remnants. The operation came aday after two suicide bombings took place on Thursday morning in a bustling outdoor market in the Bab al-Sharji area in downtown Baghdad. The IS has claimed responsibility for the bombings that targeted a Shia gathering in the area. Thursday's bombings were the first such attack in the Iraqi capital city in nearly two years, as the security situation has improved since the Iraqi security forces fully defeated the IS across the country late in 2017. However, sporadic deadly incidents still occur in the war-ravaged country. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. The Telegraph The list of Donald Trump associates who have attempted to bring down the former president is as long as it is varied: from his lawyer, to his closest advisor, his ex-wife and his alleged lover. But like many powerful figures before him, it may well be his accountant that would be his undergoing. Allen Weisselberg, the little-known 73-year-old chief financial officer for the Trump Organisation, has worked for the Trump family as far back as the early 1970s under Donalds father Fred. Some say he is closer to Mr Trump than he is to his own children. As one former employee put it, he knows where the bodies are buried". In recent weeks New York prosecutors investigating Mr Trumps tax affairs have been turning the screws on Mr Weisselberg in the hope of flipping him to testify against his boss. Cyrus Vance, the Manhattan District Attorney, is looking into everything from hush-money payments paid to women on Mr Trump's behalf, to property valuations and employee compensation. Speculation is mounting that his office may be able to turn Mr Weisselberg, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, as it pulls together a grand jury to decide whether to indict. A man held up a judge, a barrister and his estranged wife with a fake pistol and a hoax pipe bomb during a terrifying siege in a Dublin court, his sentence hearing has been told. During a hearing in December 2018, Edmund Dunican, aged 47, told the court he had a problem with an opposing barrister, Lisa Daly, before he drew a realistic firearm from his briefcase and threatened her with it, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today. At the time, Dunican was wearing an elaborate device around his neck that resembled a pipe bomb. The court heard Dunican, a fitter by trade, made the fake bomb at home. The judge in the courtroom refused to leave when Dunican told her she could go. Instead, she repeatedly appealed to him to drop the gun and helped the other two women, at one point ensuring they both had a glass of water. The 17-minute siege ended after an armed garda negotiator persuaded Dunican to surrender the gun and let the women go. The court building was evacuated and surrounded by armed garda units during the incident, while an army unit was called in to assess the device. Dunican, with an address in Stadium Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of carrying an imitation firearm with criminal intent at Smithfield on December 20, 2018. It is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. Dunican has no previous convictions. Detective Garda Shane Connolly told Anne-Marie Lawlor, prosecuting, that Ms Daly had had a number of dealings during court proceedings with Dunican, who was representing himself. On the day in question, Ms Daly told the court that it was her last day, as she was going to become a solicitor. When Dunican's matter was called before the court, he drew the imitation firearm and told Ms Daly: Did I hear you say today is your last day? You have no idea Lisa, you have no idea. As Ms Daly crouched in her chair, the judge repeatedly told Mr Dunican: Put your weapon down sir, please. The court registrar pressed the panic alarm and gardai were called to court over the tannoy system, while Dunican said: It's too late for the guards judge. Dunican said the registrar and judicial assistant could leave the court and the judge too, telling her he didn't mean her any harm, but the judge replied: I'm not leaving. The judge continued to reason with Dunican until armed gardai entered the court and a negotiator persuaded Dunican to surrender. Ms Daly told gardai it was a terrifying experience and she believed Dunican was going to shoot her in the head or detonate a live bomb. Dunican's wife said she was petrified and frozen in fear throughout the ordeal. The court heard the bomb looked realistic and was fitted with a metal pipe and a functioning red and green light. The imitation firearm resembled a semi-automatic pistol. The judge told gardai that Dunican told her she could leave but that she remained in order to defuse the situation as best she could. She told gardai the incident was surreal and she had never experienced anything like it. She said that at no point did Dunican say why he was doing it or what he wanted to achieve. Victim impact statements were handed into court from Ms Daly and Dunican's wife, but the judge declined to make one. Fiona Murphy, defending, said he appreciates the serious nature of the matter before the court. She handed up a detailed psychological report and a letter of apology from her client. The court heard Dunican previously ran a successful business but that his life crumbled in recent years. Ms Murphy said Dunican had become increasingly stressed in the months before the offence, that he suffered from heart problems and was at the end of his rope. He was a man on the edge, she said. Dunican has been in custody since the day of the offence. Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned the matter to next Tuesday, January 26, for sentencing. Additional evidence In a 17-minute recording of the siege, played in court, the judge repeatedly appealed to Dunican to put the gun down, before asking him what was hanging around his neck. Dunican replied: You don't want to know judge. The guards will understand. As the court building was evacuated and armed gardai surrounded the building, the judge got permission from Dunican to place a call. She rang the court office requesting the presence of gardai urgently, telling them: You will be too late. Do you understand? During the incident, Ms Daly was crouched down by her desk, crying and trying to call her husband. At one point, Dunican asked her if she had children. Armed gardai entered the court shortly afterwards, causing Dunican to roar: Back off lads. If I fall you're gone. If I fall yous are all gone. A trained negotiator engaged with Dunican and the judge was taken out of the court before Dunican eventually agreed to put the gun down. My job is done here today, Dunican told gardai. I've achieved what I wanted to achieve. In relation to Ms Daly, he told gardai: I will destroy her. Not here today, but I will destroy her. I've got the tools to do it now. As Dunican was arrested and the imitation firearm was taken, he could be heard saying: I apologise. There's nothing in it. Alibaba-backed community group buying platform gets fined for uncompetitive practices; U.S. and China trade officials hold their first phone call under the Biden presidency; and the yuan surges to a three-year high against the dollar May 28, 2021 05:54 PM People clash with police during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in St Petersburg (AP) More than 2,600 people have been arrested after protests erupted in at least 60 Russian cities to demand the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Kremlins most prominent foe. The protests, which took place in temperatures as low as minus 50C in some place, highlighted how Navalnys influence stretches far beyond the political and cultural centres of Moscow and St Petersburg. In Moscow, an estimated 15,000 protesters gathered in and around Pushkin Square in the city centre, where clashes with police broke out and demonstrators were dragged off by riot officers to police buses and detention trucks. Some activists were beaten with police batons. Navalnys wife Yulia was among those arrested. Police eventually pushed demonstrators out of the square. Thousands then regrouped along a wide boulevard about half a mile away, many of them throwing snowballs at the police before dispersing. Expand Close Police stand guard during a protest in the Siberian city of Omsk (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police stand guard during a protest in the Siberian city of Omsk (AP) Some demonstrators later went to protest near the jail where Navalny is being held. Police made an undetermined number of arrests there. The protests stretched across Russias vast territory, from the island city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk north of Japan and the eastern Siberian city of Yakutsk, where temperatures plunged to minus 50C, to the more populous European cities. The range demonstrated how Navalny and his anti-corruption campaign have built an extensive network of support despite official government repression and being routinely ignored by state media. The OVD-Info group, which monitors political arrests, said at least 1,045 people were detained in Moscow and more than 375 at another large demonstration in St Petersburg. Overall, it said 2,662 people had been arrested in some 90 cities, revising the count downward from its earlier report of 3,445. The group, which conducts its count through regional associates and runs a hotline for information, did not give an explanation for its revision, and Russian police did not provide arrest figures. Expand Close Thousands of people have taken to the streets across Russia (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Thousands of people have taken to the streets across Russia (AP) Undeterred, Navalnys supporters have called for fresh protests next weekend. Navalny was arrested on January 17 when he returned to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a severe nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin, and which Russian authorities deny. Authorities say his stay in Germany violated terms of a suspended sentence in a 2014 criminal conviction, while Navalny says the conviction was for made-up charges. Expand Close Hundreds were arrested in a show of support for the opposition leader, who could face more than three years in jail (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hundreds were arrested in a show of support for the opposition leader, who could face more than three years in jail (AP) The 44-year-old activist is well known nationally for his reports on the corruption that has flourished under President Vladimir Putins government. His wide support puts the Kremlin in a strategic bind risking more protests and criticism from the West if it keeps him in custody, but apparently unwilling to back down by letting him go free. In a statement, the US state department condemned the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists this weekend in cities throughout Russia and called on Russian authorities to immediately release Navalny and all those detained at protests. Navalny faces a court hearing in early February to determine whether his sentence in the criminal case for fraud and money-laundering which Navalny says was politically motivated is converted to three and a half years behind bars. On Thursday, Moscow police arrested three top Navalny associates, two of whom were later jailed for periods of nine and 10 days. Expand Close Alexei Navalny was arrested after returning to Moscow from Germany (Mstyslav Chernov/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alexei Navalny was arrested after returning to Moscow from Germany (Mstyslav Chernov/AP) Navalny fell into a coma while aboard a domestic flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20. He was transferred from a hospital in Siberia to a Berlin hospital two days later. Labs in Germany, France and Sweden, and tests by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, established that he was exposed to a Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent. Russian authorities insisted that the doctors who treated Navalny in Siberia before he was airlifted to Germany found no traces of poison and have challenged German officials to provide proof of his poisoning. Expand Close Police detain a man in Moscow during pro-Navalny protests (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police detain a man in Moscow during pro-Navalny protests (AP) Russia refused to open a full-fledged criminal inquiry, citing a lack of evidence that Navalny was poisoned. Last month, Navalny released the recording of a phone call he said he made to a man he described as an alleged member of a group of officers of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, who purportedly poisoned him in August and then tried to cover it up. The FSB dismissed the recording as fake. Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlins side for a decade, unusually durable in an opposition movement often demoralised by repressions. He has been jailed repeatedly in connection with protests and twice was convicted of financial misdeeds in cases that he said were politically motivated. He suffered significant eye damage when an assailant threw disinfectant into his face. He was taken from jail to a hospital in 2019 with an illness that authorities said was an allergic reaction but which many suspected was a poisoning. On the second day of this years legislative session, House Speaker Jay Lucas looked out over the chamber and invited representatives to give themselves a round of applause for what he called a miraculous turnaround, saying he saw maybe a couple of Republicans, one Democrat in the chamber without a mask. And it didnt take a rule or a fine, he said. It just took an ask and a request, and for those that dont have it yet, well continue to talk to those, but I am so proud of everyone in this chamber who put on a mask today and the respect they have for the membership of this body and the staff. A cynic might ask where all that respect was last month, or even on the first day of the session, when the Senate began with all of its members voluntarily wearing masks. But while we wish this had happened sooner, were proud of the House too. And were especially proud of Mr. Lucas, who made the commitment and had the important if difficult conversations necessary to persuade nearly all of his fellow House members to show respect for the health of other legislators and staff by reducing their own ability to unknowingly transmit COVID-19. Were also proud of Senate President Harvey Peeler, who doesnt have nearly as much power as the speaker but who performed a similar sort of miracle across the hall, after having individual conversations with hold-out senators and convincing them to wear masks in the chamber and in their office building. Getting lawmakers to wear masks and social distance could make the difference between a full legislative session and having lawmakers forced into revolving quarantines that leave them unable to accomplish the state's business for the second consecutive year. Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email Sign Up! This is the way it always should have worked, in the House and Senate chambers, in offices, in grocery stores and shops and in all the other spaces we share with people outside our immediate families: People should have willingly donned masks once public-health officials finally stopped trying to horde masks for medial use and admitted that, yes, wearing one does greatly reduce the chance that someone who is infected will transmit that infection to others. Public health officials were absolutely wrong to take that approach, both morally and tactically, since it gave contrarians and conspiracy theorists something not only to cling to but also to use as part of a disinformation campaign against mask wearing and other public health precautions. But that mistake in no way forgives all the people who have continued to treat their fellow human beings so callously, by refusing to take so simple and easy a step to reduce the chance that they could kill their fellow human beings with their breath. Frankly, the fact that local governments here and state governments elsewhere have had to resort to legally enforceable mandates is an indictment of our society. Its particularly disturbing that so many of our legislators refused to wear masks during their meetings last year, and that legislative leaders even had to consider rules requiring them to do so this year, since mutual respect is such a necessary component of the legislative process. The way the matter was finally resolved in both bodies, though, also is instructive: Individuals talked with people they know and asked them to wear masks, in Mr. Peelers case with please and thank you with sugar on top. Its a reminder that many of us probably can make a difference by having those sorts of conversations with people we know. No, were not likely to convince a stranger and certainly not if we're angry or demanding. But isnt it worth the effort to have heart-to-heart conversations with people we know, where we explain our concerns and ask them to wear a mask as a favor to us, out of concern for our own health and the health of others? If that can work with elected officials who have staked out a political position in opposition to masks and are playing to an anti-mask constituency back home, it just might work with our coworkers, friends and family. NEW DELHI: In what could be said to be a proud moment for India, Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday (January 23) thanked the Indian Prime Minister-led government in the country for the export of COVID-19 vaccines. Taking to Twitter, Bolsonaro tweeted an image of Hindu god Hanuman carrying the jabs from India to Brazil. The Brazilian Prime Minister used the reference from the Hindu epic Ramayana, wherein Hanuman carries the life-saving 'Sanjeevni plant' to save Ram's brother Lakshman's life. "Namaskar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi! Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad!," Bolsonaro said in a tweet. PM Narendra Modi replied on Twitter, saying the honour was India's in being a trusted partner of Brazil in fighting the pandemic together. "We will continue to strengthen our cooperation on healthcare," Prime Minister Modi wrote. The honour is ours, President @jairbolsonaro to be a trusted partner of Brazil in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic together. We will continue to strengthen our cooperation on healthcare. https://t.co/0iHTO05PoM Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2021 Well, the Brazilian Prime Minister chose a unique way to extend his gratitude and it won hearts of Indian citizens. However, this isn't the first time Bolsonaro invoked religion to thank or make an appeal to India. In April last year, the President wrote a letter to Indian government seeking hydroxychloroquine or HCQ, a drug thought to be effective in the treatment of coronavirus, touted by then President Donald Trump, himself. Bolsonaro had at the time invoked Hanuman carrying a 'holy medicine' in Ramayana, and referenced to Jesus Christ, as well. India dispatched two million doses of Covishield vaccines to Brazil on Friday. Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India. Brazil`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy in New Delhi, had made arrangements with India and SII for the transportation of the COVID-19 vaccines, following up on a letter from President Jair Bolsonaro to Prime Minister Narendra Modi dated January 8. Live TV In June of last year, to much fanfare and acclaim, Min Ryan Park was finally opened. After six years of planning and preparation the new 18-acre site was unveiled in a special ceremony, with all the usual dignitaries and faces there to bask in its glory. Tributes were paid to the woman who had given the Killeens recreational space its name, and it was noted that this was the first park in the country to be named after a woman. But who was Min Ryan? And why is she held in such esteem today, a full 43 years after her death? The sixth of 12 children born to John and Eliza Ryan nee Sutton, Mary Josephine 'Min' Ryan was born in 1884 and grew up in the townland of Tomcoole near Taghmon. The Ryans were farmers and owned some 150 acres of land, enough to finance not just a secondary schooling for their children but also enough to send them to college for a third-level education. This exposure to education, to a world away from the cosy environs of rural Wexford, was to have a significant influence on the Ryan children, as Min explained some years later in an interview with the Bureau of Military History (BMH). The BMH was set up to compile the history of the fight for Irish Independence between 1913 and 1921, and on June 23, 1950, it interviewed Min about her role in events. Expand Close Richard Mulcahy, Min Ryan, and their children Padraig, Elisabeth, Risteard, Maire, Neilli and Sean at Min and Richards wedding anniversary / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Richard Mulcahy, Min Ryan, and their children Padraig, Elisabeth, Risteard, Maire, Neilli and Sean at Min and Richards wedding anniversary Min started her interview by recounting how she and her siblings first came to learn about the fight for Irish Independence. 'My family was first attracted to the national movement through my eldest brother, Martin Ryan, who was then in Maynooth College (1902-06) as a student. There was a large number of students there, particularly the Ferns men, who were interested in these movements. They had a new outlook as to the means of attaining freedom. 'He (my brother) would come home on holiday time and talk tremendously about the language movement and Sinn Fein. We started to read papers about every single thing that was said by Arthur Griffith in connection with the Sinn Fein movement. 'At that time, it was only ourselves in our locality had that sort of interest. It was purely a small intellectual crowd that was interested in these ideas - particularly priests. It was a new movement with very little following. If you talked about Sinn Fein and tried to bring up a new idea people looked upon you as being a bit queer, with "notions". These 'notions' about establishing a new republic, in joining the cause, remained just that until Min relocated to the capital to begin her own college life. She studied French, German and English at the Royal University in Dublin (later the National University of Ireland) and graduated in 1908. It was in Dublin that she first met Sean MacDermott, a man who would eventually become one of the seven leaders of the Easter Rising and Min's boyfriend. MacDermott was integral in the formation of the Irish Volunteers and one of his first recruits was Min's brother, and later prominent Wexford politician, James Ryan. Yet at this time they were all merely young graduates with an idealistic view of the world, revolutionaries in training if you will. Upon graduating from college Min became a languages teacher, a profession which saw her briefly emigrate to London in early 1914. While there, in a sign of her growing radicalism, she formed a branch of Cumann na mBan (CnmB), the Irish republican women's paramilitary organisation. Although an independent group with its own leaders, the members of CnmB served alongside the Irish Volunteers in an auxiliary capacity. 'We (were) training our girls for war - even to take up arms if necessary - and to do any sort of work in connection with war,' Min says in her interview with the BMH. Having been informed of the growing disquiet back home, Min returned to Ireland in late 1914, becoming secretary of one of the Dublin branches of CnmB. Its offices were located in the same building as the main body of Irish Volunteers who were now led by Eoin MacNeill and had men like Padraig Pearse and Joseph Plunkett in their ranks. Min describes the growing anticipation of that time. 'That year (1915) was full of excitement and activity. We always talked of having a Rising, but, although we talked of it, we never realised it was so near.' It was near, all but a few months away. 'For a little more than a week before the Rising there was tremendous excitement - a sort of seething undercurrent. You felt that something was going to happen, but what it was you did not know,' Min recalls of the days leading up to the 1916 Easter Rising. Although she was prepared to bear arms if necessary, Min's activities in the days leading to the uprising were less dramatic, but no less important. On Holy Thursday she was instructed to take the train from Dublin to Wexford and dispatch a message from Sean MacDermott to Sean Sinnott, the leader of the Wexford Volunteers. 'He did not tell me what was in it. When I handed it over to Sean Sinnott in Wexford town his only remark was that "it will be alright". I got no written reply to bring back. I returned by train to Dublin that evening.' Min had only been back in Dublin a couple of days when she was ordered to travel south once more, a further message, this one from Eoin MacNeill, advising the Wexford Volunteers that 'all manoeuvres had been cancelled'. There was a sense of confusion, almost dismay, among the Wexford men upon receipt of this news, they had been readying themselves for battle only to be told their services would not be required after all. However, although MacNeill had ordered men across the country to stand down, many of the Volunteers had decided the time was ripe, that they could no longer hold off, and were determined to attack, with or without MacNeill and their allies in Wexford, Cork, Galway and beyond. On Easter Monday morning Min received a message of her own. Her services were required at a house near the Broadstone. Once there, she and other members of CnmB spent the day sending out further messages, informing men that they had been mobilised and needed to report for duty. By now the fighting had started. 'I remember hearing shots - a few shots together, and then the firing stopped. You would hear a shot now and again, and then things were terribly still,' Min says. At 5 p.m. on Easter Monday, Min and the other women received word their services would no longer be required, they took this as an opportunity to go outside and survey the scene. 'We came to the GPO without being stopped or interfered with in anyway. The first thing that made us realise there was a war on was a dead horse, lying on its back with its feet up. 'There was not much excitement. I remember the flag interested me because I had never seen a tricolour flying like that before.' It wasn't until the arrival of her brother Jim, that Min, along with sister Phyllis, entered the GPO and joined MacDermott, Pearse and the rest. 'I remember when I was passing by Trinity College I had a feeling that there was something serious going on there. You would see an odd man peeping out from behind sandbags or you would see the muzzle of a gun.' While the Rebels kept watch, occasionally firing from the windows at the British troops gathered outside, Min ensured they were foddered and fed. 'I was put in to carve a lot of beef. At that time, there were nearby the Metropole, the DBC (Dublin Bread Company) and the Imperial Hotel. All the stuff that was in those places was commandeered and brought into the GPO and receipts were given on it on behalf of the Irish Republican Army.' Later she and Phyllis were asked to deliver messages to the wives of three British soldiers who had been inside the GPO when it was commandeered and had been taken prisoner. 'I always remember the look on the women's faces when they read the messages. We asked: "Is there any message?" They looked at us as if we were awful women,' Min recalls. By now the tide had turned. British forces had surrounded not just the GPO, but the entirety of Dublin. Buildings were ablaze, the revolution was about to be quelled, and when Min and Phyllis tried to rejoin the rebels they found their way barred by enemy soldiers. 'We were determined to get back. It would (have been) absolutely idiotic not to. If the men were to die, we would too, that is the way we felt.' They did make it back, but while out delivering further messages, including one from Padraig Pearse to his mother, the British forces overwhelmed the Volunteers. This time, when they returned to the GPO, the rebels were being led away by the British, and the city had fallen. Min's brother Jim was eventually sent to a British prison on May 30 before being released later that year. The rest of the rebels weren't so fortunate, including Min's fiancee Sean MacDermott. On the morning of May 12 at 12 midnight, Min and her sister Phyllis travelled to Kilmainham Jail to see Sean for one last time. Min recounts this visit in The Irish Rebellion Of 1916 And Its Martyrs: Erin's Tragic Easter. 'The last time I saw Sean MacDermott was in a prison cell at Kilmainham Jail, Dublin, at 3 a.m. on the morning of May 12,' she says in her interview from July of 1916. 'He was shot at 3.45 a.m. on the same morning. My sister and I were called from our house at 11 p.m. on the previous night by an armed messenger who carried a despatch from one Major Lennon, saying the prisoner "John" McDermott desired to see us.' Already reeling from the imprisonment of her brother, the untold losses suffered by the Volunteers and the sight of the capital in ruins, Min describes the scene as they were escorted to Kilmainham. 'It would take the pen of some great Russian realist to picture that awful drive through the night, through the streets of Dublin lined with British sentries with their drawn bayonets. The houses were in darkness and there was a hushed silence in the streets.' 'We found ourselves in front of a great, dark, treacherous looking building, Kilmainham Jail. The thought that here, in this ill-starred fortress, we were going to say goodbye forever to one of our dearest friends, stunned us.' The scene didn't improve as they were sombrely ushered inside. MacDermott's cell was nothing more than a midden, a plank bed in the corner and a small table with a candle the only signs of humanity. 'The one discordant element in the setting was the prisoner,' Min recalled. 'As he came to the door with both hands extended, to welcome us, with a smile on his face that seemed to transcend the brutal place, one felt fortitude and confidence in oneself once more and a strong desire to show no surprise at the unusual scene.' Incredibly, despite being only hours from his death, MacDermott sought to lighten the mood, to ensure his guests were entertained. 'He preferred to talk of all sorts of casual matters, asking about different people we knew, referring to various happy events of the past, and enjoying little jokes and jests almost as naturally as if we were in Bewley's or in an ordinary sitting-room in one of our houses.' But with their time running out, MacDermott began fashioning keepsakes for those he would never say goodbye to, friends and acquaintances who had asked for something, anything, to remember him by. Min describes the heartbreaking sight of this most valiant of men carving out his initials on whatever items he could find in the cell. 'As one looked at his beautiful head assiduously bent over this work in the dim candle-light, one could scarcely keep one's feelings from surging over at the thought that in another couple of hours that beautiful head would be battered by four bullets and that those deep, clear, thoughtful eyes would look on us no more,' she says. 'It was cruel, impossible! They could not shoot him! Surely something would prevent those eight soldiers from shooting a man of such bravery, nobility and simplicity of soul as he who sat at that table scratching his name on a button for some little girl who begged to be remembered to him.' However, by 3 a.m. their time together was up. The priest came and Min and Phyllis said their final goodbyes to Sean so that he could spend his last minutes in 'prayer and preparation for a more lovely world'. And as they drove away through the empty, shattered streets, Min recalls a sense of an ending, a sense that the world had changed irrevocably. 'At 4 a.m. on that Friday morning when the shooting party had done their work, a gentle rain began to fall,' she said. 'I remember feeling that at last there was some harmony in nature. These were most assuredly the tears of our Dark Rosaleen over one of her most beloved sons.' In his final letter Sean MacDermott wrote that had he lived Min would have in 'all probability' been his wife. After the Rising: Three years later Min did marry, but her choice of husband was not a popular one within the Ryan family. General Richard Mulcahy had been an active member of the Irish Volunteers and had played his own part in the 1916 Rising, most notably in an encounter with Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) forces in Ashbourne, County Meath. Mulcahy was also a member of the first Dail and after the death of Michael Collins he was made Minister for Defence. However, in 1921, two years after he had married Min, Mulcahy became a vocal supporter of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, a position very much at odds with that of Min's family back in Tomcoole. Joe Seery writes in The Ryans of Tomcoole that, 'Her marriage to Mulcahy was controversial particularly given that he was pro-treaty while the Ryan family was fiercely anti-treaty. 'Min stopped visiting Tomcoole and the ill-feeling continued long after the Civil War...indicative of the splits that occurred in many Irish families after the Civil War, splits which would last, in many instances, for a generation or more.' However, according to Min's granddaughter, Helen Bacon, those wounds did eventually heal over time. Although it wasn't until after Min's death that many of the family's younger members began to appreciate the life she had led. 'I was an adult by the time I learned of the family history, when the witness statements were published I remember going to Portobello with my mother to read them,' Helen says. 'But their children never knew anything about politics or about what was going on, she never went anywhere without her Cumann na mBan brooch but it would never have occurred to us she was involved.' Between the years of 1920-26, Min and Richard had six children, but Helen says her grandmother was never really a maternal woman. 'She wasn't a very maternal woman, probably ever, even though she had six children; she had them in very quick succession. She was a devoted wife, and a great organiser, if she were alive today she'd be a professional woman most likely.' Min and Richard eventually settled on a small farm in Lissenfield, County Dublin where Helen, and the rest of the grandchildren would gather for family occasions. 'In a way she never left Tomcoole, she was always wedded to that country life and to farming. They had a house in Lissenfield in Dublin, which my grandfather would have got through the army. 'My mother and her siblings would have had a wonderful upbringing, they had 5-7 acres there, had a cow for milk, hens, an orchard. They wouldn't have been very wealthy at that time because of the precarious political situation, but they were self-sufficient. 'I was the 22nd of 30 grandchildren so it was always a case of crowd control whenever you went to visit. I would never have been one to sit on granny's knee, even though my grandfather died before her I do remember him well, he was very funny and sweet, a very gentle man.' And Helen says she sees a lot of Min in her own family, in the direct descendants of one of County Wexford's most determined women. 'I see a lot of Min in my own mother, in my sisters, I see it all there, the diplomacy, the strong female opinions, very straight talking. There was no messing with Min Ryan. If you got the wrong side of her tongue you wouldn't be too happy about it. But she was lively, vivacious, when she walked into a room it lit up.' In a photo from Richard and Min's 50th wedding anniversary (opposite) there are two photos on the walls in the background, one of Michael Collins, and the other of Min's erstwhile love Sean MacDermott. So how did Richard feel about the image of his wife's one time suitor staring out at him on a daily basis? 'He was as devoted to Sean MacDermott as Min,' Helen says. 'During the Rising Sean met Richard and asked what he was doing, Richard said he was off on a retreat - he was a very religious man - and Sean said "you can't go off on a retreat, we're about to have a Rising". And that was that, he went with him.' Min Ryan died at Our Lady's Hospice in Harold's Cross, Dublin on April 11, 1977 at the age of 92. Gangtok, Jan 23 : Commercial passenger flight services at Sikkims lone airport at Pakyong near Gangtok resumed on Saturday after a gap of about 19 months. A SpiceJet aircraft with 57 passengers from Delhi landed at the Pakyong airport, as Sikkim Health Minister M.K. Sharma welcomed the travellers. The flight returned with 21 passengers. Terming it a historic day, Sharma said that airline services would be a lifeline for the Sikkimese people and boost tourism and trade in the mountainous state. Additional Chief Secretary of Sikkim (tourism and civil aviation), K. Jayakumar, said that resumption of flight operations was possible after several technical interventions. In a social media post, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said that resumption of airline services at the Pakyong airport would bring in a new era of travel in Sikkim and would help mitigate the issues being faced by the state in the transport sector. The Pakyong airport is important for its strategic location in the bordering state. Daily flight services to Delhi are scheduled from January 28, while the airport would also connect with Kolkata in the near future. The tabletop airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2018, and commercial flight operations started in October 2018. It remained non-operational since June 2019 due to technical reasons and uncertain weather conditions. The airport, constructed by the Airport Authority of India at an estimated cost of Rs 605 crore, is located at a height of 4,646 feet and is one of the five highest airports in the country. There are 14 existing airports in the northeast region -- Guwahati, Silchar, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Tezpur and Lilalabari (Assam), Tezu and Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh), Agartala (Tripura), Imphal (Manipur), Shillong (Meghalaya), Dimapur (Nagaland), Lengpui (Mizoram) and Pakyong (Sikkim). The AAI has started work to redevelop the Rupsi airport in Kokrajhar district in western Assam bordering West Bengal. It would be the seventh airport in Assam. The AAI is also developing the Hollongi airport in Arunachal Pradesh, boosting air connectivity in the mountainous areas. The Conservative Party donor and ex-Tory treasurer made 1.4m in political donations The investment empire of City grandee Lord Spencer is set for a revival. Trading tycoon Spencer, who took his seat in the House of Lords last month, saw an overall 12million loss at his investment vehicle IPGL Holdings in the year to March 31, 2020, accounts show. That followed an 88.8million profit the previous year, which was aided by the sale of his stake in the NEX stock exchange for 91million. The value of its assets was flat at just over 1billion but it made 13million in charitable donations. The Conservative Party donor and ex-Tory treasurer also made 1.4million in political donations. However, Spencer is thought to have seen the value of several key investments soar since then including City broker Numis, which advised scores of companies on emergency fundraisers, and trading platform AJ Bell. The 65-year-old, who has turned to angel investing since selling NEX to Chicago's CME for 3.9billion in 2018, is also thought to have made 50million from merging Singapore Life into Aviva's Singaporean operations and receiving backing for the combined group. Spencer, whose son Thomas joined IPGL's board last year, also backs growing online shopping payments business Klarna; English sparkling wine maker Chapel Down; and Elvie, the inventor of the first silent wearable breast pump. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. New South Wales has recorded no new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 for six days in a row but traces of the virus have been detected in two sewage plants in Sydney's west. Traces of the virus were detected at the Liverpool and Glenfield sewage plants, which take in a combined catchment total of 340,000 people in Western Sydney. The Liverpool and Glenfield catchments take in sewage from suburbs such as Campbelltown, Casula, Glenfield, Leppington and Horningsea Park. NSW Health's Dr Chaturangi Yapa said people in the affected suburbs should look out for symptoms of the virus. A face-masked woman walks near the Sydney Opera House. New South Wales has recorded no new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 for six days in a row but traces of the virus have now been detected in two sewage plants in Sydney's west 'NSW Health urges everyone living or working in these suburbs to monitor for symptoms and get tested and isolate immediately if they appear,' Dr Yapa said. 'NSW Health continues to urge people across the state to come forward for testing with the mildest of symptoms. 'High testing rates are necessary to give confidence that no cases are going undetected in the community. 'Everyone who gets tested is playing an important role in helping to contain the spread of COVID-19.' It comes after the sewage surveillance program detected Covid-19 fragments at sewage treatment plants in Camellia and Auburn, which take in sewage from almost 180,000 people from 33 suburbs. The NSW residents on high alert: Liverpool catchment Bardia, Hinchinbrook, Hoxton Park, Abbotsbury, Ingleburn, Prestons, Holsworthy, Edmondson Park, Austral, Cecil Park, Cecil Hills, Elizabeth Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Edensor Park, Green Valley, Pleasure Point, Casula, Hammondville, Liverpool, Moorebank, Wattle Grove, Miller, Cartwright, Lurnea, Warwick Farm, Chipping Norton, Voyager Point, Macquarie Links, Glenfield, Catherine Field, Gledswood Hills, Varroville, Leppington, West Hoxton, Horningsea Park, Middleton Grange, Len Waters Estate, Carnes Hill, and Denham Court Glenfield catchment Airds, Ambarvale, Appin, Bardia, Blair Athol, Blairmount, Bow Bowing, Bradbury, Campbelltown, Casula, Claymore, Currans Hill, Eagle Vale, Englorie Park, Eschol Park, Gilead, Glen Alpine, Glenfield, Gregory Hills, Holsworthy. Ingleburn, Kearns, Kentlyn, Leumeah, Long Point, Macquarie Fields, Macquarie Links, Menangle Park, Minto, Raby, Rosemeadow, Ruse, St Andrews, St Helens Park, Varroville, Woodbine Advertisement A nurse prepares to test a patient for Covid-19 at the testing facility at Bondi Beach. There were 11,343 tests reported in the 24 hours until 8pm on Friday There were 11,343 tests reported in the 24 hours until 8pm on Friday, compared to Thursday's total of 17,431. While there were no new locally acquired cases of Covid-19, there was one in a returned traveller in hotel quarantine bring NSW's total cases to 4,895. NSW Health is treating 79 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (96 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation. A general view of The Corso in Manly in Sydney's northern beaches. Victoria relaxed its border closures to Sydney at 6pm on Friday, with just one LGA - Cumberland in Sydney's west - still classed as a red zone The sixth day of no new recorded cases comes as Victoria relaxed its border closures to Sydney at 6pm on Friday, with just one LGA - Cumberland in Sydney's west - still classed as a red zone. With the exception of the Blue Mountains and Wollongong, the rest of regional NSW will now be a designated green zone. Meanwhile, Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan announced on Friday that his state will reopen its borders to NSW and Queensland from 12.01am on Monday. NSW and Queensland residents still have to be tested for Covid-19 and spend 14 days in hotel quarantine upon arriving in WA. Euphoria is giving fans a second special episode, Jason Segel helps friends in need in Our Friend and Lifetime explores the lives and careers of Salt-N-Pepa this weekend. ADVERTISEMENT In addition, Netflix offers a new take on Nickelodeon's Winx Club, Apple TV+ explores a dark side of filmmaking in Losing Alice and glassblowers compete against each other in the second season of Blown Away. Here's a rundown on some of the films and television shows set to be released this weekend. Film 'The White Tiger' -- Netflix Adarsh Gourav, Priyanka Chopra and Rajkummar Rao star in this drama, which comes to Netflix on Friday. Ramin Bahrani directs the drama about India's class struggles, as seen through the eyes of a young man born into poverty. The White Tiger is based on the Aravind Adiga novel of the same name. 'No Man's Land' -- VOD Frank Grillo stars as a rancher whose son, portrayed by Jake Allyn, flees to Mexico after accidentally shooting an immigrant boy in No Man's Land, coming to video-on-demand services on Friday. George Lopez and Andie MacDowell also star in film, from director Conor Allyn based off a script by his brother, Jake Allyn. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! 'Our Friend' -- VOD Jason Segel stars as the best friend to a married couple portrayed by Dakota Johnson and Casey Affleck in Our Friend, a comedy-drama coming to video-on-demand services on Friday. Segel moves in with the couple after Johnson gets cancer in order to help out around the house. Gabriela Cowperthwaite serves as director. 'Salt-N-Pepa' -- Lifetime Lifetime presents this biopic about iconic hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa, which airs Saturday at 8 p.m. EST. GG Townson stars as Cheryl 'Salt' James with Laila Odom as Sandra 'Pepa' Denton, the first female rap act to go platinum. The biopic will feature songs "Let's Talk About Sex," "What a Man," "Push It" and more. TV 'Losing Alice' -- Apple TV+ Ayelet Zurer portrays a 48-year-old female film director who feels irrelevant since raising a family in Losing Alice, which premieres Friday on Apple TV+. The director becomes obsessed with a young screenwriter, portrayed by Lihi Kornowski, whose dark script has more truth than fiction. 'Fate: The Winx Saga' -- Netflix Abigail Cowen stars as Bloom, a young woman who discovers she is a fairy and attends a magical boarding school Fate: The Winx Saga, which is set to arrive Friday on Netflix. Hannah van der Westhuysen, Precious Mustapha, Elisha Applebaum and Eliot Salt also star in this series, based on Nickelodeon's Winx Club. 'Blown Away' Season 2 -- Netflix Ten new glassblowers will compete against each other in a series of challenges on Blown Away Season 2, which is coming to Netflix on Friday. The glassblowers are competing for an artist residency at the Corning Museum of Glass. 'Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous' Season 2 -- Netflix Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous returns for a second season Friday on Netflix. The show's central group of teenagers are stranded on the dinosaur-infested Isla Nublar when they discover they are not alone on the island. 'Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce) -- Netflix Three women who work together at a radio station have their stable lives turned upside down in this Korean television series, which is coming to Netflix on Friday. Sung Hoon, Lee Tae-gon and Park Joo-mi star. The three women deal with twist and turns that plague their seemingly happy marriages. 'The Sister' -- Hulu Russell Tovey, Bertie Carvel and Amrita Acharia star in this new mini-series from Luther creator Neil Cross, which premieres Friday on Hulu. Tovey and Carvel portray the only two men who know where a dead woman is buried. The secret now threatens the life Tovey's Nathan has built. 'Euphoria: Special Episode Part 2' -- HBO Hunter Schafer's Jules is at the center of this second special episode of Euphoria, which comes to HBO Sunday at 9 p.m. EST. Jules will reflect on the year during the Christmas holiday. Schafer co-executive produced the episode and co-wrote it with the show's creator Sam Levinson. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) The coronavirus variant first discovered in the United Kingdom has been in the Philippines as early as Dec. 10, based on the latest data available. In a media briefing on Saturday, the Department of Healths Epidemiology Bureau disclosed that the new variant was detected in the COVID-positive specimen of a 23-year-old man from Calamba, Laguna whose sample was collected on Dec. 10 for whole genome sequencing. This was among the 1,154 samples processed by the Philippine Genome Center, the results of which were released on Friday. In the batch, 16 were found to be cases of the new variant, a mutated coronavirus believed to be more contagious. Ang mga kasong ito ay patuloy pong under investigation para malaman natin kung ano po ang tinatawag nating exposure kanino po nila posibleng nakuha ang infection, or di po kaya meron pong significant travel history, especially travel history outside the Philippines, Dr. Alethea de Guzman of the DOHs Epidemiology Bureau said. [Translation: These cases are still under investigation to ascertain the exposure from whom did they possibly get the infection, or if they have a significant travel history, especially travel history outside the Philippines.] Earlier, a Quezon City resident who left for Dubai on Dec. 27 and returned to the Philippines on Jan. 7 was declared as the first known case of the new variant in the country last week. He has since recovered. Is there community transmission? Given the ongoing probe, members of the technical working group studying the new COVID-19 variant said it would be premature to declare that there is community transmission of the mutated coronavirus in the country. Celia Carlos, director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, explained that according to the World Health Organization, community transmission is present when theres a large number of infections not linked to transmission chains, when theres a high proportion of positive cases from sentinel lab surveillance, and when there are multiple unrelated clusters in several areas in the country. Considering that the investigation is ongoing, it may be premature for us now to determine whether theres ongoing community transmission, Carlos said. Dr. Edsel Salvana of the DOH Technical Advisory Group agreed. Right now, theres no evidence of community transmission. It doesnt mean that it is not there, but we will continue to look, he said. Meanwhile, Dr. John Wong, an epidemiologist and another member of the technical working group, said the Philippines was not late in detecting the variant, considering that it only took the country a month to do so from the time the Calamba patient was tested. When the UK reported the presence of a new coronavirus variant, the samples they had taken were from September, or three months back, Salvana explained. Is it more deadly? The countrys experts also refused to conclude that the variant is not just spreading faster, it may also be more lethal than the previous ones. Members of the Philippines technical working group were one in calling the UK study suggesting this as preliminary." They added that other factors may contribute in the increase in deaths including an overwhelmed health care system and the age and comorbidities of infected patients. Pag puno po 'yung mga ospital, mas maraming mamamatay kasi yung iba hindi po naaalagaan (When hospitals reach full capacity, many would die because they are not given proper treatment), Salvana said. It is also about the characteristics of the patient The older you are, the higher the risk of dying, said another member of the technical working group, Dr. Marissa Alejandria of the Philippine Society of Microbiology. Of the 16 new cases of the new COVID-19 variant in the Philippines, three have gotten well, three are asymptomatic, while 10 have mild symptoms. Twelve of them are from Bontoc, Mountain Province; one from La Trinidad, Benguet; and one from Calamba. Two others are overseas Filipinos who returned from Lebanon. La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda told CNN Philippines Newsroom Weekend that their local case is on home quarantine for another seven days after a 14-day isolation in another facility. Salda said the patient did not have any recent travel history, and the company where the patient works will have its employees tested, while officials are waiting for the test results of three other possible cases. Contact tracing has been ongoing for these cases the moment their RT-PCR test results came back positive, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. 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. BIMM Institute Dublin, home to Ireland's most talented developing new artists and music business entrepreneurs, has announced two free virtual events this month offering a deeper insight into potential careers within the music industry, one of which features Skerries band, Fontaines DC. The events, hosted by broadcaster Kate Brennan Harding, will feature BIMM Institute Dublin graduates such as Fontaines D.C. who have been at the heart of Ireland's flourishing music scene, discussing their journey through the college, the vital experience and knowledge they gained there and the doors it has opened for them in their careers to date. On Friday, January 22 at 5pm, Fontaines DC feature in the first of the two virtual events while the second event takes place on Thursday, January 28 at the same time and features among others, Malahide's James Vincent McMorrow. The two free-to-attend virtual events will be open to those considering studying music or the music industry as a career and will feature talks from highly experienced lecturers and music industry professionals. They will offer an insight into the many different careers which can be pursued within the music industry by attaining the BA (Hons) in Commercial Modern Music degree at BIMM. The college, situated in the heart of Dublin's Liberties, has become a hub of artistry and creativity, providing a springboard into the world of contemporary music through an education experience that explores technique, music culture, craft, technology, and business thoroughly and creatively. Those interested in attending can apply for a free ticket from BIMM.ie. In recent years, the college has provided a pathway for graduates to find work in the music and creative industries through a network established at BIMM Institute Dublin. TROY In a city rocked by violence in 2020, two killings stood out for their especially brutal senselessness. One was the September drive-by shooting of 11-year-old Ayshawn Davis, a beautiful, energetic child just entering middle school. The other ended the life of Donnovan Clayton, an 18-year-old preparing to graduate from Troy High School. Donnovan, you may remember, was walking down Sixth Avenue on a Friday night in June when a bullet fired from a passing car struck the Troy teenager. Donnovan was found lying on the sidewalk and died shortly after at Samaritan Hospital. Donnovan, as police put it, was at the wrong place at the wrong time. The bullet fired in the citys North Central neighborhood, where he lived, wasn't meant for him, police believe. He was killed for no reason at all. The tragedy was quickly compounded by another: Donnovans grief-stricken mother, Caroline Clayton, suffered a stroke just after the killing and died, at the age of 48, two weeks after her son. "That was one of the last things on her mind, that she lost a child," said Donnovans older sister, Jasmine Baldwin, who has no doubt that her mothers death was directly tied to her brothers. One, she believes, would not have happened without the other. Police have arrested and charged a man, Jahquay Brown, 20, for the killing of Ayshawn Davis. That crime, it seems, will not go unpunished. But seven months after Donnovans killing, police don't know who fired the bullet. Though an effort headed by former Mayor Harry Tutunjian raised more than $10,000 for information leading to an arrest, nobody came forward. "We're not really getting too far with the investigation," Deputy Police Chief Dan DeWolf admitted on Friday. "But we know somebody out there has information." As they ask for the publics help, Troy police have released photos, taken from surveillance cameras, of two cars that passed through the neighborhood near the time of the shooting. One is a gold 2004 Acura TL. The other is a 2005 Audi A4, silver in color. Police believe passengers of at least one of those cars know what happened on that June night. It is likely they were either directly involved, DeWolf said, or at least saw something that could help solve the case. From her home in Michigan, Donnovan's sister is waiting and hoping somebody steps forward. Shes seeking justice for her brother, of course, and her mother, too. Jasmine described her brother as somebody who, like many teenagers, was still trying to figure out what path his life would follow. As he prepared to graduate from Troy High School, he was looking forward to his next chapter. "I'm always going to be proud of my little brother," Jasmine said Friday, noting that Donnovan was the primary caretaker for his mother, who suffered from significant health issues and could not walk. I asked Jasmine what she might want to say to somebody who has information but is reluctant to come forward. She responded by saying she understands the code of the streets demands that people stay silent. She knows speaking up would require courage, but imagine being in her shoes. "Just imagine if it was your little brother or your little sister," she added. "Think about if it was a member of your family." Donnovan hadn't lived for long in Troy. He wasn't especially well known in the city. Nevertheless, his killing was met with public indignation and grief. A few days after, despite the ongoing pandemic, a crowd gathered in Troy's Riverfront Park for a vigil that was partly a memorial service and partly a call an end to violence that, in 2020, felt relentless and particularly cruel. There were 14 killings in the city last year, an unprecedented number. Jasmine was there on that warm summer night with other members of Donnovan's family. She rose to tell the crowd what was wonderful about her brother, describing what her family had lost, what the latest senseless violence had stolen. She talked about her brothers beautiful smile, how he could light up a room. Later, as a church group sang, Jasmine stood in her flowered blue dress and wept. Many in the crowd cried with her. On Friday, Jasmine asked me to relay her gratitude for the support she received from strangers in a city not her own. Troy showed it cared. "We just got so much love when we were there," she said. "It helped. It really did." But Jasmine needs more help, still. She needs somebody to come forward. She needs justice for Donnovan Clayton, and for her mother, too. cchurchill@timesunion.com 518-454-5442 @chris_churchill American military spies have been buying US citizens location data collected by smartphone apps without a warrant, according to a recently unclassified memo. Analysts for the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon-run department that specializes in military intelligence, made the revelation in a memo written to Senator Ron Wyden, the Democrat from Oregon. According to the memo, the DIA has searched commercial databases that contain information about the movements of American citizens as part of five separate investigations spread out over the past two-and-a-half years. The DIA, whose main mission is to detect threats to American soldiers stationed worldwide, appears to be buying location data that specifically pertains to investigations of foreigners abroad. The DIA admitted in the memo, first obtained by The New York Times, that it buys the data from private data brokers and that the data isnt vetted based on whether the smartphone user lives in the United States or abroad. A military spy agency run by the Pentagon is buying location data mined from American consumers' cell phones and devices without obtaining a warrant, it has been learned. The above image is a 2015 stock photo of a man using an iPhone 6 and an Apple Watch Analysts for the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon-run department that specializes in military intelligence, made the revelation in a memo written to Senator Ron Wyden, the Democrat from Oregon Permission to query the US device location data has been granted five times in the past two and a half years for authorized purposes, according to the DIA memo. Data brokers are private companies that collect and sell peoples information, including their locations. These firms pay smartphone app makers and web sites for the information. They can then aggregate it and sell it to whoever is willing to pay for it, including the government. The memo states that DIA personnel can only query the US location database when authorized through a specific process which requires approval from agency leaders as well as the Office of Oversight and Compliance and the Office of General Counsel. The agency memo says DIA is not bound by a 2018 decision by the Supreme Court in Carpenter v. United States requiring the government to obtain a warrant before forcing phone companies to hand over location data about their customers. The DIA admitted in the memo, first obtained by The New York Times, that it buys the data from private data brokers and that the data isnt vetted based on whether the smartphone user lives in the United States or abroad According to the memo, the DIA has searched commercial databases that contain information about the movements of American citizens as part of five separate investigations spread out over the past two-and-a-half years The court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the government violated the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. Prior to the ruling, government agencies were allowed to get cell phone location records without asking a court for a search warrant by claiming that the information was required as part of an investigation. D.I.A. does not construe the Carpenter decision to require a judicial warrant endorsing purchase or use of commercially available data for intelligence purposes, the agency memo said. Wyden gave a speech on the Senate floor earlier this week in which he vowed to put forward a bill that would close all legal loopholes allowing government agencies access to Americans location data. The senator from Oregon said it was improper for there to be an instance in which the government, instead of getting an order [from a court], just goes out and purchases the private records of Americans from these sleazy and unregulated commercial data brokers who are simply above the law. The Fourth Amendment is not for sale, Wyden said. Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, plans to introduce legislation banning government agencies from obtaining commercially available user data The American Civil Liberties Union condemned the DIA's purchase of Americans' user data as unconstitutional. 'This memo confirms that yet another government agency is purchasing and searching through Americans location data without ever getting a warrant,' said ACLU senior attorney Ashley Gorski. 'The government cannot simply buy our private data in order to bypass bedrock constitutional protections. 'Congress must end this lawless practice and require the government to get a warrant for our location data, regardless of its source.' In recent years, news reports surfaced indicating that law enforcement agencies have used commercially available data aggregated from users smartphones. Two agencies run by the Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - used the data to patrol the border and investigate undocumented immigrants, The Wall Street Journal found. In October, DHS officials produced a legal memo claiming that law enforcement agencies did not need to obtain a search warrant in order to use smartphone location data, according to BuzzFeed News. This past November, Motherboard reported that the US military buys location data mined from a Muslim prayer app, Muslim Pro, which has been downloaded more than 98 million times worldwide. According to the report, Muslim Pro sent its users location data to a private brokerage firm, X-Mode, which then sold it to military contractors and the Pentagon. In response to the report, Muslim Pro announced it would cease sharing data with X-Mode. Apple and Google said they would ban any apps that use X-Modes tracking software from mobile devices that run their iOS and Android operating systems. During confirmation hearings earlier this week, Wyden asked President Joe Bidens new director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, about abuses involving consumers location data. Haines said that she was not yet up to speed on the issue but that she would urge the government to be more transparent about its use of commercially available cell phone data. I would seek to try to publicize, essentially, a framework that helps people understand the circumstances under which we do that and the legal basis that we do that under, she said. I think thats part of whats critical to promoting transparency generally so that people have an understanding of the guidelines under which the intelligence community operates. A shooting death Saturday morning in Florence has led to a man being charged with murder. James David Hall, 60, has been arrested by Florence police and charged with murder, police said. The incident occurred on South Cedar Street. Police said officers responded to a report of shots being fired and discovered an injured 29-year-old man upon arrival. The man was transported to North Alabama Medical Center and died at the hospital, police said. The victim was not identified. Hall is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $150,000 bond, police said. Police said the investigation is ongoing. They claim to idolise Subhas Chandra Bose but scrap the Planning Commission that was conceptualised by him, said Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee attacking the BJP. She also blowed the conch shell to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose. Banerjee urged the Centre to declare January 23 as a national holiday. She said a monument, named after Azad Hind Fauj, will be built in Rajarhat area and a state-funded university, which is also being set up, will be dedicated to Netaji. ".This year's Republic Day parade in Kolkata will be dedicated to Netaji. A siren will be sounded today at 12.15 PM. We urge everyone to blow shankh (conch) at home. Centre must also declare January 23 as a National Holiday. "We are celebrating this day as #DeshNayakDibas. GoWB has also set up a committee to conduct year-long celebrations till January 23, 2022," Banerjee said on Twitter. A grand 'padayatra' will be held here during the day to commemorate Netaji's 125th birth anniversary. "A monument, named after Azad Hind Fauj, will be built at Rajarhat. A university named after Netaji is also being set up which shall be funded entirely by the state, and will have tie-ups with foreign universities," she said on the microblogging site. The Centre has decided to observe January 23 as "Parakram Diwas" to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bose, who was born on this day in 1897. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be here later in the day to address "Parakram Diwas" celebrations to commemorate Bose's birth anniversary. . (With PTI inputs) Today, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on measures to improve the management of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), creating a Supervisory Board for the general management of the companys activities. "Within the framework of the requirements of best practice and modern management, as well as improving management, taking into account modern corporate governance standards: - The Supervisory Board of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) is created to carry out general management and control over the activities of SOCAR; - it is determined that the Supervisory Board consists of seven members, including the chairman appointed and dismissed by the President of Azerbaijan, the document reads. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. 3 1 of 3 Eric Gay /Associated Press Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Eric Gay /Associated Press Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Texas and Florida are currently leading the nation among immigration detainee deaths as overall deaths continue to increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles out last week. Since April 2018, 35 immigrants in total have died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention, per medical reports published by ICE: 26 of those deaths were cited as being caused from medical problems, and eight in total were attributed to COVID-10 in ICE reports, revealing the virus has accounted for over 72 percent of deaths since April of 2020. Jr NTR enjoys a huge fan following across the country. Tarak has time and again impressed his innumerable fans with his charm, impeccable acting chops and effortless dance moves. Interestingly, fans and followers of the actor also don't miss a chance to impress the actor by expressing their love for him through their sweet gestures. To express love towards his favourite actor, one of the fans recently paid Jr NTR's traffic challan. Reportedly, Telangana State Police had issued a challan to Jr NTR for violating traffic rules. As per reports, a fan who got hold of the information paid the challan worth Rs 1,305 instantly. The over-enthusiastic fan even took to his social media handle to share that he was happy to pay the amount for Jr NTR. Interestingly, the fan also demanded the first-day-first-show tickets of the actor's upcoming film RRR in return, which has indeed surprised many. As the news of his impressive deed goes viral, we will have to wait and watch to see whether Tarak sends first-day-first-show tickets of his highly anticipated film to the fan. On a related note, RRR directed by SS Rajamouli also features Ram Charan in the lead role. Set in the backdrop of 1920's pre-independent India, the film is based on a fictional story of two legendary freedom fighters- Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, played by the Mega Power Star and Tarak respectively. The epic drama also marks the Tollywood debut of actors Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn. South diva Shriya Saran and Hollywood actress Olivia Morris will be playing key roles in the highly talked about film. Also Read: RRR Release: Ram Charan-Jr NTR Starrer Might Hit The Theatres On October 8; Here's Why! Also Read: RRR: Ram Charan-Jr NTR Starrer's Massive Climax Shoot Begins! Makers Share Intriguing Picture The Chilkat was built for the territory and went into service less than two years before statehood. The photo shows the ferry at sea in May 1957. The first ship built for what would become Alaska's state ferry system sank Jan. 13 in a windstorm and dock collapse in Anacortes, Washington, where the decommissioned Chilkat had been moored to a concrete floating pier. The ship sank about 85 miles north of Tacoma, where it was built in 1957 at a cost of about $300,000 to provide daily service between Juneau, Haines and Skagway. When Alaska entered the union on Jan. 3, 1959, the Chilkat became the first Alaska state ferry, later joined by four larger vessels that were built after voters later that year approved a bond issue to pay for construction of the fleet, according to the Alaska Department of Transportation website. The Alaska Marine Highway System sold the 99-foot-long vessel in 1988 to a seafood company that used the ship as a scallop fishery tender. The Chilkat capsized shortly after 55 mph winds and strong tidal forces sank the pier, the U.S. Coast Guard said, as reported by KOMO TV news in Seattle. No injuries were reported, and two other vessels tied at the dock were saved from sinking. The Chilkat is under 40 feet of water, the station reported. The ferry could carry 59 passengers and 15 vehicles, and was built with a bow ramp that allowed passengers and vehicles to offload on an unimproved beach as well as a dock. Alberta Premier Calls Keystone Cancellation Disrespect to Canada, Urges Biden to Reconsider The premier of Alberta, Canadas biggest oil producing province, urged President Joe Biden on Friday to reconsider his cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline, saying the move was a snub to one of Americas closest allies. On his first day in office, Biden took a series of executive actions that included revoking a permit that former President Donald Trump granted to the Keystone XL pipeline. Jason Kenney, who besides serving as premier also leads Albertas United Conservative Party, told Fox News that Bidens decision to ax the pipeline was disrespectful to Canada. Its very frustrating that one of the first acts of a new president was I think, to disrespect one of Americas closest friends and allies, he said. While Kenney congratulated Biden on his election and said he hopes Canada and the United States will continue to have a close and strong relationship, he noted that the biggest part of the strong bilateral trade relationship between the two countries is Canadian energy exports, mostly from Alberta. We have the third-largest oil reserves in the world. We ship about $100 billion of energy to the U.S. every year. Keystone XL would have meant a significant, safe, modern increase in that shipment, Kenney said. Pipes destined for the Keystone XL pipeline are stacked in Gascoyne, North Dakota, on April 22, 2015. (The Canadian Press/Alex Panetta) He said Bidens move would kill thousands of union labor jobs in both Canada and the United States, while making America more dependent on dictatorships for its energy needs. I dont see how that is in the interests of the United States, Kenney said, and urged Biden to please take a half step back here, get into a conversation with your closest friend and ally, Canada, about how we can ensure a future for safe energy exports, continental energy independence and security between Canada and the U.S., while also taking very seriously climate policy and environmental policy. The pipeline was first proposed in 2008 but reached a snag under the Obama administration. Trump revived the project and has been a strong proponent of the measurewith the support of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. We are disappointed but acknowledge the presidents decision to fulfill his election campaign promise on Keystone XL, Trudeau said in a statement on Wednesday. Trudeau said he spoke with Biden in November over the phone, saying the pipeline is a key priority meant to expand Canadas oil exports to the United States. Canada is the single largest supplier of energy to the United States, contributing to U.S. energy security and economic competitiveness, and supporting thousands of jobs on both sides of the border, Trudeau said. Trudeau and Biden spoke on a call Friday, during which Biden acknowledged Prime Minister Trudeaus disappointment regarding the decision to rescind the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, and reaffirmed his commitment to maintain an active bilateral dialogue and to further deepen cooperation with Canada, according to a White House statement. Bidens move has been praised by environmental groups. President Bidens decision to reject the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline on his first day turns the page on a 12-year fight over the energy future of our country, said Anthony Swift, director of NRDCs Canada project, earlier this month. It sets the stage for a more prosperous future powered by clean energy. Cancellation of the Keystone construction permit has drawn heavy fire from congressional Republicans. President Bidens decision to rescind an essential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline puts thousands of present and future union jobs at risk and undermines the trust of our friends and allies in Canada who have invested billions of dollars into the completion of this vital pipeline, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) said in a joint statement with Reps. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.). American energy security will also be undermined because this Canadian energy, destined for refineries along the Gulf Coast, will now be replaced by imports from unreliable OPEC countries, they said. Rambabu alleged that Kumar held a press conference in a protective glass chamber but left no concern for the employees and the people who may be putting their lives at risk during electioneering. ANI VIJAYAWADA: The YSR Congress on Saturday objected to State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar announcing the schedule for the local body elections. Party official spokesperson Ambati Rambabu speaking to the media alleged that Kumar was behaving like a political leader and the officials press meet earlier in the day reflected it. He alleged that Kumar was trying to conduct elections with the support of pro-Chandrababu Naidu officials to benefit the Telugu Desam. Rambabu asked why Kumar did not conduct local body election on schedule in 2018 when the Telugu Desam was in power. Why did the SEC not move court then for conducting the polls, he asked. Rambabu claimed that Kumar was trying to hold the elections before the completion of his tenure even though the state government had made it clear that peoples lives were important and that they were eagerly waiting for a vaccine and not elections. He said that the government had moved the Supreme Court and will make it clear that it can either hold a vaccination drive to save people from Covid-19 or conduct elections, but not both at the same time due to the insufficient workforce. The YSRC spokesperson alleged that Kumar, Naidu and TD leader Nara Lokesh stay in Hyderabad fearing the pandemic and the concerns of the people and employees do not matter to them. Rambabu alleged that Kumar held a press conference in a protective glass chamber but left no concern for the employees and the people who may be putting their lives at risk during electioneering. He asked who would be held responsible if anything happened to the employees or the public during the elections. What would be lost if the elections were postponed by three months, he asked. The YSRC spokesperson said that the government was not afraid of the polls, as Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had put public welfare in the forefront and had been working to transform the lives of the poor and weaker sections of society. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Police have rushed to the spot and the injured have been shifted to a hospital, the police said, adding that the rescue operation was on Mumbai: At least five persons were killed and seven others injured when a vehicle carrying them fell into a 150-feet deep gorge in the Nandurbar district of Maharashtra on Saturday, a police official said. The accident took place around 10.30 am at the hilly stretch of Khadki ghat, located approximately 10 kilometres from Toranmal hill station, he said. "The victims are residents of Jhapi Phalai village inNandurbar. They were travelling in the vehicle to Toranmal to purchase things of daily needs," he said. "However, as the driver lost control over the vehicle, it plunged into the 150-feet deep gorge," the official said. Mahendra Pandit, Nandurbar's Superintendent of Police, said, "As per the initial information, at least five persons have died and seven others have suffered injuries." Police have rushed to the spot and the injured have been shifted to a hospital, he said, adding that the rescue operation was on. A cross-section of residents in Techiman, the Bono East Regional capital, have described Mr Adu Gyan, the Bono East Regional Minister-designate as an astute politician with a rich experience to head the region. They lauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his nomination and expressed the hope that Mr Gyan would operate an open-door administration to allow people to contribute to the decision making process to deepen decentralisation. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Techiman, Mr Richard Asamoah, the Bono East Regional National Service Coordinator, said the presidents nominee would be able to manage and push the development of the region to the next level. He said the previous regional minister did well to uplift the image of Techiman and expressed the hope that Mr Gyan would build on that to attract local and foreign investors for rapid socio-economic growth and development. Mr Kofi Ameyaw, a resident, noted that the nominee was the right person to head the Region because of his rich experience in public administration. He expressed optimism that the regional minister-designate administration would focus on empowering the youth and vulnerable women to make life better for them. I expect Mr Gyan to work harder to build the business community through new initiatives that will enhance economic growth and prosperity, Mr Joseph Ahinkrah, a businessman, said. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Macroom-based artist Sebastian Walczak hasn't allowed the grass grow under his feet during the pandemic as his work, at least, is travelling the world. Last September his work featured in an exhibition in the Feiden Gallery in Manhattan in New York. And now he's looking forward to putting his work on display in galleries in Milan, Genoa and, possibly, Dublin. Sebastian has been living and working in Macroom for the past 16 years and is very happily making a living as a full-time artist. He hails from near Krakow in Poland and before moving to Macroom, he worked in Carlow and Dublin when he first moved to Ireland. "I came to stay with a friend and I just stayed," he said. Sebastian works mainly with mixed media using images he composes into collages. "I have clients who give me an idea and ask me to work with it, and that's what I do," he said. The pandemic hasn't affected his work too badly. He can still earn a living and mount exhibitions so, at least, the art goes on, despite everything. Regional Planning Commission Tackling County Housing Issue PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is taking steps to address the ever-growing problem of housing that Berkshire County faces. "What we have been hearing and learning is that housing is becoming increasingly a problem in Berkshire County," Executive Director Tom Matuszko said at Thursday's commission meeting. "And a problem for a number of different ways and a number of different venues." BRPC has partnered with countywide economic development organization 1Berkshire to develop a regional housing strategy, a policy that will set the stage for solutions and legislative support. The commission's former director, Nathaniel Karns has agreed to take this project on and help shepherd it through the process. Matuszko explained that a group of planners and other housing-related entities has been formed to develop the regional strategy. This group will dive into the issue of housing in Berkshire County and brainstorm solutions whether it be a legislative fix, additional funding, or another programmatic element from the state government. This initiative is not just about affordable or subsidized housing, Matuszko said, because you have to have higher-end housing for those in the applicable income bracket to move into, which then frees up more affordable housing for another group. Right now the planners are framing out areas of concern and will then move into best practices, deciding what they should be looking at, and what would work best in Berkshire County. Matuszko said it is important to contact stakeholder groups to ask what their barriers, issues, and concerns are. Five themes related to housing in the Berkshires were outlined to help frame the group's thinking through this process. The first is a lack of diversity for quality housing options throughout the region. Matuszko said the county doesn't have the right mix of updated housing and apartments. In general, apartment units and housing stock in Berkshire County are older and there is not much new development. Matuszko also said there isn't a welcoming framework in many Berkshire communities for new housing. The "not my back yard" state of mind is reportedly becoming more of a problem in the county, especially in terms of multifamily housing developments. A lack of municipal readiness is a theme that Matuszko said plagues the county in terms of new development. He said many towns have put up regulatory barriers that make it hard to develop and there doesn't seem to be the right infrastructure to support a population increase or land availability. Herreid Legion to remember 400 Campbell County area veterans Monday The Herreid American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion work together to recognize veterans on Memorial Day. Beijing: At an upscale supermarket west of Beijing, a box of disposable gloves stands in front of a glass counter selling Australian beef. Next to it is a sign saying: Please buy this with peace of mind. All the imported meats here have undergone nucleic acid testing. Consumers need not worry, promises Li Xingzhen, a manager at Ole supermarket, which imports about 70 per cent of its groceries. Her pledge offers a look at the new challenges facing retailers as many Chinese shoppers grow reluctant to buy overseas food products after COVID-19 infections were reported among people handling such items. A customer looks at imported meat at an Ole supermarket, operated by China Resources Vanguard in Shanghai. Credit:Bloomberg Seafood imports by China tumbled 12.5 per cent last year, including a plunge of 32 per cent in December from a year ago. While overall purchases of meat have remained robust amid a domestic shortage, the pressure on the global food industry is only poised to rise: Rabobank Group forecasts that Chinas meat imports could plunge as much as 30 per cent this year from a record in 2020. Amy Deal is a resident of Huntington, West Virginia, a network admin by day and a writer and reader at all other times. She blogs about her literary experiences at authoramydeal.com and can be reached by email at authoramydeal@gmail.com. Amazon is calling on the National Labor Relations Board to pause the vote among the companys Bessemer warehouse workers on whether to unionize, citing serious and systemic flaws with the board process for conducting the vote amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the board approved conducting a mail-in election among the Bessemer facilitys nearly 6,000 employees on whether to form a union. In a filing Thursday, Amazon argued for a stay in the election. This election case presents a perfect stormmultiple gaps in National Labor Relations Board ... precedent, acting regional director errors, and missed opportunities for mail-ballot improvements, all with the rights of thousands of employee-voters at stake, the companys attorneys wrote. It cries out for a stay, so that the board can set election matters back on course before ballots are mailed. Otherwise, this case threatens to tie up the board (and a federal court) for years, instead of resulting in a clear and cogent resolution of the issues up front. The board is expected to mail out ballots by Feb. 8 and count the votes March 30. Amazon requested that the board review its decision to hold a mail-in election, arguing the board did not adequately define what a COVID-19 outbreak is. The Bessemer employees cited the outbreak in Alabama in support of a mail-in election. The employees are seeking to become members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), saying union membership would provide safer worker conditions, make it harder for Amazon to arbitrarily fire them and provide an avenue to file grievances against write-ups or terminations. The RWDSU has always stood against anti-worker and anti-union companies, reads a website created in support of the Bessemer employees. Our union will not back down until Amazon is held accountable for these and so many more dangerous labor practices. Attorneys representing the Bessemer employees could not be reached for comment. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Posted Saturday, January 23, 2021 11:05 am Five Thurston County Sheriff's deputies and one Washington State Patrol trooper have been placed on paid administrative leave following the shooting of a man on Jan. 13 on Interstate 5 near Grand Mound. All six officers fired their weapons at a 25-year-old man who was injured and remained in-custody in the hospital as of Thursday. The Mason County Sheriff's Office, which is leading the inter-agency investigation of the shooting, has refused to release the name of the suspect, the names of the officers who shot him, or confirm whether anyone else was in the car during the shooting. Investigators from Mason County have released only one statement about the shooting despite repeated inquiries from The Olympian. Questions about why officers initiated the pursuit have not been answered, although the statement claims the vehicle was being "recklessly driven" when the pursuit began. The statement confirms that they have Washington State Patrol dash-cam footage of the shooting. A public records request submitted to the State Patrol by The Olympian last Friday seeking that dash-cam video was denied because the investigation into the incident is still open. The Thurston County Sheriff's Office has provided regular updates on Arlo, a police dog that was injured by gunfire in the incident. Arlo, the police dog, underwent surgery and is now recovering at home. He was shot twice though it's not clear by whom. A GoFundMe organized by the Thurston County Deputy Sheriff's Foundation has raised over $73,000 for the dog. Here's what we know about the man who was shot Shortly after 8 p.m. Jan. 13, a Thurston County Sheriff's deputy attempted to stop a vehicle near the confluence of Cleveland Avenue and Yelm Highway in Tumwater, sparking a 15-minute car chase, according to an initial press release from the agency. Troopers from the Washington State Patrol responded when the car entered Interstate 5, a separate release from that agency says. The chase ended near milepost 88, where police shot the man. Investigators refuse to provide information The shooting is being investigated by the Region 3 Critical Incident Investigation Team, which is headed by the Mason County Sheriff's Office and includes the Lewis County and Grays Harbor County sheriff's offices. Reached by phone last Friday, Mason County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Jason Dracobly said he could not provide any information about the shooting, citing Washington Administrative Code 139-12-30, the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act, also known as I-940. The code details criteria for independent investigations into police use of force, including mandating that the investigative team include two members of the public. Dracobly specifically cited Section 2(b)(e), which states that the two community representatives "be provided a copy of all press releases and communication to the media prior to release." Dracobly said he understands the clause to mean that he cannot release any information to the media until it's vetted and approved by the two community representatives. ___ (c)2021 The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.) Visit The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.) at www.theolympian.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Italys data protection authority, on January 22, said that it was imposing an immediate block on TikToks access to data for any user whose age has not been verified. The ban came following the death of a 10-year-old girl from Sicily, who accidentally killed her self after participating in TikToks viral blackout challenge. TikTok, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, has repeatedly drawn flak for its dangerous online challenges like outlet challenge, skull breaker challenge amongst others. Read: Govt Of India Bans 59 Chinese Apps; Tik Tok, UC Browser, WeChat Included In The List Read: Italy Court Weighs Extradition To Vatican In Fair Trial Case The data protection authority, in December last year, had advised TikTok of a series of violations which included allowing minors to sign up easily on the platform, lack of transparency, no respect of privacy inter alia. However, as violations continued, the authority imposed the block. As per Associated Press, the block would remain in place until February 15 after which further analysis would be done. While waiting to receive a response, the authority decided to take action to ensure the immediate protection of minors in Italy registered on the network, the authority said in a statement. TikTok banned in US, India TikTok has been banned in multiple countries including American and India. In a massive crackdown against Chinese apps, the government of India, in June 2020 banned TikTok along with 48 others. The Centre had stated that it has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about the misuse of these apps for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users data in an unauthorised manner to servers which have locations outside India. Hence, in a move to protect the sovereignty of Indian Cyberspace and to ensure interests of crores of Indian mobile users, the government has stated that this was a major blow to Chinas Digital Silk Route ambitions. With the pandemic pushing people inside their homes, the use of social media has gained momentum. However, it has also led to increased use of social media and it's viral challenges that often end up in accidents. As of now, there are over 41 people whose death has been linked to TikTok. Read: Italy To Start Biggest Mafia Trial In 3 Decades With 355 Alleged 'Ndrangheta Members Read: Maxi-trial Opens For Italy's Other Mob Group, 'ndrangheta (Image: Pixabey) System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbfec30cc60)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfebded128)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbfec30cc60)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfebded128)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbfec305848)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfebded128)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfebded128)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfec1c13d8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbfec2b5248)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbfec2b5248)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Investigations editor Larry Parnass, investigations editor, joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant and CommonWealth Magazine. Thousands of Hong Kongers were ordered to stay in their homes on Saturday for the city's first coronavirus lockdown as authorities battle an outbreak in one of its poorest and most densely packed districts. The order bans about 10,000 people living inside multiple housing blocks within the neighbourhood of Jordan from leaving their apartments until all those in the area had been tested. Officials said they planned to screen everyone inside the designated zone within 48 hours "in order to achieve the goal of zero cases in the district". "Residents will have to stay at their premises to avoid cross-infection until they get their test results," health minister Sophia Chan told reporters on Saturday. The government had deployed over 3,000 staff to enforce the lockdown, which covers about 150 housing blocks. Residents were seen lining up for testing at more than 50 mobile specimen collection vehicles parked in the area and for basic daily supplies provided by the government. By lunchtime on Saturday, around 3,000 people in the area had been tested. Hong Kong was one of the first places to be struck by the coronavirus after it spilled out of central China. It has recorded just over 10,000 infections with some 170 deaths by imposing effective but economically punishing social distancing measures for much of the last year. Over the last two months the city has been hit by a fourth wave of infections, with authorities struggling to bring the daily numbers down. Stubborn clusters have emerged in low-income neighbourhoods notorious for some of the world's most cramped housing. The district of Jordan recorded 162 confirmed cases from the beginning of this year to January 20. On Saturday, the city recorded 81 infections, of which 21 were from Yau Tsim Mong area where the restricted district is located. -- Inequality and housing shortages -- On paper Hong Kong is one of the richest cities in the world. But it suffers from pervasive inequality, an acute housing shortage and eye-watering rents that successive governments have failed to solve. Story continues The average flat in Hong Kong is about 500 square feet (46 square metres). But many squeeze themselves into even smaller subdivided flats -- cubicles that can be as tiny as 50 square feet or even less, with shared bathrooms and showers inside ageing walk-up buildings. It is in these kinds of buildings where clusters have been located in recent weeks, prompting the first lockdown order. In recent days health officials began carrying out mandatory testing in about 70 buildings in the area, but the government has now decided to test everyone so as to "break the transmission chain". The lockdown has created considerable confusion for residents. The looming restrictions were leaked to the city's local media on Friday but there was no official statement from the government until Saturday morning once the lockdown had come in overnight. Some media reported seeing residents leave the area ahead of the midnight deadline while others said locals were frustrated by the lack of clear information. Authorities said people who were not in the restricted area at the time but had stayed in it for more than two hours in the past 14 days must undergo compulsory testing before midnight today. The area is also home to many ethnic minorities, mainly South Asian Hong Kongers, a community that often faces discrimination and poverty. Earlier in the week a senior health official sparked anger when he suggested ethnic minority residents might be spreading the virus more readily because "they like to share food, smoke, drink alcohol and chat together". Critics countered that poverty and a lack of affordable housing forcing people to live in cramped conditions were to blame for the virus spreading more easily in those districts -- not race or culture. The health official's remarks also came as a video of predominantly white migrants dancing at a packed brunch on the more affluent Hong Kong Island sparked anger but no admonition from officials. jta-yz/je A fire broke out at Leeds General Infirmary. (Google Maps) A man has been charged with arson after a fire was deliberately started at a Leeds hospital, prompting its evacuation. Staff and patients in the Leeds General Infirmary had to be cleared from the building after a blaze broke out on Thursday. West Yorkshire Police were called just before 6pm to reports of a man armed with a screwdriver causing damage to units and threatening to start a fire, a spokesman said at the time. Footage from the scene shows patients being wheeled out of the hospital and into the cold on trolleys. Read: Aerial photos reveal shocking extent of flooding after river barriers burst in Worcestershire Nobody was injured during the incident and people were soon allowed back inside after the blaze was extinguished quickly by fire crews. But a man was arrested at the scene. Watch: Bradford fire: Trains cancelled and roads closed after large blaze breaks out Kriss Jackson, 43, of Leeds, has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life, police said. He is also charged with affray, possession of a bladed article and two counts of assault. He was due to appear before magistrates on Saturday. Detective Inspector James Entwistle, of Leeds CID, said: "We would like to thank everyone who has contacted us so far with regard to this investigation. "We also continue to appeal for anyone who was present in either the A&E or X-Ray department between 5 and 6pm on 21 January to contact us, as it is possible they will be able to assist our enquiries further." Read more: Police officers injured breaking up incredibly selfish Chelsea party of more than 200 people Patrick Vallance warns UK death rate is 'awful' and COVID could be around forever A spokesperson for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said at the time: "We can confirm that there was a small fire at Leeds General Infirmary this evening. "The fire was extinguished quickly and nobody was injured. "Staff and patients were evacuated from the building for a short period and police investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Story continues "We would like to thank our staff and the emergency services who responded quickly to the incident." Watch: Multiple casualties after large explosion in Avonmouth Montroses Archway Gallery is partnering with the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center to present Regeneration, a joint art exhibition by local artists that explore the impact of human encroachment, the destruction of habitats and the planets survival. The works, which are created through clay, paint, and glass by artists Carol Berger, Liz Conces Spencer and Gene Hester, will be sold via a silent auction at Archway Gallery benefiting the conservation efforts of the Houston Arboretum. The works will be on view from Feb. 6 through March 4. On HoustonChronicle.com: High incomes, low population helps Bellaire, West U keep coronavirus deaths at zero Its bridging the gap between art and nature, said Christine Mansfield, Sr. Manager of Marketing and Development for the Houston Arboretum, which for many, there isnt a gap. Each artist presents work, created either solo or collaboratively, that celebrates what may be lost due to pollution and global warming. From works that are straightforward and more representative, like Bergers ceramic pieces with leaves and animals delicately plastered to the surface of each piece, to more abstract pieces like the collaborative fused glass work between Spencer and Hester. Ive always been interested in patterning, said Spencer. Im also interested in the juxtaposition of humans with their environment. And those things together are fodder for a lot of visual representation, both realistic and abstracted. Spencer, a Heights resident, has always been fascinated with patterns and has been able to visually identify them where others could not. Spencer studied art at the University of St. Thomas in the 1970s and developed a summer art program in London in 1975. Upon her return she created figurative, nonrepresentational, and landscape works which led to her first major commission in 1996. She joined Archway Gallery in 2005 and has participated in numerous exhibitions, including three solo shows. Berger is an art educator and has spent most of her adult life in Southern California. She has a double major in Art and Spanish from the College of Wooster and spent a year focusing on art history at the University of Madrid with side trips to France and Italy. After retirement from a career as a public-school teacher, Berger took a ceramics class which led to a second career as a professional artist and joined Archway Gallery in 2018. Currently, she teaches ceramics classes to adults and children in her studio in addition to showing her work in the Houston area. It really has been disturbing to me to see the abuse and misuse of nature, the lack of preserving some of it for the future, said Berger. By creating beautiful pieces that represent nature, or parts of nature, hopefully, it will inspire other people to want to take care of it Hester was raised on a farm in rural west Texas, studied ceramics in college, joined the Peace Corps teaching math and science on the island of Borneo, and moved to Houston upon his return. He founded Genesis Art Glass in the 1970s and has taught at the Glassell School of Art and the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft- he has also been featured on HGTV. Hester and Spencer have collaborated on public and civic art projects, liturgical commissions, and gallery exhibitions since 2007. For more information about the gallery and for private tours, go to archwaygallery.com or contact info@archwaygallery.com. ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com The Igangan Development Advocates has said the people of the town and other communities in Ibarapaland in Oyo State have been under the alle... The Igangan Development Advocates has said the people of the town and other communities in Ibarapaland in Oyo State have been under the alleged constant attacks and oppression of Fulani herdsmen in the area. The convener of the IDA, Mr Oladiran Oladokun, who said this in a statement on Saturday, said the people had been crying for freedom for a long time with no one to help. He said this was why youths throughout Ibarapaland trooped out on Friday to welcome Sunday Igboho to execute the eviction order he gave to the Seriki Fulani of Oyo State seven days earlier. Igboho had addressed the youths on Friday, saying all criminal Fulani would not only be driven out of Igangan but from the entire Yorubaland. The IDA convener said the people needed somebody who would remove the burden of their oppressors from their necks and Igboho offered to do that. He said, For years, farm plundering was their full-time business, growing audaciously in bounds even as the Seriki Saliu ensured no Fulani was prosecuted for offences they were caught committing. With no disciplinary measures ever meted at the now reverential Fulani herdsmen, their audacity has grown from just grazing upon the sweats of Ibarapa farmers to maiming and lynching any farmer who dares to raise a voice. Igangan and Ibarapaland are a peaceful place where the Fulani culture of undue exploitation under the draconian reign of their kingpins became cancerous. No one was spared that was why everyone was there when Sunday Igboho responded to our cry. The (SP) will reach out to across the state on Republic Day, hold flag-hoisting rallies in all tehsils and put up the Tricolour and the party's flag on tractors, its supremo Akhilesh Yadav said on Saturday. Directions have been issued to party workers accordingly, the SP chief said in a statement here. "Party workers should reach out to every village, every home and every farmer. And on January 26 (on Republic Day), flag hoisting rally should be held in all tehsils across the state. The flag and the SP's flag should be hoisted on tractors," it said. Yadav said have been protesting against the new agri laws for nearly two months in a peaceful manner, but the government has turned a deaf ear. He also voiced support for the protesting farmers' decision to hold a tractor parade on (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is attempting to block President Biden from rejoining the Paris Agreement. One of Mr Bidens first acts in office was signing an executive order to recommit the US to the global climate pact, to cut the greenhouse gas emissions heating the planet. On Thursday, the Colorado congresswoman introduced the Paris Agreement Constitutional Treaty Act intending to block funding for the executive order until passed as a treaty by the Senate. Read more: What is the Paris Climate Agreement? Donald Trump exited the Paris deal in 2017. The US will officially become a party to the agreement again in less than 30 days. Rejoining Paris was one of a sweep of executive orders signed by President Biden, the beginning of his administrations plan to unwind the destructive environmental and climate policies of the Trump era. Rep. Boeberts bill was co-sponsored by 11 GOP House members. On Friday she tweeted: I work for the people of Pueblo, not the people of Paris. Its unclear if Rep Boebert is aware that the Paris Agreement was named because it was signed by hundreds of global leaders in the city of Paris, and not because it solely benefits the citizens of the French capital. GOP Senator Ted Cruz was apparently similarly confused on Thursday when he railed against Mr Biden in a tweet, for being more interested in the views of the citizens of Paris than in the jobs of the citizens of Pittsburgh. A statement from Rep. Boeberts office also claimed that the Paris Agreement could destroy up to 2.7 million jobs in the United States by 2025 alone. Her office did not respond to The Independents request for attribution on the claim at the time of publication. After Mr Trumps withdrawal in 2017, a group of interdisciplinary scientists published a report looking at the implications of the move and suggested that by 2100, the US would be about 5 per cent poorer with $8trillion in losses. The US agreement is not a tax on the American people. There is no massive wealth transfer, Climate Advisers CEO Nigel Purvis, state department climate negotiator in the Clinton and George W Bush administrations, told the AP about the Paris deal last year. In fact, the agreement obligates no country to make any financial payments. A separate bill was introduced by Texas Republican Chip Roy on Thursday, also trying to block funding for Mr Bidens executive order on the Paris Agreement. Ms Boebert has faced calls to resign, including from Colorado elected officials and local newspapers, after she tweeted details about the location of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol earlier this month by a pro-Trump mob. The new congresswoman supported Mr Trumps false claims of election fraud and has voiced support for the right-wing conspiracy group QAnon. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 : Senior leader and MP Shashi Tharoor will be travelling across all 14 districts of Kerala, meeting people ahead of preparing the Congress manifesto. The Congress election supervisory committee led by its Chairman, former Chief minister Oommen Chandy has asked Tharoor to interact with all sections of the society and collect inputs for the manifesto. "The Congress manifesto will not be prepared hearing only Congressmen and party supporters, instead we want to get a feedback from the people and Shash Tharoor will be travelling across the state for getting inputs and feedback from the public before its preparation begins," said Chandy while speaking to the media. Congress' coalition partner, the Indian Union Muslim League, is in for Tharoor playing a crucial role in ensuing assembly elections. The new responsibility of Tharoor has elated the Muslim League leadership. IUML all-India Organising secretary and MP E.T. Mohammed Basheer told IANS: "Tharoor has huge acceptability among youths and all sections of the society and the feedback he will receive from the general public before the preparation of the Congress manifesto will be of immense help to the UDF." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Why older adults must go to the front of the vaccine line Vaccinating older adults for COVID-19 first will save substantially more U.S. lives than prioritizing other age groups, and the slower the vaccine rollout and more widespread the virus, the more critical it is to bring them to the front of the line. That's one key takeaway from a new University of Colorado Boulder paper, published today in the journal Science, which uses mathematical modeling to make projections about how different distribution strategies would play out in countries around the globe. The research has already informed policy recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization to prioritize older adults after medical workers. Now, as policymakers decide how and whether to carry out that advice, the paper--which includes an interactive tool--presents the numbers behind the tough decision. "Common sense would suggest you want to protect the older, most vulnerable people in the population first. But common sense also suggests you want to first protect front-line essential workers (like grocery store clerks and teachers) who are at higher risk of exposure," said senior author Daniel Larremore, a computational biologist in the Department of Computer Science and CU Boulder's BioFrontiers Institute. "When common sense leads you in two different directions, math can help you decide." For the study, Larremore and lead author Kate Bubar, a graduate student in the Department of Applied Mathematics, teamed up with colleagues at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of Chicago. They drew on demographic information from different countries, as well as up-to-date data on how many people have already tested positive for COVID-19, how quickly the virus is spreading, how fast vaccines are rolling out and their estimated efficacy. Then they modeled what would happen in five different scenarios in which a different group got vaccinated first: Children and teenagers; adults ages 20 to 49; adults 20 or older; or adults 60 or older (considering that about 30% of those eligible might decline). In the fifth scenario, anyone who wanted a vaccine got one while supplies lasted. Results from the United States, Belgium, Brazil, China, India, Poland, South Africa, Spain and Zimbabwe are included in the paper, with more countries included in the online tool. Different strategies worked better or worse, depending on local circumstances, but a few key findings jumped out. In most scenarios, across countries, prioritizing adults 60+ saved the most lives. "Age is the strongest predictor of vulnerability," said Larremore, noting that while pre-existing conditions like asthma boost risk of severe illness or death, age boosts vulnerability more. "You have an exponentially higher likelihood of dying from COVID-19 as you get older." The authors also note that, while the vaccines being distributed now are believed to have about a 90 to 95% chance of protecting against severe disease, researchers don't yet know how well they block infection and transmission. If they don't block it well and asymptomatic spreaders abound, it again makes the most sense to vaccinate older adults. If nothing else, they'll be personally protected against grave disease. Only in scenarios where the virus is under control and the vaccine is known to block infection and transmission well does it make sense to move younger adults to the front of the line. That is not the situation in the United States right now. "For essential workers who might be frustrated that they are not first, we hope this study offers some clarity," said Bubar. "We realize it is a big sacrifice for them to make but our study shows it will save lives." So will a faster rollout, they found. For instance, all other things being equal, if the rollout speed was to be doubled from current rates under current transmission conditions, COVID-19 mortality could be reduced by about 23%, or 65,000 lives, over the next three months. The paper also suggests that in some situations where COVID has already infected large swaths of the population and vaccine is in short supply, it might make sense to ask younger adults who have already tested positive to step to the back of the line. "Our research suggests that prioritizing people who have not yet had COVID could allow hard-hit communities to stretch those first doses further and possibly get to some of the herd immunity effects sooner," said Larremore. The authors stress that vaccines alone are not the only tactic for helping win the race against COVID. "To allow the vaccine to get to folks before the virus does, we need to not only roll out the vaccine quickly and get it to the most vulnerable people. We have to also keep our foot on the virus brake with masks, distancing and smart policies," said Larremore. ### This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Controlling COVID-19 is my only focus: Yediyurappa on speculation about attempts to unseat him Karnataka: KPSC FDA Exam postponed after question paper leak India oi-Deepika S Bengaluru, Jan 23: The Karnataka Public Service Commission on Saturday postponed First Division Assistant (FDA) examination that was scheduled to be held on January 24 due to unavoidable reasons. Reportedly, the question paper has reached to some miscreants. Acting on a tip off, a special team raided a place in Ullal in Jnanabharati police station limits and arrested two people red handed and recovered question papers, cash Rs 24 lakh and three vehicles from them. The miscreants were using the stolen vehicles to circulate the question papers to job aspirants who have approached them and paid some money as advance. They have been taken into custody for questioning. "Six accused with the KPSC paper leak scam are under arrest, Rs. 24 lakh cash, three vehicles along with the FDA question papers are seized from them. The matter is being investigated," tweeted Joint Commission of Police, Sandip Patil. 6 accused arrested in connection with FDA question paper leak..exam was scheduled to be held tomorrow.. Rs 24 lakhs cash, question papers seized from accused.. further investigation on.. @CPBlr @BlrCityPolice Sandeep Patil IPS (@ips_patil) January 23, 2021 However, the commission did not indicate any tentative dates. The dates for the test would be rescheduled and announced in due course, Meanwhile, the candidates can visit the official website for further updates. Since the doors were flung open this past week, many prospective visitors have been picking up the pieces to try again. A travel agent in Libya said there had been a sudden interest in American visa applications. In Nigeria the Biden election will likely flood the visa offices, said Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso, a political-science professor at Babcock University in Ogun state. Despite the worldwide backlash over the ban, America still holds an immense global appeal, especially to citizens of fragile nations. Its oof, relief, an optimistic feeling, said Nizar Asruh, a Libyan in San Diego who said he hoped his mother could now get a visa to come visit. As well as expediting outstanding applications, Mr. Biden has ordered an immediate review of all visas rejected under Mr. Trumps measures, and an assessment of contentious extreme vetting security procedures that include screening an applicants social media feeds. But immigration advocates warn that a return to the pre-Trump system will not be a panacea. Even before, the system was discriminatory and not welcoming to Muslims, said Gadeir Abbas, a staff attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. It was under the Obama administration that you had the expansion of a terrorism watch list to over a million names that, as far as we can tell, is essentially a list of Muslims. Even among Americas most ardent admirers, its standing because of the ban has fallen hard. In Sudan, Ms. Jamal, whose husband won the green card lottery, said she had dreamed of moving to America since she was a child. I want my children to have a good life, she said. And I want them to be free. But a certain cynicism had crept into her view of American leaders. They are all the same, she said. For Trump, we were bad Muslims. For Biden, we are good Muslims. At the end of the day, it doesnt matter theyll use us if its good for them. Were just pawns in a chess game. Herreid Legion to remember 400 Campbell County area veterans Monday The Herreid American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion work together to recognize veterans on Memorial Day. Another new commission promises no relief to victims View(s): The recent appointment by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of yet another Sri Lankan Commission of Inquiry to study past Commission reports with a view to finding out if any human rights violations, serious violations of international humanitarian law and other such serious offences have been revealed is, to put it bluntly, like a bad line in a particularly atrocious comedy. A thin guise to brush away state obligations This newest Commission, the latest in a long line of distinguished and not so distinguished bodies, has been tasked to look at what recommendations have been made by past Commissions and what gaps exist in implementation thereof in their report. But that is no saving grace. It seems rather, a thin guise for brushing away the obligations of the State in that regard. It promises no relief to the failure of justice for victims across race and ethnic divisions, whose pain and anguish remain unaddressed. Reportedly one of its members, a former police chief, is also a serving head of a constitutional commission which raises different questions of conflict of interest. And to be clear, that failure of justice that I refer to, is not the exclusive province of a specific minority, as those blinded by communal passions, might like to argue. Rather, if any thread drew Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims together in shared grief through the decades, it was the persistent practice of state terror. Surfacing and resurfacing with each conflict, each deadlier than the last, these state practices resulted in thousands of extra judicial executions and enforced disappearances. Yet community leaders and politicians alike declined to recognise that common failure of justice, preferring instead to use communalistic slogans to advance political agendas. This was a pitiable reflection on their own culpability. As state actors repeated their refusal to fight a war against the Sinhalese in the South or the Tamils in the North while having their hands tied behind their backs by the Constitution, gross human rights abuses continued as part of state policy. Appointing Commissions by one Government after another became a favourite evasive tactic as we may recall. But even so, this latest exercise is so farcical that it quite takes ones breath away. The new Commission is a spectacular non-event Quite apart from the expending of public funds on the exercise, the appointment of this body is a spectacular non-event. In other words, the tasks encompassed within its mandate have already been performed by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC, 2011) under the term of this Presidents brother, himself the countrys Executive President at the time, Mahinda Rajapaksa. As was analysed in these column spaces at the time, the LLRC looked at previous Commissions and gaps in the implementation of their recommendations. The LLRC report itself fell between a rock and a hard place as it were. Government allies, including most notably the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) alleged that the LLRC has not taken into account the many assassinations carried out by the LTTE between 1972 and 2009. It was also alleged that the LLRC had exceeded its mandate by referring to an ethnic problem. One strong point in that Report was its call to implement the Udalagama Commissions recommendations regarding the brutal extra judicial killings of seventeen Tamil and Muslim aid workers in Mutur in August 2006 and the killings of five Tamil students in Trincomalee in January of that same year. More than most, these two cases expose the fault lines in our justice system in respect of investigation, prosecution and adjudication, including the absence of an effective witness protection law with a Protection Division situated independently from the Department of the Police. There were other excellent recommendation in that Report, drawing from previous Commission reports which, as the LLRC noted, had been disregarded, referring to the lack of public confidence in such Commissions as a result. These included several recommendations in respect of arrest and detention, abductions, the disarming of persons in possession of unauthorised weapons along with their prosecution. Atrocities committed by paramilitary forces backed by the Government recieved specifically critical attention. Interestingly, the LLRC also called for the enactment of a right to information law. This perhaps, was the one recommendation that came to fruition in the years that followed, albeit under a different administration. A country deeply in crisis then and now The issues that the LLRC Report raised in regard to the suffering of Tamil civilians in the war theatre of the North and East echoed tales of horror by Sinhalese families caught up in civil conflict in the South during the late nineteen eighties which were documented by the 1994 and 1998 Disappearances Commissions. As much as mothers still wail on the streets of the North regarding their missing children, Sinhalese mothers trekked to Colombo decades later, to try and find out the fate of a habeas corpus application lodged twenty years back in respect of a missing son or daughter. As importantly, the LLRC Report showed a country deeply in crisis, where the accountability of political government was nonexistent. It captured a reality where law enforcement authorities are so politicized as to be virtually negligible in impacting on law and order and where public institutions are severely politicized. The failure of the Rule of Law was paramount. The LLRC pointed to state practices on those in detention not being given proper access to counsel and where their relatives are denied information as to their whereabouts. That remains true now as it was then. The one difference between then and now would perchance be the further deterioration of the judicial institution in its capacity to combat political pressure coupled with the alarmingly excessive militarisation of the civil and governance process. Needless to say, this Report was largely disregarded by the President which appointed the Commissioners and by his successors. Yet the LLRC Report contains harsh reminders that cannot be just brushed away. Indeed, a familiar refrain in the post-Trump United States stands eerily true for us as well. Accountability needed for healing to start As the new US President Joe Biden appeals to the populace to heal and move on, a significant portion of which believes that he did not legitimately win the Presidential elections, there is an important rider. Policymakers, activists and advocates argue that first, accountability for years of hate, violence and racial division must lie. As colleagues of the police officer who died after engaging with pro-Trump supporters at the riot at the Capitol said, those responsible for inciting the riot must be held accountable. Otherwise this can happen again and again. These are powerful but simple words that sum up transitional justice in one sentence. The insistence on accountability is equally true of Sri Lanka as it is of the United States. Prevarications, Commissions of Inquiry and one political charade after another will not detract from the call for accountability for human rights abuses at the hands of state agents. That stubborn call for justice in the face of all odds by those who have suffered and endured will ultimately prevail even as Presidents and lesser mortals alike, may rise and fall. A man in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Nam was given a jail sentence of 10 years for stealing a total of 455 taels of gold from his gold store employer in five years. The People's Court of Quang Nam Province sentenced Nguyen Duc Tuan, 30, residing in the provinces Hoi An City, to 10 years in prison for property theft in his first-instance trial opened on Friday. According to the indictment, in 2008, Tuan studied a jewelry making course at a gold shop on Nguyen Duy Hieu Street in Hoi An City. In May 2010, Tuan moved to another store in the same gold shop chain operated by his employer on Hoang Dieu Street in the same city and started working as a salesperson. As Tuan gained his employers trust, he was given management tasks, including overseeing the gold inventory at the store. The employer only monitored Tuans job via a camera system. Part of the gold amount Nguyen Duc Tuan stole from his gold shop employer. Photo: Manh Truong / Tuoi Tre Between 2012 and 2017, Tuan stole a small amount of gold every day. The total of gold Tuan stole mounted to 455 taels, worth more than VND10 billion (US$433,530). Tuan hid them at his residence. A tael is the most common weight measure of gold in Vietnam, which equals 37.5 grams. In July 2018, Tuan resigned from the gold shop. On January 15, 2019, Tuan sold 230 taels of the stolen gold, including rings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets, to a gold shop in Son Tra District, located in the neighboring Da Nang City. Part of the gold amount Nguyen Duc Tuan stole from his gold shop employer. Photo: Manh Truong / Tuoi Tre The police force of Quang Nam Province, in coordination with the police of Da Nang City, discovered Tuans act and temporarily detained Tuan and seized the exhibits. After that, Tuan handed over nearly 225 gold taels left at his home. According to locals in Tuans area, Tuans family appeared to get richer recently. Tuan built a house, bought a car and also invested in two villas for accommodation business. The sudden wealth of Tuans family sparked curiousity and questions. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Google Meet now supports transcription service company Otter.ai's Chrome extension that brings real-time transcription feature to the video conferencing platform. The extension works with all of Otter's plans, meaning even free users will be able to take advantage of the AI-powered tool during video calls. Although Google Meet already comes with live captioning feature (first rolled out in September 2019 on then-called Hangout Meet) the latest development gives more options to its users. Otter's AI-powered transcription tool comes integrated with Zoom Video as well, though the feature is available with only Otter or Zoom's enterprise plans. Otter.ai's Chrome Chrome extension works with the web client of Google Meet, and customers can download the tool via Chrome store for free. In order to use its transcription tool, start Google Meet in your browser > Open Otter's chrome extension (You might need to click the puzzle piece icon next to the URL bar) > Sign in to Otter account. From there, log into your meeting, tap the "record" button from the Otter extension, and you should see the transcription start to fill out in real-time. The feature also works by selecting the 'cc' (closed caption) button surrounded by a box in the Otter window. Users can also save the transcription on their Otter account. The same icon on Google Meet can activate live captioning or transcription. Notably, Meet's own inbuilt feature got support for French, German, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish (Spain and Latin America) captions in December 2020. As mentioned, the latest extension-support from Otter gives more options to Meet users when it comes to choosing a real-time transcription tool. Otter in a statement said that the latest development improves communication on Meet, especially during work-from-home scenarios. Google Meet currently has roughly 100 million active users. Otter.ai's video captioning feature is also directly available on Zoom but only for premium customers. Customers with Otter for Business plan can also use live captioning during Zoom video calls. New Delhi: The Indian Navy on Thursday beefed up security at its Karwar Naval Base after it sighted three trespassers inside the Base. When Navy personnel tried to apprehend them, the intruders ran away. After the incident, Navy and the Police carried out a joint security exercise inside the Base. "When security personnel went to apprehend them, they ran away. A thorough search was carried out, but no unauthorised person was found hiding in the area. Local police and a dog squad assisted in the search," said a Navy press release. The expansion of National Highway 66 by a private company has been causing breaches in the boundary wall of the Naval Base at many places. Whenever such breach is noticed, a thorough search is carried out in the area by the security personnel from the base and they also repair the breach. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Parts of this site are only available to paying PW subscribers. Subscribers: to set up your digital access click here. To subscribe, click here. PW All Access site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. Simply close and relaunch your preferred browser to log-in. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options please email: pw@pubservice.com. If you have questions or need assistance setting up your account please email pw@pubservice.com or call 1-800-278-2991 (U.S.) or 1-818-487-2069 (all other countries), Monday-Friday between 5am and 5pm Pacific time for assistance. The leadership of the Ave Council of Chiefs have commended President Akufo-Addo for nominating Dr Archibald Letsa as the Volta Regional Minister and Mr John-Peter Amewu as Minister of Railway Development. A congratulatory message signed by Torgbui Nyamekor Glakpe V, President of Ave Council of Chiefs and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), congratulated President Akufo-Addo for a successful inauguration and swearing in for a second term as the President of the Republic. The statement also expressed gratitude to the president for nominating the two from the Volta region as Ministers in his first list of Ministers presented to Parliament. "We want to say we are grateful to you for these appointments as it will go a long way to foster development in the region," the statement said. The statement said the Ave Council of Chiefs have had a fruitful good working relationship with Dr Letsa as Volta Regional Minister during the first administration of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and "we think retaining him is a welcoming news to us in the Volta region." The statement appealed to the President to nominate Dr Prince Sodoke Amuzu, District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area as a Minister of State or any other position befitting of his service to the nation. It also expressed gratitude to the President for granting them a Traditional Council status. On development projects, the Chiefs mentioned some roads in the District that must be constructed to facilitate easy transportation of food stuffs from the villages to the market centres. Some of the roads include Ave-Xevi to Wuata and Metrikasa, Ave Afiadenyigba to Korve and Agormer, Ave Dakpa to Korve through Avevi and Akatsi. They indicated the move would boost economic activities in the District while the Assembly would also generate more internally generated fund (IGF) for development. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video I was talking to a friend the other night about how lockdown has disrupted our beauty regimes. I had to confess, for me the answer was not a lot. Bar slapping on a bit of moisturiser morning and night, I don't think I can honestly say I ever had one. Even before this all started, getting a facial, or a massage were things that only happened when someone bought me a voucher for Christmas or my birthday, never something I'd treat myself to. I guess it comes down to the fact that I'm just not great at sitting still and not doing a lot for a long time. I feel guilty even though I know I shouldn't, for taking time away from the kids or work, to go and pamper myself, which results in me sitting there unable to relax and wishing the time away to get back to the demands of the day. My guilt is always compounded by watching the fabulous beauticians put their years of training into trying to relax me. At the end of the session, a bit like having had a bad meal at a restaurant where the staff are lovely, I never have the heart to tell them that I've had anything other than a brilliant experience. My friend is the polar opposite. We met at work 20 or so years ago and, despite the fact that she's five years older than me, she could probably pass for 10 years younger. She has a five-step beauty regime that she goes through every morning to prep her skin for the day, dabbing on fabulous smelling creams, oils and unguents on various parts of her face and then repeating the process when she returns home at night. I remember when we were both young things, living in London, before either of us had children and responsibilities, when a night out on the tiles often carried on until the wee small hours of the morning and when it wasn't unheard of for us to meet a milk float or two on our way back home. Even then, when we'd stay over at each other's tiny little studio flats following a night out, and while I would half-heartedly rub a make-up removing wipe over my face before flopping into bed, she would start her normal five-step beauty process. I couldn't get my head around why she'd bother then and even now, presented with the impressive results of a woman who looks a good decade younger than her years, I still don't think I could muster up the will power to be so regimented about a beauty regime. She's really missing her visits to the hairdresser and beautician. For her, those pampering appointments help her relax, destress, and process her plans for the next week or month. She's a successful businesswoman who, until Covid 19 raised its ugly head, worked part of the month in London and part in California, so free time is not something she has lots of, but for her those beauty appointments are a necessity. When I asked her why she said, "Looking ordered and well-presented gives me confidence. When I look in control, I feel in control". I understand what she means but it has left me wondering what my dishevelled appearance says about me! While she can't go for her usual appointments, she did tell me that she's discovered a new beauty must-do that even I could manage. She read in a magazine that if you always go to sleep lying on a particular side, that the hair on that side of your head becomes decidedly thinner as the years go by. To counteract this, she now ensures that she swaps from side to side on alternate nights. As for me, someone who possibly moves about more when I'm asleep and in bed than I do when awake and out of it, there's no hope of me teaching myself to lie still and on one side all night. In the years to come, as she looks younger by the day, with a full, thick head of hair, I'll be happy to be her haggard, ravaged pal and bald on one side; a walking before and after testament to the benefits of a beauty regime. UPDATE: This post has been updated to include a statement from U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI Republicans in Allegan County have censured one of their colleagues for voting to impeach former President Donald J. Trump following his supporters storming of the U.S. Capitol. During the Allegan County Republican Convention, members on Jan. 21 voted to censure and condemn U.S. Rep Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, for his Jan. 13 vote to impeach Trump in a unanimous voice vote, according to a Friday, Jan. 22 news release. Related: Congressman Upton will vote to impeach Trump for inciting Capitol riots The delegation stated Upton ignored the voice of his voters in Allegan County by voting for Trumps impeachment. The delegation claimed incomplete evidence, little debate, and the absence of due process led to its condemnation of Upton. The unanimous voice vote was confirmed during a meeting of the Executive Committee immediately following the convention by another unanimous voice vote, the group said. The AGOP Issues Committee is charged with making recommendations for further action. Allegan County one of the more conservative counties in Michigans 6th District in southwest Michigan. Upton has represented the district in Congress since 1987. Upton has issued the following statement in response to the censure vote: I always said Id support President Trump when I agreed with him and disagree when I thought he was wrong. Congress should not tolerate any effort to impede the peaceful transfer of power. Ive gone to bat for southwest Michigan every day Ive been in Congress, bringing jobs, economic growth, and opportunities to our region of the state. And that is exactly what Im going to keep doing. Josh Paciorek, Uptons communications director, added that the Congressman has been making calls and reaching out to local party folks to listen to them and hear them, knowing they might disagree with his stance, but to move forward, this should be a party that can include a lot of different opinions, ideas and viewpoints. When rioters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, Upton tweeted the following message at 3:33 p.m.: I am safe and sheltered in place. Horrified and shell-shocked by the violence of rioters trying to undo the constitutional transfer of power. @RealDonaldTrump, for the sake of our nation and safety of our people, tell your supporters to stand down and leave town. Upton was one of 10 Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives who voted to impeach Trump for incitement of insurrection. U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Grand Rapids, who is in his first term, also voted to impeach. Related: U.S. Capitol attack, Trump impeachment vote was worst week of my life, says Congressman Peter Meijer Before the impeachment vote was held, Upton issued a statement saying he would vote in its favor. The Congress must hold President Trump to account and send a clear message that our country cannot and will not tolerate any effort by any president to impede the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next, Upton said in a Jan. 12 statement. Thus, I will vote to impeach. Trumps impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate is to begin the week of Feb. 8. Read more: Rep. Fred Upton shell-shocked after rioters breach U.S. Capitol Lansing mayor wants National Guard at Michigan Capitol for possible armed protests Police seeking man in U-M hoodie involved in violent riots at U.S. Capitol Michigan Democrats support Trumps removal as House moves to start impeachment Republicans pushed election lies and armed protests, but say their rhetoric didnt spur U.S. Capitol chaos remaining of Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe. Already have a paid subscription? Sign in Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has announced a hike from Rs 31, 000 to Rs 51, 000 in the Shagun amount for the marriage of daughters of construction workers in Punjab from April 1, 2021, while also approving Rs 1500 in financial aid to such workers or their family members who test positive for Covid. This was decided by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh while chairing the 27th meeting of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board through Video Conference on Friday evening. Capt Amarinder Singh Further, to ease the process of availing the Shagun benefit, the Chief Minister has approved modification in the existing conditions to make valid marriage certificates issued by any religious body - Gurdwaras, Temples and Churches acceptable for the purpose. While 50% payment can be availed in advance the rest shall be provided on submission of the marriage certificate by the competent authority under the revised rules. Daughters of those registered with the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board are eligible under the scheme. In another major decision, the Chief Minister also announced compensation worth Rs 2 lacs in case of death of a worker in an accident while working in construction activity even if he/she was not registered with the Construction Board, provided he/ she is otherwise eligible to be registered as a construction worker. According to an official spokesperson, Captain Amarinder also announced extension in time-frame from the existing 6 months to one year for submission of application for benefits under various welfare schemes as many workers could not apply in time due to the Covid situation. Further, the construction workers have been allowed to prefer an appeal to the Secretary Board within a period of 120 days instead of 90 days in case their pension application is rejected by the Screening Committee. Captain Amarinder Singh Under the Balri (Female Child) Birth Gift scheme, the Board has also decided to enhance the time limit for submission of application from six months to one year from the date of the delivery of the girl child of the beneficiary. In another relaxation to rules for availing benefits under various schemes, construction workers can now submit any 2 of the four Government documents, namely Aadhaar card, Pan card, Voter card and Ration card. Many workers could not avail benefits earlier for lack of a birth certificate, which was the only acceptable proof prior to this amendment. The Board, at its meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, also announced a hike in the annual stipend, to Rs 35,000 from Rs 25,000 for boys and to Rs 40,000 from Rs 30,000 for girls pursuing Degree/Post Graduate degree courses in pharmaceutical/ Para Medical studies. Hostel stipend has also been increased to Rs 50,000 from Rs 40,000 per year for boys and Rs 55,000 from Rs 45,000 for girls studying in Degree/Post Graduate degree courses in pharmaceutical/Para Medical studies. Captain Amarinder Singh For medical and engineering students, the hike in annual stipend for boys is from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 and for girls from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000, with hostel stipend increased to Rs 70,000 and Rs 80,000, respectively. Also, to encourage meritorious children, the Board has now approved that a claim must be made within one year instead of six months from the declaration of results in case of these meritorious children or from the receipt of the award by sportspersons from district, state or national authority. Further, the Board has now allowed construction workers to renew their membership within a period of one year to enable them to continue to apply and avail financial benefits under various welfare schemes during the grace period of one year. A series of relaxations have also been announced with respect to insurance and other benefits in the case of death of disability, as well as LTC benefits, reimbursement for medical aids, financial assistance for cremation and last rites, aid for mentally retarded/handicapped children, maternity cover etc. Courtesy photo /U.S. Border Patrol U.S. Border Patrol agents continue to intercept human smuggling attempts throughout the Laredo Sector involving commercial vehicles. The Laredo Sector agents and Service canine teams discovered concealed individuals in commercial vehicles at different Laredo Sector checkpoints. Numerous commercial tractor trailers and box trucks have attempted to traverse checkpoints over the last seven days attempting to conceal smuggled individuals. The assistance of service canines and non-intrusive scanning technology have revealed these concealed tactics in the various conveyances. Most of the individuals have not been wearing any personal protective equipment. Agents medically screen and provide PPE for the discovered individuals. Advertisement Advertise With Us Brandon Sun readers request specific questions be asked about COVID-19. QUESTION: Can we get regular updates on percentage of transmission that is truly widespread and community-based? This info was shared daily in Prairie Mountain Health back when we had a spike in cases, and it seems perhaps one of the most helpful indicators for individuals to use to assess risk as restrictions start to loosen. Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer answers reader questions alongside Dr. Jazz Atwal. (Winnipeg Free Press) DR. BRENT ROUSSIN: Reporting of community transmission cases that we cant link to known transmission chains, we do have those numbers. We can present those. Presenting meaningful data on acquisition events is challenging because a large amount of our cases are by definition a known acquisition. We do look back at where people were during the two-week periods before they acquired the case, and try to draw some relation to that. But certainly, the community-based transmission is something that as our number starts coming down, well be able to provide more details on. QUESTION: Can counsellors re-open those who are not part of a governing body and who had to close to in-person clients? Please know I can do video or phone sessions but most people will not do it and are waiting. Mental health should not have to wait! DR. JAZZ ATWAL: We've opened up regulated health professionals and other health professionals. I cant comment specifically on this counsellor. People do have access to the ability for health care. We encourage people to do that. Mental health is important. Connecting via phone or virtually is really important, as well. Unless you have to visit someone, even for healthcare reasons, in person, you should try to avoid that. But, it is still important if you have to do it. A lot of physicians do a lot of work, a lot of nurses do a lot of work by phone connecting clients, as well, as do psychologists and psychiatrists. FOLLOW UP WITH HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS: Previous restrictions in the orders will remain, and as of Jan. 23 in the Winnipeg (except for Churchill), Southern HealthSante Sud, InterlakeEastern and Prairie Mountain Health regions: non-regulated health services, such as pedorthists and reflexologists, to reopen with adequate physical distancing and requirements to collect information for contact tracing purposes. Regulated health services are able to operate as per the previous public health orders. This person may also fall under the following in schedule A of the public health orders: "55. A business that provides mental health or addictions supports or services, such as counselling." QUESTION: What is the availability of the Moderna vaccine, as the Pfizer vaccine is being cut back? And a few people have asked are the two interchangeable. Can you get the first dose from one company and the second from another? ATWAL: Great question. At the present time, we aren't aware of any supply disruptions on the Moderna side. We have a known amount that we're getting at regular intervals. I don't have those numbers in front of me. In relation to interchangeability, at the present time, we don't want to interchange vaccines. So, if you get the Pfizer vaccine as the first dose, we want the second dose to be Pfizer, as well. Analogous to the Moderna if your first dose is Moderna, we want the second dose to the Moderna, as well. Over time, we'll have greater clarity and information from a science perspective if the two are interchangeable, but at the present time, we don't have the science to show that. QUESTION: Can you describe what treatment in hospital for COVID-19 patients entails? ATWAL: I could provide a little, but I'm not an intensivist. I don't work in an acute care setting. I do work and see patients, but not in an acute care setting environment. The mainstay of treatment is supportive care. If someone is admitted to the hospital, if you're in a hospital bed, you can imagine some oxygen, maybe some IV fluids. They do provide some other medications like dexamethasone, which is a steroid. Sometimes there are puffers involved, like the same puffers we use for asthma or COPD. Obviously, if you're an intensive care unit, that means you need a greater level of care. Typically, most patients who require intensive care unit work, they'll be on a ventilator. Basically, there's a tube in your throat to help you breathe. Sometimes there's special medication given to keep your heart pumping, to make sure your blood pressure stays up. On top of that, there are probably a couple of other treatment modalities, as well, but I just don't have the details on that. Do you have a question about something in your community? Send your questions to opinion@brandonsun.com with the subject line: Readers Ask. FRIDAYS COVID-19 UPDATE The COVID-19 update from the province on Friday saw two additional deaths listed, none from the Prairie Mountain Health region. The province reported 173 new cases; however, two cases were removed due to a data correction, making the net new cases 171 The new cases are as follows: - 33 cases in the InterlakeEastern health region; - 64 cases in the Northern health region; - 11 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region; - nine cases in the Southern HealthSante Sud health region; and - 56 cases in the Winnipeg health region. The five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate was 9.3 per cent in the province, and 6.2 per cent in Winnipeg. Lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba total 28,260, with 795 deaths or 2.81 per cent. The province reports 3,261 active cases, with 24,204 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. The province also reported 133 people are in hospital with active COVID-19, as well as 141 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 274 hospitalizations. Twenty-four people are in intensive care units with active COVID-19, as well as 15 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 39 ICU patients. In the Prairie Mountain Health region, there are 197 active cases, with 1,614 recovered. There are nine people hospitalized, with one patient in ICU, and a total of 46 deaths. Brandons active case count is 59, with 846 recovered and 19 deaths. Friday, 2,070 tests were completed, for a total of 461,250 since February, 2020. Source: Province of Manitoba mletourneau@brandonsun.com Michele LeTourneau covers Indigenous matters for The Brandon Sun under the Local Journalism Initiative, a federally funded program that supports the creation of original civic journalism. Parents asked to keep children home until schools reopen Parents are asked to keep their children at home whenever possible next week ahead of the planned reopening of schools, nurseries and child-minders on Monday 1 February. On Thursday, Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK, announced the Island will begin easing restrictions this weekend with socially distant outdoor meetings permitted and trades allowed to return to work under certain rules from today. However, parents are still asked to keep their children at home whenever possible to take pressure off hub schools, many of which are near capacity. In Thursdays briefing, Howard Quayle MHK announced that Government is working towards a full exit from restrictions after twenty-one days with no community transmission. It means - subject to no further community cases all schools and University College Isle of Man will welcome back students next month. All schools closed on Thursday 7 January, except for 14 educational hubs maintained for vulnerable children and those of essential workers. Throughout most of the period covered by the Commission of Investigation into mother and baby homes (1922-1998) unmarried mothers and their children experienced widespread discrimination within Irish society. The legal status of 'illegitimacy' survived until 1987. The Commission, which published its almost 3,000 page report on Tuesday last, was established because of concerns that had been raised. The report notes that mother and baby homes did not originate in Ireland and the earliest mother and baby homes were not established by Catholic religious orders. There is a long history of charitable institutions catering for abandoned, or neglected children, and charities that supported widows, but unmarried mothers were not a popular cause for benefactors. The origins of mother and baby homes in Britain, the USA and Australia can be traced to Magdalen Asylums and other institutions that were established. By the end of the nineteenth century every major city in Britain and the United States had several such institutions. The first suggestion that special mother and baby homes should be established in Ireland came in the 1906 Vice-Regal Commission on Poor Law Reform in Ireland. Their report stated that the workhouse was an unsuitable 'refuge or asylum' for mothers of illegitimate children. First-time mothers should be sent to institutions owned or managed by religious communities or philanthropic persons. If no such institutions existed, they should be sent to a disused workhouse, adapted for the purpose that would only admit single mothers and their children. The stories recounted above give some indication of the hardship, heartbreak and complexities associated with single pregnancy in the Ireland of the 1940s and 1950s. They highlight a number of key factors: the fathers of these children, families and the central role played by the local authorities. Religion is also central in a variety of ways: denominational charities in Britain and Ireland acted as advice and referral centres and their values often determined a woman's fate, and the wish to ensure that a child was raised in his/her mother's religion was implicit in the decisions made by department officials. Priests were often the first people to be contacted by pregnant women; the person who wrote or telephoned the CPRSI (Catholic Protection and Rescue Society of Ireland) or the department, an indication of the lack of social services, and some distrust of local authorities - most especially women's fears that their pregnancy might become known. It has been suggested that many of the women in mother and baby homes were sent to Magdalen laundries when they were discharged. The McAleese report records that 313 women were sent to Magdalen laundries by mother and baby homes and adoption societies. An additional 349 women were sent from county and city homes though many of these were women who had not given birth. It is commonly believed and has been widely stated on numerous occasions that women were required to remain in a mother and baby home for two years after the birth of their child. This was never a legal requirement although many women appear to have believed that it was. The motivation behind the two-year stay was both moral and pragmatic: a belief that two years was sufficient time to 'reform' or 'rehabilitate' a woman. The report emphasises that the Catholic church did not invent Irish attitudes to prudent marriages or family respectability; however, it reinforced them through church teachings that emphasised the importance of pre-marital purity and the sexual dangers associated with dance halls, immodest dress, mixed bathing and other sources of 'temptation'. In the 1920s, the Irish Free State was a newly-independent nation which was determined to show the world that it was different; part of that difference related to the capacity to withstand the undesirable aspects of modernity, including sexual licence and alien cultures. There was a strong alignment of views between church and State, resulting in legislation against contraception, divorce, censorship of cinema and publications that were bolstered by church sermons denouncing sexual immorality and the evils of modern society. Priests who denounced a man or woman who was responsible for an extra-marital pregnancy were reinforcing wider social concerns with family lineage and the respectability of a community. It should be noted that, while there is evidence of such denunciations, they were not as common as is sometimes suggested, the report points out. Although the first report of the registrar general of the Irish Free State highlighted the appalling excess mortality of children born to unmarried mothers and subsequent DLGPH (Department of Local Government and Public Health) reports noted the fact, there is little evidence that politicians or the public were concerned about these children. No publicity was given to the fact that in some years during the 1930s and 1940s, over 40% of 'illegitimate' children were dying before their first birthday in mother and baby homes. The introduction of legal adoption from 1953 removed one of the underlying problems facing Irish mother and baby homes - the long-term future of the children. By the 1960s most women placed their child for adoption and left a mother and baby home within a few months of giving birth. In 1967 the number of babies adopted was 97% of the number of 'illegitimate' births. These statistics dispel any myth that the 1960s brought major changes in family or societal attitudes or practices towards 'illegitimacy'. The main motivation behind the British and Irish Catholic charities who were involved in repatriating Irish women from Britain, either pregnant or with their new-born infant, was to prevent these children being 'lost' to Catholicism through adoption into Protestant families. Concerns, however-far-fetched, that state-regulated adoption would result in Catholic children being adopted by parents of a different religion were a factor in delaying the introduction of legal adoption in Ireland until 1952. Ireland was the second-last country in western Europe to legislate for adoption. The Netherlands, where religious divisions were deeply entrenched, introduced legal adoption in 1956. The number of pregnant unmarried Irish women who came into contact with British welfare services - both voluntary and public - was so great that they were commonly known by the initials, PFIs - Pregnant from Ireland. British charities (and via them, the British authorities) put pressure on the Irish hierarchy, and the Irish State, to repatriate pregnant Irish women. The Liverpool and County Catholic Aid Society explained that it was the 'sense of shame' that caused Irish women to flee to England. On some occasions the returning woman was only given the 'bare fare'; she arrived in Ireland, with no money to pay her bus or train fare to her destination - a mother and baby home. The primary reason why pregnant women travelled to England was to protect their privacy. An application to a local health authority for financial support in a mother and baby home often meant that a woman's pregnancy became known, and the long stays in Irish mother and baby homes were also a factor. The report highlights hundreds of case studies of the unmarried mothers' plights. Included is the story of a Leitrim woman who went to England pregnant and was working as a domestic servant in the bishop's house in Birmingham. She was sent to a convent by one of the priests when it was discovered that she was pregnant. She was sent back to Ireland to Henrietta Street Hostel and from there she went to St Kevin's. In 1948 a woman returning from England went directly from Westland Row station (now Pearse Street station) to Holles Street hospital because she was haemorrhaging and gave birth there to a 2.5 lbs baby, who apparently survived. A Donegal woman who went to Glasgow in 1956 was returned to Ireland the following day and admitted to Regina Coeli [hostel] - her baby was born one week later. The CRPSI annual report for 1955 noted that London county council 'had so many Irish babies abandoned or left in their care' that a London county council children's officer was appointed to spend six months each year in Ireland 'trying to get homes for these babies'. The introduction of Unmarried Mother's Allowance in 1973 passed without comment by any TD in Dail Eireann, other than the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Frank Cluskey who was introducing the legislation, and it attracted no attention in local or national newspapers. This silence suggests public uncertainty about the appropriate response - an unwillingness to either praise or criticise this new welfare payment. It was not until the tragic death of Ann Lovett in 1984 that there is evidence of extensive public commentary on unmarried motherhood, and serious questioning of Irish attitudes. Ms Lovett was a 15-year-old girl from Co Longford who died beside a church grotto while giving birth to a baby boy in January of that year. Sligo, Leitrim women were recorded as living in homes The statistics published from the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the mother and baby homes reveal that women from Sligo and Leitrim were residing in many of them, including Tuam, Stranorlar, Castlepollard, Pelletstown and Denny Homes in Dublin. A total of 30 mothers in Denny House which was formerly a Magdalen Asylum in Dublin gave their address as Sligo, 20 women were from Leitrim and a further 55 from Donegal. Denny House was understood to have had 1,413 mothers and 1,134 children. The report found that 55 children are reported to have died there, which was much lower than the infant mortality rates recorded in other mother and baby homes investigated. Statistics also indicate that 11 women from Sligo were resident in the Stranorlar County Home, which had 1,646 women and 1,777 children. A total of 339 children are understood to have died there. The report said that one percent of the women in Pelletstown gave their address prior to admission as Sligo, while 0.63% were from Leitirm. A total of 15,382 women and 18,829 children are understood to have lived there, Pelletstown was not exclusively a mother and baby home, it was also a home for unaccompanied children. It's understood that 3,615 children died there, and they are buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. The Tuam mother and baby home scandal, which was brought to public attention in 2016 by historian Catherine Corless, was described as a particular catalyst for the establishment of the Commission of Investigation into concerns about what happened in the mother and baby homes. The Tuam and formerly Glenamaddy mother and baby home had 2,219 women and 3,251 children recorded, it also accommodated unaccompanied children. The report documents 978 children died there and there was no register of burials kept. The report said that 0.10% of Sligo women went there, and 30.88% were from Mayo. There were an estimated 300 to 400 women in Kilrush and a much larger number of children, the report said. The number of child deaths are unknown and it was described as appalling in 1927. It was not known the numbers there from counties Sligo and Leitrim. Bessborough in Cork, which had a shocking infant mortality rate of 75% in 1943, had women from both Sligo and Leitrim living there, 0.78% from Sligo and 0.37% from Leitrim. The report highlights that 9,768 women and 8,938 children were residing there. It said 923 children died and the burials for the majority of these children are unknown. The Sean Ross mother and baby home in Roscrea had 6,414 women and 6,079 children. A total of 1,090 children are reported to have died, the register of burials were not maintained. Sligo (0.43%) and Leitrim (0.38%) were addresses women gave prior to admission. The Castlepollard mother and baby home in Westmeath had a record of 4.65% of women from Leitrim and 2.96% from Sligo. There was a total of 4,972 women and 4,559 children. 247 children died and there was no register of burials maintained. The Dunboyne mother and baby home in Meath had 3,156 women and 1,148 children. 37 children died. Sligo (2.04%) and Leitrim (1.01%) were given as addresses by the women. The Bethany home in Dublin had 1,584 women and 1,376 children. 262 children died and they were properly recorded in Mount Jerome Cemetery. Sligo (2.12%) and Leitrim (1.37%) were recorded as addresses. The Castle in Mountcunningham, Co Donegal was described as not a traditional mother and baby home. It opened in 1982 and closed in 2006. It recorded 329 women and 64 children. It was reported as being funded and governed by the North West Health Board and the Catholic Dioceses of Raphoe and Derry. It was described as a supported hostel for women and children. Women were referred by the Health Boards and by CURA, it also included women from Northern Ireland. Prior to the publication of the Commission of Investigation's Report into the mother and baby homes, confidential committee meetings were organised with witnesses who were supported by the Witness Support Officer. The support officer made the arrangements for the hearings, assisted with travel arrangements for the witnesses where required and organised the payment of expenses. Meetings were also held in Birmingham, Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, London, Manchester, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow. The report says many witnesses had never discussed their experiences with any other person; this included witnesses who had not told family members such as their husbands and/or their other (now adult) children. A few who were in this position subsequently told the Confidential Committee researcher that their experience at the Confidential Committee had given them the courage to go home and tell family members. * Further coverage in the January 19th edition of The Sligo Champion The Taliban had committed to preventing other groups, including Al Qaeda, from using Afghan soil to recruit, train or fund raise toward activities that threaten the US or its allies. However, levels of violence against journalists, activists, politicians and women remains high in the country The Biden administration has said it will review the US-Taliban deal to assess whether the militant group is reducing violence in keeping with its side of the agreement in the Afghan peace accord. During a telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan underscored that the US will support the peace process with a robust and regional diplomatic effort, "which will aim to help the two sides achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire", National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said on Friday. "Sullivan also made clear the United States' intention to review the February 2020 US-Taliban agreement, including to assess whether the Taliban was living up to its commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence in Afghanistan and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government and other stakeholders," she said. The Trump administration had signed the peace deal with Taliban in February last in Doha. The accord drew up plans for withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the insurgent group. As part of the deal, the US committed to withdraw its 12,000 troops within 14 months. There are currently only 2,500 American troops left in the country. The Taliban committed to prevent other groups, including Al Qaeda, from using Afghan soil to recruit, train or fund raise toward activities that threaten the US or its allies. Although the Taliban stopped attacks on international forces as part of the historic deal, it continued to fight the Afghan government. As a condition of starting talks with the Afghan government, the Taliban demanded that thousands of their members be released in a prisoner swap. Direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban began in Doha in September last year, but a breakthrough is yet to be reached. Levels of violence in Afghanistan remain high with journalists, activists, politicians and women judges among those killed in targeted assassinations. During the call with Mohib, Sullivan discussed US support for protecting the "extraordinary gains" made by Afghan women, girls and minority groups as part of the peace process. Under the Taliban's rule in the 1990s, women were not allowed to do studies or work. Sullivan committed to consulting closely with the Afghan government, NATO allies and regional partners regarding a collective strategy to support a stable, sovereign and secure future for the war-torn country. And, of course, invocations of Pope Francis. A decade ago it was a commonplace to regard liberal Catholicism as a tradition in decline. Its period of maximal influence, the late 1960s and 1970s, had been an era of institutional crisis for the church, which gave way to the conservative pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Conservative Catholics felt that liberal ideas had been tried and failed, liberal Catholics felt that they had been suppressed. But then Francis gave the liberal tendency new life, reopening controversies that conservatives assumed were closed and tilting the Vatican toward cooperation with the liberal establishment and away from associations with conservatism. The papacy does not issue political endorsements, but there seems little doubt that many figures in Francis inner circle welcome a Biden presidency. When the American bishops statement on his inauguration included a stern critique of his position on abortion, there was apparent pushback from the Vatican and explicit pushback from the most Francis-aligned of the American cardinals. So the conservative Catholics who spent the election year arguing that Biden isnt a Catholic in good standing find themselves (not for the first time) in tacit conflict with their pope. That conflict belongs to the internal drama of Catholicism. In the internal drama of America, though, liberal Catholicism is an interesting candidate to claim the religious center, to fill the Mainlines vanished role. If you wanted to make a case for its prospects and potential influence, you would emphasize three distinctive liberal-Catholic qualities: an abiding institutionalism, in contrast to the pure dissolving individualism of so much American religion; an increasingly multiethnic character, which matches our increasingly diverse republic; and a fervent inclusivity, an anxiety that nobody should feel discriminated against or turned away. This inclusivity means that liberal Catholicism sometimes seems to capture the universalist aspirations of the church better than its conservative and traditionalist subcultures. The latter are supposed to be for everybody, but at the moment they tend to appeal to distinctive personality types (he said, looking in the mirror) while remaining somewhat alien to the normal run of Americans with normal lately meaning not just anyone who doubts certain of the churchs harder teachings but anyone who doubts the wisdom of a vote for Donald Trump. On the other hand, liberal Catholicism sometimes achieves its feeling of universality by simply claiming for itself the whole Catholic-influenced world sure, hes no longer a practicing Catholic, but did you know that Dr. Anthony Fauci was educated by Jesuits? without regard to whether that influence actually amounts to much more than a vague spirituality, a generic humanitarianism. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 22:11:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LEFT: Qiesha Cier (1st L, front) poses for a photo with his family in front of their old residence in Abuluoha Village, Butuo County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 12, 2005. RIGHT: Qiesha Cier (2nd L), 46, poses for a group photo with his family at their new home in Abuluoha Village on Dec. 25, 2020. Abuluoha, a village encompassed by mountains and cliffs, is located in a river valley about 60 kilometers from Butuo County in southwest China's Sichuan Province. As its name in the native Yi language denotes, the village was once "a place off the beaten path," serving as an isolated treatment center for local leprosy patients in the 1960s. Years after the disease was eliminated in the area, Abuluoha became an administrative village in 2007. With a population of merely 253 people, most of whom are of the Yi ethnic group, Abuluoha had long suffered from poverty and poor transport infrastructure due to the rugged mountainous terrain. Driven by nationwide anti-poverty efforts, great changes have taken place in Abuluoha within years. Kids started to receive primary education when the village's very first school was established in 2005. The villagers gained access to safe drinking water and electricity supply in 2007 and 2010, respectively. By 2019, the village had been provided with full 4G network coverage. On June 29, 2020, villagers moved out of thatch houses into concrete ones at a poverty-relief relocation site. The next day, the operation of a 3.8-kilometer road along cliffs and ravines put an end to the village's history without paved roads. In this set of before-and-after images, the photographer has recorded individuals and families in Abuluoha, in an effort to capture changes happening to and around them over a 15-year time span. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 02:19:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A closed restaurant is seen at Zaituna Bay in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 22, 2021. Lebanon registered on Friday 3,220 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 272,461, the Health Ministry reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon registered on Friday 3,220 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 272,461, the Health Ministry reported. Meanwhile, the death toll from the virus went up by 57 to 2,208. Lebanon has extended its total lockdown until Feb. 8 to curb the number of COVID-19 infections amid a collapse in the health sector which is incapable of offering its services to all patients. Lebanon has been fighting against COVID-19 since Feb. 21, 2020. China has offered help to Lebanon's anti-coronavirus fight, including the donation of medical equipment to Beirut's airport, and Lebanon's Health Ministry. On April 16, 2020, China also donated 3,000 testing kits and 200 manual thermometers to Lebanon. Enditem Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. An elderly man has been left fighting for life after being attacked by a shark during an evening swim. The 68-year-old was bitten on his left arm and suffered severe lacerations after entering the water at Yarrawonga Park on New South Wales' Lake Macquarie about 6.30pm. Five ambulance crews arrived as the sun went down on Saturday, along with a rescue helicopter that airlifted the man to John Hunter Hospital - where he will undergo surgery. The mauling comes just days after a shark was spotted in the same lake. An elderly man has been left fighting for life after being attacked by a shark at Lake Macquarie in New South Wales during an evening swim. Pictured: A rescue helicopter arrives on the scene Five ambulance crews arrived at the scene about 6.30pm on Saturday, along with a rescue helicopter that airlifted the man to John Hunter Hospital A shark was sighted in Lake Macquarie just days prior to the attack and shared in a local Facebook group 'When you get a call to attend a shark attack, you never really know the full extent of the injuries until you get on scene,' NSW Ambulance Inspector Grahame Rathbone said. 'He was conscious and alert while receiving treatment from paramedics at the scene.' Mr Rathbone said others wading in the water nearby offered the man assistance and likely saved his life. 'Bystanders did a great job applying a makeshift tourniquet before paramedic crews arrived,' he said. 'This was potentially lifesaving for the patient.' Police said a 66-year-old woman helped bring the man to shore. There have only been three recorded shark attacks in Lake Macquarie since the 1940s. The 68-year-old was bitten on his left arm and suffered severe lacerations after entering the water at Yarrawonga Park (pictured) as the sun went down Mr Rathbone said others wading in the water nearby offered the man assistance and likely saved his life Although shark attacks in Lake Macquarie are extremely rare, sightings are fairly common But although shark attacks are rare in the 648km/sq waterway, sightings are not. Just a days earlier a large shark was photographed by onlookers who captured a fin broaching the water. It's not yet known what kind of shark attacked the man. Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District are now working with NSW Fisheries to identify the species. He remains in a serious but stable condition. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Police have so far detained 238 people at rallies across Russia on Saturday in support of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, the OVD-Info protest monitor said. Navalny called on his supporters to take to the streets after being arrested last weekend when he returned to Moscow for the first time after being poisoned in August with a military-grade nerve agent. Authorities have declared the protests illegal and vowed to break them up. (Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Tom Balmforth) The body of a Northern California woman was found near a Yamhill County park earlier this week, sheriffs deputies confirmed. Authorities found and recovered the body of Mariah Lindgren, 31, on Monday after a Yamhill County resident found a suspicious object near the entrance of Stuart Grenfell Park in Sheridan. The state medical examiners office identified the body as Lindgrens the next day. They said Lidngrens last known address was in Humboldt County, California, but she was believed to have been in the Grand Ronde and Willamina areas for the past few weeks. Deputies would not specify what the suspicious object was, or how long Lindgrens body is believed to have been there. Deputies also refused to confirm whether they suspect foul play in Lindgrens death. The Humboldt County Sheriffs Office did not immediately confirm whether a missing persons report had ever been filed for Lindgren. -Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR (Newser) Alex Jones has lost his attempt to have lawsuits by the parents of children shot to death at Sandy Hook Elementary thrown out. The Texas Supreme Court made no comment in rejecting Jones' argument Friday, the Austin American-Statesman reports. The parents sued after Jones and his Infowars broadcasts called the shootings a hoax to build support for gun restrictions. The 2012 attack in Newtown, Conn., killed 12 young students and six adults. Lower courts also had decided to allow the four lawsuits to proceed. Each suit seeks damages of more than $1 million, per the Connecticut Post. "We are pleased Mr. Jones is learning that his frivolous efforts to delay this case will not spare him from the reckoning to come," a lawyer for the parents said Friday. story continues below Jones' lawyers argued that he was addressing issues of public interest and that his "hoax" comments were constitutionally protected. A lawyer for the families argued that Jones didn't just blame a government conspiracy, he was generally accusing the parents of taking part in it. The lawyer called Jones' theory a "fantasy about a shadowy government conspiracy to murder first-graders and then exploit the event with the help of the media and actors." The court also allowed a suit by a man Infowars falsely named as a suspect in the Parkland, Fla., high school shooting in 2018 to proceed. Jones' lawyers did not comment on the rulings. (Jones has since blamed his accusations on mental issues.) The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a $206 million contract to Lockheed Martins Sikorsky facility in Troy. The contract calls for building 25 hulls for the Coast Guards MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter. The facility maintains and repairs the helicopters. The Sikorsky helicopter plant in Troy employs about 400 people and produces variants of the MH-60 medium lift helicopter. Alabama U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby announced the contract this afternoon. The Coast Guards announcement regarding the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters highlights Troys first-class workforce and proven track record, Shelby said in a statement. Not only does this contract provide additional work for Sikorskys Troy facility and its employees, but it ensures the Coast Guard is able to meet its operational needs and requirements. Shelby is the senior Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee. An additional $48 million for Jayhawk helicopters was included in 2021 omnibus appropriations bill, which was signed into law last month. The White Tiger is lively, is lively, but what renders it unconvincing is that the characters arent trapped by prescribed social roles so much as by the programmatic design of the narrative. According to Balram, a wealthy young Bangalore businessman, the Indian entrepreneur must be a combination of opposites: straight and crooked, mocking and believing, sly and sincere. He explains this in a letter to the Chinese prime minister that doubles as voice-over narration for The White Tiger, Ramin Bahranis restless new film, which is itself a blend of disparate elements. Adapted from Aravind Adigas Booker Prize-winning novel, the movie is part satire and part melodrama, a crime-tinged rags-to-riches parable that uses the story of Balrams improbable rise to indict the iniquities of the society that created him. Balram (Adarsh Gourav) composes his letter in 2010 and addresses it to Wen Jiabao, Chinas premier at the time. Most of the action the events that led Balram from poverty to his current status takes place a few years earlier, in Delhi and the rural village where he grew up. Despite this, The White Tiger bristles with present-tense energy. History has only confirmed the signs that Balram, an astute self-taught observer of the tides of fortune, sees around him. The white man, he writes to Wen, is on the way down, while India and China, the yellow man and the brown man are in the ascendant. But geopolitics isnt his main concern. For most of his life, Balram has been preoccupied with survival, with understanding his place in a cruel system and figuring out a means of escape. Born into a caste of candy-makers, he quickly concludes that the complex stratification of Indian society has devolved into a simpler hierarchy of masters and servants. His preferred metaphor for the condition of the poor is the rooster coop. He and his fellow have-nots are crowded together, pecking and squawking and waiting to see who will be slaughtered next. The title of the movie suggests a different metaphor, one that Balram clings to through years of suffering and privation. A white tiger is a rare, once-in-a-generation phenomenon. The idea is that in a country defined by rigid inequality, a self-made man is that kind of beast. You may remember another English-language film set in India whose hero followed a similar trajectory, and The White Tiger positions itself, sometimes explicitly, as a response to Slumdog Millionaire. It isnt luck, pluck or happy coincidence that propels Balram from his ragged beginnings to sleek triumph, but cunning, desperation and a coldbloodedness that can masquerade as servility. The spirit of Charles Dickens that hovered over Slumdog has been banished; Bahranis literary reference points (and Adigas) lean more toward Dreiser, Dostoyevsky and Native Son. Balram receives an early education in injustice. The death of his father forces him to give up a scholarship and work in a tea shop. Balram is under the thumb of Granny (Kamlesh Gill), the family matriarch, but the local landlord (known as the Stork) and his enforcers (including the fearsome Mongoose) wield the real power. Nominal political authority belongs to a figure identified only as The Great Socialist (Swaroop Sampat), whose ideology doesnt prevent her from taking bribes from old-school feudalists. Our young hero manages to wrangle a job as the Storks second-ranking chauffeur. While he sometimes crosses paths with the Stork (Mahesh Manjrekar) and the Mongoose (Vijay Maurya), most of his time on the job is spent in the comparatively pleasant company of the bosss son and daughter-in-law, newly returned from America. Ashok (Rajkummar Rao) and Pinky (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) represent a modern, cosmopolitan variant of the traditional ruling class. They dont like the rough way the Stork treats Balram, whose practised servility makes them a little uncomfortable. At the same time, Ashok seems mostly fine with the basic master-servant dichotomy and his place within it. Is Balram also happy? He is certainly cheerful in the company of his employers, and whether his smile represents slyness or sincerity is a question of some consequence. But though Gourav is a charming and energetic performer, able to convey the contrasting sides of Balrams temperament, there is an element of inwardness a sense of the characters struggles, desires and motivations that is missing. It may be that Balram doesnt fully trust his audience, that we which is to say Wen Jiabao arent entitled to his deep thoughts and private yearnings. This is, after all, a tale told by a man with something to prove, a kind of PowerPoint presentation intended to impress the leader of a rising superpower. Balram is aware of his status as a white tiger, which is to say as a symbol. The problem is that everyone else seems that way too. The plot is lively, and the settings vividly captured by Bahrani and the director of photography, Paolo Carnera, but the characters dont quite come to life. They arent trapped by prescribed social roles so much as by the programmatic design of the narrative, which insists it is showing things as they really are. If it wasnt so insistent, it might be more convincing. A.O. Scott c.2021 The New York Times Company Champaign, IL (61820) Today Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Thunder possible. High 53F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 44F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. A DISQUALIFIED driver wouldnt let a motorist who overtook him back into the line of traffic, Kilmallock Court heard. Michael ONeill, aged 33, of Ballyvouden, Kilteely pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, no insurance and no driving licence. He was apprehended after the injured party took a picture of him on his camera phone and he was recognised by Garda Lisa Barry. The prosecuting garda, Mark Dunlea said he attended the scene of a road traffic accident in Oola on June 10, 2019. I met with a Polish gentleman. He said that at around 4.15pm he was driving on the Pallasgreen side of Oola. He overtook a car in front of him but then that driver (Mr ONeill) wouldnt let him back into the line of traffic. Eventually he did, said Garda Dunlea. The garda said Mr ONeill then pulled abreast of the Polish gentleman in his car. They started gesturing at one another. On the approach to Oola, Mr ONeills car hit the front arch of the injured partys car which caused 300 worth of damage. In Oola village they parked in the hard shoulder. They both got out of their cars. A verbal argument ensued between both parties. The injured party took a photo of the man. Mr ONeill drove off. When I arrived the Polish gentleman showed me this photo. The defendant was identified from the photo by Garda Lisa Barry. Mr ONeill was disqualified from driving at the time, said Garda Dunlea. Inspector Pat Brennan said Mr ONeill has 59 previous convictions with a four year driving ban being handed down in March 2018 for failing or refusing to provide a blood specimen. Con Barry, solicitor for Mr ONeill, said drugs are his clients problem. He is a farmer and a welder. He fell under the influence of certain people, said Mr Barry. Judge Marian OLeary said he is a big boy now. He obviously needs help. What he did was very dangerous, said Judge OLeary. She ordered a pre-sanction report from the Probation Services. Mr ONeill gave an undertaking under oath not to drive a car or apply for a licence. If you break it you will be in contempt of court, said Judge OLeary. The case was adjourned until March. Establishing an actual hunting season and issuing licenses for people who want to hunt Bigfoot will just draw more people to our already beautiful part of the state, Humphrey said in a statement. Brazil's government has received 2 million doses of vaccine from India, but experts warned the shipment will do little to shore up an insufficient supply in South America's biggest nation. Brazil's Health Ministry announced that the vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, landed in Sao Paulo on Friday before being flown to Rio de Janeiro, where Brazil's state-run Fiocruz Institute is based. Fiocruz has an agreement to produce and distribute the vaccine. The 2 million doses from India only scratch the surface of the shortfall, Brazilian public health experts told The Associated Press, as far more doses will be needed to cover priority groups in the nation of 210 million people, and shipments of raw materials from Asia have been delayed. Counting doses from Butantan (a Sao Paulo state research institute) and those from India, there isn't enough vaccine and there is no certainty about when will have more, or how much, said Mrio Scheffer, professor of preventive medicine at the University of Sao Paulo. That shortage will interfere with our capacity in the near-term to reach collective immunity. A flight from India planned for last week was postponed, derailing the federal government's plan to begin immunization with the AstraZeneca shot. Instead, vaccination began using the CoronaVac shot in Sao Paulo, where Butantan has a deal with its producer, Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac. Countries around the world, particularly developing nations, are struggling to source sufficient vaccines for their populations. Neither Fiocruz nor Butantan has yet received the technology from their partners to produce vaccines domestically, and instead must import the active ingredients. India's foreign ministry said Friday evening at a press briefing in New Delhi that vaccines had been dispatched to and Morocco. As you can see, the supply of Indian-made vaccines is underway, both as gifts as well as on commercial basis, ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. Fiocruz said in a statement on Thursday the Health Ministry could begin distribution of the imported AstraZeneca shots Saturday afternoon, following a quality control inspection. Butantan made available 6 million CoronaVac doses it imported from China in order to kick off Brazil's immunization, and it used materials imported from China to bottle an additional 4.8 million shots. The health regulator on Friday approved use of the latter batch for distribution to states and municipalities across Scheffer estimated in a report he published Monday that the government will need 10 million doses just to cover front-line health workers, leaving the elderly and other at-risk Brazilians without any vaccines. The government's own immunization plan doesn't specify how many Brazilians are included in priority groups. We are doing what is possible to get the vaccine, President Jair Bolsonaro said Thursday night in his weekly Facebook live broadcast, adding that his government will make free, non-mandatory vaccination available to all Brazilians. Brazil has recorded 2,14,000 deaths related to COVID-19, the second-highest total in the world after the United States, and infections and deaths surging again. While Brazil has a proud history of decades of immunization campaigns, in this pandemic it has struggled to cobble together a complete plan and suffered multiple logistical pitfalls. The vaccination plan is badly done in general, said Domingos Alves, adjunct professor of social medicine at the University of Sao Paulo. It's important that the information be transparent and clear for the population to know how this vaccination process will be done. There has been some speculation on social media that diplomatic snafus stemming from allies of Bolsonaro who criticised the Chinese government might explain the delay in getting the required inputs. Oliver Stuenkel, an international relations professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a university, told AP that such a reading is overly simplistic amid heightened global demand. Of course, since Bolsonaro isn't on good terms with the Chinese government, he doesn't really have the direct access, Stuenkel said from Sao Paulo. There is a chance that the bad relationship does wind up putting Brazil further down the line of recipients, but not because the Chinese are saying actively, 'Let's punish Brazil,' but perhaps because other presidents have a better relationship. The newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported Wednesday that Brazilian Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello met with China's ambassador in Brasilia and that Bolsonaro had requested a call with China's leader Xi Jinping. Filipe Martins, an adviser to Bolsonaro on international relations, said in a television interview the same day that Brazil is seeking suppliers from other countries. Negotiations are well advanced, Martins told RedeTV!. He added that there is a big fuss over nothing. Lawmakers including House Speaker Rodrigo Maia and the president of the Brazil-China parliamentary group, Senator Roberto Rocha, also met with the Chinese ambassador. Butantan had planned to supply Brazil's Health Ministry with 46 million doses by April. It is awaiting the import of 5,400 liters of the active ingredient before the end of the month to make about 5.5 million doses, and new shipments from China depend on authorisation from the Chinese government, according to a statement from its press office. Fiocruz had initially scheduled the delivery of 100 million doses to begin in February and 110 million more in the second half of the year. As of December 30, its plan was down to delivering 30 million doses by the end of February, but the first delivery has been postponed to March, the institute said. Brazil doesn't have vaccines available for its population, Margareth Dalcolmo, a prominent pulmonologist at Fiocruz who has treated COVID-19 patients, said this week. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bujumbura (Burundi) 23 January 2021 (SPS) - Burundian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, through its Twitter account, it will close its "consulate" in the occupied city of El-Aaiun, due to "strategic reasons and within the framework of reciprocity," without explaining the real reasons behind this step. In 2020, Burundi opened this consulate, in violation of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which prohibits Morocco from occupying the territories of another member state of the Union, mainly the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic. This decision is therefore a proof on the failure of the Moroccan policies to mislead some countries, including by deceiving some officials sometimes dragging them to visit the occupied territories of Western Sahara on the grounds that they are Moroccan territory. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close "Open season" for COVID vaccinations arrived in the Bay Area on Thursday, as eligibility opened to all Californians 16 and older. More than half of California's local health departments, including San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara in the Bay Area, had already opened up eligibility in advance of the statewide move. Counties are still grappling with supply issues. (Go here for tips on how to find and schedule an appointment.) California was already expecting to receive fewer doses of coronavirus vaccine in coming weeks before federal officials asked states on Tuesday to temporarily pause the use of Johnson & Johnsons one-shot vaccine after six women in the U.S. developed rare blood clots. Here are the details about the vaccine rollout in the Bay Area. Here are county-by-county details and links on getting vaccinated in the Bay Area (See below for information on eligibility through health care providers and information on getting vaccinated at pharmacies): San Francisco Get notified: San Francisco residents can visit this website and submit contact and eligibility information, and then be notified via email when its their turn to get vaccinated. Vaccine sites: The citys vaccine site lists a number of places to receive a vaccine, including pharmacies by appointment only. The city has several high-volume vaccination sites at Moscone Center, City College, UCSF and the SF Market in the Bayview. Muni is offering free transportation for people traveling for their COVID-19 vaccine with proof of an appointment. Vaccine tracker: Residents can also track distribution of vaccines through the citys online dashboard. Alameda County Get notified: People can fill out this form to be notified when its their turn. Vaccine tracker: Residents can track distribution of vaccines and learn more about eligibility and distribution through the county and health providers through Alameda Countys online dashboard. Contra Costa County: Request an appointment: Visit myturn.ca.gov to schedule an appointment through state or federal sites. Residents 65 and older and essential workers can request an appointment through Contra Costa Health Services via this online form. The county site states that no walk-up or stand-by service is available at COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Contra Costa County. Please do not visit a clinic unless you have an appointment - no extra doses are available. Vaccine tracker: Residents can track doses administered and other data through the countys online dashboard. Marin County Get notified: Residents can sign up here to be notified when they are eligible to receive shots. Vaccine tracker: The county is tracking doses administered and other vaccination data on its online dashboard. Napa County Get notified: Sign up via MyTurn to get notified when youre eligible to get vaccinated. San Mateo How to book an appointment: The county says most vaccinations will be given by health care organizations; when they cannot provide direct vaccinations, a county partner will do so. The county lists information about providers booking appointments for eligible residents here. Santa Clara County Josie Lepe Book an appointment: County residents can go here to book an appointment. The county also provides links to make vaccine appointments for patients of major health care providers. Vaccine sites: Levis Stadium opened Feb. 9 and became the states largest vaccination site, with a capacity to vaccinate 5,000 people a day when supply allows. Vaccine tracker: Residents can track distribution of vaccines through the countys online dashboard. Solano County Book an appointment: The county has provided information for how residents can schedule appointments with the countys various health care systems, including who is eligible to go through them. Residents can also fill out the vaccine interest form to be notified of vaccine availability. Sonoma County Vaccine sites: Sonoma County has has provided a list of vaccine clinics with information about who is eligible at each location and how to book appointments. Major health care provider information: Kaiser Permanente: The health provider warns that its newly eligible members in April will likely face a wait. Check online for appointment availability as a Kaiser member and non-member, or call the appointment line at 1-866-454-8855. Call the vaccine info line at 1-855-550-0951 for information on supply increases and appointment availability. Visit kp.org/covidvaccine for the latest information. Patients are asked not to try to book appointments through their primary care doctors. Stanford Health Care: Members can book their appointment through the MyHealth portal online, or by calling 650-498-9000. Visit this website for the latest eligibility information. Sutter Health: The health provider is vaccinating all groups who are currently eligible for a vaccine in California. Those who are eligible can book their appointment online through the My Health Online portal, or by calling 844-987-6115 to talk to a scheduler. Callers are warned of high demand and long wait times. Patients should not call their doctors office to schedule vaccine appointments. John Muir Health: Members can schedule an appointment through the MyChart portal online. UCSF: Patients who are eligible for vaccines will be notified to schedule appointments. Check the website for more information and eligibility. Dignity Health: Several locations are offering vaccinations in California to eligible patients, and those interested asked to check with their closest clinic locations for information. Major pharmacy information: The criteria to sign up for a vaccine at CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens and Safeway reflect the states current eligibility requirements. The companies said they would change their systems to incorporate newly eligible groups when the state changed its own system on April 15. Individuals who are currently eligible but having difficulty finding an appointment can schedule one at a pharmacy outside their ZIP code or county for all four companies. Walgreens: Schedule an appointment here, or call 1-800-Walgreens or 1-800-925-4733 to find participating locations. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Safeway: Start here to search for a nearby store and schedule an appointment. Rite Aid: Go to the vaccine scheduler to make an appointment. CVS: Visit the online scheduler or the CVS app to book an appointment. Walk-ins will not receive vaccines. Costco: More Costco warehouses across California are offering coronavirus vaccines, including nearly two dozen stores in the Bay Area, expanding on the single site in Novato that had shots when Costco started its program in February. Eligibility can vary and is limited in some stores to residents of the local county. For more information and to book an appointment, visit Costcos vaccination webpage. What about my kids? Currently, three vaccines have been approved in the U.S. made by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. (Use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been temporarily paused after six women in the U.S. who received it developed rare blood clots.) Moderna launched its adolescent vaccine trial in December, and recently administered the first doses to children under 12. Pfizer has fully enrolled its pediatric vaccine trial. Both companies expect to release trial data for children 12 and older this summer. Johnson & Johnson also plans to test its vaccine in children. Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Lashing out at the Centre's GST law, ex-Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, claimed that the Centre had crippled the MSMEs and the economic system by imposing the GST law. Promising to restructure the current GST regime to give the 'One Tax, Minimum Tax', Gandhi claimed that PM Modi is always seen with the 'largest industrialists', never the small & medium industrialists. Rahul Gandhi is currently on a 3-day tour in Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Karur. In run-up to Assembly polls in several states; Rahul Gandhi to spearhead Cong campaigns Rahul Gandhi: 'MSMEs future of India' "In my mind, the future of India and any competition we want to win with China, Bangladesh or others is through the MSMEs. The massive protests that are happening across India are because there is an attempt to impose one idea, one ideology in this country. Your language, your history is under attack. The Tamil Nadu spirit cannot be crushed," said Rahul Gandhi. Talking about the GST regime, he added, "This GST regime will simply not work. It will impose a huge load on MSMEs & cripple our economic system. When UPA comes to power in Delhi, we will restructure the GST and give you- One Tax, Minimum Tax." Commenting on the ongoing farmers' protest, he said, "What belongs to farmers, he is giving to 2-3 industrialists. We will protect the interests of farmers and big-small industries. PM supports 5-6 big industrialists and they provide him with media and Modi thinks he can buy anybody. Modi does not understand just because he is for sale, entire Tamil Nadu is not for sale." India is unable to provide jobs, our economy has been devastated, what used to be successful is now a disaster & we will not be able to get out of this anytime soon because the govt is simply not interested in listening to citizens.: Shri @RahulGandhi#TamilNaduWelcomesRahul pic.twitter.com/lYnjLnWwIx Congress (@INCIndia) January 23, 2021 Congress Working Committee sets June 2021 as deadline for electing new party chief Rahul Gandhi's southern sojourn After attending the Jallikattu event in Madurai, Rahul Gandhi has returned to Tamil Nadu to campaign ahead of the state polls in April-May 2021. His 200-km roadshow will begin from Coimbatore district and the Congress leader will also be visiting Tiruppur, Odanilai, and Karur. In addition, the Congress leader will also visit Kerala, including his constituency Wayanad for two days from January 27. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry are set to go to polls apart from Assam and West Bengal. While the eastern Congress units have asked Gandhi to visit them, no date has been set yet. Tejashwi issues 'arrest me' dare after CM Nitish makes 'anti-govt posts a cybercrime' Meanwhile, the Congress working committee meeting chaired by Sonia Gandhi decided to defer the party chief elections till June 2021. The CWC meeting also attended by some of the 'dissenters' saw tense exchanges between Ashok Gehlot and Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma - slamming their opposition to the Gandhi family. Reports state that many CMs pushed for elections after the upcoming elections in April-May - Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. Congress Working Committee to meet on on Jan 22; party chief elections on agenda New lllk A flight carrying two million doses of India made coronavirus vaccines landed in Brazil on Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced. "Trust the Pharmacy of the World. Made in India vaccines arrive in Brazil," Jaishankar tweeted. India dispatched two million doses of Covishield vaccines to Brazil on Friday. Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India. Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy in New Delhi, had made arrangements with India and SII for the transportation of the COVID-19 vaccines, following up on a letter from President Jair Bolsonaro to Prime Minister Narendra Modi dated January 8. Brazilian Ambassador Andre Aranha Correa do Lago has thanked the SII for the vaccines and the "professionalism demonstrated" during the transportation. "Thank you Serum Institute of India for the amazing professionalism demonstrated while shipping this batch of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines to Brazil and immense appreciation for and thanks to the Government of India for their support," said Andre Aranha Correa do Lago. In the last few days, India has supplied COVID-19 vaccines, being manufactured in the country, to neighbouring countries including Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Large consignments of Covishield vaccine doses were flown in special Indian aircraft to Seychelles, Mauritius and Myanmar on Friday. Contractual supplies are also being undertaken to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Morocco, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. W hen Simon Reeve first pops up on Zoom from his cosy Dartmoor bolthole, he appears the very picture of a BBC travel documentarian. Then the man whos visited more than 120 countries and has been described as a young David Attenborough for his stunning nature footage starts telling me how he misses the Northern line. My God, I miss the Tube, he sighs as dogs Lyla and Obi tug at his heels for a walk. His wife Anya, a camerawoman and former Green Party candidate, had to slightly force him to decamp to the countryside eight years ago and he thumps his fist against his chest in pride as he lists the things he craves most from the city where he was born: the people, the bright skies, Hampstead Heath, Soho, grime, even the cocktails and 24-hour bagels. Reeve might be a city boy at heart but like many Londoners trapped in lockdown, he misses the thrill of adventure now. After a difficult upbringing in west London and almost taking his own life at 17, travel has become a lifeline for Reeve and what started as a postboy job for a newspaper has resulted in a 15-year career bringing flagship travel shows to millions of people. He now has 115,000 followers on Instagram and his 2018 memoir with tales of walking through minefields, dodging bullets on frontlines and journeying across epic landscapes became a Sunday Times bestseller. The one wherehe eats soup madefrom Xebu (ox) penis in Madagascar / BBC Since March, however, the world that Reeve, 48, has made a career out of has been under threat. Travel is top of the agenda right now but not for good reason: UK borders are now closed to anyone without a negative test result, airline chiefs report an industry on its knees, and now the vaccine has raised a new question of whether it will be ethical to travel in a post-Covid world. Even if I have this vaccine and pitch up in a village in Bolivia with all the best intentions, what if I take the virus with me? asks Reeve, saying hes met tribes almost entirely wiped out by viruses as commonplace as measles. People. Fashion. Power. Delivered weekly. Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} Thankfully, this was not a dilemma Reeve has had to confront for his latest BBC2 show. The four-part series, Incredible Journeys with Simon Reeve, started on Sunday and sees the presenter look back over travels from the past two decades, from a 10,000-a-night hotel in Mexico to eating soup made from ox penis in Madagascar. Episode one focuses on the characters hes met along the way, including a homeless woman living inside a railway bridge in Hollywood and a Bangladeshi child labourer called Jahangir working barefoot in a glass factory. Narrations (and an emotional Zoom reunion with Jahangir 10 years on) are filmed in a Covid-compliant manner from Reeves family home in Devon. As a contrary type, Reeve wasnt keen on making the show at first: Everyone and their mum and dad seemed to be making a lockdown compilation archive series. But quickly he realised there was benefit in telling untold stories not just those of his interviewees, but also his own. The one wherehe swims with sharks / BBC/The Garden Productions I didnt go on exotic foreign holidays when I was a lad, the presenter tells viewers in Sundays episode , referencing his teenage years in tropical Acton, vandalising cars and letting off fireworks, one of which hit a policeman. He didnt step on a plane until he was an adult and struggled with depression and panic attacks growing up. At his lowest point, aged 17, he found himself clutching the railings of a bridge and considering taking his own life. I can still project myself back into those moments and that fear, he tells me, his voice cracking. It was a very, very life-threatening time for me. Reeve spent years in counselling but credits the catalyst for his recovery to a lady in a job centre who told him to take things step by step the title of his memoir. After leaving school with no qualifications, he found himself a job as a postboy for The Sunday Times and was later promoted to the newsroom by then-editor Andrew Neil, developing a specialism in terrorism. Within a few years I went from being a terrified, suicidal teenager to a writer, he tells viewers. Reeve has since found ways to manage his mental health (historically travel and now walking), but says that depression will always be a part of his wiring, likening it to a smell. I can still sense it it encourages me and drives me forward but it still lurks there. His memoir was the first time he talked about it publicly and meeting readers on the subsequent book tour highlighted how many people were struggling in his own country. The one wherehe witnesses a bullfight in Kenya / Eli Marias People who can seem stable as a rock can have just a few moments of bad luck and they can be thrown into a very difficult place, he says, noting that poor mental health can affect anyone. Nobody should think theyre immune. Writing about his upbringing also opened a door for Reeve to discuss the subject with his son Jake, aged nine. He jokes that hed only give himself three out of 10 as a parent but says he and his wife were determined to reward Jake for speaking about his head health from an early age. His most pressing concern while homeschooling is letting Jakes world get too small, like his own did. My gaze was just a few streets in my area, Reeve says of his teenage years. His concern is that young peoples imaginations and aspirations will suffer if the same thing happens for them. As a parent, Reeve would also like to see greater guidelines on social media and body image for young people, with restrictions on photoshopped images. Even as a TV presenter, he cant stand watching himself back and mocks the hideous photo of himself on his assistants Zoom background. The one wherehes detained by the KGB / BBC/Jonathan Young Today, Reeve says he still suffers with voices in his head and like many people, he has struggled with feelings of helplessness during the pandemic. I think a lot of us feel impotent, he says of the last 10 months. We want to play our role in this great national crisis, and our role is to sit on our butts and watch telly. It doesnt quite feel like storming occupied Europe during the Second World War. If we must watch TV, Reeves work at least offers some much-needed fresh material. When lockdown hit, he and his crew had to pause their The Americas series, so swapped South America for adventures closer to home. Last autumn Reeve explored Cornwall as the tourist destination raced to survive post-lockdown, while Sundays show takes him closer still: to an island off Devon. We took travel for granted I hope that will change This appreciation for whats on our doorstep has been the silver lining of the pandemic, Reeve continues. Though he is a little bit addicted to foreign travel, he will always relish the homecomings to family, the dogs and Radio 4, and his adventures along the South coast have reminded him how to be a wide-eyed traveller in his own backyard. He hopes this renewed appreciation will change peoples views on foreign travel, away from sunny breaks by a pool towards leaving ones comfort zone. Life is too bloody short and the planet is too bloody special to waste it on just getting a tan, says Reeve. I think wed started to get to a point where we were taking travel for granted I hope thats something that will change. The one wherehe joins a rebel army in Burma / BBC He hopes his new show could help those who are struggling. Ive been to some of the darkest places in the world and personally, Ive been in darkness. I know that for all of us there can be light at the end of a tunnel. For him, that light has always been adventure. We will go on journeys again. Its important we retain that belief with absolute certainty. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. (CNN) Confronting new, more transmissible variants of the coronavirus and a winter spike in infections, a number of European countries are beginning to make medical-grade face masks mandatory in the hope that they can slow the spread of the disease. The French government has now mandated that citizens wear single-use surgical FFP1 masks, more protective FFP2 filtering facepiece respirators or fabric masks which meet the same "Category 1" specifications blocking more than 90% of particles in all public places. In layman's terms, homemade masks will no longer cut it. It follows a decision by the German government on Tuesday requiring all people to wear either FFP1 or FFP2 masks while on public transport, in workplaces and in shops. The move came after the German state of Bavaria introduced an even more stringent measure: Enforcing surgical grade N95 respirators, which filter 95% of air particles, in stores and on public transport. Austria will introduce its own FFP2 mandate on public transport and in shops from January 25. German Chancellor Angela Merkel cited the spread of new coronavirus variants, which were first detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil, as the reason for stricter requirements. "I urge people to take this seriously. Otherwise it is difficult to prevent a third wave," Merkel told journalists in Berlin on Thursday, adding that a video summit of European Union leaders would be focused squarely on ways to counter the spread of variants on the continent. During the Thursday summit, EU leaders weighed tougher border restrictions to limit non-essential travel and agreed to a common framework for rapid testing, but mask-wearing was not discussed. The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) warned Thursday that new variants of the coronavirus could cause more hospitalizations and deaths across Europe, urging countries to start taking extra measures from physical distancing, to quarantining and contact tracing immediately. The ECDC currently recommends face masks in indoor and outdoor situations when physical distancing cannot be guaranteed, but does not specify what type of face covering should be used. Meanwhile, in Britain, where a highly-contagious coronavirus mutation is driving a deadly third wave of the virus, medical-grade masks have not been mandated in public. Instead, face coverings are required on public transport, in shops and in other indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult. In the UK government's Covid guidance, scarves and bandanas are considered to be appropriate face coverings, despite evidence they do not effectively block respiratory droplets emitted by the wearer. Faced with more transmissible variants, some scientists say that the focus should be on limiting the amount of viral aerosol exposure as much as possible and recent studies suggest the best way to do that is through medical-grade masks, in addition to other public health measures. Unlike fabric and surgical masks, which protect other people from larger respiratory droplets emitted when speaking, coughing or sneezing in other words, outflowing air FFP masks protect the wearer by filtering both the outflow and inflow of air. They can also provide some level of protection against smaller droplets, or aerosols. When fitted correctly, FFP2 masks can filter at least 94% of particles. And while the tight weave of surgical masks offer a high level of outflowing protection which is why they're used by medical professionals around patients cloth masks are more hit or miss. Their efficacy depends on the number of layers of fabric and the type of fabric used most don't have any sort of safety rating. Guidance on cloth masks, issued during the first wave of the pandemic when less was known about how Covid-19 could spread through aerosols and supplies of medical-grade masks were precarious, are now being reassessed. The new recommendations in Europe come after supplies of medical masks have increased, following initial fears there wouldn't be enough for frontline workers. But there are still questions over supply chain disruptions. Cloth masks are still considered to be better than wearing no mask at all, but France's health advisory council on Monday argued they may not offer sufficient protection against new variants. "We are not questioning the masks used up to now ... but as we don't have any new weapons against the new strains, the only thing we can do is to improve the weapons we already have," Daniel Camus, a member of the council, told France's public broadcaster. There is some scientific evidence that medical-grade masks offer more protection and can help prevent the spread of the virus. A study published in the Lancet medical journal in June comparing transmission rates across 16 countries found that N95s and other respirator-type masks might give greater protection from viral transmission than surgical or multi-layered cotton masks. And another study released in August by Duke University, which compared the efficacy of 14 commonly available face coverings, found that the most effective was the fitted N95, followed by three-layer surgical masks. Neck fleeces, folded bandanas and knitted masks did not offer much protection, and in the case of the neck fleeces, also called gaiter masks, actually increased the transmission of respiratory droplets. Still, current guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) states that medical or surgical masks should only be worn by healthcare workers, people with Covid-19 symptoms, those coming into contact with them, anyone aged 60 or over, as well as people with underlying medical conditions. The WHO recommends that the general population use fabric masks, ideally with three layers. But for European politicians scrambling to prevent a fresh surge of coronavirus cases from spiraling, the calculation is simple: If medical-grade masks will help stymie the spread of the virus, they should be enforced. "We also want to make everyday life safer," Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soder said last week, announcing the new mask rule. CNN's James Frater, Pierre Bairan, Claudia Otto and Inke Kappeler contributed to this report. This story was first published on CNN.com "European countries mandate medical-grade masks over homemade cloth face coverings" For as many foes as the superhero fends off, Batman has a formidable team of supporters starting with his sidekick Robin, Gotham City Commissioner James Gordon and his ever-loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth. But one of the Caped Crusader's most fervent supporters lies not in a comic book, but in the US Senate, and he's known the Bat for more than 80 years. Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont and the longest-serving member of the current Senate, is a Batman aficionado who's turned his fandom into philanthropy. He's even used the comics to forward his legislative agenda. Now President pro tempore of the Senate, Leahy is third in the presidential line of succession. Though it's unlikely he'll ever have to serve as President, his high-profile position shines a brighter light on his colorful resume -- which includes multiple appearances in the "Batman" films. When he's not working in the Senate chambers in Washington, Leahy retreats to Gotham, where Batman fights cartoonish villains and mans the Batmobile. It's a comfort he took up when he was 4 years old. "If you live in the real world all the time, it can be kind of boring," the senator told Vermont alt-weekly newspaper Seven Days in 2008. When Leahy met Batman Leahy declined an interview for this story through his spokesman, but his affinity for all things Batman is well-documented. As he wrote in the foreword of "Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman," he was born just one year after Batman's first comic published in 1939. He first discovered Batman at age 4, when he received his first library card. He frequented the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, where he spent many an afternoon poring over comics. While his school friends raved over Superman, Leahy found a "kindred bond" with the Bat. "Entering Batman's world through my imagination opened an early door into a lifelong love of reading," he wrote in his foreword. He'd continue spending hours at the library each day until adulthood, and even after he moved to Washington, he'd make time to pop in. He's a vocal advocate for literacy and the preservation of libraries so children can have similarly formative experiences with books. "Some of my fondest memories as a child were at the library, where everyone fit in and possibilities were limitless," he writes on his Senate website. Leahy's appearances from page to screen Leahy was elected to the Senate in 1974 and until the mid-1990s, his affinity for Batman didn't have much to do with his duties on Capitol Hill. That changed in 1996, when Leahy collaborated with DC Comics to create "Batman: Death of Innocents: The Horror of Landmines," a graphic novel warning of the dangers of landmines. Leahy has long advocated to end the use of landmines, and he told the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call that he placed copies of the comic on every senator's desk that year. Leahy's first foray into screen acting -- something he does strictly when Batman is involved -- came in 1995, when he appeared in the critically reviled "Batman Forever." The same year, he voiced a character billed as "Territorial Governor" in "Batman: The Animated Series." Since then, Leahy has appeared in nearly as many "Batman" films as the Caped Crusader himself. He usually appears as a scowling politician (though in "Batman & Robin," which his son Mark also had a cameo in, he was allowed to enjoy a raucous party). He even met an explosive end as the curiously named Senator Purrington in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice." "I explain to everybody that getting blown up was OK 'cause my wife's a registered nurse," he joked to Roll Call in 2016. "She put me back together and I never missed a vote." His most notable cameo, though, came in 2008's "The Dark Knight," when he confronts Heath Ledger's Joker and famously tells the villain that he's "not intimidated by thugs." The Joker, true to form, responds by grabbing Leahy's character and menacing him with a knife. Ledger, who died before the film's release, is Leahy's favorite Joker. "He scared the heck out of me, when he came at me with the knife," he told Roll Call. "I didn't have to act." He'll be absent from the upcoming reboot "The Batman," starring Robert Pattinson in the titular role. Citing a busy schedule, he told the Burlington Free Press he "didn't even seek to be in it." "I have too many other things going on with Covid, with appropriation bills," he told the paper in August. While his film roles have certainly satisfied his inner fanboy, Leahy does it for the library where his love for reading bloomed. He donates every fee from his appearances and royalty checks from residual showings to his beloved Kellogg-Hubbard Library, where he helped finance a children's wing named for him. From his roles in "The Dark Knight" trilogy alone, Leahy has donated more than $150,000 back to his hometown library, said Carolyn Brennan, co-director of the library. In 2012, the library hung a plaque honoring Leahy, who staff called their "super hero." Why Leahy loves Batman so Leahy found Batman when he was a boy, but his love for the fictional hero is foundational to who he is and the lawmaker he became. Batman instilled in Leahy a love of reading and promoting literacy and of delivering justice (though as a government servant, not a caped vigilante). Leahy preferred Batman to other characters because, unlike the god-like Superman or the super-powered Spider-Man, Batman was just a man, albeit an extremely rich one, with "human strengths and human frailties." The danger Batman faced was different than that of other heroes -- his felt real, Leahy wrote in the DC collection foreword. "The Batman prevailed through superior intellect and detective skills, through the freedoms afforded by great wealth and through sheer will," Leahy wrote in his foreword. "Not superpowers, but skill, science and rationality." Much like Bruce Wayne, Leahy is just a man, albeit one with more power than most and the chance to make real, tangible changes in his own Gotham. Following Batman's example, he's vowed to use that power wisely. People who have received their first Covid-19 jab must stay at home for three weeks after their injection because it can take that long for immunity to 'kick in', Professor Jonathan Van-Tam warned last night. He said that while getting vaccinated was 'something to celebrate', recipients of the jab needed to 'stay patient'. The caution of England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer comes amid concern from Ministers that vaccinated people might start mixing with others or relax their social distancing too soon. That could be deadly for elderly recipients of the vaccine, who make up the bulk of those who have had it so far, and risk spreading the virus more widely among the population at large. Prof Van-Tam said: 'Regardless of whether someone has had their vaccination or not, it is vital everyone follows the national restrictions and public health advice, as protection takes up to three weeks to kick in and we don't yet know the impact of vaccines on transmission.' The medic added that it was vital that people continue sticking to the lockdown rules even after they have had the vaccine because they can still spread the virus. Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Jonathan Van-Tam during a media briefing on coronavirus (COVID-19) in Downing Street, London 'So even after you have had both doses of the vaccine you may still give Covid to someone else and the chains of transmission will then continue,' he wrote. 'If you change your behaviour you could still be spreading the virus, keeping the number of cases high and putting others at risk who also need their vaccine but are further down the queue.' The warning from Prof Van Tam came as Britain's daily Covid case total plunged by 18 per cent in a week after experts played down the Government's 'scaremongering' claims that a UK variant of coronavirus is more deadly than the original strain. A further 33,552 people tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday - a nearly 10,000 drop on the 41,346 recorded last Saturday. It brings the total number of cases in the UK since the start of the pandemic to 3,617,459. Official figures also revealed 1,348 more people have died within 24 hours of testing positive for the virus - a rise of 4.1 per cent on last Saturday's 1,295. But, in a positive sign Britain's third wave of Covid fatalities could be slowing, last Saturday brought a 25 per cent week-on-week rise in daily cases, significantly higher than the increase seen today. Boris Johnson yesterday revealed that the Kent coronavirus strain - responsible for the soaring Covid cases recorded in the last month - could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus. However the PM has been accused of 'scaremongering' after failing to present any evidence to back up the terrifying development. And the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) - the body of scientists which has advised the Government throughout the pandemic - are only 50 per cent sure the new variant could be more fatal. Professor Robert Dingwall, who sits on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) - the subcommittee of Sage which discussed the deadliness of the new strain on Thursday - said the claim that the variant is 30 per cent more lethal is on a 'very fragile' base of evidence and accused the Government of 'exploiting public fear' over the virus. Chief Scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance said during the press conference that evidence the strain is indeed more deadly is still 'weak'. Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle today revealed it is not 'absolutely clear' if a mutation of the virus first found in Kent is more dangerous. Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it is an 'open question' but not a 'game changer' in terms of dealing with the pandemic. Boris Johnson and Sir Patrick Vallance said at a Downing Street press conference last night that the variant of the coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly than the previous version of the virus that it is competing with And Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of Sage subgroup the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, said it was still too early to be drawing 'strong conclusions' about the suggested increased mortality rate. PHE's Dr Doyle said it is still not 'absolutely clear' the new variant coronavirus which emerged in the UK is more deadly than the original strain. She said more work was needed to determine whether it was true. She told the Today programme: 'There are several investigations going on at the moment. It is not absolutely clear that that will be the case. It is too early to say. 'There is some evidence, but it is very early evidence. It is small numbers of cases and it is far too early to say this will actually happen.' Figures released today showed there were a further 1,079 cases of coronavirus in Wales and another 27 deaths. Meanwhile, a further 76 people have died from coronavirus in Scotland, while 1,307 more positive cases have been confirmed. There have been 12 more deaths due to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, while a further 670 positive cases of the virus were also confirmed there on Saturday. Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 113,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK. The Government also said that, as of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 33,552 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK. The Sage paper cited three studies of the Kent strain: A London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study (left) based on 2,583 deaths that said the hazard of death within 28 days of test for the mutant strain compared with non-mutant strains was 35% times higher An Imperial College London study (centre) of the Case Fatality Rate of the new mutant strain that found the risk of death was 36% times higher A University of Exeter study (right) that suggested the risk of death could be 91% higher. Both the Exeter and the Imperial studies were based on just 8% of deaths during the study period Boris Johnson (pictured) yesterday revealed that the Kent coronavirus strain - called B.1.1.7 - could be 30 per cent more deadly than older versions of the virus Government data up to January 22 shows of the 6,329,968 jabs given in the UK so far, 5,861,351 were first doses - a rise of 478,248 on the previous day's figures. Some 468,617 were second doses, an increase of 1,821 on figures released the previous day. The seven-day rolling average of first doses given in the UK is now 328,882. Based on the latest figures, an average of 397,333 first doses of vaccine would be needed each day in order to meet the Government's target of 15 million first doses by February 15. It comes after Sage's warning revealing scientists are only 50 per cent sure the variant could be more fatal was handed to ministers just hours before the official address to the public from Downing Street last night. Ministers were only informed about the development yesterday morning after members of Nervtag discussed the issue on Thursday. The group found there was a 'realistic possibility' the variant resulted in an increased risk of death when compared with the original strain. Freedom day beckons: How Britain has achieved Europe's best vaccine rollout as it aims to give jabs to the 15million most vulnerable people by February 15 Britain's vaccine rollout has been a huge success with a record number of first doses (478,248) administered in a day, on Friday. This means the cumulative total across the UK is 5,861,351 (8.8 per cent of the total population). The achievement, the best in Europe, is due to a combination of the NHS's well-established system for giving jabs such as against flu or MMR, and the Government's foresight in placing advance orders for 357million doses from seven different manufacturers. Phase one of the strategy inoculating the 15million most vulnerable has a target completion for February 15. Experts believe this is when it may be safe to start to ease lockdown restrictions. 15 MILLION JABS BY FEBRUARY 15 ON TRACK TO SHIELD MOST VULNERABLE Home-visit vaccinations are now being given to people unable to travel in addition to all those arranged at 1,220 GP surgeries, hospitals and special centres. A nationwide team of 80,000 is giving the jabs with 200,000 volunteers offering to help out. JABS DONE AT PEAKY BLINDERS FILM SET Among 30 new vaccine centres opening tomorrow will be the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, where the BBC drama Peaky Blinders was filmed. Other new sites include a former Ikea superstore in Stratford, East London; Winter Gardens Blackpool; Bath Racecourse and Debenhams in Folkestone, Kent. THE BIG FIGHTBACK BEGAN A MONTH AGO A ray of light in the Covid darkness appeared on December 8 when the first doses of vaccine were distributed. The swift work of scientists led in part by Britons to find a way to defeat the virus had paid off. Undaunted by the immense task of inoculating 30million people twice, NHS staff began to put us on the path out of the series of lockdowns VACCINE REFUSENIKS WHO COULD SABOTAGE WORLD PROGRAMME Britons, according to surveys, are much more likely to agree to a jab than people in other countries. In France, anti-vaccine sentiment is one of the worlds highest with a third of respondents not believing vaccines are safe. This has been compounded by the ineptness of officials, which meant that France had inoculated only 352 people by January 4 compared with more than a million in both the UK and Israel. A report by the Edelman Trust Barometer has suggested that 66 per cent of Britons are happy to be vaccinated. Other figures: Italy 65 per cent willing, Germany 62, United States 59, Spain 58, Japan 54, France 52 and Russia 40. Advertisement A further 32 coronavirus vaccine sites are set to open next week, including at a museum which was used as a set in hit TV show Peaky Blinders By Harry Howard for MailOnline A further 32 vaccine sites are set to open across the country this week, NHS England has said, including one at the museum made famous as the set of hit TV series Peaky Blinders. A site has been set up at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, which featured in the long-running TV show. Other sites roped into the vaccination effort include a race course, a show ground, a football stadium and a former Ikea store. A further 32 vaccine sites are set to open across the country this week, NHS England has said, including one at the museum made famous as the set of hit TV series Peaky Blinders The new vaccination centres will be focusing on offering jabs to health and social care staff on Monday, before opening their doors to other priority patients on Tuesday. Black Country Living Museum to open as vaccination centre The Black Country Living Museum, made famous as a set for hit TV drama Peaky Blinders, is to open as a vaccination centre on Monday. The Victorian-era heritage site, which has previously been used as a backdrop for the BBC show, will open its doors next week as one of the latest locations to help deliver the Government's national Covid-19 vaccination rollout. The opening, announced on Friday by NHS Black Country and West Birmingham clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), has been described as a 'game-changer' for Dudley and the surrounding area. Latest figures from NHS England showed 97,310 jabs had been administered in the area by Thursday, since the national rollout began. That places it second out of all Midlands areas in administering jabs, behind Birmingham and Solihull, where 98,536 total doses had been given. The well-known landmark will be offering invite-only vaccines, with patients receiving letters to attend appointments, prioritising jabs for people most at risk of complications from Covid-19. People are being urged not to call or contact the museum directly, but wait to be written to by the NHS. The museum centre will complement existing GP-led vaccination services which are already up and running locally. Advertisement NHS England said hundreds of thousands of letters have already been sent out to people over the age of 80 in the vicinity of the new sites inviting them to book a jab. In the North East, a site has been set up in Sunderland's Nightingale Hospital, while in the North West one will open in Blackpool Winter Gardens and another in Lancaster Town Hall. In the Yorkshire and Humber region, one centre is housed at Sheffield Arena and one at Spectrum Community Health's premises in Wakefield. As well as the Black Country Museum, in the West Midlands centres have been prepared at Stoneleigh Park Agricultural Centre in Warwickshire, the Artrix Centre in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, and the Daniel Platts Business Park in Stoke-on-Trent. Residents of the East Midlands will soon be able to get vaccinated at the Peepul Centre in Leicestershire, the Derby Arena, the Royal Pavilion at Moulton Park in Northamptonshire and at a former Wickes Store in Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. In the east of England, there is a site at the Peterborough City Care Centre, one at the Redgrave Children's Centre in Luton and another Gainsborough Sports Centre, Ipswich. To the west of England, a site is now located at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire. In London and Greater London, there are sites at the Hornsey Central Neighbourhood Health Centre in Crouch End, one in an old Ikea unit at Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, another in the Francis Crick Institute in central London and one at the Hawks Road Health Clinic in Kingston. In the South East, a vaccination centre has opened at Harlow Leisurezone in Essex, another at Oxford Kassam Stadium and one at Southampton Clinical Commissioning Group's offices. A site has been stationed at the Bath and West Showground in Somerset, and elsewhere in the South West there are sites at Bath Racecourse and at Salisbury City Hall. There is also a centre at Plymouth Argyle FC's stadium Home Park, another at the Westpoint Exhibition Centre in Exeter and one at Devon Stithians Showground in Truro, Cornwall. On the South Coast, a vaccination site has opened at the Brighton Centre and one at Debenhams, Folkestone. The new centres will mean there is a network of 49 mass vaccination sites across England. There are also 70 pharmacies offering the jab, as well as more than 1,000 GP surgeries and 250 hospitals As of the end of the day on Friday, 5.9 million people had received their first dose of the vaccine across the UK. A site has been set up at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, which featured in the long-running TV show Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive said: 'The whole of the NHS has mobilised to set about delivering this huge Covid-19 vaccination programme, and as more supply becomes available, we're able to expand its reach and scale.' Health Secretary Matt Hancock appealed to the public to stick to social distancing measures as the vaccine roll out continues. 'While the vaccine can prevent severe disease, we do not know if it stops you from passing on the virus to others, and it takes time to develop immunity after a jab,' he said. 'So for now everyone must continue to stay at home to help bring down infections and protect the NHS.' Those eligible for a vaccine will receive a letter and should not contact the health service, NHS England said. You cannot get a vaccine just by turning up, and those given a time slot are asked not to arrive early to prevent queues and overcrowding. Members of the Senate on Friday confirmed Lloyd Austin, a retired Army four-star general, to run the Defense Department -- a historic move that gives the military its first Black defense secretary. Senators confirmed Austin's nomination in a vote of 93 to 2. Austin is the second member of President Joe Biden's Cabinet to be approved, following Avril Haines as director of national intelligence on Wednesday. Austin arrived at the Pentagon just after noon Friday to be sworn in and begin work. He tweeted immediately following the vote that he's proud to be the first African American to hold the position. Read Next: After Lawmakers Intervene, Guard Troops Allowed to Return to Capitol for Breaks "Let's get to work," he said. The House and Senate on Thursday cleared the way for Austin to be confirmed after both chambers approved the waiver he needs to serve as defense secretary. He's been out of uniform for less than the seven years required by law after retiring from the Army in 2016. The House approved the waiver in a vote of 326 to 78 Thursday afternoon. The Senate followed suit, 69 to 27. Austin said in a video message posted earlier this month that becoming the first Black defense secretary would be an honor and privilege. But it's not the first time he's broken barriers in his career. Austin was the first African American to command an infantry division in combat. He was also the first African American to be vice chief of the Army and, later, the first Black general to lead U.S. Central Command. "It shouldn't have taken this long for us to get here," he said. "There should've been someone that preceded me." Austin steps into the role as defense secretary at a time when the military is facing renewed scrutiny over the issue of racism and extremism in the ranks. Several troops have been forced out of the military in recent years for belonging to white supremacist groups or posting racist comments online. Military leaders across the force are reviewing policies that might inadvertently discriminate against some troops. Austin told lawmakers Tuesday that he was committed to addressing those problems once he became defense secretary. The military community is also overrepresented among those arrested following the Jan. 6 siege at the U.S. Capitol. Nearly one in five, or almost 20%, of the people who have been charged over their alleged involvement in the attack appear to have a military history, NPR reported this week. Only about 7% of all American adults are military veterans, NPR noted. Defense leaders also warned last week that homegrown extremist groups are trying to recruit military members and veterans to join their causes. Lawmakers from both parties have said Austin is the right person to lead the Defense Department at this time, despite not meeting the seven-year "cooling-off period" required to serve in the civilian leadership position. Several senators said ahead of Friday's vote that they would confirm Austin. Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat who's on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called Austin an exceptionally qualified leader with a long and distinguished career. Still, both Reed and Sen. Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Congress should not overlook the importance of the law that bars recently retired leaders, like Austin, from serving as defense secretary. "I'll vote today to confirm a clear patriot with an impressive career," McConnell said. "But I'll cast that vote with the understanding that our new secretary of defense specifically commits to balancing civil-military relations, empowering civilian leaders at the Pentagon and playing an active role in the inherently political budget process to get our forces what they need." The retired Army general is the second retired officer to get a waiver in four years. Congress granted one to Jim Mattis when President Donald Trump nominated him to be SecDef a few years after he retired from the Marine Corps. The two Republican senators to vote against Austins confirmation were Mike Lee of Utah and Josh Hawley of Missouri. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Related: Biden Hits Back at Criticism over Choosing Retired General for SecDef It's a wonderfully welcome sight: pictures of people having their Covid vaccinations. But I'm afraid I can't share in the joy. In fact I can barely look at one without shuddering, as I'm overcome by a mix of panic and nausea. It's not that I don't support the vaccine plan quite the opposite. As a science writer, I know how safe and effective the jabs are. There's just one problem: I can't bear needles. The last time I was jabbed by one, during a blood test about five years ago, I had to have it lying down and almost fainted. I know it sounds melodramatic, but I'm far from alone. One in ten of the population suffers needle phobia to some degree. Mild phobics will flinch or look away at the sight of a needle, and make a huge fuss, but still be able to have a jab. It's a wonderfully welcome sight: pictures of people having their Covid vaccinations. But I'm afraid I can't share in the joy, writes BECKY MCCALL In severe cases, sufferers can be plagued by nightmares and even avoid leaving the house for fear of encountering something needle-like. Others, like me, suffer a phenomenon called vasovagal syncope, a not-uncommon nervous-system over-reaction to harmless triggers, such as the sight of blood. The condition is an extreme manifestation of needle-phobia. The stress of having a jab causes a cascade of hormones to be released in the body and a sudden drop in blood pressure. This can cause nausea and even loss of consciousness, as the change in blood pressure means there is suddenly too little blood reaching the brain. Social media went into overdrive last month when a nurse in Tennessee fainted while receiving the Covid vaccine on live TV. And it was shocking to see I looked away when she had the actual jab, but watched the all too familiar aftermath. One moment she's fine, the next she slumps off her chair as worried onlookers rush to help. There were some wild suggestions that she died as the result of a fatal reaction. In fact, it was vasovagal syncope. The nurse, Tiffany Dover, later admitted she often faints when having injections. Vasovagal syncope can also be triggered by mild pain and she said she also faints when she stubs her toe. I'm not sure when my own phobia began, but the reactions seem to have become more extreme as I've got older. It's linked to the fact that the sight (or even idea) of blood makes me squirm. One in ten of the British population suffers needle phobia to some degree. Pictured: Stock image If one of my children aged six and ten bashes a knee, it's my partner who steps in to put on the plaster. If they've got a loose tooth, I just can't look. It's too gory. Needles, by their nature, cause a little bit of bleeding, hence my aversion. I used to suffer terrible nosebleeds as a child which would make me faint. I think this is why blood makes me feel anxious. The first time I passed out was about 15 years ago, after having a travel vaccine prior to a work trip to Panama. Since then I've avoided injections or blood tests unless strictly necessary and have to have them lying down. I also spend weeks worrying beforehand, and often cancel and then rebook. It's all rather over the top, and I don't want to be like this. I hope, at some point soon, to have the Covid vaccine although at 49 I've got a while to wait. And I'd like to be able, if not to enjoy the experience, at least not to have to be carried out on a stretcher afterwards. The NHS-backed approach to overcoming fear of needles, I have discovered, is called applied tension. It's a technique to raise the blood pressure, and so avoid fainting, which you have to practise three times a day for a week before the injection. Sitting somewhere comfortable, you clench all the muscles in your arms, upper body and legs and hold the tension for about 15 seconds, or until your face begins to feel warm, then relax for 30 seconds. This is repeated five times. Another technique is 'breathing for relaxation', which the NHS suggests doing in the five days running up to an injection. Sitting upright, put your hand on your stomach and take long, slow, gentle breaths in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Do this five times, three times a day. Another tried-and-tested technique is to make what's known as a 'fear ladder'. On a blank page, write a list of situations involving the thing you're scared of, then give each a score out of ten. For me, a one out of ten might be thinking about having an injection, while a three would be hearing an anecdote about someone having an injection and how much it hurt and bled. A ten out of ten would be a masked nursed lunging at me with a knitting-needle-sized hypodermic. Phobics are advised to pick the least scary thing on their fear ladder and prepare to face it after five days of doing the tension training and breathing exercises. Once that's done, either repeat this or move on to a slightly scarier one. I decided to give it a go by watching a YouTube video of someone having an injection I'd say a five out of ten on my fear ladder. After a day of doing my exercises, I log in, search 'phlebotomy' (bloodletting) and pick a video. As it starts, I have butterflies in my stomach. First we see an arm and a nurse explaining the technique a tourniquet is applied, a syringe prepped, a large needle inserted into a vein and blood drawn. My nerves seemed to hold steady. Although I felt a little fidgety and uncomfortable, it was fine even as the plunger was pulled back, filling the syringe with blood. Later I speak to Anxiety UK psychotherapist Michelle Mould, who has treated dozens of needle phobics. Most of these phobias, she says, develop in childhood kids hate injections because they hurt. But if a hysterical child is held down or the situation is otherwise mismanaged, such as with a parent becoming visibly upset, it can make things worse. These experiences can haunt us into adulthood. And those who don't like needles, like me, with a phobia, will avoid them more than most. So we never learn not to fear them. Mould offers sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy, during which the aim is to try to get them to change how they think about injections. She tells me to focus on the good outcomes (I'll get vaccinated, so I won't get Covid), rather than irrational worries (that I'll bleed to death while writhing in agony). This rings true to me as, paradoxically, I don't mind having injections at the dentist. I've also had two caesareans, with epidurals, and that didn't bother me either. I suppose, in my irrational mind, the benefits of the injections in those cases not feeling the pain of the dentist's drill or having a baby outweigh everything else. Mould says: 'We think ourselves into phobias and extreme reactions, so we can think our way out of them.' And so, when I do get that letter inviting me to go for my Covid jab, I know just what I need to start doing Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 22, 2021) - David H. Brett, President and CEO, Pacific Bay Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: PBM) ("Pacific Bay" or the "Company") reports that the Company has received TSX Venture Exchange approval to extend the closing date of the remaining 1,210,000 non flow-through units (the "NFT Units") at a price of $0.125 per NFT Unit, to February 5th, 2021. Each NFT Unit consists of one common share and one warrant to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.175 for one year. The NFT Units form part of a $537,500 non-brokered flow-through and non flow-through private placement announced on November 4, 2020 (the "Financing"). The first tranche of the Financing closed on December 8, 2020, raising gross proceeds of $366,440. The Company will not proceed to close the remaining flow-through portion of the Financing. The Company may pay finder's fees on all or part of the remaining Financing in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company plans to use the proceeds of the financing to explore its 100% owned British Columbia gold and polymetallic properties and for working capital purposes. Pacific Bay Minerals Ltd. Per/ David H. Brett, MBA President & CEO Contact: David Brett, 604-682-2421, dbrett@pacificbayminerals.com This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the anticipated closing of the remaining portion of the Financing and the expected use of proceeds of the Financing.. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which Pacific Bay will operate in the future. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, amongst others, the global economic climate, dilution, share price volatility and competition. Although Pacific Bay 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 should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Pacific Bay does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/72668 A major clinical trial shows that an inflammatory drug called colchicine is effective in treating Covid-19 and reduces the risk of complications from the disease, doctors in Canada said. The results of the study are a "major scientific discovery" and make colchicine -- a medicine used to treat gout -- "the world's first oral drug that could be used to treat non-hospitalized patients with Covid-19," the Montreal Heart Institute said in a statement late Friday. The study results show that colchicine reduced by 21 percent the risk of death or hospitalizations in patients with Covid-19 compared to placebo, the institute said. The study was carried out in Canada, the US, Europe and South America among a population of 4,488 patients. In 4,159 of these patients, in whom the diagnosis of Covid-19 was proven by a naso-pharyngeal PCR test, use of colchicine reduced hospitalizations by 25 percent, the need for mechanical ventilation by 50 percent, and deaths by 44 percent, the study concluded. Colchicine is effective in preventing dangerous inflammatory syndromes called "cytokine storms" and reducing complications associated with Covid-19, said Dr Jean-Claude Tardif, director of the MHI Research Center and principal investigator in this study. "We are pleased to offer the first oral medication in the world whose use could have a significant impact on public health and potentially prevent Covid-19 complications for millions of patients," Tardif said. The study was conducted among Covid-19 patients not hospitalized at the time of enrollment in the trial, and with at least one risk factor for Covid-19 complications. "This is the world's largest study testing an orally administered drug in non-hospitalized patients with Covid-19," the heart institute said. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. A rapper known as South Park Mexican has been arrested on three counts of sexual assault of two 14-year-old girls. Carlos Coy had been free on bond on two charges of sexually abusing young girls. Coy, the 31-year-old co-founder of Houston-based Dope House Records, is in Harris County Jail awaiting a March 25 bond hearing. Two of the latest counts involve alleged assaults almost a decade ago. The third involves an alleged assault last month _ while Coy was on bond on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The earlier charges involve two children _ ages 9 and 13 at the time of the alleged assaults. Chip Lewis, Coy's attorney, said Coy denies all the allegations. Lewis contends Coy has never met or seen the girl who accused him of assaulting her last month. He said his office was informed March 6 that the Harris County District Attorney's Office would file the latest charges late that day, and Coy turned himself in Thursday. "The girls were sexually assaulted by him," Denise Oncken, chief of the district attorney's Child Abuse Division, told the Houston Chronicle in Wednesday's editions. "In 1994, he assaulted one girl multiple times. In February, to another girl, it happened once." Coy has admitted to the Chronicle he had a relationship with a 13-year-old in 1993 and fathered her son. "The case with the 9-year-old (which allegedly occurred in September 2000) is something I know I can get past and win," he told the newspaper. "The case of (the) 13-year-old is not winnable because he's definitely my son." Now an adult, the mother has pursued child support payments from Coy, Oncken said. Coy gained national fame with a string of hits and became well-known in 1999. Posted Friday, January 22, 2021 4:49 pm On Wednesday afternoon Dr. Brian Fox, assistant superintendent at the Chehalis School District, pulled a binder filled with graphs and statistics off the shelf in his office. The graphs reflected the college graduation rates of former Chehalis students, stemming back to 2011, rising steadily over time. Dozens of other pages filled the binder, outlining the strategies and systems the district uses to prepare its students for life after high school through the Student Achievement Initiative (SAI). In 2013, the Chehalis School District found that about 20% of its W.F. West High School graduates went on to complete a postsecondary credential as the number of jobs requiring those credentials were on the rise. The district made a commitment to raise that 20% up to 60% by 2022 by implementing the SAI, a partnership between Centralia College, the school district and The Chehalis Foundation that aims to modernize instructional practices to get more students ready for college or careers. This is my 36th year as an educator and 35 of them were somewhere other than Chehalis I have never seen anything like the SAI anywhere. What I have found is that theres a commitment and a passion in some community members that Ive never seen before, Fox said. Before students can head off to college, the military or a trade school, they must graduate from high school, which has been another focus of the SAI. The graduation rate from W.F. West High School has increased from 77% in 2010 to 99% for the class of 2020. Of that 99% of graduates, 100% of them applied and were accepted into a postsecondary program. The district has a strong partnership with Centralia College that has allowed them to offer support to their former students even after graduation. Of the W.F. West class of 2018 who attended Centralia College, 54% have earned a credential, compared to the colleges 37% average completion rate, according to the Chehalis School District website. Much of the work to make those numbers a reality can be accredited to Kerri Chaput, W.F. West High Schools college prep adviser. She said that much of her work is talking with students and laying out their post-high school options in front of them so they can consider all of the possibilities. We start talking about pathways at the beginning of the school year and we have workshops career workshops, apprenticeship panels, college tours and fairs, and they get exposed to that starting freshman year, Chaput said. Its heartwarming and fun to play a small role in such an important time in their lives. The district was able to help all students in the class of 2020 apply and get accepted into a program before the school closures in March, but as high school graduation neared amid the realizalization that attending college during the pandemic was going to look much different, many students turned to Chaput for support. In the class of 2020, once COVID hit, there were a lot of long hours and people started quickly switching schools and switching plans because of COVID. It really was dependent on the particular student but there was lots of pivoting, Chaput said. As for the W.F. West class of 2021, composed of about 200 students, all but about 20 students have applied to a college, trade school or the military so far. Chaput said that most of those remaining students opted for distance learning instead of the hybrid learning model that allows students to attend in-person school for about half the week. Before students were able to come to school in-person on the districts current hybrid learning model, Chaput would set up times to meet with each student one-on-one virtually via video call to talk with them about the college and career options. Were not forcing anything, we just want them to have options. We show them how to fill out an application. Were here to support and navigate the process, she said. Chaput said that building a relationship with each student over the course of their high school career is important and it makes it easier to openly discuss all of the post-high school options with students when they reach their senior year. I think that the people in the community have just grown to accept that this is the way it is but they dont realize how incredible it is to live in a community with this level of commitment, Fox said. Its really worth shaking them up and reminding them what an incredible opportunity students have that come to Chehalis. RTHK: Mass arrests in Russia over pro-Navalny protests Police in Russia detained more than 1,000 people at unauthorised rallies in Moscow and dozens of cities on Saturday as protesters called for the release of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, the OVD-Info protest monitor said. Russian police also detained Yulia Navalnaya, Navalnys wife, according to her Instagram post written from inside a police van. Police have declared the rallies in Moscow and dozens of other cities illegal as tens of thousands of protesters defied bitter cold and a ban by authorities to demand the release of Navalny. Navalny had called on his supporters to protest after being arrested last weekend as he returned to Moscow for the first time since being poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent in August. He had been treated in Germany. In central Moscow, police detained at least 100 people before the protest had even begun, bundling them into nearby vans. Around 1,000 people had gathered before the rally was due to start. Some chanted "Putin is a thief" and "Disgrace" as police swept people off the streets. Video footage from Vladivostok showed riot police chasing a group of protesters down the street, while demonstrators in Khabarovsk, braving temperatures of around -14 Celsius, chanted "Bandits!" Police in Siberia's Yakutsk, one of the coldest cities in the world where the temperature was -52 Celsius on Saturday, grabbed a protester by his arms and legs and dragged him into a van, video footage from the scene showed. Opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov said the scale and sweep of the protests in the regions was unusual. "Everyone must be really fed up with the stealing and lies if the regions have risen up like this without waiting for Moscow. Hundreds and thousands even in small cities," he wrote on Twitter. Authorities have said the protests are illegal because they had not been properly authorised. Navalny was remanded in custody for 30 days earlier this week for alleged parole violations. There was no comment on the protests from the Kremlin on Saturday. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Then nominee for U.S. defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, testifies at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, DC, in this Jan. 19 file photo. The Senate confirmed Austin as secretary of defense Jan. 22. AFP Retired Army general Lloyd Austin made history Friday by becoming America's first Black defense secretary, arriving at the Pentagon minutes after his Senate confirmation to a busy schedule that included a call with NATO's secretary general. "See you around campus," the 67-year-old Austin said as he greeted reporters on the steps of the Pentagon. After being sworn in, Austin received his first intelligence briefing as Pentagon chief. He later chaired a meeting on the coronavirus pandemic with top Defense Department leaders, many joining virtually, the Pentagon said. The pandemic and its death toll of more than 400,000 Americans was the theme of Austin's first message to members of the armed forces. He noted the military's support for America's health care professionals, and said, "You can expect that mission to continue." "But we must help the federal government move further and faster to eradicate the devastating effects of the coronavirus," Austin said, without detailing additional assistance. Austin's first call with a foreign leader as defense secretary was with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, underscoring the importance the Biden administration places on the alliance. Former President Donald Trump strained NATO by regularly admonishing allies for not spending enough on defense and sought to punish Germany over a dispute by withdrawing U.S. forces. Austin and President Joe Biden have repeatedly pledged to improve diversity in the U.S. military America's largest employer which is largely white and male at the top even though the lower ranks are diverse. Austin has been a trailblazer for much of his professional career. As a lieutenant colonel, he became the first Black soldier to be named operations officer of the 82nd Airborne Division. Austin was the first Black soldier to command both an infantry division and Army Corps in combat; the first Black officer to become vice chief of staff of the Army; and the first to lead U.S. Central Command, overseeing U.S. military forces in the Middle East. "There is kind of a sad commentary here, and that is it shouldn't have taken us this long to get here. There should have been someone who preceded me," Austin said in a video https://twitter.com/LloydAustin/status/1349010055094562818?s=20 posted on Twitter earlier this month. Austin's appointment as defense secretary required approval by Congress of a waiver because Austin, who retired in 2016, had not been out of uniform for seven years the minimum required under a law meant to ensure civilian control of the military. After approving the waiver Thursday, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to confirm him Friday in a 93-2 vote in the 100-member chamber. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a former Army National Guard helicopter pilot who lost both legs when she was shot down in Iraq in 2004, voted in favor of confirming Austin, even after voting against the waiver over concerns about civilian control of the military. "His confirmation is yet another historic step in his barrier-breaking career, and I look forward to working with Secretary Austin to protect our troops and safeguard our nation," said Duckworth, who is Thai-American. (Reuters) California harbor porpoises rebound after coastal gillnetting stopped Harbor porpoises have rebounded in a big way off California. Their populations have recovered dramatically since the end of state set-gillnet fisheries that years ago entangled and killed them in the nearshore waters they frequent. These coastal set-gillnet fisheries are distinct from federally-managed offshore drift-gillnet fisheries. They have been prohibited in inshore state waters for more than a decade. The new research indicates that the coastal set gillnets had taken a greater toll on harbor porpoise than previously realized. The return of harbor porpoises reflects the first documented example of the species rebounding. It's a bright spot for marine wildlife, the scientists write in a new assessment published in Marine Mammal Science. "This is very good evidence that if we can eliminate the deaths in fishing nets, marine mammal populations can come back in a big way," said Karin Forney, a research biologist with NOAA Fisheries' Southwest Fisheries Science Center who is based in Monterey Bay. The State of California managed set-gillnet fisheries for white seabass and halibut in coastal waters off central California beginning in the 1930s. Before the 1980s, there was little solid information about the impacts of coastal set-gillnets on protected species such as marine mammals and seabirds. Harbor porpoises were vulnerable to this coastal fishery because they frequent shallow inshore waters where the nets were historically set. The scientists estimated, based on a combination of data, that as many as 300 harbor porpoises per year may have been killed in California's coastal set-gillnet fisheries during the 1980s. One 1994 study confirmed the deaths of more than 50 harbor porpoises in Monterey Bay alone, with the authors speculating that the true number was far higher. Rebound for Populations In the late 1980s, fishery protections for seabirds and southern sea otters benefited harbor porpoises, too. Three of the four stocks of harbor porpoises off the California Coast rebounded as the coastal set-gillnets were largely phased out, the new study shows. These coastal gillnets have been prohibited north of the Sonoma-Mendocino County line (north of Santa Rosa) since the early 1900s. That safeguarded the fourth stock, the more remote Northern California/Southern Oregon population. The Morro Bay population most clearly reflected the rebound. Biologists estimated the population numbered about 570 animals in 1991. Surveys in the last few years estimate the population at approximately 4,200 porpoises, a roughly seven-fold increase. The rapid growth of the Morro Bay stock suggests that bycatch had depressed the population, especially before and during the 1980s. The population decreased more than researchers had recognized previously, the scientists reported in the new study. They concluded that it "is likely that unmonitored fisheries had a dramatic adverse impact on the Morro Bay population before monitoring of harbor porpoise began in 1986." "We didn't really know how heavily the Morro Bay population had been impacted by the white seabass and halibut gillnets at the time," Forney said. "It is now clear that the toll was more severe than we thought." She said the finding has significance for other marine mammals still threatened by gillnets. Unlawful gillnets in Mexico have pushed the critically endangered vaquita to the brink of extinction, for example. Repeated surveys have found that the number of surviving animals may now be in the single digits. The vaquita is the world's smallest porpoise that lives in the turbid waters of the Gulf of California, where those gillnets target a large and also endangered native fish that is prized in China as traditional medicine. "The story in California tells us that these animals are capable of recovering if we eliminate the factors causing their decline, in this case, gillnet bycatch from coastal fisheries within the range of harbor porpoise," Forney said. Surveys Track Porpoise Numbers Aerial surveys for harbor porpoises off California began in 1986, collecting data that formed the foundation of the new population assessment. Scientists supplemented the surveys with additional porpoise sightings from surveys of endangered leatherback turtles. The consistency of the surveys that continued over decades make them valuable in detecting changes. California harbor porpoises were once considered a single population. Beginning in 2001 biologists recognized there were four genetically distinct stocks: Morro Bay, Monterey Bay, San Francisco/Russian River, and Northern California/Southern Oregon. The new analysis shows that three of the four stocks increased in number since the days of coastal set gillnet fishing, and have recently begun to stabilize: Morro Bay: Increased almost 10 percent a year after most coastal gillnetting ceased by 2001, now numbering about 4,200 porpoises. Monterey Bay: Population grew faster after coastal gillnetting stopped in 2003, but not as fast as Morro Bay. Most recently estimated at about 3,760 porpoises. San Francisco/Russian River: Numbers fell until coastal gillnetting was prohibited in 1987. Beginning about 2009, hundreds of harbor porpoises became regularly visible in San Francisco Bay, perhaps benefiting from improved water quality, and earlier changes such as the removal of an anti-submarine netting that blocked the Golden Gate. Now estimated at 7,777 individuals. Northern California/Southern Oregon: Lesser known population that is California's largest at about 12,160 porpoises. Drift gillnet separate fishery A small federal drift-gillnet fishery for swordfish continues in deeper waters miles off California. This fishery operates too far offshore to affect harbor porpoises. The fishery adopted stringent bycatch reduction measures in the 1990s and early 2000s to protect marine mammals and sea turtles. To protect marine mammals, the top of the nets hang below the surface so marine mammals can pass overhead. Acoustic "pingers" warn marine mammals of the nets' presence. To protect leatherback sea turtles, federal fishery managers close a large area off California to drift gillnets each year when the turtles are present. The measures have dramatically reduced bycatch of marine mammals and sea turtles. "We now know much more about how to protect these species from fishing impacts," Forney said, "and we are seeing the results." ### This story has been published on: 2021-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The Trump administration's stepped-up sanctions against Cuba cost the communist-run island some $20 billion, a foreign ministry official said Wednesday. "The damage to the bilateral relationship during this time has been considerable, and the economic harm to Cuba immense," Johana Tabalada, a senior ministry official, told AFP. "We estimate it at about $20 billion," she said by email. Trump, whose term ended Wednesday with the swearing-in of Joe Biden as America's 46th president, used his time in power to tighten the screws on Cuba. Earlier this month, the Trump administration returned the island to a list of state sponsors of terrorism, undoing then-President Barack Obama's 2015 move to remove it. Biden was vice president at the time. Trump reversed many of Obama's moves to normalize relations with Cuba. Tabalada said 240 measures were taken against Cuba under the 45th US president. They include a ban on American cruise ships stopping over on the island, a blacklist for a range of Cuban companies and bosses, prosecution of foreign companies doing business on the island, and making it difficult for Cubans working abroad to send money home. "There is objective and palpable damage to the standard of living of the Cuban people because of measures that were exactly taken to cause such damage," the official said. Tabalada said the island nation was hoping for better relations with the United States under the new Democrat president. "Biden has said that he wants to reverse the damage caused by Trump and we have no reason to doubt his commitment," she said. Biden has promised to pay attention to human rights in Cuba but also to bring back some of Obama's policies to normalize ties, including allowing Cuban-Americans to visit and send money. INEOS TEAM UK stays unbeaten after what was probably the closest race seen so far on the AC75s, with nine lead changes throughout the nail-biting race against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. With that result, Sir Ben Ainslie's team won their the fifth race in a row in the Round Robins. Upon finishing the 'ghost race' start successfully it took them to 6 points, enough to qualify directly to the PRADA Cup final. The Italian Challenger of Record fought until the last jibe of the last leg of a race that was the perfect definition of match race which saw the top speeds exceeding the 50 knot mark for the first time in racing. INEOS TEAM UK win RR3 Race 2 against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli RR3 - Race 2 Start: 1720 Port: ITA Stbd: GBR Course: C Axis: 227 Length: 1.9nm Current: 0.2 knots @ 316 Wind: 18-22 knots / 240 degrees Winner: INEOS TEAM UK +33 seconds If the tension surrounding this Italian/British shoot out for the right to jump straight to the PRADA Cup final wasn't enough, the weather was about to throw plenty of more stress into the mix. As the start time arrived, the breeze was shifting back and forth across the race course, preventing the race committee from setting a fair course. As a series of delays followed, pushing the start back by almost an hour, news then came that INEOS TEAM UK needed to play their 'delay card' of 15mins as they struggled to repair a problem with the cunningham, one of the key controls for the mainsail. By the time the race did start at 1720, the breeze was up towards 20 knots at times and still clearly very shifty. In the pre-start and with just a few seconds to go, there were the first indications that this would be a closely fought race. As they crossed the line, both were at the pin end, INEOS TEAM UK to windward, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli to leeward. As they headed out towards the left hand side of the course, INEOS were first to tack away. Luna Rossa followed shortly afterwards, and when the pair came back together on the right hand side of the course, they were still neck and neck. Luna Rossa tacked underneath, but were slow to come out of the tack. From here, the close battle continued to the first gate where INEOS rounded just two seconds ahead of Luna Rossa. Drag racing down Leg 2 both were on port tack, with Luna Rossa slightly lower and faster. But when they came back together, the Italians had lost out as the British crossed ahead. At Gate 2, the British lead had increased to nine seconds as they rounded the left hand mark. Luna Rossa took the right. The next time they came back together Luna Rossa had taken the lead; the Italians appeared to be in phase with the shifts and were capitalising on it, pulling out more distance. By Gate 3 their lead was 19sec. But there was plenty more left in this match. Once again, the pair took opposite marks as they headed down Leg 4. When they came back together, this time BRITANNIA had taken distance out of their opponents, and by Gate 4 the gap was down to 10sec. As both boats went around the right hand mark, Luna Rossa headed out to the right while INEOS TEAM UK pulled off a more tricky tack around the mark to split from Luna Rossa who saw the move and tacked to cover. Both now on starboard, when the British team came back they were just a boat length apart as INEOS TEAM UK passed just behind them. From there, Sir Ben Ainslie pushed out to the right - they needed the breeze to swing in their favour to capitalise on their move to the right of the course. Next time that they came back together, INEOS TEAM UK were ahead as they crossed the bow of the Italians on starboard. The tables had turned yet again. From here, just over one leg lay between the British quest to jump to the final and the Italian hopes to keep their fast track to the PRADA Cup alive. By the top mark for the last time, Gate 5, there was just one second between the pair as they headed down the final downwind leg. Once again, they took opposite marks and they came back together. INEOS TEAM UK were on starboard, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli on port; the British were ahead by no more than a second as both tacticians talked of the left hand side being the better side. For the next cross into the finish, INEOS TEAM UK were on port but could lay the finish. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli couldn't, and tried to get INEOS TEAM UK on a port starboard. As they approached the stern of the British boat, Luna Rossa called a protest as they claimed they had to avoid the give way boat. The umpires didn't agree. The Italians had played their last card, it hadn't worked and Sir Ben Ainslie cut the finish line 33 seconds ahead. SIR BEN AINSLIE - INEOS TEAM UK Team Principal and Skipper "That race was one for the fans. Pretty awesome race, great to take part in. Lots of lead changes, neck at neck all the way to the line. Credit to the Luna Rossa guys for pushing hard. We had a few issues leading into the pre-start as we were missing one of the key settings. The guys did an awesome job getting us around the track in one piece and getting the win." JIMMY SPITHILL - Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli - Helmsman "When we lodged the protest the both of us were doing 45 knots, we had to avoid BRITANNIA so it was a bit surprised that they thought it wasn't close enough. At the top we didn't pull off a couple of tacks as we should have, but it was really shifty. A continuous up and down the entire the racetrack and that's why we saw so many lead changes. It was a good effort from the guys on board, and congratulations to INEOS TEAM UK. We didn't get the result we wanted but we certainly learnt a lot from that one." In recognition of being top round robin qualifier, INEOS TEAM UK were presented a bottle of G.H. Mumm and have been awarded with the PRADA Christmas Race trophy, which was not assigned in December as races were not held due to the lack of wind. INEOS TEAM UK now have three full weeks to develop their boat and get ready for the next race. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, on the other hand, have only six days to fine-tune their AC75 before the next race against American Magic, who themselves are in a race against time to repair their boat and get back to the startline. The Semi-final - the first knockout phase of the PRADA Cup - starts on Friday 29 January, and by then the pressure ramps up dramatically. No races will be held tomorrow. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is cautiously optimistic of a multibillion-dollar boost to the Australian economy from a faster vaccine rollout, but has warned that the domestic and global economic situations remain uncertain as countries around the world battle the coronavirus pandemic. While Octobers budget forecast a $34 billion, one-year boost to the economy if the vaccine rollout got under way from July 2021, Mr Frydenberg is now warier reflecting the December budget update, and the accelerating spread of the virus in the United States, Britain and Europe about what the exact economic dividend from mass vaccinations will be. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and his wife Amie, daughter Gemma, son Blake and their dog Fonzie. Credit:Joe Armao In last years budget we made it clear that an earlier rollout of the vaccine could deliver a multibillion-dollar upside to the Australian economy. But prudence is a virtue and none of the gains can or should be locked in until such a situation eventuates, he said. There is still much uncertainty about the virus and its global and domestic economic impact. New Delhi, Jan 23 : Even as the Indian Covid-19 vaccines reached Seychelles and Myanmar on Friday afternoon, and Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives the day before, Pakistan is increasingly growing restless awaiting its 500,000 coronavirus vaccine dose 'gift' from iron brother China. A desperate Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the Foreign Minister of the country, dialled his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday to discuss "Pakistan's requirements" after reportedly being instructed by Prime Minister Imran Khan to increase interaction with Beijing "considering the sensitivity of the situation". "I want to give the nation the good news that China has promised to immediately provide 500,000 doses of vaccine to Pakistan by January 31," Qureshi was quoted as saying by Pakistan's leading daily Dawn after the phone call. "They (China) have said you can send your airplane and immediately airlift this drug," he added. Qureshi tweeted that Pakistan has approved emergency use authorisation of Chinese vaccine SinoPharm developed by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products, a subsidiary of state-owned conglomerate Sinopharm. While Qureshi insisted that the vaccines will be delivered by January 31, China today didn't announce the exact date of the delivery. When questioned about it during the regular press conference in Beijing on Friday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying rather chose to speak about the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan in detail. "In order to support our brothers and sisters in Pakistan, the Chinese government has decided to provide a batch of vaccines as aid and will actively coordinate with the relevant Chinese enterprise to speed up export of vaccines to Pakistan," she insisted while replying to a question from the Associated Press of Pakistan on the details about delivery of promised half a million doses of coronavirus vaccines by the end of this month. The "time-tested rock solid friendship" with the "all-weather strategic cooperative partner" - as Hua puts it - faces a litmus test in the coming days as China not only battles growing doubts about the efficacy of its vaccines but also a surge in coronavirus cases at home. Reports have emerged in the last 48 hours of how China is rushing to build a massive quarantine camp with more than 4,000 isolation suites in Hebei province, a region just outside Beijing at the centre of a resurgent coronavirus epidemic. No wonder then that Pakistan, depending hugely on China for Covid vaccines, is getting restless. Besides SinoPharm, the only other vaccine approved by Pakistan for emergency use is the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab. Earlier this week, Faisal Sultan, the Special Assistant to Pakistani Prime Minister on Health, had assured that the country will also receive vaccines through Covax, an international alliance that has pledged free vaccines for 20 per cent population of around 190 countries, including Pakistan. As reported by Dawn, Pakistan's Ministry of National Health Services believes that country's best chance of getting the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are through Covax as India had already purchased its research and was also manufacturing it. This despite the Indian government not being averse to the idea of helping the immediate neighbour considering Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message that India's vaccine approach is intended to heal humanity. Citing government sources, IndiaNarrative.com had reported Wednesday that India would not oppose providing vaccines to Pakistan as part of a drive to eliminate the virus globally. The Indian government has already received several requests for the supply of Indian manufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countries. After having delivered vaccine supplies under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles, India will begin vaccine assistance to Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius and other partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner. India had earlier also supplied hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and paracetamol tablets, as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies to a large number of countries during the the pandemic. (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 11:08:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CANBERRA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Education Minister Alan Tudge has revealed that the return of international students to the country is dependent on the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Tudge said that the government does not have a timeline for allowing large numbers of students into Australia but that effective vaccines would significantly accelerate the process. "Ordinarily, we have about 185,000 students who would cross the borders and come into Australia to start at the beginning of the academic year, and about the same number again in the middle of the year," Tudge told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio on Friday. "Now, when we can get back to those types of numbers, I don't know yet." "We're really taking it week by week and month by month. Obviously, a big factor in all of this is the vaccine and how effective that will be. And should that vaccine be effective, then it really does make a big difference and we may be able to take numbers in again." The government in 2020 asked every state and territory to submit plans for how they would accommodate students into their hotel quarantine programs for international arrivals. Tudge said that the government was open to "all options" for quarantine for international students but that no state or territory has submitted their proposals. "The state governments are working through those things, along with the higher education providers, but we're still not at that stage yet where we're in the position to be able to have significant quarantining arrangements for those international students," he said. "Those proposals need to be above and beyond what their existing quarantining arrangements are, which are available for Australians who are returning." Enditem After outcry when thousands of National Guard members in Washington D.C. were abruptly moved from the U.S. Capitol to a crowded parking garage, President Joe Biden reached out personally to make amends. The troops were among the 25,600 Guard personnel deployed to D.C. to provide extra security for the inauguration following the Jan. 6 rally that ended with a mob breaching the Capitol building. The news of the troops' treatment Thursday night, just one day after they secured a peaceful inauguration ceremony, outraged lawmakers. A flurry of congressional phone calls quickly resulted in Guard members being moved out of the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Center garage before midnight to a new break area near Emancipation Hall in the Capitol. On Friday, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden showed their support for the Guard in their own way. "Late this morning, the president called Gen. Daniel Hokanson, who is the head of the National Guard, to thank him for not just his work over the last two weeks but the work of the National Guard over the last several years," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during today's press briefing. Read Next: In 1st Message, New SecDef Lloyd Austin Cites Pandemic Control as DoD Priority Psaki said that Biden talked to Hokanson about his "personal commitment and connection to the National Guard" through his son, Beau, a member of the Delaware Guard and Iraq veteran who died in 2015. Biden also told Hokanson to "reach out if there was anything that he ever needed," Psaki said. Jill Biden visited Guard troops posted near the Capitol on Friday afternoon to thank them for their presence, and handed out chocolate chip cookies. The unfortunate incident with the Guard has raised enough questions that Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called for answers. "I understand and am glad that the Guard has been moved back inside; that's a good thing," Inhofe said in a statement. "But they should never have been pushed out to begin with, so I want answers as to how this was allowed to happen." Inhofe said he made calls to Yogananda Pittman, the acting chief of the U.S. Capitol Police and to Gen. James McConville, the chief of staff of the Army. Inhofe's staff spent time talking to Guard members serving in D.C., according to the statement. Inhofe said Pittman told him the Guard was never officially asked to leave the Capitol, but "multiple members of military leadership told me they were told yesterday by a member of uniformed Capitol Police that the Guard had to be out of the Capitol Visitor's Center," according to the statement. "I know one thing -- whether it was confusion from this fog and friction environment or what -- the troops didn't move on their own," Inhofe said in the statement. "We are in the process of identifying who gave the order to the Guard, who deviated from the chain of command." Meanwhile, the National Guard Bureau and the Capitol Police put out a joint statement Friday afternoon describing how they are "united in the common goal to protect the U.S. Capitol and the Congress during this time." "The USCP and the National Guard have coordinated their efforts to ensure that National Guardsmen and women are stationed throughout the Capitol Complex are in appropriate spaces within Congressional buildings, including the U.S. Capitol, where they may take on-duty breaks," according to the statement. "Off-duty troops are being housed in hotel rooms or other comfortable accommodations." -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Related: After Lawmakers Intervene, Guard Troops Allowed to Return to Capitol for Breaks Parakram Diwas: PM Modi in Kolkata for Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary celebrations India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Jan 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday address 'Parakram Diwas' celebrations in Kolkata, to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, an iconic freedom fighter who hailed from the state. According to the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi will distribute over one lakh land 'pattas' (allotment certificates) in Sivasagar, Assam on the same day. The Prime Minister's visit to the two states assumes significance as both are headed to assembly polls in April-May. Recent victory by Indian cricket team has a message for the youth: PM Modi The BJP, as well as the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, have planned a number of events around Bose, often called Netaji by admirers, as they seek to woo the voters ahead of the polls. The PMO noted that the central government had recently decided to celebrate Bose's birthday every year as 'Parakram Diwas' to honour and remember his indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation. This will also help inspire people of the country, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as the celebrated freedom fighter did and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervour, it added. No COVID-19 vaccine request from Pakistan: India PM Modi will preside over the inaugural function of the celebrations at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. A permanent exhibition and a projection mapping show on Bose will be inaugurated on the occasion. Subhash Chandra Bose birthday: Mamata takes swipe at Centre | Oneindia News A commemorative coin and postage stamp will also be released by the prime minister, and a cultural programme "Amra Nuton Jouboneri Doot" will also be held. Before this event, PM Modi will visit the National Library, Kolkata, where an international conference "Revisiting the legacy of Netaji Subhas in the 21st century" and an artists' camp are being organised. Budget 2021: All party meet to be held virtually India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair an all-party meeting on January 30 during which the government will put forth its legislative agenda for the Budget session of Parliament, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. He said the meeting will be held virtually and an invitation has been extended to floor leaders of all parties. Budget 2021 must build on recent reforms on labour, education, say HR experts An all-party meeting is a customary procedure before the beginning of every session of Parliament to ensure its smooth functioning. However, this time it is being held a day after the session starts on January 29. "The all-party meeting will be held on January 30, where government will put forth its legislative business for the Parliament session and would also listen to the opposition's suggestions," Joshi told PTI. The Budget session of Parliament is starting from January 29 and will be held in two parts. The first part will conclude on February 15 and second part will be held from March 8 to April 8. Parliament will sit in two shifts with Rajya Sabha in the morning and Lok Sabha in the evening. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting of top government officials for holding the Budget session amid the pandemic. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, January 23, 2021, 10:53 [IST] Flash The Security Council on Friday called for political dialogue in the Central African Republic (CAR) after President Faustin Archange Touadera's re-election was validated. In a press statement, the members of the Security Council took note of the Constitutional Court's proclamation of the final results of the Dec. 27 presidential election, which validated Touadera's re-election. They called on all stakeholders to respect the Constitutional Court's decision and reaffirm their commitment to the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law. They encouraged the government and all political actors to engage effectively in dialogue, said the statement. The council members condemned in the strongest terms violations of the CAR Peace Agreement, as well as violence perpetrated by certain armed groups with the support of former President Francois Bozize, aimed at undermining the electoral process, it said. They recalled that individuals and entities engaging in, or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the CAR may be designated under the Security Council sanctions regime. The council members also condemned the hate speech and incitement to violence fueled by disinformation campaigns. They urged all signatory parties to the Peace Agreement to fully honor their commitments and join the path of dialogue and peace. They stressed the urgent and imperative need to end impunity in the CAR and to bring to justice perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law and of violations and abuses of human rights. They also encouraged the national authorities to continue their efforts to make the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission operational, said the statement. The council members took note of the request of the CAR authorities to lift the arms embargo. They reiterated their readiness to review the arms embargo measures, through suspension or progressive lifting, in the light of progress achieved on the key benchmarks established by the Security Council. They stressed the need for the CAR authorities to ensure physical protection, control, management, traceability, and accountability of weapons, ammunition and military equipment transferred to their control. The council members condemned increased attacks against humanitarian workers and called on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure humanitarian access. They strongly condemned ongoing attacks against the UN peacekeeping mission in the CAR, knowns as MINUSCA, and reiterated that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. They reaffirmed their support to MINUSCA's efforts to implement its mandate through a proactive and robust posture, while recalling the importance of the mission having the necessary capacities to fulfill its mandate and promote the safety and security of the UN peacekeepers. The press statement was released after the Security Council held a meeting on the CAR on Thursday. In his briefing, the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of MINUSCA, Mankeur Ndiaye, warned that the CAR faces the grave risk of a setback given the formation of a new coalition of armed groups, the Coalition of Patriots for Change, whose alliance with political actors, in particular Bozize, is now established. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Health board plea for public to heed heart attack warning signs and attend hospital despite Coronavirus fears This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jan 23rd, 2021 People have been urged not to ignore signs of a heart attack despite fear of contracting COVID-19. Throughout 2020 and into the new year there have been hundreds of people experiencing palpitations, chest pains and other symptoms of heart failure and staying at home rather than calling 999 to receive urgent medical attention. Claire Gallagher-Harrison, Head of Cardiac Physiology at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, says the new strain of the virus has increased concerns after confidence was slowly rebuilding following the initial national lockdown. Reinforcing the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and Welsh Government Help Us, Help You campaign, she assured the public it is safe to visit the department for vital treatment, including echocardiograms. During the first wave of COVID-19 last Spring, even urgent patients would not attend the hospital as they were very frightened, it was unprecedented and unknown, said Claire. We had to cancel all outpatient appointments but because we provide such a key role for wards across the hospital, we continued to provide urgent diagnostic tests. Things had picked up again and the winter is usually by far our busiest time of year, but understandably there is uncertainty. If invited for a test it is so important people come to see us. We are in a safe environment, we wear PPE for every patient, and have even more rigorous cleaning procedures to ensure there is no risk. In fact, to not get checked out could cause damage beyond repair, so we need anyone who feels they are showing signs of heart problems or palpitations to seek help immediately. In 1990, Glan Clwyd Hospital carried out around 500 echocardiogram ultrasound scans known as an echo every year. Now, that annual figure is more than 8,500, and with people living longer and a rise in the number of heart attacks among adults under 50, Claire says it is vital the warning signs are not ignored. Due to the challenges of COVID-19, the 23-strong Cardiac Physiology team is still working through the backlog of appointments but are committed to delivering the same level of service and care for patients. What was a 45-minute process is now an hour because of the cleaning and preparation involved, to ensure patient and staff safety, said Claire. As a result, we have a longer waiting list. The team has been doing extra work to try and play catch up but its difficult when many of us are already on call. We will keep chipping away and do our best, as always. Past crises including swine flu, the Ebola virus and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) caused widespread concern for public health, but Claire says in her 23 years with the NHS, she has never experienced anything like this before. Nobody has, its unlike any virus weve ever come across, she said. And what is worrying is there are still people waiting until the pandemic is over to come and have a scan. Who knows when that will be, or whether we will have to live with it? As past weeks have shown, we are not out of this yet. Claire added: We have to be extra cautious because of COVID-19, but we cant ignore the other health issues we may have. Thats always been my biggest concern, that we dont know what is going on behind the scenes with people who are suffering at home. Those words were echoed by Head of British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru Adam Fletcher, who said: Its vital that we use the lessons learned so far in this pandemic to protect planned heart tests and treatments such as stents, pacemakers and heart surgery so we can avoid deaths that could be prevented. If you think youre having a heart attack or stroke its crucial that you call 999 immediately, as every minute counts and prompt treatment saves lives. If your heart symptoms are getting worse, get in touch with your healthcare team so that they can reassess your situation. Delaying risks your life and you are more likely to suffer serious heart damage and spend longer in hospital, so dont hesitate in seeking medical help. For more information on how best to access NHS services this winter, visit www.111.wales.nhs.uk. Visit www.bcuhb.nhs.wales for the latest news and information from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the administration of President Joe Biden on Friday for refusing to rescind the 100-day pause on deportations. In his motion calling for a temporary restraining order (TRO), Ken Paxton cited a deal between the Trump administration and some states like Texas that required the new administration to consult with jurisdictions before making changes on immigration policies. On Wednesday, Pres. Biden signed an executive order calling for the revision of some U.S. immigration policies, Newsweek reported. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Director David Pekoske responded to Biden's directive by halting deportations for 100 days as immigration enforcement policies are being reviewed. Paxton then warned the DHS that he would file suit to prevent the deportation halt from taking effect. "I told the Department of Homeland Security and Joe Biden last night to rescind its deportation freeze, which is unconstitutional, illegal, and bad for Texas and the nation. They didn't budge. So Texas is bringing them to court," he tweeted. I told @DHSgov and @JoeBiden last night to rescind its deportation freeze, which is unconstitutional, illegal, and bad for Texas and the nation. They didnt budge. So #Texas is bringing them to court. Heres our lawsuit: https://t.co/oR2cfG85Bz Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) January 22, 2021 Ken Paxton has filed litigation with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas on Friday to stop the DHS' actions. "In one of its first of dozens of steps that harm Texas and the nation as a whole," he noted that "the Biden administration directed DHS to violate federal immigration law and breach an agreement to consult and cooperate with Texas on that law." In a statement, Ken Paxton noted that their state defends the largest section of the southern border in the nation. He argued that failure to enforce the law properly would "directly and immediately endanger" their citizens and law enforcement personnel. Related story: Texas Officials Prepare Lawsuits Against Joe Biden's Proposals on Immigration, Environment Ken Paxton's Lawsuit Ken Paxton claimed that the deportation pause violates an agreement between Texas and the DHS that was finalized last Jan. 8. The agreement required the department to provide 180 days' notice before making changes to immigration policy and enforcement practices, Washington Post reported. Several legal scholars called the DHS agreement with Texas and other states highly unusual and an attempt to stop Pres. Biden from undoing Trump's immigration policies by giving states power to veto. It is still unclear whether the agreement can block Biden's moves. According to a USA Today report, Pekoske released a memo that excluded non-citizens suspected of terrorism or espionage or those found to pose a security phase. The memo said the freeze does not apply to those who voluntarily waive the right to remain in the U.S. The DHS further noted that nothing in the memorandum prohibits the apprehension or detention of individuals unlawfully in the U.S. Meanwhile, a lawyer for the Biden administration expressed skepticism over the agreement's legality and enforceability, adding that the Trump administration cannot bind the next president's immigration actions through a late deal with a single state. Adam Kirschner, a Justice Department lawyer, said that Texas is trying to remove the discretion provided by Congress and the Constitution and give immigration enforcement the power to the state. However, Paxton's lawyer, Will Thompson, argued that the agreement was a binding contract, which requires federal authorities to give Texas proper notice before changing immigration policies. Thompson said that there is no justification for departing from that agreement. Read also: Trump Approves Deportation Protections for Venezuelans on Last Night in Office Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-23 15:00:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close COLOMBO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives' Health Protection Agency (HPA) has begun training healthcare workers on the distribution of vaccines against COVID-19, local media reported here Saturday. About 290 healthcare workers were taught to raise awareness on the need for vaccinations and to monitor for potential side effects in vaccine recipients in an online training program carried out by the HPA in association with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The Maldives received its first shipment of vaccines on Jan. 20. The shipment included 100,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from India. A further 700,000 doses will be purchased to vaccinate the entire population. Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem said that the country may be the first to vaccinate its entire population. Enditem SHENANDOAH A section of Furnace Street in the village of Turkey Run will have improvements made in the near future after leftover funding from other projects is transferred. The Shenandoah Borough Council voted at Thursdays meeting to revise the Community Development Block Grant for fiscal year 2017 for the reallocation of $1,443.98 to the fiscal year 2020 block grant budget for the Furnace Street improvements project. As soon as the weather breaks, wed like to get that started, Borough Supervisor Anthony Sajone said. The road would extend from the Defender Hose Company at 300 Furnace St. and go west to Pioneer Road. It has not gone out for bid, Sajone said of the proposed project. We just got the preliminary information on it. In other business, the cost of sewage service is raised $6 per quarter in 2021 following the councils action in adopting Ordinance No. 2021-01. According to the ordinance, the residential sewer rental for each private dwelling unit goes to $492 per year, payable at a rate of $123 per quarter. For non-residential customers, the per-quarter metered rate is $123 for the first 15,000 gallons or a fractional part. Any amount over the first 15,000 gallons will be billed at $355 per 1,000 gallons for a fractional part. The council also approved a resolution to authorize filing with the state Department of Community and Economic Development to have Downtown Shenandoah Inc. designated as a Keystone Main Street Program. The resolution was prepared by DSI indicating that council supports the vision statement and five-year action strategy as an integral part of the application required by the department. It will be DSIs third application. Keystone Main Street designation is a community-based approach to revitalizing downtowns throughout Pennsylvania, DSI Executive Director Susan Williams. As a designated Main Street, Downtown Shenandoah Inc. collaborates with the Shenandoah Borough to ensure the historical nature of the Main Street is preserved while ongoing revitalization efforts continue. New businesses are always welcome in Shenandoah and we are here to assist them improve their facades and find resources they need to start and grow their businesses. Also Thursday, the council decided to table an agenda item to apply block grant demolition funds for $50,000 to raze the former Jefferson School at Centre and West streets. The school last held elementary students almost four decades. The building was opened in 1873 and was expanded over the years. We have to table the resolution for the old Jefferson school at the request of the county, Sajone said. Sajone said the vote on applying for demolition funds will most likely be addressed in February. How much is your House worth in 2021? The difficulty with defining an average property price in Dublin 20 is the major price gap between the two main areas in the postcode. Over the years, certain parts of Chapelizod would have shown similar prices to Palmerstown, but at this point Chapelizod has broken away to record much higher prices. While a three-bed semi in Palmerstown sits at between 340,000 and up to 370,000 with an extension, that same property type in Chapelizod could now go above 500,000, according to local agent Roger Berkeley. One of the surprise stars of the 2020 harness racing season in New Zealand has reportedly been sold to North American interests. According to Harness Racing New Zealand, a deal is in place for acing mare Beyond Words to be purchased by United States-based owner Richard Poillucci, the man who raced former Kiwi-bred world champion Shartin. It is a big money sale but she will do a super job up there, agent John Curtin told HRNZ. Beyond Words has been one of the stories of the harness racing season, emerging as an unheralded maiden on August 7 to win the hands of then co-trainer Mark Purdon before now likely ending her New Zealand career with five wins from nine starts including a Grade 1 Queen of Hearts victory over stablemate and subsequent Auckland Cup winner Amazing Dream. Owner and breeder Brian West admits he would have loved to keep Beyond Words but as a lifelong breeder he is being realistic. I am 70 this year and I have to look at the future, says West of Studholme Bloodstock. I have had up to 100 mares here on the farm and I have been going through the process of re-homing some of them. Some of them are mares I havent even bred from or even raced because I simply have to cut numbers down, West continued. I have got that down to around 60 mares here on the farm and Id like to take that number down further to make it more manageable...after all, I am not getting any younger and some nights I am not finishing with the horses until after 9:00 p.m. and it is bloody tiring. West stated that he's very proud of his mare's accomplishments and "I hope she does a wonderful job for them up in the States" if the sale is finalized. (with files from HRNZ) 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. Wexford Local Enterprise Office has lined up two successful female entrepreneurs to address members of the Women in Business Network in January and February. On Thursday, January 28, the online network will be addressed by Paula Fitzsimons, founder of Fitzsimons Consulting. Paula is the national coordinator for the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research project in Ireland and was appointed by the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment to the SME and Entrepreneurship Taskforce in 2020. Female business owners in Wexford will know Paula as the driving force behind Going for Growth, which is focused on peer support to assist women who wish to grow their businesses. Going for Growth is supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG. Paula also designed and developed ACORNS to support early stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland. This initiative is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and 200 participants are currently being supported through it. An additional project is Back for Business, a tailored initiative for returning emigrants who have recently established a new business or are planning to do so. Back for Business is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. On February 25, Larissa Feeney, founder of the award-winning Accountant Online, will speak about her journey from sole practitioner to a firm of chartered and certified accountants serving over 1,800 clients across Ireland and the UK. Larissa leads a team of accounting professionals who work both remotely and in offices in Dublin and Letterkenny. A pioneer in using cloud technology in accountancy, the company has won many awards, most recently in 2020, winning Irish Accountancy Awards for 'Medium Practice of the Year' and overall 'Practice of the Year'. A voluntary Lead Entrepreneur for ACORNS, Larissa is a previous participant of the Going for Growth initiative, and is on the mentor panel of both Donegal LEO and Enterprise Ireland. 'We're delighted that both Paula and Larissa, leaders in their fields in terms of female entrepreneurship, will share their insights with the Women in Business Network,' said Breege Cosgrave, senior enterprise development officer with the Local Enterprise Office at Wexford County Council. 'We're keen to facilitate peer support for female entrepreneurs and the Network provides a forum for that support. Essentially, the Network aims to grow and support female entrepreneurship in Wexford. This is in line with one of Enterprise Ireland's key objectives in its Action Plan for Women in Business.' In line with Covid-19 public health protocols, the network is running online for now, with free Zoom meetings monthly and a dedicated Facebook group called Local Enterprise Office Wexford Women in Business Network. The free January Network meeting is on Zoom on Thursday, January 28, at 2pm. In February, the group will meet on Thursday, February 25, at 11.30 a.m. See www.localenterprise.ie/Wexford to book a place. The OVD-Info group, which monitors police activity, reported dozens of arrests adding that authorities were beating some of those being detained. Large crowds of demonstrators in Russia were braving brutally cold weather and threats of police crackdowns on January 23 to call for the release of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, a Kremlin critic jailed last weekend upon returning to Moscow after treatment in Germany for Novichok poisoning. The first rallies began in Siberia and the Far East with hundreds of protesters in Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, and other cities taking to the streets despite subfreezing temperatures and a heavy security presence, RFE/RL wrote. The OVD-Info group, which monitors police activity, reported dozens of arrests adding that authorities were beating some of those being detained. Video from Vladivostok showed police in riot gear with truncheons drawn charging at a large crowd to disperse the protesters. In the Far East city of Yakutsk, protesters were out on the streets despite strong winds and temperatures of minus 50 degrees Celsius. In Moscow, which usually draws the largest rallies, protesters plan to meet in the central Pushkin Square. Ahead of the coordinated action in at least 65 Russian cities, authorities detained Navalny allies and warned social-media platforms to pull down posts calling on people to attend the "unsanctioned" rallies or face hefty fines. Read alsoNavalny detained immediately upon return to Russia (Photo, video)Navalny, Putin's most prominent critic, was taken into police custody shortly after his arrival in Russia on January 17 from Berlin where he was treated for a near-fatal poisoning in August with a Soviet-style chemical from the Novichok group. At a hastily arranged hearing at a police station on January 18, a judge authorized Navalny's detention for 30 days pending a ruling on his suspended sentence that could be revoked and replaced by prison time, allegedly for parole violations. Navalny has accused Putin of ordering his assassination, which combined with his detention has sparked widespread Western condemnation and threats of further sanctions. Dozens of influential Russians, including actors, musicians, journalists, writers, athletes and popular bloggers, have come out with statements in support of Navalny, and some promised to attend the demonstrations. Bloomberg, citing two sources close to Russia's leaders, reported on January 22 that the Kremlin intends to imprison Navalny for "several years, or even more." Authorities accuse Navalny of violating the terms of a suspended sentence in a 2014 conviction for financial misdeeds, including violating the terms of parole while convalescing in Germany. He and supporters reject the charges, saying they are politically motivated to put an end to his anti-corruption work. Reporting by UNIAN A restaurant chain that serves Mexican food wants to build near Wendys in Hazle Twp. A development firm that is working on behalf of Chipotle Mexican Grill submitted plans to the township for building a 2,200-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru on property next to the Wendys on Susquehanna Boulevard, township Planning Secretary Lee Ann Kasha said. Few details about the project were available Friday, as Kasha said she has yet to thoroughly review documents that were recently submitted by developers from the Bethlehem-based Posh Properties firm. They are purchasing two lots and are going to combine them, Kasha said. Its pretty much right next to Wendys. Posh wants to demolish a home on the land to make way for the restaurant, which it hopes to build within the year, said Joe Posh, a managing partner with the development company. The plan submission is the first step in a review process that is likely to continue for a few months, he said. Id assume wed have quite a few months of the process, Posh said Friday. Company representatives also reached out to Hazleton City Authority for water service, according to Randy Cahalan, HCAs director of operations. Cahalan told authority board members earlier this week that the authority has a 12-inch water main that runs on the opposite side of the highway from where Chipotle wants to build. Theyll have to bring a service line under Route 93, he said. Because of that, it will be a pretty big project. Chipotle has 97 restaurants in Pennsylvania, with eateries in Wilkes-Barre, Dickson City, Allentown and Whitehall, according to the companys website. It has numerous restaurants in other states as well as international locations. The menu includes burritos, burrito bowls, salads and tacos. Armenia National Security Service Reserve Officers' Union members meet with His Holiness Karekin II EU is ready to help Armenia and Azerbaijan with border delimitation and demarcation ARF-D member on Nikol Pashinyan: 103 years ago Armenia's founding fathers would have executed him for treason Robert Kocharyan on years of his leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is still tense, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, May 28 digest "Armenia" alliance of political parties paying tribute to founder of First Republic Aram Manukyan Yerevan.today: Armenia acting PM not greeted at ruling party's headquarters, citizens call him 'capitulator' Russia MOD reports on maintenance of ceasefire regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia acting MOD meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: I see possibility of restoring borders of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast We can provide our army with some key, modernized weapons, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Captives issue is not one that any opposition force can resolve OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs release statement on detention of 6 Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijan Armenian acting Deputy PM: Discussion on issues possible only after withdrawal of Azeri troops from Armenia's territory Armenia acting PM on Syunik roads, Russian military posts: This is only place where there are working nuances Armenia acting PM: Process of return of POWs will intensify after upcoming elections Putin congratulates Aliyev on Republic Day Josep Borrell: A group of EU Ministers will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan Armenia acting PM: We're not going to escalate situation for 30% of Sev Lake Armenia 3rd President visits Vanadzor, pays tribute to heroes of Battle of Gharakilisa (PHOTOS) Armenia ex-President Kocharyan lays flowers at Battle of Karakilisa memorial (PHOTOS) Armenia acting PM: Solution to captives issue is matter of time Shoygu to Harutyunyan: Russia, Armenia strengthen military cooperation Armenia acting premier: We are 100% honest toward our country Artsakh President pays tribute at Stepanakert memorial, Shushi Tank-Monument Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on Meghri corridor plan: Not beneficial to us now to discuss it as "corridor" Acting PM: "Cement," "fittings" were stolen while constructing Armenia state "building" Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Catholicos of All Armenians visits Sardarapat Memorial, again separate from state officials MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement on Armenia army firing toward Nakhchivan Jerusalem Post: Israel prepares for a new war with Hamas France, UN World Food Programme partner to support displaced people in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Today we are not full-fledged negotiating party Norwegian prime minister opposes series of NATO reforms Armenia deputy FM briefs UN, Red Cross leaders on consequences of Azerbaijan aggression against Artsakh NATO Secretary-General: Afghans must take full responsibility for peace and stability in their country 104 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia acting premier: Our sovereignty, independence cannot be subject of discussion Karabakh state-finance minister announces resignation Artsakh MFA: Sardarapat victory has inspired all Armenians for over a century Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: In contrast to kneeling, disgraceful authorities of the day, we have determination Armenia President: Today we stand on threshold of Sardarapat of morality, dignity Catholicos of All Armenians: Our people shall find strength to overcome this ordeal as well Armenia First Republic Day event is held under very modest conditions Newspaper: Armenia authorities claiming to be popular close off First Republic Day event to public Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: Now or never! Armenia President, then acting premier arrive at Sardarapat Memorial Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's new "cleverness?" France ambassador: I wish Armenia to be able to live its independence in peace, prosperity Bashar al-Assad wins Syria presidential election Reporters not allowed entering Sardarapat Memorial of Armenia US continues to face very serious problems in trade and economic relations with China Armenia 1st President: There is a risk of civil war Scenes of apprehension of Azerbaijani who attacked Armenian in Moscow disseminated on the Internet Germany, France, Netherlands urge tech giants to test start-up purchases Armenia 1st President: There has never been such rough dialogue between Armenian and Azeri leaders as there is now Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan military fired several shots at border area of Gegharkunik Province village California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development opening office in Yerevan US Department of State issues statement on detention of Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces Armenia 1st President says Aliyev is certain that Pashinyan won't win elections and is trying to get all that he can UN calls for $ 95 million in aid to Palestinians Twitter is concerned about safety of its employees in India Artsakh hero: Impotent and perhaps also treacherous authorities of Armenia need to be removed from power immediately France MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to show maximum restraint Azerbaijani attacks Russia citizen of Armenian descent in Moscow Armenia acting MOD provides President with information about capture of Armenian servicemen Lithuania MFA urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to go to de-escalation of situation and pull out troops Russian Deputy FM, EU Special Representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia acting FM resigns Acting Deputy FM: Armenia reserves itself the right to take necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity China speaks on dark history of US intelligence in connection with Biden's order Netanyahu slams hypocritical and deceitful moralizing statements of French FM Turkish authorities issues new arrest warrant for mafia after his scandalous revelations of Erdogan's entourage EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security holds 11th Meeting Armenia acting PM deletes statement on Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers "being intertwined" from Facebook post 6 Armenian soldiers captured: situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border is tense, May 27 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief explains difficulties with settlement of border with Azerbaijan UN: Israeli forces may have committed war crimes during 11-day war with Hamas Nikol Pashinyan presents plan for resolving border situation Dollar gains value in Armenia Opposition party leader: Armenia Security Council to convene session with heads of parliamentary factions this evening His Holiness Karekin II receives newly appointed UK Ambassador to Armenia Greece and Turkey FMs to meet in Athens Armenia acting PM says he will present plan for peaceful solution to border situation very soon Armenia Parliament Speaker sends letters to counterparts of partnering legislatures Zarif: Iran welcomes willingness of leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to ease tension Armenia acting Deputy MOD on news about soldiers being ordered to not open fire ANCA calls on US Congress to block financing of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Armenia to allocate lands in Syunik Province to Russian border guards Armenia Armed Forces General Staff deputy chief: We can destroy all Azerbaijani soldiers who invaded territory Armenian advocates file lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan Army general staff deputy chief: About 1,000 Azerbaijan soldiers are illegally in Armenia Army general staff: Armed forces can capture Azerbaijani soldiers who marched into Armenia Armenia legislature approves several amendments to laws Armenian opposition MP: Villages mentioned by ruling bloc's deputy are Armenia's buffer zone Armenia Gegharkunik Province villager to acting PM: Over 50% of our pastures are now under Azerbaijan control Armenia Kotayk Province has new governor Armenia parliament majority leader meets with US ambassador, discusses border situation NEWS.AM BREAKING: 6 Armenian soldiers are captured by Azerbaijan military in early morning European Council head says process of implementing sanctions against Belarus is launched Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Duncan Bannatyne and his wife Nigora Whitehorn were seen enjoying a sun-soaked break away in St. Barts on Friday. The Uzbekistan beauty, 40, looked sensational as she showed off her slender figure in a plunging black swimsuit that also had a gold chain-link design. Nigora's ensemble featured cut-out detailing across her torso to show a glimpse of her cleavage and toned abs as she spent time with the Dragon's Den star, 71. Sun-soaked getaway: Nigora Whitehorn, 40, showed off her slender figure in a plunging black swimsuit as she joined husband Duncan Bannatyne, 71, on St. Barts trip on Friday Nigora's stylish swimsuit was backless and featured cross-body detailing at the back, while it was cut high on her waist to accentuate her slender legs. Her brunette locks were brushed into sleek waves that fell over her shoulders, and she wore a light palette of make-up for the outing. Nigora shielded her eyes in a pair of chic shades, and she also accessorised with a number of rings, a silver bracelet, and a watch. Duncan, meanwhile, kept things simple by stepping out in a green bathing suit, and he wore a pendant necklace. Wow! Nigora's ensemble featured cut-out detailing across her torso to show a glimpse of her cleavage and toned abs as she spent time on the beach Looking good: Nigora's stylish swimsuit was backless and featured cross-body detailing at the back, while it was cut high on her waist to accentuate her slender legs Posing: Duncan and Nigora were seen posing for snaps together on the beach Stunning: Nigora's brunette locks were brushed into sleek waves that fell over her shoulders, and she wore a light palette of make-up for the outing After enjoying a refreshing dip in the sea, Nigora slipped on a green wrap-front dress while Duncan put on a white shirt. In September, Duncan's Influencer wife Nigora refused to stay at a luxury Italian three star hotel after branding it 'filthy and disgusting.' The TV star moved his wife out of the accommodation and into a five star retreat after she warned her 24K Instagram followers against staying at the 'disappointing' Italian villa. Nigora and Duncan marked their anniversary with a romantic shot of them sharing a kiss at their wedding on Instagram in June last year. Fashionista: Nigora shielded her eyes in a pair of chic shades, and she also accessorised with a number of rings, a silver bracelet, and a watch Casual: Duncan, meanwhile, kept things simple by stepping out in a green bathing suit, and he wore a pendant necklace Glamorous: Nigora was sure to turn heads in her glittering ensemble while on the beach Drying off: After spending some time in the water, Nigora was seen getting her towel so that she could dry off Beaming: Duncan appeared to be in great spirits as he posed alongside Nigora Beside the image, Nigora wrote: 'Happy 3 years anniversary to us! @duncan.banntyne I love you so much [heart emojis]' Returning his wife's affections, Duncan wrote: 'Love you so much darling. Three years married today. Feels like forever. [heart emojis]' Nigora is Duncan's third wife after previously tying the knot with Gail Brodie and Joanne McCue, in 1987 and 2006 respectively. Happy couple: Nigora is Duncan's third wife after previously tying the knot with Gail Brodie and Joanne McCue, in 1987 and 2006 respectively Parents: Thrice-wed Duncan has four children with Gail and two with Joanna. Uzbekistan-born Nigora is also a parent to daughter Gabrielle from a former relationship Cooling off: Duncan was seen floating in the crystal blue waters during their day at the beach Thrice-wed Duncan has four children with Gail and two with Joanna. Uzbekistan-born Nigora is also a parent to daughter Gabrielle from a former relationship. Speaking to This Morning shortly after exchanging vows, the billionaire businessman didn't rule out the possibility of having more children. 'Well be planning the future family,' he said. 'I would like to have at least two boys. I cant wait to be a dad again.' Heading back: After enjoying a refreshing dip in the sea, Nigora slipped on a green wrap-front dress while Duncan put on a white shirt Family man: Speaking to This Morning shortly after exchanging vows, the billionaire businessman didn't rule out the possibility of having more children Looking forward to it: Duncan said of adding to his brood, 'Well be planning the future family. I would like to have at least two boys. I cant wait to be a dad again' Nigora also conveyed why she wants to expand her family with Duncan, adding: 'Hes an amazing father. I'm proud of how he is with my daughter. She adores Duncan and couldnt ask for better stepfather. 'Hes going to be an amazing father to my future children.' Duncan and Nigora married in Portugal, where the couple share a home, after a two-year courtship. MIAMI, Jan. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Cansortium Inc. (CSE : TIUM.U) (OTCQB : CNTMF) ("Cansortium" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated cannabis company with operations in Florida, Texas, Michigan and Pennsylvania, announces that it has agreed with certain of its directors and officers to issue an aggregate of 1,286,110 common shares ("Debt Shares") to such directors and officers in exchange for the cancellation of an aggregate of U.S.$771,667 in amounts owing. The Debt Shares are being issued at a deemed price of U.S.$0.60, in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The issuance of Shares to the directors constitutes a "related party transaction" as this term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101: Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). All of the independent directors of the Company, acting in good faith, determined that the fair market value of the Shares being issued pursuant to the shares for debt transaction and the consideration being paid is reasonable. The Company intends to rely on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the Shares nor the debt exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing of the shares for debt transaction as the details and amounts of debts settled under the transaction were not finalized until closer to the closing and the Company wished to close the transaction as soon as practicable, which the Company deems reasonable as it wishes to improve its financial position by reducing its accrued liabilities as soon as possible. All Debt Shares issued to Canadian residents pursuant to the debt conversion will be subject to a four (4) month hold period. The Company also wishes to announce that it has granted an aggregate of 1,700,000 stock options to certain directors and officers of the Company, where each option has a term of five (5) years and an exercise price of U.S.$0.77. About Cansortium Inc. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, and operating under the Fluent brand, Cansortium is focused on being the highest quality cannabis company in the State of Florida driven by unrelenting commitment to operational excellence from seed to sale. Cansortium has developed strong proficiencies in each of cultivation, processing, retail, and distribution activities, the result of successfully operating in the highly regulated cannabis industry. In addition to Florida, Cansortium is seeking to create significant shareholder value in the attractive markets of Texas, Michigan and Pennsylvania, where the Company has secured licenses and established operations. Cansortium Inc.'s common shares and warrants trade on the CSE under the symbol "TIUM.U" and "TIUM.WT.U", respectively, and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol (OTCQB: CNTMF). Investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com. Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this news release, may constitute 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". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. 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 by the Company as of the date of this news 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 the public documents of the Company available at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; 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 news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company 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. SOURCE Cansortium Inc 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. She can be reached at jmaschino@berkshireeagle.com. Reyes was standing in the 6500 block of South Kenneth Avenue when two gunmen on foot fired shots in the victims direction, striking him in the head and chest. Police said Reyes, who lived on the same block where he was killed, was pronounced dead at the scene. It is among New Jerseys better-known trails, running 27 scenic miles through Sussex and Warren counties. Had it not been for the efforts of Len Frank, who died Jan. 17 at age 96, the Paulinskill Valley Trail might not exist. The World War II veteran was recently retired from Picatinny Arsenal and living in Hackettstown when he began organizing residents, in the mid-1980s, in support of the state buying the former railway bed and preserving it as a trail. His efforts came to fruition in 1992, when the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection purchased the land for $600,000. Elisabeth Lescault, one of his four children, said the Paulinskill Valley Trail was almost like a second home to her father. Lescourt recalled walking on the trail with him well into his 90s. She would drive up from Maryland and bring him over for a stroll and a chance to reminisce. He was so proud of it. He loved it right until the end, Lescault said. An undated photo of Len Frank, the visionary behind the Paulinskill Valley Trail.New Jersey Sierra Club It is hard to imagine northwestern New Jersey without the Paulinskill Valley Trail, a popular draw for walkers, cyclists, runners and cross-county skiers. The site was the location of a railroad until the early 1960s and then proposed for a water pipeline to the Tocks Island dam project, which ultimately never happened. Two decades later, with the rail bed starting to deteriorate, advocates formed the Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee Frank was the co-founder and new groups president and began advocating for the state to buy the land, then owned by the city of Newark. Initially, there was some local pushback. Bob Barth, who joined Frank in the volunteer effort, said some in the area wanted to buy up sections of the land and questioned the benefit of a permanent trail. Frank won over skeptics by inviting them to hike the former rail bed with him, Barth said. From there, they could experience the Paulins Kill River, more than 100 species of birds and the occasional bear while walking along a path that includes bridges that once served the railroad. It made no sense to lose a right of way like that, Barth said. Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, described Frank as an environmental champion whose legacy was cemented by the trail. He not only came up with the idea, but planned and built the Paulinskill Valley Trail, which is the sixth longest trail in the state and enjoyed by thousands of people every year. I knew and worked with Len, especially when it came to protecting the trail from widening, ATVs, and properties near the trail. He fought to maintain the trail that he loved, Tittel said. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Frank served with the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II and attended the University of Wisconsin, where he graduated with a degree in metallurgical engineering in 1948. He and his late wife, Erica, lived on a farm in Illinois as they started their family, moving to Hackettstown in 1960 after Frank got a job at Picatinny Arsenal. He expanded his interests in the outdoors and the environment after retiring, leading up led to his advocacy for the trail. He and his wife backpacked extensively throughout the United States and regularly led Sierra Club hikes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York, but it was clear that the Paulinskill Valley Trail held a unique place in his heart. After Erica died in 2013, her family placed her ashes into a stream along the trail, Lescault said. She added that the chances are very high her family will honor her father in the same way. I would think that would be the right thing to do, Lescault said. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Special Agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, working alongside investigators from the Dickson Police Department, have arrested and charged a Lyles, Tn., man accused of manufacturing and disseminating a harassing photograph on social media. At the request of 23rd District Attorney General Ray Crouch, TBI Agents began investigating the origin of a photograph that depicted individuals desecrating the grave of a deceased local law enforcement officer, Sgt. Daniel Baker of the Dickson County Sheriffs Office. Agents subsequently visited Bakers gravesite on Friday morning and determined the photograph was digitally manufactured. Further investigative efforts led to the identification of Joshua Andrew Garton, 28, as the individual who manufactured the image and distributed it on social media. On Friday afternoon, agents arrested Garton and charged him with one count of harassment. He was booked into the Dickson County Jail where, because of this charge and other, unrelated legal issues, he was being held on a $76,000 bond.